LETTERS: The whole Admissions picture

To the Editor: Allow me to share some good news that did not make it into the story "Early decision applications fall by 10.4%" (DP, 11/13/96). First, we are happy to report applications from minority students increased from 540 last year to 560 this year. The figures were reversed in the article. In addition, the article failed to note the significant gains we have made in a number of important regions. Our office has already received seven percent more applications than we had received this time last year from California, Florida and Texas--and from around the world. This represents a 41 percent increase over the number of applications we received from these areas just two short years ago. Indeed, the upsurge in applications from international students is strong evidence of Penn's increasing globalization: our reputation is well-known throughout the world. We believe student interest an Penn is steadily and persuasively increasing. As the article's final paragraph indicated, we have seen a 10 percent increase this year in the number of high school students and parents visiting campus. Students, faculty and staff should be encouraged that the best and the brightest students -- and their parents -- see Penn as a serious option among their college choices. Willis Stetson Jr. Dean of Admissions Erroneous depiction To the Editor: I would like to take issue with Mike Liskey's depiction of the Beatles in his column ("A second revolutionary idea," DP, 11/7/96). First, Liskey claims John Lennon and Paul McCartney composed their 1968 song "Revolution" for Americans. I would appreciate it if Liskey could direct me to his source of this information, for I have never been under the impression that Lennon and McCartney wrote any of their songs expressly for Americans. This idea seems especially preposterous in light of Lennon's famed sardonic wit, with which he did not refrain from satirizing Americans. I also find Liskey's interpretation of "Revolution" distressing. He mistakenly understands the "philosophical" lyrics to be pro-revolution, when by all critical accounts and even from the internal syntax of the words, the song is clearly satirical and anti-revolutionary. The closing refrain, "Don't you know it's gonna be alright," gently dismisses the idea that upheaval of the status quo is necessary to achieve change in the world. When he wrote the song, Lennon had grown greatly disillusioned with political and spiritual movements due to his bitter experience with Maharishi Mahesh Yogi in India (recounted in another song from the White Album, "Sexy Sadie"). "Revolution"is representative of this period. While it may be tempting for Liskey to reinterpret Beatles songs for his own intellectual purposes, I warn him to guard against such impulses. It only resects poorly upon him and it surely causes Lennon's bones to roll over in his grave. Mick Lewis Committee to Preserve the Accurate Beatles Legacy College '97 Keeping Chodorow To the Editor: I am ecstatic about the election of Dartmouth College Provost Lee Bollinger, a former University of Michigan Law School dean, as the 12th president of the University of Michigan ("Dartmouth provost chosen as new Michigan president," DP, 11/6/96). Bollinger is an outspoken proponent and courageous supporter of gay rights. In fact, his support of gay rights is only paralleled by his advocacy of affirmative action programs. We are delighted to know that our future is bright in the hands of President-elect Bollinger. At the same time, as a former Penn student, I am a bit sad to have to return Provost Stanley Chodorow to you. At least he can do less harm as a provost than as a president. We are truly pleased we have Michigan's new president on our side. Cory Fryling Queer Unity Project Michigan '99 Offensive posters To the Editor: I am writing to voice my discontent with the posters advertising the play Painted Pictures that are plastered all over campus. The posters feature a young woman holding her bloody breast, nipple and all. While I applaud writer/director Rachel Goldberg for the premise behind the play -- a woman reclaiming her body and being responsible for what she does with it -- the posters do not really convey this intelligent and important message. Instead, they are only garish porn, catering to a perverse sense of eroticism. Recently, I was giving a tour to a group of high school students who, upon seeing a large version of this poster prominently displayed on Locust Walk, were visibly shaken. Their quick gasps and widened eyes should indicate that stuff like this does not belong on display for all to see. It is neither artsy nor clever, it is just plain offensive. Rachel Ehrlich College '98 U.is not neighborly To the Editor: As a long-time West Philadelphia resident, I am outraged at the remarks supposedly made by Penn's Managing Director of Public Safety, Thomas Seamon, in the November 3 Philadelphia Inquirer. In the wake of researcher Vladimir Sled's murder, Seamon said: "[A]s you move past our patrol area, the crime rate? goes up astronomically." I question Seamon's statistics and would appreciate some clarification, but more importantly, I think his remarks are a slap in the face of many homeowners and community groups working hard to make this area a neighborhood. It seems there is "them against us" attitude from Penn toward the neighborhood. The area from 40th to 43rd streets is a problem area, but this is because students move in and out every year. No one knows their neighbors from one year to another, nor who owns what building. Within that area and as you go beyond it, there are many proud homeowners struggling to have a sense of neighborhood in the presence of the University. The University's real estate office needs to regroup and reassess its role in the neighborhood. The current attitude of strip malls, chains and mega-stores creates a mall environment and not a neighborhood. Support of small business and diversity are the only things that help a neighborhood survive. The more businesses that exist, then, the more foot traffic and the less criminal behavior. This is probably why so many students are relocating east of the Schuylkill River-- there is more of a neighborhood, and less of a barren, suburban mall atmosphere. Vincent Whittacre Financial Manager Gold Standard Biased reporting? To the Editor: I am writing this letter of indignation in response to "Beer, not ballots, was a priority at Dole's election party" (DP, 11/8/96). I have always considered myself a liberal and a loyal Democrat. Whenever any of my Republican friends have bashed the DP for "liberal bias," I have always defended your publication. I believe that in most cases, cries of "liberal bias" are just signs of frustration when the facts contradict the conservative doctrine. However, with last Friday's obviously biased story, the DP has done itself and the press a grave disservice. The article's tone was decidedly sarcastic and contemptuous of Republicans. With lines such as "4,000 mostly white, mostly male Republicans" and "the only choice the crowd had to make was between Samuel Adams and Johnny Walker," your reporter wrote an article that belonged on the editorial page rather than the front page of your newspaper. Alexander Davie College '00 Editor's note: The article in question was labeled a "Reporter's Notebook," and was not intended to be an objective news story.