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(03/22/00 10:00am)
But Penn police attribute the increase to a growth in their patrol area. Campus crime statistics released this week by the Division of Public Safety show significant increases in several categories of crime over the past three years, including robbery, simple assaults and auto thefts. But according to University Police officials, the statistics -- the release of which is mandated by both federal and state law -- don't paint an accurate picture of the crime situation on campus. Specifically, they say, the increased number of 1999 incidents reflects the growth of police jurisdiction and several key changes in reporting procedures. "The reason for our increased numbers isn't an increase in crime," University Police Deputy Chief of Investigations Thomas King said. "It was just a matter of the change in [Department of Education] reporting requirements." Congress passed legislation in 1998 designed to close loopholes allowing colleges and universities to underreport campus crime by claiming that many incidents occurred in what is technically off campus. Penn was the subject of a year-long federal government investigation into its crime reporting procedures in 1997. That review found several minor violations into reporting procedures, but absolved the University of charges that it had systematically covered up campus crime. According to the statistics -- which count campus-wide crime according to the nature of the offense -- the number of on-campus incidents has increased in general over the past three years, with robberies rising by 29 occurrences since last year, thefts by 246 and simple assaults by 14. But officials said the higher statistics reflect an expansion of the University Police's patrol area as well as an increase in reports brought about by some ambiguities in new reporting terminology. "Most of the changes involved new federal definitions of what was campus and what was not," University Police Chief Maureen Rush said. "The changes in breakdown made things somewhat more complicated, but we still reported those crimes affecting the University covered by the Uniform Crime Report." "The numbers look deceptively higher," King added. "We're more inclusive about counting [crimes] inside our geographic area." He said the police are responding to the regulatory changes by cautiously reporting crimes previously considered out of jurisdiction. "We're absolutely going beyond the requirements to make sure we're in compliance," King said. "This is very much a transition for the DOE requirements as we all try to figure out the meaning of [geographic reporting guidelines] like 'adjacent' and 'reasonably contiguous.'" The numbers are especially misleading, officials say, because the crime rate in the campus neighborhood has actually been falling dramatically in recent months. "Major crime is definitely down," King said. "[The actual crime rate] is really impressive." Police are so pleased with the drop in violent crimes like homicide and aggravated assault, in fact, that they have been able to spend more resources in the fight against smaller, quality of life-related incidents. "We're at the point right now where we're really concentrating on thefts from inside buildings," King said. "Our robberies are way down, as are our aggravated assaults. Any student-related assaults are virtually non-existent, where we used to have a high percentage of alcohol-related incidents. Burglary has been on the decrease as well." Police further say one of the tools they plan to employ in the fight against minor crimes is education. "An obscenely high percentage of internal thefts, 95 percent or more, are the result of items left unattended," King said. "We're trying hard to increase awareness in that area."
(03/21/00 10:00am)
Crime during last week's spring break period dropped to its lowest level in recent years, highlighted by just two serious incidents and a small number of minor thefts. University Police said that only 12 criminal incidents were reported between March 10 and March 20, reflecting a rate not significantly different from the rate in weeks when campus is more fully populated. Victims in neither of the more serious crimes sustained major injuries or losses. The most significant incident of the week occurred in the early morning hours of March 10, when a female University student reported that she was grabbed by an unknown man while walking on Woodland Walk, located behind Steinberg-Dietrich Hall. According to the student, the man crept up behind her and grabbed her by the neck, at which point he warned her not to make any noise. Seconds later, he fled in an unknown direction without taking anything anything. The student was not hurt in the incident. In the other serious reported crime, a house on the 300 block of South 40th Street was burglarized later the same day. Police responded to a call from concerned neighbors and arrested two 19-year-old New Jersey men, identified as Joshua Simmons and Johnny Bravo, whom police observed attempting to remove items from the residence. The two men had apparently gained entrance to the house through a skylight. A check of the premises later confirmed that they did not remove or damage anything. The other 10 crime reports include three bicycle thefts and seven minor thefts from within automobiles and area buildings. The total value of all items reported stolen was about $3,600. Police officials are crediting certain preventative measures with helping to reduce crime, including an off-campus registering program which allowed vacationing students to request that police patrol the area around their homes several times a day during break. "I was pleasantly surprised," University Police Deputy Chief of Investigations Thomas King said. "The checks and patrols went pretty well." The registration program, King added, has been specifically successful in both preventing crime and establishing bonds between the police and off-campus residents. "It's something that we're working on as we reach out to the off-campus locations, and we're really trying to extend the program," he said. "It seems to be working." King said that while University Police are proud of the recent drop in crime -- and specifically pleased with the results of their efforts to combat crimes such as bike theft -- the department continues to take steps to prevent future incidents. "It's a combination of factors [that contribute to the decrease in crime]," King said. "We're cautiously optimistic that the crime will stay low."
(03/08/00 10:00am)
In yesterday's Super Tuesday primaries, Texas Gov. George W. Bush and Vice President Al Goe soundly defeated their opponents. Vice President Al Gore and Texas Gov. George W. Bush all but ended the battles for their respective parties' nominations last night with decisive victories in a series of primaries across the country. Challengers Bill Bradley and John McCain needed major wins in yesterday's Super Tuesday primaries to sustain their beleaguered campaigns. But both failed to achieve the victories considered necessary for them to stay competitive, propelling their opponents into positions of even greater dominance and leaving the future of their respective bids in serious doubt. On the Republican side, Bush soundly defeated McCain in seven of the day's 11 major GOP contests, most notably sweeping the crucial delegate battlegrounds of California, New York and Ohio. He supplemented those gains with wins in Georgia, Maine, Maryland and Missouri. McCain, whose insurgent bid had challenged Bush's dominance with wins in New Hampshire and Michigan, managed to eek out small victories in four New England states -- Connecticut, Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Vermont. Bush now holds a substantial edge in delegates to this summer's Republican National Convention in Philadelphia. Last night, he picked up an additional 347 delegates, bringing his total to 517 of the 1,034 needed to win the nomination. McCain garnered 117, bringing his total count to 222. The results were even more punishing for Bradley. The one-time Princeton and New York Knicks basketball star and three-term Democratic senator from New Jersey failed to win even one state delegation from the heavily favored vice president. Though he has picked up delegates in non-winner-take-all states, Bradley has yet to win a single state contest from Vice President Al Gore. His total now stands at 284 of the 2,170 votes needed to win the Democratic nomination. Gore has 975 delegates. In Democratic exit polling, African Americans preferred Gore over Bradley by a margin of six-to-one, and Latinos by eight-to-one. The margin among union members was smaller, but still a healthy three-to-one. Gore also won the vote of independents, a key element of Bradley's electoral strategy, and a group that the Democratic nominee will need in the general election race. The exit polling was conducted by Voter News Service, a consortium of The Associated Press and television networks. Exit surveys across the states showed women preferring Bush by a two-to-one margin over McCain. Among age groups, McCain carried only younger voters; those over 30 voted for Bush. Among Catholics, the vote was split evenly between the two candidates. And by a big margin, the voters said McCain was more likely than Bush to say what he believes. Now, as the primary season moves in the coming weeks on to the southern states -- areas where Bush and Gore are expected to dominate -- speculation continues to swirl as to when the two underdog candidates might concede their races. "We're very pleased with the victories we won and disappointed with the ones we lost," McCain said shortly after calling Bush to offer his congratulations. He later told supporters that he and the Texas governor "may meet again," leaving the door open for a possible departure from the race. One senior adviser said that he expects the Arizona senator to announce his withdrawal from the race tomorrow, but added that no firm plans had yet been made. McCain said he would take stock of his campaign today when he travels to his retreat in Arizona. Some aides planned to recommend that the senator depart the race, while others looked for him to forge on to the nine primaries coming up in the next week. McCain's strength so far has been his ability to attract Democratic and Independent voters who don't usually vote Republican. But in recent days McCain has pledged to support Bush if he were to become the nominee, putting a damper on speculation that he might consider a third-party bid. Bradley addressed a crowd of supporters in New York, taking credit for launching "the beginning of a new politics," and recognizing his followers for pushing such issues as gun violence, poverty and campaign finance reform into the national spotlight. "He won, I lost," Bradley said last night, all but conceding the end of the race. He said he would consult with aides over the next few days regarding the future of his campaign and make an announcement sometime in the next week. For the victors of yesterday's primary battles, though, the campaign focus now shifts from the primaries to the general election showdown in November. As Bush and Gore addressed their respective crowds last night, the target of their comments noticeably shifted away from their party opponents and instead, toward each other. "Our campaign is your cause," Gore told a crowd of supporters in his home state of Tennessee. "We are the party of the mainstream. We appeal to hope, not anger, not to exclusion. He continued by saying his approach was the right one to continue the current economic expansion begun under Bill Clinton -- the only time he used the president's name. In an unnamed reference to Bush's policies, he cautioned against "wasting the surplus on a risky tax scheme." Looking ahead to a potential fight with Gore, Bush congratulated the vice president for his victories in the Democratic primaries, but said, "He is the candidate of the status quo in Washington, D.C., and he has a tough case to make in the general election." Bush continued by saying, "My frame of mind is to keep moving. Soon our party will unite and turn to the main task at hand -- ending the era of Clinton-Gore." The Associated Press contributed to this story.
(03/07/00 10:00am)
Over eight years, Penn will spend $23 million to updae safety systems. Acting in the wake of a disastrous Seton Hall University dormitory fire that killed three students there, Penn's Department of Fire and Occupational Safety recently announced a $23 million plan to install updated fire safety equipment in all on-campus residences. The plan calls for state-of-the-art alarm, sprinkler and detector systems to be installed in residential buildings over an eight-year period and for new public address systems to be integrated into the University's three high-rise college houses. Director of Fire and Occupational Safety Harry Cusick said that while the University's residential buildings currently meet code, changing standards and concerns following Seton Hall's fire have made such improvements a necessity. "With the code, we are where we need to be," Cusick said. "We're always trying to figure out the ways where it's possible to step up our preventative procedures." All of the University's 12 college houses currently feature smoke detectors in all rooms and sprinklers in basements and laundry rooms, Cusick said, though the goal is to bring the buildings beyond the city's minimum fire safety requirements. "We're in compliance and we're also upgrading everything as the [college house] renovations go on," Cusick said. "What we're doing in the high rises and elsewhere is even going beyond compliance." He added that the new high-rise public address system and additional fire safety staff is going to help ease the crucial flow of information to students in the event of a fire alarm. "It was our thought that by having direct communication on every floor, we could get more on-site contact with students," Cusick said. "Having a few additional people on our staff is also going to help out." Dormitory fire safety has been an issue of great discussion ever since a fire struck Seton Hall's Boland Hall in January, killing three students and sending 55 to the hospital. Since then, fire and police officials -- as well as a federal grand jury -- have been working to isolate the factors that contributed to the fire. Three suspicious sofa fires in a third-floor lounge are currently being blamed for the disaster. But Penn officials reviewing the case have expressed concerns regarding the contribution of two particular factors: alcohol and prior false alarms. "One of the things that we saw at Seton Hall -- and it's stunning, particularly as far as colleges go -- is that alcohol was definitely involved," Cusick said. "Alcohol is the catalyst in about 50 percent of fires in the general population, while at colleges it's more than 90 percent." He added that it is often the victim's intake of alcohol -- as well as that of an intentional or accidental arsonist -- that contributes to fires and injuries. False alarms provide further challenges to fire safety, Cusick said, as they dampen residents' recognition of the seriousness of alarms. In 1999, only 48 of 335 fire alarms in campus buildings were real fires. To combat these challenges, University Police have pledged vigorous investigation of all false alarm incidents. "People become very complacent when it comes to alarms, so our goal is to decrease the perception that when someone hears bells, it's some kind of a false alarm," University Police Chief Maureen Rush said. "We're also really adamant about prosecuting anyone who has pulled a false alarm or discharged a fire extinguisher." Rush, whose department works directly with Cusick's division of Fire and Occupational Safety, added that the Seton Hall fire may have been a valuable warning sign for the rest of the higher education community. "It takes a tragedy sometimes," Rush said. "Seton Hall, tragic as it was, will probably end up saving lives across the country."
(03/03/00 10:00am)
The male student, found in critical condition, is expected to recover fully. A male University freshman suffering from alcohol poisoning was hospitalized in critical condition early yesterday morning, marking the most serious known alcohol-related incident of the academic year. According to University Police Chief Maureen Rush, the student -- who is expected to recover fully -- was in extremely poor condition when paramedics arrived at the scene and extensive measures had to be taken to stabilize him before he was transported to the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. Philadelphia paramedics and University Police officers responded to the location in an unspecified Quadrangle residence after they were alerted by a call at about 3 a.m. "Fire and rescue took him to HUP and he was then transferred to the intensive care unit," Rush said. "[The paramedics] had to take some extreme measures to make sure he was OK." The student was unconscious for much of yesterday, regaining consciousness later in the afternoon. "I'm very pleased to report that he is conscious and they're going to keep him overnight to keep an eye on him," Associate Vice Provost for University Life Juana Lewis said yesterday. "We're out of the woods from a medical perspective." Police and University officials said they will now begin investigating where the 18-year-old freshman acquired a quantity of alcohol large enough to endanger his life. "If we have students who are getting into these dangerous underage drinking situations, then the people who are supplying the alcohol are responsible," Rush said. "We will be working with VPUL to determine how an underage person got that drunk." She added, however, that University Police have no intention of prosecuting the student or any individuals who may have been with him. "We're not looking to do any prosecution of him or anyone else," Rush said. "No one should ever think that if they're with someone who is intoxicated they should be concerned about getting in trouble for reporting that person is sick. Our goal is not getting people in trouble, it's saving their lives." Yesterday's incident is the most severe alcohol-related incident of the 11 known hospitalizations since September. Excessive drinking has been a major issue at Penn over the past few years, especially since the death of 1994 College graduate Michael Tobin after an alcohol-induced fall down a set of stairs at the former Phi Gamma Delta fraternity house last March. Tobin's death ignited a campus-wide debate on the University's alcohol policy, which was significantly revised by a group of administrators and students last spring. Following yesterday's incident, Alcohol Policy Coordinator Stephanie Ives expressed concern for the student involved but confidence that problems involving alcohol abuse are being effectively curbed at the University. "We're very, very concerned about him and his family and friends and how the community will deal with this," Ives said. "We're continuing on our path in bringing about cultural change and doing what we can to prevent these kinds of episodes in the future."
(03/03/00 10:00am)
Police have been looking into a shooting and a robbery near campus. Just days after two gun-related crimes struck the area around Penn's campus, University Police detectives have significantly narrowed the list of suspects in each case -- and police officials say the resolution of both cases may be imminent. The two incidents -- an off-campus shooting on the 3800 block of Market Street and an armed robbery at Eat at Joe's Express, located inside the Moravian CafZs food court on the 3400 block of Walnut Street -- occurred only hours apart from one another during the late night and early morning hours of last Friday and Saturday. According to University Police Chief Maureen Rush, other law enforcement agencies have been brought in to help work on the cases because firearms were involved. "We have the lead on the investigations and we are working with [Philadelphia Police Department's] Southwest Detectives," Rush said. "We're also working with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms regarding the issue of the guns." In the first incident, two men were shot early Saturday morning while riding in a car in a parking lot at the intersection of 38th and Market streets. Witnesses reported seeing a group of five men in dark clothing fleeing the scene shortly afterwards. Rush said the investigation has already yielded a potential suspect in this case, though closing the book on the matter may not do much to prevent future incidents of the type. "Unfortunately, this was a random act," Rush said. "The people involved -- the perpetrators and the victims -- were known to each other. These are the kinds of crimes that, no matter what you do, you can't prevent from happening." Police and officials from the Penn-owned Presbyterian Hospital, home of the parking lot where the shooting occurred, are taking steps to increase security in the area where the shooting took place. "We immediately got in touch with the hospital, as [the shooting] was in their parking lot, and they're now limiting the parking to Penn affiliates, which will effectively close that lot during the evening hours and secure the lot so that people cannot just drive up and park there," Rush said. And although police say they are confident that this case can soon be closed, Rush said bringing the alleged assailant to trial may be complicated by his relationship to the victims. "There will definitely be some resolution," Rush said. She added, however, that judicial prosecution may be hampered "because of the fact that these are people who are known to each other and there might have been other issues surrounding the event, there might not be ample cooperation to bring this to a full courtroom adjudication." The second investigation, surrounding the armed robbery of Eat at Joe's Express at about 10 p.m. last Friday evening, is also making progress. According to University Police, two Eat at Joe's employees were confronted at a rear service entrance by a pair of men in ski masks, one of whom carried a gun. The assailants made off with over $1,600 from the establishment. Rush said they have identified "a possible suspect or suspects." "We are not just centering our attentions on an outside perpetrator," Rush said. "We are looking broadly at who the perpetrators may be, though there has been no zeroing in on a particular person." She added that a full arrest and trial process in this matter may also be made difficult by certain complications. "We again expect to have an adjudication one way or another," Rush said. "It may not be a courtroom situation, but there will be a resolution." She added that the crimes could eventually be considered solved without the full prosecution of suspects. That would likely occur should witnesses prove uncooperative or victims refuse to press charges. The two incidents came less than a week after a man was shot in the stomach while standing outside the Pegasus Club at 3801 Chestnut Street. That early morning shooting is being investigated by Philadelphia Police detectives. Rush said that the three incidents were "absolutely not related."
(03/03/00 10:00am)
The assailant remains at large after attacking the woman on Spruce Street. Philadelphia and University Police are currently on the hunt for a young man believed to be responsible for a sexual assault last Saturday on the 4300 block of Spruce Street. The assailant allegedly attempted to rape the victim, a young female with no affiliation to Penn. She was not harmed physically during the incident. Police were not able to release any additional information about the woman. The assailant allegedly followed the victim as she walked west on Spruce Street from 40th Street sometime around 2:45 p.m. last Saturday, University Police Chief Maureen Rush said. The alleged perpetrator began asking personal questions of the victim as she proceeded down the street, eventually asking to use a bathroom in her residence, Rush said. According to an e-mail sent by Penn Police as a safety alert to various members of the University community, it was then that the alleged attacker assaulted the young woman. "The male gave the impression that he was leaving, just before he attacked the victim in the vestibule of her apartment building," Penn Det. Larry Singer wrote in the e-mail. The victim fended off the attacker and avoided a potential rape by screaming loudly, Rush said. Following the attack, the victim immediately contacted the Philadelphia Police Department, which responded to the scene and is leading the investigation. The suspect is described as a clean-shaven 18-to-25-year-old black male, 5'10"-6' tall, with a thin build, bushy hair and medium complexion. He was wearing dark-colored clothing. University Police, who are now assisting in the investigation, were alerted about the incident late Wednesday evening when PPD officials asked to review the Penn Police's closed circuit television camera tapes from the area to identify potential suspects, Rush said. "We're working closely with the Philadelphia Police Department's Special Victims Unit to assist their investigation," she added. "We are just assisting them with any information we can provide, and certainly helping out with patrols in trying to track down a possible suspect." Rush said the traumatic experience was difficult for the victim to handle from an emotional standpoint. "She's certainly shaken," Rush said. University Police are now adding additional uniformed and plainclothes patrols in the area to increase the level of security in the wake of the attack. They're also taking additional care to review closed-circuit television video tapes of the neighborhood to identify potentially suspicious behavior, Rush added. And the e-mail sent by Singer is being distributed to members of the University community to heighten awareness of potential dangers and "make sure that the community is aware until [the perpetrator] is caught," Rush said. Special care is being paid to the case since the assault took place in an area where many University students live. "This could have very easily been a Penn person involved so our goal is to make an apprehension soon," Rush said.
(02/25/00 10:00am)
Many praised the president's charisma and ability to make complex issues easy to understand. He leaped over theater seats. He edged his way through hordes of anxious audience members. And in the end, College junior Cam Winton got exactly what he wanted: a chance to ask a question of President Clinton. "I asked for his advice for any aspiring politician," said Winton, a member-at-large on the executive board of the Student Committee on Undergraduate Education. "He said that I should work in campaigns, talk to a lot of people who are different than I am and know exactly why I want to run and be able to articulate that to people," Winton said. "It's good advice coming from the man himself." Like 400 other Penn undergraduates, Winton's brush with the chief executive came yesterday afternoon during Clinton's address on "The New Economy" in Irvine Auditorium. Kicking off the new Granoff Forum on International Development and the Global Economy, Clinton spent the better part of two hours at Penn, shaking hands and speaking with the throngs of students, faculty members and guests who flocked to greet him after his 35-minute speech. Student audience members -- who were invited to the event through the School of Arts and Sciences' International Relations program, the Political Science Department and the Lauder Institute -- responded to the president's speech with overwhelming enthusiasm. "It was a good speech," College sophomore Catherine Cho said. "I thought I wouldn't understand anything because I'm not into politics or anything, but he laid it out well." Cho wasn't the only one impressed with Clinton's ability to communicate complex economic concepts in understandable terms. "He laid everything out really fundamentally and made everything easy to understand," College sophomore Raymond Chin said. The president -- who arrived at the event slightly late because of a delayed White House departure -- was introduced by speeches from Philadelphia Mayor John Street, University President Judith Rodin and 1980 College graduate Michael Granoff, who is sponsoring the new lecture series. But for those in attendance, the real highlight of the afternoon was the chance to see the president display his much-celebrated public speaking skills. "I thought he was great," College junior Lauren Sierchio said. "He's so charismatic and I think he makes everything sound so exciting and wonderful." "The president has a very powerful presence in the room," College sophomore Jamie Dufresne added. "I was impressed with his policy on economics and how inclusive it was of technology." In a year when Penn has been graced with the presence of such dynamic speakers as former Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu and real estate magnate Donald Trump, Clinton drew perhaps the widest praise for his delivery and insight. "[Clinton's speech was] excellent," Wharton senior and former SCUE Chairman Aaron Fidler said. "He's already proven himself to be a great speechmaker, but I thought he did an excellent job here and touched on a lot of very relevant issues." "I think regardless of what you think of the president's views politically, everyone realizes his abilities as a politician," Senior Class President and College Republicans Chairwoman Lisa Marshall said. "I thought it was a good speech. He interjects a lot of personality into it and he's an intriguing speaker." And while the large majority of students saw Clinton only from their Irvine Auditorium seats, several members of Penn College Democrats had a unique opportunity to experience the president's visit from a different angle -- the presidential motorcade. These students -- four from Penn and six from nearby Swarthmore College -- served as volunteers for the presidential visit, driving motorcade vans, meeting with staff officials and even getting their own car in the line of vehicles from the airport. But while the other vehicles were labeled with signs indicating "press," "security," or other functions, the College Democrats' automobile was assigned another title -- "straggler." "We got to see a lot of cool things," College sophomore and College Democrats Vice President Christy Gressman said. "We got to ride in the motorcade through Philly and we got to meet the president and take a picture with him. So it was a fascinating experience and I think I learned a lot."
(02/22/00 10:00am)
No arrests have been made after a man was shot in the stomach early Monday outside a U. City nightclub. Philadelphia and University Police Department detectives spent the day yesterday investigating the shooting of a man outside a popular West Philadelphia nightclub. The shooting occurred just outside of the Pegasus Showcase, located at 3801 Chestnut Street, shortly after the establishment closed at 2 a.m. The victim -- an unidentified man who police said is not affiliated with the University -- was taken to the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania and admitted at around 3 a.m. after being shot in the stomach. Although the man's condition as of last night was unclear, a HUP spokeswoman said his condition was listed as serious at the time of admittance, and police on the scene said he was expected to recover from his injuries. Though no arrests have been made and no primary suspects have been identified, police are continuing to question witnesses, according to University Police Deputy Chief of Investigations Thomas King. King added that the investigators are having some trouble getting concrete accounts of the incident from witnesses. "[Philadelphia Police Department detectives] interviewed a whole bunch of witnesses, and nobody saw anything," King said. A witness at the scene said the victim -- who King confirmed was a deejay at the club that evening -- was shot while standing between two parked cars in front of the club. The witness added that the shooting followed some sort of melee between exiting patrons. It was unclear whether the victim had been part of that brawl. In November 1998, a former Temple University student was the victim of a fatal hit-and-run outside of Pegasus. The Pegasus club's previous incarnations include FUBAR, a bar/dance club that opened in 1995, and, before that, a concert venue known as the Chestnut Cabaret.
(02/21/00 10:00am)
Preparations have begun for the president's Thursday speech in Irvine Auditorium. Maybe they should just call it Fort Irvine. For the second time this academic year, Penn's Irvine Auditorium will be playing host to a global political figure when President Clinton visits the University on Thursday to deliver an economic address as part of the Granoff Forum on global economics and international relations. And officials say that the recently renovated concert hall -- much as it was for former Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu's visit to campus last fall -- will once again become a center of tight security as police and federal agencies gear up for the visit of this highest-profile guest. According to University Police Chief Maureen Rush, the work of securing the facility and drawing up logistical plans in preparation for the president's visit has already begun. "We've been working in conjunction with the U.S. Secret Service and the Philadelphia Police Department to assess any security risks in relation to the president inside and outside the event," Rush said. "We've already had a preliminary review of the building with the Secret Service and there will be numerous walk-throughs with them between now and Thursday," she added. For security reasons, Rush was unable to provide details on specific policing plans or give an exact figure of the number of security officials in attendance. She said, however, that all of the 400-plus students attending the event will be required to pass through metal detectors as they enter the building. And to speed entry along, she advised audience members to take great care to leave their bags and heavy items at home. "Backpacks should not be taken as they will just tie up the line," Rush said. "Everything will be searched by the [U.S. Secret Service] agents." Thursday's speech will mark Clinton's third visit to the University and second since becoming chief executive in 1993. He first visited as a presidential candidate in 1992 and stumped for votes during a brief Hill Field appearance in the days before the 1996 election. Police are not expecting any major threats or problems in relation to Thursday's visit, though they said they are maintaining the highest level of preparedness. "Anytime the President of the United States comes, every possible scenario is thought of and every possible resolution is planned out in advance," Rush said.
(02/21/00 10:00am)
Responding to the recent rise in incidents of thefts from automobiles reported on and around Penn's campus, University Police launched a joint initiative with several area institutions last Friday to curb the costly criminal practice. The new partnership, which will primarily pair the University Police with the Philadelphia Police Department, will include increased patrols, more undercover work and quicker detective response times to incident sites. "This is over and beyond the normal patrol, absolutely," University Police Chief Maureen Rush said. "This is a coordinated effort with patrol and detectives and municipal police." Penn Police will also rely heavily on several community institutions to help look out for possible incidents and warn certain drivers off their vehicle's vulnerability to theft. "We did this as a coalition," Rush said. "So not only are we doing it, but Spectaguards are doing it, [University City District] safety ambassadors are doing it, Philadelphia Police are doing it. It's really broad-based." Thefts from auto -- the unlawful removal of items from a parked automobile -- have been on the rise in recent months around campus. At one University parking lot on 33rd Street near Franklin Field, eight individual incidents of theft and one vandalism were reported in a period of less than three weeks. Rush said the new partnership would devote enhanced resources to investigating individual incidents and identifying potential offenders. "One of the things we are going to do -- the minute a report comes in of something being stolen -- is dispatch our detectives to investigate and dust for prints and collect any evidence," Rush said. "There's been some more undercover work and uniformed patrol forces directed specifically into this problem as well." Last week, two men unaffiliated with the University were apprehended by Philadelphia Police on the 3400 block of Sansom Street while attempting to break into a parked car with a collection of locksmith's tools. According to Rush, these suspects may be able to shed some light on other reported incidents in the area. "Our detectives and [Philadelphia Police Department] Southwest [District] detectives will be examining all of the crimes in the area of this type to see if there's any association with these guys," she said. And for the past three months, Penn Police have been working with the same groups to leave a series of warning leaflets on vulnerable cars parked in the area. These leaflets alert drivers of their potential mistakes -- including leaving car doors unlocked and leaving personal property in plain view -- that could eventually prove costly. Rush added that careless behavior is a principal factor in causing thefts from auto. "You'd be surprised what people leave in plain view -- purses, CD players, you name it," she said.
(02/18/00 10:00am)
Only one comment broke the tension at yesterday's faculty meeting announcing the changes in leadership at the University of Pennsylvania Health System. That was when the new Interim Health System CEO and Medical School Dean Peter Traber first spoke to the crowds of doctors and professors that he would soon lead. "I'm sure you're asking why I took this job," he said. Laughter filled the room. Traber, 44, was appointed to the dual positions yesterday by University President Judith Rodin and Board of Trustees Chairman James Riepe after William Kelley was ousted after more than 10 years on the job. Traber, currently the chairman of the Department of Medicine, brings with him nearly 19 years of clinical and administrative experience, the last eight of which have been at Penn. And according to faculty in the Medical School, he will need this experience to lead the financially troubled institution into the future. "I know Peter extremely well, and he's walking into a very difficult job," said Jack Ende, chief of the Department of Internal Medicine. Most faculty had nothing but support to offer Traber, who said he would consider taking the job on a permanent if asked. Stanley Goldfarb, senior vice chair for clinical affairs in the Department of Medicine, noted that, "He's as well-equipped for the position as anyone in the country." After Traber's 1976 graduation from the University of Michigan -- where he played football under legendary coach Bo Schembechler -- he moved on to Wayne State University for his medical degree and later Northwestern University, where he completed his residency and later received a fellowship in gastroenterology. Traber came to Penn in 1992 after five years on the faculty at his alma mater, Michigan. His initial appointment was as chief of the Division of Gastroenterology, and in 1997 he was appointed the Frank Wister Thomas professor of Medicine and chair of the department, the largest within the Medical School. Provost Robert Barchi, who previously served as chairman of the Neuroscience and Neurology Department, characterized Traber as "a very wise and talented leader, with an ability to listen and get things done." Other colleagues were equally enthusiastic about Traber's abilities. "I think he'll be absolutely fantastic," said Lisa Bellini, vice chair for education in the Department of Medicine. "He is an incredibly balanced individual who is driven by excellence, integrity and he's someone of the highest moral character." Said Gastroenterology Professor William Long: "He's been an excellent chairman of Medicine and he's very good at working with people." In his primary role as Health System CEO, Traber inherits a medical enterprise that is the second largest in the crowded Philadelphia health care market but has wracked up enormous deficits in the past several years, leading to a massive workforce reduction that is still not complete. Many blame the current problems on Kelley and his strategy of rapid expansion in the mid-1990s. Just hours into his new position, Traber already established a number of short- and long-range objectives for his time at the Health System's helm. "My immediate plans are to communicate with the faculty and the staff and make sure they feel they're being involved in the transition," Traber said. "I think the highest priorities are to maintain the high quality of medical care, to retain our outstanding faculty and to do the tough financial things we have to do to turn [the Health System's finances] around," he added. The new interim CEO and dean offered gratitude and praise for his embattled predecessor, who has been a colleague of his at both Penn and Michigan. "I was enthusiastic and excited about the possibilities," Traber said. "At the same time I had feelings of admiration for what Bill Kelley has done over the past 10 years." Some faculty members were quick to point out the similarities between Traber and his predecessor. "[Dr. Kelley] is a very forceful man, and I think you can say many of the same things about Dr. Traber," said Timothy Hoops, a professor of Medicine and Gastroenterology.
(02/17/00 10:00am)
Frequent Internet users may spend less time with others, a study says. Americans who spend a great deal of time on the Internet should be cautious of a lot more than just potential computer viruses and hackers, according to a study released this week by researchers at Stanford University. The study, a sample of 4,113 adults in 2,689 households, concludes that the increased usage of the Internet -- especially among those who spend five or more hours online each week -- has drawn Americans away from some personal interactions. Specifically, the researchers maintain that frequent Internet users spend less time with their families, shopping in stores and even watching television with other people. Conducted by Professors Norman Nie and Lutz Erbring of the Stanford Institute for the Quantitative Study of Society, the findings further warn that the growing influence of the Internet may signify a trend away from social interaction. "What this means is that we're moving forward in a different manner," said Erbring, a professor at the Free University of Berlin. "Using the Internet like this is part of a larger trend that includes greater individuality in all facets of life. Life in general now seems to be less of a socially-engaging, person-to-person activity." The researchers also said the decrease in social interaction may be explained simply by the amount of time people spend surfing the 'Net by themselves. "The more hours people use the Internet, the less time they spend with real human beings," Nie said. They are quick to point out, however, that while the Internet may draw attention away from one-on-one interactions, it still provides a meaningful forum for communication. "People aren't communicating less," Erbring said. "Maybe they're even communicating more. But sending an e-mail message isn't the same thing as meeting or even talking on the telephone." Response to the study -- one of the first large-scale attempts to explain the societal effects of the Internet -- has been largely mixed, with academics and Internet users alike voicing differing opinions on the effects of the comparatively new technology. "Some of the findings seemed to be fairly hard to predict," said Robin Leidner, the Penn Undergraduate Sociology department chairman. "They noted that people on the Internet, for example, tend to spend less time talking on the phone. Well, that may be true but, in many cases, being on the Internet actually ties up phone lines. "I think it will be some time before we are really able to see what the societal implications of the Internet really are," she added. Students at Penn reacted to the findings with some apprehension, viewing the new medium as a growing part of popular culture. "I'd say in general [that the findings are] probably right, but in a college setting it's probably the opposite," Engineering sophomore Alice Lux said. "At college, people spend time on the Internet and in [computer] labs doing things with other people, and it becomes a very social situation." "I think being on the computer is just part of our culture now," College freshman Marcelo Miretti said. Researchers maintain that the primary influence of the Internet affects not the quantity of societal communication but, instead, the quality. "It's a change in quality," Erbring said. "You can't hug somebody over the 'Net or drink a beer with them. It means not the end of society but, rather, a change in the way people deal with each other."
(02/16/00 10:00am)
It's rare that one restaurant -- just through its very atmosphere -- conjures up feelings of warmth, community and friendship. And rarer, even, is an establishment that combines such a welcoming aura with cuisine and service of a truly outstanding caliber. The restaurant is Dahlak. Located at 4708 Baltimore Avenue, Dahlak specializes in the tantalizing dishes of Ethiopia and Eritrea -- African nations whose exotic, flavorful dishes are not often recognized in the realm of haute cuisine. At Dahlak, though, such notions can be checked at the door. Guests are welcomed into a surprisingly cozy yet spacious dining area by the affable host and owner, Amare Solomon, who takes great pleasure in introducing the unaccustomed to the flavors of his native land. Solomon, who also manages the Quadrangle's McClelland Hall dining facility, opened Dahlak in 1983 with his wife Neghisti, who adds her own style to each dish as the restaurant's head chef. The main dining area features a wide array of colorful adornments and photos from Eastern Africa. And whether seated at a western-style table or at one of the more traditional African mesops -- small wicker basins surrounded by leather stools -- you're guaranteed to share in the Ethiopian dining experience from the moment you sit down. At first, you may be alarmed to notice the absence of cutlery, but don't fret. All dishes are served with injera, a traditional crepe-like bread that is used to pick up small pieces of the various meats and vegetables that fill your table's communal plate. It's that style of eating -- in part -- that gives Dahlak its unique character. Gursha -- the act of placing food into the mouth of your companion -- is considered a sign of friendship, and it's a practice you may want to try just to supplement the experience of the food. The menu features a surprisingly broad spectrum of beef, chicken, lamb, shrimp and vegetable dishes -- all prepared in a stew-like fashion, though with differing spices and accompaniments. Forty-three entrees await your selection, from the sumptuous yedoro ataiklt ($7.25) -- chicken cooked with peppers, broccoli, carrots, onion, garlic and ginger -- to the smooth, rich shrimp alicha ($6.75) -- baby shrimp prepared in a spicy garlic sour cream sauce. Of the dishes we sampled, special mention must be made for the dahlak tibs ($7.00) -- a delicious blend of beef cubes, peppers, onions and special spices -- as well as kik watt ($5.50), a hearty medley of yellow split peas and the restaurant's signature berbere sauce. Add a pitcher of mango juice or a bottle of birz -- an Ethiopian drink made from honey -- to give your meal a truly distinctive touch. And for those with different tastes, try a selection from Dahlak's newly established bar. Dessert will follow, but only if you have room to continue. Dahlak features a small but reliable list of tasty finishing touches -- including baklava, carrot cake and vanilla ice cream -- all priced at $2. The adventuresome might also want to indulge in a cup of the restaurant's special coffee -- flavored with spices to give it a distinctive flair. All in all, the Dahlak experience is one not to be missed. Reasonably priced dishes, a warm and inviting atmosphere and truly outstanding food provide more than enough incentive to venture west just a few blocks. You'll be glad you did.
(02/11/00 10:00am)
University Police detectives are currently investigating a string of thefts from parked cars in a Penn lot on 33rd Street. Over the past 2 1/2 weeks, seven thefts from autos and one incident of vandalism have hit the University parking lot at 235 S. 33rd Street, between the Ringe Squash Courts and Franklin Field on the University's east side. All but one of the incidents occurred during daytime hours. According to University Police Deputy Chief of Investigations Tom King, the police department is now investigating possible sources of the rash of thefts. "We have noticed the trend," King said. "The vast majority are broken windows on cars with visible items inside." Most of the incidents have involved a perpetrator smashing a window and taking items like small amounts of cash, clothing and portable electronics -- including CD players and cellular phones -- from the vehicles. "There is no discernable pattern," King added. "It is almost exclusively wanderers who see something attractive inside a car and who then break a window." The most recent incident took place at around 3:30 p.m. on Tuesday, when an unknown male smashed the driver's side window of a GMC Sierra truck while the owner was still inside it. The assailant removed a gym bag from the vehicle and fled down 33rd Street. The owner of the vehicle -- a man unaffiliated with the University -- was not hurt, and he later recovered the bag with all its contents still intact. One of the primary causes of the mini-spree, police say, may be the good job of enforcement being done by Philadelphia police officers in the areas just off campus. "The [Philadelphia Police Department's] 16th District -- north of Market Street -- was having a problem with this, especially near 30th Street Station," King said. "They have had some success reducing their problem, but I'm afraid that they have chased the doers to our area." King added that University police have begun increasing their patrols in the area.
(02/07/00 10:00am)
Police think Kathleen Roskot was murdered by her former boyfriend, who killed himself. The campus of Columbia University was rocked this weekend by brutal killing of a popular Columbia sophomore. Police said her former boyfriend -- believed to be her killer -- later threw himself in front of a subway. The body of Kathleen Roskot -- a 19-year-old varsity lacrosse player originally from Bay Shore, N.Y. -- was found in her Ruggles Hall dormitory room at about 2:05 p.m. on Saturday by Columbia security officers and residential staff members, according to Gary Cillo, a New York Police Department spokesman. Roskot had sustained a stab wound to the throat, though the exact cause and time of death "is not yet certain, pending the report of the medical examiner," Cillo said. The search for Roskot began when the athlete failed to show up for lacrosse practice. Upon finding her body, police immediately began looking for Thomas Nelford, an Oxnard, Calif., native and ex-boyfriend of Roskot's who friends said had visited and fought with Roskot Friday night. Before police located Nelford -- a troubled, 23-year-old Columbia drop-out who acquaintances said had mixed an involvement with collegiate wrestling with a growing drug habit -- he flung himself in front of a subway car, dying instantly at about 3:10 p.m., just an hour after Roskot's body was found. "[Nelford] leapt in front of a northbound No. 1 train at the St. Nicholas Avenue and West 181st Street station," Cillo said. Police suspect that Nelford -- who had Roskot's wallet in his possession at the time of his death -- is responsible for the murder of his ex-girlfriend, though they have not yet established a motive or closed the investigation. "The investigation is still active, though [Nelford] is believed to be responsible," Cillo said. The Columbia community was thrust into a state of extreme shock as news of the tragedy began to filter out on Saturday and a horde of media attention suddenly descended upon the Morningside Heights campus. On Sunday, Columbia University President George Rupp sent a letter to all students expressing his condolences and pledging the university's support in helping students and faculty get through the difficult period. "We mourn the loss of Kathleen Roskot, a beloved daughter, sister, friend, teammate and mentor, who for two brief years at the university set a standard of dedication, leadership and caring for others that future generations of Columbians will strive to reach," Rupp wrote in the letter, which was posted on the school's Web site. Students treated the news with a mixture of sadness and bewilderment. "Well, everyone is obviously shocked right now," said Ariel Newman, spokesman for the Columbia College Student Council. "We're all dealing with it the best we can." Several memorial services have already been planned for Roskot. Last night's Catholic mass at St. Paul's Chapel was celebrated in her memory and a campus-wide memorial service -- as well as a student council-organized candlelight vigil -- are both being planned for later in the week, Newman added. Still, the mood on Columbia's 22,000-student campus remains solemn. "Everyone is obviously shaken by the incident," Columbia freshman Emily Pressman said. "People have been talking about it an awful lot and I think that helps to just get it out in the open." "[The mood] is one of shock and surprise," Newman said. "Everyone's trying to figure it out -- figure out how to deal with it themselves and how to help their friends get through it." Roskot's murder was Columbia's second student homicide in the past two years. In March 1998, 26-year-old graduate student Lynda Hong was found dead with her throat cut in her off-campus apartment. Hong's ex-boyfriend was charged with the crime and is currently awaiting trial.
(02/03/00 10:00am)
Serious crime in University City decreased significantly in 1999, according to data released this week by the University City District. The data, a joint compilation of information from the Philadelphia Police Department and the UCD itself, indicates that serious offenses -- including homicide, rape, aggravated assault and robbery -- fell about 6 percent from 1998. The statistics may be revised to reflect the ultimate outcome of each incident, the press release said. According to UCD Executive Director Paul Steinke, the drop in crime can be attributed to several community-based factors. "There has been much smarter policing and increased town watch patrols," Steinke said. "Having more eyes and ears on the streets really reduces crime and improves the general quality of life." Steinke added that District initiatives such as the UCD Safety Ambassadors -- the 40 yellow-jacketed guards who patrol the neighborhood on foot and by bicycle -- and the new PPD substation at 40th and Chestnut streets -- have helped bring about the safer environment. University Police data also has shown that crime rates on and around Penn's campus have been dropping in recent months. Reported crime over winter break, for instance, reached a six-year low last month with only 58 offenses reported over the three-week period. And the amount of crime last summer decreased sharply as well, with theft, robbery, burglary and assault totals hitting new lows for comparable periods. The UCD, a non-profit organization devoted to promoting the local community, is sponsored by area institutions -- including Penn, Drexel University and the University of the Sciences in Philadelphia. Its boundaries stretch from Spring Garden Street to Woodland Avenue, and from the Schuylkill River to 50th Street. As for the future, Steinke expressed optimism for an even safer University City. "There's been quite a difference lately," he said. "I think that University City has been on a pretty significant improvement trend, and I definitely see that continuing." Penn students, however, expressed a mix of feelings regarding crime both on campus and in the local community. "Well, I live on campus, so I'm the first to walk out here at 2 in the morning without thinking a thing about it," College junior Atara Margolies said. "I know people who have had problems with crime, though, so I think there's definitely a problem." "Nothing has ever happened to me, but I don't see any major changes -- for the better or worst -- since I've been here," Engineering junior Daniel Chang said. "I definitely feel safe." Some students said they feel differently when venturing off campus. "I definitely feel safe on campus," College and Wharton freshman Chris Vojc said. "But if you go past 40th Street, I definitely don't feel safe anymore."
(02/01/00 10:00am)
The Division of Public Safety is charged with taking care of both campus and the surrounding West Philadelphia area. With a 108-officer police force, a full investigative unit and departments devoted to victim support, security services and fire and occupational safety, Penn's Division of Public Safety holds primary responsibility for law enforcement on and around Penn's campus. As the largest private police force in the state, the University of Pennsylvania Police Department works in conjunction with the Philadelphia Police Department to patrol the area spanning west to 43rd Street, south to Woodland Avenue, east to 30th Street and north to Market Street. Last February, Penn Police also extended their patrol area to include the Presbyterian Medical Center of the University of Pennsylvania Health System at 39th Street and Powelton Avenue, the University City Science Center buildings on Market Street from 34th to 38th streets and a property at 4101 Woodland Avenue now owned by the Nursing Education department. Two years ago, the Division of Public Safety relocated from two buildings in Hamilton Village to a new, state-of-the-art headquarters at 4040 Chestnut Street. The change was aimed at consolidating Public Safety services in a site capable of being fitted for the latest technologies but still close to campus. Though they are a private force, the University Police have the same enforcement powers as any municipal police squad, with full authority to make arrests for criminal violations. They also just assumed additional powers under a new arrest protocol agreement with the city, which extends them full investigative rights for all crimes committed within their jurisdiction area. And despite a few high-profile incidents over the past few years -- including a late-night attack on a female undergraduate in Steinberg-Dietrich Hall in November 1998 and the highly-publicized shooting outside of the Palestra in March 1998 which saw one man killed and three others -- including a Penn student -- injured, crime on and around campus continues to fall. This year's winter break had the lowest number of crimes in six years, with just 58 incidents being reported. Last year, 73 crimes were reported over winter break. Another 25 Philadelphia Police Department officers, two sergeants and a lieutenant were added to help patrol the extended campus area last spring, when a PPD substation opened at 3940-42 Chestnut Street as part of the new University City District headquarters. The UCD -- a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the quality of life in University City -- also has 40 yellow-jacketed safety ambassadors who patrol University City looking for possible crime and helping residents and visitors find there way around the area. And while all of the changes in recent years have added to a generally more secure campus environment, many students say there are still reasons to be cautious. "I feel safe because nothing has happened to me," Engineering junior Jennifer Orloff said. "But I do know people who have had some problems, so I think it's important to be cautious." Wharton senior Alicja Nalewajek agreed that caution is important but attributed perceptions of crime in the area to outdated stereotypes. "Lately it's been pretty quiet, and I really don't worry about crime that much," she said. "Maybe West Philadelphia is just stereotyped for having a lot of crime." Officers patrol the area on foot, on bicycles, in cars and in new four-wheel-drive vehicles. Made up of Special Services, Security Services, Fire and Occupational Safety and the University Police, the Division of Public Safety is headed by Thomas Seamon. Seamon, a former Philadelphia deputy police commissioner, came to Penn in 1995. His top deputies include University Police Chief Maureen Rush, Security Services Director Stratis Skoufalos and Interim Special Services Director Patricia Brennan. Though Public Safety is part of the University, it serves everyone in its patrol area and is involved in investigations of all incidents on and around campus, even those that involve individuals with no affiliation to the University.
(02/01/00 10:00am)
A new arrest protocol for University Police goes into effct early today. University Police acquired "unprecedented" authority early this morning as the first stage of a unique arrest protocol went into effect between the Penn and Philadelphia Police departments. The protocol, a signed agreement between Philadelphia Police Commissioner John Timoney and Penn Vice President for Public Safety Thomas Seamon, gives University Police official responsibility for all law enforcement and criminal investigations within its established patrol area, said University Police Deputy Chief of Investigations Thomas King. Penn police officers and detectives will now be able to respond to, investigate and report area crimes directly to the PPD database using procedures identical to those employed by Philadelphia Police investigators. Prior to the protocol, University Police had to physically bring their reports to the PPD for further processing. "The protocol is really two things. One, it really formalizes the ownership that we have been taking for the offenses committed on campus," King said. "It also means that our working relationship and liaison with Philly Police is going to be enhanced immeasurably." The agreement -- which is the only one of its kind among private police departments nationwide -- was designed to provide more efficient service to the Penn community and also additional relief to Philadelphia Police Department detectives in the 18th police district, who also patrol Penn's campus, King said. "Now there will be even better information-sharing between both of our departments, and any [on-campus crime] victims will be able to come right to our office rather than go all the way out to [the 18th district's headquarters at] 55th Street," King explained. The primary aim of the new agreement, officials said, is to provide a more efficient mechanism for preventing crime. "The hope is that by handling things more quickly and efficiently, we'll be able to considerably knock down the serious crimes," University Police Chief Maureen Rush said. "We'll be thrilled if in a year from now our detectives are playing tiddlywinks because there's just no crime to investigate," she added. The second component of the arrest protocol -- which is still on the drawing board -- would increase University Police's responsibilities even further, allowing them to carry-out procedures like questioning and finger-printing at their 4040 Chestnut Street headquarters. Although suspects apprehended within the University Police's patrol area are primarily investigated by University Police, offenders are currently taken to the Philadelphia Police Department's stationhouse at 55th and Pine streets since University Police have no facilities for suspect detention. "We're still working to get the requisite computering and dispatch to set up a preliminary arraignment system. Once we get set up there, we'll set up an entire offender process here," King said. While the new agreement shifts formalized responsibilities to the University Police, King was quick to point out that over the past few years Penn has already established -- unofficially -- its position as the leader in on-campus investigations. "Actually, the investigative aspect -- other than the full responsibility for the paperwork -- isn't going to change that much," King said. "It's already sort of understood that we take most of the investigative responsibility and that we've taken real ownership of our campus issues. Now it'll be on paper and we'll take charge of the actual investigative reports.
(01/28/00 10:00am)
In his last State of the Union, the president outlined an ambitious legislative agenda for the year. With just under a year left in his presidency -- and with his vice president embroiled in a hotly contested Democratic primary race to assume his job -- President Clinton delivered his eighth and final State of the Union address last night before a joint session of Congress, as well an assembly of guests and dignitaries representing all walks of American life. Clinton -- whose past two State of the Union addresses have fallen under the shadow created by the Monica Lewinsky scandal and his ensuing impeachment -- used the lengthy 90-minute oration to highlight the successes of his two terms in office and to push for a slew of new government programs in the months ahead. "The state of our union is the strongest it has ever been," Clinton told the audience assembled per custom in the House chamber. Most of Clinton's proposals -- including a massive $350 billion tax cut, stricter gun licensing regulations and greater funding of college tuition assistance and Head Start programs -- received a generally warm reception from both Democratic and Republican lawmakers assembled on Capitol Hill. Many observers noted that Clinton, who has planned an ambitious agenda for his final year in office, sounded more like a president in the middle of his term rather than one whose years at the top are nearing an end, as he insisted on maintaining his viability as a chief executive throughout the next year. In past years, several Penn College Republicans and College Democrats have convened on the night of the State of the Union to watch the speech and engage in casual debate regarding the president's proposals. This year, however, only the Republicans planned a get-together. According to College Democrat Max Cantor, a College freshman, the Democrats did not plan to view Clinton's address together because many of them had gathered the night before to watch the final debate before the New Hampshire primary between Vice President Al Gore and former New Jersey Sen. Bill Bradley, the two Democratic presidential candidates. Five members of the College Republicans did attend a planned 8 p.m. viewing of the speech, though they ended up watching Clinton not from a Williams Hall classroom as planned, but from a Hamilton College House lounge an hour later. They trekked to the new location once they discovered the television in Williams was not working. During Clinton's speech, the Republicans and one self-professed Democrat freely voiced their opinions. "Clinton's promised everything to just about everyone, which seems to be his style," said College Republican Treasurer Adrian Jones, a Wharton junior. "And I'm sure he'll blame the Congress when things don't go right." Jones added, though, that he was glad Clinton vowed to support free trade and continue welfare reform -- issues traditionally considered Republican domain. Republican and College freshman Brett Tompkins agreed with Jones' criticism, referring to Clinton's address as "a legacy speech" and a "wish list." And Wharton sophomore David Burd, a Democrat, said, "Basically, [Clinton] tells America what Congress hasn't done, takes credit for things Congress has done and makes a lot of spending proposals that probably won't take place during his presidency." In spite of the low Democratic turnout, there was plenty of debate. Republicans even argued briefly regarding their differing views on gun control. "One of the things we got out of coming together was to show how much diversity of opinion there is, even within parties," said College Republicans Chairwoman Lisa Marshall, a College senior.
