Shada's leaving has little effect

The resignation of University Lobbyist James Shada will have little effect on the University's efforts to restore state funding this year, several state legislators said yesterday. State Senator Richard Tilghman, whose district includes portions of West Philadelphia, said yesterday that, while Shada will be missed in Harrisburg, the resignation should have little bearing on the outcome of the state budget. "Jim [Shada] had been around for 20 years and obviously you get to know a lot of people on a first name basis," Tilghman said. "Knowing the people you are speaking to on a first name basis is very important." Shada, who has spearheaded University lobbying efforts for the University since 1973, will resign at the end of the month. His assistant, Paul Cribbins, will take over until a replacement is found. Tilghman said that Shada "did a great job" in Harrisburg, but said that his resignation "won't have any bearing on" the next state budget. He said he views the issue as one which affects all schools in the state and is not particular to the University. He added that the decision to fund or not fund the University will not hinge on Shada's resignation. Senator Allyson Schwartz (D), whose district includes portions of northwest Philadelphia, said yesterday that from her "perspective as someone who is a newcomer . . .I think someone new coming in can learn their way around [and] can speak on behalf of the University if they have an agenda." A spokesperson for Senator Hardy Williams (D), who represents South Philadelphia, said yesterday that the "University is definitely losing a great lobbyist, and he will be sadly missed." Warren Cooper, the spokesperson, said that "Mr. Shada's contribution and presence were very much in the forefront, but the senator doesn't necessarily feel that his absence will have much of an impact." The resignation of Executive Vice President Marna Whittington may also affect University relations with the Commonwealth. Whittington, who served as state deputy secretary of education in the early 1980s, brought an intimate knowledge of the workings of the government to the University.

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