Are 'Nova Students A 'Nuisance'?

Although Villanova University's campus is in Radnor Township, many of its students live and gather over the Lower Merion border.

Villanova students committed the majority of Lower Merion Township's 'nuisance offenses' in the past three months, and the school must do a better job with discipline, one township Board of Commissioners member said at a meeting Monday.

Of 186 arrests for disorderly conduct, public urination, public intoxication and underage drinking in August through October, 110 involved Villanova students, Commissioner Scott Zelov said, citing data researched by Capt. Bill Boegly of the Lower Merion Police Department.

"That is just about 60 percent, which can not continue," said Zelov, who represents the area of Bryn Mawr—a pub-packed stretch of Lancaster Avenue—where most of those arrests typically happen.

"VU student conduct is having an enormous negative impact on our community, primarily in Bryn Mawr, and it has to stop," Zelov told Patch. "Our police department is responding, and it is now time for Villanova to do more."

Villanova media relations officials have not responded to Patch's request for comment.  

John Fisher, the Radnor Township commissioner whose ward covers much of Villanova's campus, said, "I am not aware of a specific nuisance crime issue associated with college students here in Radnor neighborhoods but with over 10,000 college students on the mainline it a real concern."

"Radnor police respond to numerous calls throughout the year on and around the Villanova campus related to student issues.Last year I collected Radnor police reports for the VU campus area and quickly ran out space on my desk."

What do you think about the impact in Radnor? Are Villanova students causing too many problems or are they being unfairly singled out? Are township and university authorities approaching their behavior in the right or wrong way? Tell us in the comments section below.