BRIEF: Engineers hold open forum

This forum will give students the opportunity to meet with Engineering Dean Gregory Farrington, Associate Dean John Keenan and Associate Dean of Educational Development and Special Programs Jacob Abel to discuss issues of concern within the school, according to UEAB coordinator and Engineering junior Daniel Smith. The discussion will most likely include faculty and student interaction, student advising and summer internships, Smith said. "The deans were very excited with the idea," he added. "It will be a good opportunity for students to talk to them about policies." Next Tuesday's meeting is open to all students for comments, criticism and suggestions. --Kara Blond Fortune Magazine officials announced that the annual Fortune 500 Forum will be held in the Four Seasons Hotel in Center City on November 3 to 6. Each year, the Forum brings together more than 350 business leaders, government officials and scholars, said Fortune Managing Editor Marshall Loeb. And according to Fortune Publisher Stuart Arnold, Philadelphia was selected because it is one of the country's best cities for business. This is the fourth year that the Forum has met. It has been held previously in Charleston, San Antonio and Richmond. –Christopher Pryor The Minority Scholars Invitational Weekend, a University preview program for "strong minority applicants," kicks off today, United Minorities Council Admissions co-Chairperson Jeanette Melendez announced last night. The College junior said Scholars Weekend is an annual event co-sponsored by the UMC and the Admissions Office. It is intended to highlight the various minority student groups active on campus and to give prospective minority freshmen a taste of University life. Wharton sophomore and UMC Admissions co-Chairperson Kendrick Cox said receiving an invitation to Scholars Weekend does not guarantee an applicant admission to the University. By the same token, uninvited applicants are not assured of rejection. Each invited scholar is matched with a student host from a similar ethnic or racial background for a weekend of social and educational programming. Tomorrow's activities include a "Meet the Greeks" reception with BiCultural InterGreek Council organizations and the Lambda Phi Epsilon fraternity, as well as attendance at the Annenberg Center production of August Wilson's Pulitzer Prize-winning play Two Trains Running. Following the play, there will be a reception with the cast and University dignitaries. Activities are scheduled for the scholars through Sunday morning. -- Lisa Levenson Jeremy Chiapetta, president of the Newman Council, said the event, which will be held from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., is open to all faculty, students and staff. "Our goal is to gather faculty, staff and students together in a social setting," Chiapetta said. "[We're celebrating] the highest holiday of the year -- the Catholic Purim." The event is being held at the Newman Center, located at 3720 Chestnut Street, and there is no charge to attend. -- Charles Ornstein