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Published in The Spectator, the student newspaper of the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire; Thursday, December 6, 2001


City forum addresses disagreements between community, students
By Bill Olson

Students and community members must have respect for one another, Third Ward Neighborhood Association member Rosemary Wollum said.

Students and community members searched for ways to achieve mutual respect Tuesday at a forum discussion called "Students and the City."

Wollum described disruptive behavior by drunken students that she said sends the wrong message to small children who witness it.

"That's far from respect," Wollum said.

Sarah Bolstad, a freshman, said she was saddened by the stories of bad things students have been doing in the city. But there should be more focus on what students are contributing to the community.

"Do you guys really know what we contribute to Eau Claire besides money?" she asked.

A panel attempted to answer concerns about tensions that exist between many students and the community. The panel included sophomore student senator Sarah Schuh, city council member Terri Stanley, Eau Claire Deputy Police Chief Jerry Matysik, Assistant City Attorney Jeff Hansen and others.

Penny France, president of the Historic Randall Park Neighborhood Association, acknowledged that students want the respect of the community. But respect must be earned, she said.

She then read a list of accomplishments of an unnamed student who had performed a large number of volunteer activities and said there should be a better effort to publicize the good things students are doing.

The Spectator and the Leader-Telegram could run stories on what students are doing to help the community, France said.

Ken Fulgione, president of the Third Ward Neighborhood Association, said after leaving the meeting, that his group plans to publish good things students do in its newsletter.

About 20 people attended the forum. Students and community members said the students attending were probably not those creating problems.

It is necessary to increase the number of students attending such forums, Stan Carpenter, a Third Ward Neighborhood Association member, said. He suggested providing free food to bring cash-strapped students out.

The university must also be involved in finding a solution, many of the attendees said. Fulgione stood up and asked if anyone present was representing the administration.

When nobody responded, he said the administration's absence was a problem. This was the only comment to receive applause and it was echoed by many others.

Landlords did not escape criticism, either.

Many students are "paying through the nose" to live in houses that are not well kept, Wollum said.

DeWayne Severson, a landlord, agreed a problem exists and suggested licensing for landlords, which he said exists in Menomonie and Rice Lake. A problematic landlord could lose his license and be put out of business.

But such licensing should be approached with caution, said junior Matthew Flaten, the Student Senate's neighborhood association liaison. Care must be taken to assure that tenants won't be left homeless if their landlord loses his license.

 

 

  

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