Take a seat

Housing Committee seats open to students

For a long time, students have been complaining that they have little say in local government.

And the local government has not been doing much to answer those complaints.

Meanwhile, housing and other borough ordinances that single out students as trouble-makers and irresponsible citizens run through the council like water through a sieve.

But there are exceptions, however few, to the rule that students don't count in local government. Currently, the Centre Region Council of Governments is encouraging them to apply for two of three open seats on the Rental Housing Advisory Committee.

The committee, which meets about four times each year, pairs residents with property owners and landlords in an effort to give those who live in the Centre Region a better idea of the laws that affect them.

One opening is an at-large seat for any student who is a resident of the Centre Region; the other is only for students residing in Patton Township.

The chance to present a student opinion on a panel that could eventually influence policy decisions is one students should seize.

And now is as good a time as any for local government bodies to reconsider their lack of interest in having students sit on important committees.

This Rental Housing Advisory Committee could be an example for other local government bodies to follow.

They'll have little reason to reconsider, though, unless students take advantage of this opportunity.

In the past, the advisory committee has created brochures to help local tenants and landlords understand the legal aspects of handling property.

Having this knowledge means having more power, and this is the time for students to claim that power.

• There is no deadline for applications for the at-large seat. The application deadline for the Patton Township seat is Feb. 11.
  

• Students or residents interested in the at-large position can contact James Steff, executive director of COG, at 231-3077.
  

• Students who live in Patton Township and are interested in applying for the township seat can contact the Patton Township Municipal Office at 234-0271.