YOU DO Boston College students a grave injustice by labeling them with "a well-earned reputation for hard drinking and loud partying" in your Dec. 17 editorial "Not a good neighbor policy." It is unfair to ignore the many academic, extracurricular, and athletic achievements of students and to discount them with these sweeping generalizations.
Why do media continue to propagate this supposed "reputation" we students have instead of looking more critically at what the college brings to the surrounding area? Why not discuss how the new arts facilities, for example, would provide another way for students to showcase their talents? Or how new athletic fields would improve the recreational offerings for all members of the community? Or how BC is working to provide so many students with on-campus housing?
The student-community relationship would only be improved by BC's expansion plans. What most bothers neighbors - noise from students as they trek to visit their off-campus friends - would be alleviated by keeping students in residence halls on campus.
I chose BC for its exceptional academics, Jesuit heritage, and thriving extracurricular scene. The only reputation that BC deserves is one of excellence, a descriptor that carries over to its scholastics, its athletics, and most of all, its students.
PILAR LANDON
Chestnut Hill
The writer is editor in chief of The Heights, BC's independent student newspaper.
MANY THANKS for the Globe's well-measured editorial regarding BC's development plans. It is not that Brighton residents begrudge BC's intention to develop and reorganize its campus. All we ask is that it is done in a manner that protects the quality of life of the neighborhoods that surround both the old (Chestnut Hill) and new (Brighton) campus.
One issue that the Globe has consistently failed to mention is BC's plan to build undergraduate dormitories on the edge of the Chestnut Hill Reservoir, a designated historic landmark. This is distressing for many people who use this cherished, publicly owned parkland.
Dormitories that are too close to the basin will mar the views and ruin the beauty of this unique open space. Boston College, which now is fortunate to own a lot of land, should house all of its undergraduates on campus - but without affecting public parkland. Is that too much to ask?
If some other school wanted to build undergraduate dormitories on the edge of Jamaica Pond, would anyone be surprised by public opposition to that?
EVA WEBSTER
Acting president
Chestnut Hill
Reservoir Coalition
Brighton
