City Limits: The People in your neighborhood

It is easy to think of the University's 265 acre campus as a self-contained world -- a world with its own transportation system, police force, mail service and library. But in reality, the University is surrounded by several communities which have had to cope with the growing pains of an expanding institution. Many University faculty and staff live in some of the larger communites -- particularly Spruce Hill, just West of the University. Powelton Village, which borders the University to the North, is also home to several University students and faculty. And just as the University has an administration, a student government and a University Council to see to its needs, each of these neighborhoods has a neighborhood organization that looks out for its interests and tries to make the neighborhood a better place. · The University's closest neighbor is Spruce Hill, which lies between Market Street and Woodland Avenue, from 40th to 46th streets. The neighborhood is inhabited largely by a transient student population that has led to tension between the University and its neighboring permanent residents. According to Spruce Hill Community Association President David Hochman, about 400 households and businesses are members of the group started in 1956. Spruce Hill's relationship with the University goes back about 30 years to the 1960s. Spruce Hill residents are adamant about the University's role in the community. "I've heard comments by older residents about things that have been done by the University that have affected the community adversely," said Spruce Hill resident "Sarah," who works at the University and asked not to be identified by her real name. "[They] have never forgotten the fact that the University tore down a lot of private homes and little mom and pop stores." Associate Professor of Anatomy and Geology Peter Dodson, a resident of the area since 1975, said the campus has changed its appearance since he came here. " he demolishing] is the sort of thing that earns ill feelings," Dodson said. "Although this took place 20 to 30 years ago, memories of it still exist in the community." Over the years, the relationship between the University and Spruce Hill has varied, Dodson said, adding that Sheldon Hackney becoming president in 1981 improved relations a great deal. "Dr. Hackney is remarkably aware of the community," Dodson said. "It's symbolically important that he [began living] on the campus . . . it was an outstanding thing." Dodson said the highpoint of the University's relationship with Spruce Hill was during James Robinson's tenure as Director of Community Relations towards the end of the 1980s. "He was very visible and very well known," Dodson said, "An excellent ambassabor to community." Recently, Dodson said little has been done to further relations between the community and the University. But administrators hope the creation of a Center for Community Partnerships will change that. John Gould, executive director in the President's Office, said the search for the first Director of the Center began this Spring. He expects to announce within a month who will fill the new position. In the meantime, some Spruce Hill residents do not think the University currently does enough to maintain an amicable relationship with the community. "Once the students are here, the University does nothing to help the students understand that they live in a community that has permanent residents," Sarah said. But she added that Spruce Hill is populated mostly by transient students who show a lack of regard for the few permanent residents of the neighborhood. "[Spruce Hill's] not party land. It's not trash land," Sarah said. "It's like the students are totally oblivious to the permanent residents." According to Sarah, another chronic problem is students bringing cars from home and then leaving them parked on the street. "The neighborhood is flooded with cars that aren't used," she said. But Dodson and Hochman both believe the problem is not that serious and the University is doing what it can to make Spruce Hill a better place to live. And Hochman stressed, "By no means is this community hostile to students." "I see the University as a good neighbor," Dodson said. "One thing which has been a very spectacular development has been the increase in the police force. They are very effective in the community." And according to Interim Director of Community Relations Stephen Carey, "The University is very much committed to developing strong ties with the community." "Our goal is not to tell the community, 'this is what we're going to do,' " Carey said. "Our goal is to work in partnership with the community to understand what their needs and expectations are and to inform them where Penn can help." Carey said projects like the Special Services District and Spruce Hill's annual May Fair in Clark Park have received funding and support from the University. Carey added that the University is finalizing a new Mortgage Initiative to encourage staff and faculty to live in the area west of campus to 51st Street. The initiative mandates that the University will guarantee 100 percent of the mortgage in case of default, Carey said. · Powelton Village -- bordered by 31st, Lancaster, 38th and Spring Garden streets -- sits north of the University. Powelton Village Civic Association President Sue Minnis said the organization formed in the 1950s to address neighborhood problems. "[Powelton Village] was in pretty bad shape in the 50s," Minnis said. "It had been in decline for a number of years." "The goal of the group is to have an integrated successful community," Minnis said. The Association has done well in that respect, Minnis said, adding that many University graduate students and faculty members live in Powelton Village. But Minnis said the organization does not have much of a relationship with the University. She said Powelton Village deals more with Drexel University because it is closer. But Minnis said that last year, University administrators told faculty not to live in Powelton Village. "We thought that was a very counterproductive thing for Penn to have happening," Minnis said. In response, she wrote a letter to President Hackney. Biddle Law Library Director Elizabeth Kelly, a four-year resident of Powelton Village, said she was unaware of the letter and said she has heard only encouragement from the administration to settle near campus. "It really is a big plus that the Escort Service and the PennBus both are available for late night transportation," Kelly added. "The University of Pennsylvania is very much interested in having our facutly and staff live in the community," Community Relations Director Carey said. "It provides a sense of stability."