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(01/20/95 10:00am)
Administrative restructuring sounds like an issue that does not truly affect students. But a recommendation that could affect all students living in the residences is buried in the Coopers & Lybrand report under the "Facilities Management" category. The report, released this week, recommends that Residential Maintenance be consolidated with the Facilities Management Department. Coopers & Lybrand's report said the combination of the two departments could reduce costs by between $100,000 and $200,000 a year. Administrators say this recommendation has positive and negative aspects. "It looks like an area of redundancy," Associate Vice Provost for University Life Larry Moneta said. "But there is no real area of cost savings." He added that he will put together a more formal response to the recommendation in the near future. "Residences will have to have separate services -- separate, free-standing unit," Moneta said. Executive Director of Physical Plant James Wargo said he wants to study the issue more thoroughly before passing judgement on the recommendation. "It has to be studied to see if it would be cost effective," Wargo said. "But we need to see if we would lose coverage for students if it came under general maintenance." Acting Vice Provost for University Life Valarie Swain-Cade McCoullum voiced similar sentiments, saying that determining "what provides the most exemplary services" is most important. "We should speak with students, faculty and staff currently in the residences, look at some of the historical issues, and look at what institutions like us do," McCoullum said. "I think we need those three sets of information before we move ahead." According to McCoullum, the report was centered around the Executive Vice President's Office, but created "ripples that affected everyone, including the VPUL." Wargo said he needs to determine if quality services can be provided to the residences if a separate Residential Maintenance Department ceases to exist. "Anything we can do to streamline what we do and be cost effective in doing it, while keeping or bettering the quality of service is what we should try to do," he added. "We have to meet the demands of our customers." Wargo added that Physical Plant is also looking into the other recommendations in the report, including those advocating better communication with its clients. "We have initiated a quality discussion with our customers about our services," he said, noting that regular meetings have begun with the Medical School, the Dental School, the School of Arts and Sciences, the School of Engineering and Applied Science and the Wharton School. "By looking at and understanding the needs of our customers and their objectives and goals, we can deliver services to them," Wargo added. Other recommendations to the Facilities Management department included developing a "comprehensive Master Facilities Plan" and increasing the use of general contractors. Director of Residential Maintenance Lynn Horner was unavailable for comment.
(01/20/95 10:00am)
Professing innocence even after his sentence was handed down, 1963 Wharton graduate John Voigt was sentenced yesterday to more than 15 years in prison by U.S. District Court Judge Garrett Brown. Voigt was convicted on counts of conspiracy, wire fraud, money laundering and tax evasion, and sentenced to 188 months in prison, according to Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert Ernst. "Under federal sentencing guidelines, there is no parole," Ernst said. The charges stemmed from Voigt's involvement in an international fraud scheme that deprived more than 50 victims around the world of more than $20 million. Voigt was found guilty in June 1994 of creating two bogus institutions, the "Euro-American Money Fund Trust" and "Meta Trading and Finance International," which he used to defraud investors. According to the U.S. Department of Justice, Voigt promised investors that Euro-American could provide loans to businesses for tens or hundreds of millions of dollars in return for an advance fee ranging from $50,000 to $500,000. These fees were then distributed to the participants in the scheme. Voigt also solicited buyers for a bogus security called a "Master Collateral Commitment," which he offered to sell for between $3 million and $4.5 million. The victims of the scheme ranged from international businessmen to the Moscow City Council, which paid $4.37 million to purchase an MCC. Prosecutors in the case claimed that Voigt relied on his education at the Wharton School and his biography in "Who's Who in Industry and Finance" to lend credibility to his bogus institutions. Prosecutors relied on this deception and two previous convictions, one for impersonating a CIA officer and one for tax evasion, to obtain the maximum sentence for Voigt. "I think the severity of the sentence is appropriate for the severity of the crime," Ernst said. According to Larry Lustberg, one of Voigt's attorneys, the sentence did not come as a shock. "I think it's a very long sentence," he said. "But he was well-prepared for it." Wharton spokesperson Chris Hardwick declined to comment on the case. "We can't speak for our alumni," he said.
(01/20/95 10:00am)
Students can now satisfy a midnight craving for tacos, a late night croissant fix, or a thirst for a "new age" beverage at any time of the day without even leaving Locust Walk. Chats, a late night, non-alcoholic facility that will provide students with a place to gather, snack and relax, will open on February 6 in the Class of 1920 Commons, Dining Services Director Bill Canney announced last night. The entire renovation will cost less than $250,000. All money is coming from equipment reserve funds, he said. "Everything's on target and I'm very excited," Class of '20 Commons Manager John Henkel said. "I want it to be place where the students can come to sit down, shoot the breeze, talk and maybe even have a cup of coffee." The eatery will include a Taco Bell Express, a bakery cafe, Gene's Beans coffee shop, and "new age" beverages -- which include Arizona iced teas and Snapple drinks. Both Henkel and Canney stressed that prices for all of these eateries will be kept low. Canney said the blend of the retail facility with the dining services' "all you can eat" program will provide more options for students. Much discussion has occurred -- both verbally and on the upenn.dining-services newsgroup -- regarding what Chats will serve and how the facility will operate, Henkel said. Many students expressed concern over whether Chats would have televisions. Henkel said that the facility, which will take up the three rooms on the middle floor of the dining hall, will have televisions in two of the three rooms. The third will be a quiet area for coffee and studying. "For a while, students figured there was going to be one room and [they] didn't know how you could watch TV, talk and drink coffee all at once," Henkel said. "But with three rooms, it's okay." College junior Reuven Bell advocated serving Kosher food at Chats for those students who normally have to eat at Penn Hillel. "As part of the University community, we'll have a place to socialize and eat, other than Hillel," Bell said. Henkel said Chats' bakery will have Kosher desserts for those students. In addition, Chats will contain three campus telephones and a computer for electronic mail use, Canney said. Students will pay primarily through cashless methods -- they can open a Chats debit account or charge purchases to their bursar bill. In addition, machines similar to copy card machines will allow students to use cash to put money on their Penncard while at Chats, and then use their Penncard to pay for purchases. Canney said that along with its Locust Walk location, this system was one of the best aspects of Chats. "[The location] plays in line with the safety issues at the University," he said. "We feel really good about the location, also because it's right by people who live on-campus or off-campus." Neon signs will adorn the front of the dining hall, and a lit retail sign will sit on Locust Walk in order to make that area of the Walk brighter and safer.
(01/20/95 10:00am)
"Bring Your Own Beer" will be put to the test tonight as four InterFraternity Council chapters hold registered parties for the first time since a new alcohol policy was implemented earlier this week. And students across the University are anxious to find out whether the policy will hold up in practice. "I would say that we're very hopeful that this weekend will run well," said IFC President and College junior David Treat. "[But] it may be a tough transition." For IFC officers, transition involves dealing with fraternities allegedly planning ways to circumvent the new rules. "I've been warning fraternities who are planning on it that they're going to get in trouble," said IFC Judicial Manager Josh Gottheimer, a College sophomore. For students, transition means thinking about the effects a new policy will have on their social lives. "I wouldn't be surprised if I see more off-campus parties," College freshman Scott Miller said. The policy stands to affect underage freshmen and sophomore students -- who face difficulty in purchasing alcohol themselves -- the most. "It sucks," said Engineering freshman Brian O'Grady. But time is the answer, according to Treat. "Our hope is to get some real cooperation from the Penn community," he said. "Once people get used to this system as they have on other campuses, we'll still be able to throw great parties like we've always done." Members of the Greek system said last night it appears the new policy will be followed this weekend. "It would be an imprudent move for any frat to attempt to throw a non -BYOB party this weekend," said Alpha Chi Rho brother and Greek Peer Judicial Board member Kenan Altunis, a Wharton and Engineering sophomore. Despite speculation that plans had been developed to circumvent the policy, IFC representatives said they are confident that monitors will be able to effectively enforce the new policy. "The monitors aren't stupid," Gottheimer said. "Some of them are former brothers themselves and currently lawyers and they know what's going on." The IFC is concerned about keeping a "level playing ground" for fraternities -- which means keeping chapters in line with the rules. "Unfortunately, someone is probably going to be made an example of ? fraternities will realize how serious the policy is," he said. A violation of the BYOB policy can put a chapter on social probation for as much as three months. Gottheimer said students should be prepared for the changes. "Besides getting ready and getting dressed, go grab a six pack," he said.
(01/20/95 10:00am)
Part writer and part actress, Daily Pennsylvanian Assistant Managing Editor-elect Jorie Green has the creativity and drive to handle the staff of 18 beat reporters she will edit in the coming year. The College junior who grew up just outside of Philadelphia, said she once wanted to become an actress. In high school, she played everything from Frenchy in Grease to the dentist's orgasmic patient in Little Shop of Horrors. Her acting aspirations soon faded, however, when she discovered her love for writing. As a freshman at the University, Green said she began work on her first novel. "It was a story about a 14-year-old girl, written from an adult perspective," she said. "It's a lot like Lolita, only reversed." She never had a chance to finish the novel, once she started writing for the DP, but Green said she will have more time later to finish it. For now, Green said she looks forward to her editing duties, which include assigning and first-editing stories. Green's grandmother, Jean Joseph, described Green as "the greatest, kindest, most caring person in the world." "From day she was born she was a beautiful child -- even the nurses put her on display at hospital," Green's grandmother said. --Cara Tanamachi
(01/20/95 10:00am)
The University's week long tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. concludes Monday night with a special concert by The Philadelphia Orchestra. Monday night's performance, however, is more than a commemoration of Dr. King, it is also a program dedicated to the memory of legendary singer, Marian Anderson. A native of Philadelphia, Anderson was a classical singer and the 1958 University honorary degree recipient who donated all her papers and memorabilia to the University of Pennsylvania Library. "Marian Anderson broke lots of color barriers," according to Music Librarian Marjorie Hassen, as an African American contralto with a worldwide following in the mid-twentieth century. Anderson's collection, which she donated to the University during her lifetime, includes printed music scores used for study and performance, newspaper clippings, diaries, photographs, correspondence and music recordings dating from 1920 to 1991, Hassen said. The Philadelphia Orchestra allowed the University to co-sponsor this year's Tribute to Dr. King because the orchestra decided to dedicate the performance to Marian Anderson, Library Director of Development Adam Corson-Finnerty said. The evening program of the University of Pennsylvania's Night at the Orchestra features a patron's dinner at Ruth's Chris Steakhouse at 5:30 p.m., an Orchestra performance conducted by Andre Raphael Smith at 8:00 p.m., and a post-performance reception catered by Zanzibar Blue in the Academy Ballroom. The University has already sold over 200 orchestra tickets to faculty and staff, Library Development Assistant and Program Coordinator Rochelle Fuller said. A large portion of the proceeds from the ticket sales will go to the Marian Anderson Campaign which is raising money to fund the Marian Anderson Music Study Center planned for the fourth floor of Van Pelt Library. Anderson's nephew and heir, the internationally renowned Maestro James Anderson DePreist -- who graduated from Wharton in 1958 -- is leading the campaign raising $650,000 to create and endow the Anderson Music Study Center and to complete the cataloging of Anderson's papers. The new Music Center would complement the recently renovated Ormandy Listening Center and combine a large seminar facility; a glass-walled classroom; computer, multi-media and microform workstations; administrative office space for librarians; and a memorial exhibition area to display Anderson memorabilia. The current library facilities for musical research and study can only seat sixteen people in the Otto E. Albrecht Music Seminar Room and twelve in the Bodek classroom. In addition, Hassen said the new Center would mean "the difference between having something adequate and having something extraordinary for the University." "This collection should be one of the great highlights of our library, and I hope that with these events people will recognize this," said Jay Reise, professor of music composition and chairman of the music department.
(01/20/95 10:00am)
When Phyllis Howlett graduated college in 1954, she had never seen women play a sport against each other. If given the opportunity to play sports, she would have refused. In her eyes it simply wasn't her place. Now, Howlett is the assistant commissioner of the Big Ten Conference and a central figure in the fight for gender equity in the National Collegiate Athletics Association. Her position demonstrates how much times have changed and, many would say, how much more work needs to be done. Howlett served a panelist at last night's "The Meaning of Title IX: Athletics and Civil Rights" discussion. The program was funded by a grant awarded to Education Professor and former Interim Provost Marvin Lazerson and adjunct Education Associate Professor Ursula Wagener from the Annenberg Public Policy Center. Lazerson and Wagener will research how Title IX affects student athletes. National Women's Law Center Co-President Marcia Greenberger, Howlett and Roy Kramer, the Commissioner of the Southeastern Conference, made up the panel. Title IX, which was passed in 1972, prohibits sexual discrimination at schools that receive public funds. Since Congress passed the legislation, coaches and teams have sued schools, charging that women's athletic programs do not receive the same attention as men's. Complainants have demanded that schools allot funds proportional to the number of women athletes, provide facilities of the same quality as the men's, and offer more opportunities for women to play sports -- including fielding more teams. Many universities have been reluctant to fully develop women's athletics because of the high revenue men's sports bring, Greenberger said. "There's a sense that no women's team will ever do the same for alumni contributions and school spirit as a men's team," Greenberger told an audience of about 75 students, faculty and staff. "This attitude has kept the tension boiling up or simmering at the surface from 1972 to 1995." Universities facing lawsuits have attempted to justify why they did not fulfill Title IX -- but to no avail. "Some schools say they're steadily improving their programs to account for the disparity, but no one has proven that in court," Greenberger said. "Some say there's not enough money," Greenberger added. "But if they have enough money to support that many males then they should find a way to finance female students." Howlett described her experiences working for the National Collegiate Athletics Association task force that evaluated how universities address gender equity. The task force published guidelines last year that define gender equity and how a school should fulfill Title IX. Howlett said she hopes universities will make more efforts towards gender equity, which until now have only merited a "C-." In court, universities have been sharply criticized for giving football teams disproportionate funds. But according to Kramer, Southeastern Conference schools depend on the revenue generated by football games for 80 percent of their budgets -- putting those universities in a serious bind.
(01/20/95 10:00am)
While a college education is usually viewed as a long-term investment, the race to lower federal taxes for parents of college students may make the investment more worthwhile in the short-run as well. In a December 15 speech unveiling his "Middle Class Bill of Rights," President Clinton proposed permitting a tax deduction of up to $10,000 on post-secondary education for families earning less than $100,000. The deduction would be phased out at $120,000. In his address to the nation, Clinton discussed his reasons for proposing the deduction. "Just as we make mortgage interest tax deductible because we want people to own their own homes, we should make college tuition deductible because we want people to go to college," Clinton said. Clinton proposes paying for the cuts by restructuring the Departments of Energy, Housing and Urban Development, and Transportation, as well as the General Services Administration and the Office of Personnel Management. The University's Acting Budget Director Ben Hoyle praised the idea of a tax deduction for tuition. "I think anything that they can do that would make higher education more affordable -- especially in the middle class which is getting squeezed by the cost of higher education -- would be beneficial," Hoyle said. Vice President for Finance Steve Golding said that because most students' families make less than $100,000 a year, "It would be fair to expect that a significant number of Penn families would benefit from this policy." Currently, about 60 percent of students receive some form of aid or loans. Golding said he cannot envision any changes in the University's aid policy as a result of a tax deduction. He also said the University "would certainly benefit" from a bill that would give families tax deductions, as the need for aid would presumably be reduced. Hoyle noted that it is difficult to say exactly what kind of plan will be approved by Congress, if any. The Republicans, who took control of both houses of Congress after last November's election, have several tax cut proposals. Most Republicans appear to favor raising the income level at which the deduction would be phased out. Hoyle said that for now, the changes would not likely affect tuition. "I would be surprised if we have a tuition policy, at least in the short term, that's affected by these proposals in Congress right now," Hoyle said. The school can get into a "sort of rut" by raising tuition, as the need for financial aid is increased by such a move, he said. For the current academic year, the cost of tuition and mandatory fees is $18,856 for undergraduates and $19,740 for graduate students. The overall charge to undergraduates is $25,822, including room, board and expenses.
(01/20/95 10:00am)
As the 21st century approaches, Philadelphia Mayor Ed Rendell is pushing full speed ahead with plans for a $170 million high-tech Constitution Center. Earlier this week, Rendell gave his support to a plan which proposes to build a state-of-the-art museum dedicated to the U.S. Constitution. In addition, the plan calls for a revitalization of the area north of Independence Hall. If Rendell's plan is accepted, the Liberty Bell would move to the north side of Market Street and be enclosed in a new glass and steel pavilion. Running above and below ground, "Freedom's Way," complete with high-tech gadgetry, including multimedia exhibits, TV town meetings, discussion theaters, educational galleries, a "Signer's Hall," and sound and light shows will be central attraction of the proposed National Constitution Center. The entire area would also be illuminated at night by a 13-star logo of the Constitution. And while there is no time table for the project, Rendell has said he would like to see it in operation by 1998. The Mayor's endorsement of the plan comes at a time when the National Park Service is considering six alternatives to rejuvenate Independence National Historic Park. After 18 months of searching for alternatives, this week marks the fourth and final stage of planning before preliminary decisions are made. According to Park Service Spokesperson Ann Marie Diserafino, the preliminary decisions will be released in May. Diserafino said that all of the alternatives include a National Constitution Center, but the city's plan is by far the most expensive and elaborate of the options. She added that the Park Service is very concerned about public sentiment and will carefully analyze how the public feels about the different plans, especially in light of outcry in 1976 when the Liberty Bell was moved from Independence Hall. Under the city's plan, the National Constitution Center would be designed by Ralph Appelbaum, the principal designer of the U.S. Holocaust Museum in Washington, D.C. The $170 million for the proposed Constitution Center would come from private contributions, said City Councilman Joseph Vignola. He added that Stephen Briganti, the man who helped with fundraising for the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, would be on board the project. Vignola said he is very enthusiastic about the revolutionary plan, but hopes the $200 million price tag can be trimmed down. "The concept is outstanding," Vignola said. "It is really traumatic and something that should be seriously considered." Vignola added that he hopes the Constitution Center would bring millions of tourists to Philadelphia -- tourists who would have to stay more than a day. History professor George Thomas, a Philadelphia historian, has mixed feelings about the city's proposed plan. "Philadelphia is grappling with the need to rebuild its industry and tourism is a major industry," Thomas said. "My fear is that most Americans don't seem to be interested in didactic exhibits." Thomas added that he was vehemently opposed to any moving of the Liberty Bell farther away from its original location. But he said he would be much more comfortable with the proposal if the Walt Disney Company had a role in the enterprise.
(01/20/95 10:00am)
Money to improve M and T For the Management and Technology program, the holidays came a little late this year. The dual-degree program received a $5.5 million gift earlier this week from Wharton graduate and Chairman of the Nine West shoe company Jerome Fisher. "It's a great honor for me to endow such an enlightening program, and one that places Wharton and Penn on the cutting edge of the future of business education," Fisher said in a statement. Fisher previously contributed to the restoration of the library within the Furness Building, later renamed the Jerome and Fisher Fine Arts Library. He was also a "founder" of the Penn Club of New York that opened early last year. Management and Technology Professor William Hamilton said the endowment will enable administrators to make improvements to the program, which has been operating on a "very, very lean budget." Hamilton said the gift will expand student advising, the summer internship program and the student research center as well as increase alumni networking. Currently, Hamilton is the only full-time staff member running the dual-degree program. Several work-study students work in the program's office. "It's going to make a great program even better, rather than to expand it dramatically," Hamilton said. "The [Management] and [Technology] program symbolizes what Penn does exquisitely well -- to give students the opportunity to study across discipline and across school boundaries. "We will no longer be lean," he added. "But we will still be mean." Wharton School Dean Thomas Gerrity said there is "a growing need in both industry and government" for Management and Technology graduates. He added that the endowment will continue to enhance the program's reputation. The dual-degree program began in 1976 and has seen a 50 percent increase in applications since 1993.
(01/20/95 10:00am)
After serving as the interim director of the Greenfield Intercultural Center first semester, Reverend Larry Burnley has been awarded the position permanently. Burnley was appointed in mid-July to replace Interim Director Joseph Sun, who took a position in the Wharton School. After the semester-long search, Associate Vice Provost for University Life Larry Moneta is convinced that Burnley is the perfect person for the job. "I feel like we could have searched for years throughout the world and we couldn't have found a better candidate," Moneta said. "He's a terrific choice. He knows the students and the students trust him." Moneta added that Burnley's expertise in coalition-building and management, in addition to his goal of bridging cultural gaps, won him the position. A native of Cleveland, Ohio, Burnley graduated from the University of Cincinnati in 1979 with a degree in African-American Studies. He then returned to college after counseling Cleveland inner-city youth and working as an investigative parole officer. He finished his Master of Divinity work at the Christian Theological Seminary in 1990. And he is now studying at the University's Graduate School of Education. Burnley was assistant director of the Christian Association before taking his position at the GIC and said he feels that this new position is very similar to his work in the ministry. "This ministry that I'm involved in with Penn is very similar to what I'm doing here," he said. "It has been a ministry of reconciliation and empowerment. I don't see a great deal of difference except one is more cultural." Burnley's goals for the GIC are three-fold -- to create opportunity for intercultural dialogue, foster relationships between the GIC and graduate groups and continue the comprehensive support presently given to the many student groups that are connected with the center. University students are enthusiastic with Burnley's appointment. "I'm very excited because as interim director he was an integral part of the activities that [the United Minorities Council] sponsored, as a mentor and a sponsor," UMC President Liz Melendez said. "I look forward to working with him this semester because I know he'll continue supporting us." Burnley is extremely enthusiastic about his appointment and his chance to work toward increasing diversity on campus. "I'm convinced that the GIC is an extremely important institution on this campus," he said. "And I believe that we can help Penn become a truly multicultural community."
(01/20/95 10:00am)
College junior Mike Nadel proposed a constitutional plan last week which would completely re-invent student government. Nadel, a Student Activities Council Finance Committee member and Daily Pennsylvanian columnist, said his proposal creates an entirely new governmental structure at the University. But much of his plan resembles that of Undergraduate Assembly representative and College senior Dan Schorr, and Nadel said he and Schorr are working to join the two proposals. Nadel's proposal would abolish all branches of student government in favor of a new Undergraduate Senate, which would perform all governmental functions. His proposal would also create a new Committee on Constitutional Administration to oversee the functions of the government and ensure that the constitution is followed.This committee would also run elections, he said. Nadel said a one-branch system of government is the best way to effectively represent students. "Having one body accomplishes several important objectives," he said. A one-branch system would allow students to understand how the government works. "Right now we have a six-branch student government," Nadel said. "Nobody understands it. A one branch system is a way to [make government comprehensible]." The Senate would also combine all governmental functions into one elected body, providing for more accountability in student government, he added. The proposed plan would create committees on the Undergraduate Senate that perform the duties currently executed by the Student Activities Council and the Nominations and Elections Committee. At the time he released the plan, Nadel said it would eliminate SAC altogether. But this has drawn some criticism from interested students, and now, Nadel is planning to revise the proposal, he said last night. "People have been making comments, and I hear them, and I respect them," he said. "When Dan Schorr's and my reconciled version [of the plan] comes out, those people will be happy with the changes that we make." He declined to comment on what those changes might be. Nadel said there are two reasons that the Senate should perform the duties of the NEC and SAC. If the plan is adopted, nominating and budgeting would be performed only by elected officials. "In principle, unelected people should not be making major decisions for students," Nadel said. Nadel added that if the plan is passed, the Undergraduate Senate would be imbued with so much power that it would attract more qualified student leaders. "[The proposal] gives the elected body enough power so that it will attract good leaders to run for it -- which is not the case now," he said. Nadel said that without a powerful forum for student activity groups, leaders of those groups would probably run for the Senate. Because of the additional powers that the proposed Senate would wield, it would be composed of 40 representatives, instead of the 33 currently on the UA, according to Nadel. Despite the many plans for reform, some student leaders said they were unsure that any changes would be helpful. "You can have one million different new things," said UA representative and Engineering sophomore Manny Calero. "[But] as long as you have student apathy, it will not work." Senior Class Boards President Jason Diaz said he also thinks reform could do more harm than good. "I'm wary that [people] don't know the implications of their actions," the Wharton senior said.
(01/20/95 10:00am)
Although its implementation will dramatically alter the way they do their jobs, University employees seem to have embraced the recommendations made by the Coopers & Lybrand administrative restructuring report. University officials briefed members of the Penn Professional Staff Assembly earlier this week about the restructuring effort, PPSA Chairperson Drita Taraila said. "It was a very positive session, I think," she said. "Everybody went in there with [feelings of] fear and trepidation, but went away with a very different feeling. The openness shared by three senior-level administrators was a very positive experience." Provost Stanley Chodorow, who attended the PPSA meeting, shared similar sentiments. "We got good feedback from everybody," he said. "There's plenty of anxiety out there, but I expected it to be expressed in a more forceful manner." Chodorow said he knows certain segments of the campus community are skeptical about what the restructuring process will actually achieve. However, the administration is confident that all of the benefits of restructuring can be realized, he added. "We want to make Penn the best-run place on the planet," he said. "The purpose of this whole operation is to make Penn the most effective, efficient organization it can possibly be." Acting Executive Vice President Jack Freeman said PPSA members were especially pleased that he and other University administrators responsible for changes associated with restructuring were taking an open approach to the process. "We were able to respond to expressions of interest and concern," he said. "It was not at all an antagonistic meeting. Everyone there seemed to recognize and appreciate the need for and reasoning behind the need to restructure." Taraila agreed with Freeman's assessment, adding that she and the PPSA are "optimistic" about the prospects of restructuring precisely because it is being handled in an open fashion. She said this treatment is in contrast to similar administrative initiatives she has experienced during a 20-year career as manager for administration and finance in the Medical School's Pharmacology Department. Jean Morse, deputy to University President Judith Rodin, said the success of the University's restructuring efforts depends on the involvement of the entire campus. For this reason, Rodin, Chodorow, Freeman and Janet Gordon, executive director of the Executive Vice President's Office, will be meeting with various constituencies -- including the A-3, Undergraduate Assembly, and Graduate and Professional Student Assembly -- in the next few weeks to get suggestions and feedback on implementation of the administrative restructuring plan.
(01/20/95 10:00am)
That's the news, and we are out of here. Tomorrow night, the DP will inaugurate its 111th Board of Managers and Editors in pomp, circumstance and revelry, retiring current board members to civilian life and marking yet another year in the life of one of the University's longest running traditions. As an independent newspaper with no financial ties to the administration, the DP's perennial goal is to be the advocate for the entire University community -- to insure that whatever happens on campus does not happen in secret. Among the traditions passed from board to board are persistence, accuracy, belligerence and a fervent mistrust of anything done to students without their knowing about it. The 111th Board members were elected to their positions by the outgoing board last fall. Leading the 21-member board will be College junior Charlie Ornstein, who hails from Farmington Hills, Mich. Ornstein, described as "intelligent," "determined," and "nerdy," carries to his position two semesters of reporting and two semesters of editing experience. As executive editor, Ornstein will serve as president andCEO of the corporation and has final authority for all business and news decisions. "I hope to report the news as clearly and objectively as possible, and to provide a forum for discussion on campus," Ornstein said.
(01/19/95 10:00am)
Over 15,000 apply to U. The number of applications for admission to the University hit an all-time high of 15,050 this year, surpassing last year's record-setting amount by 10 percent. Admissions Dean Lee Stetson said yesterday that this number is especially impressive considering that five years ago the University received only about 9,800 applications. Stetson added that this year's pool is not only high in quantity, but also in quality. "The early implication is that it is comparable to last year, if not a little better," he said. He attributed this rise to increased publicity -- including coverage of University President Judith Rodin and the campus' appearance on Good Morning America. The University has also gained national exposure from the consistent success of its sports teams, Stetson said. "The raised visibility through successful athletic programs has helped raise national awareness," he said. Equally influential was a joint travel effort with Harvard, Duke and Georgetown Universities as part of a new admission recruiting program. Stetson added that this effort helped the University reach 20,000 more students and parents. With 36 percent of the Class of 1999 already accepted through Early Decision, the Committee meeting in February can afford to have competitive standards. In fact, Stetson said it will be "perhaps the most selective ever." University President Judith Rodin said she is "delighted" about the record number of applications. "I think that the applications are recognizing what we already know," she said. "That Penn is the place to be." The average Scholastic Achievement Test score of the applicants this year was 1252 -- up 10 points from last year. The number of applications from relatives of alumni was 770, a 10 percent increase over last year. Overall, the number of women applying to the University also increased by 11 percent this year to 6,683 women. There were 637 women applicants to the School of Engineering and Applied Science -- the highest number ever. This is up from last year's figure of 527. The Wharton School received the second highest number of women applicants, with a projected 750, up from 668 last year. While there was a 10 percent increase in the number of Hispanic applicants and a one percent increase in the number of Asian applicants, there was a four percent decrease in the number of black applicants. Stetson stressed that this decrease came despite an aggressive recruitment program to attract black students. There was a 10 percent increase in the number of applicants to the College, a seven percent increase to Wharton and a five percent increase to the Engineering School. But the pool for the Nursing School experienced a 25 percent decrease, dropping for the first time in years. Stetson said this has been a cross-country problem, due to health care issues. The number of Philadelphia high school students applying to the University is close to last year's figure at 389 applicants. Sixteen states reached an all time high this year -- Arkansas, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Minnesota, Nebraska, New Jersey, New Mexico, Nevada, Oregon, Virginia and Washington. The state with the lowest number of applicants was Wyoming, contributing only one application. Fifty-seven percent of this year's pool came from the Atlantic Coast, with 35 percent from the five traditional "feeder states" of Connecticut, Maryland, Massachusetts, New York and New Jersey. International applications, which are the highest to date this year, comprise 17 percent of the applications. All 50 states are represented in the applicant pool, including North and South Dakota, which were not represented in this year's entering class. Stetson said his department is working to represent every state this year. "We would like to have at least one student from each state if we can, but obviously the size and quality of the applicant pool dictates the chances that that would occur," he said.
(01/19/95 10:00am)
Schoor's plan would kill SAC finance, NEC Undergraduate Assembly representative and College senior Dan Schorr proposed a plan last week that infuses the UA with more power than it has ever held -- while slightly weakening other branches -- to combine most governmental functions into one body. "The basic principle is to combine lobbying, finance and nominations in one government," Schorr said. To stay true to this principle, Schorr's plan would institute major changes in several of student government's long-standing organs. The proposal eliminates the Nominations and Elections Committee, the Student Activities Council Finance Committee and the UA Budget Committee. It empowers the UA to perform the duties that currently fall into their jurisdictions. "Functions should be done by elected people," Schorr said. "Nomination and budgeting are not [under the current constitution]." Schorr's proposal would create a new UA Nominations and Feedback Committee to appoint students to University councils and committees -- a duty currently performed by the NEC. "The NEC works well in their constitutional job," he said. "But I disagree with their mission." Schorr said his plan will include an independent body to run elections -- another function the NEC now performs. Originally, Schorr's plan also called for the SAC Steering Committee to run elections, he said. But feedback from students this week convinced him to create a separate committee for the purpose. In addition, while SAC would no longer allocate funds to student activities under the proposal, it would continue to oversee and grant official recognition to various University groups. Schorr said the UA would assume control of funds for SAC groups. But he added that SAC could overturn a funding decision made by the UA by a two-thirds majority vote. "There has to be a slight check on UA funding so it can't indiscriminately wipe out student activity groups," he said. SAC's membership would continue to consist of one representative from each recognized group, as it currently is, Schorr said. With the UA's increased power, it will need additional members, according to Schorr. If passed, Schorr's plan would increase the size of the UA from 33 representatives to 39, so that there would be sufficient personnel to perform the body's added duties. Under the proposal, the UA and SAC would be the only branches of student government. Schorr downplayed the importance of electoral reform in restructuring student government. He added that by infusing the UA with greater power, more talented and capable students will want to run for office. "Instead of electoral reform, what we need is student government members who go out and get in touch with the voters themselves," he said. "I think that will happen under this new government." Other student leaders had varied comments on Schorr's draft. UA Chairperson and Wharton junior Dan Debicella, who released his own plans this week, said Schorr's plan was extreme. "We do need to make the branches work together," he said. "But I see his solution as going over the edge." SAC Finance Committee member and College junior Mike Nadel said he has been working with Schorr in an attempt to unify their plans. "[The plans] have a lot in common but there are some major differences," he said. "We're going to put together one united front." UA representative and College junior Lance Rogers said Schorr's plan could be the solution to the problems facing student government. "It encompasses some great characteristics of [Debicella's and Nadel's] policy and seems to me to be the ideal compromise," he said.
(01/19/95 10:00am)
Tonight is the "big night" for Richard Wernick, a University music professor and Pulitzer Prize winner. The Philadelphia Orchestra will perform one of his most recent compositions, Symphony No. 2, at the Academy of Music. Symphony No. 2 is the first of five of Wernick's compositions scheduled to premier with the Orchestra this year. According to Wernick, the piece took over two years to write, and was "an enormously complex matter." In addition, Wernick said this symphony is dedicated to the former Executive Director of the Philadelphia Orchestra, Stephen Sell, who died of cancer in 1989. Wernick said this symphony differs from his first symphony in that it is commemorative, as opposed to abstract. The symphony consists of only two movements. And a highlight of the performance should come during the second movement, entitled "Verses for Steve," which features a solo by soprano Sylvia McNair. The text for this movement is comprised of excerpts from Sell's memorial service In addition, Wernick said all music is "progressive," and "influence moves over a long period of time." He added that, although much of modern composition is based on composers of the 18th and 19th century, classical music is "very much alive and well." Much of Wernick's work has been in the concerto form, including the four other premieres planned for this year. Wernick said he has begun composing for larger ensembles only recently. Wernick has been a member of the University's faculty since 1968, and has won several awards. In 1977, Wernick received the Pulitzer Prize for his work entitled Visions of Terror and Wonder. The symphony will be performed at 8 p.m. tonight, Friday afternoon at 2 p.m., and again Saturday at 8 p.m. A reception will follow the final performance.
(01/19/95 10:00am)
For the first time in years traffic is moving on South Street. Two weeks ago, the city implemented new traffic regulations on South Street, removing on-street parking all together, and adding an additional traffic lane and a "valet" lane. The new restrictions are in effect from 6 p.m. until 6 a.m. Friday and Saturday nights only, on South Street between Second and Eighth Streets. To compensate for the lost parking spaces, four valet parking stations have been created. Valet parking costs $9, but many of the restaurants on the street will validate the parking voucher for $4. Area self-parking lots are also offering visitors a "Shopper's Special" every Friday and Saturday night from 6 to 8 p.m. The new parking regulations follow the installation of 43 new "Streetscape" lights on South Street. Deputy Mayor for Economic Development Herb Vederman said he is enthusiastic about the drastic traffic improvement he has seen in the last few weeks, adding that the new lighting has made South Street much more visible at night. "Traffic is moving freely for the first time ever on South Street," Vederman said. "South Street is one of the brightest lit streets in the city of Philadelphia." Vederman said the majority of the merchants on South Street are very pleased with the new changes because they have brought increased business. Another added benefit, according to Vederman, is increased response time by the South Street Police Detail. He said they can more easily negotiate the street with less congestion. Peter Whitehouse, executive director of the South Street-Headhouse district, said the police are ecstatic about the changes. "The police say it's a homerun," Whitehouse said. "They're finding it makes their job a lot easier." According to Whitehouse, the retailers on South Street were initially upset by the traffic experiment, but have recently begun to realize its benefits. "A lot of the retailers who were the fiercest opponents have now joined up to be a part of the valley parking program," Whitehouse said. "We've got a few bugs to work out, but were very pleased." Harris Eckstut, the owner of Montserrat, a restaurant on South Street, said his business has improved greatly since the parking ban began. "It's the first time I've done business late at night in three years," Harris said. "South Street looks great and feels great." Vederman said the program is on a trial run for eight months. After that, the city can put the traffic changes into effect. He also added that there are plans in the works to place toilets on South Street.
(01/19/95 10:00am)
School of Medicine Vice Dean of Education Frederic Burg announced his resignation yesterday. Burg, who has held the position for more than fifteen years, will leave office on July 1. Many medical students suspect Burg might have been asked to leave, according to sixth-year medical student Erick Santos, a member of the Medical Student Government. Burg, joined by Med School Dean William Kelley, announced his resignation before the Medical Student Government at a meeting yesterday. Burg said he needed to move on and that it was time for someone new to take over the position, according to Santos. "Dean Kelley said they were going to try to fill the position as soon as possible, without a search committee," he said. According to Medical Student Government President Wendy Gwirtzman, Kelley was concerned about Burg's resignation because the medical community in the nation has been changing rapidly. Therefore, it would be detrimental to the University's medical school if it went without a dean for an extended period while a search committee conducted an exhaustive hunt for a replacement. "Dean Kelley was more than gracious in extending the decision period from two weeks to one month," Gwirtzman added. However, Kelley agreed to accept letters in support of possible candidates from students, she said. There was an uneasiness among medical students about the selection process because Kelley wants to forgo the search committee, Santos said. "There was a feeling that if you read between the lines at the meeting that Dean Kelley had somebody in mind for the replacement," he said. At the University Council meeting yesterday afternoon, Santos asked the Council if the "proper proceedings" were being followed -- since this was an important position that has been vacated. Santos' question was referred to Provost Stanley Chodorow -- who responded by saying he would look into the matter. According to Santos, faculty members had not been informed of Burg's resignation until today. But Gwirtzman said the Medical Student Government supports Burg in his decision. "I think that it's too bad that the medical school is losing somebody who is very supportive to students," said Gwirtzman. "However, he feels that it is time to move on and we have to support him in that decision." The vice dean of education is responsible for the undergraduate education, international medical programs and minority affairs in the medical school.
(01/19/95 10:00am)
For the first time in their college careers, students can now actually see the front of Logan Hall. Next door, however, scaffolding and a huge yellow tractor block College Hall's facade. Both projects are on-going deferred maintenance projects originally begun in the mid-1980s in order to restore and renovate the historical buildings. Vice President of Facilities Management Arthur Gravina said the exterior of Logan Hall should be completed by early spring. And the front of College Hall faces the same deadline, Gravina said. "I think you'll see a dramatic change when that scaffold comes down," he added. "We even want to do some indirect lighting to show these buildings off." Gravina said progress on Logan Hall is moving much more rapidly than that on College Hall because Logan Hall is vacant. Logan 17 is the only room in the entire building in use. As a result, the construction workers can work on bigger phases of the Logan Hall renovation. Before, the scaffolding remained up around the building and when one area was completed -- or another area had a specific problem -- work could continue on the remaining parts of the building. Since College Hall is occupied by classes and offices, scaffolding can only be kept up in the areas where work is occurring, and therefore much smaller phases are involved, Gravina said. To accelerate the College Hall renovations, Gravina is considering relocating the occupants of College Hall. Provost Stanley Chodorow and University President Judith Rodin, who both have offices on the first floor of College Hall, have said they would be willing to move. "I'm begging them to let me move out of College Hall," Rodin said. "It ought to be done more quickly and we don't need unnecessary nicety in order not to inconvenience the residents of that building." Although Gravina said he was investigating the possibility of moving the residents of College Hall out of the building, he said there were issues on the other side of the argument that should be considered. "There are a lot of questions when you do that," he said. "You could save some dollars by moving them, but it could cost five times as much to do the relocations." Chodorow said that one time consuming part of the College Hall renovations involved replacing every single stone of the building. He said the exterior of College Hall will not be fully completed until 1998 or 1999. Chodorow added that the administration will have to make decisions "down the road" regarding what programming and offices will go in each building. "We will make those decisions on how to use the buildings in good time so that there will be no break between when they're done and when they're used," he said. Gravina said Facilities Management is already beginning to work with the School of Arts and Sciences on designing Logan Hall's infrastructure based on the school's programming ideas.
