WNA Welcomes SU Off-Campus Students
WNA participated in a welcome for SU students living off-campus. Representatives from WNA and SEUNA had tables and spoke to students about life in the neighborhood. SU reps from the office of off-campus housing and public safety were also there, and reps from city Office of Code Enforcement and from OCCRA. We were glad to connect again with OCRRA re-cycling specialist Maria Bianchetti, who spoke to our WNA meeting in June, and established new contacts with SU off-apartments and off-campus housing staff, especially Residence Director Rachel Froelick.
Four-footed Westcotter Luna, seen here, was a star of the afternoon, and she drew dozens of students to our table. Many were interested in our upcoming Halloween Dog Parade on October 28th. Mostly, we talked about student tenant rights and responsibilities, but also all the cultural and recreational opportunities of the Westcott Neighborhood. Most of those visiting our table were Indian grad students here for 2-year master’s degree programs in the Engineering and ISchool. Many were eager to learn more about the neighborhood they have settled in, and how to be involved. There are now – or so we were told -1200 South Asian grad students at SU, but there is no central organization to serve them, or easy way to collectively contact them. Several students said they’d like to work on this.
While we are sometimes overwhelmed by students living in our neighborhood, they are a big and important part of our community. Make them feel welcome and let them know they are not living on campus, but in a vibrant multi-layered community of which they can be an important part. For many, this is a new experience, and we can be teachers of the best of city living.
If you are involved with projects that can involve SU and LeMoyne students, or other young people, let us know. Or, if you would like to develop such projects under the umbrella of WNA. talk to us – and go for it!