UNIVERSITY of PENNSYLVANIA

Almanac

Tuesday,
November 12, 1996
Volume 43 Number 12

IN THIS ISSUE:

News in Brief; Penn's Way; Speaking Out on Penn's Way; notice for next issue; SEC Actions; Transit Task Force; Agenda for Excellence: Progress Report on the 21st Century Project; Final Report of the Search Committee for Vice Provost for Research; SAS: Nominations for Ira Abrams Teaching Award
Compass Features: Society Not Teaching Moral Values to Children; Crossing Departmental Borders at East Asia Center; Ironically, War Saves Great Mind; Round-the-Clock House Calls Cure Computer Ills
Opportunities; Holiday Jobs for Faculty/Staff Children; Animal ER: Documentary on Turner Broadcasting; Next Issues of Almanac; PPSA Communication Session; CrimeStats; Update; Holiday Hosting



Safety On and Around Campus


'Street Smarts' November 14

Chicago Police Detective J.J. Bittenbinder, the veteran investigator whose dramatic TV workshops on personal safety are highlighted on PBS several times a year, will make a two-hour presentation in Irvine Auditorium from 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday, November 14. A 30-minute segment is for Q&A. The presentation is open to all students, faculty, staff, and Medical Center personnel. Tickets are free Funderburg Center, 3401 Walnut, Houston Hall Information Desk, Van Pelt-Dietrich Library, Office of Fraternity and Sorority Affairs, High Rise North (first floor), and on Locust Walk near SH-DH from 11 a.m.-3 p.m., Silverstein Bldg., HUP Security Office (ground floor), Academic Programs Office, Suite 100, Stemmler Hall.

In Memory

A coalition of neighborhood groups called Baltimore Avenue in Bloom has scheduled a planting of flowers in memory of Dr. Vladimir Sled', to be held 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, November 16 in Clark Park, starting from 4300 Baltimore Avenue, the closest point to the site where Dr. Sled' was murdered on Halloween Night. A dedication ceremony will be held at 12 noon. All members of the University are invited. "Come plant with us. Help install a living symbol of Peace, Renewal and Solidarity in University City,"asks the group.A campus memorial is to be announced.

Still Steppin' Out

"Join the Steppin' Out street fun November 13 and 20," said Helen Walker. All members of the University are invited to stroll to the street music. There will be the Dixie Band, 5 p.m., 34th and Walnut, and the Ogontz Steppers, 5:30 p.m., at 38th and Walnut St. Shopping and dining discounts continue. See local newpapers for Steppin' Out coupons.

The Suspects . . . a $10,000 Reward

At approximately 11:12 p.m. on Thursday, October 31, University employee Vladimir Sled' was murdered during the course of a robbery in the 4300 block of Larchwood Avenue. Descriptions of the offenders are:
  1. Black male, late twenties, 5'10 to 6' tall, thin build, medium complexion, facial hair, wearing dark baggy clothing, and a dark sweat jacket with a hood.
  2. Black female, 26 to 28 years old, 5'5" tall, medium build, medium complexion, long black braided hair with white beads, wearing a jean jacket over a red, blue and yellow shirt.

The offenders were last seen leaving the area eastbound on Larchwood Ave. from 43rd Street in an older American-made four-door automobile, dark in color, driven by a black male in his late twenties who had a heavy build.

The University offers a $10,000 reward for information which results in the arrest of the above mentioned offenders.

If suspects fitting the above descriptions are observed, do not approach. Call the University Police (see key phone numbers), or Philadelphia Police at 911.

--University of Pennsylvania Division of Public Safety

Townwatch Network

The West Philadelphia Partnership Townwatch Network, 18th District Townwatch and the Partnership's Community Development Corporation invite all residents, students, faculty, businesses and institutions in the University City area to "take a stand against violence...get involved ...and take back the streets" starting with a meeting on Thursday, November 14 at 7 p.m., in the University City New School, at 42nd & Locust. For more information, contact Lt. Susan Holmes of Penn Police at 898-9001 or Blane Stoddart, Community Development Corporation, 662-1612.


Meera Memorial: November 14

Multicultural Women at Penn will present their Annual Meera Memorial: Safety Awareness Workshop on Thursday, November 14 from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Penn Women's Center, 37th & Locust Walk.

The gathering is known as the Meera Memorial in honor of a Ph.D candidate in physics, Meera Ananthakrishnan of India, who was robbed and killed by an intruder in her dorm room over Thanksgiving break 1985. Also honored are Cyril Leung, an economics graduate student from Hong Kong who died after being attacked in Clark Park in 1988; Tyrone Robertson, an African American undergraduate (SEAS) who was home for the holidays near Chester, PA, when he was killed as a bystander in a fast-food restaurant; and Moez Alimohamed, a Pakistani mathematics graduate student who was robbed and killed in front of his home in the 4700 block of Pine Street in 1994.

This year's speakers include Ellie Di Lapi, director of the Penn Women's Center; Rev. William Gipson, University Chaplain; Barbara Cassel, assistant vice provost for university life; John Wiley of the Penn Police; and two international students in GSE, Toshiyo Nabei and Aiko Ushiki.


A Thanksgiving Advisory from the University of Pennsylvania Division of Public Safety

Dear Faculty, Staff and Students,

Thanksgiving Break 1996 (11/28/96 to 12/01/96) is just around the corner. Traditionally, this is a time of lower occupancy and greater opportunity for crime. Therefore, we need to be more safety and security conscious. In order to reduce the opportunity for crime (i.e., burglaries, criminal mischief, etc.), the Division of Public Safety is offering to conduct Special Checks of Residential Properties during the following time period:

5 p.m. on Wednesday, November 27, 1996 to
7 a.m. on Monday, December 2, 1996

Faculty, staff and students who live in the following geographical boundaries--the Schuylkill River to 43rd Street and Baltimore Avenue to Market Street--may list their residence with the Penn Police Department for Special Checks during the period it will be vacant.

Penn Police officers will periodically check the exterior of the property for signs of criminal activity or security breaches. Upon discovering same, the officers will take appropriate action ranging from arresting the perpetrator to conducting an interior check of the property with subsequent notifications to the listed occupant.

If you would like to list your residence for Special Checks during Thanksgiving Break 1995, please pick up an application at the Penn Police Headquarters (3914 Locust Walk) or the Victim Support/Crime Prevention office (3927 Walnut Street). You need to complete and return the application to either location prior to vacating the premise. Below you will find safety tips and security tips to help keep your time away from PENN a safe and happy one.

Wishing you delicious food and quiet moments with friends and family,

-- Thomas Seamon, Managing Director, Public Safety
-- Maureen Rush, Director of Patrol Operations

Safety and Security Tips for Thanksgiving Break 1996

Thanksgiving Break 1996 is almost here! Along with eating lots of turkey, cranberry sauce and sweet potato pie, let's also think about safety! To keep this time away from Penn restful and fun, here are some safety tips to keep in mind:

If you are leaving Penn for Thanksgiving Break:

If you are remaining at Penn during Thanksgiving Break:


Key Numbers for Safety

Division of Public Safety
Penn Police Department,
3914 Locust Walk

Philadelphia Police Department
18th Police District 5510 Pine Street

SEPTA Police Department


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