In poll's wake, students defend U.

and CARA TANAMACHI The University may be suffering from an inferiority complex. At least that's what President Sheldon Hackney and many students said in response to the Ivy League poll released yesterday in U.S. News and World Report which portrayed the University as lagging behind other Ivies in many categories. The 200-question poll, which was conducted by 12 University students, surveyed 3,119 students in all eight Ivy League schools with questions ranging from sex to politics. The results of the poll indicated that University students -- among other things -- study the least, party the most and are the most sexually promiscuous in the Ivy League. In addition, the poll showed that the University was ranked last in the Ivies, not only by the other students in the league, but also by its own students. President Sheldon Hackney said he was not bothered by the survey's results, adding that University students tend to be dissatisfied with the University. "I wasn't surprised to find that Penn students were less satisfied with their experience than other students are with their experiences, but that doesn't ring true to me," he said. "Part of the Penn ethos is not being self-satisfied, but being eternally dissatisfied." Many students agreed with Hackney, adding that University students' perceptions of their school are unjust. "I think it's completely ridiculous that Penn students . . . rated this school as last in the Ivy League," said College sophomore Christine Arakelian. "Penn students don't appreciate what they have, [and they] don't take advantage of the resources, professors and opportunities that are here." College senior Stephen Kavic said he was very surprised by the results of the poll, adding that the University's major problem lies in its students' attitudes and not in the school itself. "I guess that fits in with the general Penn attitude," he said. "People don't realize how lucky they are to be here." Students offered several reasons for the lack of pride in the University. "Perhaps because of the recent exodus of administrators and professors, we feel even worse about ourselves," said Panhellenic Council President and College junior Allison Marinoff. "Especially because a lot of them go to other Ivy League institutions." College senior Patrick Redmond said the "confusion between Penn and Penn State" and "the idea that Penn is sort of a safety school" may explain why other Ivy League students rated the University poorly. Students also said they were surprised that the poll found University professors to be "inaccessible." "I can see that in the freshmen classes . . . with several hundred students, it's very difficult to know the professor," Kavic said. "But once you get beyond those classes, it becomes much more personal." As far as being labeled the party school of the Ivies, students had mixed opinions. "If you're going to be spending $20,000-plus per year you might as well be living life to the fullest," said College sophomore Seth Hamlin, who was recently elected chairperson of the Undergraduate Assembly. But Arakelian said she feels there is very little difference -- academically or socially -- between the University and its Ivy League counterparts. "I don't think that people are any more or less intelligent than at other schools," she said. "[And] I don't think people party more or less." Several administrators -- including Vice Provost for University Life Kim Morrisson and Provost Michael Aiken -- declined to comment on the poll, saying they had not yet read about the poll.