Editorial: Penn and Philadelphia

While there is no doubt that the University is a huge plus for this city and this state, the administration finds itself in a tough position defending attacks on its commitment to Philadelphia. However, the University's response to the lawsuit and other complaints about the institution's elitist profile in Philadelphia should not be a sugar-coated public relations blitz. (Although every effort should be made to publicize the availability of financial aid opportunities at the University.) Instead of platitudes, the University must continue and expand formal programs to give aid and volunteer effort to better the Philadelphia community. Countless students, staff and administrators are involved in efforts to help society in general and Philadelphia in particular. From caring for crack babies at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, to tutoring high school students to outreach to the elderly, University affiliates are involved in all aspects of the Philadelphia community. The University's commitment to public service is matched by few other schools in the nation. Beyond that, the University brings in millions of dollars to the local economy and serves as a catalyst for regional economic growth. And, as former Vice Provost for University Life Janis Somerville and former Football Coach Ed Zubrow have shown, University affiliates continue to contribute to the community even after leaving campus. Somerville heads up the Philadelphia Schools Collaborative and is intent on accomplishing nothing less than overhauling the entire Philadelphia School system. Zubrow has gone on to become School District "Drug Czar" and spends his days sending city kids the message that self-confident and mature people don't use drugs. Zubrow and Somerville are just two of the literally thousands of University affiliates trying to make Philadelphia a better place. While the University certainly deserves recognition for its efforts, the best way to convince people of the institution's social conscience is to continue and expand what we are already doing. Hopefully the complainants in the Mayor's Scholarship suit and the University will talk face to face. Perhaps a settlement might be made. Philadelphia is our home. Let's settle this in the family, not in the courts.