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(01/15/93 10:00am)
Several proposed amendments to the Philadelphia Code would require employers including the University to provide unmarried domestic partners with the same benefits as married couples. The proposed amendments would reinforce the University's policy of allowing gay couples housing priviliges, and would also require the University to provide spousal benefits to all employees who could prove they are domestic partners. The changes would modify the definition of marital status to read, "The presence or absence of any marital relationship, including the status of being single, married, separated, divorced, widowed or cohabition." Bob Schoenberg, assistant director of Student Life Programs, praised the plan. "Such a change to city law would only strengthen the argument to the University administration that it should give all the same benefits available to married employees to same-sex domestic partners," he said. Members of the University's gay community said they also support the proposed change. "I feel it is about time that decisions like this are made to acknowledge gay, lesbian and bisexual relationships," said Social Work graduate student Daren Wade, who is a member of Queers Invading Penn. "I think that domestic partners should be extended the same benefits that heterosexually married couples have been receiving for a long time." "I think it would be one more reason for the University to provide equal benefits to all employees regardless of marital status," Communications Professor Larry Gross said. Gross added that Stanford University, the University of Chicago, and Swarthmore College have begun providing benefits for domestic partners of gay and lesbian employees. He added that the cost has been minimal at other universities which have adopted this policy, and that he approves of the proposed changes to the Philadelphia code. San Franscisco, Seattle and Washington D.C. all adopted policies acknowledging cohabitation, and New York is in the process of doing so, according to Gross. "The purpose of the ordinance is that there are many people living with long-standing mates, but who are not married and cannot receive health and employment benefits," said Florence Cohen, legislative aid to Councilman David Cohen, who is sponsoring the proposal. "The basic idea is that long-term mates should receive the same benefits as married couples," she said.
(11/15/92 10:00am)
About 60 students gained an inside perspective on legal education last week in a forum titled "Everything you ever wanted to know about law school." Among the panelists were Glen Glenn, dean of admissions at the University's Law School, and four law school students. Marlin Killen, a representative from Stanley Kaplan Educational Center, which prepares students for the Law School Aptitude Test, also spoke. The panel was sponsored by the High Rise East residential advisors. "I hope this gave a realistic perspective on the applications process, the study of law, and career-side employment opportunities," said Glenn, who was the first speaker. Glenn primarily addressed issues pertaining to the admissions process at the University's Law school. He made such recommendations as only taking the LSAT once, and keeping a high credit rating through college in order to be eligible for a loan for law school. He said that one default on a credit card bill could hamper a student's ability to aquire financial aid. Following Glenn, the four law students gave graphic accounts of the heavy work-load and pressure of law school. They stressed that students should not feel compelled to attend law school directly after their undergraduate education. "Take some time for yourself and have fun," said Kimberly Kelly, a third year law student. "When you look back on law school, you don't just want to think of studying." Kelly also urged the undergraduates to be aware of their personal studying preferences and utilize them on the LSAT and at law school. Despite the panel's intimidating messages, most students attending said they considered the discussion helpful. "One unique thing that I got out of it was the actual perspective from the law students," said College junior Jinra Kim. "It makes you think twice about if you want to go into law."
(11/13/92 10:00am)
Alumni who graduated from the University over the past 20 years returned last night to share their work experiences with College students, who will enter a highly competitive job market. "As an Art History major I found it difficult to find employment upon graduating [from] Penn," said College Alumni Society vice-president Grubb Ellis. "I feel this type ]of[ forum and program can benefit Penn students who are unsure about their future." Ellis said that the goals of the Career Fair which the College Alumni Society sponsored were two-fold. He wanted to specifically help College students, who often do not have as "directly applicable" majors as students from Wharton and Engineering. And Ellis said he hoped that the students' dialogue with the Alumni would continue past the evening's program. The alumni represented over 15 fields, from retail to information science. "A mentor is a wonderful thing to have when you're young," said Philadelphia Inquirer sports writer Michael Bamberger. Bamberger told students interested in jounalism that "if you want to meet someone you respect, write them a letter and ask them out to lunch." Lisa DePaulo, senior editor at Philadelphia Magazine, talked to students about the importance of journalism in government. "This year's campaign was more about journalism than politics," she said. DePaulo advised a student interested in journalism to "keep a diary" and "get your thoughts on paper." People attending the program said it was helpful to gain insight into the workplace from the professionals. "I think it's good to give students a perspective from people in their potential profession," said architect Charles Capaldi, who graduated from the College in 1975. "It's helpful to give information about immediate job prospects and long term career goals." College junior Nathalie Peutz praised the program, but said she was disappointed that most of the graduates came from very standard professions, such as real estate and finance. "There was a lack of representatives in the spirit of the College," Peutz said.
(10/21/92 9:00am)
The Flirtations, the self-proclaimed "world's most famous openly gay, politically active, multi-cultural a capella vocal group," sang at the University Museum Saturday to about 600 people from around Philadelphia. The performance, which is a part of a 50-city concert tour, was the Flirts only appearance in Philadelphia. Music selections were from The Flirts album, "Out on the Road." The ongoing concert tour marks the highlight of the Flirts four-year old history. In 1988 the Flirts began performing on New York City street corners, but since then have appeared on popular television programs including Good Morning America. The performance, organized by Blue Moon Productions and the AIDS law project of Pennsylvania, began with a guest performance of Julie Stewart and Lena Einhorn. The lesbian duo performed five songs with synthesizer, guitar, drums and tamborine. One was a heartfelt tribute to the late Greta Garbo. They also performed a sing-along poking fun at Vice President Dan Quayle with the refrain, "I'll never grow up." The duo also sang a song dedicated to Denmark, where national law allows gay couples to marry. The Flirts performed renditions of 1950s era doo-wop songs such as "At the Hop," and "Mr. Sandman." "We want to empower gay and lesbian people around the world," singer Jimmy Rutland said. "We as a people need positive role models -- people who stand up and say I'm gay and proud of it." Singer Aurelio Font, a native Philadelphian said the group formed to combat fear of homosexuality. "[We] formed as a musical response to homophobia," Font said. "You can't name a single openly gay or lesbian group. We put a human face on an ignored group of people." The performance contained numerous comical interludes between songs. Jon Arterton opened the show proclaiming, "Wow, we're proud to be in the city of Brotherly Love." He later asked if there were any "token straights" in the crowd and told the few that raised their hands they are "homosexually challenged." In spite of the performance's humorous nature, there were serious overtones. Singer Michael Callen was diagnosed with Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome in 1982. He is the author of the book Surviving AIDS. "I was glad to see this show of solidarty in the gay community," Engineering junior Duke Schnolis said. "It's about time that a musical group stands up to Hollywood's homophobia and openly and unabashedly proclaims their gayness."
(10/12/92 9:00am)
Last Saturday Alpha Phi set a precedent in the University's Greek system. Hoping to extend the system beyond the individual house, the sorority invited 14 area chapters to attend their celebration of Founders' Day. Founders' Day commemorates the 120th anniversery of the creation of the sorority at Syracuse University. About 400 sisters attended the event sponsored by Greek Central. "We are excited about setting a national precedent," said Karyn Yeske, a College and Wharton senior, and president of the University's chapter. "Over 10 chapters from the tri-state area [Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware] are uniting in a celebration of friendship, diversity, and sisterhood." The function, held in High Rise North field, consisted of a catered lunch, and activities including vollyball and a three-legged race. "I did this because it gives my sisters as well as the sisters invited and the administrators at Penn a chance to see that the Greek system extends beyond the individual house," said Hollie Burdt, an Engineering senior. Burdt, a member of Alpha Phi's Fraternity Education Committee at the University, was responsible for organizing the event. She started making preparations last April. The general consensus among the visiting sisters was that the event was an outstanding idea. Melissa Frendak, a senior at Seton Hall said that the day "exemplifies how strong our sisterhood is." "We were able to show our diversity as well as unity with not only our chapter, but with all the chapters of Alpha Phi," said Marianne Famularo, vice president of Seton Hall's Eta Eta chapter.
