Letter: Ben Franklin Institute Holds Students Responsible for Actions at 40 Berkeley

This letter is in response to the article “” published on February 23, 2011. As President at the Benjamin Franklin Institute of Technology, I was surprised by the comments attributed to the property owner, Mr. Mark Maloney, regarding the relationship between our college, the South End neighbors and 40 Berkeley.

The Benjamin Franklin Institute of Technology has been educating students since 1908, the majority of them coming from Boston neighborhoods, and has recently been able to provide “on-campus” housing to students who are interested in the college but unable to commute. In the fall of 2007, we welcomed our first residential students into 40 Berkeley, and have been working closely with the management and staff of the building to make sure everything runs as smoothly as possible.

From the beginning, the college has offered an open communication policy with 40 Berkeley and has addressed any and all concerns that have been brought forth by guests, residents, staff, and neighbors. The college has always been invested in creating a positive community for the students to live within, but also to hold them accountable and develop them into engaged and responsible citizens of the local and global community.

In 2010, the position of Director of Residence Life and Housing (“the Director”) was created from feedback of 40 Berkeley and the South End neighbors. Starting in August 2010, the Director was charged with creating a sense of community amongst the students, while integrating them into the culture of the building and the neighborhood, and helping to ensure an environment of respect. The Director lives within 40 Berkeley, on the same floor as the students, providing on-site supervision and ensuring the smooth operation of the residential floor.

Furthermore, each documented alleged violation by a Benjamin Franklin residential student is investigated and handled through our Student Conduct System. Our students are held accountable for any infraction of college or 40 Berkeley policies, and the college has [a] zero tolerance policy against any violations of our alcohol or drug policies.

Since the implementation of these policies, the college has received no complaints from South End neighbors and we have been very pleased with the contact and behavior of our students.

We are proud of our students and their involvement with the community as well. Our students are engaged in educational and social programming, and they are volunteering with local South End organizations, including Castle Square Tenants Organization, Room to Grow, United South End Settlements, and the South End Clean-Up through the Ellis South End Neighborhood Association.

To build a sense of community and an environment of friendship at 40 Berkeley, our residential students organize movie nights in the large living room of the building that are open to all and have been attended not only by long-term residents, but hostel guests as well.

For over 100 years, the college has been a community partner, allowing its buildings and facilities to be used by several neighborhood organizations and provides employment to many individuals, thus contributing to the local economy in a positive and meaningful way.

In addition to educating many Boston students with a quality career-track education, the college has been a good and responsible neighbor as well and it is committed to continue its engagement and contributions to the community by fostering a positive and mutually beneficial relationship.

Sincerely,

George C. Chryssis
President