About six Ames residents and ISU students gathered to discuss 13 recommendations to build one community between ISU students and permanent Ames residents.

Members of the Commission on Improving Community Relations Among ISU Students, the City of Ames and the Ames Community held an open forum Tuesday, where discussion focused on communication and interaction between short and long-term Ames residents.

Mary Jo Mattila, a member of the city’s Human Relations Commission, said open forums are good for the community.

“I feel strongly that people should work together to build a better community,” Mattila said. “It’s important to bring people together.”

According to the commission’s recommendations, it hopes to improve communication by creating Neighborhood Resource Coordinators. The coordinators would get to know residents in their designated neighborhoods and encourage communication.

“Hopefully, this person can diffuse situations before they get out of hand so police don’t need to be called,” said Drew Larson, senior in accounting. “They would be doing a valuable service to the community.”

The group also emphasized communication between formal decision-making authorities such as City Council and the Government of the Student Body.

“We would like to have more public hearings and forums for the community to give input,” said Laura Bestler-Wilcox, commission co-chairwoman. “We want the community to know that they can always give input and feedback.”

Another suggestion that was made to improve relations was to place “Welcome Home Students” signs in residents’ yards during the first week of school. Others suggested a community-wide party in the parking lot across from the Gerdin Business Building to welcome students back in the fall. Residents said they hope activities such as these will improve relations within the community.

“I think it’s sad that formal programs are needed to get neighbors to introduce themselves,” said Jan Beran, former member of the Human Relations Commission. “Long-time residents have the responsibility to get to know students.”