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(02/20/95 10:00am)
Residents of Philadelphia and surrounding communities flocked to the University Museum Saturday afternoon, cramming its galleries and classrooms to take part in the sixth annual Celebration of African Cultures. The event featured a number of performing arts groups, themed workshops and craft displays offered by collectors and vendors from the Delaware Valley and New Jersey. Dance performances included exhibitions by the Spirit of Sankofa Performing Arts Company and the Women's Sekere Ensemble. Gospel music was provided by the Freedom Choir of Philadelphia while the jazz quartet Everafter played several sets through the afternoon. Earle Brown of WRTI's "Jazz Journeys" hosted a live broadcast from the Museum, including events and music from the celebration. The FM jazz station co-sponsored the event with the University Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology. "I think this is a good event because it draws a lot of people from the community into the Museum," said College senior Abigail Leafe, who works at the Museum. "I've seen a few of my classmates here," said Sita Battle, a young West Philadelphia student. "I think it's great how everybody gets together to see one common thing," said her younger brother Antonio Battle. Although visitors enjoyed the opportunity to taste samples of various African styles of cooking and be entertained by the various performers, education seemed to be the order of the day. Visitors had the opportunity to attend a hair-braiding presentation, a lecture on African textiles, a tie-dying display, a wood carving exhibition, several jewelry-making demonstrations and instructional dance workshops led by the dance troupe Children of Shango and dancer Van Williams. In a Museum classroom, members of Rainbow Child International entertained parents and children alike with storytelling, dancing and rhythm games that encouraged both creativity and group participation. Local author Debra Dean was also on hand to read from her recently published children's book The Adventures of Abiola. "We wanted to use this story as an educational tool, to provide all children with information on African-American history," said Dean. Farther down the hall, vendors offered their goods and services to visitors, with items ranging from kente cloth and brightly patterned vests to oracle readings and authentic artifacts. Standing behind a table of masks, carvings, shields and other crafts, New Jersey resident Sitta Keita patiently answered questions about his collection from the crowds of curious bystanders. "I bring pieces back and forth from Africa to the United States," he told them. "I'm not sure if you could call it a hobby -- but I like doing it," he added with a smile.
(02/20/95 10:00am)
The Chinese Student Association was giving out free money Friday night. At their Casino Night, more than 50 students -- both Chinese and non-Chinese -- gathered to try their luck at Chinese games of chance. CSA Vice-President and Wharton sophomore Winston Chow said he was pleased with the number of people who came to the event. "It's the first time we did something this big," he said. "We didn't know what to expect. We're all pleasantly surprised at such a huge turnout." And Engineering sophomore Wei Cao said he thought most of the people in attendance were having fun. "It seems most of the people are enjoying themselves except those losing money," he said. The casino offered several games played in China and Hong Kong. Given 100 dollars worth of chips, students tried their luck with such games as fish-prawn-crab, fan pan and mah-jong. In fish-prawn-crab, gamblers bet on one or more of six pictures on a table by placing chips on them. The dealer rolls the dice and the player wins if his chips are on the picture indicated by the dice. Fan-pan was another game featured at CSA Casino Night, in which the dealer has a bowl of melon seeds and continually takes four seeds from the bowl until he has up to four or fewer remaining on the table. Gamblers place bets on how many seeds will be left. There were also several tables of mah-jong, a traditional Chinese game in which the four players receive 13 or 14 blocks depicting shapes, figures or numbers. The outcome of the game is similar to the American card game rummy. CSA President and Engineering junior Steve Lin said the event was meant to entertain as well as teach students about Chinese culture. "We thought this might be an entertaining way to present an aspect of our heritage that most people aren't aware of," he said, adding that this event helped unite Chinese students from across the world. "The Chinese community itself is so diverse," Lin said. "It's a real challenge for the CSA to bring the Chinese community together."
(02/20/95 10:00am)
In the 1950s, only one in 20 women fell victim to breast cancer. Today, that figure has more than doubled to one in eight. This increase means that an increasing percentage of women and their families have to deal with breast cancer and its effects on everyday life, according to Joan Borysenko, medical doctor and president of Mind/Body Health Sciences, Inc. In a response to that increase, the University of Pennsylvania Cancer Center sponsored a symposium Friday specifically directed at those who have had an experience with breast cancer, whether personally or through a family member. The forum, "Life After Breast Cancer," was attended by more than 200 survivors of breast cancer and their loved ones. The majority of the featured speakers were experts from the UPCC. They lectured on inherited breast cancer, advances in its treatment and inner healing after breast cancer. Later in the day, they led workshops at the University Museum dealing with these topics. Lynne Nelson of the American Cancer Society attended the symposium to learn about the most recent developments in the field of breast cancer. "It has been really very interesting and very professional," she said. "We learned about a new test that is able to determine if someone is genetically pre-disposed to having cancer." Borysenko talked about the connection between the mind and body and cancer, stressing that inner peace can sometimes lead to cure. "People often hold on to grudges or stressful relationships and it manifests itself physically through some disease of the body," she said. "The symptoms keep reoccurring because they do not treat the deeper problems." Slides depicting peaceful settings and spiritual energy accompanied her lecture because "the components of healing are good intuition, healthy intellect and art." "What we live through or do not live through has to do with our attitude," Borysenko said. "Often times the diagnosis with a disease such as breast cancer is a time to slow down and answer the the following questions -- who am I and what do I want?" she added. "We might have been too busy to pay attention to them previously." Borysenko also said it is very important for those recently diagnosed with breast cancer to be in contact with survivors of the disease. "Survivors of breast cancer become shamans because they can pass on wisdom and understanding to others through their own experiences," she added. Sylvia Payne, a breast cancer survivor, was impressed by the entire forum -- especially Borysenko's lecture. "I wasn't aware of this forum until today, but I am glad I came," she said. "I need to be a part of things like this in order to facilitate more healing for myself."
(02/17/95 10:00am)
Faced with the Interfraternity Council's strict enforcement of the "Bring Your Own Beer" policy coupled with the recent crackdown by the Liquor Control Board, some students are finding the University's revamped social scene a little hard to swallow. Last month, the IFC passed a revised BYOB policy, making what was once a farce into a definite reality. Now, instead of free-flowing kegs complementing the smoky, music-filled hallways of these weekend hot spots, partygoers must tote their own thirst quenchers as they head out for the evening. College freshman Daniel Unger said that he believes the move toward under-21 sobriety is resulting in the downfall of the fraternity party, and is merely influencing minors to drink elsewhere. Now that drinks are no longer on the house, there exists little motivation for celebrating in the Greek tradition, Unger said. "If you have to buy beer on your own anyway, you might as well drink it with friends rather than go to a party," Unger said. "I think the parties suck since BYOB started," he added. "Turnout's been bad because people don't want to go [to fraternity parties] and not be able to get beer." Wharton freshman Daniel Mizukovski agreed. "People are going to stop coming," he said. "People would rather buy alcohol, go to their rooms and have parties in their rooms." Mizukovski said he believes a giant variable in the fraternity party equation is the availability of free alcohol with a relatively small cover charge -- taking that factor away essentially removes any notion of enjoyment. "When I first came to Penn, it was the traditional frat party -- unlimited beer, get wasted," Mizukovski said. "Now, you can't call it a frat party. I don't know what it is. "[At the] couple of frat parties I've been at, I couldn't get any alcohol," he added. "Altogether it was terrible, and everyone was scrounging around for tickets. So instead of having fun, you're concentrating on getting tickets." Joe Ryan, owner of the popular campus bar Smokey Joe's, reports no increase in incidences of minors attempting to gain entrance into his establishment, given the lack of beer at parties and the surprise of police officials at other bars. However, Ryan attributes this to his bar's reputation as "21 and over only." "I think our reputation is pretty hard core," Ryan said. Josh Gottheimer, Alpha Epsilon Pi president and IFC judicial manager, said he believes alcohol consumption should not be the sole purpose behind attending fraternity parties, adding that attractions other than beer should continue to lure students to their doors. "I'm hoping people don't go to fraternities only for the alcohol," said Gottheimer, a College sophomore. "Fraternities are beyond the alcohol. So you bring the beer with you -- it's no big deal. You come for the band, to see your friends. "If you come to have a good time, that's definitely still there," he said. Gottheimer said his impressions of the party scene at his own fraternity residence are substantially more positive than those of Unger and Mizukovski. Admitting that the house's first post-policy party was a bit shaky, Gottheimer added that he believes the University needs time to make it through the adjustment phase, and that, with time, BYOB will become a successful routine. "We had a party this weekend. Upwards of 65 percent [of the people who attended] brought beer, and we had a great crowd," he said. "It takes time for a campus to get used to something like this," he explained. "No one would disagree that it has an impact on Greek life right now. But I think that eventually, people will get used to it, and the campus will be fine." Tau Epsilon Phi Social Chair Mike Lembeck said he thinks the key to the transition lies in next year's incoming class, which arrives with few preconceived notions concerning alcohol on campus. Rather than adjusting, Lembeck said, new students will simply be accepting the policy as a given. "I think it's going to be a slow transition," he said. "When the new freshmen come in and the first thing they see is BYOB, this will make it work. "I don't think it's going to become a reality until next year," Lembeck added. "It's hard to change something you're accustomed to." However, he admitted that he harbors reservations about the policy, and foresees a definite decline in party attendance once BYOB becomes an unquestionable addition to University life. "The people that came [to the parties thus far] are still skeptical about [them] being BYOB," he said. "I think that's why it hasn't affected attendance yet. "But if it really solidifies itself -- if BYOB really becomes a fact and no longer an expectation, attendance will definitely decline," he added. But College freshman Kara Messner said she does not perceive any sort of attendance problem at fraternity parties, although she added that she has not seen the law being enforced. "[BYOB] doesn't seem to be in effect," Messner said. "I think the same amount [of people] are still going to frats. I've seen cops standing around, but they're not usually doing anything about it. "They realize that students are going to drink, and unless it gets out of control, I don't think they have a problem with it," she added. IFC President David Treat is placing his faith in the precedents set by other colleges and universities across the country. Citing the widespread move to BYOB, Treat said that campuses experimenting with the policy are finding it favorable. "This is not a local process, this is a nationwide process," said Treat, a College junior. "On the campuses where they've already gotten through the transition, [BYOB] works very well. "That's what we expect here -- just a transition period until we get to that," Treat added. "There's been a lot of progress and we're not there yet, but we hope to be soon." In the meantime, Engineering freshman Jason Pareti said he is "looking for things to do" as alternatives to fraternity party-hopping. Pareti, like Unger and Mizukovski, agrees that the fraternity parties have begun to lose their appeal. "Recently I haven't been to too many fraternity parties, in part due to the BYOB policy," Pareti said. "Definitely, the parties aren't as much fun as they used to be. It is a let-down." Pareti added that his social life has suffered a double blow due to the recent raid on Murph's, which he now no longer frequents. "[My friends and I] haven't been there for a while, since the problems," he said. Pareti does not necessarily represent the majority viewpoint, however. One College freshman, who asked that her name by withheld, said that her weekend plans have not been hurt by the recent lockouts on underage drinking. While she said the BYOB policy has been in effect, she added that procurement of alcohol has not been a problem. In fact, she admitted to regarding the policy as a positive because it eliminates the cover charge. "It hasn't really affected my social life," she said. "I still think that alcohol is accessible no matter what. "And I do find that the policy is in effect," she added. "People are more conscientious of having to provide their own drinks. "Everyone's been bringing six-packs, and you don't have to pay to get in," she said. College senior Kimberly May reflected on how the new restrictions would have impacted her social life as a minor. She said she probably would have headed downtown in search of a weekend night diversion. "I think it would have sent me downtown, which I would have thought was a good thing," May said. "There's a lot of stuff going on downtown that I would have investigated more carefully." May said, however, that the restrictions would not have stopped her from gaining access to alcohol. "I probably would have searched a lot harder for a fake ID," she said. "I would have spent more time investigating other sources of alcohol in places downtown. [And] I would have gone to off campus parties more."
(02/17/95 10:00am)
CAMDEN, N.J. -- As students here at Rutgers University walked to class yesterday, everything seemed normal. But inside the school buildings, about 20 students were protesting, waving signs and shouting demands at Rutgers President Francis Lawrence. Lawrence had come to the Camden campus to meet with faculty, administrators and the Black Law Students Association. And in spite of Lawrence's efforts to open dialogue, black and Latino groups have joined together to protest what they consider racist comments by Lawrence. These remarks have prompted protesters to call for his resignation or ouster. Yesterday's confrontation was just the most recent in a series of student protests that have called for Lawrence's resignation. It all began January 31, when it was revealed that in a November faculty meeting Lawrence stated that blacks performed poorly on standardized tests, such as the Scholastic Aptitude Test, because they are "genetically inferior." "The average S.A.T. for African-Americans is 750," he said in the November speech. "Do we set standards in the future so we don't admit anybody with the national test? Or de we deal with a disadvantaged population that doesn't have that genetic, hereditary background to have a higher average?" Since the incident, Lawrence has repeatedly apologized for his remarks, and said that his remarks were misunderstood. In addition, Rutgers' Board of Governor's unanimously voted continued support for Lawrence's presidency last week. But the students awaiting Lawrence's visit yesterday didn't share the Board's view. The first students appeared at about 9 a.m. and stayed until late in the afternoon, with many missing all of their classes. Other protesters took shifts, switching to attend classes. And when the students caught their first glimpse of Lawrence leaving a bathroom, they chanted "You must go?you must go?Fran must go." Students also touted signs ranging from "R.U. Wants U Out!" and "Lawrence Must Go," to "Genetically Inferior I Don't Think So." One student even carried a sign asking students to boycott the Coca-Cola Company because they provide most of the beverages for the urban campus. Most Rutgers' students, however, went about their daily business, lounging on couches in the Campus Center, lunching in the cafeteria, and engaging in conversation. But the protesters were willing to put all else aside until they achieved concessions from the Rutgers' administration, including Lawrence's resignation. Cal Maradonna, Rutgers' dean of students, said that student protest was increasing in intensity. "I don't know if there would be this much activity if the President wasn't here," he said. And some demonstrators planned to travel to the main Rutgers campus in New Brunswick to stage a sit-in at the Rutgers-Temple basketball game last night. Last Tuesday, a Rutgers–University of Massachusetts game was postponed at half-time after upset students took over the court and refused to leave. That rally was sponsored by the Black Students Union and the Latino Students Organization. The remainder of the game will be played at a later date at a location to be announced. Even though Latino students were not explicitly mentioned in Lawrence's remarks, many Latino protesters felt Lawrence had slighted them also. Rutgers sophomore Evelyn Montanez said Lawrence was not doing enough for minorities at Rutgers Camden campus, including Latinos. One of Rutgers' Latino leaders, Carlos Ilarraza, agreed, demanding more Latino administrators and faculty, as well as a Latin-American Studies or Puerto Rican Studies major. Montanez and Ilarraza refused to accept the apology Lawrence made last week. Not all students shared their sentiments, however. Rutgers senior John Antoni, who was not involved in the protest, said he recognizes Lawrence made a mistake in his speech, but accepts his apology. "Most of the people agree he shouldn't resign," Antoni said. Nonetheless, it appears that the controversy is still brewing. Recently, rumors have spread that faculty members conspired to release hundreds of tapes of Lawrence's infamous comments. This may have been in retaliation for Lawrence's plan to review the performance of tenured professors. But Rutgers sophomore Ophelia Singleton, a vocal demonstrator in yesterday's protest, said the conspiracy theory is not the issue. "Whether or not it's a conspiracy is irrelevant," Singleton said. "He's determined his own fate." Singleton added that although Lawrence has a good record of hiring minorities and accepting minority students, it is not a reflection of his personal feelings, but the law. "President Lawrence has to hire a certain percentage of minority students by law," she said. "It's not about personal sentiment -- he has to do that. It's more out of necessity. "I don't want him to retain any dignity because what he did was not dignified."
(02/17/95 10:00am)
Sigma Alpha Mu, like many fraternities, has held parties under the InterFraternity Council's "Bring Your Own Beer" policy, ratified last month as part of a risk management program. And like many chapters, SAM officials said their fraternity has made significant efforts towards implementing BYOB. But in what SAM President and College sophomore David Lewis called the result of a lack of communication, SAM is now allegedly under investigation by the Greek Peer Judicial Board for possible violations of the BYOB policy during an event on February 4. "Rumors have been circulating that we were not in compliance with BYOB," he said. Yet whether the chapter is found in violation of the BYOB policy is not the central issue, according to Lewis. Instead, increased communication and teamwork between chapters would reduce the rumors and finger- pointing that Lewis said weakens the coherence of the Greek system and lowers the chance that BYOB will ever become a complete success. SAM is in a particularly bad position due to its past negative perception, according to Lewis. And although alumni did not monitor events February 3, the fraternity still faces possible sanctions. Sources, who asked to remain anonymous, have told The Daily Pennsylvanian that SAM violated policy with a party February 3. Lewis also confirmed reports that the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Affairs has received anonymous complaints concerning the same event. OFSA Director Tricia Phaup would not confirm if an investigation is underway, and added that the Greek Peer Judicial Board is strictly forbidden to make any documents concerning investigations public. But Lewis said his chapter has made every effort possible to implement the new policies, partly for the sake of the IFC, and also "to protect ourselves as far as liability." "It's almost a mockery to be criticized with all the initiative we have taken," he said. Last month, monitors who attended SAM's first BYOB party found no violations. "We have separate lines for 21 ID people and under 21 people," Lewis said. "Inside our party, at the beer distribution sites, we have signs?that state what the alcohol policy is. "[And] we were giving out tickets and armbands in compliance with the BYOB policy," he added. Last month, IFC President David Treat, a College junior, said the fraternities would need to work together to implement the policy, and that some violations would be expected as the community becomes acquainted with the BYOB system. After several weekends, Lewis said that most chapters are dedicated to the policy -- but that chapters should act more as a team to beat the perception fueled by rumors that the Greek system is not interested in working to improve itself. "I think it's important for the University community to understand that we are very interested in changing the perception," he said. Lewis established the Greek System Community Network in December to establish a more frequent method of communication between chapters and umbrella groups.
(02/17/95 10:00am)
After being paralyzed by several winter storms in the past few years, the city has taken steps to improve its system of plowing streets. Earlier this month, the city released its Speedy Relief program that designates certain main arteries as "Snow Emergency Routes." These streets will be completely plowed whenever the city declares a snow emergency. Any vehicles left on the street, including those that are disabled, will be towed and are subject to relevant fees and fines. Protected streets include such main thoroughfares as Walnut, Chestnut, Broad and 38th streets and Roosevelt Boulevard in Northeast Philadelphia. According to Denise Goren, deputy mayor for transportation, the plan was devised in response to last year's unexpected ice storms. "After last year we thought we could do better," she said, adding that it was a simple decision to choose which streets would be protected. "We found the really heavily travelled streets that are important for local businesses -- those we decided to plow curb to curb," she said."If you look at the map, you'll see we have the major streets." Goren and University officials agreed that this system will help aid travel to and from the University in inclement weather. "All cities set similar snow routes," Physical Plant Executive Director James Wargo said. "It helps clear traffic out of the city." But although both Wargo and Paul Cribbins, the University's director of city and Commonwealth relations, praised the plan, they did not actively petition the city government for improved strategies for emergency snow removal. Goren said the plan was drawn up with the city's best interests in mind and will therefore benefit nearby neighborhoods. "Penn is one of the major neighbors in that area," she explained. "We were concerned for any students who drive to class."
(02/17/95 10:00am)
Franklin Field has hosted many big stars in recent years -- but none as big as the four who gathered there yesterday. Four large elephants, in addition to several camera crews and animal trainers, came to Philadelphia this week to begin shooting Universal Studio's Twelve Monkeys. Directed by Terry Gilliam, a former member of the British comedy troup Monty Python, the film will star Brad Pitt, Bruce Willis and Madeline Stowe. The movie, scheduled for release next year, is set in Philadelphia and will feature a scene in which the elephants walk through the arches outside of Franklin Field and amble across the South Street Bridge. "I think one of the reasons why we're here is because the arch here looks pretty dramatic," said Ernie Malik, the film's publicist. He added that Gilliam selected the Franklin Field location in order to include the Philadelphia skyline in the background as one of the elephants walked across the bridge. To protect the animals, University Police closed off sections of South Street in front of Franklin Field and the South Street bridge during the filming. Charles Spencer, a local shelter manager for The Pennsylvania Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, was also on hand to oversee the shoot. "I think it's going very well," he said. "The trainer and the owner have a genuine love of animals." He added that the animals have been housed at a "large facility" just outside the city. Although the film is set in Philadelphia, this scene will be the only one filmed at the University, according to University spokesperson Phyllis Holtzman. But Holtzman was still enthusiastic about the film. "It's really good for the city whenever a movie like this is made," she said. According to Malik, this particular scene was a "second unit shot" -- in which neither the principal actors nor the director were present. While onlookers appeared impressed by the sight of the elephants, some students were disappointed that the stars of the movie had not come along. "I was disappointed that there weren't any hot bodies," College sophomore Christie Pitzner said.
(02/17/95 10:00am)
More than 30 black and Korean students formed a circle of unity last night in the Rooftop Lounge of High Rise North. They came together to discuss existing stereotypes and misconceptions between the two groups. The forum, entitled "When Things Fall Apart," was mediated by Programs for Awareness in Cultural Education, and was co-sponsored by the Korean Student Association and the Black Student League. College sophomore and United Minorities Council Representative Susie Lee said the forum was the direct result of a UMC retreat in the early fall that addressed interracial relations. "The UMC tries to be a united group but when it comes down to it, there are still 11 separate groups," she said. "We are basically trying to increase interaction between constituent groups and open [the] lines of communication. "This is the kind of thing I would like to see more often," she added. The forum addressed many issues, such as the apparent tension between the two racial groups. Engineering sophomore Ipyana Critton said most of the tension stemmed from misunderstandings between Korean shopkeepers and inner city blacks. "We have all seen Do the Right Thing and Menace II Society," she said. "Those movies were the first to address the problems." While some students felt strained relations between the two groups were prevalent, others felt these problems had been intensified by the media. College graduate student Ji-Yeon Yuh said she felt as if the media hyped up isolated incidents. "The media has a history of exploiting issues -- such as the L.A. riots -- in a way that perpetuates more conflict between the two communities," she said. But Lee insisted that the conflict between Koreans and African Americans was not merely a monster creation of the media. "My parents are first-generation Americans," she said. "They have prejudices, especially against blacks because [my parents] are ignorant. It is up to our generation to get rid of the stereotypes." Engineering junior Cardell Orrin spoke of two possible reasons for the tensions. "Both groups are stereotyping each other," he said. "Also, inner-city blacks see first-generation Koreans owning stores and it reflects the hopelessness and desperation that they feel from their own socioeconomic positions. They turn those emotions outward and lash out." After addressing universal stereotypes, the forum focused more specifically on relations at the University. Critton said social togetherness is hard to achieve because people do not often interact with racial groups other than their own -- even when a classroom setting calls for it. "You have to feel welcome in order to be friendly with someone," she said. College sophomore Sue Lee said the University is definitely a racially segregated campus. "Penn fosters an environment that does not encourage social togetherness," she said. "Misconceptions are not realized as such until people live together and socialize together and feel comfortable doing that." College senior and BSL President Robyn Kent spoke about her goals for the outreach of the forum. "I hope people have cleared their own misconceptions and can apply what they learned here to their everyday lives," she said.
(02/17/95 10:00am)
IFC to implement spring rush University President Judith Rodin dispelled rumors Wednesday that part of her plan for improving undergraduate education would dismantle the Greek system. But funding for Greek housing improvement projects will remain on hold for now -- to face "strategic" changes in the near future-- and the InterFraternity Council will implement spring rush next year. During an hour-long meeting, Rodin told officers of the Greek Alumni Council that fraternities and sororities will play a role in the 21st Century Undergraduate Initiative. But the system may face some changes as a result of new efforts. Rodin also said speculation that plans included reducing the campus Greek population from 30 percent to 10 percent is nothing but rumor. "Her position last night was that the Greek system can be embraced by a new University system," GAC Chairperson and Alpha Chi Omega alumnus Andrea Dobin said. Dobin added that the mission of Greek organizations may have to change in order to be competitive in the new system. "Her position, which I think is absolutely appropriate, is that the Greek system will be subjected to a market force test," she said. "If the University can now create its own social life on campus, it will just mean the Greek system will have to provide as good or better social life." Although specifics were not outlined at the meeting, projects that will affect fraternities and sororities include the implementation of a "college house system" and changes in the funding structure for chapter renovation projects, according to Office of Fraternity and Sorority Affairs Director Tricia Phaup, who also attended the meeting. Rodin emphasized that the current moratorium on capital funding for house improvement projects will not mean the end of University funding to Greek organizations. "Greek groups will not be coddled, but they certainly will not be dismantled, either," Dobin said. The current freeze, which applies to all major investment initiatives across the University, is designed to give the new administration time to evaluate the system and organize funding in a more goal-oriented fashion, according to Associate Vice Provost for University Life Larry Moneta. "We need to put it in a big package rather than having a component here, a component there," Phaup said. Rodin said the capital expenditure program and the program to improve Undergraduate life will work together, rather than having funds dispersed through unrelated projects. Because Rodin did not specify a timetable, GAC members will still await a date on when any projects will be implemented. "I think she's got some good ideas for housing in the future," said GAC Assistant Vice Chairperson Bill Staples. "Hopefully they won't wait too long to implement it all." Ideas concerning the "college house system" are part of the 21st Century Undergraduate Education Initiative, and Rodin said Greek organizations are part of the plan. "Clearly we're going to want the fraternity system to relate to the undergraduate college house system," Moneta said yesterday. He added that he does not see an inherent conflict between University housing and Greek housing, and that the administration has not planned to build more housing to compete with the Greek system. Also discussed at the meeting was the alcohol policy -- including the InterFraternity Council's new "Bring Your Own Beer" rules. "[GAC is] asking the University to look at alcohol concerns across the board for all students," Phaup said. Perhaps the most important development, according to Phaup, was the communication between the president and GAC. "Basically the tenure was the opportunity for them to meet one another and to know that they can be resources for one another," she said.
(02/17/95 10:00am)
The University has just one week to fill seven of its allotted 15 positions in the Pennsylvania Service Scholars division of the AmeriCorps program, which offers students an opportunity to receive financial aid in exchange for community service. Of the 32 schools participating state-wide, the University was allotted the largest number of AmeriCorps positions, according to Frank Newhams, director of Pennsylvania Service Scholars. But after February 24, the University will forfeit the additional positions if they are not filled. Pennsylvania Service Scholars funds 150 students in Pennsylvania, Newhams said. The University is one of three participating institutions that has not yet filled all of its positions. Newhams said he was optimistic that the school could fill the slots within the next week. The extensive commitment required of AmeriCorps volunteers may have discouraged some students from applying for the program, according to Amy Cohen, associate director of the Penn Program for Public Service. Cohen, who coordinates AmeriCorps activities for the University, added, however, that students "realize it's a flexible commitment" once she explains to them what the program actually entails. Cohen added that the timing of the announcement of recipients may have hurt the school. The University was informed that it received AmeriCorps grants just before winter break and could not begin recruiting until the start of this semester. Another contributing factor, according to Cohen, is the fact that the University has more positions to fill than do other schools. Newhams said failure to fill all 15 slots will not seriously hurt the programs in which students are participating. "I recognize that it will reduce the level of input," he said. "But you're not necessarily reducing the effectiveness of the level that you do put in." Under the AmeriCorps program, students work on a service project for a total of 900 hours, which Cohen said involves a seven to 10 hour a week commitment for five semesters -- as well as working for a summer. According to Newhams, students receive $2,363 from the National Service Trust upon completion of their service, and then receive a matching grant from the University. The money is used to help pay for the students' education. In addition, Newhams said, students receive a living stipend slightly above minimum wage. AmeriCorps was established in the summer of 1994 by the National Service Trust Act, which formed the Corporation for National and Community Service. The Corporation administers funds for all AmeriCorps programs. AmeriCorps has come under attack recently, as the new Republican majority in both chambers of Congress pushes to cut federal spending in order to reduce the federal deficit. The Corporation gave money to the state, which distributed it to various granting agencies throughout Pennsylvania. Those granting agencies -- such as Pennsylvania Campus Compact, of which Pennsylvania Service Scholars is a program -- donated money to schools. Cohen explained the unique nature of Pennsylvania Service Scholars. "AmeriCorps generally is not for students," she said. "The service is the only statewide higher education service corps in the country." Newhams said all of the institutions that Service Scholars is working with across the state have agreed to provide a service learning course for students. According to Cohen, the University's participants are required to take at least one of these courses. They include standard courses in areas such as nursing, anthropology and urban studies. "What we want?is to combine service and learning," Cohen said. Wharton sophomore John Seeg and College sophomore Abby Close became Pennsylvania Service Scholars this semester. Seeg and Close have been involved in the West Philadelphia Improvement Corps since September, teaching students at Shaw Middle School. They are co-coordinators of the school's Environmental Education Program, which Seeg said involves approximately 10 University students. Close said she saw joining AmeriCorps as a logical step because she was already fulfilling the service requirements, and receiving financial aid for the work she does was an obvious incentive. She said an AmeriCorps training session to be held later this month should add to what the students are already doing in the middle school program. Close also said she feels contact with participants in other Pennsylvania Service Scholars programs from around the state will be a "great resource." Seeg said he takes pride in being part of a nation-wide service program. "It's very inspiring and motivating to be part of this national movement in volunteerism," he said.
(02/17/95 10:00am)
and Amy Lipman A red Mitsubishi heading east on Spruce Street hit a parked Bell Atlantic truck at about 4 p.m. yesterday. Two-year-old Cubbin Lee, a passenger in the car, was injured in the accident, although he had been sitting in a child safety seat. He was taken to the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia where he was treated and released, hospital officials said last night. Philadelphia resident Innchan Lee, Cubbin Lee's father, had just picked his son up from the day-care program at St. Mary's Family Respite Center on Locust Walk. Lee said he was proceeding down Spruce Street when he noticed a car attempting to turn right onto Spruce from 39th Street. He added that when the other car stopped in the middle of Spruce Street, he applied his brakes and swerved to avoid that car. But Lee lost control of his own vehicle after its wheels became caught on the trolley tracks in the middle of Spruce Street. Lee's car then crossed the center line and hit one of two Bell Atlantic trucks parked along the curb outside Mayer Hall. "I couldn't control the car," Lee said. "It just slipped and hit the other truck." Bell Atlantic cable splicers Scott Burke and Gary Kubicki said they never saw a second car. The pair witnessed the accident from Kubicki's truck, where they had been filling out time sheets, Burke said. Neither of them was injured since Lee struck Burke's vehicle. Kubicki estimated that Lee had been traveling between 30 and 40 miles per hour at the time of the accident. "He was coming down Spruce -- that's why he was going so fast," Kubicki said. "He just like lost it [on the tracks]." Cubbin Lee was thrown from his car seat as a result of the impact, landing against the inside of the windshield and cracking the glass, Kubicki said. He added that the young child appeared to have hit his head and cut his lips. After the accident, the driver's side door of Burke's truck would not open, as the door frame had been slightly bent out of shape. Shattered pieces of plastic that had covered some of the truck's lights were scattered on Spruce Street near the truck. The cable splicers said the damaged truck would be towed from the site. University Police Officer Fred Riccelli said the accident would be further investigated by Philadelphia Police.
(02/16/95 10:00am)
Students make subjects of themselves all in the name of research Experiments conducted through the Psychology Department as well as through other laboratories around campus have been a popular way for students to improve their grades -- or to just pocket a few extra dollars. Many students who have taken or are currently enrolled in Introduction to Psychology have been asked to fill out questionnaires or surveys, some even for extra credit. Engineering freshman Alex Malek said he filled out several psychology surveys and received money for his time and efforts. "They mainly asked for my opinions on various topics such as depression," he said. "In fact, some of them you couldn't tell what they were testing. "I wasn't as candid as I would have been for some of the surveys," he said. "I felt like [the experimenter] was watching over me. "I'm doing another experiment soon for extra credit in my Psych 1 class," he added. "I don't know what it is going to be about yet, but if they decided to connect wires to my testicles, they would have to both pay me and give me extra credit." Monetary rewards have been the primary motivation for many students who have participated in different experiments. College sophomore Jared Miller was the subject in an experiment that utilized a form of monetary commission as a bonus for subjects to perform better. The experiment appeared to be testing a new children's computer program that was designed to improve memory. Miller sat in front of a computer and as various countries appeared on the screen, he had to enter their capitals into the computer. This process occurred twice, with a break in between. "In the middle of the trials, I had to fill out a psychology survey to 'clear my mind.' It was making judgement calls on various touchy moral issues," Miller said. "The survey really bothered me. They could have cleared my mind another way." On a third trial, Miller was offered an increase in the $5 pay he was to receive, based on his performance as well as his speed. Miller said he still questions the object of the experiment. "The experimenters claimed to have shown me what they were trying to accomplish -- helping to bring American students up to par with the intellectual levels of students of other countries," Miller said. "I still wonder if somehow I was being tested on the interim survey. "I think everyone should participate in at least one experiment in their lifetime. It shows how you can screw around with data if you really wanted to, but I did what was asked of me," he added. "Besides, it's an easy way of making money if you have the time." Recruitment flyers in the Psychology Laboratory Building have assisted some researchers in finding students to participate as subjects in these experiments. Research Assistant Matt Stallcup is helping to conduct an experiment to test mental imagery. Stallcup is using a Magnetic Resonance Imaging machine located at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania to generate the data. While Stallcup is offering pay for the hour spent in the MRI chamber, many of his subjects have have been more interested in receiving a color printout of their brain and a print-up of the data collected. Some students have also done studies for the Monnell Chemical Senses Center. Monnell performs tests on smell, taste, and sensory irritation, according to experimenter Pam Dalton, who performs research dealing with olfaction, or the sense of smell. She said many students enjoy participating in her experiments -- which Dalton partly attributes to the fact that on average, they are paid $8 an hour. "I performed one experiment dealing with air freshener and sensitivity to odors present in air freshener over time," Dalton said. For this experiment, subjects were asked to use an air freshener in their dormitory room or bedroom where they would be exposed to the smell for at least six hours a day. After several weeks of living with an odor, subjects lose the ability to smell it, according to Dalton. "Changes are occurring inside the nose or the brain," Dalton said. "But most of the discoveries have merely been anecdotal, which is why I wanted to study it. "We can also tell you who is more sensitive or not sensitive at all to different smells," she added. "It's important for people to know if they can't smell something that they are at risk of being exposed to in day-to-day life." Nursing graduate student Kathy Jordan has participated in several of Dalton's studies at Monnell. "I have participated in the experiment for the money, because I haven't been able to find a part-time job," Jordan said. One experiment in which she was a subject dealt with the perception of slides based on odors present in a room while viewing the slides. The slides included "pleasing" and "not-so-pleasing" pictures, ranging from babies and fields to death and fires. "I don't mind participating in the experiments," she said. "Besides, it's a simple way to make money -- sometimes it seems too simple." Nursing junior Sally Fried also participated in various experiments performed by Dalton. "Some of the experiments are a little strange. I had to stick bottles up my nose a bit for one of them," Fried said. "In fact, some of the odors stung my nose a bit." Fried also participated in another experiment -- of which she has no fond memories. For this test, doctors at Thomas Jefferson Medical Center anesthetized part of her nose and removed some cells with tweezers, Fried recalled, somewhat unhappily. "Even though I was paid for it, I would never do that one or one like it again," she added. Some students turn themselves into proverbial guinea pigs for pocket money or for extra-credit points. But others have filled out surveys with the sole aim of assisting the field of psychology. "They only take a few minutes, and they don't really require much thought," College sophomore Sabrina Flaum said. "I did it because I'm a psychology major, and some day I'll probably be in their shoes, needing people to participate in my experiments." While most students are trying to reap some form of benefits from participating in these studies, others are attempting to actually conduct experiments of their own. Anjani Ragade, a College and Wharton senior, is currently researching how people respond to various stimuli that deal primarily with homophones -- words that sound alike but have different meanings. "It's great to be able to get this kind of experience," said the psychology major. "I'm basically conducting it for my own intellectual curiosity. "I hit on homophones as something I was interested in, and I wanted to conduct my own study," she added. Ragade performed the experiment under the direction of Psychology Professor Michael Kelly, who said he found the subject of Ragade's research interesting and relevant. "English has many homophones which pose difficulties for language processing," Kelly said. "Subjects have been more likely to catch the mistakes when the substituted word was of a different grammatical class." But Ragade said she found it difficult to entice people to participate in the experiment. She paid subjects with money which came from a research fund of Kelly's and also convinced some of her friends to help her out. "I participated in the experiment because I'm friends with Anjani and she asked me to do it," College sophomore Jessica Grisham said. "I thought it was interesting, and it didn't take up too much time. "I'm also a psychology major and eventually I'd like to do [an experiment] of my own," Grisham added.
(02/16/95 10:00am)
There is anger tumbling down the west staircase of High Rise South. A poet, who has not been identified, wrote rhyming verse from the staircase between the roof top lounge and the 24th floor to the staircase between the 15th and 16th floors. Each letter of the poem is written in thick, black capital letters and is about three inches in height.The poem reads: I have a heart of burning coal. I have a majestic major goal. I have an imprisoned raging soul. I live in a tripped out putrid hole. There are torn stained sheets on my flagpole. My time's been bought, My life's been sold. I peek out At the world through a rusty keyhole. I've walked in the wind, my hands are cold. I sit waiting for you. I grow old. Following the poem is what appears to be a signature. It reads, "Credo" in the same black marker. Beneath this signature, is an assessment of the poet's work. "You are a stupid fucking asshole," the response reads in red marker. "I bet you hurt real bad inside, I really feel sorry for you. Boy, the struggles young people go through -- we are here for you: Advice: Eat some rat poison." Residential Living Director Gigi Simeone said she was not aware of the poem. But she said it would be cleaned up immediately. She also said the size of the poem surprised her. "Unfortunately, we have had graffiti in the past," she said. "But I've never heard of a whole poem going for several stories. I've never heard of that before." High Rise South residents who read the poem said they could not pinpoint the author's meaning but were amused by the presentation. "I feel like it was some type of broken Valentine," Engineering senior Brian Nolan said. "It's written like a heartbroken teenager, kind of puppy love thing. But it was kind of weird spiraling down through the staircase." Nolan added that parts of the poem, such as "imprisoned" and "rusted key hole," made him think the poem was referring to the dormitory. College sophomore Mark Milstein said he respected poetry but criticized the author's chosen medium --graffiti. "I think it's interesting that people feel that to get their message across they have to deface nine floors of a building," he said. But another student saw a different side to the emotional expression. "I think it sounds a little cliched," College sophomore Jeff Wachs said. "But I guess it's better that the ballbiter graffiti in the elevator." Wachs also said the poem reminded him of T.S. Eliot's verse style.
(02/16/95 10:00am)
Over 30 students attended a panel discussion entitled "Affirmative action: What has it done for you or against you lately?" Among the panelists were English professor Houston Baker, College senior and Undergraduate Assembly member Dan Schorr, College senior Joanna Paul, and second-year Law student Pamela Urueta. And although the primary focus of the discussion was affirmative action, the panelists also discussed the issue of race in the United States. "Race should be a factor [in affirmative action], but not the sole factor," Urueta, a proponent of the policy, said. "In an ideal world, we wouldn't need policies such as affirmative action." Schorr disagreed, saying that "we need to base affirmative action on socioeconomic status, not race." After speeches by the panelists, the audience had an opportunity to ask questions and participate in the discussion. "As far as I'm concerned, I thought it was very lively," Program for the Awareness of Cultural Education member and College junior Brent Plummer said. "I didn't expect it to be so intense. More of this is definitely needed." United Minorities Council Chairperson and College senior Liz Melendez said that she wished the discussion could have lasted longer than the 90 minutes allotted. "I hope this is just the beginning of the conversations about affirmative action," she said. Baker agreed with Melendez's sentiments. "It was one of the most encouraging, interactive sessions with students that obviously represented a diverse portion of the student body," he said. "I would like to see this forum broadened to the entire University." And many people in the audience felt that the forum gave them a greater understanding of affirmative action. "I learned exactly what affirmative action was and how it is on Penn's campus," College senior and Six Directions President Desiree Martinez said. "It was an interesting dialogue that needed to be opened up?to get rid of the misconceptions of affirmative action." Urueta summed up the discussion by saying that,"instead of color-blind, I think we should strive for color-proud." The discussion was sponsored by the UMC, Greenfield Intercultural Center and PACE.
(02/16/95 10:00am)
Statistics show one percent drop The overall number of campus crimes during 1994 was slightly lower than those reported for 1993, according to University Police Commissioner John Kuprevich. "Total reported crimes were down one percent or less," Kuprevich said of the preliminary figures which were released earlier this week. "The general trend for '94 was that our numbers were very, very similar -- in terms of percentage of part one to part two [crimes] -- to what we've seen in the last seven years," he added. Incidents classified as "part one" include serious crimes, such as murder, rape, robbery, assault, car theft and arson. "Part two" crimes are less serious offenses. "Our percentage of part one crimes is about 75 percent of total crimes reported," Kuprevich explained. Reported robberies decreased last year with 38 robberies during 1994, compared to 45 in 1993. In addition, the number of reported burglaries also went down, from 146 to 100 incidents. Kuprevich attributed this decrease to new police programs targeting burglary reduction during University vacations. He also said additional burglary units were called in during such high-risk times, and students who leave their homes unattended can register with the police for special protection. Police officers will then periodically check the property and contact students if a burglary occurs, so victims can register a complaint. "There was about a 50 percent drop in burglaries in the local neighborhood because of this initiative," he said. Figures that increased during 1994 include assaults, which went up from three to four; auto thefts, which went up from 66 to 72; and property thefts, which went up from 1,083 to 1,130 incidents. "You always displace crimes," Kuprevich said, adding that when police focus on reducing one type of crime, often other areas experience an increase. "The number of crimes against persons is small," he said. "It only runs between about three and six percent, including simple assault. "In actual numbers of incidents, you're talking between 40 and 80 incidents in a 12-month period for a population of about 40,000 people," he added. Kuprevich said these figures are not final and that official numbers will be posted next year. "There can be errors," he said. "One of the things we've always done here is reported really honestly." He also stressed that analysis of police success should not solely depend on statistics. "Numbers are to be used for long-term trend analysis," he said. Jon Brightbill, president of Penn Watch, a student-run town watch and peer education program at the University, agreed that more has to be taken into account than just crime figures. "Any improvement is good and we welcome it, but it doesn't mean our battle with crime is over," the Wharton sophomore said. Brightbill said that responsibility for improving safety on and around campus lies not only with police, but the University community. "I suggest students start participating in dialogue and discussion just like they do about everything else," he said. Brightbill said he has been discouraged by the lack of student action regarding safety issues. He cited low student turnout at a campus-wide safety forum last semester. "Students are concerned enough [about crime] to complain, but they're not concerned enough to do something about it," he added.
(02/16/95 10:00am)
Students will have no difficulty engaging in "coffee talk" this spring, as a multitude of coffee houses are opening around campus. The newest addition to the University coffee scene is the Tuscany Premium Coffee cafe, which will open in April at the Shops at Penn on 34th and Walnut Streets. Tuscany will serve various coffees, along with baked goods. In addition to Tuscany, a coffee house may move into the Quadrangle, Community House Assistant Dean in Residence Diana Koros said last night. "We thought it would be wonderful to have something comfy and relaxing and interesting," Koros said, citing McClelland Hall and a room in the basement of Ashhurst as possible sites for the facility. And this fall, residents of the Castle began putting together a monthly Friday night coffee house in the Castle's lobby. With almost 30 tables and musical entertainment -- plus desserts and coffee served by candlelight -- Castle residents hope to provide a comfortable atmosphere for the University community to come together. "It's also a good way for the Castle to inform the University community on what's going on here," Management and Technology junior Michael Isenberg said. Isenberg, who helped form the coffee house program, said the Castle's format and atmosphere is "a thousand times better" than some of the other offerings on campus. My Favorite Muffin, to be located in The Book Store, will begin operation in late March. Gene's Beans has become one of the prime attractions of Chats, the 1920 Commons eatery which opened last week. Like most coffee shops, Gene's Beans serves everything from cappuccino to flavored coffees. Bucks County Coffee House, located on Sansom Street, began operation last fall when it replaced Beanie's, a coffee house that closed last year. And since last year, Wawa Food Market has promoted two coffee kiosk locations --Eone in the Hall of Flags in Houston Hall and the other in the Wawa at 38th and Spruce Streets. And Chimes cafe, another coffee house at 40th and Pine streets, has been a popular student hang-out for the past year. According to University officials, coffee houses are so popular that the many campus locations will not suffer from the influx, and see it as healthy competition. "They are a hot, popular segment of the retail market," Shops at Penn Manager Michael Fox said. "We've had a number of coffee companies interested." Although Bucks County Coffee House is just around the corner, Fox said the newest addition to the Shops at Penn will still thrive. The Book Store Director Michael Knezic said he felt Chats and My Favorite Muffin will "complement" one another. "I think the two will work well with each other," he said, noting that the two restaurants cater toward different crowds at different hours. And Dining Services Director William Canney said Chats offers more than just coffee and pastries, and therefore entices a large clientele. Canney said both facilities report to the same supervisor -- Vice President for Business Services Steven Murray. For a time, the University considered bringing in a coffee house as one of the retailers to reside in the bottom level of the parking garage at 38th and Walnut Streets. But Associate Treasurer Christopher Mason said he rejected that idea because there are "too many of those right now." Fox said he did not think the current number of coffee houses was problematic. But he added that he did not know how many coffee houses it would take to reach the "limit" for the University campus. "Ultimately, the laws of supply and demand will answer that question," he said. Koros said each coffee shop has a different environment and style, giving students ample choices for where to go for a cup of coffee.
(02/15/95 10:00am)
The community is applauding University President Judith Rodin's unveiling of major new safety initiatives for the campus and its West Philadelphia vicinity yesterday. Wharton sophomore Jonathan Brightbill, chairperson of Penn Watch, said he is encouraged by the administration's support of student groups like his in the new plan. "We are very pleased that the administration sees the merit and potential within Penn Watch," he said, adding that he thinks student involvement in the implementation of the plan's component is crucial to its success. But Brightbill said that because the student body has shown relatively little interest in security issues, the area of West Philadelphia surrounding the University is unlikely to improve anytime soon. "Unfortunately, it is all too easy for Penn students to hide behind their bursar bills and use that as their excuse for why they are too lazy to get involved," he said. Brightbill did, however, commend various Greek groups and other organizations that have volunteered to work with Penn Watch patrolling the arteries around campus Rodin has designated Community Walks. History Professor Lynn Lees -- who lives at 45th and Pine streets and is active in Penn Faculty and Staff for Neighborhood Issues -- said while she has not yet read Rodin's official statement in yesterday's Almanac, she and PFSNI are in favor of "any University action that will increase street traffic in University City." "[The plan] strikes me as a creative response to the problems of street crime in West Philadelphia," Lees said, adding that increasing the number of pedestrians may get students out of Escort vans and thereby improve the entire neighborhood. Lees also said she bikes to work each day and has found the neighborhood near her home to be "relatively safe as long as one is careful." But according to Lees, street safety is only one element in producing a higher-quality environment for students, faculty and staff in University City. "We look forward to the appearance of this plan but also to?a whole series of measures for increasing the stability of the community," Lees said. Ben Hoyle, the University's deputy director of planning and budget, said funding for the new security initiatives -- including signs and increased lighting on the proposed Community Walks, and more blue light phones on the newly built safety kiosks -- will come from both permanent budget reallocations as well as one-time expenditures. When asked whether the University can afford the several million dollar cost of the new initiatives, Hoyle said not investing resources now could have dire consequences in the years to come. "I think the administration sees safety on this campus as a very high priority," he said, adding that since Rodin's proposed programs will not all be accomplished in one year, related expenditures can be spread out and made more manageable.
(02/15/95 10:00am)
Up 100 from last year The number of students retaining rooms in the high rises topped last year's year total by more than 100, Residential Living Director Gigi Simeone said yesterday. During last week's two-day retention period, 607 students decided to spend another year in their high rise apartments. Last year, only 474 students retained their rooms. "I'm pleased," Simeone said. "I would attribute it to students realizing the benefits of living on campus." Simeone said this year's increase is "higher than usual," noting that 443 students retained in the spring of 1993, and 371 residents completed the process in 1992. The Residential Living Department used several methods to entice students to stay on campus this year. Besides the usual posters and balloons, officials added another incentive -- maintaining the current average room rent for next year. Retention occurred last Wednesday and Thursday in the upper lobby of High Rise North. To remind students about the retention period, balloons reading "Residential Living: Right in the Heart of Campus," lined Locust Walk and decorated the lobby of High Rise North last week. Department officials sat in the upper lobby, answering questions and aiding students in the completion of the retention process. Students who retained their rooms said the process went smoothly and quickly. "It was relatively easy," Engineering sophomore Julian Kwan said. "We like the high rises and there's no sense in picking a different room if we were going to stay in the high rises." Kwan said he and two of his three roommates retained their three-bedroom quad in High Rise North because the building is convenient and "has everything we need." He added that the ethernet connection available to High Rise residents was an added incentive. Simeone said this is the first year ResNet has been completely installed in all three high rises. "Students who get accustomed to the ethernet connection find out how incredibly useful that is," she said. "Cable and the movie station helped too." Residential Living's decision to maintain the same average rent "was significant," Simeone added.
(02/15/95 10:00am)
The Cold War has ended, breaking up the former Soviet Union, and leaving Russia and 14 neighboring states with 30,000 nuclear weapons, hundreds of metric tons of plutonium and highly enriched uranium, and tens of thousands of metric tons of chemical warfare agent. To address this issue, and its possible ramifications for the U.S., Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Policy Ashton Carter spoke at the Union League in Center City yesterday. "The world has been unhinged by the Cold War," Carter, a native of Philadelphia, said. "Russia and the destiny of Russia remain our central security problem. "Russia is in an on-going revolution and we don't know the outcome," he added. "We'd prefer a Russia that was internally democratic, with a free market economy and with freedom of the press and who is integrated with the rest of the world." He said that the worst case scenario would be a disintegrated Russia. "We support economic and political reform but, in the department of defense, we keep upper most in our minds, and I think all Americans should keep upper most in their minds, our security interests," he said. He also listed four particular security interests. The first was the United States' desire to have control over and ultimately destroy the former Soviet Union's nuclear weapons. He said the weapons were handled "like musical chairs. When the music stopped all the Soviet states kind of had what they had. "We have equipment in Russia for chopping up submarines, bombers, missiles, silos," he said. "We're building a storage facility for safe storage of plutonium." Currently, the United States has a research center that employs former Soviet weapon scientists to work on peace-time research. He said that they needed work after the break up of the Soviet Union, and, "we don't want them running off to Tripoli or Pyong Yang and building bombs." He also said that the United States now has the opportunity to dismantle the Soviet weapons arsenal. "We're trying as vigorously as we can to jump through that window before it closes," he said. Carter said the United States' second security interest was "controlling proliferation [of weapons] from the former U.S.S.R. outside the former U.S.S.R.: leakage, smuggling, and sales of destabilizing equipment." A third concern is economic and political stabilization within Russia and the other successor states. And fourth on Carter's list of priorities is to avoid "the reflexive, zero sum, global rivalry" that existed during the Cold War, during which the Soviet Union acted as a "spoiler" and a "check" to the United States. However, he said the future of Russia is still unclear and the United States is trying to structure its policy so American security is "protected no matter what." The Department of Defense is currently planning to "engage" parties in the successor states who are "willing to work with the U.S. in the common pursuit of activities that serve our security." Carter used the covert operation, Project Sapphire, as an example of such successful engagement. The project was formed in response to 600 kilograms of highly enriched uranium found in Kazakhstan. "Their first conclusion was: we shouldn't have it," he said. "Somebody cared about their security and felt they didn't need nuclear weapons, [and] Kazakhstan came to the United States first." American officials canned up the material in special containers and flew it back to the U.S. on C-5 transport planes and drove it to Oak Ridge, Tennessee, Carter said. At 8:00 a.m. the following day, U.S. Secretary of Defense William Perry announced on television that this material -- which was "much more than Saddam Hussein would have ever dreamed of getting, was safe."
