Committee fosters relationships
By Seth Yorkey
On Oct. 21, the Neighborhood University Relations Committee (NURC), held its monthly meeting in the community room at the Santa Clara Police Department.
The committee provides a structured forum for neighbors, police, representatives of the Santa Clara City Council, administration of Santa Clara University and students to discuss issues pertaining to the community they all share.
"NURC has a twofold goal, first, to provide an environment where complaints and grievances can be aired and resolution can be worked toward," said Patricia Mahan, NURC chair, City Council member and mayoral candidate. "Also it provides tools for the city to help keep the neighborhood family atmosphere and find a balance for students, making the neighborhood compatible for all residents."
The committee attempts to bring harmony to a myriad of different viewpoints and interests that at times come into conflict, said Mahan. Foremost among them at Monday's meeting was neighborhood concern over what was termed by The Alviso Street Area Neighborhood Group as "wandering and gathering groups."
These crowds who, according to The Alviso Group, tend to litter and be noisy and threatening, are the cause of growing neighborhood concern.
In response to this persistent complaint, Police Chief Steve Lodge reviewed the city's noise and disturbing the peace ordinances and instructed those who expressed concern to report violators. "People have a constitutional right to gather, but not to be disturbing," said Lodge.
Jim Purcell, the vice president of university relations spoke about the positive impact that the committee has had with strengthening local relationships. "NURC fosters a relationship between the city, the university, students and neighbors," said Purcell. "It has resulted in an increase in communication between the parties, which is positive."
The committee provides all members of the community the correct means to pursue issues that concern them.
One man from the neighborhood brought to the attention of the committee that several fraternity and sorority houses were putting their letter on their houses. It was his understanding (which in fact turned out to be correct) that since the university had severed affiliations with the Greek system, fraternities and sororities lacked the special permission to post signage granted to them through an agreement with the university.
The issue was noted and appropriate action was going to be taken.
Associated Students President Kristin Love supported the efforts of the committee.
"It is important for students to be involved (with NURC) to show we are making an effort to help the situation and so we can defend our interests," said Love. "NURC provides the proper environment for discussion, one that is not hostile, like after a party or late at night on a street corner."
Although the meeting was tense and at times adversarial, neighbors recognize that students are not at the root of all the problems and commended the efforts of students who are trying to resolve disputes.
"We know that it not just students, that there are outsiders coming in as this area gets a reputation for partying," Claudia Daw, Alviso neighbor, commented. She continued, reminiscing about her coed days at Brigham Young University, "Part of being a student was being a neighbor, a part of the community."