LETTERS TO THE EDITOR: Safety plan coverage appreciated

To the Editor: There are some points, however, that need further emphasis. Public Safety's new plan is the culmination of major efforts begun last year at University President Judith Rodin's direction. The strategic plan is a road map for the division of Public Safety for the next five years. It will guide us toward our goal of delivering the best safety service possible to the University community. The plan will be reviewed and re-evaluated each year to determine what is working, what can work better and what needs to be changed. And I continue to welcome the ideas and the suggestions of the entire University community. Several of the objectives in this plan have been implemented, while others are underway. For example, I have reorganized top command in the division of Public Safety to improve our administrative efficiency and service to the University. I am increasing the number of detectives. Work has begun on new security programs with the Nursing School, School of Engineering and Applied Science, Athletics and Residential Living. And we are currently working with the Philadelphia Police department and other West Philadelphia officials to improve street safety. All of these initiatives will have a direct impact on reducing crime in the University community. I have recommended an enhanced security system with state-of-the-art electronic security technology for the campus, which would include new alarm systems, a more effective access control system, enhanced used of closed-circuit television and an upgrade of the blue-light phone system. Cost will clearly be a consideration in our ability to put such a system in place, but I am optimistic that we can take major steps forward. The ultimate measurement for the success of this strategic plan is clear: decreased crime. The new strategic plan for campus safety builds on the initiatives Rodin announced last year. It is informed by Penn's experience with these initiatives. It represents my best efforts to deliver the kind of plan the University was promised. I expect to hear from many members of the University community -- faculty, staff and students -- now that the plan has been published in Almanac for comment. Thomas Seamon Public Safety Managing Director Other undergrad TAs To the Editor: The article "In a class of his own" (DP, 3/29/96) has glorified Jonathan Slotkin as the "first undergraduate teaching assistant in the College." Without wanting to take any credit away from Slotkin, that information is simply not true. In the Math Department, undergraduates TA classes on a regular basis starting in their junior year. All you have to do is to have the necessary knowledge and ask. I personally know at least one person like that. Robert Zeithammer College '98 n To the Editor: Friday's Daily Pennsylvanian cites Jonathan Slotkin as the "first undergraduate teaching assistant in the College of Arts and Sciences" ("In a class of his own," DP, 3/29/96). This is simply not true. In the Math Department, undergraduate students have been teaching assistants for upper-level math classes in the past. I know, because I am in my third semester TA'ing for Math 312, a position I began in the spring of my sophomore year. I hold office hours, grade homework and exams and collaborate with Professor Peter Patton on what the problems on the midterms and finals should be. I am sure Slotkin is a fine student and am not trying to degrade his accomplishments, but I would appreciate it if you correct these inaccuracies. Matthew Taff College '97 n To the Editor: I read with great interest the article about Jonathan Slotkin in last Friday's DP ("In a class of his own," DP, 3/29/96). But -- without taking anything at all away from Slotkin -- I do feel bound to point out that Neil Trivedi is also serving as an undergraduate teaching assistant this semester. He is serving in Professor David Bersoff's Social Psychology course. I think Trivedi's contribution should also be honored. However, I have to be completely frank. Last year, the Psychology Department did use undergraduates as assistants in some of our Research Experience courses. Maybe it would be proper to say that they were the first undergraduate TAs at Penn. In any event, let me say how grateful we all are to all of these folks for contributing to undergraduate education at Penn; they all deserve our thanks and recognition. John Sabini Psychology Department Chairperson n To the Editor: Once again, the DP has printed a story without checking its facts first. In the article "In a class of his own" (DP, 3/29/96), your reporter indicated that Jonathan Slotkin is the first undergraduate teaching assistant in the College of Arts and Sciences. While Slotkin might be the first undergraduate TA for the Psychology Department, he is not the first in the College. During the spring 1994 term, the Biological Basis of Behavior Program (BBB) hired two undergraduate teaching assistants, Michael Peck and Sameer Chawla, for the Laboratory in Cellular Neurobiology course. Last spring, Joel Goldsmith and Chakrapol Lattanand worked as TAs for the same course. Gil Melmed, also an undergraduate, worked as a TA for lecture course in Cellular Neurobiology (BBB 211/Biology 211). This semester, there are three undergraduates -- Ann Snyder, Evan Eisenberg and Elon Kotler -- working for BBB's Laboratory in Cellular Neurobiology Course. Beatrice Reid Administrative Assistant Biological Basis of Behavior Homosexuality in nature To the Editor: I would like to enlighten Steven Rubenstein ("Homosexuality unnatural," Letter to the Editor, DP, 3/26/96) on the occurrence of homosexuality in nature. There are many documented accounts of male Psittacines (parrots) being caged together who have bonded and established relationships identical to those of bonded males and females. These relationships include mating (gasp!) and nesting behavior. I have also read of similar occurrences in the wild among groups of all young, male birds. I do not know of any non-avian accounts of homosexuality in nature, but I have to assume they exist. When trying to justify your anti-homosexual feelings, Rubenstein, please do not invoke the laws of nature in vain. In addition, when teaching your children about the birds and the bees, for the sake of completeness and intellectual integrity, you may want to include a reference to some of these "queer" but natural birds. Steve Pokorny Veterinary Medicine '98