1991 YEAR IN REVIEW: September

Although the new students became the third class to participate in the University's now-annual diversity seminars, they were the first class to participate in the University's experimental assignment of Euripides' Bacchae as summer reading. Bacchae -- which addresses themes of gender relations, war, acceptance of foreign values and religious diversity -- was a successful addition to the incoming students' experience, coordinators and participants said. President Sheldon Hackney accepted the recommendations of the Diversity on Locust Walk Committee, opting to make few physical changes on the campus' main walkway and to try to diversify the Walk by focusing on behavioral and philosophical issues. The 54-page report, which was criticized by many student groups, suggested converting only three buildings on campus into student residences. President Bush also made an impact on the University when he made a short stop at a University-sponsored drug treatment program at the Veterans Administration Hospital during a trip to Philadelphia. Bush was met by both well-wishers and protesters during the course of his visit, which culminated at a fundraiser for then-U.S. Senate candidate Richard Thornburgh. The University was also recognized nationally in U.S. News and World Report's annual survey of colleges and universities. Although ranked 13th out of 204 schools -- the same as last year -- the University climbed out of the Ivy League cellar and beat Brown University. The University also requested nearly $41.2 million in state funding for the 1992-93 fiscal year, hoping to increase this year's $37.6 million allocation by 9.5 percent. President Sheldon Hackney adopted a new racial harassment policy after over a year of discussion and criticism. The policy was a slightly modified version of the fourth draft, which Hackney presented to University Council at its May meeting. Students at the University also took advantage of new manipulations of airwaves, sound waves and phone lines. WQHS, the University's only student-run radio station, could be heard loud and clear in the Quadrangle following the installation of new transmission equipment under the dormitory. The Social Planning and Events Committee began a series of free Friday concerts in superblock with performances by School of Fish and House of Freaks. And, in one of the fastest growing trends at the University, phone services providing everything from counseling services to weather forecasting sprouted up on campus. There were also two deaths that affected the University. In the first, an off-duty officer shot and killed a doberman as the dog made a final charge at an elderly woman emptying her trash. According to policy, the dog attacked the woman two times before, and on the third time, the woman appeared to freeze. The officer then fired one round into the dog's chest. On a sadder note, the University community mourned the death of author Dr. Seuss on September 25. -- Stephanie Desmon

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