Faculty meet to discuss city issues

More than 50 faculty and staff members discussed ways to improve the neighborhood in West Philadelphia at a meeting last Wednesday afternoon in Stiteler Hall. The meeting, sponsored by Penn Faculty and Staff for Neighborhood Issues (PFSNI), covered the organization's agenda and moved on to a general discussion with members of the community. The organization, pronounced "FISNEY," has developed eight committees to promote living and improve conditions in the neighborhood surrounding the University. PFSNI encourages new faculty members to find housing in University City, instead of a suburb or Center City, and fights false rumors about city life. "[A] really depressing thing is bad news from a lot of people without really giving the neighborhood a chance," said member Ruth Mellman, a program coordinator at the Annenberg Center. Lynn Lees, a history professor and co-chair of PFSNI, said the University needs to use its policy influence to positively affect the community surrounding it. She said the University should put together a program to encourage development in West Philadelphia. "This is a package and it has to be looked as such," she said. Lees then introduced recommendations from the committees on a number of aspects of University policy for the community. First, the University's mortgage program for faculty is in need of changes, Lees said. "Instead of privileging West Philly," she said, "it actually encourages professors to go to Center City." PFSNI's influence on administrative decisions is still unclear. John Gould, vice president and director of planning in the President's Office, was on hand to comment on the recommendations. "I believe that we can restore an advantage to the West Philadelphia area," he said. Gould said Interim President Claire Fagin has encouraged deans to convince incoming professors to consider University City. Lees said public schools in the area also play an important part in attracting professors. "We are very concerned about the health of public schools," she said. Lees said the University may also be able to relieve the abandoned housing problem by destroying the properties. Finally, Lees commented on the problem of street trash -- and the attitudes that encourage it. Audience members suggested that since much of the trash in the University area is student-generated, educating students about their responsibilities might be helpful. Gould said students who live off campus may be interested in coordinating educational programs. "If you could help us identify, maybe there are some responsible students," he said. Audience members also brought up the issues of crime and friction between the University and neighborhood. PFSNI is unique, according to co-Chairperson Anne Froehling, because most members live in University City. In the past, she said, "[the University] had people making decisions about the neighborhood who did not live there."