Main Point: Bridging Division

Jun 15 2009 - 1:05pm | University Star Editorial Board

There is a unique sense of pride in being a bobcat.

Freshmen filled with apprehension quickly start appreciating how wise their decision to come to this institution was. There are few better places to spend an academic career than in the crown jewel of Central Texas.

However, Texas State does have a problem everyone needs to work together to overcome: there is a divide. The divide exists between Texas State students and long-term or non-student residents. There is no physical divide to point to and symbolically tear down, but it is a problem needing to be dealt with.

Much of the division stems from assumptions and distorted observations: too often long-term residents view students as careless, alcohol binging noise machines; the student body too often perceives the residents as killjoys who exist for calling the police and ruining everyone’s fun.

These perceptions, like any caricature, have their foundations, but the facts have been obscured past the point of reason.
It is true any incoming freshman who cares to look will find a party at Texas State. It is hard not to at any academic institution. No reasonable person would seriously believe all university students would abstain from parties forever in favor of wine and cheese nights. Getting together with friends is fun and can relieve the stress academia brings with it.

However, the important thing for incoming freshmen and transfer students to remember is they must remain respectful of their neighbors and fellow San Marcos residents. Attending or hosting a party with friends is fine, just as long as it is kept reasonable. If a party is kept at an amount that can be managed and calmed, everyone is likely to have a good time.

However, if students find themselves at a party where attendees howl at the moon and the rafters are considered a reasonable place to swing from, then odds are the police will make it a prerogative to cut the festivities short. Then the attendees must go home and the hosts might find themselves levied with a heavy fine. Furthermore, no one in attendance did anything to help the image of Texas State students.
Recently the City Council approved a noise ordinance giving the police new powers to disperse parties. A noise violation is now anything that can be heard across property lines and a gathering is considered anything with two or more people.

These rules were considered too vague by some, including the editorial board of The University Star. However, they are the law and must be observed or the offenders will face consequences.

The best solution is for students to exercise self-restraint and prove all the detractors wrong. If students can show everyone they are well-intentioned, reasonable people who care about San Marcos, then the divide will be bridged.

Permalink