LETTERS TO THE EDITOR: Coverage should reflect news

To the Editor: One would think that with the large number of Penn undergraduate and graduate students residing east of the Schuylkill, the DP would seek to inform as many people as possible of this brutal crime committed so close to their homes. I would much rather see this on the front page than an article informing me that the University Police are hoping to put a stop to the "increasingly dangerous trend" of tearing down the goal posts at Homecoming. Maybe my priorities are mixed up, but I somehow feel the former to be slightly more newsworthy to the University community at large. I opened my DP expecting to see the crime competing with Scott Ward for the day's headline. Had I not heard about the incident from a concerned faculty member on the Linguistics newsgroup the day before, I probably would have missed the small blip printed instead. Violent crime, particularly rape and murder, on or around campus is an serious issue that should merit more than just a cursory briefing. One would think that the editors of the DP, as University students and Philadelphia residents, know this by now. From the placement of the article, it is hard to tell. If the DP seeks to remain a publication catering to the interests and needs of the University community, it needs to realize the difference between actual, relevant news and filler material. David Hanna College '97 n To the Editor: I was astonished to find that you chose to place, on your front page, above the fold, a story of a The Price is Right contestant ("Senior appears on game show," DP 11/7/95). Equally astonishing, although perhaps more understandable given this University's attachment to its fraternities, was a similar placement of the story on Theta Xi ("Theta Xi fraternity recolonizes," DP 11/7/95). Do you truly believe that these stories are more important than the funeral for the assassinated Prime Minister of Israel, Yitzhak Rabin -- a story to which you devote little over a half page and relegated to page 8? Is this event, which drew the President of the United States, European and Asian leaders, Jordan's King Hussein, Egypt's President Mubarak, many other world statespersons, millions of Israelis and Palestinians, as well as an even larger television audience throughout the world, of such little news importance to you? Are you a newspaper or a provincial student information guide which has a small section devoted to news for those who have enough attention span to make it there? William Holmes Post Doctoral Fellow General Internal Medicine Responding to Scott Ward To the Editor, Concerning Scott Ward's letter to the editor ("Justice Takes Its Course," DP, 11/8/95), I have some problems with Professor Ward's comments. First, this trial is not about extortion but about pedophilia. Experts say pedophilia is a satisfaction that can be restrained but never cured. To me, Ward admits his guilt by admitting extortion; otherwise, what is there to extort? Extortion can be raised in the civil suit but that is another issue. The issue here is did you fondle and have illicit sex with this minor? Second, the criminal justice system may not have worked because Ward's attorney and his private investigator discredited his accuser with questionable wire tapping and video. Again, if this man is innocent, why all this effort to stage these meetings in New Jersey where wire tapping and videos are legal? Like O.J. Simpson, Scott Ward's problem might be in the civil case where a preponderance of evidence is all that is needed. This is where the extortion footage should be brought to light but not in the criminal trial. Finally, as with the Simpson trial, Professor Ward, if you in fact did do the things you were accused of and if you use your "community outreach" programs to prey future underage youths into your own web, then, I pray for you that you can and will withhold your urges. You have too much to offer in your life's work to get caught up in this perversion. If you didn't do what was claimed, then, you have a right to be upset because from what I read you sounded guilty to me. Kevin O'Rourke Account Manager, Wharton Reprographics n To the Editor: I am writing to respond to a letter from Professor Scott Ward ("Justice Takes Its Course," DP, 11/8/95). I am not concerned with whether or not Professor Ward is guilty of the crimes which he is accused. What I am concerned with is what he says at the end of his letter. He urges students to consider whether the rewards are worth the risks when working with at- risk children. I currently tutor two fourth graders at the Drew School at 38th and Powelton streets. Both of these kids live in run down neighborhoods and have older siblings in prison. They are, by definition, at-risk kids. It is very rewarding, as I work with them each week, to watch them learn, grow, and change the way they see themselves. So, yes, Professor Ward, it is definitely worth the "risk." Patrick Shilling College '99 Take My Advice To the Editor: I am writing in response to Abby Beshkin's piece on advising to reassure those College students who wish to establish and maintain four-year relationships with an advisor in the College Office that they are welcome to do so ("Some Poor Advice," DP, 11/2/95). In order to initiate and pursue such a relationship they need to call the Office (898-6341) and schedule half-hour appointments outside of the two-week walk-in periods during advance registration and the beginning of the semester. The advisors find these four-year relationships to be as rewarding as the students do. Diane Dailey Frey Director of Advising College of Arts and Sciences