Suffolk University has honored its agreement with the Beacon Hill Civic Association (BHCA) by vacating all students from the Holiday Inn at Blossom and Cambridge streets, according to John Nucci, the school’s vice president for government and community affairs.
Suffolk began providing housing at the hotel about 10 years ago “due to overages based on the demand for housing,” Nucci said. The student population at the hotel swelled eventually to 150, prompting the BHCA to request that the school look into other housing alternatives.
“Over the last three years, we’ve consciously reduced the number of students living at the Holiday Inn,” Nucci said. “At the beginning of the school year, there were about 10 students at the hotel. They all moved out about two weeks ago.”
Nucci added, “This is a good example of the positive and productive relationship we have developed with the Beacon Hill community and leadership.”
Rob Whitney, a BHCA board member and neighborhood representative on the Suffolk University Task Force, described the departure of students from the hotel as a “positive result” of the school addressing community concerns.
“I think the issue has always been more than the number of students there, the fact that there was residence hall on that side of the Hill,” Whitney said. “People were concerned it would became a dormitory de facto. [Suffolk] did what they said they were going to do, and I applaud them for that.”
Ania Camargo, chair of the BHCA board an a member of the city’s original Suffolk University Task Force, also commended Suffolk for keeping its word with the Civic Association.
“We’re pleased that they continue to make good on their agreements,” Camargo said. “By having this ongoing dialogue with Suffolk, things can be improved.”