Suffolk adjusts Temple Street relationship

By Sandra Miller
Beacon Hill Times
Suffolk University and Temple street residents continue to fine-tune their Town-Gown relationship, after a few recent disruptions caused some residents to complain to the University.
Temple Street resident Becky Mulzer says that she understands that Suffolk is experiencing some challenges with its transition from the commuter college of days past into a residential campus. That means students increasingly more involved on campus, which all too often involves the homeowners’ end of Temple Street.
“Temple Street is clearly becoming a real college campus, not just the location of classrooms,” she says. “I am NOT against the activities - they are normal college life events. I am concerned about the negative impact on Temple St., a very narrow residential street.”
Her most recent list of student transgressions includes:
•An 8pm outdoor rehearsal, with theater student voices echoing along the street. “They are talking and laughing in normal conversational levels, but with the way noise travels in this narrow "canyon," it is not possible to have one's windows open on this fall evening and listen to the final presidential debate,” said Mulzer.
•The Spirit Shuttle bus was boarded at the corner of Derne and Temple streets for about 30 minutes (between 5:00 - 5:30 p.m.) last week.
•Signage posted along the street and on gas lamps, for college ring orders and a Blood Drive.
•A motorcycle at the park, and a number of bicycles chained to the park fence and tree pits, including one in front of her building.
•A Breast Cancer Awareness rally with several hundred students.
•A Student Activities Fair, with tables along the street and thousands attending.
•Late-night unloading of items being moved into the Donahue Building around 2am.

Mulzer stressed that the students aren’t misbehaving, or that the activities aren’t out of the ordinary. But, she says, “The noise and impact is simply inappropriate for a residential street.”
She suggests that such activities occur on Somerset Street and Ashburton.
Suffolk immediately followed up with the residents’ complaints, and residents in turn reported satisfaction with what the University had to say during their regularly scheduled meeting with Suffolk’s Vice President of External Relations John Nucci and others.
Nucci pointed out that such complaints will go away once the 20 Somerset St. project is completed.
“These are good kids doing good things,” said Nucci. “But it’s a valid point for neighbors to be concerned about the impact. The 20 Somerset project and revitalization of Roemer Plaza will work to solve most if not all of the issues created by these types of activities by taking students off of Temple Street. In the meantime, we’ll work to put more immediate measures in place to minimize the impact.”
When Temple Street classroom space turns into administrative offices, 400 classroom seats moves to Somerset Street, which means less foot traffic. Roemer Plaza in front of the new building will be the spot for future Student Activities Fairs and other events.
In the meantime, university counsel Michael Feeley cited a few things that are being done to stop or mitigate neighborhood problems.
Suffolk Police are on notice to remove improper signage – all signage is stamped by Student Activities for approval; they are posting additional details Thursday-Saturday nights to watch for nighttime activities and to watch the Donahue Building;
The Spirit Bus, he said, was “obviously in an inappropriate place” and that Suffolk has “taken steps to make sure this doesn’t happen again.” Suffolk officials also will talk to Student Affairs, Red Cross and other vendors about their activities. The theater group knew better, said Feeley: “We have a Good Neighbor policy, and members of the theater are well-versed in it. We’re going to remind them that sound travels.”
Suffolk also will notify Temple Street residents about upcoming major events; Feeley noted that this fall’s Activities Fair sent its notices to residents a bit late.
“We’re thankful for the feedback from the neighborhood,” said Feeley. “The university will be vigilant that these incidents won’t happen in the future.”