Leaders urge U. to rally around DuBois

Outraged administrators and student leaders sounded off yesterday against the racially harassing phone calls and bomb threats received by students in DuBois College House this weekend. And many student leaders gathered last night to decide how they could join University students together in protest of "an intolerable act against Penn students." Several DuBois residents received harassing phone calls and bomb threats late Sunday night, forcing the evacuation of the building and a short-term ban on non-residents. In a letter to the editor published in today's Daily Pennsylvanian, 12 student leaders called for "all people of moral values to stand with us in? a unified front by standing together, hands linked, in a circle around the E.B. Dubois College House." The rally will be held next Thursday at 6 p.m. "This is a time to put aside the other issues," said United Minorities Council President Jun Bang. "This is a time to put our opinions aside and stand together on something that concerns us all." Bang added that the issue is one that should concern all University students, not just blacks. "This code of behavior should not be accepted whether it happened to minority or non-minority students," she said. "That's why we as student leaders – not as minority and non-minority student leaders – should get together and make a stand against this type of behavior." Interfraternity Council President Morris Massel said last night he will ask his entire organization to participate in Thursday's rally. "Nothing in recent history has ever happened like this where students' lives have been threatened," the College senior said last night. "It's not tolerable, it never will be and we're absolutely outraged by it." Performing Arts Council Chairperson Bardo Ram'rez echoed the comments of other leaders, saying it is important for all students to attend the rally, not just the student leaders. "As a student, I am outraged by the fact that someone can threaten someone else in our community and get away with it – that human life isn't respected," he said. "It's a thing of personal responsibility for everyone." Several administrators also met with students yesterday to discuss security issues and student concerns. "We want to address any of the security issues that may be of concern in the building," said Vice Provost for University Life Kim Morrisson. "My office did a walk-through to make sure that a number of things were done." Morrisson added that the building was checked for adequate lighting and faulty security screens and locks. "We're going to be addressing all of those issues to make sure that students feel safe," she said. Interim President Claire Fagin said last night that she and her husband visited DuBois House "to say hello and see how people felt and lend our support." Fagin called the incident was "reprehensible and intolerable," and said the administration is working quickly to lend its support in the investigation. "We're trying to give the parents support, we're trying to give the young people support, and I think that's what the administration needs to be doing," she said. "We want to hopefully identify who the perpetrators of the situation are." David Biggs, assistant dean of residence for DuBois House, said the dorm is "carrying on as normally as possible," and that he is thankful that "the University is doing everything it can under the circumstances." University Police Commissioner John Kuprevich said last night that "steps have been taken to safeguard the people and the facility itself." But, he added, to be more specific would possibly jeopardize the safety of the residents. Administrators said they will continue to meet with students to discuss the issue, and student leaders said they will try to gather more and more student support for next week's rally.