This article was updated on Aug. 22, 2025.

For many Temple students, North Philadelphia is a temporary place to live while in school, but for our local neighbors, it’s a permanent home and a tight-knit community. 

That’s why it’s so important for students living near campus to be respectful and considerate of others. Remember, you are serving as the university’s ambassadors. 

The Good Neighbor Policy, part of Temple’s Division of Student Affairs’ Good Neighbor Initiative, encourages students to connect with the residents of the communities they now live in and build relationships. 

The initiative establishes some basic guidelines for how Temple students can conduct themselves as responsible members of the community. It’s meant to foster positive relationships among students and neighbors and help you join this diverse community and make a positive contribution to it.  

With that in mind, we went directly to the source and asked local community members for their ideas about how Temple students can be good neighbors. Here’s what they told us.  

1. Respect your block. This is your neighborhood! 
Show respect for the neighborhood that you are living in by treating it as if it were your hometown. Demonstrate common courtesy and help keep the neighborhood tidy by not letting flyers and junk mail pile up on your stoop, picking up after your pets, etc. (But more on that below ...) 

2. Learn about the history of the neighborhood.  
North Philadelphia offers a number of historic sites that our neighbors take pride in and value. These include the Dox Trash House, the Church of the Advocate, the Uptown Theater and the Wagner Free Institute of Science. Take some time to visit these sites to learn more of North Philly’s storied past.   

3. Be friendly and courteous. Say hello when passing in the street. 
Your neighbors are people you are likely to see fairly often, so be friendly and courteous. Saying hello when passing in the street can help you gain familiarity with them and help you feel a part of and safer in the community.  

4. Participate in university events and cleanups in the neighborhood. 
Being active in the community by volunteering can go a long way with building trust and friendly relationships over time. Temple’s Office of Community Affairs and Engagement and Office of Sustainability offer students a number of opportunities for engaging with and getting involved in the community. These include citywide cleanups; youth tutoring opportunities; and book, clothing and food donation drives.  

5. Be aware of your block’s trash and recycling days. 
Do your best to keep your sidewalk tidy and free of trash. You can do this by only putting trash out on trash days, and by not letting it pile up. If you need help with the DOs and DON’Ts of trash collection and recycling, including the collection schedules, visit the Philadelphia Streets Department website.  

6. Be mindful of your noise.  
Part of being a good neighbor is keeping noise at a reasonable level when you are indoors and out. Realize that there are families living nearby that go to work and school in the mornings and be conscious of your (and your guests’) music or loud voices at all hours. 

7. Be an active participant in your community. 
Recently moved in? Say hello and introduce yourself to your new neighbors. Have elderly neighbors? Ask if they need help with anything, such as shoveling snow or raking leaves. A little kindness goes a long way! You can also download the 311 app and/or report community issues like potholes, streetlights being out and illegal dumping straight to the city on the 311 website. 

8. Advocate for yourself and your neighbors. Hold your peers accountable. 
If you see something, say something. Don’t litter, and call out other students if you see them leaving trash around their neighborhood. Set a good example for your roommates, and they may just follow suit! You can even organize a block cleanup by getting in touch with your block captain. If you have questions or want to find out who your block captain is, call the Philadelphia More Beautiful Committee at 215-685-3971. 

9. Be a responsible pet owner. 
This one should be a no-brainer. Keep your dog on a leash, keep your cat indoors and pick up after all pets. This will help keep the streets clean, and you and your neighbors healthy (and their pets, too)! 

10. Walk, bike or utilize public transportation methods including SEPTA. 
We all know that parking in Philadelphia is a competitive sport. Help cut down on congestion, pollution and accidents by walking around your neighborhood or taking a bus, train, subway or trolley to get where you’re going. It’s a great way to learn to navigate the city, too! 
 

Before you go, hear from our neighbors about what this community means to them.