1991 YEAR IN REVIEW: January

Just a few days into the spring semester, a crisis in the Persian Gulf turned into Operation Desert Storm. Within hours, students filled College Green to demonstrate on all sides of the issue -- against the war, for the soldiers, and in support of Israel. While students tried to return to a normal life, the threats of chemicals in Scud attacks on Israel, and the persistant worry of a long, drawn-out war remained a main concern for many. Whatever students felt, many weren't afraid to speak out and organized protests, and speeches to keep students informed and interested. But there was another battle starting to be fought -- on campus. The fight over the preservation of Smith Hall escalated when the Philadelphia Historical Preservation Commission removed the building's designation as a historical site, removing one obstacle to its demolition. University plans to raze the hall and construct the Institute for Advanced Science and Technology in its place drew protest from several quarters. Students and faculty object both to the loss of the building and to funding the new research center may receive from the Department of Defense. Then-Wharton junior Christopher Clemente lost his battle against the legal system and was found guilty on nine charges of drug and weapon possession in the New York Supreme Court. Judge Richard Lowe said at the trial that Clemente would remain free until his sentencing in mid-February, but he then reversed his decision, jailing the student the day after the verdict was passed. Wharton students Jonathan Eilian and Alyssa Rokito decided to fight Penn News in court for the student-run newspaper delivery agency's failure to refund students after the company discontinued service. The two filed a complaint against the company and its owner, Wharton junior Mike Monk. After the complaint was filed, Penn Student Agencies took over responsibility for the newspaper service. Phi Sigma Kappa fraternity battled allegations of illegal hazing. Although the fraternity's national organization, which investigated the allegations, said they did not have conclusive evidence about the incident, a reorganization of the University's chapter led to the removal of five brothers from the chapter in March. The brothers were placed on "early alumnus" status. The Trustees were told in a meeting that the University faced the possibility of its first budget deficit in 15 years -- a $1 million shortfall caused by cuts in state funding. The trustees later in the semester approved a lower tuition rate increase and, in turn, a deficit for the next fiscal year. The number of early decision applicants to the University for the Class of 1995 dropped six percent over last year, the third straight year of decline. The University accepted 54 percent of the early applicants and Admissions Dean Willis Stetson said this year's pool was "very, very qualified." President Sheldon Hackney also nominated his former chief-of-staff, Barbara Stevens, to be the new secretary of the University, replacing 10-year Secretary Mary Ann Meyers. -- Gayle Meyers

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