Fagin conducts a 'fireside chat'

Talks about health care, free speech Interim President Claire Fagin gave her first "fireside chat" at the Castle last night, scrapping prepared remarks in favor of a wide-ranging group discussion. What had been billed as a speech centered on Fagin's ideas about community service, instead became a question-and-answer session dominated by the issues of national health care, the existence or lack of community feeling on campus and the University's racial harassment speech code. Fagin opened the floor to students immediately after saying she would not present her speech because it did not seem to fit the intimate atmosphere of the Castle, which is home to the Community Service Living Learning Program, the event's sponsor. Fagin was then confronted with questions from health care management and nursing students about the possible job losses as well as benefits that might result from the implementation of a national health care policy. The students also asked about Fagin's thoughts on the perceived unwillingness of University students to serve, or be involved in, the University community. "At Penn you will find a critical mass [of students] who are not [callous and self-absorbed,]" Fagin told the group of about 35 students. "We are different from our peer institutions? all kinds of people at this University work in some sort of service activity." College senior Michael Treisman disagreed with Fagin's assessment. "I think there's a void here at the University – a lack of community," he said. "The form of the University is confrontational rather than supportive, and there needs to be a commitment from faculty and staff to the creation of community." The students went on to discuss the University's harassment policy, attacking the speech code which Fagin has said she may suspend. While Fagin said she believes that the code is a "destructive policy" that has led to an "absence of talk, mediation and bringing people together," she also said she would feel uncomfortable suspending the code without consulting other members of the University community. Fagin briefly stated her opinion on resolving gay issues involving the Reserve Officers Training Corps, the diversification of Locust Walk and incoming Judicial Inquiry Officer Steven Blum's refusal to sign a First Amendment Pledge. "If you truly believe in free speech and the Constitution, you don't ask someone to sign a loyalty oath," she explained. College freshman Jason Hong and Wharton freshman Tatjana Hauss, who had participated in the pre-move-in PennCorp community service program, said they enjoyed Fagin's presentation but had wanted to hear her views on community service programs at the University. Still, most in the small group of students at the speech were pleased with the event and talked about both upcoming service projects and more informal exchanges with University administrators. "Now, with Clinton stressing service for college-age students, it's important for President Fagin to address these issues ? especially at Penn, where we need to focus on West Philadelphia – the community around us," College sophomore Mazher Ahmad said. "We're thrilled and excited to have Dr. Fagin here," said Castle resident and medical student Larry Rhein. "[Her speech] is an appropriate kick-off to our year-long schedule of events and extravaganzas in which we hope the whole campus will participate."

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