TERRE HAUTE —
With the beginning of the school year, it is apparent that Terre Haute is a college town in many respects, especially for those who live in the Farrington’s Grove neighborhood, south of downtown. Many students live in the area and a large number of them live in fraternity houses affiliated with both Indiana State University and Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology. Although there are some sorority houses in neighborhoods adjacent to ISU’s campus, the vast majority of Greek system houses in Terre Haute are occupied by young men.
While students are responsible neighbors for the most part, sometimes their exuberance overflows onto the yards and streets — celebrating the beginning of the school year, rush, a home football game, or just plain partying.
The residents of Farrington’s Grove are an understanding bunch. Many are connected to our local colleges and university. If they wanted a very quiet life, they would live in another neighborhood. Most understand that fraternities provide a service by occupying grand old homes for which there is a limited market today. Fraternities also help out with neighborhood clean-ups and do other service projects.
However, sometimes things get out of hand. Thirty-nine underage drinkers were cited recently at a party in Farrington’s Grove. The first weekend that ISU was back, police had to cruise South Sixth Street to break up hundreds of students spilling onto the street, many of whom were underage drinkers.
From reports of neighbors, these situations are becoming more common and they need to be addressed in a responsible manner. The neighborhood is already stressed by lax code enforcement, some uncaring landlords, and a growing number of vacant, abandoned properties.
If elected mayor, I will appoint a Terre Haute Collegiate Relations Committee that will bring representatives of our city, colleges and university, police and neighborhoods to the table to solve our shared problems. This committee will work together to establish expectations for behavior and deal with frictions between neighbors and the students who live among them, fostering open communication and building community.
Beginning in the early 1970s, colleges and universities stopped acting “in place of parents” on their campuses. One of the consequences was that institutions took little responsibility for students living off campus, especially fraternities. Fraternities are an important part of the life of both ISU and Rose-Hulman. Frat brothers forge relationships, often do better in school and, importantly, stay in school in greater numbers. All institutions of higher learning want to retain more students and see them reach the finish line of graduation.
ISU is evolving in its attitude toward its responsibilities to fraternities and is willing to step up to the plate. My proposal will create a forum where personal responsibility can be increased, guidelines developed, expectations established and problems worked out.
Hopefully, as the university becomes more involved with promoting fraternities, there will be action toward encouraging creation of a fraternity row closer to or on the campus of ISU, with houses built that are designed to meet the modern needs of a large group of people living together. Such a district would be good for the university, good for the fraternities, and good for the community.
With planning and forethought, Farrington’s Grove could strengthen its identity as an historic neighborhood of restored homes, positioning itself for another century of residential living convenient to downtown and the university.
While not all of the behavior problems in Farrington’s Grove and other neighborhoods can be blamed on fraternities or on college students, this will be a good starting point. In the last century it was called “town and gown.” Now, in an age where students are empowered and ready to sit at the table with administrators, city officials, police and neighborhood representatives, it is called conflict resolution. Or more properly, conflict prevention.
It is the job of a mayor to lead, not to follow. This problem has worsened over the last few years, and it is time to take the proper steps to solve it. The Farrington’s Grove neighborhood deserves this kind of leadership, the schools that add so much intellectual and economic vitality to our community deserve it, and the students who make their home here in Terre Haute deserve it.
Flashpoint
FLASHPOINT: Collegiate relations committee proposal addresses neighborhood ills
- Flashpoint
-
-
FLASHPOINT: A legislative session of missed opportunities
Given the nature of politicians, grand claims of accomplishments and overblown rhetoric about “historic” efforts are to be expected at the close of any legislative session.
-
FLASHPOINT: Again in 2013 General Assembly, middle class generally ignored
Last year, the people of Indiana entrusted the Republican Party with some of their most precious possessions.
-
FLASHPOINT: Indiana lawmakers reinforced school safety mechanisms
Nothing is more important to me than the safety of my children. Every parent has felt that instant, apprehensive rush when their child plays too close to the street or falls down while playing soccer and it is our responsibility as parents to implement every safety mechanism we can muster to protect our kids.
-
FLASHPOINT: Lessons from the legacy media — get it right, first
Enough mistakes and maybe we’ll learn: When in doubt, leave it out.
-
FLASHPOINT: Hoosiers got steady hand in recent session
As the General Assembly began its work last November, as Speaker of the House, I pledged a renewed spirit of bipartisanship with legislators working together to solve our state’s most pressing challenges. As this year’s legislative session concludes, representatives from throughout the state — Republican and Democrat — have joined together to address those issues at the forefront of Hoosier minds: maintaining our state’s fiscal integrity, spurring job creation and expanding education opportunities for every Hoosier family.
-
FLASHPOINT: Time has arrived for overhaul of TV news
Former FCC Chairman Alfred Sikes gave an address in 1992 in which he claimed television news was too superficial and too focused on visuals.
-
FLASHPOINT: Fiscal cliff, Obamacare have already raised taxes enough
Our history is rich with stories of people who have immigrated to the United States for a chance at the American Dream. The American Dream, in its truest form, is the opportunity to achieve success by working hard and playing by the rules; to make it on your own and to say, “I earned this.”
-
FLASHPOINT: Expanding Medicaid coverage makes sense for Indiana
Since last summer’s U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling on the Affordable Care Act effectively gave states the option to expand Medicaid, policymakers across the country have debated if and how to extend health programs to millions of uninsured Americans.
-
FLASHPOINT: Improve public education, stop experimenting with it
In January, the four of us who serve as the Democrats on the House Education Committee outlined our hopes for the 2013 session of the Indiana General Assembly, particularly in joining with Superintendent of Public Instruction Glenda Ritz to offer common sense solutions to improve the quality of education for our children. With the halfway point of this session past us, we remain optimistic that positive steps can be taken … but that optimism is tempered by the reality that education policies are being directed by a legislative majority that has a radically different agenda.
-
Healthcare law anniversary no reason for celebration
March 23 marked three years since the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act was signed into law, yet this is not an anniversary that deserves celebration.
-
FLASHPOINT: Defending state’s authority is attorney general’s obligation
The law of the land recognizes the authority of states to license marriage.
-
FLASHPOINT: Stability key for state’s future
Hoosiers have the unique luxury of being the fiscal envy of the nation due to the sound fiscal policies of the last eight years.
-
FLASHPOINT: House budget offers Medicaid solution for Indiana
This week, my U.S. House Budget Committee colleagues and I introduced a federal budget resolution for fiscal year 2014. Our budget is a responsible plan that stops spending money and balances in 10 years — largely through making key reforms to drivers of our debt like Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security.
-
FLASHPOINT: Problem gambling in Indiana: A new understanding of community concern
The week of March 3 was designated as National Problem Gambling Awareness Week.
-
FLASHPOINT: Eastern time in Indiana defies common sense
Nobody complains more than Hoosiers about changing their clocks. And there’s a valid reason — daylight-savings time in Indiana’s Eastern Time Zone is painful.
-
Praying for civil resolution to debate over gun control
Guns are lively ammunition for passionate debate these days.
-
FLASHPOINT: It’s not too late to expand health services
This week, state leaders euthanized the biggest, boldest Hoosier jobs proposal of the 2013 session of the Indiana General Assembly.
-
FLASHPOINT: You can’t go back again — and that’s OK
Our progressive colleagues have been telling us for years that the 1950s were a horrid time.
-
FLASHPOINT: The fierce urgency of now — nation needs to protect youth
The alcohol-fueled alleged serial rape of a 16-year-old Ohio girl by two of her similarly impaired classmates — not to mention the drunken videotaped commentary of others — points yet again to the imperative that adult America renews its commitment to address as a true national community those issues that most threaten the health, safety and forward development of youth.
-
FLASHPOINT: A pastor speaks out against Sullivan’s ‘traditional prom’
I am a pastor in Sullivan, Ind., and I am outraged.
Recently, two young students applied to walk the Grand March together in the school prom in Sullivan. -
FLASHPOINT: 0wning firearms is a First Amendment exercise, too
Following the hysteria generated by gun prohibitionists in the wake of the Sandy Hook tragedy, a nationwide rush on gun stores began as citizens bought semiautomatic modern sporting rifles, handguns and ammunition, in effect “making a political statement” about proposals to ban such firearms.
-
FLASHPOINT: Maintaining the priority
Recently a newspaper article has been written about a change in the by-laws of the Indiana High School Athletic Association which speaks directly to attempted undue influence exerted upon students below the level of grade nine and their parents.
-
FLASHPOINT: The fairness of marriage
What is the current Indiana law concerning marriage? Our state defines marriage in a singular way — between a man and a woman.
-
FLASHPOINT: We ask state legislators to abide by their oath of office
All of us relish giving unsolicited advice to our elected representatives.
-
FLASHPOINT: Mentoring is having major impact on public education
While managing local utility services, Mike Martin found a new way to energize his community, and students are starting to benefit.
-
FLASHPOINT: Common Core standards should be common sense
Years ago, when state officials and education experts came together to create new model standards for schools, they probably never expected it to be controversial.
-
FLASHPOINT: Milestone year for Rose-Hulman
The Rose-Hulman campus traditionally quiets down this time of year, yet for me I sense a renewed energy from the phenomenal year just closing.
-
FLASHPOINT: ISU’s reasoning flawed in flight school planning
ISU and the taxpayers of Indiana and Vigo County are being led down a path of deception once again.
-
FLASHPOINT: Incessant attacks on Christianity by the ACLU
It is obviously apparent that the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) is continuing its onslaught against religious freedom in the United States.
-
FLASHPOINT: Americans deserve more value for their tax dollars
While traveling the 8th District and listening to fellow Hoosiers during my first term in Congress, I have reached the conclusion that many constituents do not believe they are getting value for the tax dollars that come out of their paychecks and are sent to Washington, D.C.
- More Flashpoint Headlines
-
FLASHPOINT: A legislative session of missed opportunities
Raw: Aftermath of Deadly Attack in London
Okla. Teens Get Video of Deadly Tornado Overhead
Okla. City Mayor: Up to 13K Homes Hit by Tornado
Man Shot While Questioned in Boston Probe
Raw: New Video of Deadly Oklahoma Tornado
Raw: Kevin Durant Tours Moore After $1M Pledge
9-year-old Tornado Victim Loved Family, Singing
Florida FBI Shooting Has Boston Bombing Links
Paperless Scanner, Vision of the Future
School Storm Protection Spotty in Tornado Zones
IRS Official Pleads 5th Amendment
Oklahoma Survivors, Heroes Survey Damage
Weiner Launches Bid to Become NYC Mayor
Garcetti Elected Los Angeles Mayor Over Greuel
Today in History May 22
Raw: Costa Rica Volcano Roars to Life
Jodi Arias: Death Penalty Would Cause More Pain
Lawyer: Feds Investigating Susan Powell Case
Moore Native Toby Keith Tours Tornado Damage
Raw: Students Clash With Police in Chile
AK-47-wielding thug may be the most bumbling crook ever
Trout's cycle a boost for Angels
Kim Kardashian Flaunts Pregnant Bikini Body in Greece
NBA star pledges $1M to help tornado recovery
Shakira's Shocking Talent
Morgan Freeman falls asleep on air
GRAPHIC: Blood-Soaked Machete Killer Caught on Tape
Elin Nordegren Furious With Lindsey Vonn For Parading Kids in Public
Camera Captures Climber As He Loses Grip And Falls
Helen Mirren Meets with Dying Boy in Queen Elizabeth's Place
Crowd Chants '¡Si, Se Puede!' After Passage of Immigration Bill
DWTS Crowns a Winner
Police Ram House to End Hostage Standoff
Demi Moore a Rocks Bikini at Harry Morton's Family House
Anthony Weiner: I'm running for New York City mayor
Kate Middleton's Dress Flies Up
VIRAL: Baby makes epic soccer goal
The Hangover Baby All Grown Up
