Year review 1998 / FEBRUARY

After a year-long investigation, the U.S. Department of Education cleared Penn of allegations that it had systematically attempted to cover up campus crime. Though the DOE charged the University with a number of less severe violations, including failing to report an alleged on-campus rape in 1994, the decision upheld Penn's system of defining on and off campus. Following Princeton's lead, both Yale and Stanford improved their financial aid packages, making it easier for middle class families to afford tuition. Also during the month, a judge dismissed a lawsuit filed by University employees accusing Penn of allegedly conspiring with Trammell Crow Co. -- which signed an agreement last year with the University to manage most Penn buildings -- to illegally reduce employee benefits. The judge said that since the outsourcing had not yet taken place, there was no cause of action. The University's Law School received what was then the largest gift ever donated to an American law school, a $15 million donation by Cendant Corp. head Henry Silverman, a 1964 Penn Law graduate and a University Trustee. After nine months of controversy over vending in University City, City Councilperson Jannie Blackwell finalized her proposed vending ordinance to regulate vending on and around campus. The proposal was contentious from its inception, as vendors and a number of student groups vehemently opposed moving vendors from their traditional spots along major thoroughfares such as Walnut and 40th streets. As part of its agreement with the vendors, the University announced plans for a fresh air food plaza on 40th Street -- the first of five such plazas. The Wharton School, in keeping its interests global, entered into a partnership with the Singapore Institute of Management to establish a private business school in Singapore. The new school, which will be called Singapore Management University, is scheduled to open in the year 2000 for both undergraduate and graduate students. But the month ended on a sour note, as University maintenance worker Broderick Barnville was stabbed outside of the Wawa at 38th and Spruce streets. Though initially his condition was regarded as very serious, Barnville recovered from his injuries. -- Laura McClure