Home > Zink Road Fence Project
Fence project put on hold, please visit the forums for more details.
http://wsusg.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=2#p9
The fence project is being implemented by the University and AM Management in an effort to prevent future crime in the residential area. As it stands, gates 1,2,3 and 5 will be closed to all traffic. Please view the picture below and post your comments and concerns.
Click picture below for full:
http://wsusg.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=2#p9
The fence project is being implemented by the University and AM Management in an effort to prevent future crime in the residential area. As it stands, gates 1,2,3 and 5 will be closed to all traffic. Please view the picture below and post your comments and concerns.
Click picture below for full:
Due to the overwhelming response on this page, I am closing these comments and moving all conversation over to new SG forums.
The fence thread can be located here: http://wsusg.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=2
I apologize that current registrations with this site are not carried over to the forum, so it is required that you register separately for the forum in order to make a post. Sorry for the inconvenience.
Hey guys, just thought you should all know, that this project is going to happen. It has been worked on for about two years now, and they want it to go up as soon as possible. Nothing really can be done about it on our side, which is just another way of informing us that we really don't have an opinion, because if we did, they would have asked us a long time ago if we wanted a fence on Zink. Instead, they are building us one anyway, no matter what we do or say. It's sad, but it's true.
Look in the Guardian this week for more information on the fence and how it is going to change how we do things next year.
All the reasons that this is a horrible idea have been stated. I just wanted to show my support against this fence. But just so this isn't a worthless comment I will repeat some of the bad side effects from this fence.
1. The fence will force students to move off campus, therefore the campus will have even less money to pay for this fence
2. Is this high school again? High school students that come here to check out the campus will not want to come to WSU because the first year of school is all about freedom.
3. The fence will do nothing for crime because most the crime is happening by people on campus.
4. Traffic will be worse, I live in University Park, and if I have to enter ALL the way up by College Park, and forced to hit 4 stop signs when there is a perfectly nice road (Zink) i could go down, Ill probably just be mad and drive more erratically.
5. Also everyone entering and exiting out of the same entrance will clog up traffic bad.
I am all for brushing up on security, but do something with the buildings, or better security.
Horrible Idea, I will be moving off campus if this happens.
Thanks
I feel that this idea will be an utter failure. I really doubt that the crime is coming from outside the campus, but is instead a student that lives here. Fencing us in will not solve the problem. Don't waste the money that could be going to more useful things to a fence!
I don't I need to go into detail as to how ridiculous this fence project is. The money they would use for the project could be of better use if res. services were to use it for toilet paper. I'm sorry for being frank. But this is ridiculous.
I will not be living on campus next year anyways, but I still think this is a terrible idea and will be bad for on-campus residents as well as future students that will be touring campus.
Think about your first time at Wright State. Do you think your parents would feel comfortable about being told your son or daughter is fenced in due to a large amount of crime in the area? Personally, I would not want my child going to school there if that was the reason I was told for why the fence is there. Furthermore, I have never experienced, or even felt slightly uncomfortable, while on-campus when I did live in honors. There are a few reports of crime that everyone can read in the guardian or elsewhere, but honestly, how many of these incidents do you think were caused by students who lived off campus?
Building a large fence is not going to keep out any crime. It will however make campus look unattractive and I have no doubt in my mind that it will deter future students from living there. If they are that concerned about off-campus apartments, why not lower the price to live on campus to be more competitive? To live in University Park, it costs roughly $6500/academic year. You only live in the apartment for total of 9 months. You pay about $720/month to live there. Even after taking in consideration utilities and any other misc. costs, living off-campus is still much cheaper. If they want more students to consider living on campus, be more competitive. Building a fence is not being competitive, it is just going to anger their customers.
Also, what is going to stop people who are going to be living in the province from just walking into the entrance on Zink rd after the fence is built? They say that there is not going to be a booth or security personnel there, so what is keeping these people out?
re: WSU On-Campus Raider:"The Province, has taken it upon themselves to consider our housing complex their "Walkway" onto campus. As far as I am concerned, they have no right to do so".... but they are technically commuter students, and should have to purchase parking permits anyways
Why do you feel that way? You want people to drive to campus versus walk? That's just going to increase pollution and congestion just because you are apparently being spiteful.
I will have to respectfully disagree with your last point. Residents have MORE of a right to "complain" than someone who isn't going to be living on campus next year because residents are the ones affected. Yes, I am living on campus by choice, but I just learned about this whole fencing project AFTER I selected my room and paid my deposit, so I am bound in my contract. I'm not saying that this issue would make me change my mind about continuing to live in on-campus housing, but I would have considered an off-campus apartment a little harder.
I myself am an Athletic Training major, and as such, majority of my classes are at the Nutter center meaning that I have to drive there numerous times a day. I do not take the shuttle because the times it runs to the Nutt do not coincide with my class schedule. With this fencing ordeal, I am going to have to fight the continuous traffic flowing outside my apartment in College Park. Not to mention having to worry about increased risk of accidents and vandalism my car may be subjected to with the increased traffic flow where I park my car.
If Wright State is actually worried about Providence residents using their sidewalks as a gateway to campus and are just using the crime rate scare as an excuse to build this thing, that really says something about our school's integrity. The fact that nothing is being said about this until the Housing Lottery is practically over is bad enough, but to be dishonest in their reasoning doesn't make them look any better. I say if they are worried about outsiders coming into our campus and walking, they need to have armed guards at the entrances on Col. Glenn Highway. This is a public university, if people want to walk on our sidewalks, we should let them. If they are worried about criminal activities being committed by those outsiders, then they should really look to campus police, who I find chatting it up at the end of a parking lot half of the time and not patrolling campus. I'm sure a lot of Providence residents will purchase commuter passes, especially for use during inclement , but if it's nice outside, why stop them from walking to class?
The end of the day we are all students of Wright State. Why is it fair for other off campus housing to have walkways to campus but "THE PROVINCE" can't. I will be living on campus next year. I am wondering why we are wasting THOUSANDS of dollars on a fence when we could be using that money to make our communities better. We can improve our on-campus facilities such as amenities in our buildings, our rec room, our work-out facility. So WSU-On-Campus raider you are really not an on campus raider...You have nothing to do with this fence, and since you are the only one complaining about what us ON-CAMPUS housing students do not want to see. I also agree if you want to decrease "speeding" on campus like somebody else said lets split our police up instead of 4 cops just standing next to each other why don't they go to different areas on campus.
First, everyone has a right to their opinion, you and I alike. And I don't think people are here just to complain. Yes, I am living on campus out of choice because I like it here, I want to live here. But I can guarantee that more than half of the people who are going to stay on campus next year do not even know about this fence. I am not insulting your intelligence or anything, you make some valid points, and I am not trying to come off as complaining.
The whole thing about being late though or having trouble getting off of campus will be a problem. Yes you may have never had a problem with it because all of the openings were open. However with the fence there will be only one opening on Zink Rd. This means all the traffic that is going through there has to go out of one exit and enter through that same opening. I just think that there will be way too much congestion and that it will not solve any problems.
I understand that the Province may be leading to some unwanted students walking through the housing, but we should at least wait and see how bad it is before we take any drastic measures.
In your three years, how many people have gotten run over by those people speeding through the parking lots?
I agree with Mike George. I have lived on campus for 2 years and am continuing to do so. In my two years here this mentioned "through traffic" has not been a problem. As stated before, there are so many speed bumps and other security check in places that anyone would be foolish to cut through the on-campus housing.
And about the children and students with disabilities...it is going to be difficult to get buses and shuttles in to get these people where they need to go when it comes to school and work and such.
And you said you lived on campus for 3 years, does that mean not anymore? Of course this would be a good idea if it didn't affect you. I do live on campus now and I will live on campus next year. And I, along with others, am not just complaining. It is a waste of money and a major turn-off to all future residential students. No one wants to feel as though they are caged in whether the reason is to prevent crime or to help calm traffic.
I agree with you that the traffic along village drive can be a little crazy, but I do not believe that a fence is going to be the solution to this problem. If there is a problem with people speeding through the woods or the village then the police department should do more to catch these people. Not only would a well placed officer slow down traffic but it would also deter crime. instead of two officers sitting together in lot 4 maybe one could sit on village drive.
Also the more that you cut off entrances to the residential areas the more of a fire safety risk our building will have. I remember 4 years ago when they blocked off the entrance to Forest Lane, no one told the fire department and when we had a fire their entrance was blocked!
Lastly, this is deter people from walking from the new apartment complex on the corner of Zink and Kaughman. This is a disgrace to a school that tries to make itself look green. People are going to live there. Now instead of walking they are going to have to drive triple the distance and kill our planet.
No offense meant to On-campus Raider, but you do not understand that this project is cutting off exits that everyone uses every day. When they cut them off, then you will only be able to use one exit to get out, therefore, everyone will only be using one exit to get out. How will this help decrease traffic, as you posted in your comment? How will this help? What if you are running late for work or class and have to drive to get there, but you can't get there because you have to wait for 15, 20, 25 minutes in traffic?
Also, with a 5 foot fence, it won't look distinguishing, it will look controlling and abrasive. It will look like they are fencing us in, which they are. So if that how you like to live, you will have a lot of fun next year.
I would have to respectfully disagree with your point on traffic, at least from my perspective. I have lived on campus for all five years of my undergrad - 2 years in Honors, 2 years in University Park, and 1 year in College Park. In none of these locations have I ever encountered problems with through traffic. In fact, with the illogical road layout, the speed bumps, and the pain-in-the-ass security checkpoints, WSU/AM have already done a great job adding obstacle upon obstacle to deter possible through traffic - not to mention legitimate traffic from residents wanting to drive to campus.
The trend I've noticed at WSU latest is the excessive use of security on our campus. Metal detectors at student events, security checkpoints to residential roads, and now this fence?! I don't understand what has ignited the paranoia that has led to all this hullabaloo! Why have we let fear trump common sense, folks?
I do not know who in the administration has been responsible for all this. But, I sense a large disparity between what these folks think we need in order to "feel safe" and the actual needs of the students that live on campus.
I'm going to keep this simple, since so many others have already pointed out the many flaws with this fence project. It is a waste of money and a waste of time. I have spoken with many people about this project and none of them feel unsafe on campus to begin with. So, if this fence is supposed to give us peace of mind, we already have it, without this costly and unnecessary fence. There just seems to be more cons than pros on this one, and
I for one hope that the project is stopped.
Thank you for all those who have given feedback on the project and make sure you tell all your friends to take a look at this page and voice their opinion.
Residentially yours,
Joel Parker
Residential Senator
I heard there is supposed to be an article coming out in the Guardian this week. After students read that I think there will be a lot more that people have to say about this. Is there going to be anyway we could talk with the people who are planning on getting this started asap?
Joel, I can't believe that this fence proposition is being instituted under students' noses like this! Is there going to be some sort of forum in which we can discuss this directly with AM and some of the proponents of this fence? There really needs to some sort of dialogue here soon.
Mike,
Unfortunately, student-administration forums are a waste of time. As a former member of SG and a ton of other student orgs, I have sat through MANY of these and what happens is the admins state their argument and the students back down. It's sad, but true. They don't need our approval for anything and they know it.
That has always been WSU's biggest flaw, in my opinion. Students' input is rarely valued, even though we are the reason those people have jobs.
You know we should really put our foot down one of these times. I am tires of these departments especially ORS walking all over our students. Since I have been here they have added a dining fee onto the dinning plans just for residents, which has increased annually, added security guards and then checkpoints, put up a fence blocking off Springwood lane and annually promised a renovation which I believe is like universal health care (will never happen), and now this. i am tired of the people that we elect to represent us backing down when the administration turns on the heat. Joel we support you on this do what it takes to STOP IT.
I first heard of this earlier tonight while browsing through facebook in my usual procrastination. I just brushed it off as a hoax the first time... but then it kept popping up all over the place. I genuinely hope it isn't real because this would be a horrible idea.
We're already spending how much money on the Woods beautification project? This would just be another drain, or would it replace that? I think the former is a great idea. There are good reasons for ripping out half of Springwood lane and replacing it with grass and trees(one of which is to deter crime! I'd prefer green space over a fence any day), but fencing us in like some sort of exhibit? I don't believe this would help at all, nor do I believe it is well thought out or necessary. I'm sure it'll make some Civic Engineer happy, what with the current economy and all, but it certainly won't help the perceived "problem." Guess what; there's a huge parking lot right next to this path that leads to a bridge that leads to... woah! the on-campus housing! What's a little walk to someone bent on stealing something. Hey, if anything, they become less of a suspect since their get-away car is on the other side of the bridge.
Like so many of the other posts mention, if someone wants to get in, they will. Let's all just hope this is an early April Fools day joke...
Rick,
This is not a hoax but a current plan set forth by AM Management and Residence Services with approval by Student Affairs. The residents have not been made aware of this project and Student Government would like to spread the word.
Joel
This fence is a horrible idea! Seeing as there will not be a booth or anyone to watch the entrance, anyone who is going to come in now is going to come in with a huge fence. It isn't going to stop anything or make the housing area more secure. Plus it will be a hassle for everyone living on campus and will be a real big turnoff. Plus the fact that school buses will have to come in for the kids in the village is very unorganized and bus drivers will not want to deal with it. There is going to be a lot of congestion if there are only two openings in which to get in or out. Accidents are going to be more likely because people are not going to know what the heck is going on. Honestly, I do not think this fence is going to do anything except look tacky and cause problems for those of us living on campus. I bet more than half the people living on campus don't even know about the fence. When did we lose our say in things that affect us? The fence is not going to make us any safer and it definitely not going to make us any happier. Waste of time.
I remember when I first heard about this project happening. It is the worst thing to happen to Zink road at this point and time. I understand the concerns about security, but this will not help anything. It is just going to upset everyone who lives on Zink and make everything harder to maneuver. Here are my problems: 1. People are going to get angry when they feel they are being caged in. 2. Traffic is going to be horrendous. 3. They may be taking out parking spaces that are needed for the students 4. Wasting money. 5. No long term results. 6. Pointless. If people want to get in, they will get in.
I have not heard one positive comment about this fence from a student. This is sad, and everyone is going to hate it, and want to move off campus because of it.
I absolutely agree with everything Bethany stated.
Long story short: It's a huge waste of time and money and it's going to make students uncomfortable.
This fence project is completely wasteful and makes me incredibly happy that I am spending my final 2 quarters in WSU housing so I can hopefully avoid this. The worst part about it is the decision to close the Village entrance off of Zink Rd. As a person with a disability who uses Project Mobility 3 days out of the week to commute to an internship site, I can see this becoming a problem if Project Mobility drivers have to enter all the way down at College Park and show ID and sign in as coming to pick me up. In fact I can see this becoming such a hassle that they may choose to discontinue services to WSU students at their housing locations. It would be nice if AM & Res Services would focus more on actually improving the facilities students are living in instead of wasting money on a fence that will most likely not work anyway, especially since the crime on campus is low to begin with when you compare Wright State to other universities.
This is an absolutely ridiculous idea and a complete waste of time, energy and money. This sounds just like somewhere I'd want to live, Wright State the prison. Step one drug dog, check; step two fence surround the premises with a fence. Are they going to put barbed wire on the top of it too? Whats next guards at every building entrance with metal detectors?
I lived on campus for three years and never heard of anything that would warrant something as dramatic as this. Yes there were the occasional reports of attempted break-ins but nothing serious. It is no different than living anywhere else. You can't protect the residents from everything. Most of the problems I heard of happened from within the community not from people coming from outside. If a person wants to do something they are going to find a way to do it no matter what stands in their way(like a fence). What do you think potential students are going to think when they see this fence? What do you think parents are going to think? Does this really send a good message of a safe friendly community? I am sure there are other more efficient ways to make residential communities safer.
This is a classic example of Wright State overreacting to some perceived fear of crime on-campus. I have lived on-campus for all five years of my undergraduate studies and have never once felt unsafe. Nonetheless, has there even been compelling evidence to verify the effectiveness of a fence?
Fencing the on-campus residences would be disastrous to campus aesthetics, not to mention this whole image of a robust "community" that on-campus living provides. On-campus residences would resemble moreso a prison. Which is befitting, given the absurd lengths that WSU has already gone to in order to police the area. In this particular case, however, the benefits to a project like this are questionable at best. If there is really a big problem with crime on campus (which I've yet to witness directly or indirectly), WSU and AM Management must surely have something a little more useful up their sleeves besides a big, ugly fence that segregates our beautiful campus!
Just looking at history here, when have we ever seen good things come from building more barriers? The Berlin Wall, the wall that we keep trying to build at the Mexican border, have these actually deterred crime? Or have they just been a symbol of ineffective governance for history to shake its head upon? If we're serious about reducing crime on campus, we need to do more to promote community on-campus and to police within ourselves, not just build more walls to isolate ourselves from our irrational fears.
I agree completely with the previous comments. The fence will only be an ugly waste of our money and not increase the security of campus. Not only will it keep students inside, but if criminals are already inside, it will keep them in too. In addition, it will slow students from being able to safely evacuate campus if the need ever arises.
The zink road fence project is a COMPLETE waste of OUR money. This fence is not benefitting residence in any way. Residence services claims it will bring more security to campus because it will keep the bad from coming in. Truth is if the bad wants to get in the bad will get in. What residence services does NOT want you to know is that it is a FIGHT against the newer off campus housing. ie "The Province" If residence services and AM Management care about our safety swipe card entrances in the residence halls would be more useful then a gate. All this gate would do is make Wright State look more like Wright Patterson Air-Force base. Instead of wasting our money on a stupid fence that nobody is going to like why don't we provide MORE amenities to our current residence. Why do we not construct a common area for The Woods community. Why don't we make our current amenities better by upgrading and buying new equipment for our the rec room and work out facility. Unfourtantely it is true that students voices do not matter even though we are the ones that are being affected by this non sense and waste of money...OUR MONEY....
This is a terrible idea. Sure, a fence might slow down outsiders a bit because they'd have to jump it, and sure, everyone likes to feel like they are being institutionalized, but this will not solve the crime problem. Most of the break-ins and crime that happen in on-campus residents are probably inside jobs done by fellow students and residents. What's a fence to stop them from committing crimes if they are already inside the perimeter? What WSU should do in an attempt to beef up security is making the residences more secure themselves. Dorm locks at least consist of a deadbolt lock. The individual rooms in the apartments are poor excuses for security because the doors are not thick, nor are the locks of reasonable quality. The apartments need to be more secure anyway, especially since a good number of residents do not move much of their belongings out over breaks because they stay here.
My point is that a fence would not solve the problem if the problem lies withing the boundaries of the fence.
Im just going to start out saying that I lived on campus for 4 years and I love res life. But if this was here when I came looking at WSU i would not have come here.
Over the last 4 years Wright state has become way to strict when it comes to security. This plan is going to make the Residential areas look like a prison, I just wonder if there is going to be barbed wire put on top of these if there is still crime, followed by lookout towers with snipers. WSU is going to far. How about instead of wasting money on a fence you put money into a community center or something where the residents can hang out and have fun instead of causing trouble outside and being destructive.
One last note can we think about what this makes our friends think when they have to come and visit us. "well you have to register them in advance or give them your ID at the gate." I have been to many of the other schools in the state and others and none of them have the security problems that we have here. STOP waisting Residents money, they are not cash cows.