News Briefs

Court date set in Tobin lawsuit The University is heading back to court this May for the final stages of its legal battle with the family of 1994 College alumnus Michael Tobin. In 1999, Tobin died on campus after an accident following an alumni dinner at the Phi Gamma Delta fraternity. He allegedly slipped down the back stairs at the chapter's former house on Locust Walk and was discovered dead early the next morning. Tobin's father sued the University and other parties for negligence in March 2001, arguing that because the fraternity's house was on campus, it was the University's responsibility to keep it properly maintained and safe. The Phi Gamma Delta fraternity, also known as FIJI, forfeited its charter in the spring of 1999 after the incident. The chapter may return next spring, according to spokespeople at its national headquarters. Jury selection for the Tobin case is set for May 16. The case is slated to begin May 19 and expected to last about two weeks. Though there is a settlement conference scheduled for April, attorneys said they are not optimistic. "At this point, I am expecting to go to trial," said Patricia Pierce, attorney for the Tobin family. University officials declined to comment on any expectations for the case. -- Garrett Young Pa. now offers twice the fun in lotto games Pennsylvania Lottery has added a second daily drawing for its Daily Number and Big 4 games. The additional "midday" drawing, which began on Tuesday, is now held at 1:35 p.m. each day, according to a Pennsylvania Lottery news release. Sales for the new drawing will end at 1:05 p.m. daily. Regular nightly drawings for the three- and four-number games will also continue to air at 7 p.m. The midday drawing numbers will also be announced at that time and will be available online at www.palottery.com. Pennsylvania is the 15th state to add a second daily drawing, The Philadelphia Inquirer reported yesterday. The policy was introduced in Delaware. -- Rachel Velcoff