Spring Break
Changes At Carriage House Are Alarming
Our Opinion
Issue date: 9/7/07 Section: Commentary
University students are used to living under a litany of rules and regulations designed to make life on campus safe and enjoyable for all. Quiet hours, university-issued ID cards and community assistants are a regular aspect of life for campus residents. However, the actions of the management of Carriage House Apartments, as well as those of Dean of Students Lee Williams, have extended these campus annoyances out into the community, where they have become a real hindrance to the normal living Carriage residents were expecting when they signed year-long leases.
Carriage House residents have been issued ID cards, which are necessary for entry into the complex during certain hours. In addition, students must be present at the entrance to the complex in order for guests to be allowed in. The perimeter of the complex is now fenced in. A night watchman is on-site to enforce community regulations. The size of a gathering at any one apartment has been limited to 30 people. But, in what is perhaps the worst measure to be implemented, violations of any of the Carriage House standards will be reported to the Office of Community Standards, and perhaps even Williams herself.
While the university has an inherent interest in the protection and safety of its students, the restrictions implemented at Carriage House are no more than an exercise in vanity and image. Carriage House is a complex known for its party atmosphere and rambunctious weekends. Violations of law which occur there, including noise violations and alcohol infractions, can and should be reported to the appropriate law enforcement agencies, who can then respond appropriately. However, violations of a limit on guests or an attempted entry without an ID card should not result in a summons from the Office of the Dean.
Williams is happy that Carriage House has "put in place some of the things they should be doing." But, while she enjoys the increased administrative arm being placed over the shoulder of Carriage House residents, the residents themselves rightfully feel swindled. The lease indicates reasonable changes in rules and regulations are allowable. The fact that such drastic changes have been implemented, not of a desire to raise property value or attract new clientele, but rather because the administrative mothers and fathers of UConn have nudged them toward such regulations, is disturbing.
Quiet apartments and fenced-in property are nice, attractive features if the residents are looking for them. The leaseholders of Carriage House were not in search of such amenities. Rather, they feel like they are back into the halls of North and Towers with the type of university-sponsored regulation they initially moved off campus to forget.
Carriage House residents have been issued ID cards, which are necessary for entry into the complex during certain hours. In addition, students must be present at the entrance to the complex in order for guests to be allowed in. The perimeter of the complex is now fenced in. A night watchman is on-site to enforce community regulations. The size of a gathering at any one apartment has been limited to 30 people. But, in what is perhaps the worst measure to be implemented, violations of any of the Carriage House standards will be reported to the Office of Community Standards, and perhaps even Williams herself.
While the university has an inherent interest in the protection and safety of its students, the restrictions implemented at Carriage House are no more than an exercise in vanity and image. Carriage House is a complex known for its party atmosphere and rambunctious weekends. Violations of law which occur there, including noise violations and alcohol infractions, can and should be reported to the appropriate law enforcement agencies, who can then respond appropriately. However, violations of a limit on guests or an attempted entry without an ID card should not result in a summons from the Office of the Dean.
Williams is happy that Carriage House has "put in place some of the things they should be doing." But, while she enjoys the increased administrative arm being placed over the shoulder of Carriage House residents, the residents themselves rightfully feel swindled. The lease indicates reasonable changes in rules and regulations are allowable. The fact that such drastic changes have been implemented, not of a desire to raise property value or attract new clientele, but rather because the administrative mothers and fathers of UConn have nudged them toward such regulations, is disturbing.
Quiet apartments and fenced-in property are nice, attractive features if the residents are looking for them. The leaseholders of Carriage House were not in search of such amenities. Rather, they feel like they are back into the halls of North and Towers with the type of university-sponsored regulation they initially moved off campus to forget.
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