For a short time last night, State College decision-makers were all ears to Penn State students.

Mayor Bill Welch, Borough Manager Tom Fountaine, Borough Council President Cathy Dauler and Chief of Police Tom King participated in the forum, fielding questions from about 15 students.

The questions touched on a broad array of topics, but most focused on the issue of alcohol use and abuse by students.

Welch emphasized throughout the night that most members of the State College community wanted to end the "drinking culture", not end drinking entirely.

"What we're trying to stop is dangerous drinking," he said. "We're not out to pick on the freshmen who are dumb enough to get drunk."

Dauler said her daughter recently graduated from Penn State and based on the stories Dauler heard from her, she was more motivated to try to end excessive drinking.

"When I see kids downtown and it's three in the afternoon and they can barely stand up, I worry about them," she said. "This is someone's child."

Another main topic addressed during the forum was off-campus housing. Dauler made the point that many students don't realize the recourse they have with the borough in disputes with landlords.

"I think [students] feel there's nowhere they can go to, but we're here," she said. "We've got professional people who are ready and well-trained to deal with this."

Fountaine addressed one student's concern about a lack of housing

downtown, explaining that the problem is a new one. He said most apartment complexes were not filled three or four years ago.

Dauler explained that the borough council's goal was to have a "better mix of residents in the downtown."

"There are people who won't live in the downtown because it's so overrun with students," she said.

Throughout the evening, both students and borough representatives discussed ways in which the lines of communication could be opened between the two groups.

"How do I communicate with 42,000 students?" Welch asked.

Most students suggested that a greater focus on low-tech means of communication, such as newsletters and fliers, would draw notice from the students.

The event was organized by the Off-Campus Student Union (OCSU). David Williams, OCSU president, said the forum was a success, and the low turnout allowed for a more intimate setting.

"I think it went really well given the size. If there was a packed house it would've been a much more impersonal environment," he said. "I was impressed that 15 people showed up and asked questions that were important to them."

Meredith Isaacs (senior-political science), one of the students at the forum, said she agreed that the small number of students present created a good environment.

"The flexibility of the forum allowed students to talk about any issue," she said.

Trey Thomas (junior-political science) found the event useful as well.

"It's definitely a positive event to have the ear of the mayor, the borough manager, the borough council president and the police chief to discuss issues that affect students," he said.