News Briefs: Thursday, December 9, 1999

Penn looks to improve academic integrity The task force is looking to combat academic dishonesty at the University and to involve faculty members of the four undergraduate schools in creating an environment of academic integrity. "Surveys both nationally and locally indicate that students themselves report a fairly significant number of violations of academic integrity," Conn said last night. Chaired by Conn, the committee's 12 members include College of Arts and Sciences Dean Richard Beeman, Office of Student Conduct Director Michele Goldfarb and Career Services Director Patricia Rose. Student representatives on the committee include members of the InterFraternity Council, the Student Committee on Undergraduate Education and the Nominations and Elections Committee. The committee has met several times this semester, according to Conn, and is expected to present its formal recommendations before the undergraduate deans and the University community sometime next semester. -- Eric Tucker University honored for Truman scholars Penn has been chosen as one of five colleges and universities to receive the Truman Foundation Honor Institution Award because of its exceptionally high number of Truman Scholars over the past several years. For the past three years, a Penn student has received the very prestigious award, which is given to two college juniors in each state who are committed to public service and plan to attend graduate school. At least five Penn students have won the award in the 1990s. "We have been successful over the past few years with Truman winners," said Terri Conn of the Office of the Vice Provost for University Life last night. In order to be considered for the honor, schools were required to have a Truman Scholar in 1999 and needed to demonstrate repeated success in helping their students win the scholarships. The Honor Institutions will be formally announced in mid-June. College senior Sarah Zimbler, an influential member of the West Philadelphia Tutoring Project, earned the award last spring. Rachel Skerritt, former managing editor of The Vision, won in 1998. And Jamal Harris received the honor in 1997. -- E.T.