Over the past few weeks there have been several Northeastern News articles and letters to the editor focusing on student behavior issues in the community. As liaison between the community and the university, I would like to set the record straight and state in the clearest possible terms the institution’s position on this matter: Northeastern University will not tolerate inappropriate or disruptive behavior in the neighborhoods surrounding our campus.
Northeastern is fortunate to be part of three very distinct neighborhoods: Roxbury, Mission Hill and the Fenway. But while our neighbors accept that they live near a college, they have not forfeited their rights to be treated with respect and dignity. Nor have they resigned themselves to the notion that they must “deal with” loud and disruptive behavior from students because they live in a “college town.” Your neighbors, much like your neighbors at home, expect that they will be able to sleep through the night without being woken up by yelling, loud music and partying. Your neighbors accept that what happens in the privacy of your own apartment is your business, but when the noise, the people and the trash move out of your unit and into the public street, the back alleys and their front yards, it becomes their problem — and this university’s.
At Northeastern, we see it as part of our urban mission to be the best neighbor possible. Towards that effort we participate in many city and community partnerships that cover a variety of issues including education, affordable housing, volunteerism and student behavior. With respect to this last item, it is expected that all students have a basic understanding of what is required of them as responsible adults and members of this community. The Student Code of Conduct contained in the University Student Handbook clearly spells out what is unacceptable behavior. All students are reminded that the code of conduct applies regardless of whether they are on campus or off.
Northeastern University hires special Boston Police details to assist NUPD and the community with student behavior issues. The university takes written complaints from community members as seriously as if they were from members of its faculty, staff or student body. All complaints are forwarded to the Office of Student Conduct and Conflict Resolution (OSCCR) where they are adjudicated and where students may face probation, suspension or expulsion based on the severity of the misconduct.
Whether at NU or any other college or university in Boston, each student is an ambassador of their school. When Northeastern students are acting responsibly and are being good citizens by respecting their community, the whole university reaps the rewards of their efforts. But when Northeastern students act irresponsibly in the community, as with loud, late-night parties and other disruptive, disrespectful behavior, the entire university suffers. While we hope that all students will choose to serve as positive ambassadors to our neighbors and the community, we will not shrink from our responsibility to enforce the code of conduct for those who do not. It is my hope that all students will recognize their ambassadorial role and join the vast majority of Northeastern students who are good neighbors and assets to their school and the city of Boston.
-Jeffrey Doggett is Associate Director of Community Affairs and the Director of the Center of Community Service.
