News Briefs

UMC readies for Unity Week activities

This Saturday, the United Minorities Council will kick off Unity Week, its annual cultural diversity celebration. Co-sponsored by several campus organizations including the Greenfield Intercultural Center and SPEC-TRUM, Unity Week 2000 will last nine days and include a variety of events and activities. Each day's event or activity is put on by two of the UMC's constituent group members. UNISUN2000, a multicultural performance taking place next Friday, will be the week's featured event. This weekend, the celebration will start off with a coffee house on Saturday and then a volunteer opportunity on Sunday. From Monday through Thursday, there will be several different discussions, including one about self-segregation and one about affirmative action. During Friday night's performance at Irvine Auditorium, several different groups will take the stage. The event is free, though donations will be accepted and will benefit a scholarship for the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers. The week will close with a movie night and the Black Student League Fashion Show on Sunday. -- Rachel Nawi

Hot dog vendor delays store opening

The opening date for the hot dog eatery Papaya King, on 40th Street, has been pushed back until right after Christmas, according to owner Daniel Horan, due to construction delays and unfavorable bids from contractors. Famous in New York for its inexpensive hot dogs and fruit smoothies, Papaya King was originally expected to open on Penn's campus sometime this week. Horan called the projected opening date for early next semester "realistic," adding that the progress has so far been "painfully slow." Tom Lussenhop, the University's top real estate official, said University real estate has been offering Horan advice regarding the permit and construction. "We're working very closely with the operator to accelerate the opening date," he said. -- Victoria Sun

Phi Psi honors three freshmen men

Phi Kappa Psi held their annual Gentlemen, Leaders and Innovators Scholarship award ceremony last night at Moriarty's restaurant. Three financial prizes were given to freshman men who exemplified the principles of Phi Psi. Three College students won the awards. Ross Bruch won the first-place $1,000 award and Patrick Cleary was awarded the $300 award. Ryan McCort took the third-place $200 prize. "The awards were awarded to those who were leaders in high school and who will demonstrate the same involvement at Penn," said College junior Stu Torcha, president of Phi Psi. Applications were sent to all freshman men during the summer. The application required an essay, video or anything else that best describes why the applicant is a gentleman, leader and innovator. About 30 freshmen submitted applications and sat through interviews and other social events with the scholarship committee. -- Richard Mo