Temple University illustrates how the fortunes of a college can improve with its city's. As Philadelphia has undergone a renaissance, Temple has profited from an influx of students who want to call the city home, said Ray Betzner, assistant vice president of university communications at Temple. Today, Temple has a residential population of about 12,000 students on campus and in surrounding neighborhoods. The university is building a 26-story residential tower to accommodate the demand for housing, Betzner said.