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(02/22/95 10:00am)
A University employee was assaulted and robbed near campus yesterday morning by two men at 39th and Delancey streets, according to University Police Sergeant Keith Christian. The employee sustained facial injuries after being struck in the face by the assailant and had to be taken to the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania for treatment, Christian said. The suspects were last seen fleeing west on Delancey Street at about 8:05 a.m., he added. Christian said the victim described one of the two suspect's as a "black male, six-foot-five, heavy build, wearing a blue sweat suit." The employee could not give a description of the second suspect, however. Wharton junior Michael Kohn, who lives on the 3900 block of Delancey Street, said the area is unsafe, adding that his car was broken into last year. "I know the street is really not that safe," he said. "It's really frightening." Kohn said that not many pedestrians walk in the area, especially during weekdays in the early morning hours. "It's a pretty dark street and there really aren't too many people on the block," he said. "It feels pretty isolated." Yesterday's incident was the second robbery of a University-affiliated person in less than 36 hours. In an unrelated incident, a student was robbed by three men Sunday night at 43rd and Spruce streets, according to University Police Sergeant Larry Salotti. The suspects in that incident took the student's wallet at about 11:40 p.m., Salotti said.
(02/21/95 10:00am)
The University will probably fill its 15 allotted positions for the Pennsylvania Service Scholars division of the AmeriCorps program by the deadline Friday, according to Associate Director of the Penn Program for Public Service Amy Cohen. Three more students signed up yesterday to become Pennsylvania Service Scholars. The program offers students financial aid in exchange for 900 hours of community service. The four remaining open positions are expected to be filled by Friday, Cohen said. "I plan to interview and hire the last four by the end of the week," she said. Cohen currently has interviews scheduled with four students interested in the program, and there could be more applicants than slots available. "At this point, I have somewhat over 15 vying for it," she said. College freshman Amber Hsu, who signed up for the program yesterday, said she heard about the program from College Junior Danny Gerber, who is the residential advisor for the Community Service Living-Learning Program. Although she found out about the program earlier this semester, Hsu waited and signed up yesterday, but only because the deadline was approaching. "I think it was just a matter of getting the application done," she said. Hsu is involved with the West Philadelphia Improvement Corps. Along with Gerber, she teaches arts and crafts to four-to-eight-year-old students. She said she eventually hopes to implement her own program. Another student who signed up yesterday was College sophomore Marc Leader. Leader, who learned about the program through the Penn Program for Public Service, said he had been thinking about becoming a Pennsylvania Service Scholar for the past few weeks. Leader is also part of the Community Service Living-Learning Program in which he has already been performing community service. "I was already fairly involved in community service, and the element of financial aid along with service was very attractive to me," Leader said. "One reason I signed up for it is it's a group that's going to be dedicated to meeting the community service movement on campus and perhaps nationally as well." Like Hsu, Leader is involved in WPIC and is WPIC's liaison to local Wilson Elementary School. Cohen said she thinks students heard about the Pennsylvania Service Scholars Program through people involved in the program or those who participate in community service in general, as well as from faculty members. In addition, she said students have also become aware of the program through sources such as the Internet. She explained why WPIC is one of the main organizations in which Pennsylvania Service Scholars are participating. "A lot of them will be working in WPIC programs because the primary focus of the Service Scholars program at the University is going to be around working with the public schools, which they've done quite a lot of and quite well," she said.
(02/21/95 10:00am)
Some female graduateSome female graduatestudents are uncomfortableSome female graduatestudents are uncomfortablein post-graduate learningSome female graduatestudents are uncomfortablein post-graduate learningenvironments. Women are not performing as well as men academically at the Law School, according to a recent study by Law School Professor Lani Guinier. But, is this the case in all of the University's graduate schools? Because similar studies have yet to be conducted at other graduate schools, such an obvious gender gap is not as starkly apparent. However, many female students say they too feel uncomfortable and marginalized by their lack of representation in some graduate divisions. Deans can only speculate and begin investigating problems within their individual schools. Although the Guinier study raises questions of gender, each graduate school has created its own environment for higher education which can be either conducive or detrimental to women's education. Women have traditionally gravitated to the graduate programs in humanities and social sciences while more men entered graduate programs in the hard sciences, according to Graduate School of Arts and Sciences Dean Walter Licht. "There is one other first year female in the math program with me," first year Mathematics graduate student Rachel Pries said. "I'm very glad she's there. I wouldn't want to be the only female there." Many have complained that there also is not enough mentoring directed towards female students as undergraduates in the hard sciences. "I think more women drop out in the undergraduate level because they aren't encouraged to continue," Pries said. Within hard science schools such as medical and engineering schools, women often feel intimidated by male professors and the amount of coursework that must be completed. Medical students also have a stringent curriculum, with two years of formal classes followed by two years of clinical rotations in which a licensed physician evaluates them personally. Because of the individualized attention given to students in the University's School of Medicine, an uncomfortable environment exists for many students -- particularly women. "I know some people who had experiences with certain professors or physicians where female students had felt put out and in awkward situations," third year medical student Celeste Heckman said. And fourth year medical student Amy Schlernitzauer said the grades given to students during rotations tend to be very subjective. "People, especially women, have a difficult time knowing how much they should stand up for themselves because of their unsureness of someone's ability to separate their professional feelings from their personal feelings towards the students," she said. In the Engineering School, doctoral students attend one year of formal classes and then spend the rest of their time in the field conducting research. As a result, most of the evaluation of the student's performance is based on their field work and is not affected by a person's gender. But in certain graduate programs such as the Nursing School and the School of Social Work, women outnumber the men in each graduating class. About 75 to 80 percent of the Social Work students are female. First year student Stephen Pitts said he is quite comfortable being in the minority. "I actually feel very comfortable at the school although the population is mostly female," Pitts said. "But the faculty isn't representative of the student body." The Nursing School has similar student body composition with only 10 percent male representation, according to Nursing Director of Graduate Studies Joan Lynaugh. Since women are not in the minority at these schools, the learning environment is more comfortable for them. "In my class, there are only two men out of 37 people," Nursing junior Alicia Puppione said. As part of the Bachelor's of Nursing/Master's of Nursing program, Puppione will receive both a master's and bachelor's degree upon graduation. But when the student body is kept to a small size of 30 people in each graduating class, as it is in the Annenberg School for Communication, gender issues are not as evident. Annenberg has developed a highly selective program that offers intensive education and research possibilities to its students. "Regardless of gender, there is no difference in our graduates job placement," Annenberg Dean Kathleen Jamieson said. Within the School of Dental Medicine, the gender breakdown of the student population is close to 50-50. But in academic performance, the top 10 students of each class include only an average of three women. "It's not like the women are trailing behind the men," Assistant Dean for Academic Affairs Ellen Bateman said. "If you look at the upper half of each class, it is equally divided by men and women." The Law School differs from other higher education programs because it admits students from all undergraduate majors, humanities as well as hard sciences. According to Law School Dean Colin Diver, the academic gap between male and female law students is a differential of one grade. For example, if a female received all Bs in her courses, a male would receive all Bs and one A. This phenomenon does not exist only at the University's Law School but also at law schools across the nation. A national study has just been released by the Law School Admission Council that supports Guinier's conclusions. According to third year law student Elana Scherzer, first year students tend to be overly concerned with grades because job interviews at the On-Campus Recruiting Services are held in fall of the second year. "All you have to show is your first year grades in the first interview," Scherzer said. "Ideally, you would work for a summer at a firm and they would offer you a job part way through your third year." The Law School uses a grading system that rates students with E, excellent, G, good, and Q, qualified. About 20 percent of the students receive Es, 40 percent Gs and 40 percent Qs. Because of this system, some male students try to take classes with more women because they believe that they would receive a higher grade since the women would fulfill the "Q quota," Guinier said. "The competitive, hierarchical format of the Law School's dominant pedagogy is also used by peers to put down some women," the Guinier study stated in the University Of Pennsylvania Law Review. This hierarchy creates a stressful and hostile learning environment for female students, the article added. Diver has commissioned a follow-up study that will be conducted by a committee headed by Heidi Hurd, associate dean of academic affairs at the Law School. The study will examine the system of legal education currently used at the Law School. According to the study, the current phenomenon is perpetuated by the schools and the firms that hire the law students. "The problem lies in the system of evaluation in law schools, which functions to rank students on a hierarchy that prospective employers then use to choose who they will actually train to be a lawyer," the article stated. In response to the Guinier study, SEAS Dean Gregory Farrington plans to conduct his own study with engineering doctoral students. "I intend to ask Associate Dean Dwight Jaggard to meet with the women graduate students to talk with them," Farrington said. "I haven't been aware that women here have any problems but if they have, I'd like to know about it."
(02/21/95 10:00am)
The Department of Facilities Management has completed an analysis of the slab of sculpture concrete placed in front of the Castle on Locust Walk last summer. The department found that the dense concrete material was "not the optimal solution" to the problems plaguing the Walk, Vice President of Facilities Management Arthur Gravina said yesterday. The material can crack easily, Gravina said. He added that the only method of keeping it in tact is using "very small pieces." In addition, the material is porous, and therefore cannot be easily cleaned, Gravina added. Locust Walk is currently made of blue stone, and it has been deteriorating for the last four years. The blue stone cannot withstand the weight of trucks or machinery on the Walk, Gravina added. "We didn't get the appropriate blue stone," he said. "It should last 100 years. We didn't even get 20 years." The Physical Plant Department currently performs continual maintenance on the Walk, but Gravina said the deterioration has accelerated. "We don't want to make it hazardous to pedestrians, so we have to reduce tripping," he said. "It's a nightmare." According to Executive Director of Physical Plant James Wargo, the University has been testing various sample materials and stones ever since the deterioration began four years ago. In November, Gravina was optimistic about the sculpture concrete testing taking place on the Walk, saying that it was easier to replace than the blue stone and that the question was one of aesthetics. But now Gravina said a full analysis revealed problems with that material. The Department of Facilities Management is currently considering other options to replace the "unsightly" blue stone, Gravina added. Everything from the stone's durability to its aesthetics must be considered. One choice involves the use of hastings paver -- the pressed asphalt found on the bridge crossing 38th Street. Because it comes in a variety of colors, the material could maintain the "ribbon effect" the blue stone currently provides, Gravina said, adding that he hopes to retain or improve upon the current look of Locust Walk. After a durable, appropriate material is found, the Design Review Committee will consider any perspective material for its aesthetics. And Gravina said he hopes to complete "at least a section" of the Walk this summer. "We'd like to come to some resolution [about the material choice] this semester," he said. The blue stone was put in 15 years ago. In an attempt to save money, a thinner, inferior stone was chosen, Gravina said. Repairs to Locust Walk could cost the University as much as $2 million, Gravina said last semester.
(02/21/95 10:00am)
U. Police to keep current beats Allied Security guards will begin patrolling central walkways on campus tomorrow, University Police Commissioner John Kuprevich said last night. The initiative is a component in the master security plan unveiled by University President Judith Rodin last week. The security guards will patrol and walk beats along designated "Community Walks" created by the new security plan. These walkways are designed to encourage additional pedestrian traffic and will feature improved lighting, an expanded blue light phone system and the construction of security kiosks to be staffed by contracted guards. Security Services Director Christopher Algard said six uniformed Allied guards will start patrols of Hamilton, Locust, Smith and Woodland walks from 3 p.m. to 3 a.m., seven days a week. Algard said the presence of security guards should serve as a deterrent to crime. "They're going to be eyes and ears, and provide high visibility for those walkways," he said. "Is it possible to walk the length of Locust [Walk] and not see a guard? It is possible -- but it is highly unlikely. "If you stand on the Walk for 20 minutes, you should see someone," Algard added. He added that the Allied guards will not be armed, and will not have the power to detain suspects. They will, however, be in constant radio contact with University Police. Algard also said that University Police officers will continue to maintain their existing patrol routes, which will overlap with the security guard assignments. "These guards are not for police functions," he said. "It is putting more people out on the streets to watch for the same thing." Not everyone is pleased with the new plan, however. Kuprevich said the Fraternal Order of Police, the union representing University Police officers, has resisted implementation of security guard patrols. He said the FOP has voiced concerns that the program violates the collective bargaining agreement and that security guards will be doing work reserved for University Police officers. Yet Kuprevich said he does not see the new guard patrols conflicting with the collective bargaining agreement. "This is not to replace campus police officers," Kuprevich said. "This is to create a security presence on campus." But University Police Officer and FOP President Dave Ball said he was hesitant to embrace the new patrols. "Good luck to them if they want to patrol," he said last night. Penn Watch President Jon Brightbill said he favored the program because it would give his town watch operation more flexibility in terms of its patrols. The Wharton sophomore said the the Allied guards will patrol the center of campus while Penn Watch focuses more on the edges of campus. "The more people out there who are paying attention, the better," Brightbill said. "This is about making the campus safer and making people feel safer." Algard added that training for the patrolling Allied guards will begin today.
(02/21/95 10:00am)
For the second time in the past two years, a distinguished Law School professor is leaving the University for a position at Harvard Law School. Law School Professor Elizabeth Warren accepted an appointment to become the Leo Gottlieb Professor of Law at Harvard last week. Warren follows in the footsteps of former University Law School Professor Leon Higginbotham, who left the University in March to accept a professorship at Harvard. Higginbotham's wife, Evelyn, an associate history professor, also left for Harvard. "There are a lot of people that find it hard to resist the lure of Harvard," said Law School Dean Colin Diver, who received his law degree from Harvard. Many Law School students said that while they will miss Warren's presence at the University, they certainly understand her decision. "Harvard is Harvard and on that base level, I can understand someone wanting to leave," second year Law student Ami Hordes said. Harvard originally offered Warren the professorship two years ago. Finally accepting the position last week, Warren is slated to teach a course on credit this fall, according to an article in The Harvard Crimson. "I will have wonderful research opportunities at Harvard," Warren said. Warren was a professor at the University for eight years and was awarded a Lindback teaching award last spring. She was a popular teacher known for making boring subjects seem interesting. "I was really looking forward to taking a class from her next semester," second year Law school student Susan Tien said. According to Diver, the search for a replacement for Warren has already begun. "People come and people go," he said. "The important thing is to be adding people as good as the people we are losing." This year, the Law School added to their faculty Geoffrey Hazard, a former Yale University Law School professor, and Jason Johnston, a former law school professor at Vanderbilt University. "I think that getting Geoffrey Hazard is a bonus because he is the premiere professor in professional responsibility and ethics," Tien said. But Hazard's acceptance of a position at the Law School was probably most influenced by the presence of the American Law Institute, which is based in Philadelphia, Tien added. According to Diver, the Law School is in the process of expanding its faculty from 30 to 40. There are currently 36 professors at the Law School. "We are expanding the faculty and we've been hiring all along at the entry level," Diver said. Students in the Law School are disappointed to see Warren leave but are positive about the addition of new faculty members. "I think it's always a benefit to get quality faculty," Hordes said. "There are plenty of good teachers here but if you can always find more good ones it can only benefit the students." Tien agrees that the University should try to obtain more high caliber law professors. "Penn definitely should go out of its way to recruit top scholars like Hazard," Tien said.
(02/21/95 10:00am)
Although the snowdrifts have barely disappeared from College Green, the University is already preparing for the April visit of an accrediting committee representing the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools. According to Susan Shaman, assistant vice president for planning and analysis, the Middle States Association is one of seven regional agencies responsible for insuring the quality of educational institutions in the United States. Located at 3624 Market Street, Middle States also handles evaluations for schools in New York, New Jersey, Maryland, Delaware, the District of Columbia and, although it is not exactly a mid-atlantic state, Puerto Rico. Middle States evaluations occur once every 10 years. But every five years between these reviews, schools submit intermediate reports that allow the Middle States Association to monitor their progress. In the months before an evaluation is scheduled to occur, schools form internal committees of faculty, students and administrators to carry out a "self-study," Shaman said. The self-study helps to determine the evaluation's focus. The actual evaluation is then completed by a committee of educators whose members are mutually agreed upon by the school that is being evaluated and the Middle States Association. "They want to balance the team," Shaman said, explaining that both experienced and novice evaluators are recruited for each campus visit. Traditionally, evaluators come from institutions located within the school's own region. But because of the University's cosmopolitan reputation and four unique undergraduate schools, members of this spring's visiting committee are coming from across the country, Shaman said. Among those who will be on campus from April 9 through 12 are William Richardson, president of Johns Hopkins University, who will serve as committee chairperson, and Vanderbilt University Provost Thomas Burish, who will serve associate chairperson. Shaman said other committee members have been culled from the faculty of Princeton and Cornell Universities and the University of California at Los Angeles. "We will have some very thoughtful educators on our campus for two days," Shaman said, adding that the University community will be able to use the committee as a "sounding board" with respect to the issue of undergraduate education, the theme of this year's study. Provost Stanley Chodorow said the group will concentrate on progress the Provost's Council on Undergraduate Education will have made by April toward implementing the 21st Century Project on the Undergraduate Experience. "There is no question that the University's accreditation will be reaffirmed, so that self-study that we do and the visit can focus on a topic that is important now," he said. "We will treat the group as a group of experienced academics from peer institutions who can give us an outsider's view of what we are doing or talking about." Shaman echoed Chodorow's sentiments. "Frankly, our accreditation is not in jeopardy," she said. "We want [the committee members] to be engaged and help us to think through something we'll be doing very seriously in the next few years." Chodorow said that during the committee's visit, members will have "the run of the campus and will be able to talk with whomever they wish" -- including informal conversations with students on Locust Walk or in dining halls.
(02/21/95 10:00am)
The Residential Faculty Council yesterday endorsed its subcommittee's report advocating a "collegiate cluster" system as a method of combining academics and student life, RFC Chairperson and English Professor Robert Lucid said last night. A six-person subcommittee of the RFC presented its findings to the full body yesterday afternoon. After the RFC approved the proposal, Lucid presented it to the Provost's Council on Undergraduate Education yesterday evening. PCUE, as a group, was lukewarm in its response to the plan, advocating tryout periods and slow movement -- although not rejecting it either. "We were not given a complete green light," Lucid said. "But people want to keep looking, keep examining -- they're not sure this this was the exactly right configuration. But everyone was intrigued." Lucid, who is also co-Director of PCUE, released the details of the proposal last night, emphasizing that it was only "on the drawing board." And his co-director, Vice Provost Kim Morrison, said this is a "next step based on much of the work that's been done prior to now." The plan would create six "collegiate clusters" -- brought together by activities and programming, not in actual physical proximity. Each cluster would include a first year house -- Hill House, Kings Court/English House, or one of the four houses in the Quadrangle. A college house would also be part of a each cluster -- without Hill House as one of them, the sixth would be the Living Learning programs as one entity. Lucid said the RFC also attempted to involve students living in the high rises and off-campus, by making two more units in each cluster to accommodate them. A cluster would also include a group of students living off-campus and several floors of a high rise. Unlike a typical college house system, the RFC plan would not directly connect each school with a cluster. Currently, those who live in fraternities or sororities would not be involved in this plan at all, Lucid said. "The RFC thought 'let's stand free of the Greeks and they can stand free of us,'" Lucid said. "The Greek system is an entity in itself and I am not sure if they need collegiate clusters. "They could decide if they wanted to be involved or not," he added. Lucid said he hoped students would remain in the same cluster for their entire undergraduate career. The opportunity to switch would exist, however, for students who had specific reasons for wanting to live in a specific residence that was not part of their cluster, such as the Modern Languages College House. "This is a comprehensive attempt to create a system of communities in the student world beyond the four schools," Lucid said, adding that each cluster would have a name. He added that he hopes students would eventually not only identify themselves by school, but also by cluster. Students would choose their clusters before freshman year -- much like students choose their housing now. Freshmen could reside in first year housing or in the college houses, such as W.E.B. DuBois College House, just as they do now, Lucid said. "There's no reason to change that," Lucid said. "We thought it would be a matter of choice." Since the clusters would not be physically connected or necessarily even close together, they would use other methods of bringing one cluster's students, faculty and graduate students together. "I don't think Penn is such a huge campus," Lucid said. "In my opinion, being separated by distance is not out of connection, but there are different opinions on that." Lucid said the first method of binding students in clusters involves academic programming associated with the various schools. "A given collegiate cluster would reach out towards support of various kinds of academic programs of the schools," Lucid said, adding that programs such as tutoring, advising, and study groups would be part of this effort. The second method of bringing students in each cluster together is a non-school-based educational system -- involving lectures, symposiums, educational events, publications and other programming unaffiliated with the schools. The third area of connection within a cluster would be social and recreational, including intramural sports -- perhaps even involving competition between clusters, Lucid said. He added that this includes social events, clubs and gathering places. Under the RFC's plan, every standing faculty member would be assigned to a cluster. But Lucid recognized that not every professor would become involved. "Eighty percent would not be very active or active at all," he said. "But as much as 20 percent of the faculty could take an interest and at least make themselves available to students as resources." Lucid said several large questions remain unanswered in the RFC's preliminary draft. Although the clusters will not have overarching themes, they may begin to develop "personalities," Lucid said, individually emphasizing one area of the University, such as athletics, publications or performing arts. And the specific involvement of Dining Services in the collegiate cluster program has yet to be determined. "We would want dining more or less compatible with these six clusters," Lucid said. "You don't just wave the magic wand and get six dining halls, and we'd have to have big planning efforts." PCUE is planning to establish a smaller work group, to study and test the proposal.
(02/20/95 10:00am)
Convenient Food Store at 39th and Walnut street gutted A raging fire tore through the Convenient Food Store in the 3900 block of Walnut Street early Saturday morning. The fire completely gutted the convenience store, leaving only a charred exterior structure and damage to nearby stores. As of yet, the Philadelphia Fire Department still has not determined the cause of the fire, which began shortly before 4 a.m. Although the store was closed at the time of the fire, there were several people in the area, and many witnesses on the scene reported hearing explosive sounds coming from the store. Drexel University junior Chad Glover said he was in Kinko's Copies -- which is adjacent to the Convenient Food Store -- when he heard a series of noises and ran outside to see what had happened. "It sounded like a whole bunch of bottles and cans jumping out of the window," Glover said. "It started real small and kind of blew up, and the whole thing ignited and came rushing out the windows." Glover said the fire blew through the front windows of the Convenient Food Store within seconds of the first flames. Glover then went back into Kinko's to alert the late-night employee to the fire next door. Philadelphia Firefighter Scott Ulshafer said the fire spread unusually fast. "It's not a normal fire," Ulshafer said. "This took off too quick." Many students in High Rise North said they could smell the fire from the building. Wharton senior Jim Maceiko said his friends thought someone was burning something in the hall, or had burned food in the microwave. College junior Chris Nelson said he heard noise coming from outside his room. "There was a crash before the flames," Nelson said. "I thought a car blew up." Initially, the police responded to the store after a reported burglar alarm in the store, but upon arriving found the store in flames. Police radioed the fire department which dispatched three fire engines, two ladder trucks, a rescue unit and an ambulance to the scene. Firefighters spent nearly three hours extinguishing the fire while Philadelphia and University Police sealed off Walnut Street from 39th to 40th streets. And although the fire did not spread from the Convenient Food Store, Mega Video, College Pizza and Baskin Robbins did receive smoke and water damage. The Convenient Food Store's neighbor, Kinko's Copies, was left unscathed due, in part, to a firewall separating the two stores. Sam Patel, owner of Convenient Food Store, said he was disturbed by the sight of his charred store. He added that he was upset to see his hard work go up in flames after opening the store in September. "After seeing this, I don't know what I'm going to do," Patel said. "I put myself out and worked hard to build the store. "This is the first time I've seen a store burnt like this in my life," he added. "It's like losing a son -- a part of your life." Patel said he has several other stores in Center City Philadelphia, and is planning to open another store in March. He added that he hopes to rebuild the Walnut Street store, but was unsure of a timetable. Vaughn Barnes, of University City Associates -- the subsidiary corporation of the University that owns property in the area -- said he estimated the damage to the Convenient Food Store to be between $500,000 and $1 million. Charles Thomas, an employee of UCA, said the store could be rebuilt by the summer. "We'll salvage anything that can be salvaged," he said. "The basic structure is still there." Firefighters from the station at 43rd and Market streets were driving near the scene when the fire broke and arrived within seconds. The fire was under control by 4:55 a.m., according to a Philadelphia Fire official. To alleviate the intense heat and smoke, the firefighters had to cut holes in the roof of the building. They also broke through the front windows of Mega Video and a small section of the wall, along with the doors of College Pizza, Baskin Robbins and the former AMC movie theater. Philadelphia Fire Department Lieutenant Robert Buckley said that all of these stores sustained smoke damage. Orest Hrabowy, manager of Mega Video, said extensive damage was done to the store. He added that the store will be closed for at least a week to restore the video stock, get the computer system functioning and clean-up the water damage. Eric Yates, owner of the Baskin Robbins ice cream shop, said there was slight damage to the ventilation system and ceiling, but he would be back in business by today. "I was lucky," Yates added. Over the weekend, work crews boarded up the Convenient Food Store in addition to much of Mega Video. A fire marshall is expected to survey the remains of the store tomorrow to try to determine the cause of the fire.
(02/20/95 10:00am)
Hungarian ambassador to the United States Gysrgy B
(02/20/95 10:00am)
Residential Living offersResidential Living offersthe most expensive housingResidential Living offersthe most expensive housingof all Ivy League institutions. Everyone knows the University's basketball and football teams are at the top of the Ivy League, but the University beats its Ivy brethren hands down in another area as well -- the cost of living on campus. With the Department of Residential Living's recent efforts to recruit more students to live on campus, the department has boasted reasonable rents for the residences, announcing a zero percent increase in average rent between last year and this one. But, in actuality, the University charges higher rents for on-campus residences than any other Ivy League school. Although each university uses different factors for determining rent, the average rents charged by the seven other Ivy League schools are lower than those charged at the University. And because the University is in session for the least amount of days per year, the rent differences are even more dramatic. But Residential Living Director Gigi Simeone said the University's housing system itself, along with the multitude of services offered, makes living on campus well-worth the price and incomparable to other Ivy League schools. This year, the University's average rent is approximately $4,580 -- or almost $30 per day. Coming in at a close second, Dartmouth College's average rent for 1995-1996 is $4,536, or just over $20 per day. Unlike the University, which charges various prices depending on the size, building and contents of available rooms, other members of the Ivy League use different pricing criteria. And at the University, rents are based on the total expenditures of Residential Living. Other Ivy League schools may pay for their residences and residential services with money from other sources, University officials have said. According to Associate Vice Provost for University Life Larry Moneta, Residential Living's entire budget is covered by rent fees. "That's what makes us fair," Moneta said. "We don't hide some of the costs of residences and there is no dispute about what goes into the rent and where that money is." The University's rent prices may be higher than other schools because they must go toward more services and costs, he added. Moneta said 20 percent of Residential Living's budget is devoted to "debt service." When residences are built, money is borrowed. The "debt service" section of the budget goes toward paying those debts. Another 10 percent of the budget goes toward paying Allied Security Inc. for 24-hour security service in each residence, Moneta added. Both of these examples may not apply to every Ivy League School, he said. Princeton University has the least expensive average rent in the Ivy League -- one generic price of $2,790. Princeton also has two co-ops that charge $2,850. On average, Princeton's rent is approximately $13 per day. Despite the University's comparatively high cost of living, Simeone said she has never compared rent costs with her other Ivy League colleagues, adding that peer institution costs should not be true factors in analyzing the University's rents. "It's our goal to keep our rents as low as possible for our students," she said. "I would be very surprised if we made those decisions based on what other institutions [do]." Last week, Simeone attended an annual conference of housing directors from every Ivy League school and Stanford University. There, she said, administrators discuss programming, services and the physical housing structures. "We deliberately do not discuss [rents] when we meet," she said. "We never, ever, ever talk about rents." Simeone said she and other Ivy League administrators do make other comparisons with regard to residences. Discussion with her colleagues is particularly helpful, Simeone said, when considering the 21st Century Undergraduate Education Initiative and its affect on residences, possible college house plans and technology. "It's very, very useful for me to talk with our peer institutions about issues our students are facing and programs being offered," she said. "But we have to make budget decisions based on our situation here at Penn and I am not sure how useful it would be to talk in depth with other schools [about rents]." Although Simeone said comparing Ivy League institutions is analogous to comparing "apples and oranges," she did offer several reasons as to why the University's on-campus housing is the most expensive in the Ivy League. She cited the twenty-four hour security at every entrance to every residence as a main reason for high rent fees. Allied Security Inc. adds a "very high cost," Simeone said, adding that some schools do not have guards at every entrance of every residence. Only Columbia University has an equivalent system to the University's, with guards stationed at every residential entrance 24 hours a day. But the average cost of rent at Columbia is significantly lower than at the University. Dartmouth has roving guards who walk through every floor of every residence four times a night. Harvard University has security guards stationed in each residence during the night and early morning. Every other Ivy League school has some form of residential security that does not involve guards. ResNet access and general programming, services and facilities are also areas in which the University excels above the other schools, Simeone said. ResNet, which provides cable television access and Internet connections, has made the University "more advanced than most of the others," Simeone said. Although other schools cannot boast the same features as the University, they generally have some of the same room types and choices as the University does. Harvard's average rent is $3,510 -- $15 per day. Like at the University, its prices vary depending on the number of people in the room. Choices range from singles to quads. Although representatives from Columbia's housing office could not pinpoint an exact average rent, they said prices ranged from $2,000 to $5,000 -- an approximate average of $3,500. Since Columbia is in session for 207 days, students pay $16 per day. Located in the crime-ridden environs of New York City, Columbia's environment is most similar to the University's. Columbia also employs constant security guards in the residences, and has surrounding city conditions that resemble the University's. Some of the University's Ivy League counterparts have yet to publish rent information for the 1995-1996 school year. According to on-campus housing representatives from these schools, however, the prices from the 1994-1995 year would increase by 5 percent at the most -- allowing for the calculation of the highest possible 1995-1996 totals. Several Ivy League officials said the percentage could be much lower than this figure, however. But using the percentage as a guideline, the University still comes out as the most expensive landlord. Cornell University has varying prices based on many more factors than the University uses, including location, room arrangement, recreational information, faculty programs and facility information. Cornell's average rent for last year was $3,806. A five percent increase would bring that figure to $3,996. Per day, Cornell students would pay almost $18. Some residences at Cornell charge an additional yearly program fee ranging from $25 to $40. "We do work on the assumption that there is a lot of value to living on campus," said Margaret Dwyer, the manager of Cornell's Housing Department. "We provide many services and that's where the cost is." Last year, Yale University charged a generic rent of $3,470. The five percent increase brings this cost to almost $3,644, or $18 per day. Unlike its peer institutions, however, Yale also requires those students living on campus to contract with its Dining Services. Last year, this added $3,040 to each of the resident's expenditures. For the 1994-1995 academic year, Brown University charged an average price of $3,574. Increasing that number by 5 percent would bring rent to $3,753, or $18 per day. Despite these numbers, Simeone said students should simply look at the University's multitude of housing options instead of other school's prices. "Our housing stock is very different from the other Ivies," Simeone said. "It would be very unusual for other Ivies to have apartments like we have in the High Rises because they have more traditional residences. "Some of the amenities we offer would be different at Penn than at other schools," she added. But some University students said these "perks" do not make living on campus worth the money. "I don't think it's worth it at all," Wharton sophomore Joyce Fung said. "I get ResNet and I guess safety, but not much else. "I have friends living off campus who also have cable TV and pay less," the High Rise North resident added. Administrators said the general environment of a school and its surroundings contributes to the cost of rent for on-campus residences. "You pay for what you get," Moneta said, adding that labor costs are high in this area and are another contributing factor to the University's comparatively high rents. And Fung said apartments in the area -- both on-campus and off-campus -- "are quite expensive," adding that this could contribute to the "really expensive" rents offered by Residential Living. Simeone and Moneta said Residential Living will continue to keep rents as low as possible, while attempting to provide the best services possible. Within this mission, however, the University's peer institutions do not and will not play a role.
(02/20/95 10:00am)
The fire that decimated Convenient Food Store in the 3900 block of Walnut Street early Saturday morning has also curtailed business at the popular stores College Pizza and MegaVideo. And the problems did not stop when the flames disappeared -- smokey air and evacuation were only the beginning of the annoyances, students said. Although it will not be difficult to find other places for groceries, pizza and movies, the stores on 39th and Walnut Streets were some of the cheapest near campus, students said. "As far as living in High Rise North, [the Convenient Food Mart] is the closest place to get stuff," College and Wharton junior Michael Margolis said. "And cigarettes are cheaper at the now burnt down convenience store. It's a pain in the ass because it's like a quarter more." Although most students complained about personal inconvenience, Wharton junior Sanjay Banker said his greatest concern was not for the movie he couldn't rent Saturday night, but for the store merchants who were forced to close down. "There are other video places on campus," he said. "There's more than one place to eat on campus. It's more of a tragedy than anything else. It's kind of selfish to think about how I was inconvenienced." But walking a few extra blocks to Allegro's or the Wawa at 38th and Spruce streets were not the only problems the fire caused for students. At the actual scene of the fire, the excessive smoke and foul smell generated by the fire infiltrated nearby residences, clouding the air and alarming students. Students living at 39th and Sansom streets, behind the Convenient Food Store, said they were awaken by their neighbors at around three or four Saturday morning and had to leave their home. "We thought we were in imminent danger, so we got everyone up and outside," College junior Dave Hong said. "I got a closer look and saw the smoke and flames. It was just unbelievable. "There were firemen all over the place," he added. "And the smell of the smoke was really overpowering once you got outside." College junior Kim Katz, who lives in High Rise North said she was woken up by commotion and the abnormal smell. "A really pungent odor woke me up at four in the morning," she said. "I'm used to bad odors in the high rises and this one was strong enough to wake me up. "For a second I thought the fire was in the high rises," she added. "But it didn't smell like normal smoke. I can't describe it but it was really bad -- I knew we weren't going to die but it smelled like plastic was burning." Engineering junior Paul Jamison agreed that the smell was unusually strong for smoke. "I'm not sure exactly what it smelled like," he said. "It didn't smell like normal smoke. Maybe a lot of plastic burning."
(02/20/95 10:00am)
The Educational Testing Service will postpone converting the Graduate Record Examination to a computer-only format for two years, according to ETS Spokesperson Kevin Gonzalez. The conversion, originally scheduled for completion in 1997, will now take place in 1999. Gonzalez said the delay is meant to give students and administrators of the test greater flexibility by offering both the written and computerized versions of the test for a longer time. But representatives of Kaplan Educational Centers, the nation's largest test preparation company, disagree. According to Kaplan Spokesperson Melissa Mack, the delay is a direct result of research conducted by Kaplan that allegedly proves the computerized GRE is easily compromised. Mack explained that the computerized GRE gives all students a question of medium difficulty to begin the exam. Depending on the student's answer to this question, the next question will have either a high or low degree of difficulty. Because of the nature of the test, the possibility exists that students could see the same questions on subsequent exams, according to the Kaplan study. "If you took the test twice in six months, you would know 50 percent of the questions," Mack said. Gonzalez denied the charge, saying there was "no chance" that students could have cheated on the exam by memorizing previous questions because of the size of the question pools. However, future versions of the test will include more item pools, hundreds of additional questions, and increased question-scrambling to address the issues raised by Kaplan, he added. In December, Kaplan presented ETS with a list of recommendations for improving the exam, after evaluating surveys they obtained from students who had taken the exam. ETS suspended the computerized GRE for one week in late December to address these security concerns and also filed a lawsuit against Kaplan alleging copyright infringement. Kaplan claims it never had any intention of disclosing test questions to students and was only seeking to ensure the integrity of the exam. "The problem would be?whether we conducted our research or not," said Mack. "If you can improve your scores by cheating on the exam, obviously it hurts our business." But Gonzalez was skeptical of Kaplan's motives, given that Kaplan's disclosure occurred during ETS's busiest season. "It doesn't matter that they didn't show [the test results] to anybody," he said. "They stole questions from us." In response, Kaplan has charged that ETS has violated federal law by not releasing the exam to students after the administration of the test. "ETS has not been disclosing the tests to students because they were using the same questions over again," Mack said. But Gonzalez denied that ETS was required by law to disclose the test to students, citing a "special administration clause" in the law which ETS claims exempts the computerized exam from disclosure. While ETS maintains that the test has always been secure and will be even more so in the future, officials at Kaplan remain skeptical. "We feel it's good news that they're taking the time to improve the exam," said Mack. "But ETS has not released enough information for us to know whether or not the test is secure."
(02/20/95 10:00am)
Chaka Fattah, the Democratic congressman whose district includes the University, spoke about education and political activism to a group of students and area residents yesterday afternoon. The discussion, entitled "African-Americans on the Move: A Promising Future," was held in the in the multi-purpose room in W.E.B. DuBois College House, and sponsored by the sorority Alpha Kappa Alpha. "It is true that in the African-American community, nationwide, there are a lot of goings-on," said Fattah. He then spoke about the necessity of education in the black community. "A central part of education is as a linchpin to empower you to make a contribution?in a whole host of areas," he said. Fattah commented on the new leadership in Congress, attacking them for their emphasis on what he characterized as reactive measures to combat crime. He cited the construction of more prisons and the consideration of the abandonment of social programs like affirmative action. "It is critically important that you think about these changes," he said. "Make it your business to get involved." Fattah also expressed his strong support for Clinton's embattled nomination of Henry Foster for Surgeon General. "He is a major force in the prevention of teenage pregnancy," Fattah said, adding that he possesses "an awesome array of talents." Fattah then highlighted the importance of voter registration and communication with elected officials. And he said that only through involvement can blacks be empowered in the American political structure. "As a group, we've overcome a great deal," he said of the civil rights movement. He then pointed out that there is only one black senator, and currently no black governors. "Even though we've made some strides, there's still a lot of work to do," he said. "Much of that rests on your shoulders." Dawn Baxter, a College sophomore and cultural committee co-chairperson of Alpha Kappa Alpha agreed with Fattah's emphasis on politics. "There should be more people interested in politics because it does directly affect us," she said. "Even if things won't be as easy as you think they should be," Fattah said, "we will be heard and will continue to rise."
(02/20/95 10:00am)
Residents of Philadelphia and surrounding communities flocked to the University Museum Saturday afternoon, cramming its galleries and classrooms to take part in the sixth annual Celebration of African Cultures. The event featured a number of performing arts groups, themed workshops and craft displays offered by collectors and vendors from the Delaware Valley and New Jersey. Dance performances included exhibitions by the Spirit of Sankofa Performing Arts Company and the Women's Sekere Ensemble. Gospel music was provided by the Freedom Choir of Philadelphia while the jazz quartet Everafter played several sets through the afternoon. Earle Brown of WRTI's "Jazz Journeys" hosted a live broadcast from the Museum, including events and music from the celebration. The FM jazz station co-sponsored the event with the University Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology. "I think this is a good event because it draws a lot of people from the community into the Museum," said College senior Abigail Leafe, who works at the Museum. "I've seen a few of my classmates here," said Sita Battle, a young West Philadelphia student. "I think it's great how everybody gets together to see one common thing," said her younger brother Antonio Battle. Although visitors enjoyed the opportunity to taste samples of various African styles of cooking and be entertained by the various performers, education seemed to be the order of the day. Visitors had the opportunity to attend a hair-braiding presentation, a lecture on African textiles, a tie-dying display, a wood carving exhibition, several jewelry-making demonstrations and instructional dance workshops led by the dance troupe Children of Shango and dancer Van Williams. In a Museum classroom, members of Rainbow Child International entertained parents and children alike with storytelling, dancing and rhythm games that encouraged both creativity and group participation. Local author Debra Dean was also on hand to read from her recently published children's book The Adventures of Abiola. "We wanted to use this story as an educational tool, to provide all children with information on African-American history," said Dean. Farther down the hall, vendors offered their goods and services to visitors, with items ranging from kente cloth and brightly patterned vests to oracle readings and authentic artifacts. Standing behind a table of masks, carvings, shields and other crafts, New Jersey resident Sitta Keita patiently answered questions about his collection from the crowds of curious bystanders. "I bring pieces back and forth from Africa to the United States," he told them. "I'm not sure if you could call it a hobby -- but I like doing it," he added with a smile.
(02/20/95 10:00am)
The Chinese Student Association was giving out free money Friday night. At their Casino Night, more than 50 students -- both Chinese and non-Chinese -- gathered to try their luck at Chinese games of chance. CSA Vice-President and Wharton sophomore Winston Chow said he was pleased with the number of people who came to the event. "It's the first time we did something this big," he said. "We didn't know what to expect. We're all pleasantly surprised at such a huge turnout." And Engineering sophomore Wei Cao said he thought most of the people in attendance were having fun. "It seems most of the people are enjoying themselves except those losing money," he said. The casino offered several games played in China and Hong Kong. Given 100 dollars worth of chips, students tried their luck with such games as fish-prawn-crab, fan pan and mah-jong. In fish-prawn-crab, gamblers bet on one or more of six pictures on a table by placing chips on them. The dealer rolls the dice and the player wins if his chips are on the picture indicated by the dice. Fan-pan was another game featured at CSA Casino Night, in which the dealer has a bowl of melon seeds and continually takes four seeds from the bowl until he has up to four or fewer remaining on the table. Gamblers place bets on how many seeds will be left. There were also several tables of mah-jong, a traditional Chinese game in which the four players receive 13 or 14 blocks depicting shapes, figures or numbers. The outcome of the game is similar to the American card game rummy. CSA President and Engineering junior Steve Lin said the event was meant to entertain as well as teach students about Chinese culture. "We thought this might be an entertaining way to present an aspect of our heritage that most people aren't aware of," he said, adding that this event helped unite Chinese students from across the world. "The Chinese community itself is so diverse," Lin said. "It's a real challenge for the CSA to bring the Chinese community together."
(02/20/95 10:00am)
In the 1950s, only one in 20 women fell victim to breast cancer. Today, that figure has more than doubled to one in eight. This increase means that an increasing percentage of women and their families have to deal with breast cancer and its effects on everyday life, according to Joan Borysenko, medical doctor and president of Mind/Body Health Sciences, Inc. In a response to that increase, the University of Pennsylvania Cancer Center sponsored a symposium Friday specifically directed at those who have had an experience with breast cancer, whether personally or through a family member. The forum, "Life After Breast Cancer," was attended by more than 200 survivors of breast cancer and their loved ones. The majority of the featured speakers were experts from the UPCC. They lectured on inherited breast cancer, advances in its treatment and inner healing after breast cancer. Later in the day, they led workshops at the University Museum dealing with these topics. Lynne Nelson of the American Cancer Society attended the symposium to learn about the most recent developments in the field of breast cancer. "It has been really very interesting and very professional," she said. "We learned about a new test that is able to determine if someone is genetically pre-disposed to having cancer." Borysenko talked about the connection between the mind and body and cancer, stressing that inner peace can sometimes lead to cure. "People often hold on to grudges or stressful relationships and it manifests itself physically through some disease of the body," she said. "The symptoms keep reoccurring because they do not treat the deeper problems." Slides depicting peaceful settings and spiritual energy accompanied her lecture because "the components of healing are good intuition, healthy intellect and art." "What we live through or do not live through has to do with our attitude," Borysenko said. "Often times the diagnosis with a disease such as breast cancer is a time to slow down and answer the the following questions -- who am I and what do I want?" she added. "We might have been too busy to pay attention to them previously." Borysenko also said it is very important for those recently diagnosed with breast cancer to be in contact with survivors of the disease. "Survivors of breast cancer become shamans because they can pass on wisdom and understanding to others through their own experiences," she added. Sylvia Payne, a breast cancer survivor, was impressed by the entire forum -- especially Borysenko's lecture. "I wasn't aware of this forum until today, but I am glad I came," she said. "I need to be a part of things like this in order to facilitate more healing for myself."
(02/17/95 10:00am)
Faced with the Interfraternity Council's strict enforcement of the "Bring Your Own Beer" policy coupled with the recent crackdown by the Liquor Control Board, some students are finding the University's revamped social scene a little hard to swallow. Last month, the IFC passed a revised BYOB policy, making what was once a farce into a definite reality. Now, instead of free-flowing kegs complementing the smoky, music-filled hallways of these weekend hot spots, partygoers must tote their own thirst quenchers as they head out for the evening. College freshman Daniel Unger said that he believes the move toward under-21 sobriety is resulting in the downfall of the fraternity party, and is merely influencing minors to drink elsewhere. Now that drinks are no longer on the house, there exists little motivation for celebrating in the Greek tradition, Unger said. "If you have to buy beer on your own anyway, you might as well drink it with friends rather than go to a party," Unger said. "I think the parties suck since BYOB started," he added. "Turnout's been bad because people don't want to go [to fraternity parties] and not be able to get beer." Wharton freshman Daniel Mizukovski agreed. "People are going to stop coming," he said. "People would rather buy alcohol, go to their rooms and have parties in their rooms." Mizukovski said he believes a giant variable in the fraternity party equation is the availability of free alcohol with a relatively small cover charge -- taking that factor away essentially removes any notion of enjoyment. "When I first came to Penn, it was the traditional frat party -- unlimited beer, get wasted," Mizukovski said. "Now, you can't call it a frat party. I don't know what it is. "[At the] couple of frat parties I've been at, I couldn't get any alcohol," he added. "Altogether it was terrible, and everyone was scrounging around for tickets. So instead of having fun, you're concentrating on getting tickets." Joe Ryan, owner of the popular campus bar Smokey Joe's, reports no increase in incidences of minors attempting to gain entrance into his establishment, given the lack of beer at parties and the surprise of police officials at other bars. However, Ryan attributes this to his bar's reputation as "21 and over only." "I think our reputation is pretty hard core," Ryan said. Josh Gottheimer, Alpha Epsilon Pi president and IFC judicial manager, said he believes alcohol consumption should not be the sole purpose behind attending fraternity parties, adding that attractions other than beer should continue to lure students to their doors. "I'm hoping people don't go to fraternities only for the alcohol," said Gottheimer, a College sophomore. "Fraternities are beyond the alcohol. So you bring the beer with you -- it's no big deal. You come for the band, to see your friends. "If you come to have a good time, that's definitely still there," he said. Gottheimer said his impressions of the party scene at his own fraternity residence are substantially more positive than those of Unger and Mizukovski. Admitting that the house's first post-policy party was a bit shaky, Gottheimer added that he believes the University needs time to make it through the adjustment phase, and that, with time, BYOB will become a successful routine. "We had a party this weekend. Upwards of 65 percent [of the people who attended] brought beer, and we had a great crowd," he said. "It takes time for a campus to get used to something like this," he explained. "No one would disagree that it has an impact on Greek life right now. But I think that eventually, people will get used to it, and the campus will be fine." Tau Epsilon Phi Social Chair Mike Lembeck said he thinks the key to the transition lies in next year's incoming class, which arrives with few preconceived notions concerning alcohol on campus. Rather than adjusting, Lembeck said, new students will simply be accepting the policy as a given. "I think it's going to be a slow transition," he said. "When the new freshmen come in and the first thing they see is BYOB, this will make it work. "I don't think it's going to become a reality until next year," Lembeck added. "It's hard to change something you're accustomed to." However, he admitted that he harbors reservations about the policy, and foresees a definite decline in party attendance once BYOB becomes an unquestionable addition to University life. "The people that came [to the parties thus far] are still skeptical about [them] being BYOB," he said. "I think that's why it hasn't affected attendance yet. "But if it really solidifies itself -- if BYOB really becomes a fact and no longer an expectation, attendance will definitely decline," he added. But College freshman Kara Messner said she does not perceive any sort of attendance problem at fraternity parties, although she added that she has not seen the law being enforced. "[BYOB] doesn't seem to be in effect," Messner said. "I think the same amount [of people] are still going to frats. I've seen cops standing around, but they're not usually doing anything about it. "They realize that students are going to drink, and unless it gets out of control, I don't think they have a problem with it," she added. IFC President David Treat is placing his faith in the precedents set by other colleges and universities across the country. Citing the widespread move to BYOB, Treat said that campuses experimenting with the policy are finding it favorable. "This is not a local process, this is a nationwide process," said Treat, a College junior. "On the campuses where they've already gotten through the transition, [BYOB] works very well. "That's what we expect here -- just a transition period until we get to that," Treat added. "There's been a lot of progress and we're not there yet, but we hope to be soon." In the meantime, Engineering freshman Jason Pareti said he is "looking for things to do" as alternatives to fraternity party-hopping. Pareti, like Unger and Mizukovski, agrees that the fraternity parties have begun to lose their appeal. "Recently I haven't been to too many fraternity parties, in part due to the BYOB policy," Pareti said. "Definitely, the parties aren't as much fun as they used to be. It is a let-down." Pareti added that his social life has suffered a double blow due to the recent raid on Murph's, which he now no longer frequents. "[My friends and I] haven't been there for a while, since the problems," he said. Pareti does not necessarily represent the majority viewpoint, however. One College freshman, who asked that her name by withheld, said that her weekend plans have not been hurt by the recent lockouts on underage drinking. While she said the BYOB policy has been in effect, she added that procurement of alcohol has not been a problem. In fact, she admitted to regarding the policy as a positive because it eliminates the cover charge. "It hasn't really affected my social life," she said. "I still think that alcohol is accessible no matter what. "And I do find that the policy is in effect," she added. "People are more conscientious of having to provide their own drinks. "Everyone's been bringing six-packs, and you don't have to pay to get in," she said. College senior Kimberly May reflected on how the new restrictions would have impacted her social life as a minor. She said she probably would have headed downtown in search of a weekend night diversion. "I think it would have sent me downtown, which I would have thought was a good thing," May said. "There's a lot of stuff going on downtown that I would have investigated more carefully." May said, however, that the restrictions would not have stopped her from gaining access to alcohol. "I probably would have searched a lot harder for a fake ID," she said. "I would have spent more time investigating other sources of alcohol in places downtown. [And] I would have gone to off campus parties more."
(02/17/95 10:00am)
CAMDEN, N.J. -- As students here at Rutgers University walked to class yesterday, everything seemed normal. But inside the school buildings, about 20 students were protesting, waving signs and shouting demands at Rutgers President Francis Lawrence. Lawrence had come to the Camden campus to meet with faculty, administrators and the Black Law Students Association. And in spite of Lawrence's efforts to open dialogue, black and Latino groups have joined together to protest what they consider racist comments by Lawrence. These remarks have prompted protesters to call for his resignation or ouster. Yesterday's confrontation was just the most recent in a series of student protests that have called for Lawrence's resignation. It all began January 31, when it was revealed that in a November faculty meeting Lawrence stated that blacks performed poorly on standardized tests, such as the Scholastic Aptitude Test, because they are "genetically inferior." "The average S.A.T. for African-Americans is 750," he said in the November speech. "Do we set standards in the future so we don't admit anybody with the national test? Or de we deal with a disadvantaged population that doesn't have that genetic, hereditary background to have a higher average?" Since the incident, Lawrence has repeatedly apologized for his remarks, and said that his remarks were misunderstood. In addition, Rutgers' Board of Governor's unanimously voted continued support for Lawrence's presidency last week. But the students awaiting Lawrence's visit yesterday didn't share the Board's view. The first students appeared at about 9 a.m. and stayed until late in the afternoon, with many missing all of their classes. Other protesters took shifts, switching to attend classes. And when the students caught their first glimpse of Lawrence leaving a bathroom, they chanted "You must go?you must go?Fran must go." Students also touted signs ranging from "R.U. Wants U Out!" and "Lawrence Must Go," to "Genetically Inferior I Don't Think So." One student even carried a sign asking students to boycott the Coca-Cola Company because they provide most of the beverages for the urban campus. Most Rutgers' students, however, went about their daily business, lounging on couches in the Campus Center, lunching in the cafeteria, and engaging in conversation. But the protesters were willing to put all else aside until they achieved concessions from the Rutgers' administration, including Lawrence's resignation. Cal Maradonna, Rutgers' dean of students, said that student protest was increasing in intensity. "I don't know if there would be this much activity if the President wasn't here," he said. And some demonstrators planned to travel to the main Rutgers campus in New Brunswick to stage a sit-in at the Rutgers-Temple basketball game last night. Last Tuesday, a Rutgers–University of Massachusetts game was postponed at half-time after upset students took over the court and refused to leave. That rally was sponsored by the Black Students Union and the Latino Students Organization. The remainder of the game will be played at a later date at a location to be announced. Even though Latino students were not explicitly mentioned in Lawrence's remarks, many Latino protesters felt Lawrence had slighted them also. Rutgers sophomore Evelyn Montanez said Lawrence was not doing enough for minorities at Rutgers Camden campus, including Latinos. One of Rutgers' Latino leaders, Carlos Ilarraza, agreed, demanding more Latino administrators and faculty, as well as a Latin-American Studies or Puerto Rican Studies major. Montanez and Ilarraza refused to accept the apology Lawrence made last week. Not all students shared their sentiments, however. Rutgers senior John Antoni, who was not involved in the protest, said he recognizes Lawrence made a mistake in his speech, but accepts his apology. "Most of the people agree he shouldn't resign," Antoni said. Nonetheless, it appears that the controversy is still brewing. Recently, rumors have spread that faculty members conspired to release hundreds of tapes of Lawrence's infamous comments. This may have been in retaliation for Lawrence's plan to review the performance of tenured professors. But Rutgers sophomore Ophelia Singleton, a vocal demonstrator in yesterday's protest, said the conspiracy theory is not the issue. "Whether or not it's a conspiracy is irrelevant," Singleton said. "He's determined his own fate." Singleton added that although Lawrence has a good record of hiring minorities and accepting minority students, it is not a reflection of his personal feelings, but the law. "President Lawrence has to hire a certain percentage of minority students by law," she said. "It's not about personal sentiment -- he has to do that. It's more out of necessity. "I don't want him to retain any dignity because what he did was not dignified."
(02/17/95 10:00am)
Sigma Alpha Mu, like many fraternities, has held parties under the InterFraternity Council's "Bring Your Own Beer" policy, ratified last month as part of a risk management program. And like many chapters, SAM officials said their fraternity has made significant efforts towards implementing BYOB. But in what SAM President and College sophomore David Lewis called the result of a lack of communication, SAM is now allegedly under investigation by the Greek Peer Judicial Board for possible violations of the BYOB policy during an event on February 4. "Rumors have been circulating that we were not in compliance with BYOB," he said. Yet whether the chapter is found in violation of the BYOB policy is not the central issue, according to Lewis. Instead, increased communication and teamwork between chapters would reduce the rumors and finger- pointing that Lewis said weakens the coherence of the Greek system and lowers the chance that BYOB will ever become a complete success. SAM is in a particularly bad position due to its past negative perception, according to Lewis. And although alumni did not monitor events February 3, the fraternity still faces possible sanctions. Sources, who asked to remain anonymous, have told The Daily Pennsylvanian that SAM violated policy with a party February 3. Lewis also confirmed reports that the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Affairs has received anonymous complaints concerning the same event. OFSA Director Tricia Phaup would not confirm if an investigation is underway, and added that the Greek Peer Judicial Board is strictly forbidden to make any documents concerning investigations public. But Lewis said his chapter has made every effort possible to implement the new policies, partly for the sake of the IFC, and also "to protect ourselves as far as liability." "It's almost a mockery to be criticized with all the initiative we have taken," he said. Last month, monitors who attended SAM's first BYOB party found no violations. "We have separate lines for 21 ID people and under 21 people," Lewis said. "Inside our party, at the beer distribution sites, we have signs?that state what the alcohol policy is. "[And] we were giving out tickets and armbands in compliance with the BYOB policy," he added. Last month, IFC President David Treat, a College junior, said the fraternities would need to work together to implement the policy, and that some violations would be expected as the community becomes acquainted with the BYOB system. After several weekends, Lewis said that most chapters are dedicated to the policy -- but that chapters should act more as a team to beat the perception fueled by rumors that the Greek system is not interested in working to improve itself. "I think it's important for the University community to understand that we are very interested in changing the perception," he said. Lewis established the Greek System Community Network in December to establish a more frequent method of communication between chapters and umbrella groups.
