CAMPUS BRIEFS: Wednesday, February 26, 1997

The Book Store gets rid of quarter system Beginning this week, students no longer have to insert quarters into the lockers at the front and side of the store when securing their belongings. "We did it just to better serve our customers," Book Store Business Services Director Michael Knezic said. "Now people don't have to spend the quarter to store their belongings." According to Book Store policy, students must store bags and backpacks in the lockers when shopping in the bookstore. Previously, students could pick up quarters from a door attendant to insert into the lockers. Knezic said that the shift from quarter-operated lockers "was just a matter of flipping a switch behind the lockers." He explained that the switch to key-operated lockers does not compromise the security of students' belongings, adding that "security is still the same." -- Tammy Reiss Philadelphia Power makes home at Drexel Although the Philadelphia Power -- the city's new United States Basketball League franchise -- initially inquired about using the Palestra for its home games, the team has instead chosen to play its 1997 season at Drexel's Physical Education Athletics Arena. Power owner Chip Mitchell said his team contacted the University about renting the Palestra, but was told his team's schedule conflicted with Palestra use. Athletic Director Steve Bilsky said he does not think the facilities currently meet the needs of the University, so he is hesitant to rent them to outsiders. "We pretty much use our facilities day and night seven days a week," he said. Prior to the deal, Drexel had never rented its arena for anything but "one-shot deals," according to Drexel Associate Athletic Director John Bowie. Bowie added that conflict with Drexel team practices is not an issue, since those practices are held midday during the week while the Power's games are mostly on weekend evenings. The Power will play over a dozen home games at the arena from May 2 through June 20. -- Michael Brus Glee Club video camera stolen from Annenberg A Penn Glee Club video camera containing a videotape of last spring's gala tribute to longtime director Bruce Montgomery was stolen from the Annenberg Center early Sunday morning, according to club member Ron Isaacson. Isaacson, an Engineering junior, said the Sharp 8-millimeter camcorder, valued at approximately $1,000, was left unattended and unsecured in the main lobby of the performing arts facility at 37th and Walnut streets. The University Police log book lists the incident as having occurred Sunday between 12:01 a.m. and 2 a.m. Isaacson explained that the videotape -- a master copy which the club had not yet duplicated -- is much more valuable to the organization than the camcorder, which was donated by a Penn Glee Club alumnus approximately two years ago. The theft occurred during a reception for club members' parents in the lower lobby of the building after Saturday night's performance of "Treble in Paradise." Isaacson called on the thieves to return the videotape to him or to University Police, "no questions asked." -- Scott Lanman