The third and final element of President Gutmann's Penn compact is local and global engagement. While global engagement will no doubt affect us all in the long run, local engagement is likely to have a more significant and immediate impact on the lives of students.
Penn's relations with West Philadelphia have long been a source of tension at best, and a source of all-out antagonism at worst. While there are concrete actions that Gutmann can take to improve this relationship and make it more positive, the most fundamental difference she can make is a change in the tone of how Penn deals with its neighborhood.
The University's position has long been focused on revitalizing the area by adding new buildings and bringing in new businesses. Some local residents, however, point out that the immediate effect of this for them is a marked increase in their rent, something that over the course of the next several years will drive more people further and further west.
The University has done good in West Philadelphia. But almost every project Penn launches in the community is predicated on a principle of quiet condescension, one that says Penn knows what's best for the area and local residents do not. Building a more fruitful relationship begins with changing this mindset.
This is not to say that those who become involved in community service activities are behaving patronizingly. President Gutmann's focus on community service is well-taken, and students who take the time to perform that service deserve respect. But being part of a community doesn't just mean lending your time. It means thinking of yourself as a West Philadelphian, and not just a Penn student.
There are more tangible steps Penn can take to maintain better relations, some of which it is already doing. Encouraging a mix of locally owned businesses, like the Chocolate Guy, to go with national chains, such as Ann Taylor, is a good move. The "Second Friday" events also afford students an excellent opportunity to take advantage of what the local area has to offer.
And we can do more. Having professors take one day off to teach at a local school would, no doubt, be a learning experience for both parties. But in the end, responsibility for this change also lies with students who, long wary of going much past 42nd Street, must adopt an attitude of solidarity, not suspicion.
As President Gutmann's tenure begins, Penn stands poised to embark on a new era of community interaction. Making it one that mutually benefits Penn and West Philadelphia will require the utmost effort and sensitivity.
