But after press conferences like the one held Monday, what self-respecting student with the SAT scores to get in to the University would want to come? Trying to damage the University's image through the local media helps no one. Though the dispute will continue to extend far beyond the judicial system, the plaintiffs should save their posturing for the courtroom. Meanwhile, this Friday, City Council may agree to change the wording of the scholarship ordinance to match the University's interpretation, in spite of the lawsuit. Unfortunately, this action won't change the fact that when the suit was filed, city officials would not decisively come forward and say it was unfounded. That demonstrates mistrust. As State Senator Chaka Fattah has suggested, the city and University need to square off publicly around a conference table, not in a courtroom. New goals need to be set, and new agreements about the University's relationship with the city need to be reached. The air needs to be cleared.
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