The eight candidates running for four at-large City Council seats cited concerns about Boston University’s proposal to build a Level 4 Biolab at a forum held Thursday night.

At the Viet-American Community Center in Dorchester, Sam Yoon, a newcomer to the City Council race, said the construction of the biolab would be an “erosion of trust” between BU and residents in the South End, the proposed location for the lab.

“BU should be in the same room as [its opponents], and the fact that they wouldn’t signals mistrust,” Yoon said.

Four candidates said the proposed biolab would present valuable research opportunities, but all of them agreed that the lab would be more harmful than anything else.

“The major problem is that the process [of constructing the lab] was not democratic or open,” first-time candidate John Connolly said.

Although Connolly supports the development of the biotech industry, his support depends on what he called the “guarantee of safety.”

City Council President Michael Flaherty said he saw the opportunities available with the construction of the lab.

“We have the best facilities to find cures, and it would be great to put Boston on the map,” Flaherty said. But he added that “until there is a coordinated evacuation plan, the building of the lab has halted.”

Without directly opposing the lab, incumbent City Councilor At-Large Stephen Murphy said the Council has held hours of hearings about the biolab. Murphy said he filed an ordinance to regulate labs in the city, which would give the Fire Department the responsibility to certify them.

First-time candidate Matt O’Malley summed up the general sentiment among the candidates, saying “the potential risks do not outweigh the benefits.”

O’Malley and candidate Ed Flynn said the city should start collecting fees from colleges and universities in the Boston area to pay for public projects.

Colleges and universities own untaxed land, which they rent to private companies like restaurants and hotels, O’Malley said.

“BU is a leader in paying their fair share to the city,” he said. “Harvard, though, is the worst encroachment.”

Flynn added that these fees would directly affect students by potentially increasing tuition.

Candidates also discussed alternative housing in Boston and the Community Stabilization Act, a bill that aimed to protect tenants from unfair rent increases but was defeated in the Council last December.

“This is the government’s measured response to help people,” candidate Patricia White said in support of CSA.

But other candidates, including Flaherty, said they opposed the measure. Flaherty said he supported tenant coalitions, not rent stabilization.

Flaherty added that city residents should depend on city councilors rather than state or federal government officials to answer their concerns.

“We are the closest to you,” Flaherty said. “Try getting a call back from Romney or Bush.”

Forum participants also discussed the Boston Public School system and its lack of funding, textbooks and teachers.

According to Murphy, Gov. Mitt Romney recently cut $180 million from Boston’s budget, and the schools are feeling the effects. To cope with budget cuts, the city is using reserve funds for education, Murphy said.

Candidates also discussed the release of 3,000 prisoners into the city over the course of a year.

“Imagine taking away everything that makes us stable,” Yoon said. “Take away your secure economy, your education, your stability, housing, medical insurance and you’ll be in their position.”

The candidates agree that these ex-convicts, most of whom were imprisoned for substance abuse, should be given a second chance to get jobs and housing.

“These offenders affect every family,” Flynn said. “They need intensive substance abuse programs.”

The forum was moderated by Jose Masso and Khalida Smalls, active members of New Majority, a group that unites Boston’s minority communities. Masso and Smalls picked from the questions that members of the audience submitted.

O’Malley told The Daily Free Press that he approved the format of the discussion.

“This is what campaigns ought to be about — a strong exchange of ideas,” O’Malley said. “I know most of these candidates from my work this fall … it’s not about a new Boston or an old Boston, it’s about one Boston.”

The forum was sponsored by the New Majority and the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now. About 85 members of the public attended the event.