So students, you want a better place to live. You are sick and tired of tyrannical landlords taking advantage of you while the city council has only done what the law requires them to do. Mayor Neil Dillard said Tuesday he has not spoken to the landlords as a group because he feels the public has the most influence. It bothers you does it not? If it does not, it should.

The question though, is what are you going to do about it? After all that has been done to try to rectify the tenant-landlord relationship there are two possible solutions.

One the city council could step in and more strictly regulate landlords. Or two students could do more by getting involved. It is up to the students to get the wheels of change moving because the city will not recognize the need for change unless it is brought to their attention.

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A standardized lease, proposed by Undergraduate Student Government to improve the situation, will be unveiled Thursday in the Student Center at an open forum. The point of this forum is to get those concerned to come together and discuss and compromise on different issues concerning tenant-landlord relationships.

To simply get everyone together to argue is not an appropriate approach. Instead this is a chance to actually talk about the solutions to these problems. The point of the forum is not for cases to be made or defended, but it is a perfect opportunity for the landlords and students to show up and speak about issues they are concerned about. A productive discussion could lead to a middle ground or understanding between the parties.

In 1994, Carbondale began the Mandatory Rental Housing Inspection Program. Last July, it was stated that of the 7,900 registered units in Carbondale, 2,260 had housing code violations. None of the units that were in violation were closed or fined, but the landlords were given time to correct the problems. The program was an important step in improving housing in Carbondale, but the revisions should not end there.

There are many complex issues at stake with one of the most important being the development of communication between landlord and tenants. If the scenario of the tyrannical landlord is wrong, it is up to the landlords to defend themselves at this forum. Unfortunately, it seems the possibility of that happening is slim, since only one of the 40 invitations sent out to landlords has been returned.

Even if the city is unable to take more action, student action could bring change. Items like the new USG landlord catalog will provide a way for students to avoid renting a trouble property.

As owners of businesses, landlords should be concerned with taking care of their customers while attracting new ones. It is time for all of this arguing to subside by sitting down and talking like intelligent, concerned people to institute more changes that will benefit all.