News Briefs: President Rodin's husband to hear Ellis Island trial

Beginning last week, the courtroom trial began before Philadelphian Paul R. Verkuil, a lawyer and former law school dean and college president who was appointed by the U.S. Supreme Court as the special master in the case. Verkuil is the husband of University President Judith Rodin. He heard testimony both in Washington and on the island during the week. "I'm obviously very honored and feel very much that this is a very, very serious task," Verkuil said last week. "It's a fascinating issue." Historians and survey and geological experts have been called as witnesses. From a historical point of view, the trial is providing an interesting glimpse of New Jersey and New York when America was much younger, but it will also show how the neighboring states go about defending their borders in the 1990's. The Associated Press contributed to this brief. – Jaclyn LaPlaca Two new MAC machines to be installed in HRN and Hill House Two new Money Access Center machines will be new additions to campus this fall. One machine will placed in the front lobby area of High Rise North, while the other will be located in Hill College House's lobby. The MAC machines were requested by the Residential Advisory Board and approved this summer by the Office of the Treasurer. The HRN machine is scheduled to be operational within two weeks, but the Hill machine will not be installed until September. Assistant Director of Services and Residential Living Nancy McCue said she feels this is an excellent step for the University. McCue is the RAB contact to Residential Living. "I think this is an example of how students and administrators concerns can be addressed," said RAB Vice Chairperson and Undergraduate Assembly member Josh Rockoff. "Penn's safety and security are two very important issues on campus and for students and administrators at both Hill and HRN." McCue said that MAC machines are primary targets for crime. She and Rockoff fell the new machines will increase both safety and convenience. "This project is an example of what cooperation can do for students," Rockoff said. "There are a lot of students here over the summer and we can get things done. I hope similar projects will follow in all areas of University life." – Jaclyn LaPlaca Two new trustees named Arnold Levine and Gilbert Casellas have been elected term trustees of the University of Pennsylvania. Both men began their five-year terms on June 21. Levine is 1966 University PhD. He became well-known for his discovery of the p53 tumor suppressor gene which prevents cancers from developing by controlling cell growth. Casellas received his law degree from the University in 1977. He served as a lecturer in the Law School from 1985 to 1989 and 1992 to 1993 and is a past president of the Law Alumni Society. He is also a member of the James Brinster Society which promotes minority permanence at the University. Both elections were announced by Trustee Chairman Roy Vagelos. – Kate Khatib