William Behre

SLIPPERY ROCK — Slippery Rock University President William Behre formally introduced himself to borough council members at their meeting Tuesday.

Behre, the university's 17th president, officially started in July and over the past few months has been touring the county to meet people.

Behre said he has talked with Mayor Jondavid Longo and council member and Slippery Rock Development Manager Tom McPherson about a few matters.

“I'd really like to continue the great partnership the university has with the borough,” Behre said.

Russell Karl, borough council president, said the borough shares Behre's initiative of cooperation.

“I thought that it was wonderful that he came over and that he's interested in what's going on locally and that he bought a house in the borough,” Karl said.

Karl said the borough has a university relations committee that consists of himself, Mayor Longo and Councilman Denton Zeronis.

“The university has three times as many students as there are residents in the borough,” he said. “It's an absolute integrated part of the system.”

Longo said he hopes to see Behre, Student Government Association President Dallas Kline and other representatives from the college also join the committee.

“Our greatest and most effective approach would be to increase community outreach and service,” Longo said. “University organizations do some outreach now in coordination with Councilman Tom McPherson, but I want to expand on this.”

Longo said town cleanups and fundraising for local charities serve as examples of these efforts.

Longo said better outreach plus a fresh dialogue between the students and borough residents could foster mutual respect.

“Students must understand that while they are very much welcome, they are guests in our town and should be considerate of permanent residents' property and sensitivities,” Longo said. “On the opposite side, townspeople must recognize that students are very much a part of our community and we are lucky to have them.”