University officials and South Bend government representatives are scheduled to meet today to discuss the recent increase of city residents' complaints about off-campus student parties.
The Health and Public Safety Committee of the South Bend Common Council, headed by District 4 representative Ann Puzzello, will convene this afternoon to discuss the concerns stemming from two informal meetings held in early September.
But while previous meetings have been of a "town forum" format open to residents and area police to air their concerns, this meeting will focus on finding more concrete solutions to the problem, said Bill Kirk, associate vice president for student affairs.
Kirk will represent the University at the meeting and answer questions.
According to Puzzello, Kirk and neighborhood residents, off-campus parties that escalate out of control - including students binge drinking, defacing property and screaming and playing music late into the night - have become more frequent during the last few years.
Jackie Rucker, director of community relations for the University, said East Washington Street, Peashway Street, Notre Dame Avenue and Turtle Creek Apartments have been problem areas of late.
