Officials have high hopes for break

Administrators look forward to winter break rest and relaxation. University administrators -- like Penn students -- are eagerly counting the days until winter break and deciding on their holiday wish lists. Provost Stanley Chodorow is looking forward to spending his time on a warm weather vacation with his wife. Chodorow said he is hoping for a new exercise bike for the holidays, but had his doubts that his wish would be granted. "I'm not sure I've been a good enough boy this year to deserve that," he joked. And School of Engineering and Applied Sciences Dean Gregory Farrington is also caught up in the holiday cheer. Among the items on his wish list are a new scarf, A's for all students this spring and "no more Drexel students rappelling out of the grad towers," he said. While Chodorow is heading south over break, many professors and administrators plan to take advantage of their time off by hitting the slopes. Wharton School of Business Dean Thomas Gerrity will join his wife and children for a skiing vacation in Wyoming. And in between reviewing applications, Dean of Admissions Lee Stetson is also planning a skiing vacation -- though he admits he "primarily sits in the lodge anyway." Stetson's ideal holiday gift would be that "the few who didn't apply early this year will apply regular decision," he said. Penn's early decision applications fell 10.4 percent this year over last fall, from 2,046 to 1,832. Vice Provost of University Life Valarie Swain-Cade McCoullum's priority for the holiday season is spending time with her family, especially her five month old grandson. McCoullum also plans to rollerblade, watch movies and eat a lot. Among her wishes for the holiday season are fudge, lipstick that does not smudge, "peace and health to all" and "my mom's turkey soup!" Other University officials will not have quite as much leisure time during the break. Men's basketball coach Fran Dunphy will spend a few days with his family before he and his team head out to Tucson, Az. on December 26 for a busy schedule of games. Dunphy -- who said his hope was for everyone to be "healthy and happy" -- would probably also have no problem if University President Judith Rodin's holiday wish were granted. Rodin said at the top of her list was an "NCAA championship win for 1997 Penn hoops." She plans on spending time with family and friends over the holidays. Nursing School Dean Norma Lang also had an ambitious gift list -- including "a billion dollar NIH grant." Lang said she is looking most forward to a peaceful holiday time with her family. Many administrators echoed Lang's sentiments, indicating that this would make their holiday wish list complete.