The State College Borough Council is trying to remedy a problem it already has the resources to solve.

The council is studying a proposal to limit the number of houses that can be converted into rental units -- used primarily by students. One option would limit rental conversions to one for every 20 lots or quarter mile. Another option would limit the number of conversion units to 20 percent of all lots on a single street.

But neither option addresses the long-range housing conflicts presented by an increasing student population in the borough -- a problem University administrators and borough officials must work together to solve.

The proposal was developed because neighborhood groups have complained that students in conversion dwellings are noisy and do not take care of their property. Homeowners fear these conditions will lower their homes' property values.

However, the borough already has laws that could both improve student homes and control conversion growth in the borough. For example, a limit exists on the number of people living in a conversion unit. Under the law, no more than three unrelated people can live in a single-family dwelling or a converted house.

Instead of making new laws, the borough should enforce the ones all ready in the books. And if landlords were more responsible for the upkeep of rented properties, the neighborhood would be in better shape.

Currently, the Centre Region Council of Governments inspects houses only once every five years unless a specific complaint is filed. The borough and COG should work together to increase the number of inspections. Perhaps a more stringent inspection policy would cause landowners to take their jobs more seriously.

The University has a role in solving this problem, too. With enrollment increasing every year and the amount of University housing remaining static, more and more students are forced to live off-campus. Unless the University is willing to address this problem and work with the borough to solve it, no feasible long-term solutions will be found.

The complexity of this problem requires that the University and the borough work together to solve it.