For years, the return of college students to the Big Rapids community has attracted some grievances from many Big Rapids natives.
Each semester, there is no shortage of people who take some issue alongside the return of Ferris students.
The Ask Big Rapids Facebook page is one of many places where complaints toward students are displayed. Of course, not all Big Rapids natives lament. Many even defend Ferris students when they encounter such attitudes year after year.
Common complaints include how busy the town is, how heavy traffic is and how horrible the students are at driving. Despite the number of complaints about students, many community members report that they enjoy it when the students return.
Big Rapids community member Lisa Cox spoke about her experience with more negative community members.
“Townies talk crap because that’s human instinct sometimes,” Cox said. “They like to complain. I have been here since 1985, and it’s always been that way. Social media just gives them a bigger audience.”
Cox also expressed how she believes the community should treat college students.
“We are a great community and can influence youth in a positive way so they can carry that positivity wherever they go,” Cox said. “Loving on them will produce more life by far.”
Ferris students have responded positively on social media for community members who are welcoming as they return to Ferris, while the town’s natives have expressed their concern with the noise and commotion.
Biology junior Alexis DeNio explains why she believes the return of students is often complained about.
“I think they might complain just because it gets a lot busier here, and maybe they’re used to it being peaceful,” DeNio said. “A lot of the time, students here do speed, and there’s a lot more commotion with traffic and noise.”
With thousands more people in Big Rapids, noise and traffic are common issues that arise and frustrate locals.
DeNio also expressed her desire for locals to be understanding when it comes to the challenges that they face.
“Keep in mind that we’re all trying to live our college experience and have a good time and make memories,” DeNio said. “While it may be very annoying to them, we’re just trying to enjoy ourselves and our early 20s.”
College is a time when many students are seeking out experiences, which includes a lot of noise and sometimes students act irresponsibly.
Computer information technology senior, Riley DeLoach, expressed what he wishes he could tell Big Rapids residents about the students at Ferris.
“They don’t try to be annoying or anything,” DeLoach said. “It’s just that there are so many of them. I think that’s why they think it’s annoying.”
Big Rapids has been facing a housing shortage for quite some time, making it difficult at times to house all of the students and locals in town, especially when it comes time for students to return each fall.
Over the past couple of years, the student population has been growing after a period of decline in enrollment. Locals may not be used to the growing number of students that the town is forced to try to accommodate.
It is clear that returning students unintentionally and often unknowingly upset some members of the Big Rapids community.
On the other hand, many residents also enjoy the time of year when students return, citing the benefits to local businesses as well as the opportunity to welcome in new young people.