On June 15, the Principal’s Task Force on Community Relations released its 36-page report. The 13 recommendations respond to the ever-widening division between permanent residents and students, and attempt to resolve the general state of discontent and animosity. In order for any of the recommendations to be implemented successfully, both residents and students must recognize that the existing perception of students and residents as two separate camps will only hinder progress. Ultimately, we are all residents of Kingston.
Some recommendations are too vague and bureaucratic to foster real solutions. One recommendation calls for an elevation of “responsibility and accountability for community relations to a senior portfolio of the University,” while another outlines the creation of a “permanent ‘better community’ implementation team,” which would work to develop a plan to improve the quality of off-campus life.
The Task Force did make recommendations that could potentially lead to a drastic improvement to the living conditions of many students. Queen’s Apartment and Housing Service offers an Accommodation Listing Service (ALS) allowing landlords to advertise their properties for a fee; but as it stands now, the properties do not need to be approved or meet any criteria before being posted on the frequently-visisted ALS website. The Task Force recommends that Queen’s Apartment and Housing “extend the standards it sets for Queen’s-owned rental property to all properties listed on the ALS,” which includes a mandatory property inspection.
The Task Force has also recommended strengthening the “mandate and resources of AMS and SGPS for addressing non-academic discipline.” This is an encouraging sign of faith in the capabilities of students and the existing AMS Judicial System. It could also have been recommended that in addition to the Code of Conduct, the Judicial System procedure be publicized to both students and residents; there is often the misconception that non-academic discipline consists of merely a “slap on the wrist,” which definitely is not the case.
Homecoming, however, has been left under a shroud of ambiguity. With record attendance at the Aberdeen party last year, there are increasing concerns about safety and Kingston Police have said that they cannot deal with the growing crowds at Homecoming. While safety is a valid concern, the Administration, the Task Force and the Kingston Police must realize that the Aberdeen party, a student tradition, will not likely be thwarted,and they should seek ways to make Aberdeen safer, not to eliminate it.
Considering the report’s focus on Homecoming safety, it is surprising that off-campus student safety was not addressed. It is alarming that so many recommendations are being made to protect Kingston residents from noise and garbage, yet more serious issues have not been recognized.
Amidst increasing tension between the City and the students, this report addresses some very real issues. It has outlined the Administration’s commitment to students, and we must hold them accountable to fulfilling this commitment.
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