EDITORIAL: The right amount for justice at Penn

Although Jacobowitz didn't win his suit, his case brought necessary change to the U. judicial system. Jacobowitz's legacy at Penn is and will be the changes in the University's judicial process and the termination of the speech code. That, frankly, should have been enough satisfaction for the 1996 graduate. His lawsuit against the University, claiming the charges brought against him for yelling "Shut up, you water buffalo!" to a group of African-American sorority sisters in Superblock caused him emotional distress, was frivolous and all too common in today's litigious society. Upon filing the lawsuit, Jacobowitz said he had never had a chance to prove his innocence because the charges were dropped before a hearing was conducted. It is clear from statements like this that Jacobowitz was only interested in victory and not interested in justice. He also claimed the accusations had taken a toll on him academically. Because of the case, he said he would have to take an increased course load just to graduate on time. Last January, Jacobowitz graduated a semester early. In the past week, after it became apparent that he would not win his lawsuit, Jacobowitz settled, accepting only compensation for his legal fees. But he should not consider his efforts a failure. As a direct result of the "water buffalo" case or, perhaps more accurately, the media attention surrounding the case, the University struck down the speech code and implemented a new judicial charter founded on the principles of due process. Although the University never officially admitted any wrong-doing, it must be noted that administrators were forced to work within a system that was set up to stifle free speech and often assumed guilt over innocence. Had the University ignored the sorority sisters' claim, it would have been open to charges of racism. Instead, pressing charges against Jacobowitz led to a backlash of negative media attention. The system handcuffed administrators. If not for Jacobowitz and his public fight for justice, current students may have been subject to the old charter even today. Eden Jacobowitz's legacy will be our continued justice. It's too bad that wasn't enough for him.