Kojo Minta
Recent articles
UA tries to improve guards' rights
Penn's AlliedBarton security guards should expect better working conditions for next semester - if the Undergraduate Assembly has its way. The UA is currently working with Executive Vice President Craig Carnaroli, Vice President for Public Safety Maureen Rush and Allied Security District Manager Sidney Toombs to discuss the implementation of the assembly's Workers' Rights Proposal, which offers suggestions to improve the treatment of AlliedBarton security guards.
Gutmann tells trustees she's staying put
University President Amy Gutmann echoed her commitment to remain Penn's president at yesterday's Board of Trustees meeting. "I will say it, and I will say it for the last time: I am absolutely committed to being Penn's president, and I am not interested in any other presidency," Gutmann said.
For sober students, a dry Quad housing program awaits
Expect a more sober Quadrangle next year. Fisher Hassenfeld College House will institute a Substance Free housing program that will go into effect next year, the Undergraduate Assembly announced earlier this week. It will be part of the existing Healthy Living program, which focuses on helping students maintain and improve their well-being.
Can't get enough Van Pelt? UA has it covered
Desperate students trying to cram in an extra hour of studying this week will now be able to do it in Van Pelt Library. At the request of the Undergraduate Assembly, Carton Rogers - who runs Penn's libraries - decided to keep Van Pelt open until 2 a.m. from yesterday through the end of exams.
Librarian lends 'magic' to children's book art
You may not be able to put your finger on it, but there's something whimsical about the artistic style of Sibylla Benatova. Come March, that style will be showcased in the Penn Rare Book and Manuscript Library employee's illustrated children's book, The Magic Raincoat.
Orphaned cookbooks find new home in Van Pelt
Fashionable Philadelphia restaurant Deux Cheminees is shutting its doors, to the disappointment of epicures all over. But the retiring owner, Fritz Blank, hasn't decided on a closing date yet. The reason? He's trying to unload thousands of books that now occupy his restaurant onto Van Pelt Library.
Tips for getting off campus for Turkey Day
Travelers everywhere this Thanksgiving can anticipate fare hikes, heavy traffic, long lines and lots of red tape as a precursor to turkey and mashed potatoes.
UA rep loses seat over his absences
College senior Aaron Weissman won't be on the Undergraduate Assembly any more.
A free law firm, run out of Houston Hall
One female student was assaulted by a cab driver. Another was the victim of a hit-and-run. And both found help in an office in Houston Hall.
HIV testing tops Council agenda
Everyone between the ages of 13 and 55 should get routine HIV tests, Student Health Service Director Evelyn Wiener said yesterday, and Penn has an obligation to help out. Penn offers free HIV testing, Wiener said, and she encouraged community members to take advantage.
UA tackles alleged homophobia, racism
Incidents of racist and homophobic behavior "are not hard to find on Penn Athletic teams," according to an Undergraduate Assembly proposal passed Sunday night.
UA surveys may not be up to statistical snuff
The Undergraduate Assembly prides itself on representing the concerns of Penn students. But the survey data that help them do so may only represent students with a specific agenda, experts say. The UA distributes several online surveys each semester - there have been two this fall - to the entire undergraduate population via e-mail and the UA's own Web site.
Personalities: Today's a test for senior's efforts
Today's the day he worked for. After months of putting up posters, stumping door to door and passing out registration cards, Election Day is finally here. Penn Leads the Vote President and College senior Bren Darrow is passionate about something a lot of people his age won't take a few minutes a year to do: voting.
Lifestyles or Trojans? UA asks students
The perennial debate between Trojans and Lifestyles came home to Penn last weekend. The Undergraduate Assembly pledged on Sunday to create a survey to "gauge current student sentiment regarding condoms and to determine the condom of choice" on campus. The University gives out free condoms - the Lifestyles brand - at multiple places around campus, from the high rise dorms to Student Health Services.
UA to bring back shuttles to airport
Splurging on a $26.50 cab ride to catch a plane for Thanksgiving is now a thing of the past. At least, that's the Undergraduate Assembly's plan. On the heels of its successful shuttle bus program last year - pioneered by Wharton senior Brett Thalmann, now the UA chairman - the UA is rolling out a revamped program for the holiday breaks.
Forget e-mails - now clubs may send you texts
E-mails that clutter your inbox from the dozens of listservs you're on may be a thing of the past. Clubs may soon be able to send you their announcements straight to your cell phone. The Undergraduate Assembly unveiled a plan earlier this month to introduce a service called Mobile Campus to Penn by the end of next semester.
Program for addicts to debut in dorm
Next fall, the first step to recovery for drug and alcohol addicts could be swiping into Harrison College House.
Colbert's 'Sikh friend' might be yours, too
Not every Penn student gets to go out drinking with Steven Colbert, chat it up with Diane Sawyer or hobnob with Russell Crowe. But for Puneet Singh, it's just another day at work. On a day-to-day basis, the Wharton junior deals with complaints about the future of Hey Day - he is the junior class president - and accounting homework.
Women lag in student gov't leadership roles
Women enter Penn in greater numbers than men. They graduate in greater numbers, too. But in elected student government in recent years, women are sorely lacking. The last time a woman was president of any class board was over three years ago, when Meredith Seidel led the Class of 2004.
