The News Tribune's Aug. 30 "Our View" editorial, "Let college students know they're valued, welcomed," left me confused. It seemed to imply the Duluth community wasn't welcoming to returning college students. The editorial seemed to lay part of the blame on the police response to their fall return.
Huh?
As part of "Move-In Weekend" for University of Minnesota Duluth students, a gentle reminder was issued to college students by the Duluth Police Department, via a news release, regarding stepped-up police presence in campus-area neighborhoods. The editorial seemed to imply this was part of a wrong message sent to students -- that police knew they'd be up to no good.
And what would have been the alternative? Do nothing and let the chips fall where they may? It seems to me we've tried that, and it didn't go well.
OK, how about this: Put the responsibility back on the colleges and let them figure it out? After all, they are the reason the students are here, right?
ADVERTISEMENT
While that may be true, it still seems to me that as a city, and as citizens within that city, we have a responsibility. That responsibility means sometimes students need to be reminded where boundaries are. As a friend of mine once told her teenage daughter, "My job is to set boundaries, and it is your job to test them." And test them young people will. That doesn't mean they're bad kids. I believe it is up to all of us to remind them of their boundaries. If we don't do it, who will?
Ideally, college students go through their entire academic careers without once having an encounter with a police officer; but it does happen. The stepped-up patrols during Move-In Weekend were a direct result of complaints and increased 911 calls in and around campus neighborhoods.
Duluth police have a difficult job on a good day. I have witnessed them handle some pretty disagreeable situations with professionalism. Usually, by the time 911 is called, a situation has reached the point where police need to intervene. Some interpret this as being unwelcoming to students.
As a college town, Duluth is not unique to this. Other cities have struggled with it, too, and have come up wanting. To my knowledge, no college town has devised a perfect solution to balance the wants and needs of both students and neighbors.
But we keep trying: Duluth police, university staff, neighbors and students all have spent time and money on this.
And it is getting better. This year's Move-In Weekend seemed quiet in comparison to previous years. I suspect it will only continue to improve.
Many students find the activities on Woodland Avenue, 21st Avenue East and elsewhere distracting and annoying. It reflects poorly on students, and many have stepped up to counteract the negative publicity brought by these activities. Groups of students outside campus hold positive signs. Others help new students move into their dorm rooms or give directions. Those are just a few of the many beneficial activities that also go on during Move-In Weekend.
The editorial suggested students could be welcomed back each fall with a parade. I don't know about that, but I think it is important students know we welcome their return. I have seen many near-campus businesses offer discounts to college students. UMD offers monetary assistance to neighbors who wish to hold welcome-back block parties in September. Signs around the campus neighborhoods proclaim, "Welcome Back Saints," in reference to College of St. Scholastica students.
ADVERTISEMENT
Could we do more? Sure, and I think students who are doing the right things need to hear that. We need to thank them and acknowledge their efforts.
It takes a village, folks; and, like it or not, these new and returning students sometimes need a guiding hand. Too many times in the past few years we have lost students to tragic circumstances. What would be even more tragic is if we didn't learn something from the incidents to ensure it doesn't happen to someone else's son or daughter.
Learning doesn't always take place in the classroom. These students are a vital, healthy part of our community. We welcome them and look forward to the year ahead and what we can learn from each other.
Beth A. Post lives in a campus neighborhood in Duluth and is a member of the grass-roots group Campus Neighbors.
