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(02/26/92 10:00am)
The Undergraduate Assembly and the Nominations and Elections Committee are currently devising ways to change this spring's student government elections to attract a large turnout. UA Chairperson Mitch Winston said yesterday that NEC and UA officials have had three or four meetings so far during which they have discussed ideas which could improve voter turnout at this April's UA elections. In the past, UA elections have been plagued by low voter turnout. In last spring's election, just 19 percent of the undergraduates cast ballots. And last fall, only 31 percent of the freshman class voted for the nine incoming freshmen to the UA. Winston also said that scanners, like the kind used to check PennCards, could be used to prevent students from voting more than once. Previously, the NEC, the group responsible for overseeing elections to student government and nominations of undergraduates to committees, has had only one voting station open at a time to prevent double voting. Winston said the UA and NEC are investigating ways to prevent voting fraud should the NEC decide to open several voting booths at once. NEC member Michael Monson said last week that applications for UA elections will be available after spring break. Winston said one problem with the UA elections has been the small number of candidates who run for positions. He said 24 freshmen ran for nine slots, which he said is "a little bit low." But Winston said the UA's method of calculating the turnout percentage has also come under fire. Winston said that when referendum, which need a 20 percent participation rate to be valid, are up for decision, the NEC counts the senior class. But he said seniors generally do not vote because the issues do not affect them. Winston said he would like to see the NEC exclude the senior class when calculating the turnout percentage.
(02/24/92 10:00am)
The first group of Joseph Wharton Scholars is scheduled to graduate in May and program advisor Bill Whitney is proud -- not only of what these 40 students have done, but of where they are going. According to Whitney, they have excelled academically, occupied some of the top leadership positions on campus, become a cohesive social unit and received some of the best job offers on campus. The scholars' program has also served as a curriculum trendsetter, with much of the JWS curriculum for the class of 1992 being incorporated into the standard Wharton curriculum for the class of 1995. "These 40 students have participated in the pilot phase of an honors program that is aimed at maximizing the liberal arts half of the Wharton curriculum and producing an honors section of introductory business courses," said Whitney, associate director of Wharton's undergradute division. Originally, JWS members were chosen from the top one-tenth of the incoming freshman class. However, during the past three years, several students have later been let into the program based on their academic record. "As we have become more well-known, there is more interest," Whitney said. "But I am a one-person operation and the program has begun to overpopulate and outgrow the administrative capacity." Because of this, the JWS program will again be limited to only incoming freshmen starting next year. In tune with the current attitude of Wharton, the scholars are globally-minded. "We don't have a specific requirement," Whitney said. "But in choosing what they wanted to do, they've been internationally-minded." With graduation quickly approaching, many of the students are deciding what they are going to do with their lives. Five are going to law school, three of those to Harvard University, and the rest are planning to enter the job market. "It's obvious that they are landing some of the most highly demanded entry level positions," Whitney said. Jeff Pearson said he disagrees with Whitney, saying that most of his interviews have been comparable to those of other Wharton students. "As the program develops, it might help people get better interviews," Pearson said. "We are the first class and the program is still a little sketchy. As the program gets more widely-recognized, it might help people in the future." Aside from the after college part of the program, Pearson said he thinks he is a more well-rounded person than he would have been had he not been involved in the JWS program. The liberal arts requirement for the program closely resembles that of the College, as does the foreign language requirement. "I think it made us take better, more challenging courses, but the biggest thing is how well-rounded we are in the liberal arts," Pearson said. JWS Katie Cheng said the social aspect of the program was important to her. "I got a good friend and a roommate out of it," Cheng said. "Also, because we all take a lot of classes together, we got to know each other really well. I have four or five really good friends that I wouldn't have made without JWS." "The really exceptional accomplishments come through the students finding their own intellectual path," Whitney said. "It's not what we impose on them -- it's what they find for themselves. And almost all of the 40 have found something to give their enthusiasm to."
(02/24/92 10:00am)
Arts House Dance Company was successful in its opening production on Friday night as it drew much applause from the audience and caused others to dream of past aspirations. The production, which took a little over two hours, showcased 26 University students in 22 different dance numbers choreographed by past and present members of the company. Each dance piece contained its own concept, and the numbers jumped from theme to theme portraying an array of day-to-day experiences. The pieces were intriguing and well choreographed. While there were some slight delays between each number, the overall experience was an enjoyable one. The hard work of the members was evident and each individual talent was able to portray his or her own unique style. Pieces such as "May I Have This Dance," choreographed by College sophomores Cindy Codispoti, Sarah Gitchell and Meredith Goldwasser with music arranged by Richard Hayman; "Would I Lie to You?," choreographed by College junior Ruth Zakarin with music by Eurythmics; and "Mr. Monotony," choreographed by College senior Lori Horowitz with music by Irving Berlin portrayed lives of rejected lovers through dance. Of these pieces, "Mr. Monotony" was the most applauded. The piece was about a trombone player, played by College junior Doon Thanadabouth, who gets together with a woman who is an admirer of his music, but the woman is eventually taken away by a man who happens to visit the music hall. The ability of the dancers to combine different backgrounds into one effort was outstanding, and many of the pieces provoked thought and emotional release such as laughter. While "Showgirl Blues," choreographed by alumni Michael Lomotan and Carolyn Caulfield with music by Barbara Streisand was about the lives of showgirls observed as they mingle in the dressing room, "Odi et Amo," choreographed by alumna Jan Grebe with music by Lenny Kravitz was a story about two lovers who "break up" but cannot stay apart. "The Wave of the Future," choreograpghed by College senior Allison Rosenberg with music by Quadrophonia was an energetic modern dance piece including many robotic movements and ideas of futuristic phenomena. "Bare Souls," choreographed by College senior Lisa Wachtell and other dancers, was the only piece that was not accompanied by music. Instead, it included the voices of the dancers telling stories of their individual lives. It exemplified the dancers' ability were able to put speech, music and thought into motion convincingly. Tony Butler, a College junior and second year member of the company, believed the first performance of this year was a success. "It was good for a first appearance . . . I didn't think it would be so good the first time but it was," said Butler, "We were nervous . . . For many it was there first time out there. We worked really hard for this." The company will have three more performances on Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m. in the Harold Prince Theatre. Tickets may be purchased on Locust Walk for $5.
(02/10/92 10:00am)
Having had the opportunity to work in my parents' liquor store for the past 11 years, I was truly enlightened by Sarah Goldfine and Theresa Weir's extensive knowledge on customer/merchant relations. After reading "Sam's Place and the Evils of White Gentrification" (DP 2/10/92), I realized how selfish my parents have been. The very thought of protecting the "loot" that we worked 13 hours a day and seven days a week for made me sick to my stomach. Although I'm not familiar with the facts surrounding the Andre McNatte case, here's a dose of reality. In the past 11 years, my parents have been physically assaulted, spat upon, verbally abused and robbed at gunpoint six times. We have accepted these incidents as a part of doing business. There will always be people like Goldfine and Weir who will point to high prices, poor merchandise and "rudely racist" owners as almost a justification for these acts. This belief is as moronic as saying that all black customers are criminals and I don't buy it for a second. I agree that with any shooting -- especially one involving a 14-year-old teenager -- there should be a full investigation. And if Kevin Dales is at fault, he should be charged with murder. But let's not forget that some 14-year old kids do carry guns, commit armed robberies and, yes, sometimes even kill. In a holdup, it's not always easy to tell whether the object in the criminal's pocket is a gun, knife or maybe even a finger. But in that situation, I have the absolute right to act upon the actual or perceived threat on my life. Unfortunately, deadly force is sometimes the only viable option. So although I cannot fully condone Kevin Dales' actions, I cannot altogether condemn them either. This case needs to be evaluated on the evidence alone and not tinged with generalities about evil store owners and oppressed customers. GREG SHIN Wharton '92
(02/10/92 10:00am)
I am very confused by a recent column entitled "Sam's Place and the Evils of White Gentrification" (DP 2/10/92). Are Sarah Goldfine and Theresa Weir trying to say that the young boy who robbed the store at knife point was completely innocent? Granted, shooting the 14-year old might not have been the best solution, but we certainly cannot call Andre McNatte an innocent victim. After all, he was committing armed robbery. Second of all, it seems that two DP articles in the same edition conflict. In the aforementioned column, it is insinuated that Sam's Place closed due to a successful boycott. Flipping to the front page, the DP reports that Sam's Place was closed due to a second robbery attempt the previous Thursday. Which reason is correct? Additionally, why aren't there more black business owners? And why are blacks forced to shop at white businesses where "the prices are high, the merchandise is poor, and the owners are at best rudely racist"? How can such a business survive in a black community? There must be some kind of demand for their goods or wouldn't the store go out of business? Maybe I don't have the same business sense as the authors, but who is buying these expensive goods in all of these depressed black neighborhoods? According to the owner of Sam's Place, the store had a mixed clientele. I've never been there, but you describe the sale of fresh pastries and exotic coffee. These items are hardly a necessity in an economically depressed person's life. Besides, Acme is just a few blocks away. Also, what exactly are "block watches"? In my neighborhood they are used to deter crime -- I hardly think this is a form of vigilantism. And I think that the owner's statement about being on the "winning side this time" -- please correct me if I'm wrong -- could possibly refer to the war against crime. After all, he does say "this time." How was he defeated "last time?" And where did you find your facts? The "1990 Uniform Crime Reports" published by the FBI -- which falls under the Department of Justice -- lists violent crimes per 100,000 people up 23.1 percent since 1981, not zero percent as was erroneously reported. You can check it yourself in the 1992 edition of The World Almanac on page 954 -- if you need help finding it, I'm sure the librarian at Van Pelt can help you. In your last sentence you state that you want to "protest the media's lies" and that's exactly what I am doing. Please get back to us when you have some solid, accurate facts and some arguments that are rational and justifiable. Until then, keep alienating the white community and increasing racial tension. STEPHEN EULER Veterinary '93
(02/03/92 10:00am)
From Debra Pickett's "Studs In Strange Places," Spring '92. Monday morning, 5:30, Fairfield, Connecticut. The alarm clock wakes me. A taxi to take me to the train station will arrive in fifteen minutes. I quickly throw on my clothes, steal one of my boyfriend's baseball caps (to cover my yet-uncombed hair), stick three dollars in my pocket, and trudge towards the door. It has been a wonderful weekend's visit, but now it is time to go home. I stop at the bathroom in the hall, which proves to be a pointless exercise, since only the urinals are working and I cannot find my toothpaste. I leave the dorm, catch the cab, and make it to the train station. As I arrive, I hear that the 6:11 train for New York will be arriving on Track B. It's early and it doesn't occur to me that Philadelphia probably isn't a stop on the way to New York from Bridgeport, Connecticut. But, hey, how many 6:11 trains can there be? I get on the train and, while I'm contemplating what a deal this "Excursion" fare is, the conductor is having a friendly discussion with the guy behind me. The train begins to move. In a minute, the conductor finishes his chat and asks me for my ticket, which I gladly hand him. "No, ma'am," he says. "I need your ticket for New York." "This is the only ticket I have." "This is an unreserved ticket to Philadelphia, Ma'am. You're on a reserved ticket-only train to New York." So, I explain to him that I had been having a really bad week and decided to go see my boyfriend at Fairfield University, but I couldn't take off from work on Friday, so I had to travel on Saturday, so I wanted to get the most out of my trip, so I decided to stay until Monday and the very nice person on the telephone said that I could take the 6:11 and arrive in Philadelphia at 9:15 a.m., so I could easily make my 10:00 a.m. class. And he says,"You'll have to get off the train at the first stop, or, buy a ticket." "How much?" "Fifty dollars." "What's the first stop?" "New Rochelle." You know, I've never been to New Rochelle and this just didn't seem like the time. So, I argue. I say that it's the train company's fault. After all, they told me about the train. I say that it's the guy at the Bridgeport station's fault. After all, he might have mentioned that this was a reserved ticket only train. I say that it's my boyfriend's fault. After all, he's the one that went to Fairfield. In desperation, I say that it's Sheldon Hackney's fault. After all, if we didn't pay him so much, tuition wouldn't be so high, I wouldn't have had to work on Friday night, I wouldn't have had to travel on Saturday, and I could have come home on Sunday and none of this would have happened. I take a breath. He isn't swayed. He brings back two thugs, who inform me that I must get off the train in New Rochelle. I cry. They say they'll get the head conductor, George. George says that he'll let me stay on the train until New York. George is sure that there'll be a train to Philly from there. I'm sure, too, but I have this feeling my three bucks won't cover it. George says I can use my Bridgeport ticket. "Train 61," George says. And, so, I arrive in New York. It's 8:00 a.m.. Train 61 for Montreal departs at 8:05. Montreal? I spy a desk that says "Information." Train 61 really is going to Philadelphia. The Montreal thing is just a mistake. In the distance, I hear "Train 61, now boarding, Track 53." I'm at Track One. Tackling commuters -- there were a few -- and old ladies, I make it to the train as the doors are closing (I have bruises to document this part). I throw myself in, grab a seat, and swear that I'm going to name all of my children George. I face a few more conductors -- none of whom seem to be very familiar with Conductor George -- who want to know why I bought a ticket out of Bridgeport if I was travelling from New York. "Tax laws," I say. I arrive in Philadelphia at 9:35 a.m., having been, at some point, relieved of my three dollars. "Sorry, this facility closed due to water shut down." I drag myself upstairs, squrim through the History of Modern Philosophy and, all I can think is: I have to pee, therefore I am. My next class is in Annenburg. There are bathrooms, too, in Annenberg. The theme from "Chariots of Fire" is running through my head, and, as I start (uphill!) from College Hall, I wonder, "How can I walk and still keep my legs crossed?" My suitcase drags behind me, rattling as it bumps along on the cobblestones of Locust Walk. My bags grow heavier, my bladder fuller, and I decide that I am ready to die, right in front of the Christian Association. How convenient. Then, I see him. Sheldon. And he smiles at me. I, through a haze of train scum, exhaustion, and frustration, smile back. The bathrooms at Annenberg are working. And the moral of the story is this: Just when it looks like life is going to dump you in New Rochelle, and when all the bathrooms are closed, you run into someone, like George, or, even better, like Sheldon, and life doesn't seem so bad. · Debra Pickett is a freshman English major from Franklin Township, New Jersey. Studs in Strange Places appears alternate Mondays.
(01/17/92 10:00am)
Stressing change and the need for competitiveness, David Kearns, Deputy Secretary for the U.S. Department of Education and former CEO of Xerox Corporation, gave a dynamic lecture to a capacity Wharton crowd yesterday. Kearns said that in order for education and business to succeed, Americans have to develop a method for rewarding people who are catalysts for change and present innovative ideas that improve the way the system operates. According to Kearns, over the last 25 years Americans have lowered their expectations about what they can accomplish, a change in attitude which he said has had disastrous consequences in America's businesses and education system. Kearns said his visits to Japan were the motivating factor for his bringing change into Xerox in the early 1980s. "It was clear to me that what we needed was 17 percent productivity gains beyond inflation levels to catch up to the Japanese," said Kearns. "At that point in time [1982], I believed that Xerox would be out of business in 1990 unless serious changes were made." Kearns said he gathered the top management together, and they decided to use the issue of quality to change the business culture of Xerox. They developed their idea of total quality management from the summer of 1982 until February of 1983. Total quality management is a system in which employees have a greater role in business decisions. According to Kearns, the management had to change its behavior so that employees would see the difference and respond. What Kearns called "quality process for the 80s" eventually reached 100,000 employees, covered three years, and cost $175 million. Middle management was taught by senior management, and those middle managers in turn trained their staffs to follow this new business behavior model. Kearns said that the eventual results from this change were encouraging. While direct manufacturing personnel was cut 50 percent, productivity improved 14.6 percent and profits improved 7.5 percent. Kearns went on to draw parallels between the business world and the educational system. He said that in order to improve the country's education system, Americans must be willing to make changes and increase their expectations. According to Kearns, choice is becoming one of the transforming ideas in education and it will bear pressure on the system to change. He said he approves of more school autonomy that would let principals and teachers run their schools to respond to the communities in which they belong. "A strong nation must have a strong public school system," Kearns said. The audience responded favorably to the lecture. Mark Smith, a first-year MBA student, said he thought Kearns was the most dynamic speaker he has heard at Wharton. "I enjoyed his emphasis on our reduced level of productivity" Smith said. "I like the fact that he implemented quality management at Xerox not as part of a program but as an integral working system of the company." Smith echoed other students' reactions when he said he wished that Kearns would come back and teach a class at the University. Kearns gave the lecture as part of the Franklin Institute's National Memorial Award program. He was recognized by a nationally distinguished panel of business leaders with the Bower Award for Business Leadership. The award is granted to leaders in business or industry who have made a substantial contribution to society as well as promoting the interests of their industries.
(12/09/91 10:00am)
University Police are increasing plainclothes patrols off campus after a weekend in which seven University students and one University employee were mugged in five separate incidents. Commissioner John Kuprevich said he has decided to deploy the University's plainclothes unit for 12-hour shifts in the areas affected by the recent wave of crimes. And University Police placed two additional officers in a new "tactical beat," scheduled from 12 p.m. to 3 a.m effective yesterday. The two officers will cover problem areas around the University, Kuprevich said, adding that the more intensive patrols will increase the department's overtime costs. Kuprevich said he feels the officers will be able to cope with the new strain placed on them by the more frequent patrols and increased shifts. Kuprevich said he was "just not sure," why so many incidents occurred over the weekend. But a bulletin released by the department cited this period of the year as a time when crime generally increases. In the first mugging, a University student was confronted by a man brandishing a gun on the 4100 block of Walnut Thursday afternoon. Police said the man forced his way into her apartment and held her hostage for approximately an hour, Lieutenant Susan Holmes said. The student reported at 4 p.m. that the man left her unharmed, taking her video-cassette recorder, a gold ring and cash, Holmes said. The man was about 25 years old, five feet, 10-inches tall, had a dark complexion and wore a beige coat, police said. In a second gunpoint robbery, two female students and one male student were robbed of their wallets and credit cards on the 3400 block of Walnut Street at 1:44 a.m. Friday, Holmes said. The male attacker was six feet, two inches tall and was last seen wearing a white nylon jacket and dark jeans. He fled north on Walnut Street in a two-door white Oldsmobile Cutlass, police said. University Police also responded to a gunpoint robbery of a University employee by two males of $47 on the eastbound side of the 36th Street SEPTA concourse at 1:34 p.m. Saturday, Holmes said. The first man was about five feet, seven inches tall and wore a yellow or orange ski jacket with a cap and carried the gun. A second man was five feet, nine inches tall, was light complected and had a mustache. In an unrelated incident, two female students were robbed at the point of a "simulated weapon" on 41st Street between Chestnut and Walnut streets at about 11:30 p.m. Thursday, police said. The attacker stole $5 from the students and fled leaving them uninjured. The man was six feet, two inches tall, weighed 190 pounds, and had a dark complexion. He was last seen wearing an earring in his left ear and a red jacket with a blue stripe. A University pre-med student was robbed at the point of a simulated weapon and was struck in the face and injured on the 4200 block of Sansom Street at 3 a.m. yesterday, police said. The student was taken to the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. The attacker had short cropped hair and was last seen wearing a black leather jacket and dark pants. The attacker stole a set of keys. University Police also responded to several other incidents over the weekend, including: · A man was stopped and cited by police for carrying a B.B. pellet gun on the 4200 block of Spruce Street at 12:10 p.m. Saturday. · A house on the 4200 block of Pine was robbed at 1:49 a.m. Friday. The burglar gained access through a rear basement window. · A third-floor apartment was burglarized on the 4051 block of Spruce Street at about 4 p.m. Thursday.
(11/21/91 10:00am)
Brian Bora, UA Safety and Security Committee chairperson, said assembly members will try to recruit people through a "two-point plan" of speaking at floor meetings in the residences and at the meetings of other student groups. Bora, a Penn Watch coordinator, said the new plan should be in place by next semester. This fall, the two-year-old Penn Watch program, which was started by campus Greek organizations and joined by the UA, has had trouble finding volunteers, who patrol the immediate off-campus area in groups from 11:30 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. every night. Only about 200 students are participating in the program this year, compared to about 400 last fall. And UA members, who are responsible for a patrol every Wednesday, have not produced enough Penn Watch volunteers this semester to fill their slot. Instead, Alpha Phi Omega, a campus service fraternity, has volunteered to do the routes. Through their new plan, assembly members said they should be able to gain support for the program. "[The presentations] will act as a way of teaching people about the process and get them more involved," UA Treasurer Jeff Lichtman said last night. "We anticipate or hope that we'll get a few volunteers every time we do this." Lichtman said he thinks one reason people have not joined the program is that "they don't know what Penn Watch does" and added that after UA members explain it to students, he "hopes it will sell itself." While UA efforts may bring some new participants to Penn Watch, Alpha Phi Omega volunteers said last night the assembly should reassess the way it runs the program itself. Riz Shavelle, the fraternity's president, said her service group volunteered to fill in for the UA on Wednesday nights because the student government was unable to fill the routes. But Shavelle said the UA and Penn Watch coordinators have not done their part, saying "there's been no communication between the groups and the Penn Watch coordinators." "They just assume people will show up," Shavelle said. "The UA has volunteers they're not utilizing well . . . All the initiative's put on the volunteers, rather than on the UA or the coordinators." Shavelle said that on some occasions, Penn Watch coordinators have failed to show up at the University Police station to hand out equipment and to deal with the police officers on duty. She said that without the coordinator, volunteers can not go out on their routes, adding that one week, her fraternity members had to turn around and come straight home. Shavelle said she thinks the UA should devise a better system for communicating with volunteers and with the police. UA Vice Chairperson Ethan Youderian said he thinks the program's communication problem is that Penn Watch is not organized well and said the UA is currently devising a plan to restructure it. "We're trying to figure out now who should be in charge of this thing," Youderian said. "There should be a definite set form of leadership so Penn Watch runs smoothly all year."
(11/07/91 10:00am)
Sharing their insecurities, ambitions and successes, a group of minority students invited freshmen to experience a new and personal dimension of multiculturalism in a panel discussion Sunday in the High Rise East Rooftop Lounge. Wharton and College junior Martin Muoto, a resident advisor in HRE who organized the forum, began by explaining how the program was designed to bring the issue of diversity to an individual level. Though representing a diverse cross-section of the University, the panelists expressed many of the same conflicts and pressures as other minorities on campus. Inter-group hostility, misuderstanding, isolation and faculty members' lowered expectations for minorities were some of the common themes the panelists discussed as important factors shaping their college experience. Panel members included Engineering sophomore and Latino Students Association secretary Tania Caceres, Black Student League member and College sophomore Kaplan Mobray, College senior Robin Wood of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual Alliance, and Engineering and College junior Alex Haidas, president of the Greek Club. Separatism was one issue that was common among the panelists' points of discussion and even aroused debate among those attending the forum. "I believe that DuBois House, the residence primarily for Afro-American students, is a very positive living experience for students," Mobray said. "It highlights a sense of culture that many students miss by going to predominantly white high schools." "Somehow when you see a table of 12 white students eating together, it is considered perfectly normal," Mobray added. "When 12 black students sit together at a table, it's separatism." Another theme in the discussion was the often presumed lowered standards of minority students. Many students said the stereotypes of minorities as beneficiaries of affirmative action quotas and sports recruiter's influence are ever-present on campus. "Sometimes you feel like nothing more and nothing less than an international student," Haidas said. "People think that the admissions officer looks at an application and says, 'Oh, he's from Greece, we'll take him. We need people from Europe.' " "People assume you must play a sport and that you don't belong here," Mobray added. "I believe teachers very often share this low expectation of blacks, but how can you expect people to excel if you don't expect the high standards that you expect from others?" Wood said that even her mother thought that her sex and race gave her an added advantage when applying. But once she arrived at the University she said she realized she was admitted based on her merits. "Once I got here I realized that we all got in here by our own initiative and you must believe in yourself and your abilities," she said. Following the panelists speeches, students at the forum raised questions on topics such as the controversy over the production of a yearbook for only black students, the positives and negatives of quotas in admissions, and inter-racial dating. Students at the forum said that they found it interesting and informative. "It was very worthwhile to hear what everyone had to say," said freshman Carrie Angoff. "However, I wish more people made the effort to come and take the time to listen to different people's opinion."
(11/05/91 10:00am)
Why? Partially because one organization continues to deprive many students of unique opportunities, by means of discrimination as old as the University itself. And, despite recent changes in the organization's administration and signs of increased flexibility, the organization continues to prove that nothing has really changed. Yes, U.S. Defense Secretary Richard Cheney came to campus yesterday -- and 350 people were not permitted to attend his lecture, many simply because they were not Wharton students. Because of limited seating in the Medical Education Building's Dunlop Auditorium, only 500 lucky people were allowed to attend. Since the speech was organized by Wharton, those 500 seats naturally went to Whartonites. Luckily, other groups on campus aren't so exclusionary when they bring speakers, even though they could be. Such behavior is a mockery of the "One University" concept. We've been hoping for better. Last year's change in Wharton's administration showed promise for better Wharton-to-everyone-else interaction. In a student forum held by Wharton Dean Thomas Gerrity and Vice Dean Janice Bellace shortly after they took their new posts last year, Bellace gave "everyone else" reason for hope. "The dichotomy between Wharton and the College is exaggerated," she asserted. Perhaps. But it's no exaggeration that College students and Nursing students and Engineering students and students from eleven graduate schools were not allowed to see Wharton's exclusive presentation of Cheney yesterday. The best Wharton could do was promise videotapes of the speech afterwards. Wharton can keep the videotapes. The true appeal of Cheney's campus visit was to see him in person. Officials passed up opportunities to hold the forum in a larger arena, citing "security reasons." Actually, it is a wonder that either President Bush or President Reagan (with one assassination attempt under his belt) would consider visiting West Philadelphia in the last two years. Irvine Auditorium, for example, could probably have held the additional crowd without adding any significant security risk (unless falling plaster counts). Why not the Palestra? Hasn't the Secretary of Defense visited worse places before?
(10/30/91 10:00am)
Last night about 75 students chose to concentrate on a pretty girl and a monster rather than their school work. These students attended a Walt Disney Company presentation on the soon-to-be-released movie, "Beauty and the Beast." Disney Public Relations Representative Tricia Miller told the audience a brief history of Disney animation and showed them a short highlight film. The preview covered the different stages of the animation process and included three songs from the movie. "Beauty and the Beast," which will be released Thanksgiving weekend, will be Disney's 30th full-length animated feature and the fifth classic fairy tale to be animated by the company. It took nearly three years and a staff of 600 animators to complete. The movie features the voices of Robby Benson, Angela Lansbury and Jerry Orvach and includes over 1100 individual hand-painted backgrounds and computer graphics. The score of "Beauty and the Beast" was written by Howard Ashman and Alan Menken, the men responsible for the music of "The Little Mermaid" and the musical "Little Shop of Horrors." The last animated Disney tale was the Academy Award winning "The Little Mermaid" which, according to Miller, "signaled the rebirth of animation." Miller said the reason Disney is targeting college campuses for "Beauty and the Beast" promotions is due in part to the popularity of "The Little Mermaid." "Adults like fairy tales just like children do," she said. Miller also presented a history of the company through movie clips from various Disney classics. The clips included "Steamboat Willie," the first movie to feature Mickey Mouse and "Snow White," which to this day is the movie most people have seen. Abraham explained that Disney movies work like Shakespeare in that the audience can enjoy them solely for the story, although there are also "deeper meanings and perverse jokes." Students said they found the presentation amusing and enjoyable, as most left the auditorium singing songs from "Beauty and the Beast," and wearing buttons from the movie distributed by Miller. "I thought it was great," said Wharton senior Brian Fan. "I have more appreciation for the animation process and I'd definitely see this movie."
(10/29/91 10:00am)
Thomas Pickering, U.S. representative to the United Nations, will speak at 4 p.m. this afternoon in the Annenberg Center's Harold Prince Theater. In his 30-minute speech, titled "The United States at the United Nations: The Gulf War and Its Aftermath," Pickering will discuss the U.S. role in the Middle East in light of recent events. Wolf said she expects Pickering to discuss the American role in the Arab-Israeli talks that begin tomorrow in Madrid. "It's a hot topic." she said, "If he doesn't address it, [PPU] will ask him about it." President Bush appointed Pickering as permanent representative to the U.N. in March 1989. He holds the personal rank of career ambassador, the highest in the U.S. Foreign Service. Pickering served as ambassador to Israel from 1985 to 1988. Previously, he had served as ambassador to El Salvador, Nigeria and Jordan. A question and answer session will follow the speech. The presentation is also being sponsored by the Annenberg Institute, the International Relations Program, and the Middle East Center.
(10/29/91 10:00am)
When Barbi Lewis tells people she is president of the Kite and Key Society, most respond by asking if that means she is the University's top tour giver. "Most people just see us as the guides," Lewis said last week. But while tours for prospective students are one part of Kite and Key's functions -- Lewis actually gave a private tour for Vice President Dan Quayle's son last week -- the College senior emphasized that her organization does much more than lead 17-year-olds in packs around campus. "We really do so much more," Lewis said. "We are really like eight organizations in one." Founded in 1924, Kite and Key is both one of the largest and one of the oldest student groups on campus. Over 600 students participate in Kite and Key activities and projects each year. While most students view Kite and Key as an extension of the admissions office, their activities extend far beyond College Hall and the University's campus. "The unique thing about Kite and Key is that you can go to one organization and do both campus and community service," Lewis said. "I think students are becoming more in tune with community issues, and Kite and Key has responded by providing more opportunities to get involved in the community." One way in which Kite and Key is addressing community service is with a new board position, Community Projects Coordinator, created last year. The Ronald McDonald House program is one of the more traditional community service projects with which Kite and Key is involved. Over 50 Kite and Keyers go to the House on 39th and Chestnut streets each week to play with the children living there. College sophomore Karen Miller, who is involved in several community service projects, said that Ronald McDonald House is one of her favorite activities. "I think every effort really helps," Miller said. One of Kite and Key's newest community endeavors is a cooperative effort with Mantua Against Drugs. MAD is a West Philadelphia residents' association which sponsors vigils against drug users and pushers and holds an after-school activities program to improve educational opportunities for neighborhood youth. As part of the program, Kite and Key members tutor and organize learning activities for over 30 children from grades one through seven for two hours each Monday through Friday. In fact, according to Community Projects Coordinator Kathleen Sullivan, the after-school tutoring program was scheduled to be stopped due to a lack of resources when Kite and Key came to the rescue. Besides MAD, Kite and Key also runs the Step-One Tutoring Project. Program participants tutor students in math and reading at Lea Elementary School and in all subjects at West Philadelphia High School. The program has seen a tremendous increase in interest this year, with over 125 participants, Coordinator Chris McCann said. "I think it's a great program because you can relate your academic learnings to real world situations," McCann said. "You can learn a hell of a lot more by experience than by book." Another new project that Kite and Key organized this year is the Gateway Program. The purpose of the program is to train students to utilize their skills to teach others how to read. Leaders from the Mayor's Commission on Literacy trained 20 to 25 students earlier this month to serve as literacy educators. Additional training sessions have been planned on November 2 and 4 to accommodate those students who missed the first orientation. The program then places trainees in a variety of organizations throughout Philadelphia which deal with the issue of literacy. · One way in which Kite and Key actively works with the Office of Admissions is through the Ambassador Program. Ambassadors staff an information desk in the Admissions Office each day during the week and special hours on weekends. There are currently over 60 ambassadors volunteering their campus knowledge. Jodi Fragin, who acts as a liason between Kite and Key and Admissions, said that any student can be an ambassador. "I try to get a diverse group of students to be ambassadors," Fragin said. "It's not a requirement, but students who are involved in several other organizations tend to be more aware of what is occurring on campus." Volunteers interested in talking to high school students and revisiting their alma maters might choose to get involved in the High School Outreach Program. During these visits to high schools, Kite and Key volunteers answer questions about the University and admissions process. During fall break, over 20 Kite and Key volunteers participated in this program. Other visits will occur during winter vacation and in early May. Another admissions activity is the Hosting Program. Last semester, Kite and Key members hosted over 200 female and 97 male prospective freshmen. The peak hosting period is during Locust Weeks in April when accepted students are deciding whether to attend the University. Last year, Kite and Key members hosted over 120 prospective students during the three weeks, according to College Junior Mike Gross, Female Hosting Coordinator. · Kite and Key volunteers also participate in several one-time projects throughout the year. Special Projects Coordinator Janet Miller said Kite and Key members work at the Penn Relays and for other weekend events throughout the year. During Parents Weekend volunteers man an information center in Bodek Lounge, lead special tours and usher at Performing Arts night. Homecoming is another big time for Kite and Key members as they help out with everything from face painting and selling quaker shakers to planning the traditional Kite and Key Homecoming reception. Kite and Key Vice President Jonathan Bing said that it is never too late in the year to join Kite and Key. "Since we have so many ongoing activities, there are always ways for new volunteers to get involved," the College senior said. "Kite and Key provides opportunities both for students who want to become super-involved and for those who want to do campus or community service just once-in-a-while."
(10/24/91 9:00am)
They help with everything from admissions work to athletic events. They organize campus tours, participate in community service programs and help out with campus events. They are Kite and Key volunteers. The Kite and Key Society, founded in 1924 is both one of the oldest and largest student groups on campus. Over 600 students participate in Kite and Key activities and projects each year. While most students view Kite and Key as an extension of the admissions office, their activities extend far beyond College Hall and the University's campus. "We are really like eight organizations in one," Kite and Key President Barbara Lewis said. "The unique thing about Kite and Key is that you can go to one organization and do both campus and community service." In fact, Lewis said one of her goals this year is to change students' perceptions of what Kite & Key does. "Most people just see us as the tour guides on campus, but we really do so much more," Lewis said. "I think students are becoming more in tune with community issues and Kite and Key has responded by providing more opportunities to get involved in the community." Kite and Key formally acknowledged the community service component of their outreach with a new board position, Community Projects Coordinator, created last year. The Ronald McDonald House program is one of the more traditional community service projects with which Kite and Key is involved. Over 50 volunteers go to the House on 39th and Chestnut streets each week to play with the children living there. College sophomore Karen Miller, who is involved in several community service projects, said that Ronald McDonald House is one of her favorite activities. "I think every effort really helps," Miller said. One of Kite and Key's newest community endeavors is a cooperative effort with Mantua Against Drugs. MAD is a residents' association which sponsors vigils against drug users and pushers and holds an afterschool activities program to improve educational opportunities for neighborhood youth. As part of the program, Kite and Key members tutor and organize learning activities for over 30 children from grades one through seven for two hours each Monday through Friday. According to Community Projects Coordinator Kathleen Sullivan, the after-school tutoring program was scheduled to be stopped due to a lack of resources when Kite and Key came to the rescue. Kite and Key also runs the Step-One Tutoring Project. Program participants tutor students in math and reading at Lea Elementary School and in all subjects at West Philadelphia High School. The program has seen a tremendous increase in interest this year, with over 125 participants, Coordinator Chris McCann said. "I think it's a great program because you can relate your academic learnings to real world situations," McCann said. "You can learn a hell of a lot more by experience than by book." Another new project that Kite and Key organized this year is the Gateway Program. The purpose of the program is to train students to utilize their skills to teach others how to read. Leaders from the Mayor's Commission on Literacy trained 20-25 students earlier this month to serve as literacy educators. Additional training sessions have been planned on November 2nd and 4th to accommodate those students who missed the first orientation. The program then places trainees in a variety of organizations throughout Philadelphia which deal with the issue of literacy. · Though many students are involved in service activities in the community, working with the Office of Admissions is perhaps Kite and Key's most visible service. One way Kite and Key volunteers actively work with prospective students is through the Ambassador Program. Ambassadors staff an information desk in the Admissions Office each day during the week and special hours on weekends. There are currently over 60 ambassadors volunteering their campus knowledge. Jodi Fragin, who acts as a liason between Kite and Key and Admissions, said that any student can be an ambassador. "I try a to get diverse group of students to be ambassadors" Fragin said. "It's not a requirement, but students who are involved in several other organizations tend to be more aware of what is occurring on-campus." Volunteers interested in talking to high school students and revisiting their alma maters might chose to get involved in the High School Outreach Program. During these visits to high schools, Kite and Key volunteers answer questions about the University and admissions process. Over 20 Kite and Key volunteers participated in this program during Fall Break. Other visits will occur during winter vacation and in early May. Another admissions activity is the Hosting Program. Last semester, Kite and Key members hosted over 200 female and 97 male prospective freshmen. The peak hosting period is during Locust Weeks in April when accepted students are deciding whether to attend the University. Last year Kite and Key members hosted over 120 prospective students during the three weeks, according to College Junior Mike Gross, Female Hosting Coordinator. · Kite and Key volunteers also participate in several one-time projects throughout the year. Special Projects Coordinator Janet Miller said Kite and Key members do work at the Penn Relays and for other weekend events throughout the year. During Parents Weekend volunteers staff an information center in Bodek Lounge, lead special tours, and usher at Performing Arts Night. Homecoming is another big time for Kite and Key members as they help out with everything from face painting and selling Quaker shakers to planning the traditional Kite and Key Homecoming reception. Kite and Key Vice President Jonathan Bing said that it is never too late in the year to join Kite and Key. "Since we have so many ongoing activities, there are always ways for new volunteers to get involved," the College senior said. "Kite and Key provides opportunities both for students who want to become super-involved and for those who want to do campus or community service just once-in-a-while."
(10/23/91 9:00am)
A University Police officer who stabbed a woman in May is still serving in the department, but is no longer an officer. 24-year-old Kim Wong, a two-year veteran of the force, was sentenced to five years of psychiatric probation after she pled guilty in August to aggravated assault, according to court records. The records state that on May 26, Wong stabbed a 20-year-old woman in "the left leg, left arm and left side of the face with a knife." The victim received 16 stitches at Frankford Hospital in Philadelphia and was released, the police report states. Wong was arrested May 30 on charges of aggravated assault, simple assault and two other misdemeanors. University Police Commissioner John Kuprevich said yesterday he "took an appropriate personnel action" after receiving a letter on October 1 from the Philadelphia District Attorney's office informing him of Wong's conviction. "As a result of the incident in which she was involved, she was no longer qualified to hold commission as a police officer for this department," Kuprevich added. Kuprevich, who is bound by University personnel policies from discussing specifics of Wong's case, said he was unaware of Wong's arrest before October 1. Wong is now a civilian dispatcher responsible primarily for answering 511 emergency calls, dispatching officers, and dealing with alarm calls, Kuprevich said. She has little contact with the public, he said. The commissioner said he is comfortable with his decision. He added that "she will probably be one of the most highly trained civilian dispatchers we will find." "I made the decision based on very unique circumstances," Kuprevich said. "I do not feel in any way, shape or form that this places the community in any sort of jeopardy." Wong declined to comment last night. The University Police Department does not have a written policy which specifies the action the department should take if an officer is arrested, Kuprevich said. University Police's contract states that if the department is aware of an arrest before guilt is determined, the officer is to be fired or suspended with or without pay pending the outcome of the charges. The Philadelphia Police Department's policy is that officers who are arrested are "fired immediately," but may petition for reinstatement if they are not convicted, Philadelphia Police spokesperson Officer Edward Tenuto said yesterday. Tenuto added that several officers are arrested each year. Assistant District Attorney Valerie Barbin, who handled the final part of Wong's case, declined to discuss the specifics of the incident, but said that Wong's personal history indicated that the incident was "an aberration." Psychiatric probation is assigned when "there is an indication that there was a need for some psychiatric help or counseling," Barbin said. Barbin also said that Wong expressed concern to her attorney that the criminal proceedings could "adversely affect her employment." Wong was told this would likely be the case, Barbin said.
(10/03/91 9:00am)
The lawyer for groups opposed to the demolition of Smith Hall filed an appeal yesterday of a city ruling which allows the razing of the 99-year-old building. Alan Kaplan, an attorney with the Center City firm of Sugarman and Associates, said he filed the appeal of the September Licenses and Inspection Board decision with the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas. Last month the board upheld a Philadelphia Historical Commission decision allowing the University to tear down Smith. In the case, the state Supreme Court ruled that the city's historic preservation law violates the state constitution. In an uncommon move, the court agreed last month to rehear part of the case. Kaplan said last month that the University would probably try to have his appeal dismissed immediately rather than go along with a delay of the appeal. He said the success of the appeal hinges on the possibility that the high court will modify or change its decision on the case. Smith Hall is at the center of a controversy between preservationists and the administration because it is the proposed site for the Institute of Advanced Science and Technology. Opponents of the planned institute argue that Smith Hall is a historic building and destruction of it will ruin that section of campus, which is currently filled with 19th century buildings. General Counsel Shelly Green said yesterday that she has not received a copy of the appeal yet. Green said she did not want to speculate on what action the University will take. This case will probably be more complicated than some others because the city is also involved, Green said. "I would not want to prejudge what our response would be," Green said. "I am not a great fan of delays as a general proposition."
(10/02/91 9:00am)
Though the Census Bureau swept America's cities in 1990 to improve the quality of its count, many of the largest cities are taking the Census to court, claiming that indeed much of their hard-to-count populations were missed. This undercount, estimates one Philadelphia official, could cost the city $10 to $15 million annually. Though the Census Bureau regularly adjusts for an admitted undercount, the bureau says that undercount among minorities is worse. But cities, which house large numbers of the nation's undercounted minorities, say the Census fails to revise the minorities' numbers thoroughly enough. Philadelphia entered the fray comparatively late, joining litigation early last year. Long-time Census foe New York City has battled for revised counts for almost a decade. The Goode administration denies a lackadaisical pursuit of the census issue, however. "We are very anxious to see an adjustment for the undercount," said Philadelphia Deputy City Planning Commissioner David Baldinger. Baldinger claimed that Philadelphia had approached New York in the late 1980s with its desire to join them as co-plaintiffs in their suit against the Census Bureau. New York declined the offer for technical reasons, and Mayor Goode decided that independent action would be redundant. This time, however, cities are joining forces. "We all have the same interests at stake. By presenting a single unified voice we can get a better response out of them legally," said New York City spokesperson Jennifer Kimball. Philadelphia's Baldinger said that the city believes its undercount to be around nine percent, significantly different than the Census Bureau's estimation of two percent, which he called "way off base." "We are very concerned that the [count] was not as accurate for Philadelphia as it should or could have been," Baldinger said. Baldinger said he feared a burgeoning minority population in Philadelphia would further exacerbate the undercount in the future. But he emphasized the importance of less tangible losses in the form of representation in Harrisburg and in Washington. "These things equate into power, money, and influence . . . it's a matter of fairness," Baldinger said. Last year, the National Council of Mayors decided that a unified effort would be more effective than the scattered and independent approach of the past. Since that conclusion, several cities including Philadelphia have joined New York in the suit against the Census Bureau. The basis of the suit came from a July federal court ruling, which ordered the Census to review its 1990 count to ensure that urban populations were not undercounted. Commerce Department statisticians and demographers revised the cities' figures upwards, trying to account for the difficult-to-reach populations in urban areas. Despite widespread support for the validity of these figures, Commerce Secretary Robert Mosbacher rejected the revision, calling the 1990 canvass as one of the "two best censuses ever taken in this country." Big city mayors howled at the decision and moved to sue the census. New York City Mayor David Dinkins called Mosbacher's move "statistical grand larceny." The suit is the latest in an ongoing fight between cities and the Census to adjust Census figures more extensively. · Some experts see Philadelphia's newfound interest in the Census issue as strongly tied to city's recent, severe financial difficulties. Philadelphia's previous lack of interest in the past could be attributed to the city's and state's average minority composition, which would leave them little to gain from a Census adjustment, said Demography Professor Samuel Preston. Though Philadelphia would not gain substantially from adjustment, Preston said, it was fairly clear that relative and absolute population numbers would be improved across the country by means of Census adjustment. Preston said that Republican Mosbacher's resistance to adjustment was political. A Census adjustment would boost the population -- and representation -- of traditionally Democratic-voting minorities. Mosbacher refuted any political motivations for his actions, saying that to the contrary, his decision was in part made to avert political meddling in Census proceedings. "I am deeply concerned that adjustment would open the door to political tampering with the Census in the future," Mosbacher said.
(10/01/91 9:00am)
The University has joined a consortium which might loan $90 million to Philadelphia, Senior Vice President Marna Whittington said last night. The University, along with at least 10 other non-profit institutions, is negotiating the loan with city officials to temporarily fill the almost-empty city coffers, City Finance Director David Brenner said yesterday. Whittington would not disclose the size of the University's share in the loan. Brenner said he expects the organizations and the city to reach an agreement by the end of the week. The money would be used to tide the city over until its oversight authority is willing to issue bonds on the city's behalf. Any money the University loans to the city would be paid back by May, Brenner said. The authority must gain several powers from the city before it will issue bonds on the city's behalf. The authority's bond issue is critical to the city because the organization can borrow money at much lower interest rates than the city itself. Brenner said the non-profits are interested in loaning the city money for two reasons: receiving a good return on a short-term investment and helping the city avert financial ruin. "[Non-profit organizations] based in Philadelphia probably have more than a passing interest in the success of the city itself," Brenner said. Whittington said last semester the growth and stability of the University and the fate of the city are "inextricably linked." Brenner said he was approached almost two weeks ago by representatives of various not-for-profit organizations offering to loan the city money. Whittington said the University was not one of the instigators of the offer, saying that administration officials were asked to participate in it. She said she told Brenner that if "all of the parties on the city side agreed," the University would be interested in lending the city money. Whittington added that University Treasurer Scott Lederman, who is discussing the possible loan with the city, attended a meeting with other interested groups and city officials on Friday. Lederman was unavailable for comment yesterday. If the University loans the city money, it would not be the first time it has stepped in to help the city avoid cash flow problems. Last November, the University prepaid $10 million in wage taxes, which covered the University's tax burden through June. The amount of interest the non-profits would charge the city is a "key item to be negotiated," Brenner said. The last time the city borrowed money for short-term solvency, it agreed to pay 9.25 percent, but Brenner said the non-profits should charge less because interest rates have come down since the summer. Whittington said she expects the city to borrow the money at the "prevailing interest rate." If the University loans money to the city, the money would come from cash reserves which are continually placed in short-term investments, Whittington said.
(09/30/91 9:00am)
"First, do no harm." Meeting this seemingly simple commandment of the Hippocratic oath has grown more difficult with the increased spread of the AIDS virus, as patients worry that they may catch the deadly disease from their doctors. Currently the U.S. House of Representatives is debating legislation that would prohibit health care workers from conducting invasive medical or dental procedures if they are infected with human immunodeficiency virus, or HIV. Medicine Professor Rob MacGregor, who specializes in infectious diseases at HUP, and his colleagues who oppose the mandatory testing said last night there is not sufficient data to prove that transmission through health care workers is a significant risk. There is one documented case of provider-to-patient transmission, and in that dental case, many records are missing, according to Assistant Infectious Disease Professor Patrick Brennan. "To make a national compulsory system in testing on the basis of one event seems to be an overreaction to the relatively minuscule," MacGregor said. "The case is very strongly disputed," Brennan added. "It is now believed that he may have had sexual contacts with his patients and that he may have infected them through poorly sterilized instruments." But Nursing sophomore Racquel Lowe said last night the legislation is positive and should be implemented. "The patients have a right to know if the doctor or nurse has AIDS," Lowe said. "If they make it known to the patient, some will discriminate and not go back -- others may have faith." Those who oppose the legislation, introduced by Rep. William Dannemeyer (R-Calif.), also argue that the cost of testing all health care workers is enormous and that it would divert limited funds away from research. "Do you test physicians once a year?" HUP infectious disease physician Ian Frank said. "That's a lot of money -- with not a lot of impact." Opponents to the legislation said that the test may not indicate positive infection immediately after receiving the virus and that testing would have to be continuous. "I don't think it is going to solve the problem," said Margaret Sovie, chief nursing officer at HUP. "It will only tell you about that moment in time -- not the rest of your career." The New York Times reported last week that it may cost up to $1 billion a year to carry out the program. The legislation would also allow physicians to test their patients for AIDS without the patient's consent. "If we are going to have testing on one side, we have to have it on the other side," Brennan said. "Very, very, very few people get infected by [the health care provider] and it is much more likely that a health care worker will be infected by a patient." One nursing student said she agreed with the legislation that health care workers should be required to be tested, but added that the results should not be made public. "I dont think it should be made public knowledge," Joy Lowe said. "The health care provider can know themselves and make responsible decisions." The Nursing freshman also said that she disagreed with the provision allowing for patient testing. "I think any test should be done only with the person's permission -- whether its an AIDS test or an EKG," Lowe said.
