Suffolk helps quiet student life on Beacon Hill

By Sandra Miller
Beacon Hill Times
The midyear report cards are in, and it looks like things are going well between residents and Suffolk University.
"Suffolk is really invested," reports City Councilor Michael Ross, who is on the City Council's Problem Properties Task Force that met recently to report on Suffolk's progress. "They hire police to patrol over the weekends, they're trying their best to be good neighbor."
The task force also works with Emerson College, which could be doing a better job, says task force member Michael Ross. "Emerson should help fund a police detail. If there's some issues they do talk to their students. We're working with them."
Emerson spokespersons did not return phone calls for this article.
"What I want to do is encourage residents who are having problems with students or properties to call our office," said Ross.
The task force meets monthly with residents, university officials and police to check in on problems with students, specifically concerning loud parties, drinking in public, and noise, what Ross calls "Typical student issues."
Reports over the summer about overcrowded housing in violation of new city ordinances have not been reported, Ross said. "The overcrowding hasn't come up yet as an issue. We have protections in case that comes up, but we haven't had any issues."
Michael Feeley, Suffolk's Office of External Affairs' in-house counsel, says a combination of education and a reduction in students living on Beacon Hill – a 24 percent decrease in the 02114 area code since last year, he said -- has seen great results. "We educate the students about their responsibilities as neighbors in the city, and how to act appropriately in the neighborhoods. It's an intensive program where we speak to the students. We make clear our expectations, and we also speak with the parents at orientation."
He also applauds Suffolk's Office of Neighborhood Response, headed by Rick Grealish, which has a 24 hour hotline – 617-549-7503 – for any problems. Grealish also accompanies Boston Police details on patrols through the neighborhood Thursday through Saturday nights. "We hear that a lot from residents about the quickness of our response," said Feeley.
The office also meets weekly with the Beacon Hill Civic Association, which also reports a better relationship between neighbors and the university.
"The relationship with Suffolk is very much improved since they established the Office of Neighborhood Response," said BHCA executive director Suzanne Besser. "We have received very little response to student behavior on Beacon Hill. They've done a great job in teaching students how to be good neighbors. The students help us with holiday decorating, too."