EDITORIAL: Now is the Time

As the University and cityAs the University and citycontinue negotiations overAs the University and citycontinue negotiations overthe mayor's proposed revenueAs the University and citycontinue negotiations overthe mayor's proposed revenueplan, officials have the chanceAs the University and citycontinue negotiations overthe mayor's proposed revenueplan, officials have the chanceto address what's important toAs the University and citycontinue negotiations overthe mayor's proposed revenueplan, officials have the chanceto address what's important tothe campus and the community.As the University and citycontinue negotiations overthe mayor's proposed revenueplan, officials have the chanceto address what's important tothe campus and the community._______________________________ We were pleased to learn yesterday that negotiations are going better than we initially thought. The University has not missed any deadlines for compliance and the city is satisfied with the progress of the negotiations to date. As the largest private employer in the city, the University holds a good deal of leverage in these discussions. Issues such as city taxes on dormitory rooms and services provided by the city should be at the forefront of these talks. If the University is willing to come forward and give the city an annual charitable gift, the city also should be ready to compromise and make concessions to the University. During this process, the University cannot forget that as a member of the Philadelphia community, it must be responsive. We recognize the many services that the University already provides, such as community policing, street cleaning, lighting and volunteer efforts, but it can and should be doing more. Furthermore, we would like to reiterate that officials should require any payment to the city be used directly in West Philadelphia to build infrastructure, improve housing and make the streets safer. Because nothing has yet been finalized, it is hard to predict what the agreement will entail. But, by avoiding drawn-out discussions, the University has the opportunity to send a clear message that it takes its responsibility to its surroundings seriously. And that is the best message the University can send to West Philadelphians.