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(03/28/95 10:00am)
Employees of the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority struck at 12:01 a.m. today, threatening the ability of 350,000 people to get to work this morning, including hundreds of University faculty, staff, and students. All city bus, trolley and subway service has been shut-down, leaving only the commuter rails -- which primarily serve the suburbs -- in operation. The University, however, prepared for the strike, and plans to put its contingency plan into effect. The University will offer free shuttle bus service in conjunction with Drexel University, providing transportation between the campus and a few strategic points in the Philadelphia area. All faculty, staff and students with PennCards will be eligible to ride the shuttle. Buses will depart from 30th Street Station, 16th and Locust streets and 69th Street Terminal, and will drop passengers off at Houston Hall. Specific information about the shuttle schedule can be obtained by calling 215-898-MELT. According to a University statement, buses will leave every half-hour from the proposed locations, starting at about 7 a.m. and running until about 9 a.m. Transportation leaving the University in the afternoon will also depart from Houston Hall, beginning at about 4:30 p.m. and running until about 9:45 p.m. Buses to 30th Street Station will end at 6 p.m. Transport Workers Union Local 234 has been without a contract since March 14. The strike is the product of a major dispute between the union and SEPTA concerns over a demand by the union for a 3 percent wage increase. The original strike deadline was set for March 15th at 12:01 a.m. but was extended for two weeks until today after a last minute effort to postpone a strike by both sides. Union officials have given no indication of how long a strike might last. The last SEPTA strike, in 1986, lasted four days.
(03/28/95 10:00am)
Attempting to determine the roots of racial segregation on campus, many students at last Thursday's COLORS open forum pointed fingers at the Greek system. Participants in the forum -- part of Campus Organized Lectures on Racial Sensitivity -- expressed the view that segregation is a self-perpetuating problem because the University social scene is sharply divided between the BiCultural InterGreek Council and the InterFraternity and Panhellenic system. "It's really sad we have a segregated social system," said one member of the Sigma Chi fraternity. "It's most problematic because that's how you meet new people." College senior Allison Winn, a Kappa Alpha Theta sister and Daily Pennsylvanian columnist, admitted that "not one of the 600" Panhellenic rushees were black. College senior Carol Williams said that "white women on campus are pigeon-holed into what they feel they are supposed to do," namely, joining the Panhellenic system. Many Panhellenic sorority members said they knew little about the BIG-C, which was initially established to promote minority cultures. "It's more private and intimate and not as publicized," Williams explained. "I wouldn't feel comfortable in the Panhellenic system. I feel like I have little in common with the girls." One Hispanic student said that for her, rush was "a very daunting experience." "[Sorority members] always pointed out that I was a minority," she added. "I didn't feel like I really belonged in the Panhellenic system." The Kite and Key Society performed a skit which dealt with the different perceptions of Spring Fling and the Penn Relays. The Intercultural Coalition to End Discrimination skit focused on inter-racial relationships on campus. Several students also described their concern about their lack of minority friends, adding that they feel the classroom is one of the only places where they can interact with minorities. "On the Walk, minorities you meet in class often don't make eye contact with you," said one member of Kappa Alpha Theta. "I feel like there are thousands of white people on campus. I don't even see people. It's one big blur," said Williams. "It's so easy to spot anyone who's black." Wharton senior and BIG-C President Wayne Wilson said "people usually only perceive the two extremes -- black and white -- and forget about everything in between." "In order to have diversity you have to have a natural common ground," he added. "Diversity can't be forced by the administration. "For me, to share something culturally with [a person of a different race] doesn't mean I have to give up my individuality or who I am," Wilson added. Audience members suggested taking individual steps to end segregation on campus. "I think it's important that you look at people as individuals and don't automatically generalize them into groups," College junior Mariana Field said. COLORS was organized by College junior Chris Greene of Sigma Chi and Wharton senior Byron Johnson of Alpha Phi Alpha.
(03/28/95 10:00am)
Resnet has promised viewers a hot lineup, but thanks to what is assumed to be the work of cable hackers, students received more heat than they expected. Annenberg Channel 24 broadcast a hard-core pornographic film between the hours of 6:30 and 8 p.m., according to Wharton and Engineering junior John Bloom, who watched parts of the movie. Because neither Residential Living Director Gigi Simeone nor Resnet Video Programming and Academic Video Network Coordinator Chris Cook were available for comment last night, it is unclear as to whether this broadcast was intentional. "We were flipping around the channels, and were really shocked," Bloom said. "We looked out [of our window] to High Rise South and we saw at least three televisions tuned to the same channel. "They were doing everything," he added. College junior Reuven Bell said that as he entered High Rise North, people were yelling out the window to turn on channel 24. And Bloom said the station had no audio feed. He said he speculated hackers had somehow transmitted the movie over the Annenberg station. Bloom added that the video appeared to be a homemade. According to College sophomore Ross Levitt, the movie "looked like amateur style, but I'm not sure that [the actors] were amateurs." Levitt added, "I wouldn't have a problem with [pornography] on television, but without warning, people aren't ready for it-- students have Penn Pals in their apartments." But College sophomore Kristen Duran said she felt indifferent to the unexpected broadcast. "I don't have to watch it if I don't want to," she said. By 8 p.m., the porn flick on channel 24 was interrupted with a broadcast "Star Trek VI: The Final Frontier," which was already in progress on the channel 11, the Resnet Movie Channel.
(03/28/95 10:00am)
Three student leaders wanted to get their message across -- but ended up with a slap on the wrist from irritated University officials for violating e-mail etiquette. In an attempt to rally student support for their constitutional reform proposal, College senior Dan Schorr, College junior and Daily Pennsylvanian columnist Mike Nadel and College junior Lance Rogers sent an electronic mail message to every undergraduate at the University late Saturday night, asking them to vote in elections held today and tomorrow . But the plan backfired. According to mail.sas system administrator Shumon Huque, the mass mailing was a violation of the acceptable use policy for that system. As a result, the students' e-mail accounts were "temporarily disabled," yesterday, Huque said. "Our view is that e-mail is a one-to-one communication medium," Huque said. "Mass mailings can have a significant performance impact on the system and can negatively affect all mail.sas users." Ordinarily, anyone responsible for sending a mass mailing from a mail.sas account would have their account suspended temporarily and would have to meet with the mail.sas postmaster to discuss why such messages are inappropriate, Huque added. But in this case, the three authors of the message told mail.sas administrators that they needed their accounts to remain open in order to continue campaigning for the constitution -- which will appear on the ballot as "Referendum A1." Huque said the accounts were reactivated shortly after they were closed. Nadel, Rogers and Schorr will still meet with the mail.sas postmaster today, he said. The message consisted of two parts -- a call for students to vote today or tomorrow, and a brief description of the details of their proposed constitution. Nadel said the authors of the plan sent the message to raise student awareness of the proposal. The plan is available on the World Wide Web, but not many students know how to find it there, Nadel said. By sending details over e-mail, its authors hoped to reach more people. Schorr said he has gotten a great deal of positive feedback since Saturday night. "A lot of people were appreciative because they couldn't understand the constitution based on the sound bites in the DP," he said. "People didn't have access to the details of our plan. It's very important that people understand what the new proposal will accomplish." But Dan Updegrove, vice-provost for Information Systems and Computing, said that even if the message was well-received by students, it was not an appropriate use of the University's e-mail network. "It's a fairly bad use of the system resources," he said. Huque said the message should probably have been posted to one of the University's newsgroups.
(03/28/95 10:00am)
Watcher to take office July 1 Law and Economics Professor Michael Wachter has been selected as the University's new deputy provost, Provost Stanley Chodorow said last night. Wachter will take office July 1, presuming the Board of Trustees confirms his appointment. He replaces Physics Professor Walter Wales, who has served as deputy provost for almost three years. Wales announced his intention to step down -- effective Dec. 31, 1994 -- last April. But he agreed not to vacate the position until the deputy provost search committee, headed by History Professor Richard Dunn, completed its work. Dunn said the committee gave Chodorow six potential nominees for the deputy provost's job, all of whom were "really excellent" but in different ways. "I think he's a very good choice," Dunn said, explaining that Wachter's connections to the Law School, Wharton School and School of Arts and Sciences will be invaluable in helping to coordinate the University's long-term plans across school lines. "He's wonderful," Chodorow said, referring to Wachter. "He was a classmate of mine at Cornell, but we didn't know each other very well there. He's terrific, he's a great guy." Chodorow also praised Wachter's "analytic mind" and cognizance of crucial budgetary issues, adding that the bulk of Wachter's time as deputy provost will be spent on academic planning, rather than on personnel issues. However, Chodorow said he plans to create a position in the Provost's Office to handle personnel, policy and faculty members' individual issues, tasks which used to be handled by the University's associate provost. Wales agreed with Chodorow's assessment of his successor. "I think he'll be great," Wales said, adding that he will probably increase his teaching load when he returns to the classroom full-time this fall. Wachter, who has been at the University since 1969, became the director of the University's Institute for Law and Economics in 1984. He has published more than 100 scholarly papers and book chapters, and is a member of the American Law and Economic Association and the Industrial Relations Research Association, among others. Wachter could not be reached for comment yesterday.
(03/28/95 10:00am)
Dressed in his signature red bow tie and black suit, Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan brought his fiery rhetoric to the Philadelphia Civic Center yesterday in his "Let Us Make Man" speech. Sponsored by Muhammad Mosque No. 12, of Philadelphia, Farrakhan addressed the crowd of about 2,000 black men, and two women. Farrakhan moved from topic to topic, attacking rabbinical scholars, condemning homosexuality, and expressing his disdain for injustices committed by the "white man," while expressing his views that blacks are the "original" men. He said that the white man tainted blacks by creating "the nigger." "God made a man, you made a nigger, this is your creation," Farrakhan shouted. "You made a nigger. You educated niggers to be niggers. Niggers are made in America." One of the main messages Farrakhan expressed is that he wants to get one million black men to "march on Washington" on October 16. He told the men in the crowd that each should round up ten of their friends and bring them to the rally. "We intend to have the largest demonstration in the history of America," Farrakhan said. "This revolution will be televised." Farrakhan has titled the march on Washington a "day of atonement," adding that he wanted 1996 to be known as the year of the "black agenda." In addition, he said that all blacks should register for the independent party because the "Democrats and Republicans have not done a damn thing," for black people. "It's our day," he added. "Our time has come. We have to repent on what we have done to ourselves and one another." The minister, who has often been accused of anti-Semitism, said he does not hate Jewish people but is disgusted by rabbinical scholars who say that blacks were the sons of Chaim, who was cursed by his father, Noah. As Farrakhan spoke of the malevolent intentions of Jewish scholars, the crowd burst into furious, standing applause. He also spoke strongly against gay and lesbian lifestyles, which the crowd greeted with laughs and applause. Farrakhan addressed criticisms that he leads an excessively lavish lifestyle. He said his followers would never take him seriously if he had holes in his shoes. Instead, he said people should be criticizing the President and other elected officials. "I'm not damn Bill Clinton, he's a rich demon," Farrakhan yelled. "? what the hell is Bill Clinton doing for black people." The Muslim leader also brought up a recent assassination attempt against him involving the daughter of Malcolm X. Farrakhan said the incident was really a government entrapment in another effort to destroy him as an effective black messenger. But he added that he was committed to fighting for black people. "Every voice that speaks for black people has either been silenced or bought off," Farrakhan said. "Practically the only voice left is of Brother Farrakhan. I will never abandon the mission of your rise. "Yeah, but you've run into something this time," he added with thunderous applause from the audience. "You killed all the rest, but this one you cannot have."
(03/28/95 10:00am)
Many High Rise South and High Rise East residents had to clean out their hallway lockers yesterday because Resnet wiring failed city inspection, said Mike Palladino, the director of network installations, planning and video for Data Communications and Computing Services. City inspectors studied the University's methods of fire-stopping -- the process of filling any holes left after the wiring was installed in the vertical shafts created for Resnet. The shafts -- which were created because the dorms were not originally designed to contain Resnet wiring -- run from the roof to the basement of each building. The fire-stopping material is used to keep fires from spreading through the shaft from floor to floor. "The city inspector who came out checked the approach we used [to fire-stop] and he was unfamiliar with the way in which it was done," Palladino said. Although he said he believes the methods used were up to code, the University decided not to take a risk. "I wouldn't want it on my conscience if there was a fire," he added. "?I'd rather that and everyone be safe than the alternative." And according to Residential Living Director Gigi Simeone, the project could not wait until the summer. For now, students will have to keep their boxes, suitcases and other storage items elsewhere for the few weeks, Palladino said. He added that as of yesterday, over 90 percent of the students involved had complied with the orders to empty their lockers and remove their locks. Certain lockers on each floor block the areas where the wiring is located. On every third floor, beginning with the 23rd, the wiring is encased in a closet. The project costs the University nothing, since the contractors involved in the original wiring agreed to make the changes for the city while absorbing all costs.
(03/28/95 10:00am)
Although Sister Souljah will not perform while on campus, she will "rap" with students, faculty and administrators next week about the First Amendment and rap music, as part of a panel discussion on free speech. The panel, entitled "Rap and Rights: the First Amendment and the Arts," will include faculty, students and administrators. College senior Christopher Robbins, editor-in-chief of The Red and Blue, and College junior Christopher Lake, editor of The Vision, will be panelists, according to Erika Quitiquit, a 1994 College of Arts and Sciences graduate. "They're both active in the media on campus and can give a viewpoint on how the media perceives and portrays the issue -- especially when people are mad about something that has been said," she added. Associate Professor of Political Science Will Harris and W.E.B. DuBois College House Assistant Dean in Residence Eric Perkins will also serve on the panel. Harris focuses many of his classes and a great deal of his work on the U.S. Constitution. And according to Quitiquit, Perkins is an "expert" in hip-hop and rap music. The program will begin with the individual speakers presenting their viewpoints, followed by discussion and questioning among the five panelists. Audience participation and questions will follow. "I hope it will be lively," Quitiquit said. "We picked people who we thought would know a lot about the subject." Souljah sparked controversy during the 1992 presidential campaign when then-Arkansas Governor Bill Clinton criticized her for suggesting after the Los Angeles riots that there be a week to kill white people, since "black people kill black people every day." But Upper Quadrangle Assistant Dean in Residence Pamela Robinson has said Souljah was not invited because she is controversial. Robinson said she hopes Souljah's fame will attract a large crowd at the event. "I hope she gets to speak on how she feels -- on if freedom of speech is harmful to others," Quitiquit added. Although the event is sponsored by the Office of First Year Programs, all are invited to attend. The panel will take place on April 4, from 7 to 9:30 p.m., in Stiteler B6.
(03/28/95 10:00am)
For those seeking to educate themselves about Africa's problems, traditions and culture, Saturday was the day to learn. Africa Day, organized by the Penn African Students Association, began with a reception in Steinberg-Dietrich Hall, followed by a discussion panel with Wande Abimbola, a chancellor at a Nigerian university, and Kwaku Ohene-Frempong, associate professor of pediatrics at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. The two men spoke on a wide variety of issues, ranging from traditional African medicine to the continent's political climate. Ohene-Frempong commented on the importance of African students acquiring skills useful in helping alleviate problems in Africa. "What we study here [in the United States] must have relevance," he said. "Relevance means its use in Africa." Abimbola spoke on the exodus of skilled individuals from the African continent. "Brain drain is a major problem," he added. "We need an international fund to deal with this brain drain." Both speakers also commented on the unstable political situation in many African countries. They agreed that the use of Western governmental structures was an important source of the continent's political instability. "At the very heart of the instability of African political systems is the imposition of alien forms of government on Africa," Abimbola said. "Western forms are not the only forms of democracy." Ohene-Frempong agreed. "Until we have ingrained elements of the traditional system into the modern political system, we will never succeed," he added. In addition to the discussion panel, a trade fair was held on Locust Walk where vendors sold jewelry, clothing, paintings, statues and books on African and African-American subjects. The festivities continued into the evening as well, when a cultural and fashion show was staged at Drexel University's Stein Auditorium. The show began with an appearance by The Inspiration, an a cappella group, which sang "Homeless," by Paul Simon and Ladysmith Black Mambazo. The concert was followed by a special performance of the Gumboot Dance, a form of dancing which includes stamping feet and tapping hands on legs. The day's events also included an African Drum and Dance Workshop and a screening of the Zimbabwan film Jit. PASA President and Wharton and College senior Hany Abdullah said the day was intended to educate the University community about the African continent. "I think the first goal is to have an occasion to air our culture and celebrate where we're from," she added. "The key is to educate because there are a lot of stereotypes."
(03/27/95 10:00am)
Murphy's Tavern owners Joseph and Jim Murphy will have to wait a few more weeks to find out the fate of their bar, located at 44th and Spruce streets. On Friday, Jim Murphy and six others speaking on behalf of the Murphys, testified in front of the Pennsylvania State Police Bureau of Liquor Control Enforcement. Administrative Law Judge Tim Savage, who heard the case, said a report will be issued in about a week. After the report comes out, the LCB will make their final judgment, but Savage could not say how long it will take the board to decide. In late October the annual renewal of the bar's liquor license was called into question because of allegations of abuse of licensing privileges and in late January, citations were issued at Murphy's to 63 underage drinkers. Murphy's has been operating since November under temporary authority from the Liquor Control Board. During Friday's hour-long hearing, several witnesses testified that Murphy's is a "neighborhood" bar that is very supportive to the surrounding the community. Joe Ryan, the Murphy's attorney, said the proceedings went well. He added that he wanted to show that Murphy's is more than a piece of paper with a list of violations on it, but a place that means something special to the people in the area. "He's in a bad geographical place because of the closeness of the campus," Ryan said. Jim Murphy testified that he has become more vigilant about underage drinking in the past year and promptly fired a bartender and waitress after the January incident. Murphy added that he also closed the "rathskeller," the basement portion of the tavern, and has posted signs about the legal drinking age on the door of the bar. Murphy also said that the bouncers regularly check for proof of age, and confiscate fake IDs. And Murphy and his staff have had to attend a program sponsored by the LCB concerning underage drinking. "Murphy's is a neighborhood bar, not a campus bar," said Billy Meeks, manager of student records at the Graduate School of Education. Robert McGurk, a police officer in the 18th district whose job includes patrolling the area around Murphy's, said the tavern has never been considered a "nuisance" bar. "Murphy's is just considered to be a neighborhood bar," McGurk said. "We rarely are ever called to disturbances from the bar."
(03/27/95 10:00am)
U. students questioned by police after allegedly threatening Jewish students Two Jewish students were threatened at shotgun-point by two other University students after the student gunmen taunted them with ethnic slurs early Friday morning, Victim Support and Special Services Director Maureen Rush said. And although police questioned the two suspects, so far, no charges have been brought against them. According to University Police records, the incident, which began near 39th and Pine streets, is being labeled an "ethnic intimidation" case by investigators. Rush said the incident -- in which one student allegedly pointed a loaded shotgun at another -- began with an "exchange of words" when two Jewish students on their way home walked past the residence of the other two students. Rush said that during the confrontation, the two Jewish students, whose names have not been released, were called "Jew-boys" by the other two students who were sitting on the front steps of their residence on Pine Street. After the verbal exchange became heated, Rush said one student went inside his house, returned with a shotgun and pointed it at the Jewish students. She added that the Jewish students fled for safety and called University Police with a description of the other two students, who left the area in a car. University Police brought two suspects into custody after locating them in a car in front of the Wawa Food Market at 38th and Spruce streets. Two shotguns along with a large quantity of ammunition were discovered in the students' vehicle, Rush said. The two suspects were taken to Philadelphia Police Southwest Detectives and questioned, but not charged. Philadelphia Police Captain Tom Quinn, commander of Southwest Detectives, will begin investigating the incident today, Rush said. In addition, Rush said there will be an internal University investigation. This is the second case involving allegations of ethnic intimidation in as many days. On Thursday morning, two University students claimed four Drexel University students and one other man yelled ethnic slurs at them. Acting Vice Provost for University Life Valarie Swain-Cade McCoullum said she is outraged over last week's incidents, calling on the community to begin changing attitudes. She said that even though there are a number of laws to protect people against discrimination, it is still up to individuals to create "high standard for civility." McCoullum urged the community to continue to protest against racially motivated crimes and also to help the victims of these incidents. "We need to reach out to each other to comfort people who've been victimized," she said. "The impact on individual students has been horrendous. People don't know how harmful these incidents are."
(03/27/95 10:00am)
A School of Arts and Sciences committee denied tenure to popular English Professor Gregg Camfield last week, outraging both students and faculty members. And while Camfield's future at the University may seem short, many devoted students are not going to let Camfield leave without a fight. The English Undergraduate Advisory Board has taken quick action to gather support for the man Ellona Wilner, College junior and Student Committee on Undergraduate Education secretary, described as "probably the best teacher in the English department." Wilner said this incident has really mobilized the English undergraduates. "He has such a strong reputation," she said. College senior Michelle Falkoff said the English UAB had an impromptu meeting, which was announced over their Internet listserver, to begin planning actions to protest the decision. In order for students to voice their support of Camfield, the English UAB has organized a letter writing campaign. UAB members will contact students who have taken classes with Camfield and encourage them to write letters, she said. She added that they are also considering getting in touch with alumni. According to College senior Liz Fekete, these letters will be directed at SAS Dean Rosemary Stevens, College of Arts and Sciences Dean Robert Rescorla and Provost Stanley Chodorow. The UAB has set up a box in 125 Bennett Hall for students to submit these letters, she said. And Fekete said that so far, many students have responded to the UAB's call for action. "Everyone I have heard from is completely incensed and I know of a lot of people who are starting to write letters and want to get involved on Camfield's behalf," she said. Falkoff said that in terms of the sheer volume of student responses, she thinks the campaign will be successful. "But I don't know what its effect will be on the administration," she added. Wilner said the English UAB is going to try to meet with Stevens and possibly Chodorow to discuss this situation. "We want the administration to understand that we see this as a symbol of their lack of interest in good teaching skills and their lack of respect for students," Falkoff said. And although the UAB is organizing this effort to fight the SAS's rejection of Camfield's tenure dossier, Falkoff said the group also wants to protest the tenure system itself and "a negative reaction against good teaching." Fekete said she wants to make the dean aware that students think Camfield is indispensible to the University. "Obviously we want to change Steven's mind," she said. "But because it may be difficult to get her to reconsider in Camfield's case, then we want her to know that students take seriously what was said about taking education seriously and that we expect actions with words." Fekete added that the group is also talking about organizing some sort of demonstration, maybe in conjunction with the Geology Department because of the recent denial of tenure to one of its most popular professors -- George Boyajian. Wilner added that they are thinking of making a banner for the major fair on Wednesday and possibly painting on the wall by the Walnut Street bridge. "We don't want to be belligerent," she said. "We want to try to be reasonable but we do feel it is important to make a strong statement." They also have written a petition, which Fekete said is available in 120 and 125 Bennett Hall for students to sign. There will also be a copy at the major fair.
(03/27/95 10:00am)
Several faculty members have rallied to support School of Arts and Sciences Dean Rosemary Stevens following accusations of alleged incompetence and racism. A column in Friday's Daily Pennsylvanian quoted English Professor Houston Baker as calling Stevens incompetent and describes incidents in which she is accused of being biased against certain ethnic groups and departments. In particular, Baker -- who is the director of the Center for the Study of Black Literature and Culture -- describes an incident in which Stevens allegedly overlooked the importance of an Asian American Studies petition at a meeting she had with students advocating the formation of such a department. But many doubted the validity of these allegations, and Stevens said she was surprised by Baker's statements. "I am a strong supporter of Asian American Studies and misreporting what occurred at the very helpful meeting with students does a disservice to faculty and students in this school," she said. In response to the column, written by College junior Mike Nadel, Stevens held a one hour information session on Friday for concerned students. She also took individual phone calls throughout the day. While the column initially offended South Asia Society President and College junior Mika Rao, she said meeting with the dean helped alleviate her concerns. "She was very interested and supportive and I believe her track record supports this," she said. Rao added that Stevens denied making the comments outlined in the column, and said she would meet with the other Asian-American leaders within the next few months. "I think there must have been a misunderstanding involved," she added. And Undergraduate English Chair Al Filreis said he has never had a problem with Steven's attitude toward his department, although Baker had indicated otherwise in the letter quoted in Nadel's column. Baker also said Stevens suffers from what he labels as "resentment of excellence syndrome." As a result of this, he said, she has sacrificed the quality of the educational experience by refusing to grant tenure to qualified professors. But Regional Science Professor Stephen Gale denied that there are ulterior motives involved in Steven's decisions. "The idea that the deanship might not be committed to excellence is undoubtedly untrue," he said. Gale added that he does not blame the dean for the problems at the University, attributing the flaws more to the system than to a particular administrator. Baker would not comment further on Stevens last night. However he maintained that he is committed to excellence. "I hear about the University of Pennsylvania and its excellence," he said. "I have worked toward that excellence for 20 years and will continue to do so."
(03/27/95 10:00am)
Constitutional reform proposal A1, written by Undergraduate Assembly member and College senior Dan Schorr and College junior Mike Nadel, a Daily Pennsylvanian columnist, would radically alter the structure of student government at the University. A1's guiding principle, according to Schorr and Nadel, is that no funding of student activities or nominations of students to University committees should be done by unelected representatives of the student body. The plan aims to combine most governmental functions into one elected body, known as the Undergraduate Senate. The Senate would consist of 39 members, divided by school. The body's responsibilities would include all those currently performed by the UA. In addition, the Senate would fund student activity groups and handle nominations. Currently, activity groups are funded by the Student Activities Council. SAC is allocated a block sum by the UA, and then can divide this money as it sees fit. Under A1, the Senate would do the actual budgeting for each activity. SAC would still exist, largely as a check on the Senate's funding decisions -- it could overturn a Senate budget with a two-thirds vote. The Senate's Finance Committee would make recommendations to the body for funding decisions, similar to the way the SAC Finance Committee currently works within SAC. Nominations to University-wide committees, currently done by the Nominations and Elections Committee, would also be run by the Senate. The Nominations Committee would recommend applicants for appointments, and then the full Senate would decide on their confirmation by majority vote. The NEC's other function, running elections, would be taken over by a new Constitutional Administration Council. The Council would be appointed by the Senate, and would oversee all Senatorial actions to ensure their constitutionality. At any time, the Council could pass a resolution that the Senate has acted unconstitutionally -- at which point the Senate must either comply with the Council's wishes or overturn their resolution by a two-thirds majority vote.
(03/27/95 10:00am)
City and University officials said they flatly deny the figures in a story from Saturday's edition of The Philadelphia Inquirer which reported that the University has agreed to pay $2 million in the form of a Payment in Lieu of Taxes and $1 million in the form of Services in Lieu if Taxes. Stephen Golding, the University's vice president for finance, and Carol Scheman, vice president for community and government relations, both said that the University and the city are still negotiating and no figures had been released. And Deputy Mayor for Policy and Planning Greg Rost agreed, saying that the issue is still under discussion. He added that discussions have been productive and closure on the matter could be in the near future. The PILOT/SILOT issue centers around the city's asking the University to pay about 30 percent of the real taxes it would owe if it were a for-profit institution, as a part of the Payment in Lieu of Taxes program. Golding said there are still one or two points of contention that have to be resolved between the University and the city. "In all likelihood we will make a charitable contribution to the city," Golding said. "But at this point we are still talking. Everybody is trying to get it done as quickly as we can. We met all the time frames and we are in good faith in negotiations." Last summer, Mayor Ed Rendell began asking non-profit organizations to pay a portion of the taxes due to the city if the organizations were for-profit. The city's move follows a national trend of financially strapped cities across the country that have asked universities and other non-profit organizations such as hospitals and churches to make a payment in lieu of taxes. The city feels non-profits should pay for such municipal services as fire, police and street cleaning. And the city estimates that the new revenue could raise as much as $8.4 million, with $3.78 million going to the city and $4.62 million to the School District of Philadelphia. In addition, the city has threatened to take the University and other non-profits to court if they refuse to comply with the city's wishes. As the city's biggest non-profit and the city's largest private employer, the University, is being asked to pay its share of the tax burden. But Scheman said that the University is clearly a tax-exempt organization and has no obligation to pay taxes to the city. She did add, however, that she sees the relationship between the University and the city as being very solid. "The conversations have been aimed at figuring out what kind of role we can play in improving West Philadelphia and Philadelphia," Scheman said. Scheman, who has been working as a liaison between various universities and cities for over 20 years, said the University's commitment to the city is by far the best she's ever witnessed. "I'm absolutely amazed when I look at the range of the involvement with the community," she said. "It's really very unusual. There's a greater sense of civic responsibility than I have seen anywhere. "The mayor and the president have a shared vision of what this city could be," Scheman added. The city has also changed the name of the PILOT program to the Philadelphia Voluntary Contribution Program.
(03/27/95 10:00am)
The decision to scrap the Revlon Center appears to have sounded a death knell for the northern development of campus, leaving students and area businesses north of Walnut Street wondering about the future of their area. "We are intent at looking at every opportunity for development," Vice President for Facilities Management Arthur Gravina said. "We have not abandoned the opportunity. We are continuing to investigate." According to Gravina, north campus is bounded by Drexel University to the northeast, and the University City Science Center to the north. As a result, he said, the issue is not of expansion but of development, because the University owns so much of the land in the area. He added that the University currently has no intention of moving its "center of gravity," and that the best opportunities for development lie to the east of campus. "We are not prepared to move west due to our commitment to the community," he stated. Some campus groups located in the north campus, however, hope the University will continue northern expansion. "[The Revlon Center] was going to connect us better," Assistant Director of the Newman Center Bob Cardie said. "Right now, we feel isolated. Anything that could better connect us would be an improvement." Cardie said that he thought more students would use the Newman Center -- which is located at 37th and Chestnut streets -- if student traffic in the area increased. "We definitely were disappointed," he said. "It was obvious this would be a strong thoroughfare." And although the Revlon Center plan has been scrapped, local business owners have their own suggestions as to what would improve the area. "I would like to see them continue with the feel of Sansom street," White Dog Cafe owner Judy Wicks said. "The area has no feel, like Georgetown or Cambridge." She added that the area features several cultural attractions, but they are often isolated. She also emphasized the role of commercial activity in the neighborhood as a means to improve its atmosphere. And Wicks said that she thinks there is a dire need for more parking. She added that she hopes that the University's future construction will be more attractive than most of the buildings which have been constructed in the past 30 years.
(03/27/95 10:00am)
The peace process between Israel and the Palestinians has reached an impasse, said an Israeli official Friday, but those involved are discussing options to kick-start the negotiations. Ahaz Ben-Ari, legal advisor to the office of the Prime Minster of Israel, spoke to University Law students about these efforts. "We cannot go on unless we witness a serious Palestinian endeavor to cope with terrorism effectively," Ben-Ari said. Ben-Ari said Arafat's Palestinian Authority has failed "to do what is expected as a reasonable way of ensuring security" in Gaza and Jericho. He began his talk with a lesson on the geographical, historical and political problems that comprise the Arab-Israeli conflict. As he spoke about Israel's wars, Ben-Ari drew a map of the Middle East, modifying it according to changes in the region's political and geographic boundaries. He explained that according to international law, Israel was required to set up a military government in the Gaza Strip and West Bank. "This is a sign that the territory has not been annexed," he said. "The territory should be subject to a political solution." Israel is not required to withdraw from the formerly Syrian–controlled Golan Heights until a peace agreement is reached, he argued. Turning from legal to political issues, Ben-Ari focused on the problems Israel faced administering a military government. "The contradiction between democracy and a military government put a constant strain on Israel's domestic policy and public debate," he said. Israel is focusing its attention on the P.A.'s handling of security and economic issues, which Israel views as the main obstacles to peace, Ben-Ari explained. Viewing the P.A. as "an experience in future administration," the Israelis want Arafat to crack down on Hamas -- the Islamic Resistance Movement -- and try to improve the standard of living. "If the people are very impoverished [and] the economic situation deteriorates, this might be the end of the process despite the efforts being made in the political channels," Ben-Ari said. He commented on Israeli disappointment with the government's efforts at peace. "They started in May, which is long enough to start doing things but not enough time to judge the results," he said. "The alternative is a Hamas movement that waits to see everything collapse and brings more members to support the idea of a total destruction of Israel." After his presentation, Ben-Ari commented on his participation in the negotiations between the Palestinians and Israel. Ben-Ari noted that, originally, the Palestinian and Jordanian delegations to the peace talks did not include lawyers. "It seemed as if the feeling was that it was not so important to go into the words, [but] that it was going to be a general discussion without a product," he said. Ben-Ari chaired the Israeli committee that drafted the Gaza-Jericho agreement. "The feeling that maybe you shall be blamed for a failure or part of a success is a burden," he explained. "These are questions that only history will judge with respect to me."
(03/27/95 10:00am)
The early bird gets the single. That's what students seeking dormitory rooms learned Saturday at Residential Living's Grand Arena. Starting at 9 a.m., students began lining up in front of the Quadrangle's McClelland Hall according to their lottery numbers, which ranged from one to 622. Students were assigned their lottery draws last Monday. On the postcard that assigned the numbers, students also received the time they should arrive at the Arena in order t o reduce congestion and waiting time. Within half an hour all high rise singles were taken, leaving only singles in the Graduate Towers and the Quad. By 10:30 a.m., only seven high rise triples remained while all 18 quads left had no kitchens. Surprisingly, 90 doubles were still available. College sophomore Kristen Lovelace had wanted to rent a single in the high rises, but is now going to live in the Grad Towers next year. "I wanted to get an apartment in the high rises but I figured they'd be gone," she said. "[The Grad Towers] are really not that bad." But when Engineering freshman Ginlei Liu didn't get the single she wanted, she decided to look off campus for housing. By 11:30 a.m., the quads had run out and at 1 p.m. there was just one triple left. And although the process was running a little slow around noon, the scheduled lunch break allowed time for catching up. After not getting the quad she wanted, College freshman Keely Tolley placed her name on the waiting list and said she was going to "hope for the best." She said that although she was frustrated, she didn't blame the system. "I understand how the Arena works," she said. "I'm a little concerned about what I'm going to do in the summer months. It's a little stressing not knowing where you're going to live next year." Near the end of the day almost every student began placing their names on the waiting lists. Some annoyed students began blaming the Arena process as a whole. "It was poorly run, [poorly] organized as well," College junior Brendan Cahill said. "The student [volunteers] were particularly incompetent and sometimes rude -- even more so than I expected." He added that he thought the system is outdated and would like to see room selection done over electronic mail. "For a school that's supposed to be in the 21st Century, this is really some of sort of nightmare," he said. Many students said Residential Living should give preference to upperclassmen in assigning rooms, while others said preference should be given to students with special needs, such as dietary concerns. "I wish you could talk about your preferences before you get your lottery number," Wharton freshman Priyanka Chamaria said. "Because now if we don't get [a room], we have to shift off-campus and then there are safety problems." Ellie Rupsis, associate director of Residential Living, felt that Saturday's Arena was one of the best organized in recent years. "It went very well," she said. "There weren't any problems. I think it seemed less stressful this year. I think we had more people go through other processes." Rupsis said that this year more students retained their current dorm rooms or selected apartments through community living. Rupsis added that students still interested in living on campus should definitely place their names on the waiting lists, which are available until 5 p.m. Tuesday.
(03/27/95 10:00am)
The next few days may be historic ones for the University's student government. Voters tomorrow and Wednesday will have the chance to vote on two full constitutional proposals, as well as two amendments to the current constitution -- and the usual slate of candidates for office. In order for any of the referenda to be binding, 20 percent of undergraduates must vote in the elections. Students who do not like either of the constitutional proposals will have the option of voting for neither, while still voting on the amendments.
(03/27/95 10:00am)
Issue second warrant A Drexel University student turned himself in Friday afternoon -- and another suspect remains at large -- after being charged with the ethnic intimidation of two South Asian University students. Gregory Rosenbaum, a Drexel University student, is charged with ethnic intimidation, harassment, conspiracy, disorderly conduct and open lewdness, Philadelphia Police Sergeant Charles McMullin said. Another suspect charged in the incident on Friday, Victor Vencus, had yet to turn himself in as of Sunday night, according to McMullin. Philadelphia Police Sergeant Joe Descher said that he had expected Vencus to turn himself in on Friday. No warrants have been issued for the other three men who were involved in the incident. Hamilton Court residents College senior Bela Shah and Wharton senior Monika Parikh have accused the five men -- four of whom are Drexel students -- of repeatedly shouting racial slurs at them after the group left Cavanaugh's Restaurant at 39th and Sansom streets Thursday morning at about 2 a.m. Shah and Parikh, who are South Asian, said they were called "dotheads" and "Indian bitches," and told to "go back to [their] country." In addition, Shah said the case has been "mishandled" by police and she is planning to file a complaint against Philadelphia Police Southwest Detectives. According to Shah, four University Police officers and one Philadelphia Police officer responded to the scene, two of whom attempted to dismiss the case. University Police Officer Rudy Palmer, however, insisted on pursing the suspects. Of the five suspects, only Rosenbaum and Vencus were taken into custody by police, but were later released when no charges were filed, Shah said. She added that Southwest Detectives did not interview Parikh, Palmer or her while the suspects were in custody. Director of Victim Support and Special Services Maureen Rush met with Parikh and Shah later Thursday. After hearing their account of the incident, Rush said she called Southwest Detectives, which reopened the case later that day. Parikh and Shah's statements were then taken by Southwest Detectives on Thursday at about 4:30 p.m., over 14 hours after the incident occurred, Shah said. "We think that officer Rudy Palmer of Penn Police handled [the situation] well," Shah added. "We do not think that Philadelphia Police and Southwest Detectives handled it well."
