University Holds Town Hall Meeting About Local Issues

Students, community members, city representatives, and university representatives packed into the Atkinson room in the Lane Center to attend a town hall meeting. Over 50 people attended the meeting on Oct. 2 to discuss issues that face the Frostburg community. The event was moderated by Tim McGrath, the Executive Director of the Beall Institute for Public Affairs. The event was also sponsored by the Student Government Association and the Office of Civic Engagement. This town hall meeting is the first of three that encourages civic engagement for the Frostburg community.

Many of the topics that emerged during the meeting focused on the interaction between the university community and the city community. In particular, multiple students raised the concern that many FSU graduates choose not to stay in the area due to a lack of available jobs. John Kirby, City Administrator of Frostburg, said in response that, “economic development in this area is not simple.” He said that there are some things that are beyond the power of the city government and university administration. Kirby also said that the Frostburg area suffered in the past from a minor economic collapse as the area became less industrialized and manufacturing moved overseas.

Kirby cited the declining population of the city and the county, as well as the lack of resources in the area as being responsible for some of the area’s difficulty in building up a more thriving and sustainable economy. The speed of technology growth is also responsible, in part, for the lack of economic development in the county. Kirby noted that many parts of the greater Frostburg area lack reliable access to internet and cellular service, which could also be a contributing factor in stifling economic growth. On a lighter note, Kirby acknowledged the place of FSU within the local economy, saying that it is “crucial to the vibrant economic environment” of the area.

While some students were critical of the career opportunities in the area, others were critical of the recreational opportunities in the area. One student jokingly said that going to the local Wal-Mart was one of the most common recreational activities in the area. While there are some recreational activities available in neighboring Garrett County, as well as hiking and biking trails available here in town, students still feel as though there could be more recreational opportunities in the local area.

One student at the meeting asked why the local police have apparently “cracked down” on parties recently. This concern ties in with other students’ complaint about few recreational opportunities in the area – what else is there to do but party? In response to this question, Frostburg City Police Chief Nicholas Costello said, “there hasn’t been a crackdown on parties.” Rather, the chief said that some parties lately have required more action than in the past – blocking roads, being disorderly, noisy, or destructive, and fighting will trigger a police response. The chief emphasized that these are not new police policies, but rather “responses to specific problems.”

Another issue brought up by students at the meeting was the opioid abuse crisis that the nation is facing. One student asked straightforwardly, “what are we doing to prevent that from happening?” Chief Costello addressed the question by first saying, “that’s a big problem.” He remarked that this is a national, state, and local issue, and that collaboration is important when addressing it. The chief said that the City Police Department works in close collaboration with the Allegany County Health Department, and he emphasized the importance of being proactive regarding this issue. The chief noted that education about drug issues is important in order to prevent these issues from becoming crises.

Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs Jeff Graham highlighted the initiatives that FSU is taking to educate current students and potential future students about drug safety. At present, all incoming FSU students are required to take training courses about prescription drug abuse and responsible alcohol use. FSU also actively partners with the Frostburg Community Coalition, an organization that promotes awareness about the risks of alcohol and marijuana use to local high school students.

Another concern raised by a student at the town hall meeting was the state of the university’s Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS), which provides counseling and support for FSU students. A student said that CAPS always seemed to be fully booked and understaffed. In response to this question, Vice President for Student Affairs Tom Bowling recognized that CAPS is indeed understaffed. While CAPS was fully staffed last year, two of its counselors left in June and August. Bowling announced plans to fill the Training Director position and the Staff Psychologist position. Bowling also announced plans for a new wellness app that will be available to FSU students.

Other topics discussed at the meeting included the ongoing mold issues on campus in Cambridge hall and the Guild building, as well as the much-expected moment in commemoration of the Brownsville community – a community that once lived in the area that become the quad, but was removed as the institution that was to become FSU expanded. The review of FSU’s General Education Program (GEP) was also briefly discussed at the meeting, as was the future of restaurants and dining options in Frostburg. Future town hall meetings focusing on Maryland election candidate platforms and the upcoming midterm elections are planned for Oct. 16 and 30 in the Atkinson room in the Lane Center.