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(01/26/95 10:00am)
Until earlier this month, Mathematics Professor David Harbater's colleagues said he looked like the cat that swallowed the canary. After the American Mathematical Society notified Harbater last semester that he won the Frank Nelson Cole Prize in Algebra -- awarded only once every five years, he then learned that he would have to wait more than two months until the official announcement to tell anyone. Harbater received his award Jan. 5, at the annual conference in San Francisco. French mathematician Michel Raynaud, who collaborated with Harbater since 1991, also received the award. Building on work he began after graduate school, Harbater proved the Abhyankar Conjecture, an analogue of the broader Inverse Galois Problem which has stumped mathematicians for almost 200 years. A 19th century French mathematician, Galois studied the correspondence between symmetry in shapes and symmetry in solutions to equations. If a shape is rotated, there are specific orders of rotation that will eventually put the shape at its initial position, Harbater said. This sequence of movements is called a group. Equations often have several solutions, just as a shape has many possible rotations, that are placed in a specific order. He said the rotation groups of a shape and the solutions of an equation share symmetry when they follow the same order of permutations to arrive at the original position or value. Galois asked in his Inverse Problem -- which Harbater and his colleagues have dubbed the "white whale" -- whether it is true that every symmetry group has a corresponding equation. Harbater said Abhyankar's Conjecture applies the question to graphs. Using a set collection of points, coefficients and type of graph, only certain symmetry groups will occur no matter how the data is manipulated. After first proving Abhyankar's Conjecture, which mathematicians have been trying to solve since 1957, Harbater and Raynaud then showed how to construct graphs from the given groups. While Harbater said he is excited about the award, he is already looking towards future projects. "It feels like I'm moving on to the next phase," Harbater said. "It gives me more confidence that it's possible to solve the white whale. The fact that I've gotten attention has meant that I've been able to be in more contact with people all over the world." Advances Harbater makes in his research also enhance his teaching, because it helps him convey to students that math is an ongoing process, instead of information set in "stone tablets," he said. Students say that the time Harbater spends on his research has not interfered with his teaching. "He is the best math professor I've had at Penn," Engineering sophomore Deniz Cultu said. "He seemed to always have time for us."
(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.
(01/17/95 10:00am)
With the Republicans now controlling the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives, experts at the University say that the nature of American politics and entitlements could change dramatically. Assistant History Professor Thomas Sugrue said that because Democrats now find themselves fighting to maintain their power, they are focusing too much on responding to Republican trends. Many Democrats have shifted to the right, hoping to win Republican constituencies, Sugrue said. "What we risk in the '94-'96 period is the Democrats trying to get one up on the Republicans and putting themselves in real political danger," Sugrue said."When voters are faced between real Republicans and pseudo-Republicans, the real Republicans are going to seem more consistent." During the first 100 days in Congress, Republicans have proposed several ways to cut spending -- targeting Medicaid, education and the arts. One of the senators' and representatives' major efforts is overhauling the welfare system, which would include limiting the time a person could receive aid and eliminating aid to unmarried minors with children. Congressmen are also debating adding a Constitutional amendment requiring a balanced budget. Some Democrats' leap to the right is most evident in the conflict over welfare and health care, Sugrue said. Given the fierce opposition Democrats encountered when trying to reform the health care system before the Republican sweep, it will now be even harder to achieve significant change. The prospects for welfare are also grim, Sugrue said. "Real reform -- which would mean more jobs and day care -- costs a lot of money," he said. "The Republicans aren't going to cough up the money and the Democrats won't push for it." Despite the Republicans' proposals to drastically reduce spending, History Professor Bruce Kuklick said they will not pass their initiatives without compromise. "The Republicans are dealing with a small majority in the Senate and a Democratic president," Kuklick said. "We are not going to see the kind of movement and radical change that it's touted up to be."
(12/07/94 10:00am)
Students will find a new addition to the University's host of publications today when the first issue of the women's newspaper Generation XX hits the newsstands. College juniors Jennifer Manion and Colleen Mastony started the paper this year and served as co-editors-in-chief. A staff of 50 students wrote and designed the 12-page issue. Two thousand copies will be placed today in residences, Van Pelt Library and other locations on campus. Several offices across campus, including the Women's Center, Student Health Services and the Afro-American Studies Department, funded the paper. Generation XX will find out next semester if the Student Activities Council has decided to fund it, according to Mastony. Incorporating art and articles, Generation XX covers a wide variety of issues, including gender equity in athletics, the experiences of a biracial students and women's health. A list of places that offer services to women and where students can volunteer is also provided. Mastony says Generation XX gives students an opportunity to discuss issues that do not currently receive enough attention. "We wanted to help increase communication so that more women can come together and talk about their experiences as women and educate themselves," Mastony said. "The paper provides a forum for our voices to be heard." The purpose of Generation XX, though, goes beyond highlighting issues that are not usually addressed. "We hope to build bridges between the different women's groups on campus," Mastony added. While Generation XX focuses on women's issues, College sophomore Zoe Schonfeld says the paper could appeal to all students. "It would be useful for men to read the paper and learn about women's issues," Schonfeld said.
(11/29/94 10:00am)
Outraged over an article in the recent issue of The Red & Blue that depicts Haitians as "beyond help," United Minorities Council members are expressing their disgust by writing letters to the administration and the publication itself. Wharton junior Jeremy Hildreth wrote the article, entitled "One Man's Vision of Haiti," which criticizes the government for its involvement with Haiti because "some people 'round the earth are just going to have to die and the Haitians may sometimes be among them." Because many UMC members felt shocked that a student could write an article deeming Haitians as "too far behind the times to constitute a worthwhile investment," they discussed the publication at their meeting before Thanksgiving break. Many students say the article had false information about Haiti and could only have been written to hurt students. College senior and UMC Chairperson Liz Melendez will distribute a letter to University President Judith Rodin, Provost Stanley Chodorow and other administrators on behalf of the UMC. Requesting a meeting with administrators, Melendez called for the University to re-evaluate its racial harassment policy in the letter. Currently, the University does not punish hate speech. "It's an issue that has not been looked into since the suspension of the racial harassment policy," Melendez said. "We'd like to hear the new administration's take on it." Members of the Haitian Students Association, also called Dessalines, posted flyers around campus which said, "Stop the Ignorance -- One Blind Man's Vision of Haiti" with excerpts of the article. Refuting Hildreth's argument that "voodoo is silly" and "the only imports from Haiti we have in this country are exiled dictators and cab drivers," Dessalines President Colette Lamothe sent letters to Hildreth, The Red & Blue editors and the Student Activities Council. While The Red & Blue does not receive SAC funding, it is recognized by the organization. "Many Haitians came here and helped with the war for independence in the American Revolution," Lamothe said. "I suspect that [Hildreth] was talking about Aristide when he mentioned exiled dictators, but Aristide is not a dictator," Lamothe added. "He was democratically elected." According to Hildreth, the article represented his own opinion and did not necessarily represent the views of other members of the magazine's editorial board. While many students called the article racist, Hildreth claims that "is not the case." He would not comment further on the content of his article.
(11/21/94 10:00am)
Editor's Note: Names in this story have been changed to protect the identities of the individuals mentioned. When Dan saw approximately 11 college-aged men harassing a group of University students walking ahead of him, he knew there was going to be trouble. Walking down Spruce Street from Murphy's Tavern with a friend, at about 3 a.m. last Friday, Dan heard the men yelling slurs at the students in front of him. "You're nothing but a bunch of Penn pussies," they shouted. Most of the men ran after the students, while Dan and his friend, Jon, sat on the steps of a church between 42nd and 43rd streets to avoid a confrontation. Dan remained untouched for the meantime, but by the end of the night suffered from several blows to his head and endured more than four hours in the emergency room. One of the men approached Dan and asked him where he attends school. "I told him I go to St. Joseph's so that he hopefully wouldn't associate me with Penn," Dan said. The man left Dan alone and caught up with the group. When the group later returned, the man's mood quickly changed. "He went ballistic," Dan said. "He was saying things like, 'let's get that fucking asshole.' He was drunk and belligerent. His friends had to hold him back. At that point I could tell they were going to get me." Splitting up, half of the group chased Dan while the other half pursued his friend. Dan escaped temporarily, hiding under a car in a nearby driveway. Dogs in the yard by the car began barking, which could have revealed Dan's location. "I ran down Pine but they caught up with me at about 41st and Pine," Dan said. "Two guys tripped me up and then they beat me up. I protected myself as best I could. They kicked and punched me in the head." While Dan says he has some knee and chest injuries, his received the most bruises on his head. The other men seized Dan's friend near 41st and Pine streets. "One of the guys said, 'keep him as hostage,'" Jon said. "They said to me, 'if we don't find your friend we're going to kick your ass." After less than a minute the men heard the commotion down the street. They released Jon to see what the rest of the group was doing. Jon was not harmed. Soon after the group reconvened a car drove by and picked up some of the men while the others scattered. Jon, who says he does not know who drove the car or how that person knew to find the group, ran to help Dan. The police arrived almost immediately, according to Jon, after a Pine Street resident called. "After they questioned me they took me to the emergency room," Dan said. "They ran tests, such as a CAT scan, to make sure there was no internal bleeding. I was in the ER until 8:30 a.m." Dan was then admitted to the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. Doctors monitored his progress and released him at 7 a.m. Saturday. While Dan met a Victim Support Services representative, he says he wants to focus on solving his case. According to University Police Sergeant Keith Christian, University Police have four to six suspects in the case. All of them attend Philadelphia College of Pharmacy & Science. No arrests have been made, though. "If anyone saw the car or faces please contact the police," Dan said. "Even if it's anonymously."
(11/18/94 10:00am)
Race relations at the University may have a long way to go, but members of the Intercultural Coalition to End Discrimination hope that they are making a difference. Modeling clothes from several stores around the city, members of ICED and other campus groups will perform in a fashion show, "United Colors of Penn," at 8 p.m. tonight in Irvine Auditorium. The Student Planning and Events Committee is also sponsoring the event. Thirty-three models will present clothes from stores including the Gap, Urban Outfitters and French Connection. Admission is $3. Because students from many different backgrounds are interested in fashion, ICED President and College senior Joanna Paul said she aims to attract a diverse audience. "Everyone wants to know where to shop and what clothes look the best," Paul said. "Our show also conveys a visual message because people of many different backgrounds will be interacting with each other." "That's something that you don't see much here," she added. Using a wide variety of music, including club, jazz and rap, the models choreographed their own routines. During each segment, the emcees will briefly describe each model's background and activities on campus. Between sets, students will read poetry and give their perceptions of issues such as racism and sexual orientation. College senior Lena Najafi, who helped direct the show, says she hopes to set a precedent for other students. "It's great to see people come together from so many different backgrounds," Najafi said. "Maybe it will convince more people that they should go to more interracial events." Founded last year, ICED has already helped improve communication between students representing various cultures, Paul said. The group has held several brunches in which students have discussed a topic suggested by ICED. At a brunch last month, two international students from Brazil and one from Hawaii described how the issue of multiculturalism is addressed where they live. Paul said the group also hopes to sponsor forums and parties and become more involved with the Greenfield Intercultural Center. "My freshman year, the racial communities seemed so constricted," Paul said. "Now, it's more mixed. People are beginning to establish relationships across racial lines. It feels different here. It feels more comfortable."
(11/17/94 10:00am)
Native Americans are asking the University to give back what they feel is rightly theirs. Representatives from the Leonard Peltier/ Big Mountain Support Group, speaking at "An evening of Native American Culture and Contemporary Thought" last night, asked the University Museum to return the bones and artifacts of their ancestors for a proper burial. Six Directions, the University's only group representing Native American students, and the support group sponsored the event. The Leonard Peltier/ Big Mountain Support Group, based in Philadelphia, holds forums to educate people about Native American culture. The organization also tries to protect Native American families in Arizona that risk relocation. Mark Tayac, a member of the Piscataway tribe, and James Edwards, a Seneca, introduced the event by singing the Native American National Anthem. Using the skin of a moose they killed, Tayac and Edwards played a steady beat on a drum as they sang. While Tayac said he wants people to understand the Native American culture, he focused on recounting American exploitation of his ancestors' ruins. When the British colonized the eastern U.S. coast, they took over the Piscataway village of Moyane in Maryland, Tayac said. Serving as the administrative center for 12,000 people, Moyane also housed a sacred burial ground. In 1939, several archaeologists and anthropologists uncovered the site, the second largest on the East coast. The team sent the remains to universities and museums across the country, including the University Museum. "This site was exposed for non-Indian people to come and see," Tayac said. "We are not recognized as living people with a living culture, tradition and society. The government is placing us in the past and desecrating the sacred remains [of] our people." The United States government established the site as a national park, forbidding future burials. This restriction proved problematic for the Piscataway people. "We believe in the return to the womb of mother earth to nourish and heal her because she gave us life," Tayac said. "We want to give thanks to our creator." After creating the American Indian Movement in 1969, the group held a rally in Washington D.C. in 1972, protesting the "theft of Indian money and the desecration of Indian sites and burial grounds." When the chief of the Piscataway people died, the tribe wanted to bury him in Moyane. But the Department of the Interior would not permit the Piscataway to perform what they considered their natural right. "Our question was, this is our land and against whose law is it to do this," Tayac said. "Our people have been doing this for generations and generations. "There are higher laws we believe in than the ones that Congress passed. We believe in God's law," he added. The Piscataway people stored the chief's body in a mausoleum for two years, until the government allowed the burial in Mayone. Tayac remembered the government's concession as a "happy day." But, Tayac says his people still do not receive the treatment they deserve. Only 97 Piscataway people still survive and Tayac says there are more Native American remains in museums than there are living tribesmen. Most of the remains from the Mayone burial site, and many others, have not been returned. Several groups are lobbying museums nationwide, including the Smithsonian, to return the bones for a proper Native American burial. Representatives from the Leonard Peltier/ Black Mountain Support Group have approached the University in the past about returning remains to the descendants. According to Janet Cavallo, a member of the group, the University has been reluctant to discuss the issue.
(11/15/94 10:00am)
Swarmed by students who asked for an autograph or wanted to voice their admiration, acclaimed scholar Cornel West began his speech on campus almost 20 minutes late so he would not have to turn anyone away. Kicking off the United Minorities Council's Unity Week, the Harvard Religion and Afro-American Studies professor spoke to more than 400 people last night at the International House. Connaissance also sponsored the event. West's most recent book, Race Matters, gained national attention, reaching The New York Times Best Seller list. Publishing four books next year, West's most controversial text addresses black/Jewish relations. Commenting on the Republican sweep in last week's elections, West warned the audience that the country is "going into a deep freeze." West recounted how white supremacists have historically silenced people who fight for civil rights and degraded black people to exploit them. "But then again, what would one expect?" West said. "What do you think British intellectuals said about Irish intellectual ability in the 18th and 19th century and even today? Don't hold your breath. "What do you think medieval Christian theologians said about Jewish moral character, given the wave of anti-Semitism? Don't hold your breath," West added, ending his sentence in a raspy whisper. White men, West said, have used such discrimination to shape modern society. As a result, society perceives black people as a "problem people instead of a people with problems." Black people's individual needs are not considered, he added. "Their own diversity is rendered invisible," West said, remaining still while his eyes quickly darted back and forth. "Mere objects and abstractions, not persons." The political system, according to West, does not offer much hope for improvement. In last week's elections, Americans could only choose between "anemic spineless liberals" who bombarded the public with ineffective programs and "mean spirited" conservatives who deem black Americans' problems insoluble. The country's problems, West said, largely stem from its economic situation. "The decline of democracy has much to do with the increase in poverty that produces an escalating sense of despair," West said, emphasizing his last word. "An increase in paranoia produces escalating levels of distrust. "It makes it difficult for us even to communicate with each other, let alone to deal with racism and coalition," he added. West attributed the decay of social relations to the country's obsession with material gain -- what he calls a market culture. "This market culture makes it very very difficult for non-market values to take hold. There's not a lot of discourse about love anymore," he said. "Market forces make it difficult for young people to feel that they have access to love and affection." Later in his speech, West centered on the country's lack of support for children and the erosion of the family. These factors, he said, lead to pessimism, fatalism and cynicism. West said that if Americans want to improve the country's condition they must feel confident that what they do personally and as a community can make a difference. Citizens representing every class level and race should help lead the country and people must be willing to discuss their differences, West added. After a standing ovation, West conducted a question and answer session.
(11/14/94 10:00am)
Chatting over Caesar salad, stuffed chicken and vegetables, approximately 140 juniors attended the Trustees' Council of Penn Women's seventh annual Career Dinner Thursday night at the Penn Tower Hotel. Representing 15 different professional areas, including health care, law, psychology and social services, 25 Council members shared their experiences and gave students advice on how to pursue their goals. The tables were organized by profession. Before the dinner, the participants requested at which table they wanted to be seated. Honorary chair Mary Selman Hadar, assistant managing editor of The Washington Post for the Style section, led the event. Law School Professor Lani Guinier served as the keynote speaker. University President Judith Rodin also spoke at the event. "This evening, the emphasis is on the girls," Hadar said, as she welcomed the women. Hadar encouraged students to talk with the alumni and ask as many questions as possible. A buffet dessert followed the sit-down dinner, giving students the chance to speak with alumni not at their table. Rodin praised the Council for its efforts and described her plans to reform undergraduate education. Focusing on a study she recently conducted at the Law School examining women's experiences there, Guinier discussed the question of why women are usually at the bottom of their class even though they have the same qualifications as men when admitted. Guinier attributed the trend to the nature of legal education. "One of the things you are taught is to ask rude questions," Guinier said. "The overriding principle is to make the witness look foolish. It's not surprising that the field is dominated by rude people." Guinier said such a ruthless atmosphere leads to the harassment and mistreatment of women students. She then suggested steps the Law School could take to make the nature of legal education more inclusive and less aggressive. "The first step is to take women's complaints seriously," Guinier said. "We need to sit down with students and faculty and ask them questions, like is this your experience and why do you think this is happening." Guinier also discussed the limitations women face in the work force. "You can have a career and a family," Guinier said. "You may not be able to focus on both at the same time, but with a little sequencing you can have a very rich life." Attending the dinner exposed College junior Rachel Levy to professions she had never considered. "There's so much out there in terms of the different aspects of a profession," Levy said. "I met a lot of different kinds of lawyers, and they all had different perspectives."
(11/14/94 10:00am)
Building on the relationships they formed at a retreat earlier this year, approximately 30 members of the United Minorities Council attended the Cross Cultural Student Leadership Workshop. Programs for Awareness in Cultural Education peer educators led the workshop, which kicked off the UMC's Unity Week. UMC members discussed issues they think affect minority students and how to resolve them. Meeting in small groups and then as a whole, the members focused on stereotypes and perceptions they have of each other that hinder unity. "Some of the things we talked about were why ethnic clubs seem exclusive, why others fear joining them and where that fear comes from," said College sophomore Eng Wong, UMC program coordinator. "We also talked about why there are so many Asian groups -- if Asian affairs are so important why are we divided and whether it would be better to have one group," Wong added. Members then compiled a list of 13 programs they plan to sponsor, hoping to increase interaction between UMC groups. Some suggestions included a forum about black/Korean relations, an awards banquet and a discussion about the newly passed Proposition 187 in California, which curbs benefits for illegal aliens. Wharton senior Jenny Ho, UMC vice chairperson, found the workshop productive. But, she says she is disappointed that no Undergraduate Assembly representatives accepted an invitation to the event. "The UA could've learned more about the UMC and we could've heard more about how the UA perceives us," Ho said. "I felt they should've been there." UA Chairperson and Wharton junior Dan Debicella said "it was very unfortunate" that members did not attend the event. "It was very bad timing," he said. "It was on Parent's Weekend. But there are a lot more events coming up in Unity week that UA members will be attending." The UMC will sponsor an event each day this week, all designed to teach students about the different cultures represented on campus. Harvard Professor Cornel West, who wrote The New York Times best-seller Race Matters, will discuss race relations nationwide at 7 p.m. tonight at International House. Ho said that the UMC had a wide audience in mind when planning the week. "A lot of the events are more social," Ho said. "The whole point is to say, 'yes we're unified, but we're also diverse.' It's not just about people of color, it's about everyone on campus."
(11/11/94 10:00am)
Frustrated at being so far from home and unable to protest with family and friends, several University students from California are enraged at the newly passed Proposition 187. The proposition renders illegal aliens ineligible for public school education, social services and health care services excluding emergency care. As a result of the proposition, any school district, health care facility or law enforcement agency suspecting that a child or parent immigrated illegally must report the person to the Immigration and Naturalization Services or other government offices. Taking such benefits away from illegal aliens, according to the California Ballot Pamphlet, will save state and local governments approximately $200 million. Instituting the proposition could cost the governments more than $100 million in the first year. College junior Diana Flores, however, says the proposition does not make fiscal sense. According to Flores, Philadelphia's Spanish TV station reported this week that for every dollar spent to provide aliens with the services the government will spend $154 to enact the proposition. The aspects of the proposition regarding education are currently under dispute in Los Angeles's U.S. District Court, since the Supreme Court has ruled that the federal constitution guarantees all children a public education. Supporters of the proposition say it will help improve California's economy, which is still recovering from the recession. But Wharton senior Sam Rivera, the president of El Movimiento Estudiantil Chicano de Aztlan, says the reasons behind Prop. 187 aren't so simple. "It's something that the politicians have found for self-serving economic reasons," Rivera said. "The illegal immigrants are used as scapegoats and targets to further their political campaigns. They're attacking a group without representation. There's a definite element of racism." Hoping to educate students about Prop. 187, Rivera says MeChA will pass out fliers explaining the decision with politicians' addresses so that students can write letters. Many California residents resent illegal immigrants, arguing that they take away jobs American citizens deserve. But College sophomore Emmanuel Mejia says that people should not feel threatened by the illegal immigrants. "They came here because they believed they could get a better life," Mejia said. "They're not here to exploit anyone. The only people being exploited are the immigrants who are hired for such low wages." Regardless of the law, Rivera says he wouldn't turn anyone in to the INS. "This summer, people would come through the canyons and walk through my neighborhood," said Rivera, who resides in San Diego. "If I was watering the lawn, they would ask for a drink and I would give it to them. "We're the same people. These are people I feel for," Rivera said. While Wharton senior Darryl Myrose says he sympathizes with the illegal immigrants, he does not believe that they deserve the benefits Prop. 187 will take away. "If you're not a citizen, then you should have to pay for your education and health care," Myrose said. "I don't think it should be put on the burden of the taxpayers. "The California economy has been in shambles and that would be an extra burden," he added. "I feel bad for them, but you have to draw the line somewhere." Sometimes, illegal immigrants are more than just an economic burden, says College junior Rebecca Hutchinson. "My concern is for the students in the public schools whose parents pay taxes," Hutchinson said. "If you have just five non-English speaking students, then they take up almost all of the teacher's time."
(11/08/94 10:00am)
With every step Wharton senior Lynn Patel took, the bells around her ankles jingled to the beat. Wearing a striking pink and purple striped satin costume, Patel slowly raised her leg behind her and leaned over, deftly holding her balance, during the celebration for Diwali, Light Up the Night. The South Asia Society sponsored Saturday night's performance, honoring Diwali, the holiest Hindu holiday. Several legends explain Diwali. Some South Asians pray to the goddess Lakshmi who helped her husband, Vishnu, protector of the universe, defeat the greedy demon Naraka Asura on the day of Diwali. The holiday teaches Hindus to show humility and face challenges courageously. A Hindu prayer session -- or pooja, -- and a buffet dinner, catered by the restaurant Tandoor India, preceded the performance. Because Hindu worshippers are not allowed to eat meat on holidays the vegetarian meal included the unleavened bread, called naan, and chole, chickpeas in a gravy sauce. Approximately 1,500 people attended Light Up the Night in Irvine Auditorium. Students choreographed and presented 16 acts in groups and individually, featuring traditional songs and dances. "I'm delighted with the turnout," College junior and SAS president Mika Rao said. "The show was stunning. It really embodied the spirit of Diwali." During the third act, Sarvesh Mahajan played the Tabla, two small hand played drums, accompanying Azhar Iqbal who sang Qawwali, an Islamic mystic song. The Urdu song praises Allah, the Islamic god. "One of the verses says that before there was the sun, the moon and the stars, there was nothing here but [Allah]," Mahajan said. While singing, Iqbal played the harmonium, a keyboard encased in wood. The player pumps the instrument like an accordion by opening and closing a small lid on the front of it. In another act, three couples danced to a popular Hindu song about a man courting a woman. The couples fast-paced moves mirrored the lyrics, combining traditional and modern steps. College sophomore Lina Panackal says watching the performance exposed her to aspects of Hindu culture that she had not experienced before. "I'm used to seeing more hand motion, and a lot of the acts had more fast foot motion," Panackal said. "You could tell that a lot of skill and hard work went into the whole thing."
(11/01/94 10:00am)
Watching the movie Like Water For Chocolate and attending a dance party gave students of all races a chance to experience Latino culture in an informal setting. The Sigma Lambda Upsilon sorority sponsored these events last week, in its annual Latino Awareness Week. Approximately 35 students turned out for the movie Thursday night at the Greenfield Intercultural Center, cosponsored by La Asociacion Cultural de Estudiantes Latino Americanos and Lambda Upsilon Lambda fraternity. "The movie portrayed the Mexican way of thinking, as opposed to a European or American version of it," College junior Madeleine Lopez said. "It had the folklore of Mexico, the religion and the relationship between mothers and daughters." While students who watched the movie said they learned about Latino customs and food, they also noticed that many of aspects of the movie reflect several cultures. "The movie showed the common features among people of different cultures," said College and Wharton sophomore David Wong. "The portrayal of family life, falling in love and intergenerational issues are things that people from any culture can identify with. "I don't get to experience much Latino food so I enjoyed that part of the movie too," Wong added. Attending the dance party Friday night at 4209 Sansom gave students the opportunity to appreciate Latino culture more actively. "I don't think a lot of the people at the party had been exposed to this type of music before," College senior Rosa Velasquez said. "I introduced myself to some of those people and taught them how to dance to the music. "They saw that I was willing to teach them and they were willing to learn so it was really fun," she added. Hoping to make as many students aware of Latino culture, SLU sisters said they were pleased that non-Latino students attended the events. "I met some brothers of Lambda Phi Epsilon at the party," Velasquez said. "They told me about some of their activities, so hopefully I'll be able to attend them. Now it's our turn to learn about another culture."
(10/24/94 9:00am)
With each push-up, the fatigue increases and the burning becomes more intense. "Fifteen more seconds," the lead petty officer bellows. "You should be able to get at least five more." After counting down the last 10 seconds out loud the officer gives the group a brief chance to walk it out. "Are you guys tired yet?" she asks. And without waiting for a response she instructs them to "fall back in." The flushed midshipmen, all wearing white shirts and blue shorts, quickly form two lines and run another lap around Franklin Field. Every Monday and Friday at 6:30 a.m., 55 University students endure physical training for the Navy Reserve Officers Training Corps program. Nine Temple students and eight Drexel students are also enrolled. While some may think this is taking physical activity to an extreme, for others ROTC represents an opportunity to be a proud part of the U.S. Navy. Students, called midshipmen, organize and lead the morning's activity, which could include anything from a circuit course to a soccer match. After exercising, the midshipmen head to Hollenbach Center, the ROTC building by the South Street Bridge, for a one hour class. Captains and lieutenants cover basic information about the Navy that all commissioned officers must know. Midshipmen will then apply their knowledge during a four-year military obligation after they graduate. Because many incoming freshmen have no previous knowledge about the Navy, these sessions cover the Navy's history and customs. Lt. Leonard Moore, the sole freshman instructor and advisor, devoted one class to grooming standards and the different types of caps, pins and ribbons officers wear. "A man's hair should not touch the collar of the shirt," Moore told the attentive class. "The color should be natural and compliment the person." "Are you allowed to shave your head?" one freshman asked. "If you like the Telly Savalis look," Moore joked, "then go right ahead." Sophomores learn about naval engineering and juniors study navigation. Seniors meet Tuesday nights for a three-hour seminar, where they discuss current events and readings about group management and leadership. While only seniors formally discuss leadership, all the midshipmen develop leadership skills through personal experience. All students are divided into squads, which have approximately four midshipmen each. Three squads form a platoon; two platoons form a company; and two companies form the battalion. Each division has a leader so that by the time midshipmen graduate they will have held several positions, according to Cpt. Henry Fischer, a NROTC advisor. As commissioned officers, the NROTC graduates could assume control if the country enters a war. "To be responsible for human lives is a pretty awesome job," Fischer said. "We don't take the job of developing a leadership foundation lightly." The relationship midshipmen cultivate with their instructors proves essential to that development. "Some days I'm like a big brother and some days I'm like a father," Fischer said. "It's always with the goal to make a difference in their lives such that they will be able to realize their full potential. I take the stand that they will be the greatest leaders and I say up front that we will work towards that end." Students start perfecting their skills during the week-long freshman orientation for incoming midshipmen. "When I was a platoon sergeant at freshman orientation I had to develop a presence and communication skills," said Wharton senior Carl Forsling, who now is battalion commander. "By dealing with those who had no concept of the ROTC, I was always conscious of what I was doing. That constant self-evaluation helped me prepare for the coming year." Midshipmen can prove how they have progressed as a leader on Thursdays when the whole battalion meets at 7 a.m. in the annex behind Hollenbach. With the whole battalion in uniform, the commanders and officers lead drills, and on random Thursdays the midshipmen must go through inspection. Midshipmen are required to know basic information about the ROTC and the Navy such as the chain of command, the battalion staff and important leadership traits. The student leaders test the midshipmen's knowledge and inspect their uniforms, making sure they are clean and properly pressed. On inspection days, students start arriving early, visually tense. Squad leaders help their fellow members, looking over their uniforms and quizzing them on their knowledge. "Does anyone have a Swiss Army knife?" one squad leader asks as he notices a loose thread. Gathering her platoon together before the inspection, one lead petty officer offers some encouraging words. "You'll sound more motivated if you have a loud sound off," she instructed. "Don't forget the sir sandwich. If someone asks you how you're doing this morning say, 'Sir, outstanding, sir.'" When College senior Mark Tonsetic, a company commander and a Daily Pennsylvanian columnist, evaluates the midshipmen, he says he has ways to check the squad leader's progress and the group's unity. "I ask the squad leader to tell me something about each member of the squad such as their major or phone number," Tonsetic said. "That gives me a general indication if they are coming together as a group. If one person stands out and the others don't, then that tells me the person is great on his own but isn't helping others. There's no use in being a hero if the team isn't functioning." Engineering freshman Anthony Crawford says he spent one and a half hours shining his shoes and belt buckle before inspection. He woke up at 5 a.m. to make sure he knew the facts, only to hear that he still wasn't fully prepared. "They told me I could have had more of a military tuck on my uniform," Crawford said. "It might seem trivial, but if you can train yourself to do the little things right the big things come easy." When midshipmen fail an inspection, miss an event without an excuse or conduct themselves unprofessionally, in a manner "unbecoming of an officer and a gentleman," Battalion Executive Officer Jamie McGee, who oversees all disciplinary action, addresses the problem. McGee, an Engineering senior, established a clear disciplinary code that all midshipmen must follow. After one offense midshipmen must meet with their LPO and platoon commander. After the second offense, the midshipmen must meet with McGee, the company commander and platoon commander. The unit staff reviews the midshipman's conduct after the third offense. Because the midshipmen take the ROTC so seriously and feel strongly about serving their country, the University's move to re-evaluate the program's status is especially upsetting, many say. Currently the Defense Department violates the University's non-discrimination policy by barring homosexuals who are open about their orientation from serving in the military. The University Council approved an arm's length agreement last month that would allow the program to remain on campus but distance its relationship with the University. Provost Stanley Chodorow will make the final decision about what action the University should take. "It angers me because I know many of the people on the University Council who voted for the arm's length agreement wouldn't make the sacrifice we are," College senior Scott McClain said. "They're voting for something they wouldn't do even if there was the change in the Defense Department's policy." Many also say that because the ROTC must follow all government policies, the University should direct its action toward the Defense Department and not the ROTC. Within the program, students say, instructors stress that midshipmen should treat all people with respect and discuss how to maintain professional relationships. Cpt. Michael Tollefson, director of the Naval Officer Education program, speaks with the midshipmen every year about sexual harassment, an issue gaining more attention with the increase of women in the military. Despite the military's reputation of hostility toward women, those in ROTC, which is almost 30 percent female, say instructors treat them fairly and equally. "We are expected to do the same level of physical activity as the men," Nursing junior Alicia Ponzio said. "It's a good feeling. I've never experienced different treatment from anyone else." For many midshipmen, being part of the ROTC quickly becomes more than preparing for their military duties. Students said they meet some of their closest friends at the ROTC freshman orientation. Several midshipmen organize a yearly blood drive and tutoring project. The social events, such as the Spring and Birthday Balls, prove some of the midshipmen's best times at the University. "The balls bring more camaraderie," McClain said. "It lets you know that people aren't just robots in uniform. "For some people, because ROTC is such a sacrifice, they can't be in fraternities or sororities," McClain added. "The parties are like their fraternity or sorority formals." Sometimes it's hard to feel confident about enrolling in ROTC at 6 a.m. after staying up late studying, but midshipmen say they know the sacrifices they make are worth it. "On Veteran's Day, we have a service at the monument by the tennis courts to remember everyone who has died in war," said College junior Dan Bennett, a lead petty officer. "Every year it hits me that there are people who have given their lives for the sake of believing in their country. That kind of patriotism gives a higher purpose to what I'm doing."
(10/24/94 9:00am)
SCUE kicks off prof. lunch week "Take a Professor to Lunch Week" -- which happens once a semester -- kicks off today, according to Student Committee on Undergraduate Education Chairperson Matthew Kratter, a Wharton and Engineering senior. The week provides an opportunity for students and professors to interact outside the classroom and discuss topics of mutual interest, he added. Although Kratter is not sure when the tradition of Lunch Week began, he said it now involves students at all of the University's educational levels. "We do encourage students to meet with professors other than their own," he said, explaining that this emphasis is a shift from the program's original intention to create relationships between students and the professors whose courses they are taking. -- Lisa Levenson Latino Awareness Week begins Celebrating Latino culture, the Sigma Lambda Upsilon sorority will sponsor the fourth annual Latino Awareness Week this week. Discussing the vital issues for the Latino community, Executive Director of Congresso de Latinos Unidos, Inc. Alba Martinez will speak at 7:30 p.m. today at the Greenfield Intercultural Center. Additional events will be held throughout the week. --Tammy Polonsky
(10/24/94 9:00am)
After reviewing the non-discrimination policies of the Baker & McKenzie law firm, the Career Planning and Placement Committee decided last week to allow the firm to continue to recruit on campus. Baker & McKenzie's recruiting privileges were first called into question this July when two Lesbian Gay and Bisexual Law Students Association members filed a complaint with the Committee claiming that the firm violated the Law School's non-discrimination policy. The New York State Division of Human Rights ruled in 1993 that the New York office unlawfully fired an attorney after learning that he had AIDS. And a Palo Alto jury awarded a secretary $6.9 million last month, according to the committee, because a partner sexually harassed her. The two students, Anthony Falzon and Rose Weber, asked the Law School to ban Baker & McKenzie from recruiting on campus because of the court decisions. While suspending the firm temporarily, the committee asked for information about its non-discrimination policy and how it ensures that the policy is followed. Baker & McKenzie sent a copy of its code of conduct, equal employment opportunity and sexual harassment policies and complaint procedures for reporting violations, according to a memorandum issued by the committee. The Washington office, the only one scheduled to recruit at the University, said it places a high value on the code, discussing it at meetings and periodically redistributing it to all employees. Representatives for the Washington office also told the committee that they expect to establish formal diversity training, but did not say when. Because the court cases did not involve University students, Associate Law Professor Alan Lerner, who chaired the committee, said its role was to evaluate policies and procedures and not to punish the firm for past incidents. "If we don't let the firm come in then students can't make decisions for themselves, and that was definitely a concern," Lerner said. While committee members said they are convinced that the firm has effective policies, they acknowledged that Baker & McKenzie does not have written procedures to respond to violations other than sexual harassment. But, the firm claimed, in its letters to the committee, that it is the most diverse law firm nationwide because almost half of its employees are minorities. Most of these employees, according to Weber, are clerical and maintenance staff. The firm did not reveal how many partners are minorities. "This arrogant and high handed treatment shows how little respect Baker & McKenzie have given to the whole matter," Weber said. Falzon and Weber have asked the committee to clarify a key phrase in the memorandum which states that, when an incident does not involve a University student, the committee's role is "prospective and regulatory, not punitive." "The committee is prospective in that it is looking forward," said Law Professor Barbara Woodhouse, a committee member. "We look at the policies in place and how they are implemented later." The committee then regulates the qualifications for a firm to recruit on campus, according to Woodhouse. Weber says she was told that the decision only allows the Washington office to recruit on campus, and not the two offices accused of bias, but several committee members said they were unsure of its applicability. Until the committee clarifies its position, Weber says the LGBLSA will not issue a response.
(10/20/94 9:00am)
Giving students the opportunity to informally ask questions about the program, facilitators from the Programs for Awareness in Cultural Education will hold an open house from 7 to 9 p.m. tonight at the Greenfield Intercultural Center. Last spring 20 graduate and undergraduate students went through a semester-long training program, becoming the first PACE peer educators. PACE coordinator and Graduate School of Education student Navneet Khera supervised the training and helped establish the program with many University staff members. These include Wharton School Director of Academic Affairs Joseph Sun, who directed the GIC last year, Associate Provost for University Life Larry Moneta and GSE Dean Nancy Hornberger. Every week students read and discussed articles that addressed several issues ranging from the developmental psychology of an African American to the obstacles many Latino women face. Participants also kept weekly journals. Students who have completed the training now facilitate workshops for campus groups concerning issues such as gender and race relations and general aspects of difference. Through sponsoring workshops, Khera said he hopes that facilitators will provide a safe forum for faculty, staff and students to openly discuss sensitive issues affecting a multicultural society. "The finding of commonality ensures that people will not only talk about issues in the abstract," Khera said. "People won't think of an issue as someone else's problem, but as their own problem as well." PACE peer educators have already lead several workshops including a program for the Greek Social Action Committee about stereotypes. "We've gotten an excellent response," Khera said. "I've received comments ranging from 'We've long needed this sort of work' to 'How soon can we have you back to have a follow up.' " Facilitators and staff say they hope groups who use PACE will help publicize the program. Last month the program was made an official GSE class, which many say should help make more students aware of the program. "I tend to be cautious about diversity training programs because they often try to do something in a very quick way," Hornberger said. "What impressed me is that Navneet is avoiding that pitfall. He's providing a substantial and intensive program which enables students to get to the fundamentals of cultural understanding and gives them the opportunity to communicate it to others." While workshops are designed to help members of campus groups learn more about their peers and their experiences, facilitators say they feel more open minded too. "A lot of us are leaders within our own organizations," College senior Jen Wana said. "When you feel so strongly about what you're doing it's easy to think you're right about minority concerns in general. "Then you meet other people that care about those issues just as much as you do but have different opinions about how to address them," she added. "It's great to have a forum where you can discuss that."
(10/07/94 9:00am)
Sharing personal stories and strong opinions, approximately 30 students attended "Why Are We So Color Struck? Is There a Better Shade of Black," a forum sponsored by the Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority last night. Assistant Professor of Education Howard Stevenson facilitated the forum in W. E. B. DuBois College House's multi-purpose room, in which students discussed whether varying degrees of skin color is still an issue. Some participants described how groups have traditionally differentiated between light and dark skinned people. College sophomore Stephen Wilson said some clubs would not admit people if their skin was darker than a brown paper bag or if the veins on their arms were not visible. "It's important to realize that there were a lot of groups that did that, but it isn't going on much now," said College senior Robyn Kent, president of the Black Student League. While such blatant discrimination is now rare, many students said they feel that because of values imposed after slavery, bias has taken a much more covert form. "I've heard so many negative connotations in terms of being dark skinned," College senior Looby Similien said. "In many families the light skinned children are given more attention." "The forum is more than light and dark," said Graduate School of Education student Richard Carter. "Issues of identity are indicative of a bigger struggle with domination. The forces of domination are white upper middle class male values." Students pointed out that the media and the arts affect the value placed on skin color. In music videos, for instance, light skinned women are often depicted as more beautiful than dark women. Magazine covers often feature the extremes, such as light skinned women with long wavy hair or dark skinned women with short hair. As a result, some students said, darker skinned women are often made to feel that they are less attractive and have a harder time starting relationships. Some students suggested ways to pressure the media to include people regardless of the color of their skin. "If people say they prefer a certain hue, I don't think that's necessarily a problem," Morris said. "It might just be their preference as if they had said they liked fat or skinny people." Others said students have the power to change the status quo. "When you look at a magazine and you don't see yourself represented you don't have to buy it," said Graduate School of Education student Michael Cunningham. "If you do buy it, you can form writing groups. Send letters saying that their magazine doesn't represent you and your friends and that you won't buy it until it does."
(09/26/94 9:00am)
The Committee to Review the Status of ROTC at Penn will recommend that the University establish an arm's length agreement with the Reserve Officers' Training Corps in a report this week. The document has been complete since May, but was not released because some committee members were afraid the report would not get the attention it deserved. The Committee, formed last fall, reviewed several options ranging from maintaining the status quo -- where ROTC has a full presence on campus -- to terminating the program. The proposed arms length arrangement would maintain ROTC's presence on campus but withdraws six benefits the University awards the program. Under the arms length arrangement: ·students would no longer receive credit for ROTC courses; ·program directors would not receive faculty privileges; ·the U.S. Department of Defense would have to rent building space currently provided free of charge by the University; ·secretarial support provided by the University would be limited to University matters; ·all University publications that mention ROTC would specify that ROTC is an outside activity and that the University disapproves of the program's discriminatory practices and policies; ·commissioning activities would not take place on University property and the University would not recognize ROTC cadets and midshipmen at graduation. If the University can not negotiate an arm's length agreement, the Committee recommends that the University pursue a consortia arrangement with other Philadelphia schools. Under this option, one school would host the program and other schools could participate. Administrators will discuss the report at the University Council meeting Wednesday in an attempt to help University President Judith Rodin and Provost Stanley Chodorow reach a final decision concerning the Reserve Officer Training Corps' future on campus. "I would be surprised if any of the views brought up at the meeting were ones not mentioned in the report," Chodorow said last week. "The report really seemed to cover all the options -- but I have to give people that chance." The committee's decision on ROTC revolved around more than just the Defense Department's discriminatory practices, officials said. Last year, the Defense Department paid the University $1.53 million in ROTC scholarships for the 101 students enrolled, many of whom could not attend the University without that support. Because ROTC scholarships are not need-based -- and University financial aid is -- University officials estimate that the loss of the program will only cost them around $300,000. The University currently spends about the same amount on ROTC-related expenses. The arrangement could affect the University in other areas though. For instance, the Defense Department awarded the University more than $13 million in grants, according to the report. And while the grants are separate from ROTC funding, some have said that the Defense Department might withdraw all support if the University changes its relationship with the military. Captain Michael Tollefson, who served on the Committee, said the University should not make a decision solely based on short-term benefits. In the long-term, the Defense Department's policies could change, he added. And if this does happen, the Committee recommends that the ROTC unit should then resume its current status. Tollefson said, however, that adopting an arm's length arrangement could prove an irrevocable decision. "One could make the argument that if the University decides that ROTC can no longer be a guest on this campus that it would never come back," Tollefson said. The issue of ROTC on campus has been ongoing since 1990, when University Council questioned the program's status for the first time. The body passed a resolution in that year recommending that the University remove ROTC from campus if the U.S. Department of Defense's exclusion of homosexuals from the military had not changed by June 1993. Defense Department policy did not change by the deadline. Instead of removing ROTC from campus, Interim Provost Marvin Lazerson established the Committee to evaluate what courses of action the University could take. Currently, homosexuals that serve in the military are not allowed to openly acknowledge their sexual orientation or engage in homosexual acts, which the Committee says violates the University's non-discrimination policy.
