Living in Piedmont’s off-campus housing, the Village, poses many rewarding benefits to upperclass students. With its apartment-style setup, kitchenette and the added benefit of being able to apply for an alcohol permit for those living in a suite with roommates of age, the Village has many appealing qualities.
With the Village being the only place on Piedmont’s campus where alcohol is permitted, there comes more opportunity for campus destruction and complaints.
In late September, Assistant Director of Residential Living, Leo Galarza, who oversees the Village, sent an email to residents as a warning.
“I have noticed trash accumulating between buildings as well as in various bushes and outdoor areas throughout the Village,” wrote Galarza. “This includes beer cans, cigarette butts, Zyn pouches on the ground and on the buildings and trash.”
Galarza also threatened residents found to be contributing to the issue by revoking their wet-suite permits for up to a week.
The email sent by Galarza improved the cleanliness around the Village, with no subsequent complaints.
Piedmont junior Lexi Jarrard is a first-year resident in the Village. Jarrard believes that behavior in the Village has improved since Galarza’s warning, but that residents and the school have more to consider.
“Students need to respect the area that they live in,” said Jarrard.
Along with the respect students should have for their space, Jarrard complains that this respect is simply not reciprocated. Upon moving into her village room, Jarrard noticed it had not been cleaned and was still infested with mold —an issue that recurs.
Living in the Village costs students roughly $4,400 per semester, more than most on-campus housing options. Students expect their spaces to be clean upon arrival, and when that expectation is not met, parents and students have reason to complain.
Despite the inconsistency in cleanliness provided upon moving into campus housing and the expectations set by residential living for students, living in campus housing is a representation of future living situations.
“I think it teaches a lot of discipline living in the Village as far as alcohol permits and respecting others because you’re going to have to do that no matter where you live,” said Jarrad.
