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(10/03/91 9:00am)
McGinn Security Services, the private security firm which provides guards for campus dormitories, has hired at least two minors to act as building guards without the University's knowledge. Flora Lea Louden, the Residential Living official that acts as the liaison between McGinn and the University, said Monday she was unaware of the hiring policies. "It's my understanding that they do not hire people between 17 and 15," Louden said. But yesterday, Residential Living Director Gigi Simeone said that the University found two minors serving as guards, and transferred one of them out of building security Tuesday. "Our hope is that all people [working for security] are mature and are able to make sound judgements," Simeone said. "Because of our conversation, the younger employee will not be working as residential security worker." Simeone said that the other employee, who is "almost 18" has not been transferred. "There were two employees under 18," she said. "They're both doing a good job. We have, of course, some concerns." But 16-year-old Garrett Johnson, a University City High School student and a McGinn employee, said there are three or four high school students working for the security company. Johnson said he has been working at McGinn for about five months. "My brother got me the job," Johnson said. "He had a job here, and when I got older, he brought home an application for me. I filled it out and sent it out the next day, and the day after that they called me up." "I had no problems getting the job," said Johnson. He also said he had put his age on the application. Although child labor laws prohibit some areas from hiring children, security work is not restricted. The only restrictions are on the number of hours a person under 18 can work. Minors are legally permitted to work for security companies, providing they do not have to carry a gun. McGinn has had a history of personnel problems with the University. In 1989, McGinn came under fire for not performing adequate background checks on security guards, after a guard was arrested for disorderly conduct while on duty at Van Pelt College House. The guard reportedly had had a "lengthy" police record.
(10/02/91 9:00am)
Logan Hall room 17 was the place to be at 7 p.m. last night, even though no one found what they expected when they arrived. Several students and faculty members were invited to the lecture hall for a talk on mathematics and corporate life. About 20 students and professors -- and a KYW-TV news crew -- showed up for a rally and forum on Israel's future which was thought to be held there. And one Math professor says a Math 141 review session was scheduled for the room. But none of these things happened. And the ensuing discussions of an apparent joke with no known punchline caused several people to wonder who's behind one of the most puzzling hoaxes in recent University's history. "It's a curious hoax or prank," said Mathematics Professor Peter Freyd, who was invited to introduce a speaker who did not appear. "I don't see poetry in it -- it seems random." Several people said yesterday they received phone calls inviting them to events at Logan Hall 17 last night from people identifying themselves as professors. Those professors deny ever inviting anyone to any speech last night. KYW-TV set a news crew to Logan Hall after receiving two phone calls from a man saying he was Mathematics Professor David Shale. The man told them there would be a "300-person rally" outside Logan Hall. Shale denied last night ever calling KYW. Jaffe was unavailable for comment, but other professors who say they have spoken to him say Jaffe himself did not call the newspaper. Someone also circulated fliers advertising two separate mathematics forums featuring Harvard Mathematics Professor Robert Barrow. Those fliers, Mathematics Professor Freyd said, did not identify a sponsoring group. Open Expression Committee Chairperson Robert Davies said last night at Logan Hall the fliers did not comply with University regulations because they did not identify the sponsoring group of the event. And Freyd said he checked to see what was scheduled for the room, discovering students holding a Math 141 review session reserved the room. Flonnia Freeman, who schedules the University's facilities, was not available for comment last night. The result has been countless versions of the planned events for last night and no clear indication as to who masterminded the hoaxes. Graduate and Professional Students Assembly Chairperson Michael Goldstein said yesterday this was not the first hoax centered around Jaffe. A student in Jaffe's Finance 102 class says someone identifying himself as Jaffe told students they had to meet with Associate Finance Professor James Ghandi about the diversity of their project groups last Thursday instead of attending class. Students were told to meet in Vance Hall B-3, although Jaffe lectured the entire time to half the class, Wharton senior Katie Blanchette said last night. Because of the confusion over the activities planned for Logan Hall, Deputy Vice Provost George Koval sent two open expression monitors to the event. Open Expression Chair Davies said he thought the hoax was not funny. He speculated that the same people who convinced several hundred freshman Convocation would be held an hour late may have been behind last night's events. "It's unfriendly, uncollegial behavior," Davies said. "Some people think hoaxes are great fun, but they're not, really." Finance Department Chairperson Richard Kilhstrom said that after receiving an invitation to Barrow's speech from someone identifying himself as a Mathematics professor, he called Harvard to see if Barrow was coming to the University. He discovered Barrow had no plans of coming. Shale said he was not "terribly disappointed" someone masquerading as him was calling TV stations. Shale said he first heard about the questionable events from Freyd. Davies also questioned the manner in which the story appeared in yesterday's DP, questioning whether or not anyone could submit information to the paper without it being verified. DP staff writer Roxanne Patel, who wrote a brief about the forum, said she received a call from a man saying he was Associate Professor Jaffe at approximately 10:15 p.m. The man, Patel said, was not comfortable with his name being used the paper. Patel added that she does not remember whether or not he gave her a name before she asked for it. The DP has a policy of confirming all stories with at least two sources, but the daily "In Brief" section, which usually contains short articles on talks and events, is excepted from the policy. Staff reporter Consuelo Santiago contributed to this story.
(09/25/91 9:00am)
Medical School Professor Edward Cooper, the new president-elect of American Heart Association, is looking to lower the high incidence of heart disease and stroke in blacks. According to Cooper, blacks are three to five times more likely to suffer heart failure than whites. In addition, stroke deaths are almost twice as common in blacks. "We want to narrow these gaps," he said. "This will require much better access to care and education." Last year, the AHA spent $71 million supporting nationwide research. The organization also sponsors school-site programs like "Tobacco-free 2000," work-site programs like "Heart at Work," and programs for physicians like "Heart Rx." Cooper added that it is important that more minorities become doctors, noting that minority doctors are more likely to practice in minority areas. It wasn't until 1964 that Cooper became the first black attending physician at HUP. "We have only one quarter of the doctors we need in minority areas," he said. The AHA, along with the American Cancer Association, is one of the two largest voluntary health organizations in the nation. The AHA has 3.2 million volunteers who are members of 2200 divisions. Cooper will serve for a year as president-elect before assuming the position of president in June 1992. Cooper is no stranger to the the AHA, having been involved for over 25 years in such capacities as Chairman of the Stroke Council and as a member of the groups' National Board of Elections. Cooper is recognized as an expert in the field of stroke prevention, having been called on to testify before Congress as recently as this past spring. Cooper spoke to the Appropriations Committee about the need for more money to be allocated for cardiology research. Heart disease is the number one cause of death in the U.S. "Heart disease and stroke kill almost as many people as all other things combined, yet we don't get nearly that proportion of money for research," Cooper said. Cooper said that the reason for this lack of appropriate funding is due to "a lack of understanding." He cited a recent Minnesota study which found that only five percent of people surveyed could name the three major risk factors for heart attack: cigarettes, high cholesterol, and high blood pressure. Cooper said the main theme of his new administration will be prevention. "We have to prevent children from having high blood pressure in the first place," he said, pointing to causes ranging from improper diet to watching too much television. Cooper praised William Kelley, executive director of the Medical Center, for his emphasis on research in molecular biology. "Here at Penn we're in the right position to find out who is at the highest risk for stroke and heart disease," he said. Although Cooper is kept busy by meetings and interviews such as a recent two hour call-in show on WHAT, he said he also enjoys spending time with medical students. "The part I most enjoy is when a student spends the day with me watching me as I work," he said with a smile.
(09/12/91 9:00am)
The first show will feature the bands School of Fish and House of Freaks at 4 p.m. on September 20 and will be either on College Green or Superblock, pending a decision by the University, SPEC members said. College junior Gold said bands have not been chosen yet for the second and third shows, slated for September 27 and October 4, but School of Fish and House of Freaks have signed contracts for their appearances. Assistant to the President Nicholas Constan said President Sheldon Hackney will decide whether the concerts will be allowed on College Green "very soon." David Rose, a College junior who worked with School of Fish this summer while at Capitol Records, described the group as "the perfect band for the Penn community." "School of Fish crosses over from classic rock into the alternative sound of the '90s," said Rose. "Also, they kick ass in concert." Gold said the series is a valuable addition to the University social scene because it "gives students a place to hang out and exposure to different kinds of music." SPEC Concerts Co-chairperson William Nicklin said the three chairs chose mainly little-known alternative bands for the series, adding that they listened to dozens of demo tapes before choosing School of Fish and House of Freaks. Nicklin said that SPEC Concerts is trying to start a new tradition with the free Friday afternoon shows, and if the concerts this fall are popular, they will be continued next semester. He added that SPEC wants to make the University a more festive place, especially for freshmen, "who haven't seen anything yet." "We're all very psyched about it," said Nicklin, a Engineering junior. SPEC Chairperson Lisa Nass heralded the concerts as an opportunity to "bring new music for Penn." Nass said the concerts were also an excellent opportunity for up-and-coming bands, and that the shows could "double the people that know about the band."
(09/06/91 9:00am)
Outwardly, Aletha Todd Daniel seemed confident. But a faint waiver in her voice belied a certain nervousness underneath. "I think Saturday will be pretty successful," Daniel said. "I hope Saturday will be pretty successful . . . " Daniel, a graduate assistant for the University's Program for Student-Community Involvement and a student in the Graduate School of Education, is helping to organize Community House's first annual "Into the Streets" program for this weekend. Approximately 200 residents of the lower Quadrangle dormitory will fan out over Philadelphia tomorrow to observe and help at 22 community service agencies throughout the city. Organizers say the effort is intended to make Community House's freshman residents aware of neighborhood problems and what they can do to help. It is also serving as a pilot program which could be expanded to other dormitories next year. The program is the result of efforts by last year's Community House residents to come up with an event more in keeping with the spirit of the college house than their annual picnic trip. Residents approached Senior Faculty Resident Peter Conn with their idea for a community service program last April. "This was an idea that came from the students, it didn't come from anyone else," Conn said. "Actually, my initial reaction was sort of skeptical because of the amount of organization that was involved." "In my view, it's a really remarkable undertaking," the English professor added. "I think it has a chance to make a real difference." Daniel and others planned the event over the summer, arranging for the agencies to show students what they do, and for the students, still at home, to choose agencies. Working down to the wire this week, they were putting the finishing touches on Saturday's bagel brunch and a hoagie dinner, and obtaining everything from tee-shirts to subway tokens. Nursing junior Sarah Horne said Wednesday she was somewhat surprised to find herself on the opposite side of the room from her fellow R.A.s. "It made me stop and think, because there's got to be some point to the other side or they wouldn't be standing over there," Horne said. Horne's group of about 10 students will help out at the Greater Philadelphia Food Bank. A local food company has donated bins of macaroni weighing about 1,000 pounds to the food bank and the food bank needs help bagging the pasta for distribution. The agencies said they are looking forward to the chance to meet the students. "I'm very pleased that Penn is making this emphasis for freshmen to get out and see what's around them in West Philadelphia," Habitat for Humanity volunteer Ellen Lindsey said. Students who visit Habitat for Humanity will help rebuild a block of West Philadelphia homes. "If the students can have open eyes and see the realities of what is here, it can lead to good things," she added. "Into the Streets" started in New York City in 1989. It has also been tried in Los Angeles and New Orleans, and will be attempted on campuses nationally in November. Program for Student-Community Involvement Director Todd Waller said "Into the Streets" has been known to change lives in the past. "Some people have . . . profound reactions, where they've changed their major or made career decisions," Waller said.
(07/11/91 9:00am)
University administrators, staff and students celebrated the past July 4 and honored America's revolutinary forefathers' struggle for freedom, showing that America's revolting nature has not changed in over 200 years. Several top administrators demonstrated their preference for the Red, White and Blue over the Red and Blue this week as they were still on vacation for last Thursday's Independence Day. Those, however, that had returned said that they had enjoyed the holiday. Engineering Dean Gregory Farrington said he attended the "world's greatest" parade in Swarthmore featuring the Silver Dollar Band which "occcassionally played on tune." "The highlight of the day was when the Swarthmore All-Volunteer Fire Department set and put out a fire," Farrington said. "For a while it was a cliffhanger, but they put it out and our faith was restored." Farrington added that the parade was spiced with "mercifully short" patriotic speeches and two verses of America the Beautiful. He said his family concluded the day by making homemade vanilla ice cream. University Police Officer Leonard Harrison said that he went to a pool party hosted by his mother for the holiday, but that he did not partake in the traditional fireworks celebration. "I was a marine in Lebanon and people were shooting at me -- I don't like fireworks," Harrison said. "I'm just happy that the nation is at peace." Cati Logan, who graduated from the College last spring, also missed the fireworks during the Independence Day festivities, as she chose against attending the popular parades throughout the Delaware Valley. "I went to see Terminator 2 instead," Logan said. "[My friends and I] didn't wan't to hear a bunch of patriotism and be annoyed." The festival was designed to be an alternative celebration focusing on independence without militarism. "I agree with the Fourth," Chris Burgin of Mount Laurel, New Jersey, who attended the festival said. "But, I wanted to celebrate independence without military might." 1986 College graduate Jay Yeager also welcomed the event as a special opportunity to celebrate the holiday. "I am a little put off when popular culture picks up on the war-nationalism-thing," Yeager said. "[This festival] is a nice alternative to that." The festival featured an American flag that was repeatedly "washed of its sins" throughout the day. The flag was dipped in soap and water, scrubbed and hung out to dry. "We love our country, but we also have to realize the problems that we have to try and change," Event Coordinator Beth Williams said. "Washing the flag is symbolic of trying to start anew." High school junior Abid Aziz, who is attending the Pre-College program at the University said he was dazzled by the celebration at Penn's Landing. Aziz is from Pakistan and has never seen an Independence Day celebration before. "It was very exciting and so extravagant," Aziz said Tuesday. Aziz added that although there are similar celebrations in his home country, fireworks have never been part of the festivities in Pakistan. However, Pre-College student Lia Porcella from the Dominican Republic said that she did not think the Penn's Landing fireworks were as exciting as those she has seen in previous years elsewhere throughout the country. "It wasn't as good as what I've seen in the past," Porcella said. "But, I enjoyed the evening because of the people I was with."
(07/03/91 9:00am)
While many thrill to the rockets' red glare of fireworks this Independence Day, some on campus will instead pause to remember bombs bursting in air over Iraq earlier this year. Members of the groups said Monday that the event was planned because they are "appalled" by what they consider to be blind patriotism fueled by victory in the Gulf war. "We felt that people are missing the point here," said Travis Parchman, a member of the Delaware Valley Student group and Youth Act for Peace and Justice. "The day that we celebrate our independence on July 4 shouldn't just be the day to celebrate that we kicked butt." David Gibson, staff coordinator for the event and a member of Act for Peace in the Middle East, said there is another reason for the event. "It should be fun," he said. Calling the event "the only true alternative to military victory parades" televised nationally recently, Gibson said he hopes over 500 participants to turn out for the festival. He added that everyone is welcome regardless of their political opinions on the Gulf war or "whatever side you came down on on the military," but indicated the event would include some of the lingering debate over the war and its effects. "We feel that either way, there should be more attention given to the victims," Gibson said. "And a victory parade is sort of in bad taste." "We have to temper our celebrations with the injustice that we have foisted on other people in the world," Parchman said. But Parchman also indicated he expects the event to receive a warm reception at the University. "It seems like an appropriate place to create an alternative celebration," he explained. Scheduled performers at the event include Neo Pseudo, Joseph Parsons with Karen Lynn, Soweto Soul, Weasel Stick and Beth Williams. Organizers said they are planning a barbecue as well as providing vegetarian entrees. The festival will run from 10 a.m. to 12 midnight Thursday on College Green. 'The day that we celebrate our independence on July 4 shouldn't just be the day to celebrate that we kicked butt.' Travis Parchman Member of Delaware Valley Student and Youth Act for Peace and Justice
(07/03/91 9:00am)
While many thrill to the rockets' red glare of fireworks this Independence Day, some on campus will instead pause to remember bombs bursting in air over Iraq earlier this year. Members of the groups said Monday that the event was planned because they are "appalled" by what they consider to be blind patriotism fueled by victory in the Gulf war. "We felt that people are missing the point here," said Travis Parchman, a member of the Delaware Valley Student group and Youth Act for Peace and Justice. "The day that we celebrate our independence on July 4 shouldn't just be the day to celebrate that we kicked butt." David Gibson, staff coordinator for the event and a member of Act for Peace in the Middle East, said there is another reason for the event. "It should be fun," he said. Calling the event "the only true alternative to military victory parades" televised nationally recently, Gibson said he hopes over 500 participants to turn out for the festival. He added that everyone is welcome regardless of their political opinions on the Gulf war or "whatever side you came down on on the military," but indicated the event would include some of the lingering debate over the war and its effects. "We feel that either way, there should be more attention given to the victims," Gibson said. "And a victory parade is sort of in bad taste." "We have to temper our celebrations with the injustice that we have foisted on other people in the world," Parchman said. But Parchman also indicated he expects the event to receive a warm reception at the University. "It seems like an appropriate place to create an alternative celebration," he explained. Scheduled performers at the event include Neo Pseudo, Joseph Parsons with Karen Lynn, Soweto Soul, Weasel Stick and Beth Williams. Organizers said they are planning a barbecue as well as providing vegetarian entrees. The festival will run from 10 a.m. to 12 midnight Thursday on College Green.
(06/06/91 9:00am)
An hour of emergency efforts by doctors at HUP failed to revive the singer, who was an original member of the 1960's group The Temptations. After becoming ill from smoking ten vials of crack with a friend early Saturday morning, Ruffin was transported to HUP from a 52nd Street West Philadelphia crack house by the driver of a stretch limousine which Ruffin and the friend had borrowed for the evening. The case is now being handled by the Philadelphia Medical Examiner's office. While still awaiting results of additional toxicology tests, the medical examiner has labeled Ruffin's death an accident arising from an "adverse reaction to cocaine." According to HUP spokesperson Rebecca Harmon, the hospital's ability to deal with the national media attention generated by Ruffin's death was tested by the unusual circumstances surrounding Ruffin's death. HUP's policies regarding the release of patient information contributed to the confusion. "He was like a John Doe to us," Harmon said Monday. New questions have since surfaced about a missing $40,000 Ruffin was reportedly carrying on the night of his death. According to police, Ruffin was carrying only $53 when he arrived at the hospital. Neither the friend Ruffin smoked crack with nor the driver of the limousine that transported Ruffin to HUP has been charged with any crime, after police questioning. Ruffin was the baritone lead singer for the Temptations in the 1960s, and had continued to record and perform with original members of the group up until his death. Ruffin had lived in Philadelphia since 1989.
(05/30/91 9:00am)
Sexual assault victims on college campuses across the nation may have a 'bill of rights' of their own, if recently proposed congressional legislation is passed. Congressman Jim Ramstad (R-Minn.) has sponsored House Resolution 2363, "The Campus Sexual Assault Victims' Bill of Rights Act," which defines eight rights that sexual assault victims would be guaranteed, with passage of the bill. University officials said this week that established Residential Living procedures already comply with the proposed legislation. "Being the victim of a sexual assault is a terribly traumatic experience," Ramstad wrote in a letter to his collegues in Congress. "This experience is made even more traumatic when victims are left uncertain of their legal rights and options." Residential Living director Gigi Simeone said earlier this week that the University's policies follow the "spirit of the legislation." "We are commmitted to . . . all students," she said. "So certainly if someone came to us and felt that they were in an intimidating situation, we would take action." Simeone said the action would either be taken against those who were acting in a destructive manner to the community, to move the victim out of the situation, or a combination of the two. The legislation emphasizes that sexual assault victims have the right to have their crime investigated by civil and criminal authorities. Moreover, the legislation is designed to put the victim in complete control of all legal decisions that are made, by promoting an atmosphere which allows her to make rational decisions about whether or not to report the incident. "[Victims of sexual assault are to] be free from pressure to not report these crimes, or report them as a lesser offense," Ramstad wrote. The legislation would also require that victims have the same rights that are permitted to the accused. Ramstad's legislation would also require that the victims have the cooperation of the university in obtaining desired medical evidence. This also includes the right of the victim to be informed of any federal or state regulations regarding testing the sexual assault suspect for communicable diseases. The legislation would also ensure that the victim have access to established campus mental health and victim support systems. In addition, the legislation makes two stipulations regarding the universities' role in housing its students. First, the university must provide housing that guarantees no unwanted contact with alleged sexual assault assailants. The legislation would also require that the university allows students to move out of circumstances that may be sexually intimidating. The legislation currently has 57 co-sponors and according to Ramstad's spokesperson Lance Olsen, it will be introduced in the Senate by Joseph Biden (D-Del.). "We are very optimistic about this legislation," Spokesperson for Ramstad Darryl McKigney said. "It should be [passed] this year, when we hold the hearings." McKigney added that the bill applies to all universities that receive any type of federal aide.
(04/16/91 9:00am)
Second-year Medical student Marshall Balk spends at least eight hours each day in the classroom. But unlike other students, Marshall and his Medical School colleagues spend these hours behind the Quadrangle, on Hamilton Walk, far from the center of campus and other University schools. The combination of a rigorous schedule and the physical separation from the rest of campus leads to a sense of isolation on the part of Med students and a lack of interaction with the rest of the University. In fact, many Medical students said that the only time they see the rest of the University is when they venture off Hamilton Walk to the food trucks on Spruce Street. And second-year Med student John Alexander said that most students have very little reason to spend time outside of the Medical School complex. "There should be more formal interaction between the Medical School and the rest of the University community," Alexander said. "Unless something is pushing you to interact with the other schools, you can spend all your time and never leave the med school." · Because Med students spend most of their time with their classmates, they seem to have created a community of their own outside the rest of the University. Alexander said that their isolation from the rest of the campus fosters a stronger sense of community between the Med students. "I think that, on the one hand, we're very busy," he said. "But after spending eight hours a day with the same people, our lives tend to revolve around our time together, which is one of the reasons we're such a tight community." Barbara Wagner, the Med School's associate director of student affairs, said that numerous extra-curricular activities have sprung up within the Med School that are drawing students. "The Medical School in itself is an all-encompassing experience," Wagner said. ""It's a very cohesive student body." Wagner pointed to Penn Med Horizons, a performing arts group comprised of medical students, as one of the main attractions for Med students. The group performs two shows each year. In the spring the group performs a "spoof" -- a legendary series of skits lampooning the faculty, administration, and the Medical School experience in general. "If the administration makes a decision about something, it usually comes back to haunt them," Wagner said of the humorous skits. "But it's all in fun and taken in good humor." Alexander said many students play intramural football, soccer, and lacrosse and work out. In addition, most Med students spend a lot of time interacting with the West Philadelphia community. According to Med students, there about 70 work with the Community Health Group. Participants, under the supervision of residents, travel to shelters in West Philadelphia to give physical exams, provide medical histories, and educate shelter residents about health maintenance. · Many Medical School students and administrators said that the atmosphere in the school is much different than most would expect. Paul Mehne, associate dean for student and house staff affairs, said that students have created an atmosphere quite different from that experienced by pre-med students. "One of the reasons I was so enthused about coming here is that the students are so supportive of each other," said Mehne, who came to the University in January 1990. Stuzin said that courses are graded on a pass, fail or honors basis and that students are motivated to learn as much as they can without being directly competitive with one another. "In the very beginning people may come to Med school with the pre-med mentality, but the reality is there is no reason to be that way any more," Stuzin said. "Med school isn't the hellish process everyone makes it out to be," she said. "You're just trying to get a base foundation of knowledge for when you go into the hospital. What was stressful to me in college was not learning the material but worrying what my final grade was going to be." · Med students said that they really want to increase interaction with undergraduates and other graduate schools despite their tight schedules. Stuzin said that, academically, interaction between the Medical School and other schools in the University could be stronger. "Med students feel like they're in their own separate community," said Stuzin. "When I was an undergrad, I thought the whole world consisted of undergrads, now I sometimes forget that they are there." She added that many Med student may be missing out on what the University has to offer by limiting themselves to the campus south of Hamilton Walk. "I don't think Med students realize what's out there," she said. "We get this blind statement about a One University concept, but you have to go out and find what's available." But Balk, who received a bachelors degree from the University in 1988, said that the fact that the Med students spend so much time together leads to a lively social atmosphere. He added, however that there is a need for more parties and increased communication between Med students and students from other schools in the University. "The undergrad lifestyle revolves more around off-campus and fraternity parties, and Med students just aren't a part of that," said Balk. "I wish there was one place for all students to hang out. It would be nice to have a central location for everybody." "Med School is similar to undergrad in that students certainly don't just study," he added. "We have a life, there's no doubt." Third-year student and Graduate and Professional Student Assembly representative Mark Weiner, who received a B.S. from the University in 1988, said that Medical students are even interested in being a part of the diversification of Locust Walk. "We've had less time to participate in University activities so we've tried to organize them ourselves," said Weiner, the president-elect of the Medical Student Government.
(04/15/91 9:00am)
Monk, a Wharton junior, said he will begin hand-delivering cashier's checks to on-campus subscribers next Monday, and will start mailing off-campus subscribers their refunds sometime next week. But Monk said he would probably "shut the door" on customers who have waited until now to seek partial refunds for poor service, both because of his limited funding and the possibility that some customers may exaggerate their claims. "I wish they had told me last semester," he said. "I think I'm not going to be able to help them at this point." Monk, who has insisted since January that he wants to take care of his customers, said he waited so long to begin refunding money because he did not have enough to cover the costs. He said his family has helped him raise the nearly $10,000 he will spend on the refunds, adding that about 100 recently-received subscription payments have helped make up the balance of the costs. Monk also lashed out at former Penn News owner Marc Stanley, accusing him of misspending nearly $18,000 in subscription money. Monk said this money should have been used to help pay newspaper companies for supplying newspapers and the University for providing Penn News with delivery vans. Monk, who claimed he has not spoken with Stanley since early January, said he intends to take legal action against Stanley. Monk would not specify what type of he action he might take, saying he has not yet discussed the case with a lawyer. Monk said when he assumed control of Penn News from Stanley in early November, the Penn News had less than $1000 and already had outstanding debts. Monk owes The New York Times, The Philadelphia Inquirer, and USA Today at least $24,000, and the University an undisclosed amount. While admitting he knew the company was having financial problems at the time of the purchase, Monk said he "didn't know it was as bad as it was." "I though Marc [Stanley] had already taken care of certain bills," he said. "I didn't know the extent to which we were behind." Monk said Stanley presented a "very optimistic" outlook for Penn News when Monk was preparing to take over from him. Now, Monk said he realizes Stanley "could have better informed me and better helped me deal with the situation when it started to unfold." Monk also harshly criticized Penn Student Agencies manager Thomas Hauber, whom he claims contributed to Penn News' financial problems by not consistently providing vans after Thanksgiving. "[Hauber] pretty much left me on my own to cope with the situation," he said. "We haven't paid for the vans and we don't plan to pay for the vans."
(04/15/91 9:00am)
Among the ten artists whose work is displayed in the show are University undergraduate and graduate students, in addition to local artists. The works are primarily of mixed media, and on Friday there was also a performance art piece. Most of the works in the show were created last Monday on Locust Walk as part of Amnesty International's "Art Day." According to Jason Soslow, a College senior and director of Art Day, the purpose of Art Day was to "publicize Amnesty's work to the Penn community, to show that human rights is an issue." Soslow said he hopes the public display made people realize that Americans have "the ability of expressing their conscience in ways which people in other countries do not." Soslow said that many of the works depict "the face which is faceless of people who 'go missing,' " meaning that they were "abducted by the government and hidden from public view." "These faces are struggling to be seen, and trying to resolve these faces and making them public is what Amnesty International is all about," Soslow said. The common theme is human rights and amnesty, and many of the pieces are very topical, focusing on Tiananmen Square, Tibet, Albania and the Middle East. Artist Rob Kirsch, a graduate student at the Annenberg School, created a piece in reaction to the Middle East situation. The work shows the word "peace" written in Arabic, English, and Hebrew. "My work is done not just with a theme, but as a piece of agitation, a way of provoking thought or discussion," Kirsch said. "Something political does no good if it's sitting on someone's walls," said Kirsch. "If my work can be of some use, use it." Kirsch is distributing his design idea across the country, and will be printing it on T-shirts. Each of the five exhibits by the Penn Student Gallery this year has had a different theme. Steve Gross, a College junior and Director of the Penn Student Gallery, said that the Gallery "is trying to reach out to the Penn community, and by having these different themes, it's a way of doing that." "While we exist as our own entity as a gallery, it has worked well collaborating with Amnesty International for such an important cause," Gross said. Alex Brubaker, a Wharton and Engineering Senior, was one of the approximately 50 people who attended the opening of the exhibit. He said that he appreciates the artwork because "there are many different places around the world where human rights are not observed." The last art show by the Penn Student Gallery this year, In the Spirit of Humankind is located in the Bowl Room of Houston Hall, and will be open Monday through Friday from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. through April 26.
(04/11/91 9:00am)
University Police and the Philadelphia Police Sex Crimes Unit are investigating a report of an attempted rape at the Zeta Beta Tau fraternity house, University Police Commissioner John Kuprevich said yesterday. Kuprevich said the victim, a student at another university, visited campus earlier this semester. When the victim returned to her school, she reported the attempted rape to her school's police. The department contacted University Police about the alleged incident last week. Kuprevich said the victim has filed a criminal complaint and is cooperating in the investigation. The commissioner would not release the names of any suspects in the case. Kuprevich said police believe there was one assailant in the alleged incident. He declined to release any specific findings of the investigation until its completion, saying only that a preliminary report has been finished and police are currently performing a follow-up investigation. Kuprevich said he did not know when the investigation would be completed. ZBT has been on probation since the fall of 1989, but Vice Provost for University Life Kim Morrisson declined to speculate on the investigation's effects on the fraternity, saying she has not received a copy of the preliminary police report. The probation stems from a 1988 incident in which brothers hired two strippers for a rush event. During the strip show, some spectators performed sexual acts upon the women with cucumbers and ketchup. Before being placed on probation in 1989, the fraternity had been suspended from campus for 18 months. Morrisson said last night ZBT would remain on probation indefinitely, adding that the Fraternity and Sorority Advisory Board has recommended that ZBT's probationary status be lifted at the end of this term. Morrisson said she plans to meet with ZBT officials before then. Morrisson said she did not know if the police investigation would be an issue in her upcoming meeting with ZBT officials. "[ZBT] has worked hard to improve their chapter procedures," Morrisson said yesterday. "That is why the boards felt that probation should be lifted." Morrisson said any punishment of the entire ZBT chapter would occur only after an investigation by Judicial Inquiry Officer Constance Goodman. Goodman has yet to start an investigation of the alleged attempted rape, Morrisson said. If Goodman determines that a sexual assault occurred and that the fraternity is collectively responsible, the issue would go back to the FSAB. The board would then recommend a punishment to Morrisson. Morrisson said she did not know how ZBT's probation would effect any punishment of the fraternity. "If an individual were on probation, a second violation could make things worse," said Morrisson. "However, if it were a collective issue, it depends on the circumstances." Some members of the University community were upset yesterday about the University Police Department's handling of the incident. The alleged crime was first reported by the University in Tuesday's edition of the Almanac. University Council Safety and Security Committee Co-chairperson Jeffery Jacobson said during yesterday's University Council meeting that his committee has not been informed of the incident, and asked for an explanation how the University has responded to the reported assault. President Sheldon Hackney responded only by saying that "the investigation is going on now. We will pursue it energetically." Students Together Against Acquaintance Rape executive board member Erica Strohl said she was concerned by the report. "We expect that the University will respond to this with thorough investigation," said the College senior. "We also find the incident distressing in light of ZBT's history of violence against women."
(04/08/91 9:00am)
Ending a 30 month nationwide search, the University appointed former University of California at Berkeley administrator Selimo Rael as the new vice president of finance. The post was vacated in 1988 when Marna Whittington was promoted after the death of then-Senior Vice President Helen O'Bannon. The original search for Whittington's replacement was called off last summer after administrators failed to reach a consensus on whom to appoint. A new search for the position, however, began 10 months ago and has culminated in the naming of Rael, currently the associate vice chancellor of financial and business services at Berkeley. Administrators said last year that there was no pressing need to fill the position, saying that Whittington and others in the financial affairs division are able to complete the duties. But Whittington said yesterday that it is a crucial time for the University now that its state budget has been cut by nearly $19 million and that the University could not cope with the amount of work. "We've been limping along," she said, adding that Rael is just the person to help the University deal with its financial crisis. "I am enthusiastic about moving to the East Coast and look forward to the new challenges, both personally and professionally, that this opportunity presents," he added. Rael's appointment is not a further increase in the number of administrators, Whittington said, adding "this position has always been there." "We have reduced the number of positions in the office of the vice president during the past year," she added. Rael was wooed away from Berkeley despite a strong effort hold onto him, according to Whittington. Whittington said Rael "has the strengths we need for the 1990s."
(04/02/91 10:00am)
Wasserstein, whose The Heidi Chronicles has been playing on Broadway for two years, is scheduled to center her speech around "A Life in the Theatre." The 40-year-old Guggenheim Foundation grant-winner will also participate in two classes -- a theater arts class and an English class. Wasserstein, a Yale University Drama School graduate, wrote the critically-acclaimed Heidi Chronicles, a story of an art historian confronting the lost goals of the women's movement. Wasserstein also had some success with other productions, including writing an off-Broadway play called Uncommon Women and Others and producing Isn't It Romantic a decade later. Wasserstein's presentation will include an introduction by English Professor Cary Mazer and will be followed by a half-hour audience question-and-answer period. A two-hour reception with audience participation is also scheduled to be held at the Sweeten Alumni Center on Locust Walk after the speech. PEN at Penn is a program which brings prominent playwrights, historians, and authors to the University and Wasserstein's visit marks the third such presentation this Spring. It is sponsored by the School of Arts and Sciences and Trustee Saul Steinberg. The presentation will be open free-of-charge to all University students and staff. The speech will be held in room B-1 of Meyerson Hall this afternoon at 4:00 p.m.
(04/02/91 10:00am)
Black and Latino student leaders voiced angry opposition yesterday to the possibility that the University may have to drop or change its need-blind admissions policy, saying that future minority enrollment would definitely decrease. Director of Minority Recruiting Pippa Porter-Rex, who said she hopes a policy change does not become necessary, agreed with the student leaders that such a change "would definitely affect our minority applicants and admitted numbers." "It's a scary thought because we would lose some really great kids," she said. "But I hope we are going to hold out." The University currently admits applicants regardless of their ability to pay and then gives financial aid to cover those costs it determines students cannot afford. But Provost Michael Aiken said last week that the University's financial problems have forced administrators to re-evaluate that policy. Aiken said the administration will probably decide by January or February whether to continue need-blind admissions for the class of 1996. But many minority student leaders are not waiting to express their anger and frustration. "A lot of [minority students] here are really successful and wouldn't have had that opportunity if it weren't for financial aid," she said. "Of course the minority applicant pool would drop drastically." Samuel said the UMC plans to send both Aiken and President Sheldon Hackney a letter within the week, urging the administration not to change the need-blind admissions policy. Ileana Garcia, the president of the Latino Students Association ACELA, lashed out at University administrators for considering the change, saying "they preach diversity and they're not following through or supporting it." Garcia predicted fewer minority students -- particularly Latinos -- would be able to afford the University's rising costs, especially given current difficulties in recruiting Latino students. Black Inter-Greek Council President Kathryn Williams said the growing financial burden of a University education, which has led to above-average attrition rates among blacks and Latinos, would prevent students from even attending the University if the need-blind admissions policy were changed. The possibility that the University's Reserve Officer Training Corps program may be kicked off campus in 1993 unless it stops barring gays and lesbians would be a further blow to minorities, according to Williams, because ROTC scholarships provide many minority students with needed financial aid. "We have social barriers to deal with, we have cultural barriers to deal with, we feel like we're under siege from the administration," she said. "And we're supposed to deal with all the regular traumas of being students." Williams said even if the University leaves the need-blind admissions policy intact and instead cuts costs by providing smaller grants, minorities would still be hurt. "It would still cause problems if [the University says] 'We'll give you some financial aid, but not enough,' " she said. "What difference does it make? You still can't go to school." Delaware Valley Regional Admissions Director Eric Furda said he is not sure what the effects of changing the need-blind admissions policy would be because there are many ways it could be changed. According to Furda, the University could adopt a policy similar to the one used by Brown University, where the vast majority of applicants are admitted need-blind, but a small portion is accepted based on various considerations, including ability to pay. Another possibility would be to take the best students of both the financial aid pool and the non-financial aid pool, Furda said.
(03/25/91 10:00am)
The teaching assistant stipend for the upcoming year in the School of Arts and Sciences will be $8,530, up $330 increase from this year. SAS Associate Dean for Graduate Studies Donald Fitts said Friday the stipend level will increase by four percent, the same as the proposed faculty and staff salary increase for the upcoming year. The TA stipend, which is set by SAS Dean Hugo Sonnenschein, was determined late last week, Fitts said. According to Graduate and Professional Student Assembly Chairperson Susan Garfinkel, the fellowship stipend level has been substantially higher in the past than the TA stipend. Over the last few years, the TA stipend was raised more than the fellowship stipend to even out the two figures. This year, both stipends were $8,200. Garfinkel said she was disturbed the administration chose to make the fellowship stipend higher than the TA stipend. The GAPSA chair said she felt by making the fellowship stipend higher than the TA stipend, the University was saying those graduate students who have to work for their money are less important. "I wonder why there is an artificial distinction between the fellowship stipend and the TA stipend," Garfinkel said. "Such a distinction has the appearance of being symbolically petty." Graduate Students Associations Council President Michael Polgar said he was also disappointed by the new TA stipend level. According to Polgar, for the first time in three years, the University did not increase the stipend level by $500 or more. Polgar also said the percentage increase was less than the nationwide cost-of-living increase. "I know some teaching assistants who did not sign up for Dining Service because they could not afford it," Polgar said.
(03/20/91 10:00am)
The Grammy Award-winning folk duo Indigo Girls will headline this year's Spring Fling, which will be held on April 19 and 20, Fling organizers announced last night. The band from Decatur, Georgia, was selected over four weeks ago and, after receiving a bid from Fling leaders, accepted about two weeks ago. "[The decision] was a combination of what was available, what was within our budget, and what the campus would appreciate, to fit the atmosphere of Fling," said Rob Cohen, a Fling co-director. "With their new album, [recently-released nomads*indians*saints], they are gaining in popularity," SPEC Concerts co-director Stacy Feld said last night. Organizers said the duo will bring an opening band with them and the Fling committee will hire a third band to open the show. They said the local band, which has not yet been selected, will be chosen to appeal to a diverse range of students. "Hopefully, we can touch those people who would say at first, 'Indigo Girls, that's not exactly what I wanted to hear,' " said Ed Gold, a SPEC Concerts co-director. "Our objective overall has been to have an event that people would be excited about and would want to go to," said Fling co-director Denise Rubin. "We just wanted something that people would like." For the first time in several years, the concert will be held outdoors this year at Hill Field. Fling co-director Todd Fruchterman said the committee decided to have it outdoors "to keep it relaxed and fun, and give it a Fling atmosphere." Organizers said they hope to attract between 4,000 and 5,000 students to the show. Irvine Auditorium, the venue for past Fling concerts, seats only about 1,800 people. Due to the co-sponsorship, tickets will sell for $6 dollars, but students who buy tickets when they go on sale this weekend will get them for only $5. Tickets for last year's show featuring Meatloaf sold for over $10. "The ticket price is less than going to a movie," Gold said. "It would be tough to find anything to do for less than $5." "Our intention was to be able to have a concert that the majority of students would be able to attend both physically and financially," Cohen said. This year for the first time, Fling directors worked with leaders of the Social Planning and Events Committee. Members of both groups praised the joint effort, saying it enabled them to organize a bigger event than if Fling had worked alone. "It's no longer one committee looking to get what the campus wants," Gold said. "You've got more ideas coming together." Bill Nicklin, another SPEC leader agreed, saying "without coordination under SPEC, you wouldn't be able to put together something this large." "This is what SPEC is designed for," Cohen added. Fling leaders also said last night that preparations for the daytime events in the Quadrangle on Friday and Saturday are proceeding, with about 18 performing groups set to entertain the crowds. About 20 vendors and various student groups are scheduled to sponsor booths in both the Upper and Lower Quad.
(03/05/91 10:00am)
A University Escort Service van rear-ended two other vehicles on the 3900 block of Walnut Street Sunday night, causing minor injuries to one person, University Police officials said yesterday. The accident was the second time in four months an Escort van has been involved in a traffic accident near campus. Stephen Carey, assistant director of the University's Department of Transportation and Parking, said yesterday that due to the rainy weather that evening, the van, carrying no passengers, skidded and collided with another vehicle causing minor damage to both vehicles. Carey said the incident was entirely due to the inclement weather and that the driver was not at fault. Carey would not release the name of the driver involved. "There were numerous severe downpours that evening," Carey said. "And this incident was just the result of slippery conditions on the road." Carey said that he had no knowledge of the third vehicle involved or of the person taken to HUP with minor injuries. "To the best of my knowledge, there was no one else in the Escort van and there were no injuries to anyone involved," Carey said. In November, an Escort van was struck while trying to turn near 30th Street. After that incident, the two students who were in the van said that the driver -- who they claimed was at fault for the accident -- did not seem to care what had happened. The driver of the van was subsequently relieved of his duties while officials conducted an investigation. Carey said yesterday that all Escort drivers receive mandatory training through his department and go through an additional mandatory training program given through the Department of Risk Management before they are allowed to drive a University vehicle.
