To the Editor: Many dedicated people among the University's faculty, staff and student body recognize the need for expanded training. Many of us are working to improve the quality of graduate-student teaching. It is not solely the responsibility of the faculty or the administration. Many graduate students are here because teaching is what we want to do with our lives, and we do need to be more aggressive about helping ourselves and one another with teaching. My office was established by the co-operative efforts of the Graduate Student Associations Council and the Vice Provost for Graduate Education, to allow TAs and teachers to help each other. We are here to aid TA development year-round. I encourage TAs to contact me about their teaching concerns, to talk to me and to one another about teaching. I can be reached at teachnet@ pobox.upenn.edu, and I have also established a Web site for graduate student teaching, "http://www.upenn.edu /grad_teach/". Penn's graduate students are a terrific asset, and with a bit of effort and a few additional resources, graduate student teaching could be one of Penn's strongest areas. Stephen Winick Folklore/Folklife Graduate Student Director, Graduate Student Teaching Resource Network Increasing safety To the Editor: As a new Penn employee and lifetime Philadelphia-area resident, I find the recent escalation of violent crime very disturbing. I had the privilege of meeting Vladimir Sled, and my condolences go out to his family and friends. If Penn were to lower the temperature of every building one degree, perhaps the savings could be used to add security personnel or purchase police services. I would much rather wear a sweater than a bullet-proof vest -- or worse yet, my best suit, in a box, surrounded by mourning friends. John Blankemeyer Building Administrator University Medical Center Racist review To the Editor: I have a very serious complaint to register about the October 31 issue of 34th Street. Buried in the movie/entertainment review section on page 14 was the following review of Spike Lee's film Get on the Bus: "Now I remember back when my father owned the Lee family and if I ain't mistaken, Spike's great-grandmother and I had a little fun one night by the barn. It's possible, Spike, that I'm your great-grandpa. Now whaddya think of that?" I cannot believe that review made it into print in any publication, but the fact that it appeared in a DP insert should be a matter of considerable concern for the Penn community. That review has proven the most disgusting and racist statement I have seen in any publication on campus to date. I would suggest that the author of this piece explain him or herself, as there was no name on the review, but frankly there is no explanation that could serve as justification. The review went far, far beyond the boundaries of poor taste, and I hope those who read this letter will voice their reactions as well. We cannot allow such "jokes" to go unnoticed, even when they are quietly buried in the corner of an insert. Nathan Smith P.A.C.E. Program Coordinator
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