UA discusses 'strengthening the community'

If University Trustee Gloria Twine Chisum had her way, the first step toward building community might be something as simple as abolishing self-locking doors in the high rises. That was one of the options discussed by the Commission on Strengthening the Community chairperson at the Undergraduate Assembly meeting Sunday night. At the meeting, Chisum addressed a variety of concerns voiced by UA members about the operations of the Commission. "We all realize that the task we've undertaken can only partially be addressed," she said. "We need to talk to as many students as possible." She added that the Commission is looking at things in a "micro way" to find small, everyday things that can be done to build community, such as removing the self-locking mechanism on individual high rise doors. "When I was an undergraduate, everybody's door was always open," she said. "But now, the high rises are so impersonal – people hardly know the students on their hall." Questions to Chisum ranged from randomized freshman housing to Part II of the Racial Harassment Policy. UA member Kirsten Bartok said she was pleased with the way Chisum answered questions without taking sides. "I think [people with opposing] views of what should be done want her to fall on their side and she isn't willing to do that," she said. "I think she's doing an exceptional job." When asked about the possible suspension of Part II of the Racial Harassment Policy, Chisum said the University is divided on what course of action to take. "There is no question it'll be modified," she said. "But the University community's response does not give us a clear mandate to [suspend Part II]." UA Chairperson Seth Hamalian said Chisum implied that Part II would not be revoked completely. "I would interpret her words to mean that the Commission will not recommend an outright suspension, but that it may recommend some sort of alteration or improvement of the policy," he said. Administrative Assistant to the Commission Al Green, director of the African-American Resource Center, spoke out on the role of Greek organizations in strengthening the community. "I see black Greek letter organizations working hard with the community, but it seems white organizations have trouble with that," he said. "It's not just a question of getting your picture in the paper for helping West Philadelphia kids." The statement struck a sour note with several students who said they were offended. "As a member of the Greek system I'm offended by what's been said," said UA member Sarah Manning. Several initiatives have been undertaken by "white" fraternities and sororities, such as FASTER and COLORS aimed at improving race relations, she said. Hamalian said Green's comments were misinterpreted. "The context in which Al Green made his comment was one in which some UA members were implying that Big-C organizations contribute to division on campus," he said. "What I believe he was trying to point out is that with the many contributions the Big-C organizations make to the Penn community and the surrounding community, these groups could be looked upon as model Greek organizations – not objects for constant criticism." In other business, the UA passed a resolution that would bar UA members from serving on Class Boards. "I think the main focus for concern is in terms of conflict of interest in a person's ability to represent two different constituencies – in one case their class and in one case their school," Hamalian said. He added that another concern involved a student's ability to "fund themselves," if they serve on both bodies. In other business, the UA voted to send a letter asking School of Arts and Sciences Dean Rosemary Stevens to postpone the disbanding of the Regional Science, Religious Studies and American Civilization departments. In the meantime, the letter says, she should meet with student leaders and give the exact budgetary reasons that led to her decision.