Proposal to restrict off-campus living unfair

Proposed legislation to regulate the number of student residents in the University Hill area should not be approved by the Syracuse Common Council. Students should be able to take advantage of living opportunities supplied by the off-campus neighborhoods surrounding the areas of Syracuse University.

The proposed legislation is a licensing system that would require landlords to register new properties, including student resident names and the universities they attend. Its purpose is to lessen the spread of students into the Special Neighborhood District in close proximity to the university.

For students from SU and other nearby colleges, following through with this proposal would prove unjust. This neighborhood is an important option for many students wishing to live off campus because of its close location to SU’s main campus. Being in close walking distance is a necessity for students who may not have cars and need to access campus easily and safely.

Though non-student residents may not favor living among young people exhibiting characteristics of a college lifestyle, this location is the most logical for students to live in.

Restricting students completely from living in specific neighborhood areas like Berkeley Park was also proposed in the legislation. But acting upon this would wrongfully hinder students’ right to choose in which neighborhood they wish to live, as well as the landlords’ ability to purchase property in this area for student housing.

Instead of restricting students and landlords who rent houses to student tenants, a family-oriented atmosphere should be enforced in these areas.

Student and non-student residents should enter into a contract stipulating that college-style parties and similar behavior must be constrained to the area, especially since this neighborhood is located near Edward Smith Elementary School.

SU does not have enough space to house all of its graduate and undergraduate students. When adult students make the decision to live off campus, they lessen the strain on university resources.

The university contributes greatly to the city of Syracuse and its communities. This fact, and the need for students to live off and close to campus, should be considered by those wishing to enact these restrictive proposals.