Group looks to men fences between Ames and ISU students

A commission made up of Iowa State University students and Ames residents is hoping to generate better relationships between city dwellers and college students in Ames. Government of the Student Body vice president William Rock is a member of the commission, which was formed as one response to the rioting in the CampusTown area of Ames this past April.Rock says the problem isn’t between the city government and the university, but there is some sort of “divide” between students and long-term Ames residents. Rock says many believe that divide was one of the driving factors behind the most recent Veishea disturbance. He says the divide between Ames residents and university students has been an ongoing issue in Ames, but the university did not set up the commission until after the Veishea disturbance. He says both sides want to find solutions.Rock says he joined Ames mayor Ted Tedesco and I-S-U president Gregory Geoffroy to set up the commission to help close the gap between the students and long term Ames residents. Rock welcomes anyone who wants to contribute. Rock says the commission is open to public input and will probably have public forums and focus groups in July or August. The commission plans to have its first meeting today (Thursday).