Campus Text battles to keep its location

Although Campus Text officials maintain that they will not cease their operations near The Book Store, the University has other intentions. The two sides are currently negotiating a settlement on the vendor's future presence at the University. Campus Text Co-Presidents Mike Saewitz and Doug Levy filed suit against the University last September, alleging that Book Store and University Police had attempted to "shut down" the company. Campus Text -- founded three years ago by Levy, a 1995 College and Wharton graduate -- sells textbooks under the 38th Street bridge at approximately a 10 percent discount from The Book Store's prices. As part of efforts to intimidate Campus Text, Saewitz said, the University harassed his employees and "unreasonably" questioned his licenses and business permits. The lawsuit claims the University attempted to prevent Campus Text from advertising and tried to pressure the vendor into leaving its location in order to lessen the competition between Campus Text and The Book Store. Saewitz added that without financial constraints he would proceed with the lawsuit, but under the circumstances he seeks an "amicable" settlement with the University. "The University has very deep pockets," Saewitz said. "I can't afford to battle them." Campus Text attorney Phil Berger said the terms of the settlement will not be made public while the parties are still negotiating, but added that the negotiations should be completed "within the next few weeks." And Associate General Counsel Robert Terrell said for the University, "We're hopeful that we are going to receive an amicable agreement." Terrell declined further comment on the settlement. Saewitz stressed that Campus Text has the proper licenses and permits for selling merchandise out of their trucks on 38th Street. "It's a legitimate business," he said. "We cross the 't's and dot the 'i's." Saewitz alleged that University Police officers threatened his employees -- most of whom are University students -- with criminal citations and arrests for handing out advertisements on campus last fall. Campus Text employee and College sophomore Avi Alpert noted that a University Police officer took down his Social Security number and even threatened his academic standing at the University when he was passing out promotional material on Locust Walk last fall. Saewitz said the officers' alleged misconduct against his employees spurred the lawsuit. According to Alpert, other companies were distributing their literature on Locust Walk at the same time, but police only singled out Campus Text employees. "The idea of them owning the streets adjacent to their land is incorrect," Alpert added. Saewitz said Campus Text would definitely not cease its on-campus operations, and added the company will look for other viable options if the University forces it to leave its current location. "We pride ourselves on the fact that we are very student-oriented," Saewitz said. "We have a good product that the consumer needs and we offer it for less." He added that "we just want to be left alone."