Yesterday, SLAP delivered a letter and a giant blank check to President Gutman's office in College Hall. In the letter, we emphasized that Penn's current lobbying against PILOTs actively contributes to the disinvestment of Black and Brown communities and the defunding of Philly schools. We also delineated our demand: $6.6 million in PILOTs per year.
SLAP requested to meet with President Gutman by end of the 2nd week of the Spring semester. This is more than enough time for the University to prepare a response, considering that community members have been publicly demanding PILOTs for 2 years.
While SLAP has not yet received a response, administrators did choose to comment for the Inquirer: “We believe that...what we do in terms of all [our] contributions … is far more than the city would achieve through PILOT payments,” said Jeffrey Cooper, vice president for government and community affairs, pointing, in part, to Penn's recent decision to open up the University museum to school tours.
These extras can never replace appropriate funding for schools and other city essential services.
Check out Daily Pennsylvanian and Philadelphia Inquirer coverage of the kick-off!
SLAP requested to meet with President Gutman by end of the 2nd week of the Spring semester. This is more than enough time for the University to prepare a response, considering that community members have been publicly demanding PILOTs for 2 years.
While SLAP has not yet received a response, administrators did choose to comment for the Inquirer: “We believe that...what we do in terms of all [our] contributions … is far more than the city would achieve through PILOT payments,” said Jeffrey Cooper, vice president for government and community affairs, pointing, in part, to Penn's recent decision to open up the University museum to school tours.
These extras can never replace appropriate funding for schools and other city essential services.
Check out Daily Pennsylvanian and Philadelphia Inquirer coverage of the kick-off!
