Quad flagstones to be replaced

Repairs in the Quadrangle to flagstones damaged by the Campaign for Penn Party last month should be completed today. According to Director of Campaign Programs Linda Gilvear, approximately 60 to 65 flagstones -- tiles along the walkway -- were damaged as a result of trucks carrying equipment through the middle of the Quad. "I guess the machinery was heavier than we thought," she said. Associate Director of Residential Maintenance Al Zuino said his department became aware of the problem on Sept. 27, four days after the party. He said his department handed in a report to the Risk Management Office, which pursued the problem. Risk Management advised him that his department would be reimbursed for everything above the deductible, he said. The deductible is about $500. Repairs are estimated to cost $6,000. The Development and Alumni Relations Office will pay the rest of the cost, Zuino said. "I believe the Campaign for Penn will pay the balance," he said. Gilvear said her office, rather than campaign funds, will cover the expense of the repairs. "When something is broken because of something we have done, we have to pay for it," she said. Gilvear said the money will come out of the development budget, explaining that when her office delves into any project, it has an emergency maintenance budget. These repairs, however, exceed that budget. "I didn't anticipate this, but somewhere within the fiscal '95 fund, I will have to figure out how to pay for this," she said. "It may mean I eliminate something that I plan on doing in the spring so that I know all the funds are available for this," Gilvear added. But acting Vice Provost for University Life Valarie Swain-Cade McCoullum assured students that the damage would not have a negative effect on them. "I am positive that [Vice President for Developmental and Alumni Relations Virginia Clark] would make decisions that would only act positively both on the residents and on the developmental's alumni relations," she said. McCoullum said the repairs were essential to the University. "The Quad is an important resource for us, and any repairs we can put into maintaining the Quad is money well-spent," she said. Zuino said contractors were contacted during the week of October 10. The department received bids back on October 14, he added. "Based upon them, we advised the low bid contractor to proceed," Zuino said. Residential Living Director Gigi Simeone said repairs should be done by today.