College towns are not quiet. For permanent residents, this poses as a real problem.

After several complaints from neighborhood groups, mostly about student behavior during weekends around campus and downtown areas, it was decided that students should step up and take care of this community.

Kendra Weber, the director of student and community engagement, decided to start a program after first coming to Winona in 2014, where student organizations volunteered their time to clean up around campus and the surrounding areas. This event happens every weekend during the fall semester and multiple clubs can participate at a time.

Weber said, the idea behind this program is to create a culture of care and respect for the community, as well as promoting a relationship between the students and residents of Winona.

“My hope for ‘Good Neighbors’ is to create a Winona State University culture where the program is no longer needed,” Weber said. “I’d love to see students take pride in their campus and community and to show that by being thoughtful and respectful of property at all times.”

The program was not officially called “Good Neighbors” until last year, but it has made progress towards its goal since it began. Not only is it a way to “give back” to the community, but it also serves as volunteer hours for people who need it.

The Sunday after Homecoming students will pick up trash from the train track, all around campus, and throughout the downtown area. The idea is to make the areas look better than before Homecoming began.