Frosh work hard in the 'Streets'

Heat, humidity and hard work. These were the conditions about 1,150 University freshmen braved Saturday as they went "Into The Streets." Buses left Houston Hall in staggered starts throughout the morning, carrying students to 36 separate sites in Philadelphia and surrounding areas to participate in community service projects. Projects ranged from beautifying the grounds of a former penitentiary to painting over graffiti in West Philadelphia. "I'm stoked to start working," Engineering freshman Deniz Cultu said, as he boarded his group's bus. "Philadelphia definitely needs [community service.]" College freshman Michelle Miller was less excited, though, describing the day's activity as "something to do on a Saturday besides sleep." But, she added, "I was into community service in high school and I want to continue here." Cultu and Miller, along with 20 of their floormates, worked at the Eastern State Penitentiary cleaning up trash and planting flowers in conjunction with the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society's Philadelphia Green program. The society's aim is to beautify areas throughout the city that would not be cared for otherwise. The penitentiary, which has not been a working prison since the early 1900s, was chosen because it might be turned into a museum. Freshmen were not the only ones concerned with helping their fellow citizens. Mayor Ed Rendell also made an appearance at the penitentiary. "There's a lot that can be done through volunteerism. It really helps," Rendell said in a speech to the volunteers. "You're as good a volunteer force as there is." "We never did this when I was in school," he added. "I never got out of Smokey Joe's." One group of freshmen from the Quad's Spruce Street House worked at a Habitat for Humanity site in nearby Camden, N.J., helping to restore dilapidated houses. Community House Senior Faculty Resident Peter Conn, who is also an English professor, originated the "Into the Streets" program in 1991 to allow students to "become familiar with the community in a useful way." Originally, only students living in the Community House section of the Quad took part in "Into The Streets." But last year the program expanded to encompass Spruce Street House residents, and this year it broadened its dimensions to include all freshmen who chose to participate. Conn, who spent Saturday morning visiting various sites, said "what I saw was very exciting. I visited two sites in West Philadelphia where crack houses were being reclaimed." "There seemed to be a real spirit of cooperation [between the students and the community members at the sites,]" he continued, adding that many students plan to return to their sites to do additional volunteer work. "It was just really nice to know that you helped someone and that someone's going to live there," College freshman Elissa Goldfinger said. Other freshmen echoed Goldfinger's praises and suggested that similar events be held during the year. "I liked the organization of it and groupness of it," College freshman Jason Offenhartz said. "I don't think I could do [the Habitat program] on my own, but if the opportunity arose in a group project I would definitely do it again." Despite the early start, heat and hard work, College freshman Amanda Balagur pronounced her excursion into the streets a success. "My legs are scratched, there's dirt all over me, but I feel wonderful."

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