For most of its history, N.C. Central University has been a modest little black college in a modest mostly black neighborhood.

It would be hard to imagine a more intimate town-gown relationship than the one NCCU has had with its neighbors. I'm not sure whether to describe the two as deeply intertwined or simply falling all over each other.

I do know that on weekdays when classes are in session, the streets surrounding the campus are jammed, driveways are blocked and parking is impossible.

Things have gotten worse in the past five years as the university doubled its enrollment without making much provision for the additional cars. The willingness of NCCU's neighbors to put up with this annoyance has been remarkable and admirable. They must like the school.

Now NCCU is growing up. It's not a little black college anymore, but a full-fledged, diverse university with well-regarded graduate programs and Division I sports teams. But it's landlocked in the old neighborhood.

The neighbors are nervous. A new master plan calls for the school to expand by buying up 136 properties, mostly residences.

Charlie Nelms, the energetic new chancellor, insists NCCU must grow. He also promises to listen to the neighbors' concerns.

He had better keep that promise. The growth does look inevitable -- but if NCCU just barrels ahead, it will squander a lot of good will. It's bad karma to trample on those who have loved and nurtured you.