CAMPUS BRIEFS: Wednesday, November 20, 1996

Sgt. Keith Christian Sgt. Keith Christian to leave U. Police Christian has been a Penn police officer since 1988, and a sergeant since 1991. He also served as a weapons instructor for the department. He applied last year to the Abbington Township and Upper Merion police departments because of their strong reputations, he said. "It was an opportunity I just couldn't pass up," he said of his new job. "I will always have positive feelings about Penn." Christian is one of eight University Police sergeants who supervise patrol shifts and work on other administrative details. Chief of Police Operations Maureen Rush complemented Christian for being a "team player" and for showing a "calm resolve" on the street. Christian first came to the University as a freshman in 1976 and lived in King's Court for one year and Low Rise North for three years. Though he left Penn two courses shy of a degree, he took two more courses when he returned as a police officer to graduate in 1990. Christian said he still expects to visit campus regularly because his wife works for Greg Farrington, dean of the School of Engineering and Applied Science. -- Ben Hammer Palestra construction should be done soon Construction on the Palestra's new VIP and media room -- which began October 10 -- should be complete by December 10, Associate Director of Athletic Facilities Larry Lauchle said. The Class of 1971 is funding the construction of the room with $850,000 raised from its 25th reunion. The renovations will transform the entire area behind the visiting team's bleachers on the Palestra's north side into a VIP lounge, parlor, small office and media room Construction will be finished in time for the first Big 5 game of the season against Villanova University. -- Scott Lanman