The Gates of Trinity College: A True Divider of Community

Mary Collard ’28

Contributing Writer

In the 1970s, the iconic black gates which surround Trinity were first erected. At a time when violence and crime were high, and students and locals were clashing, the gates represented safety. Originally put in to mitigate violence between Hartford residents and the students, they soon became a symbol for the separation which is a facet of life at Trinity today. The black gates that divide Trinity from the Hartford community are more than just a fence—it represents a mindset and division, which keeps Trinity students sequestered on one side, and residents on the other. Trinity College frequently boasts about the opportunities that they provide students with to get involved. But, how involved are students actually in the community?

There is a difference between going to West Hartford for dinner and making a tangible positive impact on the community around you. Many students regard Hartford as a dangerous city, and one that they can’t connect with. They hide within the black gates, further retreating to the bubble that many have never left. Some students don’t actually leave the confines of the college in their entire time at Trinity, simply out of fear for Hartford. 

One way in which Trinity students can get involved more is through off campus jobs. Many students use Handshake to find jobs within the campus. On campus jobs are convenient and make sense for many students. However, when Peter B’s gets filled up, or the front desk job that someone wanted isn’t hiring, they tend to stop there.

Students may face issues with working off campus — some jobs require a car, hours might not be flexible around class schedules, they might not accommodate spring break, etc. But, even of the students for whom working off campus is an option, many choose not to. We are so close to many important businesses and institutions, and literally within minutes of the Connecticut State House. 

The separation between the Trinity students and the community around them leads to a toxic discourse among the students about Hartford residents, and vice versa. Some Trinity students begin to feel a misguided fear of everything that is Hartford. This is because they don’t take advantage of their opportunities to branch out, and become more open minded. 

Obviously, there are dangers in Hartford. Like any city, there is crime which people need to be wary of, and other fears. However, this fear is what is stopping many students from being able to make Hartford a better place, and it continues the cycle of toxicity and separation. 

The stereotypes that Hartford residents have about Trinity students, and that the students have about those same residents is the wrought iron gate that generally stops real relationships and impacts from being made. Trinity is a wealthy private school in the middle of one of the poorest neighborhoods in the United States, but that shouldn’t prevent students from wanting to get involved in their city community. There is a lot to be learned from each other, and the continued separation from Hartford only hurts us.