ST. CLOUD - Several residents in the St. Cloud State University neighborhood had some special visitors this (Monday) evening.

St. Cloud Mayor Dave Kleis and SCSU President Earl Potter knocked on the doors of folks who live in the neighborhood full-time.  They also stopped and talked to students they met on the street.

It's the beginning of a week-long effort to make a for a smooth transition to move-in weekend.  The two leaders have walked the neighborhood for several years, and Kleis says it's making a difference.

Kleis says tangible things like house parties, tickets, and arrests have all gone down in recent years.  He says they're also reminding students that they're not just visiting, they're part of the community.

Potter says the days of the blocks-long party are slowing becoming a thing of the past.

Potter says one of the challenges is who is living in the neighborhood.  He says back int he 1960s about 90 percent of the homes were owner-occupied, with 10 percent rentals.  He says now it's about 90 percent rentals, and just 10 percent owner-occupied.

Potter says a lot of students have already moved back to town.  The official move-in day is Saturday and Sunday.  He says there will be an extra police presence in the SCSU neighborhood throughout the weekend.

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