Judge to rule on suit

A spokesperson for Common Pleas Court Judge Nelson Diaz said yesterday that the long-awaited ruling in the Mayor's Scholarship trial will be made available this morning. The University and the Public Interest Law Center of Philadelphia, two of the principals in the case, concluded their cases in late November and have been waiting ever since for the ruling. President Sheldon Hackney said last night he hopes the judge will rule in favor of the University. "I hope he rules right," Hackney said. "I think our position is quite sound." Arthur Makadon, the University's outside lawyer, and Thomas Gilhool, one of the attorneys for PILCOP, both said late yesterday afternoon that they were not aware of the impending ruling. The ruling is expected to settle a lawsuit filed in October 1991 against the University over the number of scholarships the University is required to distribute annually to Philadelphia students. The lawsuit, filed by labor unions, student groups and several individuals, claims that a 1977 city ordinance requires the University to award 125 scholarships to Philadelphia high school graduates in each University class, for a total of 500 at a time. The University maintains that it is required by the disputed ordinance to provide a total of 125 scholarships at a time in return for rent-free city land.