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(03/31/95 10:00am)
The Philomathean Society's week-long symposium entitled "The University in the Information Age" got off to a rocky start last night. The problems began several days ago with the theft of the computer slated to be used in the series' first lecture. They continued yesterday when scheduled speaker Janet Murray cancelled only hours before her presentation was to begin due to illness. On short notice, the Society asked Religious Studies Professor Robert Kraft to speak during the "Emerging Genres and Methodologies of Cyberspace" segment of the symposium yesterday afternoon. Kraft, who said he has been integrating computers into his classes for years, spoke to an audience of about 20 students and faculty members concerning the role of interactive technology in the classroom. "It is a very interesting tool which is much more flexible and has many more uses than a book whether in a classroom or for a researcher," he said. Predicting that "in a few years CD-ROMs will be the textbooks," Kraft said he looks forward to the increasing integration that better technology will provide. "One of the biggest frustrations in the electronic world is being aware of all that is out there," Kraft said. "But not being able to always get it." Kraft also emphasized that making use of the World Wide Web and Internet technology has its advantages outside of the classroom as well. "It's like having a museum in your living room," he said. Engineering junior Carter Page said that when he came up with the theme of the symposium, he was primarily concerned with addressing professors' fear of technology. "The whole series is primarily focused at the professors and secondarily at the students," he said. Page said his inspiration came from the dissatisfaction he felt with the many "learn and regurgitate" classes at the lower levels of the University. "If their job is nothing more than pouring information into us, they're going to go extinct as educators," he added.
(03/30/95 10:00am)
WASHINGTON -- From the University of Pennsylvania to Pennsylvania Avenue, National Endowment for the Humanities Chairperson and former University President Sheldon Hackney is fighting to keep his organization alive in the face of proposed Congressional cutbacks. Yet, as evidenced by the multitude of University posters and plaques decorating his spacious office, Hackney still has a soft spot for the red and blue, despite all the red tape. Last Wednesday, Hackney took time out of his schedule and heartily welcomed the University's Washington Semester students into his office for a visit. The four students, along with Political Science Professor Russell Riley, spent over an hour with Hackney discussing the NEH, politics, the Washington Semester program and, of course, the University. Hackney began the group discussion by questioning students about their internship placements, an integral part of the Washington Program. To accommodate a variety of interests, participants are responsible for finding their own internships while writing a major research paper on a related topic. Students this semester are working in the White House, on Capitol Hill and in the service sector. College junior Julia Keleher, who is doing work for the Corporation for National Service, said interning through this program is "an opportunity to have a real-life experience, while being protected by the fact that we're still students. I'm learning things earlier than I would have if I'd waited until after college to go into the work force." Hackney agreed, adding that the Washington Semester is "a wonderful idea. It's like a semester abroad in that Washington is a very different culture. An experience here is a good thing for a student." He then told the students about the National Endowment for the Humanities, explaining that it is an independent agency charged to authorize progress in the humanities, which includes many disciplines. Much of his effort is devoted to his pet project, a National Conversation on American Pluralism and Identity, which includes many programs designed to help "Americans of all backgrounds study, learn, and speak face-to-face about our differences." Hackney was very candid with the students when questioned about the precarious position of the NEH, whose budget may be severely trimmed or cut altogether by Congress. "We are seen by Newt Gingrich as a cultural institution which has not been friendly to conservatives, but that's not true," he explained. Hackney admitted that he is worried, but he passionately defended his organization. "The humanities are about citizenship -- the Jeffersonian notion that citizens must understand society in order to play a democratic role," he said. "Without the NEH, the humanities would solely be an elite experience." Students said they thought Hackney's talk was enlightening. "I thought that Dr. Hackney did a good job of explaining how the NEH works to improve the quality of the lives of American citizens," said College sophomore Molly Duncan, who works for Sen. Hank Brown (R-Colo.). When asked if he missed the University, Hackney emphatically answered that "being in the Penn community, even when there's friction, is great because you still know you belong." "It's not the same intellectual community down here," he said. "But I've enjoyed the NEH a lot -- it's a good organization with good people. Washington is an entirely different community, though." Hackney is only one of many political figures with whom Washington Semester students have been able to meet. The students see senators daily, talk to diplomats and cabinet secretaries over the phone, and one has even run into the Clintons a few times in the corridors of the West Wing. "For people interested in Political Science, it's the be-all, end-all for a semester abroad," one student said.
(03/30/95 10:00am)
The two Jewish students who were threatened at shotgun-point by two other University students early Friday morning have decided not to press charges, according to University Police Commissioner John Kuprevich. Kuprevich said, however, that the case was passed on to the Philadelphia District Attorney's Office, where prosecutors could potentially bring charges against the assailants, although it is rare for the DA to do so. "Nine times out of 10 times they will not prosecute," Kuprevich said, adding that the police department cannot press a complaint for another person unless it is a capital offense, such as a homicide. He did say, however, that the case was referred to the Student Dispute Resolution Center, which is currently gathering facts as part of its ongoing investigation. The incident occurred Friday when the Jewish students were walking near 39th and Pine streets and were taunted with ethnic slurs by two other University students. At the time, University Police records indicated the incident was being investigated as an "ethnic intimidation." Victim Support and Special Services Director Maureen Rush had said the incident began with an "exchange of words" when the two Jewish students, who were on their way home, walked past the residence of the other two students. She said the two Jewish students, whose names have not been released, were called "Jew-boys" by the other students, who were sitting on the front steps of their Pine Street home. An argument subsequently ensued and one of the students went inside his home and returned with a shotgun and pointed it at the Jewish students. The Jewish students then fled and called University Police, who found the two students with the shotgun and brought them into custody. They were then transferred to Philadelphia Police's Southwest Detectives, where they were questioned, but not charged. This is the second case involving allegations of ethnic intimidation in recent days. Last Thursday morning, two University students claimed four Drexel University students and one other man yelled ethnic slurs at them.
(03/30/95 10:00am)
The Student Activities Council re-recognized The Red and Blue at its meeting Tuesday night after adopting a revised set of guidelines for funding political organizations. This means that the magazine can once again pursue SAC funding. But a vote on whether to grant The Red and Blue's funding request of $11,094 did not come to the floor, because less than two-thirds of the body voted in favor of hearing the magazine's plea. Also, SAC elected a new Steering Committee -- and voted against giving Undergraduate Assembly Chairperson and Wharton junior Dan Debicella a seat on it. Re-recognition of The Red and Blue was not originally slated for Tuesday night's agenda. But early in the meeting, Student Life Assistant Director Scott Reikofski criticized the body's recent decision to permanently deny funding to the magazine. "Power without responsibility leads to abuse of everybody's rights," he said in an address to the body. "If one group's freedom is restricted, nothing is to stop that from happening to your group as well." The body passed amendments to the SAC constitution that clarified the definition of "political" for funding purposes. In the aftermath of The Red and Blue's loss of full recognition, University President Judith Rodin had asked SAC Steering Committee Chairperson Richard Chow, a Wharton senior, to revise the funding guidelines. The new guidelines prohibit the body from making funding determinations on the basis of "the content of the speech or expression of such organization." Student groups that advocate a particular political party or candidate, that seek to influence legislation, or that promote religious ideologies will still not be considered eligible for funding. The body granted full recognition to the Undergraduate Economics Society, Without a Net, Phi Beta Lambda, the Student National Medical Association, the John Marshall Pre-Law Society and the Penn Transfer Organization before the results of the vote on the amendments were known. And, at the end of the Steering portion of the meeting, Thor Halvorssen, a Red and Blue spokesperson and a College junior, moved that the body re-recognize the magazine and grant its original request of $11,094. Re-recognition required a two-thirds majority to pass. After a short debate, the body voted overwhelmingly in favor of restoring The Red and Blue's funding eligibility. But because the magazine had not been able to submit a budget request to the SAC Finance Committee before the meeting, a two-thirds majority vote was also required for the body to even deliberate on whether or not to give The Red and Blue any money. Several SAC leaders, including Finance Committee Chairperson David Shapiro, a College and Wharton sophomore, told the body that restoring The Red and Blue's funding eligibility did not necessarily obligate SAC to fund the magazine. Shortly thereafter, the motion by Debicella to vote on deliberating the magazine's funding request failed to reach the required two-thirds majority. Among those elected to the new SAC Steering Committee were College sophomore Angine Harriott, College junior Norm Hetrick, College junior Graham Robinson and College junior Jon Teitel.
(03/30/95 10:00am)
Most students' idea of a study break entails playing video games or snacking on nachos. But for College senior Susane Colasanti, posing nude in a hot tub for Playboy magazine was the best way to put off studying for her chemistry exam. Colasanti, who will be featured in the magazine's October spread, "Women of the Ivy League," received $500 for being photographed completely naked. Colasanti had to make a difficult choice when she found out about that Playboy wanted her for the photo spread. "They said 'We're shooting today.' I told them I had to study for a chem test. Since they had to shoot on Sunday, I didn't study for the test," she said. Colasanti was taken to a club in Philadelphia for the final shoot. She was photographed in two outfits: a see-through body suit and a low-cut black slip. She said she arranged the clothing according to the wishes of Playboy photographer David Chan. Piece by piece, she displayed her entire body. "Not all of the polaroids were of me naked," she said. "But enough of them were." Colasanti said her decision to pose in Playboy was impulsive, something not especially unfamiliar to a woman standing in a bedroom with poetry recklessly scrawled upon the walls. "I got a feeling to do it, and I did it," she said. "There's no big reason." Colasanti admitted she was a little scared by the thought of removing her clothes in front of the camera. "I was nervous on the first day of the shoot," she said. "But I wasn't for the other two days." This self-confidence most likely helped her through the shoots. "I kind of knew I'd be picked," she added. Playboy conducted a preliminary "interview" on March 14 and 15. Approximately 50 students either brought spring break pictures of themselves in scanty clothing or bathing suits, or were photographed in bikinis at the interview. Students who made the first cut were called back on March 16. They were photographed again -- but this time in both bikinis and in see-through body suits. The poses in the body suits were "basically nude photos," according to Colasanti. Finally, Colasanti and three other accepted applicants were contacted on March 19. They were taken to different sites, where they were photographed for October issue. The women who auditioned each had their own reasons for participating. "People criticized me," said an applicant who did not want her name disclosed. "I felt that if you have a good body, there's nothing wrong with showing it off." But even with such "good bodies," some students had to be cut. "It didn't bother me," College freshman Christina McGuire said. "I wasn't doing it to get into the magazine. It was curiosity, probably." Chan made sure the women who were photographed did not come into contact with the other applicants. "They spaced out the interviews," said the female student who did not want her name used. "They didn't want the people to see each other." Chan also coordinated the salaries of the women. "They said they paid me $500 because they were going to use the naked shot," Colasanti explained. "They give you $100 if you are wearing clothes, and $250 if you are topless." Following their shoot at the University, the Playboy photographers headed to Columbia University to continue their Ivy League photo tour.
(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."
