LETTERS: A respect for all kinds of life

To the Editor: As a female, I am disturbed by the notion that the described lack of enthusiasm for pro-abortion issues necessarily forbades a return to some dark age of "back alley abortions" and self-mutilation. While such acts of violence are heinous and unfortunate for the women who undergo them, "getting rid" of a child in such a manner cannot be the answer in a civilized and ethical society while alternatives to abortion exist. Rather, one would hope that the waning fervor of abortion activism reflects an increasing consciousness of the serious social, ethical, and medical ramifications of abortion. To write that the "campaign against 'partial-birth abortions' is the latest blow against abortion rights," is not only to ignore the fact that such a procedure is never medically necessary, but also to let personal and ethical judgement be subsumed under the rhetoric of pro-abortionism. The increasing social acceptance of casual sexual relations coupled with a diminuating sense of personal responsibility and respect only facilitate the idea that unwanted human life can be sacrificed if inconvenient. Thus those 45 percent who are quoted to have carried their pregnancies to term deserve to be commended. But the problem lies not only in abortion, but in feminism as well. What is feminism if it fails to instill a deep sense of respect among women for their own bodies -- if it fails to encourage women to expect and demand respect from their partners --or more relevantly, if it fails to promote respect for the life that develops inside of them? Tien Vu Medical student Cameras and monitoring in new DPS facility To the Editor: On behalf of the Division of Public Safety, I want to thank the DP for the article regarding the opening of the new Division of Public Safety facility at 4040 Chestnut Street ("U. holds open house for Public Safety's new home," DP, 1/28/98). At the same time, I would like to provide clarification of several references made concerning cameras and monitoring in he building. In the facility's new Communications Center, we have the capability of monitoring cameras installed in or around campus buildings. As additional installations of cameras are completed and brought on line across campus, decisions will be made as to which cameras will be monitored by DPS. Regarding cameras at the new facility, the high speed cameras which are mounted on the building monitor conditions in he front and rear of the facility, for building security purposes. I also want to point out that DPS has installed several cameras to monitor only security-sensitive areas inside the facility, such as the entrance lobby of the building and the garage area. Stratis Skoufalos Director of Security Services Division of Public Safety RAPLine students are well-trained To the Editor: Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) has worked closely with the RAPLine students since its inception. At many of the 150 psychoeducational workshops that we conduct annually, CAPS staff mention that the RAPLine is an excellent place to call if a student wants to be listened to in a nonjudgemental manner by a peer. Yet, at times, many students appropriately want to speak to a professional. Once a student becomes a client at CAPS, we become partners with the student in the responsibility for a student's academic, career, emotional and psychological needs and health. As a result, CAPS staff is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. CAPS has a walk-in emergency service available 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. After hours, weekends and holidays, CAPS psychiatrist provide back-up by phone. Students can call Student Health at 662-2850 and the on-call psychiatrist is paged to return the student's call. Penn community members also can utilize CAPS on-call consultation services when concerned about a student or group of students. CAPS and the RAPLine are two important confidential services available to Penn students. It is vital that the student population knows that we are available to assist in any way we can. Finally, as someone who as an undergraduate worked on a similar peer line, I personally believe that RAPLine volunteers obtain excellent training, skill development, personal growth and career enhancement by working on the RAPLine. Such student involvement is a win-win situation for everyone in the Penn community. Ilene Rosenstein Director of CAPS