Cleanup helps community-student relations

Volunteers from 22 clubs and organizations turned out for The Big Event, a day of neighborhood cleanup sponsored by the Associated Students.

"I think this is good for neighborhood relations, especially the Greek community," said Jennifer Tyler, a political science junior and member of Chi Omega sorority. "They should know we don't just party all the time."

From 10 a.m. to about 3 p.m., the volunteers completed 14 projects in the Pie Allen neighborhood, encompassed by North Park Avenue, North Fourth Avenue, East Sixth Street and East Broadway Boulevard.

The projects included landscaping yards, hauling debris, raking, painting, cleaning up an area wash and making general restorations.

"This has been really great because we never get to meet these people otherwise," said Liz Weldon, a classics and anthropology junior. "Now we get to know them, even if it's only for a few hours."

Julie Stanford, a psychology junior and chairwoman for the Big Event, said the event's coordinators chose the neighborhood because of its proximity to the university and its need for repairs.

"Truthfully, this neighborhood feels all the good and bad effects of university activities," she said.

When the Big Event started coordinating projects in the beginning of the school year, neighborhood residents were given forms to request improvements, Stanford said.

All the projects, such as improvements to 12 houses, the Arroyo Wash and the perimeter of Tucson Magnet High School, were requested by community members.

"This is just a way to say thanks to the communities that support our activities all year long," Stanford said.

Korey Kruckmeyer, a Pie Allen Neighborhood Association board member, said, "Sometimes there are tensions between the university and the community with parties and noise, but this event really improves things."

Gary Afseth, a resident of the 800 block of East Seventh Street, said the project helped ease his fears that the University of Arizona will eventually annex the property in his neighborhood.

"We feel threatened at times, but when they help us enhance our neighborhood, we really appreciate it," he said.

Stanford said the Big Event, which originated five years ago at Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas, began last year at the UA.

The Big Event received a $2,500 budget from ASUA this year, and also raised about $1,300 through sponsorships, Stanford said.

The funds provided cleanup supplies such as wheelbarrows and rakes, as well as T-shirts for the volunteers, she said.

Bob Byars, who lives on North Tyndall Avenue, just south of the UA, said, "We heard great things about this activity from the neighborhood they worked on last year."

"Everyone around here was really jazzed about the idea," he said.