What do Frostburg’s Residents think of the Student Body?

Since its inception in 1898, Frostburg State Normal School No.2, or as we know it today, Frostburg State University, has been a fundamental part of the City of Frostburg. The local economy relies on the student populous to bring in profit, and many permanent residents are employed by the University. The student body are neighbors to the residents of this quaint mountain town. The student presence plays an important role in this town, and the student body has the ability to do great good or harm for the Frostburg community. But how are we doing as of now? What do the residents think of us, as the student body? Are we treating the locals as neighbors? Do the students have a vested interest in the community? These questions were asked to the individuals whose lives are directly affected by our actions, the permanent residents of Frostburg.

From head shops to Bowery Street to Catholic parishes, many individuals were interviewed. When asking simple questions such as, “What do you think of the student body as a whole?” and “Do you think the students do more good or bad to the town?.” There are two types of perspectives that emerged when interviewing the residents of Frostburg: businesses and the residential. Being the small rust belt town that it is, the addition of about 5,000 extra bodies greatly helps increase profits for local businesses. Those with solely business perspective had nothing but favorable things to say about the student body.

“Having the kids stop by, telling me about their major(s) and interests really gives me hope,” said Jim Barnes, of Crestmont Limited. “I really enjoyed helping fraternities in the past host fashion shows.”

The general Manager of Jamaican Junction, Chris, had this to say, “great experiences, nothing bad has ever happened from the students since the year and a half we’ve been in business.”

Josh of Yellow K Records said, “I’m moving my shop and some student came to help move records for me. I’ve had very good experiences with the students.”

Clatter Coffee owner Josh mentioned that, “ [he] enjoy[s] the energy the students inject into the town.”

From these comments, it is easy to see the various positive impacts students have contributed to the community. Unfortunately, not every interviewee had good things to say.

As the interviews continued, multiple individuals mentioned how difficult it can be at times to get by without the students during the summer months. This made it even more challenging for those specific individuals who share both the business and residential perspectives. They wished to remain anonymous, with a fear that sharing their opinion might lessen the amount of student business they receive. Living on a street such as Center, Bowery, or College Avenue tends to have a negative effect on the residential (or business and residential) perception of the students. The residents interviewed had common themes through each of their statements. The majority of them included: too loud, too many parties, and entitled.

“It’s hard to raise a family when music is blasting at three in the morning,” said an undisclosed citizen.

Another anonymous resident said, “[it] feels as if there is an attitude of disrespect to the community.”

Some even mention that they noticed an increase in the amount of crime when the student population arrives in August and a decrease when the students depart in June. The crimes that were particularly noted by the residents include theft, stabbings, and disturbing the peace.

While interviewing one individual that described the residential position it was mentioned that, “we like the students when they’re here, but not when we’re right next to them.”

Most of the residents interviewed had little to no interactions with the students. This also went for businesses on Main Street. It seemed that those who lived further away from Center, Bowery, and College Avenue had little if anything to say. A few of this majority said that they wished the student body would increase its presence in the community and were surprised that few students were taking advantage of what the town has to offer.

The student body and the permanent residents of Frostburg appear to be living in isolated groups. To bridge the gap between these two groups  is a ambitious task that would take an intense amount of effort from both sides. Even more challenging would be getting the student body to find actual interest in the residents and the town itself.