LETTERS: Rodin's national media image

To the Editor: for truth. The DP's editorial "Rodin's mixed public image" (DP, 1/14/97) was unduly forgiving of University President Judith Rodin and NBC Nightly News anchor Tom Brokaw. Brokaw's sugar-coated puff piece makes a mockery of jouralism. Brokaw never disclosed that he was the speaker at Penn's commencement in May. Nor did he ever really explain how he could possibly group Rodin together with Hillary Clinton, Elizabeth Dole, Madeline Albright, and Shannon Lucid as a woman of the year. Instead, he peppered his piece with profound comments, such as: "In just two years, [Rodin] developed a five year plan. How does she do it?" How indeed. NBC Nightly News interviewed several students, including editors of the DP, about Rodin; they simply chose not to include any critical comments. Thus viewers were mislead to believe that the Rodin administration has enjoyed success at Penn. The real Rodin record is one of abysmal failure. Rodin began her tenure by unveiling a much-heralded undergraduate educated initiative. Two years later, Rodin has nothing to show for her efforts. Crime has surged, but it took a shooting to wake Rodin up. When she did respond, it was not "with force" as Brokaw reported, but rather with cosmetic changes that do nothing to address the real need -- more cops on the street. Penn parents realize this, and they booed Rodin and shouted her down last semester. Not a word about that from Brokaw. Rodin converted a plan for a first-rate new student center into a first-rate scam: the renovation of old buildings not up to fire code. In all of this, students are left out. But Rodin would have little knowledge of that, since she has far less interaction with students than previous University presidents. Under Rodin, Penn's ranking is down, and it will drop further. The number of applications is down, and it will drop further. The University is under state and federal investigation for falsely reporting its crime statistics. Tom Brokaw to the contrary, Judith Rodin has been a disaster for the University, and the DP should not mince words in saying so. Mike Nadel College '96 u To the Editor: Perhaps I have a case of amnesia. According to the editorial in Tuesday's DP, University President Judith Rodin has only interacted with students at an "occasional basketball game." As the president's assistant for student relations, I arrange and often sit in on meetings that President Rodin holds with students and attend student events with her. At least I thought that's what happened. I seem to recall that Rodin interacted with students quite frequently -- including signing up voters during a registration drive on Locust Walk -- this fall. A smattering of examples includes: teaching her freshman seminar, kicking off the Black Student League's new mentoring program, hosting freshmen at Eiisenlohr, discussing A Moveable Feast during the Penn Reading Project, working a safety phone-a-thon, holding a safety forum and accepting the Greek system's plan for the 21st century. Not only do I think I recall these student events, but I seem to remember seeing pictures of Rodin at them. Now just where were those photos? Oh, I remember! On the front page of The Daily Pennsylvanian! Whew! Glad I'm not the one with the case of amnesia! Jennofer Baldino Executive Assistant Office of the President Glad to be on-campus To the Editor: Your recent articles regarding the miseries some off-campus students are experiencing made me all the more thankful that I decided to live on-campus (DP, 11/25-27/96.) Moreover, considering all the tragedy we have encountered this semester, finding bright spots has been somewhat difficult. One of my earliest bright spots, however, was getting to know some of the University employees. While one can always cite exceptions, for the most part I have found University, employees to be friendly, responsive, and willing to assist me. This has been particularly true of the employees in Graduate Tower B, where I am living this year. Maintenance staff John McGuire and Desiree Maahs were among the first to welcome me to Grad B and are always ready to offer directions, shopping recommendations, safety tips, or a helping hand. Moreover, they carry out their responsibilities fully and with obvious pride of being a part of the University family. Grad B is always spotless, and runs very smoothly. Considering how frequently union employees are characterized in the media as being unproductive or uncaring, getting to know John and Desiree has been especially gratifying, and I believe they are representative of the majority of University staff. Paula Jean Poskon Wharton junior Americans attitude To the Editor: In Seth Lasser's "Questioning American pride" (DP, 1/15/97), he stated that the reason foreigners would disdain Americans was because of the prevalence of American culture (or rather, American products) in the world. Being a self-styled world traveller, he should have realized that is not even the primary reason why a handful of foreigners would dislike Americans. The reason has more to do with America's attitude towards the world, and the way they behave in foreign lands. I quote Let's Go Budget Guide to Europe 1995, under the heading Essentials, "Unfortunately, particularly Americans have gained notoriety abroad; this may explain the little red maple leaves Canadians are careful to sew on to their backpacks. By now, even U.S. citizens have taken to disguising themselves as Canucks." The Ugly American (which has nothing to do with the physical aspects), Yank, Yankee Donkey, and 'Mericans rarely result from McDonalds and Hollywood. Ainsley Tai Engineering sophomore Quad mail problems To the Editor: I wrote it off in the beginning (no pun intended). Mail tends to get lost or misplaced on a large university campus, I told myself. However, since September I am missing over thirty parcels, letters and pictures from friends, checks from grandparents, Christmas cards, and notes from Mom that say "I love you." I am not alone in this caper, my roommate, hallmates, and friends are also missing mail. As for the Bill of Rights, I'm all over the free speech amendment. I've filed complaints with everyone, the Resident Assistant, the school's postmaster, the Post Office on 40th Street, University President Judith Rodin and anyone who happens to be within earshot. The standardized complaint form is tediously detailed and I have yet to receive a response in three months for the twenty filed. In my latest confrontation I was informed that, "Philadelphia is known for their mail system." Well, isn't that something to be proud of? In the age of the Internet it may well be quicker and easier to send e-mail. Yet, it's just not the same as a handwritten letter (though maybe more legible.) Love letters aren't quite the same in standard type. Trust me, you can't smell cyber roses, and mom doesn't send her famous double chunk chocolate chip cookies though the web. Well, "City of Brotherly Love", whoever is purloining my mail; I hope the gloves Mother sent are keeping your hands warm, hope the pictures of my brother's first formal compliment the finger painting by my one-year-old cousin, hope you enjoyed the Halloween stickers, and the chocolate chip cookies. Dana Cantanese College freshman