Tag Archives: Temple

Temple on Urban Dictionary

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Yep, kids, we’re legit now … without further ado, here it is, the No. 1 entry under “Temple University” on the Urban Dictionary:

“Temple University is the Harvard of Philadelphia. Not really, but the students could kick any Harvard boy’s ass because Main Campus is in the ghetto. Don’t bother going to the Center City campus unless you want to get mugged, Ambler Campus is a joke, and Tyler is the art school…with artsy people. Definitely the best university ever. Temple is better than Drexel, UPenn, and St. Joe’s combined. Seriously.”

Well, well, well, “Harvard of Philadelphia.” Not too shabby, eh? I do like the part about how we can kick any Harvard boy’s ass … but I think that’s probably true of most U.S. colleges, for obvious reasons. Also, Temple is SO better than its neighboring Philly universities. We’ve just got more of everything — more students, more majors, more alums, the whole nine.

Influx of Mexico e-mails, but why the warnings?

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For drug dealers looking for new business, don’t go to Mexico. The business is already a bit too crowded. 

The influx of e-mails crowding students’ inboxes have been warning them of the U.S. Department of State’s “travel alert” regarding the ongoing drug war in Mexico, which killed 6,000 people – some were killed with guns bought in the U.S. – in Mexico last year alone.

Drug cartels are fighting for the “country’s most profitable smuggling routes.”

Still want to brave the trip for a good time?  Don’t party with anyone named “Shorty,” or you might go to jail as an accomplice.

Joaquín Guzmán “Shorty” Loera is Mexico’s most wanted drug trafficker.

According to the New York Times, some tourists are being taken on “narco-tours” throughout Mazatlán, Mexico to see the drug trafficker’s home and relaxation spots.

And, if you are the one college student traveling to Cancún post-MTV’s Say What? Karaoke days, awareness is still important. The most bloodshed has occurred in Ciudad Juarez, near the Texas border, Tijuana, Baja California and Chihuahua City.

Going to Mexico but haven’t checked your e-mail?  Don’t wear grandma’s pearls. Click here to read more safety recommendations.

Vacant lots: not bought for $1 (and they’re costing Temple)

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The Temple News, by obtaining copies of the deeds to the three vacant lots owned by Temple, has learned that the lots were not bought for $1, as stated in a previous Broad & Cecil post.

Contrary to what the Board of Revision of Taxes Web site states, 1434 W. Diamond Street was bought for $3,750. 1436 W. Diamond St. was bought for $850.

Stephen Zook TTN

1434, 1436 W. Diamond St. (Stephen Zook TTN)

Also, Temple is still paying taxes on all three properties, which is costing the university hundreds of dollars – only a drop in the bucket compared to the multi-million dollar operating budget Temple runs, but still noteworthy.

Why is Temple spending money on these properties when they sit vacant? How long will it continue to spend money on properties that could be sold? Continue reading →

Temple owns vacant lots surrounding Main Campus

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The Temple News has learned that several lots in the vicinity of Main Campus are owned by the university. Three properties have been identified: 2334 N. Park Avenue (pictured below) and 1434 and 1436 Diamond Street.

A view of the Temple-owned lot from North Park Avenue.

A view of the Temple-owned lot from North Park Avenue.

The three lots were bought between February of 1970 and September of 1972. They may have been gifted to the university by the city, as city property records indicate they were bought for $1 each. A symbolic sale price of $1 is sometimes used when a property exchanges hands, but the property is given to the new owner by the old for no cost.

Assistant Vice-President of University Communications Ray Betzner said he was unaware of the properties or why Temple might have bought or been given them.

Peter J. Liacouras, former president of Temple, was unaware of the specific properties, but said Temple had bought several locations around what was at that time Main Campus, including the land on which a Buick dealership sat. That land is now the site of the Liacouras Center. Liacouras became president in 1983.

His predecessor, Marvin Wachman, who was president from 1973, passed away in late 2007. Stay tuned for more information on this little-known fact.