Students from throughout Dundee have been encouraged to embrace their neighbours as part of a new initiative launched by Dundee University.
“Be A Good Neighbour”, organised by members of Dundee University Students’ Association (DUSA), attempted to offer students living in the city support as well as improve relations between them and residents.
Complaints have been made in the past by frustrated Dundonians about noisy student HMO properties.
Residents have also expressed their dismay that students regularly fail to take in their wheelie bins, leaving pavements blocked.
Leia Farnan, deputy president of DUSA, who organised this week’s neighbourly event, however insisted students should not be blamed for every incident of alleged anti-social behaviour to take place across Dundee.
She said: “The aim of the day is to prove that students can be good neighbours.
“We need to try and make sure that students are part of the Dundee community, so it’s about bringing everyone in today and telling them simple things like when their bin day is.
“I don’t think we’re being reactionary. I think we’re just being proactive and telling students that they have a responsibility.
“But like any other member of the public, it’s not just students who make the noise. Anyone who is drunk or partying can make noise.
“Sometimes I think there’s a misconception that it’s students causing issues in the city.
“This campaign aims to celebrate Dundee and tighten the relationship between students and the city, whilst promoting the responsibilities students have.”
DUSA president Tim Hustler added that it was vital for students to adapt to city life.
He said: “Students are here for four years that’s a sizeable amount of time.
“Where you stay is a huge part of your student experience and it’s about making sure that is optimised as much as possible.
“Obviously being part of the community means you have to understand fully what is expected of you. That’s what we’re here to do.”
Councillor Fraser Macpherson, who was also present at the event, said: “I think this is a very good initiative which DUSA have organised.
“I would like to congratulate students for taking the initiative and trying to show the concept of being a good neighbour.
“It’s always difficult to generalise.
“We all accept from time to time that there are problems, but really I would like to praise DUSA for recognising it as a good idea to promote good neighbourliness.”