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(04/02/92 10:00am)
Four semesters of hard work have paid off for students in the Entrepreneurial Inner City Housing Markets class. The students celebrated their successful rehabilitation of a house located at 138 Peach Street with a ribbon cutting ceremony yesterday. The semester-long class emphasizes providing affordable housing for West Philadelphia residents. The students are responsible for the total renovation process which includes the purchase of the house,the carpentry, plumbing, painting, finding a buyer and financing the agreement. The house was purchased in the University's name for $7500 in 1990, according to class professor William Zucker. Materials and professional labor utilized in the rehabilitation process totaled $32,000. The house has been sold for $41,000. The University does not make a profit on these houses. "The object is to make houses available to people who normally could not afford to buy," Zucker said. "The interest and mortgage costs are cheaper than they normally would be." The buyer, Renee Joanna Whatley of Philadelphia, was located by an agency the students selected called Acorn Non-Profit Corporation. Acorn is a national organization which screens buyers and prequalifies themto ensure that they will be able to pay their mortgage. Whatley said she was happy with the students' rehabilitation efforts. "I wanted to buy a house and I am very pleased with this one," Whatley said. Yesterday's ribbon cutting ceremony began with remarks from the class's publicity director, Wharton senior Jessica Kostner. Kostner said that the completion of the house represented many semesters of hard work. She then introduced "the man who's most responsible -- the man with the vision, Dr. Zucker." "When we started this project we had no idea it was going to be this great for the students, the University and the community," Zucker said. "One of the great things you have to do at a University is not just book learning but learning how to live in a community." Hanley Bodek of Philadelphia Construction Company also spoke at the ceremony. Bodek said that there were many people responsible for the accomplishments of this class. Citing Zucker as the most responsible, Bodek presented him with a plaque from the Rehabilitation Class of 1992. The plaque reads, "Presented to William Zucker in appreciation of his leadership and success in establishing the nation's first university accredited housing rehabilitation program." The ribbon was cut by Zucker, Whatley, and Whatley's daughter. The ceremony ended with applause and champagne. Students involved with the rehabilitation project said the class was a valuable learning experience. Wharton graduate student Lynn Katz worked with the bank on the security appraisal for the house. "The experience was something real," Katz said. "I gained practical knowledge." College junior Ilan Markus said this is the third completed house, and the students are currently starting a fourth. "Working on the house is very rewarding and everyone is very excited to start on the new house," Markus said. According to College junior Marc Billings, the class consists of 40 students from the College, Wharton, and Engineering and includes both Wharton graduate students and architecture students. Billings explained that the students each work six hours per week on the house. The class itself meets two hours a week and there is a guest lecturer each session. "We did a lot of pretty cool stuff," Billings said. "I learned how to lay bricks." Philadelphia resident Mrs. Harris has lived on Peach Street for 40 years, right across from the newly renovated house. "When the previous owners moved into the house it was devastating," Harris said. "The house was not taken care of and it was bad for the morale of the community." Harris said she has been "watching with keen interest the work attitude of the students for the two years they have been working on the house." "The kids were really self-motivated." Harris said. "It is so heartening to get this uplift to the community. It was a real shot in the arm." Many of the students recommend the class to anyone interested in the subject.
(03/27/92 10:00am)
Oscar Arias Sanchez, former president of Costa Rica and winner of the Nobel Peace Prize, began his address to the First Latin American Conference at Wharton by saying that Latin America is heading toward economic progress. Arias was the keynote speaker at the conference, which was held last Friday at the University Museum. The speech addressed the changes and progress that have already taken place in Latin America and those which are still neccessary. "There is a trend in Latin America toward democratic institutions," Arias said. "For peace to survive and the region to enjoy the fruits of growth, all countries must have a democratic government." Arias indicated that many countries of the Third World need to concentrate on human development as opposed to strict economic growth. "While people believe economic efficiency has the magical power to generate liberty and justice, these interpretations lack human significance," Arias said. "The first challenge of the future is to deal with the needs and aspirations of humans, not just economic growth," Arias said, listing education, health and a clean and safe environment as top priorities. Arias cited the military as the "most wasteful extravaganza" of Latin America. Turning to the trade issue, Arias said that economic integration of the region, if agreed upon democratically, could help consolidate a Latin-American identity while preserving individuality and diversity. "The formation of a Latin-American trade bloc should not be a trade barrier against other regions, instead should promote trade," Arias said. Arias added that he hopes to improve the quality of life and the freedoms of the people through trade, though it will be a tough battle. "Integration will strengthen the position of each member of the block through contact with countries outside the region," Arias said. "I am not prophesizing, but predicting, when I say the external debt will hinder the growth we hope to gain through free trade." Arias said he hopes that by consolidating Latin America, the region can become one of geographical, cultural and demographic importance. Arias closed his speech with an inspirational hope for the future. "It is possible that the world will now begin an historic ascent where power does not come from violence and physical strength, but from faith in humanity and the value of reason," he said. After a lengthy applause, the floor was opened to questions. In response to one question by a Wharton student, Arias said that since the Cold War ended, he does not see a good reason for the United States to continue its trade embargo with Cuba, but he does not believe anything will change until after the November election. Wharton senior Joe Oliver asked what Arias thought of Bush's lack of interest in the upcoming environmental conference in Brazil. "To govern is to choose," Arias reponded. "If everything is a priority to you then you don't have any priorities." Arias said he does not see the environment as a priority in the United States. Arias finished to a standing ovation. Conference Chairperson Carlos Alicea, who introduced Arias, said the conference was a success. "The conference has extended our understanding of the complications of globalization," Alicea said. Wharton MBA student Eric Penanhoat said he thought Arias's speech was a good culmination to the day's events, which included a series of speakers about issues relating to finance and economics in Latin America. Penanhoat said that while the conference was a little slow in the begining, the second half of the day was interesting. "We dealt with issues in Latin America and the world and could see the financial, political, and social points of view," Penanhoat said. "Arias was marvelous, he gave us a wider, more philosophical point of view."
(02/03/92 10:00am)
Penn has a speech team? The chairperson of the University's speech team, College junior Chad Boonswang, said that if he had a dime for every time he's been asked that he'd be a rich man. Not only does the University have a speech team, but it's good. Last weekend the team took first place in the 12th annual Collegiate Forensic Winter Weekend Tournament in Montreal. Fourteen schools including Penn State, Hofstra, and Bloomsburg universities competed in this year's events. The tournament has nine events separated into three categories. In the first, limited preparation, the competitor is given a question which must be answered immediately in a seven minute speech. Dramatic poetry, the second type, consists of readings of prose, poetry or short duo-interpretation skits. Boonswang received a first place award in this category for his reading of "The Man in the Yellow Gloves," a first person narrative free verse contemporary poem by David St. John. In the third category of competition, public address, the competitors deliver 10-minute prepared speeches which are either persuasive, humorous, or informative. The team's captain, College junior Hayes Lewis, is very excited about this weekend's win which he predicted on Saturday. "When I heard that Penn b-ball beat Penn State I thought this might just be our weekend and it turned out to be true," Lewis said. The Speech Team is funded through SAC as opposed to through the Communications Department, so the team does not have money for a coach. "The lack of a coach, coupled with the fact that the University was one of the smallest teams competing in the tournament, made this weekend's win feel even more like a well-earned victory." said Lewis. Boonswang also said he wants students to know that the speech team does exist and is very active. The team's next tournament is the Pennsylvania State College Speech Championships, which are on February 21 and 22. Anyone interested in participating can call Chad at 573-8716.
(12/06/91 10:00am)
It was a rough night for Robert Strumwasser. "Why do I feel like I've just been attacked?" asked the third-year Law student. Law School students, including Strumwasser, felt attacked because they were being grilled by three judges during a compeition for the Keedy Cup moot court award at the Law School last night. Third-year Law School students Bart Cassidy and Kurt Gwynne won both the award and the case, arguing that a benediction given at a public graduation was not unconstitutional. In this moot court case, judges were allowed to question both sides, and the award was given based on oral argumnents and prewritten briefs. Gwynne began the trial, arguing that the benediction given by a priest at Bishop Middle School in Providence, Rhode Island, was not unconstitutional because it passed what is known as the Lemon Test and was therefore non-sectarian. The Lemon Test, from the precendent setting case of Lemon v. Kurtzman, states that "to be constitutionally permissible a challenged practice must have a secular purpose, neither advance nor inhibit religion, and not foster an excessive government entanglement with religion." "Prayer was meant to solomnize the occasion and not to make it religious," Gwynne argued. Judge Phyllis Kravitch asked if a non-clergy person may have been a more appropriate choice to give the speech, because of the public school setting. After twenty minutes of intense questioning, Cassidy took over, arguing that the benediction did not coerce the students to follow any particular religion or any religion at all. He and Gwynne both argued that past cases regarding prayer in school were irrelevant, because the Bishop Middle School case was quite different. Other cases involved daily repetition of prayers and the highly coercive teacher-student relationship factor, they said. Strumwasser and Lawrence Rosenberg argued the other side of the case, calling the benediction unconstitutional, because it added religion to the ceremony through "a petition to a higher authority such as a diety." The judges asked Strumwasser if the opening phrase of the trial, "God save the United States and this honorable court," was unconstitutional as well. "It was for the purpose of invoking historical significance," Strumwasser replied. "Since no one said 'Amen' it wasn't a prayer." "So if a prayer is old and worn out enough, then it's okay?" countered Judge Andrew Christie. Rosenberg began his arguments saying that because the public school had associated itself with the National Conference of Christians and Jews when writing the benediction, an alliance between government and religion was made, which he termed "a naked establishment of religion." Speaking quickly and emotionally, Rosenberg was able to successfully dodge more questions from the judges than the other moot court lawyers. "Given the realities of today's graduation ceremonies a student cannot voluntarily get up and walk out," Rosenberg argued. The benediction was forced upon the students at the impressionable moment of the end of the first eight years of their education, Rosenberg concluded. After short rebuttals from the petitioners, the court took a fifteen minute recess to determine a verdict. "The competition was close and it was difficult to pick a winner," Kravitch said. She then declared Gwynne and Cassidy the winners. Jones lauded the participants, saying that despite tough questioning "not a one of you fell on your face."
(11/26/91 10:00am)
At the University of Illinois, the hot new game on campus is "Sexual Pursuit." A sample question states: "What is the best time to talk about sex with your partner?" a) in bed with the lights on b) in bed with the lights off c) at dinner d) when the date was made e) after intercourse While there is no right answer, this is no party game, though. It is just one of several examples of how creative thinking is bringing college students to information sessions about safe sex on campuses across the country. · Student health clinics at dozens of colleges and universities have implemented programs to educate students about safe sex. Informations sessions and condom distribution are hallmarks of these programs, but they are not all as attractive as Illinois' inviting game. Categories in "Sexual Pursuit," modeled after Trivial Pursuit, include men's health, women's health, sexually transmitted diseases, contraceptives, and general information, according to Deborah Richie, Illinois' sexual education coordinator. After each "Sexual Pursuit" question, a ten-minute discussion follows, led by campus health officials, where students can ask questions, express opinions, and apply real-life situations to the issue. Illinois is unusual in that they have figured out how to make these information sessions interesting enough to attract large numbers of students. Richie also sees students by appointment and advises them on "risk-reduction." "I tell them to ask themselves three questions, 'What am I willing to risk, with whom, and how many times?' " Richie said. She then gives them solid information on their options -- abstinence, abstinence from high-risk groups, and contraception. At Illinois, the students pay a mandatory Health Center fee each year which entitles them to free services, including free contraceptives. Even aside from fun and games, student health directors across the country said that recent years have marked a turnaround in the openess and frequency with which students come to health officials for information, advice, sexually transmitted disease testing and birth control. Peer groups have spun off from student health agencies to deal with the growing demand for information on sexually transmitted diseases, pregnancies and contraception. At Colgate University, the need for a sexual information center was recognized 20 years ago, just one year after the school began admitting women. Colgate's Sexual Crisis Resource Center offers private appointments with a doctor as well as a telephone hotline. Merrill Miller, director of Colgate's Student Health Center, feels the program has increased sexual awareness on campus, but that the university still has a long way to go. "The information is out there, but it is not the sort of thing people want to talk about out loud," Miller said. She said there is a large demand for contraceptives, especially condoms and spermicidal foam, in the campus-operated store. But she added that this demand is not due to the promiscuity of the students, but a result of Colgate's isolated locality, with few convenience stores in the area for students to purchase contraceptives. "I don't think our campus in any more promiscuous than any other campus, but we are no more celibate either," Miller said. According to Miller, when people come to Colgate's center for advice, the most frequently asked question is, "Which birth control should I use?" not, "Should I form a sexually active relationship?" Miller usually outlines the options for those seeking advice. She talks about abstinence, monogomy, and different forms of contraception. Miller also advises to use caution during party atmospheres. "Sometimes if under the influence of alcohol, students forget where the condoms are," Miller said. At the State University of New York at New Paltz, sexual education and awareness is promoted primarily through the Women's Studies Department and a peer group called Contraception and Sexual Awareness, or CASA. CASA was formed in the early 1970s and runs question and answer sessions in dormitories on contraception, STDs and pregnancy. At each session, they also give away condoms. Pat Clarke, the program's director, said she was disappointed in the turnout for the most recent session entitled, "I Don't Know Anyone with AIDS Yet." "It's hard to attract people who are not interested in the subject of safe sex to a meeting like this," Clarke said. "And yet they're the ones who may need the information most." As a Catholic university, the University of Notre Dame Health Services faces more restrictions. According to Health Services Director Carol Seager, the school is allowed to advise the students of all their options, but is forbidden to distribute contraception. Seager said she has not seen an increase in sexual awareness at Notre Dame, describing the turnout at sexual-health programs as poor. "The people who come have an interest anyway and are usually already knowledgeable on the subject. Others just don't show up," Seager said. Stanford University spokesperson John Dorman said that he first advises students to seriously consider abstinence. "I have kids in college and abstinence is a viable option for them," he said. If students are to be involved in a sexually active relationship, he suggests that partners discuss the situation and use condoms with spermicidal foam every time. He also said that condoms are distributed without charge in limited quantities and after that are sold at cost from the Health Center.
(11/15/91 10:00am)
Audience members who got to sneak a peak Into The Woods last night were treated to a well executed rendition of the Steven Sondheim musical. The play opened with a lively, well choreographed prologue in which the show's narrator and company introduced the main characters. Act I of the show took familiar fable friends -- such as Little Red Ridinghood, Cinderella and Rapunzel -- and masterfully meshed them into an enchanting journey through the woods "to sell, to give, to lift a spell, to go to the festival." The three lead characters, the caring baker, played by Engineering graduate student Philip Resnik, the baker's wife, played by College senior Lori Horowitz, and the cackling evil witch, played by College senior Miriam Zibbell, carried the show with their consistently solid performances. Extra kudos go to Horowitz for her splendid portrayal of the baker's domineering wife. College sophomore Megan Wozniak was also good as the spunky, bratty, know-it-all Little Red Ridinghood. The actors' performances were enhanced by creative scenery, such as a milky-white cow, made of chicken wire, plaster of paris, and set on wheels. The orchestra, conducted by Jody Applebaum, also helped the performance. Clad in purple silk and gold spandex the two fickle princes, played by College senior Jeffrey Coon and College sophomore Brian Reed, offered comic relief in the middle of Act I by agonizing over their respective love for Rapunzel and Cinderella. Each telling the other brother how fantastic he was, the two declared that the women "must be mad" not to return their love. Act II of the musical started off slowly, but was quickly saved by the second version of the song "Agony," performed by the ever suave, ever debonair, and ever funny princes. The song "Your Fault" performed by the Baker, Jack, Little Red Ridinghood, the witch and Cinderella showed the professional touch that the director, Danny Peak, added to the show. Although some of the show's energy was lost during the second act, overall it was a well-produced and well-performed musical. Further performances are scheduled for tonight, tomorrow night and November 21 through 23 at 8:00 p.m. Tickets can be purchased at the Annenberg box office and on Locust Walk.
(11/06/91 10:00am)
Harris Wofford does not like to predict elections. He thought John Kennedy, his political mentor, would win by a landslide in 1960. Kennedy barely squeaked out a victory. He and his staff also felt that he would narrowly win the Senate seat he was appointed to earlier this year. Again, Wofford was wrong. Wofford came seemingly out of nowhere to beat Thornburgh, one of Pennsylvania's most popular governors and a high-ranking member of the Bush administration until he resigned this summer to run for the seat. Wofford will continue holding the Senate seat he was appointed to last spring after John Heinz was killed in a helicopter crash. Wofford, a former Kennedy aide and Bryn Mawr College president, was a 40-point underdog coming into the race. But with a campaign stressing domestic issues, especially national health care, Wofford was able to build name recognition and emerged with a 12-point victory that made him the first Democrat to win a Pennsylvania Senate seat in 23 years. "Tonight, let's celebrate, and tomorrow let's do the work," Wofford told an euphoric crowd of supporters when he claimed victory at about 11:30 p.m., prompting them to chant his name, cheer and exchange handshakes, high-fives and hugs. Experts predicted in the last few days that Wofford would do well in the cities of Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, but as vote counts began coming in from suburban counties, it gradually became apparent that Wofford would win, and by a large margin. "This is going to be a rout," James Carville, Wofford's star consultant, predicted at 10 p.m. as the first results started to come in. Thornburgh, who ran as a Washington insider coming back home to claim a Senate seat he felt he deserved, instead suffered what he appropriately called a "reversal." The campaign was unusual in that the incumbent Wofford was able to use disatisfaction with the current government as a weapon against his challenger. "The luckiest moment was when my opponent came back from Washington and gave the reason to send him back to Washington -- he wanted to go back to the corridors of power where he walked and continue the policies that he'd been carrying out," Wofford said at about 10 p.m. from his suite at the Wyndham-Franklin Plaza hotel. By using this anti-Washington feeling, Wofford pulled off one of the most stunning victories in Pennsylvania history. "I just think it's the winds of the times," Senator Paul Wellstone (D-Minn) said from Wofford's suite. "I just think he tapped into this feeling people have that things have got to change, and I think he's a candidate who will change things." In recent weeks, as Wofford narrowed the gap between Thornburgh and himself, the race attracted national attention. Many viewed the race as a test case for Democratic strategy for future races and some experts last night called Thornburgh's loss a defeat for President Bush, Thornburgh's friend and ally. "The people of Pennsylvania have sent a message that will be heard at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue," Wofford said. "Bush better get his act together," added Pennsylvania Lieutenant Governor Mark Singel. "Instead of paying attention to the Turks and Kurds, he should pay attention to steelworkers and secretaries." Bob Barnett, executive director of the state Democratic Party, supported this view. "The hole that Bush is falling into is getting deeper," he said. Even Republican Arlen Specter, the state's senior senator, said Wofford's victory hurt the Republicans. "This requires a re-evaluation by the party," Specter admitted at Philadelphia mayoral candidate Joseph Egan's election night reception. "It puts figures on the scoreboard for Bush to change his message." "It's a blow to the party," he added.
(10/21/91 9:00am)
Budetti, a self-proclaimed "life-long liberal Democrat," began his speech by explaining the title of his lecture, "Systematic Dumping: Why Private Health Insurance is Running Itself Out of Business." The doctor-lawyer said that the phrase "Systematic Dumping" refers to private insurance companies' policies of risk avoidance. The second part of the title refers to the private insurance companies going out of the business of health insurance and just "selling something to someone for a lot of money." Budetti then went on to outline the weaknesses of the current health insurance system. He listed the lack of proper coverage for spouses, dependents, the retired and the unemployed as several of the flaws in the American employment-based insurance system. Budetti also criticized the government's attempts to fill the gaps in the health care system. He said that workers get laid off at age 40 or 45 and Medicare does not begin coverage until 65. The UCSF researcher condemned insurance companies for publically misrepresenting themselves, saying that there are differences between what the private insurance agency will admit in confidence "over a beer," and the company's public posture. He said that those who do not realize the inadequacies of the system have been relatively healthy all their lives. "This country's health insurance is falling apart at the seams." Throughout the speech, audience members questioned Budetti's belief that society should have to flip the bill for health care for the seriously ill. "The public side is essentially sustaining the private sector," Budetti insisted. Many of the 40 students and faculty members at the lecture said that they disagreed with what Budetti said. Wharton graduate student Link Hart said the speech was timely since the topic of health insurance is the largest sector of our economy and also the fastest growing. "Insurance reform is pretty vital," he said. "It's the hottest topic around." Health Care Systems Professor Mark Pauly said that he thought the the lecture, was "very stimulating," but he added he disagreed with part of Budetti's argument. "There is certainly a problem which needs to be fixed," he said. "I am not sure I agree with his methods."
(09/27/91 9:00am)
Reminiscing about her days as a student at the University, author Lorene Cary kept a crowd of over 100 students on the edge of their seats during her 90 minute speech in Meyerson Hall yesterday afternoon. Cary, a 1978 College alum, began by jovially recounting memories of rats in the trash chute of her DuBois College House hall and of her sometimes not-so-stellar academic career. "I remember taking calculus," Cary said. "I remember taking calculus again and again." Cary's memories then took a more serious turn as she recalled both falling in love and feeling "isolated and disconnected" from the University because of its large size. Cary said that these feelings of isolation led her to begin trying to find herself. She said she turned to community service programs for relief from her studies and her feelings of isolation. Cary said that her community service experience added more meaning to her life. "Through service you can find yourself," she said. Cary then read a short passage from her best-selling autobiography, Black Ice, which deals with her years as a young black woman attending St. Paul's Prep School, an elite New England boarding school. Following the reading, Cary fielded questions about her youth from the audience. "I had to stop trying to find out what I ought to feel and instead try to find out what I do feel," Cary said in response to a question on how she controlled her rage against racism on campus. Most audience members said they found the speech very interesting and that they now wanted to read Cary's book. Engineering senior Eric Hall said that Cary's lecture was very enlightening. "She made me comfortable, kind of like watching a Spike Lee movie," Hall said. "She came across as a true intellectual." College junior Stacey Kirkland, who is a 1989 graduate of St. Pauls Prep, said that she is unsure of how she feels about the book. "It is difficult to say where I stand with the book because I don't know where I stand with the school," Kirkland said. But English Professor Houston Baker said that Cary's book was "fresh" and "interesting." "Her book was a bright and shining star rising over a new day in American Literature," Baker said. Cary is currently working on a book tentatively titled, Fire and Light. The book is about the underground railroad system and the free black community in Philadelphia in the 1850's. "Instead of writing a western, I am writing an eastern," Cary said.
(09/17/91 9:00am)
After being delayed for several days due to visa problems resulting from the recent coup in the Soviet Union, a group of Ukrainian banking students met yesterday with University Student Federal Credit Union executives to learn about alternative banking methods. The two-hour seminar, which took place in Houston Hall, consisted of a series of presentations from Credit Union leaders about the history and role of credit unions in American society. The 17 visiting students attend the new Lviv Institute of Management in the Ukraine, which specializes in marketing and foreign economics. Alternating between English and Ukrainian, the program's coordinator, Bohdan Oryshkevich, opened the meeting with a few introductory remarks. Oryshkevich, an American physician who became interested in credit unions while researching the problem of medical student's debts, said that the Ukraine has the potential to become a world economic power in the future. Oryshkevich also explained that the Wharton School provides a qualified pool of student entrepreneurs who help make the Credit Union successful. The Credit Union's CEO, senior Kevin Dwyer, then talked about the Credit Union industry and the University's system itself. Dwyer explained that those who use the Credit Union are members as opposed to customers who have to pay for bank services. Credit Union Vice President of Planning, Wharton junior Darren Fleishman, continued the presentation by explaining the reasons for the Credit Union's success on campus. Fleishman said that since the Credit Union handles mainly low-balance/high-transaction accounts, students receive higher priority than they would at normal banks. "Since a credit union is a non-profit organization it would provide an excellent banking infrastructure for the Ukraine," said Credit Union Executive Vice President and Wharton senior Katherine Blanchette. Blanchette added that since Ukrainians have been trained for years to be suspicious of all profit organizations, a credit union may be the best option for their growing economy. Many of the Ukrainian students said they had never been to the U.S. before this week, and, while they were well received by Americans, it was too soon for them to pass judgement on the country.
