The Off-Campus Student Union (OCSU) held an open forum last night where students voiced their concerns to downtown officials, including State College Mayor Bill Welch, Police Chief Tom King and Borough Manager Tom Fountaine.
Students were given the opportunity to express their off-campus concerns with these leaders.
Concerns included housing problems, safety codes and town and gown relations.
The OCSU's goal is to advocate for off-campus students.
"We try to connect off-campus issues with the university," Pat Gordon, communications chair, said. "Right now we are the voice for 30,000-plus students."
Doreen Strauss, president of OCSU, had one of the first questions, asking how the community views Penn State students.
"There is tension that exists, but we are working a number of things to improve this relationship," Fountaine said.
Mayor Welch said that society has changed and students come to college now more for the experience than the education. Regardless of this, Welch said he feels that the relationship between the students and the town is good.
"Students here think they're in a bubble," Strauss said.
They don't realize that their actions are affecting local residents and their children, she added.
The panel briefly discussed fan etiquette at Penn State, mentioning the recent YouTube incident and the disappointment the town has in People's Nation, 126 E College Ave.
Other students voiced their opinions about noise concerns with neighboring apartments on non-weekend nights.
Greg Koehle, community relations and crime prevention officer, said that if noise can be heard from another property, students should call the police.
"When it's disturbing you, it's a violation of the law," he said.
A major concern with downtown apartments was the terms and agreements listed in the leases. The panel members advised that all students read their leases word-for-word before signing it.
After a student voiced his concern about the lighting off-campus, Fontaine mentioned that there will be some improvements on this once the Capital Improvement Program is put in place.
For any health issues affecting apartment buildings, such as bed bugs or mold growing, Mark Henry, Health Officer, informed students they should immediately call the Code of Administration Department.
"I see the mission of OCSU as two-fold: helping permanent residents and students understand each other better," Strauss said. "It is important for the residents to realize the interests of students."
