LETTERS: Skimmer coverage too negative

To the Editor: Skimmer was planned by 10 juniors working with a mere $10,000 budget. We obtained permits for the event that the city had rejected giving to University students for the past 26 years. And we spoke with University and Philadelphia police to ensure that while the event was officially "dry," students who chose to drink would not be harassed by the LCE. The result: Penn's largest and most successful party in recent history. We managed to draw 5,000 students from all areas of the University population to the river. The bands were outstanding. And the majority of students had a great time. There was also not a single police citation, and there were absolutely no safety problems. Baffled by our own success, we were overwhelmed with a turnout we never could have anticipated. The unprecedented size of the crowd left us in short supply of food and buses. We alerted every cab company in the city of the situation. A vending stand was set up 100 meters away from the location, with food and drinks for sale throughout the event. Ten juniors took it in their hands to create the largest Penn party in three years and to improve the constantly complained-of waning Penn social life. The DP has a responsibility to promote and advocate this type of effort rather than focus on the few failings of an otherwise outstanding event. Sarah Gleit, Class of '99 president Jared Fishman, Class of '99 vice president for corporate sponsorship Skimmer co-coordinators Focus on the games To the Editor: On behalf of the Penn baseball team I felt it was my duty to respond to the article "Brawl ball highlights Ivy sweep" (DP, 3/30/98). I was disappointed to see that the DP once again failed to concentrate on the positive accomplishments of an athletic team. The article misrepresented what occurred in a post-game, off-the-field confrontation between Columbia parents and players and Penn students. More importantly, it neglected to report on the unbelievable play of the Penn baseball team over the weekend. It is sad that the DP's sports section continues to focus on events other than the games its reporters are sent to cover. Articles should focus solely on the spirit of Ivy League competition and the positive contribution student athletes make in sacrificing their time and energy to represent the University. In the future, I hope to read more articles that give due credit to the hard work and dedication that Penn's athletes put forth, and fewer articles that criticize the spectators, whose tireless support makes our athletic experience one that we will remember for years to come. Joe Carlon Penn Baseball co-captain