Year in Review, Year in Review, Year in Review 1995 JANUARY

Penn's new year started off with a slew of transitions -- and the pace of change only picked up as the month of January progressed. An all-time high of 15,050 applications flooded the Office of Admissions; these new faces -- prospective members of the Class of 1999 -- comprised the strongest-ever group of applicants to Penn. Buildings across campus, including the dismal Hutchinson Gymnasium, received long-awaited facelifts. The scaffolding finally came off the outside of Logan Hall, but the heavy equipment stayed firmly parked in front of nearby College Hall. Administrators were trying to firm up a $20 million pledge from cosmetics mogul and Wharton alumnus Ronald Perelman, a University trustee. The donation, which would not become final until April, was eventually earmarked for the construction of a new student center that will be named for Perelman. The student center project will involve the renovation of College, Houston, Logan and Williams Halls and Irvine Auditorium over the next three years, creating additional meeting, eating and studying space in the heart of campus. Another Wharton alumnus, Nine West Shoe Corporation chairperson Jerome Fisher, pledged $5.5 million in support of the Management and Technology program in January, which was then renamed for him. Work on the parking garage at 38th and Walnut streets was slowed by labor disputes between insulators and carpenters. But Cinemagic, the Delaware theater management company, announced plans to renovate and move into the old AMC Theater in the 3900 block of Walnut Street. Personnel changes were making news in January, too. Larry Burnley was named director of the Greenfield Intercultural Center, and Stephen Schutt, former chief of staff to Sen. Harris Wofford (D-Pa.), took on the same role for University President Judith Rodin. Rutgers Professor Susan Fuhrman was chosen as the new dean of the Graduate School of Education. At the Medical School, vice dean Frederic Burg announced that he would resign July 1. Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania Executive Director Wilbur "Bud" Pittinger also left, leading to speculation that both had been asked to leave their positions. On the Greek scene, the eight Panhellenic Council sororities gave out 386 bids to eager freshman and sophomore women. And the InterFraternity Council voted in a new "Bring Your Own Beer" policy for parties. Finally, Coopers & Lybrand, a consulting and accounting firm, recommended that the University restructure its administrative processes and staff responsibilities, cutting costs by 20 percent over the next five years and saving $25 million per year as a result.

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