Wednesday, April 30, 2008

Loyola: Rogers Park's 800-lb Gorilla



Ashes to ashes


Staff Editorial, Loyola Phoenix

Both residents of the university and the community have expressed concern for Loyola's ongoing conquest of the Rogers Park neighborhood. ...

Loyola also explains that through its Jesuit values and educational goals, it aids in the expansion of students' knowledge of service to humanity through learning, justice and faith. But, as we have come to realize, these Jesuit missions are not always executed. In fact, the supposed sense of community shared with the Rogers Park neighborhood has continually diminished. ...

The social and moral principles that are supposed to be fundamental parts of a Jesuit education are not being exercised in our own university's actions ...

More...

6 comments:

Mark Fletcher said...

Move along, nothing to see here. Just the cost of Gentrification.

billyjoe said...

Loyola's presence mitigates the terrible state of RP. Unlike many RP households, the university doesn't invite criminals to live in and around its campus.

Dr O said...

I have to agree with billyjoe. With the exception of the TIFs received by Loyola, I don't see a major problem with the changes they've made. Yes...I would have like to keep the green-space on the lake, and the Sophia garden was a great thing, but the university can do what they want with their property within the law. They haven't removed any architectural wonders and their buildings are nice enough. Maybe we can interest them in taking over some other buildings, like the 4-1s that house many of RPs drug dealers, bangers and hookers.

Dennis said...

It could be worse... They could actively treat RP as bad as Northwestern treats Evanston.

The North Coast said...

The only problem I have with Loyola is the TIF.

But that is a big problem, in that tens of millions of dollars in future tax revenues are being diverted to a private institution that most citizens cannot afford to attend, at the expense of our public schools and other civic amenities.

Terrence said...

Loyola can be both a good neighbor and a bad neighbor. In my experience and observation, Loyola may claim and often does act in the interest of the surrounding RP community, but Loyola will always eventually do what is best for the university's own interests. And it would be nice if Loyola's student board or conduct code could do a little more to reign in some of the shabbier and rowdy buildings where some students live. The Sheehy-owned buildings in the neighborhood in which students live have hugely negative impact on the quality of life of the residents nearby--drunk kids at all hours of the day, trash everywhere, poorly maintained and unsightly buildings/property.

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