The creation of a community relations council by the Tufts Community Union Senate and the lack of students on financial aid prove one thing: Tufts students are out of touch with the real world.
There may not seem to be much of a correlation between financial aid and community relations, but it does exist. Students who take on some, or all, of the financial burden to pay for college have more of a sense of responsibility. Coming out of college in debt changes the attitude of students, because they realize they must make the most of their education. Once they graduate, the party's over.
Only 3,000 students applied for financial aid and 2,500 received some financial aid -- even fewer qualify for Federal Pell Grants or have a heavy loan burden. This shows that nearly half of Tufts students can pay tuition. As it's highly doubtful that many 20-year olds can afford a $40,000 tuition bill on their own, most of these students' parents are footing the bill.
Students whose parents pay for their entire education are able to be more carefree; they don't have to worry about paying back loans six months after graduation. This doesn't mean that all students who come from well-off families are irresponsible and rude. But, they do have the ability to be more detached from the world of promissory notes and the interest rates upon graduation.
Somerville and Medford residents have grown to resent students. We're noisy, uncontrollable at times and don't show proper respect to our neighbors.
Just because about half of the campus does not have to pay any part of tuition, it does not give students license to act like they are at a four-year summer camp. This could facilitate the sort of behavior disgruntled Medford and Somerville residents complain of -- loud parties, garbage, urination in neighbors' lawns by partygoers, unkempt houses, and students that don't fit into the working class makeup of the neighborhood.
The Daily has previously argued that students make up an important part of the Medford and Somerville communities -- that local residents should be more accepting of students' behaviors and local police should be more respectful of Tufts students. But, Tufts students can do their part and be more respectful to our neighbors, particularly on weeknights.
The TCU Community Relations Council is yet another step in the right direction for the University and Medford/Somerville. This committee needs to be more than just a group of people in a meeting room. The progress, or lack thereof, of the committee must be communicated effectively with the Tufts, Medford and Somerville communities. It would also be wise for Tufts students to realize that not everyone can easily afford a private university's tuition. Students need to become more aware of the sacrifices others take to attend this University. This shift in attitude is the first step in smoothing community relations, because students would hopefully be more sensitive to the working families that surround us.
Neither the students nor local residents are completely right; both sides need to compromise. Real changes need to happen so that life in the Tufts area can go more smoothly.<$>
