Campus Copy incident a hot topic at Barchi's Fireside Chat

Provost Robert Barchi, accompanied by University President Judith Rodin, began last night's Fireside Chat by thanking organizers for forgoing the usual fire -- but the administrators may still have had the feeling of being roasted. Over 50 students, more than have attended previous chats, attended the open discussion, which focused on race issues including the alleged racially motivated assault at Campus Copy Center two weeks ago. Many students used the discussion -- sponsored by the Undergraduate Assembly, the Student Committee on Undergraduate Education and the Office of Student Life -- to demand action from the University. Rodin and Barchi said that they would not act until the University Police investigation was complete, but that improving race sensitivity was a high priority. But both students and administrators said the discussion highlighted the fact that it takes a prominent incident to bring community issues to the fore. "So many times something comes up and it becomes the flavor of the week, and I'm really happy that people are still addressing this issue two weeks later," College sophomore and Office of Student of Student Life liaison Chidinma Ibe said. "[Racial issues have] been simmering underneath for a long time, but it took an incident to bring it up. "But that's why I'm frustrated -- if people are this upset there should always be discourse about it." But while the administrators tried to steer the discussion toward a focus on the improvement of race relations at the University, students continued to use the conversation as a plea for action. Rodin said the University would take no action until investigations were complete, and Barchi added that the police were waiting for a single "crucial statement." "All of the parties have, at this point, not been willing to be interviewed -- until that happens there cannot be an institutional response," Rodin said. "But individuals need to think about what each of us can do about it." Throughout the meeting, Barchi and Rodin asked students for ideas as to what they thought might improve race relations on campus. "The fact that a group of students of color felt less safe here than a group of white students [concerns me]," Barchi said. "When I'm hearing from students that they're not comfortable among their colleagues... that's a little close to home," Barchi said. Students said they felt racial tensions at Penn were high, if somewhat hidden, and that there was a level of mistrust between students and the administration on racial issues. "I've lived here for four years and I get the feeling that people are boiling at the edges -- people are ready to scream," first year Graduate School of Education student Josh Croll said. Students said that open communication and immediate action were key factors missing from the administration. They suggested race sensitivity training at freshman orientation and for resident advisors, course options or requirements that deal with racial issues and programs that promote cooperation with the West Philadelphia community, as well as more open conversation like the "Fireside Chats." But Rodin said that no simple solutions, or sanctions on Campus Copy Center, could satisfy students' immediate concerns. "You have many issues all coming together around the issues you're discussing here," Rodin said. "We would be serving you poorly to give you pat answers."