Former mayor Koch to speak

Former New York City Mayor Ed Koch will speak at the University Monday about "the future of American cities." The speech is sponsored by Connaissance, and is the group's first major event of the semester. According to former Connaissance Chairperson Robyn Allen, Koch will also speak about race relations, the recent New York mayoral election and politics in general. "It's going to incorporate a lot of very current topics that have to do with this campus and also the country," Allen, a College senior, said. Koch, who served three terms as New York's mayor, lost to former Mayor David Dinkins in the city's Democratic primary in 1989. He recently wrote a book entitled Mayor, and has a new radio talk show in New York City. Allen, who suggested that Koch speak at the University, said she picked him because "there are a wide variety of topics he can speak on." "I have been researching people since the end of our fall semester and he was one of the best people that I felt was out there to come speak," she said. "With the recent mayoral election in New York, I thought it would be particularly interesting for him to talk." College junior Jesus Guerrero, current Connaissance chairperson, said he is looking forward to the speech. "We're really excited," he said. "People in general are excited about it." "Although he's not a real big name, he's a very popular person," Guerrero continued. "He's going to draw a crowd." Koch will be speaking at 8:00 p.m. in the University Museum's Harrison Auditorium. Guerrero said seats will be available on a first come, first serve basis, so students should come early -- around 7 or 7:30 p.m., if possible. There are about 830 total seats available, he added.