While we often think of campus as “the Bradley bubble,” we are liable to forget that many of the residents in the immediate area are not college students.
Neighborhoods surrounding Bradley like the Uplands, the Arbor District and Moss-Bradley are populated with families with young children as well as the elderly. Neither groups really fit in with the college lifestyle of staying up late, much less making lots of noise into the wee hours of the morning.
If you’re going to a house party during Halloweekend – especially late in the night – try not to make excessive noise on the way or once you’re there. Additionally, make sure you do your part to keep the neighborhoods looking nice by not throwing any beverage cans, parts of your costume or any other items on streets and people’s front yards. It may be easy to assume that the houses you’re walking by are all occupied by fellow students, but some are not.
If you’re hosting the holiday gathering, inform your neighbors of your evening activities so they can be prepared. At the very least, they might appreciate the gesture, which can go a long way in building a neighborly connection.
Additionally, be aware of young children living in the neighborhoods who may be trick-or-treating. Buying a bag of candy isn’t terribly expensive and it can help make a child’s Halloween that much better. Who knows, there may be a future Brave at your doorstep.
Halloween is arguably the most popular weekend of the school year for parties and it’s important to have fun, regardless of how you decide to celebrate. However, don’t make the non-college students around you dread an impending circus of Halloween activities.