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(04/20/95 9:00am)
and Jennifer Taylor The search for "The Real Men of Penn" has finally been completed. Fourteen University students have been commended for their strong support of the anti-sexual violence campaign organized by Students Together Against Acquaintance Rape. After a half-hour delay because of technical difficulties -- which were largely compensated for with good food supplied by Hillel -- the men were ceremoniously presented yesterday with a plaque honoring each as a "real man." A large poster featuring a picture of each man and his views on how to end sexual violence will be posted across campus today. According to College senior Zachary Liff, a STAAR executive board member and "Real Men" coordinator, it is important for males -- as well as females -- to take responsibility for ending sexual violence. "We as men must challenge traditional notions of masculinity," Liff said. "Everyone on campus knows me as the rape guy," he added. "There is a stigma attached to this kind of work." Liff said he hopes this poster will change males' reluctance to become involved in these issues. As organizer of yesterday's event, Liff introduced keynote speaker Susan Villari, director of health education and one of the 1989 founders of STAAR. Villari emphasized the important role students play in advancing the movement against rape. She explained that groups like STAAR re-sensitize people to such issues. "We can't underestimate the power of student movement," Villari said. Following her speech, STAAR members introduced each of the "real men" with a brief description of their accomplishments. College junior Michael Coffey, one of the "real men," said he supports the University's women's movement. "I support women on this campus and what they do," he said. "[I hope that] someone does that for my sisters, wherever they might be." Wharton junior Dan Debicella, another "real man," voiced his concern as well. "This is not a conservative, liberal or feminist issue," he said. "This is a human issue we all need to be concerned with." The "Real Men" campaign was adapted from a similar project at Rutgers University. "There is a lot of support [for the project] and it was really great to be in a room with such cool people who understand the issues," said College junior Jennifer Manion, editor-in-chief of the campus women's magazine, Generation XX. The students were nominated by students and faculty. About 50 applications were submitted to be reviewed by a committee made up of members of STAAR, the University-wide Sexual Violence Task Force, the Vice Provost for University Life, members of the Penn Women's Center, the Office of Health Education and the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Affairs. More than 50 students attended the ceremony. Other celebrated "real men" included Law School graduate student Gons Nachman, College and Wharton senior Vivek Tiwary, Nursing graduate student Joel Tumberello, College juniors Eric Austin, Chris Lake, Dave Treat, College seniors Stephen Houghton and Riaz Patel, Nursing junior Charles Huckel, School of Social Work graduate student Stephen Perry, School of Arts and Sciences graduate student Eric Brandt and College sophomore Rob Faunce.
(04/20/95 9:00am)
Although Dining Services grill chef Amare Solomon's Eritrean and Ethiopian restaurant, Dahlak, is located blocks away from Locust Walk at 47th and Baltimore streets, his imported spices occasionally find their way to campus in some of the cheesesteaks at the Class of 1920 Dining Commons. When asked about his special spices, Solomon raised his sweaty brow and after a minute of hesitation replied, "Yeah, once in a while, just for some of the people I know." Maybe that is just his way of bringing a little of Dahlak's success to the University's Dining Services. And with the top rating for Ethiopian food in the Zagat restaurant survey, the restaurant has enough praise to share. Solomon emigrated from Ethiopia in 1981. He then started working for the University as truck driver for Penn Caterers, a now-defunct branch of Dining Services. Soon after coming to Philadelphia, Solomon met his wife Neghisti and together they opened Dahlak. Building a clientele was not easy at first -- after all Solomon first had to dispel a few myths. People habitually doubt that Ethiopia has food at all. But Solomon explains that his country was, in fact, a major agricultural exporter until the 30-year Ethiopian-Eritrean war. And no one will walk out of his restaurant in search of a hardy meal. In fact, for most people it is a challenge to finish the table-sized platters of doughy pita-like bread topped with rows of spiced meats and vegetables. So, how did Solomon introduce his food -- which is eaten only with fingers, not silverware -- to utensil-trained Philadelphians? Well, when the restaurant first opened, the ladies' room was accessible only by way of the kitchen. This location forced women to pass through to see the immaculate appliances and enticing foods, and gush back to their husbands, "Oh, what's this? Oh, the kitchen looks so good," he said. The ploy was successful, it earned the restaurant the trust of even the most hesitant customers. And despite the off-campus location, Solomon manages to lure University students in and keep them as regulars. Solomon's popularity among University students could very well be responsible for its fame. He knows many of the students who eat in the lower section of Commons. And this is why he continues to work there, despite his restaurant's success. "When I'm working here, I meet people," he said. "You see characters, you make friends." And friends become customers. But the benefits of working in Commons are not limited to patronage. Solomon said working with a professional staff helps him to learn about management, personal relations and American customs. As for Americans, "The hardest thing to learn in life is using your fingers."
(04/20/95 9:00am)
Admissions Dean Lee Stetson and University President Judith Rodin are trying to give local students a reason to stay close to home next year. More than 300 accepted students and their families packed into the University Museum's Harrison Auditorium yesterday afternoon for the President's Reception-- a special outreach program designated to convince high school seniors from the Philadelphia area to choose the University over their other choices. After Stetson welcomed the students, and informed them that they were all admitted in the most selective year in the University's history, he introduced Regional Director Bruce Chamberlin to address the audience. Chamberlin praised the group on all of their accomplishments, adding that it was heart-warming to read all of their essays. "I only read one essay this year where the writer wanted to take Willis J. Stetson out to dinner," he said. "That's down from three last year." Chamberlin revealed that there were several famous applicants who were accepted, including a "Jeopardy" finalist, an actor from the television show "Saved By The Bell" and a renowned ice skater from Portland, Oregon. He then gave the students some advice. "You are venturing into a very neat part of your lives," he said. "Hopefully Penn will be a part of that." Stetson then introduced Rodin, who shared her personal experiences as a University student hailing from Philadelphia. "I grew up in Philadelphia and I thought I knew all about Penn," she said. "What I found out after I arrived on Penn's campus was that I didn't really know at all." Rodin added that there are advantages to going to school in the area, confessing that she used her closeness to home to get laundry done during her freshman year. She said she learned a lot during in her years at the University. "At my time here at Penn I learned to think analytically," she said. "I also learned to have a lot of fun. And I did." She concluded her speech by urging the students to join the University family. "We are very happy to see you here today," she said. "And we will be even happier to see you here in September." Finally, Stetson introduced College senior and Daily Pennsylvanian staff writer Lisa Neuberger to speak about her own experiences at the University. Neuberger said she has most enjoyed the people and the programs at the University. "Penn is not the type of school where you get locked up in the library for four years," Neuberger said. "Everyone is very involved in what interests them the most." After the speakers finished, Chamberlin introduced Counterparts, a student a cappella group, to entertain the audience. Students and their families were then invited upstairs to a reception where they could speak with the various deans and financial aid and admissions officers. Stetson said he was very pleased with the reception. "I think for a glimpse of Penn it was excellent," he said "And obviously a major highlight was hearing the president. Her very personal approach was warm and friendly and makes students feel comfortable about Penn." Stetson added that he feels the program provided prospective students with a good feel for the campus.
(04/20/95 9:00am)
In an ironic twist, Historic Preservation and Urban Studies Lecturer George Thomas -- who will receive one of the most prestigious University teaching awards today -- will not be able to teach one of the courses for which he has been praised next semester because of "budget cuts," according to Historic Preservation chairperson and Architecture Professor David DeLong. He added that the course, Philadelphia Architecture, is usually offered on an alternate year basis and should be taught next year, but that "budget planning and curriculum needs" led to the decision not to offer the course next fall. DeLong's action has sparked student outrage. "To see him being treated as a budget cut is not only an outrage to those who value teaching, but it's also a slap in the face to the distinguished award which is being bestowed upon him," College senior Jeremy Chiappetta said. Thomas, a renowned Philadelphia historian, is the sole recipient of this year's Provost's Award for Distinguished Teaching, which honors part-time teachers. Along with the prize, Thomas will be inducted into the Lindback Society, which supports teaching throughout the University. "I was struck by the timing," Thomas said about the juxtaposition of the two events. DeLong said that the decision was made in part because Thomas is not a standing professor and therefore does not receive first priority when course offerings are decided. "The University is obligated to make sure its standing faculty is fully engaged," DeLong said. "Then one can turn to people who are critical to the University like lecturers and adjuncts." According to DeLong, the professor's popularity was not a factor in the the decision, which he added is not final. DeLong said the course should be offered during the 1996-1997 school year. Graduate School of Fine Arts Dean Malcolm Campbell said the decision to cut the class was made before the recipients of the Lindback and Provost's Awards were announced. And Campbell said the decision to cut Thomas' Historic Preservation class was made entirely by DeLong. DeLong said, however, that the cut was "based on consultation with other members of my graduate group." Both DeLong and Campbell praised Thomas' teaching and said the decision to cut the Historic Preservation course had nothing to do with Thomas' teaching abilities. "I think he's one of the brightest, most imaginative teachers of architectural history in the Philadelphia area," DeLong said. "My intention is to keep him involved in the program for as long as I have any say." Thomas said last night he was disappointed his course would not be offered next semester. "Given the loss of American Civilization as a program in the University and given the steady decline in courses that are based on the city, I think we're missing an excellent subject that has led the way in the development of the contemporary world," he said. Many of Thomas' former students expressed concern over the decision. College senior Jase Feinstein said the decision was "reprehensible." "I would question why the budget cuts affected a man who is hours away from receiving his award for excellence in teaching," he said. "The award only reinforces the severity of the mistake they are making. "It's a sign that perhaps the University really is more about politics than it is about teaching," Feinstein added. Thomas said he would continue to work with graduate students on independent study projects and theses. Thomas has focused much of his research on architect Frank Furness and worked on the restoration of the Furness building, which houses the Fisher Fine Arts Library.
(04/20/95 9:00am)
Several University alumni make names for themselves on Capitol Hill On November 9, 1994, the morning after the so-called Republican revolution, professors gripped their lecterns a little more fiercely, and students watched the news with trepidation. While many in the mainstream cheered, academia was bracing for a storm of uncertain magnitude. College and university administrators looked at each other and at their balance sheets, trying to determine how Newt Gingrich's new leadership on Capitol Hill and his party's Contract with America would impact their institutions during the 1996 fiscal year. Now, three months after taking office, the 104th Congress -- dominated by conservatives -- is indeed embroiled in a battle over higher education appropriations. But the University, with five alumni currently serving on Capitol Hill, may have a hidden edge as negotiations continue. Representatives Phil English (R-Pa.), Chaka Fattah (D-Pa.), Benjamin Gilman (R-N.Y.), Joseph McDade (R-Pa.) and Sen. Arlen Specter (R-Pa.) together constitute a group of lawmakers diverse in both experience and viewpoint, yet all aiming to create change. "They're people who understand the University and they have an affinity for the kind of institution that Penn is," said David Morse, assistant vice president for policy planning and federal relations. "That generally is very beneficial." University President Judith Rodin, agreeing with Morse's assessment, said she receives good, fair advice from alumni legislators. "It's wonderful for us as an institution to have those allies in Congress for our institution," she said. Still, the University is not as well-represented on the Hill as fellow Ivy League universities Columbia, Harvard, Princeton and Yale, according to Morse. Schools like the University of Michigan, Penn State and the University of California system also outrank the University in number of alumni serving in Congress because of their sheer size. Morse added that University alumni serving on Capitol Hill are more aware than their peers about the quality of the University's students, the public service work students and faculty perform, and the regional and national economic implications of the University's activities. "For these people, the learning curve is a lot shorter than it would be if they didn't know us," he said. "Does that give us a comparative advantage relative to other institutions? I don't think a great one, but it helps." Just as University administrators appreciate having sympathetic ears in the halls of power, there seems to be a genuine affection for the University from alumni with offices inside the Beltway -- no matter how long the ink on their diplomas has been dry. "I think the Penn experience for me, particularly the graduate school experience, was very helpful in reshaping the work I was able to accomplish as a legislator," said Fattah, the Congressman from Pennsylvania's second district, which includes West Philadelphia. Fattah participated in the Community Wharton Education Program as an undergraduate and, while serving as a state legislator, completed a master's degree in government administration through the Fels program in 1986. Nonetheless, he claims to have had "a fairly normal experience on campus," even finding time to hang out in Houston Hall's pool room. Although he no longer has much time to play games, Fattah maintains close ties to the University because it falls squarely into his district. In fact, his district office is located near the corner of 41st and Walnut streets, and the University is his landlord. Fattah credits the University with forcing him to learn about computers, despite his initial difficulty with them. He added that he is grateful to Fels faculty members who guided his interest in urban policy. A Philadelphia native, Fattah said his goal is to create a more comprehensive approach to solving the problems of major urban centers, incorporating a significant investment of fiscal and cultural resources and political will. "We just don't have a national commitment to cities," he explained. "That's an effort of my work here in the Congress." The local press has pegged Fattah as "the next Bill Gray," a reference to the former House Majority Whip from Philadelphia who left politics in 1991 to head the United Negro College Fund. Fellow freshman English may also have big shoes to fill, as the first first-term Republican appointed to the House Ways and Means Committee since 1967, when George Bush was in the same position. A 1978 University graduate, English majored in political science and was involved with multiple college-level organizations sponsored by the Republican party during his time on campus. Since graduation, English has been elected to one term as city controller in his hometown of Erie. He has also served as chief of staff to Republican State Sen. Melissa Hart and has assumed various directorships with the State Senate Finance, Transportation and Labor and Industry Committees. Having authored a study of "learn-fare" -- the requirement that families receiving welfare benefits continue their education until they receive high school diplomas -- for the Commonwealth Foundation in 1993, English figured prominently in the House Human Resources Subcommittee's drafting of its welfare reform bill this spring. He has already pushed for legislation to reclassify central Pennsylvania wetlands to "promote economic development, protect land rights and give compensation for landowners at the highest level possible," according to The Meadville Tribune. And on March 20, 1995, The Bond Buyer reported that English is working on a bill designed to "ease curbs on small-issue industrial development bonds." As a Congressional neophyte, English has a supporting role in the Ways and Means Committee -- known as one of the House's most powerful committees because it has near-total control over revenue matters. Conversely, Gilman -- because of his seniority and reputation as a moderate Republican eager to encourage bipartisan cooperation -- has been awarded the chairmanship of the House International Relations Committee. An industrial management major who received his Wharton degree in 1946, as an undergraduate Gilman was a member of the crew team and president of Phi Sigma Delta fraternity, the forerunner of Zeta Beta Tau. "I think my education at Penn in economics and management served me well throughout the years and helped me to be more productive," he said. Gilman also said a newspaper editor in his hometown of Middletown, New York, sparked his interest in politics when the editor encouraged young G.I.'s returning from World War II to reorganize a local Young Republicans Club. "From that point on, I became more and more involved," he said, adding that as he begins his 12th term representing Orange, Rockland, Sullivan and Westchester counties, he is not in favor of term limits. But Gilman said he realizes Congress has definitely become a more intense place to work. "We have so many more problems each and every year than [in] prior years, and there have been so many critical worldwide issues that have taken up our time," Gilman said, citing hunger, drug trafficking, health programs and education as his priorities. With the advent of CNN and C-SPAN, Gilman said Congress is more accessible to the public -- and more likely to be criticized for its failings, instead of lauded for its achievements. Cynicism, particularly among the youngest members of the electorate, is a negative by-product of the constant media attention. "[The] cynical attitude doesn't serve our nation well," Gilman said. "We need young blood and we need young ideas." McDade would not fit Gilman's desire for young blood, though -- having been elected for the first of his 17 terms in 1962. Currently, McDade -- who graduated from the University's Law School -- is the senior member of the House Appropriations Committee, the group in charge of funding the departments, agencies and programs of the federal government each year. Like English, McDade got his political feet wet in city government, serving as Scranton's city solicitor prior to his election to Congress as the representative of Pennsylvania's 10th District, the Scranton and Williamsport areas. His priorities have been defense, alternative energy sources and environmental protection, housing rehabilitation and community economic development. But in May 1992, McDade was indicted on charges of conspiracy, racketeering and taking bribes from defense contractors. His trial is expected to begin soon. Specter's ethics were questioned as well in the fall of 1991, when he indelicately grilled University of Arkansas Law Professor Anita Hill during the Senate Judiciary Committee's confirmation hearings for Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas. But on the whole, Specter -- who squeaked past Democrat Lynn Yeakel to win a third term in 1992 and is now running for President -- is known as a moderate Republican, similar in stance to Gilman. Specter has further shown his willingness to break with his party on controversial issues such as abortion and health care. Specter graduated Phi Beta Kappa from the University in 1951, served in the Korean War and then attended Yale Law School. Since his election, he has been a consistent supporter of labor and industry and has introduced legislation designed to combat drugs, crime and terrorism. After working on the Warren Commission and developing the "single-bullet" theory with respect to President John F. Kennedy's assassination in 1964, Specter was elected Assistant District Attorney of Philadelphia. He later served two terms as District Attorney.
(04/20/95 9:00am)
Tragedy struck Oklahoma City yesterday when a car bomb blew through a nine-story federal office building, killing at least 31 people. At press time, the Associated Press reported that at least 12 children were among those killed and 200 people were injured, with 58 listed in critical condition. Two hundred people were still missing. The attack is being called the deadliest U.S. bombing in 75 years. Witnesses said vibrations from the blast could be felt 30 miles away, but the shock waves from the bombing have reverberated much farther than that. They have reached Philadelphia and other cities around the country, where security has been heightened. At the Federal Court House and Federal Building at 6th and Market streets, security has been beefed-up, according to Mike Maille, captain of the Federal Protection Service. "We're are on a heightened state of alert," Maille said. But Federal Bureau of Investigation Agent Linda Vizi said that security has been tightened ever since the Gulf War crises began four years ago. Regional Science Professor Stephen Gale, an expert on terrorism, said there is speculation that possibly the Branch Davidians or Islamic fundamentalists were involved in the bombing. Yesterday marked the second anniversary of the Waco incident, in which Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms agents raided a Branch Davidian compound in Waco, Texas. Gale also said that there are a lot of Islamic fundamentalists living in Oklahoma City, but there has been never been any conflict between the fundamentalists and others in the city. "The style of action is something that fundamentalists Islamic groups have done in the past," Gale said. "If I wanted to do something to throw [investigators] off the trail, I would use someone else's signature. "There were no amateurs doing that," Gale added. "They were people who knew what they were doing." But Gale cautioned against making any judgment about the identity of the terrorists at this early of a stage. He said the key lesson to be learned from the Oklahoma tragedy is not that security should be heightened, but that the U.S. has to become "pro-active" in terrorism issues. He added that currently, the government does not take terrorism seriously enough. "We can't protect everything, we're not set up," Gale said. "We're way behind the learning curve on this one." He added that the United States should follow Israel's example in dealing pro-actively with terrorism. We have to design systems to prevent terrorism, he said. In addition, Gale said President Clinton's message about finding and prosecuting the perpetrators is a strong and symbolic one. But it is not the best message. Gale said the government should focus its energy on preventing further acts of terror while they are searching for the culprits in yesterday's blast. Gale speculated that the bombing in Oklahoma City could be seen as a symbolic effort by terrorists to target the heartland of America, a place usually thought to be immune from international attacks. Most would expect such attacks to be restricted to cities on the East or West Coast, he added. "By going to the heartland, you're saying nobody is safe," Gale said. "It's a statement that no one in the U.S. is far enough removed from what's going on in the world."
(04/20/95 9:00am)
College junior Priti Bhansali was relieved. On her way to the library Tuesday afternoon, Bhansali had stopped to test her blood pressure at the "Step into Health" fair on Locust Walk. The health care professional on hand told her that her test results were excellent. Like Bhansali, more than 50 students stopped by the row of tables to ask questions and receive information about important health and safety issues. The seventh annual Student Health Fair attempted to give students a sampling of some of the services available to them through Student Health, according to Kurt Conklin, health educator at Student Health Services and coordinator of this year's event. Students were able to talk with representatives from several on-campus and off-campus organizations about health issues. Members of the group Students Together Against Acquaintance Rape joined health care providers from Student Health Services in addressing students' questions. Engineering junior Vivek Rao, the student coordinator of the event, said this year's health fair also featured "spring-related topics" like Rollerblading and recreational safety. Interested students could also speak to experts in the areas of fitness and nutrition, sexual health and respiratory ailments. "If you would like to feel a breast or a scrotum, please stop by our table," Rao advertised, referring to the demonstrations of self-examinations for breast and testicular cancer. In addition to receiving pamphlets and brochures, passers-by on Locust Walk were invited to participate in free blood pressure tests and podiatry exams. College junior Victoria Moorehouse said that with the Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT) approaching, the Health Fair reminded her of the reasons she decided to pursue a career in health and medicine -- "to make people healthy, happy and safe." The event was sponsored in part by Student Health Service and the Student Health Advisory Board.
(04/20/95 9:00am)
The First Amendment Task Force, a student organization, will file charges with the Student Dispute Resolution Center against Wharton and Engineering Senior Matt Kratter today, Task Force Chairperson Eric Tienou announced last night. Kratter will be charged with violating the Student Code of Conduct and the Policy on Ethical Behavior with Respect to the Electronic Information Environment. Kratter, a past chairperson of the Student Committee on Undergraduate Education, deleted newsgroup messages posted by three University students and a University employee early Monday morning. He posted an apology for his actions Tuesday morning, after having previously denied deleting the articles. Kratter's ENIAC account was deactivated at 12:30 a.m. Tuesday morning for unspecified reasons. University officials said Tuesday that they decided not to take disciplinary actions against Kratter. But the Task Force announced that they planned to press charges after several students brought up the issue at their meeting last night. Tienou, a College junior, said the group decided to file a complaint in order to set a precedent against similar events in the future. The first motion at the meeting was for the task force to press charges against Kratter for violating school policy. The second motion "calls on the University to take concrete steps to make sure that this kind of fraudulent censorship never occurs again," Tienou said. The motions were passed unanimously. Tienou said the Task Force is not seeking specific punitive measures. "At this point, it's up to the hearing board," he said. College junior Mike Nadel, a Daily Pennsylvanian columnist and a founding member of the Task Force, said he wants the University to take action. "There are several steps that the University can take to rectify this," he said. "They should stick to their own rules." The electronic mail debate that sparked the deletions concerned the U.S.S Eisenhower -- the first U.S. aircraft carrier to be crewed with both men and women -- on which 15 women allegedly became pregnant. The discussion incited a "flame war," which prompted Kratter to delete the posts. Kratter was unavailable for comment last night.
(04/20/95 9:00am)
The University has William Reich's $500,000 donation and has no intention of giving it back. Last year, William Reich donated his father's collection of more than 100 16th- and 17th-century English and Continental imprints. Also included were books, manuscripts and letters written by his father, Henry Reich, Jr., a well-known New York poet and writer of the 1920s. An appraiser valued these materials at $500,000. In exchange for the donation, Reich claims the University made an oral contract to assign graduate students to write their doctoral dissertations on his father's work. As of December, the University had not made any such assignments. Reich's attorney, Robert Gidding, said Reich's gift was given with the intention that the books be used by students for scholarly work. "[Reich's] understanding was that the gift was conditional," he said. The University denies that the stipulation in the contract ever existed. "No such promise was ever made," said Ronald Krauss, who works in the University's General Counsel Office. "The University is entitled to keep the donation." When Reich found out about the alleged breach of contract, he sued the University to get the collection back. He currently wants to give the collection to the University of Miami. Administrators there said they would assign students to write about his father's work. Reich is also suing the University for any costs of transporting the collection to the University of Miami, attorneys' fees and payment of any damage to the collection. Van Pelt Library Director of Special Collections Michael Ryan said he received the materials last April. "The manuscripts are not catalogued yet," he said. "But the books [by Henry Reich] are." Ryan said he was not aware how frequently the books were being used. The trial is currently in a discovery phase, in which the attorneys exchange evidence. Lawyers for both sides agreed the case would not come to trial anytime soon.
(04/19/95 9:00am)
A Wharton senior who helped the University pinch a few pennies will be awarded $100 for her efforts. The accounting major, whose name has not been released, submitted suggestions on how the University could save money on non-value added activities for an Accounting 102 class two years ago. As part of the University's new A Penny Saved program, she will now receive a $100 gift certificate for recommending the recycling and reuse of office supplies in all University departments. Peggy DeProphetis, associate director and adjunct associate professor of accounting, said she forwarded the student's suggestions -- and some of her classmates' papers --anonymously when the new program began. After the student was chosen as a winner, DeProphetis matched typefaces of the original papers still on file in her office with the lists of anonymously submitted suggestions to find the student, whom she declined to identify last night. "It's lucky that it happens to be somebody who's still here," DeProphetis said, adding that many of her Cost Accounting students from that term were juniors and seniors who have already graduated. "There were a lot of extremely good ideas from this class, so I'm glad one of them won." This year, though, DeProphetis has assigned her students a more conventional essay. Book Store employee Joseph Martin, who supervises traffic control in the facility, was also recognized in the first round of Penny Saved awards. He suggested that the University consolidate its shipping orders across departments, resulting in orders of 150 pounds or more that would qualify for bulk discounts. Martin was unavailable for comment last night.
(04/19/95 9:00am)
Peace corps volunteers take time out to make a difference When the University first moved to West Philadelphia in the 1870s, classes were confined to a single building -- College Hall. Today, 125 years later, the campus has expanded to seven city blocks, giving students more academic "breathing room." But even with this added opportunity, many students are recognizing that education can not be confined within the University's ivy walls. And while diversity and opportunity are still able to co-exist, students continue to look outside their daily curriculum for fresh perspectives and new channels into which they can exert their energies. Some hope to use the skills they have learned in college to bridge the gap between world cultures -- volunteering in the Peace Corps. According to Peace Corps Campus Representative Teresa Straffin, 19 University students have been nominated for the Peace Corps. Each has the opportunity to serve for two years in a developing, Third World country. There, they will have the chance to apply their skills and see the impact their work has on those they are helping. Straffin, currently a student in the Graduate School of Education, extended her service to three-and-a-half years in Lesotho, a country in Southern Africa. She taught English to Sesotho-speaking elementary school children. She also took on a secondary project, helping her assigned school raise money to create an independent lunch system. "Volunteering is a definite chance to get some travel in, as well as a real eye-opener," Straffin said. She explained that volunteers -- who are recruited for particular programs based on their skills -- receive a monthly stipend equal to the salary a professional in their host country would earn. "The Peace Corps is looking for people with skills that the countries are requesting," she added. Straffin emphasized the difference the Peace Corps can make, not only in the lives of the people the volunteers are helping, but also in the volunteers' own lives as well. "I think it really changed my lifestyle, in that I am really aware of material waste in the States now," she said. "I'm more aware of world issues." According to Straffin, receiving a nomination is not an easy accomplishment. The basic requirements call for volunteers to be at least 18 years of age, but Straffin added that normally people will not be nominated until they're 21 and have earned their bachelor's degree. She explained that there is no upper age limit -- currently an 87-year-old woman volunteers for the organization. Straffin said she encourages people to look into the program as a freshman or sophomore, so that they will be fully qualified by the time they graduate. She added that the application process takes six to nine months. "I finished my senior year with an elementary education degree," Straffin said. "I was looking for my first couple of years outside the regular classroom." She explained that nominees only receive scant details about their positions until their two-to-three month training session begins. They are asked on their application for geographic preferences, but their ultimate placement depends on where their skills are needed most. Until training begins, applicants must rely on accounts of previous volunteers and their senses of adventure to appease their curiosity. While those nominated have serious concerns about the little contact they will have with family and friends, they said these considerations were outweighed by the potential for experiencing a new culture and a new way of life. College senior Amy Lathrop expressed concerns about leaving her family behind, but said they did not temper her excitement about volunteering. "It's an adventure," she said. "It's something I'll never be able to do at any other time of my life." Lathrop will be working in the former Soviet republic of Kyrgyzstan, in the foothills of the Himalayas. She will be teaching English to doctors. "English is the international scientific language," Lathrop explained. "It opens [the doctors] up onto the global market so they'll be able to interact with the outside world." Lathrop, who is a Biological Basis of Behavior major, is having trouble deciding whether to pursue a career as a medical doctor or obtain her research degree. She's hoping that while volunteering, she will be able to sort out her thoughts, have the opportunity to travel, gain a more global perspective and do some good as well. "I'll be able to dig my heels in and really learn about the culture instead of being a tourist," she said. "I feel in America I am really pampered. It will really be a new perspective. "I think the Peace Corps is looking for initiative to fulfill a need," Lathrop added. College senior Matt Vespa also said he feels the Peace Corps offers a variety of possibilities for new experiences. "I know it's going to be very difficult, but I think it's necessary for personal growth," he said. "You try to rise to the occasion and see what happens in the process." Vespa has been interested in the Corps since he first saw the advertisements when he was seven years old. He said he feels that submatriculating for his masters degree in Conservational Biology helped him obtain his nomination. "I guess I wanted some work-abroad experience," he said. "I wanted to live and work abroad and experience some culture. And the Peace Corps is a good medium." Vespa will be serving in Paraguay, where he will be involved in forestry. He will have to learn Spanish and an indigenous language known as Guarani. "There's a potential for self-realization and questioning your background," Vespa added. Second-year Education graduate student Wendy Preisman has always wanted to travel. She knows people who have had good experiences in the Peace Corps, so she decided to apply in September. With a liberal arts degree in psychology, she did not think she would get into the program. But Preisman attributes her acceptance to her education, her masters degree, her volunteer work and her internship as a drug and alcohol counselor. Preisman will be administering drug and alcohol counseling in an English-speaking country in Latin America. She leaves for her assignment in mid-July. "It seems really exciting to me," she said. "It's scary to leave everyone. "There are a lot of volunteers, so I won't be alone," Preisman added. "It will be a challenge to integrate into the culture." Preisman said she wants to go on to get her doctorate and become a psychologist, explaining that the Peace Corps will be another asset on her resume. "It's not people running away from society," she explained. "It's two more years of experiences." Preisman is also looking for an new outlook on life. "I'm hoping I'll be able to see things from a different perspective, instead of looking at the world through Western lenses," she said. Preisman recognizes that while there may be core similarities between working with addictions in the United States and abroad, there will also be cultural differences that come into play. "I have to try not to bring Western bias into the counseling," she said. "I have to be careful not to impose Western values on their culture." Carole Okun, a graduate student in the School of Social Work, is also anticipating cultural variances. She said she is excited that she will be living in and learning about a different culture. "I think I'll gain an incredible amount of knowledge about people living in another culture," she said. Okun will be working on a community project in an English-speaking country in Africa. By volunteering her time, she is combining her interests in travel and in social work. "I will help people get resources in their community," Okun emphasized. "I'll sit, talk, listen and observe people, and help them get what they need. My job is not to do it all for them." Okun likes the sense of adventure that is cultivated by not knowing exactly where she will be and what she will be doing. "I'm leaving it up to fate," she said. "Fate has taken me this far in my life and everything has been pretty positive." While Okun is very curious about being outside the Western environment, she feels that volunteering will also entail some difficulty. "The most difficult part for me, will be finding replacements for the things I enjoy here," she said. "But I'll have to use my imagination and find new things." Okun admitted that she would definitely miss American food, especially pizza. Despite the changes she will have to face, Okun explained that this was her only opportunity to volunteer. "Once you get settled in a job it's hard to leave," she said, echoing the sentiments of Lathrop. "If I don't do it now, I don't know if I'll ever do it."
(04/19/95 9:00am)
Freshmen and sophomores elected their Class Boards for next year Monday and yesterday. Engineering sophomore Neil Sheth was re-elected president of the Class of 1997, according to senior class vice president and College junior Justin Feil, who coordinated the elections. Engineering sophomore Alex McClennan will be next year's vice president. Of eligible sophomores, 20 percent voted, according to Feil. Sixteen percent of freshmen cast ballots. Engineering sophomore John Boyle was re-elected secretary, College sophomore Rebecca Waranch will serve as treasurer and College sophomore Jason Brenner was re-elected vice president for corporate sponsorship. College sophomore Hayley Lattman will be the College representative for the Class of 1997. Engineering sophomore Shilpi Kansal was elected Engineering representative. Nursing sophomore Shari Glubo will be the Nursing representative, and Wharton sophomore Jason Sturman will be the Wharton representative. The Class of 1998 re-elected Engineering freshman Brett Lasher president for next year, Feil said. College freshman Elliot Geller, a College representative to the freshman board this year, will be vice president next year. College freshman Devra Jaffe will be the class secretary, Wharton freshman Craig Meyers will be the treasurer and Wharton freshman Ryan Anderson was re-elected vice president for corporate sponsorship. College freshmen Jill Cooper and incumbent Adam Eisner, a Daily Pennsylvanian staff writer, will be the College representatives on next year's board. Engineering freshman Nicole Miller was re-elected Engineering representative, Nursing sophomore Anjana Ali, an incumbent, will be the Nursing representative and Wharton freshman Jeff Gold will represent Wharton. Feil said the elections ran very smoothly. "There were no controversies," he said, adding that this was primarily because there were "fewer itsy-bitsy rules to follow, no violations and no complaints." Geller said next year's Sophomore Class Board is looking forward to a fun term of office. "We want to make sure that this is the most enjoyable time of our lives," he said. "If freshman year wasn't the best year of your life, next year will be. We guarantee it." Daily Pennsylvanian staff writer Randi Feigenbaum contributed to this article.
(04/19/95 9:00am)
Wharton and Engineering senior Matt Kratter is off the hook -- at least for now. University officials said last night they decided not to take disciplinary action against Kratter, despite the possibility that he violated University policies when he deleted newsgroup messages posted by three students and one University employee without their permission. Kratter apologized for his actions yesterday morning. But Kratter's ENIAC account was deactivated at 12:30 a.m. yesterday for unspecified reasons. According to Ira Winston, director of computing for the School of Engineering and Applied Science, the account's deactivation was completely unrelated to Kratter's newsgroup article deletions. "There are several reasons why we might deactivate accounts -- for instance, if we suspect someone may have had access to the account or if the person did something wrong," Winston said, adding that the shut-down is temporary, pending a discussion with Kratter. But Winston said Kratter's apology provided enough reason to not take any disciplinary action against him. "I think the apology note he sent indicates he understands he made a mistake," Winston said. The deleted posts were part of a "flame war" on upenn.talk about the U.S. Navy and the Eisenhower -- the first U.S. aircraft carrier to include both men and women -- on which 15 women allegedly became pregnant. Students reacted to the University's response with mixed opinions last night. "The Engineering School's integrity is on the line on this one," said College junior Thor Halvorssen, who was involved in the flame war with Kratter and had postings deleted. "This is not a matter of Thor versus Matt -- this is a matter of serious violations of University policy." Halvorssen said he wishes the University would take action against Kratter, but refused to comment on whether he was going to press charges against him. But Engineering junior and Internet expert Meng Weng Wong said he agreed with the University's decision not to take action. "I am sure he realized what he did was wrong and he won't do it again," Wong said. "If he were not repentant, which I believe he is, then perhaps students would file charges and open expression guidelines should be called in." Wong said the ability to delete posts and forge cancellations indicates a larger problem the University must confront. "Now that people know it can be done, people will be forging posts," Wong added. "And that will be annoying." One solution to the forgings involves changing the methods of posting, he said. "They turned off posting from residential labs, but that doesn't quite solve it completely," Wong said. "They should have required authentication where you'd have to type in your network ID and password to post." Originally Kratter, the past chairperson of the Student Committee on Undergraduate Education, denied deleting the articles. Kratter was unavailable for comment last night.
(04/19/95 9:00am)
Wharton Vice Dean and Graduate Studies Director Isik Inselbag has announced that he will step down effective June 30. He will remain at the University, however, resuming his role as an adjunct marketing professor. Wharton Deputy Dean Janice Bellace said Inselbag's replacement has been selected but will not be announced until the end of the semester. Inselbag, who has served as vice dean of the Masters of Business Administration program since 1991, oversaw the revamping of the Wharton graduate curriculum. Inselbag credits the innovative new format as integral in the school's garnering of the top rating from Business Week last October. The MBA program also received a 99.8 percent ranking -- a second place finish -- in U. S. News & World Report's special graduate school issue this March. Four years ago, Inselbag helped initiate the pilot program with a portion of the incoming Class of 1993. It has been expanded each year to encompass the entire graduate student body. The new curriculum is receiving "world-wide attention," Inselbag said. The pilot program functions as a broadening experience, Inselbag said. Rather than the traditional five semester-long courses, the pilot course load consists of 10 six-week modules on varying topics, allowing for coverage of an increased variety of material. The goal is to train executives who are able to handle the many facets of business administration -- from marketing to production to profit margins, Inselbag said. Bellace said Inselbag "assumed the post at a very critical time." "The new curriculum involved more changes than we had originally envisioned. He spearheaded the entire division," she said. Inselbag noted that in the past year, applications have increased by 20 percent with no drop in applicant quality. The average GMAT scores also rose, he said. Inselbag said, however, that it was important for the MBA program to be able to keep on the cutting edge of information technology, such as the Internet and the World Wide Web. "Hopefully, we'll be ready for the for the incoming class," he said. Inselbag said the thing he enjoyed the most about his post was the conversations he has had with students, the graduations he has attended and the teaching award ceremonies. "Learning about the number one ranking in Business Week was not a disappointing moment," Inselbag added. He also spoke affectionately of the party held after the rankings were published. Inselbag said that he taught at least one course per semester despite his administrative workload. After years of attending meetings and dealing with administrative details, Inselbag said his return to teaching will be "therapeutic." Still, Bellace said that Inselbag will be missed.
(04/19/95 9:00am)
Officers issue citations Brett Levinson and Mike Madden Pennsylvania Liquor Control Enforcement officers conducted a series of raids within a two-hour period early this morning at local bars including the Blarney Stone, Cavanaugh's Restaurant, the Palladium Restaurant and Bar and Walsh's Tavern. Plainclothes LCE officers swept through the four bars, ordering all patrons to exit the establishments, according to witnesses. At the Palladium, students attempted to jump out of windows to escape the raid after LCE officers turned the lights on and began checking identification cards at about 11:30 p.m. Students without proper ID were detained by the LCE officers and were forced to take breathalyzer tests, according to Wharton sophomore Aaron Plotkin, who was in the bar at the time. He estimated that 25 people without identification inside the Palladium, located at 36th Street and Locust Walk, were questioned by the officers. Several of them were issued citations for underage drinking, Plotkin added. A similar raid was also conducted at the Blarney Stone at 39th and Sansom streets. Nancy Maleno, a Philadelphia College of Pharmacy and Science junior, said LCE officers checked the patrons' IDs after turning on the lights. At least four LCE officers ordered everyone without proper ID to the rear of the bar, while the officers checked the legitimacy of the IDs of patrons claiming to be over 21 years old. Witnesses said approximately 10 individuals were issued underage drinking citations. As the raid started, many people rushed to leave the bar to avoid being questioned by the LCE officers. One ID, apparently dropped in haste as a patron was leaving the bar, is believed to be a fake driver's license. The New Hampshire address listed on the ID does not exist, according to Directory Assistance. At Walsh's Tavern, at least four LCE officers stormed through the back door of the bar at about 1:15 this morning. But students leaving the bar at 43rd and Walnut streets said they had been warned of the impending raid in advance. "The guy at the door said, 'You don't want to be here,' " College senior Jon Mantell said, adding that he left the bar 15 minutes before the raid began. By the time LCE officers arrived, almost everyone under 21 had left the bar after the band playing announced the LCE was on its way. But Justin, a LaSalle University student who would not give his last name, said he was issued a citation for possessing a fake ID, which was later confiscated. And Engineering senior Benjamin Kaplan said he saw one other patron receive a citation. In addition, a fourth raid was conducted at Cavanaugh's at 39th and Sansom streets, although few details on the incident were available. After the bars were shut down by the LCE, several patrons milled around the entrances. Some even taunted the officers. "Just because you're walking me out tonight doesn't mean I'm going to give you a kiss when I get home," College junior Roee Wiczyk said to officers at the Palladium. LCE officers at the Blarney Stone, Cavanaugh's, the Palladium and Walsh's refused to comment about the raids.
(04/19/95 9:00am)
Annenberg School for Communication Dean Kathleen Hall Jamieson announced that she will be taking a sabbatical next semester. Jamieson, who is currently promoting her new book Beyond the Double Bind, said she will be using the time off to write another book, the subject of which has not yet been determined. "It depends," Jamieson said. "We have a large grant proposal in. If that comes through I will be doing that." Jamieson said that if the proposal falls through she will be working on a book exploring the debates over contraception and abortion in the Catholic Church. She added that she met with a review team yesterday and that now she is waiting for their response. "Among the many things you can't be sure of in life is when you will hear about grants," she said. Provost Stanley Chodorow said it is not uncommon for deans who have served six or seven years to take a sabbatical, adding that Law School Dean Colin Diver is also taking a break next fall. "The deans are both administrators and academics," he said. "As academics they need sabbatical leaves to complete important scholarly work and to recharge their intellectual batteries. "Being a first-rate academic is crucial to being a first-rate dean," he added. "That is why we support long-serving deans with sabbaticals." And Jamieson has her own interpretation of their purpose. "Sabbaticals are an attempt to make sure people retain their sanity and their scholarly productivity," she said. Chodorow added the University will not have to replace her as dean because this will be a sabbatical-in- residence. "This is an unusual arrangement that will permit her to carry out her [duties as dean] but relieve her from teaching," he said. Jamieson said the University might be hiring someone to teach in her place during her absence. "We have an offer out to someone who, if she accepts, will teach my graduate course in the fall," she said. Jamieson added that she will definitely be teaching her undergraduate Introduction to Political Communications course in the spring. "You have my word on that," she said. Since Jamieson is serving her sixth year, her deanship is currently up for review. She said she knows that the committee has filed its report, but that "there are no clear dates on this kind of process." "I assume the process will be concluded by the end of the academic year, but I don't know," she said.
(04/19/95 9:00am)
A dance mimicking peacocks, a colorful fashion show and martial arts stunts that included breaking wooden boards were all a part of the Chinese Student Association's Cultural Night yesterday in the Annenberg Center's Harold Prince Theatre. More than 200 students, parents and community members watched the show, which featured diverse acts stemming from many regions and eras. The show began with an introductory slide show and continued with traditional Chinese music accompanying soft dances and songs. One of the musical acts featured four young girls singing folk songs. The evening ended with an upbeat modern dance number. The Tae Kwon Do Club offered another perspective by keeping the audience enthralled with a display of difficult techniques -- such as their demonstration of sparring and breaking wooden boards. One member managed a flying leap over four people and split four one-inch boards in half. The event was also enhanced by a less well-known aspect of Chinese tradition -- a yo-yo performance. Unlike the ordinary yo-yo, the Chinese yo-yo consists of a long string connected to two handles. CSA President and Engineering junior Steve Lin said he viewed the night as a chance for Chinese students to delve into themselves and determine whether they could find personal meaning in their heritage. "We hope everyone enjoyed the show. We worked very hard," Lin said. "What we hoped to accomplish this evening was to give everyone an opportunity to reflect on his or her identity and how it's tied, if it is, to the Chinese culture." Performers were elated after the show, viewing it as a huge success. College senior Edward Tsui, who performed in and choreographed the modern dance, said he was disappointed that he will not be able to be a part of next year's show. "We spent every day practicing, and I feel like we're a family," Tsui said. "I'm really amazed and excited. It was like a dream come true. I'll miss it very much next year." Wharton freshman Cindy Young said she was pleased with the performance despite what she described as a lack of adequate practice time. "Given the time we had, I'm really glad we pulled it off," she said. And for others, working on the show was a reward in itself. "It's been a lot of hard work," Wharton sophomore Daphne Choi said. "I think all the performers had a good time and I'm so glad so many people showed up." While most audience members were happy with the quality and content of the show, many thought it should have been held in a larger auditorium. "I thought it was very good. I thought the kids were really cute," said College junior Onyx Finney, president of the United Minorities Council. "More people need to come to cultural shows. It's a shame they didn't have a bigger theater."
(04/19/95 9:00am)
Baltimore Avenue has seen better days. And if the plans of Cynthia Brey and Maurice Walden come to fruition, the once proud avenue could be bustling with activity again. Brey and Walden are the founders of Green to Green: Visions for Baltimore Avenue, a project that aims to revitalize and redevelop Baltimore Avenue. Brey, a University alumnus and architect, said Green to Green is planning a design competition in which architects will develop ideas and plans for a new Baltimore Avenue. The Green to Green organization is a collaborative venture between the West Philadelphia Community Development Corporation and Environs Development Group. Green to Green was able to get off the ground after Brey and Walden won a National Endowment of the Arts grant, which currently provides them with $25,000. But the two organizers must also raise between $50,000 and $60,000 in matching funds. The group held a kick-off meeting a few weeks ago, but some community members in attendance became upset because they felt they had not been consulted about the endeavor, according to Alan Levy, a University architecture lecturer. "There was some confusion about purposes and aims of competition and confusion about how much had been decided without [the community's] participation," Levy said. "The community has a long history of things that have failed and they are a bit cynical and with good reason. "At least there was a dialogue going on, even if it was contentious," he added. Brey said she hopes her organization can bring many of the various autonomous community groups like the 52nd Street Business Association, Cedar Park Neighbors, Spruce Hill Neighbors Association and others. "The objective of this design project is to serve as a catalyst for community involvement and neighborhood revitalization," Brey said. The design competition entries will be accepted starting next spring, while the scope of the project will stretch from 38th Street to Cobbs Creek Parkway. There will be several town meetings between now and next spring to get community input, with the next meeting to be held on May 25th. The urban planning and design competition will focus on commercial and residential revitalization, Brey added. The commercial areas will be concentrated in two or three spots between Baltimore and 52nd streets, around 48th Street. Part of the project is also looking at possible community centers in the area, while Levy and other University professors and students are working in a studio designing a community center for 51st and Baltimore streets. Levy stressed that the design study was completely "theoretical" and would probably not be used in the actual design competition. Linda Blythe, president of the Spruce Hill Community Association, said the Green to Green project was a good concept. "I'm very enthusiastic about it," Blythe said. "I think it's a great idea."
(04/18/95 9:00am)
In the front yard of the boarded-up Theta Xi fraternity house at 37th Street and Locust Walk, more than 30 women gathered to celebrate the groundbreaking of the future site of the Penn Women's Center. "This location highlights the central role women play on campus as students, faculty and staff," University President Judith Rodin said during the ceremony yesterday afternoon. Phoebe Leboy, outgoing chairperson of the Women's Center Advisory Board, reminded the crowd of a different era, when the University was not as receptive to women's concerns. "Many of us go back to a time when we weren't allowed to sit on College Green and we weren't allowed to eat in Houston Hall," she said. College junior Colleen Mastony, editor of Generation XX, a campus magazine for women, said the new site will give women a stronger presence on Locust Walk. "You look down the Walk and you see fraternities and the Wharton School, which are dominated by men," Mastony added. "I think it's about time we had a women's center on the Walk." The center will fill the vacant Theta Xi fraternity house. Theta Xi's national office ordered the University's chapter to cease operations and vacate the house in November 1992. Last year, former Interim President Claire Fagin announced the Women's Center would move into the empty building. "It's a shame that Theta Xi is no longer here, but the University is moving in a different direction," said Stefan Politz, a College senior and former Theta Xi brother. "I think it's great to have women present on the Walk." Architect Evelyn Rousso -- who is designing the renovations -- said the University decided not to destroy the house because it dates back to the 1860s, prior to the University's relocation to West Philadelphia. "We are gutting the inside," Rousso said, adding that renovations could cost over $1 million. In addition to preparing the first and second floors for use by the Women's Center, seminar rooms will be built on the first floor. These rooms will be available to any campus group, Rousso said. She added that the plans should be finished by September, with work beginning sometime during the next academic year. She predicted the house would be occupied in September, 1996. Elena DiLapi, director of the Women's Center, said the new site will be more accessible and have better facilities than the center's current location in Houston Hall. DiLapi explained that after a series of rapes in and around campus, women staged a sit-in at College Hall in 1973, after which the University agreed to provide an on-campus women's center, which opened in the fall of 1974. At a rally for increased security on campus in 1989, demonstrators spontaneously began chanting "take back the Walk," according to DiLapi. They wanted to "make the center of campus reflect the diversity of Penn so that women of color and women could participate in the privilege of living on the Walk," she said. But some onlookers were somewhat wary of moving the Center to the walk. "I'm afraid that the Women's Center is going to speak for a very small group on campus," said College sophomore Tom McFadden. McFadden added the Center would be positive if it does not become "isolationist."
(04/18/95 9:00am)
Dies from gunshot and Amy Lipman College senior Jared Whitacre committed suicide in his off-campus residence at 24th and Spruce streets Friday evening. Whitacre's housemate, 1994 University graduate Stephen Dodd, discovered Whitacre's body at approximately 7 p.m. and then notified Philadelphia Police. According to Philadelphia Police Officer Liz Kries, responding officers found Whitacre lying on a bed on the third floor of the residence with a gunshot wound through his right temple. A .22 caliber Colt single-action revolver with one round spent was found near his body. Philadelphia Fire Rescue responded to the scene after being contacted by the police and found Whitacre dead upon arrival, Kries said. Dodd said that he was not satisfied with the way the police handled the situation, however. An officer had told Dodd that Philadelphia Police would contact Whitacre's parents. But Dodd said the police only left an ambiguous message with Whitacre's uncle in West Virginia, forcing Dodd to break the news to Whitacre's relatives himself. College senior Sandra Kim -- a close friend of Whitacre -- said he had been depressed since spring break, primarily because he was having trouble coping with family problems, coupled with mounting academic and financial pressures. Whitacre, whom Dodd characterized as being extremely industrious and intelligent, worked several jobs to pay for his tuition. And because Whitacre was a transfer student from the University of Miami, he had to take a demanding course load to make up transfer credits. "It's a shame that he didn't make it all the way," 1993 University graduate Mark Eggerts, also a housemate, said. "He worked hard for it." "Certainly harder than most people," Dodd added. Because Whitacre spent so much time working part-time jobs, he did not have an active social life and at times seemed very withdrawn, Dodd continued. "He had the the ability to keep his distance," Dodd said. "He was independent in good ways and bad ways." Housemate and 1994 University graduate Jen Kaus added that Whitacre "really did have a great sense of humor when you finally sat down to get to know him." And Kim said Whitacre was "fun loving," despite his depression. "He was good to be with," she said. "He really liked to talk to people, and he liked to listen also. He understood people, and that's how I remember him." Assistant Vice Provost for University Life Barbara Cassel acknowledged that many students are under stress, particularly during this time of year. "I think it's important that they know of the resources available on campus through Student Health, the Women's Center and religious resources so they feel free to be in touch with [them] when they are feeling pressure and stressful," she said last night. Eggerts said he and his housemates have all been contacted by Cassel since Friday. He added that he was satisfied with the University's response to the situation. Kries said Philadelphia Police detectives are continuing to investigate the death. Daily Pennsylvanian staff writer Josh Fineman contributed to this article.
