University Times

It’s not exactly fighting fire with fire, but this fall the University is fighting irresponsible partying with … parties.

John Wilds, assistant vice chancellor for community relations, and G. Reynolds Clark, vice chancellor for community initiatives, both chancellor’s liaisons to the University Senate’s community relations committee, reported on recent efforts to curb the persistent problem of irresponsible partying by students in neighborhoods near campus.

“It’s been a major issue for us,” Wilds told committee members at CRC’s Sept. 18 meeting. He said the University has been meeting with community residents and talking to student organizations about responsible partying in order to foster better relations between students and their neighbors off campus.

“We’re not anti-party,” Wilds said, “We’re anti-irresponsible party.” Students’ bad partying behavior, which can lead to property destruction and disrespect toward non-student neighbors, is a frequent source of complaints, he said.

This fall Pitt is conducting a series of “be a good neighbor” parties in which students who live in the Oakland neighborhoods can meet and mingle with their non-student neighbors.

The gatherings include discussion of what residents expect from their neighbors, Wilds said. “Those discussions, we think, may help us see a reduction in the number of phone calls we get regarding student behavior.”

The first of three good-neighbor parties, held Sept. 6, drew almost 100 people for those in the area of Parkview Avenue, Dawson and Bates streets, he said.

The idea is to have students engage with their neighbors. “If you know your neighbor, you’re less likely to be disruptive,” Wilds said.

He added that administrators also are working with Student Affairs to enlist the help of resident advisers, noting that many residence hall students attend parties off campus.

Clark emphasized that blame shouldn’t be directed at students in general.

“It’s not all students,” he said, noting that problem party spots tend to be well known to neighborhood groups. “It’s very specific housing units,” he said.

He said Community Relations, Student Affairs and student leaders are continuing to be aggressive in combating the problem. “We’re not going to give up,” he said.

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In other CRC business:

• Co-chair Martha Ann Terry outlined the committee’s plan for the coming year. Its next meeting, set for Oct. 16, will be a field trip to Hazelwood to receive updates on community initiatives and development plans there.

• Terry called attention to the committee’s mission statement, which was updated last November. It outlines the committee goals as:

—To understand and communicate the mutual needs and benefits of the University and its communities at their points of intersection;

—To increase collaboration with Pitt’s community partners;

—To maintain awareness of activities, and

—To report its findings and recommendations to the Senate at least once a year.

“We are the face of the University to community groups in the area,” she said, encouraging members to bring ideas for strengthening partnerships in the community.

• Wilds noted that Pitt’s United Way Day of Caring is set for Oct. 19. So far 22 project sites have been identified. The annual community service day will be followed on Oct. 20 by Pitt’s student Make a Difference Day. Some 3,000 students are expected to participate.

In addition, a Day of Caring event is being arranged in conjunction with homecoming, Wilds said. The event will feature a panel of successful Pitt alumni who will talk with participants in the Oakland Planning and Development Corporation’s School 2 Career program.

—Kimberly K. Barlow