LETTERS: Inadequate counseling services

To the Editor: The two people who attempted suicide over Fling will hopefully get help if they seek it, but I highly doubt the University can provide counseling to the extent that they, their friend or their hallmates need. Counseling Services is understaffed and underfunded. It is frustrating to not be able to get the help you need when you need it, and it is also possibly detrimental to your mental health. I told my counselor that I had felt suicidal, but she was unable to take it seriously because she simply had too many patients. If Counseling Services Director Ilene Rosenstein thinks that people should take talk about suicide seriously, she should make sure that the services she runs are able to take students with suicidal feelings seriously. I'm okay now; any suicidal feelings I had are gone, but it is certainly no thanks to the University's shoddy attempt at providing counseling to its students. Shape it up, Judy. Students need good available counseling much more than the Perelman Quadrangle. Name withheld upon request No comment To the Editor: I write in reply to yesterday's editorial concerning the search to fill the position of house dean at Community House ("Many questions, zero answers," The Daily Pennsylvanian). I fully understand the strong desire of some members of Community House to know more about the search process and the activities of my committee, which, with its faculty, staff and student representation, has worked hard to identify the strongest candidates for these important new positions. I know that I might have similar feelings in the same situation. But personnel decisions must always be confidential. It would be unfair to all the many strong candidates who will not be offered positions to make public statements about these most sensitive decisions. Moreover, it is our understanding that Koros is consulting with legal counsel about this matter, making it even more important that I do not comment on her specific circumstances at this time. David Pope Engineering Professor House Dean Search Committee Chairperson Locust Walk graveyard To the Editor: I found it ironic that Community Service Living-Learning Program Director Margaret Quern was "surprised that the University would get rid of the community service program [from Locust Walk] in favor of making Locust Walk entirely fraternities" ("Psi U return threatens well-being of CSLLP," DP, 4/21/98). Not only is statement factually incorrect, it is also based on unsound logic. Locust Walk is not made up entirely of fraternities; it is, in fact, a graveyard. Look at the corner stones of the Franklin Center, the Sweeney Center, the office of the Vice Provost for University Life. They were all once fraternities -- and these are only the buildings that the University took over (after good faith exchanges of ownership for $1). Where Van Pelt Library, Steinberg-Dietrich Hall and the high rises now stand, fraternities also once existed. The Greeks first occupied the Walk when it was considered too dangerous for other students. Since those days, the University either demolished their houses, suspended their charters or moved them further off campus. At least the CSLLP did not own its house; program participants borrowed something that was not theirs. I can name numerous houses who feel more betrayed by the University. Their tombstones remain on the Walk for all to see. Josh Belinfante InterFraternity Council President College '99