Chittenden seems a long way away from my home in the University District, but I can see and hear Norwich from my porch. As I stood on my porch early Sunday morning, I was disgusted. Not because there were drunk students yelling and running around, but at their total lack of respect for anyone and anything around them.

2:00 a.m.: The helicopter that was parked over my area woke me up. I got up and looked out the window and saw that three Dumpsters were on fire, including mine. That would be the Dumpster next to my wood fence, that’s near my wood shed, that’s near my wood porch.

3:00 a.m.: Mounted police come through. Students standing on my neighbors’ lawn begin hurling obscenities at the officers, included in the barrage of language is the statement, “I live in America, and I can do whatever I want.”

3:30 a.m.: Students run through the alley as the situation escalates on Norwich. Riot geared police walk through, telling the students to “go inside”, “go home”, “this area is closed.” Students continue to use the foulest language I have ever heard.

So, I’m thinking, “you silly, silly children.”

What’s the problem? Did Mom and Dad not give you the SUV that you wanted when they sent you to college? Did tuition rates rise? Are there not enough bars within the University District? Did your beloved Buckeyes lose some game that is absolutely meaningless in the general scheme of the world? Is this why you are acting violently and destructively?

My university experience is a scant five years behind me. I had the nerve to go somewhere other than OSU (gasp.) I remember it well. Never, not once, did we have a riot on my campus. The message? You are here to get an education, and there are others that are in line behind you, want it more, and would be happy to take your spot.

My point? Grow up.

We, yes, I’m one of you, are the most privileged generation ever in the most privileged nation in the world. There’s no war; there’s no gas shortage; there’s virtually no unemployment. Many want to go to college and can’t afford it. Going to college is a privilege, no matter what you think. You have rights, yes, but not the right to act like idiots and bring shame on your university and your city.

Jennifer WerthUniversity District