Campus Text sues U., Barnes & Noble

Campus Text filed suit against the University and Book Store operators Barnes & Noble yesterday in the Pennsylvania Court of Common Pleas for allegedly interfering with its business ventures. The suit claims the University hoped to lessen competition between Campus Text and The Book Store by attempting to prevent Campus Text from distributing promotional information, said Terry Elizabeth Silva, Campus Text's attorney. "We're seeking an injunction so that they'll stop this harassment,"she added. "They're trying to put Campus Text out-of-business." Campus Text was founded more than two years ago by 1995 College and Wharton graduate Doug Levy, who serves as co-president of the company with his current partner Mike Saewitz. The company sells books under the 38th Street bridge at approximately a 10 percent discount from The Book Store's prices. Silva and her clients have filed a charge of assault against University Police for trying to take Levy into custody for handing out promotional literature. In addition, they have requested injunctions for constitutional rights violations and interference with business. "It's a relatively long order," Silva said. "But what I'm trying to do is obtain an order regulating the conduct of Penn and the conduct of Barnes & Noble." Silva said she and her clients will meet with the case's judge at 9:30 a.m. today at City Hall to request an emergency motion hearing because of the timeliness of the matter. If that request is granted, Silva said she will ask for a restraining order preventing University Police, the University or Barnes & Noble from interfering with Campus Text's business activities. "[Campus Text] is only open for a few weeks," Silva said, explaining that students only buy their books during the very beginning of the semester. Silva said litigation was a last resort for Campus Text, but that her clients were left with no alternative after attempted negotiations with the Office of the General Counsel and University Police "amounted to nothing." University spokesperson Ken Wildes refused to comment on the matter. Campus Text has had a relatively rocky relationship with the University since it was founded under the name Penn Text. Saewitz said University Police officers have harassed and threatened his employees -- 95 percent of whom are University students -- with criminal citations and arrest. College sophomore and Campus Text employee Avi Alpert said University Police officers approached him and told him he should remove the company's flyers or face criminal consequences. "They took down my name and Social Security number and said that it would be me who got in trouble and not my employer," Alpert said. "They're just talking hot air." Silva said she thought the problems with Campus Text would impact the rest of the University and surrounding community as well. Saewitz said he harbors no ill-feelings toward the University, but does not want any interference "with [Campus Text's] rights to conduct business." "We're not selling drugs on the street -- we're selling textbooks," he said.

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