HUP releases DuBois burn victim

and Mark Fiore College sophomore Adonija Tienou, who was burned August 30 when an explosive device went off in his W.E.B. DuBois College House room, was released from the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania last Wednesday. Tienou, currently a guest at the Penn Tower Hotel, said he does not know when or if he will be moving back into his room. He would give no further details about his condition or whether the University will take disciplinary action against him for the explosion. Vice Provost for University Life Valarie Swain-Cade McCoullum said University officials and police are currently investigating the matter. "I feel very strongly that the use or transport of explosives, be they firecrackers or anything else, into or on University property -- including the residences -- is an extremely grave matter," she said. "Lives have, across the country, been lost when someone has had the poor judgment to create these circumstances." DuBois Assistant Dean in Residence Sonja Elliott refused to comment on the incident. According to Assistant Vice Provost for University Life Barbara Cassel, "the incident is in direct violation of the dorm contract students must sign every year, which explicitly talks about the illegality of the use of explosive devices in residence rooms and buildings." A source within the VPUL's office said last week that whoever is responsible for the explosion will likely be expelled from DuBois and placed on a mandatory leave of absence from the University, pending further investigation. Director of Police Operations Maureen Rush said University Police are currently conducting interviews with students and other residents who may have witnessed the explosion in Tienou's room. "An investigation involving an explosive device is of the utmost importance for the welfare of all students on campus, as well as those directly involved in the incident," she said. Because of University policies governing the confidentiality of student information, no further details about the explosion will be released until the investigation is completed.