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(01/30/95 10:00am)
America's Mayor wants four more years. And to kick it all off, Mayor Ed Rendell returned to the the same red-brick rowhouse in the Brewerytown section of Philadelphia to formally announce his campaign for re-election Saturday. "Four years ago I said we can do it and we have," Rendell said. "No one believed we could turn [this city] around. The experts said Philadelphia was dead." Echoing many statements he made last week during his annual budget address, Rendell stressed he had revitalized a city that was on the brink of insolvency three years ago. "I don't want all this good news to lead anybody?to think that the job is done," the mayor said to rousing applause. "If the job was done I'd be going elsewhere. Problems, serious problems, still remain. "And I promise you today if you help me get re-elected I will be here every day for the next five years and when I walk out of that office on the first Monday of the year 2000?I hope we can say we've made a great city what it should be." Rendell said that he had eradicated a $200 million deficit in 18 months, and balanced two consecutive budgets for the first time in a decade. And he stressed this was done without raising taxes or cutting services. As the mayor spoke, hundreds of loyal Rendell supporters packed the narrow street, despite the blustery weather. In addition, Rendell's opponents from the 1991 Democratic primary, George Burrell, Peter Hearn and Lucien Blackwell, attended the event to support the mayor. Before he spoke, Rendell visited Peggy Greenelee before addressing the crowd gathered in front of her house. When the mayor emerged, he was greeted to applause as the Polish American String Band played "Happy Days are Here Again." "Three years ago I introduced a private citizen by the name of Ed Rendell to kick off his campaign for mayor," Greenelee said. "At that time I thought he was our best hope to turn this city around. "I am back here today because I feel he did just that. He has made great strides in revitalizing the city and restoring Philadelphia to its former prominence." Some of the main topics of Rendell's speech included improving the Police Department, the Recreation Department, the Free Library, the Streets Department and the Health Department. "We are making progress in every single area of what we do," Rendell said. Throughout the speech, Rendell stressed the importance of City Council, businesses and volunteers in contributing to the cities comeback. "I didn't do it alone, however," he said. "I did it with great people who work for us in the city government. I did it with cooperation of the dedicated city council who also bit the bullet in tough and difficult times." I did it with ordinary Philadelphians, with volunteers who?didn't sit back and wait for the government to do it by themselves. They did it." But what Rendell stressed most was the need of the city to create economic incentives so the city can produce more jobs. "We've got to most of all get our people back to work," he said passionately. "Everywhere in this city people ask me for jobs." Rendell also discussed what he considers the greatest achievements during his term such as mayor. He mentioned the new Pennsylvania Convention Center, the Marriott Hotel at Market East, which opened last week, and new endeavors such as Spectrum Two, the Avenue of the Arts, and the new Shriner's Hospital. College sophomore David Ginsberg, a campaign worker for the Rendell Campaign, said he was excited about the mayor's speech and about his prospects for re-election. "The energy and enthusiasm he showed in kicking off his election campaign really shows the kind of energy he's been bringing and will continue to bring to the city," Ginsberg said. "It would be a tough race to go up against Mayor Rendell this time. College senior and campaign worker Eugene Wong said he thinks the University and the Rendell have a good relationship, especially with the Rodin administration. "It could be the beginning of a very fortuitous relationship between both of them," Wong said, adding that Rendell "is most arguably Penn's number one basketball fan."
(01/30/95 10:00am)
William "Bud" Pittinger, executive director of the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania and senior vice president for Health Services, suddenly left the University last week after five years of service. HUP Deputy Director Donald Snell will be appointed as interim executive director of HUP, Medical Center Chief Executive Officer and Medical School Dean William Kelley announced last week. Medical Center spokesperson Rebecca Harmon said Pittinger left because he could not agree on a new contract. According to Medical Center spokesperson Lori Doyle, Pittinger was escorted out of his office Wednesday evening by security guards. Pittinger refused to comment yesterday. Doyle said Pittinger's abrupt departure was nothing unusual and that assigning a guard to escort a high-ranking official from office was a common corporate security practice. "It's not uncommon for people in the business world," she said. Despite Doyle's contention that the security detail was a common practice, many rumors began circulating about the reasons for Pittinger's leaving the Medical Center, following his departure Wednesday. Harmon said that Pittinger left the University because his five year contract had expired and he was unable to renegotiate it. "The parties involved were not able to come to terms," Harmon said. "Bud's going to pursue some other professional interests." Kelley said in a statement that he was sorry to see Pittinger leave. "We regret Bud's departure, and we support his pursuit of professional interests outside the University of Pennsylvania Health System sphere," he said. "I have known and worked closely with Bud for more than 15 years -- both as a friend and professional colleague -- and, in all that time, he has demonstrated that he is bright, intelligent and talented executive." Pittinger joined the Medical Center in 1989 as Executive Director of HUP and Vice President of the Medical Center. In 1993, he advanced to the position of Senior Vice President for Health Services. Pittinger played an integral part in "conceptualizing" and "implementing" the Health system and its operations, according to a Medical Center statement. Prior to joining the University, Pittinger spent ten years at the University of Michigan Medical Center as chief operation officer of the department of internal medicine. Before working at Michigan, Pittinger was the first Executive Director of the Faculty Practice Plan at Temple University School of Medicine.
(01/27/95 10:00am)
Proposed reduction in city wage tax first in 50 years Mayor Ed Rendell officially announced his plans to lower the infamous Philadelphia wage tax for the first time in 50 years at his annual budget address to City Council yesterday morning. In the upcoming fiscal year, Rendell's proposal would drop the wage tax from 4.96 percent to 4.86 for city residents and from 4.31 percent to 4.22 percent for non-residents. In addition, the tax would continue to decrease every year for the next six years. By the year 2000, Rendell hopes to lower the wage tax a total of seven percent for city residents and suburban residents who work in the city. The rate for city residents would decrease to 4.61 percent and for suburban residents to 4.01 percent. Rendell also proposed decreasing the business privilege tax over the same period from .3250 percent to .2650 percent. The announcement of the tax reductions was met with applause from Council and the standing room only audience. For the third year in a row, the city is planning to have a balanced budget, Rendell said. The proposed budget for this coming fiscal year is $2.31 billion. In addition, the Economic Stimulus program will increase from $2.3 billion to $2.7 billion. The news of a balanced budget and tax decreases has been welcomed by most Philadelphians. Only three years ago, the city faced an enormous debt of almost $250 million. The Rendell administration, however, has managed to turn that into a budget surplus for the last two fiscal years. "Things are a little different this year," Rendell said. "I am actually happy to present this budget and Five Year Plan to City Council today. Thanks to the hard work that all of you have put in over the past three years, Philadelphia is now poised to enter the next century as one of America's greatest urban success stories." As for the tax decrease, Rendell said that although it "may not sound like a lot, to the thousands of Philadelphians who are struggling to make ends meet, this is a beginning -- and it is a crucial beginning." He also said that he hoped the business privilege tax reductions would spur businesses to relocate in Philadelphia. And throughout the speech Rendell stressed that he balanced the budget without increasing taxes, layoffs of city workers, or cuts in city services. "Last June, for the first time in 68 years, Philadelphia actually gained more jobs than it lost," Rendell boasted. On the issue of crime, Rendell said that although Philadelphia has the most police per capita of any major American city, 753 new police would be hired by 1998. He said much of the funding for this increase would come from the federal Crime Bill passed this summer. The mayor said he planned start adding officers this year, and said there are currently 200 recruits in the police academy. The city will also get a new prison, the Curran-Fromhold Correctional Facility, which will add 1,200 beds to improve prison capacity, and the "long-awaited" criminal justice center will be completed. "We will continue to vigorously contest the prison cap, which allows repeat offenders to prey on our citizens without fear of going to jail," Rendell said as raucous applause from the audience erupted. Councilwoman Jannie Blackwell, whose district includes the University, said she is pleased by Rendell's budget proposal. "I think it was a good budget," she said. "I think it was positive. I think it made people feel encouraged. They don't feel that there's no light at the end of the tunnel." Blackwell said she was particularly happy with Rendell's proposed improvements for the Fire Department and the EMS service, especially in West Philadelphia.
(01/26/95 10:00am)
Ronald Perelman, the potential chief donor for a facility that already bears his name -- the Perelman Quadrangle -- is considered to be the fourth most wealthy man in America, according to Forbes magazine. In addition, he has a long-standing relationship with the University, and is considered one of the most successful businessmen in the world. Although he pledged $10 million in seed money to the Revlon project in November 1988, he has yet to confirm whether he will support the proposed Perelman Quadrangle. Perelman is a 1964 graduate of the Wharton School. He also received an MBA from Wharton in 1966. He is the chairman and chief executive officer of the MacAndrews and Forbes Group, Inc. of New York City. Perelman is also chairman and chief executive officer of the Revlon Group, Inc., which is the world's second-largest cosmetics manufacturer, with estimated sales of $1.6 billion in 1993. And he is the chairman of Technicolor, Inc., Marvel Entertainment and a director of Four Star International and Compact Video. New York Magazine referred to Perelman as "the dominant deal maker of his time" in a 1993 article. Some of Perelman's savviest deals include the purchase of 80 percent of Marvel Entertainment for $330 million. The company is now worth $2.1 billion. Perelman also serves on the Wharton School Board of Overseers, the Trustees' Board of the Health System, and the Student Life and Development Committees of the University's Board of Trustees. In 1992, the French government conferred the Order of the Legion of Honor on Perelman, and in 1995, he was appointed a trustee of the John F. Kennedy Center for Performing Arts by President Clinton. In addition to his original offer to fund the Revlon Center, Perelman is well known as a philanthropist. Last month, Perelman contributed $7.5 million to create the Revlon/ UCLA Women's Health Research Program. A native of Philadelphia, Perelman grew up on the Main Line and attended the all-boys Haverford School, which is known for rigorous academic standards. Perelman began his financial career at age 18, while still at the Wharton School. He and his father bought Esslinger Brewing Company and three years later liquidated it for $1.2 million. But Perelman undertook a critical career shift in 1978, when he decided to break away from his father's company in Philadelphia and move to New York City. In that year he bought an unprofitable jewelry store called Cohen-Hatfield with a $1.9 million bank loan and later sold it for $15 million in cash. Although Perelman's life often seems dominated by business, he is known to attend many parties and benefits, and is an observant Orthodox Jew who maintains a kosher home and strictly adheres to the Sabbath. In 1985, he established the Ronald O. Perelman Professorship in Finance at Wharton, and donated to the Sol Snider Entrepreneurial Center at Wharton and the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania.
(01/24/95 10:00am)
As the beginning-of-the-semester checkout lines at The Book Store tested the patience of everyone waiting to make purchases yesterday, one man unsuccessfully tried a short cut. University Police arrested a man yesterday after he allegedly stole a book from The Book Store, and led University Police officers on a chase at about 12:45 p.m. But the man did not make it far, according to University Police Sergeant Thomas Rambo. Rambo said the man was apprehended on Locust Walk by three officers after a brief chase from The Book Store. The man did not give up easily, however. He hit one of the officers, giving him a cut and a small bruise under his right eye. The officer was taken to the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, treated and released. "I was so shocked to see it happen," College junior and Undergraduate Assembly member Lance Rogers said. "It happened right in front of me. I was just walking on the walk when I saw an officer on top of some guy." In addition, a large crowd gathered to watch the officer and the man struggle on the pavement. "The officer threw his hands on the guy's shoulder and tackled him to the ground," Rogers said. "The two were rolling on the ground in front of me and I didn't know whether I should try to help the officer by grabbing the man. "I was worried because the officer's gun was still on his waist, and I thought that perhaps he could get the officer's gun and use it," he added. "But the officer did a good job of keeping the guy under control and eventually handcuffing him." After the man was handcuffed, University Police put him in the paddy wagon, which had driven down Locust Walk as it gave chase to the suspect. The man was taken by University Police to Southwest Detectives, where he was was charged with retail theft and aggravated assault. Officials from The Book Store declined to comment until they had more information on the incident.
(01/20/95 10:00am)
As the 21st century approaches, Philadelphia Mayor Ed Rendell is pushing full speed ahead with plans for a $170 million high-tech Constitution Center. Earlier this week, Rendell gave his support to a plan which proposes to build a state-of-the-art museum dedicated to the U.S. Constitution. In addition, the plan calls for a revitalization of the area north of Independence Hall. If Rendell's plan is accepted, the Liberty Bell would move to the north side of Market Street and be enclosed in a new glass and steel pavilion. Running above and below ground, "Freedom's Way," complete with high-tech gadgetry, including multimedia exhibits, TV town meetings, discussion theaters, educational galleries, a "Signer's Hall," and sound and light shows will be central attraction of the proposed National Constitution Center. The entire area would also be illuminated at night by a 13-star logo of the Constitution. And while there is no time table for the project, Rendell has said he would like to see it in operation by 1998. The Mayor's endorsement of the plan comes at a time when the National Park Service is considering six alternatives to rejuvenate Independence National Historic Park. After 18 months of searching for alternatives, this week marks the fourth and final stage of planning before preliminary decisions are made. According to Park Service Spokesperson Ann Marie Diserafino, the preliminary decisions will be released in May. Diserafino said that all of the alternatives include a National Constitution Center, but the city's plan is by far the most expensive and elaborate of the options. She added that the Park Service is very concerned about public sentiment and will carefully analyze how the public feels about the different plans, especially in light of outcry in 1976 when the Liberty Bell was moved from Independence Hall. Under the city's plan, the National Constitution Center would be designed by Ralph Appelbaum, the principal designer of the U.S. Holocaust Museum in Washington, D.C. The $170 million for the proposed Constitution Center would come from private contributions, said City Councilman Joseph Vignola. He added that Stephen Briganti, the man who helped with fundraising for the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, would be on board the project. Vignola said he is very enthusiastic about the revolutionary plan, but hopes the $200 million price tag can be trimmed down. "The concept is outstanding," Vignola said. "It is really traumatic and something that should be seriously considered." Vignola added that he hopes the Constitution Center would bring millions of tourists to Philadelphia -- tourists who would have to stay more than a day. History professor George Thomas, a Philadelphia historian, has mixed feelings about the city's proposed plan. "Philadelphia is grappling with the need to rebuild its industry and tourism is a major industry," Thomas said. "My fear is that most Americans don't seem to be interested in didactic exhibits." Thomas added that he was vehemently opposed to any moving of the Liberty Bell farther away from its original location. But he said he would be much more comfortable with the proposal if the Walt Disney Company had a role in the enterprise.
(01/19/95 10:00am)
For the first time in years traffic is moving on South Street. Two weeks ago, the city implemented new traffic regulations on South Street, removing on-street parking all together, and adding an additional traffic lane and a "valet" lane. The new restrictions are in effect from 6 p.m. until 6 a.m. Friday and Saturday nights only, on South Street between Second and Eighth Streets. To compensate for the lost parking spaces, four valet parking stations have been created. Valet parking costs $9, but many of the restaurants on the street will validate the parking voucher for $4. Area self-parking lots are also offering visitors a "Shopper's Special" every Friday and Saturday night from 6 to 8 p.m. The new parking regulations follow the installation of 43 new "Streetscape" lights on South Street. Deputy Mayor for Economic Development Herb Vederman said he is enthusiastic about the drastic traffic improvement he has seen in the last few weeks, adding that the new lighting has made South Street much more visible at night. "Traffic is moving freely for the first time ever on South Street," Vederman said. "South Street is one of the brightest lit streets in the city of Philadelphia." Vederman said the majority of the merchants on South Street are very pleased with the new changes because they have brought increased business. Another added benefit, according to Vederman, is increased response time by the South Street Police Detail. He said they can more easily negotiate the street with less congestion. Peter Whitehouse, executive director of the South Street-Headhouse district, said the police are ecstatic about the changes. "The police say it's a homerun," Whitehouse said. "They're finding it makes their job a lot easier." According to Whitehouse, the retailers on South Street were initially upset by the traffic experiment, but have recently begun to realize its benefits. "A lot of the retailers who were the fiercest opponents have now joined up to be a part of the valley parking program," Whitehouse said. "We've got a few bugs to work out, but were very pleased." Harris Eckstut, the owner of Montserrat, a restaurant on South Street, said his business has improved greatly since the parking ban began. "It's the first time I've done business late at night in three years," Harris said. "South Street looks great and feels great." Vederman said the program is on a trial run for eight months. After that, the city can put the traffic changes into effect. He also added that there are plans in the works to place toilets on South Street.
(01/18/95 10:00am)
Individuals suffering from alcoholism can thank Psychiatry Professor Joseph Volpicelli and his colleagues for discovering the first new medication to treat alcoholism in the last 50 years. Volpicelli found that naltrexone, a drug previously used to treat heroine and narcotics addiction, blocks the craving for alcohol. It suppresses the the "high" many experience while drinking liquor. Unlike its predecessor Antabuse -- a relatively ineffective drug that often makes an individual physically sick after alcohol consumption -- naltrexone inhibits the motivation to drink. But the new drug is not completely without side effects. Naltrexone has induced nausea in 10 percent of the patients who take it. The DuPont Merck Pharmaceutical Company announced yesterday that it would begin to sell naltrexone as a treatment for alcohol dependence. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the drug -- which will be sold on the market under the name "Revia," Volpicelli said. Volpicelli said the F.D.A. approval took six months, a decision that is "remarkably fast" in the medical world. He said he is very enthusiastic about naltrexone and its propensity to prevent relapse in alcoholics -- although he cautioned against using naltrexone as a cure-all. Naltrexone should only be administered in conjunction with counseling and therapy, Volpicelli said. Psychiatry Professor Charles O'Brien agreed. "None of these studies indicate this is a substitute for good psycho-social treatment -- 12 step programs like Alcoholics Anonymous," he told the Associated Press. But Volpicelli said the drug is revolutionary. "It's the most promising new agent for alcoholism in 40 or 50 years," he said. "It's not a magic bullet, though. "Many patients sort of slip and fall off the wagon," Volpicelli added. "It makes slips less severe so people can get back on the wagon." In researching the effects of naltrexone, Volpicelli and his colleagues conducted a 12-week study of 70 long-term alcoholic men. The study proved that only 23 percent of the subjects on the naltrexone relapsed -- compared to 54 percent of subjects on the placebo. Volpicelli said that he discovered the drug's effect on alcoholics 15 years ago as a graduate student at the University. His quest continued in 1981 when he began publishing his findings on the drug. In 1985, he began a study of naltrexone using patients at the Veteran's Administration Hospital. Volpicelli's findings prompted him inform representatives of Dupont Merck about the use of the drug as a treatment of alcoholism. The results of this study and another study done at the University were published in 1992, and Yale University embarked on a similar project which produced nearly identical results. Although the discovery is considered by many to be a breakthrough, Volpicelli said much more research needs to be done before a search for a cure for alcoholism is completed. Questions concerning how long the medication should be taken and other inquires into why people drink still remain unanswered, he said.
(01/17/95 10:00am)
Vice President Al Gore came to Independence National Historical Park yesterday to ceremoniously "ring" the Liberty Bell in celebration of Martin Luther King Day. Gore, flanked by Mayor Ed Rendell, former Senator Harris Wofford and a huge security detail, tapped the bell with his fist ten times to symbolize the tenth anniversary of the national King holiday. Shortly after the celebration began, Senator Carol Moseley-Braun also arrived. The event was planned by the Philadelphia Martin Luther King Association for Non-Violence as part of this year's Let Freedom Ring celebration. In addition, the Liberty Bell was chosen as the starting point of this years festivities by Martin Luther King, Jr.'s widow, Coretta Scott King. Even as the sky became gray and drizzle began to fall, the crowd stood solemnly and motionless, listening to Gore's words about King. In his brief speech, Gore discussed King's contributions as a man of service. "He dedicated life to service, freedom and equality for all," he said. "We depend on each other. We must work for unity of all people." Gore said King left an indelible mark on the United States, and his relentless promotion of nonviolence is something to be emulated by all. "By appealing to the conscience of America, Dr. King awakened America," he added. "And by speaking the the truth and resisting violence nonviolently, he moved the heart of this great nation." Rendell echoed many of these sentiments, but used Philadelphians as examples of people committed to volunteering and helping the less fortunate. "Three hundred sixty-five days a year, Philadelphians have stepped forward to help other people," Rendell said. "Today is a good day to reflect on the need to help others." Wofford, a friend of the King family, said that people should consider Martin Luther King Day a call to action to make a difference. "Martin Luther King was the greatest active duty citizen in our history," he said. Philadelphia resident Dana Kushwara said the ceremony was moving and stressed the importance of the King holiday. "We really respect all the ideals Martin Luther King tried to teach," Kushwara said. "We believe the races should be equal, and feel ceremonies such as this are important because they promote equality." Braun was presented with the "Drum Major" award for social justice by the PMLKA for NonViolence. In addition, Dr. Niara Sudarkasa, president of Lincoln University and retired Philadelphia Common Please Judge Harvey Schmidt were also given the "Drum Major" award.
(01/16/95 10:00am)
Marketing Professor Scott Ward, arrested during the fall of 1993 for allegedly soliciting sex from minors, will not be tried on civil charges before his criminal trial begins, Judge Joseph O'Keefe ruled last week. O'Keefe upheld an injunction that prevented the civil suit from going forward until after the criminal proceedings. The civil trial will begin on March 27. Ward's criminal trial is slated to begin March 6. But Sidney Ginsberg, one of the lawyers representing "B.M."-- a pseudonym for the man who filed the civil suit against Ward -- said one of his witnesses had died of AIDS. He said he fears further delays will weaken his case. "We want to move forward while we have witnesses to depose," Ginsberg said. "We want to go forward with the civil case which has been pending since the beginning of October." Ginsberg also argued that Ward's attorneys had no constitutional right to be granted the injunction. The civil suit against Ward alleges that B.M., an 18 year-old male, had sexual contact with Ward between 50 and 100 times from the time he was 13 or 14 years old. The suit charges Ward with counts of assault and battery, intentional infliction of emotional distress, negligent infliction of emotional distress, negligence and fraud. B.M. claimed he was paid between $20 and $25 to perform oral sex on the professor -- first in hotel rooms and later at Ward's home in Ardmore, a suburb of Philadelphia. He also alleges that Ward asked him if he knew of other boys who would be interested in being paid for sexual acts. The suit claims that because of both his age and dysfunctional emotional state, B.M. was legally and mentally unable to consent to the sexual acts in which he engaged with Ward. Criminal complaints pending against Ward include statutory rape, indecent assault, indecent exposure, corruption of minors, criminal solicitation to commit prostitution and involuntary deviate sexual intercourse. Ward's attorney in the civil case, Michael Mustokoff, refused to comment. Ward, who is not teaching any courses this semester, also refused to comment. Daily Pennsylvanian Staff Writer Lisa Levenson contributed to this story.
(01/16/95 10:00am)
The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority bowed to student pressure Friday, and voted unanimously not to raise fares on student tokens and transfers. About 60 sign-toting students packed the SEPTA office building at 7th and Market streets in Center City to protest the proposed fare increase. One sign read "Hell no, we don't care, we won't pay your stupid fare." In a last minute compromise, the SEPTA board decided to raise the base fare from $1.50 to $1.60, making it the highest base fare in the country. The original plan would have increased the cost of transfers and student tokens, as well. The cost of standard tokens will increase 10 cents from $1.05 to $1.15. The fare increase will go into effect on January 22, a move some officials believe might cause customers to hoard tokens. Transfers will remain 40 cents. "Good things do happen on Friday the 13th," SEPTA General Manager Louis Gambaccini said. The SEPTA board's decision not to raise fares for students was greeted with thunderous applause from the students. Lai Har Cheung, a self-proclaimed student activist, spoke in front the SEPTA board. "This is nothing less than a victory," Cheung said. "But the cost of student tokens is still too high." The fares for students will remain at 90 cents because of an agreement between the city, the School District and SEPTA. Other students said it was difficult to pay $400 a year for transportation to school. "We're happy that we won the victory," Philadelphia student Maly Chap said. "This is just the beginning, though. Why do we have to pay $400 a year when we should be getting our education for free?" Student protests began after SEPTA unveiled a plan last November to increase fares in response to a $27 million dollar deficit. Officials said they will now lose about $1 million for this year because of the compromise with students. Although the SEPTA board unanimously agreed not to raise fares that affect students, some members said SEPTA should not be responsible for providing school transportation. "It cannot continue to be off-loaded onto a public authority," Andrew Warren of Bucks County said. In addition, the cost of weekly and monthly rail passes will also increase. Lance Haver, educational director of the Consumers Education and Protective Association, was enthusiastic about the students victory. "It protects the most vulnerable people in the city from a fare hike," Haver said. "It's the best of a lot of bad alternatives."
(09/30/94 9:00am)
University employee Joyce Schofield, an administrative assistant in the Compensation Office of the Division of Human Resources, is suing the University claiming her superiors sexually harassed her and discriminated against her because she is black. A court document filed in Federal Court Tuesday by Schofield and her attorneys is asking for compensation in excess of $100,000. Schofield's attorney, Deborah Weinstein, said she feels very confident concerning her client's claim against the University. "She made an internal grievance with the University and they failed to take prompt and remedial action against her charges," Weinstein said. "And consequently her supervisors retaliated against her." University General Counsel Shelley Green said she had not seen the complaint, and could not comment on its allegations. She added, however, that the "University takes very seriously any allegations of sexual harassment and race discrimination." Much of Schofield's case against the University concerns her supervisors, former Human Resources Communication Manager J. Bradley Williams, former Vice President for Human Resources R. William Holland and former Assistant Vice President for Human Resources Adrienne Riley. Schofield alleges that Riley said there was a systematic design to keep black employees "uneducated and stupid." Schofield also said Williams compared the division to a "plantation" and said that Riley would always view the plaintiff as a "slave." Between January 1993 and July 1993 Schofield said she was subjected to sexual harassment, according to a court document. She alleges that Williams made several sexually explicit comments to her that made her feel uncomfortable. Schofield also claims that Williams made unwelcomed sexual advances to her. When she rejected these advances, Williams threatened to punish her. "All you need a man for is to fulfill your physical desires," Williams allegedly told the plaintiff. The suit also alleges that Schofield was denied benefits normally provided for white employees. When Schofield asked to have her position reclassified to a higher position, she claims her request was denied. Subsequently, she alleges that a white female was hired for the job who had much less experience than Schofield. "Williams repeatedly told plaintiff that Riley and the University administration had racist attitudes toward plaintiff and that Riley hated plaintiff because plaintiff was a "strong black woman," according to the suit. In one alleged racial incident, Schofield claims that she requested to work at home for about eight weeks because she had just undergone major surgery. Her request was allegedly denied by Williams. He also allegedly told her that Riley would accept a white woman's request but "will not do anything to assist a black person." According to the suit, Williams' alleged racist comments were part of a policy of racial discrimination that supervisors knew or should have known about. Schofield alleges that she felt constantly threatened and was afraid to complain because of fear of retaliation from Riley. The suit states that on June 15, 1993, Schofield informed Riley of Williams' discriminatory conduct. Then on June 29, 1993, University officials allegedly told Schofield that they would investigate her internal grievance. After filing her complaint, Schofield claims she was continually discriminated against, and become the subject of retaliation because she had filed the grievance within the University. Schofield filed a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission in February 1994, Weinstein said. It is law for individuals to file grievances with the EEOC before a suit can be heard in federal court. The EEOC must then issue a right to sue. University officials in the Human Resources Department interviewed yesterday said Williams, Riley and Holland had all resigned in the past few months. Williams, Riley and Holland could not be reached for comment.
(09/20/94 9:00am)
When the presses stop, the questions begin. And writers at the Student Vanguard, the student newspaper of the Community College of Philadelphia, have plenty of questions after their paper halted production last week before even publishing its first edition. Michael Moffa, the editor-in-chief of the Vanguard, said the newspaper cannot publish without an advisor. And the Community College administration has denied the paper's request to reinstate its previous advisor and denied the students' request for a new advisor. Moffa said the administration is effectively censoring the publication by ordering the paper to accept an advisor the students do not approve of. Director of Student Activities Marla Brinson said she hopes the issue can be resolved. "The school does not wish to censor the newspaper," she said. But, the paper has approached the American Civil Liberties Union for legal advice. The ACLU, which says the college is violating the newspaper's First Amendment rights, is calling for the reinstatement of Donald Weinberg to his old advisory position. Community College spokesperson Marjorie Osherow said Weinberg was fired because of grammatical and punctuation errors in the paper and problems with accuracy. Moffa contends, however, that Weinberg was not responsible for the errors and should not have been fired because he has been an advisor for the newspaper for the last eight years. When the newspaper chose a replacement for Weinberg, a tenured faculty member in the Photography Department, they were denied by the administration, according to Moffa. Their selection was Loring Hill, a Wharton alumnus. Osherow said Hill was not accepted because he did not hold a professorship in the English Department. "It's precedent," she said. "It's always been an English Department person." The Vanguard was founded by the community college's student government 12 years ago. But, according to Moffa, the Vanguard is independent from the student government and is funded by the Office of Student Activities. Students held a protest in support of the Vanguard in July, Moffa said. He added that the paper can be up and running by October 3 if an advisor is chosen.
(09/14/94 9:00am)
The University was dismissed recently as a defendant in a lawsuit arising from claims that Medical School doctors used dead patients' brains without the consent of the patients' families. For the past two years, the University has been involved in numerous suits filed by the parents of deceased men and women who supposedly had their brains sent to the University by the city medical examiner without their consent. University outside counsel William Jannsen said the case against the University was dropped last month after one body was exhumed in North Carolina, with the brain intact. Jannsen said he and Linda Berman, an attorney for one of the plaintiffs, flew down to Hollister, N.C. last month to witness the exhumation and autopsy of Thomas Seabron. The autopsy's results concluded that the brain had not been removed from the body since Seabron died. "The University was summarily dismissed from the case," Jannsen said. General Counsel Shelly Green said she was pleased with the outcome of the case, but she is still concerned about the five or more other cases still pending in court. "It was appropriate for the University to be dismissed," Green said. "Obviously, if the brains weren't removed it would be impossible for the University to be at fault." The case, which was filed in March 1993 by Doris Jackson, Seabron's mother, claimed that her son's brain was removed without cause and without her consent and sent to the University. Jackson's suit was not only filed against the University, but the city of Philadelphia as well. The charges against the city were dropped last year. The brains in question were supposedly sent from the city medical examiner's office to the University as part of an agreement between Deputy Medical Examiner Ian Hood and Medical School Neuroscience Professor Alan Rosenquist. The brains were allegedly sent to the Medical School so students could study the brains and determine how the deaths occurred. The turning point for the University came earlier this year when a statement, released by Assistant Medical Examiner Bennett Preston, said he recalled putting Seabron's brain back in the body. Records from the suits show that 26 brains were sent from the medical examiner's office to the University Medical School between December 1990 and May 1991. Seabron died in a motorcycle accident about three years ago at the age of 26. Following the autopsy, his body was taken back to North Carolina to be reburied. Several suits against the University are still pending in Philadelphia Common Pleas Court. The Philadelphia Inquirer contributed to this article.
(09/09/94 9:00am)
Administrators, professors and students all have their own opinions on the new Code of Student Conduct, which took effect July 1. University President Judith Rodin said she is enthusiastic about the new code, which does not punish the use of racial epithets by students. "I'm pleased to see a code that is largely student drafted and does not have a speech code," Rodin said. She added that she does not plan to change the new code, which was adopted by her predecessor, former interim President Claire Fagin. She did say, however, that if the need arose, she would re-examine it. Assistant Vice President for University Life Larry Moneta said the new code is a vast improvement over the previous one. "It finds a balance between individual rights and group rights," Moneta said. "It's very hard to convey an institution's values in language and attempt to find words that mean the same thing to every one." While he realizes that different groups will have difficulties with the new code, he said it is the best attempt to compromise between the two sides of the debate -- for and against a speech code. "It's an attempt to walk on a middle ground and satisfy the community at large," Moneta said. Not everyone was as enthusiastic as Rodin or Moneta. Political Science Professor Will Harris said he was disappointed by the new code because of its vagueness. "I don't think much of it," said Harris, who is also the moderator for the University Council. "It glosses over details and it leaves too much open for interpretation." Harris said he was pleased that students participated in drafting the new code. But, he said he does not think the code goes far enough in increasing students' participation and rights in the University. In addition, Harris said he does not see the new code insuring future participation in rule-making for students. "It doesn't articulate student rights strongly enough," he added. Harris said he is very concerned about how the new code addresses the issue of free speech. "The new code is so vague on free speech," he said. "Haste may have resulted in glossing over fundamental questions. The old policy was more constrained on what it said then the new one." Black Student League President Robyn Kent also has mixed feelings about the new code. "I don't agree with it," Kent said. "I'm glad that there's something, as opposed to nothing." The College senior said she did not think the new code is an "improvement." "There's not really a difference between this [new code] and nothing," she said. Kent said she continues to be very frustrated with the state of race relations on campus. She said she feels the new code is just an attempt by the administration to appease both sides of the debate without taking a firm stand.
(09/09/94 9:00am)
Although its name has changed, its job has stayed the same. The Judiciary Inquiry Office has changed its name to the Student Dispute Resolution Center in an attempt to better reflect its job on campus, officials said. According to SDRC Director Stephen Blum the change of name was not connected to the "water buffalo" incident, or allegations by students that the University's judicial system is a "kangaroo court". "The name change doesn't reflect anything from the past, but hope for the future," Blum said. "I want to try and bring dispute resolution into the mix ." Blum said students work with each other to solve their disputes and come to a resolution. The center's job is not to decide if students broke criminal statutes. Blum said students will work with "trained mediators" to try to iron out their disputes with other students. "I hope the SDRC can help to change the culture of conflict at Penn," he added. "I'm very enthusiastic about the new initiative as a parallel way of resolving conflicts," Blum said. "It's a system of sanctions and punishment." The JIO still exists in the form of the University Hearing Board, but the new SDRC emphasizes mediation over prosecution. The University Hearing Board consists of five members; three faculty members and two students, which evaluate cases and set punishments. Judicial Administrator Stephen Gale said the new name for the JIO is just a "recognition of what we actually do." "The SDRC is no judicial system in a strict sense," Gale added. "It vaguely compares to the real legal system." He emphasized that the SDRC is a dispute resolution process rather than a legal process. "The point of the judicial system at the University is to learn from mistakes without the heavy legal burden associated with the law," Gale said. "Students must learn about responsibility and accountability." Cases go to the University Hearing Board in only the most extreme situations, Gale said. Most cases are settled before they get that far. Students who go before the SDRC are provided an advisor by the University. Gale stressed that the advisor is not a lawyer. Trained mediators and students trained in mediation will serve as the advisors. The SDRC handled about 150 cases last year, ranging from cheating to theft to fighting, according to Blum. One of the major issues dealt with by the SDRC is cheating, Blum said. "Cheating is taken very seriously," he added. "It's something students need to really consider." Blum added that drinking is also involved in a majority of SDRC cases.
(04/22/94 9:00am)
Last August Stephen W. Walker and two of his colleagues resigned from their positions in the State Department because they were frustrated with the U.S. policy in the Bosnia crisis. Wednesday night, Walker spoke about the Bosnia conflict and discussed the role the U.S. has played in the region in the Towne Building. Walker, the executive director of the American Committee to Save Bosnia, said he resigned from the State Department because he did not want to have to tell his children that he was an accomplice to genocide. "We all felt that the blood was on our hands," Walker said. "We had to take a look in the mirror and decide what we're going to do about it." Walker said the Clinton administration is doing very little about the Bosnia situation. He added that the Clinton administration began to misinform the American people about the crisis in July 1992. He said the Clinton administration is incompetent with foreign affairs and criticized Secretary of State Warren Christopher for his handling of the conflict. Clinton gave the Serbians the "green light" with his inaction in Bosnia, Walker said. He said the reason the U.S. is not doing anything about Bosnia is because of "fear of failure." Walker used an analogy of a rape victim to explain the U.S.'s inaction in Bosnia. "It's as if we bound down the rape victim and let the rapist come in and continually rape her," he said. The Serbs violent imperialism is causing this war, he added. And, the public's perception that the crisis is a civil war is inaccurate, he said. "This is not a civil war," he said. "It's an aggressive war to capture 70 percent of Bosnia and eradicate all non-Serbs. This is not an even fight." Walker said if the U.S. fails to act the town of Gorazde and it's 65,000 citizens will be completely destroyed. Before his speech, Walker said he spoke to the mayor of Gorazde on a ham radio. As he spoke to the mayor, a house next door was shelled and 10 people were killed, Walker said. Walker said the mayor of Gorazde ordered for U.S. air strikes of the city. "[The mayor] said, 'I order the U.S. to do air strikes in Gorazde. I'd rather die a quick and peaceful death, instead of the Serbs doing it slowly,'" Walker recalled. He said the way to help the Bosnians is to lift the arms embargo on Bosnia. He also said the Bosnians have two options for defending themselves. One way is to send in U.S. troops, and the other way is for Bosnians to defend themselves. He added that the Bosnians are ready and willing to defend themselves, but they need arms to fight. "If we act now, we'll save ourselves a lot of grief and guilt and intervention in the future," Walker said. He urged the audience to get involved in order to help save Bosnia. "I'm not going to stop until there's peace," he said. "Never again! Never again! I hope we all mean it this time." Students reactions to Walker's speech were full of emotion. Some were excited Walker had come to the University to speak. "I was really impressed by him and what he had to say," College freshman Lisa Shluger said. "Penn has tried to respond to the crisis in Bosnia, but I wish three was more activism in the Penn community and this country in general." The speech was sponsored by the Penn Coalition for Peace in Bosnia.
(04/19/94 9:00am)
Greg Selaggi's two cats, Sosh and Catto, have been more like children to him than pets. And their unconditional affection has become even more important, now that Selaggi has AIDS. "I wouldn't know what to do if I lost my cats," he said. And Philadelphia Pets are Wonderful, Inc. (PhillyPAWS) wants to make sure AIDS does not hinder Selaggi from taking care of his pets. PhillyPAWS founder Robert Moffat said the mission of the group is to provide home pet care, exercise, food and supplies for pet owners suffering from AIDS in the Philadelphia area. And recently, 39 University Veterinary school students have joined the group to provide care for those in need. On Friday, the group went to Selaggi's home to see the cats. Selaggi, who lives alone in his three room house, gleamed with pride while watching his companions frolic in the middle of the room. Because of his disease, Selaggi said he sometimes cannot care for his pets as well as he would like. Since last February, he's had four hospital stays. During those stays, Selaggi said he had difficulty feeding Sosh and Catto, so volunteers from PhillyPAWS came to help. Selaggi said he was grateful to PhillyPAWS for watching over his pets during one of his recent hospital stays, because the volunteers treated the cats very well. He added that he sometimes asks his friends to watch his cats, but said they do not do a very good job. "It's comforting to know that there's an organization that I can rely on for pet care," he said. "They really take care of the animals. I think it's an organization that's well needed in Philadelphia." PhillyPAWS already serves around 50 clients, although they have only been in existence for 10 months. The group, a completely non-profit organization funded through donations, is modeled after a similar organization is San Francisco. "I picked my richest friends and called them up," Moffat said. "I asked them for some help funding the project." Action AIDS Client Services Director Kevin Burns said people with the AIDS virus are often financially strapped, and may have difficulty paying someone to watch their pets. He added that people with AIDS are usually on disability and receive about $470 a month, which, after household and medical bills, is not sufficient for taking care of a pet. Burns said pets give companionship to people with AIDS -- people often isolated by much of the world. "Pets may be the one thing that keeps them going on a day to day basis," Burns said. "AIDS takes people's sense of control away from them." PhillyPAWS Intake Coordinator Sue Dakin said the group has a very special purpose. "The mission of PhillyPAWS is to make sure that people with AIDS don't lose their pets because they're sick," Dakin said. "Some people wouldn't be able to keep their animals if it wasn't for PhillyPAWS." One client is too ill to live at home and is now in a hospital, Dakin said. The group managed to find someone to adopt his two dogs -- one 16 years old and blind and the other 18 years old and deaf -- while the client is in the hospital. Moffat takes the dogs to visit the man once a week, she said. "It's the most wonderful story," Dakin said. "The guy cries when he sees the dogs." Dakin said the Vet School and PhillyPAWS are involved in a close relationship, since the Vet School provides free emergency care to clients of PhillyPAWS. "They don't even bill us," she said.
(04/14/94 9:00am)
Many people roamed Locust Walk yesterday as the annual Spring Fling crafts fair began. Merchants from near and far came to sell their wares to students and city residents looking for the out-of-the-ordinary. Artisans, craftsmen and the like came from as far away as New Mexico to peddle jewelry, ceramics, clothing, leather goods, paintings, bonsai trees and assorted other goodies. Most of the merchants sold their own hand-made crafts. Some were veterans of the crafts fair, others were newcomers to Locust Walk. Jewelry was a main theme of the fair, but other booths attracted the most browsers. A merchant selling puzzle rings showed off his craft which represents thousands of years of design, craft seller Cindy Levinson said. She said a poisonous ring is the strangest item she sells. Another artisan, Ken Reichman of Candle Wizardry, sold candles in the shapes of wizards and other wax items. Reichman has been coming to the fair since 1978. He said wizards holding different objects are his best sellers. His wizards range from the scuba diver wizard to a wizard with the surfboard to a wizard who plays the piano. "Inspiration for my wax creations comes from the magic realms of my mind," Reichman said. One local artisan, Charles Nalle, sold all kinds of ceramics. He said one of the teapots he is selling is named the "Dr. Seuss for demented adults teapot." Another unusual creation is the "around the corner teapot." "People like my work," Nalle proclaimed. "People come back to see me." The American southwest came to the crafts fair in the form of jewelry. The Navajo, Zuni and Hopi indians were inspirations for the artistry, craft sellers said. Turquoise, lapis and onyx were just some of the materials used in the jewelry. Bonsai tree seller Nirmal Debnatch brought a "small" piece of Japan to Locust Walk. Debnatch sold bonsai trees that ranged from $15 to $300. The older a bonsai is, he said, the more costly it will be. Debnatch said he thanks Mr. Miaggi from the movie The Karate Kid for giving publicity to bonsai trees. "He gave me business because everyone saw the bonsai tree," he said. Lu Don Enterprises brought marionettes to the crafts fair. The marionettes came in all different colors and were in the shape of ostriches. One even was decked out in the University's red and blue. "I liked the little dancing things," College freshman Julia Loscalzo said. "I thought they were really cool." Jeff Nelson of Hudson River Inlay, sold a wood inlay similar to one which currently graces the White House. One of the paintings that Nelson is selling was bought by President Clinton in November 1992. Nelson said business was decent yesterday. "Maybe students are poor," he said. "I hope that the faculty comes out." Students were very enthusiastic about the craft fair and the beautiful weather. "The weather is absolutely gorgeous," said College sophomore Meera Jegathesan. "It just makes you want to stand on the walk all day and look at the pretty jewelry." "The fair was awesome," Nursing sophomore Valerie Carroll said. "[It was] even better than watching reruns of The Brady Bunch." The crafts fair continues today from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m.
(03/31/94 10:00am)
The a cappella group Counterparts is having an April Fool's Day gala blowout tomorrow night that promises to bring jazz to its audiences' ears. Counterparts will be preforming from their extensive jazz and pop repertoire including both modern songs and jazz classics. And the songs will range from the comical to the more serious. The group's variety is evident from the numbers it will perform. Members will sing all kinds of songs from the more traditional Howard Jones' "No one is to blame" to the more humorous tunes like "Where in the World is Carmen San Diego." The show will include some visiting guest groups, childhood superheros and appearances by holiday celebrities. Creative choreography will also be a big part of the show. The group is performing 10 new songs and 15 songs they have performed in the past. "This is the most new stuff we've ever done," Counterparts Music Director Sangho Byun said. "It's the tightest we've ever sounded in three years." Members of the group said they are very excited about the upcoming show, especially about the special guests. "It will be an awesome show," said College junior Shari Bart. "We are really psyched for the show. We will have a superspecial guest." "No one else resembles 'Jazz Monsters of Doom'," added College sophomore Les Grant. Veteran members of the a cappella group said they are very pleased by their musical achievement. "I've been in the group for four years," said College senior Seth Goren. "And it's the best show I've ever been a part of." "We look good, smell good and sing good," added Viseltear. The group has been preparing for this show since the beginning of the spring semester. They said their style cannot be compared to any other a cappella group on campus. Counterparts will be performing tomorrow at 8:15 p.m. in Harrison Auditorium. Tickets are available on the Walk or at the door for $5.