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(03/30/95 10:00am)
To some, Smith Hall is a building with historical significance that the University should fight to preserve. But others advocate its demolition in order to make way for the Institute of Advanced Science and Technology. In fact, demolition of the building is slated to begin this summer. The recently released Environmental Impact Statement for the IAST presented arguments on both sides of the issue and outlined the study's findings that Smith Hall's demolition would be in the best interests of all parties involved. "The University and its architects acknowledge that the demolition of Smith Hall would result in irrevocable damage to a contributing resource in the Historic District," the EIS states. "With this impact in mind, [they] consciously attempted to design a building that they felt could make a positive contribution." The report goes on to explain that Venturi, Scott Brown and Associates, the architectural firm responsible for the IAST design plans, should create a building that would "exhibit a harmony with the character of adjacent historic buildings." The debate over whether to demolish Smith Hall has a history of its own -- dating back to 1990, when the federal government selected the University for its IAST site. At the time, several individuals and organizations raised both historic and environmental concerns over the site. In response, the University and federal government conducted environmental and historical studies of the entire situation and the proposed sites for three years -- a process many say has taken too long. "It's been a very long, drawn-out process," Vice President for Facilities Management Arthur Gravina said. "The time spent escalated the cost of the project by several million dollars." Four years ago, the demolition of Smith Hall and building of IAST would have cost between $43 and $44 million, he said. Now, the project will cost between $45 to $48 million. Gravina said the extra expenditure resulted from inflation, time and consultation with lawyers and officials. Besides the IAST construction, the project also includes renovations to the Chemistry, Music, Morgan and Towne buildings as well as Hayden Hall. Some say the costs will go beyond the money spent on physical construction and labor. The History and Sociology of Science department has opposed the plan since the beginning because of the historical significance of Smith Hall and its place among the other buildings on Smith Walk. According to History and Sociology of Science Chairperson Charles Rosenberg, Smith Hall is the first hygienic/public health laboratory in the United States and, as a result, has several "architectural peculiarities." "There wasn't much of the University left that had any coherent character representing the late 19th century," he said. Smith Hall "has integrity and attractiveness so ripping it out and building a new wing for the Chemistry department is not the solution." Rosenberg added that he does not object to the idea of building the IAST -- just the chosen location. Two years ago, his department was housed in Smith Hall. It is now located at 3440 Market Street. And Rosenberg said the department was not consulted about the project, although he added that he did not know how much of a voice faculty have or should have in capital planning decisions in general. But Gravina said the EIS is a lengthy, complete study indicating that Smith Hall is the appropriate location for the IAST. "Too many projects have gone on without much public participation and consideration for impact," he said. "Those that object to the Record of Decision cannot object to the process that was followed." The Record of Decision will be issued on April 24 at the earliest.
(03/30/95 10:00am)
There was an atmosphere of healing and understanding Tuesday night at Kings' Court/English House as 35 students attended a lecture in which Mubasher Ahmad, Islamic spiritual leader of the Southeastern United States, spoke about the rapid growth of Islam in this country and misconceptions of the religion. Ahmad began his speech by referring to recent articles in The Reader's Digest and The Washington Post that suggested the religion of Islam is synonymous with war, violence and terrorism. He pointed out that terrorism and violence are universal and that criminals exist in every religion. "We must be careful not to connect these things solely to the religion of Islam," he said. "Like other religions, we teach love and peace." Ahmad continued to address misunderstandings concerning Islam after his speech by answering questions from the audience. Many students seemed interested in the differences between Islam and Christianity, the divisions within the Islamic religion and the role of women in Islam. Ahmad asserted that Christianity and Islam differ only in minor ways. He explained that women are considered to be of equal status as far as spiritual standing and importance, which seemed to pleasantly surprise his audience. "I learned so much. This was very informative," Engineering and College junior Jinsu Kim said. "I felt it cleared up many misconceptions I had concerning Islam." Beth Mersten, a 1994 University graduate, echoed his sentiment, adding that she was interested in Islam before the lecture and found Ahmad very informative and knowledgeable. "I especially enjoyed his use of my favorite Islamic quote which states that paradise is found under the feet of one's mother," she said. Ahmad's son, College junior Mazher Ahmad, who both organized the forum and introduced his father to the audience, said that he was pleased with the turnout for the event. "I hoped to stimulate discussion about misconceptions concerning race and religion," Mazher Ahmad said. "I feel that problems such as racism can be better solved in this community through deeper understanding and spirituality."
(03/30/95 10:00am)
Under the assumed name of "Ron Fury," Yaron Savory spent nine months moving through the underworld of neo-Nazi Germany, once watching men masturbate as they watched a movie about an 8-year-old being raped. Savory then told the audience of about 200 in Houston Hall's Bodek Lounge Tuesday about the elite "Pickle Jar Brigade" -- so named for its members who would put the penises and noses of men they had killed in pickle jars. To be in this group, the Nazis would also train and fight in Yugoslavia to "get a taste of blood," Savory said. And, according to Savory, it was considered a great honor to be a member of the Pickle Jar Brigade. He said that he began his investigation posing as an Australian reporter who was looking to write a story about neo-Nazis that would place them in a positive light. And Savory said he discovered that the head of neo-Nazi Germany, Willis Carto, resides in Orange County, California. "All through Europe, Nazi nut-cases are gaining political power," Savory said. "Neo-nazis are not Germany's problem. Skinheads are a manifestation of a much bigger problem." He added that there are over 2,000 neo-Nazi groups in the U.S. And although Savory told the world about his findings over a year ago, "not one neo-Nazi has gone to jail." College freshman Nick Saidel appeared disturbed after Savory's presentation, calling him a "powerful speaker". Saidel said he is from a "Jewish neighborhood," but actually went to a high school with neo-Nazis. He said that they "didn't [mess] with me," however. Saidel also said that he felt that neo-Nazism was on the rise in America, and that it "feeds upon fears and appeals to weak minds."
(03/30/95 10:00am)
The Black Student League violated the University's Guidelines on Open Expression when it barred two Daily Pennsylvanian staff members from attending a BSL forum February 23, the Committee on Open Expression stated in an advisory opinion Tuesday. The Committee decided that the BSL forum -- which featured a Rutgers University Black Student Union representative speaking on the racial controversy at Rutgers -- was an "event" and not a closed "meeting," and that the BSL erred in excluding the DP staff members from the forum. "[The Committee] concluded that any gathering where sponsors presented it to the entire Penn community, as we read the leaflet concerning the BSL's meeting to have done, is considered an event, which is public, and therefore the DP staff members had a right to attend," Committee Chairperson Larry Gross wrote in a letter to DP Executive Editor Charles Ornstein. After DP staff members were initially barred from the forum, Assistant Vice Provost for University Life Barbara Cassell was contacted about a possible violation of the guidelines. Then, during the forum, Cassell spoke with Terri White, BSL advisor and director of Academic Support Programs, a University-designated Open Expression monitor. But by the time Cassell spoke with White, who then warned BSL president Robyn Kent of the possible violation, the forum had already ended. Ornstein requested an advisory opinion last month from the Committee and received Gross's letter Tuesday. Kent, a College senior, disagreed with the ruling, saying the "forum" was in fact a "meeting." "It was a general meeting that we have once a month on Thursdays at that time," she said. Kent added that after the forum, she spoke to an administrator and several Open Expression monitors, who told her the leaflets "prove it was a meeting and not an event." Kent also said the function was not a forum because the "discussion" with the Rutgers BSU representative was only part of the "general meeting." Ornstein, on the other hand, said the decision was appropriate. "We have maintained that the function was open to the University community, including the press," Ornstein said. He added that he hopes the Committee's decision "sets a precedent" for advertising and admission to future events. Ornstein also said the DP and the BSL are working together to assure that such incidents do not occur in the future.
(03/30/95 10:00am)
Eleven NEC violations alleged Illegal campaigning tactics may have doomed constitutional reform at the University -- regardless of the outcome of the past two days' voting. The Nominations and Elections Committee will rule on eight violations of the NEC's Fair Practices Code for Referenda at a hearing tonight -- and if any one of them is upheld, both constitutional reform proposals on the ballot will be considered invalid. Three violations of the NEC's FPC for Undergraduate Assembly elections were also filed with the NEC yesterday. According to Roy Fu, the NEC chair of elections and a College senior, the FPC for Referenda violations could invalidate both of the "A" referenda, which deal with constitutional reform of the University's student government. "We are trying to determine if [the violations] created bias during the election, not guilt," he said. "Most of these charges actually happened." Four of the eight charges were filed against supporters or authors of the A1 constitution, which would completely overturn the current structure of student government if passed. All four of the A1 charges were for campaigning within 75 feet of a polling place. Two charges were filed against supporters of A2. One was for campaigning within 75 feet of a polling place, and one was for removing posters put up by A1 supporters. UA chairperson and Wharton junior Dan Debicella was cited for campaigning within 75 feet of a polling place. Ironically, rather than advocating a specific proposal, Debicella's "campaign" consisted of simply telling students not to vote, Fu said. Engineering and Wharton senior Matt Kratter, former Student Committee on Undergraduate Education chairperson, was cited for illegal campaigning as well, Fu added. If any of these charges is found to have biased voters, neither A1 nor A2 can be considered valid, and the election will be thrown out. The FPC for Referenda specifies that any invalidated referendum cannot be voted upon again for 12 months. UA member and College senior Dan Schorr, the co-author of proposal A1, said he was worried that the charges might nullify the election. "For the first time in 23 years, students got to decide whether they wanted a new student government," he said. "It would be a travesty if they never got to voice their opinion." Several of the charges were filed with the NEC by College junior Michael Hartman. But Hartman refused to comment on the charges last night. According to Fu, the three charges filed against UA candidates could, if upheld by the NEC, eliminate the candidates from the race. College freshman Kathryn Assadi and Wharton junior Gil Beverly failed to turn in their campaign spending forms by the NEC deadline, Fu said. And College freshman Steve Schorr, a Daily Pennsylvanian sports writer, was charged with destroying another candidate's posters.
(03/30/95 10:00am)
Nails were placed under the tires of a University employee shuttle bus at the 69th Street Terminal yesterday, according to University Police Commissioner John Kuprevich. But aside from the nails, -- which were removed without damaging the bus -- the University's efforts to provide transportation to its employees in light of a Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority strike have gone rather smoothly. The SEPTA strike, which began Tuesday after last-ditch negotiations between SEPTA and Transport Workers Union Local 234 fell apart, has shut down all city bus, trolley and subway service, forcing 300,000 riders to find alternate methods of transportation. In response, the University began running shuttle buses to 30th Street Station, the 69th Street terminal, and the 16th and Locust streets transportation hub, none of which are affected by the strike. University spokesperson Barbara Beck, whose normal drive to campus takes about 20 minutes, said it took her 40 minutes to get to work yesterday. Beck added that many of the drivers appeared to be in "bad moods" because of the traffic congestion. As far as University employees are concerned, Beck said most are finding alternate ways to get to work. "For the most part, Penn employees are doing everything they possibly can to get to work and to get to work on time," Beck said. Beck added that the shuttle system is working efficiently, except that the buses are extremely crowded. Economics Professor Arleigh Hess agreed with Beck, also saying that his daily trip from New Jersey to the University took him twice as long as it normally does. He added that the strike has been an inconvenience, causing him to cancel his Friday morning office hours for fear of not being able to be get to the University on time. Hess said he rides a New Jersey Transit train from southern New Jersey to 30th Street Station, and then walks to campus. "It was a long walk from 30th Street Station," Hess said. "I'm annoyed that it happened. I hope it ends in a hurry." Some local business have also been affected by the strike. Employees at The Shops at Penn food court said several co-workers did not show up, or were late for their shifts because of the strike. Yesterday afternoon, a queue formed in front of Houston Hall at about 4:30 p.m. as people waited for the shuttle buses to arrive. But shortly after, a school bus pulled up to take the stranded employees and students to 16th and Locust streets. "It's really nice that they do this," said Vicki Noble, an employee of the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. "It would be nice if it came more often." Irene Katsumoto, a first-year Graduate School of Education student and HUP employee, said she travels in from New Jersey, and the strike did not effect her. "It was great," Katsumoto said. "Actually, I'm saving money because I don't have to pay for SEPTA tokens."
(03/30/95 10:00am)
Dressed in a navy blue and fluorescent green Penn Walk vest, University Police Officer Paul Misner told 16 new Campus Safety Cadets, "look how good I look." The CSC trainees gathered at the Newman Center Tuesday to train for the new Penn Walk program -- a modified version of the current Walking Escort service -- that will take effect this week. In the past year, Penn Walk performed more than 1,500 walking escorts. And, according to Misner, the program is currently in the process of expanding in order to improve service to students. Director of Victim Support and Special Services Maureen Rush stated that the goal of the expansion is to "make the program more efficient." She added that she would like to increase the numbers of students who use Penn Walk, making the campus safer and "deterring illegal activity." In addition, the CSCs will be another set of "eyes and ears" on campus, joining Allied Security and Penn Watch in assisting University Police. On most nights, four walking teams will be dispatched, and they will be in direct radio contact with University Police. There will also be changes made in the way the escorts are dispatched. Calls for escorts will now be answered directly by Victim Support. By eliminating the "middleman," Misner said, response time should be improved to about ten minutes. Penn Walk customers will also be contacted periodically to evaluate the service. And monitors will periodically perform walk-alongs with the CSCs. In terms of the personal danger CSCs might encounter, Misner stated that, "nobody has been a victim yet." He also added that nights on which there is an increase of criminal activity, such as Penn Relays weekend, he will walk with the escorts to ensure their security. Wharton junior Beverly Ross is not worried about her own safety, however. "I'm a fairly safe person," she said, "and if worst comes to worst, I'll scream." She added that she thinks most people will use Escort vans unless they are going a short distance. "I don't think I'll be in a situation where I have to be worried," she said. Stanley Cantave, an Engineering sophomore, agreed, and said that the job "doesn't appear to be unsafe." The new CSCs went through an application process and are people Rush believes capable of "providing safe and efficient service." Penn Walk covers the area bound by Spruce and Pine streets and 34th and 40th streets. Penn Walk is on call from 6 p.m. until 3 a.m. seven days a week, and Rush encourages students to call 898-WALK to request a walking escort.
(03/29/95 10:00am)
An Allied Security guard assigned to a walking patrol of central campus was found sleep-walking on Locust Walk early yesterday morning, according to University Police Commissioner John Kuprevich. "This is not the level of service we expect," he said. "It was one thing when they quit early and refused to walk in the rain, but this is totally unacceptable." The Daily Pennsylvanian was tipped off to the report by University Police Corporal Ken Rafter, a regular DP source who wished to remain anonymous. Rafter forwarded copies of confidential electronic mail from Kuprevich's personal computer. It is unclear if the incident will call into question Allied's contract with Residential Living. The sleep-walking guard accidentally bumped into Residential Living Director Gigi Simeone with his outstretched arms, according to the Police report, which was later deleted. When contacted, Simeone said she would not comment about Allied. She also said that she would not comment on other issues, including: all the fires that have occurred in the basement of the Quadrangle from highly flammable dryer lint, the flood in the Quad caused by a failure to clear the clogged pipes and the white-card system where students only get service if they are the children of members of the University's Board of Trustees and the Residential Maintenance workers who play cards all day. But in several high-level private e-mail correspondences between Simeone and Kuprevich, Simeone said that "we just need to fire Allied. "The service provided doesn't compare to that of our internal workers," she said. "The Res. Living day workers have been cited for only 100 violations this year, I hear Allied may have had more." Assistant Dean in Residence Jane Rogers said that she does not care if Residential Living keeps Allied or goes back to McGinn Security Services. "Listen, we're only here to keep these freshman animals from destroying the place," she said. "Programming, educational environment -- that stuff's a joke." Rogers is the dean of the Butcher-Speakman/Class of '28 section of the Quad, which has had the most security breaches this year. BS-'28 is also the area with the concrete floors and nasty green tiling that looks like a psycho ward. Allied site facilitator Bernard Urquhart declined to comment. Staff Writers Mark Watson and Andrew Downing contributed to this story.
(03/29/95 10:00am)
The Nursing School may be disbanded on July 1, 1996, if a proposal authored by Provost Stanley Chodorow and Admissions Dean Lee Stetson is approved by the University Board of Trustees at an "emergency" meeting tonight. In an effort to "streamline the University," Chodorow and Stetson have proposed that all funds allocated to the running of the Nursing School be transferred to the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences. And Trustees Chairperson Roy Vagelos said he does not expect the proposal to be contested at tonight's meeting. "It's a matter of priorities," Chodorow said of the plan. "Of course, I respect the leadership and brilliance of our Nursing faculty. But the Engineering School is nationally renowned -- truly up-and-coming. "You can say many fine things about the Nursing School, but you can't say that," he added. According to the plan, Nursing professors and administrators would be relocated to Drexel University, where a "Professional Nursing Center" would be constructed. Nursing graduates and undergraduates would be given the option of transferring to the Professional Nursing Center or to the Community College of Philadelphia -- at which a "highly acclaimed" nursing and medical assistants program exists, Chodorow said. If the plan is approved -- as Chodorow expects it will be -- Nursing courses would be offered for the last time at the University during the spring 1996 semester, he added. Nursing Dean Mary Naylor refused to comment last night. But Nursing Dean Emerita Claire Fagin said she is "crushed and flabbergasted" by Chodorow's proposal. Chodorow said he and Stetson began planning to close the school when they discovered that there was a 25 percent decrease in applications to the Nursing School this year, while there was a five percent increase in the number of high school seniors applying to the Engineering School. "This may seem a bit drastic, but it's necessary," Stetson said last night. "We are an excellent University, and we should strive towards even more excellence. Excellent excellence, if you will. And the Nursing School was more in the 'slightly excellent' category." University President Judith Rodin described the proposal as "necessary and enchanting." She said she saw the plan as a means to improve the surrounding University City community. "With the relocation of our fine Nursing School, we are spreading a little bit of ourselves to the intellectually-needy academic environment at Drexel," she said. "It is a strengthening of the University of Pennsylvania, and a gift to our less-privileged neighboring college." But many Nursing students are outraged by possibility of being uprooted from the school they have come to think of as their home. "Oh, please say you're joking!" Nursing sophomore Kathleen Vaccine shrieked to this Daily Pennsylvanian reporter when informed of the plan. "This has to be the joke issue." But, sadly, Vaccine was wrong. And the Nursing Undergraduate Advisory Board is planning a candlelight vigil on College Green at 8 p.m. tomorrow night to protest what UAB members see as "a proposed Holocaust of health-care workers." "This is nothing short of blatant sexism, racism and homophobia from a group of straight white males," UAB member and Nursing junior Therma Mometer said. "I'm so sad, I may just blow up College Hall." But Engineering Dean Gregory Farrington said the plan is "just what we need to succeed." "It's a shame that it's come down to an us-against-them type of mentality [between the Engineering School and the Nursing School]," he said. "But the tension has always been there, albeit subtly, and I'm really glad that those damn nurses will soon be gone. It's about time."
(03/29/95 10:00am)
Following in the footsteps of Sen. Arlen Specter (R-Pa.), who recently entered the 1996 presidential race, University President Judith Rodin yesterday announced plans to mount a Senate campaign of her own. She said she is "toying with the idea" of seeking Specter's seat, adding that she expects to continue in her various capacities as president of the University during the upcoming race. "I didn't have enough to do on campus," Rodin said, explaining that in seven months on the job, she has already implemented administrative restructuring, developed a master safety plan, started planning for the Perelman Quadrangle and made all the major appointments in the President's Office. "I was ready for a new challenge, and besides, Washington is so much more exciting than West Philadelphia," she added. Rodin also said she will delegate key day-to-day responsibilities to Provost Stanley Chodorow in anticipation of having to spend more time away from campus than she currently does. "I relish the challenges of my job," Chodorow said when asked about Rodin's decision to drop her hat into the ring. "Taking on these additional duties just puts me more in control of students' lives, since they don't know what's good for themselves anyway." Rodin's political ambitions have been a subject of speculation since she arrived at the University last summer. Her decision to participate in the contest for membership in the nation's "most elite club," as the Senate is often characterized, has generated mixed feelings on campus. Assistant Vice President for Policy Planning and Federal Relations David Morse -- who spends at least one day each week on Capitol Hill with Pennsylvania's Congressional delegation -- said he is enthusiastic about Rodin's plans. "Having Dr. Rodin in the delegation would be fantastic for Penn," Morse said. "With federal funding for higher education in jeopardy because of the Republicans' eagerness to cut spending, another Democrat -- who is also an academic -- would be wonderful to have on the Hill." Board of Trustees Chairperson Roy Vagelos, however, said he strongly disagreed with Rodin's entry into the political arena. "It took a year-long search just to find her and bring her here, and we pay her to spend time on campus," Vagelos said. "Why she has chosen to do this after such a short time at Penn I'll never know." Vagelos added that because Rodin's senatorial run may present a conflict of interest, the Board will consider a resolution on the situation during its June meetings. Rodin said she looks forward to hobnobbing with President Bill Clinton and First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton. She said she would also like to introduce First Daughter Chelsea Clinton to her son, Alex Neijelow. Neijelow, however, had other plans. "Ewwww," he said when asked if he was interested in dating Chelsea Clinton. "I'd rather kiss Socks."
(03/29/95 10:00am)
University and Philadelphia Police officers arrested Ulysses Lancellotti, owner of College Pizza, yesterday on charges of arson, unlawful endangerment and criminal conspiracy for setting the fire which destroyed the Convenient Food Store at 39th and Walnut streets. The arrest is the culmination of an investigation by Southwest Detectives and University Police. According to University Police Commissioner John Kuprevich, detectives discovered that Lancellotti is associated with the South Philadelphia Mafia -- Il Gallo Nero. Kuprevich said yesterday that several University Police officers had been "tipped off by an un-named, donut-loving Italian student" that Lancellotti may be working for a Mafia boss in South Philadelphia. Philadelphia Police would not confirm the allegation. "We have no indication at this time that Mr. Lancellotti is connected to the Mafia," said Philadelphia Police Detective Tom Telmer, who wished to speak on the condition of anonymity. But Kuprevich said he is certain about Lancellotti's true profession. "It's 100 percent true," said Kuprevich, who added that 90 percent of campus crime is unattended property theft. Kuprevich said that Philadelphia Police Detectives had been staking out the store for "about three months." Kuprevich also indicated that the fire was set as a "warning to all neighboring businesses to pay their respective 'protection fees.' " But Mega Video owner Orest Hrabowy denied any knowledge about the so-called "fees." "I don't know if Ulysses is in the Mafia or not," said Hrabowy. "Further, I have no fucking idea what 'protection fees' are either." Baskin Robbins owner Eric Yates also denied paying any money to Lancellotti, but said he has always been skeptical of College Pizza. "I doubt he's connected [to the Mafia] but I'm damn glad they got the no-good Paisan," Yates said. "He always seemed suspicious to me. "That little smirk he always carries had to be hiding something," Yates added. "There was always this guy name 'Elbows' hanging around after hours." Student reaction was mixed, but all seemed to agree on the most important issue: food quality. "Mafia, schmafia," Engineering senior Scott Goldman said. "Those Italians sure make good pizza." College senior Jeremy Chiappetta -- who won his high school's pizza eating contest for two years in a row -- agreed. "I love College Pizza," he said. "If I am going to eat two or three pizzas, I call College, because they are the least greasy." But College junior Joe Parisi disagreed. "Of course he's guilty," said Parisi. "But the Guinea knows his pizza!" And University Police dispatcher Suzanne Paul, who is rumored to have had an affair with Lancellotti, said she thought it was true. "When we were together, he often had me make deliveries to weird addresses," she said. "And I'm not talking pizza." Lancellotti is expected to be arraigned tomorrow on three counts of arson and could face 15-20 years in prison, in addition to some other unpleasant stuff. "It's going to suck for him," Victim Support and Special Services Director Maureen Rush said. "He's screwed."
(03/29/95 10:00am)
The "Mad Shitter" will not shit anymore. Instead, she will be kept on a very tight leash. Last night, Assistant Dean in Residence Diane Koros confirmed that a residential advisor apprehended the Mad Shitter in the third-floor female bathroom in Warwick in the Quadrangle. When College junior and Quad Residential Advisor Christopher Robbins walked into the bathroom, University President Judith Rodin's family dog, Butterfinger, was sitting happily next to a pile of feces in one of the shower stalls, wagging her tail. "I didn't know it was the president's dog," said Robbins, who caught the perpetrator red-pawed. "I wasn't really sure what it was -- or what it was doing." This capture comes after months of incidents involving piled and smeared feces on the floors and walls of female bathrooms in the Community House section of the Quad. Robbins said a female student on his hallway came to him last night, saying that she smelled the feces. Calling him "you big strong man, you," the woman begged Robbins to take a look. "My experiences with The Red and Blue have taught me I have to face challenges head on," he said, adding that he wondered why Butterfinger had escaped from Eisenlohr -- the president's traditional home. "Judy can't even control her dog -- how can she control the University?" he asked. Rodin's son, Alex Neijelow, said he had been unable to keep Butterfinger on the property of Eisenlohr because the dog is so big. But Rodin said the absence of a house manager at Eisenlohr has wreaked havoc in her home since there is no one to care for her dog or children.
(03/29/95 10:00am)
The Class of 1999 is going to be noticeably different from any other freshman class, as a result of strict orders from Admissions Dean Lee Stetson. In a multi-paged memo obtained by the Daily Pennsylvanian from a source in College Hall, Stetson ordered his admissions officers to avoid accepting too many students from specified geographic regions. On the top of his list of specified states were New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. "These states are over-represented at this University," he said in the memo. "So please avoid accepting too many applicants from these regions, no matter how qualified they are." Stetson would not comment on the record about this last night. However, off the record he admitted he sent the memo. "Yeah, I sent it," he said. "There are just too many people here from Long Island. I can't take it any more. Everywhere I go I hear that annoying accent. Tawk, cawfee -- it's enough to drive a person batty. "Then, a few months ago, I realized I could do something about it. I was sitting in my office naked staring into space when it suddenly occurred to me. I said to myself, 'wait a minute Lee, you big stud -- that's what I like to call myself when I am alone -- you're the one who let these people in -- you can control this situation!' "So I decided to tell my officers to try and take more students from nice states - like Iowa for example," he added. "People from Iowa are nice. They like cows, I like cows-- we'll get along just fine." But Syosset High School senior and University applicant Rachel Cohen-Schwartzenbaumowitz said she was "like totally totally shocked." "Like, oh my gawd," she said. "I'm all vechlempt. I am going to tell daddy."
(03/29/95 10:00am)
To protest the fact that March is not also Black History Month, Vanessa Washington decided to picket an event sponsored by the new campus group White Women For Racism. But when the Wharton sophomore arrived at the group's meeting place in Houston Hall, she was shocked to be welcomed with open arms. Washington is now planning to file a grievance with the Office of Affirmative Action against the Women's Center, which sponsors WWFR. When Washington started marching outside of the meeting, Women's Center Director Elena DiLapi, the program facilitator, invited her inside. "Because of the structure and the purpose of your protest, it would not be appropriate for you to picket at this time," DiLapi told Washington. She then offered Washington some tea and scones. Washington and DiLapi started to discuss the issue when Nyota Singali, another African-American picketing the meeting, joined the discussion. She too was offered tea and scones. The group continued to foist pastry onto the two African-American women until Washington left in tears. Washington said she felt hurt, confused and discriminated against. "The reason I went to that meeting was to protest WWFR." she said, "They were so nice that they wouldn't let me do that. I don't expect to come here and be treated like that -- especially in a forum that says it is definitely racist." DiLapi, however, said that just because the group was created for white women, it is not inappropriate to be hospitable to individuals of other races. "Before we can enter into a dialogue laden with hate-mongering and stereotypes, we have to examine the outsiders first," she said. "We believe that racism should be informed, and we have a responsibility to get to know non-white women before we persecute them." Singali was both disgusted and confused by the group's policy. "How can they say they're racist towards Africans and then behave so politely to these same Africans?" she asked. "Here's this white women's organization against tolerance, practicing tolerance."
(03/29/95 10:00am)
After the first day of voting on several referenda on reforming student government at the University, three new constitutional proposals have been submitted to the Nominations and Elections Committee, NEC Chairperson Rick Gresh, a College senior, announced last night. The proposals will be placed on the ballot for today's voting. Any student who has already voted will be able to change their vote if they return to a polling place and indicate their desire to do so, Gresh said. Gresh said the proposals were turned in late yesterday afternoon to the NEC office in Houston Hall. College junior Charles Ornstein, executive editor of The Daily Pennsylvanian, is the author of one proposal, according to Gresh. University President Judith Rodin wrote the second, and The Red and Blue Editor-in-Chief Christopher Robbins, a College junior, wrote the third. Ornstein's proposal would abolish the Undergraduate Assembly and all other branches of student government. Instead, the DP would be responsible for student advocacy and funding of student groups. "We already speak for the entire University every day with our editorials," he said. "This way, we'll eliminate the confusing pretense that student government actually represents students." He added that the DP's editorial board has much better ideas for procedures to fund student activities, nominations for University committees and general student advocacy than anyone in student government. "What does [College junior, former Student Activities Council Finance Committee member, current Junior Class Board Vice-President for Corporate Sponsorship and DP columnist Mike] Nadel know about the University that anyone on the editorial board doesn't?" Ornstein asked. Rodin's plan would not dissolve the UA, but would remove all power from it. Under the Rodin proposal, the UA would be a "discussion group" responsible only for talking about issues. "Really, there's no need for the UA to be considered a student advocacy group," she said. "No one in my office pays them any attention. Did you read that Project 2000 thing? I didn't. Under my plan, they wouldn't even be able to issue such a waste of paper." The Rodin proposal, if adopted, would completely abolish the Student Committee on Undergraduate Education. Rodin said SCUE, like the UA, was little more than "a nuisance," and that if it was abolished, the administration could be much more productive. "If we didn't have to worry about all these silly student government organizations all the time, we could get a lot more done," she said. "SCUE has gotten better since that [former SCUE chairperson and Engineering and Wharton senior Matt] Kratter kid left, but it's still pretty annoying." Robbins' proposal would leave most of the current system intact, with one major exception. The Student Activities Council would be completely abolished, current members of its Finance and Steering committees would be expelled from school, and Finance Committee Chairperson and College sophomore David Shapiro and Steering Committee Chairperson and Wharton senior Richard Chow would be summarily executed. "SAC sucks," Robbins said. "It can't do anything right. Why bother keeping it around?" But Chow urged students not to vote for the Robbins plan today. "I don't want to die," he said. "Please do not vote for this plan."
(03/29/95 10:00am)
High rises will be closed for repairs during summer, fall University officials are expected to announce today that certain floors of the high rises will be closed this summer and next fall to allow for the removal of large quantities of asbestos from the dormitories, a source in Residential Living said yesterday. Residential Living Director Gigi Simeone confirmed that students will be relocated to the Graduate Towers, Stouffer College House, Van Pelt College House, Low Rise North and Hamilton Court in order to "accommodate the correction of on-going and serious maintenance concerns." Simeone refused to comment on reports that asbestos had recently been discovered in the high rises. But according to documents obtained by The Daily Pennsylvanian, including correspondence between Residential Maintenance officials and city inspectors, "several metric tons" of the carcinogenic fire retardant were found in the walls of High Rise East and High Rise South earlier this month by city inspectors checking the University's fire-stopping procedures. Bennet Levin, head of the city's licenses and inspections department, confirmed yesterday that his crews had found asbestos in the buildings during a routine inspection procedure. Levin said the material must be removed in order to bring the buildings up to code, but he added that he does not believe the asbestos -- which has been shown to cause lung cancer -- poses a threat to students living in the high rises. "In the walls it's not really dangerous," Levin said of the asbestos. "It's just extremely bad if it's in a dust form, like where there might have been drilling between floors." According to one of the documents, such drilling recently occurred when Residential Maintenance wired all high rise rooms for Resnet. "We found the asbestos in a fine, powdery form all over those storage lockers up there," said one city inspector who checked the building but wished to remain nameless because he feared for his job. The worker, who said he developed a hacking cough shortly after making the inspection tour of the high rises, has missed several days of work recently and said he is considering suing the University. "You really shouldn't be on those floors without proper protective suits and masks," he said. Residential Living forced students to clean out several lockers in High Rise East and High Rise South earlier this week. Levin said yesterday that all students who came into contact with the lockers should be tested immediately for asbestos exposure and that any luggage removed from the storage lockers should be burned. At the time the students were originally asked to clean out the lockers, Mike Palladino, the director of network installations, planning and video for Data Communications and Computing Services, said the action was taken because city inspectors had found problems with "the University fire-stopping techniques." "Well, I didn't exactly lie," Palladino said. "I just didn't want anyone to panic." Palladino admitted that he had been aware of the asbestos problem for several years, but was instructed by officials in the University's Office of Risk Management not to tell anyone. "He paid me a lot of money not to talk," Palladino said referring to $300,000 cash settlement Assistant Director of Risk Management Ronald Jasner paid him. Jasner, who said he would match or better the amount he gave to Palladino if I didn't quote him, said students should have known the asbestos was there. "This is being blown way out of proportion," he said as he hastily packed a bag in his office yesterday, a ticket to Acapulco in his hand.
(03/28/95 10:00am)
Pennsylvania owners of cats, dogs, horses and cows breathed a collective sigh of relief when the state appropriated funds for the University's Veterinary School of Medicine for the first time in three years. In its 1994-95 fiscal budget, the state appropriated $14 million for the Vet School. The infusion of state funds into the school's budget puts it on stable ground financially, allowing the Vet School to continue to do what it is famous for: conducting research on global agricultural issues and marine biology -- and of course, providing animal health care services to many local pet owners. "We are hoping that the problems we had are behind us," Vet School Dean Alan Kelly said. In 1992, former Governor Robert Casey decided not to fund the Vet School which had received close to $15 million during the 1991-92 fiscal year. This state funding is crucial to the school -- as it makes up 40 percent of their annual budget. And the school is in the unique position of being one of only three veterinary schools in the nation that does not receive 100 percent of its funds from the state. At one point during the three-year-long financial crisis, former University President Sheldon Hackney said that without state aid, plans were being made to eventually close the Vet School. During this period of financial instability, the University provided the Vet School with loans to cover expenses that would usually be funded by state money. Now, even with the return of state money, the school is still unable to cover operating costs through tuition, the funding received by the state and research and endowment monies and . In order to keep the school viable, the University continues to grant loans to it, according to Associate Dean Charles Newton. He added, though, that the Vet School has tightened its budget. "We hope with more successful negotiations with the Commonwealth we can get to a point where the University doesn't have to be responsible for any direct financial support," Newton said, adding that the ideal state grant would be $18 to $20 million. The change in the Vet School budget is accompanied by a change in the title of the man who helped lead the school through its financial crisis. When Kelly, who was officially named Vet School dean this fall, first accepted the position of acting dean in 1994, the Vet School was already operating with a deficit. "I certainly wondered what my future would be," said Kelly, a Vet School professor and alumnus, who replaced former Dean Edwin Andrews. The faculty is thrilled to have one of "their own" as the new dean, said Newton. "He is one of the top muscle researchers in the country," first year Vet student Anson Tsugawa said. "I'm sure with his experience at Penn, he'll be able to do the job." Kelly's primary goal as dean is to make veterinary education more affordable. There are two tuition rates -- one for state residents and one for non-state residents. Next year attending the Vet School will cost $20,268 for in-state matriculants and $24,102 for out-of-state students. "If he can lower the tuition that would be great," third-year Vet student Margaret Mullin said. "Right now, I have loans out for the tuition but the hard part financially will be when I have to go out and get a job to make the payments." The average starting salary of a veterinarian is $31,000, which is not sufficient to cover the large loans students have, Kelly said. "You have students going out with a lot of debt," he said. "It's not a level playing field in terms of the financial burden." The University is helping Kelly reduce tuition; for the first time ever, the University administration has allowed the Vet School to request $2 million in state funding expressly for the purpose of financial aid for its students. Currently, close to $200,000 is given to students as scholarship money, and about $900,000 is available in the form of loans. The Vet School is also launching a campaign to enlarge alumni donations that would increase the amount of available financial aid, according to Vet School spokesperson Helma Weeks. Andrews was able to increase the Vet School's endowment for student scholarships to $3 million, she added. Although the Vet School is now on stable financial ground, it is not looking to expand the student body from its current population of 450 students. But, the number of applications has increased from 625 to 750 this year for a freshman class that usually contains a little more than 100 students. "The applicant numbers are growing dramatically, so fortunately there's no long term affect of what went on three years ago," Newton said. Tsugawa said that the Vet School's financial problems did not deter him from applying. "I never thought that they'd let the school close down," he said. Although it was on the verge of closing, the overall quality of the academic programs were not affected by the loss of state funding, Newton said. And now that its financial situation is stable, the curriculum is expanding at the school which -- founded in 1884 -- is the second oldest in the country. The Vet School is currently initiating a program that gives students a choice of five majors their senior year. Students will be able to major in Small Animals, Small Animals/Large Animals, Large Animals, Equine, and Food Animals, which includes dairy and poultry animals. During their clinical training, students have the opportunity to conduct research and handle caseloads of patients. The New Bolton Center, located in Kennett Square, treats large animals such as horses, cows and sheep. During foaling season, owners can take their horses to stay at New Bolton's stable -- enabling the horses to receive immediate medical attention if necessary while foaling. "The people that I'm working with there are tops in their fields," Mullin said. "The caseload they get there is tremendous." Vet School Professor James Ferguson is currently researching the impact of the dairy farm on its surrounding environment at New Bolton. "Our aim is to build integrated models that utilize information on soil, agronomy, water and feeding efficiency, so that a program can be tailored to the individual farm," he said. Researchers have developed a cost-efficient feeding program that reduces protein while increasing milk production and decreasing nitrate output in the cow's manure. The New Bolton Center is also beginning construction on a 150-cow dairy. Construction should be completed in a year, allowing Vet School students more opportunities to work with cows. In addition, the Vet School creating a new center concentrating on the research and treatment of tumors in small animals. "It's an enormous opportunity for us to learn more about cancer in animals," said Kelly. The Mari Lowe Center for Comparative Oncology will be the first fully-endowed center at the Vet School with a gift of $4 million from the estate of Elizabeth Lowe. The facility will greatly improve the ability of veterinary oncologist to treat a variety of tumors in animals. A high-energy linear accelerator and a low-energy orthovoltage radiation therapy unit will be an important component of the Mari Lowe Center. The Vet School hopes to create more endowed centers in areas such as equine sports medicine, environmental medicine and infectious diseases, according to an article in the Vet School magazine, Bellwether. The addition of the Lowe Center demonstrates the Vet School's commitment to animal health research. The Vet School is second only to the University's Medical School in terms of the number of papers it published in scientific magazines, according to Kelly. "We're an unusual medical school committed to our faculty and students," said Kelly. With renewed state funding, the 110-year-old Vet School can continue its ground breaking research and health care services for another 100 years.
(03/28/95 10:00am)
From a wireless camera to an "electronic mouse," Engineering students gave onlookers a glimpse into the future at the first-ever "Engineering Expo" yesterday. The showcase was held in Houston Hall's Bodek Lounge and was sectioned into ten booths representative of the various majors and academic societies within the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences. According to Engineering Student Activities Council President Vicky Choy, an Engineering junior, the idea behind the exposition was "to educate the Penn community about engineering, and serve as a place for students interested in engineering to find out about each of the majors." One group of participants represented Penn Toys, a student organization which designs toys and therapeutic devices for children afflicted with cerebral palsy. The individual toys are tailored to meet the physical needs of these children, who have impaired motor skills and often cannot even unclench their fists. The finished projects are donated to the Children's Seashore House of the Children's Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. According to John Kung, an Engineering senior, Penn Toys has been featured on CNN, "CBS This Morning", and in the Ladies' Home Journal. Engineering senior Shanti Venkata, also a bioengineering major, commented that the toys "keep in mind the kids." One exhibit focused on the "Penn Submersible Imaging Vehicle Project," which involves the design of a cordless, underwater camera for use in the New Jersey State Aquarium. Other exhibits included a computerized "mouse" which could find an optimal path through a unique maze, a computer chip pingpong game, and 16-foot suspension bridge constructed from building blocks. According to Society of Women Engineers member Nicole Miller, an Engineering freshman, "engineering is making its own in business and pre-law -- law schools are looking for cognitive thinking."
(03/28/95 10:00am)
One of the two University students questioned by police in connection with the alleged harassment of two Jewish students at gunpoint early Friday morning has been placed on an involuntary leave of absence by the Vice Provost for University Life, University spokesperson Barbara Beck said last night. "There is a continuing investigation of the circumstances under way," she added. "Disciplinary action will be taken and additional action is pending, when the investigation is complete." University Police Commissioner John Kuprevich said police are still engaged in the fact-finding process, adding that he does not know when they will be finished. While no charges have been filed in this case, a second man charged with racial intimidation in an earlier case of harassment turned himself in to Philadelphia Police yesterday, Sergeant Charles McMullin said. Victor Vencus was arrested for allegedly harassing two South Asian University students outside their Hamilton Court apartment complex early last Thursday morning. Unlike the other suspect in the case -- Drexel University student Gregory Rosenbaum -- Vencus is not affiliated with Drexel, Kuprevich said. Kuprevich added that he thought Vencus was charged with the same offenses Rosenbaum is alleged to have committed, including ethnic intimidation, harassment and disorderly conduct. College senior Bela Shah, who did not return phone calls from The Daily Pennsylvanian yesterday, earlier this said week she plans to file a complaint against Philadelphia Police Southwest Detectives because of the way her case was handled. Kuprevich, however, said the Philadelphia Police Department -- and all of the detectives in the Southwest Division -- have been very responsive to concerns and issues raised by his officers and victims over the past few days. Kuprevich added that University Police officers attempt to quell disturbances involving students before making arrests, since students are also subject to the University's judicial system when they break the law.
(03/28/95 10:00am)
Colors and culture decorated Houston Hall's Bodek Lounge yesterday as Muslims celebrated Eidul-Fitr, the end of the fast month of Ramadan. "The holiday of Eidul-Fitr ends the month when observant Muslims refrain from eating, drinking, or having sex with their spouses during the day," College sophomore Shabeer Abubucker said. He explained that although observance of Ramadan ended on March 2 with the holiday of Eid, the celebration was delayed until yesterday because of spring break. Muslim students and residents of the neighborhood gathered together for a feast including Middle Eastern foods, music and religious poetry. Speaker Syed Sayeed discussed the meaning of Eid, referring to the holiday as both a celebration and a reflection on one's "superiority to physical habits." He also read verses from the Koran, the Muslim holy book, and stressed the importance of faith in religion and service to one's creator. The celebration was sponsored by the Muslim Student Association, the Pakistani Student Association, the Arab Society, the Penn Muslim Women's Forum and the South Asia Society. "For me, Eid is a time when all Muslims unite and celebrate overcoming the challenging fast month," Engineering sophomore Sadaf Kazmi said. "This month helps to build character." College freshman Sheba Karim said it has been a good experience for her as well. "This celebration is a good way to meet other Muslims that I wouldn't have ordinarily met," she said. Service for the buffet dinner, which consisted mostly of chicken, vegetables and rice, was segregated according to gender -- as was most of the seating. "The intermingling of men and women sometimes leads to activities that may promote pre-marital sex, which we try to prevent," Engineering junior Bilal Shafi said. "The separation of men from women makes the guidelines in the Koran easier to follow." Several people delivered poems after dinner.
