Site Administration The College of William and Mary

Good Neighbor

The demographic diversity of neighborhoods is a distinctive quality of the Williamsburg community. Families, the elderly, and students all live within close proximity to each other. This enriches the economic, social, and cultural conditions of each neighborhood. To maintain the quality of these diverse neighborhoods, students need to respect other community residents.

Being a good neighbor does not necessarily mean that you have to bake cookies and welcome every new member to your neighborhood. Instead, it means being courteous and respectful of the rules of your neighborhood and of your neighbors themselves.

So, what are some good ways to meet neighbors? Well, you can:

  1. Introduce yourself. Being on a first-name basis with your neighbors will help in the event of an emergency, or if you need someone to water your plants or feed your cat during a school break or holiday.
  2. Offer them your phone number and/or email address so that they can contact you. If they know you are open to communication, that could help a lot if an emergency arises.
  3. If you live in an area with lots of trees, children, etc., offer to help your neighbors, younger or older with these daily tasks. Helping in rough weather, like snow, means a lot.
But beyond getting to know your neighbors, understand the responsibilities of being a good neighbor.
  1. Be aware of your noise level and daily habits. College students tend to lead different lives than other residents and need to be respectful and aware of these differences. Often when students sleep, the world outside is awake and working, and vice versa. Be aware of your neighbors different habits.
  2. Maintain your responsibility to your rental property to ensure that you do not cause a decrease in value of your rental property, or even the properties around you. Your neighbors will appreciate your efforts.
  3. Respect the privacy of your neighbors.
  4. Remember that you are a neighbor to someone else and that the same responsibilities you have also belong to someone else. You have the right, as a neighbor, to the same treatment as everyone else. Know that though you are a student it does not make you any less of a resident than anyone else.

 
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