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(11/16/98 10:00am)
The sun shone brightly, the autumn leaves drifted slowly down to the sidewalk and the sorority houses on the 4000 block of Walnut Street threw their doors wide open. It must be fall. Yesterday marked the second day of the Panhellenic Council's informal open houses -- a chance for freshman women to visit the different sorority houses, meet the sisters casually and register for next semester's rush process. "I never considered rushing in high school because I'm a big tomboy," College freshman Tasnim Beg said. "But I got here and it's such a part of the campus. Its such a great opportunity to meet a lot of great girls." Several hundred women turned out for open houses at the eight Panhel sororities. Alpha Phi, Kappa Alpha Theta, Phi Sigma Sigma and Pi Beta Phi all held open houses yesterday, while the other four sororities hosted the event on November 8. These open houses are the only fall-semester sorority events that freshmen women may attend, according to Panhel President Janelle Brodsky. Dressed in jeans, with brightly colored name tags on their shirts, the sorority sisters welcomed the freshmen and chatted with them about the Greek system. "I thought it would be intimidating, but everyone is very casual," College freshman Sigi Rosenberg said. "The whole scene is more low key." "It's not as bad as I thought it would be. I had a lot of stereotypes," College freshman Amanda Shiffman said. But like many of the freshmen women out yesterday, she was not sure that she would pledge. "Everyone is testing the waters," Shiffman added. Phi Sig sister Kate Reed said she was glad not to be a freshman any more and prefers to be showing the houses rather than visiting them. "This side is definitely better," the Nursing sophomore said, adding that "as a freshman it was definitely intimidating." Brodsky, a College and Engineering senior, said these introductory events are helpful for the sometimes-apprehensive freshmen. "I think [the open houses] make people more comfortable," Brodsky said. "People see that we're not as scary as they think we are." "It's good for them to get a chance to see the houses," explained Alisa Plesco, rush chairperson at Pi Phi. She also noted that "this is really a way to get people to sign up for rush." Registration costs $10 and it is required in order to rush. The fall open houses were introduced last year, said Plesco, an Engineering junior. During the years before that, women registered for rush in Houston Hall's Bodek Lounge and no events started until the spring semester. Panhellenic Council board members stressed that the primary focus at this point of the rush process was getting freshman to join the Panhel system, not becoming part of an individual house. Julie Galluzo, Panhel's vice president for rush, said that the theme for the day was, "Welcome to my house -- but I really love being part of the system." The College senior added that "most of the girls have been visiting every house, which means they're coming in with an open mind." But not all sisters are convinced that freshmen are solely seeking a Panhellenic experience. "They do it by house; they don't do it by Panhel," said College sophomore and Phi Sig sister Randi Spinner. "I think the majority of [the freshmen] have preconceived ideas already."
(11/12/98 10:00am)
"I like to write about the private lives of ordinary people," best-selling author and soon-to-be Penn teacher Gay Talese said yesterday to approximately 25 students and faculty members at the Kelly Writers House. Decked out in brown pants, a plaid jacket and vest, a pink and white stripped shirt, and a yellow paisley tie, Talese visited the Writers House to discuss his work and his upcoming job as the first Kelly Writers House Fellow. Talese's salary is being paid by Paul Kelly, a wealthy Wharton alumnus who sponsors much of the House's work. Next semester Talese will teach a seminar class at the Writers House focusing on writing creative non-fiction, or factual work that is written stylistically like fiction. Talese began his professional writing career as a reporter, and although he wrote for the New York Times for ten years, he said he "never was very successful in a journalistic sense." What Talese did like about journalism was the opportunity it gave him to talk to regular people. "I was not interested in what an important person said," he explained. "I cared about human, ordinary life." As a result, Talese left the Times to write best-selling books on a variety of topics: The Kingdom and the Power is about the New York Times newsroom; Honor Thy Father discusses life in the mafia, and Thy Neighbor's Wife focused on American sexual practices in the 1960s and 1970s. Talese says he writes about real people in his books and claims that he's "never written about anybody that I couldn't call up and see again." But he did note, "If you write about anybody well -- that means deep invasions of privacy." Born into an Italian-American family in Ocean City, NJ, Talese said that his father was the person who initially piqued his curiosity about the depths of human character. He explained that during WW II, by day his father used to cheer the Allies' victories with the rest of the Ocean City community. But at night he would crouch over a short wave radio listening for news of his brothers, who were fighting against the Allies as part of the Italian army. "I saw two men. I saw an emotional double agent," he said. "I saw how in a little household, a character can be interesting." Talese has not made any specific plans for his class yet. It will be limited to 15 to 20 students, who must submit an application explaining why they want to take the class and several writing samples. Additionally, the students will be able to view Talese as "a writer in the middle of a work in progress." He said that he will continue working on his next book, which focuses on a cycle of human life that exists over time within an ordinary building. Talese also discussed his role models during his speech. One, a teacher who taught a class in French history, was an influential figure during Talese's college days at the University of Alabama. "What I loved about the class was the way he dramatized history," he said. "He had characters." Writers House organizers said they were thrilled both to hear Talese talk and to have him teach at Penn. "I have to say, hearing him talk about his practice made me really want to take the course," said Kerry Sherin, the director of the Writers House. "He's saying to everyone that you can do this too." "We've been working this out for about a year," said Al Filreis, the faculty director of the Writers House.
(11/12/98 10:00am)
"I like to write about the private lives of ordinary people," best-selling author and soon-to-be Penn teacher Gay Talese said yesterday to approximately 25 students and faculty members at the Kelly Writers House. Decked out in brown pants, a plaid jacket and vest, a pink and white stripped shirt, and a yellow paisley tie, Talese visited the Writers House to discuss his work and his upcoming job as the first Kelly Writers House Fellow. Talese's salary is being paid by Paul Kelly, a wealthy Wharton alumnus who sponsors much of the House's work. Next semester Talese will teach a seminar class at the Writers House focusing on writing creative non-fiction, or factual work that is written stylistically like fiction. Talese began his professional writing career as a reporter, and although he wrote for the New York Times for ten years, he said he "never was very successful in a journalistic sense." What Talese did like about journalism was the opportunity it gave him to talk to regular people. "I was not interested in what an important person said," he explained. "I cared about human, ordinary life." As a result, Talese left the Times to write best-selling books on a variety of topics: The Kingdom and the Power is about the New York Times newsroom; Honor Thy Father discusses life in the mafia, and Thy Neighbor's Wife focused on American sexual practices in the 1960s and 1970s. Talese says he writes about real people in his books and claims that he's "never written about anybody that I couldn't call up and see again." But he did note, "If you write about anybody well -- that means deep invasions of privacy." Born into an Italian-American family in Ocean City, NJ, Talese said that his father was the person who initially piqued his curiosity about the depths of human character. He explained that during WW II, by day his father used to cheer the Allies' victories with the rest of the Ocean City community. But at night he would crouch over a short wave radio listening for news of his brothers, who were fighting against the Allies as part of the Italian army. "I saw two men. I saw an emotional double agent," he said. "I saw how in a little household, a character can be interesting." Talese has not made any specific plans for his class yet. It will be limited to 15 to 20 students, who must submit an application explaining why they want to take the class and several writing samples. Additionally, the students will be able to view Talese as "a writer in the middle of a work in progress." He said that he will continue working on his next book, which focuses on a cycle of human life that exists over time within an ordinary building. Talese also discussed his role models during his speech. One, a teacher who taught a class in French history, was an influential figure during Talese's college days at the University of Alabama. "What I loved about the class was the way he dramatized history," he said. "He had characters." Writers House organizers said they were thrilled both to hear Talese talk and to have him teach at Penn. "I have to say, hearing him talk about his practice made me really want to take the course," said Kerry Sherin, the director of the Writers House. "He's saying to everyone that you can do this too." "We've been working this out for about a year," said Al Filreis, the faculty director of the Writers House.
(11/04/98 10:00am)
Robert Borski borrowed his campaign slogan from an endorsement given to him by Philadelphia Mayor Ed Rendell -- "Bob Borski works hard; he works smart, and he gets things done for Philadelphia." The voters in Pennsylvania's 3rd Congressional District in Northeast Philadelphia seemed to agree with the mayor. Yesterday, they elected Democratic incumbent Borski, 50, for his ninth consecutive term in Washington. Borski won with 60 percent of the vote, as opposed to 40 percent earned by challenger Charles Dougherty, 61, with 98 percent of precincts reporting. "He's honest, and he wants to help the members of the community, and he does it the best he can," said Jimmy Kessler, a local Democratic Committee member, who was one of about 150 people celebrating at the Rose Briar Inn in Northeast Philadelphia. "Who else is there?" said Jim Molloy, who voted for Borski. Borski relied on support from the large elderly population in the area. He even went as far as to provide transportation to the polls for the senior citizens, said Karen Peck, Borski's press secretary. Medicare, Social Security and a patient's bill of rights are all concerns for the senior citizens, and Borski has made these issues a priority. Other issues on which Borski focused during his campaign were campaign-finance reform and the improvement of roads, bridges and transit systems. The Republican challenger, Dougherty, is the same man Borski unseated in 1982. Dougherty admitted that the turnout was greater than he had expected and added that "there is obviously a residual Democratic vote that surpasses any interest in local issues that people express a concern about." Family, friends and supporters greeted Borski with huge cheers when he arrived at his party. Borski said he was pleased with the support. "Our message of looking out for senior citizens and working people came through loud and clear," he said. His seven-year-old son, Robert Borski III, put the sentiment best. "I'm going to keep voting for him as long as he's going to be a congressman," he said. Daily Pennsylvanian staff writer Laura McClure contributed to this article.
(11/03/98 10:00am)
Tau Epsilon Phi brothers and alumni came together Saturday afternoon for a presentation in honor of a beloved friend -- their late houseman Alzie Jackson. College sophomore and TEP brother Ari Johnson, Jackson's grandson, received the first annual Alzie Jackson TEP Scholarship, which was created by the alumni in honor of a man who touched the lives of generations of TEP brothers. Jackson, who died in February 1997 at age 69, worked at the house for 40 years. "Not only is this an honor but a blessing to receive this scholarship," said Johnson, who shed tears as he spoke about his grandfather and their mutual affection for their extended family of TEP brothers. Johnson said TEP was "like another family for [Jackson]" and that "he always talked about the brothers." When Jackson -- who was also a hat designer and taught hat-making at Moore College of the Arts -- died, the alumni formed a committee to decide how to best preserve the legacy of their friend and father figure. They collected $120,000 in donations and endowed the scholarship. The award will be given annually to a deserving student each year, amounting to $25,000 per year. Johnson will receive the award for the next three years, after which Penn officials will pick the next recipient. The scholarship will be given annually to a student in financial need who shows a dedication to community service, has a diversity of interests, has overcome disadvantage and who strives for academic achievement, explained 1969 University graduate Steve Lerman, who chairs the scholarship fund and spoke at the presentation. "We thought it would fitting that [Johnson] would be the first Alzie Jackson Scholar," said Lerman, who was TEP president from 1968 to 1969. TEP President and College junior Mark Metzl, who admitted to crying during the ceremony, said "it is an honor to have Ari in the fraternity." Jackson made an impact on every TEP brother who walked in the door, said TEP alumnus Matthew Mandelbaum, who graduated in 1998. Mandelbaum said he remembers what Jackson said to him when Mandelbaum first moved into the TEP house. "He said, 'Tell your mom not to worry because you've got a home here'," Mandelbaum recalled. When Jackson wasn't taking care of his TEP family, he was hard at work in the fashion world. Known as "Mr. Alzie," he became a successful hat designer. Jackson's career as a hat maker began in Harlem in 1943 when he sold hats at Easter for $2 apiece and culminated with his participation in a millinery exhibit at the Philadelphia Museum of Art in 1993. After the exhibition he began to teach a course in on hat making at the Moore College of Art. Jackson spent his summers working with underprivileged children at Camp Sussex in New Jersey. "Maybe he couldn't leap tall buildings in a single bound," Lerman said. "But I'm sure he was working on it."
(10/16/98 9:00am)
It is never too late to go Greek. Upperclass fall rush, which began for most houses about two weeks ago, gives students who missed spring rush their freshman year the opportunity to join selected fraternities or sororities. Fall rush is an informal process that involves only a few houses and is less regulated by the InterFraternity Council than spring rush is, according to Wharton Senior Jeff Snyder, the IFC's vice president for rush and membership education. Fraternities with low membership usually pledge in the fall people who are already friends with the chapter's brothers, according to Scott Reikofski, director of the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Affairs. Psi Upsilon, Delta Tau Delta, Delta Upsilon and Lambda Chi Alpha have informed OFSA officials that they are holding an upperclass fall rush, according to Reikofski. Pi Beta Phi is the only sorority participating in fall rush. Psi U President and Wharton senior Todd Bishop explained that pledging some brothers now will help "strengthen the younger classes who eventually will take over the house." His fraternity hopes to boost its numbers with the fall rush, he added. Psi U -- which moved back to its historic home in the Castle this year after losing their charter in 1990 for kidnapping and abusing a brother in a rival fraternity -- currently has 22 members. DTD would like eight new members, according to chapter President James Vergara, a College senior. He added that "about half the people [rushing] we know, and half we're hoping to attract through open events." Fall rush also allows fraternities to attract members who were not sure they wanted to pledge during their freshman year, according to Delta Upsilon President Jeff Reisenberg, a College junior. Houses hold more intimate rush events in the fall than in the spring, the presidents explained, and big parties are uncommon. Lambda Chi Alpha has already finished its fall rush, although the other fraternities will hold rush until early November. The fraternity is looking for six new members to join its current 17, according to Treasurer Mendel Hui, a Wharton sophomore. Pi Phi, the only sorority holding a fall rush, gave out bids last weekend. The seven other Panhellenic sororities filled their quota of 45 bids per sorority during rush last spring. Whenever there are less than three sororities involved, the Panhellenic Council does not oversee upperclass fall rush, explained Julie Galluzzo, a College senior and Panhel's vice president for rush. Therefore, Pi Phi ran its pledge events --Ewhich included a cocktail party, a TV watching night, an ice cream social and a downtown party at Paradigm -- independently. Rush Chairperson Alisa Plesco, an Engineering junior, said Pi Phi gets "some of our best women" through fall rush. College junior Andrea Brustein, one of the three new Pi Phi pledges, said she enjoyed rush. "It was very laid-back and they made us feel welcome," Brustein said. "I never wanted to rush in the spring [because] it's much more stressful."
(10/14/98 9:00am)
A knowledgeable source blamed the mix-up on a Trammell Crow official. The party was in the works for months. It would have been one of the biggest social events of the semester, in one of the trendiest locations on campus. But last Wednesday, miscommunication about the event's nature led Penn's Division of Public Safety to cancel, at the last minute, the all-Greek mixer scheduled for last Thursday night. Yesterday, officials at the company that manages retail and other properties for the University -- who were working closely with Greeks in planning the party and had refused repeated requests for comment over the last week -- offered their explanation of what happened. Scott Hyatt, a senior property manager for Trammell Crow Co., stressed that officials effectively communicated with Greeks what the event would be. "We committed to a block party from [4 p.m. to 7 p.m.] that would provide a forum for the Greeks to have an information session," Hyatt said. "All parties knew about that." But a knowledgeable source close to Penn's Greek system said Kate McAllister -- who works for Portfolio Marketing Group, which represents the Trammell Crow Co. --Edid not explain to the Greeks that the company intended the event to be an afternoon information session without alcohol. McAllister refused to comment for this article, referring questions to Hyatt, who denied the allegations. The Greek Week Committee clearly had a very different vision of the event -- it advertised a mixer, open to the entire campus, to be held from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. in Moravian Court, the space behind the 3401 Walnut Street complex. It would have had a disc jockey, as well as food and alcohol from the surrounding restaurants. Penn's Division of Public Safety canceled the mixer last Wednesday when it discovered that the event would be a late-night party with alcohol present. Officials felt that they did not have sufficient security to accommodate the mixer. Liz Bernard, the co-chairperson of the Greek Week Committee, said that she thought both the 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. time frame and the nature of the event were understood by McAllister and Trammell Crow, especially since "they were the ones hiring a band, that turned into a DJ, and contact[ed] Mad 4 Mex and New Deck [Tavern]" for alcohol. Office of Fraternity and Sorority Affairs Director Scott Reikofski said an afternoon event would have been impractical for several reasons, including the fact that many students are in class and that the Greek Week events already included a "Meet the Greeks" information session on Locust Walk scheduled for the same time. Hyatt said he did not know anything about the fact that "Meet the Greeks" was identical to the informational event they wanted to hold. "I honestly don't know how they plan their events," he said Bernard, a College senior and Sigma Delta Tau sister, said she had been planning the mixer with McAllister since last semester. Bernard added that the Greek Week Committee did not have any contact with University Police, as those arrangements were left to Trammell Crow. Initially, the marketing company had fliers printed with the incorrect time, 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., but Bernard pointed out this discrepancy quickly. McAllister said the time change would not be a problem and had 5,000 new fliers printed with the right time, according to Bernard. Bernard stressed that she had made it clear exactly what kind of event the Greeks wanted from the start and said that she thought McAllister understood her intentions. Still, she conceded that "we must have interpreted the meaning of block party differently than them."
(10/13/98 9:00am)
Greek Week, the annual series of events sponsored by the University's Greek organizations, was plagued with difficulties this year -- police canceled the all-Greek mixer at the 11th hour and rain forced organizers to move indoors a screening of Good Will Hunting, hurting attendance. But most Greeks agreed that the carnival for students and local children held in Superblock on Saturday afternoon ended the week on a positive note. "It was a long week, but it was fun -- well worth it," said Greek Week Committee Co-chairperson Liz Bernard, a College senior. "I'm glad that we did it." All eight Panhellenic Council sororities, and about 200 people total, took part in the carnival, which they touted as a community-service event. Each sorority had tables with different activities for the children, such as beanbag tossing and face painting. "I'm having a lot of fun; I've never made cotton candy before," said Panhel President Janelle Brodsky, a College and Engineering senior. She added that "everyone's stopping by -- it's not a Greek thing at all." Greek Week 1998 was funded in part by the Undergraduate Assembly, which allocated $10,000 for several of the events. The funding is part of the $30,000 fund set aside earlier this year for non-alcoholic Greek programs. The UA funding paid for the carnival equipment, catering by Cavanaugh's restaurant, a performance by the a cappella group Off the Beat and a live disc jockey. The UA also paid for the movie screening on Friday and the advertising throughout the week. The Greek Week committee arranged to have 60 children bused in from Wordsworth Academy in nearby Fort Washington, Pa., for the carnival, and they all enjoyed eating cotton candy and playing on the moon bounces. Larry Moses, the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Affairs' program director for the BiCultural InterGreek Council, said he was very pleased with the turnout on Saturday but added that he hopes the numbers will be higher next year. "We wish we could have more kids," Moses said. He then said that "maybe next year we'll have some rides, get some corporate sponsors." InterFraternity Council President Josh Belinfante said he was just happy that "the kids are having fun." He also explained that the week was a mixed success. "I think it had the potential to be the best Greek Week ever," the College senior said. "But between the weather and certain officials, they robbed us of that potential. But the barbecue was more successful than years past." The all-Greek mixer, scheduled for last Thursday night in Moravian Court, was canceled Wednesday by the Division of Public Safety because of miscommunication surrounding the event's nature. The police said they were not told that the event would be held late at night and would have alcohol present until it was too late. It is still unclear exactly who was responsible for the miscommunication.
(10/07/98 9:00am)
The sun was shining, birds were singing, and fraternity and sorority members were basking in the afternoon sun behind tables that lined Locust Walk, where yesterday students could "Meet the Greeks." The event was the kickoff of Greek Week, when freshmen and sophomores who are considering rushing get their first exposure to the campus' various fraternities and sororities. Organizers have been planning the week -- some of whose events are funded by the undergraduate student government -- since February. Other events this week include an upperclass gathering tonight at Dave & Buster's, a massive bar and entertainment center near Penn's Landing, an all-Greek mixer tomorrow on Moravian Court and a screening of Good Will Hunting Friday on College Green. Saturday will be a community service day, including a carnival and barbecue in Superblock. "It's fun to see the stress in [the freshmen's] eyes," said Sigma Chi brother Andrew Kandel, a College sophomore who was cutting class to sit by his fraternity's table on the Walk. Greek Week Committee Co-chairperson Liz Bernard, a College senior, explained that the week has a larger number of events this year because organizers received more money. The committee received $10,000 from the Undergraduate Assembly, part of the $30,000 the UA set aside for the InterFraternity Council last spring to help fund non-alcoholic programming. The Greek Week events are open to the entire campus and Bernard hopes that students will come check them out -- unlike last year, when "it was the middle of Greek Week and no one noticed" it was happening, the Sigma Delta Tau sister said. "Everyone is so excited. It's something for the entire campus to get involved in," said Bernard, who is also the Panhellenic Council's executive vice president. Scott Reikofski, director of Penn's Office of Fraternity and Sorority Affairs, said that planning the events has been hard in recent years for two reasons: a lack of funding and uncertainty about what kinds of events students would attend. "They've been doing trial-and-error to find out what people want," Reikofski said. IFC President Josh Belinfante, a College senior, explained that the $10,000 pays for the Friday and Saturday events. The UA cannot pay for the Dave and Buster's event because it will include alcohol, and the IFC, Panhel and the Bicultural InterGreek Council are funding the all-Greek mixer. Despite the overall changes to Greek Week, this year's "Meet the Greeks" event was almost entirely identical to that of previous years', leading some Greeks to question whether it is an effective way to meet prospective pledges. "This doesn't generate much support. It isn't very well organized," said Kappa Sigma brother Paulo Eapen, a College junior. Added Kandel of Sigma Chi: "I meet kids at the parties, but not this." Alpha Chi Rho and Pi Lambda Phi were both offering prizes to passerbyes. Alpha Chi Rho let students sign up to win a date with Belinfante, while Pi Lam gave out hand-painted hub caps. Nearly all of the Greek organizations were giving away free food and drinks. Nearly 100 women had registered for spring Panhel rush by the end of the day, according to Panhel President Janelle Brodsky, a College and Engineering senior. Men could sign a contact list at the individual fraternity tables, but they do not need to register until rush begins in the spring.
(10/07/98 9:00am)
The fraternity, the only one of its kind, is fighting a lonely battle in its quest to find new members. College junior Gincy George stands alone among the 3,000 or so students in the University's Greek organizations -- he's the sole Penn member of the world's only South Asian fraternity. The Philadelphia-area chapter of Iota Nu Delta, founded in October 1997, has a total of 11 members from Penn, Drexel University, and the University of the Sciences in Philadelphia, formerly the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy and Science. It does not have a chapter house. The fraternity was founded at New York's Binghampton University in 1994 and has 78 brothers worldwide. Although George enjoys the organization's brotherhood, he hopes more Penn students will join the fraternity soon. Some people have expressed interest, he said. "It's very difficult being the only one," he admitted. "It's a minority fraternity, and South Asian is a minority beneath that," George added, explaining the low membership. The fraternity strives to promote unity among all South Asians, said Chapter President Joseph Moonjely, a Drexel University junior. "In India and Pakistan, people don't get along, but in this country we have the opportunity to get along," Moonjely said. "We don't want the same problems as they have over there." Moonjely added that the fraternity creates valuable connections for many of the brothers. "We want to form a network for South Asians in this country," he said. "We want to help our own brothers and our own people." Currently the fraternity only has chapters in two states -- one fewer than the three needed to establish a national chapter that will be officially recognized by the University, George explained. Although George said he is more concerned about membership than recognition at the moment, such a move would help the group increase its financial resources and visibility. Without a national chapter, the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Affairs cannot recognize Iota Nu Delta as an official fraternity on campus, OFSA Director Scott Reikofski said. Reikofski added that the fraternity had not spoken to him about obtaining recognition. "Unofficially, I would have no problem giving [George] advice and ideas on how to develop and grow," Reikofski said. He added, however, that "the recognition policy means you have to have a national organization." Larry Moses, OFSA's program director for the Bicultural InterGreek Council -- the umbrella for minority fraternities -- emphasized his willingness to advise the fraternity and said that the lack of a national chapter doesn't prevent them from forging a relationship with OFSA. "It doesn't exclude them totally from being recognized by the office," Moses explained. There are two Asian Greek organizations on campus, neither recognized by OFSA: the 20-member fraternity Lambda Phi Epsilon and 12-member Asian-interest sorority Alpha Kappa Delta Phi. Both organizations are working toward OFSA recognition, their presidents said. The fraternity's current community-service project, which George is helping out with, is an effort to save a dying 13-year-old girl. Yasmin Singh will succumb to leukemia unless a bone-marrow match can be found. All the chapters of Iota Nu Delta are sponsoring bone-marrow drives in conjunction with the South Asia Marrow Association of Recruiters. The drive was held last Friday afternoon in Meyerson Hall. The brothers hope that the drive will educate South Asians about the necessity of bone-marrow donation. "South Asians are the least represented [donors]," Moonjely said. "Its almost impossible for South Asians to find a match."
(10/06/98 9:00am)
Agents cited nine people for underage drinking at the events. Unexpected visitors decided to drop in at a downtown Kappa Alpha Theta party last Thursday -- and they didn't come to dance or mingle with any members of the Penn sorority. Agents from the Pennsylvania State Police's Liquor Control Enforcement bureau raided Theta's Center City party at Wichita Steak and Brew near 3rd and Market streets, handing out nine citations for underage drinking, an LCE employee said yesterday. The citations carry either a fine of up to $300 or a day spent in an alcohol education class. In addition, those cited may lose their driver's licenses for up to 90 days. Agents arrived and "blocked the doors and breathalyzed people if you were under 21," said one Theta sister who requested anonymity. She added that several undercover agents had been sitting at the bar for some time before the raid. Panhellenic Council President Janelle Brodsky said the citations were the result of improper identification by the restaurant, and were not the sorority's fault. "Theta did not get busted; the club got busted," said the College and Engineering senior, adding that this LCE raid was no different from others in recent years at events like Spring Fling. Office of Fraternity and Sorority Affairs Director Scott Reikofski said yesterday that he had not heard of the incident, but stressed that the restaurant was also partially to blame. "One of the things we coach [restaurants] on when we make the negotiations [for parties] is that the responsibility of carding, the distribution of alcohol, is shifted to the establishment," Reikofski said. Wichita owner David Cohen, however, said the raid was the result of two problems -- misleading fliers and fake IDs. Cohen explained that the establishment -- formerly known as Jake & Oliver's -- does, in fact, check IDs. But some of the underage drinkers had fake IDs, and the fliers for the party, which he did not see before the event, did not indicate that one had to be 21 to drink, he contended. Instead, he claimed that the fliers only said that you could come to the party if you were 18. "We do tons of Penn parties," Cohen said. "People who book the parties should not put that on the fliers [because] it's against the law." But Theta President Sophie Bosch disputed Cohen's allegation. She provided a flier to The Daily Pennsylvanian that does, in fact, state that one must be "18 to enter, 21 to drink" at the party. Bosch, a College senior, refused to comment further on the incident. Cohen could not be reached for comment on the flier. Sororities do not throw parties on campus because it is illegal under state law to serve alcohol in their houses; if they did, then "we're considered a brothel," Brodsky said. To compensate, sororities hold their parties in clubs where they do not directly control either the carding at the door or the bartending. Brodsky added that sororities do not rent the clubs solely to drink. "The point of the club is not to have alcohol," she said. "It is a social event. For those that have ID that legally allows them to purchase alcohol, fine, great." This is not the first time Penn students have been targeted by the LCE. In April 1996, agents cited 180 students for underage drinking at Spring Fling, and in March 1997, 33 students received citations after a midnight raid at the Palladium. At Fling earlier this year, the LCE issued citations to 19 students.
(10/01/98 9:00am)
Eight years after being kicked off campus, the fraternity is slowly readjusting to life in the Castle. When the Psi Upsilon fraternity moved back to the Castle this summer, displacing Penn's community-service residential program, the building's atmosphere changed -- literally. A stuffed deer's head and elk's head, both recently purchased, now greet visitors to the building's dining room and living room. The heads, oriental rugs, leather club couches and other furnishings are part of the brothers' attempt to feel at home again, eight years after Psi U was evicted from the historic building for kidnapping and abusing a member of a rival fraternity, and 100 years after the fraternity originally built the Castle for $30,000. The fraternity recolonized in 1995 and moved back to its house this fall, with 18 of the total 22 brothers living in the house. The Community Service Living-Learning Program, which occupied the house during Psi U's seven-year absence, has since moved to the 12th floor of Hamilton College House, or High Rise North. "I'm very supportive of the Community Living and Learning Service Program," said Office of Fraternity and Sorority Affairs Director Scott Reikofski. "But the house was built by Psi U and they've been an institution at Penn for a long time." He added that he was optimistic about the fraternity's future, noting that "they've set a standard that's high and they're sticking to it." Most brothers emphasize that the kidnapping incident is in the past, and stress that they are looking to the future. And they hope the names "Psi U" and "the Castle" will again be synonymous and interchangeable, as they had been previously. Psi U President Todd Bishop said he sees the fraternity's perseverance during its struggle to return to the Castle as a source of pride for both him and the chapter. "I think our biggest accomplishment was surviving the 2 1/2-year process to get back on campus," the Wharton senior said. Alumni were the driving force behind the chapter's return to Locust Walk, spending "endless hours for the past eight years" lobbying administrators to approve the recolonization, Bishop said. College senior Bart Riley, the fraternity's alumni relations chairperson, said that without the alumni, there might not be a Psi U chapter on campus now. Chapter alumni are also contributing financially, helping the brothers refurnish the house, which the University had renovated substantially in 1991, shortly before the community-service program moved in. Those structural renovations, which had been designed to bring the building up to city standards, cost more than $500,000. The fraternity is having a new 16-foot dining room table built because, as Bishop explained, the old one didn't quite past muster. "The legs were rotten, so we christened the fireplace with them," he said. The building's full-length curtains were all replaced, with work done by the same people who originally made them 20 years ago, and the fraternity is re-finishing their pool table. The brothers hope to have the refurbishing finished by Homecoming weekend, when the alumni have their first chance to see the house again. "All the alumni are very excited to have the house back," College sophomore Jeremy Lawson said. Lawson, who is also the fraternity's scholarship chairperson, is a member of the first pledge class to live in the house since 1990. He chose Psi U because he felt he could have a bigger impact there than at a more established fraternity. "I saw an opportunity to build a fraternity," he noted. Psi U made its official return to the Penn social scene Saturday night with its first party in the house. "I think we introduced the house to everyone as it was eight years ago," Bishop said. "It's a vibrant social organization." The Castle, which was designed and built by Psi U brothers in 1898 for $30,000, is a historic landmark. It is the first building to be built as a fraternity in the United States, explained Alumni trustee Ramon Baguyo, who graduated in 1986.
(09/29/98 9:00am)
The fraternity returned to its home after being suspended since 1994. Phi Kappa Sigma threw a disco-themed party Saturday night, the first party at its Locust Walk house in four years -- and the chapter's 43 brothers "couldn't be happier," according to the fraternity's president. Phi Kap, which was founded in 1850 as the fraternity's original chapter, just moved back into their house at 36th Street and Locust this fall. The fraternity lost its charter in July 1994 because it had problems adhering to national standards. Violations included failing to meet academic standards, risk-management violations and the possession of beer kegs. Phi Kap recolonized in February 1997 and regained its charter last April, just as the lease for sorority Delta Delta Delta -- which occupied the house temporarily -- expired. The fraternity then returned to its original house. The fraternity is one of two to return to the Walk this fall after an absence of several years. Psi Upsilon moved back into the nearby Castle eight years after a group of brothers kidnapped a member of a rival fraternity, leading to Psi U's eviction. Another Locust Walk fraternity, Phi Sigma Kappa, was evicted from its house last spring because of various alcohol and risk-management violations. "The national chapter took [the house] away for a couple years, and then gave it back to brothers who would appreciate it more," Phi Kap chapter President Jeffrey Snyder explained, adding that the transition back to Locust Walk has been easy. "Everything has come off without a hitch," the Wharton senior said. He explained that the fraternity will now have a much larger impact on campus than they did off campus. The house, built in 1910, has high ceilings, winding stairs and Greek letters engraved into the exterior wood paneling. These features make it a treat for architecture students, who have studied it in the past, according to Snyder. But the house doesn't appear completely lived-in yet. The interior is still somewhat colorless, save for the collection of beer cans in the basement, which serve as the only reminder of Saturday night's party. Snyder explained that the brothers were still buying new furnishings. The building's library contains a couple hundred old books, including some ancient-looking classics and old fraternity annuals. There are 27 men -- a mix of sophomores, juniors and seniors -- currently living in the house. Despite the lack of an official house, Phi Kap still had a pledge class of 15 last year. At 6:30 every evening, the brothers eat dinner in the house cooked by a private chef, who the brothers commended for being "better than the dining halls." While College junior and Phi Kap Vice President Matt Chait said he is happy about the move back to campus, he explained that the fraternity does not owe its success to its attractive Locust Walk location. Wharton junior Mike Moskowitz added that the fraternity's two priorities were to have a strong brotherhood and to be "quite popular." "Commitment to the fraternity is important for everyone," Moskowitz said. "Since this is a [growing] frat, we're all gung-ho about making it the best it can be." The brothers also plan to use their new abode for various community-service projects including working with a leukemia society and possibly running a blood drive. Phi Kap has a strong alumni association, with about 2,000 living in the Philadelphia area. Some have helped with move-in and decorating costs, Snyder said. As Phi Kap brothers look to the future, Snyder said the loss of their charter is a thing of the past. "It's not something that we think about or talk about," he said. "It's completely behind us. We've moved on, we're back in the house and it's as if we were never gone."
(09/24/98 9:00am)
Officials said fraternities did not charge at parties over the weekend, and monitors had positive reports. The first weekend that University fraternities were allowed to throw parties passed without any reports of houses charging illegal door fees, Greek system officials said. Stiff penalties announced last spring for fraternities caught charging likely deterred many houses from assessing door fees from last Thursday through Saturday. Penn's Office of Fraternity and Sorority Affairs banned door fees in December 1996 when it set up an alumni monitor system. The restriction is based on a longstanding but previously unenforced state law which prohibits charging without a liquor license. No reports of charging door fees over the weekend have been made yet, according to InterFraternity Council President Josh Belinfante. The parties were conducted in full compliance with IFC and University rules and regulations, the College senior said. OFSA Assistant Director Tom Carroll agreed that the weekend was successful, adding that the one house he expected to charge -- which he refused to identify -- didn't. "From what I've heard on the Greek grapevine, the chapter that would have charged didn't, and if that's the case, great," Carroll said. "As far as the [graduate] observer reports, as far as the registered parties, I'm satisfied. Thursday is a different case." The incident Carroll alluded to was the alcohol poisoning of a freshman girl who was taken to the emergency room after consuming at least 12 drinks at an Alpha Epsilon Pi party. The University's Office of Student Conduct is investigating the incident. Belinfante and Carroll both attributed the lack of charging this weekend to the new penalty system announced last spring. Last March, the IFC Judicial Inquiry Board raised the punishment for charging door fees at fraternity parties. Currently, if the IFC discovers that a fraternity is charging, the fraternity face a fine of $30 per brother and a 10-week social probation, up from $10 and four weeks' probation. Delta Kappa Epsilon held a party on Friday night, and chapter President J.D. Beiting said the penalty system partially accounted for DKE's decision not to charge. "It was half the penalty and half not giving the Greek system a bad name," said Beiting, a College senior. "All the houses agreed not to charge, just not to screw over the Greek system and not to get anyone in hot water." Beiting claimed that the success of the party was undiminished. "It was just as packed, if not more packed, than it has been," he said. "I hope all the rest of the parties go as smoothly. It will make my job a lot easier." Phi Gamma Delta President Ziggy Majumder said the fraternity did not charge a fee to enter its Saturday night party, adding that it has not charged since he became president. "We haven't charged because the rules are so strict," he noted. But the College senior said the new system would have a broader effect on the Greek social scene at Penn, resulting in fewer large events and more guest-list-only parties. "There's no incentive for us to have a lot of people if we can't charge them," he explained. "So the parties will be smaller and less frequent." According to OFSA Director Scott Reikofski, the alumni system was sometimes inconsistent, leading the University to switch to a graduate student observer system. Graduate student volunteers check the parties to see if they are charging and checking IDs, if there is non-salty food and non-alcoholic beverages and if the party is too crowded. Typically the graduate student volunteers check each party twice during the night.
(09/21/98 9:00am)
The nine BiCultural InterGreek Council fraternities and sororities have 35 members - one of the lowest totals ever. College senior Everett Sands is the president of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc. -- and the only member. Like several other BiCultural InterGreek Council fraternities and sororities, the University's chapter of the nearly 100-year-old Omega Psi Phi is lacking significant numbers. Indeed, with membership in the nine BIG-C fraternities and sororities totalling 35, undergraduate involvement in the organizations is at one of its lowest points ever. Part of the difficulty in attracting members comes from the small pool of students from which to draw, said Sands. Currently the undergraduate student body is approximately 5 percent African American and 3 percent Latino. "You're trying to join people of the same goals and values," said Sands, who is also BIG-C president. "When you have that and a small percentage of minorities, you only have so many members." Consequently, the BIG-C's efforts to increase membership will be an uphill battle. "I think every group is looking for more members," Sands noted. Membership in BIG-C organizations is roughly the same this year as it was last year. But membership has fallen significantly over the past several years. "Penn is a diverse campus, but it could work on bringing in minorities," said Jessica Capowski, president of Sigma Lambda Upsilon, Senoritas Latinas Unidas Sorority Inc. "Since the minority population itself is small for the campus, I think we're doing well," she added. Sigma Lambda Upsilon currently has three members. Despite the low involvement in BIG-C organizations, very few minority students are turning to the InterFraternity Council fraternities or the Panhellenic Council sororities as alternatives, according to Scott Reikofski, director of the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Affairs. "Women have a stereotype of what a Panhel sorority would be like," said Panhel President Janelle Brodsky, noting that "the Greek system has the stereotype of being 'white.' " Additionally, Khalilah Bryan, recording secretary for Alpha Kappa Alpha, Sorority Inc. and a BIG-C representative, said "a lot of people are interested in a lot of things besides sororities." Compounding the membership problems is the BIG-C's philosophy on attracting students, said Larry Moses, program director for the BIG-C. He noted that BIG-C organizations want to attract members, not recruit them. "We set out to break down misconceptions about Greek life," Moses said. "I'm not about convincing people to be Greek. I want someone to make an informed decision." Moses has been working with the BIG-C for the past year. His goal, he said, has been to unify the groups and increase their visibility. "Larry Moses has been tremendous with the BIG-C," said Fungayi Kapungu, president of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc., adding that "he has brought more unity [between groups]." In addition to campus unity, some BIG-C organizations interact with chapters at other Philadelphia colleges, including Drexel, Temple and Villanova universities. Sands noted, for example, that while he may not have any fraternity brothers in his classes, he can always count on support from other area chapters. Even with their low numbers, the BIG-C organizations work to impact the community, according to United Minorities Council Chairperson Chaz Howard. "The fraternities and sororities may have only one or two members, but they do as much, if not more work, as the mainstream fraternities," said Howard, a College junior. "Even though the BIG-C is small, it is making a big difference on campus and in the community." Daily Pennsylvanian staff writer Matt McNulty contributed to this article.
(09/14/98 9:00am)
The annual event introduces freshmen to BIG-C fraternities and sororities. It was a big day for the BIG-C. Music echoed through Superblock Saturday afternoon as minority students from throughout the Philadelphia area enjoyed the step shows and other festivities at the ninth annual Zeta Day block party. Zeta Phi Beta, an African-American sorority, sponsored the event, which was attended by all the fraternities and sororities in the BiCultural InterGreek Council. About 300 people attended, many of whom were from other schools. The party's success was the result of a "summer-long planning [process]," said Zeta President Andrea Charlton, a Nursing senior who has planned two other Zeta Days. "I think we're getting more exposure. A lot of people come to our events." Members of the BIG-C organizations spoke to the crowd about their different groups. In several chapters the members include students from various Philadelphia area universities besides Penn, such as Drexel, Temple and Villanova universities. Zeta Day is their biggest combined event of the year. "It's good for all the organizations to get together and share what they do," said Tylee Mclendon, a Zeta senior at West Chester University in Chester County, Pa. Zeta Day introduces freshmen to the BIG-C organizations for the first time and gives them a sense of the different groups, BIG-C leaders said. Freshmen who are considering pledging came out Saturday. "Our main focus is giving positive visibility to the BIG-C groups," said Larry Moses, the BIG-C program director for Penn's Office of Fraternity and Sorority Affairs. "We continue to be a vibrant part of the Penn community." Several fraternities and sororities entertained the crowd with step shows, to which the audience responded enthusiastically. "It's an attention getter and a show stopper," College freshman Kristal Hall said. "It's fun to watch, and it's something that everyone can appreciate." College junior Paul Elsberg said he came out to support a friend in one of the fraternities. "It's really amazing," Elsberg said. "It's something they're very serious about. It's important to represent their frat." Music was provided by DJ Dolla Bill. The International Flavor Cuisine Restaurant at 46th Street and Chester Avenue, which serves African, Jamaican and American food, catered the event for the second year. Although organizers said turnout was good, some people wished the event attracted people other than those in minority groups. "We love to see people of different cultures coming together," said Shine Evans, a Temple University senior and president of Swing Phi Swing, a city-wide social fellowship. "We wish that more people who weren't in the organizations would come out."
(09/14/98 9:00am)
Wiring Greek houses into Penn's ResNet system has taken far longer than expected. Two years into a program designed to wire fraternity and sorority houses to the University's ResNet system, many Greek leaders say the project is hopelessly behind schedule. Penn officials concede that the GreekNet program --Edesigned to connect fraternities and sororities to the University's ResNet system, which provides high-speed computer hookups, phone lines and cable TV -- is proceeding far more slowly than had been anticipated. Installing ResNet into private rooms in the Greek houses is "moving slower than we would like and it's significantly more expensive than we would like," said Office of Fraternity and Sorority Affairs Director Scott Reikofski. "The biggest problem with this project from the beginning is marrying several resources and parts of the University." Reikofski explained that installation has to be done at times that are not too disruptive for students or for the houses on Locust Walk. The work also has to be coordinated with other construction on campus, he said. But the explanation does little to placate angry Greek leaders, who have been waiting for what they see as needed technical upgrades since Penn announced the GreekNet initiative in 1996. "I still don't understand what has taken so long, nor do I understand why it is so expensive and complicated." said College senior Michael Kraver, president of Sigma Alpha Mu. "In all honesty, I remain pessimistic that it will even be completed for my house this summer, when it is currently scheduled to be done." Kraver, who is also the treasurer of the InterFraternity Council, added that he believes the plan to be "a waste of money." GreekNet is divided into three phases: The first is to bring two common room connections into all University-owned fraternity and sorority houses. The second is to bring connections into individual bedrooms of the University-owned houses. The third phase will connect GreekNet to the privately owned fraternity houses. The first phase was completed in the spring of 1998, but the second and third are still underway, with many Greeks saying the process is moving far too slowly. University officials say the delays were caused by outside forces. "There were some issues that were beyond our control, working with various people and companies," said Beth Schnitman, the assistant facilities director at the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Affairs. "My goal: I'd love to see in two years for GreekNet to be fully functioning." Only four houses -- fraternities Alpha Tau Omega and Delta Tau Delta and sororities Sigma Delta Tau and Alpha Chi Omega -- are fully wired, according to Schnitman. ATO was completed as a pilot house so that OFSA could see how long the process would take. The first phase was funded in part by a Greek system reserve fund of about $400,000 gathered from houses over the past nine years. The University loaned the additional money, just under $1 million. But now the houses must pay for the second and third phases themselves. The cost depends on the number of students in the house. "We have money set aside, but there are plenty of things we could do with it," commented Kraver. "If it's something we have to do to keep up with the University, then they should pay for it." Privately-owned Greek houses are also hoping to complete the process soon, but they don't know how long it will take. "When it's not a University-owned house and they have to dig up Locust Walk then it becomes a problem," said College senior Josh Belinfante, the IFC president. For example, Belinfante's own house, Alpha Chi Rho, which is located just off Locust Walk on 36th Street, is not University-owned. "We can only hope that the University picks up its end of the bargain," he said. Phi Kappa Sigma President Jeff Snyder, the IFC vice president of rush and membership education, said he believed that Penn should regard ResNet installation in all houses as a priority. But he said University officials may not feel obligated to pick up the tab. "I think given that other houses have been wired, it should be the University's top priority to get wired," the Wharton senior said. "But I don't see why the University would spend a fortune for a private house."
(04/16/98 9:00am)
The woman who accused Clarence Thomas of sexual harassment visited Penn as part of a book tour. Anita Hill predates Paula Jones, Monica Lewinsky and Katherine Wiley as the first woman to bring national attention to sexual harassment in the workplace. "I come to you as a woman whose experience with gender bias was profound and life-changing," Hill said yesterday during a speech to approximately 200 students and faculty members in Meyerson Hall. The event, a lecture and book signing by Hill, was sponsored by Penn's African-American Studies Department. Her book, Speaking Truth to Power, was published last October. It tells her story of the 1991 sexual harassment hearings against then-Supreme Court nominee Clarence Thomas, who has since joined the court. Hill, 41, worked as an assistant to Thomas from 1981-83. Thomas was the assistant secretary of education and then became the chairperson of the federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. Hill filed a sexual harassment complaint against Thomas in 1991 when he was nominated for the high court, a charge he denied. Thomas ultimately won Senate confirmation after a bitter and partisan dispute pitting Hill's largely Democratic and feminist supporters against Thomas' Republican backers. History Professor Mary Berry, who introduced Hill last night, was working on the U.S. Commission of Civil Rights in Washington, D.C., when Hill's charges first broke. Berry noted that Hill is an "important icon in the struggle for women's rights," and later said that she is "as least as important as [civil rights pioneer] Rosa Parks." The recent sexual harassment allegations against President Bill Clinton have only increased the demand for Hill to lecture around the country, Berry added. "Her coming here is very timely," echoed Gale Ellison, the program coordinator for the African-American Studies Department. "We were very fortunate that we tracked her down before the Monica Lewinsky situation." Hill discussed society's tendency to isolate race from gender and commented on her individual experiences as a black woman. She described the Thomas hearing as a "way to pit two groups of outsiders against each, and it was effective." Hill added that, "I couldn't choose between [focussing on] race and gender when I wrote my book." Hill spoke about the difficulties hindering the public's understanding of sexual harassment, noting that "the public is much more interested in talking about sex than about discrimination." The issues of racial and gender bias in schools and in the workplace were also addressed by Hill, who stressed the need for a "multi-layered" conversation about race that "must look back in time and also look forward." And although she touched on Paula Jones' recently-dismissed lawsuit against Clinton --Estressing that it was "not realistic [and] not reflective of what's going on in the workplace" --EHill avoided making any specific statements about the president. The majority of the audience responded enthusiastically to Hill. "I think she is right on target about not being able to separate racism and sexism," said Sarah Meyrowitz, a first-year Social Work student. "Oppression being detrimental to the oppressor is a very important point." But others said they were disappointed that Hill mainly discussed abstract race and gender issues, rather than focusing on the 1991 hearings. "I felt discluded from it, it was more about gender and race," College Junior Veronica Scalzo noted. "[Hill] said she was speaking to black women. She avoided the news situation."
(04/09/98 9:00am)
The event gave female survivors of sexual violence the chance to share their experiences. "Stop the rape, face the hate, women must decide their fate." Shouting this and other chants, several hundred women marched around Penn's campus last night in the fifth annual Take Back the Night demonstration. "If you violate a member of our community, you do not belong here," Penn Women's Center Director Elena DiLapi told the crowd. "Rape will stop when men stop raping." Take Back the Night, a nationwide event, began in San Francisco in the 1970s when women protested the existence of the sex stores and pornographic theaters that made it impossible for them to safely walk the streets at night. DiLapi, who was part of the first Philadelphia-wide demonstration in 1978, stressed that there continues to be a need for an activist feminist presence on Penn's campus. "Take Back the Night is the right for women's space on this campus," she said. "We still have a way to go. Violence against women is a reality at Penn." The program began with introductory speakers, followed by the march around campus. It closed with a Survivor Speak-out, which gave survivors of sexual violence a chance to share their experiences. Between 300 and 400 women marched around the campus. A smaller group of around 200 joined together on College Green for the speak-out. Former Women's Center Director Carol Tracy, an attorney and director of the Philadelphia-based Women's Law Project, was scheduled to be the keynote speaker but was unable to attend. DiLapi and several students spoke instead. The event, which was attended by about 100 to 200 fewer women then last year, was sponsored by Penn's chapter of the National Organization for Women, the Women's Center, the Panhellenic Council, the Office of Student Conduct, the Office of Student Health, the Division of Public Safety's Special Services Division and the Artists Guild. Many men also turned out for the event. Kurt Conklin, the adviser to Students Together Against Acquaintance Rape, explained the event's controversial policy of forbidding men to speak to the crowd. "This night is fundamentally about supporting women in whatever way we want to support them," Conklin said of the policy, which has provoked heated debate across campus over the past few years. "If you love women, stop debating these issues." Female speakers addressed issues ranging from the perception that sexual assault is an insignificant problem at Penn to their own experiences with sexual assault. "People think that sexual assault is not as big a problem as we make it out to be," said Penn NOW Co-Chairperson Hema Sarangapani, a College sophomore. "The fact that people find it controversial offends me." College senior Kate Richardson spoke about the University's treatment of women. "I wonder if the University would change its attitude if we lined Locust Walk with sororities and the Nursing School was where Wharton is," she noted. Richardson also discussed sexual assault statistics, such as the fact that for every rape reported, between three and 10 go unreported. She added that one in four college women is a victim of rape or attempted rape and that 84 percent of victims know their attackers. Several of the event's participants said they came to voice support for the issue. "Even though women have come this far, we still need to speak out," College freshman Gina LaPlaca said. Many women took the opportunity to tell others about their feelings and reactions toward sexual abuse. "Until this year I felt so ashamed and so embarrassed," one women said of her rape. "I hate this. I hate that [my attacker] can make me feel this way." "When I was raped, a part of my soul was violated, and that's not fair," another victim said. Strength and survival were two major themes of the evening. "We must acknowledge that this violence is gendered," Sarangapani said. "Women are being assaulted because they are women. This night symbolizes our demand to live without fear."
(04/06/98 9:00am)
Keith Boykin's family was cautious when, as a Harvard Law student, he first came out and told them about his homosexuality. They warned him to be careful who he told and worried that such a revelation might jeopardize his future career. But Boykin's sexuality has been anything but secret since then, as he has become one of the most prominent and influential gay black men in the United States. Boykin spoke Tuesday night to about 30 students and faculty members, representing a diverse mix of cultures and ages, in the Annenberg School for Communication. Entitled "Black and Gay in America," the speech was one of a series of events held as part of the Bisexual Gay Lesbian Transgender Awareness Days. Formerly the executive director of the National Black Gay and Lesbian Leadership Forum, Boykin also worked on the 1992 Clinton-Gore campaign. He then became a White House staffer, working specifically with the president on gay and lesbian issues. Boykin's address focused on the wide variety of prejudices that a gay black person may suffer in society. "We need to pull apart the threads that make up the fibers of oppression," he said. He also discussed the need for each person to find their own lifestyle, adding that "it's important to understand what's important to you as an individual." Boykin entertained the audience with stories about some unusual experiences that occurred throughout his career, including his participation with an openly gay group in the Million Man March in Washington in 1995. "No one did or said anything [negative], except for one man, out of a million people in the Mall," Boykin said. The poorly-documented historical tradition of homosexuality in the black community was another topic Boykin touched on. "There's a widespread belief that gay equals white and straight equals black," Boykin explained. citing Benjamin Banneker, Langston Hughes and James Baldwin as examples of famous gay or bisexual blacks. Reconciling religion and homosexuality is one of the most emotionally charged issues in the gay community, Boykin said. He claimed. however, that he is personally secure with his Christianity and homosexuality. "Jesus Christ says nothing about homosexuality in the Bible," Boykin said. "It doesn't matter how many Bibles you have, it's the truth." Boykin is also the author of the book One More River to Cross, which explores the tension surrounding the black experience within the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community. College junior and B-GLAD planning committee member Steven Huang said Boykin's book "gave me a new outlook on the gay black community." The African American Resource Center, Connaissance and the Greenfield Intercultural Center co-sponsored the talk.
