Almost every student driving to campus from downtown takes the shortcut to Hillsdale Street from Broad Street, veering right by the parked police cars to avoid two hairpin turns and a traffic light. A new city proposal would close the shortcut.

You may have missed this proposed change unless you read the City News section last week. It’s possible, as a student, you don’t think it has anything to do with you. But news in the city should matter to readers on campus.

Students drive, and 75% of Hillsdale’s roads are in “failing condition,” according to City Engineer Kristin Bauer. This affects students in more ways than dealing with potholes on dilapidated roads. Special assessment districts designate roads for repair and charge homeowners on the street about $5,000 each. City politics may start to matter to students if the rent for their off-campus house goes up to help landlords fund these assessments.

Students want to stay safe. The county jail is so overcrowded that it releases inmates every week, as the City News section reported last semester. The acting mayor told The Collegian he wants to build housing for the homeless on the outskirts of town. This news should matter to students who walk home late at night.

Students shop in town. The City News section heralded the coming of Ethan’s Donut Factory, St. Joe’s Pizza, and Meijer well before their openings.

Many students voted in city council races last November when they registered with their Hillsdale address. Did they know who stood for what? The City News section conducted a wide-ranging Q&A on particular issues that matter to students and residents: roads, homelessness, and the city’s relationship with the college.

The Collegian doesn’t take stances on how to address road changes, a crowded prison, or homelessness. But we think you should know about these issues.

If your zip code is 49242, what goes on in the city is your business.