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(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.
(05/23/91 9:00am)
From above, it may have appeared as if a raging river had emerged on Tuesday morning and completely hid Locust Walk from view. The seething black current slowly wound its way from Superblock through a half-mile course, with its end flooding into Franklin Field. Closer inspection would reveal the black tide to actually be the University's most recent graduating class, flowing toward commencement ceremonies accompanied by bagpipers and an endless rendition of "Pomp and Circumstance" by the First United States Army Band. Even closer scrutiny would show that the graduates expressed their individuality and sense of humor by decorating their caps. One senior made a last ditch attempt to find a job before graduation by taping the message "4 HIRE" on his mortarboard. Another graduate attached a scale architectural model to his mortarboard. Many taped on an assortment of Greek letters, peace signs and "I MADE IT" messages to distinguish themselves from the masses. The news anchor's speech focused, however, on the Defense Department's restrictions on journalists throughout the Persian Gulf war. Koppel said that although the public may not always find the products of a free press attractive, continuation of such restrictive alternatives to this system could be far more disturbing. President Sheldon Hackney's annual greeting to graduating seniors attempted to strike a balance between the recent "political correctness" movement and the traditional European scientific and creative thought which he said was developed by "DWEMs," or "Dead White European Males." He cited a recent "Doonesbury" comic strip featuring a university president whom Hackney said resembled the past president of an institution "we regularly demolish right here on this field." In the cartoon, the president offers a commencement speech which strives so hard to be politically correct, by editing out all non-P.C. language, that it only says, "Thank you and good luck." Hackney argued that the goal of universities should not be to "transform students," as both the old and the new movements on campus might dictate, but rather to offer students tools to transform themselves. In addition to recognizing the achievements of the University's current graduating class, Provost Michael Aiken conferred seven honorary degrees, including one on Koppel.
(04/16/91 9:00am)
The Social Planning and Events Committee is ready to pump . . . (clap) . . . students up for Spring Fling this week. And they hope Kevin Nealon, the castmember of Saturday Night Live who made those words famous, is the man to do just that. Nealon will perform at Irvine Auditorium tonight at 8 p.m. as a "kick off for Fling," according to SPEC Comedy Club Co-director Wai-Sum Lee. Half of the proceeds from the show will go to Students Against Driving Drunk, an organization founded to encourage responsible drinking. Nealon will be the fourth SNL castmember to perform at the University in two weeks, after Adam Sandler, David Spade and Rob Schneider took the same stage for a benefit concert for Comic Relief in Irvine last week. But Nealon said he isn't worried about following his co-stars. "I am the funniest," Nealon said last week. "I am also the tallest -- even combining Spade and Schneider together." Nealon said he is looking forward to the concert because his roots are with stand-up comedy, even though in addition to working on SNL, he is currently writing a screenplay for a romantic comedy. "My real forte is stand-up," he said from his home in New York. "That's really what I enjoy doing the most. I was doing that long before SNL." Famous for co-starring with Dana Carvey in the weekly show's "Hans and Franz" weightlifting skit, Nealon also plays the popular "Mr. Subliminal" on the show. He said he will perform each character and "some of the attitude stuff I do on the show." "I hope people aren't laughed out down there," he added. Nealon is a veteran of the college circuit, having performed at several West Coast and Boston-area colleges. He said he especially enjoys playing to a college audience. "They're a little more intuitive than a night club crowd," he said. "If you're in a college, you can get across more clever material, more current topical material." Lee said last night that ticket sales are going "pretty well," with over 100 sold yesterday alone. Tickets are still available for $2 on Locust Walk until 5 p.m. At 5:30, students will be able to purchase them at the Irvine Auditorium Box office.
(04/11/91 9:00am)
Kick it up -- A Chorus Line is coming to town. Some months ago, College senior David Simon decided he wanted a challenge. He wanted to produce or direct a show before he left the University. He also decided this would be an independent production in which members from different performing groups would be able to join. And he wanted it to be good. Simon decided that what he was looking for was A Chorus Line, the longest running musical in the history of Broadway, a show famous for its energetic dances and powerful music. And it was also about something else. "It's about performers . . . the side of performers that people don't see," Simon explained. "People remember top hats and dances, but this show let's you see the real people behind it . . . what made them be who they are today." A Chorus Line met all of Simon's requirements. It's a show that is easier to produce than most, since it doesn't have complex sets to design or lighting equipment to set up. And Simon said that he likes it because it's a show that people want to be in and that people generally like to see. "Artistically, it's wonderful," he said. "It's truly an ensemble. The play has 19 leads, and everyone gets their moment in the spotlight." The show takes place at a theater audition, in which the director, played by Simon, who is also producing and directing the show, wants to find out about the people who have come to perform for him. The performers are at first skeptical, but then they start opening up and the audience gets to find out all of their stories. "You get to see what [performers] do and why," said College junior Nick Hunchak, who plays Paul, one of the leads in the show. Hunchak's character is a good example of what A Chorus Line is about. Paul is someone who is coming to terms with himself. He has a need to perform, and during the show many of his hidden secrets come out. Another character in A Chorus Line is Maggie, played by College freshman Megan Wozniak. Maggie was conceived in order to help save her parents' marriage, but her father walked out when she was born. Since then, she has always tried to look for a father figure. "There's a lot of humor and a lot of sadness," said Simon. "It's a really wonderful show," added Wozniak. "It's a big misconception that A Chorus Line is just about dancing . . . it's about people and beautiful music." Simon also said he wants the audience to realize that there's a lot more to the show than the dances and the music. He emphasized that there's a lot of emotion in the musical that requires very talented actors, and that the mixture of acting, singing and dancing makes for an even bigger impact on the audience. "I think it's more powerful that way," he said. "It's more of a challenge. "In the original cast, and this is something many people don't realize, most of the performers were telling their own stories. Everything is true," Simon said. Although Simon has done a lot of directing work, this is the first time he is completely in charge. He said that an essential step was to get a choreographer, a music director, a set designer, and a lighting designer. Without the commitment of those people, he said, the show wouldn't come through. He also needed to get the support of a Students Activities Council group, without which the job of producing the show would have been almost impossible. The Glee Club came to Simon's rescue, providing the needed affiliation. "It's a very dedicated and talented cast," Simon said. "It's a lot of work . . . but it was easily worth it." Simon said he felt lucky to get such a good group of very dedicated performers. He said that even after rehearsals are over, if one needs more practice, other members will voluntarily work with that person for hours until they get it right. "We all pull each other," said Wozniak. "It's the good old American show. Go see it. It has a lot to say about the business." A Chorus Line will run Wednesday through Friday, April 11 to 13, at 8:00 pm, in the Annenberg School Theater. Tickets are $6 and will be on sale on Locust Walk and at the door. (CUT LINE) Please see CHORUS, page ---- CHORUS, from page 3
(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."
(04/10/91 9:00am)
Increases in inflation, along with University and state budget pressures, could soon lead to declines in the real value of professors' incomes, according to a recent Faculty Senate report. Released Friday and published in yesterday's Almanac, the report by the Senate's Committee on the Economic Status of the Faculty also calls attention to discrepancies between higher incomes of faculty recruited away from other schools and the lower incomes of professors who have spent most of their academic careers at the University. Committee Chairperson Henry Teune, a Political Science professor, said yesterday the report offers a starting point for issues the committee will continue to examine over the next year. Teune said faculty have become increasingly concerned by growing ranks of students and added teaching, research and service duties in a period when faculty size has remained constant. He cited a wide range of budget forces leading up to worries about the future of faculty salaries, including the federal government forcing states to pay for welfare programs, residents who no longer want to pay additional taxes for state subsidies to universities, and students and parents requesting more health, safety and administrative services. Teune also said he is concerned about the development of a "two-tier salary system" at the University, where professors recruited from other schools receive more money and benefits than those who follow the University tenure track and choose to remain here afterward. "We don't want to have a two-tier faculty," he said. "Then there's no pretense of a community." Differences in faculty incomes arise when the University has to bid against other schools to bring high-level professors here. Bello, who is on Teune's committee, said the system may reward those who "always have one foot out the door," while penalizing professors who remain loyal to the University or need to remain in the area. Many faculty argue enticements are necessary to attract the best possible faculty and remain competitive in the recruiting market. Rather than eliminating the bonuses, they recommend salary raises for long-time faculty whose salaries fall behind. On the positive side, the report says statistical studies reveal no difference between the incomes of male and female professors, although it adds that Provost Michael Aiken is investigating "the possibility of some instances of discrimination based on gender." Faculty will continue to discuss the cloudy income outlook at their annual plenary session next Wednesday, where debate is expected to split between concerns that faculty budgets were slighted by administration growth in the last decade, and fears that faculty incomes may be compromised in the next decade.
(04/10/91 9:00am)
Mixing praise for nurses with his characteristically humorous style, syndicated columnist Art Buchwald presented his perspective on the future of health care in the U.S. in a campus speech yesterday. Over 300 people filled Harrison Auditorium to hear the Pulitzer-Prize-winning writer's 30 minute speech, "Nursing is No Laughing Matter." Buchwald's speech was frequently punctuated by laughter and applause from the audience. Buchwald, who holds an honorary degree from the University, wistfully recalled that his first experience with nurses was when his sister decided to become one. "It took me until I was 25 years old before I realized that not all nurses steal your toys," he said. Between the many jokes about the high prices of medical care and the poor quality of hospital food, Buchwald did offer praise to the Nursing School and to the profession in general. Buchwald offered some serious advice to nursing students, saying that the most essential element of nursing is humor. He emphasized that laughter can make people feel better and said that he hoped that "we can see a whole new field with nurses and doctors majoring in humorology." Buchwald said that it is important to realize that patients are affected by the expressions of the people who care for them. "Even if you can't be funny, at least smile a lot," Buchwald suggested. Buchwald thanked nurses for the good work they do. "I really admire the people in this field," he said. After Buchwald's speech, a panel of four Nursing School professors asked him for ideas on how nurses could incorporate humor into their patient care. Students said that they found Buchwald very entertaining. College freshman Guy Raviv said he was very impressed with Buchwald's presentation. "It was remarkable how Art Buchwald could utilize humor to make everyone see his on-target views of nursing," Raviv said. But some students said that some of the panelists' questions were not appropriate for someone who is not a health care expert. Buchwald's speech was the 11th installment in the Dean's Distinguished Lecture Series which is held annually by the Nursing School.
(04/09/91 9:00am)
The University Council Safety and Security Committee is considering possible changes in walking and riding Escort Services. Jeffrey Jacobson, co-chairperson of the committee, said this week that some of the major issues that need to be addressed include the number of escorts for walking Escort, the area the services cover, and the hours they operate. Jacobson said Students Together Against Acquaintance Rape has suggested that each walking escort consist of a man and a woman in order to reduce discomfort if a female is just being escorted by a man. STAAR Coordinator Erica Strohl said some women have said they are uncomfortable in such a one on one situation. But Strohl added the main change that students want is for riding Escort to extend its hours. "The main thing we're hearing from the students is that they want Escort to run from sunset to sunup," Strohl said. College senior Mike Murphy, an Escort Service dispatcher, said last night the service operates from 5 p.m. to 3 a.m. Jacobson also said the Graduate and Professional Students Association has asked riding Escort to extend the area it covers. GAPSA Vice-Chairperson Elizabeth Hunt said last night extending Escort coverage over the Market Street bridge toward downtown would show that the University cares about the needs of graduate students, many of whom live east of campus. "We feel that if they really want to serve our needs better, they need to take a closer look at what our needs really are," Hunt said. Hunt added the fact that Escort does not go further downtown prevents many graduate students, especially women, from looking for housing outside the University area. "You'll find that more and more female graduate students are living closer to campus because they can't use Escort," Hunt said. "I was looking for an apartment next year but I nixed downtown because I couldn't use Escort to get home." Escort Dispatcher Murphy said that at present, vans go only as far east as 29th Street and cannot serve students who live downtown. Jacobson added that the administration realizes some changes have to be made and will work to do so. But some of the improvement must come from a change in the attitudes of the students, he said. "What every student needs to ask his/herself each time they use Escort, especially riding escort, is whether they are using it for their own safety or for their own convenience," Jacobson said. "We've got the perfect conditions to improve Escort," Jacobson added. "The solution to these problems will only come about when the administration agrees to spend more money on the services, and when the students decide that they will only take Escort when they need it and not every time they just want it." Jacobson also stressed that plans to improve Escort Services are not the result of the series of recent minor traffic accidents involving Escort vans in recent months. Jacobson said students should not let these minor incidents sway them into believing that riding Escort vans is unsafe. "Minor traffic accidents happen everywhere," Jacobson said. "We have no careless or reckless drivers driving the vans. It should also be pointed out that in the years escort has been operating, with up to 10 vans on the street at a time, there has never been an accident with any serious injuries."
(04/08/91 9:00am)
For the last several months, Biology Professor Danial Janzen has lived in Costa Rica, studying first-hand the ecological problems presented by the destruction of rain forests. When he returns to campus in the fall, he'll bring this experience to the classroom in a new course in the Biology Department called Contemporary Humans and the Environment. The class will cover the biological, sociological and economical problems that humans are having with the environment and will discuss various options for dealing with the problems. Janzen has spent nine months abroad during each of the last six years studying global environmental problems in exotic places like rain forests. "I study management of tropical bio-diversity for fun and profit," he said. "I investigate large tropical ecosystems and figure out ways that humans can make use of them without destroying them." Janzen said that although the course will meet the biology major requirement, he would recommend it to all undergraduates. "The course is designed to be understood by undergraduates from different areas, including science and liberal arts," Janzen said. "It is fair to say that the course is a variety of economics, sociology and biology, and it can be applied to the things that today's undergraduate will be concerned about." Janzen plans to address each major problem humans are having with the environment on a global level. He said he will spend two or three lectures on each problem. "The examples will probably be taught from slides from projects I have worked on and been a part of," Janzen said. Janzen also said the topics for the course will change every year to meet current events. According to Biology Department Assistant Chairperson Bonnie Barnett, the course will probably meet the living world distribution requirement for college students, but the requirements committee is still in the process of approving the course. In the past, the Biology Department has not offered many courses for non-majors, but Biology 140 is for any student interested in the environment. "We don't have a whole lot of courses for non-majors," Barnett said. "Courses like this are something new." University students concerned about environmental problems are also enthusiastic about the new course.
(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."
(04/03/91 10:00am)
Monk, a Wharton junior, said he will probably meet the timetable and announce plans next week on how he will reimburse pre-paying customers for newspapers they did not receive. But he also stressed that in order to help pay for the refunds, he will continue to seek payment from students who never paid for subscriptions but received at least some of their newspapers. "I want to be fair with students, but the students have to be fair with me," he said. Monk, who is personally liable for all of Penn News' debts since the company is not incorporated, said he does not have enough money to make the payments and therefore needs those subscribers to pay. Monk added that in addition to borrowing money from friends, he may take legal action against "other parties involved," including the University, to help recoup his personal losses. The attorney general's office subpoenaed Monk earlier this year to appear at its Philadelphia office with Penn News records after a group of University students filed a complaint with the office's Board of Consumer Protection. At the time, Wharton graduate student Jonathan Eilian, who helped file the complaint on behalf of over 120 other students, said he only wanted his money back. Leonard Galloway, the state's agent investigating Penn News, said yesterday that Monk has not cooperated fully with the investigation, which his office launched shortly after the complaint was filed. After forcing the postponement of the first meeting by asking for a continuance and then failing to bring the documents to the second meeting, Monk did not show up for his latest appointment Monday, Galloway said. Galloway refused to speculate what action his office might now take, but he did say Deputy Attorney General John Kelly is "not too happy" with Monk. Monk defended his absence, insisting he thought the meeting had been scheduled for Friday. Although Monk is the primary subject of the investigation, Galloway said his office is also examining the involvement of others, including former Penn News owner Mark Stanley. "There are other people involved," he said. "We're looking into the aspects of the previous owner." "We're not sure who the real culprit is, if there is more than one culprit, or how involved the culprit or culprits may be," Galloway said. According to Galloway, the confusion over exactly who is responsible has complicated the probe. "This is not Bloomingdales where we know everybody involved," he said. "It's just not your everyday consumer complaint." While the attorney general's office continues its investigation, the University taken its own action. Student Life administrator Thomas Hauber said the University has informed Monk the agreement giving Penn News exclusive delivery rights on campus has been terminated because of the company's bad service. "We're considering the contract null and void," he said. "[Penn News was not] complying with the terms of that contract." The contract was set to expire June 30. Hauber also said Penn News currently owes the University an undisclosed amount of money for services which Penn Student Agencies provided to the newspaper delivery service. PSA, which had operated the delivery service until Stanley took over last year, will resume control of the operation this summer, Hauber said. Hauber added he will probably not know for a month or two whether PSA will deliver to students' doors or use the drop-box system.
(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.
(04/01/91 10:00am)
An restaurant employee was shot in the arm during a robbery attempt by two men at a pizzeria at 42nd and Baltimore Avenue Saturday night, according to University Police. Plainclothes University Police officers David McDonald and Al Sulpizio were patrolling Baltimore Avenue in an unmarked car at about 10:30 p.m. when they observed two men acting suspiciously at the Royal Pizza Shop, Lieutenant Susan Holmes said last night. She said that as the officers approached the restaurant, they observed the men run out of the store with employees running behind them. McDonald ran after one of the men towards nearby Clark Park, where he arrested him and charged him with robbery, Holmes said. As Sulpizio was inspecting the scene of the crime, he saw the second suspect hiding behind a getaway car, Holmes said. When the suspect saw Sulpizio, he fled the scene, chased by the officer. The suspect later escaped among nearby houses. When the officers returned to the shop, they found two loaded guns under the suspects' car -- a 9mm semi-automatic pistol and a 32-caliber Smith and Wesson revolver. Police also found a bag of cash in the car, Holmes said. She said police ballistics experts identified the 9mm gun as having been used in an unrelated homocide. She could not give any more detailed information about the murder. In a separate and unrelated incident, a Escort Service Van was involved in an accident with another vehicle Saturday. According to University Police reports, the escort van was struck from behind by a car on the 4200 block of Walnut Street. Holmes said there were two University student passengers in the van during the accident, but there were no injuries. In another separate and unrelated incident, a strongarm robbery was reported by a flower vendor on 38th and Chestnut streets yesterday. The vendor, who reported the crime at 10:10 a.m., said he had been robbed of $17 by a man who drove off in a brown Ford. In another unrelated incident, University Police responded to a report of a fight in the Christian Association building late Saturday morning, but the combatants had left when the police arrived.
(03/27/91 10:00am)
Turkish President Turgut Ozal will speak today at Dunlop Auditorium as part of the Wharton School's annual lecture series. But members of two student groups -- the Greek Club and the Armenian Club -- have pledged to hold separate protests at his campus appearances. Ozal, who has been Turkey's President since 1989, has a full itinerary that includes meetings with members of both the U.S. and Turkish press, a discussion with Wharton faculty members and a dinner with administrators, faculty and other invited guests. Ozal met with President Bush at Camp David this weekend, where the two leaders discussed the post-war Middle East and U.S. Turkey, a member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, helped the U.S. coalition during the Persian Gulf War by enforcing United Nations sanctions, sending troops to its border with Iraq, and allowing U.S. planes to use one of its air bases. President Sheldon Hackney will confer an Honorary Doctor of Laws Degree from the University to Ozal prior to his delivery of Wharton's annual Julius Steinberg Memorial Lecture on economic and social issues. Students opposed to his visit said they have varying reasons to protest his appearance on campus. Greek students said yesterday they will protest Turkey's occupation of Northern Cyprus and will call for Ozal to pull troops out of the island nation. They also criticized the University, saying that by honoring Ozal, the University is rewarding him for Turkey's occupation. "Freeing the territory Turkey occupies. . . is a test to see if Turkey is ready to join the community of civilized nations," said Engineering sophomore Alex Haidas, president of the Greek Club. Armenian students said they will demonstrate against Turkey's refusal "to recognize the planned genocide [of Armenians in 1915]." Wharton senior Ramzig Arzoumanian, a spokesperson for the Armenian Club, said last night that his group will be handing out flyers in front of the Nursing Education Building during the lecture. He added that he is upset at Wharton's "hypocrisy" in honoring the Turkish leader. Turkish students, however, said they are not surprised that there will be protests but said that they are not justified. "I am glad that he is coming, so that everyone can meet him," said one Turkish graduate student. "Maybe [the groups] will be able to see what Turkey's stance is regarding these issues." Ozal, who graduated from the Istanbul Technical University with a master's degree in electrical engineering, was once Deputy Director General of Turkey's State Electrical Authority. From 1967 to 1971, he was under-secretary of the State Planning Organization. In that position he helped to develop the Turkish economy. In the early 70s, he worked as an advisor to the World Bank. In 1983, after founding the Motherland Party and winning a majority in that year's general elections, Ozal became Turkey's prime minister until his election to the presidency.
(03/25/91 10:00am)
School of Arts and Sciences Dean Hugo Sonnenschein's departure from the University this summer will mark the end of the term for the fifth permanent dean in the 17-year history of the liberal arts college. Although faculty and administrators have praised Sonnenschein's term as dean, their underlying message is one of disappointment that the progress Sonnenschein fostered will be slowed, or even halted, as the school shifts gears and administrations yet again. And although they lauded Sonnenschein as a forward thinker and innovator, some faculty said this month his short stay at the University has prevented him from making long-term plans for the school. But Sonnenschein's short tenure at the University is not unusual. SAS deans have turned over at a rapid rate since the school was established in 1974, leaving the school in a near-constant state of flux. The school, originally called the "Faculty of Arts and Sciences," was first governed by Vartan Gregorian, who had been a popular and influential history professor at the University. Gregorian served from 1974 to 1979. Since then, the school has had a string of changes in rapid succession: Robert Dyson took over from Gregorian and stepped down in 1982; former English Professor Joel Conarroe replaced Dyson, but only served for a year-and-a-half; in 1985, Michael Aiken was appointed dean and served until 1987; finally, Sonnenschein was drawn away from his 25-year career at Princeton University to head up the school in 1988. Faculty, administrators, and past SAS deans agree that such frequent turnover at the school, although sometimes unavoidable, leads to fragmented and discontinuous long-term policy. "Rapid transition has fostered a climate of distrust in that agreements worked out with one dean are not necessarily carried out by the next administration," History and Sociology of Science Chairperson Rosemary Stevens said. Former Provost Eliot Stellar, who oversaw the creation of the School of Arts and Sciences in 1974 and now chairs the Anatomy Department in the Medical School, agreed that "in general, everything from fundraising to new educational programs run the risk of being slowed down and changed when you change from one dean to another." "It doesn't have to be disruptive and it's not a disaster," Stellar added. "But all of those things come to a near halt." Sonnenschein, a graduate of the University of Rochester, came to the University in July, 1988 to take control of Arts and Sciences after Aiken moved up the administrative ladder to become provost. Sonnenschein, an economics professor and president of Princeton's Econometrics Society, assumed control from acting dean Walter Wales, but according to faculty, Sonnenschein was naturally unfamiliar with the school. Although Sonnenschein will leave this July -- making his stay here exactly three years -- many say that his effective time as dean is much shorter. Geology Department Chairperson Hermann Pfefferkorn said last month that it can take as long as a year for a new dean who is unfamiliar with the University to settle in. "I would agree that such frequent change is not good," Pfefferkorn said. "There is often an interim dean and normally there is a year in which no decisions are made." Subtracting one year of familiarization and these five months in which Sonnenschein prepares to leave for Princeton, the dean has had an effective stay of a year-and-a-half. "Two years is the minimum amount of time [for a dean] to accomplish anything," Stevens said last month. "I think it takes at least four years . . . and I think it's a great shame that one doesn't get continuity." · The School of Arts and Sciences was created in 1974 by then-President Martin Meyerson and Provost Stellar in an effort to unite the liberal arts departments of the University. Prior to 1974, the responsibility of liberal arts education rested upon the College, the College for Women, the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, and four Wharton departments -- Sociology, Economics, Political Science, and Regional Science. Stellar, who oversaw the formation of the "Faculty of Arts and Sciences," as it was then called, said last month that "it was really logical for us to bring the departments together . . . it made academic sense." "It brought together 28 departments organized and led by Vartan Gregorian, who turned out to be a charismatic leader," Stellar said. "It was Gregorian's leadership which made it into a school instead of pieces patched together." Former SAS Dean Dyson, now director of the University Museum, said the "schools were combined because Arts and Sciences was [politically] weak and because it could not overcome the political power of the Medical School." And former SAS Dean Conarroe, now president of the Guggenheim Foundation, said he thinks "bringing all of the schools together brought some identity to the School of Arts and Sciences which was scattered." "It was like bringing five horses together and making them go in the same direction," Conarroe said. "It complicated the position [of dean], but it had to be done." Although the move strengthened the liberal arts, some observers suggested that the current conglomeration makes the job too difficult for a single dean, which might be one of the reasons behind the high attrition rate at the top. "I think you can suggest that it is a very hard job to maintain," English Professor Robert Lucid said last month. "It could be that it's just too heavy a burden." While SAS is looking for its sixth permanent dean in two decades, Wharton, Engineering, and Nursing have witnessed very few changes when compared with SAS. Wharton has had just three deans since 1972. Nursing has had two deans in as many decades. Engineering has had three deans since 1972. And the graduate schools have had similar stable track records. The less frequent changes at the Nursing, Engineering and Wharton Schools could be indicative of a tradition of liberal arts deans being promoted to provost or even president. For the Nursing and Wharton schools, which are considered leaders in the nation, becoming dean is often considered the pinnacle of a career. "The Wharton deanship is the end of the line," Sociology Chair Samuel Preston said last month. Arts and Sciences deans, on the other hand, still have a chance for promotions. The list of positions past SAS deans have moved on to is an impressive one: Gregorian became University provost and then left in 1980 to head the New York City Public Library System. He is now president of Brown University. Dyson changed his line of work to become director of the University Museum. Conarroe was wooed away by the Guggenheim Foundation to become its president. And Aiken was promoted to provost. In all, three deans have become provosts, one has become president of a major foundation and one moved to a major position within the University. Despite the turnover, former Dean Conarroe contends that there is nothing "structurally wrong with the position." "We are just going to have to start appointing mediocre people to the position," Conarroe joked. "In the good-old-bad-old days, it was much easier for deans to stay [longer]." Aiken insists that all "great universities," face similar dilemmas holding onto their deans. While the University is looking for its sixth dean in 17 years, schools like Harvard, Princeton and Brown universities, for example, have had four deans each in the last 20 years. "I think you have to look at each one of [the former deans] individually," Aiken said, indicating that each has moved on for his own reason. Former President Meyerson agrees such constant change is common at large universities and insists that the School of Arts and Sciences is no more complex than any other school of its type. Although there is little consensus on the cause of such rapid turnover and many insist it is normal, many students, faculty and administrators hope that the next dean will put a stop to College Hall's revolving door.
(03/22/91 10:00am)
Undergraduate Assembly leaders said yesterday administrators "misled" students when they said they would continue lowering the rate of increase in tuition and fees, while actually planning to keep the rise the same as last year. UA members pointed to President Sheldon Hackney's statement earlier this week that the University would have kept the rate of increase in tuition and fees constant next year if budgetary problems had not emerged due to possible state funding cuts. Hackney announced Wednesday a planned 6.9 percent raise in tuition and fees for next year, breaking a four-year trend of lowering cost increases. But student leaders said his announcement that the rate would have been 6.7 percent for the second straight year indicates that the administration did not plan to continue the pattern. Provost Michael Aiken countered the UA arguments last night, saying the total increase students would have paid next year would have been slightly lower than this year's rise. He said the students' complaint is not valid, insisting the University would have proven its commitment to lowering the rate of increase if the University was not faced with losing $18.6 million in state funding. UA Vice Chairperson Michael Feinberg said yesterday that while the 6.9 percent increase proposed after Casey's budget request is a "blessing," the University's initial plan to raise tuition and fees 6.7 percent showed a lack of effort to keep students' costs down. Budget Director Steven Golding said last night the 6.7 percent increase was never finalized, adding that it was proposed as a "maximum" figure. Golding said the rate would not have been lower because the University is not receiving enough unrestricted donations. These donations are generally used to offset operating costs, and thereby keep tuition and fee increases down. "We're not in a kind of economic period that promoted a policy of reducing tuition at a rate we saw in previous years," Golding said. But the budget director said the administration has had a firm commitment to keeping costs down for the past several years. Feinberg said he wants the administration to develop a long-term plan for keeping percentage increases down. He said he will ask administrators to outline the steps they will take to lower the rate for future years, saying he will request they set up a "cushion" to prepare for unexpected glitches. "I'm worried about the University's long-term commitment," he said. "Last year it was steam and electricity, this year Harrisburg . . . What's it going to be next year?" Feinberg said the UA will redouble its efforts to keep next year's rise in tuition down immediately after the Trustees vote on Hackney's proposal today. Golding said administrators would be willing to meet with students, adding that "the administration and the Trustees are always willing to talk about ways to keep tuition down." "It has to be done with the understanding that the University will be under considerable pressure if the governor's proposed cuts go through," Golding said.
(03/21/91 10:00am)
The director of the production, Theatre Arts Lecturer James Schlatter, calls the play both a tragedy and a comedy. The play is about the struggle of young people in nineteenth-century Russia yearning to define themselves through art, Schlatter said yesterday. Schlatter added that The Seagull is about their quest to find a place for love and beauty in the reality of the world, and their attempt to use their art to fulfill their dreams. Schlatter said he thinks that students will relate to the characters in the play very well because it reflects the challenges of self-discovery which face many young people. The ten members of the cast have learned to emulate the closeness of Chekhov's characters, Schlatter said, adding that during three intense weeks of nightly rehearsals, the cast has developed into a strong performing unit. Seagull Producer Lisa Goldsmith said last night she is impressed with the group's effort in organizing the production. "It's a classic not done very often," said Goldsmith, a College senior. "It's a challenge for the students to do." Although Chekhov is often considered a serious and somber writer, The Seagull is clear evidence of his talent as a humorous author, Schlatter said. "I chose The Seagull to show people [that Chekhov has] wonderful moments of comedy," Schlatter said. Schlatter said that Chekhov's mastery of comedy lends the tale of struggle and awakening a real-life quality that enables the viewer to connect with Chekhov's characters by both laughing and crying at their experiences. He added that the play illustrates that tragic events in life can be "funny and absurd" as well as how quirks of life can make people feel sad. Chekhov's The Seagull will be performed by the Penn Players at the Harold Prince Theatre in Annenberg Center on March 21 to 23 and on March 28 to 30 at 8:00 PM.
(03/19/91 10:00am)
MEDIA -- Chester resident Arnold Butcher -- charged with the December 1989 shooting death of Engineering freshman Tyrone Robertson -- was found guilty of first degree murder by a Delaware County judge Friday afternoon. Butcher now faces a minimum of life imprisonment with possible parole in 15 years. The formal sentencing is scheduled for early next month. Defense attorney Spiros Angelos said he will appeal the decision. The ruling concludes the "degree of guilt" hearing in which Judge Antonio Semeraro was to determine whether Butcher was guilty of first or third degree murder. Butcher pled guilty to an unspecified charge of shooting Robertson in the right buttock last month. Butcher shot the Engineering freshman outside a seafood restaurant in Chester when Robertson and his brother Paul became involved in a fight with Butcher and two other Chester men. The defense concluded its side of the hearing with short testimony from Narcotics Unit Captain Commodore Harris who said Butcher willingly turned himself into the authorities. In his half-hour-long closing argument, defense attorney Angelos compared the incident to Romeo and Juliet, calling the shooting a result of too much "pride." Angelos also argued that by admitting his guilt, Butcher had spared the family the pain of a full trial. A first-degree murder conviction rests upon a "specific intent to kill," and throughout his argument, Angelos has countered that the prosecution failed to prove that Butcher shot Robertson with the specific intent to kill him. Angelos said Butcher aimed down and fired the fatal shot at Robertson only to scare him away from harming the man with whom he was fighting. Angelos added that several witnesses who testified during the trial indicated that Butcher was drunk and did not have the ability to commit premeditated murder. He added that Butcher panicked, didn't aim the gun, and fired just one shot at Robertson. Angelos concluded his final arguments by referring to several precedents in which the courts have convicted defendants of third degree murder under similar circumstances. Assistant District Attorney Jay Mattera, who prosecuted the case, agreed with Angelos in his closing argument that "we can't say what went on in Butcher's mind" in the moments leading up to the shooting. But he added that the .44 caliber pistol which Butcher used showed he intended to kill Robertson. During Mattera's closing argument, Ada Robertson -- the Tyrone Robertson's mother -- wept as her husband tried to comfort her. A court medical officer helped Robertson up and took her to a hospital, according to Mattera. Mattera said after the ruling that he was pleased with the verdict. "I am very satisfied [with the verdict]," Mattera said. "I assume the family is much relieved." Dwight Townsend and Michael Shaw, the two Chester residents who were also involved in the December 1989 incident, were convicted of involuntary manslaughter last month and will be sentenced along with Butcher next month.
(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.
(03/04/91 10:00am)
A University employee was the victim of an attempted rape on 36th Street near Locust Walk early Saturday morning, prompting University Police to increase patrols on campus during early-morning hours, University Police Commissioner John Kuprevich said last night. The victim was was walking on 36th Street between Locust and Spruce streets at 7:20 a.m. when she was grabbed from behind by a man she did not know, Kuprevich said. The man, who was unarmed, attempted to rape her, he said, but the woman managed to escape. A HUP security officer notified University Police and the Philadelphia Police Sex Crimes Division of the incident, Kuprevich said. Detectives from both units are conducting an investigation, the commissioner added. The woman is receiving counseling from Victim Support Services, Victim Support Services Director Ruth Wells said last night. Kuprevich said he did not know whether the victim intends to press charges. The commissioner said the victim described the assailant as a black male, approximately 5 feet 8 inches tall, clean shaven, and in his early 30s. Because of the attempted rape, Kuprevich said, University Police will increase patrols on campus during early-morning hours. Kuprevich said yesterday that under normal circumstances, many police patrols stretch from Spruce to Chestnut streets. But under the revised schedule, the area of two foot patrols will be cut to concentrate more officers between Spruce and Walnut Streets. He added that vehicle patrols will be increased to maintain the usual level of coverage for the northern part of campus and some officers will work overtime to staff the revised patrol areas. Kuprevich cautioned that revised patrols are no guarantee against another incident occurring. "People have to realize that we could put 100 more officers on the street and that wouldn't guarantee that nothing will happen," Kuprevich said. Kuprevich said everyone on campus should be cautious, recommending that people walk in groups, take Escort Service or call police dispatch if they need to travel after dark and call University Police at special emergency phones if they feel uncomfortable.
