Background checks a possibility for tutors

One of Penn's most popular student organizations may be in jeopardy following the School District of Philadelphia's proposed implementation of stricter volunteer policies.

The West Philadelphia Tutoring Project partners with local schools to provide one-on-one tutoring and mentoring opportunities with over 300 Penn students.

However, in fall 2008 the School District of Philadelphia will require that all volunteers undergo three background checks - costing up to $70 per volunteer - and fingerprinting in order to comply with State law.

According to a Feb. 24 e-mail sent by the West Philadelphia Tutoring Project's executive board to volunteers, "this could dramatically reduce the size of the program or even require Civic House to terminate WPTP."

Civic House is Penn's primary hub for community service and social advocacy groups.

Both West Philadelphia Tutoring Project leadership and Civic House staff said it's not yet clear what the actual scope of the repercussions will be.

"We are currently working with the appropriate staff members from both the School District of Philadelphia and the University to determine how this policy will apply to our student volunteers in WPTP and other programs," Jessica Januzzi, associate director of the Civic House, wrote in an e-mail.

Januzzi added that the volunteers completed an exploratory survey last week to "gauge student responses to some of the potential changes."

That way, "we can think about the best way to alter WPTP should it become necessary," she wrote.

Included in the survey were questions about whether volunteers would continue to participate in the West Philadelphia Tutoring Project if required to pay part or all of a background check fee or if required to increase their volunteer commitment to at least two hours a week.

"It is unfortunate that this policy presents such an obstacle to our program's operation," said College senior and West Philadelphia Tutoring Project executive board member Kelly Jones.

However, she added that she does support one of the policy's primary aims, which is to maintain the safety of the schoolchildren interacting with volunteers.

Echoing Januzzi, Jones said the executive board will meet later this semester "to discuss how to adapt the program to be in compliance with the new requirements," but only after learning more about the policies from the School District and the University.

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