Category Archives: Civic Engagement

College students + group house + summer break = noise! #BTV #VT #UVM

Nothing quite so liberating as sticking around campus after a year of college.  Move out of the dorm for the first time… find a nearby group house to rent with a bunch of friends.  Then ramp up the party!  All good, right?

Except for the neighbors.  Student noise is a big issue in one Burlington neighborhood near UVM on Front Porch Forum right now.  Just posted there today from Stephanie…

Your voices have clearly been heard and now students are aware of the complaints. Below is a copy of the email sent to all off campus students. The noise thread has gone on for several weeks now and everyone has had equal opportunity to voice their opinions. I believe it is now time to “kill” the noise thread… clearly UVM, the city and everyone else on FPF have heard your concerns. Thanks a bunch!

From UVM…

Greetings Off-Campus Students – If you are in Burlington this summer and new to renting hopefully by now you are starting to settle into your off-campus apartment.  As the summer swings into full force with the 4th of July holiday weekend, we wanted to give you the heads up about some of the neighborhood concerns being expressed by long-term residents, UVM students, and recent UVM graduates which have been circulating on Front Porch Forum:

• My husband and I have been awoken by noise on our street from time to time since we moved in last August, but recently it has gotten out of hand.  Some of the worst examples are 3:30 Saturday morning having people bat beer cans on the street followed by banging around garbage cans, and then at 1:30 this morning we had fire crackers go off.  I have resisted calling the cops because I just want to fall back asleep, but this has really gotten out of hand.
• The combination of all-night skateboarding, drunks returning from downtown at 2 a.m., and, worst of all, fireworks has been such an annoyance we regularly wish we could afford to move.
• I like a good party as much as anyone but I (and my roommates) also have to get up at 6 am to go to work. Fireworks at 2am don’t really help much in the sleep department. Wary of coming off as a killjoy or grumpy next door neighbor, but especially when it starts getting hot it would be nice to be able to sleep with the windows open without being woken up by that stuff.
• For all you college students who are NOT participating in this debauchery, can you please remind your friends and roommates to party respectfully  It would mean a lot to the rest of us in the neighborhood. Thank you.

As tenants and residents of Burlington we appreciate your help to make our neighborhoods safe and livable places for everyone. Please help us spread the word to those people that may not be aware that their actions are impacting others.

Important Info to be Aware of & to Let Others Know About:

The Noise Ordinance is in affect 24hrs a day. Designated city quiet hours are 10pm to 7am – up to a $500 fine per person on the lease and 3rd offense is criminal. There are Open Container, Minor in Possession, Public Urination Ordinances that are also enforced – up to a $500 fine for each offense. Fireworks are illegal in the City of Burlington. They are also very dangerous and  disruptive to unsuspecting neighbors, children, and pets – up to a $500 fine.

For more info on city ordinances and helpful tenant resources check out the UVM Off-Campus Living Survival Guide. If you have any questions or concerns please feel free to contact… the UVM Office of Student & Community Relations (OSCR) at 656-9405.

Thanks,
OSCR Staff