Students launch effort to 'save Community House'

Expressing shock and outrage, students and resident advisers in the Quadrangle's Community House launched a campaign yesterday to protest the University's refusal to rehire their assistant dean in residence, Diana Koros. The students bought three days' worth of advertisements in this week's Daily Pennsylvanian. The ads, which first appeared yesterday, warn prospective members of the Class of 2002 about the University's "steps to eliminate the Community House program." A group calling itself the Penn Coalition to Save Community House is coordinating the effort. According to Ted Coons, an RA in Community House, the group formed two weeks ago after learning that Koros will not be given the new house dean position, which is replacing the ADR title in the college houses. The ad cited Koros' dismissal, as well as Interim Provost Michael Wachter's delay in re-appointing current Faculty Master Stephen Gale, a Regional Science professor, for this fall. It also criticized the new college house plan. This fall, the University will organize its residences into 12 multi-year college houses with added programming and staff -- including more than 100 graduate associates, some of whom will replace the current RAs. Coons said the ads are designed to draw the attention of Director of Academic Programs and Residence Life Chris Dennis and Residential Faculty Council Chairperson Al Filreis, as well as Wachter and University President Judith Rodin. "I don't really know what is going to happen in result of the ad," said Coons, an Engineering and Wharton senior. "That's why we're running them -- to see what happens." Dennis called the ad "misleading" and said he is "far from bringing down any program." "I believe Community House, like all of the 12 houses, will be a very forward-looking and creative environment next year," Dennis said. Coons said the approximately $500 spent on the ads is coming from house residents and RAs. The group is also encouraging residents to write letters to top officials. Coons said he doesn't expect housing officials to reverse their decision. But "if anything, we'll get some satisfaction that at least we tried to get our point across that what Diana has done has been exceptional and there's no reason why she shouldn't continue to be an ADR," Coons said. Daily Pennsylvanian staff reporter Ben Geldon contributed to this article.

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