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(01/18/95 10:00am)
Fuhrman will begin July 1 Susan Fuhrman, professor of education policy at Rutgers University, has been selected as the new dean of the Graduate School of Education. She will officially take office on July 1. Fuhrman is replacing Interim GSE Dean Nancy Hornberger, who has held the position since Marvin Lazerson left the school to serve as Interim Provost in 1993. "I'm delighted that we have a new dean," Hornberger said. "We are all looking forward to bringing Dr. Fuhrman on board." According to Hornberger, Fuhrman's area of expertise is educational reform and policy. Along with her work as a professor, Fuhrman has also served as the founder and director of the Consortium for Policy Research in Education at Rutgers. She received her bachelor's and master's degrees in history at Northwestern University, and her doctorate from Columbia University Teacher's College. In addition to having several papers of her own published, Fuhrman has recently finished co-editing a forth-coming book entitled Governing Curriculum. Fuhrman is married with three sons. Her youngest son, Jeff, is a College freshman at the University. A group of ten people, including five GSE faculty members, submitted a list of finalists to Rodin and Provost Stanley Chodorow in July 1994. "All the faculty feel it's been a long time," Hornberger said. "But we're eager to have the new dean on board and to learn what she sees as our strengths and what our future directions will be." "I don't see how they could have done the selection process much faster with all the current changes at the University," she added. GSE faculty members received a letter from Rodin announcing Fuhrman's appointment yesterday afternoon. The letter also thanked Hornberger and the search committee for their continuing work on the search and for the GSE. Although Hornberger will remain acting dean until June 30, Fuhrman will visit campus frequently during the spring semester. Fuhrman declined to comment until she further discussed the appointment with Rodin.
(01/18/95 10:00am)
Individuals suffering from alcoholism can thank Psychiatry Professor Joseph Volpicelli and his colleagues for discovering the first new medication to treat alcoholism in the last 50 years. Volpicelli found that naltrexone, a drug previously used to treat heroine and narcotics addiction, blocks the craving for alcohol. It suppresses the the "high" many experience while drinking liquor. Unlike its predecessor Antabuse -- a relatively ineffective drug that often makes an individual physically sick after alcohol consumption -- naltrexone inhibits the motivation to drink. But the new drug is not completely without side effects. Naltrexone has induced nausea in 10 percent of the patients who take it. The DuPont Merck Pharmaceutical Company announced yesterday that it would begin to sell naltrexone as a treatment for alcohol dependence. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the drug -- which will be sold on the market under the name "Revia," Volpicelli said. Volpicelli said the F.D.A. approval took six months, a decision that is "remarkably fast" in the medical world. He said he is very enthusiastic about naltrexone and its propensity to prevent relapse in alcoholics -- although he cautioned against using naltrexone as a cure-all. Naltrexone should only be administered in conjunction with counseling and therapy, Volpicelli said. Psychiatry Professor Charles O'Brien agreed. "None of these studies indicate this is a substitute for good psycho-social treatment -- 12 step programs like Alcoholics Anonymous," he told the Associated Press. But Volpicelli said the drug is revolutionary. "It's the most promising new agent for alcoholism in 40 or 50 years," he said. "It's not a magic bullet, though. "Many patients sort of slip and fall off the wagon," Volpicelli added. "It makes slips less severe so people can get back on the wagon." In researching the effects of naltrexone, Volpicelli and his colleagues conducted a 12-week study of 70 long-term alcoholic men. The study proved that only 23 percent of the subjects on the naltrexone relapsed -- compared to 54 percent of subjects on the placebo. Volpicelli said that he discovered the drug's effect on alcoholics 15 years ago as a graduate student at the University. His quest continued in 1981 when he began publishing his findings on the drug. In 1985, he began a study of naltrexone using patients at the Veteran's Administration Hospital. Volpicelli's findings prompted him inform representatives of Dupont Merck about the use of the drug as a treatment of alcoholism. The results of this study and another study done at the University were published in 1992, and Yale University embarked on a similar project which produced nearly identical results. Although the discovery is considered by many to be a breakthrough, Volpicelli said much more research needs to be done before a search for a cure for alcoholism is completed. Questions concerning how long the medication should be taken and other inquires into why people drink still remain unanswered, he said.
(01/17/95 10:00am)
More than two months after it was originally scheduled for completion, the administrative restructuring report prepared for the University by the professional service firm of Coopers & Lybrand is finally finished. The 32-page document, a preliminary version of which was issued last month, will be released to the University community today. It appears in today's Almanac, and copies of the report are also available for examination in libraries and offices across campus. The report assesses the University's current administrative organization, and offers recommendations for reengineering various tasks. Additionally, it discusses benefits that such changes could provide. The report also aims to assist the University by demonstrating ways in which it can reallocate and more efficiently use increasingly-scarce resources. In a letter sent to University faculty and staff yesterday, University President Judith Rodin said "the primary purpose of restructuring is to help us do a better job supporting and enhancing the primary missions of the University: teaching, research and service." Interim Executive Vice President Jack Freeman characterized the report as a "piece of a much bigger exercise," since its suggestions are designed to aid in improving services and reducing costs throughout the University -- although they focus on responsibilities that fall under the EVP Center. Among these responsibilities are human resources, public safety, information systems and computing, facilities management, finance and business services. Overall, the report also advocates "a change in the philosophy and programs for providing compensation and benefits to Penn's employees, with a greater emphasis on rewards based on performance." Freeman said the report represents the University's response to sharply rising administrative costs. He estimated that through restructuring over the next five years, these costs can be cut by 20 percent, ultimately resulting in savings of $25 million per year. "It's not just about cost savings, though," Freeman said. "It's about reallocation as well." Much of the expected savings will come from streamlining and improving existing administrative structures and processes, or from alterations in the University's traditional fiscal management approach that reflect current economic realities and technological advancements. But, he said, the University remains committed to the philosophy of responsibility-center management, which encourages individual schools and budgetary centers to be financially-accountable for their programs. "The whole idea of reengineering is to cut out work that is not productive -- to eliminate wasted steps that do not add value to the end product," Freeman said. As the amount of available work decreases, the University will need fewer personnel, he added. Positions will be eliminated through attrition and intra-University transfers whenever possible. But, layoffs are also expected to occur. Freeman said the report explains the importance of restructuring and "lays out a plan for virtually all administrative processes?in a coherent and systematic way." It refines, but does not fundamentally change, the University's existing system. The plan will be implemented University-wide in stages over the next two to three years, he added. The next immediate step is to hold meetings with the supervisors, administrative staff and faculty members of each school -- all of whom will be affected by administrative restructuring -- in order to "build an understanding of why we are doing this and what it will mean for the University," Freeman said. Following these informational meetings, the development of specific implementation plans will begin in earnest, with an assessment of responsibility and assemblage of a project team looking to coordinate and consolidate administrative services wherever possible. Coopers & Lybrand was originally retained by former Interim University President Claire Fagin. Rodin expanded the firm's role last fall, when she initiated the administrative restructuring project.
(01/17/95 10:00am)
The brothers of the Sigma Alpha Mu fraternity are calling for more University Police protection after nine out of 13 of the bedrooms in their house were ransacked over winter break. Residents of the house located at 38th and Walnut streets reported that a computer, a VCR, stereo, two bikes, an answering machine and a telephone were stolen. In addition, SAM Vice-President and College sophomore Abraham Fischer said a number of rooms were "trashed" and several doors would have to be replaced because they had been pried open by crowbars. "There has to be some greater deterrent to crime in the University community," College sophomore and SAM house resident Brendan Kalb said yesterday. "It is in the student's and in the University's best interest. "I feel the University should have some responsibility to maintain the safety of fraternity and sorority houses while students are away on break," College sophomore and SAM house resident Bobby Fingeroth added. The fraternity, however, did not utilize the Division of Public Safety's "special check" surveillance program, which is designed to combat burglaries over periods of low-occupancy, University Police Lieutenant Susan Holmes said. University Police periodically make exterior checks of the residences registered as part of the program. Fischer confirmed that the fraternity did not register for "special checks." He said he was unaware of the program's existence. Holmes said the burglar broke a window in the rear of the house to gain entry. On January 1, University Police observed a broken window and conducted an interior inspection of the house, finding all but four bedroom doors pried open, Holmes said. She added that University Police contacted Physical Plant to secure the window. The "special check" program was started after a rash of burglaries in High Rise North, the Quadrangle and several off-campus apartments over winter break two years ago. Since the program's inception, Public Safety has reported a significant decrease in burglaries. During Thanksgiving break, Holmes said that none of the 30 registered residences reported a theft. She added that statistics for winter break have not yet been complied.
(01/17/95 10:00am)
The Office of Off-Campus Living has been placed under the Department of Residential Living, Associate Vice Provost for University Life Larry Moneta said last night. Former OCL Director Eleni Zatz Litt recently left her position to serve as director of student advising for the Wharton School. Moneta said he had considered the integration of the two departments for a while and found this the perfect time to complete it. "I have always felt that the residential opportunities for students were too fragmented because there isn't enough collaboration and cooperation," he added. "This will create a much closer linkage between on-campus and off-campus." Residential Living Director Gigi Simeone is taking over the direction of OCL. Simeone said the OCL offices, located at 4046 Walnut, will remain where they are for now, and that the change will be "invisible to students." "We intend to maintain the same quality of services," she added. Moneta said students would not see changes to services over this semester, but that Residential Living staff will evaluate the integration and how to best deliver services both on and off campus. "I don't have a fixed outcome," he said. "We will do an in-depth assessment of how the services can be delivered and by the end of the semester we will determine that." The change of jurisdiction is part of a larger plan to streamline services offered by Residential Living and similar departments, Simeone said. "When the University has talked about streamlining, off-campus is part of that," she said. "It will all be under the same umbrella now. It will be completely together instead of two different departments." The move will also affect the University administration's future plans, Simeone and Moneta said. The administration's undergraduate education initiative includes a major residential component in hopes to combine academics with residential life. Simeone said the combination of OCL and Residential Living will involve students who live off-campus in this part of the initiative. "I really want to make these services comprehensive," Moneta said. Currently, Residential Living staff members are holding discussions with those working in the OCL office. In addition, many have gone to the OCL office to "learn about what's going on and fill in for [Litt]," Simeone said. "We have to figure out what the long term structure will look like," she added, saying that she did not know if staff members from Residential Living would remain in the OCL office, or if OCL staff would come into Residential Living.
(01/17/95 10:00am)
Vice President Al Gore came to Independence National Historical Park yesterday to ceremoniously "ring" the Liberty Bell in celebration of Martin Luther King Day. Gore, flanked by Mayor Ed Rendell, former Senator Harris Wofford and a huge security detail, tapped the bell with his fist ten times to symbolize the tenth anniversary of the national King holiday. Shortly after the celebration began, Senator Carol Moseley-Braun also arrived. The event was planned by the Philadelphia Martin Luther King Association for Non-Violence as part of this year's Let Freedom Ring celebration. In addition, the Liberty Bell was chosen as the starting point of this years festivities by Martin Luther King, Jr.'s widow, Coretta Scott King. Even as the sky became gray and drizzle began to fall, the crowd stood solemnly and motionless, listening to Gore's words about King. In his brief speech, Gore discussed King's contributions as a man of service. "He dedicated life to service, freedom and equality for all," he said. "We depend on each other. We must work for unity of all people." Gore said King left an indelible mark on the United States, and his relentless promotion of nonviolence is something to be emulated by all. "By appealing to the conscience of America, Dr. King awakened America," he added. "And by speaking the the truth and resisting violence nonviolently, he moved the heart of this great nation." Rendell echoed many of these sentiments, but used Philadelphians as examples of people committed to volunteering and helping the less fortunate. "Three hundred sixty-five days a year, Philadelphians have stepped forward to help other people," Rendell said. "Today is a good day to reflect on the need to help others." Wofford, a friend of the King family, said that people should consider Martin Luther King Day a call to action to make a difference. "Martin Luther King was the greatest active duty citizen in our history," he said. Philadelphia resident Dana Kushwara said the ceremony was moving and stressed the importance of the King holiday. "We really respect all the ideals Martin Luther King tried to teach," Kushwara said. "We believe the races should be equal, and feel ceremonies such as this are important because they promote equality." Braun was presented with the "Drum Major" award for social justice by the PMLKA for NonViolence. In addition, Dr. Niara Sudarkasa, president of Lincoln University and retired Philadelphia Common Please Judge Harvey Schmidt were also given the "Drum Major" award.
(01/17/95 10:00am)
The movement to reform the University's student government took great strides forward during winter break, as several key players in the reform process released drafts of proposed constitutions this week. Undergraduate Assembly Chairperson and Wharton junior Dan Debicella said he welcomes the three proposals developed over break and hopes more will be released. The proposals reflect a wide range of ideas and opinions about the future of student government at the University. UA representative and College senior Dan Schorr proposed a plan which would combine most of the current functions of the Student Activities Council, the Nominations and Elections Committee, and the UA into one body. Schorr's draft would eliminate the NEC and transfer the budgetary aspects of SAC to UA committees. The most important aspect of his plan is that the functions of government would all be carried out by elected officials, Schorr said. "The basic principle is combining nominating, finance and lobbying power in one student government," he said. According to Schorr, this would simplify student government's functions and allow more students to become involved. "It is important that students understand how the government works," he said. "Right now, it's not possible to give a simple explanation of the student government structure. And students can't be a part of student government that isn't understandable." Schorr said his proposal would put the most important facets of government into the hands of elected officials, making student government at the University more representative of the student body. And with an increase in the UA's power, more qualified student leaders would run for office, Schorr added. But Debicella, who issued seven proposals of his own, said the key to a better student government lies in electoral reform, not power. "[Schorr's proposal is] lacking the one reform that is fundamentally needed--changing the way the UA is elected," Debicella said. "I will not support any reform." All of Debicella's proposals center around a new election system, involving 33 geographical districts -- in which each district would have its own UA representative. Debicella said this would provide for more accountability among UA members, therefore making the body more effective. "That is the way that a person can say, 'That is my UA representative,'" he said. "If that UA representative is crappy, they'll kick him out. If he's good, they'll keep him." Debicella said his proposals would also give the UA more authority over the other branches of student government. According to Debicella's plans, the UA would have the ability to overrule all decisions made by SAC and NEC. In Schorr's proposal, the UA would do the work currently done by those groups, Debicella said. SAC Finance committee member and College junior Mike Nadel also issued a proposed constitution this week. Nadel said his draft has much in common with Schorr's. But while Schorr's proposal would enhance the UA's power, Nadel said his plan would dissolve all branches of student government and create a new body -- the "Undergraduate Senate" -- which would perform all government functions. Nadel said he and Schorr worked together on their proposals until the time they were released. Before the April referendum on constitutional reform, the two plans will probably be combined. "We're going to compromise and reconcile and put forward one united front," he said. "We didn't plan a strategy for reconciling before going public." Schorr said he and Nadel are still discussing their proposals -- although he criticized Nadel's outright elimination of SAC. "It's very important that student activities at Penn have a forum to communicate," he said. "There has to be a slight check on UA funding so the UA can't indiscriminately wipe out student activity groups." Schorr said he also believes a separate body was needed to recognize and oversee student groups so the UA could focus on student advocacy. Debicella said that although he shares Schorr's concern, in Schorr's plan there is also a danger that the UA could be overwhelmed by non-advocacy responsibilities. "My biggest fear is that general student advocacy would be lost," he said. Debicella, Nadel and Schorr all said they would welcome comments and opinions from members of the University community in the next few months.
(01/17/95 10:00am)
African-American students must become future leaders in society, State Senator-elect Vincent Hughes said at a "sunrise breakfast" at W.E.B. DuBois College House yesterday. Hughes was the keynote speaker at the two-hour breakfast, which was held to honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. But while students and faculty alike said they enjoyed Hughes' speech and the breakfast, some expressed disappointment that the University had not officially recognized the King holiday. "I'm disturbed, but not surprised," Wharton sophomore Imani Dawson said. "I think it's indicative of the University's lack of concern for the needs of its diverse student body." Director of the Program for Student-Community Involvement David Grossman agreed, but voiced support for the day's University-sponsored events. "On one level, I would like the University to honor the day," said Grossman. "On another, I am pleased that the University has supported today's events. Perhaps there could be a happy medium with the University open and classes closed." Regardless of University policy, though, many said the significance of the breakfast's theme did not go unnoticed. "The breakfast provided an opportunity for people to put the day into context," Grossman said. "It was the initial gathering point for people who wanted to celebrate and honor Dr. King." Black armbands reading "Now 95" in white letters were sold at the door -- a reference to the theme of the day's events, "In a word . . . NOW!" "The armbands were sold to commemorate the holiday," Wharton freshman Miki Toliver said. "I hope their presence will get people to recognize and remember the day and Dr. King." The breakfast was the first event in yesterday's day-long program honoring King. Sponsored by the Black Student League, it drew about 70 students and faculty members.
(01/17/95 10:00am)
As a part of yesterday's festivities in honor of Martin Luther King, Jr., a town meeting was held to offer diverse perspectives on the president and provost's "Implementing a 21st Century Undergraduate Education." University Provost Stanley Chodorow answered student concerns about the proposal. In her opening remarks, Black Student League President Robyn Kent encouraged students to participate. "This is the beginning of a new day for students," the College senior said. "This is an opportunity for all students to speak up." Five student panelists spoke on their vision for undergraduate education in the twenty-first century. College junior Mika Rao, president of the South Asia Society, said she thinks there should be more female professors at the University. They could serve as mentors to female students, she said. Rao also offered suggestions for revamping the curriculum, stressing the need for greater minority and female representation in "mainstream" classes. "If we as female students and minority students don't see our cultures and our identities reflected in mainstream coursework, it is really disheartening to us," she said. "Maybe you should be forced to take certain classes just to be exposed to different perspectives." United Minorities Council Chairperson and College senior Liz Melendez said that after reading the initiative, she was both frustrated and bitter. "I suppose the bitterness came from the broken promises and empty rhetoric that assured us all of so much and left us with so little," Melendez said. She also expressed unhappiness with what she considers the initiative's assumption that all undergraduates share a common experience. Lesbian Gay Bisexual Alliance Chairperson Anthony Putz, a College of General Studies freshman, said there should be more safety nets for homosexual students -- as well as a more inclusive curriculum. After the panelists spoke, audience members offered opinions and asked questions. College senior Kristofer Love brought up the issue of living-learning programs and their role in the future of undergraduate education. Chodorow responded to students who felt such programs, in particular DuBois College House, might not be retained. "Over time, we will begin to learn what people think a good undergraduate education will look like," he said. After the event, Chodorow said there are many unconfirmed assumptions about the proposal. "People read that general document, and read things into it. They read their fears into it," he said. "Some of them read their hopes into it. Today, I think, we heard more about their fears than their hopes."
(01/17/95 10:00am)
Jorge Chambergo, the man who allegedly sought admission to the Penn Law School under an assumed name, was arrested in California last month by United States postal inspectors. According to U.S. Attorney Michael Schwartz, Chambergo will return to Philadelphia for a January 31 identification hearing. A date for the criminal trial will be set in February, he said. In November, a federal grand jury indicted Chambergo on seven counts of mail fraud and one count of attempting to use a false social security number. If convicted, Chambergo could face up to 40 years in prison and a two million dollar fine. The federal indictment charges that Chambergo applied to the Law School under the falsified name of "Dae Jorge Seu Chambergo" in December 1989. Chambergo is accused of altering his name in January 1990 in an attempt to pass off the the LSAT scores of another man, Dae Kyung Seu, as his own. The indictment also states that Chambergo submitted a financial aid statement with a false birth date. In addition, it charges that Chambergo arranged for letters of recommendation from Yale University and the Concerned Citizens of Queens written for Seu to be sent to the Law School under Chambergo's name. Although the relationship between the two men is unclear, Law School Dean of Students Gary Clinton said he believes Chambergo and Seu were classmates at Yale. According to Clinton, the Law School expelled Chambergo and notified the U.S. attorney's office after he attempted to remove the "Dae Seu" from his name and change his illicit social security number back to his legitimate one. Both Schwartz and Clinton said that such incidents, while not unheard of, are rare. "I have never had a false social security number case before," said Schwartz.
(01/17/95 10:00am)
About 350 University community members participated in the African American Association of Administrators, Faculty and Staff Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Program in the Penn Tower Hotel yesterday. The program -- which featured a speech from Philadelphia City Councilwoman Augusta Clark -- stressed the value of the black community's youth. "If we don't support the young, we can't expect them to support us," Clark said. Students from Grace Temple Christian Academy Choir sang various selections including "Lift Every Voice and Sing," the African American National Anthem. Malik Culberath, a student at the Barry Elementary School and the winner of the AAAFS Essay Contest, read an essay urging the black community to concentrate on protecting its civil rights and continuing King's dream. Speakers also stressed that the community should celebrate Martin Luther King Day every day, not just on the holiday. "[We should] fight the good fight," said Jim Gray, Tri-Chair for Staff, AAAFS. "Don't let anything divert your eyes from the prize." Clark's keynote speech criticized many governmental practices and issues, including the election of Newt Gingrich -- whom Clark termed "Newt the Brute." "He wasn't appointed," Clark said, adding that she is appalled that black voters contributed to Gingrich's win. "Newt stepped in the breach that we created when we didn't act." Clark also pointed out that the struggle ahead of the African-American community will be difficult -- although she said it cannot compare to past barriers. "Maximize the power of one," she said. "What will you do with the one person you are?As bad as things are today, this ain't nothing compared to getting out of slavery." Participants said they found the program to be a rewarding experience. "It was just what we needed to hear," said Financial Services Officer in the Office of Student Financial Services Linda Taylor-Burch. "We were just talking about how inspired we felt hearing the program." Human Resources Records Assistant Katrina Neely agreed. "I'm really glad they have this commemorative service," she said. "With today's devastation of urban community, we need to take time out and say that the dream does continue and everything that Dr. King said still holds true." Neely said that some of the problems she worries about are inequality in getting jobs and being promoted. However, she said she does not see iniquity in the classroom. Many black University employees attended yesterday's commemorative program. According to Vanessa Dorsey, the chairperson of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Committee, this was due to a request from the President's Office asking each University department to give their employees an extra hour to celebrate the King holiday. Other activities in the King series were better attended by students of many races. Black Student League President and College senior Robyn Kent gave one explanation for this phenomenon. "It's more of an opportunity for non-black students to show their support, while black students don't have to prove their respect for Dr. King," she said.
(01/17/95 10:00am)
Imagine taking a nude 'posture' photo as part of your freshman orientation program. From the 1940s to the 1960s, Yale and Harvard Universities, and Wellesley and Vassar Colleges required entire freshman classes to pose nude to supposedly judge their posture, according to an article published in the New York Times Magazine on Sunday. The 'posture' studies were used as part of somatype theorist W. H. Sheldon's studies on the correlation between body type and intelligence. Among those photographed include Hillary Rodham Clinton, George Bush, George Pataki, Meryl Streep and Diane Sawyer. The article also states that nude photos of the University's Class of 1951 are part of Sheldon's collection -- which is currently housed at the National Anthropological Institute in Washington. But, alumni from the class of 1951 said they do not remember being photographed nude. "I don't recall anything like that being required for freshman," said Class of 1951 Alumni President Bernard Lemonick, a former All-American football player. "While I was an undergraduate at Penn I wasn't aware of pictures being taken, nor while I was working there from 1965 to 1987," added Helen Artigues, who also graduated in 1951. Artigues later worked in the University's campus development office. Although Lemonick said he does not remember being photographed naked, he said he considers the project an unfair violation of privacy. "If they didn't give permission, then it is a personal violation," Lemonick said. "If they did indeed give permission then, with the way things are in today's society, then who cares." According to the Times Magazine article, the photos were not only used for identifying posture problems. Sheldon was given permission by universities to use the photos in his studies of body types. The pictures were also used to illustrate his book Atlas of Men -- which hypothesizes that a person's body type determines his character. Sheldon also asked women's colleges for nude photos to print in his book Atlas of Women, which was never completed -- in part because of the objections raised by female students at the University of Washington who were also photographed for his research. When colleges began discontinuing the posture photographs in the 1960s and 1970s, photos were burned at Harvard and Brown Universities. "You always thought when you did it that one day they'd come back to haunt you," journalist Sally Quinn, who graduated from Smith College in 1963, told the Times Magazine.
(01/17/95 10:00am)
With the Republicans now controlling the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives, experts at the University say that the nature of American politics and entitlements could change dramatically. Assistant History Professor Thomas Sugrue said that because Democrats now find themselves fighting to maintain their power, they are focusing too much on responding to Republican trends. Many Democrats have shifted to the right, hoping to win Republican constituencies, Sugrue said. "What we risk in the '94-'96 period is the Democrats trying to get one up on the Republicans and putting themselves in real political danger," Sugrue said."When voters are faced between real Republicans and pseudo-Republicans, the real Republicans are going to seem more consistent." During the first 100 days in Congress, Republicans have proposed several ways to cut spending -- targeting Medicaid, education and the arts. One of the senators' and representatives' major efforts is overhauling the welfare system, which would include limiting the time a person could receive aid and eliminating aid to unmarried minors with children. Congressmen are also debating adding a Constitutional amendment requiring a balanced budget. Some Democrats' leap to the right is most evident in the conflict over welfare and health care, Sugrue said. Given the fierce opposition Democrats encountered when trying to reform the health care system before the Republican sweep, it will now be even harder to achieve significant change. The prospects for welfare are also grim, Sugrue said. "Real reform -- which would mean more jobs and day care -- costs a lot of money," he said. "The Republicans aren't going to cough up the money and the Democrats won't push for it." Despite the Republicans' proposals to drastically reduce spending, History Professor Bruce Kuklick said they will not pass their initiatives without compromise. "The Republicans are dealing with a small majority in the Senate and a Democratic president," Kuklick said. "We are not going to see the kind of movement and radical change that it's touted up to be."
(01/16/95 10:00am)
Thirteen Phi Sigma Kappa fraternity members were arrested by Tredyffrin Township Police last month after attempting to chop down an 18-foot Colorado Blue Spruce tree and steal a number of Christmas ornaments from residences on the Main Line, Tredyffrin Police Sergeant Peter Gangl said this week. Phi Sigma Kappa President Raphael Garfield confirmed last night that all 13 students are associate members or pledges of Phi Sigma Kappa. Gangl said College freshman Avi Benus and Engineering sophomore Michael Greenspan were the two individuals caught trying to chop down the tree on a residence's lawn in Wayne, Pa. They were charged with disorderly conduct and criminal mischief. College freshmen Jared Glick, Frederick Hardt, James Loughran, and Jess Rosenthal, Engineering freshmen Daniel Boren and Ashley Grissom, Wharton freshman Paul Nathanson, College sophomores David Braffman, Christopher Jones and Anupam Mohanty and Wharton sophomore James Frazier were charged with disorderly conduct, Gangl said. Garfield said the actions of the associate members were not sanctioned by the fraternity. He added the incident started when one of the associate members volunteered that his pledge class would get a tree to decorate the fraternity house, located at 3615 Locust Walk. The decision to illegally cut down a tree was "spur of the moment" and "an extreme example of mob mentality," Garfield said. "They really weren't thinking," he added. "As a group they just built on each other's intensity. Everybody does something stupid in their life, and hopefully this is their one thing." The associate member class has begun to make reparations for their conduct by publishing a letter of apology in a local newspaper, performing community service, and reimbursing the owners of the tree, Garfield said. But the fraternity and the associate members may not be off the hook. A report of the investigation was sent to University Police by Tredyffrin Township Police, Gangl added. University Police Commissioner John Kuprevich said the report has been forwarded to the Student Dispute Resolution Center. SDRC Director Steven Blum said he was prohibited from commenting about the incident. Garfield said the SDRC has begun interviewing the parties involved and the investigation is in the "preliminary stage." In addition, Interfraternity Council President David Treat, a Tau Epsilon Phi brother, said the IFC would also conduct an investigation of the incident.
(01/16/95 10:00am)
Members of the West Philadelphia Tutoring Project are calling on University students to increase their involvement in community schools. Throughout last semester, over 300 students volunteered their time to tutor at West Philadelphia elementary, middle, and high schools. For one hour a week, they were bussed to one of 21 area schools to work one-on-one with local students. The tutoring project has had to turn away children because there are not enough tutors. WPTP members hope to see a greater number of University students involved this semester. But for those who feel they are unable to give the time necessary for tutoring, the WPTP is asking for donations of math books. Because West Philadelphia schools are so severely underfunded, students at University City High School do not even have mathematics texts, according to College senior Jeff Zilberstein. Zilberstein, who is the team leader and coordinator for the program at University City, asked that University students donate any math books from the past semester they will no longer be using. He said texts ranging from basic arithmetic to calculus are needed. They can be delivered to the Program for Student-Community Involvement Office at 3601 Locust Walk. WPTP members stressed the importance of participating in the program in any capacity. "Every little bit and each student that you touch?is special," Zilberstein said. Wharton freshman and elementary school tutor Jodi Kimelstein agreed. "It is important to share what you know with the people who have not had the same opportunities you have had," she said. College senior Joseph Olivieri, who has been tutoring high school students for the past two years, said he has not only given to the program, he has also gained from it. "It's an amazing thing to do?and an incredibly rewarding experience," he said. "You are inspiring them and you get inspired by them. "And when you get a lesson across, it's incredible -- it's worth the frustration," Olivieri added. Orientation sessions for students interested in tutoring will be held at Houston Hall on Jan. 23 and 26 at 7:00 pm.
(01/16/95 10:00am)
Marketing Professor Scott Ward, arrested during the fall of 1993 for allegedly soliciting sex from minors, will not be tried on civil charges before his criminal trial begins, Judge Joseph O'Keefe ruled last week. O'Keefe upheld an injunction that prevented the civil suit from going forward until after the criminal proceedings. The civil trial will begin on March 27. Ward's criminal trial is slated to begin March 6. But Sidney Ginsberg, one of the lawyers representing "B.M."-- a pseudonym for the man who filed the civil suit against Ward -- said one of his witnesses had died of AIDS. He said he fears further delays will weaken his case. "We want to move forward while we have witnesses to depose," Ginsberg said. "We want to go forward with the civil case which has been pending since the beginning of October." Ginsberg also argued that Ward's attorneys had no constitutional right to be granted the injunction. The civil suit against Ward alleges that B.M., an 18 year-old male, had sexual contact with Ward between 50 and 100 times from the time he was 13 or 14 years old. The suit charges Ward with counts of assault and battery, intentional infliction of emotional distress, negligent infliction of emotional distress, negligence and fraud. B.M. claimed he was paid between $20 and $25 to perform oral sex on the professor -- first in hotel rooms and later at Ward's home in Ardmore, a suburb of Philadelphia. He also alleges that Ward asked him if he knew of other boys who would be interested in being paid for sexual acts. The suit claims that because of both his age and dysfunctional emotional state, B.M. was legally and mentally unable to consent to the sexual acts in which he engaged with Ward. Criminal complaints pending against Ward include statutory rape, indecent assault, indecent exposure, corruption of minors, criminal solicitation to commit prostitution and involuntary deviate sexual intercourse. Ward's attorney in the civil case, Michael Mustokoff, refused to comment. Ward, who is not teaching any courses this semester, also refused to comment. Daily Pennsylvanian Staff Writer Lisa Levenson contributed to this story.
(01/16/95 10:00am)
The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority bowed to student pressure Friday, and voted unanimously not to raise fares on student tokens and transfers. About 60 sign-toting students packed the SEPTA office building at 7th and Market streets in Center City to protest the proposed fare increase. One sign read "Hell no, we don't care, we won't pay your stupid fare." In a last minute compromise, the SEPTA board decided to raise the base fare from $1.50 to $1.60, making it the highest base fare in the country. The original plan would have increased the cost of transfers and student tokens, as well. The cost of standard tokens will increase 10 cents from $1.05 to $1.15. The fare increase will go into effect on January 22, a move some officials believe might cause customers to hoard tokens. Transfers will remain 40 cents. "Good things do happen on Friday the 13th," SEPTA General Manager Louis Gambaccini said. The SEPTA board's decision not to raise fares for students was greeted with thunderous applause from the students. Lai Har Cheung, a self-proclaimed student activist, spoke in front the SEPTA board. "This is nothing less than a victory," Cheung said. "But the cost of student tokens is still too high." The fares for students will remain at 90 cents because of an agreement between the city, the School District and SEPTA. Other students said it was difficult to pay $400 a year for transportation to school. "We're happy that we won the victory," Philadelphia student Maly Chap said. "This is just the beginning, though. Why do we have to pay $400 a year when we should be getting our education for free?" Student protests began after SEPTA unveiled a plan last November to increase fares in response to a $27 million dollar deficit. Officials said they will now lose about $1 million for this year because of the compromise with students. Although the SEPTA board unanimously agreed not to raise fares that affect students, some members said SEPTA should not be responsible for providing school transportation. "It cannot continue to be off-loaded onto a public authority," Andrew Warren of Bucks County said. In addition, the cost of weekly and monthly rail passes will also increase. Lance Haver, educational director of the Consumers Education and Protective Association, was enthusiastic about the students victory. "It protects the most vulnerable people in the city from a fare hike," Haver said. "It's the best of a lot of bad alternatives."
(01/16/95 10:00am)
University Police Officer John Washington did not use unnecessary force while arresting a student who took part in the confiscation of nearly 14,000 copies of The Daily Pennsylvanian in April 1993, Arbitrator Thomas DiLauro ruled last month. After the confiscation by a group claiming to represent the "black community," Washington was suspended for three days without pay by University Police Commissioner John Kuprevich. At the time, Kuprevich said that Washington acted in poor judgment when he struck then–College senior Khalil Muhammad with a mini-baton on the upper thigh. DiLauro, a member of the American Arbitration Association, ordered the University to compensate Washington for any loss of pay and benefits incurred by the discipline, and to remove the incident from his personnel record. "[T]he conclusion is inescapable that [Washington], except for his use of profanity, acted in an extremely professional manner in a situation which could have easily been avoided had Mr. Muhammad identified himself and explained what he was doing," DiLauro wrote. "[Washington] exercised considerable restraint in his attempt to subdue an uncooperative and unidentified person." In his testimony, Washington said he struck Muhammad after struggling with the student for almost 10 minutes while attempting to arrest him. Washington expressed satisfaction with the arbiter's ruling. "I'm certainly pleased with the decision," he said. "I was justified in not only stopping [Muhammad], but in counteracting what I considered a threat in his attempt to punch me. I don't regret for a moment the actions I took." Kuprevich defended his handling of the case. He said he set up a special inquiry panel, made up of both police and civilian representatives, to investigate Washington's use of force. The panel, headed by University Police Chief George Clisby, recommended a five-day suspension for Washington, according to Clisby's testimony before the arbiter. "We responded to a complaint as we would with any complaint," Kuprevich said. "We did what we thought was the right thing to do. We took appropriate actions. "We are going forward from here," he added. "We accept it. It's not something we are going to sit and worry about." Washington, however, said he harbors resentment towards the individuals connected with his suspension. "No doubt there are some ill-feelings," he said. "I have lost some respect for Commissioner Kuprevich, Chief Clisby, and [former University Associate General Counsel] Neil Hamburg due to the way they testified against me." Washington said that during the hearings he was "painted as a discipline problem, a disgruntled employee and as a racist." In a legal brief submitted to DiLauro and obtained by the DP, Hamburg wrote twice that Washington may have used the mini-baton "because he had a racial animus against Mr. Muhammad." University Police Officer and Vice-President of the University's chapter of the Fraternal Order of Police Bill Kane said the union will try to rebuild relations between the FOP and University Police management. "[The FOP is] happy with the decision," Kane said. "We are disappointed with management because they played dirty pool. We want to put it behind us. Hopefully we will start a new relationship with management."
(01/16/95 10:00am)
It may seem like the fall again as packs of well-dressed, nervous freshman and sophomore women will be be seen roaming around campus this week. The most important month of the year for the Panhellenic Council has once again arrived -- only this time without the blistering cold and snow that plagued the Council's rush last year. And 606 women will be spending much of their time during the next two weeks learning about sorority life, and perhaps, trying to get a bid from a sorority. Groups of rushees, each led by a rush counselor or "rho chi," will attend open house parties at eight sororities Tuesday and Wednesday nights. This first stage of rush involves walking from house to house and meeting hundreds of sisters in a matter of hours. It may be stressful -- but the women say it is worth it. "The main reason, as any freshman will tell you, is just to meet more people," said College freshman Jennifer Park, who plans to rush. Rush has become an important social event even for those who drop out before the end of the process. Still, anxiety of the unknown plagues many women -- especially as classes begin today. "I was really nervous," said Panhel Vice President of Rush and College senior Liz Shain, a member of the Delta Delta Delta sorority. "[But] I would tell them to relax and try to have fun." Shain and other Panhel coordinators have worked ensure that the next few weeks will be very organized for the participants. And many are breathing a sigh of relief as the weather appears to have improved from last year. "Last year was really hard, [the weather] kind of messed up our whole schedule," Shain said. Panhel Publicity Vice President Melissa Barkan, a Kappa Delta sister and a College senior, said she hopes the warmer weather this year will put more of a "happy face" on the women rushing on Tuesday night. "They don't have to worry about shivering in their heels, or running to Lee's to get something to drink because they're so cold," she said. Without subzero temperatures, many rushees said they will be better able to concentrate on the process itself. "The only thing is, I don't understand why [rush] is so different for guys and girls," College freshman Melissa Bernstein said. "[Panhel rush] so structured. "I think it's nice, it just seems kind of hectic," she added. "[But] I appreciate their organization." Shain said Panhel has made changes this year to reduce the stress of the entire rush process. "Each rho chi group will have their own place on campus," Shain said. "It's a little less hectic that way." Those rushing signed up last semester and paid a $10 fee. Since then, each rushee has been assigned a rho chi and has received some helpful hints from coordinators. "Ignore anything you've heard about any one sorority," Bernstein said. "Go in with an open mind." For the sororities, rush is also a time for the sisters to come together, organizers said. "The sororities here are so big," Shain said. "This is really the only time of the year the whole house comes together." The deadline for transfer students interested in sorority rush is today. Applications may be picked up at the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Affairs in High Rise North.
(01/16/95 10:00am)
Moskovits 'lacked remorse' Former Wharton student and convicted drug trafficker Alexander Moskovits was sentenced to 20 years in prison last week. Citing Moskovits' lack of remorse for his crimes and his perjury during the original trial, Judge Clarence Newcomer extended Moskovits' original sentence by three years. Moskovits will receive credit for the seven years he has already served. But, he must serve at least seven additional years before he will be eligible for parole, according to Assistant United States Attorney Kristin Hayes. William Kunstler, Moskovits' attorney at the sentencing hearing, said he was shocked by the ruling. According to Kunstler, the probation board had recommended that Moskovits be sentenced to twelve years in prison, with credit for time already served. "The judge was just cruel," he said. "I expected him to give him the twelve years." Although Kunstler expressed anger at the length of the sentence and describes the case as "an American tragedy of enormous proportions," he said he blames Moskovits for the sentence. "I am terribly angry at him, I'm not even sorry for him," Kunstler said, referring to the fact that Moskovits had repeatedly gone against the advice of his attorneys throughout the history of the case. "It wasn't the system who destroyed the client, it was the client who destroyed the client," he added. Kunstler said last week's hearing appears to be the final chapter in a case which has been bizarre from the outset. Moskovits was originally convicted in 1988 on 18 federal drug counts -- including a conspiracy to sell drugs on the University campus. Moskovits' 15-year sentence was increased by three years because of a previous conviction for drug possession in Mexico, where Moskovits was convicted without the benefit of an attorney. Citing ineffective counsel by Moskovits' original attorney -- who advised Moskovits not to testify on his own behalf -- Judge Louis Pollack granted Moskovits a new hearing. Prosecutors had offered to drop all but one charge against Moskovits in return for a guilty plea. Against Kunstler's advice, Moskovits refused to accept the deal -- although it would have allowed him to leave prison. In October 1994, Moskovits chose to represent himself at his new trial and was convicted by Newcomer.
