Residents discuss university's impact
Published Aug. 27, 2004
They're poor drivers, drunks, disrespectful and arrogant. Welcome to MU.
Community members , students and MU faculty came to Columbia Public Library on Thursday evening to discuss some of the concerns and stereotypes residents have with MU students. The discussion was apart of the city of Columbia's monthly "Let's Talk, Columbia!" Community Study Circles Program meetings, which are organized b y Columbia's Human Rights Commission.
Each session is run by trained volunteer facilitators and small group meetings typically number between six and 10 people.
The Community Circles meetings began in April 2002 to help raise awareness of discrimination in Columbia.
On Thursday, residents discussed their impressions of the university, including the bad driving habits of many MU students, the apparent disrespect between students and community members and the presence of disruptive parties.
Residents also discussed benefits the city reaps from the university including economic and cultural diversity.
"We all bring our own piece to the circle with a wide range of perspectives," said Columbia resident Darryl Douglas.
Residents said they felt meetings helped to promote open dialogue within the community.
"This group allows people to engage in the discussion differently than you would in a normal setting," said Noor Azizan-Gardner, diversity coordinator for MU's Minority Affairs and Faculty Development.
Program Coordinator Nanette Ward said she believes the Community Circles sessions are unique because people reconnect with other residents each month.
"Meaningful things happen in short amounts of time and it stays with them," Ward said.
Ward said each meeting helps residents connect o the community.
"Every month has proven to be a positive night which confirms that we need open dialogue - opportunites for the whole community to participate," she said.
At the meeting, residents also discussed the separation of community members and MU students.
"Other people put us in a box but we keep ourselves in it," said Columbia resident Peg Craig. "We should value diversity within the community, especially since Columbia is so diverse, and oftentimes we take it for granted."