Issue date: 4/9/08 Section: News

The new green roof at Kings Court English College House has been growing more than more than just bushes and sod. Penn Facilities confirmed that certain undergraduates have been cultivating marijuana plants on the rooftop. At least it's LEED certified, though, right? [Click to enlarge]

*This article appeared in the 2008 Joke Issue.

Sod is not the only green substance growing on King's Court English College House's recently-installed green roof.

A King's Court resident was arrested yesterday after maintenance staff discovered he was growing marijuana on the college house's roof, which was completed this January.

The student, whose name and age have not been released because the Division of Public Safety and the Philadelphia Police cannot agree on the name and age, admitted to cultivating the marijuana immediately after his arrest, DPS officials said.

Maintenance staff member Phil Fuego discovered the growth during routine maintenance Tuesday morning.

"Seeing those leaves really brought me back," said Fuego, who had abnormally bloodshot eyes. "I felt really bad to report it, but I couldn't have anyone thinking it was mine."

English House resident and College freshman TJ Johnson was impressed by the arrested student's resourcefulness.

"What better way is there to celebrate Fling?" he asked, adding, "I didn't grow any pot up there, but if I did, I wouldn't have gotten caught."

Facilities and Real Estate Services is surprised the green roof was abused this way but does not foresee the growth of illegal substances as being a recurring problem, said FRES spokesman Andrew Zitcer.

But actor and Asian American studies professor Kalpen Modi, more commonly known as Kal Penn, disagreed.

"A green roof on a College House provides ample opportunities for students wanting to have a good time," he said. "Penn students are clever. Why wouldn't they want to take advantage of all the resources they have in front of them?"

Continued...

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