When tackling town and gown relations, students should look at how they've represented themselves to the State College Borough Council. In short, they haven't.

Throughout State College history, students and borough residents have clashed over noise problems, parking, potential housing conversions and inconsiderate neighbors -- the list of touchy subjects never ends.

But when it comes to making changes, improving legislation or relations, students haven't been there when it counts:

-- No one but media students attend borough council meetings regularly.

-- Only one student has ran for a council seat in the last three years.

-- Only a few students take part in important council committees.

The voices that are there have been invaluable, but students make up about 70 percent of the borough's population. It's clearly time for students to get involved and help redress our share of perpetual town and gown problems.

As primary elections draw near, students have many ways to get involved and improve relations -- like running for a council seat, attending council meetings or sponsoring a council candidate who represents students' interests.

University student Ron Marlow took such an opportunity when he ran for a borough council seat two years ago. Although he lost his bid, Marlow made an attempt to increase student representation to combat views that might hurt student interests by running for a council seat.

More students should follow his example. Since students represent a majority of the borough's population, they must identify and publicize student interests and do their part in improving relations.

By running or voting for a council seat students can help disprove their notorious reputation for apathy. Marlow, during his campaign two years ago, said, "Students, if they are ever to receive political equity, must vote."

Attending council meetings to keep up with borough news is another way to become involved. While many council meetings are standing room only, the majority of students attending the meetings are communication majors, covering the meeting to fulfill class requirements.

So, before the gap between students and borough residents widens to a canyon, students must take some initiative and voice their needs before primaries arrive.