After six years of serving as a member on the State College Borough Council, Cathy Dauler said she plans to increase the efficiency of the group as its new president.

One of Dauler's first goals will be to hold fewer meetings and to shorten the amount of time Borough Council spends in discussion.

"On a personal level, I would like to see us using our time more efficiently when we attend meetings, particularly the amount of time we spend in meetings and the number of meetings we hold," she said.

Dauler was elected as council president Jan. 3 in a 6-1 vote, with newly elected Borough Council member Don Hahn opposed. Dauler was chosen over the other nominee, council member Elizabeth Goreham, who received a 4-3 vote opposing her election.

Dauler replaces Tom Daubert, who has served as Borough Council president for the past two years and will continue as a council member.

"We work together pretty well," Daubert said. "The last couple of years, there have been no real problems between members, though there are disagreements on issues."

Dauler cited the Centre Region Council of Governments (COG) as one example of too much time being spent in meetings.

"As members of COG, so often we go to those meetings and the only decision made on a particular issue is that every municipality should discuss it at their own meetings," Dauler said. "However, institutional change is always slow. It is hard to move these things, and people get used to doing things one way."

The role of the president is considered to be primarily symbolic, council member Craig Humphrey said. "However, I believe it does give the president the discretionary power about how certain issues are handled," he said.

One of the council president's responsibilities is to meet regularly with the borough manager to discuss the items scheduled for council meeting agendas.

Dauler said she believes several projects will be the focus of the Borough Council this year, such as the Fraser Street cinema project and the West College Avenue Urban Village plan.

Another important issue for council in the upcoming year will be the undecided location of a new bus station, council member Ron Filippelli said.

Humphrey said he expects Dauler to be attentive to details and well organized in her new position. Humphrey said he also expects that Dauler will allow issues to be discussed openly and consider other members' views and interests. "Cathy is familiar with the procedures, and I think she'll do a great job," he said.

The job of president rotates among the qualified members. There is nothing political about it, Daubert said.

Daubert was also president from 1996-97. Tradition has held that presidents do not serve two consecutive terms.

The job of council president is generally reserved for the most senior members of council. Dauler has served since 1999, and Goreham since 1997.

"I feel I've had time to learn the ropes and observe the way things are done," Dauler said. "I think I can make a positive contribution. I want to be sure that I try hard to be fair and give everyone equal opportunity to share their views."