Park Bethesda may be AU's version of a suburban retreat, but students there have not always lived in harmony with their neighbors.
Park Bethesda is a University-owned apartment building available to upperclassmen. AU acquired the building last August.
Originally, there was neighborhood opposition to AU's acquisition of the building, according to Julie Weber, executive director of Housing and Dining Programs. However, she said neighbors' concerns have dwindled over time.
"They had a very negative reaction to just the idea of college students being in the neighborhood," Weber said. "It was very strong, very stereotypical and very unfair."
Several University staff members met with neighbors and government officials from Montgomery County, Md., who became involved at the neighbors' request.
The University met with Bethesda residents many times to respond to concerns, and continues to hold meetings on a quarterly basis, Weber said.
She estimated that 40 people attended at the first few meetings, but only two or three went to the last.
Dean of Students Faith Leonard also credits the quarterly meetings with the success of neighborhood relations at Park Bethesda. She said invitations are sent out before each meeting to neighborhood associations.
Representatives from several University offices come, including the Office of the President and the University Housing Office. At the last meeting, neighbors "did not have any concerns," Leonard said. "They are evidently pleased with the way things are going. AU has been well received in the neighborhood."
Weber listed early concerns neighbors had, such as AU students becoming a bad influence on children at a nearby elementary school.
"They thought every student that moved in would use or deal drugs," she said.
Other complaints were that the neighborhood grocery store would become overcrowded and that students would not provide the income-tax base that non-students would, Weber said.
"It was unbelievable, the level of their concern," Weber said.
She said that relations with neighbors have improved dramatically as a result of the meetings. Weber said neighbors call the University when they have a concern. Neighbors used to call frequently, but now only do to report a noisy party, she said.
"It's limited because students there are pretty well-behaved," Weber said.
Neighborhood reaction began with neighborhood associations around Park Bethesda involved, according to Weber, but is now mostly coming from neighbors in nearby townhouses.
Senior John Lancelot, a Park Bethesda resident, is unaware of any neighborhood reaction to AU students.
"If the neighbors have been making any noise about this, we haven't heard anything, so they haven't reached the people they're supposed to reach," he said. "The neighbors have not made that much of an impact on our little community here."
Lancelot said Park Bethesda is separated from the rest of its neighbors.
"We're not really too close to the residents," he said. "There's no opportunity for people to complain. I guess most of us shop at the Giant, but people there seem to be very friendly toward us."
Lancelot also thinks the time for neighborhood reaction was in the past.
"They had a chance to take action before the building was here," he said, "but now that it's here, I don't see that there's anything they can do"
