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(11/07/91 10:00am)
HIV/AIDS Awareness Week will not be held this February for the second year in a row, despite ongoing claims by graduate students and campus AIDS activists that the administration has failed to make complex health issues known on campus. Student Health Counseling Coordinator Kate Webster said last week she does not plan to organize the awareness session this year because sparse attendance at past events made the program more effort than it was worth. Webster said she plans to have awareness programming throughout the year instead. But the Graduate Students Associations Council this week passed a resolution requesting that Vice Provost for University Life Kim Morrisson "take responsibility for sponsoring and coordinating" the program this year and ensuring that the programs are held every year. The resolution states GSAC's concern "that plans for HIV/AIDS Awareness Week are poorly developed or non-existent." "There's been no indication from the University so far that any concerted planning has gone into an AIDS Awareness Week," GSAC President Anne Cubilie said. In past years, HIV/AIDS Awareness Week, sponsored primarily by Student Health, featured speakers, forums and programs to educate the University about Human Immunodeficiency Virus and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome, as well as safe sex practices. The annual event was not held last February. "I want to have a few different programs scattered throughout the year," Webster said. "To put all of your energy and resources into one week of programming does not serve the purpose." Webster, who came to the University in December, was not on campus for any of the Awareness Weeks the University held several years in a row. But she said that Student Health officials told her the last program, held in February 1990, was sparsely attended. Contrary to her stance this fall, Webster said last spring that "I would hope [in the future] there would be some program around February that would approach HIV infection awareness." So far this year, Student Health administrators have sponsored no AIDS awareness programs, despite Webster's insistence that there needs to be a constant flow of information about the fatal disease. Webster said she is still planning the events. Like last spring, there is apparently some confusion among University offices about the status of the Awareness Week. In the Office of Student Life, which co-sponsored the program in the past, and in the President's Office, officials did not know whether AIDS Awareness Week was going to be held this February. Executive Assistant to the VPUL Barbara Cassel said yesterday she agrees with GSAC that "there should be an AIDS Awareness Week," adding that she does not know if anyone is planning it. "I think that there needs to be programming raising consciousness and sensitivity to those people [AIDS] has an impact on," Cassel said. "And I think there should be ongoing programming as well." Graduate students and campus AIDS activists last week faulted the administration and Student Health for cancelling the week and for failing to make the "complex" health issues known to students, faculty and staff members. Anthropology graduate student Michael Bazinet said students and faculty members do not understand the many issues surrounding AIDS, saying AIDS Awareness Week is a good way to bring the issue to people's attention. Bazinet also said Student Health officials have exaggerated the impact of low attendance during the week's programs. Bazinet added that he does not agree that events were poorly attended. "Some programs were, and some weren't," he said.
(11/06/91 10:00am)
Edward Rendell may be poised to take City Hall, but that won't rule out Friday nights at the Palestra. As a University alumnus, Rendell has maintained ties to the University community which helped him throughout his campaign. And in his new role as mayor, the relationship could take on increased importance. Rendell clearly drew upon his University connections in assembling his campaign staff -- from supervisors to volunteers, alumni pervaded his ranks. Steve Caplan, Rendell's field director, recognized the importance of these relations. Fellow Rendell staffer and 1983 Wharton graduate Josh Trimes agreed, saying that University alumni have been heavily involved throughout the campaign and will most likely continue to play a large role in Rendell's administration. Most alumni supporters at Rendell's celebration last night felt that while the University itself would not necessarily be a focal point of Rendell's goals, it would serve him well as a foundation upon which to build. "Rendell will most probably use [the University] as a resource to promote the city, since he has the association," said Rendell supporter and 1965 College alum Ogden Kniffin. Rendell's campaign utilized more University alumni than current University students. According to Greg Rost, both a Rendell supporter and an affiliate of the University's Fels Center of Government, there was not a great amount of undergraduate involvement in Rendell's campaign. Rost added, however, that "a fair number of professors and administrators" were active in the campaign. The disturbing current trend of student apathy, however, was viewed with an optimistic eye by those involved with the campaign. "A lot of things are happening nationwide, and students are gradually getting back into the political process," Caplan said. "People are looking for a change -- Wofford is evidence of that -- and University students will be a big part in that change as they start to realize the importance of local politics." Rendell Campaign Issues Director and 1986 College alum Joe Torcella said that Rendell's victory marked a new era in Philadelphia government. "He's taking the reins immediately and hitting the ground running with no learning time," Torcella said. As several Rendell supporters observed, Philadelphia's relationship with the University will become an important factor in future policy-making. "The [University-Philadelphia] relationship will have to be significant, since the University of Pennsylvania is one of the city's largest employers," said Rendell supporter Ted Proudford. Tom Leonard, another supporter, described Rendell as "another example of the University of Pennsylvania's many contributions to the city." "He came from New York to the University, stayed here, and now the city is all the better for it," Leonard said.
(11/06/91 10:00am)
PARIS isn't as friendly as it used to be. Instead, PARIS recommends that they speak to a human being. And administrators said getting students to seek human contact was what they had in mind when they implemented a new "flagging" system that temporarily bars students from registration for next semester. Robert Rescorla, chairperson of the Psychology Department, said he decided to put all psychology majors on hold until they consulted with an advisor as soon as he knew the technology was available to do so. "I found that many majors were simply not getting even minimal advice," said Rescorla. "On occasion the Psychology Department has tried to encourage students [to see an advisor], but we've never been able to do more than encourage them." The introduction of PARIS two years ago opened up the possibility of contacting students through the computer, a tool that interacts with users. In the past, administrators had to rely on sending letters with no immediate way of monitoring student response. This semester, over 1500 students will be turned away by the computer because of requirements established by the College of Arts and Sciences, Student Health Services and the Psychology Department. All the offices are requiring that students meet with advisors before they can register. Diane Frey, director of advising for the College, said she thinks the hold on registering is a good tool for bringing students into the advising office to discuss choosing a major. "I think most [students] have had advising, but they just haven't followed through with the paperwork," Frey said. "This is the only means of leverage that there really is." But the ease with which PARIS can be used to communicate with students means that it may bear the brunt of problems caused by deficiencies in other University procedures. For example, many departments, including History and English, restrict a large portion of their courses to majors in an attempt to encourage students to declare a major, but there are enough loopholes that non-majors often register for those classes. And the College's new policy, which requires juniors and seniors who have not declared a major to meet with an advisor before registering, has increased the burden on the College advising office at a time of year when that office is usually busy. In addition to helping freshmen and sophomores chart their courses of study, the advising office has signed several hundred release forms over the last two weeks enabling students to pre-register on PARIS, according to Frey. "We saw a lot of heavy traffic the last couple weeks," she said. "It's unending. We're just tremendously busy." Psychology major Debbie Abrams said that although she felt confident about her course of study, the meeting she had with an advisor yesterday was a good experience. "I didn't feel like I needed to go in to an advisor, but it's a good idea if you're just starting off," said the College senior.
(11/05/91 10:00am)
Although students rarely hesitate to shoot their mouths off about political issues, far fewer students will use their vote than their voice in today's election. For while the vast diversity of University students -- ranging from Wharton conservatives to the radical Progressive Student Alliance -- disagree vehemently on many political topics, they rarely actually make it to the polls. "Voting is pretty low on this campus," said Michael Berman, the president of College Democrats. "The student body as a whole should evaluate their voting habits." According to estimates based on Philadelphia Voter Registration Tables for the 27th Ward, 1813 University undergraduate and graduate students are registered to vote in today's Philadelphia elections. No figures were available on the number of students choosing to vote by absentee ballot. 27th Democratic Ward Leader Kevin Vaughan said students' political interest has declined over the last 20 years partly due to Philadelphia politicians' failure to bring up issues relevant to students. "People in local politics need to give [students'] something to be excited about," Vaughan said. "This is not happening . . . It's the fault of politicians, not just students. The apathy works both ways." Vaughan also said apathy has set in among students because society is segmenting towards many specialized interests. "In terms of interests and activities, [students] have gotten further from looking at politics as something important," Vaughan said. Although Engineering junior Thomas Yannone said he plans to vote tomorrow, he offered the truism: "When it comes time to vote, fewer students vote than voice their opinions." Many students neglect to vote because they are from out-of-state and do not want to go through the hassle of voting by absentee ballot. "Most students who are already registered [in another state] aren't going to change [their registration] to vote here," Gonzalez said. Denise Wolf, president of the PPU, also said many students neglect local politics and "do not bother to transfer their registration." Wolf qualified her statement, saying that although University students appear to be politically apathetic, many do care about the candidates and the issues, but these students are not as visible on campus. "Just because we don't have a protest every day, it doesn't mean we're apathetic," Wolf said. "We're just a little choosier about what we want to be vocal about." College freshman Alexander Rogin said that he is registered to vote in his home state of California, but he did not vote by absentee ballot, adding that, "I didn't get around to it." Rogin said that he has taken some interest in local races -- through a political science class and by watching television commercials -- but said that he still "probably would not get around" to voting in Pennsylvania even if he were registered here. College freshman Jonathon Kohl said he is registered to vote in Long Island but did not, and that he is not interested in local elections. "I've seen a little bit on TV, but it really doesn't matter that much to me," Kohl said. Going against the norm, College of General Studies senior Jennifer Colleran said she plans to vote today, partly because of her four-year association with the University. "The majority of Penn students are apathetic, but the longer they live in Philly, the more they have invested in the city," Colleran said. Although many students exercise apathy instead of their right to vote, the importance of the neck-and-neck senate race between Democrat Harris Wofford and Republican Richard Thornburgh has excited a greater number of students than usual. "There is definitely interest in the senate race," Berman said. "Wofford has been a big advocate of education, and he favors tax breaks to middle class, which are very relevant issues to students." Students have reacted strongly to the national importance of the Wofford-Thornburgh race, said the political groups' leaders. "Many students seem more interested in what is going to be a close race," Gonzalez said. "By voting for Wofford, students are sending a message to Washington that has not been stressed enough," Berman said. "Whether or not he wins, that he has done as well as he has sends a big billboard to George Bush that says, 'Fuck you.' " Colleran said that because the race is so close, she feels as if "her vote really counts." Ward Leader Vaughan said that because the Wofford-Thornburgh election has generated national interest, more students have become involved. "When you can read in the Sunday New York Times about your candidate, it gets people interested," Vaughan said. "It is the beginning of a wave of student activism about the presidential election."
(11/01/91 10:00am)
The number of students blocked from registering for classes due to their failure to comply with administrative requirements has been halved, due to the efforts of College of Arts and Sciences and Student Health officials. 1645 students are currently temporarily blocked from registering, down almost half from last week's 3000 students risking of exclusion from PARIS. The reduced number of ineligible students is largely due to active publicity campaigns and the threat of obstructed registration, officials said. But they added that they have clarified their policies, which now allow ineligible students to register for spring classes through PARIS Monday by merely speaking to advisors in the appropriate office. College Dean Norman Adler said a letter sent to juniors and seniors created the mistaken impression that they would have to complete the declaration of a major before they would be allowed to register. "I apologize for the letter," Adler said. "It may not have been warm enough. All we want is for students to come in and talk to somebody." 550 College juniors and seniors will be unable to register on PARIS because they have not yet declared a major, 95 students will be barred because they have not turned in their immunization history to Student Health, and 1000 will be barred because they do not have an approved insurance plan. Student Health has sent letters to students who were not signed up for an appropriate insurance plan, but Student Health Director MarJeanne Collins said many students did not realize that their plans from last year would not automatically apply this year. "It might be that someone for whatever reason did not get the mailing," she said. "We have tried to work with the individual departments. They are usually the ones that can best reach their students." The insurance problem was intensified by the University's rejection of an insurance plan for which many foreign students had registered. The plan was deemed unacceptable because it did not offer coverage equivalent to the University's insurance plan. As a result, some foreign students were told this fall that they had to sign up for a $930 plan instead of a $360 plan, a cost which many had not anticipated. Some students did respond to administrators' prompting. Immunization coordinator Vernell Edwards said the number of students who had not turned in their forms dropped from 200 to 95 in response to a letter students received the same day an article ran in The Daily Pennsylvanian. "I was overwhelmed for three consecutive days with phone calls and students coming in and dropping off their forms," Edwards said. And Collins said the Student Health office hired three extra staff members to help students who she expects to respond during the pre-registration period. "The problem is there are a thousand people out there, and we won't be able to deal with them all on the last day," she said.
(11/01/91 10:00am)
Members of the Black Student League held a small but what participants called "important" rally on College Green yesterday, trying to draw attention to a lawsuit against the University. The lawsuit, filed Monday in Common Pleas court and of which the BSL is a plantiff, claims the University does not provide enough Mayor's Scholarships to needy Philadelphia high schoolers. "The University says they are committed to diversity and pluralism -- where is that commitment?" BSL president Jessica Dixon said. Repeating a claim in the lawsuit brief, BSL members said the University has failed to make the community aware of the scholarships. "I am a Philadelphia Mayor's Scholar -- and [the scholarship] was not widely known," College freshman Vanessa Saunders said. "I want it to be better publicized." Saunders said she found out about the scholarship from her guidance counselor in high school and by a letter. Daniel McGinley, president of the Philadelphia Association of School Administrators Teamsters Local 502, also spoke at the rally and said he believes the University owes the scholarships to the city. "The ordinance isn't ambiguous to me," McGinley said. "There are a lot of hard working kids out there coming up every year who don't know about this scholarship." But President Sheldon Hackney said at a University Council meeting last month that he had met with Mayor Wilson Goode in June "to review our implementation of these scholarships, and both the University and the city agree that we are meeting our commitments." African American Association of Faculty, Staff and Administrators Tri-Chairperson James Gray said that he supports University groups keeping the scholarship issue public. AAA is also a plaintiff in the lawsuit. "We have begun to move forward," Gray said. "We are going to keep the heat on this issue since a lot of Philadelphians are feeling the heat of paying for their education."
(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."
(10/28/91 10:00am)
A female University student was allegedly raped by a male student in a University dormitory this weekend, police said yesterday. The female student told police that she knew the University student who allegedly raped her. She said the incident occurred around 2 a.m. Saturday, and she reported the incident to University Police the same day, according University Police Commissioner John Kuprevich. Kuprevich, who said the incident is under investigation by University Police, said yesterday "we certainly have a suspect." Charges have not yet been filed against the suspect, who Kuprevich declined to identify, and he has not been arrested. Kuprevich also refused to release detailed information on the incident, saying the department is in the process of investigating the matter. He also said the woman who reported the incident asked that specific information be withheld. According to Kuprevich, the Philadelphia Sex Crimes Division was notified about the incident. Kuprevich did not say what dormitory the rape reportedly occurred in, adding that the woman felt that releasing the location would reveal her identity. Barbara Cassel, executive assistant to the vice provost for University Life, said yesterday that the Judicial Inquiry Office has not yet begun to investigate the incident. Victim Services, the division of University Police which handles such cases, can find new housing for the woman if needed, police said. The woman was taken by University Police to Thomas Jefferson Hospital for examination and released later the same day, according to Kuprevich. The hospital, through an agreement with the city, operates a special crisis center whose doctors and nurses are specially trained to handle sex-crime cases. Doctors at the center collect evidence and are trained to be witnesses if they are needed to testify at a trial, according to Kuprevich. Derek Goodman, executive board member of Students Together Against Aquaintance Rape, said yesterday night, "It takes an incredible amount of courage to report something like this." Goodman, who did not know about the incident, said that "survivors" are given information about STAAR, but that STAAR is not given the name or information from University Police about the victim. "The most immediate thing is to attend to the survivor's needs and make sure she is okay," Goodman said. "If she wants to pursue it legally, that would be the next step." According to Goodman, there have been fewer than a half-dozen aquaintance rapes reported to his group this semester. Victims Support Services Director Ruth Wells was out of town and could not be reached for comment last night.
(10/24/91 9:00am)
PARIS may become off-limits to more than 3000 students next week. Because of tomorrow's administrative deadlines set up by Student Health and the College of Arts and Sciences, students will be barred from advanced registration if they do not turn in health insurance forms, declare their major or provide a record of immunizations. Although administrators said students have been responding to these separate requirements throughout the semester, there is still a large pool of students whom the administration is targeting for compliance: · Kent Peterman, an executive assistant to College Dean Norman Adler, said approximately 800 upperclassmen had not declared majors at the end of last year. · Immunization Coordinator Vernell Edwards said 200 new students have not completed the appropriate paperwork. · Student Health Director MarJeanne Collins said the number of students without insurance is a significant number, but is "under 3000." Student Health and the College Office have been working to reduce those numbers by sending letters to students who have not complied with requirements. Administrators said they will not know until tomorrow's deadline how many students will actually be barred. When students restricted from registration call PARIS for pre-registration beginning November 4, they will be told to contact their division offices. "I don't know that it would have been possible before PARIS," she said. Immunization's Edwards said he barred 200 students from pre-registration two years ago, and last year, when he did not use that technique, students complied more slowly than they had with the restriction. He added that his main goal is to get students who are not in compliance to contact him, even if they cannot fill out the forms right away. "Once I talk to the students, I do remove the block because they have to register," he said. "The good thing it does for me is to contact the students personally to find out what's going on." According to Collins, this is the first year Student Health has used restricted registration to deal with insurance problems, although they set a deadline in September which was not enforced. The earlier deadline drew protests from foreign students, many of whom had signed up for a $360 insurance plan which the University said was unacceptable and who then had to sign up for a $930 plan. Many juniors and seniors in the College said they are unhappy with the deadline placed on them to declare a major, but administrators and student leaders said the restriction is a good tool for helping students plan their academic programs. Peterman said earlier this week that students should map their academic courses before junior year. "We believe it takes considerable planning and thought to plan a major," he said. Waivers are available for students who cannot declare a major now or who are unable to buy insurance.
(10/23/91 9:00am)
Officials said that they have been eyeing the Civic Center for the last six months as a potential expansion site for the hospital's currently cramped quarters. The new Pennsylvania Convention Center, which is currently under construction adjacent to the Reading Terminal on 12th and Arch streets, will, when completed, make the current facility obsolete. The Civic Center would then likely be available for purchase, according to Gordon Williams, vice president of the Medical Center. Construction on the new center is scheduled to be completed by 1994. Williams said that HUP and the outpatient services would be moved to the new location, across the street from their current site, while the Medical School and the research facilities would remain where they are now. At last month's University Council meeting, University planning head Robert Zemsky said that the current HUP facility is "constipated" and prevents staff from performing its best work. Williams said the relocation is part of the Medical Center's master facility plan for the next 50 years. He added that Medical Center officials have considered six or seven sites for relocation, but that the Civic Center is their top choice. "The Civic Center site has a lot of positive things about it," Williams said. "The location is very close and it's a large enough site." The proposal has been presented to the Medical Center Trustees as well as to the University Trustees, but no vote or resolution has been passed by either body concerning the purchase. In addition, since the property officially is not up for sale yet, no bid has been made, Williams said. "We're still very preliminary at this time," Williams said. "We're not buying [the Civic Center] yet and I'm not sure that we ever will." Williams said there is no timetable for the proposed purchase either. The Medical Center is still working out the details of a purchase, but ultimately the decision will be based on the price and availability of the property. Any purchase would be handled by the University administration rather than only by the Medical Center. "We have received the go ahead to continue planning," Williams said. Vice Dean of Clinical Affairs Mark Kelley said that the move would be welcome because the Medical Center is running out of space. "What we have now is a hodge-podge of old and new buildings which are sort of built up by grafting buildings on to each other," said Kelley. "We can't sit with a pat hand because we desperately need more ambulatory space." Kelley said that it is important for the University to decide on how it plans to expand its facilities. "The best way to go is to think 10 to 20 years from now," he said. Kelley said that the proposal will continue to move forward with "deliberate speed." "The University leadership has been very supportive," he said. HUP Vice President and Executive Director William Pittinger said that he believes the most likely scenario would be for the Medical Center to use most of the site for the hospital and the rest for parking, roadwork and ambulatory care. "It's all dependent on when the site becomes available," Pittinger said. "It makes sense for the University to acquire the property."
(10/23/91 9:00am)
Constitutional law experts said yesterday the University's newly-adopted racial harassment policy may violate constitutional standards set by a Wisconsin federal court last week. But University officials said the school's private status exempts it from adhering to constitutional free-speech guidelines. The federal court ruling said the University of Wisconsin's hate speech code infringes on students' First Amendment rights because it is too broad and too vague. The University's code, like the Wisconsin policy, was revamped after a federal court in Michigan struck down a policy almost identical to the University's old code. "If it's reviewed under the federal constitutional requirements, it is dubious at best," Associate Law Professor Seth Kreimer said last night. "There are a lot of [U.S. Supreme Court] cases . . . that suggest that the offensiveness of a statement does not remove constitutional protection for it." And Associate Political Science Professor Ellen Kennedy said that universities are "on thin ice with these policies" because they limit free speech, which she described as a fundamental right on college campuses. "As a university, we should be very cautious about having such policies and should bend over backwards to allow people to say what they think," Kennedy said. "If someone's feelings are hurt, they can resort to civil law. We don't have to tie ourselves in knots constitutionally to try to protect people's feelings." Kennedy added that harassment policies are constitutionally difficult because they deal with the question of intent, an issue that is hard to settle. The University of Wisconsin's code stated that harassment is "intentional conduct which constitutes a serious danger" to a person and is directed at the person it offends. The policy is a general code referring to several different types of harassment. The stipulations of intent and direct address are also integral parts of the University's racial harassment code. U.S. District Court Judge Robert Warren ruled against Wisconsin, saying the school's policy does not specify exactly which instances are harassment, and allows for people to be punished for acts that are constitutionally protected. University officials said consistently throughout last year's debate over the new policy that the University does not have to follow the Constitution's guidelines on free speech. But Assistant to the President Steven Steinberg said this week he thinks the current code would hold up in federal court. And Assistant Political Science Professor William Harris said he thinks the University's harassment policy is a "respectable attempt to reflect the values of the Constitution," noting that besides free speech, the document also guarantees the right of citizenship. Harris added that he does not think the harassment policy is an issue for legal experts to decide, but for the members of the University to discuss and decide "who we are at the University." Law Professor Frank Goodman said that even the U.S. Supreme Court has not consistently settled the question of harassment. He said that over the past 40 years, Justices have swung from one side of the complex issue to the other, noting that in recent years, the Court has ruled that "hate speech is constitutionally protected." But Goodman also said "it is possible that the new, more conservative court may relax First Amendment rights." The Supreme Court is expected to hear arguments in a case this winter concerning the constitutionality of hate speech codes. The case, St. Paul v. R.A.V., challenges whether a St. Paul, Minnesota city ordinance preventing racially hateful expression is constitutional. University General Counsel Shelley Green said last night she could not comment on whether the University's racial harassment code falls within constitutional standards based on the recent decision in Wisconsin. But she noted that "the policy that was challenged is a different policy from ours" and that Wisconsin's enforcement regulations are also different.
(10/22/91 9:00am)
U.S. Defense Secretary Dick Cheney, one of President Bush's closest advisors, will speak at the Wharton School on November 5. Although a Wharton dean billed the speech as a Wharton-only event, Media Relations Director Chris Hardwick said last night that if other people register before the 500 tickets run out, they will not be turned away. Cheney's speech is being coordinated by Wharton Dean Thomas Gerrity's office. Students said yesterday they are excited by the prospect of hearing Cheney, but many said they are upset that Wharton is trying to limit the attendance to business school members. "It's a good opportunity to question Cheney about the war," said Wharton senior David Gross. But Gross added that he feels it is "unfair" that some students may not be allowed to attend. "The whole University community should be able to hear him," Aronin said. "When [the PPU] brings speakers, we don't say only people from the PPU can come. It just irritates one because Wharton is supposed to enhance the University and when it does that it only enhances itself." At talks at other colleges, Cheney has been attacked for the military's stance preventing homosexuals from serving in the armed forces. Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual Alliance member Marci Gambarota said that while her organization recognizes Cheney's right to speak, many will be upset that he was chosen. "I think a lot of people in the LGBA support the right of free speech, but I think people will object to [Cheney]," said College senior Gambarota. Cheney has not yet announced a specific topic for the lecture, which will be held at 2:30 p.m. in the Dunlop Auditorium of the Medical Education Building, but according to Clark, Cheney will most likely speak on "the changing geopolitical situation." Cheney will answer questions informally at a luncheon before his speech, Clark said. Undergraduate and graduate student leaders, Wharton faculty, and corporations that have ties to Wharton will be invited to the luncheon. Cheney will also attend a black tie dinner in Philadelphia that evening, according to Andrea Sneed from Cheney's public affairs office. The Julius Steinberg Memorial Lecture, which is sponsoring Cheney's speech, has brought speakers involved in current social and economic issues to campus since 1981. "We chose [Cheney] because of the changes that are going on in the geopolitical scene which he's involved in," Clark said. "We're very pleased that he's coming to speak." Finance Professor Bulent Gultekin was instrumental in convincing Cheney to come to the university, Clark said. Gultekin could not be reached for commment this week. Those elegible for the talk can sign up for tickets in Steinberg-Dietrich Hall on a first-come first-serve basis.
(10/22/91 9:00am)
Keith recently dreamed of a royal dinner where he was the guest of honor, seated at a table with 100 people. "Everyone who meant something to me was there -- I could tell them thank you. I love you. I'm sorry," Keith said. Soon a stage rose and 100 choir members broke into song, and "Everyone at the table got up and let go," Keith said. "Initially they had been depressed, but now they let go." It is this dream -- and reality -- of isolation for AIDS patients such as Keith that has inspired a University program designed to teach future nurses how to reach out and break through their fear of the fatal disease. Keith was one of a handful of AIDS patients treated last week by University Nursing students at Graduate Hospital as part of a senior case study that teaches the students how to care for HIV-positive patients. Students say the experience is both difficult and rewarding, and every little step is a great achievement. "Some days you work so hard and don't make much progress," Nursing senior Sheila Rossell said. "It's frustrating." Associate Nursing Professor Ellen Baer designed the program last year after her brother died of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome. She realized from personal experience that nurses who were educated about the disease were more successful in dealing with the patients. "Medicine is somewhat stuck and nurses do for patients those things they can't do for themselves," Baer said. "What people with AIDS need is a nurse." But one of the major obstacles in the treatment of AIDS patients, Baer said, is that some health care providers are afraid of the disease due to popular myths and lack of education. She said many people are nervous they will contract the deadly virus and are influenced by a nationwide stigma against AIDS patients. Baer designed the class to teach nurses how to provide hands-on care for AIDS victims. The course, first implemented last year, was expanded this year to include both adult and pediatric patients. Baer said she feels there is a need to educate future nurses about the ways to treat AIDS patients, especially since the number of victims is growing dramatically. The program is designed to make the students think, and the students said their feelings often extend beyond the hospital and classroom walls. Nursing senior Rossell added that it is difficult not to take the Friday clinical section of the class home for the weekend. "I go to the hospital at eight in the morning and feel down for the rest of the afternoon," Rossell said. "It can be very difficult." Last Friday, for example, Rossell changed the dressing protecting Keith's plastic intra-venous port which connects to an I.V. feeding tube. Although the tasks that Rossell and others perform would not normally be complicated, some nurses' fear of AIDS patients, coupled with patients' frustration with their inability to help themselves, makes even bathing difficult. Rossell, however, comforted Keith and reassured him that he was in control. It is this type of exchange that the program tries to foster. Nursing senior Diane Bocchinfuso works with "pedes" at the Children's Hosptial of Philadelphia and said the dual classroom-clinical setting of the case study is "really good." "I love it," Bocchinfuso said. "We're in the class to learn the theory and then when we get to CHOP we actually get to do it." Nevertheless, some students say working with terminally-ill children wears down even the most upbeat students. But each added that working with children has special rewards. Class members meet twice weekly, once in the clinical setting at either CHOP or Graduate Hospital, and again in the classroom setting at the University -- which allows students ample time to discuss their individual cases of the past week. Health care theories and related topics are also discussed in the classroom. "I think the class is wonderful -- we learn all about AIDS in both adults and pediatrics," Nursing senior Sherri Werner said. "This is so important because it is making us familiar with HIV infection and AIDS." Keith also saluted the program saying that a major failure of the national effort to curb AIDS is insensitivity and lack of education. "Programs like this should have been started long ago," Keith said. "The Church should be ashamed. [Society] should be embarrassed by their shame. They all say love thy neighbor -- well that's bullshit." Keith, who said he is gay, added he hopes student nurses who have taken the class will better educate others about the necessity of using contraceptive devices such as condoms. "All I can say as advice is 'Cover it up'. This is not a disease for just faggots and drug users," Keith said. Keith added that he has been to other hospitals which, unlike Graduate, did not have a floor designated to help HIV-infected patients, and said nurses were fearful to treat him. Barbara Lineham, an AIDS/HIV clinical nursing specialist at Graduate said she thinks this program should be started at every nursing school in the country since nurses who understand the disease care for the patients better. But Baer said the nature of dealing with AIDS patients is often frustrating, since while you are treating them you know that the disease is fatal. "The people are very young -- 20 to 40 years old, and we're not used to accepting that these people are going to die," Baer added. "What is really upsetting is the inevitablility of death." Baer also said the disease is unique since it forces nurses to go back to the basics, citing patients' need to be bathed and have their bandages changed. "It's almost the old fashioned way of treating patients," Baer said. "Many of their problems are the ones that nurses used to always deal with." Keith said his family and a caring nurse have helped him come to terms with the disease and added that his dream inspired him to prepare and arrange his imminent "festive" funeral. "I was thinking of having balloons . . . and a Dixieland band, like they do in New Orleans," Keith said. "But I've decided to have show tunes and start with Ethel Merman belting out There's No Business Like Show Business."
(10/18/91 9:00am)
Published last year in New Yorker magazine, the story traces the life of Chrissy and how she developed a relationship with a man named Jazz. Her life story is revealed in a series of weekly discussion groups in rural Kentucky. "I met Jazz a year ago, in a traffic court," Mason read. "We'd both been in minor fender benders on the same road on the same day, at different times. We'd both failed to yield." Mason is most famous for her 1985 novel In Country, which tells the story of a young girl's struggle to understand the Vietnam War. The book was made into a movie in 1989 starring Bruce Willis and Emily Lloyd. Following the reading, Mason fielded questions from the audience about her writing career. Mason said she has written since childhood, but did not begin to write "seriously" until she was out of college. She said she had no formal study in writing aside from two undergraduate writing classes. "I read a lot," Mason said. Mason also said she was influenced in college by such writers as J.D. Salinger, Ernest Hemingway and F. Scott Fitzgerald. She added she was also influenced by modern writers such as Joan Dideon and Tom Wolfe. Mason then provided tips for aspiring writers in the audience. "The act of writing fiction is an act of discovering what it's all about," Mason said. "The writing is up to you. You do it the way you want it." Mason also explained how she got the idea to write In Country. "I didn't lose anyone in Vietnam," Mason said. "Having lived through the turmoil of the 60's, the story was personal, but not autobiographical." Students at the reading said they found it enjoyable. "I was excited she was coming," College sophomore Pam Grebow said. "I had written a paper on her in high school and I was glad to be able to hear her in person." "I thought one of the most interesting things about her writing was the truth in it," said Jorie Green, a Philadelphia high school student.
(10/11/91 9:00am)
Philadelphians consume more than 70 million soft pretzels each year, thanks to the Germans. Odd facts like this are provided by the interactive "Do Your Own Heritage" computers opening today as part of the "Neighbors in the New World" celebration, Philadelphia's commemoration of the Columbus Quicentenary which begins this weekend. The year-long celebration will honor all the people of the world who came to discover America in Philadelphia. Visitors can explore their ethnic heritage through any of the 19 self-guided "Heritage" tours of Philadelphia attractions, museums and sites. The 20th choice is a taste of Philly, suggesting things people can do in the city that relate to everyone. "The computers are the city's way of showcasing and celebrating the different peoples of Philadelphia," said Mark Beyerle, Visitors Center director. "They're one of a kind." Beyerle said the whole process takes 100 seconds and the user takes along a free laser printout. Along with the inauguration of the "Heritage" computers, Christopher Columbus and University founder Ben Franklin will lead a multi-ethnic Columbus Day Parade downtown. The parade will feature a walking calendar of events, previewing the year-long "Neighbors in the New World" celebration. "This will be a parade of the peoples," said Jane Haas, spokesperson for the Columbus 500 Corporation, a leading sponsor of the festival. Besides the different bands, balloons, and banners, Haas said that the parade will feature a "Walking Float" of the Nina, Pinta and Santa Maria crossing the Atlantic. Haas warned that those standing close to the curb should "take care not to be splashed by the ocean spray as the ships pass." The parade will begin at 1:30 p.m. on Sunday and proceed down Chestnut Street to Penn's Landing. Along with the parade, the "Neighbors in the New World" festival will feature entertainment, and foods and crafts from different cultures will be sold. Admission to the festival on the Great Plaza at Penn's Landing is free. It takes place from 12 to 8 p.m. A fireworks display at 7:30 p.m. caps off the festival. The four "Heritage" computers are housed at the Philadelphia Visitors Center, at 16th Street and JFK Boulevard; Independence National Historical Park Visitors Center, at 3rd and Walnut streets; the Balch Institute for Ethnic Studies, at 18 South 7th Street; and the Historical Society of Pennsylvania, at 13th and Locust streets. Some other events in the "Neighbors in the New World" festival are the Benjamin Franklin Bridge Light Show on New Year's Eve, the opening of the New Jersey State Aquarium at Camden in February and special weekend festivals such as the International Freedom of Expression Weekend at the Philadelphia Zoo.
(10/11/91 9:00am)
Rick Nahm, vice president for development, will breathe a sigh a relief and cross his fingers tomorrow as the second half of the University's $1 billion fundraising effort begins. The two-year-old campaign is six months ahead of schedule, having raised $701 million, Nahm said this week. The campaign passed the halfway point in dollars raised during the summer of 1990 and has been ahead of schedule throughout the last year, despite the Persian Gulf War, the recession and a change in a tax law. "The way we see it," Nahm said, "the worst time was that six-month period and we were really able to tread water." The fundraising effort, which began in October 1989, is one of the most ambitious campaigns undertaken by a university. Only a handful of other universities have set higher goals in the last two years. "The party is a low-key event," Nahm said. "We don't want to be spending the money we are raising. We are very careful about that." If the campaign continues at the same rate, Nahm said the fundraising could be complete in the summer of 1994. The campaign's most recent good news was an announcement at a dinner last weekend in honor of outgoing Nursing Dean Claire Fagin. The dinner raised $90,000 for the Nursing Leadership Venture Fund, nearing its goal of $1.25 million to establish an endowed chair. The Nursing chair is the 100th endowed professorship of the campaign. Nahm said the first chair of the drive was also in nursing. "All five of our priorities are on target," Nahm said. "[They are all] at least 65 percent of the way towards our goal." The five components of the campaign are endowed professorships, undergraduate education, research, financial aid and minority permanence. Financial aid is closest to meeting its goal. Nahm said 78 percent of the $85 million aid goal has been met. "We are getting more and more optimistic about financial aid fundraising," Nahm said. The second half of the campaign will focus on raising money for the Revlon Campus Center. Nahm said his office has not decided exactly how much money to seek for each room or public space in the center. Donors will be honored with plaques in the area which they pay for. "We are going to try not to have signs everywhere," Nahm said. "We will try to do it discreetly." Among other projects being heavily pushed are the Law School building, which is currently under construction, and the controversial Institute of Advanced Science and Technology, which is scheduled to be built where Smith Hall currently stands. The fundraisers hope to solicit at least one gift of $5 million between now and January, Nahm said. And while fundraisers are approaching various people, Nahm said there are currently no large donations in the works. "There is no donor who is ready to sign at this point on the dotted line," Nahm said.
(10/11/91 9:00am)
Allegro, located on 40th and Spruce streets, joins Smokey Joe's Tavern and 62 other bars and restaurants in the Philadelphia area denied their liquor licenses this term. Angelo Hernandez, manager of Allegro's, said yesterday he "knows nothing" of the non-renewal of his restaurant's liquor license. But in a statement, the LCB said its actions against Allegro are part of an aggressive two-year campaign to shut down establishments that violate Pennsylvania's liquor laws. "What you see here [at Allegro's] is a pattern of abuse, blatant disregard for Pennsylvania liquor laws, repeat citations for the same offense," LCB spokesperson Secretary Donna Pinkham said yesterday. Pinkham said Allegro has two unadjudicated state police citations for selling alcohol to minors in 1991, and other cases over the past two years. Pinkham also defended the LCB's actions against Smoke's yesterday, saying that the campus bar was cited six times for selling alcohol to minors and for "permitting minors to frequent" their tavern this year. Two of these times, six and 19 minors were caught in the bar, said Pinkham. Paul Ryan, owner of Smoke's, said that since 1986, his tavern has been raided 23 times with minors being found 13 of those times. Ryan said the minors found only comprise "three percent of the total people carded." He added that he has tried numerous ways to weed out underage drinkers, but added "there has been a way to beat it." Since there are so many underage drinkers at the University, Ryan said, there is a "constant barrage of minors trying to get into your place." "We're in a college area with 12,000 underage students across the street, and they're going to try every night to get into Smokey Joe's because it's the place to be," Ryan said. He also called for stricter penalties against a minor caught in a bar to act as a deterrent, thereby making it easier for Smoke's to keep underage drinkers out. Pinkham would not comment on the efficacy of the law since LCB does not deal with drafting statutes. According to Pinkham, a bar denied renewal has 20 days from the day of formal notification to request a hearing in front of the LCB hearing examiner. The examiner then makes a recommendation to the three-member LCB. If the LCB still denies a bar its license, then the bar can appeal the decision to the state Court of Common Pleas. During both appeals, the establishment can ask the LCB or the Court to allow them to stay open and serve alcohol pending the outcome of the appeal, Pinkham said. In Smoke's battle for renewal, Ryan said he is asking the University community to write and call the LCB "to present the case that absolutely proves we are not a nuisance to your neighborhood."
(10/10/91 9:00am)
I'm not exactly sure what I imagined I would find there. I supposed that the bar would be crowded, not "I can't move at all" crowded, but crowded nonetheless. I'd meet up with a bunch of friends, all of whom would be very excited to see me. There would be rock and roll playing loudly, but not too loudly. And then we'd all drink together. In my younger days, I'm sure I would have drank more than I should have and thrown up on someone's shoes. But in this version, of my imagination, we're all content to hang out, drink, and be happy. But today, I am not happy. When I was applying to the University, friends here kept telling me that "it's the party school of the Ivies, and you'll hang out at Smoke's." Granted, that wasn't the only reason I chose Penn, but it certainly was something I considered. As a freshman without fake ID, Smoke's, for me, was something to shoot for. It was a dream, the opportunity to be a part of over half-a-century of Penn tradition. But now, with the non-renewal of Smokey Joe's liquor license, my dream has been suddenly shattered. I have no desire to go there for dinner or lunch. I wanted to be part of that experience that has been shared by so many others before me: drinking at Smokey Joe's. Smoke's has been a staple of the Penn social scene since the beginning of time. And now what? Time seems to have come to a dead end. Now, I realize that Smoke's is going to appeal this non-renewal, but the pain is unlikely to subside. From what I've heard, it was tough enough to get in there already . . . from now on it will be virtually impossible. Even if I got a great ID, I'd still end up standing on 40th Street watching the tradition continue for other people. But barring a turn of events, the Class of 1995 will be the first one in recent memory to miss out on the whole college experience. Smoke's will be missing . . . and that is why I'm not happy. Jeremy Brosowsky is a College freshman from Albertson, New York.
(10/10/91 9:00am)
A sparse crowd condemned the University's proposed demolition of Smith Hall to make room for a Pentagon-funded science institute at a rally on College Green yesterday. Several speakers mentioned the presence of Reserve Officer Training Corps and its connection with the Department of Defense during their short, but passionate statements. "[The administration and the Defense Department] are doing direct harm to students on this campus already. Lesbian and gay students' civil liberties are being sold down the river," said Elizabeth Hunt, a graduate student in History and Sociology of Science. "President Hackney is dragging his feet." The gathering of approximately 25 people booed President Sheldon Hackney as he walked out of College Hall and past the protest during one of the speeches. "No more discrimination. ROTC off campus," several protesters chanted at the president. At the rally, many concentrated on the atmosphere of distrust they say the University has created. "Trust us, work with us," Hunt said, disdainfully imitating the University administration for allegedly deceiving community members throughout the battle over Smith Hall. College sophomore Katy McCabe spoke mainly about the connection between the military and research universities, while H&SS; graduate student Julie Johnson emphasized the economic difficulties she said the project could encounter. Those attending the rally generally said they already supported the position of the protesters and came to hear more. "The Cold War is over. What is there to be fought today that can't be fought with the arsenal the United States already has?" asked Hans Pols, a graduate student in H&SS.; The University and opponents to the proposed Institute of Advanced Science and Technology have been at odds for over a year because some activists say Smith is historic and should remain standing. Other protesters, like those at yesterday's rally, focus on the possible environmental hazards and on the use of a Defense Department grant. University administrators repeatedly denied charges that weapons research will be done in the new building, citing a policy which forbids unpublishable research.
(10/09/91 9:00am)
Analyzing the history and future of the Soviet Union, three University professors led a symposium on the fluid state of affairs in the Soviet Union Monday night. More than 50 students attended the 90-minute long symposium, entitled "Collapse and Chaos . . . Toward Federated Freedom or Domestic Dictatorships?" Economics Professor Herbert Levine, Soviet Studies Center Director Elliot Mossman and History Professor Alfred Rieber spoke for approximately 20 minutes each before opening the floor to questions from the audience. Levine, who recently returned from the Soviet Union, chose economic reform as the central topic of his lecture. He dated the country's transition from a centralized economic system to a market economy to June 1987, though he called the transition "incomplete." Levine said that any transition involving the full scale alteration of the economy of a nation of 280 million people must necessarily be a gradual process. In his speech, Mossman focused on the nationalities problem at the forefront of change in the Soviet Union. He quoted a Soviet census which gave the number of nationalities in the Soviet Union as 131. Mossman said that there is often a disparity between a Soviet nationality's own agenda and its political identity. Professor Rieber then grabbed the attention of the audience by displaying metreshka dolls of past and present Soviet leaders inside one another. He used this as an introduction to the theme of his lecture on the recurrence of reform throughout the history of the Soviet Union, Russia, and the Russian Republic. Rieber predicted the restructuring of the now-arcane Soviet political system would occur mainly through the efforts of "grass roots" movements. Rieber concluded by reassembling the doll and symbolically setting it aside, "closing the book" on defunct Soviet political structures. "It was a well-rounded presentation," College freshman Pricilla Elliott said. "[The format] was very constructive, because each expert complemented the other," College senior and PPU Chairperson Denise Wolf said.
