Campus Copy apologizes for `poor service'

Representatives of Campus Copy Center will sign an apology today for providing "poor service" to a Penn student who is alleging racially motivated assault, per an agreement set at a meeting last night between Campus Copy, student groups and Penn officials. In this statement, Campus Copy also pledges to undergo sensitivity training for handling delicate situations. "That is what we asked for and we are very glad that we got it," UMOJA Political Action and Committee Coordinator Kimberly Noble said. "What is really good is that they admitted that they were unprepared for a situation like this." "They were very agreeable to sensitivity training and conflict resolution and I think that is something we need to look at for all the entities in the community," the College sophomore added. Graduate School of Education student Gregory Seaton has accused Campus Copy Center employees of refusing him service and then coming from behind the counter to assault him. Campus Copy denies the charges, and University Police are currently investigating the incident. At last night's meeting, student leaders made three requests of Campus Copy officials: to apologize for giving preferential treatment to a professor while giving Seaton poor service; to agree to undergo sensitivity training; and to apologize for resorting to violence. While the store agreed to sign a document with the first two requests, they did not agree to the third claim while the investigation is still under way. "They admit that they were unprepared to deal with they situation, and they promise to be prepared in the future by sensitivity training," said former Undergraduate Assembly Chairman Michael Bassik, a College senior. He added that Campus Copy officials were open to looking into other possibilities to make sure similar situations do not arise in the future. Students leaders who were present at the meeting said that the session was productive despite the ongoing investigation. "I think the meeting went well," Noble said. "I think there were some questions that we weren't going to get answers to because there is a legal case going on. I think both parties left the table feeling that something had been accomplished." The meeting -- held from around 8 p.m. to 10 p.m in a conference room at the Sheraton Hotel on Chestnut Street -- was moderated by representatives of the Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations. Others in attendance at the meeting noted that although some of the students' demands will be answered, it is up to Campus Copy to keep their end of the agreement. "I hope that they follow through with what they said they will do, and I encourage students to press Campus Copy to do these things," Latino Coalition member and Wharton sophomore Sabrina Harvey said. Penn Vice President for Business Services Leroy Nunnery was also at last night's meeting, and discussed the possibility of forming a complaint center within Penn's business services division. He also addressed the prospect of Penn developing a code of conduct for businesses. Following the end of the investigation, student leaders and Penn officials will meet one last time with Campus Copy. Bassik said that the investigation is likely to be completed at the end of this week or early next week. Harvey said that she feels a follow-up is an important next step. "I think a follow up meeting after the investigation is officially closed will be very important," Harvey noted. "I think they are very worried about their reputation -- they are trying to figure out ways to really work with the students."