Hansen: Chapman University agrees to delay expansion plans

With respect to last week’s column about an expansion proposal at Chapman University (“Hansen: City of Orange faces ‘town and gown’ school test”), the college announced Wednesday that it will delay its plan to increase student enrollment until it can alleviate concerns by city of Orange residents.

The delay is expected to last until 2016 or later. In the meantime, the university will step up its public relations efforts with the Old Towne Preservation Assn., the Orange Barrio Historical Society, the Orange Chamber of Commerce, city officials and others.

Chapman President Jim Doti and Chancellor Daniele Struppa met with preservation association President Sandy Quinn and other board members on Monday.

“I asked for a meeting with President Doti, who I’ve known for 15 years,” Quinn said on Wednesday. “I said I’m concerned because the community is very concerned. It’s time we took time out and find some positive ways to resolve the issues. He immediately agreed.”

In addition to postponing the formal enrollment plan, Chapman will continue increasing its on-campus housing to reduce the number of students living off campus, officials said. In addition, a new neighborhood advisory committee will be formed, and neighbors will have a single point of contact at the university.

“Chapman University wants to work closely with the city and our neighbors, and we sincerely want to be a good neighbor ourselves,” Doti said in a news release. “I’ve always felt that when there are challenges, it’s best to meet face to face and talk them out. This meeting was a great start. Going forward, we welcome more input from our neighbors as we form an ongoing Advisory Committee and work further to mitigate neighbor concerns. “