Spanier tells student side

Spanier confronts Borough Council on housing issue

It's in writing.

University President Graham Spanier scripted a letter voicing his concern for the proposed borough housing ordinances and sent copies to the State College Borough Council yesterday.

The letter stated the University's student leadership is very concerned with the ordinance issue, and that Spanier himself is sensitive to the borough's need to find a solution that works.

"While I do not feel it is appropriate for me to unduly intrude into matters that are more appropriately within the purview of the Borough, I am writing to express my concern with the currently proposed ordinance," Spanier's letter stated.

"In my opinion, the proposed ordinance is troublesome for our students, and I am sympathetic with their concerns. I believe the ordinance singles out students in a discriminatory fashion, and I would like the council to reconsider this matter. At the very least, I hope you review the wording that singles out students."

Later in the letter, Spanier said he thinks a major step in the accommodation of students, homeowners and residents would be the removal of the "discriminatory language."

The proposed borough housing ordinances limit the number of one- or two-family houses that can be converted to student houses and restrict the number of students able to live in a townhouse to three unrelated people. Right now, the ordinance allows only three unrelated people to live in the same house.

Spanier does not want to dictate what a separate government entity should or should not do, said Stephen MacCarthy, executive director of University relations.

"The decision is (the council's)," MacCarthy said. "We just wanted them to understand the concern that we had (with the proposed ordinance). Obviously it's a concern that the students shared."

Spanier has talked with borough council members at various times in the past about the borough housing ordinance issue, at such places as luncheons and other gatherings, MacCarthy added. Senior Vice President for Finance Gary Schultz and Vice President for Student Affairs William Asbury have also addressed the issue with the council.

The letter, however, came about because Spanier wanted to clarify his position on the proposed ordinance.

Spanier's letter was drafted and was supposed to be sent out yesterday afternoon after a group of students made an impromptu visit to him in his office, MacCarthy said. Before giving it to the borough council members this morning, Spanier made a few changes, MacCarthy added.

Spanier also said yesterday that Asbury would attend the April 7 council meeting to represent the University administration.

Although Council Member Jean McManis had not received the letter yet, she said she appreciates Spanier's comments on the borough's actions and his acknowledgment that the borough council has "agonized" over the proposals.

"I think any communication between us and among us is definitely to the good," McManis said.

And Undergraduate Student Government Vice President Ed Kilpela said he thinks this letter is evidence of the first time he has seen the administration take a stance on an issue such as the ordinance.

The University's actions may be a way to open dialogue between the students and the University, Kilpela added.

"Perhaps this represents the beginning of a more cooperative relationship," he said.