U. acts to bolster business in West Phila.

In a highly symbolic gesture, University President Judith Rodin announced a new partnership with West Philadelphia businesses that could bring $2.8 million into the community. Standing between two photocopy machines and a banner that read "Penn and the Community, a Tradition of Partnership," Rodin announced the University is embarking upon partnerships with three local businesses, Telrose Corporation, Xtec Office Systems and Tri-R Incorporated. Standing before business owners and politicians, including City Councilwoman Jannie Blackwell, State Senator Hardy Williams and Black Clergy President Joseph Patterson, Rodin said she is determined to help the community in which she grew up. "As the largest private employer in this city, I am committed that Penn do all we can for the future that we share with West Philadelphia," Rodin said. "Penn and our neighbors in West Philadelphia share the same dream -- an economically, educationally and culturally vibrant community. Rodin also said the key to sparking improvement in the community is economic development, which will help not only the community but also the University. She added that the new partnerships will "provide a high level of service, without extra costs." "It's good business for Penn and it's a good investment for West Philadelphia," Rodin said as the crowd erupted into applause. Although the University's relationship with the city and West Philadelphia has been strained in the past, the speakers' sentiments indicated a change. "This is a new era in University government relations," Blackwell said. "This is a new era in University community relations. And this era started when we had a new President Dr. Judith Rodin come to us." Todd Rose, owner of the Telrose Corporation, said it was refreshing to see the University acting to aid West Philadelphia. "It is not often that talk is transformed into actions," Rose said. "Now expectations will be transformed into satisfaction." Patterson agreed, saying he never expected the community and the University to have such a close relationship. "I can't believe that President Rodin had the courage to extend support to the Afro-American community and minority business ventures," Patterson said. Patterson compared Rodin's efforts to the biblical tale of Cain and Abel, which asked the question "Am I my brother's keeper?" "Dr. Rodin has answered that question with her endeavors since she has been here at the University of Pennsylvania," he added. "Whatever you send into the lives of others will someday come back to your own." Williams expressed his past speculation with the community and the University. "Never in my life did I ever think that there would be a relationship with this outstanding University." Director of the Office of Community Affairs Glenn Bryan said he was amazed by the diversity of people in the room. He added that before Rodin's presidency, one would have never seen such a group in one room because of the historically strong animosity between the University and the community. And Ralph Maier, associate director of purchasing, who was referred to as the "mastermind" of the partnership said this project was not new, but was actually started eight years ago. "We realized that if the University was going to be successful, the community had to be successful," Maier said. "This program has been set up as a model for the country."