The Burntvedt-Sandgren Town Meeting

On Friday, the 14^th of March, Student Housing Coordinator Carole Krieger and Dean of Students Patricia Lull hosted a community meeting for residents of Burntvedt and Sandgren. Head Residents Ryan Gage and Chris Zuraff, and the Seminary Family Coordinator, Sarah Ruch, also hosted the meeting.

There was a plethora of delicious desserts and coffee; babysitting was arranged for families with children that wanted to attend. About 75-100 residents showed up. There was generally a good buzz about the meeting and many of those present expressed gratitude that such a meeting was organized. Several people commented that hosting such an event regularly would facilitate better communication between residents and the seminary and would increase the sense of communal care and responsibility for and to each other. One student commented that this was the first such event in his three years here.

The meeting started with a review of policies led by Coordinator Krieger. She touched on all manner of topics outlined for residents in their housing agreement and that, due to complaints from fellow residents or the attention of the Housing office, needed reiterating.

The meeting continued with both staff and students sharing concerns and news of developments, asking questions and seeking clarification on different matters. In part of her response to a resident’s concern about safety in the parking lot at night, Dean Lull pointed out that some things at Burntvedt-Sandgren are going well and some things here still require the attention of the seminary in order to bring them to where they ought to be. In the spirit of that analysis, the following is a list of residents’ comments listed in two categories. I invite others to add to the list (whether you heard something at the meeting that was missed or want to add additional thoughts).

Things Going Well

1. In lieu of assigned parking spots, the maintenance staff has been terrific at shoveling/plowing off the parking lots.
2. Head residents have been quite responsive to emergency and other calls, and encouraged residents to call either of them if needed.
3. Staff learned that not communicating with residents (e.g. with regard to the removal of assigned parking spot signs) is a mistake and are working to improve communication.
4. Student Security details are more visible in the Burntvedt-Sandgren parking lots and can be contacted for escort between 5pm and 2am.
5. The Lauderdale Police Department is making more regular sweeps through the property.
6. Having the Housing Coordinator’s office in Sandgren (the location, along with Burntvedt, of the majority of on-campus students) has been helpful.

Things Still Requiring Attention

1. Lighting in the parking lots is still quite poor and contributes to an experience of compromised safety. As of the 20^th of March, the lights in the central courtyard of Burntvedt are out, rendering the sidewalk quite dark
2. There are too few parking spots on the north side of Burntvedt. Residents commented that what is needed could be either creating additional spots or having residents elect to park only one of their cars in that area (if they have multiple).
3. The Student Security detail is not enough of a presence. Regularly I hear fellow students quip, “What are they going to do with a Maglight and reflective vest?”
4. Maintenance is not responsive during the weekend. Sandgren’s main entrance was incapable of opening due to a broken doorknob for at least 24 hours on a recent Sunday. This is a hazard and a violation of fire code.
5. Burntvedt and Sandgren apartments are quite poor in utility efficiency. This creates not only the experience of drafty apartments in winter with icy-cold walls, but significant dissonance with the Seminary’s stated commitment to environmental stewardship. In the words of one attendee, “The windows absolutely suck.” Ensuing laughter indicated others concurred.
6. The promised Tot Lot in the Burntvedt Courtyard has still not come to fruition. (In August 2006, a swing-set, slide, sandbox, and some bouncy toys were removed with the promise that a new play area would soon replace it.) Carole Krieger informed the gathering that further delays are expected due to increased costs.
7. While the work and communication of the Housing office and other staff present was lauded, it was noted that personnel above these staff, in the office of Vice President for Administration and Finance are poor at communicating and are perceived as indifferent to resident’s concerns. This experience renders the good efforts of those staff below them counterproductive.