Recent disturbances and vandalism have once again brought into question the relationship between State College business owners and Penn State students.

Old Main Frame Shop & Gallery, 136 E. College Ave., was a recent victim of theft. A custom-made sign was stolen from the store about three weeks ago.

Marie Librizzi, a 1973 Penn State alumna and co-proprietor of the shop for 24 years, said, "This is probably the first time we've had a sign stolen. In the last three or four months we've lost a custom banner and a sign."

Librizzi was quick to point out that she does not necessarily believe the students are the perpetrators.

"It's not always the Penn State students doing this," she said.

Gary Moyer, owner of Moyer Jewelers, 100 E. College Ave., had a $180 banner stolen from his store over the weekend. But said he does not hold the whole student body responsible.

"A pretty big percentage were out behaving themselves. It's the same old story: 2 or 3 percent ruin it for the rest of us," said Moyer, a 1965 graduate of Penn State who did not believe that the uprising was malicious.

"I was disappointed that it happened. But I was in school, and we did dumb things too," he said.

Some of the business owners downtown attribute the rash of damage to a shift in students' values.

Pam Steckler, a 1969 graduate of Penn State who owns Sunshine Imports, 127 E. Beaver Ave., said, "I think part of it is an attitude change. Money is a lot easier to come by for today's kids. Education is taken for granted. This goes beyond kids just blowing off steam."

The riots and acts of vandalism that have permeated the area in the past few years have concerned Steckler.

"It worries me. It shows a lack of respect. People see it as kids being kids, but it's still not acceptable."

Steckler, however, also believes that it is a small number of students causing the difficulties.

Students have different opinions on the disturbances downtown.

Lynn Wisloski (senior-English) said, "I think it's pretty stupid what we've been doing. There are ways to celebrate without vandalism."

Wisloski thinks the mass congregations of students can be traced back to the disturbances of the 1998 Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts.

"Before the riots in Arts Fest, that sort of thing was not expected. Now when there is a big event, it's expected. The students can't keep their emotions in check," Wisloski said.

Risa Whitson (graduate-geology) said, "I don't think that this problem is unique to Penn State. It's just exacerbated because of our number of students."