LETTERS: Progress on grads' diversity

To the Editor: But Rutman also stated that Penn has made almost no progress in attracting African American graduate students. While I wish there had been even more progress, it is wrong to say there has been no progress. In 1990-91, there were 75 African-American doctoral students enrolled at Penn, accounting for 1.6 percent of total enrollment. This academic year, there are 114 African-American doctoral students, accounting for three percent of total enrollment. Furthermore, African Americans accounted for three percent of the Ph.D.s awarded last year, indicating that their completion rates are higher than average. We have attracted superb African American doctoral students who are actively involved both in helping us to attract more students and in enriching the educational environment for all students. Janice Madden Vice Provost , Graduate Education Insufficient respect To the Editor: Last Wednesday, the Penn community was graced with the presence of civil rights pioneer Coretta Scott King ("King urges united push for justice," DP, 11/21/96). Unfortunately, her visit did not generate due respect or attention. When I arrived five minutes before the program was to begin, I took an empty seat within the first 10 rows. But every Penn student should have jumped at the opportunity to hear King, an influential and extremely intelligent speaker who has made unprecedented strides for civil rights. At a school where business executives like Donald Trump are overwhelmed with eager ears, our weak welcome for King, a historical figure, reflects very poorly on students' priorities. But the blame for low attendance does not fall solely on students. Organizers failed to advertise the speech effectively and accurately, an insult to King's importance. The few cards in the dining halls that did announced Unity Week activities like King's speech incorrectly listed its site. Moreover, University administrators did not show King the respect she deserves. Although she thanked University President Judith Rodin -- among others -- for the opportunity to visit Penn, there was no visible University presence at King's lecture. Instead, four empty seats adorned the stage on which King spoke. King is a living legend and deserves to be recognized as such. Either the president, provost or an emissary should have welcomed her to the University. Their absence was inexcusable. Unless the University starts treating its guests with the respect that they deserve, Penn may stop attracting the high caliber of speakers it has drawn. Furthermore, students at an Ivy League institution -- or any institution, for that matter -- should be deeply interested in the problems of today's world and should take advantage of opportunities to learn from gifted and experienced leaders like King. Shireen Santosham College '00