Relations between the local Binghamton community and Binghamton University community are a source of continuous concern for both residents and students. With hot-button issues like apartments, landlords, crime and students’ attitudes, it can be hard to find some common ground. But with this Halloween weekend comes trick-or-treating, a tradition that spans generations and locations. The question is, will off-campus students give out candy for little trick-or-treaters?

The consensus is that the potentially strenuous relationship between the residents and the students has nothing to do with students’ decision whether or not to give out candy for Halloween.

Lauren Giles, a senior majoring in psychology, said she does not consider the town’gown relations to be a factor.

‘They are just out for free candy and to have a good time,’ Giles said. ‘I want to pay it forward and make Halloween fun for the next generation. I think it’s disappointing to go to a house where nobody answers the doorbell or there’s no candy for them.’

Ashley Gayle, a senior double-majoring in accounting and English, agrees.

‘I think it is nice for kids to go to a house that actually has candy,’ Gayle said. ‘Not everyone thinks Halloween is that important.’

For other students, it is about the Halloween season itself.

‘In the spirit of Halloween I want to give out candy,’ said Hyo Kim, a senior majoring in environmental chemistry. ‘Sometimes the decision not to leave out candy is simply a matter of insignificance in a college student’s life. It’s a personal choice.’

But distributing candy can also be part of a larger gesture to integrate yourself with the local residents.

Kim has lived off campus for two years and enjoys being able to participate in something with the residents.

‘Since I’ve made myself at home, giving out candy is one of the things I can do with the community,’ Kim said.

Living Downtown means living in a residential area among many Binghamton residents. There are bound to be trick-or-treaters around so why not get your candy bucket ready for the kids?

‘When people don’t hand out candy they’re not getting involved in what it means to live off campus,’ Giles said. ‘They’re not becoming part of the community that they live in.’