It's 8:52 a.m. on a beautiful, sunny morning on campus and I've just finished being interviewed by three students. Is there any better way to greet the day?

Apparently, some Oshawa City councillors aren't so sure about this, which prompted this letter.

I have read two newspapers so far this morning. The main headline in The Chronicle, the campus newspaper, screams "Bylaw may raise human rights issues." The editorial on page 4 leads with "City must hear students now."

If that wasn't enough, the Toronto Star has dedicated 20 per cent of page A12 to an article with the huge headline "Students fear bylaw will leave them homeless."

I wish to make a number of points about all of this.

First, I write as an ordinary citizen, with no formal ties to Durham College or UOIT (albeit I was proud to serve both as president for many years). But I'm retired now and I believe I'm wise (or old) enough to stay out of my successors' hair.

Second, there are no "bad guys" in this story. Everyone -- Oshawa council, Windfields/Tribute, campus neighbours, campus administration, the student association and certainly, the students-at-large -- are good people, trying to manifest integrity and respect as best they can.

Third, actions have consequences as today's headlines confirm. The actions of Oshawa council are painting Oshawa as a non-friendly community for students. One can argue this consequence is inadvertent, is media-provoked, but no one will see that, especially not students including potential students who are choosing from among schools right now. All they will see is what they see -- "human rights issues," "homeless."

Fourth, this has happened for one reason: Oshawa is in transition (or thought it was). It is becoming an "education town," like Kingston or Princeton. We all recognize this is a good thing, a spectacular thing, even somewhat of a miracle. In other words, along with reaping the extraordinary benefits of the miracle, the city -- council and citizens alike -- must adapt its mentality. Above all, it must become student-friendly. Oshawa, like Princeton, must develop a reputation for loving students -- not just their money but them as the wonderful human beings they are. After all, they're your sons and daughters. And they're your future prime ministers. And they're your passport to a vibrant, successful city through the 21st century and beyond -- that is, unless City council blows it.

Fifth, I point out both Durham College and UOIT have competition -- lots of it. I assure you the surrounding schools are watching this story and licking their chops. I further point out that one of those schools recently experienced an enrolment decline of approximately 25 per cent! And of course, the best students are always the most mobile. In other words, Durham College and UOIT don't need City council creating an image which will curtail their planned growth or even provoke their decline.

Sixth, are there better solutions than a student-targeted bylaw (which this one is, or at least is perceived to be -- which means it is since perception is reality)? Yes. I have described what I believe to be such solutions to the parties and in a previous letter to the editor. So I would strongly recommend the parties reflect on solutions such as those, including enforcing bylaws which already exist and reject the current bylaw or any bylaw inconsistent with Oshawa's (presumed) future as an education community.

Ideally, council will do this unanimously, sending a very clear message to the Toronto Star and more importantly, to students: Oshawa is a student-friendly community.

Go Oshawa go! Come students come! And let's all live happily and civilly together.

Dr. Gary Polonsky

Clarington