Scholars plan draws critics' ire

Several changes to the Mayor's Scholarship program, outlined in a proposed agreement between the city and the University, would still not do enough for Philadelphia's high school students, critics of the program say. And Michael Churchill, an attorney representing the plaintiffs in a class-action lawsuit against the University over the scholarship program, said last week his clients would still push their suit whether or not a deal is reached. "This would not be a settlement, it would be a surrender," said Churchill, an attorney with the Public Interest Law Center of Philadelphia. An agreement between the city and the University over the structure of the program would not affect the outcome of the suit, which was brought by a coalition of unions, student groups and individuals. Under the proposed agreement, the University would continue to award a total of 125 scholarships -- or their dollar equivalent -- but would increase the value of those awards by no longer forcing recipients to take out student loans. As a result, each scholarship would be more valuable on average, but there would be fewer awards to go around. The only additional cash outlay by the University would be for non-Mayor's Scholars from Philadelphia who qualify for financial aid. The University would begin paying those students an additional $500 each. City Councilman Angel Ortiz, who has been an outspoken critic of the University's position on the issue, called the proposal "just a restatement of the status quo in essence." Plaintiffs in the suit, citing a 1977 city ordinance, argue that the University must quadruple its scholarship commitment to 125 new awards each year, for a total of 500 at a time. The University maintains the ordinance requires 125 at a time. Churchill said that besides the $500 for local non-Mayor's Scholars, the proposal would not represent an increase in the amount of scholarship money going to local students from the University. "It just means the money will be spread over fewer kids," Churchill said last week. "In terms of the total University contribution, there is no change. For the kid who gets [a Mayor's Scholarship], of course it's better, but that doesn't increase the amount that Penn is putting into the pot." University officials do not dispute that contention. But they say that because the University is following the terms of the 1977 ordinance, there is no need for an increase. The University contends that the changes -- including the $500 for each qualified non-Mayor's Scholar and an attempt to recruit 500 Philadelphians to campus by 1997 -- show that the University is willing to give the community more than the ordinance requires. But Ortiz said he still supports the suit, adding he will be satisfied only when the University begins providing the 500 scholarships. The suit is scheduled to go to trial November 23.