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(11/26/96 10:00am)
Local landlords and the Office of Off-Campus Living advise students to do their homework before signing rental leases. Although University residential initiatives seem focused on encouraging more students to live on campus, University administrators said they must take the needs of off-campus residents seriously. "We have at least three [classes] of undergraduates who have the potential to live in West Philadelphia," said Carol Scheman, vice president for government and community affairs. "The question becomes how to make sure that they are not living in sub-standard housing." To that end, Scheman said she and the Office of City and Commonwealth Relations have involved themselves in off-campus living issues in order to "make demands on landlords in a friendly way and increase expectations of landlords." All properties known to house students were inspected this summer by the Philadelphia Department of Licensing and Inspections for safety or fire code violations. And while almost all were found to have complied with the regulations, Scheman noted that "things can fall out of compliance pretty quickly." While Scheman said several weeks ago she would "establish full expectations" that landlords enroll in a lighting improvement plan, University officials have been focusing their efforts on trash collection. Assistant Director for City and Commonwealth Relations Sid Holmes said for the past semester, his office has worked with students and landlords facing problems meeting city trash disposal requirements. Holmes cited the 3900 block of Baltimore Avenue -- where landlords moved sidewalk trash cans behind houses -- as an example of improvements. Homeless people had often rummaged through the cans, spreading trash on the sidewalk in the process, he said. Although Scheman and Holmes handle the "broader issues" of off-campus living, students should bring specific questions to the Office of Off-Campus Living, said OCL Assistant Director Mihaela Farcas. Farcas encourages students to visit OCL when they begin looking for an apartment, preferably before they have problems. "We try to be pro-active and explain to students what they should write into leases," she said. Farcas said students should know their rights as tenants, adding that OCL can provide information on lease requirements and legal questions. Local landlords also encouraged students to be careful consumers. "With this type of business, when a tenant signs a lease they have to be sure this is the place they want to spend nine months," said Demetri Melekos, a manager for Peachtree Properties. "If it doesn't feel right, don't do it. "Buyer beware, and if it sounds to good to be true -- it is," he added. "There are no bargains -- you get what you pay for." Before signing a lease, tenants should attach a list of necessary repairs, according to Realty World owner and broker Alex Chamberlain. "When I was a college student renting apartments I got used to two items happening to landlords after I signed my lease," Chamberlain said. "Either instant amnesia set in, or their memory became shorter as time went on." While he admitted to sometimes forgetting what he promised to fix, Chamberlain said if tenants are honest and put requests for repairs into the lease, they will be completed. Melekos advised students to make sure their lease is written in "plain language" and that all of their questions are answered, adding that Pennsylvania law requires leases to be written in a comprehensible manner. He also suggested students ask for a security deposit agreement that outlines what repairs will be done prior to move-in. Chamberlain said tenants do have a legal recourse available to them if significant repairs are overlooked. The student must begin the process by requesting the repair, he said. That request must be followed by a letter -- hand-delivered or sent by certified mail with a return receipt -- indicating that the repairs had been requested and setting a reasonable deadline by which the request must be addressed. If the repairs are not handled by that date, the tenant can transfer their rent money into a bank account to pay for the repairs if the landlord does not. If the landlord refuses to complete the repairs after having been shown proof that the account was set up, the students may use the money to pay for the repairs themselves. Chamberlain emphasized the need for proper legal counsel before undertaking such measures, though. Any damage found in the apartment during move-in should be documented to ensure students are not fined for causing the problem, he said. But if face-to face negotiations fail to resolve the difficulties, University City Housing Manager Bill Groves encouraged students to bring their problems to OCL. "They tend to get things done quickly because they are not confrontational," he said.
(11/25/96 10:00am)
Students often say they move off-campus for the larger rooms and lower rents. But for some, living off campus also means dealing with maintenance problems, security risks and an occasional lawsuit. And the number of reported off-campus problems is rising, according to statistics complied by Mihaela Farcas, the assistant director of the Office of Off-Campus Living. OCL responded to 817 questions or incidents reported off-campus in 1995-96 -- up from 740 in 1994-95. Some students said they think their landlords are taking advantage of them. "It is a built-in clientele, and students have to stay around campus, so they are at the mercy of landlords," College senior Jeff Wachs said. "My limited experience has been that it is real easy to take advantage of us." Wachs, a former University City Housing tenant, is currently engaged in a lawsuit against the company. He refused to explain the reasons behind the lawsuit because the case is still pending. But Bill Groves, a manager for UCH, said cases like these are usually settled without having to resort to litigation. "Off-Campus Living usually steps in," Groves said. "If tenants don't take it to OCL we tend to, and 9 out of ten times we come to some kind of arrangement." While lawsuits may be unusual, frequent student complaints against their landlords are fairly common. And problems sometimes occur as soon as students move in. Several students complained that their houses were not clean and properly furnished when they arrived. College junior Stephanie Klupinski, who lives at 505 South 41st Street, said her landlord -- Orens Brothers -- didn't live up to an agreement to clean and repair her apartment before she moved in. Orens Brothers also didn't fix a hole in her roof until it rained, because representatives were not convinced there actually was a problem, she added. Orens Brothers did not respond to repeated phone calls last week. Groves said students wait longer for repairs earlier in the year because of the volume of move-in week requests the landlords receive. Most complaints seem to occur in the area of maintenance. Landlords explained that emergency complaints take priority. But students and landlords disagree as to which complaints constitute emergencies. College junior Nicole Hill, a resident of 309 South 40th Street, said three leaks in her roommate's bedroom forced the other student to live at home and commute from New Jersey this semester. But Demetri Melekos, a manager for Peachtree Properties, which handles the house, said Hill "did not bother going through proper channels about fixing things." And many landlords said their buildings are in good condition, adding that repairs are done promptly. According to the most recent OCL survey, completed in 1994-95, landlords William Schoepe, Allen Klein, Penn Apartments and Barry Davis top the list in the categories of landlord-tenant relationship, repair responsiveness and apartment quality. OCL's survey gave University City Associates the highest marks for safety of University City landlords. But students said safety remains a concern in living off campus. College sophomore Carla Gittleman said Realty World failed to replace the safety bars that block the front door of her summer apartment at 251 South 41st Street. The apartment was burglarized later in the summer. But owner and broker Alex Chamberlain said Gittleman never informed Realty World that the door was insecure. "We would have repaired it," Chamberlain said. "I could be sued for that -- that is not like a dripping sink." Expressing concern about safety, College senior Michele Harris said UCH failed to replace a broken porch light in front of her building for two months last year. And College sophomore Jennifer Safady questioned UCH's practice of keeping a copy of tenants' keys and alarm codes. "I came back to my room and a UCH employee was sitting on my bed on my phone, and I freaked out," the 3932 Spruce Street resident said. Though she understands why landlords need access to buildings, she said she's uncomfortable that "everyone has your key." Groves explained that UCH enters apartments only to make repairs and to show the apartment to prospective tenants. He said students may request that repairs be done only when they are home. Fire safety issues also worry some students, including Hamilton Court resident Ben Goldberger. The College and Engineering junior explained that residents of Hamilton Court's A building have to use a fire escape that leads to a fenced-in and locked alleyway. "Presumably, [the fire department] would either batter down the gates, or find the keys to the padlocks, or go through an apartment in one of the other [Hamilton Court] buildings and let us out through their fire escape," Goldberger said. Groves explained that while the alleyway is locked, it extends for one whole block and wouldn't confine the students. He added that Hamilton Court is inspected for fire safety at least three times a year. Other students, like College senior Amy Gross, complained about a lack of landlord guidance regarding proper trash disposal and related fines. Herman said many residents of University Enterprises buildings have had trash-related problems. The landlord, therefore, has been backed up with requests for help. Difficulties with landlords have soured many students to the idea of moving off-campus. College sophomore Doug Roberts said after his experiences living off campus this year, he will not live in any UCH buildings again. Other students, however, prefer landlords with a hands-off approach. "My room is fine, my house is intact and [Realty World representatives] are not around too much, which I see as just fine," Wharton doctoral student Jonathan Brookfield said. And many students said off-campus housing still beats living in University dorms.
(11/25/96 10:00am)
College sophomore Tracy Tripp found some unexpected surprises when she moved into her off-campus house this fall. "The tenant before us had partied hard and the place was completely trashed," Tripp said of her University Enterprises-owned house. Further complicating her situation, Tripp said repairs she and her housemates had previously requested were not completed by the time she moved in. "There was rotting food in the refrigerator and the stove didn't work and was leaking gas," she added. The stove remained broken for three months, prompting Tripp to call the gas company to fix the leak. According to Holly Herman, manager of University Enterprises, Tripp failed to inform her about the gas leak. Herman added that the stove repairs were prolonged because the stove needed a new part. Tripp also expressed annoyance with University Enterprises' handling of a sewer back-up that filled her basement with feces. "They fixed it but we called on Saturday and they only came on Monday so the emergency [phone] line [we called] was not as fast as it should have been," Tripp said. "They did not fix it completely either and it backed up again. Then they tried to tell us that it was our fault and they would have to charge us." Tripp said landlords often do not make speedy repairs because they expect students to harass them first. "You have to bug the shit out of them," Tripp said. "They expect that and they expect people to trash the house so when they get normal tenants who don't want to live like pigs they don't know what to do." Herman, however, said his company does repairs and renovations "as promptly as we can." "They have the right to have anything fixed that they want -- they pay rent," she added. "But we take care of our property."
(11/18/96 10:00am)
Last week, a ceremony marking the release honored civic leaders. University President Judith Rodin marked the release of Penn's first-ever Community Service Directory with an awards ceremony last week honoring 20 civic leaders and Penn students and staff. The 249-page directory, available both in hard copy and on the World Wide Web, provides community organizations and students with a comprehensive list of Penn's service programs and classes. More than 300 community members gathered for last Wednesday's ceremony, during which Rodin recognized four students for their service projects. Awardee Jocelyn Patterson, a College senior who is the president of co-ed community service fraternity Delta Sigma Theta, said she has been particularly pleased with the University's efforts to build a partnership with the community. Jamal Harris, who tutors at Shaw Middle School, said he was shocked upon receiving the award. "There are so many people that do so many different things that are better -- it was a little random that they singled me out," the College junior said. Undergraduate Assembly Chairperson Tal Golomb, a College junior who works with West Philadelphia Improvement Corps and Penn Watch President Jon Brightbill, a Wharton senior, also received awards at the ceremony. The directory isn't complete, and groups not yet listed should contact the Center for Community Partnerships, said David Grossman, director of Penn's Programs for Student and Community Involvement. The federal Department of Housing and Urban Development also presented Penn with an award for "setting the standard for University-wide collaboration for its community." Philadelphia civic leader the Rev. Joseph Patterson, Jocelyn Patterson's father, praised the Rodin administration for ending the "ivory tower" attitude of the University. "In my youth, Penn was always a castle that stood on a hill with its drawbridge drawn," he said. "Under Judith Rodin, Penn has gone in a different direction. The drawbridge is down and the moat can be crossed."
(11/15/96 10:00am)
Drexel freshman Jamie Ostroha remains under observation at HUP. Drexel freshman Jamie Ostroha has been upgraded from critical to serious condition after plunging 13 stories from Graduate Tower B Wednesday night. Ostroha and two friends were rappelling from the 15th floor of the graduate tower when she "lost control" at the 13th floor and crashed into the grassy courtyard in between the two grad towers. Nursing Administrator Nancy Williams said last night that Ostroha's prognosis is "fair," although she remains under observation at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. Ostroha, a Chemical Engineering major from Marysville, Pa., and a friend were visiting another Drexel student on the 15th floor of the building, which houses 22 Drexel students as part of a residential pilot program. Her fall set off a panic in her friend's room, according to 15th floor resident Janesh Moorjani, a second-year Wharton graduate student. "The door was ajar, a bedsheet was tied to the door and there was a guy shouting over the balcony, 'Oh my God, I killed her'," Moorjani said. Although Ostroha was a member of Drexel's Reserve Officer's Training Corps, Drexel spokesperson Phil Terranova maintained that the equipment used by the three students didn't belong to Drexel. He said the students probably purchased some type of mountain climbing gear. The graduate towers resident involved in the incident was expelled from the dorm by Penn officials, but Drexel administrators will determine further punishment of the three students, Terranova said. The trio had successfully rappelled from the building previously, according to Drexel sophomore and Graduate Towers resident Liz Evry. A Grad Tower B resident who requested anonymity said the students had made their first rappel immediately before Ostroha's disastrous attempt. But Associate Vice Provost for University Life Larry Moneta said no information about previous jumps has been substantiated. Despite the incident, Drexel students will be allowed to continue living in Penn dorms, Moneta said. Wednesday night, VPUL Valarie Swain-Cade McCoullum told The Daily Pennsylvanian that Penn would have to reevaluate allowing Drexel students to live in Penn dorms. But Moneta explained that Drexel administrators met with Penn officials today and settled any concerns. According to Moneta, Penn will leave the details of the investigation to Drexel officials. He expressed disappointment with the students' irresponsibility. "We all have higher expectations of all college students, regardless of what college," he said. Drexel junior Eric Sontheimer, who lives in Grad Tower B, echoed Moneta's disapproval. "I can't believe she was doing something so stupid," he said. But Terranova said he was upset by the insensitive reaction to the accident, adding that Drexel's first concern is for Ostroha's health. Daily Pennsylvanian staff writer Tammy Reiss contributed to this report.
(11/12/96 10:00am)
Some West Philadelphia neighbors have pushed fir ab extension of the Town Watch program. Two weeks after the murder of University research associate Vladimir Sled at 43rd Street and Larchwood Avenue, life goes on for area residents. While the attack has made many more cautious in their daily routines, most believe it will also spawn an increase in neighborhood activism and participation in local safety programs. Residents have asked organizers of Town Watch -- a volunteer neighborhood safety patrol -- to expand the program to include more streets in West Philadelphia, according to Barry Grossbach, a former president of Spruce Hill Community Association who lives at 43rd Street and Larchwood Avenue. Second-year Nursing graduate student Julia Hunter, who serves as a scheduler for Town Watch, said she has received several phone calls in the past week asking about the program. The group will hold its next meeting on Thursday. But Art History Graduate Chairperson David Brownlee said Town Watch has not been particularly active near his home at 43rd Street and Osage Avenue -- just two blocks from the site of the stabbing. For Brownlee and others, caution is not a new phenomenon. Many long-time West Philadelphia residents say they haven't changed their behavior significantly, because neighborhood crime has always warranted vigilance. "We have been cautious all along. Most of us had already set up our behavioral patterns," English doctoral student Robert Barrett said of the residents of his 42nd and Osage streets home. Still, Hunter said she has become more likely to watch the clock when her husband, Management Professor Chip Hunter, is out running errands and she will often look around before unloading her car of groceries or other purchases. She noted that the Halloween murder particularly scared many long-time residents since it occurred only an hour after many neighborhood children had been trick-or-treating on the same street. History Department Chairperson Lynn Lees, a member of Penn Faculty and Staff for Neighborhood Improvement, said although she plans to continue riding her bicycle to class every morning, she has decided to use Penn Escort when returning home after dark. Grossbach said such precautions are common for long-time community residents, who see the crime problem as something that "can happen anywhere." "It's something that this community has a hard time dealing with -- that crime happens here -- but to say that this is the 'Wild West,' that is not the reality," he added. And Hunter said residents' fear about the recent crime is probably temporary. "This always happens after a big crime wave, and then it kind of wanes," she said. "People here see this as one of the disadvantages of living here -- like having to commute 45 minutes to work every day. Instead we have crime. "People feel that is something they are willing to deal with in exchange for being close to the campus and the city," she added. According to Hunter, students tend to "freak out" more than long-time residents. And Grossbach agreed, saying that unlike West Philadelphia residents, students tend to react with fear. "You can either develop a fortress mentality and live behind a closed door, or you can get on with your life and understand that one has to be cautious," Grossbach said. He added that students who don't come from urban areas are often less street-smart and react differently than permanent residents might. "When something happens [students] are understandably concerned, but people who live in this community have a different sense," he said. Despite Grossbach's claims, many students said they are learning to cope with life in West Philadelphia, refusing to let crime keep them locked in their homes. College junior and Undergraduate Assembly Chairperson Tal Golomb said while he will not live in fear, he does believe students should take steps to be safe. "I don't think people should be staying in -- they should be doing as much as we can to be safe," said the 42nd and Osage streets resident. "We ride our bikes and walk with other people. There is a lot students can do to help improve safety. If it's not Town Watch it is something as simple as leaving your porch light on." And long-time West Philadelphia denizens insist the neighborhood will survive last month's tragedy. "This is a community that will do what is necessary," said Grossbach. "It will not fall apart and an incident like this makes it more determined."
(11/08/96 10:00am)
The crowd in Little RockThe crowd in Little Rockjostled for a glimpse ofThe crowd in Little Rockjostled for a glimpse ofthe president Tuesday. LITTLE ROCK, Ark. -- While President Clinton geared up for a jog Tuesday morning, hundreds of busy volunteers rushed off to polling sites and put the finishing touches on bleachers in front of the Old State Capital building. By the time Clinton voted and settled down for an early afternoon nap, the entire downtown area was a busy hive of frantic reporters, police officers and Secret Service agents. The pundits might say Clinton defeated Republican candidate Bob Dole on the strength of a growing economy and his own political savvy, but anyone here will tell you he owes his success to the hard work and devotion of his volunteers and supporters. Volunteer Cindi Wiedoer spent the last hours of the campaign putting up signs encouraging people to vote and directing thousands of visitors through metal detectors and security checks. Wiedoer, a member of Americorps -- a program Clinton initiated to grant college scholarships to students in exchange for community service -- said she "wanted to give something back." Throughout the day, supporters tried to catch a glimpse of the president. They packed Union Station during Clinton's noon appearance to cast his vote, and they stood on rooftops, straining to see through the windows of the Old State House where Clinton waited to give his acceptance speech. Although Clinton was scheduled to speak at 10 p.m. CST, excited supporters lined up near the State House at 3:30 in the afternoon, impatiently glaring at Secret Service agents manning metal detectors in front of the building. The crowd featured a unique cross-section of ages, cultures and even political affiliations. Life-long Arkansas resident Connie Bain, 76, sat outside for six hours despite her arthritis, saying she "wouldn't do this for anyone but Bill Clinton." "I was here four years ago and I was anxious because I did not know how a native son with little recognition would go over," Bain said. "But this time, I came back with no doubts whatsoever. If there was a third term, I would be 80 years old but I would be here again." If the number of children in the crowd listening to Clinton's 11 p.m. speech was any indication, Little Rock public schools ought to have cancelled school Wednesday. Pre-schooler Christie McCullough spent the entire night on her father's shoulders proudly displaying a handmade Clinton/Gore banner. And Arkansas Republican Daryl Lovaas said he was in the crowd "just to see what happened." Although Lovaas admitted to being disappointed by the Republican loss, he said he was "still proud of the hometown boy." Others came to the Old State House that night to turn Clinton's victory into instant profit. Vendors, like Susan Miller of Texas, hawked T-shirts, buttons and other campaign paraphernalia. "We just came here from Texas to try and see if we can make some money," Miller said. Some sought a glimpse of celebrities and Clinton government members, shuttling back and forth between the limousines pulling up to the nearby Excelsior hotel and the State House. But when the strains of "Amazing Grace" faded and Clinton emerged, all eyes turned to the stage. "Of course we are proud," explained resident Dee West. "Can't you tell? We stayed here this long with this mad rush of people, didn't we?"
(11/05/96 10:00am)
The president becameThe president becamethe first DemocratThe president becamethe first Democratsince FDR to win aThe president becamethe first Democratsince FDR to win asecond term in office. LITTLE ROCK, Ark. -- For Democrats, victory meant the end to long months of anticipation. For Arkansas residents, it meant an occasion for pride in the triumph of a native son. For Bill Clinton, it meant another chance -- four more years to tackle issues of crime, health care and education. Victory inspired different feelings in those present at the Old State Capitol building in Little Rock. But all shared one common emotion -- euphoria. Amidst shouts of "We want Bill," Clinton emerged from the capitol building at midnight EST and stood at the same podium where he announced his candidacy in 1991 and accepted his first victory a year later. This time, Clinton welcomed thunderous applause from a crowd galvanized by his defeat of Republican candidate Bob Dole. Clinton received 375 electoral votes -- and 50 percent of the popular vote -- to Dole's 148. Dole received 41 percent of the popular vote while Reform Party candidate Ross Perot garnered 9 percent. Clinton, the first Democrat since Franklin Delano Roosevelt to win a second term, won praise from Vice President Al Gore for solidifying the resolve of the American people toward change. Facing a divided and Republican-dominated Congress, Clinton emphasized the need for unity within the American government. "The challenges we face are not Democratic challenges or Republican challenges -- they are American challenges," Clinton said. "It is time to put country ahead of party. "When we are divided, we defeat ourselves," he added. "But when we join ourselves to build our families, our communities and our country, America always wins." Clinton focused on this unity as the key to future American success. "When we roll up our sleeves and work together, America always wins," Clinton said. "And my friends, America is going to keep on winning these next four years." Riotous excitement broke out at 7 p.m. EST when the first results came in declaring Clinton victorious in New Hampshire and Vermont. And the fever pitch in Little Rock never slowed. An hour later, Clinton was reported to be a mere 72 electoral votes shy of a second term. By 9 p.m., it was all over. The major networks all declared Clinton victorious. Moments later, the electoral total flashed on a large screen -- Clinton had obtained the 270 electoral votes needed to win the presidency. Just before 11 p.m. EST, Dole called Clinton to concede defeat. During the phone call, Clinton thanked Dole for his contribution to the American people. The Clinton supporters who had packed the area near the Old State House were overjoyed. Earlier in the day, about 500 supporters greeted Clinton upon his arrival in Arkansas -- a much larger number than expected, said Arkansas Press Secretary Steve Harrelson. The president's only stop of the day was at Union Station in downtown Little Rock, where he cast his ballot at 12:30 p.m. EST before a crowd that packed the station and the surrounding area. Heath Hanson, a Little Rock high school student, held a lone Dole/Kemp poster outside the station yesterday morning. "[Support of Dole] is a very unpopular opinion in Little Rock," Hanson said. "I got a lot of strange looks. I held my sign in the middle of a whole crowd of people coming to vote for Clinton and they all just laughed at me." Voter turnout across Arkansas was heavy, with huge numbers of voters turning out prior to 9 a.m. to cast their ballots before the start of the work day, Harrelson said. He added that at many polling locations, long lines formed before polls opened at 7 a.m. "I went to vote at 7 a.m. and the line was two blocks long," said Little Rock resident Bob Kelley. Many in Little Rock said the decisive win assured Clinton's place in history. As Gore said: "The man from Hope, tonight becomes a man of history."
(11/05/96 10:00am)
In Little Rock, Arklk Clinton backersIn Little Rock, Arklk Clinton backersanticipate a Democratic victory The phone has been ringing off the hook all week at the Little Rock, Ark., headquarters for Clinton/Gore '96. Platforms, press risers and campaign signs sprang up downtown yesterday as growing numbers of Clinton officials and press corps members arrived. As the city gears up for the president's Election Day visit, the community exudes excitement and pride. "Without any question, people certainly are excited," Little Rock resident Mary Peckham said. "People are very proud of him -- even the people that don't like him very much." Beginning the day in New Hampshire -- site of his 1992 primary comeback, Clinton hit Ohio, Kentucky, Iowa and South Dakota yesterday before arriving in his home state of Arkansas at 1:45 this morning. In Little Rock, downtown hotels have been besieged by White House and press personnel, as three 747 jets brought in roughly 1,000 cabinet members, White House officials and Clinton supporters last night. Little Rock's popular downtown hotel, the Doubletree, is completely booked, housing the Clinton/Gore advance team and almost 100 rooms for the press, according to Doubletree General Manager John Charles. "It is pretty much the same all over town," Charles said. "There are approximately 1,000 people coming in [from the Clinton camp] and they will not leave until about 2 a.m. after the election." Clinton/Gore volunteers have been working overtime to prepare for the big day, with half of its membership working to "get out the vote" and the rest preparing for the rally. Volunteer Patricia Morrow said she has been a friend of Clinton's since 1974, when her husband and Clinton were on the faculty of the University of Arkansas Law School. "It was very slow until the convention," Morrow said. "After that, everything started popping and we have been working 10-hour days or longer ever since." There is concern within the Clinton camp that the president's double-digit lead may translate into lower voter turnout among Little Rock's Democrats, Harrelson said. Clinton/Gore and the Coordinated Campaign for Democrats '96 have spent the last two weeks concentrating volunteer efforts on encouraging voter participation, said Devon Cockrell, a field researcher for Coordinated Campaign. "The policies of the Democratic Party have always helped my family," Cockrell said. "Their policies allowed me to go to college -- I did not have to work on a farm like my dad or pick cotton like my mom? We are poor state with a small budget and [Clinton] worked hard to make education a priority." Despite local excitement, some residents are wary of the negative press that Whitewater and the Clinton administration have brought to Arkansas, according to Ben Fry, radio station manager for Little Rock's KLRE/KUAR.
(11/01/96 10:00am)
The Rev. Marshall ShepardThe Rev. Marshall Shepardsays University cooperationThe Rev. Marshall Shepardsays University cooperationcan solve local problems. Having lived and worked in West Philadelphia for 30 years, the Rev. Marshall Shepard has seen the neighborhood change and evolve. As a prominent minister in the community, Shepard often has harsh criticisms of the University's role in the neighborhood. Shepard, pastor of the Mt. Olivet Baptist Tabernacle Church on 42nd and Wallace streets, blames Penn for recent crime and ill-will from neighborhood residents, saying the University treats the community as an enemy. "The University has never involved itself in any meaningful way with the neighborhood," said Shepard, who has served as the church's minister since 1967. "There has always been a wall -- literally and figuratively -- between the University and its surrounding community." Shepard, who said he was "programmed to be an activist," is the son of the late Rev. Marshall Shepard, Sr., a close friend of Martin Luther King and the first pastor of Mt. Olivet. A prominent civil rights activist, Shepard also serves on the boards of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference and the National Congress of Black Churches. He complained that the University has shown a complete disregard for the effect its expansion into West Philadelphia has on the community. Pointing to a lack of University capital investment in West Philadelphia, Shepard accused Penn of refusing to share its resources with the community. For example, he said, the University has not provided quality jobs on its payroll for residents or granted significant business contracts to local firms. "What the community needs is an infusion of capital," Shepard said. "That would be to the advantage of the community and the University." In Shepard's opinion, a lack of partnership with the University has resulted in unemployment and financial hardship in West Philadelphia. This, in turn, encourages crime against students, he said. He said when area residents become desperate, they often turn to criminal action. University students, who are perceived by the community as wealthy, become the target. And more interaction -- particularly financially -- between the University and its neighborhood may alleviate the problem. "If Penn were truly involved in the community, [crime] would solve itself," Shepard said. "They have got to spend some money to do it. "Penn would build up goodwill -- where people would not only care but feel protective towards Penn students," Shepard added. "This does not need academic studies -- studies are crap -- it needs action." Shepard put the issue into a national context by focusing on the relationship between crime and racism. "The problem with this country is racism -- and by that I mean a lack of opportunities for certain people," Shepard explained. "When people don't have opportunities, what are they going to do? I don't care whether it is Bosnia or Baltimore -- the result is the same. "We get so uptight about crime, but we don't mind at all if somebody is hungry or can't get an education," he added. Shepard also criticized the lack of student-community interaction, claiming students are not familiar enough with the community and are therefore fearful of West Philadelphia. Shepard cited racial tension within the student body that he thinks can be traced to dorms like W. E. B. DuBois College House, which allow for self-segregation. He criticized both students who choose to segregate themselves and the University for allowing such behavior, calling the system "enforced apartheid." But Shepard said he is optimistic about the future, noting that relations have improved since the hiring of University President Judith Rodin and Vice President for Government, Community and Public Affairs Carol Scheman. Scheman said she enjoys working with Shepard, who she called a "legend in the community and a moving force in the civil rights movement." However, Scheman said she does not agree with Shepard's claims that the University does not invest enough in West Philadelphia. "There is always more one can do," Scheman said. "But I can not agree that we are underinvesting in the community. "Problems in urban America go far beyond the ability of one institution to solve," she added. Shepard said he would like to see more University scholarships for promising neighborhood students. He also advocated establishing a permanent joint University-neighborhood committee, as well as programs in cultural and environmental studies that would include field work in West Philadelphia. Shepard said West Philadelphia residents have much to offer students. For example, they could share their experiences with Anthropology and Sociology majors. He expressed a firm belief that pooling resources between the University and the community would benefit both parties. "The merger of the resources of the University and the resources of the community offer fertile ground for economic and social gain," he said. Scheman agreed that interaction with the community is vital to the University. "Certainly the opportunities for getting to know our neighbors should not be underestimated," she said. Shepard and his congregation have done much for the community on their own. The 95-year-old Mt. Olivet Church also houses a day care center, apartments for the elderly and handicapped and a community center -- all named for the Rev. Shepard Sr. "It is beautiful just to keep on fighting the good fight," Shepard said. "But sometimes you would like to get things done without a fight."
(10/30/96 10:00am)
Police and Secret ServicePolice and Secret Serviceblanketed the area nearPolice and Secret Serviceblanketed the area nearHill Field yesterday. Sharpshooters marked the rooftops of nearby buildings. Metal detectors bordered the area. Secret Service agents with coiled earphones whispered directions into concealed walkie-talkies. And it all paid off, according to University officials, who said organizers handled security effectively for President Clinton's visit yesterday. University and Philadelphia Police, in addition to Secret Service, patrolled Hill Field and the surrounding area. And although several security glitches did occur, none resulted in serious problems. The Secret Service only set up five metal detectors, too few to handle the 15,000-plus crowd, University spokesperson Ken Wildes said. "They could have certainly had another five or six machines," he added. "To handle the crowd with that number of machines, they would have needed the crowd to begin coming in at 8 or 9 a.m." As a result, at 2 p.m. -- with the line still winding down the entire block of 34th and Walnut streets -- the Secret Service decided to fence off the back end of Hill Field and allow spectators to stand in that area without passing through any security checkpoint. Hundreds of people then rushed into the sectioned-off area. Wildes said that although one woman reported being jostled, he was thankful no injuries occurred. Police also faced many spectators who attempted to gain unauthorized entrance to the field at the VIP/press gate, according to a Philadelphia Police officer manning that area. Although police and snipers were supposed to be placed on any rooftop with a view of Hill Field, some students who climbed to the roofs of Bennett and Meyerson halls said officers did not notice their presence until at least 15 minutes had passed. College sophomore Rachel Dulitz said she did not see any police officers in Bennett at all and added that she went up on the building's roof twice before someone noticed her. The number of buildings overshadowing the field was a major downside to the location, according to Wildes. While Secret Service agents and city police roamed the perimeter of Hill Field, security inside Hill House was handled by University Police exclusively, according to a University Police officer who requested anonymity. Despite warnings against opening or standing near windows in Hill, 3401 Walnut Street and the Law School, some students tried to catch a glimpse of the proceedings from those buildings. Hill Graduate Fellow and sixth-year Philosophy graduate student Michael McShane turned down two students requesting access to his third-floor room window, which overlooks Hill Field. But McShane said the approximately 30 freshmen in his suite understood and complied with the regulations. College senior John Yum, one of the students McShane refused to allow into his room, said the security regulations were "understandable but kind of too much." During the rally, Hill House also served as a press headquarters, housing 80 phone lines, two electrical generators and 110 members of the national press in its basement recreation area. In less than 14 hours, the basement, one of Hill's classrooms and the area near the dining hall were transformed by an advance team into a fully functioning press area. National media, White House Press Secretary Mike McCurry, a 20-person television team and approximately 30 to 40 members of the local press filled the residence's basement. "The room is a little cramped, but [Hill House administrators] have been wonderful, really hospitable," TV team leader and ABC Producer Mary Walsh said. Acting Hill Assistant Dean Tracy Feld and her husband, Acting Assistant Director of Academic Programs in Residence Steve Feld, said their initial concerns that the Clinton visit would disrupt life in Hill proved unfounded. "They asked us at every turn how things would impact the residence and its dining," Feld continued. "They really wanted to make sure they weren't more of an imposition than they had too."
(10/29/96 10:00am)
Despite the polls andDespite the polls andthe pundits, studentsDespite the polls andthe pundits, studentsmaintain hope for Dole. Penn's College Republicans plan to mount a counter rally during President Clinton's campus visit today. In an effort to gain national media coverage, the group will gather at the Button and head to Hill Field to voice support for Republican presidential candidate Bob Dole. The event, organized by College freshman Patrick Ruffini, is the product of a meeting Sunday with the University City GOP Committee. But in a week of major political activity on campus, College Republicans President Tony Andreoli admitted his group has not devoted much energy to swaying other students to the Republican ticket. The Wharton senior said he believes many Penn students don't vote. As a result, College Republicans has focused its efforts on Election Day and on mobilizing the group's members to attend Republican rallies. Andreoli said the group suffers from Penn's location in a traditionally Democratic area, making Republican efforts in local neighborhoods relatively ineffective. "There are a few students that are heavily involved in Dole's campaign, but the neighborhoods that they are canvassing are outside of the surrounding areas, and unless you have transportation, it is difficult," Andreoli said. "We are not in a prime locale to canvass for the Republicans." He added that it is no shock that Dole is the only candidate not to visit Penn this week. "Philadelphia is not exactly a Republican stronghold," he said. "For Bob Dole to come here would not be very productive at this point, considering his position in the polls." But individual efforts by campus Republicans continue, despite the difficult task they face. College sophomore Courtney Fine and Wharton junior Jesse Hibbard, the Pennsylvania coordinators for Young Americans for Dole, continue to disseminate press releases and advice to state contacts. Though Dole trails Clinton heavily in national polling of likely voters, Penn Republicans remain hopeful. Andreoli cited similar polls that showed Clinton leading the 1980 Arkansas gubernatorial race, an election he ended up losing. And in a bipartisan example, he cited the surprise victory of former President Harry Truman over the heavily favored Republican candidate Thomas Dewey. And Fine pointed to the inconclusive nature of some polls, noting that statistics can often be manipulated. "It is not over until November 5," Andreoli said. "One can always hope."
(10/28/96 10:00am)
The Secret Service willThe Secret Service willclose the streets nearThe Secret Service willclose the streets nearHill House tomorrow. According to Penn legend, Hill House -- formerly the University's all-female dorm -- mimicked the architectural design of a fortress to intimidate unauthorized males and deter their entry into the women's rooms. Over the next two days, Hill House will become a fortress again, this time at the hands of Secret Service agents aiming to secure the dorm before President Clinton's appearance on Hill Field tomorrow. Secret Service agents arrived Friday to check the building for any security risks and made additional checks Saturday, according to Hill residents. Agents have shown particular concern about the rooms on the north side of the dormitory. Occupants of these rooms, which overlook Hill Field, will be required to keep their windows closed on Tuesday. Classical Studies Professor Jim O'Donnell, Hill's faculty master, said occupants of north side rooms will likely be allowed to remain in their rooms during the day, though a final decision has not yet been made. In an e-mail sent to all Hill residents, O'Donnell strongly cautioned students against violating Secret Service procedure. "DON'T open windows when you are not supposed to. The Secret Service can't afford to have a sense of humor or to be casual about stuff," O'Donnell wrote. "Seriously, be cool about cooperating with them." A two-block radius around Hill Field will be closed off during the day, according to a Secret Service agent with the Presidential Security Detail, who asked not to be named. And police officers will be posted on every level of "any high ground where the candidate would be exposed," the agent said. He added that the Security Detail expects 25,000 people to attend the event. Hill House will also play host to various members of the presidential press corps, which O'Donnell said would probably disrupt normal functioning of some of Hill's facilities. The press corps will be housed in Hill's basement recreation area, while the television transmission facilities will be quartered in Hill's Board Room. Clinton's press secretary, Mike McCurry, will set up shop in the Gallery -- an area near the Hill dining room. O'Donnell warned students about extra traffic in the lower doorway and video, audio and phone wiring that will be strung inside and outside the building. Although Hill dining will be open Tuesday, O'Donnell said eating at Hill would "be an adventure." For the most part Hill students are taking the security measures in stride. According to Hill Peer Manager and College sophomore Patrick Shilling, students are excited about the president's visit, and although they are not as happy about the presence of Clinton's entourage, they certainly do not feel that they are being "invaded." Shilling, whose room faces Hill Field, said not being able to open his window to hear the speech will be annoying, but the other changes will not disrupt his regular routine. College freshman and Hill resident Curt Hackney summed up the feelings of his fellow residents. "Some people are annoyed, some people are excited, some people are Republicans," Hackney said.
(10/23/96 9:00am)
Officials involved with Center City's special services district said yesterday they believe recent decreases in the area's crime rate are tied to the neighborhood's ability to levy additional taxes. The money from those taxes goes toward better security, lighting and infrastructure. The news is encouraging for Penn administrators, who recently announced that the University is pursuing the establishment of a similar district for University City. The Center City District reported its lowest crime rate in years at a ceremony last week marking National Crime Month. And police statistics indicate a 27 percent decrease in major crimes -- homicide, rape, robbery, aggravated assault and burglary -- in the downtown area. These numbers sharply contrast with the reported 10 percent increase in major crimes in the rest of Philadelphia during 1994-95. In a poll conducted by the Center City District, 61 percent of respondents said they always feel safe in the neighborhood, and 70 percent said the general atmosphere in Center City has improved since the establishment of the district five years ago. Stacy Irving, Center City's director of crime prevention services, said the decrease in crime resulted from a partnership between the police and the district, emphasizing that the district itself is only half of the solution. Lt. Bill Schmid, commanding officer of the Center City District police substation, said police and the services district efforts have produced a neighborhood where "it looks like the government is in charge." The results, Schmid explained, are positive trends in Center City crime fighting. "[Government presence] stimulates the economy, so there are more people on the street -- which is our best friend," Schmid said. "It is like a circle. We were going backwards; now we are going forward." Schmid also attributed the decrease in crime to new police technology such as the MapInfo system, which provides computerized crime tracking and allows police to target crime trends and problem areas. But Center City's success with crime may cause problems in other areas of the city, according to Penn Chief of Police Operations Maureen Rush. "When one area makes a concerted effort to minimize crime, the criminals in that area don't decide to stop their work, they relocate," Rush said. Schmid admitted that criminals may be relocating to surrounding areas, but said his main concern is crime in Center City. "My job is making the downtown safe," Schmid said. "If [criminals] have to commit a crime they have to go somewhere, but they are not coming here." But Penn Vice President for Government, Community and Public Affairs Carol Scheman said she has not seen any data to convince her that Penn's crime problems stem from a relocation of Center City criminals. And University President Judith Rodin said Monday that the latest numbers indicate a decrease in University City crime and an increase in the number of crimes solved over the past month. According to Schmid, a special services district is "exactly what the doctor ordered" to combat crime problems in University City. And Rush said a special services district could "improve a lot of issues that are the systemic causes of crime." Scheman added that Center City's positive results show exactly why neighborhoods want to implement the special services district program. "It is very clear that pedestrians, night life and uniformed people on street -- whether they are police or not -- help reduce crime," Scheman said. She added that the results in Center City are very encouraging and the University is consulting Center City District officials to determine what parts of their program can be successfully implemented near campus. Rodin announced two weeks ago at a University Council meeting that Penn will hold community gatherings to build support for the establishment of a special services district in University City. Both Philadelphia Mayor Ed Rendell and West Philadelphia Councilperson Janie Blackwell have expressed support for the initiative. Drexel University President Constantine Papadakis has also expressed interest in working with Penn. In addition, Penn plans to solicit aid from the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy and Science and the Children's Hospital of Pennsylvania.
(10/10/96 9:00am)
Penn will hire singlePenn will hire singlesecurity agency toPenn will hire singlesecurity agency tocoordinage non-policePenn will hire singlesecurity agency tocoordinage non-policesafety patrolling and Ali Feen The University will add three new Penn Escort vans to the current transportation service by next Wednesday -- raising its total to 18 vehicles, University President Judith Rodin announced at yesterday's University Council meeting. In addition, Escort will expand its current routes and change its current procedures to include door-to-door drop-offs on the 3800 and 3900 blocks of Walnut and Spruce streets. Currently, students living on those blocks are dropped off at High Rise South. To increase efficiency, all Escort vans will have both eastbound and westbound routes. In the current system, westbound vans pick up all students -- even if they want to travel east. Both Escort and Penn Loop buses will begin operating on fixed schedules next Wednesday. The University is also working with apartment complexes that primarily house students to determine logical locations for safe Penn Loop bus stops in West Philadelphia. Rodin said despite rumors to the contrary, the University is not ending its "C" bus route, which serves Center City. Also during the meeting, Rodin outlined ongoing measures to increase safety and police presence in West Philadelphia. In response to recent safety concerns, the administration will set up an 800-number hotline to answer parents' and students' safety questions next week, Rodin said. Rodin also sent an e-mail message to every student at the University last night, describing the University's responses to the recent crimes and detailing the new initiatives she announced yesterday. The University has begun recruiting 19 new police officers who will be in place within two or three months. Additionally, installation of new off-campus blue-light phones will begin next week. Rodin also confirmed that the University will hire a single security guard service to consolidate the various companies that comprise the current system. According to Rodin, the University "is pursuing businesses aggressively in the surrounding communities that by either action or inaction are encouraging a criminal element." PennWatch President and Wharton senior Jon Brightbill praised the University for its short-term efforts but said it failed to address long-term issues. But Public Safety Managing Director Thomas Seamon said the University is looking toward the long term. For example, the University will establish a committee to look at the future of all transportation services. "But what we're doing with the entire Escort system [now]? might in some ways be counterproductive to the long-term ends," Seamon said. He added while the administration tries to comply with student requests for a wider area of service, the frequency of van pickups in West Philadelphia itself suffers. "If the system gets larger and larger, it almost goes beyond the capability of a university to run such a massive transit system," Seamon said. According to Brightbill, the issues go beyond the problems with Escort. He noted that West Philadelphia suffers acutely from the lack of administrators, faculty and staff who live in the area. Rodin said she hopes to work with the city to improve West Philadelphia schools and economic development, noting that she is optimistic about the future of the neighborhood. "Everything the University is doing is a short-term solution because the only long-term solutions are education and jobs," Rodin said, quoting Rendell. "I am not hopeless about this situation and I do not want you to feel helpless," she added. Various University administrators, including Rodin, will be available to address concerns on campus safety and security from parents and students who call 1-800-992-4455 on Sunday, October 20, between 2 and 4 p.m.
(10/10/96 9:00am)
Mayor Ed Rendell has pledged city aid for West Philadelphia in a meeting with administrators and student government leaders, University President Judith Rodin announced at yesterday's University Council meeting. Rodin said the city will help fix lighting and trim shrubbery in West Philadelphia, though she did not specify how the mayor plans to pay for these initiatives. In the past, Rodin has said that Philadelphia officials denied similar requests due to city budget constraints. Rendell also said he would assign more members of this year's graduating police class to the area around campus. Philadelphia Managing Director Joe Certaine promised that a "Partners in Progress" sweep would be conducted in the area within the next two to three weeks. "This is a multi-faceted approach to clean and safe streets," Rodin said. "They are bringing in essentially a SWAT team to live [in West Philadelphia] for a week or two and? clean and seal vacant properties and abandoned lots. They remove abandoned autos, they clean sewers, they remove graffiti." And Vice President for Government, Community and Public Affairs Carol Scheman said Rendell offered to help persuade West Philadelphia landlords to install adequate lighting around their buildings. "The meeting was intense," Scheman said. "[Rendell] brought everyone that works for him that was involved and basically asked them to step up to the task." The meeting, which took place yesterday morning, involved Rodin, Scheman, Undergraduate Assembly Chairperson and College junior Tal Golomb, Graduate and Professional Students Assembly Chairperson Alex Welte and various members of the mayor's staff and the municipal government.
(10/09/96 9:00am)
Officials, police tour areaOfficials, police tour areainspecting quality of lights After years of student complaints about a lack of proper off-campus lighting, the University has begun to make short-term improvements in the situation, Vice President for Government, Community and Public Affairs Carol Scheman said. Joined by representatives of Philadelphia Police and the Philadelphia Electric Company, Scheman and Vice President for Facilities Management Art Gravina toured the area from 40th to 45th streets between Walnut and Osage streets Monday night, looking for lighting problems. This effort comes nearly a year after representatives of the Panhellenic Council took a similar tour with Public Safety Managing Director Thomas Seamon, Chief of University Police Operations Maureen Rush and Public Safety Director of Security Chris Algard. During the last academic year, then-Panhel President Lissette Calderon, a 1996 graduate, complained about the lack of tangible improvement in off-campus lighting. Now, sorority sisters who live just off campus claim that the issue has not been resolved. "I have to live in [my sorority] house? and I am quite wary of the safety situation on Walnut, especially this block of Walnut," said Wharton senior Candice Wang, president of Kappa Alpha Theta, which is located at 41st and Walnut streets. "Since more Greek houses are moving here, like Pi Phi did, the University should consider this area more of a priority," Wang added. Panhel President and College senior Jessica Schreck echoed Wang's concern about the 40th and 41st blocks of Walnut Street, noting that Algard told Panhel the blocks suffered from poor lighting placement. But yesterday, Scheman said the University is going to pursue several short-term solutions for particularly problematic areas. For example, since the cobra-style overhead lighting poles that the neighborhood uses are made of wood, they can be made shorter to avoid obstructions, or an extra light could be affixed to each pole. In addition, Scheman has asked Center for Community Partnerships Director Ira Harkavy to select two sections of University City with dense student populations for more thorough evaluations by PECO, which will make suggestions for improvements. Scheman said local landlords have expressed a desire to improve lighting if it will increase safety. She added that she plans to show PECO's assessment to these landlords. "I want to go to the landlords and establish full expectation that they enroll in the program," Scheman said. Scheman explained that while the representatives found many well-lit blocks during their tour, they did discover examples of inadequate lighting or trees which obscured lighting. "I discovered that what you have in West Philadelphia is lights that are meant to light the street and not the sidewalk," Scheman said. And often over-lighting around certain buildings caused problems, since the excess light cast shadows on adjacent properties that do not feature lighting of comparable strength. Scheman has asked PECO specifically to look at Walnut Street, which she said is plagued by the combination of over-lighting in some areas and extremely poor lighting in others. She also mentioned that students tend to feel particularly unsafe on Walnut because cars drive quickly and rarely have to stop for lights. According to Scheman, University President Judith Rodin recently asked Gov. Tom Ridge to change the timing of the traffic lights on Walnut Street to force cars to stop more frequently. Scheman also said she found that porch lights added considerably to the overall sidewalk lighting. She recommended landlords put outside lighting on a timer so that the lights will go on even if students are not home, adding that many families in the area have begun to use motion detector lights as well. Scheman added that she was unable to determine which landlords were guilty of lighting violations, although she plans to report one landlord to the Licenses and Inspection Department in the near future. Scheman explained that the lighting problems have been especially difficult to resolve because tree-trimming responsibilities have been shifted to a different city agency over the past few years and, beyond that, any action to trim trees and improve lighting is costly and time consuming for the city. In the past, trees have been trimmed, she added, but they grow back in as little as one year. Scheman noted that if landlords were to pay for lighting improvements, rents could rise. "It is a questions of how much more rent a student is willing to pay for better living," she explained. Schreck said she would welcome any action if it improves the quality and placement of lighting rather than merely increasing the amount of lights near campus.
(10/08/96 9:00am)
'New York Times,''New York Times,'other papers unfairly'New York Times,'other papers unfairlylabeled W. Phila. a'New York Times,'other papers unfairlylabeled W. Phila. aslum, some profs say Professors living in the local community say West Philadelphia is getting a raw deal from the national media. Many are upset by the portrayal of the area in recent press coverage dealing with last month's rash of armed robberies near campus. The faculty are reacting to articles like the one in the September 28 issue of The New York Times, which referred to University City as "a working-class area with pockets of poverty and rundown homes." This characterization was echoed by a Daily Princetonian article a few weeks ago and in other papers across the country. Lynn Lees, chairperson of the History Department and a member of Penn Faculty and Staff for Neighborhood Improvement said she is outraged by such articles. "The New York Times and The Daily Princetonian describe a poverty-stricken area that is totally degraded and totally dangerous," Lees said. "University City is a middle-class neighborhood with great housing, schools, retail stores, churches, gardens and a historic society. It is a great place to live that happens to have a lot of street crime." Lees also said a large section of the area is in the process of being registered as a historic district by the city, adding that the community is noted for the richness of its diversity. "This is not an urban slum," Lees insisted. While agreeing that coverage misrepresented the neighborhood as a slum, Vice President for Government, Community and Public Affairs Carol Scheman said West Philadelphia's faculty may be missing the point. "The point is not that the neighborhood is not that bad," Scheman said. "People should not have to live that way." History Professor Michael Katz, who has lived in West Philadelphia since 1978, agreed that coverage of the neighborhood was outrageous. "The gist of most of the articles -- and I must say The Daily Pennsylvanian is very guilty of this also -- is that West Philadelphia is uniform, a slum in terms of housing and undifferentiated in its poverty," Katz said. "All anyone has to do is take a walk around the neighborhood to see that is not true." Katz maintained that West Philadelphia is a wonderful place to live and that his family is pleased with the area. "The neighborhood has some problems, but it is a diverse area with wonderful housing and a wonderful diverse population of people," Katz said. "Lots of wonderful people who care about the neighborhood and have tried very hard over decades to maintain it," he added. And Lees said she was disappointed by student reaction to the crime. "I was absolutely appalled by the rush of statements by Penn students about how they are afraid to walk alone," she said. "There are a lot of people who live quite a normal life here." Scheman explained that what disturbs her is not the area past 42nd Street where most faculty reside but the area between 40th and 42nd streets where students make their home. "The thing that I struggle with is that the worst part of the neighborhood is 40th to 42nd -- it is a student slum," she said. Director of the Center for Community Partnerships Ira Harkavy said although the area has its problems, it also has tremendous potential. "West Philadelphia does have problems like other urban communities," Harkavy said. "But it has the potential to set the mark for solving urban problems through it institutional and communal strengths." Scheman proposed her own solution. "The answer is for many more faculty and graduate students to live in West Philadelphia and for more undergraduate students to live on campus or get with the program," she said. "And by that I mean collect their trash, don't have loud parties and don't pee off their front porches -- you know, little things like that."
(10/03/96 9:00am)
Community could collectCommunity could collecttaxes for local development Several area institutions are hoping to transform West Philadelphia into a special services district -- a move that would give the area the ability to raise and spend its own tax money for community development and improvements. Penn has approached Drexel University, the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and the Philadelphia College of Pharmaceuticals to co-develop a blueprint for the creation of a district similar to one currently operating in Center City, according to Vice President for Government, Community and Public Affairs Carol Scheman. A special services district is a primarily commercial area that obtains the right to assess charges above and beyond Philadelphia real estate taxes to pay for community projects and services, explained Paul Levy, executive director of Center City District. Since the extra funds may be used in any way the community sees fit, University officials said they hope to use the money for projects Penn has been lobbying the city for -- including improved safety conditions, lighting, retail and sidewalks. The city has said it cannot afford to fund these projects within current budget constraints, according to Scheman. But Executive Vice President John Fry explained that any successful effort must be a concerted one. "We know as a principle that all successful special services districts really are a collaborative effort," Fry said. "It's not Penn that's going to make a special services district, it's University City that is going to have a special services district if the institutions want to do it." Fry added that although he believes other institutions will support the idea, actual planning will not take place until he has gauged the level of interest. Many other factors also have to fall into place before the plan can come to fruition. Levy, who spearheaded the creation of the Center City services district, explained that West Philadelphia City Councilperson Janie Blackwell must begin the procedure by petitioning the Council, a process that will take at least nine months to complete. Blackwell said she has not been contacted to present a formal proposal to Council yet, although she thinks it is an idea whose time has come. Fry said the University would like the process to move as quickly as possible. "Typically, it is a year-long process," Fry said. "I think, though, given the situation we have right now, we can move it along more expeditiously." Another potential problem may lie in the increased taxes. Center City businesses agreed to a slightly higher tax burden in exchange for better safety and maintenance, Levy said. But West Philadelphia's primarily residential and institutional property owners may balk at the additional taxes. "Special services districts are usually built around a viable commercial corridor," City Managing Director Joe Certaine said. "In most cases, there are also residential areas around the commercial corridor, but I am not sure what the boundaries for that in the University area would be." Scheman said a services district in West Philadelphia could still work if costs are shared differently. "We have a number of large institutions in the area," she said. "Perhaps they can carry a larger load." Scheman said she would put the money to a variety of uses, such as streetscaping, lighting, tree trimming, economic development and attracting new retail. "The idea is to make an area more attractive and lively -- to make an area a better place to work and play," Scheman said. For example, the Center City district employs former homeless people and to sponsor a "Make It a Night" campaign, which keeps stores and businesses open later than usual one night a week, Levy said. Several years ago, the city tried to institute a similar program in University City, but it did not work due to lack of participation, Blackwell said. But now, she said, she wholeheartedly supports the idea.
(10/01/96 9:00am)
More than 60 new phones will be in positionMore than 60 new phones will be in positionbetween 40th and 43rd streets by November 1 and Ben Hammer The University plans to spend $300,000 on the purchase of 66 new blue light phones in an effort to upgrade security near campus, according to Managing Director of Public Safety Thomas Seamon. He said the 66 solar-powered, cellular phones, designed by General Telephone and Electric, will be installed beginning November 1. Seamon said the new phones are better than the current ones because the cellular network will indicate to University Police which phones are not working. Cellular technology will save the University money since it eliminates the need for costly phone and electrical connections. Lt. Robert Lowell, chief of Temple University's Detective Division, said Temple's main campus has used a similar cellular system with positive results. Temple police have not encountered any situations where students tried to use the phones and discovered they were broken. Roughly half of Penn's 66 new phones will be positioned between 40th and 43rd streets and Chestnut and Baltimore streets, with one phone planned for each corner in the area, according to Seamon. Seamon said Public Safety will also repair existing phones. In addition, the installation of new 36 phones will continue as planned before the recent crime wave. An independent Daily Pennsylvanian inspection of 70 randomly selected blue light phones revealed that the current phones are badly in need of repair. The inspection of phones between 32nd and 40th streets along Spruce, Locust and Walnut streets showed visible damage to more than 20 percent of the phones. Four phones had broken telephone cords and exposed wiring, while eight others lacked working blue lights -- making them nearly impossible to see at night. Although there is a blue light box between Modern Language College House and Van Pelt College House, the phone was missing altogether. And the phone box at 38th Street and University Avenue was jammed shut. Other phones, like the one in front of Hayden Hall, are located behind shrubbery, blocking vision and hindering access. Chief of Police Operations Maureen Rush said last week that the current wiring system is old and requires regular time-consuming and expensive maintenance. The problem of broken phones came to the forefront last week when a mugging victim tried to contact police, but found that the blue light phone outside of Smokey Joe's Tavern on 40th Street near Locust Street was not in working order. Public Safety usually fixes broken emergency phones on the same day a problem is reported, Seamon said, adding that police checked and found nothing wrong with the emergency phones outside of Smokey Joe's. Seamon explained that University Police check each of the approximately 260 blue light phones at least once every six months. He noted that the last check found that only five of the 260 phones were not working. At a public meeting on safety last Thursday night, Seamon said police have received more than 100 calls from the emergency phones since the beginning of September, indicating that the phones are operating successfully. But despite Public Safety's focus on the blue light phone upgrades, College sophomore and Undergraduate Assembly Safety Committee Chairperson Courtney Fine said that in the short run, students would rather see more police officers on the street than more blue light phones. Fine added that Public Safety's long-term plans include combining video cameras with the phones to combat muggings, a move that she said would make them more effective and reassuring to students.
