2008 Woodie Awards
Attila Rocks the Vote
Stevens encourages political activity in students
Regina Pynn
Issue date: 10/19/06 Section: Campus News
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In the 2007 "Best 361 Colleges" ranking by The Princeton Review, Stevens was rated the 13th least politically active campus in the United States. When asked about the local government, freshman student Morgan De Sena replied, "I live in 'Stevens-Land' and I don't really pay attention to anything else." A recent City Council meeting saw no representatives from SIT, no mention of the school and no questions about its involvement during the three hour meeting.
This separation between Stevens and the city of Hoboken has some members of administration concerned. Dean Nilsen, from the Office of Student Life, worries about the lack of interest on the part of the student body. "As American citizens, we have abilities and responsibilities different from other countries," he says. "We have to get out the vote…or how are we responsible citizens?"
The lack of interest, however, has implications for the university as a whole. Stevens is the largest land owner in Hoboken. The campus and the residence halls cover two voting districts, or wards - the 2nd and the 6th. The eligible voting population in the school is estimated to be 1,200 students. Despite these numbers, Nilsen worries that the City Council is not responsive to the needs of Stevens and its residents.
"Who represents us?" Dean Nilsen questions. "We're [a member] of the city, not an extra park where people can use our facilities."
The issue that has highlighted the need for political action is the ongoing saga of the Babbio Garage. The design for the garage calls for a structure reaching out to Sinatra Dive that can hold 725 vehicles and an ice skating rink on the roof. The facilites would be for use by all residents of Hoboken, including those not affiliated with Stevens. Parking spaces would be divided between the university and the city. The plan would reduce congestion on streets near Stevens, since traffic would be directed along Sinatra Dive into the garage.
Other issues affect the Stevens population. As it now stands, students in Greek houses, despite paying city taxes through their dues, are not allowed the same parking privileges as other Hoboken residents. Hoboken has a curfew that forbids, in part, individuals under 18 years of age from being or remaining on public streets or places after 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday from September 15 to June 15. On Fridays and Saturdays and during the summer, the curfew is extended to midnight. Underage Stevens students are not exempt from this law. Additionally, Hoboken's massive redevelopment plan is taking place all around Hoboken without any input from Stevens.
This separation between Stevens and the city of Hoboken has some members of administration concerned. Dean Nilsen, from the Office of Student Life, worries about the lack of interest on the part of the student body. "As American citizens, we have abilities and responsibilities different from other countries," he says. "We have to get out the vote…or how are we responsible citizens?"
The lack of interest, however, has implications for the university as a whole. Stevens is the largest land owner in Hoboken. The campus and the residence halls cover two voting districts, or wards - the 2nd and the 6th. The eligible voting population in the school is estimated to be 1,200 students. Despite these numbers, Nilsen worries that the City Council is not responsive to the needs of Stevens and its residents.
"Who represents us?" Dean Nilsen questions. "We're [a member] of the city, not an extra park where people can use our facilities."
The issue that has highlighted the need for political action is the ongoing saga of the Babbio Garage. The design for the garage calls for a structure reaching out to Sinatra Dive that can hold 725 vehicles and an ice skating rink on the roof. The facilites would be for use by all residents of Hoboken, including those not affiliated with Stevens. Parking spaces would be divided between the university and the city. The plan would reduce congestion on streets near Stevens, since traffic would be directed along Sinatra Dive into the garage.
Other issues affect the Stevens population. As it now stands, students in Greek houses, despite paying city taxes through their dues, are not allowed the same parking privileges as other Hoboken residents. Hoboken has a curfew that forbids, in part, individuals under 18 years of age from being or remaining on public streets or places after 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday from September 15 to June 15. On Fridays and Saturdays and during the summer, the curfew is extended to midnight. Underage Stevens students are not exempt from this law. Additionally, Hoboken's massive redevelopment plan is taking place all around Hoboken without any input from Stevens.
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