Guest Opinion | Working together to save Hey Day
(04/18/07 9:00am)
The 76-year history of Hey Day, an unparalleled tradition unique to Penn, has marked the progression of juniors to seniors for generations of alumni.
Search Results
Below are your search results. You can also try a Basic Search.
COLUMN: The Great Hockey Sit-In of '78
(02/18/00 10:00am)
And perhaps no two stories could be more dissimilar. First, there was the end of the Penn Students Against Sweatshop protest against the University's use of sweatshop labor that ended Monday. And next there was the story that held top billing on both the front and back pages, the tale of the Penn men's basketball team's 55-46 defeat of Princeton on Tuesday. On one hand, there is the so-called sweatshop story, a situation that attracted national exposure. It was an example of Penn undergrads reaching out to the world beyond our Ivy walls. On the other hand, there was the basketball game. For many, Tuesday's painted faces and vulgar chants were examples of the ebullience of Ivy League life, examples of how sheltered Penn students are. There was, however, one point in time in Penn history where these two worlds colorfully collided -- the College Hall Sit-In of 1978. In the late '70s, the University's finances were not as rosy as they are today. So on Thursday, February 23, 1978, Penn admitted to a slew of forthcoming budget cuts, the most visible of which came from the office of then-Athletic Director Andy Geiger. Even though the Penn men's hockey team still had four games left on its schedule, Geiger shockingly admitted that the University was terminating its 12-year-old varsity hockey program effective the next year. The reaction was immediate and furious. Then-DP Sports Editor Dan Rosenbaum gave hockey coach Bob Finke the unhappy news in his office that day, and the Penn head man was livid. "The idea that you [the DP] would know before I would is what upsets me. It's gotta be someone in College Hall. That's what I want to find out. You people at the DP stand up for truth and honesty, right? All right, I want to know who did this," Finke said. "I've got 10 freshmen kids who would have gone to a lot of different places. Now they're asking, 'What the hell is going on here.'" Those connected with the hockey program were understandably enraged, but even more objective voices howled at the University's surprise decision. DP Managing Editor Steven Marquez lambasted Penn for its desire to keep important decisions "as clandestine as possible for as long a period as possible." The indignation over the demise of a team that had managed just four winning seasons in its 12 seasons continued to build throughout the following week. Although the budget cuts had also nixed the women's hockey club, the men's and women's gymnastics teams, the badminton team, the golf team and a host of other University programs, the ire of students on campus seemed to focus on the departure of men's hockey. The anger reached its fevered pitch on the following Thursday when a one-hour Undergraduate Assembly-sponsored rally turned into an all-night sit-in, as 800 angry students stormed College Hall. It would be 87 hours -- nearly a full four days -- before the students would leave. The sit-in of '78, even if it did come at the end of the "Me Decade," made the recently concluded PSAS protest look like a den meeting, and, more importantly, provides today's Penn students with a glimpse of a bygone era where protesters didn't need to look overseas to find an issue to rally around. Ironically enough, when the students spent their first night in College Hall, then-Penn President Martin Meyerson was vacationing in Barbados. But his absence didn't prevent the protesters from getting creative. The sit-in participants carried signs that read innocuous messages such as "Stick with Hockey," but they did go so far as to adorn a golden retriever with a sign that told the world that "I could run U. of P. Better." The University eventually got the joke. The sit-in ended at 3:35 the next Monday morning when 15 students and three administrators signed their names to a document detailing 31 agreements reached in grueling negotiations between students, administrators and Trustees. The compromise, which President Meyerson announced with tears in his eyes, granted the reinstatement of gymnastics, badminton and golf, but left the hockey team out in the cold. Many of Finke's puckmen wound up transferring to other schools, and still others toughed it out without Canada's national pastime for the sake of an Ivy League education. Hockey has never returned, and puck-crazed Penn students still need to settle for a club team. The protesters didn't get everything they wanted, but the '78 sit-in still makes me wonder. The Penn of 1978 is far different from the Penn of today. With soaring admissions numbers and an equally flourishing endowment, it's difficult for us to envision what it would have been like to see a 12-year-old varsity sport with a sparkling new arena sent right down the tubes. In addition, it's hard for us to understand the pure scale of the hockey-induced sit-in. Granted, the administration's initial moves toward an alcohol policy last spring prompted a mob to gather on College Green, but that was about it. There was no sit-in. There was no tearful capitulation by President Rodin. And, yes, the PSAS protest attracted national attention, but its initial 13 participants pale in comparison to the 800 starters in '78. In the final analysis, there's one lesson that I take away from examining the bygone Carter-era protest -- be thankful for Penn sports teams. I would love it if we had a hockey team, but that was taken away from our student body. I implore each Penn fan to take advantage of the opportunities that we have: the chance to watch a basketball game in the glorious confines of the Palestra, the chance to attend Penn Relays and the chance to watch the Penn football team in Franklin Field. With dwindling attendance at football games, it seems as if most of this campus disagrees with this opinion. That's too bad. As the 1978 sit-in demonstrates, being a spectator is not a right -- it's a privilege.
Noor to speak at princeton U.
(01/19/00 10:00am)
The Daily Princetonian PRINCETON, N.J. -- Queen Noor of Jordan -- formerly Lisa Halaby, Princeton class of 1973 -- will be the speaker at this year's Baccalaureate, the year-ending chapel service for the senior class, the university announced Sunday. Queen Noor, a member of the university's first coeducational class, graduated with a degree in architecture and urban planning. While working on international urban planning projects, her involvement in the design of an aviation training school brought her to Jordan, where she met King Hussein. The two were married in 1978. Since then, Queen Noor has helped promote Arab-Western relations as well as an international understanding of Middle Eastern politics. She also has performed humanitarian work in the areas of disarmament, women and children's welfare, community development, education, human rights, culture and public architecture and planning. The announcement signaled the end of a semester-long process that included an open discussion forum for members of the Class of 2000 and administrators, as well as a Web-based submission form for nominations. The forum and submission process established three finalists: Meg Whitman '77, president and CEO of eBay; Wendy Kopp '89, founder of Teach for America, and Queen Noor. Once these candidates were announced on the Web, a class-wide vote showed Queen Noor to be the favorite speaker of the senior class by a large margin. Vice President and Secretary Tom Wright said that scheduling difficulties prevented Queen Noor from committing to the event immediately. "She's an enthusiastic alum, and I don't think there was any question that she wanted to try to fit this in if she could," he said. Senior Class President Robert Anolik said he was thrilled the University was able to get his class's first choice. "Beyond the inherent excitement of her celebrity, she has been a global humanitarian and represents Princeton's motto well because she has been in the service of all nations," he said. "I'm glad we were able to bring a female because it appropriately recognizes and celebrates this year as the 30th anniversary of Princeton's admission of women."
COLUMN: W. Hoops not just Di and Mandy show
(12/07/99 10:00am)
Diana Caramanico and Mandy West combined for 120 of Penn's 174 points in two games at the Air Force Classic in Colorado Springs, Colo. So the Quakers are obviously the same two-woman show they were last season. Well, they aren't. Caramanico and West are the two best players Penn has -- there is no denying that. But unlike last season, they are no longer the only two offensive weapons Penn can employ. First-year coach Kelly Greenberg has made that much clear from her first day on the job. Opponents will have to worry about more than just West and Caramanico if they hope to beat the Quakers. Still, by looking at the numbers from this past weekend's tournament, you wouldn't know it. "The numbers may not reflect it yet," Caramanico said, "but they will." And the most important numbers are already reflecting it. The Quakers are 3-2 in this young season. While that record might not be too impressive, it is significantly better than the 1-7 mark Penn posted to open last season. Last year, despite 24 points from Caramanico and 20 from West, Penn lost to Lafayette, 81-69. But when the two teams met again on Friday in Colorado, it was the Quakers who came away with a 10-point win. They did it because everyone is now involved in the offense. That may be hard to believe, considering Caramanico tied a school record by scoring 41 points while West knocked in 23. But it's true. Greenberg was quick to credit freshmen Jennifer Jones, Tara Twomey and Sunny Pitrof for helping Penn seal the win over the Leopards, and West readily acknowledges the effect that teammates have in helping herself and Caramanico to rack up the points. "Coach Greenberg made a huge point by letting everyone know they are an offensive threat," West said. "Now other teams see that they are going to have to stop more than just me and Di." And, by making opponents worry about stopping the other Quakers, West and Caramanico are free to score more. Diana Caramanico and Mandy West are two excellent basketball players and without them, Penn would probably be winless -- in fact, the Quakers are 0-2 in games when Caramanico scores under 30 points. But it is their teammates who are allowing Penn to have the success it has enjoyed so far this season. Last year, under coach Julie Soriero, the other Quakers were not as involved in the offensive game. The plays almost uniformly revolved around the two stars. "The main difference is that this year, everyone feels a part of the offense, everyone is involved," Caramanico said. Under Greenberg, all of the players are encouraged to shoot when they have opportunities, to try to create something instead of just looking to dump it off to Caramanico or West. And this freedom given to them by Greenberg has inspired confidence in the other Quakers -- something that was severely lacking when Soriero was at the helm. "They realize they can make mistakes without worrying about what their coaches are thinking or that they may be pulled," Greenberg said. This confidence is, in turn, leading to increased offensive output from all the Quakers. When La Salle was able to hold Caramanico to 15 points in an 82-70 win over the Quakers on November 23, guard Erin Ladley pumped in 19 points. And against Loyola (Ill.) on Saturday, sophomore Julie Epton recorded a career-high 13 points. The Quakers need these types of performances if they are to have success throughout the season. Penn was picked first in this year's Ivy League preseason media poll and Greenberg will need contributions from more than just two players if the Quakers are to live up to that prediction. Last year, West and Caramanico were 1-2 in the Ivy scoring race and both earned first team All-Ivy honors, but Penn still finished third in the standings. Now, Soriero is gone. The other Quakers have more confidence in their offensive games and Penn is a better team. You cannot underestimate the importance of Caramanico and West to this team. They are an extremely talented pair of basketball players and the Quakers will go as far as Caramanico and West take them. But without the contributions of their teammates, that may not be very far at all. Greenberg has brought a new mentality to the Red and Blue. They are no longer a two-woman show. Instead, they are a team, a team of more than two people, a team that knows how to win basketball games.
1934 Penn Sports Century 1960
(09/30/99 9:00am)
Following a superb Penn career, Micahnik went on to compete in three Olympic Games. Qualifying for the first time as national epee champion in 1960, however, will always remain a special moment. Micahnik, a 1998 inductee into the Penn Athletic Hall of Fame, remembers that day well. · Dave Micahnik: It was July 3, 1960, one year after graduating from Penn. The Nationals were in New York City at the old Commodore Hotel. I was still being coached by the Penn coach, Maestro Csiszar. I had gone up to Camp Tecumsah with him between the close of school and the Nationals and trained up there with him. I took the bus back down to New York and it was one of those meets. Step by step by step, things fell into place. In the first round, believe it or not, I had to have a fence-off with two other guys to get out of the first round of the Nationals and I started to cruise after that. I didn't lose another bout until the semis. I was 3-2 in the semis and made into the final round of eight. There I was in a position to make the Olympic team. I figured if I made the top four or five, I'd be in. Maestro told me, "If you don't make the top three, it's not for sure." With two shots to go, I said, "I [better] get this one because you don't know what will happen in the next one. This guy had been on the last Olympic team in '56 and everything he did I knew ahead of time he was going to do. I just crunched him. I had the Nationals clinched with one more bout to go. I had it in my hand and then all of a sudden, the coach came up to me and said, "You've got your championship but you have to finish your last bout hard to win it, too. Otherwise, it's going to mess up the Olympic selection. You can't let up." So I said, "OK, I'll do my best in that one." In the last bout, I decided I was gonna go to win the bout but I was going to do it with a little bit of flair. In epee, the whole body's fair target and I was going to make all my touches on the guy's foot. Unfortunately, I only got four on his foot and I did win the bout 5-4. So there I was, undefeated in the national finals and national champion and on the Olympic team. It was very special. I wandered around that ballroom forever. The place was empty and I'm still walking around. It was the first time anybody from a newspaper had ever interviewed me and it was one of those moments.
Three schools look to find new deans
(06/01/99 9:00am)
Radnor High School '97 Radnor, Pa. Come September, the incoming Class of 2003 may not be the only ones trying to find their way around campus -- a few fresh faces should be joining the University administration as well. And with three search committees conducting rigorous searches since last November, the University hopes to have the three new deans in place by this fall. The committees -- composed of administrators, faculty and students -- have been advertising the positions nationally and seeking out possible candidates at peer institutions. After reviewing and interviewing the candidates, committee members will present a list of the top three to five to University President Judith Rodin and Provost Robert Barchi, Penn's chief academic officer. After five months, the search committee to find a new Wharton dean is currently at work trying to narrow the current pool of six candidates down to three or four. Committee Chairperson and Dean of the Graduate School of Fine Arts Gary Hack said the position will hopefully be filled by the time outgoing Dean Thomas Gerrity steps down from his position on July 1. Hack noted that the role demands a leader with a background in both business and academia. Under Gerrity's leadership, new academic programs were developed and Wharton's endowment tripled to almost $300 million. But after nine years on the job, the 57-year-old Gerrity decided to take on the role of a Management professor, which will enable him to spend more time with his family. Law Dean Colin Diver -- who has held the position for 10 years -- will also step down in July. The search committee charged with finding Diver's replacement is currently narrowing down a "very short list" of candidates to the requisite three to five, according to committee chairperson and Wharton Undergraduate Dean Richard Herring. Herring said that "with luck" the University may be able to acquire a new dean by the time Diver leaves. During his tenure, Diver, 54, has increased the faculty by one third, expanded facilities and support services and raised over $100 million for the school's activities and endowment. He plans to remain at Penn as a professor and researcher in the Law School. Former Engineering Dean Gregory Farrington announced his resignation in May 1998 in order to assume the presidency of Lehigh University in Bethlehem, Pa. Chemical Engineering Professor Eduardo Glandt has been serving as interim dean since last July. A search committee has been seeking out a permanent replacement for Farrington since last November. While officials said the committee would like to fill the position quickly, they do not have a set deadline. Under Farrington, who had taught at Penn since 1979 and then served as dean beginning in 1990, applications to the school increased by 60 percent, four new master's programs were created and the size of the endowment tripled. Penn has a history of long searches for top academic appointments. It took more than a year for Barchi to be appointed after the resignation of his predecessor, Stanley Chodorow, in October 1997. And in December 1997, Samuel Preston was appointed dean of the School of Arts and Sciences after a nearly 1 1/2-year search.
GUEST COLUMNIST: The truly underrepresented group
(11/25/98 10:00am)
Although the Admissions Office tries to obfuscate admissions information, the numbers are easily deduced from numerous articles printed in The Daily Pennsylvanian. Of all categories of students accepted to Penn, the group which accepted Penn's offer of admission at the highest rate were those who did not self-identify as a member of a minority. Such students -- the vast majority of whom are assumed to be white --matriculated at a rate of 53 percent. By comparison, the groups that complain the most about underrepresentation actually have lower matriculation rates: Only 39 percent of African Americans decided to matriculate at Penn. For Hispanics, the rate was also 39 percent. And for Asians, the rate was 44 percent. Also, the minority groups who say that Penn "doesn't care about" them and "isn't interested in representing" them are being accepted at a higher percentage even as a lower percentage of accepted applicants matriculate. After examining the data published in the DP, I have found that African American applicants were accepted at a rate of 36 percent to the class of 2002. This number is 20 percent higher than the average acceptance rate of 30 percent for students self-identifying as white or "other." Hispanics were accepted at a rate of 38 percent, almost 27 percent higher than the average acceptance rate for whites and "others." In fact, assuming accepted African American applicants continued to matriculate at a rate of 39 percent, for Penn to have a class with the same 12 percent share of African American students as society as a whole, it would have to accept a whopping 74 percent of those that decided to apply. That sounds a bit far from "fair." Similarly, for Hispanics, Penn would have to accept 88 percent of those that applied to achieve a representation proportional to their numbers in society. Asians represent another facet of the underrepresentation issue -- namely, overrepresentation. Asian applicants were accepted to the University at a 25 percent rate. And while 44 percent of Asians matriculated -- nine points below the rate for whites and "others" -- they remain overrepresented at the University as a whole. For example, assuming a constant yield, Penn would only have to accept 3.4 percent of those that applied to get a level of representation equal to their 2 to 3 percent share of the population. But it's not just whites who are underrepresented at Penn -- it is white Christians. Penn's student body is widely estimated to be between 30 and 40 percent Jewish, and about 63 percent white or "other." Therefore, since the vast majority of non-Jewish whites are Christians, at most about 30 percent of Penn's incoming class are white Christians -- while they make up approximately 75 percent of society. Quite a stark disparity, yet there is no outcry. Jews, who make up about 30 percent of Penn's Class of 2002, are only 2 to 3 percent of the American population. Therefore, Jews are 10 times more represented at Penn than in society. Asians make up a dramatic 25 percent of the class, around eight times more than their share of the population. However, white Christians are the most underrepresented group in proportion to their numbers in society, roughly 40 percent of their share of the general population. That share is even less than Blacks, who are represented at Penn in about half their numbers in society at large. I think it is quite obvious that some numbers have been conveniently ignored for far too long. This information brings me back to my original point. It seems that the demand of certain minority groups is as follows: Admit more of us even though we already have a disproportionately high acceptance rate. Then, since we usually refuse Penn, the school needs to admit even more of us so it can look bad and have a low yield. With these statistics in hand, it is time to do battle with the proponents of politically correct diversity. Their brand of diversity is not about making Penn look like America. It is about favoring certain groups at the expense of others, the motivations for which range from career opportunism to blatant racism, both of which are dead wrong. Next time someone tells you certain groups are underrepresented, ask them who we should get rid of. Slots at this school are a zero sum game, so if I get in, someone else necessarily doesn't. It is time to stop pretending that this is not the case. Penn is a great school and is certainly scholarly enough to examine statistics before lavishly funding minority retention for groups that already receive a great deal of consideration and assistance from the University.
GUEST COLUMNIST: Last year's UA: bracing for impact
(04/16/98 9:00am)
Her first assertion is that anyone who is involved in a Student Activities Council-funded activity has felt the impact of SAC. What has SAC done for these groups besides allocated their funding? If doling out money creates an impact, then the UA has trumped SAC: the UA has an annual allocation budget of just over $1 million, compared to SAC's budget of approximately $300,000 allocated by the UA. In addition, according to Lynn Moller, SAC's financial administrator, the SAC executive board does not even use up all the money it has to divide up among SAC's member groups ("SAC has huge reserve fund," DP, 4/2/98). Even if you include SAC's continually growing reserve fund, its total resources still do not exceed the annual budget of the UA. Perhaps the impact Scanlon speaks of is a cash shortage brought on by SAC's incredibly conservative allocation policies. But let's leave aside monetary allocations for a minute and analyze what the UA actually has accomplished. Perhaps I should begin by admitting that, as a UA member for the past year, I feel that the UA has not accomplished nearly as much as it could have this year. We were bogged down, especially this semester, by attendance problems and general apathy. However, I do not believe that the UA deserves the amount of criticism it has received. That said, I find it surprising that Scanlon says she hasn't felt the impact of the UA. I guess, then, she did not notice the lights put up on Locust Walk in December, a direct result of efforts by former UA Vice-Chairperson Samara Barend. Scanlon also must not have participated in December's Winterfest, a Locust Walk event coordinated by UA member and Wharton sophomore Dan Kryzanowski with the UA's Student Life Committee. And she must not be one of the over 200 students who benefited from College junior Clive Correia's use of UA funding to advertise the Wallflowers tickets, which he convinced Drexel to sell the UA for $10 instead of $15. Since Scanlon is not a Quad resident, I'll forgive her for failing to notice College freshman Mike Bassik's effort to improve drainage, even though it was featured in a DP article. Perhaps she also missed last week's UA-sponsored Health Fair, where many students received massages to ease the stress of midterms. In addition, she must not have noticed the UA's ad soliciting nominations for the first-ever UA police awards, which Executive Vice President John Fry called "a wonderful idea." The UA has accomplished all this in only the last year, and yet Scanlon asserts that most students have not felt the effects of the UA since her freshman year. Apparently she has forgotten about Barend's initiative last year to expand meal plan options and start express lunch service. Should the UA really be more concerned with getting its name slapped on different initiatives, or should it be committed to helping the students, whether or not they realize it? Scanlon seems to believe that the former should take precedence, but I believe the latter is more important. She also argues that the only time the UA represented her interests to the administration this year was in regard to the vending ordinance this spring. I seem to recall, however, a little tiff in the fall involving the University's facilities management and a company named Trammell Crow. There, the UA and the Graduate and Professional Student Assembly worked together to make sure that student interests were taken into account. Perhaps Scanlon also does not use the University's recreational facilities. Otherwise she might have cared to read the DP's headline article about the UA's petition to force the administration to double the size of Gimbel Gymnasium. While all of these accomplishments are great and show that the UA has not wasted the entire year, they do not show evidence of a cohesive body with concrete objectives. Many of these initiatives were undertaken by individual UA members using their positions to help the students. What the UA needs is a more pro-active stance toward issues involving undergraduates. The executive board should make sure that each and every representative is involved in at least one of the UA's projects. The UA should also initiate more co-sponsored activities with the other branches of student government. And it needs to make sure that its meetings are productive discussions, and not a waste of representatives time. The members of the recently-elected UA are fully capable of setting these goals and committing to carrying out the necessary steps to achieve them. And once the UA has reformed itself as a body, it will have more respect among the administration, putting the body in a better position to influence University policy decisions. That will be something the entire student body -- including Liz Scanlon -- can be proud of.
Theater students hope to play producer role in new company
(05/16/97 9:00am)
College seniors Rachel Goldberg, Mike Goldstein, Kate Lester and Adam Petrick have set their sights on Broadway rather than Wall Street. Following graduation, the four Theater Arts majors will embark on a project to set the foundations for a Philadelphia-based theater production company. "I just thought it was time to get involved in Philadelphia's growing movement in the arts," Petrick said. "Mayor [Ed] Rendell is really trying to revitalize the artistic community in Philly." And although Lester and Petrick have made other commitments for the fall, they hope to accomplish enough over the summer to get the company off the ground. Building on the experience of directing plays at Penn, the group plans to put on four productions over the course of the summer. Each member will direct one play, in addition to acting and doing technical work for the other productions. Since the group members do not have their own theater, they will use small spaces around Center City, like coffee houses or their apartments. Goldstein, who lives in the old gym of now defunct all-girls school, said his apartment inspired a script of its own. "I decided my apartment was the perfect setting for a really human play," he said. Despite a common love of theater, the four students' interests range from classical to modern to performance art. "The unique thing about our group is that we really do cover a lot of different genres," Petrick said. Goldstein added that his summer production is "going to be about exploring plays with small settings, small budgets -- viable theater, but not from a conventional standpoint." Goldberg, however, said she aims to "alienate and shock people" with her play. Still, the group members believe their working relationship will be successful because they have tremendous respect for each other's work. "I'm going to do my art, but then I'm also going to do everything in my power to see that my friends are successful with theirs," Goldberg said. The graduating seniors attributed their confidence to the Theater Arts program and extracurricular theater experiences at the University. "I think that everything I know I've learned at Penn," Goldberg said. "At first it was difficult because Penn makes theater very academic -- but now I feel lucky to have been a part of such a wonderful program." Petrick said he was originally inspired by New York's off-off Broadway theater movement. "But our experiences in the theater community at Penn have given us ideas of how we would want to do things differently or better if we were running things," he added. Goldstein agreed that being out of the New York theater scene allowed a different perspective. "A lot of people complain about the lack of creativity at this place," he said. "But, I learned that there are really outlets for everything and that there's plenty going on artistically if you want to be involved." Although the four students said they know how challenging the theater world can be, they are approaching their creative dream from a practical standpoint. In the fall, Lester will attend Trinity Rep Conservatory in Providence, R.I., to pursue a Masters of Fine Arts degree. Petrick will teach in Yardley, Pa., although he hopes to continue to work with the production company part time. But they all feel that starting the company will be a good transition into the "real world." "It gives us a space when we can go back over everything we've learned," Lester said. "It will be something to focus on during what can often be a vague and scary time in our lives." While Penn has taught him what it means to have to pay your bills, Goldstein is in no rush to take a high paying job immediately after graduation. Goldberg agreed that she appreciates the chance to devote her energy to just theater. "I know I can get a good job doing research with benefits, or go to grad school, but I don't want to be a slave to anyone else just yet," she said.
DP Sports: Seeing it from both ends of the spectrum
(05/16/97 9:00am)
As a student journalist, I've written hundreds of column inches on subjects ranging from women's gymnastics to NCAA basketball tournament seedings. As a college soccer player and prototypical benchwarmer I've also logged countless minutes on benches from North Carolina to Boston. These two disparate experiences have contributed many of my fondest memories of college and given me the opportunity to meet some truly incredible individuals. For example, as a goalie, I've been fortunate enough to train with Bob Rigby, the goalie coach for the men's and women's soccer programs. As a professional soccer player in the '70s, Rigby starred for both the U.S. National Team and played with Pele on the New York Cosmos. To this day, he remains the only soccer player ever to featured on the cover of Sports Illustrated. Through journalism, I've gotten the opportunity to interview and observe scores of amazing athletes and coaches like Fran Dunphy and others. Without question, having spent so much time writing about sports added context to my athletic experience, allowing me to appreciate just being on a team despite seeing action so sporadically. It was actually quite ironic when during this soccer season, the writer covering the men's soccer team twice mis-reported the facts of my role in games against Cornell and St. Joseph's. For the first time, I had to personally deal with the annoyance of being incorrectly misrepresented in print. Having defended slip-shod writing which has appeared on the sports page of the DP, I found the shoe to be on the other foot. However, being on the receiving end of one DP Sports' notorious blunders in reporting didn't make me feel any different about the paper. The fact of the matter is that just as athletes are imperfect and have off days, so too are DP Sports writers and editors. Yes, DP Sports writers are journalists, but let's be honest, they're by no means professionals and do not portray themselves as such. Just as an athlete spends hours developing his conditioning and mastering the fundamentals of his sport, commitment which fans at a game will never see, DP staffers are a remarkably committed bunch as well. Athletes chafe at the DP's coverage when it is either factually incorrect or they perceive it to be overly critical, as evidenced by reaction to Miles Cohen's column on Jamie Lyren this year. Though I don't believe adding the prefix student to journalism is an excuse for poor reporting, I do feel DP Sports writers get too hard a rap for their miscues given how much they contribute to the Penn athletic program. The DP Sports writer is the best friend an athlete here can have. Writers commitment to their beats helps athletes stand out from the crowd at a school where students have to be pretty special just to gain admission. Sure, as an athlete, it bothers me when I read an article highlighting a less-than-stellar performance by a Penn athlete, because I know how dedicated Quakers athletes are to their respective sports. The attention an athlete gets in the pages of the DP through game coverage and features frequently far outweighs what he gets from fans, whose attendance is often sparse, whether the sport be fencing or football. Having transferred to Penn from a school where most athletes are on scholarship, I understand the immense sacrifice athletes make when choosing to enter Penn's non-scholarship athletic program. I enjoyed playing a sport at Penn largely because of the mystique being an Ivy League student-athlete, a quality which I suppose attracts many top notch recruits to chose Penn over schools with strong academic reputations which do offer athletic scholarships like Stanford, Georgetown and Boston College. No one organization on campus, including the Athletic Department, purveys the mystique with more fervor than the DP sports section, which probably has something to do with how it earned its nickname: DPOSTM (The Daily Pennsylvanian's Only Staff That Matters.)
Rape suit carries far-ranging implications
(04/17/97 9:00am)
Some students question Penn's support network for rape victims. The University's support system for rape victims comes under criticism in a lawsuit by a former student, who claims that University Police failed to follow up on her 1994 report of an on-campus rape or to notify state and federal authorities about the incident. While the University offers several resource channels for victims of rape or sexual assault -- designed to give victims a sense of control in handling their situations -- some worry that it may be easy to get lost in the bureaucracy. University Police Special Services Director Sue Hawkins, who has degrees in both law and psychology, said her goal "is to make our service available, accessible and appropriate as possible." Once a victim notifies University Police or Special Services, Hawkins said she arranges a personal meeting to explain the various resources available to the victim. "I meet with the individual at two o'clock in the morning if that is necessary," Hawkins said, adding that she is willing to support victims throughout the recovery process -- by accompanying them to a rape crisis center, referring them to psychological services, assisting them with any resulting academic problems or helping them file charges. "It's important for victims to feel they have control in the process," Hawkins said. "Penn Police want people to go forward in the criminal process -- but we're not going to force someone who does not wish to choose that option." She added that she hopes to change the negative attitude many students have towards the police. The Penn Women's Center on Locust Walk provides an alternative resource for rape victims. "The Women's Center provides an environment where women can talk about their rape experiences and not be judged," Director Ellie Dilapi said. "Often people are not ready to take their first step by going to the police." The center provides similar support to Special Services, but is also equipped with specialized counselors and offers therapy groups for rape survivors, Dilapi explained. Allowing the victim to retain control of her recovery process and choose how to proceed is another important aspect of the support the Women's Center provides. "We never direct students one way or another," Dilapi added. "We give them the information and then help them make the best decisions." College senior Linda Min, an educator for Students Together Against Acquaintance Rape, said she advocates the Women's Center as the first step for rape survivors. Min said her faith in the Center springs from the support it provided after she was raped while attending the University's Minority Scholars Weekend as a high school senior. She said she received "wonderful support" from the Center, although she emphasized that the University needs to improve the manner in which it helps victims resolve their situations. The University's Judicial Inquiry Office eventually found Min's attacker guilty of rape, but he was allowed to remain at Penn. And Min said the arduous process left her feeling out of control. Kurt Conklin, a STAAR advisor and health educator, said many students seek help outside the University because they don't feel Penn offers a supportive response system for rape survivors. One student, who is a close friend of a rape survivor and wished to remain anonymous, said she couldn't believe the inefficiency of Penn's support network. "It seemed the University's only response was to say 'What are we going to do with this'?" the student noted. She added that the Women's Center did not return any of her friend's phone calls, and that Counseling and Psychological Services "condemned" her friend because she was under the influence of drugs at the time of the attack. Her friend eventually sought help from a private therapist outside the University. STAAR Executive Board member Vanessa Eisemann, a College senior, said students should not tolerate a system where a rape victim is grilled while an alleged rapist is given the benefit of the doubt. "It's incredibly traumatizing to go through this horrible bureaucratic procedure that's working against a woman rather than for her," Eisemann said. "The system needs to be revaluated so that people who are victims are going to have more control in the whole process," she added.
Survey shows students pressured to drink
(04/15/97 9:00am)
The Drug and Alcohol Resource Team poll indicated that alcohol is a major feature of Penn's social scene. and Randi Rothberg A recent poll by the University's Drug and Alcohol Resource Team indicated that alcohol figures prominently in the University's social scene and that students feel pressured to drink in social situations. According to the informal survey -- which interviewed 158 undergraduates on College Green -- seven out of 10 students said social life on campus revolves around drugs and alcohol. But eight out of 10 students said getting drunk or high is not necessary to have a good time. And although nine out of 10 students agree that excess drinking is unacceptable, six out of 10 of the same students drink to get drunk. Health educator and DART advisor Kate Ward-Gaus said a huge discrepancy exists between how students think about alcohol and how they act. "Students seem to feel that they don't need to abuse alcohol to have a good time," Ward-Gaus said. "But at the same time, they believe that having a social life at Penn means engaging in excessive drinking." Several undergraduates were treated at HUP this year for alcohol poisoning, and the number of freshmen treated in the first few weeks of school was high in comparison to previous years, according to Ward-Gaus. She added that the University has been trying to address the problems of excessive drinking and peer pressure in a realistic fashion. She cited programs such as "Just Say No" as having an unrealistic approach towards coping with peer pressure. "We've been extremely busy this year giving drug and alcohol education workshops for various groups," she said. "We conducted 14 workshops in the fall alone, and eight workshops this past February for various pledge education programs." But Panhellenic Council President Jessica Lennon, a College junior and Delta Delta Delta sister, said she was skeptical about the effectiveness of these programs, noting that drinking "is very much a personal issue." DART advisor Holly Prescott, a College freshman, said many students feel compelled to drink and do drugs because they are afraid to go against actions they perceive as the norm. "If people think other people are doing more drugs or alcohol, then they will be prone to do more," she added. And InterFraternity Council President Matt Baker, a College junior, said students also turn to drugs and alcohol because they feel at a loss for things to do. The Alpha Chi Rho brother explained that the campus social scene revolves around alcohol because there are "not a lot of mindless fun things" to do -- such as bowling and miniature golf --Ein Philadelphia. Prescott echoed the concern that students settle for illegal substance abuse in order to avoid boredom. "There's definitely a lack of activities that don't encourage drinking, [so] a lot of people think that they're supposed to drink to have fun," she said. But Lennon said that "people who can't find anything to do are looking in the wrong places." Spring Fling Co-Chairperson Chris Rieger, an Engineering senior, said his committee has been working hard to organize non-alcohol events for the upcoming Fling weekend. Rieger noted that too much emphasis is placed on whether the Liquor Control Board will put a damper on Fling activities. "Most of the people I know make their own decisions about drinking," Rieger said. "Fling is about fun activities during spring weather -- people who drink on the weekends will do so regardless of the event."
Kids 'Say Yes' to Penn Players
(04/08/97 9:00am)
On the small stage of the Annenberg Center's Harold Prince Theater, three students, surrounded by their peers, used their voices, body movements and facial expressions to portray parents trying to communicate with a stubborn child. To complicate the improvisation, the actors were only allowed to use the words "brit" for yes and "nit" for no to convey the scene's action. The exercise was one of many activities conducted by the Penn Players cast of Tom Stoppard's Dogg's Hamlet, Cahoot's Macbeth -- a spoof of classic Shakespeare -- in a workshop Sunday with members of Philadelphia's Say Yes To Education Program. Say Yes To Education is a foundation run by the University's Graduate School of Education that provides financially disadvantaged students with full scholarships to colleges of their choice. The students participating in Sunday's workshop -- now ninth graders at various Philadelphia high schools -- entered the Say Yes program in third grade. Program coordinators in the School of Education plan events for the 58 children currently involved in the program to supplement the academic and cultural education they receive in high school. Sunday's workshop -- immediately following a matinee performance of Dogg's Hamlet, Cahoot's Macbeth -- allowed the high school students the chance to both see and participate in theatrical production. College junior Liz Scanlon, who produced the Penn Players' production, was one of the group's many members involved in organizing the workshop. "We really wanted to work with a group who would learn from this experience," Scanlon said. "If you're new to Shakespeare you can really get more out of the play by talking about it afterwards -- and especially by playing out scenes regarding the important concept in the play of the individual versus the establishment." David Bradley, who directs the People's Light and Theater Company -- a professional regional theatre in Malvern, Pa. -- helped lead the workshop. Bradley said he was thrilled when the Penn Players decided that they wanted to put together a theater workshop for students in the Philadelphia community. "I've done a lot of work with students on my own," Bradley said. "So, I was glad that they adopted some of my philosophies about using theater to connect with individuals in the community." Bradley said he felt a workshop would be particularly effective after Dogg's Hamlet, Cahoot's Macbeth because of the play's challenging combination of Shakespearean English and gibberish-type language. "This play is really about freedom of expression -- and language as power," Bradley said. "After all, language can be used to divide or to unite." He added that the subject matter is especially relevant because of the ebonics controversy and the friction between the University and the surrounding West Philadelphia communities. "I believe theater should be done with a purpose," Bradley said. "The Penn students involved are using their resources to make a connection with the community." In addition to the improvisational games, a question-and-answer session allowed the high school students to address the performance. "I think the workshop was really important," said Lakriesha Walker, a member of the Say Yes program. "It really helped me understand what was going on in the play." Adrienne Thomas, a fellow Say Yes student, added that "these kinds of programs are good because you can have fun and learn things too." Bradley said he hoped the students would feel encouraged to pursue theater as a means of expression, and that they would return to see other theatrical performances at the University. "It's all about a connection," he said. "We want to encourage the impulse to bring people together through the theater." Performances of Dogg's Hamlet, Cahoot's Macbeth continue Thursday through Saturday evening in the Annenberg Center. Tickets are available on Locust Walk.
Workshop helps women learn about boady image and society
(04/01/97 10:00am)
In the roof-top lounge of High Rise South Thursday, four women drew their naked bodies on a sheet of blank paper in an attempt to learn about how they perceive their bodies. The workshop -- organized by the Zeta Phi Beta sorority in conjunction with their Finer Womanhood Week -- fell during the annual Body Image Awareness Week sponsored by the Guidance For Understanding Image, Dieting and Eating Peer Health Education Group. The evening's discussion tackled issues ranging from society's obsession with thinness to its skewed idea of healthy eating. College senior Ariella Levy, co-director of the workshop, said the evening was unusual because the women voluntarily chose to participate in the body image forum. She explained that although similar forums are conducted year-round, people rarely attend body image workshops voluntarily, adding that sororities often set up mandatory workshops for their pledges. "We need a week of [body awareness forums] because we don't think about the damages society does to them on a regular basis," Levy said. "We were fortunate to have a week with nice weather when people are beginning to get more concerned about their bodies." GUIDE was started in 1991 by a transfer student who noticed a preoccupation among University students with body image and dieting issues. The group is based around three main premises -- that diets are ineffective and damaging to one's physical and mental health, that people should listen to their bodies and that people should accept all body types. "Body image shouldn't be equated with self-worth," Levy said. "It's not a judgement on your soul." College junior Mona Parekh --Ewho was involved in promoting Body Image Awareness Week on campus -- said the week provided students with an opportunity to "unlearn" their concept what it means to be healthy. "Industry has defined what healthy is," Parekh said. "If we just listened to our bodies, we wouldn't have as many psychological problems surrounding eating." She said the week was especially important for University students, many of whom have grown up with an upper-middle class mentality equating thinness with success. "The week is designed to promote discussion on campus," she said. "We need to go beyond the cultural reductionist point of view to understand that our mind and body are one." But GUIDE Co-President Rachel Dommers, a College junior, expressed concern about the low turnout at Body Image Awareness Week events in recent years. "I wish that more people would get involved and realize the seriousness of it," she said. "We've tried so many different ways of contacting people such as word of mouth and through sorority listservs, and still the turnout is low." No students outside of the organizations which promoted the event participated in last week' s workshop. Dommers added that GUIDE does not focus on eating disorders such as anorexia or bulimia, but instead encourages people to be comfortable with themselves and their bodies. "A lot of people signed A Day Without Body Hatred banner on the walk last week," Dommers said. "At least that's a step in the right direction --though there are a million more places to go."
Stern to give Commencement speech
(03/26/97 10:00am)
This article appeared in the joke issue. Howard Stern, host of the highly acclaimed Howard Stern radio show and star of the recent blockbuster film Private Parts, has been selected to speak at commencement May 19, according to University President Judith Rodin. Rodin said Stern was chosen because of his popularity with young people and his known crusade for free speech. "We are excited to have Howard as our speaker," Rodin said. "How many other Ivy League schools can claim to have had the King of All Media at their commencements?" She explained that Stern visited the University while on a book tour and has been intrigued by it ever since. According to sources on the panel, Stern said he liked the fact that he would not have to purchase new clothing to speak at the University because of the amount of black leather he already owns. "It's important to have a speaker who possesses a sense of ruggedness," Rodin said. "I was recently in touch with him, and he said he's going to descend a rope as 'Fartman' from Graduate Tower B -- now that's chutzpah." Rodin also explained that from her viewpoint, a male speaker with small genitalia would not infringe on the feminine hierarchy she has worked desperately to create at the University. Annenberg Dean Kathleen Jameson said she hopes Stern's speech would increase the validity of the Communications major, despite the fact that he studied communications at Boston University. "Hey, beggars can't be choosers," she said. "Besides Judy has Brokaw -- can't I at least have Stern?" Undergraduate Assembly Chairperson and College junior Tal Golomb said he thinks Stern has ulterior motives for doing the speech. "Basically I think Stern read Time magazine's article about University tuition. He has three daughters and he's already thinking about the expense of college tuition," Golomb said. "Maybe he thinks the University will cut him some slack on tuition because he once spoke at Commencement." College of Arts and Sciences Dean Robert Rescorla said he hopes Stern will use his speaking opportunity to bash the Wharton School. "I'm so sick of Whartonites calling all the shots," Rescorla said. "It's high time sometime put those uptight, ass-kissers in their place." Sources close to Stern disclosed that at the request of Robin Quivers, Stern's newsperson, Provost Stanley Chodorow will appear topless on an upcoming broadcast of the show on the E! entertainment channel.
Walsh's Tavern makes final call with teary celebration
(03/18/97 10:00am)
In a small West Philadelphia bar yesterday, green-clad celebrants clamored around a bar singing along to "When Irish Eyes are Smiling" while sharing memories of previous St. Patrick's Day gatherings. But although Walsh's Tavern has hosted such celebrations in the past, this year's Irish-inspired festivities took on new meaning for Mickey Walsh, owner of the bar on 43rd Street between Locust and Walnut. Walsh -- who has owned and managed the tavern for 40 years -- chose St. Patrick's Day as the night he would close the tavern's doors forever. Walsh's deceased father, Harry, opened the bar, originally called Walsh's Classic Tavern, 65 years ago. "This place has meant an awful lot to my family," Walsh said. "I was brought up to be a part of this business and so were my children." He explained that all of the members of his family have worked in the tavern over the course of their lives. Walsh's sons Joe, Dave and Harry joined their father last night to remember the good times they shared there as a family. Mickey Walsh described the tavern as a place of continuous harmony. "Anyone could come here -- from hospital workers to policemen -- people knew they could find a friendly face," he said. And Joe Walsh said he would miss the close-knit community of the regular patrons. "It's sad to know that when people leave here tonight, they'll never be part of your family again in the same way," he said. He explained that Walsh's has always been a place where all people, regardless of religions, races and sexual orientations, could congregate without feeling self-conscious. "This tavern is like a safe haven to get away from the outside world," he said. "It will be a void that can't be filled." Although Mickey Walsh said he is closing the tavern in order to retire, his sons said they believe the city's increasing pressure on small businesses pushed their father to his limit. "My grandfather founded this place with the idea that the working man could have a place to go without having to pay through the roof," Harry Walsh said. But he explained that once the city implemented a 10 percent tax on the tavern, it was difficult for the business to survive without raising its prices. "This kind of crackdown on small businesses takes its toll on owners after a while," Joe Walsh said. "The question is when will it take its toll on everybody?" And the Walsh brothers all expressed concern about the future of community-based businesses in Philadelphia, including fears that a "domino effect" might wipe out other community taverns and businesses. Andrew Coyle, a 1995 College graduate who returned to Walsh's last night for its final celebration, said he was one of many people who would be sad to see the tavern close. "It's a really relaxed atmosphere," Coyle said. "This is the kind of place where you find dedicated customers -- you'd know 90 people of the people here." College junior Ahmad Bashi -- who said he frequently visited the tavern -- recalled many happy nights spent there. "I come here and do things I don't normally do, and I don't feel sick doing them," Bashi said. "It's not a cheesy pick-up scene -- it's just a really easy-going place." By the end of the evening, Mickey Walsh received many letters and phone calls from people across the country who had been benefited from the tavern's family atmosphere at some point in their lives. And although he said ending the era will be difficult, he plans to enjoy his free time. "I'm going to Disney World," Walsh said. "Or at least Ireland."
Through CGS, grandmothers mix with 18-year-olds
(02/28/97 10:00am)
Eileen Radetich is an ordinary college junior -- stressing out before midterms and keeping a strange sleeping schedule. But unlike most other University undergraduates, Radetich is also a 42-year-old wife and mother of six children who range in age from 6 to 17. Radetich is one of the hundreds of students who attend the College of General Studies, the University's program for continuing education. CGS allows students who have been out of college for at least five years to obtain regular undergraduate degrees from the University at one-third the normal cost of classes. A CGS student pays $846 per course, as opposed to the $2,633 per course that traditional University students pay. "People tend to think that because CGS students pay less money that there is a difference between a degree from CGS and a degree from the College," said Luise Moskowitz, publicity and external affairs coordinator for CGS. "But actually it is the same degree." Moskowitz said CGS is designed for students who need a more flexible schedule than most other undergraduate students. "We have students who need to take a year off to care for a sick parent," Moskowitz said. "CGS allows them to do this and come right back to finish their degree." She added that a majority of CGS students are part time and, although 33 students currently hold CGS-based scholarships, most do not. According to Moskowitz, CGS's "sexiest scholarship" -- called "Bread Upon the Waters Scholarship" -- pays the entire tuition cost for women over the age of 30 who attend school part time. Radetich, who is not on a CGS scholarship, first found out about Penn's continuing education program while enrolled in classes at a local community college. She added that after she applied and was accepted to the University, she knew that nothing could prevent her from pursuing her dream. "When my youngest child went to grammar school, I realized I needed to make a life for myself," Radetich said. "I loved my experience as an at-home mother, but getting a degree was something I just needed to do." Although school takes up much of her time, Radetich said her motherhood is still her top priority. "Sometimes I feel like I'm on a merry-go-round," she said. "I have to go to my daughter's basketball game when I should be studying for a midterm." Although going from mom to student to wife can be overwhelming, Radetich said she has learned a lot from her different roles. "I've found a new identity," she said. "It's helped me to be a more confident, stronger person." Even in times of despair, such as when her father passed away unexpectedly, Radetich has persevered because of her love for learning. "I want to get my degree so I can become an educator and give back to people the kind of encouragement and support I've received," she said. Former CGS student Richard Regalbuto -- currently a history teacher at the Abington Friends School -- has done just that. Regalbuto, who is in his late 30s, graduated from the University in 1995 with a degree in European History. He transferred to CGS from a nearby community college when he realized it was a "wonderful opportunity to attend a world class institution." But for Regalbuto, obtaining a Penn degree was no easy task. As a single parent, Regalbuto was a full-time student by night and a full-time worker by day. "The most important thing in my life is to be a good parent," said Regalbuto. "Thankfully, I had a lot of support from my son." He added that he did not mind the time commitment because of his love for academics. Pat Stallone, a 51-year-old College junior, understands Regalbuto's desire to fit in. She also attended community college before applying to CGS. She said Penn "scared the hell out of me" at first because of the difference in teaching styles. But by midway through her first semester, the grandmother of four had became a force to be reckoned with. "I've been having a ball," Stallone said. "Coming here has opened up a whole other world for me to explore -- and the young people I've been in classes with are often so insightful -- it's exhilarating." Stallone plans to get a master's degree in American Civilization or another liberal art so she can pursue a teaching career. "CGS students have a love of learning that drives them, and a wish to prove something to themselves," CGS Director and Associate College Dean Richard Hendrix said. While in the past most CGS students already lived in the area before enrolling, an increasing number of people are moving to Philadelphia just to take CGS courses, he added. Radetich said she only wishes more people would take the chance and return for a college degree. "Anyone can wear a cap and gown," she said. "All it takes is support and a little courage."
U. group sings way to victory
(02/25/97 10:00am)
Counterparts took first place in Sunday's regional a cappella competition. The Zellerbach Theater audience exploded with applause as Penn's Counterparts group claimed first place at the National Championship of College A Cappella regional competition Sunday night. Counterparts and the University of Maryland's Generics -- who were the regional runners-up -- will advance to the semifinal for the mid-Atlantic region at Haverford College Friday. "We are all very excited about winning this competition," said Counterparts President Ty Stiklorius, a College senior. "We went for the three-point shot and we got it." Other groups that participated in the competition included New York University's APC Rhythm, the Haverford/Bryn Mawr Looney Tunes and Penn's Off The Beat. The groups were judged based on their presentation, musicality, originality and solo performances. Additional prizes were awarded for soloists and musical arrangements. Competitors presented a range of musical styles, from rhythm and blues to contemporary pop. For Counterparts, the competition presented an opportunity to gain perspective on their strengths in comparison with other groups. "This kind of competition enables us to show people what we think we can do," Counterparts Business Manager John Stephens said. The College sophomore added that the group enjoyed the friendly competition with their Penn colleagues. But Off The Beat Musical Director and College senior Dan Jurow said the competition was not a focus of his group this semester. "We've been working towards our 10th anniversary spring show," Jurow said. "You can always take positive feedback away from a competition, but I don't think it's possible to judge which group is really better." Off The Beat President Dan Gross said the family atmosphere of a cappella groups makes competitions a time to appreciate the talents of others. "I don't feel that much tension," the College junior said. "This is about the love of performing." Tony Simpson, musical director of Maryland's Generics, said his group had done intense preparation for the competition, incorporating concentration exercises into their rehearsals. "We've been working really hard to prepare for this competition," Simpson said. "Our group is all about energy," he added. "And as long as we can go out there and do our best, we're happy." APC Rhythm President Liana Tang said the group's ability to participate in the competition was a feat in itself. "We're almost a year old as a group," she said. "A few months ago we didn't even think we were going to last the rest of the year." Tang, who founded the group, said she was thrilled to have the opportunity to sing with so many established groups. Bryn Mawr senior Jessica Grochocinski, musical director for the Loony Tunes, said the group only decided Wednesday to participate in the competition. "We're very relaxed about this experience," she said. "We're really here to have fun and pick up some good criticism." In its second year, the championship -- sponsored by the Contemporary A Cappella Society of America and Smokin' Fish Records -- is the only major national competition of its kind. Some of the groups plan to attend the regional semi-finals Friday, in support of their a cappella peers. At the finals, held at Carnegie Hall April 26, judges will select an overall winner and present that group with a $2,000 prize.
Coping with stress
(02/17/97 10:00am)
More students than ever before are turning to the University's counselling services for help. A young woman sits nervously in the waiting room of the University's Counseling and Psychological Services Center. Her friend suggested she seek counseling because her eating habits began to change after she started having relationship problems. ""I realized that I needed to talk about what was happening to me," said a female sophomore, who requested anonymity. "The kind of help I received from counseling was really productive -- it made me feel as though I could handle my pressure in better ways." But another student said her experiences with the counseling center were less than beneficial. The student said she was told that she could not switch counselors, even though she was uncomfortable with the one she had been given. "I felt like I was a number to them," she said. "That certainly didn't relieve the pressure I was coping with." Ilene Rosenstein, director of Counseling and Psychological Services, said the center is attempting to meet students' changing needs. Rosenstein, who has worked at the University for 10 years, said she believes students are experiencing more pressure than ever before. She explained that in previous years, students did not seem as concerned about their post-collegiate lives. "A 3.2 grade point average was considered perfectly acceptable, and students had a sense that everything would work itself out after graduation," Rosenstein said. But she said University students have more of a perfectionistic streak these days. Rosenstein described one student who was extremely upset because he feared his entire future would be jeopardized if he did not make the right decision in a single event. Last semester's violence within the University community added to the increasing pressures many students feel within modern society. Between the commencement of classes and October 31, 470 students were treated by Counseling and Psychological Services. By contrast, the center saw a total of 817 students over the entire 1991-1992 school year. Hospitalizations have also doubled within the past five years. Rosenstein estimated that by graduation, Counseling and Psychological Services will have seen 50 percent of the senior class. Despite the changing statistics, Rosenstein said the areas in which students seek help have remained constant, including stress and anxiety, romantic relationships, lack of self-esteem, depression and family relationships. She added that the severity of cases falling into these categories has increased over the years. In response to students' changing needs, the center has developed therapy groups and outreach programs to better serve the University community. Psychologist Alvin Alvarez, director of the center's outreach program, said the initiative is designed to introduce therapeutic skills to students who might not otherwise seek any form of counseling. "We realize that despite the increase in students, there are still not enough students coming to see us," Alvarez said. "This is our way of reaching out to them. "We're planting a stronger seed within the community than ever before by showing people that we are available when their natural help sources are not," he added. Among the outreach programs offered are workshops -- such as stress management, time management and leadership training -- which concentrate on teaching students valuable life skills. Another outreach program is based on a liaison system in which counselors work closely with University administrators to facilitate help for students. Alvarez said the outreach program was particularly effective in responding to students during crises periods last semester. "Given the rash of recent violence, such as Kathy Change's suicide last semester, the center has learned to develop a fairly responsive crisis mode," he said. "Although we realize the importance of continually broadening our conception of how to help students, we still need to distinguish these programs as 'therapeutic,' different from actual 'therapy'," he added. Alvarez said he is confident that outreach programs will encourage more students to seek therapy. Psychologist Margaret Fichter, who directs the center's therapy groups, said group therapy has become increasingly popular with students. "Groups are becoming more popular as the stability of families becomes more infrequent," Fichter said. She said recently formed groups tend to have more "academic missions," such as two formed this spring entitled Coping with A Learning Disability and Dissertation/Thesis support group for graduate students. Other groups, such as the Anorexia/Bulimia support group, have been operating for several years and have seen a vast increase in their membership. Although they acknowledge the large numbers of students seeking help from counseling services, Fichter, Alvarez and Rosenstein all believe therapy is still considered too much of a taboo. "People still think there's something wrong with you if you're seeing a therapist," said a male student who requested anonymity. "It's just not something people view as completely normal." But Rosenstein added that "as time goes on more people will realize that therapy should be regarded as a healthy ritual, like exercise."
Happy Valetnine's Day: Today has no charm for some
(02/14/97 10:00am)
Is "roses are red, violets are blue" getting a little old this year? Even Hallmark can't win the hearts of everyone. And for some University students, the charm of chocolate and roses is wearing off. Refusing to conform to tradition, College junior Elizabeth Huntley said she has opted for an anti-Valentine's Day party. But before she can join in the festivities, Huntley said she must follow the specific "anti-Valentine's Day" rules, which include wearing all black and showing up stag. Huntley added that Valentine's Day puts women in a somewhat submissive position. "It's society's way of making guys prove how much they love their women," she said. "Many girls who don't have boyfriends feel a sense of failure." And she added that people should celebrate love everyday. For Engineering junior Reshma Sohoni, Valentine's Day is a time to appreciate more than just a significant other. "I don't think it's about having a boyfriend or a girlfriend," Sohoni said. "It's a causal time to let people know you care about them." Other female students expressed concern that male peers don't understand the pressure placed on women to have dates for Valentine's Day. But College sophomore and Sigma Alpha Epsilon president Jeff Adler said guys experience pressure just as much as girls. "I think many guys feel pressured to go through the ritual of celebrating Valentine's Day," Adler said. "People feel they have to get a date, send someone flowers or make a reservation at a really nice restaurant." Adler added that he made reservations for Valentine's Day far in advance to ensure a place to take his date. One anonymous College junior said he spends Valentine's Day celebrating nostalgia. "I think of giving valentines to my friends in grade school," he said. "It's a day for me to remember how simple life can be." But some students, such as College sophomore Jake Wilson, see Valentine's Day as a marketing scam. "I can't remember the last time I celebrated this holiday." Wilson said. "It's a creation of Hallmark." Wilson added that although he does see pressure on guys to ask girls out for Valentine's Day, he chooses not to submit to it. "It's become so kitschy," Wilson said. "I just don't feel drawn to it." A College freshman who wished to remain anonymous said she always gets depressed on Valentine's Day when she doesn't have a boyfriend. "I've learned to celebrate with friends instead, but I believe it's a special time I'd rather share with a boyfriend," she said. Annenberg librarian Susan Williamson, who teaches a class in special topics in gender and communications, said she recently received e-mails from her two daughters, lashing out at Valentine's Day. But Williamson said she is not personally opposed to celebrating the holiday. "If you look in any card store you'll see that the range of sweetheart-hood has changed a lot," she said. "It's a holiday for single people, married people, anyone who wants to celebrate the importance of friends and family."