MONDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2019 VOL. CXXXV
NO. 8
THE INDEPENDENT STUDENT NEWSPAPER OF THE UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA
Students say FGLI Library needs more staff and resources
FOUNDED 1885
“It’s hard for [the Church] to argue that they have the gold standard for child protection when they continue to have problems." - MArci Hamilton
Woman allegedly shouts racist remark, prompting U. inquiry
It received more than 760 requests this semester
Another woman recorded the incident
AMY LIU Staff Reporter
ASHLEY AHN Staff Reporter
Penn’s First Generation Low Income Textbook Library helps students save hundreds of dollars on textbooks and allows them to donate old books each semester. But a recent surge in demand has left students and faculty calling for more space and funding to sustain the library. “It’s reached the point where in order for it to be sustainable and be a helpful program, it needs more staff, organization, and tools like a library catalogue,” Penn First Finance and Operations Chair and College junior Melissa Perez said. The FGLI library, formally created in 2017, allows students to borrow more than 4,000 books free of cost. The library is housed on the third floor and attic space of the Greenfield Intercultural Center. But since the GIC also leads multiple other University programs, the center may not have enough physical space to expand the library, GIC work-study student and College junior Daniel Gonzalez said. “All the different centers have their needs, but it’s hard for all of it to get met, especially if the University only focuses on increasing its endowment or scholarship program,” Gonzalez added. During the FGLI library’s first few months, it had about 250 students participate in the program. In fall 2018, the library received more than 600 requests. This spring semester alone, it received more than 760 textbook requests from nearly 700 students using SEE LIBRARY PAGE 8
Church on 38th and Chestnut streets from 2001 to 2010. The church serves Penn and Drexel University students, as well as residents in the University City and West Philadelphia area. The Archdiocese of Philadelphia put Marinucci on leave soon after it received the allegation against Marinucci in late January. The Archdiocese wrote in a Feb. 3 announcement that it forwarded the allegations to legal authorities, and will continue to cooperate with law enforcement.
A woman allegedly shouted a racist remark at a Wharton freshman in Huntsman Hall on Feb. 2 while another woman filmed the incident on her cell phone. The freshman, who identifies as Mexican-American, said the woman repeatedly shouted “Build a wall.” The freshman said he has since reported the incident to the Office of Student Conduct. OSC Director Julie Nettleton declined to comment in an email to The Daily Pennsylvanian. On Feb. 5, she wrote, “I am sorry but the Office of Student Conduct does not comment on incidents or cases, whether we are involved or not.” “We take this allegation seriously and are supporting the student as we look into the matter,” Provost Wendell Pritchett said in a statement. The woman was with four to five other women when the incident took place, the freshman said, noting that one other woman in the group was wearing a white, long-sleeved shirt. He said he was “almost certain” the shirt had the letters or Greek symbols of Penn’s Kappa Alpha Theta sorority chapter. At approximately 6 p.m., the Wharton freshman approached the escalator from the second floor of Huntsman, as the women descended the escalator. One of the women shouted “I love Donald Trump” two times and shouted “Build a wall” several times, he said. He added that the woman was looking directly at him while shouting about Trump. A woman in the group was re-
SEE PRIEST PAGE 6
SEE INQUIRY PAGE 3
CINDY CHEN | SENIOR PHOTOGRAPHER
U. City priest put on leave following sexual abuse allegation Reverend Steven Marinucci worked at the church that served Penn and Drexel Students CHRIS DOYLE Staff Reporter
Rev. Steven Marinucci, a Catholic priest who worked near Penn’s campus for 10 years, has been placed on administrative leave following an allegation that he sexually abused a minor in the late 1970s. Marinucci, 71, worked at St. Agatha-St. James
Presidential bid uncertain for Biden
U. launches wellness competition
Fellow profs. says running is unlikely
Penn calls for submissions from across campus
CAMI DOO Staff Reporter
MANLU LIU & COURTNEY DAUB News Editor & Deputy News Editor
As the Democratic presidential primary field grows increasingly crowded, Penn Presidential Professor of Practice Joe Biden has been keeping the public on their toes about his potential 2020 campaign. In a recent CNN poll, 62 percent of Democratic voters agreed that the former vice president should announce his presidential run. But Penn professors are doubtful of the possibilities of his success, just as Biden is uncertain about announcing his candidacy. Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Kamala Harris (D-Calif.), Tulsi Gabbard (D-Hawaii), and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) are just some of the prominent Democrats who have already declared their candidacies. A Real Clear Politics average of recent polls regarding the Democratic primary has Biden leading potential contenders, with an average support of 32.8 percent. Biden was installed as a Presidential Professor of Practice in
Penn launched an online challenge this week calling on students, faculty, and staff to submit ideas to enhance wellness on campus. The project, titled the “Your Big Idea” challenge, also allows people to view, rate, and comment on all of the suggestions. Submissions for the challenge — which total more than 200 ideas so far — include ideas such as hiring staff to support long-term therapy at Counseling and Psychological Services, setting aside areas in academic buildings for napping, and making all freshmen courses on a pass/fail grading scale. The challenge is Penn’s most expansive wellness initiative since the creation of Student Wellness Servvices, the umbrella organization for CAPS, Student Health Service, Campus Health, Penn Violence Prevention, and Alcohol and Other Drug Program Initiatives. The wellness project was first announced in an email sent to all students, faculty, and staff on Feb. 4.
LINDA TING | DESIGN ASSOCIATE
February 2017 and announced the creation of the Penn Biden Center in Washington D.C. a year later. Penn writer-in-residence Dick Polman said he would not be surprised if the former vice president opted out of running, given his advanced age of almost 80 years old. “[Biden] knows what it takes to run nonstop and how physically punishing it is,” Polman said. “He keeps second-guessing [his run]. The fact that he keeps talking about it, ruminating about it openly, makes me think that he’s not 100 percent in the game.” Although Political Science professor Marc Meredith said Biden is “doing all the things one would
need to be doing if they were going to run,” given his D.C.-based center, he remains uncertain about Biden’s potential candidacy due to his baggage from a lengthy political career. Meredith referenced how Biden handled the 1991 Anita Hill hearing against Justice Clarence Thomas as a potential problem. Polman also referred to his unsuccessful bids for presidency in the past, and the 1987 accusations of speech plagiarism against him. Political Science professor Matthew Levendusky said he believes Biden is unlikely to run. SEE BIDEN PAGE 2
EDITORIAL | More resources to FGLI library
“If Penn is serious about growing and supporting the FGLI student population, the University must make a concerted effort to make their education more accessible” - DP Editorial Board PAGE 4
SPORTS | Women’s hoops lead Ivy League
After blowing out Brown by 40 points on Friday, the Quakers fought to outlast Yale on Saturday. Despite giving up a huge halftime lead, Penn made free throws when it counted to preserve the win. BACKPAGE FOLLOW US @DAILYPENN FOR THE LATEST UPDATES ONLINE AT THEDP.COM
CHRISTINE LAM | DESIGN ASSOCIATE
“We want you to think big. We’re looking for creative ideas for services, programs, amenities, and resources to strengthen Penn wellness,” the email read. “Proposals that cross departments and Schools are strongly encouraged.” Anyone with a PennKey can submit an idea on the challenge’s website until March 1. A committee of 13 students, faculty, and staff will vote for the semi-finalists, who will then formalize their pitches with the Penn Medicine Center for Health Care Innovation. The semifinalists will then present in front of a larger group of students, faculty, and staff. Everyone who participates will be entered into a lottery
NEWS Students protest Heather Mac Donald’s speech
NEWS Quad door fixed after months of waiting
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for three chances to win an Apple Watch, and the final winning ideas will be chosen in late April. The ideas will then be implemented. The challenge is led by Chief Wellness Officer Benoit Dubé and Faculty Senate Chair Jennifer Pinto-Martin with support from the Center for Health Care Innovation. Pinto-Martin said the ratings are taken into consideration when the committee is deciding the semifinalists in early March. Pinto-Martin said she came up with the idea to launch a challenge from her work as a fellow with the Center for Health Care InnovaSEE WELLNESS PAGE 8
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