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(04/11/91 9:00am)
Describing "the growing intellectual intolerance on campus," author Charles Sykes spoke before an audience of about 20 people last night in Houston Hall. Sykes described how universities have become more concerned about appearing to be politically correct than in providing a quality education. The author of Profscam discussed the growing movement toward emphasizing diversity at all costs, and said that it has begun to interfere with the freedom to hold intellectual discussions at universities. "In the name of diversity, universities have become less diverse," Sykes said. Sykes spoke of his concern that the U.S. is becoming a "culture of forbidden questions," asserting that some issues can no longer be discussed in public. One of the reasons for such intolerance, Sykes said, is the emergence of a "thought police" on most U.S. campuses which enforce "gag rules" and prevents certain views from being expressed. College curricula have in some cases been affected by the intolerant attitudes, he said, adding that the political correctness movement has caused an increase in the study of different cultures and caused "dislevelment of liberal arts." He criticized this trend, saying that the study of other cultures does not help students learn essential skills. Sykes illustrated his point by citing the case at the University of Texas where a writing course was changed into a course on racism and sexism. Sykes argued that education has become more politicized in recent years. He called the politics of the professors a "New McCarthyism" and said that professors who do not hold views that are seen as politically correct are in danger of being reprimanded by college administrations. He said that the "average university president is not an ideologue, but an opportunist." Reaction to the speech was very favorable, as most people in attendance said they agreed with Sikes' views and came to learn more about the issue of political correctness on campuses. Howard Levene, an Engineering sophomore, described the speech as "excellent" and added that he "held great respect" for Sykes. Wharton junior Todd Rosentover said he thought the speech was stimulating, explaining that Sykes' view that "political correctness is a worse phenomenon than McCarthyism" was something to think about.
(04/11/91 9:00am)
Describing "the growing intellectual intolerance on campus," author Charles Sykes spoke before an audience of about 20 people last night in Houston Hall. Sykes described how universities have become more concerned about appearing to be politically correct than in providing a quality education. The author of Profscam discussed the growing movement toward emphasizing diversity at all costs, and said that it has begun to interfere with the freedom to hold intellectual discussions at universities. "In the name of diversity, universities have become less diverse," Sykes said. Sykes spoke of his concern that the U.S. is becoming a "culture of forbidden questions," asserting that some issues can no longer be discussed in public. One of the reasons for such intolerance, Sykes said, is the emergence of a "thought police" on most U.S. campuses which enforce "gag rules" and prevents certain views from being expressed. College curricula have in some cases been affected by the intolerant attitudes, he said, adding that the political correctness movement has caused an increase in the study of different cultures and caused "dislevelment of liberal arts." He criticized this trend, saying that the study of other cultures does not help students learn essential skills. Sykes illustrated his point by citing the case at the University of Texas where a writing course was changed into a course on racism and sexism. Sykes argued that education has become more politicized in recent years. He called the politics of the professors a "New McCarthyism" and said that professors who do not hold views that are seen as politically correct are in danger of being reprimanded by college administrations. He said that the "average university president is not an ideologue, but an opportunist." Reaction to the speech was very favorable, as most people in attendance said they agreed with Sikes' views and came to learn more about the issue of political correctness on campuses. Howard Levene, an Engineering sophomore, described the speech as "excellent" and added that he "held great respect" for Sykes. Wharton junior Todd Rosentover said he thought the speech was stimulating, explaining that Sykes' view that "political correctness is a worse phenomenon than McCarthyism" was something to think about.
(04/09/91 9:00am)
Six amateur artists from the University and the city took out their paint brushes and palettes to show their support for human rights around the world on College Green yesterday. The event, Arts Day, was sponsored by the University's Amnesty International chapter and was part of Amnesty International's Human Rights Week. Each of the six artists painted pictures of peace signs or other works about human rights issues. Steve Powers, a self-employed artist, spray painted a mural of the killing of Chinese students in Tienamen Square two years ago. He said that he selected this topic because he felt compelled to do so "to protect my own rights." Other artists expressed their concern about the human rights abuses of Albanians both in Yugoslavia and in Albania. Myreon Arslan, an actor and student at Philadelphia Community College, said this issue is important to him because he is the son of Albanian immigrants. He said that the ethnic problems in Eastern Europe "can't be tolerated in the 90s." "Great people [like the Albanians] don't deserve what they are getting," Arslan said. "You can't have a government that tells you how to feel, how to think and how to be." Michael Moffa, an artist who also works in The Book Store, painted peace signs to protest world-wide oppression. First-year Fine Arts graduate student Brad Choyt painted a large mural which he titled "Free Tibet." He said that Chinese government is "trying to commit genocide" in Tibet, adding that very few people realize it. Choyt said he was moved by a story he heard about a monk getting tortured and killed for saying his Buddhist prayers. "Hopefully people will become aware of the human rights violations and, in general, support Amnesty International," Choyt said. College senior Jason Soslow, a member of the University's chapter of Amnesty International and organizer of Arts Day, said that the event was created to give artists an opportunity to create a work about a human rights issue that is important to them. Members of Amnesty International were also on the Green, soliciting signatures for petitions to call attention to the murder of a 13 year-old Guatemalan child, and to the murder of a journalist and trade unionist in El Salvador. All of the works created yesterday will be shown in the Bowl Room in Houston Hall on Friday between 4 and 6 p.m.
(03/29/91 10:00am)
Tom Corcoran, the education advisor to New Jersey Governor James Florio, spoke at the University Saturday, pointing out inequities in the way the public education system works. The lecture was part of a day-long conference held in Stiteler Hall titled "Financing Public Education" and attended by professional educators and administrators from around the country. "Everyone here has a chance to make something of themselves," Corcoran said, describing the American ideal, but he noted that the public education system "is not keeping faith with the national promise." He went on to say that one of the main reasons for the lack of opportunity is the inadequate education many children receive. He said that "equal opportunity" is not a reality because the rich people can afford to give their children a better chance than the poor by living in more affluent school districts with better public education systems. The problem, Corcoran said, "isn't just an urban issue," but a rural problem as well. He said that some school districts in New Jersey spend $14,000 annually per student, while others spend only $5,000. He said that while spending more money in poorer districts is not the only way to solve the inequities that exist in education, "people who say money isn't the answer usually have a lot of it." Some of the solutions that he suggested to make the system more equitable included reallocating resources, putting more emphasis on early education of children, and a developing a more structured curriculum. Corcoran also discussed the downside of giving individual schools more control over how they are run, saying that giving each school such power "could be a case of collective ignorance." That stance set off the most reaction in the crowd, which consisted of about 50 people, including administrators, lawyers and teachers involved in the field of education. Vivien Hassory, a middle school teacher in Philadelphia, said that although she found the speech informative, she said it must be realized that "all programs are not effective in all schools." Several educators who spoke after Corcoran disputed his proposed solutions, especially his belief that resources have to be taken away from richer districts and given to poorer districts to offset inequities. Willam Hartman, professor of education policy and finance at Pennsylvania State University, said one of the reasons that affluent school districts pay more for students is that teachers salaries must be higher to combat the high cost of living in those areas. Almost all in attendance agreed that the education system in the U.S. must change. Marget Thomas, an administrator in the Radnor district who attended the conference, said Corcoran's ideas were good but "impractical," adding that she didn't think the changes could actually be brought about.
(03/28/91 10:00am)
Sometimes, there are more important things than privacy. The upcoming play Baby with the Bathwater centers around two parents who take their child's privacy so seriously that they refuse to look between the baby's legs to determine whether it is a boy or a girl. They subsequently raise the child as a girl without ever positively determining whether it actually is one. The mother sorely wants to have a baby girl, so they refuse to even acknowledge that the child may be a boy. Psychology Professor Henry Gleitman, the play's director, said that in directing the play, he has chosen to ignore any social messages that have been written into it, concentrating instead on the making the play a pure farce. "It probably has a message, but I am not sure what the message is," Gleitman said. The play is set in the couple's apartment, but the cast and director declined to disclose details of the set and props, saying that they wanted to surprise the audience. Wharton junior Jen Platzkere, who plays the mother, said that the play is "so hilarious, yet so sad." She said that the show is a "riot," but added that the audience will sympathize with the characters because they are "very real, down to earth." Marcie Levine, a College freshman who plays four different roles in the play, said the play shows "the other side of life" -- it allows the characters to discuss things people often think about but rarely express. Gleitman, however, disagreed. "[The play has] no redeeming social message whatsoever," the psychology professor said. The play has eleven characters, but they are played by just five actors, as several of the actors perform multiple roles. Platzkere said that the small cast size has several advantages -- it enables the cast to be very close and work well together. "This is fun theater," Platzkere said. Gleitman proudly added that the play is "very strong." The play, written by contemporary American playwright Christopher Durnag, will open next Wednesday, April 3 in the Annenberg Center's Studio Theatre. Durnag is most famous for writing the play Sister Mary Ignaius. Tickets for the show will be on sale on Locust Walk. There will be four performances, running Wednesday through Saturday, April 6, each night at 8 p.m. There will also be a Saturday matinee at 2 p.m.
(03/04/91 10:00am)
Marissa Boyer, director of University City Hospitality Coalition, moderated the discussion, which centered on what constitutes a nonviolent protest. She said that nonviolent protests do not involve harming people, but when property is involved the term nonviolence becomes vague. "If you want to be nonviolent, it can only work with people that are moral and humane," said College sophomore Amadee Braxton, a member of the Progressive Student Alliance. After discussing how nonviolence can be effective, Boyer and the three others in attendance discussed ways that "social justice" groups on campus can function more effectively. Those in attendance said they were disappointed with the effectiveness of PSA and other groups in dealing with social issues. College sophomore Mayu Okawa said that she agreed with PSA's ideology but there is not enough support for each issue it covers. She said it that it is "difficult for one group to cover all the issues." Boyer called for better communication between different social groups on campus on common issues. Braxton said that those groups must realize "that every social issue that people are struggling for . . . relates to the overall messed-up [state] of our system." The people at the meeting said that the catch-all nature of PSA was only one of the reasons it was not as effective. University employee Nathan Grey said that editorials in The Daily Pennsylvanian and other sources of criticism make it hard for people to "feel comfortable" with PSA. Braxton said another reason is that PSA challenges students' lifestyles and status quo. Boyers suggested that PSA might be "too visible." All those in attendance said they were hopeful that Penn for Peace could provide a forum for discussion and support group for people who shared the common conviction for nonviolence. At the same time, they said, Penn for Peace hopes to increase student awareness on campus of issues of war and peace.
(02/19/91 10:00am)
The works, though all drawings, portray a wide range of subjects, including potraits, landscapes and more abstract drawings. The artists used different media including charcoal, pencil and ink in the finished and unfinished works on display. Roger Braimon, a second-year Fine Arts graduate student whose works are in the show, said "everyone is doing their own thing in their art." Many students who have works displayed said that though the actual works expressed many different themes, the exhibit as a whole was united by the common theme of drawing. College junior Barbara Snitzer, one the curators of the exhibit, called the show "very cohesive." According to College sophomore Jessica Winegar, spokesperson for Penn Student Gallery, the group normally features both graduate and undergraduate artwork, but Grace Mayer, a first-year Fine Arts graduate student, brought together the graduate student artists for this display. Braimon said that the Houston Hall exhibit is an unususal opportunity for undergraduate students to see the works of graduate students. College sophomore Lars Larson said the display is "educational" since it covers different styles of drawing. The Handel's Mug cafe will soon have an event giving people an opportunity to meet some of the artists whose works are featured in Beyond Drawng. Penn Student Gallery's next exhibit will focus on political and social issues featuring the work of both graduate and undergraduate students, and is scheduled to open March 23. The goal of Penn Student Gallery, according to former director and College senior Masa Kabayama, is to "make people more aware of the arts scene on campus." Beyond Drawing will be open until March 5 in the Bowl Room in Houston Hall. Official gallery hours are 3 to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, although visitors can see the exhibit any time when Houston Hall is open.
