New program helps to reduce tensions

Spurring from tensions with the community regarding students living in off-campus neighborhoods, Towson’s new program looks to be making changes.

Junior metropolitan studies major Liam Davis is the first TU community ambassador since the kickoff of the program in the summer of 2009.

“What it is supposed to do is bring people together, students and neighbors, and work to improve relations,” Davis said. 

“What we’re trying to do is make the benefits of the University’s growth outweigh the growing pains. We want to make the transition into a more college town less difficult for the community.”

Davis’ job includes attending meetings and talking with students and community members in the neighborhood on a weekly basis.

“This is in no way, shape or form me babysitting people,” Davis said.

 “I am there as a resource. If any issues come up, and it doesn’t have to be with a neighbor, it could be a roommate or landlord...I will try my best to help.”

The program has centered its pilot program on Towson Manor Village, according to Davis, where most of the problems have been.

“Towson Manor Village has a strong community representative and a good amount of student houses there,” Jana Varwig, associate vice president for student affairs, said. 

“So we felt like it would be a good neighborhood to start out in.”

The Towson Manor Village representative and Greater Towson Council of Community Associations president Ed Kilcullen could not be reached for comment.

According to Varwig, the program is about educating students on how to live in a neighborhood.

“Things like the trash pick-up and how to have a party in a respectful manner,” Varwig said. 

“Students’ hours may be very different and it’s important to think of quiet hours. Students may be up at midnight or two in the morning and other people are sleeping because they have to get up for work.”

The University Relations Committee, composed of neighborhood representatives and TU administration, put the program in place. 

“We were looking at what other schools are doing and this came up,” Varwig said. 

“So this year we decided to put it into place.”

Although it is still too early to tell its true effectiveness, Varwig said she has seen reduced tensions from the neighborhood representatives, even those that do not yet have the program.

Davis said he agrees after seeing the reactions to a few community meetings. 

“They have been generally really positive,” he said. 

“When the school year started up we were prepared to be hit by a few conflicts. But truthfully, things have been pretty smooth.”

Currently the only ambassador is Davis; however, there is one individual in training, Varwig said.