Working Toward Solution Gu Students, Neighbors Exchange Ideas, Agree To Form Committee To Ease Tensions, Address Issues

Only a handful of Gonzaga students showed last week for a meeting meant to ease tensions between Logan neighbors and the university.

Administrators set up the meeting as a forum for residents who say the antics of students are ruining their neighborhood. A facilitator was brought in for what was expected to be a lively discussion.

“I’m very disappointed more students didn’t show up,” said Logan COPS president Myrna O’Leary. “I felt like we were preaching to the choir.”

Residents say off-campus partying has reached new highs - or lows - this year. Students say the party scene has actually simmered down from years past.

While Gonzaga is a dry campus, those of legal age may drink alcohol in the 33 university-owned houses and apartment buildings. Many off-campus students live in houses with private landlords.

“What I’m picking up from students is there are far fewer parties this year than in the past,” said Dave Bergen, dean of student services. “But the Logan neighbors say it’s the worst they’ve ever seen it.”

Jeff LeBret, a sophomore and vice president of student affairs, said fewer parties means the ones that happen get too big, too fast.

About 30 neighbors came to vent frustrations about rowdy late-night parties and their aftermath - vomiting, sex and trash in neighborhood yards.

“This is the signature cup of Gonzaga University,” said one resident, holding up a red plastic cup commonly used for keg parties. “And they’re in my yard almost every morning.”

Phil Lenoue, Sr., a lifelong Logan resident and a Gonzaga graduate, told of watching a student urinate on the side of his home in daylight.

“We’re neighbors, and we ask them to be neighbors,” he said. “I don’t think that’s too much to ask.”

Vice President for Student Life Sue Weitz assured residents she has seen an effort from students.

“It’s not the majority of the students causing this,” she said. “They’re concerned about this as much as anybody in this room.”

Weitz suggested neighbors attend the student convocation at the beginning of the school year to build a rapport with students.

Other solutions floated around the auditorium. One student proposed placing trash cans on street corners. A man suggested putting a clause in student leases saying, “You drink, you’re out.”

“These kids need to know what consequence is,” he said. “They have no consequences at this point.”

Some students say they’re being unfairly blamed for the actions of a few.

“You’re speaking of a small group of houses,” one 22-year-old student told the group. “But you’re really targeting all of GU when you say these things.”

Residents and students ended the meeting by agreeing to form a committee to address the issue.

O’Leary said the group likely will meet again before school ends. But they’ll need support from university administration, she said.

“We need to work on them taking responsibility,” she said.

For Peggy McEwen, who graduated from Gonzaga and is raising a family in the Logan neighborhood, it may be too late. She came to last week’s meeting, but said the partying is getting so bad, she is considering leaving Logan.

“The problems aren’t changing,” she said. “Just the people are.”

Cross-town Neighbors - News from the North Side Headline: GU meets with Logan resients in effort to ease tensions