Gutmann brings fresh perspective to city issues

Penn President Amy Gutmann may be a freshman in Philadelphia, but she has already commenced with her efforts to expand the University's role in the city.

As the largest private employer in Philadelphia, Penn has an important and influential part to play in West Philadelphia and Center City. Gutmann has met with many of the city's public leaders to discuss revitalizing the area, a goal the University has made significant contributions to in the past.

"The University ... is an educational facility, an economic development engine," said Luz Cardenas, spokeswoman for Mayor John Street. "The work done by [former Penn President Judith] Rodin really helped to energize the community around the University."

Many of the issues from the Rodin era remain relevant. Penn still has the ability to establish new businesses in the city, convert technological innovation to economic growth, and work closely with local schools such as Penn-Alexander school -- run as a partnership between the University and the School District of Philadelphia.

However, some officials believe that Gutmann will bring a fresh perspective to her position.

"Gutmann comes to the presidency of Penn with a very, very different idea of the role of the University," said Carol Scheman, Penn's vice president for government, community, and public affairs.

But like Rodin, Gutmann said that she realizes that student retention is vital to city revitalization. Penn has acquired a reputation for educating people who take their expertise elsewhere upon graduation.

"I would encourage [students] to stay on," Gutmann said. "At the same time I would encourage local leaders to make Philadelphia more attractive."

Gutmann described her overall approach as focused on further integrating Penn and the city.

"I see myself as being one of the leaders in the greater Philadelphia area for spearheading the overarching effort," she said, pointing to her team of deans and high-level administrators.

"All of the deans have a key role to play," she said.

One of her key proposals is to transform the eastern area of campus into a more welcoming environment for both students and local residents. Penn is slated to take control of the area owned by the U.S. Postal Service in 2007, and plans for utilizing the space are already underway.

"The overarching goal is to have a terrific gateway from Center City into the Penn campus," she said. "We want to plan that space in the context of the overall campus, to add to what's available on campus."

At the moment, Gutmann said her only specific plan is to convert the parking lots into recreational space. But future projects would all be aimed at enhancing the University and its surrounding area.

"We want to do that in a way that assures the future for Penn," she said. "We really [want] to make sure that people will be proud of what we've done."

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