Dean of Students
Being Good Neighbors
Residents of Winter Park and Rollins students share a unique relationship. Many students are living on their own for the first time and may not be aware of the best ways to be a good neighbor! Below, you'll find a few tips to help College Quarter student residents maintain a happy and healthy relationship with their neighbors.
If you need to report a student-neighbor of concern, please fill out our Student of Concern form.
About the College Quarter
College Quarter, neighborhood west of Rollins campus, is a community where neighbors know each other by name. The historic neighborhood has the personality of traditional small-town Florida and features restored brick streets, preserved 1920s bungalow houses, and independent shopping and restaurants within walking distance.
In the 1980s, it was discovered that College Quarter had more historic bungalows than anywhere else in Winter Park, and holds the distinctive title of being a historic district. The neighborhood has since come together with the purpose of preserving its historic integrity and residents hold many annual parties and events around larger festivals and holidays in the area.
Living in College Quarter means being part of an active and close-knit community. Respect your neighbors and you will fit right in.
Good Neighbor Tips for Students
- GET TO KNOW YOUR NEIGHBORS.
Introduce yourself to your neighbors who own and rent in the neighborhood. Exchange contact information and learn a little about each other. Let your neighbors know you care about the neighborhood in which you live. If you know your neighbors, you’ll recognize suspicious people and vehicles that are out of place.
2. MODEL GOOD CITIZENSHIP.
The College expects that you will be a responsible leader and good citizen during your time in the College Quarter. Be respectful of the impact of loud music or activities, rowdy guests or traffic, or other violations of the City’s noise ordinance, which can be found in Sec. 62 of the Winter Park Code of Ordinances online. It is also expected that you keep your yard, porch, and driveway free of trash. Be a good neighbor!
3. GET INVOLVED IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.
Your neighborhood has an association that meets regularly, shares information of interest to neighbors, and facilitates events and initiatives.
4. KEEP THE NOISE DOWN.
It is important to be cognizant of the noise you are making in the community. Conversations and commotion should not be heard beyond your house or yard. Music and guests should be kept to a reasonable level. Remember, that you are responsible for the property and your guests.
5. PARK YOUR CAR IN APPROPRIATE PLACES.
Parking is a challenge for students and neighbors. Park only in your driveway, parking spaces assigned to you, or in legal spaces on the street. Do not illegally park across the sidewalk or on the grass or other landscaping. Inform your guest of parking restrictions
6. BE RESPONSIBLE WHEN ENTERTAINING.
Talk to your neighbors before you have a social gathering. Tell them your plans and let them know they can contact you if there are any problems. Neighbors complain much less if they know of the gathering in advance and the time it will end. Afterward, clean up all visible debris left on your and your neighbors’ properties within 24 hours. Remember, Article IV Section 62-99 of the City of Winter Park Municipal Code prohibits disturbances after 11:00 pm.
7. IF YOU ARE TRAVELING AND NOT AT HOME FOR A PERIOD OF TIME, ASK YOUR NEIGHBORS TO KEEP AN EYE ON THE PROPERTY.
It is important for you to connect with your neighbors about College breaks and other times you might be out of town. Ask if your neighbors can park their car in your driveway when you are out of town and gather your mail and newspapers while you are gone.
Be sure to leave a few lights on throughout the time you are gone to help make the house seem lived in.
8. COMMUNICATE.
Connect with your neighbors as you are coming in and out of the house, share a hello, a wave or a smile. It is important that you start by introducing yourself, asking your neighbor if they have any concerns, and how you can get connected to the College Quarter. Discuss concerns with your neighbors as soon as they arise and before they escalate into larger issues. If you need help with a conflict, contact:
Winter Park Police Department: 407.644.1313
Rollins Campus Safety: 407.646.2999
Rollins Office of Community Standards & Responsibility: 407.691.1773
Good Neighbor Tips for Residents
1. GET TO KNOW ONE ANOTHER.
If you know your neighbors, you’ll recognize out of place people and vehicles.
2. SHARE YOUR EXPECTATIONS AND EXPERIENCES.
When connecting with your student-neighbors share with them your experience of living in the historic and close knit College Quarter. Let them know the impact on your family and quality of life when students are talking loudly as they walk through the neighborhood or throw parties. Be upfront and honest about what is concerning and what issues or types of activities in violation of ordinances that will impel you to call the police.
3. BE A ROLE MODEL.
Regardless of if you rent or own, your student-neighbors see you as role models and engaged citizens. This may be the first time they are living on their own and away from home.
4. INVITE STUDENT-NEIGHBORS TO BE INVOLVED WITH THE NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION.
Student-neighbors may not know that there is an association or how to get involved. Connect with them to share information about the association and how they can get involved. We expect that our students will respond well to being treated as responsible leaders and citizens!
5. IF YOUR STUDENT-NEIGHBOR IS TRAVELING AND NOT AT HOME FOR A PERIOD OF TIME, OFFER TO KEEP AN EYE ON THE PROPERTY.
To ward off burglars, maybe park your car in their driveway if they are out of town, gather their mail, newspapers, and any other correspondence left in plain view to avoid accumulation, and help make the house seem lived in. It’s great idea to have a conversation before college breaks so that you know when or if your student-neighbors will be out of town.
6. NOTIFY THE POLICE ABOUT ANY SUSPICIOUS PEOPLE, INCIDENTS, VEHICLES, SOUNDS, ALARMS, OR ANYTHING ELSE THAT SEEMS UNUSUAL.
7. FOLLOW UP IF INCIDENTS OCCUR.
Discuss your concerns and expectations with your student-neighbors. If you witness or suspect any illegal activity occurring, report it to the Winter Park Police Department immediately. If you have an unresolvable issue file a police report first and Rollins will be notified. For your safety, do not follow any suspicious people. Get as much information (person, clothing, vehicle description, and license tag number) as possible and call 911.
Safety Tips & Other Resources
The College would like to hear about positive or challenging student behavior off campus. However, we do not take the place of Winter Park Police or Code Compliance. Notify the police of an suspicious people, incidents, vehicles, or anything else that does not seem right. Code Compliance can be reached at 407-599-3392.
CALL 911 IMMEDIATELY IF:
- You see people trying vehicle door handles or looking into cars and houses. Lock your doors.
- You see any unknown person peeking over your fence, in your backyard or in your garage.
- You see an unfamiliar person in your neighbor’s house, yard, garage, or carport.
- You see an unfamiliar vehicle driving slowly through your area repeatedly looking at residences or taking pictures of houses.
- You hear any suspicious noise like glass breaking, gunshots/firecrackers, and house/ car alarms.
- *For your safety, do not follow any suspicious people. Get as much information (person, clothing, vehicle description, and license tag number) as possible and call 911.
Other Resources
CITY OF WINTER PARK CODE ENFORCEMENT
Sylvia Hawkins
Code Enforcement Section Chief
407.599.3427
shawkins@cityofwinterpark.org
WINTER PARK POLICE DEPARTMENT
500 North Virginia Ave.
Winter Park, FL 32789
In case of emergency, dial 911.
Nonemergency service: 407.644.1313
wppd.org
COLLEGE QUARTER NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION
Mike Galyean
Neighborhood Relations Committee
407.740.5097
koolade@embarqmail.com
ROLLINS OFFICE OF COMMUNITY STANDARDS & RESPONSIBILITY
1000 Holt Ave. – 707
Winter Park, FL 32789
407.691.1790
rollins.edu/csr
ROLLINS CAMPUS SAFETY
1000 Holt Ave. – 2734
Winter Park, FL 32789
407.646.2999
campussafety@rollins.edu
rollins.edu/safety