Community and U. focus of talk

Bridging the gap between University students, faculty and staff and the West Philadelphia community was discussed at a meeting held last night between the University's Center for Community Partnership and the Spruce Hill Association. Spruce Hill Association President David Hochmann introduced the two key speakers, Ira Harkavy, vice dean of the School of Arts and Sciences, and Glenn Bryan, director of community relations at the Unviersity. Hochmann also briefly described what role the Spruce Hill Association plays in the community. "We are an active organization and deal [with] zoning issues, safety issues and cleanliness issues," Hochmann said. "We have also been involved in a series of projects such as the police mini-station and adopting the Wilson School." Harkavy began by speaking about the newly created Center for Community Partnership and what its role would be in the University and the community. "The center will serve as a coordinator of current programs and a catalyst for new ideas," Harkavy said. "We want to become a model of how a University can work well with a community." Harkavy also discussed the main principles behind the center's recent formation. "Firstly it is for direct and immediate self-interest of the University meaning ambiance, cleanliness and safety. Second is the indirect self--interest which concerns society's problems," Harkavy continued. "We also need to see that the University can better advance their mission if they focus on helping to improve their immediate enviroment. And finally we need to raise the issue of citizenship and civic values." Harkavy stressed the need for the University to work hand in hand with the community and not exploit it. "As goes Penn so goes Philadelphia, and as goes Philadelphia so goes Penn," Harkavy said. Bryan made reference to the specific projects in which the center is becoming involved. "We are participating in changing off-campus living policies, issues of homelessness on campus, support of the libraries in this area and future communication between the University and the community," Bryan said. Bryan also said that the center will work to increase access to information about West Philadelphia and improving community relations to the University members. A question and answer session which addressed many problems concerning University-community relations followed the speeches. Many Spruce Hill residents expressed hope that students who do live off campus will start to see themselves as part of a community and be responsible neighbors. "It is crucial to Penn's future that it be a good and cooperative neighbor," Harkavy said.