Athens, Ohio is a beautiful place.
The city routinely earns a spot in the “most beautiful college towns” lists. There’s something to be said for that, and there’s no shame in attempting to enjoy its unique Appalachian atmosphere.
Living near a college campus, though, creates a natural divide between how residents and students go about enjoying that atmosphere. The term “Athens Happens” can mean immensely different things to the wide variety of people gathered along the Hocking River.
Earlier this week, we wrote about a law passed by Athens City Council in 2009.
The law targeted “nuisance parties” in Athens and was brought back to our attention by a fest task force comprising city and Ohio University officials.
The law states that once a party is deemed a “nuisance party,” everyone at the party can be arrested for disorderly behavior — a point we were sure to make in our article on Monday.
Some may view that feature of the law to be a bit harsh. Some may argue that the law targets Athens’ fest atmosphere and crosses boundaries that should be left intact.
But from the beginning, it has seemed as though the driving force behind the legislation was the intent to “improve safety and curtail unlawful activity at all house parties,” a point that was made by the task force during the summer.
Examples of that “unlawful activity” the law gives include the following: outdoor defecation, obstructing traffic in a way that impedes the ability for emergency services to execute their duties, general public indecency and conduct that threatens injury to one or many persons.
Everyone wants Athens to be a pleasant place to live. Students and permanent residents both have an interest in keeping Athens “happening” for a long time.
Whether that means a Saturday morning visit to the Farmers Market or enjoying a beverage on your porch after a week of classes, both sides want those things to be possible.
The attempts made by the task force to preserve Athens should be commended.
Should college students be able to enjoy a different side of the city? Of course — that’s part of what makes it unique.
But while students are enjoying the things that make college life different, they need to respect others’ property, lives, preferences and well-being.
That means they shouldn’t be burning couches or houses. That means they shouldn’t be impeding the safety of others. That means they should be practicing a certain level of public decency.
Though the nuisance party law may seem extreme at first, students should recognize it for what it is — an effort on the part of the city and university to make Athens livable for everyone.
And those on the task force should realize that what students bring to the city is very much a part of why this place is so special. Most don’t come into town looking for trouble — most just want a memorable college experience.
We all need this to work. Whether it is for a lifetime or just four years, Athens is something to be preserved.
Editorials represent the majority opinion of The Post's executive editors.
