Faculty, staff discuss U. plans

Members of the Penn Faculty and Staff for Neighborhood Issues met with administrators yesterday to voice concerns about how upcoming University plans will affect the surrounding community. Topping the list of complaints that PFSNI members addressed were the upgraded blue-light phones and the new lighting fixtures that administrators plan to install in University City neighborhoods. Many of the approximately 40 PFSNI members and community leaders who attended the meeting said they object to the appearance of the phones and the lighting fixtures, and that they wished they had been more involved with the decision process. Wharton Real Estate Center employee Marja Hoek said the phones -- which several people at the meeting complained were too large and painted in ugly colors -- were a "great detriment to the neighborhood." "There is an enormous rebellion growing against these phones in the neighborhood," Hoek added. Faculty and staff members living in the community are not the only University City residents to complain about the appearance of the blue-light phones. Last month, community members voiced great opposition to plans to install the new phones during an open meeting and phone demonstration administrators held for neighborhood residents. Executive Vice President John Fry addressed such complaints yesterday by saying administrators would be willing to consult with community members on changing the design of the phones. But Spruce Hill Community Association President Patrick Starr said it was the first time he had heard "of a willingness to change the design." Other University employees were more concerned about the ongoing UC Brite lighting program, expressing concerns that the fixtures did not blend in with the neighborhood's appearance. University Museum employee Joyce White said it would "be nice if the University would encourage a more historically correct atmosphere." But administrators again responded that they are willing to work with residents on plans for the lighting. "No one is telling people what to put on their homes," University Vice President for Government, Community and Public Affairs Carol Scheman said. Regardless of whether PFSNI members agreed with the designs of the phones and lighting fixtures, many expressed displeasure with the decision making process behind these issues. History and Urban Studies Professor Michael Katz said it was "unclear how decisions are being made," although he praised the University for making a real commitment to the area for the first time. Other community residents echoed the complaint that they should be more involved in decisions affecting the area. Fry acknowledged that this was "fair criticism" of the University and administrators. "In our enthusiasm to get things done, we sometimes ignore the process," he said.