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(04/26/95 9:00am)
And Tammy Polonsky A third University employee came forward to accuse housekeeping manager Paul Ross of sexual harassment last night. Housekeeper Tyrone Best, who works in the Dental School, said Ross has verbally abused him, calling him "handsome" on several different occasions. He also described an incident in which Ross made derogatory statements about Best's mother. According to Best, this harassment has been going on for almost a year. Ross refused to comment last night. Two Physical Plant employees, who asked to be referred to as "Spencer" and "Pita" to protect their identities and jobs, made similar allegations earlier this week. Both workers accused Ross of verbally and sexually harassing them. They also said the University has not responded to their complaints. Pita said last night that she was "shocked" to learn that another employee has claimed to have experienced the same treatment from Ross. "I just feel sorry for people who have the problem with Paul [Ross] -- I know what they're going through and it shouldn't happen to anybody," she said. "It shows there really is a problem with Paul Ross." Best said he was accused of pushing Ross on March 23. Best said he was told that the act was caught on surveillance cameras, and was suspended without pay for more than one week. But Best denied ever pushing Ross, adding that he has yet to see a tape of the alleged incident and that nobody has come forward to back up Ross' claims. He added that University officials never gave him the opportunity to present his side of the story. "It was just his word and my word and I am the one that suffered and my family still suffers," Best said. "They took food out of my baby's mouth." Best said he attempted to ignore Ross' actions and words, adding that he was trying to "keep a low profile." "I am just a working person trying to earn a living," he said. "I ignored it, but since he does hold a certain position, he ought to know better. "We come here to work, not to be abused," Best added. He said he has chosen not to file charges or attempt to change buildings. Both Pita and Spencer filed grievances with the Department of Human Resources and the Department of Affirmative Action, along with their Teamsters Union Local 115. When Spencer complained to Affirmative Action officials, they were able to transfer him to another building, away from Ross' jurisdiction. But Best said he "should not have to leave," adding that the University should take action on the situation immediately. "[Ross] just can't keep getting away with it," he said. "I'd like to see these situations addressed through the proper channels."
(04/25/95 9:00am)
"PAN" spoke out yesterday, this time using computer paper instead of elevator walls. In a typed letter addressed to the residents of High Rise South and posted in the building's elevators, the vandal admitted to having scrawled "PAN" on every elevator in the dormitory. But he or she denied having anything to do with the "Fuck niggers" graffiti found in an HRS elevator Saturday night by first-year Social Work student Penny Alexander. And the vandal repeatedly noted that the signature "PAN" does not stand for "Penn Against Niggers," as High Rise South desk workers and security guards said it did. "PAN was originally meant to stand for 'Peter Pan,' the boy who refused to grow up," the letter stated. "I would like to sincerely apologize to anyone who has been hurt or frightened by the word PAN. "I never intended, and am indeed horrified by this mess," the vandal said. According to the letter, when the the original PAN vandal learned the signature was being "misinterpreted," he or she wrote "PAN loves everyone" all over the walls "to avoid confusion." The vandal said another person has now attributed "sick and racist" comments to the signature. "One person out there, not an entire organization, is playing off of our fears and is doing it through a word whose weight I never considered and whose sad interpretation I never imagined," the original vandal's letter said. But students who saw the letter did not necessarily believe this PAN's statements. College sophomore and Daily Pennsylvanian columnist Jamil Smith tore down three flyers he found in the same elevator yesterday. "I was one of the students who received calls in [W.E.B.] DuBois College House in October of 1993 and the person who called me on the phone said he was part of Penn Against Niggers," Smith said. "The flyers are a cheap attempt to win over the students who probably don't know any better." And Alexander said no matter what the vandal's intent, University policies were still broken. "What happened afterward is a symptom of a larger problem on this campus," she said. "There's a lot of racial tension and hopefully a dialogue can happen." And Alexander said whether PAN's statement was true is not an issue. "It doesn't matter whether I believe him or not," she added. "He defaced University property." Residential Living Director Gigi Simeone said University Police are still investigating the entire situation and "will determine what's going on." Simeone and Acting Vice Provost for University Life Valarie Swain-Cade McCoullum will host an open meeting today at 6:30 p.m. in the upper lobby of High Rise South. Director of Victim Support Maureen Rush will also be in attendance. Simeone said she hoped students would come together to talk about the vandalism, and the racist graffiti found this weekend.
(04/25/95 9:00am)
Two University employees have accused their supervisor of sexual and verbal harassment -- and now they say the University has not responded to their complaints. Both Physical Plant housekeepers -- who have requested that they be referred to as "Spencer" and "Pita" in order to protect their identities and their jobs-- described incidents in vivid detail implicating their housekeeping manager, Paul Ross, in various examples of harassment. Ross refused to comment on any of the accusations made against him. Spencer, who began working for Ross in late August, said his problems began almost immediately. "Paul seems to single out people," Spencer said. He said the first hint of trouble came in September, when Ross made sexual remarks about Spencer's wife. "He said 'All I have to do is stick my 12-inch tongue down your wife's throat and she would never come home,' " Spencer said. "Paul doesn't have the right to degrade my wife in front of total strangers." Spencer added that Ross once came up behind him while he was cleaning and breathed on his neck, in a possible homosexual advance. Both Spencer and Pita complained that Ross would come up behind them without saying anything and stare at them intently until they turned around. "Especially when you're the opposite sex of the supervisor and you're in the bathroom, they're supposed to announce that they're coming in," Pita said. "He didn't." Pita said there have been several times when she would be bending down, cleaning a bathroom stall, and Ross would come up behind her and stand there until she turned around, only to find him staring at her. In addition, Pita said she has been the victim of verbal sexual harassment. Pita said Ross commented on the size of her breasts, saying that it was inappropriate for her to wear her housekeeping jacket open, despite the T-shirt she wore underneath. "He would tell me to button up my uniform and I asked him why once," she said. "He goes 'well, you could hurt somebody by looking like that' --Eand I got really upset." Pita also said she suspects Ross once stole money from her wallet when it was in her locker. And Spencer and Pita said these are only a few examples of what has become an on-going problem with Ross. Pita and Spencer went to their Teamsters Union Local 115 in February with grievances regarding Ross' behavior. "Nothing happened," Spencer said. "I was anxious to know why it is still being investigated [since] they interviewed everybody -- I wondered 'what more do they need?' " But the union's business agent, Ernie Harris, said the union is investigating the grievances but has no jurisdiction over Physical Plant management. He also said the investigation process takes time although it "usually gets done." With the help of their union shop stewards, Pita and Spencer also went to the University's Division of Human Resources and the Office of Affirmative Action. They said Human Resources has not responded to their complaints, although Affirmative Action officials were able to transfer Spencer to a different building in January. Representatives from both departments refused to comment on the allegations against Ross. They also would not confirm or deny that complaints had been filed. "The process takes time and it depends on a particular case," said Jeanne Howley, a University labor relations specialist. "The University takes any charge very seriously." Spencer said he fears that Ross is mentally unstable and could do something worse to those still working under him. And Pita, who still works for Ross, said she is "petrified," adding that the rape alarms on her floor do not work. "I dread coming to work because I never know what he's going to do next," she said. "Something should be done with him." Although Physical Plant Director James Wargo had not been notified about Spencer and Pita's situations, he said he would only have heard of them if the cases could not be worked out on a lower level. Wargo said a supervisor who harasses his employees faces a variety of punitive measures. "It could happen that the supervisor involved would have to apologize, they could be hurt financially, disciplined, given time off, up to and including discharge," he said. And Rick Buckley, building supervisor for the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, said he thought Ross should be fired if the charges are proven true. "He's supposed to show an example by being a manager," Buckley added. Spencer formerly worked the day shift for Buckley before personal matters forced him to switch to the night shift --Eand to the building where Ross works. He said he is much more relieved and relaxed now that he works in another campus building, far away from Ross. But Pita said she did not want to leave her current station, despite Ross' continual presence, because she "didn't do anything wrong." "And I am not going to quit because of some jerk," she said. Wargo said determining harassment is difficult because employees sometimes complain when a supervisor is "only making them do the work." Spencer's supervisors and those employed in the Towne Building where he formerly worked praised him. "He was the best worker and best housekeeper I ever saw," Buckley said. And Shelley Brown, assistant to the graduate chairperson of Systems Engineering, said Spencer did work beyond what his position required and was always honest, friendly and up-front.
(04/25/95 9:00am)
A labyrinth of multicolored pipes snakes deep within the new parking garage at 38th and Walnut streets. The pipes are part of a chilled water plant, perhaps the least known part of the new parking garage. Some might even argue that the plant does more for the University than the garage itself, or the spaces that will soon house stores such as Thrift Drug and Campus Copy Center. The plant was built to conserve energy and save money, centralizing the system by which University facilities are air conditioned, Physical Plant Director James Wargo said. The total cost of the plant has come to $24 million, but Wargo said it is a cost-effective and advantageous addition to the University. Although Wargo said it still has some "kinks," he added that the plant is working -- and within another month should be fully operational. Three of the chillers in the system are designed for chilled water and three for the ice system located in the back of the plant. The large, complex plant is made up of blue, gray and green pipes, color-coded to indicate their role in the air conditioning process. The green pipes hold condensed water while the blue ones carry chilled water, Wargo said. Glycol, an antifreeze, runs through the gray pipes. A 10-ton crane and a large empty area for trucks to pull in allow maintenance workers to keep the chiller plant working properly. When the plant is functioning as planned, it takes city water into its pipes, treats and filters it, and then sends it through compressors which cool the water. The water is then pumped through lines running under the streets to bring air conditioning into the buildings. Juan Suarez, associate director of utilities and engineering, said the plant holds 14,000 tons of water. That water leaves the plant at approximately 45 degrees after coming in at around 60 degrees, Suarez added. The heat is transmitted into the atmosphere through a cooling tower attached to the plant. Ice produced during the process is stored in two large vats, and although ice is not being produced right now, a test of the ice-making system showed positive results, Wargo said. But Wargo added that the ice production will not be deemed completely successful until his department can test it on a "design day" -- a day in which weather conditions call for 95 degrees Fahrenheit and a 78-80 percent humidity factor. "We have to be able to design it to take care of that situation but we've checked everything we could," Wargo said. Suarez said the plant is one of the most automated in the world, noting that computers run the entire system. Although the plant is run electronically, maintenance employees trained to understand the system can use the computers to change any part of the plant's operations.
(04/24/95 9:00am)
Residential Living touts the faculty-in-residence program as an integral part of the freshman experience. But some freshman have never heard of the program, much less interacted with the faculty member living in their residence. In fact, some students said they could not name their faculty-in-residence. "I don't get anything out of it because I don't know who that person is," said Engineering freshman Dan Saval, a resident of the Class of '28 building in the Quad. And College freshman William Elliot, who lives in Rodney, a building in the Spruce Street House section of the Quad, said he wished his faculty-in-residence attended floor meetings, beginning in September. "There was nothing to begin with," Elliot said. "I don't know mine and I don't know anybody who has had any interaction with theirs either." Philosophy Professor Scott Weinstein -- the faculty member living in Spruce Street House this year -- was unavailable for comment. But other faculty members who participate in the program said they attempt to develop strong contact with the students. "We make it abundantly evident that we're available," Sociology Professor Ivar Berg said. Berg, who serves as the faculty-in-residence for the Butcher-Speakman-Class of '28 section of the Quadrangle, actually lives in McKean, which is located at the uppermost part of Quad. But Berg said the physical distance does not detract from the relationship he establishes with the students. "People will even bounce up when I'm walking the dog," he said, adding that he teaches a seminar in his apartment that is open to Quad and non-Quad residents alike. Seven of the 11 students in the class are Quad residents, but none are from BS'28, Berg said. Berg has also invited students to his apartment for meals or study breaks and has brought in guest speakers. Regional Science Professor Stephen Gale said a major problem with the faculty-in-residence program has nothing to do with the faculty themselves. "We don't know what we are supposed to be doing," Gale said. "We are all waiting for a stronger sense of direction, but more importantly than that, a philosophy which is going to carry this entire program for a number of years." Residential Living Director Gigi Simeone said faculty choose to participate in the program because they want to have more interaction with undergraduates. Faculty members participating in the program also receive free housing. Simeone added that the future of the program will be addressed by the Provost's Council on Undergraduate Education. Despite the lack of official guidelines, Simeone said professors do develop their own methods of interacting with students. "I think that students really benefit from the opportunity to informally interact with the faculty," she said. "Students who don't take advantage of the opportunity to interact with faculty are really missing out." The involvement of non-tenured faculty in the program is another concern, Kings Court's faculty-in-residence Jorge Santiago-Aviles said. "This is not perceived by most of the faculty as much of a scholarly activity, so it might hurt non-tenured faculty," the electrical engineering professor said, adding that he disagrees with this theory. Students also suggested that the program be more structured. "There could be better lines of communication," Wharton and Engineering freshman Reshma Sohoni said. And College freshman Vanita Proothi, who lives in Brooks, a building in the Upper Quad, suggested scheduling dinners, lunches or meetings with the faculty members on a regular basis. Those students who did know their faculty-in-residence were often part of a College House or special program, such as the Humanities program in King's Court/English House. Wharton freshman You-Mi Lee said the group of students came together for meetings, events and trips which faculty members also attended. College freshman Dan Hall, a resident of Hill House, said the college house's faculty helped to organize events, signed letters and made themselves known.
(04/20/95 9:00am)
In an ironic twist, Historic Preservation and Urban Studies Lecturer George Thomas -- who will receive one of the most prestigious University teaching awards today -- will not be able to teach one of the courses for which he has been praised next semester because of "budget cuts," according to Historic Preservation chairperson and Architecture Professor David DeLong. He added that the course, Philadelphia Architecture, is usually offered on an alternate year basis and should be taught next year, but that "budget planning and curriculum needs" led to the decision not to offer the course next fall. DeLong's action has sparked student outrage. "To see him being treated as a budget cut is not only an outrage to those who value teaching, but it's also a slap in the face to the distinguished award which is being bestowed upon him," College senior Jeremy Chiappetta said. Thomas, a renowned Philadelphia historian, is the sole recipient of this year's Provost's Award for Distinguished Teaching, which honors part-time teachers. Along with the prize, Thomas will be inducted into the Lindback Society, which supports teaching throughout the University. "I was struck by the timing," Thomas said about the juxtaposition of the two events. DeLong said that the decision was made in part because Thomas is not a standing professor and therefore does not receive first priority when course offerings are decided. "The University is obligated to make sure its standing faculty is fully engaged," DeLong said. "Then one can turn to people who are critical to the University like lecturers and adjuncts." According to DeLong, the professor's popularity was not a factor in the the decision, which he added is not final. DeLong said the course should be offered during the 1996-1997 school year. Graduate School of Fine Arts Dean Malcolm Campbell said the decision to cut the class was made before the recipients of the Lindback and Provost's Awards were announced. And Campbell said the decision to cut Thomas' Historic Preservation class was made entirely by DeLong. DeLong said, however, that the cut was "based on consultation with other members of my graduate group." Both DeLong and Campbell praised Thomas' teaching and said the decision to cut the Historic Preservation course had nothing to do with Thomas' teaching abilities. "I think he's one of the brightest, most imaginative teachers of architectural history in the Philadelphia area," DeLong said. "My intention is to keep him involved in the program for as long as I have any say." Thomas said last night he was disappointed his course would not be offered next semester. "Given the loss of American Civilization as a program in the University and given the steady decline in courses that are based on the city, I think we're missing an excellent subject that has led the way in the development of the contemporary world," he said. Many of Thomas' former students expressed concern over the decision. College senior Jase Feinstein said the decision was "reprehensible." "I would question why the budget cuts affected a man who is hours away from receiving his award for excellence in teaching," he said. "The award only reinforces the severity of the mistake they are making. "It's a sign that perhaps the University really is more about politics than it is about teaching," Feinstein added. Thomas said he would continue to work with graduate students on independent study projects and theses. Thomas has focused much of his research on architect Frank Furness and worked on the restoration of the Furness building, which houses the Fisher Fine Arts Library.
(04/19/95 9:00am)
Wharton and Engineering senior Matt Kratter is off the hook -- at least for now. University officials said last night they decided not to take disciplinary action against Kratter, despite the possibility that he violated University policies when he deleted newsgroup messages posted by three students and one University employee without their permission. Kratter apologized for his actions yesterday morning. But Kratter's ENIAC account was deactivated at 12:30 a.m. yesterday for unspecified reasons. According to Ira Winston, director of computing for the School of Engineering and Applied Science, the account's deactivation was completely unrelated to Kratter's newsgroup article deletions. "There are several reasons why we might deactivate accounts -- for instance, if we suspect someone may have had access to the account or if the person did something wrong," Winston said, adding that the shut-down is temporary, pending a discussion with Kratter. But Winston said Kratter's apology provided enough reason to not take any disciplinary action against him. "I think the apology note he sent indicates he understands he made a mistake," Winston said. The deleted posts were part of a "flame war" on upenn.talk about the U.S. Navy and the Eisenhower -- the first U.S. aircraft carrier to include both men and women -- on which 15 women allegedly became pregnant. Students reacted to the University's response with mixed opinions last night. "The Engineering School's integrity is on the line on this one," said College junior Thor Halvorssen, who was involved in the flame war with Kratter and had postings deleted. "This is not a matter of Thor versus Matt -- this is a matter of serious violations of University policy." Halvorssen said he wishes the University would take action against Kratter, but refused to comment on whether he was going to press charges against him. But Engineering junior and Internet expert Meng Weng Wong said he agreed with the University's decision not to take action. "I am sure he realized what he did was wrong and he won't do it again," Wong said. "If he were not repentant, which I believe he is, then perhaps students would file charges and open expression guidelines should be called in." Wong said the ability to delete posts and forge cancellations indicates a larger problem the University must confront. "Now that people know it can be done, people will be forging posts," Wong added. "And that will be annoying." One solution to the forgings involves changing the methods of posting, he said. "They turned off posting from residential labs, but that doesn't quite solve it completely," Wong said. "They should have required authentication where you'd have to type in your network ID and password to post." Originally Kratter, the past chairperson of the Student Committee on Undergraduate Education, denied deleting the articles. Kratter was unavailable for comment last night.
(04/18/95 9:00am)
The University is continuing with plans to develop and build the Institute of Advanced Science and Technology, despite concerns from students and alumni who feel numerous campus buildings are at risk. Although plans only call for the destruction of Smith Hall, some feel that other buildings -- including ones with historical value -- could be affected. But according to Vice Provost for Research Barry Cooperman, such concerns are unfounded. Some students have also suggested that the historical and environmental problems involved with the construction of the IAST may be more serious than administrators have admitted. The Environmental Impact Statement released last month advocates the destruction of Smith Hall to make room for the IAST, a project that has been discussed by the University and the U.S. Air Force for over four years. But 1993 College graduate Jonathan Goldstein said because no blueprints have been released for the renovation of the Music and Morgan buildings, as well as Hayden Hall, they could be adversely affected by the move. In the long run, Goldstein added, those buildings could be demolished as well. Cooperman denied this claim, saying the "only building scheduled for demolition is Smith Hall." But according to Goldstein, even if Smith Hall is the only building destroyed, the entire campus area is still affected. "If you destroy Smith, you are changing everything," Goldstein said, adding that other buildings, such as Irvine Auditorium, the Fisher Fine Arts Library, College Hall and Meyerson Hall, would be "encroached on" by tearing down Smith Hall. "My concern is that once again the University is running roughshod over its historic heritage," he said. "You don't go blowing up a bunch of old buildings because you need the space." Other students voiced similar sentiments, saying that the University's distinctive architectural style would not be preserved with the IAST's construction. "The new administration, in its plans for reforming undergraduate education, has been touting the institutional distinctiveness of Penn," College senior John Leibovitz said. "I think it would be a shame to ignore the architectural distinctiveness of Penn by going through with that plan." Cooperman said only the Morgan and Music buildings, along with Hayden Hall, are slated for renovations. And even with these changes to Smith Walk, the area will maintain its historical integrity, he added. "Every attempt is going to be made to preserve the area," he said. "Building a new building does change things but we will make the new building harmonize with what's there." Cooperman said the IAST construction will create a juxtaposition of new styles with old. "A new building today will one day become an old building," he said. "It'll be an example of late-20th century architecture." Another concern involves the new building's focus on research which may create even more hazardous waste, Goldstein said. But Cooperman said the IAST will house activities and research similar to those done in the other science buildings on campus. And he added that the University has a system to ensure proper waste removal. Goldstein and Leibovitz both said they wished the administrators involved in the decision had looked more carefully into other possible IAST sites, such as the parking lot of the Laboratory for Research on the Structure of Matter located at 33rd and Walnut Streets. In addition, Goldstein said the parking lot at 36th and Walnut streets -- the former Revlon Center site -- provides another option worth considering. But Cooperman said such alternatives were discussed thoroughly and abandoned for a variety of reasons.
(04/13/95 9:00am)
The University is negotiating with Bucks County Coffee House to develop another cafe at 40th and Locust streets, University Real Estate Director Chris Mason said. Although plans are not final, representatives from Bucks County Coffee House said they hope to move into the vacant location next to University City Nautilus by next September. "We hope it comes together," Roger Owen, the coffee shop's owner, said. According to the cafe's regional manager Susan Hesler, the new location is approximately three times the size of the current Bucks County Coffee House on campus, located on Sansom Street. Officials from the coffee shop are also planning to bring entertainment to the new location, which will have a built-in stage for performers. Currently, one or two musicians perform each Wednesday night at the Sansom Street location, Hesler said. But, she said, the new shop could feature entertainment up to five nights a week. She added that she was not concerned about the abundance of coffee houses in the University area and thinks the new location will serve students living in the high rises and off-campus. Currently, Chats, in the Class of 1920 Commons, sells a variety of coffees amongst its other products and Chimes Cafe -- located at 40th and Pine streets -- also sells coffee and pastries. And another cafe, Tuscany Premium Coffee, is expected to open in the site of the former Lodge clothing store at 34th and Walnut streets later this spring. "Our advantage is that we roast our own coffee," Hesler said. "Having other people around us educates them as to what gourmet coffee is." Recently, Roost Pizza and Stuff at 40th and Locust streets and Galaxy Entertainment at 39th and Walnut streets both closed. And Mason has said the University finds it difficult to bring new businesses into locations near 40th Street because the area is often perceived to be crime-ridden. But Hesler said she is not worried about security. "We've been in 30th Street Station for almost three years -- you can't get much worse than that," she said. The new location, Hesler said, would increase the number of students who know about and patronize the coffee house. "I think there are people at Penn who don't know we're here [on Sansom Street]," she added. "I'm really looking forward to this." Owen said he is awaiting the completion of negotiations in order to go ahead with plans for summer construction and renovation of the location.
(04/11/95 9:00am)
College sophomore Jason Fulton scheduled his classes to begin at noon throughout the week so he could enjoy sleeping the morning away. Yesterday, however, the pounding vibrations of jackhammers and drills startled the High Rise North resident out of his slumber at 7 a.m. when the Danella Construction Corporation began a project expected to last at least 10 working days. Bell Atlantic contracted the construction company to replace conduits and lay new cables on 39th Street between Walnut and Spruce streets. And according to Danella foreman Nick Tenaglia, his company's standard working hours -- from 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday -- will not change despite Superblock residents' schedules. "They will be waking up early this week," Tenaglia said. "But it is for progress -- any growth in communication would affect you positively." The cables that run down 39th Street have deteriorated since they were put in during the 1920s, according to Ceil Trusello, Bell Atlantic's assistant manager for Outside Facilities and Engineering. And Trusello added that the construction now taking place will allow for "better service." "We do apologize for any inconvenience," she said. "But this is so we don't have any out of service problems -- and we've had a few problems in the last year or so." Although Tenaglia said he hoped to complete the construction within 10 days, he added that it could take longer than that. "You don't know what you're going to encounter," he said. "We could run into some ancient Indian artifact and could be out here forever." But no matter how long the project lasts, students said they are unhappy with their less than melodious wake-up call. "I was pretty pissed," Fulton said. "It looks like the next 10 days are going to be pretty miserable." He added that he wished the companies involved had waited until the students had completed finals and left Superblock. "They waited 70 years, they could wait another three weeks," he said. "Why couldn't they wait for the summer to do this?" Others said they just wished Danella Construction would change its work hours. "They should tell these people not to start working until nine or something," Engineering senior Jose Molina-Paez said. "They have to do it at another time." Molina, who lives in High Rise East, said if he wakes up because of the noise today, he plans to call Residential Living to complain. Gordon Rickards, Residential Living assistant director for safety, security and facilities, said Residential Living did not know about the planned construction until the department's employees came to work yesterday. "We have a definite problem with their start time," he said, adding that Residential Living has received numerous complaints from students about the noise. Rickards added that he plans to talk with University officials and others dealing with the project to see if the construction's timing can be changed.
(04/10/95 9:00am)
Vandals struck all four High Rise South elevators two days in a row last week -- and administrators have no leads on who might be responsible. The vandal or vandals have left behind only one possible clue, signing the messages scrawled across the inside and doors of the elevators "Pan." Residential Maintenance only employs two painters and the department has had difficulty covering up the vandalism. In addition, because the vandals used what appeared to be marker, covering the graffiti Thursday required several coats of paint, according to Jeffrey Rusling, assistant director of Residential Maintenance. Maintenance employees -- who knew about the situation at 10 a.m. -- did not complete the job until 3:30 p.m., Rusling added. "We can't be in all four elevators round the clock trying to prevent it," Residential Living Director Gigi Simeone explained. Gordon Rickards, assistant director for residential safety, security and facilities, said he has not seen such extensive vandalism in "many years." And according to Residential Maintenance Director Lynn Horner, her department has spent approximately $8,300 repairing vandalism this semester. That cost, however, is not unusually high, Horner added. "What has happened is different than other years," she said. "It's very difficult to know why certain kinds of vandalism occur at a certain time." Rusling said the vandalism has been especially bad this year. "It would be unusual if it didn't happen during the week -- that would be a good week," Rusling said. Horner also released information on the numbers and types of incidents that occurred since January -- and they run the gamut from clogged drains to smashed hall lights. This semester alone, vandals destroyed 87 hall and exit lights and 23 toilet paper dispensers. In addition, Residential Maintenance has received reports of 13 instances involving elevator graffiti, 15 purposely clogged bathroom drains, four vandalism reports involving fire doors and five pulled fire alarms, according to Horner. Residential Living is considering offering a reward as added incentive for those who have information about the crimes to come forward, Simeone said.
(04/07/95 9:00am)
Galaxy Entertainment, an arcade located in the 3900 block of Walnut Street, and Roost Pizza and Stuff, in the 200 block of South 40th Street, both closed this week, Associate University Treasurer Chris Mason said. The two establishments join a list of recently closed businesses around campus, including Perfect Pretzel and The Lodge, both located in The Shops at Penn at 34th and Walnut streets. Last semester, both on-campus movie theaters closed. Although the Walnut Street theater, formerly an AMC operation, has since been leased, the former Eric 3 site on 40th Street remains vacant. In addition, two of the retail spaces available in the newly-opened parking garage at 38th and Walnut streets are still not filled, Mason said. The University is "slightly concerned" about the properties that remain vacant throughout campus, he added. But Vice President of Business Services Steve Murray said the rate of closings and openings is not unusual. "You do end up with businesses opening and closing all the time," he said. "It's a natural evolution -- small businesses tend to come and go." According to Mason, the stores that close on 40th Street create vacancies that the University has more difficulty filling. "It's perception more than anything else that makes it tougher," he added. "But we have no real problem filling stores on campus." Mason could not specify how much money the University loses when it is no longer renting out certain properties on campus. "We're not losing a lot of money and we can handle a vacant store here and there," he said. "But you don't have the revenue coming in." Despite the problems caused by closed stores, shops and restaurants, Mason said he receives phone calls weekly from those who have a "strong interest" in doing business on campus. And Murray said he "wouldn't read a whole lot into [the closings]." Stressing that the arcade does not cater to a "college crowd," Mason said he is not particularly upset that Galaxy Entertainment is closing. He said the University conducts marketing surveys every few years to determine what types of businesses the University community brings in and needs. Marty's Dollar Worth, a variety store, was located on 40th Street two years ago. Ever since it closed, Mason said, the University has attempted unsuccessfully to bring another variety store to campus. He added that he is "a little bit surprised" that at the University, the highest rate of turnover occurs in food-related businesses.
(04/07/95 9:00am)
Runner-up Beverly to serve as body's vice-chairperson and Mike Madden The Undergraduate Assembly elected College junior Lance Rogers UA chairperson last night after nearly two hours of speeches and a question-and-answer session. Rogers defeated Wharton junior Gil Beverly and College junior Eric Tienou. Beverly later won the vice-chairperson election over four other candidates. Beverly and Rogers garnered the most votes in their respective schools during last week's UA elections. The UA also elected College freshman Steve Schorr, a Daily Pennsylvanian sports writer, as its treasurer. Nursing sophomore Lisa Aspinwall will serve as the next UA secretary. College freshman Tal Golomb will represent the UA on the University Council Steering Committee, along with Rogers. Candidates focused on methods of improving the UA and the body's relationship with the other branches of student government. After Tienou was eliminated in the first vote for chairperson, a run-off election resulted in Rogers' victory. Speeches and questioning focused mostly on what direction the UA should take and how problems previously experienced by the body could be solved. The three candidates agreed on many issues, often adding to each other's responses rather than opposing one another's views. College senior Liz Melendez, former United Minorities Council chairperson, criticized Rogers for not properly representing Six Directions -- the University's Native American organization -- at UMC meetings. Rogers attributed the difficulties to the few meetings Six Directions had. Six Directions was recently placed on probation by the UMC due to a lack of attendance at UMC meetings. But this controversy did not appear to faze UA members. The UA questioned Beverly about his lack of experience, since this is his first UA term. Rogers said he hopes to address problems specific students are having -- such as those involving Residential Living or with certain professors. "I am in shock right now," Rogers said immediately following the election."I'd like to encourage all students to keep their minds open with the next UA -- they're going to see a lot of changes." UA members said they hoped Rogers would lead the body well. "I am confident Lance will do what we need him to do," UA member and Wharton freshman Charles Margosian said. But former UA Chairperson Dan Debicella voiced strong opposition to the UA's choice. "The UA has just elected Forrest Gump as chair," the Wharton junior said. "And the UA has unknowingly elected [College junior and Daily Pennsylvanian columnist] Mike Nadel as chair because Lance is just going to be a puppet for Mike's interests." But Nadel said Debicella represented "exactly the kind of politics that's come to an end tonight." "This can really mark a new beginning," Nadel said. "I am nobody's puppet master." Debicella broke a long-standing UA tradition by leaving the meeting immediately after Rogers' election. Previously, the former UA chairperson had thrown a gavel to his successor -- who would routinely fail to catch it. Beverly defeated Wharton freshman Hester Wong, College freshman Larry Kamin, College sophomore Laurie Moldawer and College junior Christian Hensley in the race for vice-chairperson. Beverly said he advocates the development of a "publicity arm," but did not want to provide specifics on UA reorganization believing the body itself should make those decisions. "We need to restore the reputation of the UA to a point where if people don't like us a lot, at least they don't hate us," he said. Schorr, a member of the Student Activities Council Finance Committee, triumphed over Wong and Wharton freshman Alan Danzig in the treasurer's race. Engineering freshman Alex Malek, Golomb, Hensley and Moldawer vied for the UC steering representative position. Aspinwall ran unopposed or secretary. The meeting was televised live from the UTV-13 studios.
(04/05/95 9:00am)
A fire that broke out in a Quadrangle laundry room last week has led students and administrators to take a closer look at other problems plaguing the washing machines and dryers throughout campus. Residential Living is planning to discuss the situation with Higene Laundry Company, the company responsible for servicing all residential laundry facilities. According to Diana Koros, assistant dean in residence for Community House, last week's fire in the Magee section of the Quad started when a student put money into the dryer's coin slot and pushed the slot into the machine, causing a spark that ignited a small fire. Students put out the fire with an extinguisher, Koros said. "The Fire Department indicated that there was too much lint in the dryers," she said. Earlier this semester, burnt lint was found behind the dryer. No one came forward to report or take responsibility for the incident, Koros said. "If I had thought it was the mechanical workings, I would have closed them," she said. Higene General Manager John Christian said the fire was caused by a short in the electrical plug, noting that the University is responsible for all utilities, including electricity, water, sewer and gas. These two incidents are more serious examples of what students say is a general problem with the University's laundry facilities. Many complained that washers and dryers do not always work properly -- if at all. Wharton freshman Mike Novoseller, who lives in King's Court/English House, said he needed three washer cycles and four dryer cycles to finish two small loads of laundry. "The machines I used were defective -- and there were no signs," he said. "We should breach the contract with Higene and stop ripping off Penn students." Despite claims that Higene is at fault, Christian said students sometimes overload the washer or dryer, thereby not allowing their clothes to tumble dry properly. "If they put 25 pounds of clothes in a machine meant for 16 pounds, the clothes will not wash or dry," he said. According to Christian, Higene employees do a "visual inspection" of each machine in each laundry room every 10 days. This does not, however, include activating the machines to check for mechanical problems. Christian added that despite reports of increased complaints, Higene has not received more calls than usual recently. But Residential Living Director Gigi Simeone disagreed, saying that there have been more complaints this year than in other years. In addition, students have complained that there are not sufficient washing machines and dryers in the residences.
(04/05/95 9:00am)
Emotions exploded as controversial rap artist Sister Souljah spoke about rap, racism and the First Amendment to a filled Stiteler Hall auditorium last night. Souljah confronted the topic of "Rap and Rights: The First Amendment and the Arts" during the panel discussion. Dressed in black, Souljah often incited applause and strong verbal reactions of support from the audience. "I would like to pull the sheets off," Souljah said, adding that she hoped audience members would express their true feelings and views. The issue of rap and freedom of speech revolves around race, Souljah said. "It's completely racial," she said. "African people are not considered human or part of the human family." Souljah -- who stressed her opposition to censorship -- said blacks could never have true freedom of speech because they did not have the power or forum to voice their opinions. "I'm free to express myself -- in my bathroom," she said. Other issues raised included education, responsibility and a comparison between rap and movies. Many focused on panelist Christopher Robbins, a College junior, in light of recent debate regarding his requests for Student Activities Council funding for The Red and Blue, the magazine he edits. Robbins said speech that incites a "clear and present danger" should not be protected under the First Amendment. He provided a leaflet, which Souljah denounced, with various examples of rap that might fit under that category. Organizations such as the National Endowment for the Arts should not be allowed to make funding decisions based on the content of an artist's work, Robbins added. Panelist Eric Perkins, assistant dean in residence for W.E.B. DuBois College House, discussed the importance of rap and hip-hop to blacks and talked about the double standards that exist when people condemn rap without considering other music. Associate Political Science Professor Will Harris, who also served on the panel, concentrated on constitutional issues, noting that speech involving "alternative imagination" -- including rap --Eis protected. The final panelist, Christopher Lake, focused on his editorial role at The Vision -- to guide its ideology without influencing it with his own opinion. The forum was sponsored by Residential Living's Office of First Year Programming.
(04/04/95 9:00am)
From graffiti in High Rise South elevators to fires in High Rise North stairwells, vandalism has become an increasingly common problem in University residences. And no matter how many times officials plead with the student body to stop the vandalism, it does not appear to decrease, much less stop. Vandalism costs the University approximately $2,000 a week, according to Residential Living Assistant Director for Residential Safety, Security and Facilities Gordon Rickards. That figure does not even include the time and labor of the maintenance employees making repairs --Ewhen they could be doing other work. "It's a terrible problem that the residences face," Residential Living Director Gigi Simeone said. "It wastes a tremendous amount of resources and a lot of money is spent that would go elsewhere." In the most recent incident of campus vandalism, a number of posters were burned in the stairwells of High Rise North last week. And Simeone said vandals have also destroyed safety equipment in the residences. "In one residence over one weekend recently, there were 34 acts of vandalism to hallway and exit lights," she wrote in a letter condemning the vandalism. These incidents are in no way isolated. High Rise South residents found graffiti in the building's elevators on several occasions two weeks ago. Maintenance workers continually attempted to paint over the graffiti, but the perpetrators then scratched names and words into the fresh paint. And in February, a vandal wrote a lengthy poem on the walls of a High Rise South stairwell, beginning between the rooftop lounge and the 24th floor and continuing until the landing between the 15th and 16th floors. Beginning last semester, students and residential advisors found feces piled or smeared in various women's bathrooms in the Community House section of the Quadrangle. Although administrators said they do not know if the acts of the so-called "Mad Shitter" constituted vandalism or a medical problem, no one ruled out the possibility of the former. Even more disturbing, last month, students found anti-gay graffiti chalked on several walls in the Quad. And last year, students found swastikas in Graduate Tower A and the Quad. Simeone said vandalism has been an on-going problem throughout her 16 years with Residential Living. She said the consequences of graffiti, destruction and other acts go beyond draining University resources and budgets. "It shows terrible disrespect for other students and is very demoralizing," she added. "Students need to be outraged by it -- they need to say 'cut it out.' " Simeone said a great deal of vandalism occurs during Spring Fling weekend, which will begin this year on April 21. Quadrangle lounges are now locked over Fling weekend because in the past, they have been "destroyed," she explained. Simeone attributed some of the Spring Fling problems to the multitude of guests who stay in the residences over the weekend. In fact, the majority of vandals do not live in the buildings where they commit the crimes, she said. But Simeone said she did not know how much of the vandalism has been caused by members of the University community and how much has been committed by guests or other outsiders. Those who are responsible for the vandalism could face a wide variety of penalties, depending on the specific circumstances.Residential probation is a "given," Simeone said. Often, students also pay for any repairs that may be required. In some situations, students are permanently denied access to the residence where the vandalism occurred. At other times, the University Police and Judicial Inquiry Officer may become involved.
(04/03/95 9:00am)
Students planning to walk to Hutchinson Gymnasium carrying towels, soap and shampoo each morning might as well stay in their own rooms. There will not be a water shutdown in High Rise South this week -- despite a letter supposedly sent out by Residential Living Saturday. Various students in the building received a memo under their doors Saturday announcing the shutdown beginning today at 10 a.m. and continuing through Thursday at 5 p.m. But residents who continued reading quickly understood it was an April Fool's joke. "To minimize the effect of the shutdown, both Gimbel and Hutch gyms will be open 24 hours a day, Monday through Wednesday," the letter said. "We strongly encourage you to use the showers in the gyms or make arrangements with your friends." Two College sophomores, who live on the 19th floor of High Rise South and requested anonymity, took responsibility for the prank last night. "We decided we had to do something," one roommate said. "We were thinking about how people were having problems with water and shutdowns and decided everybody was going to get pissed off by this. "A lot of people kind of did," the student added. After determining which typeface Residential Living usually uses in its official notices and copying the fake document at Kinko's, the two students delivered it to 10 of their friends' rooms. The student said some were fooled by the notice. "To those who got it -- we got you good," the sophomore said. Engineering sophomore Deniz Cultu said he received the memo -- laser-printed on plain, white paper -- Saturday afternoon. Although Cultu said it was obviously a joke because of the reference to the campus gyms, he added that he knew something was off-kilter because of how the prankster had distributed the letter. "Residential Living never gives it to you under the door," Cultu said. "It's usually posted by the elevators -- and it wasn't." The letter said the shutdown applied to rooms on the 12th floor and above. Cultu lives on the 19th floor. Engineering and Wharton sophomore Peter Daley, a resident of the 15th floor, said he knew the memo was a joke because "letters from [Director of Residential Living] Gigi Simeone usually have her signature." Daley, like many residents who received the letter, said he laughed at the April Fool's joke and never thought it could possibly be true. "I could just imagine people traipsing down to Gimbel," he said. "It never got to the point where we took it seriously." But College junior Sagar Phatak said he began reading it and screamed, "What?" "The initial reaction was definitely not pleasant," he added. "They've been doing work on the pipes so it kind of made sense." Phatak, who lives on the 15th floor, said by the time he finished reading the note, he knew he had been fooled. "It was amusing," he said, adding that Residential Living should not take the incident seriously because "of how ridiculous the last part is." Simeone laughed when told about the letter last night, saying that she was "glad the students that received it knew it was an April Fool's joke."
(04/03/95 9:00am)
Students planning to walk to Hutchinson Gymnasium carrying towels, soap and shampoo each morning might as well stay in their own rooms. There will not be a water shutdown in High Rise South this week -- despite a letter supposedly sent out by Residential Living Saturday. Various students in the building received a memo under their doors Saturday announcing the shutdown beginning today at 10 a.m. and continuing through Thursday at 5 p.m. But residents who continued reading quickly understood it was an April Fool's joke. "To minimize the effect of the shutdown, both Gimbel and Hutch gyms will be open 24 hours a day, Monday through Wednesday," the letter said. "We strongly encourage you to use the showers in the gyms or make arrangements with your friends." Two College sophomores, who live on the 19th floor of High Rise South and requested anonymity, took responsibility for the prank last night. "We decided we had to do something," one roommate said. "We were thinking about how people were having problems with water and shutdowns and decided everybody was going to get pissed off by this. "A lot of people kind of did," the student added. After determining which typeface Residential Living usually uses in its official notices and copying the fake document at Kinko's, the two students delivered it to 10 of their friends' rooms. The student said some were fooled by the notice. "To those who got it -- we got you good," the sophomore said. Engineering sophomore Deniz Cultu said he received the memo -- laser-printed on plain, white paper -- Saturday afternoon. Although Cultu said it was obviously a joke because of the reference to the campus gyms, he added that he knew something was off-kilter because of how the prankster had distributed the letter. "Residential Living never gives it to you under the door," Cultu said. "It's usually posted by the elevators -- and it wasn't." The letter said the shutdown applied to rooms on the 12th floor and above. Cultu lives on the 19th floor. Engineering and Wharton sophomore Peter Daley, a resident of the 15th floor, said he knew the memo was a joke because "letters from [Director of Residential Living] Gigi Simeone usually have her signature." Daley, like many residents who received the letter, said he laughed at the April Fool's joke and never thought it could possibly be true. "I could just imagine people traipsing down to Gimbel," he said. "It never got to the point where we took it seriously." But College junior Sagar Phatak said he began reading it and screamed, "What?" "The initial reaction was definitely not pleasant," he added. "They've been doing work on the pipes so it kind of made sense." Phatak, who lives on the 15th floor, said by the time he finished reading the note, he knew he had been fooled. "It was amusing," he said, adding that Residential Living should not take the incident seriously because "of how ridiculous the last part is." Simeone laughed when told about the letter last night, saying that she was "glad the students that received it knew it was an April Fool's joke."
(03/31/95 10:00am)
Since Sunday night, several fires have been set in the stairwells of High Rise North, charring posters in different locations throughout the building. And University officials have no concrete clues and divergent theories as to who the culprit -- or culprits -- may be. Residential Living Director Gigi Simeone speculated that the burnt posters may be related the Undergraduate Assembly elections. But Fire and Occupational Safety Director Jim Miller said he thought the fires may be an attack on the Penn Hillel Foundation. "Predominately, the posters not lit were from Hillel announcing some program they're doing," he added. "The assumption is that the posters [burned] are Hillel's [as well]." Simeone said those responsible may not have actually set the fires concurrently because the ash and scorch marks could have been left over from earlier this week. According to Miller, the first fire was ignited Sunday night, in the west stairwell between the first and second floors. Ash from burnt paper was discovered and reported Monday morning. Monday night, scorch marks were found in the west stairwell on the fourth, fifth and sixth floors of High Rise North, Miller added. The perpetrator switched to the east fire stairs on Tuesday -- burned papers and scorch marks were found on the second, fourth and 16th floors, along with the landing between the 10th and 11th floors. But the same night, posters were burned on the west side as well -- on the fourth and fifth floors, along with the landings between the second and third floors, the fifth and sixth floors and seventh and eighth floors. Simeone and Miller said they consider the situation extremely worrisome and dangerous. "This is not the kind of thing we like to see in a residential building," Miller said. "It's a dangerous, dangerous practice and any fire that's taken place in a residential building is a felony under Pennsylvania penal code." He added that whoever is committing the crimes is "worse than a guy running around with a gun in his hand." And Simeone said her department is "very worried and very concerned." "It is stupid," she said. "It is putting other students in danger." University Police and the Philadelphia Fire Department are also investigating the incidents. Simeone said she plans to send a letter to students living in all residences asking for their help in catching whoever is responsible. "It is really important that we get whoever is doing it," she added. "The consequences of this could be just tragic." Miller said he believes someone will eventually come forward, adding that whoever it is will be in "serious trouble." He stressed that to catch the perpetrators, his department and others "must show a presence" in High Rise North in order to convey the seriousness of the situation. Along those lines, officials of the Philadelphia Fire Department came to the University yesterday to begin its investigation. Miller said that in the meantime, no posters should be put up in the stairwells at all, given the potential danger involved.
(03/30/95 10:00am)
To some, Smith Hall is a building with historical significance that the University should fight to preserve. But others advocate its demolition in order to make way for the Institute of Advanced Science and Technology. In fact, demolition of the building is slated to begin this summer. The recently released Environmental Impact Statement for the IAST presented arguments on both sides of the issue and outlined the study's findings that Smith Hall's demolition would be in the best interests of all parties involved. "The University and its architects acknowledge that the demolition of Smith Hall would result in irrevocable damage to a contributing resource in the Historic District," the EIS states. "With this impact in mind, [they] consciously attempted to design a building that they felt could make a positive contribution." The report goes on to explain that Venturi, Scott Brown and Associates, the architectural firm responsible for the IAST design plans, should create a building that would "exhibit a harmony with the character of adjacent historic buildings." The debate over whether to demolish Smith Hall has a history of its own -- dating back to 1990, when the federal government selected the University for its IAST site. At the time, several individuals and organizations raised both historic and environmental concerns over the site. In response, the University and federal government conducted environmental and historical studies of the entire situation and the proposed sites for three years -- a process many say has taken too long. "It's been a very long, drawn-out process," Vice President for Facilities Management Arthur Gravina said. "The time spent escalated the cost of the project by several million dollars." Four years ago, the demolition of Smith Hall and building of IAST would have cost between $43 and $44 million, he said. Now, the project will cost between $45 to $48 million. Gravina said the extra expenditure resulted from inflation, time and consultation with lawyers and officials. Besides the IAST construction, the project also includes renovations to the Chemistry, Music, Morgan and Towne buildings as well as Hayden Hall. Some say the costs will go beyond the money spent on physical construction and labor. The History and Sociology of Science department has opposed the plan since the beginning because of the historical significance of Smith Hall and its place among the other buildings on Smith Walk. According to History and Sociology of Science Chairperson Charles Rosenberg, Smith Hall is the first hygienic/public health laboratory in the United States and, as a result, has several "architectural peculiarities." "There wasn't much of the University left that had any coherent character representing the late 19th century," he said. Smith Hall "has integrity and attractiveness so ripping it out and building a new wing for the Chemistry department is not the solution." Rosenberg added that he does not object to the idea of building the IAST -- just the chosen location. Two years ago, his department was housed in Smith Hall. It is now located at 3440 Market Street. And Rosenberg said the department was not consulted about the project, although he added that he did not know how much of a voice faculty have or should have in capital planning decisions in general. But Gravina said the EIS is a lengthy, complete study indicating that Smith Hall is the appropriate location for the IAST. "Too many projects have gone on without much public participation and consideration for impact," he said. "Those that object to the Record of Decision cannot object to the process that was followed." The Record of Decision will be issued on April 24 at the earliest.
