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(04/10/95 9:00am)
The University is planning to use interactive video to conduct a virtual exchange of students and faculty with Oxford University, Engineering Dean Gregory Farrington said Thursday. The Oxford experiment will combine the American lecture style of teaching and the smaller, more personal British method, according to Farrington, who added that new electronic educational programs must focus on determining how students learn most effectively -- rather than how professors want to teach. Farrington's announcement came during a speech on cutting-edge technology in the classroom that was part of a week-long symposium sponsored by the Philomathean Society. During the symposium, various speakers attempted to demonstrate Internet resources available to students and faculty for teaching, learning and research. Thursday's lecture, entitled "The Idea of the University in the Information Age," was moderated by Farrington. He emphasized that while technology is revolutionizing learning opportunities, universities in particular have to be very careful. Farrington said that new technology is emerging that will eventually allow people from all over the world to attend classes without having to attend a university. "People will be very unwilling to pay $120,000 if [Microsoft's] Bill Gates can deliver it at home," Farrington said. "We must do something more." Universities have several functions, Farrington explained. While information is a main purpose, interaction is also very important. Interaction will represent the difference between learning in a university setting and learning at home, he said. Farrington added that the revolution of the computer began at the University with the introduction of ENIAC, the Electronic Numerical Integrator and Computer. He also spoke about several experimental ideas for technology in the classroom that are currently being tested. Farrington used electronic mail as an example of the Internet in the classroom. He explained that e-mail has been very successful in broadening discussion and does not require much effort to use. The question is then, he said, how students and faculty will respond to more complicated technology. While e-mail has had a seemingly positive effect, not all technology has been accepted as easily. Maple, a program for mathematics, for example, is controversial among students. Engineering junior Carter Page organized the week's events. "Technology is not valuable in and of itself," he said. "We need to show what practical applications and implementations there are." The next panel discussion will be held April 24 at 3 p.m.
(04/10/95 9:00am)
Most selective class in years Only 33 percent of high school applicants were accepted to the University this year, making it one of the most selective classes in recent history, according to Admissions Dean Lee Stetson. This figure is down from 36 percent last year. And regular decision applicants whose acceptance letters were mailed out last Wednesday were accepted at a rate of 25 percent, compared to 32 percent last year. Out of the 15,050 applicants, 4,960 students were admitted, Stetson said. "This was the most challenging selection in my tenure of almost 18 years," he said. The number of admitted students climbed 25 over last year's 4,935 accepted students. "We admitted more because the pool was significantly stronger academically and therefore students will have many options," Stetson said. He added that the Office of Admissions will probably have to make limited use of the waiting list, which contains 300 students this year. Stetson said the applicant pool was "a very strong class academically." The average combined Scholastic Aptitude Test score for the group was 1311 -- 697 in math and 614 in verbal. This total is eight points higher than last year. The average achievement test score was up seven points to 653. And the average applicant ranked in the top three percent of his class versus four percent last year. But Stetson said the attributes are even greater than the numbers indicate. At least one student from every state was admitted to the University, Stetson said. This includes one from Wyoming, two from both North and South Dakota and three from Montana -- the states most at risk of under-representation, he added. Last year the University accepted one student from each Dakota but neither enrolled. Stetson said a fewer number of students were accepted from the New England and Mid-Atlantic regions this year. Only 385 were accepted from New England, compared to last year's 449, and 2,173 were accepted from the tri-state region -- Pennsylvania, New Jersey and New York -- which is 68 less than last year. He attributed these low numbers to the stronger yield from those two regions. Stetson said 52 percent of admitted students were from "outreach" states-- all states not in the Mid-Atlantic or New England region and international regions. The number of international students accepted was 463 -- 61 more than last year. Of the students admitted, 3,256 were accepted into the College of Arts and Sciences. Stetson said his goal is to have 1,480 of these students enroll. Wharton accepted 607 students -- up from 571 last year. Stetson attributed this increase to a stronger academic pool, making it necessary to accept more students in order to yield 360 matriculants. The School of Engineering and Applied Sciences accepted 1,047 applicants -- up from 1,020 last year. Stetson said he would like to see between 360 and 380 enroll. The Nursing School, which suffered a 25 percent decrease in applications this year, accepted 108 of its applicants. Only eight of these were male. Stetson said he is looking for 80 of these students to enroll. There were 120 students accepted to the Management and Technology program and 51 into the International Studies program. Stetson said he expects to enroll 50 to 60 in the Management and Technology program and 40 into the International Studies program. The University also accepted more females this year. Compared to last year's 48 percent, 49 percent of the accepted students are women this year. Women made up 30 percent of accepted students in the Engineering School and 38 percent of Wharton students. This is up from 26 percent and 32 percent respectively. Stetson said he was pleased with the increased number of women applicants. "I think it is a healthy sign that more women are applying to Wharton and Engineering," he said. The number of minorities accepted to the University dropped this year from last year's 1,911 to 1,864 -- making up 37 percent of the admitted students. In general, the number of accepted minorities was down -- with the exception of the number of Native American students, which doubled to 14 this year -- and the number of Hispanic students, which was up by 33 to 298 students this year. Just like last year, 63 percent of the accepted students are from public schools. The University accepted 193 students from the Philadelphia area -- up two from last year. Stetson said this class is not only talented academically, but also brings in a great deal of involvement, energy and well-roundedness, as well as a significant interest in the University. "Still, now the challenge is to enroll the students," he said. Stetson added that admissions officers, faculty and students will be travelling across the country to talk to admitted students over the next few weeks. In addition, several performing arts groups -- including Counterparts, Quaker Notes and Mask and Wig -- have assisted in selling the school to students around the country, Stetson said. And today is the first day of Penn Preview Weeks, a three-week period of intense information sessions and guided tours for prospective freshmen and their families. "It will be interesting to hear during the next few weeks what our competition really is and where [the students] have been admitted," he said.
(04/10/95 9:00am)
The first ever college-run South Asian television show, Entertainment India, made its UTV13 debut on February 6 of this year. Unfortunately, the show has not been broadcast since. The show's creators said yesterday that UTV13's newly elected general manager, College junior Heather Dorf, made it impossible for the show to be produced. Entertainment India's creator, Wharton sophomore Toral Mehta, said last night that Dorf has constantly created new "policies" and requirements which the show's producers cannot meet -- in affect canceling the show. Dorf was out of town and unavailable for comment last night. But UTV13 Director of Sales and Video Services Jared Minsk, a College sophomore, said last night that every new group must go through proper training before they are allowed to broadcast. "The producers must be trained," he said. "I know when I started my show [Business Unplugged], I had to be trained. That's standard policy." College junior and Entertainment India Production Manager Sapna Sheth said the problems started when the group borrowed a camera from UTV13 and was put on probation when it did not return it immediately. Sheth said, however, that UTV13 management had not specified the deadline for returning the camera. "They have these rules that they conveniently conjure up after we break them," she said. The most recent example of the allegedly unprofessional requirements occurred when Dorf told Mehta that for her staff to produce an episode, it would have to be supervised by either herself or one of three other UTV13 board members, Mehta said. Dorf then added, however, that none of these people have enough time to help Entertainment India this semester and they should postpone production until next fall. Minsk said that in regards to Entertainment India, "the equipment has to be used with responsibility." Mehta said she does not understand how waiting until next fall for training will help the current situation. "I don't know where these rules are coming from," she said. "[Dorf] said we can reconvene in the fall. But what's going to change in the fall?" Sheth said that when the group suggested contacting the three board members themselves, Dorf said she would prefer they not and that there was really nothing to be done. "She has no win-win situation," said Mehta. "She's more like, 'I'm sorry, there's nothing I can do.' " Mehta said she is past the point of tears and almost ready to give up. "I am just completely and totally frustrated with this issue," she said. "I started this out of nothing. My dream's, like, gone. It's something that you wanted, your vision. And here's this obstacle and I don't even know how to overcome it." Creators added that there is a demand for their show --which addresses concerns of the South Asian community and culture -- and that the South Asia Society is currently passing a petition advocating the continuation of the show. So far, about 60 South Asia Society members have signed. "People in the South Asian community support our show," Sheth said. Mehta said she hopes UTV13 will be able to help her and her television program. "A lot more people watch this than some of those stupid shows on there," she said. "Just give us a chance, that's all we're saying."
(04/10/95 9:00am)
The Undergraduate Assembly decided last night to hold all of its meetings in Chats, instead of Houston Hall, in order to appear more open to students interested in the UA. This and an effort to improve attendance were the focal points of the body's first meeting last night, held -- kicking off the new tradition -- in Chats. In response to problems with attendance by members of the body this semester, UA Chairperson and College junior Lance Rogers asked members for comments and ideas on how to ensure that UA representatives go to meetings. "In the past we've had some attendance problems," Rogers said. "That's certainly not going to be the [hallmark] of this UA." UA representative and College junior Christian Hensley called for a "three strikes and you're out" system, under which any member who misses three meetings would be kicked off the body and replaced by a student who ran for UA last week -- and lost. "Our attendance is absolutely critical," he said. "We have a job to do and if you can't do it, we have to find somebody who can." But College sophomore Laurie Moldawer modified the proposal to include excused absences and unexcused absences. Anyone who gave notice of an impending absence to Rogers or UA Secretary Lisa Aspinwall, a Nursing sophomore, would not be penalized, Moldawer added. Rogers said the Steering Committee will work on developing a new attendance policy for approval at a future meeting. "It sounds to me as though you guys really favor a strict policy," he added. Rogers also proposed a liaison system, whereby each member of the UA Steering Committee would meet regularly with four UA members to keep lines of communication open between the committee and the body. "This is the first time the UA has tried this," he said. At the beginning of the meeting, representatives from the other branches of student government explained their branches' functions to the UA. Members of the body also voted to make an excursion to the Great Adventure amusement park on May 1 in order to get to know each other better.
(04/10/95 9:00am)
Vandals struck all four High Rise South elevators two days in a row last week -- and administrators have no leads on who might be responsible. The vandal or vandals have left behind only one possible clue, signing the messages scrawled across the inside and doors of the elevators "Pan." Residential Maintenance only employs two painters and the department has had difficulty covering up the vandalism. In addition, because the vandals used what appeared to be marker, covering the graffiti Thursday required several coats of paint, according to Jeffrey Rusling, assistant director of Residential Maintenance. Maintenance employees -- who knew about the situation at 10 a.m. -- did not complete the job until 3:30 p.m., Rusling added. "We can't be in all four elevators round the clock trying to prevent it," Residential Living Director Gigi Simeone explained. Gordon Rickards, assistant director for residential safety, security and facilities, said he has not seen such extensive vandalism in "many years." And according to Residential Maintenance Director Lynn Horner, her department has spent approximately $8,300 repairing vandalism this semester. That cost, however, is not unusually high, Horner added. "What has happened is different than other years," she said. "It's very difficult to know why certain kinds of vandalism occur at a certain time." Rusling said the vandalism has been especially bad this year. "It would be unusual if it didn't happen during the week -- that would be a good week," Rusling said. Horner also released information on the numbers and types of incidents that occurred since January -- and they run the gamut from clogged drains to smashed hall lights. This semester alone, vandals destroyed 87 hall and exit lights and 23 toilet paper dispensers. In addition, Residential Maintenance has received reports of 13 instances involving elevator graffiti, 15 purposely clogged bathroom drains, four vandalism reports involving fire doors and five pulled fire alarms, according to Horner. Residential Living is considering offering a reward as added incentive for those who have information about the crimes to come forward, Simeone said.
(04/10/95 9:00am)
While decision letter-induced anxiety is just beginning for prospective freshmen, stress has just eased up for the four workers in Room 11 of College Hall. Last Wednesday, over 15,000 response letters were sent out to high school seniors who applied to the University. But before the letters could go out, each and every one had to be printed and checked by Network Administrator Margaret Porigow, Word Processing technicians Marcella McMillan and Ken Ward and Kathleen Lawville, a part-time administrative assistant, . "We worked around the clock last weekend," Porigow said Friday. She added that they have been printing decision letters since the middle of February. As their deadline of April 5 drew closer, they were printing an average of 400 decisions a day, Porigow said. But they were not doing it completely alone. "We brought in a lot of people to help," Porigow said. Once the decisions were printed, checked and signed, they had to be coordinated with financial aid decisions and stuffed into envelopes. They were then stored on either tables, the wooden bookshelves that line the front wall of the room, or the multiple mail bins which were set up around the room. The letters were eventually transported from Room 11 to a small drafty room around the corner where they were stored on tables until it was time to send them off, Porigow added. "Fifteen thousand letters take up an enormous amount of space," she said. "It was just wall to wall letters." Now that the letters have been sent, the room is completely empty -- ready for next year's letters. Porigow said the workers of Room 11 have already started preparing for next year. When they are not printing up and sorting decision letters, the four workers spend their time printing out recruitment letters and other information for prospective students, she said. She estimated that they print 200,000 letters a year. They also update the files on all of the applicants, which they download from the 11 computers around the room, Porigow said. All of this activity climaxes at the point of the decision deadline, she added. "It's a process but you feel good at the end," she said.
(04/10/95 9:00am)
Sporting immaculate uniforms and brightly polished shoes, more than 70 members of the area's Navy Reserve Officers' Training Corps, participated in Saturday's Spring Review Awards Ceremony. The NROTC midshipmen -- students hailing from the University, Drexel and Temple universities -- began the service on Hill Field with a series of formal ceremonies termed "forming the battalion." Captain Gerald Hoewing of the U.S. Navy, the guest speaker at the event, addressed the midshipmen and a crowd of approximately 100 parents and friends with an inspirational speech that noted the importance of responsibility to the community. "There are three duties for you to remember. First, you have to take care of your people," he said. "Then you have to take pride in your job. And last, you have to make a good impression." Hoewing's address took the form of advice to the members of the first class of midshipmen who will be graduating next month and beginning their military careers. "Young sailors will look up to you and mimic your attitude," he said. "Be optimistic. Be meticulous. Be enthusiastic. Take care of your people and they will take care of you. "And most importantly, enjoy your military careers," he added. Hoewing emphasized the importance of ego recognition as a factor in raising the level of morale. In keeping with that spirit, awards were given to the midshipmen who best exemplified impressive aptitude, academic records and military performance. Some of the awards included certificates, savings bonds, ribbons, medals and official U.S. Navy swords and scabbards. Nursing sophomore Erika Broslat said she was "excited and honored" to receive a certificate in the ceremony. Dan Bennett, a College junior, received the same award. "They told us that we were going to get awards ahead of time so we could practice," he said. "I was very pleased to be in the awards platoon." Lt. Lenny Moore, ROTC freshman advisor, reflected on the day's events. "I am really glad that the University allowed us the use of their facilities," he said, referring to the ceremony and the following reception. "NROTC is here on Penn's campus and there are a good number of students that are involved," Moore added. "The students here today are looking forward to commissions with the Navy or Marine Corps after graduation," he explained. "Flying F-18's and commanding submarines are wonderful job opportunities."
(04/10/95 9:00am)
Wednesday marked the centennial of the founding of the Chi Omega sorority and the 75th anniversary of Beta Alpha, the University's chapter. Founded at the University of Arkansas in 1885, Chi Omega has more than 215,000 initiated members and 175 chapters, making it the largest sorority in the United States. To celebrate, University Chi Omega sisters gave out cake on Locust Walk. "Giving out cake was so much fun," Wharton Junior and Chi Omega President Nicole Adler said. "People were surprised. They didn't know what we were doing." Wednesday evening the University's Chi Omega chapter held a reception in conjunction with the Villanova University chapter at the University City Sheraton. The dinner was attended by approximately 500 people, including campus leaders, faculty and sorority alumnae. People traveled to the event from as far as Wisconsin, according to Adler. College sophomore and Chi Omega sister Katie Leeson said that a time capsule from 100 years ago was opened and read at the reception last night. Various honorariums were also presented. College freshman and Chi Omega Pledge Class President Meka Millstone said she and her pledge sisters were particularly excited to become a part of the sorority on its 100th anniversary. "It's special that our first year is so important in the history of Chi Omega," she said. "We are all very excited and honored to be a part of it." She added that their last week of pledging coincides with the sorority's centennial. "That's pretty neat," she said. Adler said she and her sisters anticipate a strong future for their sorority. "We're looking forward to 100 more years of sisterhood," she said.
(04/10/95 9:00am)
Last Saturday, the residents and businesses of University City had one message: welcome to the come-back neighborhood. Organizers of the fourth annual University City Saturday said that the area is bustling with diversity and has maintained a high quality of living, despite recent hardships and criticism. University City Saturday -- sponsored by the University City Promotions Group -- was designed to promote positive aspects of the neighborhoods immediately west of the University. The most prominent feature of the event was the University City Open House, which showcased more than 100 homes in the area. "We're trying to project a continuous profile," University City Promotions Group member David Hochman said. "The atmosphere has been positive." The festivities began with a community fair of local civic groups and real estate agencies held at the Calvary United Methodist Church at 48th Street and Baltimore Avenue. Among those in attendance were the University Arts League, the University City Historical Society, the Spruce Hill Community Association, the Friends of Clark Park and the Annenberg Center. City Councilwoman Jannie Blackwell and State Representative Jim Roebuck also made appearances. "It is a good event for the community to showcase their neighborhood," Roebuck said. Many realtors highlighted the area's diverse environment and moderate real estate prices. "It is a great, diversified place to live," Jackson-Cross realtor John Portland said. He also pointed out that his company has participated in the past three University City Saturdays with considerable success. "It is good to get people into the neighborhood and see how enthusiastic the community is," he added. In addition to sponsoring the event, the University had booths representing the University's Center for Community Partnerships and the University Mortgage Plan. The University Mortgage Plan provides guaranteed loans for University employees who decide to live in the area, and has helped more than 1,400 people buy property since its inception in 1965. According to the program's organizer, University Associate Treasurer D-L Wormley, the University needs to improve in its role as a part of its immediate environment. "We have to work more as neighbors," she said. Wormley also pointed out how easy it is to break down stereotypes about the community. "They saw inside these homes and have had a feeling for them," she said. According to Hochman, the event began as a means to promote the area in the face of a recession, and to deal with several other factors, among them addressing the issue of the city funding cuts. "The event is aimed at potential residents," Hochman said. "We're looking at everyone in the city." To that end, the University City Promotion Group placed advertisements in several city publications in an effort to "pull racial and economic diversity." University City Saturday is the main event of the University City Promotions Group. It usually uses its leftover funds to hold a party in the fall for new residents. According to Hochman, University City is a large area that includes much of the eastern part of West Philadelphia. It includes the neighborhoods of Spruce Hill, Cedar Park, Garden Court, Walnut Hill, Squirrel Hill and Powelton.
(04/10/95 9:00am)
University Medical School researchers propose a groundbreaking new avenue of attack against the AIDS virus in an article to be published today. David Weiner, an assistant professor of pathology and laboratory medicine, is the principle author of an article appearing in today's issue of The Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. In the article, Weiner explains the that he has discovered a way to inhibit the production of the HIV virus in the laboratory using the abortion drug, RU-486. This new discovery hints at a future means to inhibit the virus in humans. According to Weiner, a little-known viral protein called "Vpr" pirates a cellular route utilized by certain steriod hormones to enter the cell nucleus. This allows the virus to quickly transmit its deadly message. Weiner and research team members David Levy and Yoesef Refaeli targeted Vpr -- which stimulates viral growth and decreases cell production in test tubes --Eand discovered the cellular pathway it uses to infect cells, Medical School spokesperson Lisa Bain said in a statement. Vpr follows a pathway that occurs naturally in the body and is vital to the nervous, endocrine and immune systems and effects metabolism, Bain stated. The cell is then forced to assist the virus in the progression of the disease. Weiner said that this link could help to explain some of the symptoms of the AIDS virus. "The fact that HIV pirates this pathway is not a good thing," he explained. Inhibition of the steriod hormones involved with the transmission of Vpr into the nucleus could lead to a new class of AIDS medications, Wiener added. In the study, which represents the culmination of over five years of research, Weiner tested a known steriod pathway suppressor, RU-486, to block the passage of the virus into the nucleus. Weiner reported that RU-486 inhibited viral growth approximately 70 percent in infected cells. However, Weiner cautioned that because many other body hormones use this pathway, the negative effects might counteract any possible benefit from the drug. Weiner also noted that it is too early to determine the effects the drug could have in humans. The medicine is currently only in the "planning stages" for clinical trials with the National Institutes of Health. In the worst-case scenario, the drug might force the body to overcompensate by making more steriod hormones and therefore increasing the rate of HIV infection. He also said that human testing would have to be very closely monitored due to potentially unforeseen side effects of the drug. Weiner also noted that the primary research into the virus can lead to advances in the function of other diseases as well.
(04/07/95 9:00am)
Striking Yale University graduate students in the humanities and social sciences voted overwhelmingly today in favor of having the Graduate Employees and Students Organization represent them in collective bargaining with the administration. The League of Women Voters conducted the election, which is part of a week-long strike that began Monday. While the Yale administration has repeatedly said that it will not recognize GESO or the election, GESO representatives hoped to show Yale officials that they have student support. For the past few months, teaching assistants have asked the university to hold a union election. TAs argue that because they teach 53 percent of all classes -- including all foreign language classes -- they should be recognized as regular employees. Until Yale recognizes the graduate students' election, GESO members said they do not expect the administration will acknowledge their grievances -- including low pay and poor health care benefits. Yale officials have said that it would be inappropriate to recognize GESO, or any other union for TAs, because they are primarily students. During an informal dinner with undergraduate students, Yale President Richard Levin said he would rather shut down the school than negotiate with GESO, according to the Yale Daily News. Throughout the strike, GESO has gained widening support from members of the university. The unions representing Yale's clerical and blue-collar workers have publicly voiced their approval of the strike. The contracts for the union members are up for negotiation this January, and many speculate that these employees will strike unless the university recognizes GESO. Junior faculty have also supported the students, according to Yale Federation of University Employees spokesperson Gordon Lafer. Lafer also said that administration officials have pressured faculty to cover the classes that graduate students normally teach. Sixteen members of the Untenured Faculty Organization issued a statement calling on the University to "respect the independence of faculty members in this conflict between the administration and Yale teaching assistants." Lafer added that some faculty members have threatened to penalize graduate students if they participate in the strike -- including refusing to write letters of recommendation on their behalf. While GESO asked administration officials to condemn such actions, Yale has not made any public statements regarding the issue, Lafer said. GESO member Ted Liazos said the week has been grueling for everyone. "On the one hand, I'm satisfied by the level of support we've gotten," Liazos said. "Seventy percent of classes weren't taught." But, Liazos added, many are disheartened by the Yale's reaction.
(04/07/95 9:00am)
More than 20 years ago, renowned anthropologist Donald Johanson found "Lucy" in East Africa -- the oldest and most complete fossilized human remains yet discovered. And yesterday, he visited the University to discuss the importance of physical anthropology and his own role in the field. "All of us as humans are extremely interested in our origins," Johanson said as he began his speech before an audience of more than 500 students and faculty in the Harrison Auditorium. Johanson is founder and president of the Institute of Human Origins, but is most well-known for his discovery of the Australopithecus afarensis fossil -- nicknamed "Lucy." In addition to his influential fieldwork, he recently helped produce a three-part edition of the Public Broadcasting Service documentary Nova, on human evolution. "He asks fundamental, simple and terrifying questions," School of Arts and Sciences Dean Rosemary Stevens said as she introduced Johanson. Fossils, Johanson explained, "are links that tie us to the natural world. "We tend to think -- as some social scientists do -- that we are superorganic," he said. "Biology didn't jump out the window when culture walked in the door." Johanson also addressed the omnipotence of nature and natural selection. "We are as much a product of evolution and accident as any other species," he said. "At least nature has been kind enough to leave -- in the fossil record -- a reminder." He also warned about the potential dangers of humanity's rapidly increasing dependency on technology. "There is so much more to being human than technology and biology," he said. "There is an element in our lives that our descendants may not have." Using slides, he outlined the history of physical anthropology, tracing its beginnings to what he called Charles Darwin's "grand unified theory of biology." He then related the history of human evolution in the Rift Valley system of Africa, where all Australopithecus fossils have been found. Johanson also related an anecdote about when he disputed a fleshed-out re-creation of an Australopithecus robustus, which he felt was too intimidating and intelligent-looking to be the vegetarian species these fossils are commonly believed to have been. "It doesn't take a lot of brain matter to run down a bush," he quipped. He also explained in detail his experience working on the dig that led to the discovery of "Lucy," pointing out the difficulty of fossil hunting in the wastes of East Africa's Afar region.
(04/07/95 9:00am)
Galaxy Entertainment, an arcade located in the 3900 block of Walnut Street, and Roost Pizza and Stuff, in the 200 block of South 40th Street, both closed this week, Associate University Treasurer Chris Mason said. The two establishments join a list of recently closed businesses around campus, including Perfect Pretzel and The Lodge, both located in The Shops at Penn at 34th and Walnut streets. Last semester, both on-campus movie theaters closed. Although the Walnut Street theater, formerly an AMC operation, has since been leased, the former Eric 3 site on 40th Street remains vacant. In addition, two of the retail spaces available in the newly-opened parking garage at 38th and Walnut streets are still not filled, Mason said. The University is "slightly concerned" about the properties that remain vacant throughout campus, he added. But Vice President of Business Services Steve Murray said the rate of closings and openings is not unusual. "You do end up with businesses opening and closing all the time," he said. "It's a natural evolution -- small businesses tend to come and go." According to Mason, the stores that close on 40th Street create vacancies that the University has more difficulty filling. "It's perception more than anything else that makes it tougher," he added. "But we have no real problem filling stores on campus." Mason could not specify how much money the University loses when it is no longer renting out certain properties on campus. "We're not losing a lot of money and we can handle a vacant store here and there," he said. "But you don't have the revenue coming in." Despite the problems caused by closed stores, shops and restaurants, Mason said he receives phone calls weekly from those who have a "strong interest" in doing business on campus. And Murray said he "wouldn't read a whole lot into [the closings]." Stressing that the arcade does not cater to a "college crowd," Mason said he is not particularly upset that Galaxy Entertainment is closing. He said the University conducts marketing surveys every few years to determine what types of businesses the University community brings in and needs. Marty's Dollar Worth, a variety store, was located on 40th Street two years ago. Ever since it closed, Mason said, the University has attempted unsuccessfully to bring another variety store to campus. He added that he is "a little bit surprised" that at the University, the highest rate of turnover occurs in food-related businesses.
(04/07/95 9:00am)
Students and faculty from the Graduate School of Fine Arts showed off their talents yesterday at the school's second-annual Open Studio Night in the Morgan and "Blau Haus" buildings. According to the show's organizers, its purpose was to create a stronger tie between the school and the Philadelphia community through increased visibility. Visitors munched on fruit, cheese and crackers while viewing paintings and sculptures displayed in the open art studios. The artists were on hand to chat about their exhibits. On the first floor of Morgan, more than 30 works of art -- all created by graduate students and faculty members -- were auctioned off, with bids starting between $25 and $35. According to Open Studio co-chairperson Kett Schoenfeld, a second-year Fine Arts graduate student, the event "gave people the opportunity to buy art at a low price, and made art accessible to the public." Money earned at the auction will be put towards the Fine Arts students' activity fund. According to Schoenfeld, last year's proceeds helped the school buy a new television and VCR. At Blau Haus, prize-winning works of the juried exhibition for undergraduates were displayed. Fine Arts students praised the works of College juniors Kate Simon and Laura Amrofell, and College senior Kate Carpenter as particularly outstanding. Winners were awarded gift certificates to Taws Art Supply. The audience seemed to be very impressed with the displays. Viewing an award-winning painting at Blau Haus, Wharton senior Mohamed Ajouz was eager to give his opinion. "Artists do it on canvas," he said. And College junior Sean Lucan said he was moved by first-year Fine Arts graduate student Sarah Roche's painting. Schoenfeld said that students should look for a similar event next year.
(04/07/95 9:00am)
Two Hill House graduate fellows have been disciplined by a senior staff disciplinary review board after they accused two students of smoking marijuana in their dorm rooms in February, Hill House Assistant Dean Steve Feld said yesterday. "There obviously was behavior inconsistent with what we expect from our graduate fellows," Feld said. "We reached some determinations and acted accordingly." Although Feld would not comment on the details of the disciplinary action, he acknowledged that the GFs did receive a punishment. College freshman Sarah Davies, who was one of the students questioned about using marijuana, said Feld told her that Lance Dunlop, one of the GFs, was moved from Hill House to the Graduate Towers. Davies added that she was not sure if Dunlop -- a first-year Psychology graduate student -- moved out of Hill House or was told to leave by the disciplinary board. She said that she is waiting for a letter from Hill House explaining the actions of the disciplinary board. "There's obviously some circumstances or decisions we don't know about," Davies said. And Davies said that Prasad Veluchamy, the other GF and a third-year Wharton and Engineering graduate student, would not be invited back to Hill House next year. Feld said that he hoped the incident would be a helpful learning experience. In the future, he added GFs will practice role playing so they understand what actions to take if a similar situation occurs. Although Davies said she was a little surprised the board's decision was so strict, she believes they took the correct actions. "It does make you wonder about the people they give positions of power to," Davies said. "[Veluchamy] has a big problem with responsibility and power. Someone who abuses their power doesn't deserve to continue carrying a position like that." Veluchamy declined comment and Dunlop could not be reached for comment last night. A third GF, Tammy Leftcourt, was exonerated by the disciplinary board, according to Feld.
(04/07/95 9:00am)
While the Ivy League has traditionally featured some of the biggest names in Commencement speakers, headliners seem few and far between in this year's crop. Dartmouth College scored perhaps the biggest coup of all, convincing President Clinton to come to Hanover, N.H. to address graduating seniors, parents and alumni in June. The governing boards of the Harvard Corporation -- the school's board of trustees -- and Harvard's Board of Overseers went international, choosing Czech Republic President and playwright Vaclav Havel. Students at Harvard are not involved in the Commencement speaker selection process. However, they select their own Class Day speaker -- an honor extended to University Law Professor Lani Guinier last year. At Princeton University, president Harold Shapiro always gives the Commencement speech. National Endowment for the Arts Chairperson Jane Alexander -- the University's Commencement speaker -- will be Princeton's featured Baccalaureate speaker, she added. Brown, Columbia and Cornell have not yet announced their Commencement speakers for this year. However, staffers at the The Cornell Daily Sun said president Frank Rhodes may be asked to give the address since he is leaving the school this summer. And Columbia Daily Spectator News Editor Samantha Nicosia said NBC News anchor Tom Brokaw has accepted an invitation to speak at Columbia College's Class Day. The invitation was extended by the senior class marshals, a governing board with about 25 members elected by the class. Brown is the only Ivy League school that does not include dignitaries in its Commencement program, Brown Daily Herald Executive Editor Marshall Miller said. Instead, approximately 1,400 graduating seniors "and a crowd of parents and alumni that reaches into the thousands" hear from two student speakers. Miller also said a committee of students, faculty and staff select the speakers, looking for students who can offer diverse opinions and a unique perspective on Brown, delivered in an "interesting, accessible and well-said" manner. The senior class at Yale University usually invites prominent alumni back to campus for Class Day, since the school does not offer honorary degrees or speaking fees to dignitaries who participate in the ceremony. Yale President Richard Levin will speak at Commencement exercises, said Senior Class Treasurer Adam Marks. This year, Baltimore Mayor Kurt Schmoke -- a 1971 Yale graduate and a Rhodes Scholar -- has been tapped to talk, disappointing students who were hoping for someone similar in stature to alumni George Bush and Jodie Foster, both of whom spoke at recent Class Days. Marks said the senior class council, officers and Class Day co-chairs worked together to find a suitable speaker by distributing surveys to the entire senior class. This year, they also tried to find "someone who is a Yale affiliate who could speak to the importance of this year" -- the 25th year of coeducation at Yale and the 25th anniversary of the school's non-residential African-American House.
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Beginning April 18, Almanac -- the University's journal of record for faculty -- and the more feature-oriented staff publication, The Compass, will merge under the Almanac masthead. Administrators have been discussing merger plans for nearly a year, University Secretary Barbara Stevens said earlier this week. The intent of the change is three-fold: to address the whole University community with one publication, to include University-wide news and feature articles while also conveying "the depth and breadth of Penn's faculty," and to conserve resources while at the same time avoiding duplication of information. The publications will retain their separate office spaces as the merger proceeds, exchanging information mainly through electronic interfaces, according to Almanac Editor Karen Gaines. She added that articles written by Compass staffers will appear in one section of the revamped Almanac, which will also include the weekly Job Opportunities insert published by the Office of Human Resources. Although the new publication will closely resemble Almanac for the foreseeable future, Stevens said it may eventually look similar to The Chronicle of Higher Education, a nationally distributed weekly magazine based in Washington, D.C. Gaines agreed, explaining that "we've got 41 years of back issues on the shelf and we won't change the size of the page." "We all consider it an experiment," she said. "If it works, great. If it doesn't work, we're supposed to separate again. We're trying to serve a very great range of full functions." Perhaps the greatest adjustment Compass personnel will have to make is working on a weekly deadline, Compass Managing Editor Martha Jablow said. "We're going to work on making this the kind of seamless publication for the fall," she said. "[But] somebody described it as marrying an elephant and a giraffe." While Gaines has edited Almanac since fall 1980 -- and from spring 1971, when it was first published weekly, until fall 1977 -- Jablow arrived on campus just three weeks ago. Jablow, who has written for The New York Times as well as Parents and Working Woman magazines, replaced Compass Managing Editor John Shea, who is working on a new publication at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. Emeritus English Professor and WFLN theater critic Charles Lee, Glee Club Director Bruce Montgomery, WPVI consumer affairs reporter Herb Denenberg and Executive Assistant to the Provost Linda Koons have also edited Almanac at some point in their careers.
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Blue and white balloons lined College Green yesterday for Israel Day '95, a celebration of Israeli culture on campus. Highlighted by Jewish klezmer music, Israeli folk dancing, crafts and kosher cuisine, the event was intended to "give the Penn community an appreciation and understanding of Israeli culture," according to College junior Steve Ebert, president of PennPac, a student organization devoted to promoting awareness of Israel and its culture. "We wanted to give the entire campus a truly enjoyable and educational experience," he said. The entertainment included a variety of performing groups and other samples of Israeli culture, including a musical group -- the Klingon Klezmer Band -- which performed traditional Jewish party music, first created in Eastern Europe. Band member Jack Kessler said his group's purpose was to demonstrate the music's applicability to the present as well as the past. "We're taking an older style and we're playing it through our experience as late 20th century musicians influenced by a wide range of contemporary and ethnic styles," he said. Ayalah, a University dance troupe specializing in Israeli folk dance, also performed several numbers, inviting audience members to learn various steps. College sophomore and Ayalah dancer Nicole Weiner said it was her group's intention to promote Israeli culture and enjoy themselves at the same time. "We're out here to get people excited over Israeli culture," she explained. "We also do it because we have fun." In addition to performances by such groups as Penny Loafers and the Amorphous Jugglers, there was a special taste test of Israeli food and drink. Students on Locust Walk were asked to sample kosher and non-kosher drinks and determine the difference in taste. Most students -- both Jews and non-Jews -- were unable to taste the difference. College junior and Israel Day co-chairperson Nick Merkin said he was pleased with the event's attendance. "I'm having a great time and we're very happy with the turnout," he said.
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College tuition is not the only thing in higher education that's been inflated these days, according to a Wall Street Journal article published Wednesday. Several universities and colleges across the country have taken various measures to improve their images or make their institutions appear more selective than they actually are, the Journal reported. But Admissions Dean Lee Stetson said he is proud that the University has never altered any information. Boston University, however, does not include the verbal scores of about 350 international students, but factors their math results into the mean SAT score. Foreign students often score higher than Americans on the math section, but usually have difficulty with the verbal SAT. Northeastern University excludes both international and remedial students when computing their average. These students make up 20 percent of each entering class. While many officials at different universities denounced such activities, others said that because applicants place such importance on how the school is ranked -- in magazines such as U.S. News and World Report -- they are under tremendous pressure to make sure the numbers stay high. The rankings are based on several statistics, such as mean SAT, selectivity ratings and the number of freshmen in the top 10 percent of their high school class. How schools fare in the rankings has proven, year after year, to have a significant impact. After U.S. News named Susquehanna University in Selinsgrove, Pa., the top northern regional-liberal-arts college last fall, applications increased 7 percent, the Journal reported. Some universities have gone as far as encouraging students who are not qualified to apply, so that the institution can decrease its acceptance rate. "This proves that the studies are not the real way to judge an institution," Stetson said. "The level of specificity makes it vulnerable to inaccurate reporting." Stetson added that he hopes that the article will motivate those institutions that do falsify information to stop, and that students will realize how inappropriate it is to focus on the rankings when choosing a university.
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According to a recent study, alcohol awareness is high among college freshmen -- in fact, most are very aware of alcohol. The Harvard School of Public Health study, conducted at universities where drinking is common, found that 54 percent of freshmen attending the schools got drunk during their first week of college. And 68 percent went on drinking binges by the end of their first semester. A binge is defined as chugging at least four drinks in a row. This survey may seem especially pertinent this week, as it is Alcohol and Other Drug Awareness Week at the University. Because the study did not disclose which schools were surveyed, it is unknown whether the University was included in the research. But many students said they were not exactly astonished by the results. "The information doesn't surprise me," said College freshman Robert Ballenger, who got drunk during his first week. "It is pretty common that people drink here." But while the existence of binge drinking is easily confirmed, its causes and the reasons for its prevalence are less clear. While peer pressure is a possibility, students say it is a genuine desire to drink. "I just wanted to," Wharton freshman Todd Buehl said. "I drank every week in high school, so it was no big deal." Wharton freshman Susana Tapia agreed that peer pressure had little bearing on her lifestyle. She does not get drunk, and said she does not feel pushed to drink. "I was not really pressured," she said. "Not where I live -- I live in English House." Second-year graduate student Lisa Dolgoff, who organized events for Alcohol and Other Drug Awareness Week, said pressure to drink does not cause the problem. Rather, she said, it is the pressure to meet people. "There are no alternatives other than bars and parties to meet people," she said. The need to make friends is so great that "it is almost inconsequential that they are drinking." Dolgoff, who works for the Office of Alcohol and Drug Education, said that she, too, was not surprised by the recent survey. "Recovering students found that all the students around them drank during their first week," she said. Dolgoff also suggested that the University provide an alcohol-free place to allow students to meet each other. "Chats is a great idea," she said. "But there is no entertainment. It doesn't offer an atmosphere to meet people."
