"People shy away from Chelsea like there's something wrong with this place," Ringer says. "Actually, the teachers encourage a warm, friendly, multicultural atmosphere. It's not like the newspaper says. People should come check us out."

While many students such as Ringer and Stec support B.U.'s presence, university officials and Chelsea community leaders disagree over the final outcome of the 10-year project.

Carleton says that at the end of the 10-year contract, he believes Chelsea will continue to maintain the new improvements itself.

"We hope that by the time the project reaches the end of the contract period, the Chelsea community will be capable of self-government," Clemente says. "Hopefully B.U. will continue to offer help when it can, but no formal discussions have been held, as of yet."

Vega is not so optimistic.

"We're in for 10 years with no indication that the programs they have set will continue where they left off," Vega said. "What good is 10 years of reform to end back where we started with the community unable to take over the unfinished programs?"

But Carleton maintains that the programs are slowly and surely having a positive influence, and will eventually result in enduring changes.

"We are trying to prepare students to learn and teachers to teach by preparing a proper curriculum worth learning," Carleton says. "The situation is not sweetness and light. It's not a performance of miracles."