Being a Good Neighbor

Outside the physical campus lies a real neighborhood, probably very similar to your neighborhood at home. A surprising variety of people live in the Western area - senior citizens, young families with children, single professionals, and students. Because Western students constitute a large segment of the population surrounding the main campus, the impact of students conduct in the community is of major concern. You are, in effect, representing Western University, and the future housing of Western students depends upon your ability to live responsibly in the neighborhood.

· Know Your Neighbors
Get to know your neighbors; it will be much easier to solve any problems that may arise later if you and your neighbors are acquainted and feel comfortable approaching each other.
· Be Considerate
The make-up your neighborhood can vary from students, parents with young children who require early bedtime hours, to residents who work full time. Look around at your neighborhood and try to adapt to customs and traditions of the permanent residents there. Otherwise, your presence is likely to be resented.

Parties and Noise
· Parties
In a compact neighborhood with adjoining yards and nearby homes, a party in one house can have an unintended impact on a neighborhood house. To avoid giving your neighbors an unpleasant surprise, let them know when a party is planned. Send them a note at least three days in advance of the party, telling them about the event and giving them the hours. Ask them to give you a call if they need to discuss the event. They will appreciate your consideration and may be more tolerant of an increased noise level if they know the reason and have some idea of when the party is scheduled to end.

Please note that informing your neighbors of the party
does not give you the right to cause a disturbance!

If a neighbor does complain about something, listen and try to respond positively. After all, they are doing you a favor by giving you a second chance to be a good neighbor, when they could be calling the police immediately.
 
· Be in Tune
Your tunes - whether being played inside your place or in your car - will cause problems if they are played too loudly. What is too loud? If they can be heard at the edge of your property or outside the car with the windows closed, the volume is up too loud!
· Would you wanted to be quoted on that?
Neighborhood families often have small children who will hear and see everything you do! Language that can be overheard by others should be okay for children to hear too - even if it's a "serenade" meant for your peers.

Property Issues

· Trash Receptacles and Garbage Pick up
Garbage pickup is each Monday morning. Items not placed in a receptacle will not be picked up by the city, and if they remain on the curb could get you a ticket. So, make sure to place all trash in the green garbage receptacle and store containers out of view of the street.In addition, if you do have parties, please make sure to clean up all cans, bottles, broken bottles and the like BEFORE you hit the sheets.
· Snow Removal
All residents are required to remove snow from sidewalks around residences.