CAMPUS BRIEFS: Wednesday, January 22, 1997

Linson files appeal in sexual harassment case Linson alleged that he was unfairly expelled from the University after accusing fellow Linguistics graduate student Ken Matsuda of sexually and physically harassing him from September 1992 until March 1993. University Counsel Brenda Fraser, however, maintained that Linson was dropped from the program for failing to register for his fall 1993 classes. She added that the Linguistics Department concluded Linson's poor academic standing made him unlikely to graduate and refused to readmit him to the program. Linson alleged that although the University did not mistreat him on the basis of his gender, it violated his civil rights under federal Title IX guidelines against harassment. "I have seen nothing in the published law nor in the Trustees' or the court's responses that has convinced me that I have not accurately described a violation of law which injures me and for which Congress has given me the right to recompense," Linson wrote in his appeal. The University has 30 days to respond to Linson's written appeal. -- Ali Feen Asian American sorority begins rush program Kappa Delta Phi -- the first East Coast chapter of any Asian American sorority -- begins its rush program today. KDPhi, which currently consists of ten undergraduates, will hold rush events independent of the Panhellenic Council's system. The sorority promotes sisterhood, scholarship, leadership, women's issues and Asian American awareness in the University and surrounding communities, according to Rush Chairperson and Engineering junior Vinaya Valloppillil. She added that this semester's rush is notable because KDPhi is now a fully recognized chapter on campus. The chapter will hold an open house rush event today in Chestnut Hall at 8 p.m. Rush events will continue throughout the week before concluding next Wednesday. Other events include a community service day, a sundae party and a casino night. --Jaclyn LaPlaca University Council will meet today in Quad Today's University Council meeting will focus on progress reports from several of the Council's committees. University President Judith Rodin will begin the meeting by asking Council to consent to the appointment of Statistics Professor David Hildebrand as moderator. Hildebrand -- a former chairperson of the Faculty Senate -- replaces Political Science Professor Will Harris. The committee will discuss the findings of the Committee for NCAA Certification, which conducts an in-depth study of Penn's athletic programs every five years, according to Senior Associate Athletic Director Carolyn Schlie-Femovitch. Schlie-Femovitch said the Athletic Department discussed the review -- required of all Division I athletic programs -- with many campus groups in an effort to obtain broad input. "[The review] reaffirms that we are doing an outstanding job with our programs," Schlie-Femovitch said. Additionally, the Research Committee -- charged with fostering the participation of undergraduates in research -- will present a progress report. -- Dina Bass