A B R I E F H I S T O R Y CHILDCARE@TEMPLE

For 25 years Built in 1909, Burk Mansion began to operated a daycare center that fall into disrepair. In July 1993, a educated the children of its students, mechanical fire caused smoke employees, and members of the damage to part of the building, but community. Originally located in the daycare center remained open. Mitten Hall, the center relocated to On June 10, 1995, citing the the Burk Mansion at 1500 N. Broad building’s $300,000 maintenance St. in 1975. Many of the center's cost, university administrators teachers were graduates of Temple's announced their intent to close the program to train daycare workers. All center and sell the building, acting were women. on an outside consultant’s recommendation as part of a plan to The center cared for between 80 and cut $18 million from the budget. They 100 children, from age 3 months planned to close the center on July through kindergarten. At the time of 28, giving families of the center’s 85 members organized its closure in 1995, full tuition was students just over a month to secure demonstrations throughout $614 per month for infants and $468 child care elsewhere. 14 staff the month, pleading with the for preschoolers (roughly $1016 and members would lose their jobs. university to keep the center $775 today adjusting for inflation). open. On June 22, The program accepted state child The decision was met with protest. City Council care subsidies. Students, faculty, and community unanimously passed a Photo credits First page upper: Alvarez, A. "Council twits Temple, Cosby.” , resolution requesting that Temple Professionals to accept a wage freeze Jun. 23, 1995. reverse its decision. At that time, mid-contract, which they refused. He First page right: Photo of children in Temple had been waiting over a year later suggested that the bargaining Temple University Day Care walking for Council to approve an $85 million unit thus shared blame for the layoffs outside Paley Library. Temple History in Photographs. Special Collections Research project to build the . and cuts. Center, Temple University. With that in mind, Council President Page two upper: Photo of daycare center John Street asked, “If they can raise As the center’s closure neared, worker Theresa Hudreck reading to $40 million for a gymnasium, how Temple administrators provided children at Temple daycare center. Temple History in Photographs. Special Collections much time would it take them to parents with information about Research Center, Temple University. raise $300,000 to save a daycare nearby facilities, but many reported Page two left: "Temple Day Care Bye Bye center?” difficulty finding acceptable Buggy." Temple History in Photographs. alternatives for their children. Some Special Collections Research Center, The confrontation over the daycare students argued that, without the Temple University. Page two right: Photo of children and day center came at a time of dwindling support of the daycare center, they care workers standing outside the Temple financial support from the state. would have to delay their studies or University Day Care Center. Temple History Prior to the announcement of the leave the university altogether. Four in Photographs. Special Collections closure, President Liacouras had of those students filed a complaint in Research Center, Temple University. urged members of the Temple Common Pleas Court to keep it open. References Association of University They cited a breach of contract and Carlin, S. (2011 Sep 6). An uncertain future argued that the university overstated for a historic mansion. The Temple News. the cost to maintain the building. Goodman, H. (1995, Jun 10). 85 WORKERS Their appeals were denied, and the ARE LAID OFF AT TEMPLE. Philadelphia Inquirer. center was closed at the end of July Woestendiek, J. (1995, Jul 25). 4 STUDENTS as scheduled. ASK JUDGE TO STOP TEMPLE. Philadelphia Inquirer. The Burk Mansion, still owned by the Woodall, M. (1995, Jun 10). UNIVERSITY'S DAY CARE IS A CASUALTY. Philadelphia university today, remains shuttered Inquirer. and vacant. Thanks to Margery Sly of the Special Collections Research Center for her by Leanne Finnigan, guidance. Temple University Libraries