White linen cloths lined the tables as the wait staff circulated in bow ties and pressed shirts. Scrambled eggs, bacon, home fries and conversation between community members, administration and students started off Saturday’s service day and breakfast.
Approximately 70 community members and volunteers were present at the breakfast where most of the conversation centered around the community members’ perspective on living in a college area and building a stronger relationship with students.
“I brought my daughters so (students) could see that there are families living here,” said Tom Meyer, a seven-year resident of St. Stephen Street who attended the breakfast with his wife and two daughters. “We moved here because we liked the student pulse and the variety of older and younger people … but there have been problems with broken glass bottles, swearing and petty vandalism … these things go on every weekend.”
The community breakfast, held in the Faculty Lounge in Kerr Hall, was sponsored by the Leadership Education and Growth Opportunities Leadership Program (LEGO). The event was held to provide a forum for students and community members to voice their concerns, and get to know one another.
So many community members attended the open breakfast beginning at 10 a.m., student volunteers had to give up their seats at times so community members would have a place to sit and discuss issues with at least one student.
There was a good interchange between students and community members, said Charles Pleuthner, an 18-year resident of Symphony Road. However, Pleuthner said the students who have given him problems in the past have always been in the minority and the students at Saturday’s breakfast were representative of the majority.
“The way student (leaders have) shown their maturity in something like this, and how this is only the first step shows a real thoughtful and grown-up approach. I am thrilled and proud of them and this shows off the Northeastern students the way I have gotten to know them,” said President Richard Freeland as he entered the Faculty Lounge that morning.
As students finished their breakfast and coffee, they slowly dispersed out into the community to begin the second project of the day — cleaning.
Despite the rain and 41-degree temperature, approximately 45 volunteers participated in the service day clean up project sponsored by the Student Government Assoc-iation (SGA).
Donning latex gloves and carrying garbage bags, shovels and brooms provided by the Physical Plant, students split into teams and spread out into the Symphony-area streets to pick up trash and clean up what they could.
Although the events took place the day after the Springfest concert with Jurassic 5 and Ludacris was scheduled to take place, SGA President Michael Romano said the events were not meant to take the place of the concert.
Romano also said he already has 60 confirmed volunteers for another service day being planned which would include the Mission Hill area.
“I would definitely consider (participating in another service day),” said Matt Pian, a sophomore business major, as he picked up trash on Symphony Road.
Although the job required volunteers deal with “gross” trash, some noticed how community members passing by were appreciative.
“I’m a little disgusted by all the cigarette butts,” said Angela Verando, a freshman biology major who was helping to clean up Hemenway Street. “One guy though stopped and said ‘thanks’ and it felt pretty cool.”
