A recent quote attributed to a Merion Community Coalition (MCC) member, Irene Glickman, in this weekend's Philadelphia Inquirer has left St. Joe's administrators, faculty, and staff fuming even more than the decision by the township's Zoning Hearing Board to halt alterations to the baseball fields on Maguire Campus this past Thursday.
The article, written by Inquirer's columnist Karen Heller, quotes Glickman as saying, "I don't want to be a snob-but I am one-but we're not exactly talking about Haverford College here. This is a school that accepts 80 percent of its applicants. They're big on sports."
While it's true that St. Joe's academic reputation has taken a (justifiable) hit as a result of the abnormally high acceptance rates for the Class of 2012, the snub from the self-admitted "snob" reveals a long-standing disconnect between Merion residents and the university.
More accurately, it reveals the reason why the MCC is often portrayed as a group of out-of-touch, affluent homeowners more concerned with the upkeep of their lawns than the struggles of their less prestigious neighbors.
Concern for "keeping the peace" and "preserving quiet" were prevalent in numerous quotes from Merion residents in attendance at Thursday night's meeting, as well as other measures by the white-collar community. The MCC's website proudly displays a banner claiming they're "working to preserve the peace." Photos show peaceful botanical parks and shady walking paths, not to mention the town's most controversial attraction, the Barnes Foundation.
There is no doubt that Merion is a beautiful place to live; residents' concern over increased traffic and noise is, perhaps, understandable. However, it's a little difficult to sympathize with residents when comments such as Glickman's sprout to the surface during an already tense debate.
Their arguments concerning noise levels and increased traffic are also a little hard to understand, given the fact that Episcopal Academy hosted heavily-attended lacrosse and football games for years in the very same spot. Granted, part of the university's plans for the field include a loudspeaker system that wasn't in place before the move; but it's hard to imagine how residents or township representatives could have expected anything less from a Division I baseball field.
If Merion residents are so concerned with increased traffic from St. Joe's sports enthusiasts and others, maybe they should consider converting into an official, gated community. Beyond taking care of all unwanted cars, bicyclists, athletes, noise, and other undesirables, it might also bolster property values in a flagging economy.
The point is this: Saint Joseph's and Merion have existed side by side for over 80 years, and will continue to do so for a long time to come. If both sides are going to have healthy and effective dialogue about pressing issues, whether they are baseball fields or residence halls, there needs to be an understanding of respect from each party.
Although Irene Glickman does not represent every resident in Merion, her comments are representative of the MCC's reputation as isolated and overzealous in their preservation of the "peace." Merion residents need to recognize that their somewhat legitimate arguments have been damaged significantly by both Glickman's words and the image they reflect.
Saint Joseph's students and the university as a whole has added considerably to the surrounding area in recent decades. Yes, we love our sports. But we also love our service projects, our academics, and our Jesuit tradition of excellence.
Residents like Glickman should consider the enormous benefit that the university, and its vibrant student body, has provided to the community, not just the noise that might rise up from baseball fields on warm spring days.
The Hawk Staff
Be the first to comment on this article!