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Temple University the new Animal House?


On April 5, 2016 just before 9:30AM, Temple University students were sent an email from President Neil D. Theobald regarding a very touchy topic — alcohol consumption. The email discussed a new regulation saying they want “to ensure the safety and welfare of our students and improve the quality-of-life issues in the neighborhoods around Temple.”

Off-campus living has become more relevant as Temple continues to push their location in all directions surrounding the campus. Temple is located in the middle of a residential neighborhood, with students living along side long-time residents of North Philadelphia. Philly.com noted in a recent article that the non-student community is voicing concern about the rowdiness of students on the streets and in their house parties.

The community has expressed these concerns about students for years and complaints surrounding alcohol-related rowdiness have been on a steady rise in this academic year — seemingly in correlation with the expansion of housing in different parts of North Philadelphia.

What is Temple’s response? The University is increasing fines that could go as high as $1,500 to those caught at parties, supplying the alcohol, or to whoever’s name is on the lease of the house where the party is being thrown.There is also a possibility of getting suspended or expelled depending on the severity of the offense.

It is more than just house parties; areas like Gratz Street are known for having daylong block parties where people come and go with loud music blaring through the street. Places like Penn State have similar scenes and parties, but that’s a college town — Temple is built within a preexisting community.

The University has Campus Security and Temple Police set into place, but joining them are teams made up of graduate students patrolling off-campus “during peak party hours.” These measures were put in place last week the email was sent out. Spirit News reached out to Theobald’s office for comment but have not received any calls back.

Will these measure be enough to stop kids from partying? Only time will tell.

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