It’s not unusual for Gorham resident Bill Keef to find beer cans in his yard, left behind by one of what he calls the “roaming droves” of students from the University of Southern Maine, who make their way up and down his street late at night.

Keef lives on Preble Street, which is also home to two fraternity houses and and one sorority house. He believes USM students were also responsible for destroying his fence. He also says his 15-year-old granddaughter once saw students urinating on car tires.

Seeking to hear out neighbors’ concerns, college officials were planning to meet with residents of Gorham Village, including Preble Street and College Avenue, Wednesday at 7 p.m. in Robie Gym on South Street, after the American Journal deadline.

University spokesman Bob Caswell said 270 invitations to the meeting were sent to Gorham residents. He said the university initiated the meeting in an effort to open the lines of communications and resolve the problems.

Gorham Police Chief Ron Shepard, who planned to attend the meeting, said the department regularly receives complaints about noise and vandalism from residents who live near the university. He said residents often complain when they are awakened by loud, rowdy students late at night.

Shepard said troubles usually occur on Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings, and there’s a spike in the spring and fall.

“It’s been fairly quiet lately,” Keef said.

Gorham police posted a sign on Preble Street prohibiting public drinking, but that doesn’t stop students from partying.

“That serves as a warning,” Shepard said.

The two fraternities in Keef’s neighborhood are Delta Chi, 23 Preble St.; and Phi Kappa Sigma, 27 Preble St.; plus the sorority Sigma Iota Sigma, which has a house on Preble Street.

Caswell this week was careful to say the problems were being caused by all students, not just those living in fraternity and sorority houses. He said other students from the campus visit Village houses.

Gorham Fire Chief Robert Lefebvre said his department works with fraternity houses when code issues arise.

“We inspect them on a regular basis,” Lefebvre said.

USM, neighbors confer on rowdy students