President Sheldon Hackney will release his decision Monday on what employee charity campaign the University will use, ending a three year-long debate on the issue. Hackney will choose between the United Way, which has had exclusive access to deductions from University employee checks in past years, and a combined campaign. The administration submitted the issue to the University's faculty and staff last month in a non-binding referendum. Employees were asked to decide if there should be a charity campaign at all, and if so, to choose between the two fundraisers. Employees were to submit their referendum ballots to the president's office by March 22. Results of the vote have not been released. The referendum is among several factors which Hackney has taken into consideration, according to Assistant to the President Linda Hyatt. Hackney's statement Monday will be his final decision and will not include a tally of the employee's vote. Hyatt said last week Hackney has also received letters from individuals which will affect his decision. She added that the president is unlikely to allow the United Way's controversial campaigning practices to interfere with his decision. Hackney was in California yesterday and could not be reached for comment. The president's decision will have major implications for the future of United Way's employee charity campaigns. The University is Philadelphia's second largest employer and the United Way lost combined campaigns in the city government, Philadelphia's largest employer, and the Philadelphia School District two years ago. The fight over the control of the more than $300,000 in University donations began in 1988 when the University altered its policy to allow employees more say in how their donations were spent. Combined Campaign supporters say donations to the charity drive have increased as restrictions on where their donations can be spent have been eased. Committee member Jane Combrink-Graham said last week the University increased its contributions 30 percent last year. Nan Langen Steketee, Director of the Center for Responsible Funding, said the jump "represents a very, very, very large increase." She called the increase exceptional, saying it indicates employees are much more willing to give when they have more choices. Combrink-Graham added that between 1985 and 1988, when the United Way controlled charity information, "we never met our goals." United Way spokesperson Joseph Divis said last week the credit for the amount of money raised in the workplace belongs with the University and not the United Way, but he contested the Combined Campaign Committee's contention that a combined campaign raises more money. Divis noted that the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, which is still under the United Way, increased its total contributions by 70 percent last year, a jump from $80,500 to $141,000. Combrink-Graham said that at the very least, she hopes there is "overwhelming support for a campaign," but that if there is "a United Way [controlled] and all the gains we have had over the past two years will be lost."
The Daily Pennsylvanian is an independent, student-run newspaper. Please consider making a donation to support the coverage that shapes the University. Your generosity ensures a future of strong journalism at Penn.
DonatePlease note All comments are eligible for publication in The Daily Pennsylvanian.