LETTERS: NEC urges freshman class to participate in revote

To the Editor: The NEC wishes to acknowledge the inconvenience these events have caused certain candidates and the entire freshman class. It is the role of our organization to conduct a fair and unbiased election for all candidates. This has been and will always be the primary goal of the NEC in conducting elections. We strongly urge all members of the freshman class to participate in the upcoming second election to be held on Friday, October 17. Nominations and Elections Committee Pressure of 'Coming Out' To the Editor: To comment on a sensitive topic at Penn is to open one's self to a barrage of criticism and name-calling; however, for two years now I have considered writing about Penn's "Coming Out Days," and in this third year, I feel I can write unabashedly. As is common knowledge, homosexuals have had quite a struggle in attaining civil rights, something not anyone should be denied. And although I do feel that homosexuality needs to be tolerated, I fail to see how we heterosexuals at Penn need to encourage it. What I mean is: Why are the chalk writings on the walk so aggressive? Why do the sponsors of the chalk writings force homosexuality down our throats, as if there's something wrong with being straight on this campus? Walking with friends down Locust, it seems that the chalk writings are there even for mere shock value, completely undermining the plight of homosexual civil rights, and making Penn's gay community look like a bunch of whiners (which I'm not even qualified to say anyway). I hardly think homosexuals or bisexuals are any less human than heterosexuals; and I do understand that they feel a strong sense of rebellion towards the powers that be who have so unfairly persecuted them. But, honestly, I feel more pressure from BGLAD to admit some sort of latent homosexuality than I do feel pressure from those ranting-and-raving born-again Christians to check out who Jesus Christ is. Marc Aneed College '99 Student Health policy To the Editor: We are writing to correct misinformation in Student Health Services Director MarJeanne Collins' letter to the DP last week concerning women's health ("Change in Women's Health Policy," DP, 10/3/97). Collins states that Student Health has started billing for women's health services to "increase the Student Health Service staff capacity to provide more well woman annual gynecological check-ups for students." This statement conflicts directly with documents provided to the GAPSA Insurance Committee by the administration last spring. These documents clearly showed that $49,733 would be added to the 1997-98 Student Health Service budget to increase the women's health staff. The new funds come from "capitation fees" generated by the Aetna/U.S. Healthcare student insurance package. Put simply, Aetna passes a portion of our premiums through to Student Health. Given the infusion of nearly $50,000 into the women's health budget, we question Collins' claims that state law and increased usage of women's health services have forced Student Health to start billing for these procedures. The fact that Student Health is billing for services it seemingly could continue to provide for free casts doubt on whether the administration has in fact used the $49,733 to increase the women's health staff. Further, it gives the impression that the administration may be saving general fee funds by charging parents' insurance companies for women's health services provided to students. Neither the administration nor Student Health has addressed the breach of student confidentiality the new billing procedure may cause. The GAPSA Insurance Committee calls on the administration to address this concern, and to provide a full accounting of the amount, sources and uses of this year's Student Health Service budget. Christy Doran SAS graduate student Chairperson, GAPSA Insurance Committee Matthew Ruben SAS graduate student (4 signatures follow) Patriot-Ivy bowl game To the Editor: Tuesday's sports commentary by Marc Edelman, "An end to the Patriot problem," (DP, 10/7/97) struck my eye mainly because of my not-so-long-ago graduation from Bucknell. I won't debate the attendance records, but I do disagree with several points of Edelman's article. First, the Patriot League recently allowed the offering of athletic scholarships under great pressure from at least one of its members. While most schools do not yet offer athletic scholarships, it may only be a matter of time until they do. I also remember reading an article in the DP highlighting the Ivies as the only non-athletic-scholarship league. Secondly, how long has Towson State been a member of the Patriot League? To my knowledge they are not part of the Patriot League, although they do schedule games with the league. Third, if the Columbia game drew 6,435 fans, how is that more than the 6,806 fans during this weekend's game? It is a shame that students don't see some of the better games. If Edelman did not go to any of the last 3 Bucknell-Penn games, then he lost out. All of the last 3 games have been excellent, with Bucknell winning this year and the last two Bucknell losses coming in overtime or the last minute of regulation. Finally, Edelman should very much reconsider his proposal (although from his commentary it's hard to tell which proposal he really wants) to split the Ivy League so that the league only plays within it's own conference. This is totally contrary to any serious sports program. If done, it would probably lead to an eventual downturn in the quality of both athletic programs. Personally, I see no reason why we can't keep much of the schedule intact and still have a Patriot-Ivy bowl game. Besides, does his proposal truly work to benefit the Ivy League as a whole or just Penn, who has recently had a stronger football program than the rest of it's conference? Mike Robinson Senior System Administrator, Core Systems Group The Wharton School Wharton grudges To the Editor: I am writing in response to Jonathan Stein's column, entitled "Freshman impressions of Wharton," (DP, 10/1/97). As a member of both the College and Wharton's classes of '01, I read this column and agreed that there is quite a difference between Whartonites and students from the College of Arts and Crafts. I don't want to make the broad generalizations Stein did; however, it goes without saying that Stein is just another confused soul? The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania is a premier business undergraduate school. It is the only undergraduate business school among the Ivies, and it wins numerous accolades every year. SAS students should be proud and honored to live amongst Wharton students in their dorms. They should not hold spiteful grudges as Stein seemingly does. And in the end, you must remember, that when you do graduate and get a job, you may very well be working for one of your Wharton classmates. Marcel Benjamin College and Wharton '01