CAMPUS BRIEFS: Friday, August 29, 1997

21st Century Project assistant leaves U. In her new position, Albertine is responsible for coordinating undergraduate academics on the university's main campus and reports directly to Temple Provost James England. She will also oversee the Temple Learning Communities -- a special program of related core course for first-year students -- and interdisciplinary academic initiatives among Temple's 11 schools with undergraduate programs. Albertine's work at Penn centered on the 21st Century Project, a major initiative on undergraduate education that has become a part of the Agenda for Excellence. The 21st Century Project involves providing research opportunities for undergraduates and offering more interdisciplinary courses. The initiative aims to connect different academic fields and extend learning beyond the student's major department through programs such as Foreign Languages Across the Curriculum. The 21st Century Project is also designed to restructure and improve student resources and support services. Albertine implemented programs to develop residence-based computing and library support and the Web Support Services Project, in which student volunteers teach professors how to make Web pages for their classes. -- Stephanie Cooperman Starbucks moves into Tuscany's old location Starbucks Coffee filled the caffeine void left by Tuscany Cafe when it moved into the cafe's former location at 34th and Sansom streets in July. The University City store is Starbucks' fourth location in Philadelphia, according to Senior Manager Peter Mahoney. The chain already had shops at 16th and Walnut, 12th and Market, and 4th and South streets. Noting that the store will not necessarily close nightly at 8 p.m. as Tuscany did, Mahoney said business will dictate how late the doors will stay open. "We will play it by ear as far as volume of business," he said. "We may stay open late during the school year, especially on weekends and during finals." Starbucks -- which has opened more than 1,000 stores since its first Seattle site in 1971 -- specializes in coffee beverages made with espresso and steamed milk, like cappuccinos and cafe mochas. In addition to pastries and muffins, the University City shop also offers sandwiches. The new Starbucks site had been vacant since Tuscany filed for bankruptcy in April and closed its 28 stores throughout the nation. -- Shannon Burke 24-hour diner to open on New Year's Eve When a survey conducted last fall by the Undergraduate Assembly revealed University students' desire for more late-night dining on campus, the University promptly started soliciting restaurants to fit the bill. The eating demand will soon be met when a new, 24-hour diner opens at 39th and Walnut streets New Year's Eve. Eat at Joe's -- a Cherry Hill, N.J.-based company founded and headed by a 1990 Drexel University graduate -- will open next door to Baskin Robbins. While most students will not be on campus for the restaurant's opening, Anthony Cosenza, the company's president, said the "semi-chain" will focus primarily on the area's student population. He said the diner will serve "classic '50s fare -- including garlic mashed potatoes and fried chicken -- as well as healthier food and vegetarian items." Eager to get feedback on menu ideas, Cosenza said he hopes to forge a "comfort level" with his consumers. He also said Eat at Joe's promises a good "$5-and-under meal." Recalling his college days, the 29-year-old entrepreneur said he sympathizes with University students. "[At Drexel] we were always looking for a diner," he said. "We wanted an alternative to the meal plan, or what the fraternity was offering." --Maureen Tkacik