(6/27) A discussion during the public comment portion of the June 5 Emmitsburg town meeting about disorderly behavior by Mount St. Mary’s University students who live off campus quickly turned to a pledge by town and Mount officials to together seek better communication and solutions to the problem.

During the meeting, several residents spoke about some of the Mount’s students who reside in areas throughout town during the school year. Many of the students living off campus occupy houses and apartments in neighborhoods, on Main Street, and on side streets, and some permanent residents of Emmitsburg noted their frustration with unruly behavior exhibited by the students during the school year. The residents complained of loud and disruptive parties that occur on the weekends, which often bring about running through the streets, littering and shouting of profanities. Additionally, a few residents mentioned that students leasing properties sometimes neglect their duties as temporary residents, including leaving their trash out all week, not maintaining their yards, and not removing snow from their portion of the sidewalk.

Resident Paul McKinley informed the Board that parties happen nearly every weekend in the houses leased by students throughout the town. "They’re treating Emmitsburg like a frat house and frat row…we have an issue here in Emmitsburg and something needs to be done," stated McKinley.

Resident and business owner Melissa Wetzel mentioned the police force is already stretched thin and there is no permanent presence of officers in town. Residents questioned the possibility of establishing an ordinance for the students to follow, similar to the guidelines that permanent residents are required to follow.

However, not all residents in attendance spoke out against the students. T.J. Burns agreed that the unruly behavior is a problem in town, but cautioned that it’s not an issue that should be generalized to the whole Mount student body. Burns explained that he has had positive experiences with students who have rented property from him. There are many students who are respectful of the property, their neighbors, and do a lot in the community. It’s not fair to group all the students together and brand them as "bad."

At the end of the discussion, Wayne Green, vice president and chief of staff from the Mount, spoke in response to the issues that were addressed. He apologized to the residents who have been impacted and clearly stated that unruly behavior is unacceptable "especially for the high standards that Mounties hold themselves to."

"The vast majority of students behave in accordance with our values and make valuable contributions to the community," Green said. "We care for every Mount student and owe it to their development to address misbehavior that is not consistent with who we are as a university."

Green suggested the university and residents of Emmitsburg begin improving how they communicate with each other. Communication will be key moving forward to help address issues as they arise. He invited residents to contact him personally, or Dean of Students Ken McVearry when issues arise. Green and McVearry also discussed the potential of conducting a "welcome to Emmitsburg" meeting with the students in August. This meeting would address expected behavior and rules in Emmitsburg.

The Council leadership and Frederick County sheriff’s deputy discussed how to best record instances of disruptive behavior and decided that residents should be encouraged to respond to such instances by dialing 911. This will provide a written record that has been lacking in the past and will facilitate follow up with Mount officials. The Mount will continue to work with the students and plan to implement a better system to keep track of where their students are living.