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(07/03/91 9:00am)
Hundreds of Girl Scouts will descend on campus next week, however, they will have more on their minds then selling Thin Mints. Tenth, 11th and 12th grade Girl Scouts will be flocking to the University Wednesday for a three-day national leadership conference at the University entitled "Together We Stand." The 638 high schoolers, who are from all fifty states, Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico and Germany, will be exploring and "identifying their values" and discussing them with their peers, said Project director Judith Kurnick. Kurnick said earlier this week that the conference includes workshops on colleges, careers, global and environmental responsibility, assertiveness and relationships. "Their interacting is important," Kurnick said. "I am sure they will stay up at night discussing issues from their wardrobe to the environment." Each Girl Scout attending the program will be offered a personal assets clinic that will present tips on health, nutrition, and makeup and wardrobe and self-esteem. While on campus, the Girl Scouts will be taking a tour of the campus through the office of undergraduate admissions. "Just having them on campus is a positive experience," Dean of Undergraduate Admissions Lee Stetson said earlier this week. "We usually seize these opportunities with tours and group meetings and with admissions officers who generalize about the admissions process across the country." Stetson added that he hopes many Scouts will want to apply after spending time at the University.
(06/27/91 9:00am)
Combined Campaign supporters yesterday blasted the United Way's recent creation of eleven dependent satellite organizations, calling it an attempt to confuse donors into giving more money to the embattled charitable fund. The United Way denied this charge yesterday, saying that the organizations were formed to deal with combined campaign environments and that they will promote an atmosphere where the donors can better understand all of their choices. University administrators will discuss the new United Way plan next Tuesday, according to Assistant to the President Linda Hyatt. But, initiation of the Combined Campaign at the University may have been the incident that triggered the new development in the United Way's organization, according to Judy Claude, director of Bread and Roses Community Fund -- a fundraising organization that openly supported the Combined Campaign from the onset. "I'm really upset about this," Claude said Wednesday. "The United Way is using a scare tactic . . . to stop other private employers from initiating a combined campaign like Penn." United Way Spokesperson Joe Divis said Wednesday that the decision to introduce the new corporations was not influenced by the debate at the University and that it had been planned "intensively" for over a year. He added that these satellite organizations will only be in effect in combined campaign environments. "Now the donors will be fully informed and have a wide open choice," Divis said. Combined Campaign supporters called the United Way "hypocritical," for its two year-old opinion that a combined campaign system would be detrimental to the University since it would expand the number of charities and fundraising groups. "It's as if they warned that the dike is going to fall down," said Nan Steketee, director of the Center for Responsible Funding. "Now they are pulling it down." Eight of the eleven sattelite organizations have applied to the University to solicit donations through Penn's Way, Divis said. "My proposal to the University is to reject these United Way organizations," said Bob Boswell, director of the Washington, D.C. based National Committee for Responsive Philanthropy yesterday. "They are just trying to confuse the donor who hasn't stayed current and might see them on the pledge card."
(06/27/91 9:00am)
- Present pact expires Monday The librarian support staff may decide to check out if slowly proceeding union negotiations are not completed before the present contract's July 1 due date. The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Local 590 and the University are currently negotiating a new contract for the 150 members of the library support staff, in order to replace the current agreement which expires Monday. Local 509 Shop Steward Dennis Byrd said he has been told negotiations "are not moving too quickly." A strike is not the only route of action after July 1, union members said. According to Byrd, the present contract can be extended if negotiations are not concluded before Monday. In the June 7 memorandum, the Local 590 says the University initially proposed a wide range of contract stipulations, including the elimination of all worker breaks and a reduction in personal days off. Jack Heuer, the University's labor realtions manager, emphasized Tuesday that the documents were outdated and negotiations had since progressed. He declined to comment further. "It's not even worth commmenting on, it's so outdated," Heuer said of the memo. Union officials have failed to respond to repeated phone calls concerning the memorandum. In the June 7 memorandum, the University proposals includes the elimination of the right to dispute employee performance evaluations, and "severe limitations" on the ability of union officials to investigate and process grievances. "It's an insane list of demands," a Van Pelt Library Clerk and union member said Tuesday. "If we agreed to it -- that would be crazy." University officials presented a more optimistic view of the state of the negotiations Tuesday. "We have a good relationship with the union," Heuer said, "We're hopeful for a successful settelement, for both parties." Mary Beth Mahoney, a clerk at Van Pelt Library, agreed with Heuer, saying "hopefully we'll come to an agreement where both sides will be happy."
(06/13/91 9:00am)
Nurse researchers from across the continent descended on the University this month for a series of educational forums on low birthweight infants. The Summer Nursing Research Institute is designed to provide a forum for researchers to explore the breadth of the knowledge in this area. The participants look for new areas to research and ways to develop studies where nursing knowledege can contribute to the reduction of low birthweight infants. "The idea is that everybody around the country should not be reinventing the wheel," said Project Director Marilyn Stringer last Tuesday. "If one person uses a tool, they can share it with others." Requiring participation in programs for two years, the program is also highly selective; of nearly 100 applicants, only 30 were selected to participate in the seminar which is two weeks long this summer and one week next year. Participants in the Institute commended the program, saying that the nurse networking opportunities it provides is the seminar's greatest benefit. Participants in the program come from many different backgrounds and most are doctorally prepared. Dorothy Brooten, director of the Univerity's Center for Low Birthweight Research said that the program relies on the participants to share information, an exchange which will "drive the science." "Within sub-groups, [the participants] are helping one and another," Stringer added. "It has given them the opportunity to tap other people that normally would not meet." Many participants also commended the University's faculty and biomedical library, which they have used extensively in the past two weeks. The first session focuses on access to parental care, factors contributing to low birthweight, hospital-infant feeding and care after the mother and infant leave the hospital. The programs during the second year will focuss on prevention and care of lowbirthweight infants. The participants also commended the University's faculty and biomedical library, which they have used extensively in the past two weeks. The Institute is being co-sponsored by the University's Center for Lower Birthweight Research and the March of Dimes Birth Defect Foundation.
(06/13/91 9:00am)
The party may be over, but University officials can now begin reveling over their success in solicitating gifts during the 250th celebration, according to a recent report by the Council for Aid to Education. The Council reported late last month that the University ranked fourth among the nation's academic institutions in total gifts during the fiscal year of 1990, moving up one notch from the previous year's ranking. With total voluntary support topping $140 million during the year, it is the University's highest ranking in recent history. Before being ranked fifth in fiscal year 1989, the University ranked sixth in the 1987-88 school year, taking 10th place the year before, and 13th place during the 1986 fiscal year. "There has been definite upward movement," said Rick Nahm, vice president for development and university relations last Monday. Harvard University received the most financial support during 1990 fiscal year, which ended on June 30, 1990, at nearly $213.5 million -- topping Stanford University, who reported over $202 million. Stanford posted the largest total support per student in the top twenty, at over $14,000 per student. The University averaged just over $6,000 per student. David Morgan, the director of research for the Council said Monday that the statistics are highly accurate, since the figures are based on the gifts received, and not just the amounts pledged. Among the Ivy League, the University ranked third following Harvard and Cornell University. Dartmouth University and Brown University were the only Ivies that were missing from the top twenty. Princeton ranked 19th and with a six percent decrease in gifts, was the only university in the top 20 to report a decline from 1989 levels. "We have made major movement," Nahm said. "Even without the 250th [celebrations], we won't fall back below the top 10." Brown University's Director of Principle Gifts Dick Ballou said Monday that although they were not in the top 20, 1990 was Brown's second best year in history. Ballou added that Brown is currently in the "nucleus fund phase" while they continue to plan for a major capital campaign. Ballou said this phase involves the early solicitation of "your closest friends," those who have given substantially in the past.
(06/06/91 9:00am)
and DREW ZOLLER The recent Supreme Court case restricting abortion counseling is "a major concern" to the University, according to Medical Center officials. It will effectively force the University to choose between some of the federal funding it receives and the ability to legally provide abortion counseling. The recent Supreme Court decision on Rust v. Sullivan prohibits a facility which receives Title X federal funds from counseling, referring or discussing abortion with its clients. "The funds provide comprehensive care," said FPCSP spokesperson Susan Grambs last week. "It includes 'options counseling,' pregnancy counseling, Pap smears and counseling on the prevention of sexually transmitted diseases." Supreme Court spokesperson Kathy Arberg said last week that the University has until June 17 to decide and implement its policy on whether to continue to allow abortion to be discussed in the Medical Center's clinics. According to Grambs, the Medical Center is currently a key player in pregnancy options counseling in Philadelphia. "The loss of any organization would hurt the women of Philadelphia," Grambs said. "The Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania family planning clinic provides a vital health service." Carol Tracey, director of the Women's Law Project, said last week that the ruling allows abortion discussion, counseling or referals only in organizations that are physically and financially seperate from any organization that receives Title X grants. Several University officials said last week that while the aspects of the counseling services that the Medical Center provides are in jeopardy, Student Health Services' health education section will not be effected. "Student Health [Services] is not a part of the Medical Center, it reports to the Provost," said Elizabeth Berryman, staff counsel for the Medical Center. Berryman explained that Student Health doesn't receive any Title X grants and she doubted that it would be effected. Berryman added that the final decision will be made through the obstetrics and gynocology department, on advice from the Medical Center's legal counsel. Student Health Director Marjeanne Collins agreed, saying that she does not "anticipate the decision to directly effect us. Our funding comes from the Vice Provost for University Life." "[Student Health is] a free standing clinic," said Susan Villari, SHS's director of health education. Student Health is "part of the University, not part of the hospital," she said.
(06/06/91 9:00am)
The University may not take home any Academy awards for its latest recruiting tape, but with the help of Blockbuster Video, it will at least be able to share shelf space with those that have. As part of a new marketing strategy to bring faraway colleges into high school students' living rooms, Blockbuster stores will this month begin renting out video tours of colleges -- including the University -- from across the country. "The opportunity to have our tape available to students through an outlet that they deal with regularly is a positive move -- without any cost to the University," Undergraduate Dean of Admissions Willis Stetson said last week. The program was developed by Virginia based Preview, Inc. who had launched a pilot test program in 50 Blockbuster stores in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Connecticut, New York and Ohio last year. "It was very successful," said Jennifer Skoglund, a Preview spokesperson, last week. "The individual Blockbuster stores were very receptive." Preview manages video advertising for colleges across the nation, by serving as an intermediary which packages and distributes each institution's videos. Skoglund said that each tape was to be rented individually, but that in the future, sets of tapes for schools that are frequently linked together, such as the Ivy League, may be available. "While a video can't completely substitute for an actual campus tour," Skoglund said. "It comes in handy if a student is interested in 20 schools and can only afford to visit five." Stetson added that three other Ivy league schools are currently involved in the program and that he is happy with the University's decision to enter. "It is appropriate for Penn to be a part of the program from the beginning," Stetson said. "We will see what visibility it will bring."
(06/06/91 9:00am)
A Summer Times reporter spends 24 hours with a group of homeless men, learning what it really means to endure.
Johnnie is looking for $5.08 — the price of a half gallon of Thunderbird wine. He counts his money slowly and precisely as he hands over the total of $2.50 to his best friend T., who says he’ll combine their funds to buy the “vino.” Johnnie reaches into his sack to get an Egg McMuffin that he scrounged from the dumpster behind McDonald’s, and offers a cold cheeseburger to June, another longtime friend. Johnnie says he has to find ways around the security measures which McDonald’s uses to protect their garbage. He salvaged his most recent haul by scaling a 10-foot wall, climbing over the barbed wire at the top and jumping into the dumpster. The two eat their sandwiches in silence, and they watch the students hurry down Locust Walk. Occasionally the silence is broken when a pretty girl walks by and June comments that he wants a college girl, “who’s got her head on straight.” He adds that the right girlfriend would bring him back from the dead-end path of “crack and cheap sex.” As the hot summer sun beats down, and the salty food is eaten, both men say they are dying for a drink, but T. has not yet returned with the wine. Luck is with the men today, and the attendent allows them to take the ice, which they bring to the side of a nearby house and fill from a garden hose. They have come to rely on the spout since Roy Rogers recently restricted the amount of free water they will give to the homeless. Johnnie says he was an All-Star basketball and football player while in ninth grade and then dropped out of school when his mother died. Shortly after, he eloped with an Italian girl named Donna and moved to Tallahassee, Florida. The two were passionately in love and they moved first to Miami, and later to Philadelphia in the mid-‘70s. Johnnie had only been in Philadelphia a short time when his “life fell apart,” — banks repossessed his house and car, and his wife walked out on him. This series of catastrophes caused him to begin to drink heavily. “I see Donna once in a while,” Johnnie says. “She’s whoring downtown.” Johnnie remembers one night when Donna tried to stop him from going to a bar because she was afraid something bad would happen. That night, Johnnie stabbed and killed a man he knew because the man uttered the threatening phrase, “I just don’t like you, Johnnie.” After serving a prison term, Johnnie remarried in 1979. He and his second wife, Mumsey, who is also homeless, are not faithful to each other. Johnnie will turn 40 in several weeks. · Tommy returns to the shady bench and tells them the word on the street — someone was shot last night in The Bottom (also known as “The Bucket of Blood.”) The Bottom is the area surrounding 40th and Lancaster — a crack haven where the homeless purchase drugs and get high in the crack houses and cheap hotels. The talk of the murder, however, soon dissipates (Johnnie says that death is an everyday occurrence for him and his friends). The topic of discussion moves onto graphic descriptions of the sexual favors that each man had purchased the night before. Two hours have passed, and T. has not returned from the liquor store. June and Johnnie go to find T., and more importantly, their money. They slowly make their way to the liquor store, and they see that T. is being chased by Red (whom June describes as “white trash”). Red yells that T. must return his eighteen cents so he can buy a beer. T., however, insists that he never borrowed the money. Red raises his fists to hit T., his arms revealing many tatoos and IV drug track marks, vivid against his pale white skin. T.‘s grunting shows that he is in no mood to fight, so Red stops short of striking him. Johnnie’s friend Chuck reflects on how Red has changed in the past few weeks. “Red just found out he has AIDS, and ever since he’s been violent,” Chuck says. “I now break all my needles so that I too don’t get AIDS from drugs.” T. eventually returns the money to Red, so Johnnie makes his move, cornering T., and demanding his money. T. again begins his routine about not having the money, but Johnnie is sober and will not fall for it. In fact, after leaving he has made twelve cents. · Johnnie is the leader of his “posse,” a club of several dozen homeless people that has its own intricate rules and traditions. They used to meet at a clubhouse in a condemned home, but it burned down twice. All members of the club identify their alligiance by donning an American Heart Association button and a Zenith Data Systems painters’ cap. Among the club’s rules, foremost is the stipulation that “your word is your bond.” No one ever goes into anyone else’s bag of possessions without permission, and food and booze is generally shared. Club members enjoy citing their hero, Kenny Rogers, as best expressing the philosophy of surviving on the streets. Twice that day June and Johnnie sang “The Gambler,” in chorus. “You got to know when to hold ‘em, know when to fold ‘em, know when to walk away, and know when to run.” · Five hours later, Johnnie is still short of his $5.08 goal for the Thunderbird wine, so Chuck goes to the WaWa on the 3900 block of Walnut and “hustles” passers-by for the remaining money. Johnnie says that college students give the panhandlers the most money. On an average day, if one “hustles” from dawn to dusk, he can make nearly $35. “If it wasn’t for the college kids, I wouldn’t be alive,” Johnnie says. Chuck purchases the bottle of Thunderbird, and Johnnie and June join him in the park outside the Free Library to sip the wine and talk. June has many stories to share with the other two, since he has just been released from a prison term for justifiable homicide. Chuck adds that he is thinking of joining Red on his annual tour with the Grateful Dead. He says that he feels it is a great opportunity to sell t-shirts and make some money, but he worries that he could never match the amount Red brings in by selling sheets of acid. The trio is soon joined by Tyronne, and as the wine dulls their senses, the conversation quickly turns to sex. Tyronne brags, as his pronounced beer belly wobbles, that his work went well the night before — Tyronne is a gigolo. June explains that Tyronne is actually a “gigolo-want-to-be,” and that none of his “customers” actually pay him. Tyronne retorts that June is “just being negative” and is always looking for the disappointments in life. Night falls as they finish the wine, and Tyronne leaves. Johnnie, June and Chuck decide that it is time to go to the Bottom to get high. The three cross the intersection of 40th and Market, becoming excited about what the night holds in store. As they walk north, they come to an area called “Tricks City.” Prostitutes line the streets and hawk their wares. “They turn the trick and then buy the crack,” June says. “If the cap [vial] is five dollars, and they have four fifty, the whore will take you around the world for 50 cents.” The hookers have sex an average of thirty times a day for three days straight, and then they rest and don’t work for two, the men say. “I don’t want to get married,” one prostitute says. “This crack is my husband and this glass pipe is his dick.” The group chooses to purchase the night’s crack from a group they call the Jamaicans. When they see the Jamaicans’ familiar truck, they know that means turn right on the next street and look for a guy on the left-hand side of the road. They follow the instructions, and proceed to purchase a five-dollar crack vial each. “Five dollars a hit, for five minutes,” June says. “It’s a rich man’s high.” June explains that men should never smoke crack before sex, but women should. “If the man smokes crack, he can’t get it up,” June says. “But if the women does, she will love that fuck.” The three then walk to a crackhouse a block away, but choose not to go inside. They huddle in a tight circle and begin the familiar ritual. The three men bend over and insert the crack crystals into a glass pipe which is also filled with shavings from a brillo pad that act as a filters. A long metal stick called “the pusher” is used to insert the crack. After they light the pipe, they hold the smoke in their lungs for as long as possible. After they get high, June and Johnnie began to search for the evening’s sleeping location. After careful thought, they decide on the alcove in front of a church at 38th and Chestnut, where Johnnie had left a pillow and two pieces of carpeting the night before. As they lie down into their sleeping beds, they light up their pipes again, trying to get another hit; unfortunately, not enough remains to get high. They are not bothered by the bats which fly above their heads and the large cockroaches which crawl across their beds. After drifting to sleep, Johnnie suddenly wakes up and announces that he is “horny.” He wanders over to the Bottom again and finds a prostitute who will help him for free. “She was feeling good, I was feeling good,” Johnnie says. “So she sucked my dick.” The two return to their bedding location for the night, and sleep until dawn, then they return to the WaWa and the cycle repeats. Once again, Johnnie needs $5.08 to buy a half gallon of Thunderbird wine. . .
(06/06/91 9:00am)
The recent Supreme Court case restricting abortion counseling is "a major concern" to the University, according to Medical Center officials. It will effectively force the University to choose between some of the federal funding it receives and the ability to legally provide abortion counseling. The recent Supreme Court decision on Rust v. Sullivan prohibits a facility which receives Title X federal funds from counseling, referring or discussing abortion with its clients. "The funds provide comprehensive care," said FPCSP spokesperson Susan Grambs last week. "It includes 'options counseling,' pregnancy counseling, Pap smears and counseling on the prevention of sexually transmitted diseases." Supreme Court spokesperson Kathy Arberg said last week that the University has until June 17 to decide and implement its policy on whether to continue to allow abortion to be discussed in the Medical Center's clinics. According to Grambs, the Medical Center is currently a key player in pregnancy options counseling in Philadelphia. "The loss of any organization would hurt the women of Philadelphia," Grambs said. "The Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania family planning clinic provides a vital health service." Carol Tracey, director of the Women's Law Project, said last week that the ruling allows abortion discussion, counseling or referals only in organizations that are physically and financially seperate from any organization that receives Title X grants. Several University officials said last week that while the aspects of the counseling services that the Medical Center provides are in jeopardy, Student Health Services' health education section will not be effected. "Student Health [Services] is not a part of the Medical Center, it reports to the Provost," said Elizabeth Berryman, staff counsel for the Medical Center. Berryman explained that Student Health doesn't receive any Title X grants and she doubted that it would be effected. Berryman added that the final decision will be made through the obstetrics and gynocology department, on advice from the Medical Center's legal counsel. Student Health Director Marjeanne Collins agreed, saying that she does not "anticipate the decision to directly effect us. Our funding comes from the Vice Provost for University Life." "[Student Health is] a free standing clinic," said Susan Villari, SHS's director of health education. Student Health is "part of the University, not part of the hospital," she said.
(05/30/91 9:00am)
The Wharton School has selected Management professor William Hamilton and Legal Studies assistant professor William Laufer as the recipients of the first annual David Hauck Award for Outstanding Teaching. The award is the largest of its kind offered by a business school in the United States, Wharton officials said last week. Both recipients will receive $15,000 cash awards which carry no restrictions on what they may be spend it on. The awards can even be used for noneducational expenses, Trustee of the David Hauck Foundation Greg Snyder said last week. "I'm absolutely thrilled to be honored with the first Hauck teaching award," Hamilton said, adding that he thinks the award is a high point of his 24-year career at Wharton. The selection criteria for the Hauck Award includes the ability to lead, stimulate and challenge students, knowledge of the latest reseach in the field, and a strong commitment to undergradute educational leadership. "I'm especially pleased that [Hauck] chose to honor those engaged in undergraduate teaching," said Janice Bellace, vice dean and director of the Wharton Undergraduate Division last week. "[Hauck] feels strongly that excellent teaching is the bedrock of an outstanding undergraduate educational experience." Students submitted nominations for the award for their favorite Wharton professors while department chairpersons were encouraged to submit letters of support and to define the candidates' contributions to the school. The award was established through a gift from David Hauck, a 1960 Wharton graduate, who serves on the Wharton Undergraduate Executive Board. Hauck is President and Chief Executive Officer of Complete Concepts, Ltd -- an Atlanta-based holding company. "[Hauck] is excited that the first recipients have been selected and will be receiving an award," Snyder said.
(05/30/91 9:00am)
Sexual assault victims on college campuses across the nation may have a 'bill of rights' of their own, if recently proposed congressional legislation is passed. Congressman Jim Ramstad (R-Minn.) has sponsored House Resolution 2363, "The Campus Sexual Assault Victims' Bill of Rights Act," which defines eight rights that sexual assault victims would be guaranteed, with passage of the bill. University officials said this week that established Residential Living procedures already comply with the proposed legislation. "Being the victim of a sexual assault is a terribly traumatic experience," Ramstad wrote in a letter to his collegues in Congress. "This experience is made even more traumatic when victims are left uncertain of their legal rights and options." Residential Living director Gigi Simeone said earlier this week that the University's policies follow the "spirit of the legislation." "We are commmitted to . . . all students," she said. "So certainly if someone came to us and felt that they were in an intimidating situation, we would take action." Simeone said the action would either be taken against those who were acting in a destructive manner to the community, to move the victim out of the situation, or a combination of the two. The legislation emphasizes that sexual assault victims have the right to have their crime investigated by civil and criminal authorities. Moreover, the legislation is designed to put the victim in complete control of all legal decisions that are made, by promoting an atmosphere which allows her to make rational decisions about whether or not to report the incident. "[Victims of sexual assault are to] be free from pressure to not report these crimes, or report them as a lesser offense," Ramstad wrote. The legislation would also require that victims have the same rights that are permitted to the accused. Ramstad's legislation would also require that the victims have the cooperation of the university in obtaining desired medical evidence. This also includes the right of the victim to be informed of any federal or state regulations regarding testing the sexual assault suspect for communicable diseases. The legislation would also ensure that the victim have access to established campus mental health and victim support systems. In addition, the legislation makes two stipulations regarding the universities' role in housing its students. First, the university must provide housing that guarantees no unwanted contact with alleged sexual assault assailants. The legislation would also require that the university allows students to move out of circumstances that may be sexually intimidating. The legislation currently has 57 co-sponors and according to Ramstad's spokesperson Lance Olsen, it will be introduced in the Senate by Joseph Biden (D-Del.). "We are very optimistic about this legislation," Spokesperson for Ramstad Darryl McKigney said. "It should be [passed] this year, when we hold the hearings." McKigney added that the bill applies to all universities that receive any type of federal aide.
(05/30/91 9:00am)
It seems like deja vu. Last year, through a combination of creativity, persistence, and burning the midnight oil, History professor Bruce Kuklick discovered that nine students cheated in his History 451 class, by submitting exact duplicates of certain take home exam questions. During this past semester's 451 class, at least one pair of students again submitted a identical responses to an essay question on an exam. Judicial Inquiry Officer Constance Goodman announced last week that a similar incident by a pair of students was discovered again this year in the same class. The students apparently again handed in duplicate tests, and were discovered in a similar manner. The take home final exam for War and Diplomacy asked each student to answer two questions with each response being five to six typed pages. And again, a teaching assistant noticed that in several of the submitted exams, the typeface varied from one question to the next. "All exams with different typefaces were reviewed," Goodman said Monday. "It was discovered . . . that two students answers to one question were identical." Goodman added that the teaching assistants are still in the process of reviewing all of the exams. Last spring, after five months of investigation, a similar case resulted in 10 students being charged with cheating. Nine received Fs in the course. Five of them were suspended. One student had his diploma withheld and one was cleared. History Professor Bruce Kuklick said last year that the cheating incident in his class "embarrassed and even humiliated" him. Students in Kuklick's class this semester said that Kuklick made it clear that he would not tolerate cheating. "We even had to turn in rough drafts for our research paper," College sophomore Jason Stanard said. "[It was due to]what happened last year." Goodman also said that Kuklick had warned his students that cheating was unacceptable. "I am aware that Professor Kuklick gave the class ample warning regarding any cheating," Goodman said. "Due to his turmoil and dissappointment over last year's case." Kuklick declined to comment this week on the incident since the investigation is still underway. "I've heard . . . that kids think it is a joke to cheat," Goodman said last year. "Somehow we have to change the culture here and have the students buy into the idea that cheating is wrong. We are intent on stopping cheating at Penn." Goodman also said last year that she understands the academic pressures that are placed on students at the University, but rather than cheat, students should seek help from relevant University resources, like the Tutoring Center. In the released confessions of the students last year, all said they were sorry for what they had done and that they would never do it again. All of the students said that they were under academic and personal pressure. "I was looking for the easy way out," wrote one student. "I got overwhelmed by all the work I had to do and couldn't see past it." Staff writer Christine Lutton contributed to this story.
(05/23/91 9:00am)
The Univerity's Institute for Contemporary Art received one of the most prestigious grants awarded to American museums last month for its excellence in all areas of programming and operation. Members of the ICA administration said earlier this week it intends to use the $75,000 award given by the Institute of Museum Services to augment its exhibition and education programs and to initiate a new marketing and promotional program. The IMS provides the only federal source of general operating suppport for museums in the United States. IMS Spokesperson Joyce Hubbard said last week that this is the greatest honor a museum can receive. "It is the highest grant for general operating support available," Hubbard said. The highly competitive IMS grants were given to 432 out of the 1390 institutions which applied for funding. Grants ranged from 10% of a recipient museum's operating budget to a maximum of $75,000. "It's a pretty involved application process," said ICA Director Patrick Murphy last week. "It looks at all aspects [of the museum]" The application process is stringent and the applicant museum must demostrate excellence in many areas including: exhibitions, collection care, management, development, and administration. The IMS funds are not restricted to a specific project or operation of the museum, allowing each institution to determine where the money is needed most. "Everyone is anxious about the economic climate and the ability to raise funds for their operations," Murphy added. "This helps set us up in a good situation." The IMS divides the applicants into three categories, depending on the size of the museum. The ICA is in the largest category, which Murphy said puts them, "up against a lot of competition." All of the applications are numerically graded in a complex manner. This year the IMS funded museums in which scored above 0.425 to a maximum of 1.2. The ICA scored a 0.9 on the rating scale. IMS award recipients are not guaranteed funding in years following their award, because panel reviewers change annually and museums are re-evaluated. The ICA last received the grant in 1988. Murphy said that with its new facility, a year-long education program, and increased commitment to the community, the ICA "could be in a good position to get this again in the future."
(05/23/91 9:00am)
If University students who graduated this weekend expected to endure long-winded and tedious commencement addresses they were probably disappointed, as several keynote speakers were cut short and one did not show at all. At the College Commencement ceremony a capacity crowd listened intently to Senator Joseph Biden (D-Del.) -- for ten minutes. Biden began his address by explaining to the audience that he was instructed to be "four-minutes long and inspiring," so the audience actually got more than they bargained for. Biden's speaking time was restricted so that leading faculty members could present diplomas to 1500 graduating seniors individually and finish in a reasonable amount of time. The senator told the graduates that it was time to enter the real world and he encouraged them to carry their idealism outside of academia. Gray explained to the graduates that as lawyers they are entrusted with great power and must be careful to use it wisely and justly. "[The graduates] have achieved power by selecting the law," Gray said. "Power to help the poor and a responsibility to improve public policy." Gray urged the graduates to consider all aspects of the legal system and reminded them of the "great philosopher" John Lennon who said, "life is what happens when you are making other plans." The audience was entranced by Gray's eloquence and afterwards lauded his speech. Law School graduate Andrew Cooper said that the speech was inspiring and effective in motivating him to enter the legal profession enthusiastically. The Medical School commencement was held at Irvine Auditorium and featured former Surgeon General and University professor emeritus C. Everett Koop, who focused his address on the Hippocratic Oath. Koop told the physicians that the traditional oath has been "watered down" and urged them physicians to remember the clause that requires them to, "above all, do no harm." Koop also told them of the difficulties they will face, as society continually re-evaluates its morals. "We have entered an era where economics control our ethics and not the other way around," Koop said. The Wharton Graduate Division had scheduled Deputy Prime Minister of Poland Leszek Balcerowicz to speak, but he was unable to attend due to a meeting of Parliament in his country. In Balcerowicz's place, Sir William Ryrie, the executive vice president of the World Bank's International Finance Corporation, addressed the graduates.
(05/23/91 9:00am)
The Tau Epsilon Phi fraternity violated hazing regulations at least twice during the pledging process this year, according to Judicial Inquiry Officer Constance Goodman. She said earlier this week that a third incident is still under investigation. The JIO also said that since the hazing was within the pledging process it may be the collective responsibility of the fraternity. "Pledging is a fraternity activity," Goodman said. "The fraternity would be held collectively responsible for that." Goodman also added that in at least one of the cases there will be charges brought against at least one individual as well. After the JIO concludes her investigation, the matter will be referred to the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Affairs which will attempt to reach a settlement. If a settlement is not reached between the fraternity and OFSA, the JIO's findings will be referred to the Fraternity and Sorority Advisory Board, and closed hearings on the charges will be held. The board will then reach its own findings of fact on each of the charges and recommend a course of action to Vice Provost for University Life Kim Morrisson. Director of OFSA Tricia Phaup said Monday that she had not yet received the findings of the JIO, and that when she does, she is unsure of what the end result may be. "I don't know if this will be settled, [within this office]," Phaup said. Outgoing TEP president Jordan Fishman declined to comment on the JIO's findings, but did say that the fraternity is trying to resolve the problem. "[TEP is] working with our national and alumni representative to get to the bottom of this as quickly as possible," Fishman said. TEP's national executive director Jonathan Seidel refused to comment on the charges this week. TEP initiated its fourteenth pledge class since its campus reorganization in 1977 earlier this year.
(03/08/91 10:00am)
Trump Taj Mahal is losing money. Trump's personal life adorns the front pages of national newspapers. And Trump: The Portrait has been stolen. An official statement from the Wharton School said yesterday that New York entrepeneur and Wharton alumnus Donald Trump's portrait has been stolen from Wharton's Hall of Fame. The statement said the portrait was not removed by the administration and that Wharton security had reported it stolen Wednesday night. Trump spokesperson Helen Leavitt said the Trump Organization had been notified of the robbery and they will be sending another portrait soon. The Hall of Fame in Steinberg-Dietrich Hall gained notoriety two years ago when 1979 Wharton graduate Michael Milken's photograph remained on display after he was indicted on racketeering and fraud charges. Then, in the fall of 1989, Milken's photograph was stolen and never recovered. Milken's portrait was later replaced, and in 1990 was removed by the Wharton administration after he pleaded guilty to six felony charges including conspiracy, securities fraud and tax violations. The portraits, selected by Wharton undergraduates and graduates, honor Wharton alumni who have benefited the community. However, one student said last night that she questions whether or not Trump deserves to be honored. Wharton junior Neela Pal said she does not feel Trump benefited the community, a requirement to be in the Hall of Fame. "I don't think his picture belongs there in the first place," Pal said. "It's for those who gave something back to the community. But obviously it's wrong to steal University property." Trump's Leavitt said she thought the theft was just a practical joke. "It was a prank, probably by someone who admired him," Leavitt said. "So they took his photo." Wharton graduate student Jeff Harbison said last night he felt the robbery "was a political statement," and said he had respect for Trump as a business man. "[Trump] is a man who was very successful . . . and he probably in the long run will be wealthy again." Harbison said. "It's premature to judge his success or failure." The 16 honored alumni are: Walter Annenberg, William Brennan, I.W. Burnham II, August Busch III, Jon Huntsman, Reginald Jones, Robert Crandall, Yotaru Kobayashi, Peter O'Malley, William Paley, Edmund Pratt, Charles Sanford, John Sculley III, Saul Steinberg, Laurence Tisch and Donald Trump.
(03/07/91 10:00am)
As staff and faculty are in the process of voting on the fate of the University's charity system, several faculty members expressed concern yesterday that the United Way is supporting abortion restrictions. But United Way officials are insisting that they maintain a neutral position on the controversial issue. Faculty and staff are in the process of voting on a referendum that will help President Sheldon Hackney determine how the University's annual charity campaign will be run. According to a statement released yesterday, the United Way said its official policy is that it "does not fund abortions through its volunteer fund distribution process." United Way spokesperson Joe Divis said yesterday that the United Way policy's purpose is to unite the community, while taking a stance would only serve to "be divisive in the community." But Faculty Senate Chairperson Almarin Phillips said yesterday that he is concerned the United Way stance is not neutral, adding that a more neutral stance would appeal to a wider community. Faculty members said the abortion controversy originated in 1980, when United Way rejected Womens Way's request for membership. Womens Way officials said yesterday that this was due to the fact that some of their organizations provide abortion services. Microbiology Professor Helen Davies said earlier this week that she was upset with the United Way because of their political stance. She added that voters should understand the United Way's historical actions against Womens Way. The United Way "had an agreement with the Catholic Archdiocese to not fund abortion," Davies said. "And they wouldn't permit Womens Way, we had to fight to allow donor choice." And a former University Women's Center director said last night that United Way -- by not funding abortion groups -- has taken a firm stance against the reproductive rights movement. Many abortion-rights advocates point to a memo directed to United Way volunteers and contributors from former United Way President Francis De Lone, dated February 4, 1980, in which De Lone indicates that the Archdiocese had concerns over the United Way consideration of funding organizations that support abortion. The memo states that the United Way "accepted" the ideological positions of the Archdiocese to "strengthen and improve local human care services". Abortion is against the Catholic Church's dogma. Womens Way President Lynn Yeakel cited a letter dated January 11, 1980 to former Womens Way President Judith Harris that denies Womens Way membership due to an agreement with the Archdiocese. "While recognizing that Womens Way provides a large variety of services to women, the Committee also felt that Womens Way's insistence on including agencies and services that would contravene United Way's agreement with the Catholic Archdiocese make it unacceptable for United Way funding," the letter states. But United Way officials said yesterday that their agreement with the Catholic Archdiocese is no different than their agreements with all other member organizations. United Way's Divis said yesterday that the United Way makes "long-term agreements" with its member and partner organizations to determine the amount of money that each will receive. Archdiocese spokesperson Marie Kelly declined to comment yesterday, but said that officials may issue a statement today. The United Way has recommended that members of the Womens Way umbrella organization should apply for United Way membership individually so they could be judged on their own merits. Last month in Almanac, United Way official Ned Montgomery wrote that the United Way welcomes applications for membership from the umbrella organizations included in the Combined Campaign's proposal. "[The United Way] believes that their membership in United Way would be beneficial to the community," Montgomery stated. Womens Way's Yeakel said that to her knowledge, Womens Way would still not be permitted membership. Under the United Way system of giving, a donor can opt to give their money to a specific organization via donor choice or allow their money to be allocated by the United Way. Under the second option, donors may also choose to target a general area for their money, while allowing the United Way to determine the precise organization.
(03/06/91 10:00am)
Associate Engineering Professor Jorge Santiago-Aviles is determined to improve the lot of Hispanics in North Philadelphia by opening their eyes to engineering. Santiago is currently applying for a National Science Fund grant to run a summer program designed to introduce Hispanics North Philadelphia high school students to engineering for a second year. Although the greater Philadelphia area has a Hispanic population of over 150,000, few enter the engineering sciences, Santiago said last week. Last year's program allowed ten high school students to participate in a seven-week summer program focusing on several fields in engineering. The National Science Foundation awarded the program $17,000 last year, but Santiago said he feels the program "has been funded at a low level." Santiago said more University programs should reach out and cooperate with the Hispanic community in North Philadelphia. "Penn has an obligation to the Hispanic population in North Philadelphia," he said. "There is a huge human resource pool." Santiago's program also incorporated the parents of the participants. He said it is vital for the families to understand the long term benefits of a college education, despite fears that studies may keep students from working to support the family. High school senior Felipe Valesquez praised Santiago and his program last week. "It helped me a lot," Valesquez said. "It gave me a look at the different fields of engineering." Valesquez is presently applying to college and hopes to be accepted at the University of the Arts this spring. Felipe Cruz also gave the program high marks, saying it opened his eyes. "It was a great program and we learned a lot about engineering," Cruz said. "It gave us some more ideas as to what engineering was about." Cruz and Valesquez both said the trip was one of the best experiences in their educational career.
(03/06/91 10:00am)
Four engineering students will win the most prestigious computer programming competition in the nation today. Or so says Engineering Dean Gregory Farrington. The 15th annual Association for Computing Machinery Scholastic Programming Contest will take place in San Antonio, Texas today, attracting teams from all over the world. The University's team finished second in the regional competition, qualifying it for the finals with 25 other teams. Farrington said the University's success so far is "wonderful," and that the University's team members "are going to clean up." Farrington also said he feels the engineering students are "outstandingly" prepared. "How can they do anything but win?" Farrington said. In the competition, each team will be allotted five hours to solve five "real world" computer problems, such as decoding a message in cryptography. Engineering junior David Elliston said in a written statement that problems at the regional tournament ranged from easy -- locating hidden words in blocks of letters -- to the more difficult task of writing an optimum program for a supercomputer and determining whether it should solve problems sequentially or solve several problems at a time, or a combination of the two. Team advisor and Associate Computer Science Professor Insup Lee, who did not travel with the team, said last night he is "excited" because it is an honor to be in the final rounds of this tournament. Elliston added that the biggest challenge will be that each team is given only one computer and that allocating time efficiently is of great importance. The University finished third three years ago and former students have helped this year's competitors by giving them their old questions. The contest is sponsored by AT&T; and has been expanding rapidly since it began 14 years ago.
(03/04/91 10:00am)
Despite early financial losses, Wharton officials said last week the Steinberg Conference Center is now generating over $2 million in profit per year. The facility houses the Aresty Institute of Executive Education, which runs continuing education programs for business executives. Money from the center is directed to the Wharton School as well as the University. The $24 million center was dedicated in October 1987 with a prediction by former Wharton Dean Russell Palmer that it would make money immediately. Palmer's prediction, however, did not come true. Wharton officials predicted the center would lose $1.2 million its first year. According to the school's figures from December 1988, the center was projected to draw about 3,200 executives in its first year, 900 less than was necessary for the center to break even. Also, Wharton Comptroller Dan McCollum said two years ago the center's mortgage payments were running $400,000 more than was budgeted. McCollum added that the center needs to average 72 percent occupancy over the course of the year to turn a profit. McCollum declined to comment on this year's financial standing. But Vice Dean of Executive Education Robert Mittelstaedt said last week the center is now educating over 4,000 executives each year through different programs that vary in both length and meeting times. Mittelstaedt added that during the spring and fall peak seasons, the center often runs at 150-percent occupancy and that the extra executives have to be housed at other hotels. He estimated that the center averages 75 percent occupancy over the course of a year. Mittelstaedt said the center does have a debt, in the form of a mortgage, but its profits make up for this. "Two million dollars is left after we have paid all expenses," Mittelstaedt said. The upper three floors of the center serve as a hotel for the guests during their seminars and contain 93 single rooms, seven double rooms, and two VIP suites. Throughout the building there are also five classrooms, numerous case-study "breakout" rooms, and a dining room that seats 160. Mittelstaedt said the center was established to serve the changing educational needs of executives' education. "We look at the many trends in education," Mittelstaedt said. "There is a need for managers to have continuous education." Mittelstaedt explained that the center is well decorated to attract executives who are choosing from programs at other Universities. A Wharton statement earlier this month said no tuition money had been spent to alleviate the initial loss.
