Most problems in the world is essentially caused by miscommunication. Miscommunication often stems from - or leads to - misunderstanding. The two prevent peace, further development and progression as a species.
The age-old dilemma between MSU students, East Lansing's permanent residents and city officials is no exception.
East Lansing is abound with stereotypes. Many city officials and permanent residents feel that all students are rowdy, irresponsible and disposable. Students, on the other hand, feel many permanent residents and city officials are negative, boring and try to push students out of the very city our educational institution created. These stereotypes have been around for years - and in all honesty, some stereotypes stem from real events and circumstances. But that doesn't make it right.
Not every student gets "wasted" every night, burns couches or consistently skips class. Actually, the majority of students behave responsibly. And of course, not every permanent resident in the city is sitting in a rocking chair on a porch with the East Lansing Police Department on speed dial, ready to throw cats at any students walking on their sidewalk after 8 p.m.
That doesn't change the fact, however, that MSU is a university of about 45,000 students, many of whom live in very close proximity to each other in East Lansing. It's a college town - it's going to get loud.
At the same time, students need to realize there are people other than themselves living in this city. College life in East Lansing doesn't count as the real world. Not even close.
Whether in a huge metropolis or a small, bedroom community, you're going to have to learn to live with all different types of people - some of whom will be even less accepting of rowdiness than East Lansing's permanent residents and city officials.
The situation could be helped by having more communication between city officials, permanent residents and students. The Community Relations Coalition is a good start.
However, many average students and community members don't even know these groups exist, let alone how to get involved with them.
Communication needs to stem from these groups down to the average person. City and university officials need to relay messages to the student body, as well as East Lansing's permanent residents. When we reach the point at which we have regular people dealing with regular people, then we'll be on the first leg of the road to success.
