🦉 Temple’s retention problem | Morning Newsletter

Happy Monday, Philly! We’re starting this week off a lot cooler, with high temps in the 50s. Don’t worry, though; the warm weather will be back later this week.

Temple University is retaining far fewer students from freshman to sophomore year than it did a decade ago, according to a new report. This retention issue comes as the school faces increased budget pressures.

And members of the Iglesias Gardens project launched the Philadelphia Land Stewards Union to push the city for more control over vacant lots, which they say have fostered community for decades.

Plus, the 76ers lost to the Celtics in Game 1 on Sunday, and more news of the day.

— Sam Stewart (morningnewsletter@inquirer.com)

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Temple University has lost 27% of its U.S. enrollment over the last eight years, amounting to an average of more than $200 million in lost revenue annually, according to a new report.

In addition to the drop in retention of students into sophomore year, a smaller percentage of freshmen are advancing from the fall to spring semesters.

The loss of students is happening even as Temple enrolled its largest freshman classes in history the last two years.

This all comes amid mounting budget pressures. Earlier this month, the school’s president said Temple “must act decisively and with a sense of urgency” to address a projected deficit of about $85 million for next fiscal year.

Inquirer reporter Susan Snyder has the full breakdown.

After her neighbor’s home fell into disrepair and was demolished in the 1990s, Debbie Johnson took care of the vacant lot adjoining her own Nicetown property for decades. She turned the space into a garden, she said, and soon it became a space for her family and neighborhood to flourish.

After 35 years of caring for the space, Johnson learned the plot had been sold.

“I was devastated and hurt, and I still am,” Johnson said.

Dozens of lot stewards and their supporters gathered in a North Philadelphia recreation hall to launch what they call the Philadelphia Land Stewards Union.

The union has several goals: for the city to recognize the organization, for more transparency and accountability from the Land Bank, and for those who steward or live near vacant lots to get priority over developers to purchase them.

Muni, a recently renovated skate spot in Philadelphia, was saved by a partnership by the city, community, and Vans. This could be a blueprint for other cities.

This executive director of the Philadelphia Parking Authority is supposedly a front-runner to be the next executive director and CEO of the Philadelphia Regional Port Authority.

A) Jeff Theobald

B) Christy Brady

C) Richard Lazer

D) Mike Pearson

Think you know? Check your answer.

⚽ Bragging about: Our World Cup setup. Apparently we’re doing it right, because fans in Boston and NYC are jealous.

📱 Watching: Delaware County’s TikTok account, which has snappy videos that evoke the ones that launched NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani.

🏒 Analyzing: Three things that contributed to the Flyers’ success as they seized Game 1 from the Penguins.

🏃 Reading up on: This year’s Penn Relays, including who’s headlining, where to watch, and more.

Hint: This Rittenhouse hotel almost canceled a family’s July 4 reservation last minute.

WARLOCK WHITE

Email us if you know the answer. We’ll select a reader at random to shout out here.

Cheers to Chris Campolucci, who solved Sunday’s anagram: Olivia Dean. Her groovy pop song “Man I Need” has become the Flyers’ victory anthem.

The Sixers entered Game 1 against the Celtics as massive underdogs and without former NBA MVP Joel Embiid. The Celtics got an early lead and never let the Sixers back within striking distance.

Think back to the night that changed your life that could only happen in Philly, a true example of the Philly spirit, the time you finally felt like you belonged in Philly if you’re not a lifer, something that made you fall in love with Philly all over again — or proud to be from here if you are. Then email it to us for a chance to be featured in the Monday edition of this newsletter.

This “only in Philly” story comes from reader Beth Parry, who describes her love for the city’s sports (specifically, the Phils):

Having lived in Philly since I was 3 years old — I’m on the cusp of 58, so it’s been awhile — I have lived through many sports celebrations and quite a few defeats, too.

We live and die with our teams in Philly; we ride the highest highs, and conversely pick up the pieces of our hearts year after year after year. We wouldn’t have it any other way.

The team or moment that stays with me, and truly cemented my membership in the Best Fans in Sports Club, was the 1980 Philadelphia Phillies. I’m still a huge fan, but that team blossomed when I was still young and impressionable, so it stole my heart, and has a special place to this day.

I went to the victory parade, with the rest of the city, and attended the first game the following year to see the ring ceremony. I can’t ask for a better group of guys to “be my first” and all my memories are still fresh in my mind. I made posters, scrapbooks and collages, which I still have today.

Those memories are dear to me, the Phillies can do no wrong in my eyes, and I’m still loving every second to this day. Tug McGraw was my favorite — his #45 jersey is proudly worn to every game I attend.

👋 Have an awesome day, folks! Hopefully your week is off to a good start. I’ll be back soon.

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