November 17, 2014

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THE INDEPENDENT STUDENT NEWSPAPER OF THE UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA | MONDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2014

INSIDE

ET E W S R BITTE BYE GOOD

For University City mogul: When a school fails, (re)build a new one Michael Karp, a College grad, dedicates his time and fortune to help Philadelphia schools ALEXANDRA STERNLICHT 34th Street Magazine Editor-in-Chief-Elect

age for p k c a b ’s See Bagnoli f o e g a cover e game m o h l a fin

Michael Karp is sitting in the faculty office at Belmont Charter School, the elementary school he founded in 1997. “I think we need more teacher assistance,” he tells 2008 Graduate School of Education alumna Claire Cohen, the school’s director. Before she can respond with her usual curt: “Michael!” Karp adds, “I’m willing to pay for it.” Karp, a 1964 College graduate, will use every outlet within the system to end poverty in West Philadelphia. And if that isn’t enough, he’ll buy a new outlet. Tap-

ping the ball of his hand on the table, he explains, “With my economic circumstances, if I don’t have the confidence and the willingness to say what I think, then

who does?” Although Karp labels himself as an “advocate for change,” then-Mayor John Street labeled Karp as a “disruptive force” — firing him from the Philadelphia Board of Education in 1999. But Karp wouldn’t have it any other way.

“It’s important that people don’t say that an appointment to a board ... is an honor where you only say the politically correct thing — where you go along all the time because you enjoy your position on that board,” Karp said, reflecting on his “controversial” rejection of Coca-Cola’s partnership with the schools. “You should really stand for something.” So call him what you like, but the results of his commitment to literacy can only be called significant. Since Karp purchased Belmont and converted it to a charter school, it has had a 35.8 percent increase in proficient/ SEE MICHAEL KARP PAGE 8

ALEXANDRA STERNLICHT/34TH STREET MAGAZINE EDITOR-IN-CHIEF-ELECT

Thoughts on Philadelphia’s future RUIHONG LIU Contributing Writer

On Nov.14, Philadelphia Magazine held its annual ThinkFest which invited many of Philadelphia’s brightest minds to discuss ideas and innovations that can potentially change the future of the city. Penn President Amy Gutmann was among the speakers, along with “The Sixth Sense” writer M. Night Shyamalan, Drexel President John Fry, Philadelphia Schools Superintendent William Hite and Saxbys Coffee CEO Nick Bayer. Hosted at Drexel University’s LeBow College of Business, ThinkFast attracted around 400 guests from a diverse background, as well as University City students. Speakers shared their ideas on how to make Philadelphia SEE THINKFEST PAGE 7

Under new SP2 dean, a focus on LGBTQ issues Among changes, SP2 is now offering a course about LGBTQ movements HANNAH NOYES Staff Writer

RUIHONG LIU/CONTRIBUTING WRITER

State Senator Daylin Leach (left) and Daniel Denvir, senior staff writer at Philadelphia City Paper speak at Thinkfest 2014, a one-day event focusing on the future of Philadelphia.

When new School of Social Policy & Practice Dean John Jackson started leading SP2 this semester, he wanted to make big changes. Increase interactions with the community. Reimagine the school’s curriculum. Develop SP2 into a leader on campus for LGBTQ issues. Now, a month after a summit on the state of LGBTQ issues at SP2, the school is on track to become a safer home for LGBTQ students and students interested in LGBTQ issues. “We are trying to be a leader on campus,” Jackson said.

To build its LGBTQ presence on campus and in Philadelphia, the school established a task force to examine how to address issues facing LGBTQ students. SP2 also created a first-of-its-kind course about LGBTQ issues, established a research fund for junior faculty to study LGBTQ issues and has actively been educating professors about how to address LGBTQ student issues in appropriate ways, such as explaining the importance of using correct gender pronouns. In guest lecturer Allan Irving’s new course — “LGBTQ Communities and Social Policy” — students will study the development of social policy in the context of LGBTQ social movements, examining topics such as HIV/AIDS, the Defense of Marriage Act and same-sex marriage. SEE SP2 PAGE 3

PHOTO FEATURE

WEEKEND ROUNDUP This weekend, models strutted down the runway at “Square One”, (left) Penn Fashion Collective’s fall fashion show. Professors and students waltzed and whirled on the dance floor, competing in Dancing with the Professors Showcase (upper right) organized by Penn Latin and Ballroom Dance, while dancers from all over the country showed off their moves at Rhythmic Damage IX, (bottom right) a breakdance competition organized by student group Freaks of the Beat.

SOPHIA LEE/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

ALI HARWOOD/ASSOCIATE PHOTO EDITOR

SEND STORY IDEAS TO NEWSTIP@THEDP.COM

ONLINE AT THEDP.COM

ALICE REN/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

CONTACT US: 215-422-4640


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