News Briefs: Monday, April 15, 1996

International foods party draws students to Hill House Wharton freshman Neysan Rassekh and Engineering freshman Vesal Dini created the group to combat what they perceive as a lack of racial integration on campus. Residents of several suites in Hill House made or bought ethnic dishes for the feast. The club provided six full tables of food. Approximately 120 students joined in the meal and learned about different cultures. International music, including African and Hispanic, was played throughout the meal. – Jaclyn LaPlaca NEC, SPEC elect new officers Two branches of student government, the Nominations and Elections Committee and the Social Planning and Events Committee, elected Steering boards for the coming year last week. Former NEC Vice Chairperson for Elections Ben Goldberger was elected NEC chairperson. The Engineering and College sophomore will be joined on NEC Steering by College sophomore and Vice Chairperson for Nominations Diane Casteel, College junior and Vice Chairperson for Elections Michele Harris and Vice Chairperson for Feedback Neha Champaneria, a Wharton freshman. Wharton sophomore Daisy Tung will continue serving as secretary for a second term, and College junior Julie Samson was elected public relations officer. College junior Melissa Muniz was elected chairperson of SPEC and former SPEC Secretary Vick Hirani will move up to vice chairperson. Current Spring Fling Director and Wharton senior Gil Beverly will assume the post of treasurer, and College sophomore Ilene Epstein will serve as secretary. – Dina Bass Police arrest attempted car thieves at 41st and Baltimore Two juveniles were arrested Friday afternoon after trying to steal a 1985 Buick parked at 41st and Baltimore streets, according to University Police Sgt. Tim Trucksess. The car's window was smashed in the incident, and the two had attempted to hot-wire the car by breaking through its steering column. The pair -- 15 and 18 years old-- fled after being approached by police officers, and were apprehended after a two-block chase. Following the apprehensions, officers recovered merchandise stolen from the car, as well as tools used to break into automobiles. Trucksess explained that he wasn't surprised that the suspects were juveniles. "A lot of car thieves recruit kids to do the dirty work," he said. "That way, they'll get off really easy if they're caught." The pair were taken to the Philadelphia Police Southwest Detectives Bureau for questioning, and face charges of theft from auto, as well as attempted theft of auto. "It's sad -- you see a lot more juveniles involved in auto theft than in other crimes," Trucksess said. "And no one will try to help them because the system is so overloaded." – Yochi Dreazen Freshman Class Board sponsors party at Hill Field More than 1,000 freshmen took advantage of free food, music and fun Saturday afternoon at the Class of '99 Spring Blowout. The event, sponsored by the Freshman Class Board, drew a crowd to Hill Field from 2 to 6 p.m. "The Blowout [was] a complete and total success," said Freshman Class Board President Clive Correia. "Everybody that I talked to said that they had a great time. I'm just glad that everything went so well and the turnout was so good." Live music was provided by Splendorbin, Bliss on Bliss and the Disco Biscuits throughout the afternoon. Billybob's provided cheesesteaks, chickensteaks, hoagies and drinks for the freshman class. "All the work definitely payed off for this event," said Vice President of Corporate Sponsorship and College freshman Hillary Aisenstein. "A lot of people came out and had a good time." Board members hope the blowout will become an annual event. Most students who attended the event said the board achieved its goal of creating an atmosphere "to see each other, chill, and relax." The party was meant to be an early kick-off for Spring Fling festivities. – Jaclyn LaPlaca