This morning, I had a telephone call from a Queen’s area resident who thanked me for being truthful about the Queen’s situation. He told me how upset he is by the actions of the student “ruffians” on his street.

And at an apartment door this afternoon, concerns about Queen’s were
the first comments a woman made to me after I asked if she had any questions or concerns. She is furious about the policing costs and about the university’s reputation as a “party school”. She said that when she moved to Kingston 60 years ago she was so proud to be in the city with the university here. She regrets that she does not feel that way today.

The sentiment at the doors is so different from two e-mails I have received from members of the Queen’s community. The writers are unhappy that I have dared to suggest that some Queen’s students are disrespectful of their neighbours and the Kingston community.

What will it take to turn this around?