Low turnout hampers neighborly reception

Students and community residents mingled over pizza and soda Saturday afternoon during the second in a series of "Getting to Know Your Neighbor" receptions, but low student turnout hampered the event's effectiveness. Sponsored by the University and the Spruce Hill Community Association, the program is designed to encourage student interaction with the surrounding area to help the two sides get to know each other personally. The University and the SHCA focus the program on people living in the area between 40th and 45th streets and from Market Street to Woodland Avenue. But while the program's first event attracted a crowd of more than 50 students and residents, only about 15 people, almost all of whom were community residents, attended Saturday's reception. The event was held at the University City New School at 42nd and Locust streets. While the event's organizers insisted that they publicized the event through posters and flyers, several students who live in the area said they had not received any information about the reception. Office of Community Relations Director Glenn Bryan said the program was designed to bridge the gap between students and community members, many of whom blame students for bringing excessive amounts of noise, partying and trash to the neighborhood. "We thought of putting these receptions together so that students can come face to face with their neighbors, because this is a rich, diverse group of folks who live here," he said, adding that students and residents live "two different kinds of lifestyles, and one way to co-exist is for folks to get to know each other." Wilma de Soto, a West Philadelphia resident for over 30 years, said she was upset by what she perceived as a division between students and "townies." "I don't think of students as outsiders -- they're our neighbors, too," de Soto said. "Students add a certain flavor to the community." A handful of students, including first-year Wharton graduate student Zhizuo Chen, attended the reception to gain a better understanding of community residents' lives and concerns with the goal of alleviating tension between the two groups. "I know very little about America, so I think my community can help me," Chen said. "That's why I find this all so interesting." And University City District safety ambassador Artis Manning said he hoped the event gave "community a chance to get to know the people who want to make them feel safe." Undergraduate Assembly representatives helped plan the receptions and created a brochure to distribute to students featuring tips on how to be a good neighbor. "If you know your neighbors, you're less likely to trash their lawns," said UA representative Hillary Aisenstein, a College junior. Bryan added that his office is considering the possibility of asking students to host the receptions in their homes in the future, stressing that it would be beneficial for community residents to get a taste of students' lifestyles.

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