Pratt: Not In Our Front Yard
Yesterday, the Local blog broke the sad news that as of next month Pratt will begin enforcing its longstanding-but-long-ignored rule against loitering by non-school-related people. (Like one of the Brownstoner progeny above shown in happier times on a campus-trashing wilding spree.) Community members will still be able to cut through the campus on foot but…
Yesterday, the Local blog broke the sad news that as of next month Pratt will begin enforcing its longstanding-but-long-ignored rule against loitering by non-school-related people. (Like one of the Brownstoner progeny above shown in happier times on a campus-trashing wilding spree.) Community members will still be able to cut through the campus on foot but they won’t be able to sit and admire the sculpture. A spokeswoman for the school said the policy does not allow the use of the campus grounds as a public park or playground. Most of the commenters on the Local aren’t happy about this and we heard from one community resident that a group called the Clinton Hill Action Committee is forming to try to get Pratt to reconsider its decision; if you are interested you can contact the organizers at clintonhillac@gmail.com.
Pratt Rolls Up the Welcome Mat [NYT/Local]
“I also agree with Bob that racial profiling is bound to happen in a situation like this, which will do nothing to improve local town/gown relations.”
Actually, I assume the reason for a complete and total ban is to avoid profiling of any type.
It is the only way to be “fair”.
You selfish louts. You have no right to hang out on Pratt’s campus. The school extended that privilege kindly. Now, the school is in the middle of a PR nightmare and you’re all in high dudgeon that your access to private property is being limited. Where do you get off? The school has an obligation to create a safe environment for its students (many of whom have never lived in a big city in their young lives). One of the ways they can offer at least some additional security is to restrict access to the campus. Can you really blame them for that? They don’t owe you overprivileged, over-entitled SOBs anything. And as for being a good neighbor, a healthy Pratt (one in which they can keep enrollment up despite the rash of crime in the area)is good for the neighborhood, too. I bet you far fewer longtime residents of Fort Greene/Clinton Hill rant and while about this.
This is the perennial curse of most urban campuses, everywhere. Pratt is one of the smaller campuses around, since its gated main campus really isn’t all that big. I’m sure Columbia would sneer in derision. That said, this policy is rather short sighted, though I agree it’s being done to assure parents and some students that one, they take security issues seriously, especially in light of recent events, and two, they are vigorously doing something about it. I also agree with Bob that racial profiling is bound to happen in a situation like this, which will do nothing to improve local town/gown relations. That is a shame, as Pratt is a leader in Clinton Hill redevelopment and programs for the common good of the large diversity of peoples, income groups and concerns in the neighborhood. It would be disastrous on many levels for them to retreat behind gated walls.
infinite–must confess to not understanding your example either and not having heard of the “closing of the American campus” I wouldn’t mind sounding stupid for an explanation.
Action Jackson,
As I pointed out yesterday on the NYTimes Local blog, and in support of NOP’s early comment above, the community DOES give Pratt something in exchange for access: WE pay real estate taxes so Pratt doesn’t have to. Also, streets were demapped, I believe, handing over public thoroughfares to private control. There is a tit-for-tat with all of this which is supposed to amount to some form of Public Benefit. I can understand the security worries…and maybe Pratt hopes to cut security jobs and this is one way to reduce the amount of work the security department can claim toward job slots…who knows…
Tom, the president, has been pretty good at Pratt although he left RISD years ago under a cloud. It would be shame if he louses up his relationship with the community. Would be a real shame.
i love the campus as well. i will really miss visiting the sculpture garden. 🙁
Putty, I’m done with you. It’s not so hard to understand a slippery slope argument but apparently it is for you. If I have to explain things that many times, forget it. I’m too busy.
What a shame. It’s one of my favorite things to do in the area. Love, love love the campus. I hope they reconsider.
“oh please. what are they gonna do? ask you for a school ID? then what? arrest you? unenforceable.”
Rob, Back in the late 80’s, as a student at Pratt (tipping my hand), it was VERY ENFORCIBLE. You got tossed off campus if you had no ID and their were guards at every entrance. Visitors had to be escorted by students to the classrooms/dorms.
I thought it a bit harsh at the time, but after a rape on campus, and the way crime was back in the day, it was understandable.
If the community wants access to a PRIVATE campus there should be ways to accommodate this…perhaps weekend neighborhood days, volunteer clean ups/spruce ups from the community?
You can’t have something for nothing…just ask a student the tuition they are paying.