The University of Rhode Island Student Senate is making an effort to form a closer relationship with the Narragansett Town Council.
The senate decided to work with the town council to enhance student reputation and better reflect the URI student body within Narragansett, according to Arpan Utkarsh Singh, chairman of external affairs for the URI Student Senate.
“There is always conversation about students causing nuisance,” Singh said.
To start the process, Singh got in contact with the Narragansett 2100 council, a non-profit group of landlords that work to improve communication and community relations with other Narragansett landlords.
The 2100 council provides information for year-round Narragansett residents as well as students, according to its website. It links the student senate webpage as a direct resource for students living in Narragansett. The website also includes Landlord best practices, resources for off-campus living, student engagement and more.
The 2100 Council would send out weekly reports to the student senate about disturbances caused by URI students. The number of complaints weren’t nearly as bad as Singh thought they would be, based on how college students are typically portrayed.
“People think students only party… [that] they don’t have assignments to do and they only spread bad stuff in the community,” Singh said. “No, they do not.”
These false accusations inclined the senate to take action, according to Singh.
“I was like, no, this is not going to happen,” Singh said. “You cannot denounce the 7,000 students peacefully residing in Narragansett and say ‘Hey, they’re causing problems’.”
Since being elected as the chairman of external affairs, Singh said he has been attending town council meetings in Narragansett, attempting to establish contact with the South Kingstown Town Council and giving speeches on behalf of the URI student body.
“I think creating a strong bond between the student senate and the Narragansett Town Council is really beneficial for our students,” said Melin Reyes, president of the URI Student Senate. “That way we can advocate for the students that live out there, but also be able to support the town council and make sure our students are meeting the expectations of living off-campus.”
Reyes has cited no issues in the senate’s efforts to keep good contact with Narragansett Town Council and she continues to support Singh in his efforts to maintain this positive relationship between the two communities.
“I represent the student body of an esteemed university,” Singh said. “What I want to tell people is that students are not bad.”
There are plans to continue attending council meetings in both towns throughout the academic year to keep being a representative for the URI students, according to Singh. He plans on making good contacts with each town’s chief of police.
The Narragansett Town Council has been very cooperative and welcoming, according to Singh. Town council members Donna Vignali and Jason Colonies have been forming a good working relationship with the student senate, with council member Vignali pitching an idea where students and neighbors have a formal block party in the spring as a way for students to connect with their neighbors.
Singh provided additional information on how he believes students build up the community in Narragansett, citing the dozen-plus beach and town clean ups URI Greek Life organizations have arranged.
“Imagine Narragansett without a student population, would their economy work?” Singh said. “After summer what are the Narragansett businesses going to do? Nothing.”
Through effective communication, Singh hopes to get everyone in the community on the same page.
“I will do anything in my power and jurisdiction to have a cordial relationship with all the communities we share our borders with,” Singh said. “External Affairs is not against anyone. We stand with the student body.”
