They are entrenched in my university town in fly-over country. I've seen several facets of their official (CCP) handling of Chinese students.
I think it's clear the school is very much beholden to the out-of-state tuition, housing, and fees brought to their coffers by whoever is paying their bills. (Many are children of the Chinese wealthy and CCP officials, often under assumed names.) Some are very strong, healthy, military age specimens.
Their Chinese handlers have very tight control over them. I suspect this is true in very many better US universities and their surrounding areas.
It took me years to convince my wife that every Chinese student in her classes was a spy. They are not here without the blessing of the CCP and they are all debriefed when they get home to Chyna. Most are here to obtain cultural information.
Then it behooves the citizens to rise up v. the university. It isn't a problem only there, all college towns to some extent put up with things they shouldn't. Time to make some noise.