U. impact report to be made public

Executive Vice President Marna Whittington will detail the University's financial effects on the state tomorrow when she delivers a summary of the results of Penn's Economic Impact Study. The hour-long presentation will address several topics, including the degree of the University's financial impact on Philadelphia and the surrounding five-county region and the total amount of money generated by the University and its visitors. The session will also address the impact of the University's spending on the state's economy. Whittington could not be reached for comment last night. The release of the report comes shortly after repeated statements from administrators saying they are worried about retaining past levels of state funding and remaining exempt from certain local taxes. In past years, administrators have argued that state appropriations and tax breaks from Philadelphia are justified because of the University's contribution to the welfare of both the region and the state. For instance, the University and other non-profit educational institutions do not pay property taxes on most buildings because of a state statute, and the University does not currently pay for basic services such as sanitation and police and fire protection. But last year's report said the University provides benefits to Pennsylvania by providing uncompensated dental and health care as well as aid to citizens of Philadelphia through various University-affiliated volunteer programs. Preliminary figures from last year's report compiled by Coopers and Lybrand's Higher Education Consulting Service claim the University and its affiliates generate $2 billion in direct and indirect income for the state. Mayor Edward Rendell said during his election campaign he would consider charging the University user fees -- non-tax payments for basic services -- but did not specify a monetary amount. In addition, all drafts of the city's five-year financial plan include asking the city to pay user fees. The Dental School provides approximately $250,000 in uncompensated care to its patrons, 5200 of whom cannot even pay the reduced rates offered by the school, the report stated. The Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania loses $35 million each year in unpaid medical bills for services provided to community members, President Sheldon Hackney said last year.

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