University searches for resolution in Westchester

Almost a week has passed since a local NBC affiliate broadcasted a three-minute segment depicting the relationship between Loyola Marymount and its surrounding communities as broken and contentious. According to students and University officials, the truth of the matter is not as dire, but a concentrated effort will be made to address instances of extreme behavior which have garnered most of the public's attention.

On Tuesday, University administrators from the department of student affairs and the department of public safety met with representatives of LMU's Greek community, which represents a quarter of the undergraduate population, to discuss steps in improving the situation.

The University does plan to meet with other co-curricular groups in the near future as well.

Senior Vice President of Student Affairs, Dr. Lane Bove, cited the unacceptable behavior of a small minority of party-going students as a main cause for the recent hike in complaints. She asked students to use common sense when throwing a party, being mindful of not only who they invite but of their neighbors' well-being.

Brian Webber, the president of Beta Theta Pi, has had an extremely positive experience living in a neighborhood near 87th Street and Emerson Avenue.

"It has to begin with the students that do live in the neighborhood extending an olive branch and making an earnest effort to get to know their neighbors, showing that they have a vested interest in the community they live in. By doing that, it will make the channels of communication more open and allow for a dialogue to take place rather than a shouting match over a blog," he said.

Jade Smith, the director of off-campus student life, said, "The vast majority of the students who go here are wonderful and upstanding citizens, but there are a few who have had a negative impact on the majority. We're asking everyone to think practically. Know the limits and the capacity of your house and maintain a reasonable amount of guests. Also, be proactive with your neighbors by getting to know them, offering your help when they might need it and establishing some ground rules when you do have people over."

Chief of Public Safety Hampton Cantrell wants community members to be aware of action being taken by his office in order to deal with problem parties and to maintain a safe environment for students walking home afterwards. He said that DPS will look to hire two additional officers to patrol the neighborhoods on weekends and document student behavior, but also to prevent incidents similar to those that occurred last weekend when students were robbed at knifepoint in Westchester.

He did make clear that DPS will not disperse parties and cannot make arrests, a role reserved for the LAPD, but that the University will consider its options to give DPS officers more authority in the future. The LAPD's resources are already stretched thin, he said, and the University will look to help out when necessary.

Brian Mansoor, the president of Alpha Delta Gamma, recognizes that both residents and students need to make concessions in order for a resolution to be reached.

"Neighbors should allow parties every once in a while, understanding this is a college community, and to not let a few bad incidents ruin their perceptions of the entire student body. On the other side, students have to be respectful. Imagine if it was your house and people were disrespecting you, cursing, urinating and fornicating on your lawn. Behavior like this starts with the students," said Mansoor.

"Students are our primary ambassadors to the community," said Clarence Griffin, the director of community and local government relations.

"We've seen a rise in the number of complaints at the beginning of this year, but it's important to understand that almost everyone in the community is very reasonable and they want to figure this out too. The neighbors have become more vocal and are utilizing more outlets, and they know who to call," he said. "Judging by the amount of time the University devotes to responding to neighbors, it's very clear that LMU places tremendous value on this community as a whole. Most people recognize how valuable LMU is to the area as well, and all the things we've done for [this side of town]."

LMU has begun sending letters to local landlords, suggesting that if not already present, a "disturbing the peace" clause should be included in all leases with students. If students are violating state or local law, it should be grounds for possible eviction, the letter reads.

Junior political science major Sammy Morris said, "Some of our neighbors have been extremely friendly, supportive and reasonable, whereas it seems others already have a predetermined notion that living within the vicinity of a bunch of college guys automatically renders no hope for any type of mutual understanding to ensue."

Morris and others in the Greek community wonder if consolidated housing is a possible long-term remedy. For the time being, however, the University will only view it as a hypothetical. Considering the web of legal code and city ordinances, it may be some time before such a proposition is realized.

"What we have to get over," said Smith, "is the argument over who got here first. It's not going to get us anywhere. We're all here right now and we should be focusing our efforts on figuring this out, something I know is possible."