LETTERS TO THE EDITOR: Doubtful Conspiracy Theory

To the Editor: So "shuffle the alumni and others who feel annoyed by the students to the available seats across the court" and make everyone happy. It's that simple. Two questions: (1) If you had the same seat for 30 years, would you want to move? (2) Simple investigation would find that there are no "available seats across the court," now what? Being one of the "rabid fans" who sat out in front of the Palestra for at least three days for front row seats, I certainly don't want to lose the privilege we have to sit courtside. The spirit we have at Penn for our beloved Quakers gives us an untouchable home court advantage against any team. No one is trying to take this away from us. The athletic department is doing their best to appease ALL of their dedicated fans. No, I'm not happy that I won't be able to stand for the entire game to show my support for our team. But come basketball season, rather than waging a pointless battle over who has the right to do what and who are the bigger fans, let's just "stand up" and support who we are really there for -- our team. Mandy London College '98 Insulting Ranks To the Editor: As members of the men's and women's varsity swimming teams, we are insulted by Michael Hasday's column ("Ranking the Penn Coaches," DP, 10/26/95). His attempts at humor denigrated not only the coaching staff, but the entire athletic community with his pseudo-quantitative ranking scheme. With respect to swimming, we suggest Mr. Hasday report the present facts, not a jumble of "snap judgments" and retrospective bias, concerning head coach Kathy Lawlor-Gilbert. Had he interviewed any present swimmers, instead of relying on narrow-minded assumptions and "input by (his) DP cohorts," Hasday would have realized we greatly respect Coach Gilbert's attitude, determination, dedication, and coaching abilities -- both professionally and personally. We look forward to a season of fast swimming, and to changing Mr. Hasday's myopic beliefs. Gillian Beamer College '96 (nine signatures follow) Center Making Improvements To the Editor: I am writing in reference to "African American Resource Center remains a mystery to students" (DP, 11/01/95). Long before my tenure as Acting Director of the African American Resource Center, its mission and the interpretation of its mission were established. The original Consultant's Report recommended nine staff members. When the Center was formed in 1989, a total of three staff members were hired to perform the task, (two administrators and an administrative assistant). As a result, resources had to be reexamined to determine the most effective and efficient way to operate. Staffing continues to be an issue broached with administration. We at the center are involved in the lives of the African American students in ways that may not be so readily apparent. Throughout the years we have consulted with the various services provided to the students, sponsored and co-sponsored student's programs, advocated for students on various issues and conducted several student support groups including a graduate student support group and our current African American male support group. African American students, I hear your concerns loud and clear. You are stating that you want the resource center to handle more of your issues and concerns. The behind the scenes, monitoring efforts we have undertaken thus far does not suffice. I will be certain to let Jeanne Arnold, our new director, know that you wish to have the center expand the type of services we make available to you. However, do understand that the center will have to look at the current level of resources before any real changes can be made. I invite you all to stop by the center. Don't do it at the same time; we are a rather small operation. I also invite you all to participate in the upcoming University-wide celebration of the 1996 Martin Luther King Commemorative Program. The center is pleased to be the new administrative home for the program and I am honored to be the chairperson. Isabel Sampson-Mapp Acting Director African American Resource Center Taking Advantage To the Editor: Students and faculty at the University are now being made aware herein of a brewing division of neighbors perpetrated by the University of Pennsylvania Health System's downsizing and dispersing provider services to 4623 Spruce Street. We gathered 60 signatures on a petition against proposed commercialization and expansion of the Medical Center's recently acquired building next door for over $150,000, said to have been obtained primarily to house medical records. David Nicklin, once an independent practitioner, surreptitiously sold out to the University and since June added a fifth physician, with supporting staff, in at least 10 examination rooms for more than 10,000 patients whose cars gobble up street-side parking spaces, frequently double park and cause SEPTA buses to maneuver around them. Hazardous medical waste was shown protruding from a plastic trash bag to Marla Davis, Medical System director of community affairs. Thus, squirrels ("tree rats") also crawl into a opening which permit free access to the rodents. Weekly, 25-28 plastic rubbish bags above the city ordinance of 10 are set out in three separate spots to disguise all come from the Medical Center in order to avoid hiring an outside hauler. It is unfair for the University to take advantage of neighbors by spreading its corporate money, an admitted expectation by Patrick Starr, president, Spruce Hill Community Association, in bed with the Medical Center which threatens our quality of life, with tentacles stretching far and wide. As one neighbor put it, we have a mess on our hands and Lord knows, that's true! Napoleon Vaugn Valeria Berry University City residents