Good Neighbor Policy

The following are some of the ways to be a good neighbor:

1. Views of being a good neighbor are often vague because people hold different beliefs and perceptions. Always try to do what is right and fair by treating others as you would expect to be treated yourself. Understand how your behavior may affect those around you.
2. All students are encouraged to join on-campus clubs/organizations, which perform community service by working with such groups as the Boys and Girls Clubs of America, local parishes such as Blessed Sacrament and Holy Family and local soup kitchens. Students who live off campus are also encouraged to join civic groups such as the Halcyon Park and Beechmont Homeowners’ Associations because membership for these groups are not limited to homeowners. It is rewarding and mutually beneficial to participate in community-service learning and neighborhood activities, such as civic meetings and block parties.
3. Strictly comply with the Vehicle and Traffic Laws of the state of New York while operating, driving, parking and/or controlling a motor vehicle whether on or off-campus. This includes, but is not limited to: driving at safe speeds; refraining from passing stopped school buses with flashing lights; obeying traffic signs; avoiding parking in “no parking” zones, handicapped spaces, or neighbors’ driveways; and parking correctly when the City or College is attempting to complete leaf or snow removal during the fall and winter months. Most importantly, know that many small children live in the residential neighborhoods near the University, and remember that pedestrians have the right of way.
4. We also encourage all students who are eligible to pick up their free on-campus parking permits to do so, since use of College parking areas will reduce traffic congestion on North Avenue and in the surrounding neighborhoods.
5. Protect the environment from noise, litter and other intrusions. This includes being appropriately quiet during evening and night hours, keeping auto and home stereo systems at acceptable sound levels, and not leaving litter or trash on campus, City streets or neighbors’ or students’ properties.
6. Use the main gate on North Avenue for entrance and exit. During the evening and night hours, students who live in North Avenue residence halls or Rice Hall are encouraged to use the main gate instead of “short- cutting” through residential neighborhoods. Off-campus residents are asked to leave and return to their homes in a similar manner.
7. Properly maintain off-campus rooms, apartments or houses. This includes many of the recommendations stated above plus other important information, such as keeping rooms, apartments and houses litter-free and putting trash on the street curb for pick-up two times per week. Students who live off-campus can contact the city of New Rochelle Department of Public Works to find out about trash pickups and recycling.
8. All tenants and landlords are subject to the zoning and health and safety laws of the city of New Rochelle. In particular, these laws place restrictions on student housing. Please feel free to contact the University’s Director of Off-Campus and Commuter Services, in LaPenta Student Union, to find out more about the zoning laws and how they affect students as tenants.

Additionally, students are not allowed to sponsor house parties that disturb the neighborhood and adversely affect the security of the University and community, the integrity of the educational and developmental process, or the good name of the University. Students must adhere to the University Code of Conduct on and off-campus.

Please remember that it is important that all of us respect the rights of others and that we accept the responsibilities, as well as the benefits, of good citizenship.