LETTERS: Tuesday, November 16, 1999

Title IX commitmentTitle IX commitmentTo the Editor: You attribute to me a comment that men's sports are more popular than women's sports. By not providing any context for this comment, the article might give the impression that this reflects a programmatic priority. The truth is, my response was to questions about attendance at athletic contests, not support of our programs. Attendance tends to be greater at football and men's basketball games than it is at women's contests, or other men's events. As I indicated to the DP, we are implementing a variety of initiatives to create more fan support for all of our sports. Increasing opportunities for women is one of our highest priorities and we are pleased that these results are so encouraging. The major financial investments we have made in athletic facilities, budgets and head coaches for women, along with the dramatic gains in participation of women in our athletics program, is indicative of our present and future commitment to gender equity. Steven Bilsky Director of Athletics A packed week To the Editor: If there were ever a week to experience Penn, it is this one. So many of numerous groups on our campus are sponsoring events or activities that it will be hard to attend all of the ones that you may want to make it to. This letter is written with the intent of informing people that just because an event may be sponsored or co-sponsored by a group that you do not consider yourself a part of, you can and should still attend! For example, let's just say that it was Unity Week. Just because you are not a member of the United Minorities Council does not mean that you can not attend the events. In fact, that should be the very reason that you do so. People speak of not having an opportunity to "get to know" other cultures and groups of people, yet they often do not make the effort to do so themselves. This year's Unity Week, with the theme of "Unification Makes Change," has been designed for the benefit of the entire Penn community. All of the events promise to be informative and enriching, particularly keynote speaker Ernest Green -- who was one of the students in the Little Rock desegregation case. Along with Unity Week however, there is so much more going on, including Poverty Awareness Week, a cappella performances, fashion shows and dance shows, including a combined show by two of the best dance troupes on the East coast -- African Rhythms and Onda Latina. Talk about fostering and celebrating diversity. And none of this would be complete without saying something about one of the best groups on campus. Without A Net, a student improvisational comedy troupe, is having their big show this weekend. Every Sunday night at 11:00 p.m. in the Rathskellar in High Rise East, this wacky groups of misfits uplift a loyal group of followers with the funniest comedy that I have ever seen. I would go so far to say that it is these people that keep many of the overworked Penn students here sane. These comedic geniuses are also a part of this already packed week that is in itself a celebration of the richness that our university has to offer. Make sure that come next Monday, you have missed this week full of diverse and wonderful events. Chaz Howard College '00 The writer is the chairperson of the United Minorities Council. Campus is safe To the Editor: I would like to respond to Siona Listokin's column ("Penn's not-so-safe campus," DP, 11/11/99). I am in awe at the way she portrayed our campus as dangerous. Amazed at her conclusions, I decided to do some research, and see what the numbers say about Penn's crime rate. From a quick call to Penn's police department, I found out that total Category I crime has decreased in the campus area by 36 percent from the 1996-1997 academic year to the 1997-1998 academic year. In the same span, robbery and attempted robbery incidents have decreased 52 percent, burglary and attempted burglary incidents have decreased 30 percent and aggravated assault and attempted aggravated assault incidents have decreased 36 percent. These numbers are remarkable. If I could, I would give Maureen Rush an award for her efforts, for she has made the Penn police department the envy of college campuses around the country. They have done an incredible job to make Penn's campus safe and more attractive to students, visitors and possible residents. It is columns like Listokin's that are counterproductive to the work of the Penn police department. She incites students to think that Penn is unsafe and contributes to a negative image of our police department. These aren't lazy, donut-eating, pension-sitting neighborhood babysitters. These people put their lives on the line for us, day in and day out. Let's not criticize their leader in such an unprofessional way. Anecdotal accounts about Penn safety are important, but by no means should the numbers be left out. They tell a different and encouraging tale about the state of safety on campus. Ms. Listokin, the next time you write a column, do your research and don't scare students. Some of us respect the police and get upset when you represent them as being less than competent. Troy Madres College '00