The college lifestyle is not exactly one of great stress and difficulty. Attend two classes a day, go to a club meeting or athletic practice, take a few naps, and make sure you squeeze in enough time to play some games.Doesn’t sound like the real world, does it? Well, it’s not.
However, it is the first time that we, as young adults, are given the opportunity to live on our own. And with this freedom comes a new sense of responsibility. Socially, does Fairfield really give us this freedom? And more so, is the environment created by both Public Safety and the RA’s really safer? Let’s take a look.
Now, before i start, I realize that many people have already rolled their eyes, and are thinking, “Just another immature kid.” All I ask is to continue with this article, and if you still feel the same way at the end, then you can roll your eyes.
Thinking back on my freshman year, I can vividly remember my first night out, and my first college party. I threw on some khaki shorts and a button down and headed up to the townhouses, excited yet intimidated to experience this new environment. I walked into a gathering, greeted some people, sparked a few conversations, and was genuinely having a good time… for all of fiteen minutes. Then came the knock on the door – “Public Safety, everyone out!” I initially thought that was weird, and was sure something bad must have happened. A couple years later, I’ve come to realize that this is standard procedure. I can honestly count on one hand the number of on-campus parties I have been to that have lasted over an hour. This must go on at other schools though, right? Well, after visiting numerous other universities, such as Scranton, Delaware, Middebury, Bucknell, and Rutgers, I can say that it does not. In fact, a friend I had visit me actually laughed at our social scene, promised to never come back, and asked how I deal with it. It has become pretty embarrassing not only for me, but for a large majority of people here.
Now I know I’ve only talked about “partying,” so let’s talk about actual safety factors. Does breaking up parties actually lead to a safer environment? During my time here, I have seen several fights. Where and how do these fights occur? The confrontations I have seen have raised from people being kicked out of houses because the owner is in constant fear of being written up. Obviously, as a freshman guy, it is degrading to constantly be kicked out of houses, especially when you’re with people you have just met. Additionally, I have seen many fights occur after parties were broken up and large groups are lingering outside. People are bored, there is no where to go, everyone has had a couple beers – one person says the wrong thing and we have a fight on our hands.
Lastly, let’s examine the student handbook a little. For those that don’t know, anytime you are written up, Public Safety or the RA’s will tell you that you should have read your handbook and you would have known the rules. According to the handbook, quiet hours begin on the weekend at midnight, and townhouses are allowed to have up to 49 people in them. First off, there are two different sized townhouses, the 4-person being significantly smaller than the 6-person. So why is the maximum capacity at 49 for both of these houses? If 49 people could fit in a 4-person house, don’t you think that number could be raised for a 6-person house (which is nearly twice as large)? Additionally, this year at my townhouse, I have been approached by RA’s several weekend nights between 10 and 11:30. It has only been me and my roommates in the house, yet the RA’s have told us that our music is too loud and threatened to write us up. What rule did we break?
Another rule I do not understand in the handbook is this one: “Bands are permitted to play in the townhouses or apartment social lounges on Friday and Saturday nights between 9 p .m. and 1 a .m., only if they request approval by the Office of Residence Life at least one week prior to the event.” So if i decide to have a live band at my townhouse next weekend and less than 49 people were in my house, Public Safety or RA’s won’t bother me? I somehow doubt that, but I think I’ll give it a shot.
What’s the solution to all this? Not have public safety regulate townhouses? Certainly not. Maybe, instead of knocking on the door of every house with loud music and a couple kids on the porch, how about being there for our actual safety? Walk around. If a kid is stumbling around from being drunk, take him in. If large groups are gathered outside townhouses, break them up. All I am asking for is a little more freedom. If you guys work with us, we will be more than happy to work with you.
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