| Author | Message | ||
     Joan Citizen Username: Joancrystal Post Number: 4135 Registered: 5-2001 |
Starletta: I have been posting here for several years now and I have never seen any negativity directed at SHU. What I have seen is concern directed at municipal problems which arise as a result of having a university (any university) located in a small town. The Seton Hall fire raised serious questions about the ability of the South Orange Fire Department to adequately serve the needs of the community. Underage drinking, inadequate student parking facilities, ever increasing need for off campus housing, and other related problems concern the entire community, not just SHU. Please join us in trying to come to grips with these and other issues so that solutions can be found which meet the needs of both Town and Gown. | ||
| Pizzaz Citizen Username: Pizzaz Post Number: 1106 Registered: 11-2001  |
The Seton Hall University fire clearly showed the failure of an adequate local annual inspection program. If townies would make more of an effort to partake in the cultural and educational opportunities available on campus, they would realize the treasure that is SHU. As for so called quality of life issues that is raised by the above poster, of course, students must be held responsible for actions which are disruptive to ones neighbors. However, never forsake the entire University community on the actions of a few. It angers me to no end when people seem to align local problems to the University. It is simply a false premise. Starletta: I undestand the University has a program with entering Freshman to volunteer for a worthwhile benefit. Can you tell us how you've contributed your time? | ||
| Joan Citizen Username: Joancrystal Post Number: 4137 Registered: 5-2001 |
Pizzaz: Starletta is a graduate student and may have obtained his/her undergraduate degree elsewhere. There is no doubt that SHU has made some fine contributions to the community and will undoubtedly continue to do so in the future. | ||
| Pizzaz Citizen Username: Pizzaz Post Number: 1108 Registered: 11-2001 |
Starletta: Look to the University as to where you might contribute or where there might be need for help. What is your graduate school of study? Try to parlay those studies into your volunteering/or part-time work efforts. I'm sorry you've experienced negativity because you're a SHU student. Be mindful that your pursuits are your own and never falter from them. Good Luck.  | ||
| Starletta8 Citizen Username: Starletta8 Post Number: 5 Registered: 10-2004 |
Wow, I didn't expect multiple responses this quickly. I'll try to address everything. Joan is right- I did receive my undergraduate degree elsewhere, so I don't know offhand about SHU's freshman program. I tend to be skeptical about the overall impact of these programs, as I'm sure there's a major drop of participation as soon as it becomes nonmandatory. My undergrad institution and SHU are not even comparable. I attended a small, private liberal arts college that required all students to live on campus and overall stressed town-gown relations. Unfortunately, things were deteriorating the past few years. I'm not sure how it stands presently. So moving out here was quite a change. I understand many of the municipal problems. These problems exist everywhere. To those worried about quality of life, I udnerstand. SHU's current housing problem invites situations to occur. However, it should be up to the local community to help integrate the students. If they feel that they are members of the community and have a stake in what goes on, disruptive behavior may be curbed somewhat. Whereas if they feel isolation because they see that the community is hostile to the fact that they live off-campus, they are less engaged and more likely to behave in the ways people were afraid of. Of course- noisy neighbors are a problem everywhere. Take my upstairs neighbors. They're not SHU students, and they're often so loud that the super (floor below me) comes up to see what they are doing. I guess my point is that students should be made to feel a part of the community, rather than four-year visitors. If they know their neighbors and become community members, much of this behavior may be curbed. Of course, it's always going to happen. Many of the people who complain likely behaved in similar ways when they were younger. And lastly, if you move into a house next to a large university, what did you expect? It's not going to be like moving into the quietest part of town. (Of course, disruptive behavior shouldn't be condoned... but realistic expectations need to be set on all sides) I've been looking for a good place to get involved, but there isn't much demand for my field in the community. And thanks for the quick welcome! | ||
| Joan Citizen Username: Joancrystal Post Number: 4145 Registered: 5-2001 |
Starletta: I do not agree that South Orange should go out of its way to accomodate conditions resulting from lack of planning on the part of the Seton Hall administration but I do feel that South Orange should be willing to work with Seton Hall to resolve problems to the benefit of both parties. The best way for college students to become more accepted by the town in which their college is located is by being good citizens of that town. If the campus student organization could help with orientation of new students to the ordinances affecting them as residents of the town (noise, littering, traffic) etc., help to sponsor ways in which the students could become more involved in the town (because they want to not because they have to) through work/study as well as volunteer opportunities and increase the number of joint ventures in which college students and town residents come together to share ideas and brawn when needed, there would be far less talk of SHU students being bad neighbors. You wouldn't believe the opportunities that exist for volunteers in our two towns. Post your field of specialty here and I guarantee you will get field related offers for volunteer opportunities. | ||
| Pizzaz Citizen Username: Pizzaz Post Number: 1109 Registered: 11-2001 |
As you say and I quote "However, it should be up to the local community to help integrate the students." I agree. The young adults who enter the school should find home in the community without perceptions of ill feeling. Starletta : You'll find this forum interesting and welcoming with many varying opinions. Please, continue to participate and raise issues that appears unfriendly toward the resident student. I think the Town and Gown relationship is a work in process. Hopefully, we'll get it right before the next One Hundred and Fifty years. | ||
| Loren Lieberthal Citizen Username: Longfellow Post Number: 1 Registered: 10-2004 |
Hello all, another "newbie." My wife and I moved to South Orange this month -- after 4 years in Montclair -- and we're enjoying every moment (well, save for the new-homeowners-never-ending-crises parade). Speaking of parades I caught some of Maplewood's fabulous H'ween gathering this afternoon and last night marched on the S.O. Town Hall with the group seeking redevelopment. So I'm feeling all civic and everything...and looking forward to being part of this twin-sister community. Cheers. | ||
| Joan Citizen Username: Joancrystal Post Number: 4172 Registered: 5-2001 |
Welcome Loren | ||
| hariseldon Citizen Username: Hariseldon Post Number: 238 Registered: 5-2001  |
So Mr. Lieberthal, welcome. I find it greatly interesting that, in less than a month of living here, you felt it was necessary to march on Village Hall (not Town Hall, btw) to protest the "lack of redevelopment". Maybe I ask you, sir, why did you move here if you , from the outset, were unhappy with the way things are progressing? | ||
| Tom Reingold Citizen Username: Noglider Post Number: 4279 Registered: 1-2003  |
Welcome, Loren. Nice introduction. I'm fairly new, too. I've lived in Maplewood since June 2003. Take a look around at the other sections. The soapbox section is blowing off steam about anything. The virtual cafe section is the same but gentle, because it lacks the griping. | ||
| longfellow Citizen Username: Longfellow Post Number: 5 Registered: 10-2004 |
Hariseldon, it's funny you should ask. When my wife brought me to SO to consider moving, at least 2 years ago and maybe more, I was outraged---"I'm not moving to a town without a supermarket, bookstore, movie and/or live theatre!" Well, economics changed my mind over the last couple of years, particularly as Montclair became untenable, plus we saw a house we loved here...but I still believe the redevelopment will enrich the town (now "my" town too!) and the more I read about it, the more it seemed like a worthwhile--and overdue--cause. I'm curious, do you disagree?? And thanks for the other welcomes, Joan and Tom. --Loren | ||
| Joan Citizen Username: Joancrystal Post Number: 4173 Registered: 5-2001 |
Loren: FYI: The Baird Center (in South Orange) does have live theater from time to time, as does Seton Hall University (in South Orange). The Dancing Goat (in South Orange) just sponsored an excellent film festival which included a large number of films by South Orange film makers among others. Theatrical events are held regularly during the summer in on of the South Orange parks. South Orange is home to a major university -- Seton Hall. I am sure if you look hard enough you will find at least one book store in town and South Orange also has a very good public library. Last I heard, residents of South Orange could also arrange to use the Seton Hall Library. Book clubs abound in both our towns. Check with the library if you need help finding one to your liking. If you don't, use MOL as a tool to form your own. South Orange has a Pathmark Supermarket on Valley Street. There is an active discussion about it going on right now in Soapbox. Amazing what you can learn on this message board. | ||
| longfellow Citizen Username: Longfellow Post Number: 6 Registered: 10-2004 |
Ah yes, Joan, I read about the Pathmark in Soapbox---not quite the cleanest/nicest/freshest supermarket in town (I've been there, too). And I do know about the other places you mentioned, though I did not that first time a few years ago. My statement was past tense--I definitely thought better of the Arts and Letters of SO to move here (and in fact I was the screenwriter of a 17-min. film that was part of the Goat FilmFest). So I appreciate what you're telling me...but certainly the town can do more, be more, aspire to more, without losing its charm. I'm certainly not advocating K-Mart or Circuit City and their ilk. And speaking of the Library, the REBL Card allows you to use 20 public libraries throughout Essex County. Useful if the SO/MPL branches don't have what you want first, of course! ---Loren | ||
| Joan Citizen Username: Joancrystal Post Number: 4186 Registered: 5-2001 |
Loren: There has been a major cultural renaissance in Maplewood and South Orange in recent years and it isn't over yet. If you want to get involved in the expansion and/or improvement of cultural programs in our towns, you can join one or more of the several cultural organizations that exist within Maplewood and South Orange which are actively trying to do just that. | ||
| Tom Reingold Citizen Username: Noglider Post Number: 4283 Registered: 1-2003 |
Loren, if you pretend there is no line between South Orange and Maplewood, you have most of what you want already, though I agree that aspiring to be more and do more is always good. Check out the history section. You will learn that Maplewood was once a part of South Orange. For the most part, it still is, in my view. | ||
| Soulful Mr T Citizen Username: Howardt Post Number: 1 Registered: 11-2004 |
Testing new account. Hi everyone. I came here to inquire about a new landscaper (since my current one sucks) but looked around and thought, "Gee, is this cool or what?" Just moved to Mplwd in May of this year and so far, we loooove it. Cheers. | ||
| Soulful Mr T Citizen Username: Howardt Post Number: 2 Registered: 11-2004  |
Sorry, testing again. "Is it rollin', Bob?" | ||
| Newcomers Club Citizen Username: Newcomers_club Post Number: 24 Registered: 7-2004 |
Soulful Mr. T, Welcome to Maplewood! Participating in Newcomers Club events is a great way to meet people. In fact, the next meeting is tonight at 7:45 p.m. It will be held at Morrow Memorial Church, which is on the corner of Baker Street and Ridgewood Road in Maplewood. Just look for the pineapple flag. Refreshments and babysitting will be provided. | ||
| Joan Citizen Username: Joancrystal Post Number: 4222 Registered: 5-2001 |
Welcome Soulful Mr. T. Try the Home Fix-it section of the board for landscaper recommendations. |
