LETTERS TO THE EDITOR: Dorm segregation unfortunate

To the Editor: A total college experience should encompass learning to live with whomever you are placed beside. As we have all experienced, our immediate friends are those who live next door or perhaps down the hall. I wholeheartedly agree with Wenke's proposal of "sink-or-swim blind equality." Freshmen should not be allowed to chose their living houses, but should instead be placed at random. If one finds himself next to seven orange Martians or five purple aliens, so be it. Having random living assignments will break down barriers and misinformation that lead to racism and ignorance. Clearly not everyone will be best friends, but increased knowledge and tolerance can only promote a more friendly, cohesive atmosphere. After reading Wenke's column I am comforted that I am not the only person who feels Penn fosters segregation. Some argue that special interest housing makes the transition to college easier, but this is not in the best interest of the campus, or the individual in the long run. For example, is it not ridiculous for international students to come study in America but meet no Americans? Individuals may not know that by choosing to live in DuBois, International or Latin American house s they may be limiting their friendships. Nowhere are people as open and eager to make a friend as in freshman dorms. I do not think Penn should ban special interest housing, but it should not be an option for freshmen. Let people have housing options as sophomores. Hopefully, people will begin to mesh and soon there will be no need for segregated living houses, fraternity systems, etc. Or am I being too idealistic? Dara Reiner College '97 Police tactics criticized To the editor: It is with sadness but not surprise that I learn of the University's continued harassment of Campus Text ("Campus Text sues U., Barnes & Noble," DP, 9/6/96). Through its actions, the University has once again proved its willingness to hinder entrepreneuralism in the spirit of Joseph Wharton to protect what it perceives to be its own interests. How unfortunate that this administration does not realize that its interests are best served by helping its student entrepreneurs succeed and by allowing the student body to get textbooks at the lowest possible prices. More disturbing, however, is the continued disregard for the law shown by the University of Pennsylvania Police Department. Campus Text employees have been repeatedly harassed by officers. Campus Text founder Doug Levy was unlawfully taken into custody. Students have been threatened by UPPD officers without cause. This may represent usual operating procedure for UPPD, but it is wholly unacceptable. The owners of Campus Text will likely be satisfied simply by getting the University to act lawfully, and in that effort I wish them luck. However, Penn students and this newspaper must not be satisfied until every UPPD officer implicated in this affair is disciplined -- including the commanders of UPPD, without whom the officers surely would not have acted. Michael Nadel College '96 A misleading headline To the Editor: In reference to the Around the World skybox last Friday: "Terrorist Plot to Bomb 12 U.S. Jetliners Uncovered" (DP, 9/6/96). A little sensationalist, no? The plot was "uncovered" by prosecutors months ago. All that happened last week -- according to the Associated Press wire story you printed -- was that the conspirators were convicted. I understand that the DP cannot pronounce the terrorists guilty until convicted, but in this context your statement was quite misleading. Michael Brus College of General Studies '98