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(02/05/91 10:00am)
School of Arts and Sciences Dean Hugo Sonnenschein will leave the University in July to become the provost of Princeton University. Sonnenschein, appointed dean of the University's largest school in 1988, will officially become Princeton's provost on July 15th, but will continue his work at the University with weekly trips to Princeton this semester. He will replace outgoing Princeton Provost Paul Benacerraf, who announced his decision to step down last September. Benacerraf will remain at his post until Sonnenschein takes over. Sonnenschein said last night his decision was a difficult one. Sonnenschein served as an economics professor at Princeton for 12 years before being named SAS dean. President Sheldon Hackney said last night he is "sorry" to see Sonnenschein go and is sure he will do well in his new position. "He's done a superb job with the School of Arts and Sciences," Hackney said. "I'm sorry to see him leave with still more to do." Hackney, who was Princeton's provost in the early 1970's, said he and Provost Michael Aiken are already working to form a search committee for his replacement. Hackney said he will look first look inside SAS for a replacement, adding that the search may take up to a year. Past searches for SAS deans have taken approximately a year and have included up to 150 candidates. Sonnenschein, a graduate of the University of Rochester, visited Princeton late last year at the request of Princeton President Harold Shapiro and was told that he was one of several finalists being considered for the position. He was notified almost two weeks ago that he was selected for the postion and he said that he decided yesterday evening to accept the job. Sonnenschein notified both Hackney and Aiken when the job was first offered. "The president and the provost are two of my best friends, and I feel great affection for them," Sonnenschein said. "Both were very supportive." Sonnenschein was the school's fifth dean in SAS's 16-year history. Prior to SAS's 1974 creation, the University's liberal arts programs were devided up into the College of Arts and Sciences, the College of Liberal Arts for Women and the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences. In 1974, the University reorganized the three schools and created the School of Arts and Sciences with a single dean. The first dean, Vartan Gregorian, left in 1979 to become University provost and is now president of Brown University. Robert Dyson served from 1979 to 1982, when he became head of the University Museum, a position he still holds. Former English Professor Joel Conarroe replaced Dyson and served for just a year-and-a-half. Conarroe has since left the University. In 1985, Aiken was appointed dean until he became provost in 1987. Sonnenschein said last night that despite the frequent change of deans, he does not view the position as a stepping stone to higher positions. "The position is one of extraordinary challenge and opportunity," he added. "It has been held by a collection of very talented people . . . and there's been a continual strengthening of the school." The rapid change of deans in the school has created concerns among faculty and administrators. Associate Dean for Social Sciences Ivar Berg said last night that "it creates problems in the sense that some things will have to go on hold." Sonnenschein praised the University last night and said he is thankful for his experiences. "I've been at Penn for almost three years, and I feel I've gotten to know the students and the place very well," he said. "I think the students should take particular pride in the quality of Penn . . . in Penn's ability to provide an environment which is always moving forward. They are as happy and gifted students as I've seen anywhere." Princeton's Benacerraf said yesterday he was pleased that Sonnenschein would return to Princeton to take his post. "The job did not fit the expectations I had," Benacerraf said last night. "It's very hard to find anyone with the combination of talents that Hugo has. I'm delighted." Sonnenschein is a fellow at the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and has served as president of the Econometric Society.
(02/04/91 10:00am)
Applications for admission to the University declined for the third year in a row this year, dropping eight percent, according to Dean of Admissions Willis Stetson. Stetson said that applications were down from 10,664 last year to 9800. Despite the drop, the University will keep the size of the Class of 1995 the same as past classes, Stetson said Friday. The admissions dean said the decrease mirrors an eight percent drop in the number of 18-year-olds. He said the change in applications is a demographic issue and not a reflection on the University. He added that expensive private schools, like the University, may be suffering the effects of a declining national economy. "It's too early to be certain, but it appears that the less expensive state schools are getting more applications," Stetson said, adding that an increase in early action activity across the nation may also have contributed to the drop. Associate Admissions Dean Christoph Guttentag agreed with Stetson Friday, saying the high price of an Ivy League education may chase some applicants off, but added that most can afford it with financial aid. "The perception among students and parents is that highly selective schools are too expensive," Guttentag said. "It's more a question of perception, than reality. Chances are they can afford it." According to both Guttentag and Stetson, accepting the same number of students from a smaller pool of applicants will not hurt the academic integrity of the incoming class. Guttentag said the type of people who applied in past years but not this year are usually those who would not have been accepted anyway. The result is a smaller pool with a higher concentration of qualified students. The University will admit approximately 2250 students of the 9800 to 10,000 applicants, a ratio which yields about a 40-percent acceptance rate, according to Regional Director of Admissions Eric Furda. Furda said even though the 40-percent figure may seem high compared with fellow Ivies, the number is distorted because the University has a larger student population than the other Ivies. Furda said the three schools outside of the College -- Wharton, Engineering and Nursing -- contribute to the higher acceptance rate. He said the College is just as selective as other Ivies. Stetson admitted that he has a difficult job ahead of him. "The significance of all this is that competition to enroll them will be tough because many other schools will be trying to enroll the same students," Stetson said. Stetson also said Friday that the nation's universities are witnessing a shift of potential students from the Northeast to the Southeast, West and Southwest. Stetson said he does not feel the University will lose these students to western schools like Stanford University or the University of California at Berkeley. "There's only a certain number they can accept," he added. Minority applications, like the entire pool, fell by 8 percent, but applications by black students went from 719 in 1990 to 575 in 1991, a 20-percent decrease. But Guttentag said this is not cause for alarm. "The quality of the pool of black students is better," Guttentag said. He said the recession, combined with the high cost of attending the University , have a larger impact on black students than any other group. Hispanic applications dropped from 498 in 1990 to 420 this year, while Asian applications fell slightly from 2510 to 2499 this year. Applications to the School of Arts and Sciences fell by eight percent. Wharton applications dropped by 11 percent. Engineering applications fell by just three percent. More applications were received by the Management and Technology program, a 37 percent increase, and the Nursing School received 29 percent more applications. "Overall, the class of 1995 is the strongest in Penn's history," alumnus Furda said. "The academic quality [of this year's class] has certainly not gone down."
(02/01/91 10:00am)
In a rare move, a City of Philadelphia panel has declared that the University's use of the word "Oriental" in the Oriental Studies Department is "offensive" and "reflects imperialist attitudes toward Asians." Tsiwen Law, chairman of the Mayor's Commission on Asian-American Affairs, wrote to the department last semester saying the commission supports students who want to change the name. "Oriental . . . can only further fuel racial hatred in this country," Law's letter to Oriental Studies Department Chairperson Ludo Rocher said. Rocher could not be reached for comment on the letter yesterday. The letter, also sent to President Sheldon Hackney and the Asian-American Student Alliance, states that "the commission has considered your department's continued use of the term Oriental and has decided to inform you of the Commission's view that the term is offensive to the Asian American communities of Philadelphia and to the Commission in particular." University students working for a name change said the letter seems to have had no effect on the department, saying Oriental Studies officials have made no significant move towards a change. After months of controversy and confusion, the Oriental Studies department is expected to announce this month the members of a committee to study the name-change. But Darryl Tom, a member of the Asian American Student Alliance, said yesterday he is not satisfied with the department's efforts. "They're stonewalling us," Tom said yesterday. "They're not communicating with us. We should be having direct contact, but we're not. We were suggesting that they at least renounce the name. We want them to make a commitment first." But Rocher said Tuesday he recognized "there are different opinions in the department" and said he plans to pass out a questionaire about the issue. Rocher conceded that "the time may have come to change," but "it takes time to move a department of this size towards a common purpose." "I am a little dissatisfied with the progress of the committee," Rocher said. The committee includes Oriental Studies Professors David Silverman, William Hanaway, Wilhelm Halbfass and Jerome Packard, to which the department will add several student representatives. Rocher explained that because classes about Jewish, Arabic and Asian issues are taught by the department, it is difficult to find an all-encompassing moniker. "It's very hard to come up with an alternative name," he said. "We are known throughout the country as the 'Oriental Studies Department' " Committee Chairman Hanaway would not comment on any aspect of the issue two weeks ago and Tom said that "Oriental Studies professors have been told not to speak to the public." United Minorities Council Vice-Chairperson John Shu said last week that "a department is not based on its name, it's based on its work, faculty, and students." Comparing "Oriental" to the outdated term "negro", Shu noted that universities have long since replaced "negro" in the names of their black-issue departments. Shu said last month that "students have been asking for change from the department for years." "The department has been playing hide and seek," the College junior said last month. "This year will be different." "They're an odd lot, but I hope the department will cooperate," Shu added. But he said that the name change is merely a superfluous issue, and that he would like to see a move to bring Asian professors to the department and an improvement in the quality of the classes. The College junior concluded that it is "bloody nonsense" that the department has no Asian standing faculty.
(02/01/91 10:00am)
Renowned historian and writer Arthur Schlesinger, Jr., told an overflow crowd yesterday that now is "an astonishing time to be alive," because of rapid changes in the world. Schlesinger, speaking before over 400 students and faculty at Logan Hall, said even experts have been surprised by such events as the end of the Cold War and the collapse of the Soviet Union. These changes have called into question policies the U.S. once took for granted. "The end of the Cold War requires a reorientation, a rethinking of the premises of our policies," Schlesinger said. "The collapse of the Cold War has created uncertainties." "The future immediately before us has too many variables to predict what may happen," he added. But the two time Pulitzer Prize-winning humanities professor was not unsure of his feelings on the war in the Persian Gulf. Schlesinger, in perhaps his boldest statement, said he "regards this as the most unnecessary war in United States history." "I don't think diplomacy, in the usual sense, was ever tried," the City University of New York professor said. "The commitment of ground forces was unnecessary." At one point, the presidential historian quoted John Kennedy, for whom he was an advisor, as saying, "Let us never negotiate out of fear, but let us never fear to negotiate." The self-proclaimed liberal called for a reevaluation of priorities and said that "our vital interests are investment in our children. . . and the drug war." In a warm, jam-packed room, Schlesinger spoke for over an hour moving from topics such as the Gulf war, to the end of the Cold War and also to the turmoil in the Soviet Union. Schlesinger, best known for his cyclical theory of history in which he hypothesizes that every 15 to 20 years the country shifts from a conservative mindset to a liberal stance, told the audience that "the Cold War is over, not with a bang, but with a wimper." Schlesinger chided "the bearded chaps on Nightline . . . who were befuddled," by the surprising events in Eastern Europe and the Persian Gulf. Delivering a short history lesson, Schlesinger harkened back to the days of the League of Nations, and said the world is witnessing the revival of the Wilsonian order, in which collective security is relied upon for world stability. He said the U.S. economy has been hurt by spending too much money on the military and he fears, with the Persian Gulf war, that the Defense Department might take even more of the nation's resources. "Our chief rival is not communism, nor is it Sadaam Hussein with his pathetic country of 17 million people," Schlesinger maintained. "Our chief rival is Germany and Japan." Schlesinger also referred to the events in the Soviet Union, comparing it to past superpowers. He said it is "the de facto equivalent of the Austro-Hungarian Empire," of the 19th century. "It seems unlikely that Gorbachev can hold together a diverse country of warring groups," Schlesinger concluded. Students and faculty crowded into the lecture auditorium in Logan Hall, but because of the size of the crowd, several dozen students were forced to watch the speech on a closed-circuit television in the hall. For nearly half an hour after his speech, Schlesinger took questions from the audience and after the presentation he met with both faculty and students at a reception at the faculty lounge. The room became stiflingly hot during his speech and Schlesinger often sipped from his glass of water. History Professor Bruce Kuklick, who introduced Schlesinger as the premier American historian of the era, called the speech a "terrific performance." "I was reminded of the gentile teach-ins of the 1960's," Kuklick added. Funded by Trustee Saul Steinberg and the School of Arts and Sciences, PEN at Penn will bring three more speakers to the University later this semester.
(01/31/91 10:00am)
Schlesinger is a 1946 Pulitzer Prize winner and the author of almost two dozen works dealing with presidents Franklin Roosevelt, Andrew Jackson and John Kennedy. He is best known for his analysis of the Kennedy administration and for his so-called "cyclical theory" of American history,,which holds that a shift from liberalism to conservatism, and vice-versa, occurs every 15 to 20 years. English Professor Robert Lucid, Schlesinger's host for his campus visit, called him "the dean of American historians." "He is interesting because he is simultaneously a very distinguished historian and a distinguished statesman," Lucid said. History Professor Bruce Kuklick said last week that Schlesinger "is probably the most influential and prominent historian of the United States." "He is an apologist for the Kennedy administration and he was close to hated by the left during the 1960's for coming out as a moderate for the Vietnam war," Kuklick said. "Throughout all of this he has been very active as a Democrat and a liberal. He has written on behalf of the liberal cause." Schlesinger was scheduled to come to the University in the fall to meet with an American History class but cancelled that visit. He will arrive this morning for a rescheduled visit and will meet with students from that class. His speech, scheduled for 4:30 in Logan Hall room 17, is entitled "After the Cold War, What?" After his speech, he will meet with students for an audience discussion for 30 minutes. Schlesinger, who is currently the Albert Schweitzer professor of humanities at the City University of New York, was born in Cleveland, Ohio, the son of reknowned historian Arthur Schlesinger, Sr. Schlesinger graduated summa cum laude from Harvard University in 1938 and began his impressive career as a writer in 1945 with his book, The Age of Jackson, for which he won a Pulitzer Prize for History in 1946. Schlesinger was a professor of history at Harvard from 1954 to 1961 and served as Special Assistant to President Kennedy from 1961 to 1963. His 1966 book on the Kennedy years, entitled A Thousand Days, earned him his second Pulitzer. PEN at Penn is named for the Poets, Essayists and Novelists Center of New York, which sponsors the lecture series. It is also funded by University Trustee Saul Steinberg. PEN at Penn, working in cooperation with the School of Arts and Sciences, will present four speakers this semester "on the theory that writers of a certain quality or reputation have something to contribute to the community," Lucid said last week. The other artsits include former Peruvian presidential candidate and poet Mario Llosa Vargas, poet Richard Wilbur, and playwright Wendy Wasserstein.
(01/31/91 10:00am)
Renovations to Logan Hall will force the School of Arts and Sciences to relocate its College administrative offices to the Mellon Bank Building on 36th and Walnut Streets for at least a year, according to College Associate Dean Norman Adler. The offices, which are now located in 100 Logan Hall, will move to their new location this summer, a spot chosen to keep the department's central campus location. "Many people have worked hard to find a central location for the offices. . . and to maintain accessibility to students," he said. "The central location [signifies] the central position the College holds in the University." Adler added that the stay in the Mellon Bank Building is only temporary and could last anywhere from one to two years. He said that he is not sure if the administrative offices will be moved back to Logan Hall after the renovation is completed. College Office Director Jean Morris said yesterday the new office will be moved to one floor of the building but will have less space than the old office. She said the school will have to redesign the floor, adding that "the staff is making sacrifices for the students." Adler said he did not know who owns the Mellon Building, but the floor to be used for the offices is now vacant. Staff workers in the office said they are pleased with the move and the communication between them and the administration. Administrative Assistant Marion Friedman said the new site is "very convenient." "I'm delighted because it's much closer than the Market Street [site]," Friedman said. Assistant Dean of Management Karen Marsellis added that the College is working with the registrar to relocate classes which are now held in Logan Hall.
(01/29/91 10:00am)
As part of a new and unprecedented program at the University, 13 University students will have a chance to experience Soviet culture and society first hand as part of an exchange with Moscow State University this spring. Randolph said that despite the upheaval in the country, the University is still going ahead with its plans, and 13 Soviet students from Moscow State University are scheduled to visit the University in March. University students in the program will travel to Moscow after spring semester finals in May and tour the capital city as well as Leningrad. Virtually all expenses will be paid by the School of Arts and Sciences. "It is an initiative by the provost to . . . make students aware of the realities of the Soviet Union," said Slavic Studies Professor Peter Steiner yesterday. Randolph said that the program is aimed at students who have never traveled to the Soviet Union before, but have an interest in the region. Students do not need to have to have any knowledge of Russian in order to participate in the exchange program, but must supply two recommendations which indicate "a capacity to function in a foreign environment." "I think it is an interesting initiative for those not studying slavic languages," Randolph said. "It is really a familiarization program, rather than a foreign studies program." Students in good academic standing who will not graduate this year can submit applications to Slavic Languages Professor Peter Steiner. Applications must be submitted by February 8th and include a college transcript, a one page essay describing the academic benefit that the student will receive from the program, and two letters of recommendation. Selected students will serve as informal hosts for the Soviet visitors in March and will travel with the students to New York and Washington, D.C.
(01/28/91 10:00am)
While some schools are worried recent changes in the Education Department's minority scholarship policy may hurt their recruiting, the new policy will have little, if any, long-term effect on minority applicants to the University, several Ivy League admissions officials said last week. "I don't think you're going to see any reaction [among minority applicants]," said Glen Singleton, the Universtiy's west coast admissions director. "Penn and schools like it won't see an effect for a while." Because the University distributes financial aid according to students' need -- not race, background or merit -- it is somewhat immune to the effects of the new policy. All of the Ivy League schools have the same scholarship policy. Even so, according to Singleton, the Bush Administration's attack on scholarships could send a negative message to minorities who are on the verge of considering higher education. "To stunt minority applications, to deter or lessen minority student's interest in higher education is . . . just bad," he said. Other Ivies report they have also run into few problems when recruiting minority students since the controversy. Harvard University's Director of Minority Admissions Jennifer Cary said Friday that "as of last week we had didn't see any effect." "Harvard, like the rest of the Ivies, has a need based financial aid program," Cary added. Cornell University's Director of Admissions Nancy Hargrave Heiflahm said Friday that "the timing of ]the announcement[ was after the majority of off-campus recruiting" had been completed. "My concern is looking ahead, not perhaps for this year," Heiflahm said. "Students might not apply to Cornell or similar institutions because they believe what they read in the paper and think they cannot afford it." She added that "it can hurt most students who come from disadvantaged backgrounds." Some non-Ivy universities are especially hard hit because they grant specific scholarships for academics, sports and minority status. University of Virginia Minority Admissions Officer Michael Mallory has received "a lot of calls" about the Bush Administration's ruling. Virginia has several scholarships aimed specifically at minority students, but according to Mallory, the ruling has not affected those awards. Mallory predicted that if the scholarship ruling is enforced, there will be lawsuits nationwide. "In the future, ]if the ruling is enforced[, more students will stay in-state," he added. "Virginia will still maintain its good enrollment figures."
(01/25/91 10:00am)
Approximately 200 students gathered on College Green yesterday afternoon to express their support for the American action in the Persian Gulf and to criticize student opposition to the war. The rally was organized by Operation Homefront, a newly formed group of approximately 30 students which hopes to rally support for American troops in their effort to free Kuwait, according to coordinator Denise Wolf, a College junior. "It seems that every time there's a rally against the war, there are more people standing around who support the troops," said College senior Alex Lloyd, an Operation Homefront member. "I think we showed that there is a significant number of students who support the troops," he added. During the rally, more than a dozen students delivered speeches in support of the troops in the Gulf. "Right now we are in the midst of a war," said Wharton junior and group member Victor Miller during his speech, adding that criticism might undermine the war effort. One protestor, clad in army fatigues with a black hat and carrying a "Peace is war" poster, interrupted several speakers yelling "Nuke 'em, just nuke 'em." College senior and group member David Lite addressed the protester saying "Screaming is not the way to express your ideas." "It was good to see that students came out and spoke," he said. "We're adding to the history of time." Dozens of students stopped by the rally on their way to class to pick up yellow ribbons and "Free Kuwait" buttons and to listen to the speakers.
(01/24/91 10:00am)
University Police confiscated three pistols Tuesday from the Quadrangle and are holding them for "safe keeping," according to Commissioner John Kuprevich. The hand guns -- .22 caliber, .45 caliber and .38 caliber weapons -- were found in the Provost's Tower section of the Quad and were turned over to police this week by residential living officials, Kuprevich said. Provost's Tower is located on the corner of Spruce and 36th streets in the Lower Quad. Residential Living representatives said no students live there. The area houses a computer lab and several meeting rooms. Kuprevich said he did not know if the guns were found in a room or in a hallway. Several residential living officials contacted yesterday said that they either did not know about the discovery or declined to comment on it. Kuprevich said he did not know who found the weapons, but said police were notified Tuesday and were asked to take the weapons. The commissioner added that police are investigating the matter to see if any University policies were violated and to "see if the gun was used in some crime." They are holding the weapons until someone claims them with proof of ownership. Kuprevich said police also referred the case to Judicial Inquiry Officer Constance Goodman. Goodman confirmed last night that her office was conducting an investigation, but she said she could not comment on the case. University confidentiality regulations prohibit Goodman from discussing any case before her. South Campus Assistant Director of Services Thomas Heary said yesterday afternoon that he did not know about the incident. Assistant Dean in Residence Brenda Ridley, who covers the Spruce Street portion of the Quad, said she could not comment on the incident. Residential advisors for that area of the Quad could not be reached for comment.
(01/22/91 10:00am)
The number of early decision applicants to the University for the Class of 1995 dropped six percent over last year, the third straight year of decline, admissions officials said yesterday Undergraduate Admissions Dean Willis Stetson said he expects colleges and universities across the country to experience similar declines in both early and regular admissions pools because there has been a five percent decrease in the number of 18-year-olds nation-wide. The University accepted 54 percent of the 1229 high school graduates who applied for early acceptance this year. The University received 1310 applications last year. Stetson said that even with the smaller number of applications, this year's pool was "very, very qualified." Admissions figures for other Ivy League schools were not available yesterday. Early admissions, a process in which students promise to attend the University if they are accepted, represent about 30 percent of an average class, Stetson said, adding that regular admissions will be completed within the next 10 days. The admissions dean said that minority recruitment efforts brought an increase in the number of minorities despite the overall drop in applicants. This year 133 were accepted, versus 112 last year, Stetson said. The University saw a drop in black acceptances, from 20 to 18, but substantial percentage increases in Asian students, from 72 to 93, and Mexican-Americans from one to five. Hispanic acceptances stayed even at 39. Minorities represent about 30 percent of the early decision acceptances for the Class of 1995.. Stetson also reported an increase in both the amount of females and the amount of international students accepted. West Coast Admissions Officer Glen Singleton said he was "very excited by the" results. "In a time when there are significant worries about the state of the urban structure, it's good to see that there's a higher quality of applicants," Singleton said. "Penn's a leader as far as attracting and matriculating minorities." He said the general pool of applicants "was larger in number and the quality was just as good, if not better than the past five years." Although Stetson would not release the average SAT scores of the applicants, he did say they were "comparably strong to last year's SAT scores." "[Early admissions] provide with a strong base from which to build to build a class in March and April," the dean added. "This will be a buffer against decreasing numbers of regular admissions." Even with the smaller numbers of applicants, the University accepted more than in the past. Wharton and the College of Arts and Sciences experienced the biggest increases in early decision acceptances, according to Stetson. While Wharton had 116 acceptances in 1989, 161 were accepted this fall. The College had a jump from 345 in 1989 to 407 this year.
(01/18/91 10:00am)
Armed with speakers, signs and a microphone, about two dozen anti-war protesters held their second rally in as many days yesterday on College Green. The activists filled the afternoon air with calls for a withdrawal of troops from Iraq, increased racial sensitivity and an increase in aid for various health and human services. In a much calmer atmosphere than Wednesday night's march around campus and through Center City, the protest group, which does not have a name for its organization, voiced their concerns that the Persian Gulf war may drive the United States into economic and political ruin. Among the speakers was a representative from the Uhuru Solidarity Party, who called for an end to the "hypocrisy" of the Bush administration. She said Bush practices injustice against black Americans, but preaches about the morality of the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait. Members of one student peace group distributed fliers calling the war a fight for "Bush's friends - playboys, gamblers and sheiks." Students walking past the green had mixed reactions to the rally. "These people don't understand that there's only one way to deal with an assassin," Wharton freshman Brian Gustason said. "You have to force him out." Several students said they felt that the protestors were merely putting on a show, rather than voicing a political agenda. "It seems they're doing this more as radicals than to present any political agenda . . . it's a far too simplistic view," added passer-by sophomore Seth Notes. Anti-war protest organizer Nancy Brooks said she just wanted to "bring as many students as possible into the peace movement." "We're happy at the turnout," she added. Uhuru Solidarity Party representative Judith Weinacht added that "we understand that the United States is in the Middle East to protect their oil, when it should be returned to the Arabs." The rally, held between noon and about 1:30, featured an open microphone with which members of the audience voiced their objections to the war. "This [rally] is relatively small and it won't stop the war, but had we not been out here it would have been making a bigger statement," said poster-carrying College senior Dean Campbell. Students promised to continue their vocal opposition to the war and dispersed after almost two hours of speeches, leaving local dancer Kathy Chang performing outside Van Pelt Library. Clad in a tie-dye shirt, Chang carried a flag proclaiming "Peace, Liberty, Ecology, Democracy, and Justice." "I'm trying to persuade these students to take the tools they have in their hands to start building a whole new society," she said.
(01/17/91 10:00am)
What began as a quiet gathering of students at Houston Hall to protest American involvement in the Persian Gulf soon became an angry, and at times confrontational, rally as close to 300 students marched through the campus and eventually into Center City. Beginning with reasoned speeches by organizers, the crowd quickly snowballed into a massive, impromptu rally of students making peace signs and imploring others to join their cause. The students marched through darkness and pouring rain across the campus, calling the war "morally hypocritical" and saying they were not willing to fight a war for oil while domestic issues were ignored. The crowd marched from Houston Hall to the Quad, Superblock, and President Hackney's House on the 3800 block of Walnut Street, then back down Locust Walk to College Green and Hill House before finally heading towards Center City. The assemblage finally ended up joining another group of city residents protesting at Independence Mall, at 6th and Market streets. While on campus, the protesters encountered some opposition from students who came out of dormitory rooms or fraternity houses to support U.S. action and troops. These confrontations were mostly peaceful, but some erupted into shouting matches on a few occasions. The meeting began at 7:30 p.m. with about 100 students gathering in Houston Hall. After discussing and debating ways to respond to the U.S. attack for about an hour, they voted to demand a stop in the war effort, a recall of all U.S. troops immediately and for government expenditures on "human needs" and not war. After voting to demand the withdrawal of troops from Iraq, calls for a march to the Liberty Bell filled the room. Within minutes, the crowd of activists stormed out of the room and onto Spruce Street, chanting, "Hell no, we won't go, we won't fight for Texaco." Walking through the pouring rain, the crowd marched across Spruce, stopping traffic, and through the lower Quad gate -- in defiance of the helpless security guard. As the protesters continued chanting, armed with bullhorns and anti-war posters, several pro-Bush bystanders jeered the crowd with cries of "Go back to Baghdad." The protesters largely ignored the hecklers who remained peaceful at all times. One protester shot back, "There's a plane at the airport." "Do you want to die?" another asked the hecklers. As the angry students crossed the 38th Street bridge to Superblock, they continued chanting and calling on High Rise residents to join their march. Shouting over the deafening crowd, College freshman Prakash Khenlani asserted "this is not a war to find a solution, it's a war to create war." After regrouping, the activists circled the High Rises, and assembled in front of President Sheldon Hackney's home, chanting, "Where do you stand?" Hackney was in New York at the time. Across Walnut Street, fraternity members from Acacia, Sigma Nu, and Sigma Alpha Mu yelled back "USA, USA . . . free Kuwait, free Kuwait." "The U.S. is definitely right for what it's done," Acacia junior Alex Mouray yelled angrily. "It's about time we got in and Iraq got out of Kuwait." The marchers quickly moved down Locust Walk toward Hill House, and again met students who disagreed with them. Theta Xi President Chris Ohl draped an American flag outside the fraternity house as soon as he heard news of the war. "I think everyone should have an American flag out," said Ohl, whose fraternity brothers held a moment of silence for those serving abroad. Phi Gamma Delta President David Murphy calmly explained, "We're [opposing protesters] to support our country." He insisted that he was speaking on his own behalf, and not that of the fraternity. The protesters halted on College Green, where College sophomore Amadee Braxton directed them toward City Hall. The students entered Hill House, but were challenged by an angry Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps sophomore Jonathan Held, who was restrained by a friend. Although some students dropped out of the group along the route, others joined in as they went along. With replenished ranks, the protesters proceeded east on Chestnut, linking hands. After crossing the Schuylkill River and moving into Center City, they asked local residents to join their cause and soon jammed the streets. City police monitored traffic on cross streets and followed the group of students with two paddy-wagons, but never moved in to interrupt the rally. "I don't want this war," College junior Elizabeth Wiggy said as they marched. "Bush didn't ask the people, he only asked himself." Psychology graduate student Barbara Gault agreed with Wiggy. "I don't support the war in the Middle East," she said. "The United States must get out as soon as possible. I'm very upset." As they approached 18th street, Robert Feorleger, who had been leading the crowd carrying a garbage bag, announced "I am a conscientious objector. I don't believe in war. Period." At ninth street, students met up with Loretta Desvernina, a member of Philadelphia's AIDS Coalition to Unleash Power, who told the students 200 more protesters were already at Independence Mall and redirected them. "I'm here because the war began," she said. "It's an atrocity. We should be fighting the wars we have going on in this country." When the students arrived at Independence Mall, over 200 more protesters were on the green and across the streets, rallying as police and local television crews watched. One resident was clad in a gas mask and full body anti-chemical gear, saying it might some day become common attire. Creating a circle, the protesters linked hands and joined in chants, including, "Support our troops, bring them home," and "The people united can never be divided." In a show of both defiance and unity, the circle collapsed into a mob of protesters raising a large, altered American flag. The flag was hung upside-down and a peace sign had been painted over the stars. United Cab driver Michael Samara, who watched the rally from his taxi, said he agreed with the protesters. He said his brother is serving in Saudi Arabia with the Navy. "Honestly, I feel that we have the wrong president for this country," Samara said. "We're not supposed to fight for oil. I drive a taxi-cab and I would pay three dollars a gallon before I would want to see one life lost." The protesters planned another rally for today. They are scheduled to meet at the Christian Association building at 9 a.m. for an organizational meeting, then will rally at noon on College Green. A Center City march is planned for 3:30 p.m.
(01/15/91 10:00am)
The three-week-long winter break was extended one extra day for some lucky students who faced empty lecterns at their first classes of the spring semester. A change in the academic calendar last summer created confusion among both students and faculty who mistakenly thought classes began today instead of yesterday. Nearly every department was plagued by absenteeism among professors who used the older, flawed calendar. Executive Assistant to the Provost Linda Koons said yesterday the University prepares its academic calendar three years in advance and that the calendar originally provided a full day for drop/add registration. Koons said the Council of Undergraduate Deans "realized that the full day of drop/add wasn't necessary" and moved up the beginning of the semester to Monday. University Registrar Ronald Sanders said yesterday the change was announced in The Almanac six months ago. He added that his office received calls last week from several professors, but said faculty should have been aware of the change. The provost's office distributed memoranda to every department last week when they realized that much of the faculty was confused about the start of classes. Sanders, who was not in his office yesterday, said from his home that he was unaware of any absentee problem. Political Science Department Chairperson Oliver Williams said his department received a flier from the provost early last semester but some professors still had the outdated information and followed the incorrect schedule. Several students reported that their Economics 2 -- Introduction to Macroeconomics -- classes were canceled yesterday. Wharton students were also plagued by professor-less classes. At least one Introduction to Management class was canceled. Political science and computer science students were similarly blessed with an hour of freedom when several of their professors never came to class. College freshman Steven Marks said his instructor did not show up for his second semester Spanish class yesterday. "We just sat there for twenty minutes and then got up and left" he added. Engineering senior David Perkis was granted a free day when both of his chemical engineering classes were canceled. Perkis said that both of his professors told the students that they were unaware of the change in the schedule. He said although both professors made it to class, both said they were not prepared to teach.
(12/03/90 10:00am)
Calling for increased education for minorities and for a end to job discrimination, a Princeton University official said in a speech Friday that the United States is at a critical juncture in its planning for a changing economy. At a two-hour speech and discussion, Princeton Director of Training and Organizational Development Anu Rao -- also a member of the Philadelphia's Mayor Commission on Asian-Americans -- detailed many of the problems now facing minorities in the workplace. Rao, a doctoral candidate in City and Regional Planning at the University, backed up her discussion by citing several statistics from the Hudson Institute's 1986 Workforce 2000 report. The report, commissioned by the Department of Labor, presented findings on population growth, patterns of migration, and changes in the economy which will affect the future workforce. According to Rao, the report offers the United States "the opportunity to shape the future," because it will help prepare minorities for the high-tech and service jobs which will be open to them in the future. This event was one of the first sponsored by the Pan Asian Circle -- a newly-formed student organization representing Asian women's issues. Circle Coordinator Amy Hsi said that at times she feels "very disconnected from the Penn community." She said she hoped the group will allow Asian women to "meet and talk. . . about their experiences at Penn and throughout their lives." The program, which began as a formal lecture, was quickly turned into an informal question and answer session as students pulled their chairs around to form a circle. Rao cited numerous cases of both job and police discriminations that minorities face. Rao, an immigrant, reported that "police treatment of Asians has been deplorable," and said that more of minorities' concerns need to be addressed by the general public. "The violence against Asians which goes ignored by police and the courts is frightening." she said. "I've been shocked not just at the brutality, but at the total apathy of the police." Audience members said the discussion was very informative. Panhellenic Council President Anita Hsueh praised the presentation saying it was "one of the few programs for Asians on this campus and it's about time." Penn Women's Center Staff member Michelle Ray added that while other minorities have support groups, the circle is the first group aimed at Asian women. She said she hopes the group succeeds since it is "good for Asian women to have their own support group."
(11/30/90 10:00am)
Mention the word "laundry" to students, and many cringe in disgust. "Next week," some say, while others just shake their head, declining to disclose the last time they set foot into the laundry rooms around campus. And while their ways of doing laundry may differ, students all must face the stark reality: one day, they will run out of clean underwear. Some stock up in preparation for the eventual end of clean clothes, while others just find the time weekly to do a washload. And although the service sounds like an excellent idea, some students complain that the PSA distributes poor quality linens. One student, Engineering junior Hyunsuk Seung, added he found the service inconvenient, saying he no longer uses the service because the distribution places were not open all of the time. So after experimenting with the service, some students will turn to professionals to handle the dirty work. One manager of Henry's II Cleaners in Houston Hall, which offers dry cleaning services, said earlier this week that nearly 75 percent of their business is from students. Freshmen said they feel especially hard-hit by the responsibility of laundry with most using a laundry machine for the first time. College freshman Seong-Joo Jeong complains that freshmen must not only fit laundry into their weekly schedule, but when laundry time finally rolls around, "there aren't enough machines or laundry rooms" for the students to use. And although South Campus Assistant Director for Residential Serivces Gordon Rickards said there are laundry machines in every renovated dorm, several students complained that the University is unresponsive to the needs of the students. For instance, coupled with trouble of lugging laundry to a room several dorms away, students said they virtually always to wait for empty machines. College freshman Andrew Eisenstein summed it up when he said that "it's stupid to have as many washers as dryers because everyone knows it takes three times longer to dry than it does to wash." Most of the residents of the Quadrangle contacted over the past two weeks, say they are displeased with the cost, scarcity of machines, and the cleanliness of the laundry rooms. University laundry machines cost 75 cents to wash clothes and an additional 50 cents to try them. One student, College freshman Jeanne Mahoney, remarked earlier this week that the Butcher laundry room is infested with ants. Students complain that some dryers don't heat up, while the washers do not drain completely. Students find themselves in a battle to get a good machine. To counter the scarcity of laundry machines on campus, some students said they find odd hours and new ways of doing their wash in order to avoid the long lines for facilities. Wharton freshman Navdeep Singh explained that he washes his clothes between 2 a.m. and 4 a.m. But others try to save money and time by asking friends to take care of the mess. Wharton freshman Brian Gustason said that since September he has only done his wash twice. "I bribed some girls to do my laundry -- twice," he said. However, he adds that he "plans on washing it more in the future." "I'm set for the next two months," the Quad resident gloated after having brought his clean clothes back from his home in Arizona. Reliance on mom's cleaning is still the basic motto for freshmen who never set foot in the University's laundry rooms. Michael Izhaky, an Engineering freshman, said that he takes his laundry home to Brooklyn each weekend. Although freshmen seem to find laundry time to be especially difficult, upperclassmen must also deal with the problem. High Rise residents, comprised primarily of upperclassmen, said they are blessed with laundry rooms on every even floor, adding that it is more convienent, safer and more efficient than the Quadrangle. "It's not that bad," said College sophomore Jennifer Shulman as she puts detergent into the washer. She says that doing laundry in the Quad was a hassle because she was always concerned about theft. But she disregarded people's complaints on the lack of laundry machines, saying that students just have to plan ahead. A diligent washer, Shulman does her laundry weekly. But others take the task of laudry less seriously. College junior Chris Geisel, who "mooches" detergent, does his laundry bi-weekly, still complained that its "too expensive" to wash his clothes.
(11/19/90 10:00am)
A war of words erupted several times during a day-long conference on the Persian Gulf Crisis and Palestinian-Israeli conflict held this weekend at the Christian Association. The conference included three sessions with panels of professors and other Middle East experts. Each panel member spoke for 20 minutes, and then answered questions. At the second session, all three panel members addressed the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, saying that Palestinians living in Israel are discriminated against. They added that a resolution must be found. All three members condemned current Israeli policies while backing the actions of the Palestine Liberation Organization. Judith Chomsky, a civil rights lawyer for the National Lawyers Guild, told the audience that "Jews and non-Jews are not entitled to equal protection" under Israeli law. The lawyer, who spent part of her life on a Kibbutz, an Israeli commune, sighted several examples where Palestinian villages are not connected to electricity or water facilities. She added that while Israeli Arabs cannot serve in the Israeli Army and, therefore, do not qualify for subsidies, many Jews who refuse to serve in the army still receive the subsidies. "Its a catch-22 situation," she said. Brooklyn College Professor Norman Finkelstein was the most vocal of the panelists, saying that while "the Palestine Liberation Organization is fully aligned with the international consensus," Israel has not taken one step towards reconciliation. Finkelstein's speech -- a strong criticism of Israeli policies -- included a condemnation of Israel's invasion of Lebanon. Finkelstein charged the Israeli intelligence agency with thwarting PLO efforts to negotiate a peace. One exchange that set the tone for much of the conference came during a question-and-answer period, in which Finkelstein yelled at an audience member, calling that student "demented and delirious," for questioning his ideas. Several students said the conference was biased and one-sided, saying that the panelists never listened to alternative viewpoints. College sophomore Jonathon Huppert called the day-long discussions a "very one-sided conference blind to any other view." He added that the panel supported "itself through the elimination of many facts." Penn Committee members said afterwards that the conference was useful because it led to the free expression of views about the Middle East. The committee is comprised of faculty members and students who have coordinated their efforts with two University student groups -- the Muslim Students Organization and the Penn Committee for Palestinians. The newly-formed organization opposes the U.S. build-up of troops in the Persian Gulf and have called for the withdrawal of Iraqi forces from Kuwait.
(10/22/90 9:00am)
Hundreds of college students flocked to the University this weekend to debate and organize solutions to eliminate poverty at their respective schools. The culmination of the National Student Campaign Against Hunger and Homelessness' conference was the closing ceremonies, in which U.S. Representative Tony Hall (D-Ohio) called upon students to implement effective solutions to the crisis yesterday. The conference, which brought together over 400 student representatives from over a hundred organizations and universities, included workshops and discussion panels as well as speakers by prominent activists such as Marion Wright Edelman -- founder of the Children's Defense Fund. The conference culminated a year-long effort by students, NASCHH staff, and the administration to gain recognition for the University's record of outstanding community volunteerism, according to the conference's assistant director, Claudia Horwitz. During his half-hour speech to over 200 students and faculty, Hall -- a member of the House Select Committee on Hunger as well as the powerful House Rules Committee -- placed the responsiblity of dealing with the international hunger crisis on all Americans. Hall, an advocate for increased international hunger relief for the past decade, recalled his experiences in Ethiopia. In a vivid description, he recounted seeing five Ethiopian children die within a day and said that he was "permanently scarred" from the incident. Comparing the eradication of hunger to a bonfire, the twelve year representative told the audience of activists that they must combine and coordinate efforts to succeed. "When we start taking the sticks away from the fire, they provide no more warmth," Hall added. The closing ceremonies also featured a speech by Professor of History and Urban Studies Ira Harkavy, who warned that "student conferences tend to result in a brief effervesence. . . of activity and then a return to business as usual." "Business as usual at this time in American history is not acceptable," he added. According to Harkavy, a University graduate, in order to survive in the rapidly changing society, universities must provide a network of community volunteers. "We must strive to eliminate to cause of suffering" added the professor. Assistant Director Horwitz, also a University graduate, said that the success of the conference was due mainly to the enthusiasm of the student participants. Horwitz also praised the administration saying that the "conference could not have been as successful without the support of the adminstration." Student participants in the conference said the speakers and workshops clearly defined some issues and gave them a basis for further programs at their own schools. Jamie Daves, a freshman from the College of William and Mary, said the conference "stressed the need for volunteerism and social advocacy." "The conference gave me insight into the issues," she said. Horwitz said she hopes that although the conference is over, University students will still pursue their volunteer projects.
(10/19/90 9:00am)
Proclaiming that America now has the unique opportunity to eradicate poverty, renowned activist Marian Wright Edelman opened the fourth annual National Student Campaign Against Hunger and Homelessness last night before a crowd of over 300 students and community representatives. Edelman, founder of the Children's Defense Fund, called upon the students -- representing dozens of universities and high schools nationwide -- to "translate their ideas into real and permanent solutions [to end poverty]." Edelman delivered the keynote address as part of a weekend conference being held at the University. The conference -- hosted in the past by Harvard University, the American University, and Northwestern University -- includes discussion panels, speeches and workshops in which approximately 500 student representatives will plan their strategies to fight hunger and homelessness. Decrying the Reagan administration for slashing welfare programs, Edelman cited dozens of statistics which place the United States far below other countries in health care and education. "Investing in children is not a luxury but an absolute national necessity," added the lifelong crusader for children. "The money is there [to fight poverty], it's just a matter of national choice." Edelman is the author of several novels, including Portrait of Inequality, and has been at the forefront of the fight for the rights of the impoverished for over three decades. The activist told a captivated audience that every 47 seconds another child is abused, every 26 seconds another runs away, and every minute a teenager gives birth. "We must mount a massive movement which is powerful enough to change the philosophy of today's policymakers," added Edelman in her half hour address. Comparing the students to thousands of gnats, she claimed that together, the army of volunteers could "annoy policymakers into action." Edelman's five part strategy to help end children's plight, includes massive public education about society's health and welfare crisis, personalization of childrens' suffering, greater involvement of individuals in community organization, coalition building, and "training an army of volunteers." The keynote address ended with a standing ovation. "[Edelman's speech] really put the problems of homelessness into persepective," according to University of Wisconsin junior Shannon Fenner. She added that the speech was "really motivating." The conference continues this afternoon with a seminar on discrimination and poverty in the Nursing Education Building at 1:45 p.m. This evening, the conference will host a discussion group on Student Activism in the 90's in room B-1 in Meyerson Hall. Both panels are free and open to University students.
(10/18/90 9:00am)
After months of extensive planning and comprehensive preparation, the National Student Campaign Against Hunger and Homelessness will begin its four-day conference here tonight with the hope of empowering students in the fight against poverty. The conference represents the crown jewel in the University's attempts to increase student participation in volunteer programs and to bring recognition to its efforts to improve community relations. The fourth-annual conference -- hosted in the past by Harvard, Northwestern, and American universities -- is expected to draw over 500 student representatives from universities nationwide. The weekend-long conference will include speeches, panel discussions and workshops that will center around possible solutions to homelessness, illiteracy, hunger, and poverty. Since early this year, over 70 students have worked tediously organizing everything from Dining Service meals to a speech by a U.S. Congressman. The National Campaign along with various University student organizations has been making preparations during the last nine months, including Kite and Key Society, Penn Volunteer Network, and University City Hospitality Coalition. The conference, financed by the Office of the President, Office of the Vice Provost for University Life, and the Student 250th organization, will cost several thousand dollars. But Horwitz said the event will bring innumerable benefits to the University community. She said that the conference should bring an increased awareness among University students about the problems of the homeless, adding that she hopes there will be an revival of student activism. The National Campaign has been working in concert with various Philadelphia community groups, including the Mayor's Commission on Literacy. The groups are expected to send representatives to the conference this weekend. Thelma Reese, director of the Mayor's Commission on Literacy, said yesterday that she hopes students use the conference as a stepping stone to undertaking further volunteer projects. "[Students should] become aware enough about the problems. . . [to] make some kind of commitment toward solving those problems," said Reese, who will be a panel member for one discussion. "The conference should make people aware of the high level of illeteracy which contributes to economic problems of society." According to Colleen McCauley, chairperson of the Penn Volunteer Network, the goal of the conference is to allow "students to sit at the table with people working in the community to see if and how students can get involved." She added that students "will be able to talk to a wide variety of people from the community." The conference will begin tonight with a keynote speech by Marian Wright Edelman of the Children's Defense Fund at room B-1 of Meyerson Hall at 7 p.m. It will conclude on Sunday afternoon with a speech by U.S. Representative Tony Hall, also to be held in Meyerson Hall.
