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(04/28/95 9:00am)
When Alumni send their kids off to dear ol'Penn Students living in the Quadrangle walk by McClelland Hall, named after past University Provost George W. McClelland, every day. But they might not recognize his great-granddaughter who lived in the Quad last year. Wharton sophomore Karen Krause is a sixth-generation legacy -- members of her family have been attending the University since the 1844. McClelland was Provost of the University from 1939 until 1944. At that time, the Provost was the highest ranking University official. His grandfather, George B. McClelland, attended the University from 1842 until 1844 before transferring to the U.S. Military Academy. Krause said she is reminded of her great-grandfather each time she walks by McClelland Hall -- even though he died before she was born. "Growing up, there are all these baby pictures of me in Penn sweatshirts," Krause said. "My parents were always talking about how good Penn was and how much they enjoyed it here." In eighth grade, Krause went through what she described as her rebellious stage. "I bought and wore all these sweatshirts of other colleges," she said. "I told my parents that I was not going to come here." This incident soon became the family's inside joke. Krause explained that she visited several other colleges during the Spring Break of her junior year in high school, but "out of all the Ivies," she liked the University most. She applied and was accepted early decision. Krause's other relatives who have attended the University include her father James Krause, who graduated in 1968, her grandfather George B. McClelland, who graduated from the College in 1939 and the Law School in 1946 and her mother, Susan, who graduated from the College in 1969. The family's University connections also extend to numerous aunts, uncles and cousins. According to Audrey Bedford, director of the Alumni Council on Admissions, 12 percent of the undergraduate population is made up of children of University alumni. Legacies are defined as those students with one or more parent alumni, Bedford said. Students whose grandparents attended the University -- but not their parents -- are not included in these figures. According to statistics provided by the Office of Undergraduate Admissions, 221 legacies applied to the University this year during the early decision process and 132 were accepted. Overall, 765 legacies applied for the class of 1999 and 399 were accepted. College junior Thor Halvorssen can trace his roots at the University back to the beginning of this century. He said that after he graduates next year, his family will be able to claim 11 University degrees. The tradition started with his great-grandfather, Douglas Coburn, who graduated from the Dental School in 1904. Four other relatives graduated from Wharton with both undergraduate and graduate degrees -- his father, also named Thor, in 1966 and 1968, his father's twin brother, Olaf, in 1966 and 1969, his uncle, Erik, in 1963 and 1965, and another uncle, Leopoldo Lopez, in 1966 and 1968. Olaf Halvorssen may be best remembered for dating Candice Bergen, a fellow student at the time. While Thor has achieved some campus prominence as the newly elected editor-in-chief of The Red and Blue, his father was known for running a nightclub called The Classroom with his twin brother Olaf at 39th and Chestnut streets -- where O'Hara's Fish House is located today. "Penn was not my first choice," Halvorssen said. "After I came here for a visit, however, I really liked it and now I have no doubt that I made the right decision in coming here." He came to choose the University over Duke and Georgetown Universities and several other Ivy League schools to which he was accepted. Halvorssen said that although he was allowed to select which college he was to attend, his family members' comments about their positive experiences here helped persuade him to choose the University. And when Halvorssen arrived at the Quad, he found himself smack in the middle of tradition. Literally --Halvorssen's room was the same one his uncle Olaf occupied when he was a first year student in 1962. But for every legacy that can trace their roots to the University, there are also those who do not realize they have an extended branch of alumni relatives. College sophomore Laurie Moldawer, a member of the Undergraduate Assembly, has relatives with diplomas dating as far back as the 1920s. "To be honest, until I visited the alumni admissions office the year before I applied to Penn, I didn't know that any other relatives besides my mother and two cousins had gone here," she said. When Moldawer visited the University in the spring of her junior year in high school, Gay Lacy, then assistant director of the Alumni Council on Admissions, thought it would be fun to check the computer for the Moldawer name. The search revealed that four other Moldawers had attended the University. Her first red and blue relative was her grandfather, Nathan, in the 1920s. "My grandfather passed away while my father was in college so I never met him," Moldawer said. "In some ways, Penn is a connection to my grandfather because we both went through some of the same things here." Moldawer's other alumni relatives include two great-uncles, three cousins, a distant uncle and aunt and her mother, Susan, who graduated from the College for Women in 1968. "The only person who is a bigger Mask & Wig fan than myself is my mother," Laurie Moldawer explained. "I attended my first Mask & Wig show when my mom came back for her 20th reunion." Moldawer was in eighth grade at the time. According to Moldawer, her mother encouraged her to apply to other schools. "If she had told me to go to Penn, I would have probably rebelled and applied elsewhere," Laurie said. "But I thought that if Penn was good enough for my mother, grandfather, aunts and uncles then it was good enough for me." Moldawer applied and was accepted early decision to the University. While some students experienced their first taste of red and blue spirit before they could crawl, others began toasting to "Dear Old Penn" a little bit later. For College junior Norm Hetrick, his earliest memories of the University are visits with his father for Homecoming and Alumni weekends. "At first, my college experience went in a completely opposite direction from [my father's]," Hetrick said. "I spent my entire freshman year in Mask & Wig while he was a student leader, into everything." His father played football, served as president of Delta Tau Delta and as president of the senior class. He was also a member of the Sphinx Senior Honor Society. The younger Hetrick said that after he left Mask & Wig, his path began to blend with his father's -- although not intentionally. He pledged Delta Tau Delta and became more involved with student affairs after attending the Race Relations Summit at Sugarloaf last year. "Some experiences, unfortunately, will never be shared by both of us," Hetrick said. Hetrick's father, like Halvorssen's uncle, dated Bergen. Other relatives who graduated from the University include his sister, Page, in 1993, cousin Norman in 1980, and cousin Matthew in 1988. Norm Hetrick Sr., who graduated in 1965, currently serves as a University Trustee. According to Hetrick Jr., his father never put any pressure on him to attend the University. "When my sister Page went on her college trips, I went with her and waited for a school to grab me like Penn always had," he said. "Nothing did." But even graduation does not stop legacies from returning to the place many learn to call their second home. President Judith Rodin was Judith Seitz when she attended the University. Her father, Morris Seitz, was a student of the University's evening school in the Class of 1930.
(07/07/94 9:00am)
House may go to Tri-Delt After being held on probation by its national office for three years, the Phi Kappa Sigma fraternity has lost its charter. All current brothers have been given early alumni status, and last year's class of 21 pledges will not be initiated. And the Delta Delta Delta sorority may move into Phi Kap's house at 3539 Locust Walk, making it the first sorority to be located on the Walk. Phi Kap's suspension, which took place on June 10th, closes the Alpha chapter of the fraternity, the founding chapter which was originally established in 1850. According to Executive Vice President of the national office Alan Preston, the charter was suspended because the chapter didn't meet certain standards of operation. Standards set forth by the fraternity's national office include "responsible risk management practices, achieving certain scholastic goals, participating in community and University service projects, and maintaining safe and desirable living facilities," according to a statement issued by the national office. Preston would not comment on what specific standards were not met by the University chapter, but Phi Kap national Executive Board member Ghery Pettit said the fraternity's standards have always been high. "We have high standards," he said. "The bottom line is that we're going to maintain our standards even if it means an embarrassment to the local chapter." Phi Kap Vice President and College senior Woody Paik said this is not the first time the national office has complained about the chapter's performance. "They haven't been happy with our chapter for a number of years," Paik said. "There was a disparity between what we thought they wanted us to do and what they did want." Pettit said that many chapters which are suspended by their national offices often return to campus after three years. He added that the national office intends to "re-establish the chapter when conditions are better." According to Greek Alumni Council Chairperson Andrea Dobin and Office of Fraternity and Sorority Affairs Director Tricia Phaup, the fraternity was in good standing with the Interfraternity Council and was not on probation with the University. "It was a completely internal matter," Dobin said. "As far as the University knew at the time of suspension, there was nothing identifiable as the cause." The fate of Phi Kap's house is still being discussed. According to the national office, the local alumni association that owns the chapter house, Alpha Inc., intends to lease it to a University sorority for an indefinite period. Several sources have identified Tri-Delt as the top candidate for the lease, and said that the "indefinite period" will probably be three years. "As I understand it, our house corporation was approached by their house corporation about leasing the house," said Tri-Delt President and College senior Melissa London. "We should know in the next couple of weeks [if a lease will be signed]." If Tri-Delt does indeed accept the offer, London said, the sorority would also maintain its Spruce Street house since it has already renewed its lease for the next academic year. Dobin said that maintaining two houses is both rare and difficult, but that Tri-Delt is "one of the strongest chapters on campus" and could possibly manage it. The suspension and loss of the house will leave 33 brothers without a place to live in the fall, Paik said. He added that the 21 men who pledged the fraternity but were never initiated will have the option of pledging another fraternity when they return to school. IFC President and College senior Hayden Horowitz and Phi Kap President and College junior Craig Rutenberg were unavailable for comment.
(06/30/94 9:00am)
Some students do it on the College Green in front of everyone. Others prefer the seclusion of a private corner of the air-conditioned Van Pelt Library, away from prying eyes. Many students invite their partner over to their house for all-night sessions. What could all these students be doing? Studying for final exams in the first session of summer school classes, of course. Students began taking finals Monday, although the majority will be given today and Friday. And most said studying for their finals in the heat of the summer is particularly exhausting. While earlier in the summer Wharton sophomore Santosh Govindaraju was spending his afternoons after class playing basketball or working out at the gym, having two finals this week makes things a lot different. "I take naps on College Green," Govindaraju said. "It is the only time I can find to sleep -- there is just not enough time this week to get everything done." Some students like Wharton and Engineering junior Raja Gupta do most of their work on the computers in Steinberg-Dietrich Hall. "Besides doing practice sets and reviewing readings for Finance 101, I usually spend four hours each night studying in Vance [Hall] with a friend," Gupta said. Engineering senior Shyan Lim said that while studying for his Anthropology 1 exam has turned out to be "straight memorization," he has really learned something about different approaches to staying awake. "I recommend three to four cans of Coke to stay alert for studying," Lim said. "Mountain Dew is too strong and wipes you out." Anyone who thinks that summer courses are easier than their Spring and Fall semester counterparts should talk to College junior Dwight Arakaki, who is taking Organic Chemistry this summer. "It's a very fast-paced class," Arakaki said. "I have less time now than I did during the normal semester when I had four courses." Like many of his fellow students, Arakaki has lost all pretenses of becoming a gourmet chef during the rigorous summer session and subscribes to the fast food summer meal plan. "Since I spend all my time studying or working, I just grab my food from Taco Bell or the food court," he said. "[Or] anywhere that is close to my study area in Steinberg-Dietrich Hall -- and fast."
(03/05/92 10:00am)
Chen spoke to approximately 45 University students at the University Museum as part of the Campus Organized Lectures On Racial Sensitivity program. COLORS was started in 1989 as a collaborative effort between Sigma Chi and Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity. The program was founded to combat racial prejudice on campus and encourage unifying or educational events. Chen illustrated the state of race relations now by comparing it to 1972. "In 1972, we were just coming off the Civil Rights Movement, the assassination of Martin Luther King and the Vietnam War," Chen said. "Now it seems as though most people are just concerned with big jobs, big money and big offices." According to Chen, the major problem Americans face in 1992 is which direction to go. Some examples that Chen used to point to the state of America today were that affirmative action and equal opportunity are seen as dirty words, that television shows are filled with violence and hatred and that racial tensions are on the rise in universities across the U.S. "It is worse in colleges and universities than it is in society," Chen said. "I don't see the turning points or shining lights in higher education." Two problems that Chen pointed to in higher education were obsolete curricula and racial violence. In his field of psychology, Chen said the theories that are being taught today are old and do not apply to Asians or blacks. He also pointed to the rising numbers of racial or ethnic related violent incidents on campuses as a disturbing trend. Chen stressed the need for demystifying stereotypes. "If we turn out the lights, we are all black," Chen said. "Even with the lights out, though, we still are different in background, knowledge and experience." Chen cited statistics that one-fourth of all white Americans have some black genes or traits and three-fourths of all blacks have white genes or traits. Chen predicted that those factors identifying races as separate will start to disappear over the next several years. He said he believes that even terms such as minorities and majorities are outdated. "Minority seems to suggest powerless and majority seems to represent a government group," Chen said. He said that in 50 years or less, caucasian Americans will make up less than 30 percent of America. Chen compared different races to a mosiac, with each person being a diamond, a ruby, or an emerald. He suggested that each student share their radiance or cultural heritage with other students. "This process of sharing will bring about productive and enlightening education both at Penn and other institutes of higher learning," Chen said. Reaction from the audience was generally positive. College sophomore Scott Carpenter thought the speech was interesting. "It's too bad he couldn't stay longer," he said. Wharton and College senior Saad Khairi was excited that Chen could fly out for the event. "I felt his speech was a call to action for us," he said.
(01/17/92 10:00am)
Stressing change and the need for competitiveness, David Kearns, Deputy Secretary for the U.S. Department of Education and former CEO of Xerox Corporation, gave a dynamic lecture to a capacity Wharton crowd yesterday. Kearns said that in order for education and business to succeed, Americans have to develop a method for rewarding people who are catalysts for change and present innovative ideas that improve the way the system operates. According to Kearns, over the last 25 years Americans have lowered their expectations about what they can accomplish, a change in attitude which he said has had disastrous consequences in America's businesses and education system. Kearns said his visits to Japan were the motivating factor for his bringing change into Xerox in the early 1980s. "It was clear to me that what we needed was 17 percent productivity gains beyond inflation levels to catch up to the Japanese," said Kearns. "At that point in time [1982], I believed that Xerox would be out of business in 1990 unless serious changes were made." Kearns said he gathered the top management together, and they decided to use the issue of quality to change the business culture of Xerox. They developed their idea of total quality management from the summer of 1982 until February of 1983. Total quality management is a system in which employees have a greater role in business decisions. According to Kearns, the management had to change its behavior so that employees would see the difference and respond. What Kearns called "quality process for the 80s" eventually reached 100,000 employees, covered three years, and cost $175 million. Middle management was taught by senior management, and those middle managers in turn trained their staffs to follow this new business behavior model. Kearns said that the eventual results from this change were encouraging. While direct manufacturing personnel was cut 50 percent, productivity improved 14.6 percent and profits improved 7.5 percent. Kearns went on to draw parallels between the business world and the educational system. He said that in order to improve the country's education system, Americans must be willing to make changes and increase their expectations. According to Kearns, choice is becoming one of the transforming ideas in education and it will bear pressure on the system to change. He said he approves of more school autonomy that would let principals and teachers run their schools to respond to the communities in which they belong. "A strong nation must have a strong public school system," Kearns said. The audience responded favorably to the lecture. Mark Smith, a first-year MBA student, said he thought Kearns was the most dynamic speaker he has heard at Wharton. "I enjoyed his emphasis on our reduced level of productivity" Smith said. "I like the fact that he implemented quality management at Xerox not as part of a program but as an integral working system of the company." Smith echoed other students' reactions when he said he wished that Kearns would come back and teach a class at the University. Kearns gave the lecture as part of the Franklin Institute's National Memorial Award program. He was recognized by a nationally distinguished panel of business leaders with the Bower Award for Business Leadership. The award is granted to leaders in business or industry who have made a substantial contribution to society as well as promoting the interests of their industries.
(10/29/91 10:00am)
When Barbi Lewis tells people she is president of the Kite and Key Society, most respond by asking if that means she is the University's top tour giver. "Most people just see us as the guides," Lewis said last week. But while tours for prospective students are one part of Kite and Key's functions -- Lewis actually gave a private tour for Vice President Dan Quayle's son last week -- the College senior emphasized that her organization does much more than lead 17-year-olds in packs around campus. "We really do so much more," Lewis said. "We are really like eight organizations in one." Founded in 1924, Kite and Key is both one of the largest and one of the oldest student groups on campus. Over 600 students participate in Kite and Key activities and projects each year. While most students view Kite and Key as an extension of the admissions office, their activities extend far beyond College Hall and the University's campus. "The unique thing about Kite and Key is that you can go to one organization and do both campus and community service," Lewis said. "I think students are becoming more in tune with community issues, and Kite and Key has responded by providing more opportunities to get involved in the community." One way in which Kite and Key is addressing community service is with a new board position, Community Projects Coordinator, created last year. The Ronald McDonald House program is one of the more traditional community service projects with which Kite and Key is involved. Over 50 Kite and Keyers go to the House on 39th and Chestnut streets each week to play with the children living there. College sophomore Karen Miller, who is involved in several community service projects, said that Ronald McDonald House is one of her favorite activities. "I think every effort really helps," Miller said. One of Kite and Key's newest community endeavors is a cooperative effort with Mantua Against Drugs. MAD is a West Philadelphia residents' association which sponsors vigils against drug users and pushers and holds an after-school activities program to improve educational opportunities for neighborhood youth. As part of the program, Kite and Key members tutor and organize learning activities for over 30 children from grades one through seven for two hours each Monday through Friday. In fact, according to Community Projects Coordinator Kathleen Sullivan, the after-school tutoring program was scheduled to be stopped due to a lack of resources when Kite and Key came to the rescue. Besides MAD, Kite and Key also runs the Step-One Tutoring Project. Program participants tutor students in math and reading at Lea Elementary School and in all subjects at West Philadelphia High School. The program has seen a tremendous increase in interest this year, with over 125 participants, Coordinator Chris McCann said. "I think it's a great program because you can relate your academic learnings to real world situations," McCann said. "You can learn a hell of a lot more by experience than by book." Another new project that Kite and Key organized this year is the Gateway Program. The purpose of the program is to train students to utilize their skills to teach others how to read. Leaders from the Mayor's Commission on Literacy trained 20 to 25 students earlier this month to serve as literacy educators. Additional training sessions have been planned on November 2 and 4 to accommodate those students who missed the first orientation. The program then places trainees in a variety of organizations throughout Philadelphia which deal with the issue of literacy. · One way in which Kite and Key actively works with the Office of Admissions is through the Ambassador Program. Ambassadors staff an information desk in the Admissions Office each day during the week and special hours on weekends. There are currently over 60 ambassadors volunteering their campus knowledge. Jodi Fragin, who acts as a liason between Kite and Key and Admissions, said that any student can be an ambassador. "I try to get a diverse group of students to be ambassadors," Fragin said. "It's not a requirement, but students who are involved in several other organizations tend to be more aware of what is occurring on campus." Volunteers interested in talking to high school students and revisiting their alma maters might choose to get involved in the High School Outreach Program. During these visits to high schools, Kite and Key volunteers answer questions about the University and admissions process. During fall break, over 20 Kite and Key volunteers participated in this program. Other visits will occur during winter vacation and in early May. Another admissions activity is the Hosting Program. Last semester, Kite and Key members hosted over 200 female and 97 male prospective freshmen. The peak hosting period is during Locust Weeks in April when accepted students are deciding whether to attend the University. Last year, Kite and Key members hosted over 120 prospective students during the three weeks, according to College Junior Mike Gross, Female Hosting Coordinator. · Kite and Key volunteers also participate in several one-time projects throughout the year. Special Projects Coordinator Janet Miller said Kite and Key members work at the Penn Relays and for other weekend events throughout the year. During Parents Weekend volunteers man an information center in Bodek Lounge, lead special tours and usher at Performing Arts night. Homecoming is another big time for Kite and Key members as they help out with everything from face painting and selling quaker shakers to planning the traditional Kite and Key Homecoming reception. Kite and Key Vice President Jonathan Bing said that it is never too late in the year to join Kite and Key. "Since we have so many ongoing activities, there are always ways for new volunteers to get involved," the College senior said. "Kite and Key provides opportunities both for students who want to become super-involved and for those who want to do campus or community service just once-in-a-while."
(10/24/91 9:00am)
They help with everything from admissions work to athletic events. They organize campus tours, participate in community service programs and help out with campus events. They are Kite and Key volunteers. The Kite and Key Society, founded in 1924 is both one of the oldest and largest student groups on campus. Over 600 students participate in Kite and Key activities and projects each year. While most students view Kite and Key as an extension of the admissions office, their activities extend far beyond College Hall and the University's campus. "We are really like eight organizations in one," Kite and Key President Barbara Lewis said. "The unique thing about Kite and Key is that you can go to one organization and do both campus and community service." In fact, Lewis said one of her goals this year is to change students' perceptions of what Kite & Key does. "Most people just see us as the tour guides on campus, but we really do so much more," Lewis said. "I think students are becoming more in tune with community issues and Kite and Key has responded by providing more opportunities to get involved in the community." Kite and Key formally acknowledged the community service component of their outreach with a new board position, Community Projects Coordinator, created last year. The Ronald McDonald House program is one of the more traditional community service projects with which Kite and Key is involved. Over 50 volunteers go to the House on 39th and Chestnut streets each week to play with the children living there. College sophomore Karen Miller, who is involved in several community service projects, said that Ronald McDonald House is one of her favorite activities. "I think every effort really helps," Miller said. One of Kite and Key's newest community endeavors is a cooperative effort with Mantua Against Drugs. MAD is a residents' association which sponsors vigils against drug users and pushers and holds an afterschool activities program to improve educational opportunities for neighborhood youth. As part of the program, Kite and Key members tutor and organize learning activities for over 30 children from grades one through seven for two hours each Monday through Friday. According to Community Projects Coordinator Kathleen Sullivan, the after-school tutoring program was scheduled to be stopped due to a lack of resources when Kite and Key came to the rescue. Kite and Key also runs the Step-One Tutoring Project. Program participants tutor students in math and reading at Lea Elementary School and in all subjects at West Philadelphia High School. The program has seen a tremendous increase in interest this year, with over 125 participants, Coordinator Chris McCann said. "I think it's a great program because you can relate your academic learnings to real world situations," McCann said. "You can learn a hell of a lot more by experience than by book." Another new project that Kite and Key organized this year is the Gateway Program. The purpose of the program is to train students to utilize their skills to teach others how to read. Leaders from the Mayor's Commission on Literacy trained 20-25 students earlier this month to serve as literacy educators. Additional training sessions have been planned on November 2nd and 4th to accommodate those students who missed the first orientation. The program then places trainees in a variety of organizations throughout Philadelphia which deal with the issue of literacy. · Though many students are involved in service activities in the community, working with the Office of Admissions is perhaps Kite and Key's most visible service. One way Kite and Key volunteers actively work with prospective students is through the Ambassador Program. Ambassadors staff an information desk in the Admissions Office each day during the week and special hours on weekends. There are currently over 60 ambassadors volunteering their campus knowledge. Jodi Fragin, who acts as a liason between Kite and Key and Admissions, said that any student can be an ambassador. "I try a to get diverse group of students to be ambassadors" Fragin said. "It's not a requirement, but students who are involved in several other organizations tend to be more aware of what is occurring on-campus." Volunteers interested in talking to high school students and revisiting their alma maters might chose to get involved in the High School Outreach Program. During these visits to high schools, Kite and Key volunteers answer questions about the University and admissions process. Over 20 Kite and Key volunteers participated in this program during Fall Break. Other visits will occur during winter vacation and in early May. Another admissions activity is the Hosting Program. Last semester, Kite and Key members hosted over 200 female and 97 male prospective freshmen. The peak hosting period is during Locust Weeks in April when accepted students are deciding whether to attend the University. Last year Kite and Key members hosted over 120 prospective students during the three weeks, according to College Junior Mike Gross, Female Hosting Coordinator. · Kite and Key volunteers also participate in several one-time projects throughout the year. Special Projects Coordinator Janet Miller said Kite and Key members do work at the Penn Relays and for other weekend events throughout the year. During Parents Weekend volunteers staff an information center in Bodek Lounge, lead special tours, and usher at Performing Arts Night. Homecoming is another big time for Kite and Key members as they help out with everything from face painting and selling Quaker shakers to planning the traditional Kite and Key Homecoming reception. Kite and Key Vice President Jonathan Bing said that it is never too late in the year to join Kite and Key. "Since we have so many ongoing activities, there are always ways for new volunteers to get involved," the College senior said. "Kite and Key provides opportunities both for students who want to become super-involved and for those who want to do campus or community service just once-in-a-while."
(09/11/91 9:00am)
Students interested in knowing the weather forecast need not wait until the 11:00 p.m. news to find out if they have to take an umbrella with them to class anymore. Now, they only have to pick up their phones and dial 898-4CST, the University's new, free weather information service. In what is one of the first systems of its kind, the University has combined Accu-Weather, a private weather information service, with voicemail to form a convenient and economical service for students. The service, implemented this fall by the Office of Business Services, had been discussed for a number of years, but due to a lack of technology and prohibitive costs, the project was unfeasible, according to Steve Murray, associate vice president of business services. Based on a survey conducted last year of all 573 and 898 exchange numbers, staff and students ran up a bill of over $30,000 in calls to Bell's weather recording. The new service will cost the University only $3500 a year, which will cover maintenance and Accu-Weather service fees. Murray said business services hopes to arrange a function by early October which would prevent students and staff from dialing the more expensive Bell number. The forecast can be heard 24 hours a day by calling 8-4CST from any campus phone. The information is updated at least three times per day and more often in the event of hurricane or tornado warnings. While many students said they have not tried the system yet, they agreed it will be convenient. "I'm from Texas and I have trouble telling when it will rain," Wharton sophomore Andrew Chen said. "And I can't check the news because I don't have a TV." "I [usually] listen to the radio, but if I didn't, it sounds like it would be a good service to use," said Engineering sophomore Matt Bixler. For those students who haven't yet found the time to call, today's forcast "exclusively for the University of Pennsylvania" is "partly to mostly sunny, breezy and warm, with lowing humidity, high of 84."
(04/25/91 9:00am)
Building on their reputation as a national role model for homeless family housing and services, West Philadelphia's People's Emergency Center was recognized by President Bush this week as his 436th "Daily Point of Light." The President honors as a "Point Of Light" individuals, businesses, unions, clubs or organizations which volunteer to tackle social problems such as AIDS, drug abuse, illiteracy or homelessness in their own community. Gloria Guard, executive director of PEC located at 33rd and Chestnut streets, called the honor "fitting recognition" of the role PEC volunteers play in community outreach. "As one of many non-profit agencies working against tremendous odds to meet ever mounting needs, this award gives PEC the opportunity to focus public attention on the effective actions of thousands of individuals who wish to see an end to economic inequity and the national shame of homelessness in our country," Guard said. Susan Daily, PEC's development director, said that the recognition is a fitting honor, because "it gives us a chance to publicly acknowledge the fact that individuals can make contributions towards doing something effective to end homelessness." PEC was started as a volunteer organization in 1972 by two ministers from the University and Drexel University. Originally a weekends-only operation, PEC now operates around the clock, every day of the year -- and relies on the efforts of over 150 volunteers yearly. The Bush administration created the Office of National Service in 1989, which handles the Points of Light program. They currently receive over 200 nominations each week to be the Daily Point of Light. Some of the criteria that the office looks at when narrowing the field from nominations to honorees include a willingness to form a relationship with people they help while trying to solve the problem. According to David Goldfarb, a research assistant at the Office of National Service, PEC fits those requirements very well. "PEC makes sure that when [the homeless] reenter society, they're ready for it," said David Goldfarb. Volunteers participate at the PEC as board members, doctors, nurses and tutors. In addition to individuals, several religious groups support PEC through the Adopt-A-Room Program, through which the groups "adopt" a family room and provide furnishings, toiletries, linens and needed supplies for families living in transitional housing. Only four other groups and individuals have been recognized in Philadelphia for the Points of Light award. These include resident Dorothy Harrell for organizing tenant marches and protests to crack down on neighborhood drug dealers and the Drexel Town Watch program which patrols Powelton Village every night.
(04/10/91 9:00am)
Estelle Brookhouse had two children and was pregnant with another child when she was homeless about three years ago. She moved in and out of friends' homes and occasionally stayed in temporary shelters. Now, Brookhouse is working to solve the homelessness problem as the "teen coordinator" at the People's Emergency Center in West Philadelphia. "Of the shelters I've been at, this one is the best," Brookhouse said. She now lives in a private apartment on the third floor of PEC. For her, one of the more valuable resources that the center provided was childcare education. PEC started as an all-volunteer program staffed primarily with University and Drexel University students. At its beginning, the Center functioned from the first floor of the Asbury Methodist Church on 33rd and Chestnut Streets. It was only open on weekends and had beds for less than 10 people. In 1983, the facility underwent major renovations which allowed 25 to 30 people to be housed each night. But as the number of homeless families in Philadelphia increased, so did the demand for services beyond the traditional bed and meal. While the PEC provides emergency services that other shelters typically offer such as food and temporary housing, its strength lies in the implementation of transitional services which work to solve the causes of homelessness rather than simply dealing with its results. These services include case management, a parent-child day program, housing counseling and follow-up services. PEC also offers drug and alcohol counseling, health care and educational workshops which range from self-esteem building to life skills, and GED classes. PEC's parent-child day program is one of the first of its kind in the country. Mothers receive training in life skills, parenting skills, pre-employment, and academic training. During the last year, the service reached 56 mothers, 103 children, and 65 teenage girls. And the parent day care program teaches the women ways to discipline children other than hitting them, and gives them the tools and self-esteem necessary to make good parents. Seeing a need for continued services for homeless families who have been placed into permanent housing, PEC started a "follow-up service" this year. Case managers maintain contact with the families through visits, phone calls, and client visits to PEC. Of the 37 families that receive follow-up service, all are still in their permanent homes. · Through the cooperative efforts of city and state agencies, private foundations and individuals, the PEC moved into a $2.5 million facility on the 3900 block of Spring Garden Street last November. The building was converted from a three story carriage factory which the city sold to the PEC for $1. The first floor features a laundry room, emergency housing, and a restaurant style kitchen. The second floor contains space for administrative offices, classrooms, lounges, and 10 transitional housing rooms. The remaining floor contains nine apartments designated as permanent low-income housing. Seventeen different public and private agencies provided the money needed for the conversion. Often cited by housing officials as a national role model, the center is unique in the fact that it offers three types of housing under one roof -- emergency, transitional, and permanent. All residents at the shelter sign a contract and work towards reaching the goal of becoming self sufficient. "The others don't interact with their clients, they just serve them their meals," said volunteer Brookhouse. "PEC gets really involved -- the staff knew my children." The typical woman entering PEC is young and unmarried with two children, usually one infant and another young child, according to PEC Director of Development Susan Daily. The shelter has also seen an increasing demand for beds for homeless youth. Officials attribute the rise to an increase in substance abuse, especially crack cocaine, among Philadelphia families. Half of the homeless teens required shelter to escape abusive, drug-addicted parents. Daily said one of the more daunting issues facing shelters across the state is that government agencies are failing to place those who need low-income housing into appropriate facilities. "The women are being forced to remain in shelters for longer periods of time," Daily said. The average stay for a woman in the shelter is 46 days, an increase of six days from last year. Typically, the homeless women will stay on the first floor emergency housing for two to eight weeks. If they have made progress and have been working to help themselves, they will move into transitional housing on the second floor which features private family rooms. The women pay rent, maintain the condition of their family room, and enroll in an educational or employment program. After living in transitional housing for two to 18 months, the women move into their own apartments in public housing, Daily said. Last year, the emergency shelter section of PEC provided temporary housing for 68 women, teen and children per night, according to PEC's annual report. The transitional housing served 581 individuals, which included 304 children. Besides providing housing, PEC served 74,000 meals to shelter residents while an additional 12,000 meals were served to other homeless and hungry individuals. · The center manages all these services despite receiving only $10.50 from the city to shelter and feed each resident for a day. "There is a real hardship in the type of services that are able to be provided because all of the government services are very stressed," Daily said. But PEC, as a private agency, does not exclusively depend on public funding, and works to build a funding base of corporations and individuals. PEC has a paid administrative staff of 33 which includes the seven on-site case managers. Case managers work with their clients and help them to form and implement realistic goals. This service was utilized by 185 women and teens last year. The case managers also work with a number of dependent teens, those minors whose legal guardian is the Department of Human Services. Twice each week, a teacher comes to the PEC from another shelter to teach GED, or high school equivlency, classes. After living at the center, teens can move into supervised independent living situations, job corps or even group homes. Several University students can be counted among the over 100 volunteers who work at the PEC each week, according to Lorraine Latham, PEC's volunteer coordinator. Lisa deMello, a second year Social Work graduate student, works at the center 24 hours each week as part of her practicum. She said that she seeks to dispel "myths" about homeless people, such as those which attribute their status to laziness. "There are many factors that can lead to homelessness, such as substance abuse and domestic violence," deMello said. Colleen McCauley, a Nursing senior, choose to volunteer at the PEC for her clinical, a program required by the Nursing School. To McCauley, though, this experience has provided more than just a connection between academia and the real world. "It's a great education in itself just learning some of these women's life histories," McCauley said. "PEC has been very receptive towards using new energy."
(11/01/90 10:00am)
The usual quiet of students studying in the High Rise East rooftop lounge was replaced with children's laughter Friday during the Delta Upsilon fraternity Halloween Party. First graders from the Lea Elemetary School in West Philadelphia, dressed in costumes of their favorite superheroes, were treated to an afternoon of cartoons, games and coloring. DU philanthrophy chairperson Rod Chin, a College junior, said this is the second year that DU has hosted a fall party for first graders. The idea originated last year when several DU brothers visited the elementary school on Friday afternoons to play with the children. Instead of a bag of candy, each of the approximately 25 young students returned to their classroom with a pair of scissors and a box of crayons. Chin said that although the gifts might not impress University students, they will make a big difference to the elementary school students. In the past, the children had to tear paper when they did art projects, because their school did not have any scissors. First grade teacher Judy Holleander praised the fraternity for their patience and interest in the class. She said that many of the 25 students, some of whom are Asian and hispanic, do not understand English. DU brother David Pook, a College junior, said that he was pleased the fraternity could become involved with the community. "One of the reasons I joined DU was because they don't pay lip service to philanthrophy," Pook said. Approximately 25 brothers participated in the event and Chin said that the fraternity is looking forward to continuing their involvement with the elementary school.
(09/20/90 9:00am)
Since then, PCB has expanded beyond landlord-tenant disputes to advise students and community residents on a host of legal problems. Staffed completely by students and a lawyer adviser, PCB acts as an examiner and mediator on issues dealing with consumer complaints, landlord-tenant laws and other community issues. "We have dealt with merchant complaints, falsely advertised markdowns, scams, and occasionally mail fraud," said College senior Sarah Schwenzfeier, PCB's director. Complaints that deal with illegal acts, such as mail fraud, are usually turned over to the Philadelphia Police, the Pennsylvania Bureau of Consumer Affairs or the post office. PCB is staffed by 14 administrative work-study students and 20 case-worker volunteers, who are trained to handle a variety of issues. Richard Lau, a College junior and assistant director of PCB, said that the group teaches all case workers basic landlord-tenant law, contract law, and techniques of handling cases. New volunteers are paired with returning workers for their first few cases. When a case involves legal issues, PCB workers refer to the state bar association for information. "We never want to say we can't help someone but we are not lawyers," Schwenzfeier said. "If it is not an issue we can deal with, we'll get the information or the name of a person who can help to them." Schwenzfeier said that PCB has a good relationship with city legal offices, which has helped the student group deal with the community. "We have a good reputation in the area so we find that most landlords are willing to talk to us," she said. Although 65 percent of the cases are student-related -- most of them landlord disputes -- many come from the surrounding community's residents. Each caseworker follows the case to its conclusion and each completed case is then reviewed by Lau or Schwenzfeier. PCB also conducts a Landlord-Tenant Survey comparing different off-campus living areas and landlords. The survey, which is published every other year, will be one of PCB's main projects this year. PCB has handled over 11,500 cases to date, and will see another 400 this year.
(09/20/90 9:00am)
The Underground Cafe, the popular student coffeehouse in High Rise North's basement, will reopen tonight. Opened in January in response to student demands for a campus hangout, the cafe features a wide-screen television, video games and a pool table in addition to live entertainment and casual conversation. Yenni Chen, the student manager of the coffeehouse, said new plans for this year include extended hours after fall football games, expansion of the gourmet pastry selection, and more live entertainment. "We were thinking about theme nights or open mike nights, but it all depends on what the students want to do," Chen said. In fact, student desires seem to play a big role in the functioning of the cafe. Operated by PSA -- a student-run organization that provides services including newspaper delivery, linen service and catering -- the cafe is run solely by, and for, students. "Our intentions aren't to make money but to give a place to the students for them to go hang out at," Chen said. The coffeehouse's menu includes gourmet coffees, teas, pastries, and cakes. Live student bands and other campus groups perform in the cafe, which is located in the High Rise North basement. The cafe broke even last year, surpassing initial expectations. "We were just trying to keep it open," Chen said. Lisa Cohn, assistant manager in charge of entertainment, said she enjoys working at the coffeehouse because the atmosphere is relaxed. "It's not going to be like Expresso Bongo, where people come in in black," Cohn said. During the school year it will be open from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. Sundays through Thursdays, and from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. Friday and Saturday.
