Notre Dame de Namur University

By Jason Born

As the only University in a City in San Mateo County, we should be working more together and our vision statement and core values should be alliend. Education is Belmonts' largest business and NDNU bring a lot to the community today. Not only in the form of jobs, education programs, athletics but funds, millions of dollars into the local economy. The students are tops!

I understand there was an Advisory Board established in 2003 that did some fantastic work. The Advisory Board was less active between 2005 to 2006, but it is being reinstituded. I like the idea of getting leaders selected from the community and University to articulate a clear set of concepts, ideas, visions, and guiding principles, which can be the foundation for all future recommendations and actions.

The entrance to the Notre Dame property is under-whelming and needs help. I am very concerned about pedestrian and bicycle safety in the area. The NDNU entrance is at a curve and it is difficult to cross the street as a pedestrian safely. We should celebrate this asset with more of a entrance perhaps with a fountain?

There are three neighbors who are complaining of the noise from the field during daylight hours. Many people are familiar with the recently passed noise ordinance that grew out of the planning commission and city council that is only one of the tools threatening to closed down the recently refurbished lacrosse and soccer playing field at NDNU ($1.2 Million) and could possibly be applied to other educational facilities playgrounds.

Ordinances have achieved certain successes and are thorny to implement, but should we apply this to schools and education facilities with regard to their normal activities? All public schools in California are exempt from the noise ordinance for their normal activities like kids playing during the day. I know many communities have jointly developed Good Neighbor Policies with Schools and Universities the apply to both sides and are perceived as respectful, fair and less heavy handed than ordinances.