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(02/09/96 10:00am)
Every tenant in a dispute with a landlord ultimately fears one thing -- an eviction notice. Just ask Wharton junior Margaret Young, who last year had to contact a lawyer after receiving a notice of eviction from her landlord. Fortunately, very few students end up on the street or in court, according to Off-Campus Living Assistant Director Mihaela Farcas. But she added that the possibility exists. "If you do not pay rent, the landlord can sue you," said Farcas. "And if you break the lease, then you should know you can lose the security deposit and are responsible for rent until a new tenant is found." In Young's case, her landlord did not uphold his obligations as stated in the lease and she and her housemates began to withhold rent payments. The two parties resolved the conflict, although not exactly amicably, Young said. According to Farcas, dispute over rent is only one of the reasons the relations between tenants and landlords can turn sour. Issues over maintenance, safety, garbage disposal and other specific clauses in the lease can also cause problems, Farcas said. Many students also have to confront their landlords over security deposit refunds. Security deposits are supposed to insure that tenants will take care of the property and pay their rent on time. "The most important thing in choosing a landlord is to be informed," Farcas said."Make sure about the area you want to be in, do some research to see which landlords have the better reputation, and lastly, look at the lease as well as the property." For many students, an annual "landlord survey" published by the Penn Consumer Board serves as a useful resource for researching the various landlords near the University and in Center City, said Farcas. But according to College junior Jeremy Lerman, contacting previous tenants is often the best way of determining whether the landlord is suitable. "Definitely talk to someone who was there before," said Lerman, who now uses a private landlord after renting through Campus Apartments last year. Lerman said the private landlord and commercial property manager differ in their treatment of the grounds. "Our landlord cares a lot about the house, so they respond pretty quickly when we need to reach them," said Lerman's roommate, Brett Pogany. But Pogany, a Wharton and Engineering junior, added that his current lease includes several restrictions, including the prohibition of large parties, nails in the walls and even cable television. "They're nice people, but they do have some overly cautious rules," said Pogany. According to Farcas, the distinctions between private and commercial landlords exist only on a case-by-case basis. Campus Apartments Property Manager David Adelman, who often deals with issues arising over the return of security deposits, said he thinks students often seem unaware of their obligations in the rental contract. "The problem I have is that people like the lease when it works for them, but not when we need it from our end," Adelman said. According to Adelman, about 85 percent of his tenants receive a full refund of their security deposit. For students who do run into problems with their rental property, Farcas cautioned that following proper procedure is important in making sure the rights of the tenant are protected. "If there is a problem, the lease states that you must report it immediately," Farcas said. She added that if the landlord does not respond in a timely fashion, the tenant should put the demand in the form of a certified letter, so that legal proof exists that the landlord received the tenant's request. "Students will have a problem for two months, and then want to break the lease, which is often very difficult," Farcas said.
(07/13/95 9:00am)
Researchers at the University's Cancer Institute have discovered a treatment that prevents the formation of tumors in mice genetically programmed to get cancer. According to Mark Greene, Professor of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, the new treatment is the first proof that the growth of genetically-based cancer tumors can be deterred, and offers encouraging data in the search for a method to prevent cancerous tumors in humans. The technique, published in the July issue of Nature Medicine, involves the use of antibodies against a protein produced on the surface of tumor cells. Greene's research team demonstrated that when antibodies were applied to the tumor cells, the subsequent annihilation of the protein allowed the cells to resume normal growth. "What this means is that we can effectively suppress tumor development in a large fraction of these mice for almost their entire life span," said Research Assistant Professor Makoto Katsumata, who coauthored the report. But despite the encouraging results, the current treatment is not yet applicable to humans, and it will take years before the treatment could be made commonly available. "We aren't thinking of putting it into human's yet -- it's a mouse antibody," said Katsumata. "However, we're now working on small molecules that mimic this antibody. These are the type of chemicals that can be mass-produced for use on humans," Katsumata added. The most practical application of the treatment to humans would be to possibly prevent the recurrence of breast cancer in women who have had prior surgery to remove breast tumors, said Greene. Genetically-driven cancer and the use of genes to help eradicate the disease is a hot topic of research at the University's Cancer Center, with at least two other research projects currently underway in this field. One of the projects, led by Barbara Weber, Associate Professor of Medicine and Genetics and Director of the Breast Cancer Program, involves the search to find mutated genes which greatly increase a person's risk of breast cancer. Weber's team is currently mapping the various mutations observed on a gene discovered last fall, called BRCA1, and is also working to isolate another gene which carries mutations known to increase one's risk of breast cancer. "Those who have the gene not only get breast cancer at very striking rates, but also at earlier ages," said Weber. However, despite the possible advantages of knowing who is more susceptible to breast cancer than others, the test for the BRCA1 gene has become controversial because of the legal and ethical issues involved. Because insurance companies would most likely deny coverage to a person known to carry the particular gene, many patients attempt to keep the information private, Weber said. In addition, there are psychological difficulties with knowing that one is more likely to get breast cancer, said Weber, especially if one feels guilty about the possibility of passing the gene on to one's children. "It's quite a morass, because it's all so new," said Weber. In another research project, scientists are using gene therapy to treat a type of lung cancer strongly linked to prior asbestos exposure. The technique involves inserting a "killer" gene into the cancer cells, which allows the cells to be destroyed by a drug called ganciclovir. 'We're very excited, although we know that this particular treatment may not work," said Steven Albelda, Associate Professor of Medicine, Director of Lung Research and Co-director of Thoracic Oncology Laboratories. Albelda added that he is "absolutely convinced gene therapy will be a major player in the treatment of cancer down the road."
(06/15/95 9:00am)
After seven years at 3401 Walnut Street, the offices of the University's Hospitality Services moved to the second floor of the 40th Street shopping mall last week. Hospitality Services -- which includes the University's Dining Service, PennCard offices, as well as the catering and vending services -- changed location to accommodate renovations to College Hall. The renovations also made it necessary for President Judith Rodin to move her office upstairs to the third floor of College Hall, where the History Department of the College of Arts and Sciences is currently located. The History Department will take over the offices at 3401 Walnut. "We're an auxiliary enterprise, moving at the behest of the University," said Don Jacobs, the Executive Director of Hospitality Services. But he added that he was not dissatisfied with the move, and that the new location will contain approximately the same amount of office space as the 3401 location. The new offices, situated directly above the Burger King Restaurant at the corner of 40th and Walnut, will cost Hospitality Services about $50,000 less rent a year. And this move helped students, too, because the savings was a major factor in the decision to keep the cost of next year's meal contracts at the same level as this year. "The rent is considerably cheaper, and part of my job description is to not cost the University a nickel," said Jacobs, whose operation is financially independent of the University. But unlike the 3401 location, which would have cost about $200,000 a year in rent, Hospitality Services will have to pay for utilities at the new location, Jacobs said. Jacobs said that the new location will probably have both a positive and negative effect on the number of students who will sign up for meal plans. "We're farther from the center of campus, but we're also closer to a lot more of the dorms," Jacobs said. He added that the Dining Service offices of almost all the other Ivy League schools are on the outskirts of campus. Dining Services Director Bill Canney said he hoped the new location would encourage more students living off-campus to sign a meal contract. "When we moved seven years ago from 1920 Commons to 3401 Walnut, I thought it might hurt us, but in fact the number of students on meal plan went up." said Canney. "Hopefully this move will have the same effect." However, Jacobs said he was surprised by the different atmosphere surrounding the new location at 40th and Walnut. "I was shocked at first by the seediness of the area," said Jacobs. "But I think having more offices and people here will make the area safer." This move is the fourth for Dining Services since 1975, and neither Canney nor Jacobs knew how permanent their new location would be. "How long will we stay -- it doesn't enter my thoughts, nor should it," Jacobs said.
(10/28/94 9:00am)
Approximately 1,500 students who have significant debts to the University will not be able to register for classes in the spring term, Associate Vice President for Finance Frank Claus said last night. In addition, slightly more than 300 students will be blocked from PARIS, the computerized registration system, beginning Monday for failing to submit their health and immunization records to Student Health Service, according to Vernell Edwards, immunization coordinator for Student Health. The number of students currently on financial hold represents a drop of 350 students from those placed on hold two weeks ago, Claus said. About 1,850 students were notified last week of their on-hold status, a number slightly lower than Claus' original estimate of 2,200 students. Students placed on financial hold cannot register for the next academic term, obtain academic transcripts or receive degrees from the University. According to Edwards, the first-year graduate and undergraduate students who had not submitted health records as of a week and a half ago were notified that they would be barred from registering until they provided a completed file. "We've been pretty busy in the last week or so -- we sent 1,700 letters to students -- and so far the response has been great," Edwards said. He added, however, that the real problem is with students who have yet to respond to the letters sent out by Student Health. "We're pretty strict -- if they don't comply, they can't register," Edwards said. Claus added that the number of students unable to pre-register this year is about 1,000 students lower than the comparable figure at this time a year ago. He attributed this decrease largely to increased monitoring of student debt. The number of students with large outstanding balances has also decreased, a trend which makes it easier for students to get off financial hold, Claus said. Financial hold only applies to students who have outstanding balances of $1,000 or more for the current and previous semesters. Students who owe less money will not be barred from using PARIS, receiving degrees or getting their transcripts. Last year, the University revised its financial hold policy to include money owed by students for the current semester. Before that, Claus said, students could accumulate a debt of up to $25,000 to 30,000 before they were affected by the policy. "We're doing pretty good this year," said Claus. "By the time [pre-registration] is finished we'll see the numbers down to a manageable level, about 500."
(10/13/94 9:00am)
As of tomorrow, students who are in substantial debt to the University for the current or previous terms will be placed on financial hold, Associate Vice President for Finance Frank Claus said earlier this week. About 2,200 students are expected to be placed on financial hold. That number is down slightly from last year, when approximately 2,305 students were placed on hold under the University policy, Claus said. Students placed on financial hold cannot register for the next academic term, obtain academic transcripts or receive degrees from the University. On Sept. 24, all students who were deemed in substantial debt to the University were sent a letter threatening them with financial hold if they did not arrange to repay the University. Financial hold only applies to students who have large outstanding balances for the current and previous semesters that total more than $1,000. Students who owe less money will not be barred from using PARIS, receiving degrees or their getting transcripts. Last year, the University revised its financial hold policy to include money owed by students for the current semester. Before that, Claus said, students could accumulate a debt of up to $25,000 to 30,000 before they were affected by the policy. "[The current policy] forces the students to ask us for help earlier, and we have a lot better chance of helping them if the numbers are lower," Claus said. "Penn is not an inexpensive place to go." According to Director of Student Financial Services William Schilling, SFS may be able to aid students in straightening out their accounts with the University. Schilling said University financial counselors first identify assistance programs available to the students and advise them on how to apply and receive financial aid. If no suitable financial aid program can be found, the Office of Special Accounts will set a schedule for the students and their parents to pay their debt, Schilling added. "For the most part, if students and their families want to do their part, we can usually help them out," he said.
(09/23/94 9:00am)
University administrators will hold a dinner tonight in the Quadrangle to honor donors, volunteers and others involved in the Campaign for Penn, the University's five-year capital fundraising effort. In addition to the dinner, the University has planned three receptions to precede the main event. Each reception will be held in a building that has received money from the campaign to finance its renovation or construction. The Campaign for Penn, which is close to meeting its $1.33 billion goal, will end in December. The drive surpassed its original goal of $1 billion in June 1993. The purpose of the event, which will be attended by more than 500 people, is to thank those involved in the campaign and to celebrate the drive's success, said Virginia Clark, vice president for development and alumni relations. "It's a good way to start the year," Clark said. "A lot of our donors and alumni are interested in coming to campus, so now would be a good time to do it." University President Judith Rodin and the three co-chairs of the Campaign -- Leonore Annenberg, Alvin Shoemaker and Saul Steinberg -- will address the assembly, which will also include faculty, student leaders, Trustees and alumni. At the moment, the Campaign for Penn has raised more money than any other Ivy League capital effort. Several schools, including Cornell and Columbia universities, still have more than a year left in their campaigns though. According to Clark, the goals of the campaign include raising money for endowed professorships, undergraduate education, financial aid, minority permanence programs and research. The catered dinner in the Quad will take place in McClelland Hall and outside under a lawn tent, Clark said. "We chose the Quad as sort of a symbol of the heart of the campus," she added. "And the campaign is about strengthening the campus." The Jaffe History of Art Building, despite its incomplete renovation, is the site of one of the receptions. The other two will be held in Lauder-Fischer Hall and the Fine Arts Library. "We want to be appreciative, but its not going to be lavish," said Clark.
(04/22/94 9:00am)
Five months after lawyers re-argued a lawsuit against the University and City of Philadelphia in the Mayor's Scholarship case, a Commonwealth Court three-judge panel has yet to announce a decision. However, according to lawyers involved in the case, the delay is not abnormal, nor does it indicate which way the court will decide the case. Last December, the Public Interest Law Center of Philadelphia, or PILCOP, appealed an earlier ruling by Common Pleas Court Judge Nelson Diaz, who ruled in favor of the University and city because PILCOP did not have standing to sue. In a case which has drawn attention to the University's relationship with the local community, PILCOP lawyers argued that it does have the legal standing, contrary to Diaz's decision. Diaz ruled that only the mayor or a Mayor's Scholar who attended the University could challenge the disputed 1977 ordinance that mandates the scholarships. Historically, the Mayor's Scholarship controversy centers around a 110-year old agreement between the city and the University, which gives the University rent-free land in exchange for a set number of scholarships. "The case was complex, it's taking them a while to do the work," said PILCOP lawyer Michael Churchill. "It's been four months -- I don't regard that as highly unusual." Churchill added that no conclusions can be drawn from the length of time it has taken the court to decide, but it is clear the court is taking the case seriously. University General Counsel Shelley Green said the decision date is "absolutely unpredictable," and the length of time required for the court to make a decision may vary widely. In its appeal last December, PILCOP claimed the 1977 ordinance between the University and city allows for 125 scholarships to be awarded annually, and not 125 overall, as the University contends. According to Churchill, the wording of the 1977 ordinance clearly indicates that the city meant to increase the number of scholarships, although he admits it is hard to determine what the city officials exactly meant. "It was clear that they desired to increase it," Churchill said. "Its effect was to bring back the percentage of kids from Philadelphia to where it was in 1910 -- five percent." Green agreed that the wording of the ordinance was slightly ambiguous, but added that the city had meant all along for there only to be 125 scholarships total. "The drafting could have been more precise," said Green. "Naturally, [the city] would like more kids to have scholarships, but the city solicitor looked at the contract and agreed with the University. They're trying to be fair." Churchill commented that city solicitors have offered differing opinions over the course of the controversy. In 1977, he said, the city solicitor testified that the city meant to increase the number of scholarships, but that a different solicitor offered a written opinion in 1992 stating that city officials meant to keep the total number of scholarships at 125. The scholarships were designated for deserving students who attended any high school in the city. In exchange, the University acquired additional land. In August 1977, the University agreed "to establish and forever maintain at least 125 four-year, full tuition scholarships,or their equivalent, in any of the departments of the University, to be awarded annually by the mayor of the City of Philadelphia to deserving students from all of the schools of the city."
(04/22/94 9:00am)
For the second time this year, a fictional student society duped University students into showing up at Stiteler Hall in hopes of hearing a speech from a popular cartoon caricaturist. In pamphlets posted to the Locust Walk footbridge, the "Penn Cartoon Society" advertised that cartoonist Gary Larson, the creator of The Far Side, would appear at Stiteler B-6 yesterday night at 9 p.m. "Come early for best seating -- free w/ Penn ID," the poster stated. Unfortunately for the 15 to 20 Larson fans who managed to hear about the speech, neither Larson nor any member of the cartoon society presented themselves in the auditorium. In a similar incident last November, the "Penn Media Society" announced that Mike Judge, the creator of the MTV cartoon Beavis and Butthead, would appear at Stiteler to speak about TV censorship. More than 200 students showed up for the farsical event, and many stayed for 45 minutes waiting for the cult figure to arrive. This time, after 10 minutes of grumbling and mumbling incoherently about the "cartoon club," the students headed off. "I'm deeply shocked and hurt," said College freshman Joe Port, adding that Larson is one of his favorite cartoonists, along with Matt Groening, creator of The Simpsons. College freshman Sascha Opotowsky added that the meeting was fun regardless of the fact that Larson did not show up. "Tell [the cartoon society] that they were foiled and we had a great time and that there were three kegs there," Opotowsky said.
(03/30/94 10:00am)
Former student initiates legal proceedings A former University student who is alleging that Assistant English Professor Malcolm Woodfield sexually harassed her last year initiated legal action against Woodfield last week in Commonwealth Court. Alice Ballard, attorney to the student, Lisa Topol, filed a document on March 21 in Commonwealth Court, which "basically initiates the action," she said. The document, called a praecipe in legal terms, allows Topol to investigate and collect evidence relevant to the case, Ballard added. "It's a first step," she said. "We thought it was important to address all of the affected parties in the litigation." Two weeks ago, Topol filed suit against the University, alleging that administrators violated her rights by failing to resolve her complaint over an extended period of time. Topol also filed suit against Bates College, where Woodfield taught for two years before arriving at the University, for allegedly withholding information of other sexual harassment accusations against Woodfield. However, Ballard added, the primary purpose of the legal action against Woodfield is to determine whether his financial assets warrant a lawsuit. "If [Woodfield] doesn't have any money, then it might not be prudent to invest a lot of time and money in pursuing the case," she said. Alan Lerner, Woodfield's attorney and a Law School professor at the University, questioned the motives of Topol's most recent legal action. "It's all strategic planning," said Lerner. "Do you know any rich English professors?" Lerner added that he thinks Topol is only trying to put pressure on the University, and that she has no right to demand that the University speed up its handling of her complaint. "I think the proceedings against the University and against him are all part of a strategy to put pressure on the school into getting rid of him," Lerner said. "By threatening to sue maybe they think they'll make him cave in." Topol claims in her lawsuit against the University that administrators "failed to investigate her complaints, or otherwise take any action to determine whether or not there existed grounds to suspend or terminate Woodfield." In addition, Topol's lawsuit states that the University discouraged her from seeking outside counsel and promised her that the matter would be resolved last summer. Topol alleges that she and Woodfield were involved in sexual relations during the first three months of 1992, while she was a student in his class.
(03/28/94 10:00am)
A University student hit by an Escort van last fall has filed suit against the University and Escort Services, claiming that the driver was speeding and not on the lookout for pedestrians. The student, Wharton senior Kevin Reish of 4414 Pine St., filed suit on March 4 in Common Pleas Court after failing to come to agreement with the University's Office of Risk Management. According to the complaint, the Escort van struck Reish "in the early evening hours" last November as he was crossing Pine St. to reach his residence. The impact threw Reish against a parked vehicle, the document continues. As a result of the accident, Reish suffered a fracture of the left side of his face, in addition to other injuries, the complaint states. Reish is suing for an amount in the excess of $50,000, and has requested a jury trial. Reish claims in his suit that the "defendant [University] operated its vehicle at a speed which was excessive for the lighting conditions which prevailed," and that the driver "failed to keep a proper lookout for pedestrians." In addition, Reish charges in his suit that the driver "failed to take appropriate evasive action" when he observed Reish crossing the street, and that he did not slow down once he saw Reish "to allow him to reach a place of safety." Reish would not comment on the case, but did say that according to a University Police report, there were 60 feet of skid marks at the scene of the accident, which took place in a 25mph speed zone. However, according to Ron Jasner, Director of the Office of Risk Management, the driver was traveling at 35mph. "The police think he was going 35 and that's what the driver says," said Jasner. "It's just like any other lawsuit, it'll go through the course of discovery and then we'll evaluate it." The University's outside counsel in the case, John Orlando, said that the case may take 4 years to come to trial. "Look both ways before you cross," added Orlando. Reish's lawyer could not be reached for comment.
(03/21/94 10:00am)
Cornell University President Frank Rhodes announced last Thursday that he will step down from his post next year, after 17 years of serving as president of the Ivy League's largest university. Rhodes is the third Ivy League president to step down in the last year. And although Rhodes, 67, announced his intention to retire, he will not step down until June 30, 1995, allowing the school a little over a year to find a replacement. After serving as a Geology professor, vice president for academic affairs and dean of the College of Literature, Science and the Arts at the University of Michigan, Rhodes became Cornell's ninth president on Nov. 10,1977. "He's had a tremendous impact on Cornell," said Larry Palmer, Cornell's associate vice president for academic affairs. "Without his vision and ability to carry out difficult projects, Cornell would be a completely different place." Rhodes has served two years past Cornell's age of retirement, staying on to complete several projects and guide Cornell through "the current period of financial stress which is affecting all of higher education," he wrote in a letter to Cornell Board of Trustees Chairperson Stephen Weiss. According to Palmer, Cornell has renovated almost all of its buildings during Rhodes' term as president, and constructed a new library, theatre and fieldhouse. At the moment, Rhodes is presiding over Cornell's $1.25 billion capital campaign, which recently passed the one billion mark four months ahead of schedule. "He's extremely well-liked by the students, and a great fund-raiser," added Palmer, who announced his intention to resign and return to teaching last month. However, Rhodes has had his share of controversy over his 17 years as president. On the day of his inaugural address, students from the Minority Student Coalition and Financial Aid Project, protesting scholarships based on academic merit, walked out during Rhodes' speech with raised fists. And most recently, in November, Latino students, angry over the defacing of a Hispanic artist's outdoor exhibit on campus, took over the third floor of an administrative building. Interim President Claire Fagin, however, described Rhodes as a model Ivy League president, saying it was "a privilege to know him." "When a president is responsible for as much as Frank Rhodes, he brings a lot of respect to a university," Fagin added. "He was an exemplary president." Rhodes and his wife, Rosa, plan to stay in Ithaca after he retires, and Rhodes plans to work on several books, including two about geology.
(03/18/94 10:00am)
An appeals court ruled Wednesday that Republican Bruce Marks, a University alumnus, must prove that the number of absentee ballots cast illegally in a State Senate special election last November affected the outcome of the election. Then, U.S. District Judge Clarence Newcomer will declare whether Marks can be certified as the winner of the controversial State Senate election to fill the Second District Northeast Philadelphia seat after a hearing set for March 28. "Marks should not be certified unless and until the district court is satisfied that Marks would have won the election [if not] for the wrong doing," wrote Judge Walter Stapleton of the U.S. Third Circuit Court of Appeals. A three-judge panel ruled that if enough illegal ballots are found, Newcomer may order Marks declared the winner. Otherwise, the panel wrote, Newcomer should call a new election. Although Marks has argued that a new election would not be fair to him, since it would be his third election campaign in one year, the judges ruled that the more important issue concerns the power of the voters to choose a candidate. Mark's opponent in last November's election, William Stinson, appealed Newcomer's initial Feb. 18 ruling, in which the judge declared all absentee ballots in the election invalid and ordered that Marks be certified as state senator. Last week, the appeals court stayed Newcomer's decision, stating that Marks should not be sworn in as senator while the court reviews the charges against Stinson. In its most recent ruling, the court rejected Stinson's appeal, defending Newcomer's opinion that extensive ballot fraud did occur in the Second District election. Marks was confident last night that he could prove enough absentee ballots were filed illegally, and claimed to have testimony from 1,000 voters. "It's important to show how the Democrats, fortunately unsuccessfully, tried to steal the election," Marks said. Last Saturday, Attorney General Ernie Preate Jr. formally charged Stinson and two of his campaign workers with electoral abuses, after a grand jury indicted the workers. Stinson was charged with opening and counting absentee ballots at his neighborhood poll station in Northeast Philadelphia, as well as locking and unlocking the voting machines. Both are misdemeanors under state law. Because Marks received 1,025 fewer absentee ballots than Stinson on the Nov. 2 election, he lost by 461 votes. Marks won the ballot machine vote by 564 votes. The Philadelphia Inquirer contributed to this article.
(03/16/94 10:00am)
Former student alleges negligence in two suits and Andrew Rafalaf Former University student Lisa Topol, who has accused Assistant English Professor Malcolm Woodfield of sexual harassment, filed suit against the University in federal district court yesterday. The suit alleges that the University has continually postponed the hearing process involving Woodfield, and asks for monetary compensation on the basis of psychological and emotional injury among other items. Topol also filed suit against Bates College, where Woodfield taught for two years before arriving at the University, for withholding information of other sexual harassment accusations against Woodfield. In the lawsuit against the University, Topol charges that administrators "failed to investigate her complaints, or otherwise take any action to determine whether or not there existed grounds to suspend or terminate Woodfield." After Topol initially complained about Woodfield to the Ombudsman's office in March of last year, the suit states that the University "actively discouraged" her from obtaining outside counsel. The suit also states that the University said they would represent her. According to the suit, Woodfield admitted to Topol's complete account of the relationship except for one detail in a meeting with former Ombudsman Daniel Perlmutter and Assistant Ombudsman Gulbun O'Connor. The suit continues to say that the University urged Topol to file her complaint with the College Committee on Academic Freedom and Responsibility and promised that the matter would be resolved by last summer. "Dean Stevens failed to forward a complaint concerning Woodfield to the [Committee] until August, 1993, a full five months after Ms. Topol reported Woodfield's conduct to the Assistant Ombudsman," the suit states. Stevens refused to comment on the case last night. Topol charges that after the Committee received the complaint, it did not respond within 20 days, which is required by Section 10.4(c) of the University Policies and Procedures. Not until November of last year did the Committee decide that just cause existed to formally charge Woodfield of sexual harassment, the suit states. In addition, the suit alleges that Woodfield failed to respond to the Committee's formal complaint and did so again after being given a second chance. Woodfield did not return several phone calls placed to his home last night. The suit states that by failing to respond to the Committee's complaint, Woodfield forfeited his right to be involved in the hearings against him and the University proceeded to set a hearing date in early February. But, the University decided to cancel the hearing because it wanted Woodfield to attend, Topol alleges. "[The University] finally set hearing dates in April, 1994, more than a year after Ms. Topol lodged her complaint with the Ombudsman," the suit charges. Topol's lawyer, Alice Ballard, said her client is frustrated with the University's handling of her complaint. "She's hoping that the suit will prompt [the University] to do something in the case," said Ballard. "[The University] has acted as though [the Woodfield case] were nothing but a pain in the neck." The suit against the University asks that Topol be compensated for "wages and fringe benefits" that she has lost due to her relationship with Woodfield and for wages that she is "likely to lose." The suit also asks that the University pay Topol for "anguish and humiliation, physical and mental pain and suffering, and loss of life's pleasures." Along with outlining the University's alleged mishandling of the Woodfield case, the suit also describes the relationship between Woodfield and Topol and concurs with a draft of a letter Stevens wrote to the Committee last August. As a student in Woodfield's class, "The British Novel: 1660-present," in the fall of 1992, Topol was repeatedly complimented and flattered by Woodfield in front of the class and in private, the suit contends. Near the end of the semester, Woodfield allowed Topol to take an oral examination that was not available to the rest of the class, both the suit and Stevens' letter state. At that exam, which took only 10 minutes, Woodfield allegedly made "sexually suggestive remarks" and asked her help in developing a course load by having her read a book, according to the complaint. Woodfield and Topol met again on December 21, 1992 when Woodfield kissed Topol, the suit states. It continues to say that later the same evening, Woodfield called her and told her that he wanted to "enter into a sexual relationship." The suit also states that the two met for lunch, at which point Topol expressed her concern over taking a course from Woodfield in the spring. Woodfield "persuaded" Topol to stay in the class, which she was already registered for, and also mentioned that she received an "A" in his fall course, the suit states. Upon returning from winter break in January 1993, Woodfield and Topol became sexually involved, the letter and suit details. "Professor Woodfield and Ms. Topol engaged in sexual intercourse in his office and, on two occasions, in her dormitory room," the suit states. The suit continues that the two engaged in role playing where Woodfield played the teacher and assigned Topol, his student, sexual "homework." Woodfield also "spanked" Topol with a crop or whip, the suit adds. The suit alleges that Woodfield was verbally abusive to Topol, "subjecting [Topol] to profanity and denigrating language." Speaking about the lawsuit against the University, Ballard said, "The case isn't about Woodfield, it's about an institutional failure to respond and deal with a problem that's right under their noses." Ballard added that she believes Bates College, the institution where Woodfield taught from 1989 to 1991, is partly responsible for the present situation. The suit against Bates College states that the college withheld information pertaining to student accusations of sexual harassment against Woodfield. "In the fall of 1990, when Woodfield was on the faculty at Bates College and when Bates sent positive references for Woodfield to the University of Pennsylvania, Bates College was aware of student complaints of sexual harassment by Woodfield," the suit against Bates states. In the spring of 1991, Bates began formal administrative proceedings against Woodfield on the basis of the student complaints, the suit continues. Steven Hochstadt, a member of the Community Relations Counsel at Bates College, did not want to comment on Bates' dealings with Woodfield. Hochstadt did agree, though, that "there was something going on" involving Woodfield. When Bates found out that Woodfield was offered a job at the University, the suit continues, they terminated the proceedings and only "verbally reprimanded" him. Bates College failed to inform the University of the complaints and the subsequent proceedings and also failed to update the positive references it had previously offered, the suit charges. "What Bates did was absolutely reprehensible," Ballard said. "I think it's completely foreseeable that what happened at Bates would happen at Penn." While the University was investigating the current accusations of sexual harassment, the suit states, Bates College still failed to inform the University of "Woodfield's prior sexual conduct in relation to female students." Bates College Associate Dean of Faculty John Pribram said he did not know anything about the charges against Woodfield. "I was not aware of any proceedings [against Woodfield] and I have not heard anything about this," he said. Pribram has only been working at Bates for a year and a half, and began only after Woodfield left. Martha Crunkelton, dean of faculty at Bates College, could not be reached for comment last night.
(03/15/94 10:00am)
Still reviewing fraud charges A federal appeals court ruled last week that University alumnus Bruce Marks should not be sworn in as state senator while the court reviews charges of voter fraud against his opponent, Democrat William Stinson. Marks was expecting to be sworn in yesterday, on his 37th birthday, when the Senate reconvened after a month-long recess. Senators had hoped that the break would allow time for the courts to settle the dispute, which began last November. Two weeks ago, the Philadelphia City Commissioners certified Marks, a Republican, as the winner in last November's special election for the Second District. This came after a federal District judge ruled that a significant number of absentee ballots cast in the election were fraudulent. In February, U.S. District Court Judge Clarence Newcomer said Stinson must vacate his seat and be replaced by Marks. Newcomer said in his 37-page decision that fraud was so extensive that none of the 1,757 absentee ballots cast in the predominantly black and Latino wards of the district could be counted. This latest ruling has added yet another twist to the political saga which began in November. It was only a few weeks ago Marks ironically said, "I'm hopeful that I can be sworn in and represent the Second District as soon as possible." On Saturday, Attorney General Ernie Preate Jr. formally charged Stinson and two of his campaign workers with electoral abuses, after a grand jury indicted the workers. Stinson was charged with opening and counting absentee ballots at his neighborhood poll station in Northeast Philadelphia, as well as locking and unlocking the voting machines. Both charges are misdemeanors under state law. Barbara Landers, a Democratic committeewoman, and Ramon Pratt, a field worker, were charged with filling out absentee ballot forms for some voters, attempting to influence voters and telling residents they could vote via absentee ballot even though they did not qualify to do so. Although the Third U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals upheld the lower court's findings of electoral fraud, the decision leaves the Second District without a representative in the State Senate. "The appeal's decision did not reverse anything the lower court said, in fact, it affirmed the fraud findings," said Marks' lawyer Paul Rosen. "What it did is it stayed Bruce being declared the winner on the machine vote until it could study the record." The appeals court is expected to release a final decision in about seven days, he added. In the meantime, Rosen said, Lieutenant Governor Mark Singel has filed a request for another election in the district. The Philadelphia Inquirer contributed to this story.
(03/01/94 10:00am)
University-affiliated radio station WXPN is fully cooperating with the Philadelphia Human Rights Commission's inquiry into charges that the station discriminated against gay radio show host Bert Wylen, University officials said last week. Acting Vice President for University Life Valerie Swain Cade-McCoullum said last week she believes the station should not follow its current agreement with WKHS-FM, a Maryland radio station, which kept Wylen's show Gaydreams off the air. In addition, WXPN General Manager Mark Fuerst said that the allegedly discriminatory contract with WKHS has not, in reality, been signed. The "contract" is merely a letter of agreement. Wylen, who hosts the Sunday night show, filed a discrimination complaint against WXPN last month, claiming that because the station entered into a contract with the Maryland station allowing it to drop his programming, it is discriminating against him because of his sexual orientation. Fuerst would not comment specifically on whether he has made any progress in convincing the Maryland station to air Gaydreams. But, he did say that WXPN has not yet completed its contract negotiations with WKHS. "I've had private conversations which I can't comment on right now," said Fuerst. "I don't think any amount of publicity right now would be helpful in resolving the situation." McCoullum said that although WKHS should have the freedom to choose which WXPN programs to broadcast, the Maryland radio station should not discriminate against members of the community. "In my opinion, to specifically name those programs makes a disparate adverse effect on an important part of the community," McCoullum said. "I recommended that we should not follow the [original] contract." WKHS, which broadcasts out of Kent County High School in the rural town of Worton, signed a letter of agreement with WXPN last September to broadcast the WXPN signal in return for free use of its programs. After reviewing the content of the programs, the Kent County School Board, which controls WKHS's programming, decided not to air Wylen's show, as well as the lesbian-issues program, Amazon Country, which precedes it. According to McCoullum, WXPN has devised a national marketing strategy to promote all of its programs, including the gay and lesbian programs. "All shows have good marketing potential," McCoullum said. Fuerst said that although the music show World CafZ is carried on 68 stations nationwide, he could not comment on the market WXPN's gay and lesbian programs have because they are not syndicated.
(03/01/94 10:00am)
Four months after a federal grand jury indicted three men for distributing counterfeit University and Children's Hospital of Philadelphia checks worth $155,000, no one has been sentenced in the case. But according to the prosecuting attorney, U.S. District Attorney Robert Zauzmer, two of the men, Richard Walker, of the 8500 block of Marsden Street, and Demetrius White, of the 5500 block of Regent Street, have plead guilty and are awaiting sentencing. The third man, David Davis of the 1300 block of South Lindenwood Street, is scheduled to go to trial April 18 in district court, Zauzmer said. Although Walker was originally scheduled for sentencing Feb. 10, Zauzmer filed a post-trial motion last month to postpone the sentencing until after Davis' trial, in which Zauzmer plans to use Walker as a witness. According to Zauzmer, Walker is now scheduled to be sentenced May 6. White's sentencing will take place on March 18. "So far, so good," Zauzmer said of the prosecution. Davis and White were indicted last October on one count of conspiracy to distribute counterfeit checks and six counts of distribution of counterfeit checks. Walker was charged with one count of distribution of counterfeit checks. The indictment alleges that Davis and White obtained authentic checks from CHOP and the University in April 1992. They then allegedly placed orders with a printing company in New Jersey for 1,000 CHOP checks and 250 University checks, using the authentic checks as samples. The indictment also alleges that Davis and White conspired with others, including Walker, to cash the counterfeit checks at various check cashing agencies and to purchase goods at several stores, including Sears and Advanced Technology computers. The scheme lasted from April 10, 1992 until March 26, 1993, according to the indictment. Davis and White attempted to cash checks totaling over $120,000, and succeeded in getting cash and goods valued at over $35,000, a U.S. Justice Department press release states.
(03/01/94 10:00am)
Former Philadelphia Mayor Wilson Goode suffered a mild stroke yesterday afternoon and was admitted to the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. Goode, who served as the city's first black mayor from 1983 until 1991, experienced a transient ischemic attack, according to Donald Silberman, chairman of the Neurology Department at HUP. He said that in the attack, which lasted only a few seconds, the slowing of blood in the right side of Goode's brain provoked mild symptoms of a stroke. After arriving at HUP complaining of numbness on the left side of his face, Goode, who is 55, was admitted at 12:30 p.m. to undergo preliminary tests. Silberman said this was done to ensure that Goode's condition would not develop into a stroke. "The symptoms disappeared over a few hours," said HUP spokesperson Rebecca Harmon last night. Harmon added that Goode will stay in the hospital overnight. He is expecting to be released this morning. "Everything appears OK," Harmon said. "When I talked with him, he was in excellent spirits." According to Silberman, Goode will undergo blood tests tonight and will be given aspirin as a coagulant. "We don't know the whole story yet, but odds are if we continue administering aspirin he should be all right," Silberman said. "The probability of this re-occurring is very low." Goode will be fitted with a HOLTER cardiogram today, Silberman said. The cardiogram will verify that his cerebral condition is not related to any irregularities in heart rhythm. Goode received international media attention after approving the 1985 bombing of the radical group MOVE's headquarters in West Philadelphia. Eleven people died and 60 houses burned down in the bombing. He is also the author of the book In Goode Faith.
(02/24/94 10:00am)
In a crowded conference room in City Hall yesterday, Republican Bruce Marks, a University alumnus, was certified as the winner in the state senatorial race for the Second District by the Philadelphia City Commissioners. A Federal District Judge ruled last week that Marks' opponent in last November's election, Democrat William Stinson, must relinquish his State Senate seat because a significant number of absentee ballots were found to be fraudulent. Two of the three City Commissioners who signed and then handed over Marks' certificate validating his election were alleged by District Court Judge Clarence Newcomer to be directly involved in the election fraud. "It speaks wonders about our court system," said Marks after the ceremony. He is a 1979 graduate of the College of Arts and Sciences and a 1984 graduate of the Law School. Marks said he expects to be sworn in as state senator by Friday, in order to participate in the debate on Governor Robert Casey's proposed state budget. The Senate is set to reconvene on March 14, after a month-long recess. "I'm hopeful that I can be sworn in and represent the Second District as soon as possible," said Marks. "We can make sure Philadelphia's Second District gets our share of the pie." Marks' election has upset the balance between Democrats and Republicans in the Senate, leaving the GOP with a 26-24 edge. Among other things, this means that the Democrats will lose control of the powerful appropriations committee, which might spell trouble for the Democratic governor's proposed budget and for the University's $35 million funding package. Marks' assistant Joshua Starr said Marks was not yet able to comment specifically on the money currently slated to go to the University, but Marks did say Sunday that he is supportive of the University and higher education in Pennsylvania. The newly-certified Senator pledged to obtain more funding for public schools in his district, especially for the creation of magnet schools, which will draw students from all races and ethnic groups. "I think Republicans will be fair to Philadelphia," Marks said. Marks' lawyer, Paul Rosen, added that although Stinson has appealed Newcomer's decision, there is no threat that the Democrat will regain his seat in the State Senate. Rosen said even if the Stinson campaign and Democratic election officials were cleared of the charges that they conspired to commit electoral fraud, the absentee votes remain invalid. Many absentee voters, most of whom are Spanish speaking, testified that the Stinson campaign explained to them how to vote from home. Other voters in the Second District, which consists of several neighborhoods in and around Northeast Philadelphia, testified that Stinson campaign workers forged signatures on documents and filled out ballots for voters. State law only allows voters to submit absentee ballots if the voter is out of town or is unable to go to the polls on election day. The Associated Press contributed to this story.
(02/22/94 10:00am)
The Student Activities Council recognized two new student groups last night at its monthly meeting. The Penn Sporting Club, a target and skeet-shooting group, and Teach West Philadelphia, an organization which plans to tutor Asian refugees in the area, will join the organization of more than 140 student groups. The council did vote, however, to deny additional funding to the Penn Sporting Club, which had requested money to attend a trap and skeet shooting competition in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Junior Dan Speaars, representing the club, requested $2,544 to help pay for the travel and registration costs of the competition, but many SAC members voiced concern that the group was not truly competitive. According to SAC Financial Committee member Brad Rosenberg, SAC will pay half of a group's travel expenses only if the group can prove it is competitive. Several members said they are also concerned that the club was promoting the use of guns. Sophomore Sara Kleinberg, who represented Amnesty International at the meeting, told the group that although the members do not shooting at anything alive, "we just don't think learning how to use a gun is a worthwhile thing." Spears told the body, though, that the club plans to participate in target and skeet shooting competitions, as well as teach and promote the safe use of guns. He was awarded $139 from SAC for office supplies. In addition to the two new groups, SAC also re-recognized several student organizations, including the Wharton Women's Forum, Senior Class Board and Pakistan Society. Both the Senior Class Board and Pakistan Society lost recognition after missing required SAC meetings. "We're non-political, we don't offend anyone, and we want our SAC money back," said Senior Class Board Treasurer Mandee Heller, summing up her group's request for re-recognition. In a separate vote, SAC allocated $1,138 to WXPN Sports to enable them to attend the NCAA basketball tournament and broadcast men's basketball games. SAC Financial Committee Chair Dave West said WXPN pledged to return any unused money.
(02/09/94 10:00am)
After two years of coping with reduced state allocations, University administrators responded with relief and gratitude yesterday following Gov. Robert Casey's announcement that his proposed 1994-95 fiscal budget would include $35 million for the University. "It's a relief," said Alan Kelly, acting dean of the Veterinary School, whose school was hit hardest by the state's cutbacks over the past two years. "The school is not totally out of the woods, but we're better off than we were before." Out of the $35 million proposed for the University in the governor's budget proposal, $15.5 million will go to funding for general educational programs in all twelve schools, $5.3 million will support Dental and Medical School programs and $14 million will subsidize the Veterinary School. "We're very pleased," said Executive Vice President Janet Hale. "This is recognition of the governor's commitment to higher education -- we're thrilled." In his last two budget proposals to the state legislature, Casey ignored the University's request for funds, forcing the University to make do with no guarantee of state funding. But, in each of the two years, the state legislature voted to allocate a portion of the money retroactively to the University. In 1992-93, the University received $21.7 million from the state -- only 50 percent of the amount it was allocated the year before, Vice President for Finance Stephen Golding said last night. As part of an agreement between the University, governor's office, and state legislature reached last summer, the school is slated to receive this money over a multi-year period. In this year's budget address, Casey gave the University 96 percent of his 1991-1992 allotment, which was the largest grant the University has ever received from the state. "From the standpoint of the University's financial position, it's what we were planning on," Golding said. "It is the first time in three years that we received what we thought we would receive -- it will make financial planning that much easier." Although the proposed budget stands to help ease the fiscal problems of the Vet School, it won't put the School on firm financial footing, Kelly said. "The school itself is not threatened, but the quality of the school is in question," he added. Kelly said the Vet School will be forced to borrow money from the University in order to balance its budget. Hale said she is "cautiously optimistic" that the state legislature will pass the governor's proposed budget. "It is something less than what we received in the past," added Golding, "but we understand the financial situation of the Commonwealth and are grateful for the support."
