Villanova Students, Residents Differ On Partying Impacts: Survey

LOWER MERION TOWNSHIP, PA – It turns out college students and residents of college towns see drinking and partying among students quite differently, according to results from a survey given to Lower Merion residents and Villanova University students.

Lower Merion Township released the results of the "town-gown" survey that asked students and residents to share their thoughts on alcohol consumption.

Lower Merion-Villanova was one of four Pennsylvania communities in the state to be provided with this free survey by Pennsylvania Municipal League (PML). The survey's goal is to "serve as a catalyst for strategies not previously considered to combat student alcohol consumption and behavior problems," according to the township.

Villanova students account for 124 completed surveys and residents account for 110 completed surveys.

The results show while students do not believe there is a large amount of "trouble" created in the community by partying, the community finds a "great deal of trouble" created by partying.

Despite the disparity in opinion, students and community members agree that trash and littering, as well as excessive noise occur frequently.

The community also cites public urination as another issue related to partying.

A majority of community members survey – 64 percent of respondents – believe student partying has put a large strain on campus-community relationships, and 18 percent of students agree with them.

Fifty-one percent of community respondents believe that partying has had a moderate or more financial impact on the community, according to the survey results.

The full report of the survey's results is available online here.

With the results compiled, a series of recommendations were proposed to improve the relationship and perceptions of students and residents.

They are:

• Quarterly meeting between representatives from Lower Merion Township and Villanova University
• Increase the University’s Neighbor Update email distribution list by adding more members of the community.
• Increase frequency of neighbor communication by the University – regular emails and enhanced social media presence through the University’s newly launched Nova Neighbors Facebook page and Government Affairs Twitter page.
• Increase presence and participation of Villanova University staff at community events.
• Better convey opportunities for the community to be involved on campus; identify additional opportunities.
• Find opportunities where Villanova University can be more active in the community – ex: Speaker Series at Ludington, volunteering at the PALM or Eldernet, etc.
• Lower Merion Township and Radnor Police partner with Villanova to include the Police in the first‐year student orientation program and any other back to school programs that may exist for upper class students moving off campus.
• Have police when patrolling the bar areas speak to students about responsible conduct in the early evening prior to entering the bars when they are more likely to be receptive to the advice. The message/communication received after a few drinks doesn’t tend to have the desired impact but conversation before may improve conduct later and build relationships.
• Lower Merion Township should help to publicize the volunteer effort and projects by Villanova students that benefit the community.
• Consider cooperating with neighborhoods to institute welcome back picnic and like events to help students and full‐time residents get to know one another.

"The survey shows that while progress has been made, more needs to be done to minimize the impact of student conduct in Bryn Mawr neighborhoods," Lower Merion Township Commissioner Scott Zelov said.

The survey results have led to some action items found in the Survey Summary which the Township is planning to implement.

"This survey and the follow-up efforts have had some success in other parts of the country, and thanks to the PML, we are being provided the service at no cost," Ernie McNeely, Lower Merion Township Manager, said. "We hope the results and strategies we employ can make a positive difference."

"Villanova is pleased to partner with Lower Merion Township on this survey and the implementation of its recommendations," said Laura Wagoner, Assistant Director for Government and Community Relations at Villanova University. "The University has undertaken new initiatives this semester that have a strong focus on educating its off-campus students on the importance of being good neighbors who are mindful, considerate, respectful, and safe. We look forward to continuing these efforts in collaboration with Township staff, police and community stakeholders."

The survey given is the Optimal College Town Assessment (OCTA), which is a web-based survey used to gather information from campus and community representatives on a range of issues surrounding "town-gown" in general, and student behaviors more specifically. The program includes the following steps:

• Baseline Assessment Strategy: Assessment of perceptions between campus representatives (students, faculty, board of trustees, etc.) and stakeholders in the community (residents and businesses).
• Planning and Implementation of Engagement Strategy: Using the OCTA results to implement recommendations that specify awareness raising, coalition building, information interpretation, and evidence-based action, used to provide organizational structure to these efforts.
• Creation of an Evaluation Strategy

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