October 2, 2014

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Gutmann confronted about mental health JODY FREINKEL News Editor

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2014

Penn President Amy Gutmann said Wednesday that even those who are not “moral philosophers” should be able to understand why her email about mental health did not directly address recent suicides. Gutmann was confronted about her response to the mental health crisis at Wednesday’s University Council meeting, the

first of the semester, by UMOJA Political Chair and Wharton senior Nikki Hardison. Hardison, an at-large member of the Council, asked Gutmann why her recent school-wide email lacked “sympathy” and neglected to name the students who died this semester, according to an atlarge undergraduate member of the Council. Gutmann responded that parents often do not want their

children’s names released, the member said. Hardison declined to comment for this article. Gutmann had opened the meeting with an unscheduled speech about the current state of mental health at Penn, telling the attendees to share her email and encourage peers to seek out Penn’s resources. The Council, which is a “broadly representative forum

which exists to consider the activities of the University in all of its phases” with a specific emphasis on education, according to its bylaws, also discussed its committees’ objectives for the 2014-15 academic year. Committee charges include reviewing Penn’s visual and performing arts programming, looking at trends in the University’s responses to sexual assault allegations and examining sup-

port systems for international students. A continuing analysis of diversity among faculty and students and the implementation of the Penn Connects plan are also among the committees’s directives. Fifteen undergraduates are elected to the University Council by the Undergraduate Assembly each academic year. The Council’s next meeting will take place on Oct. 22.

running on water The participants of the Schuylkill Banks Boardwalk 5K Fun Run/Walk became the first 200 people to set foot on the newly completed running track yesterday night. The trail officially opens today with a ribboncutting ceremony featuring Mayor Nutter and City Councilman Kenyatta Johnson. AJON BRODIE/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

Lower penalties for getting high signed into law JONATHAN BAER Staff writer

Beginning on Oct. 20, possession of less than an ounce of weed in Philadelphia will land you a fine cheaper than a parking ticket — $25 . Mayor Michael Nutter signed City Councilman Jim Kenney’s marijuana decriminalization bill on Wednesday, making the bill law. The bill passed the Philadelphia City Council 14–2 on Sept. 18 . Under the new law, a person stopped with less than 30 grams of marijuana will only have to pay a $25 fine, and the offense will not go on the person’s criminal record. Public consumption of marijuana will result in a $100 fine and mandatory community service. “Decriminalizing means you will not be treated as a criminal for possessing small amounts of marijuana,” Nutter said at the signing. “You will not be arrested and put in jail.” Both Nutter and Kenney have cited racial disparities as a major factor leading to Philadelphia’s new drug policy. In 2013, Philadelphia police arrested 4,336 people for marijuana possession. Eightysix percent of those arrested were black. However, Nutter still expressed concern and caution regarding marijuana use. “As I’ve said,” he added, “marijuana is still illegal.”

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INSIDE

9 Reasons You Seriously Should Have Been at Wednesday Night’s “The Future of Digital” Event College alums discussed their careers in media at Buzzfeed and Digitaria posted October 2, 2014 Caroline Simon Contributing Writer

Doree Shafrir

1. Two awesome Penn alumnae spoke.

Sarah Kotlova

IRINA BIT-BABIK/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

Sarah Kotlova, senior vice president and director of client services at the digital agency Digitaria, and Doree Shafrir, executive editor of culture at Buzzfeed and former editor-in-chief of 34th Street, graduated from the College in 1998 and 1999, respectively. These two fascinating ladies discussed their careers and the future of digital media and "even" invited the audience to take out their phones to prove a point about the ubiquity of media.

2. Crazy statistics are always fun. According to Kotlova, people spend 15 and a half hours every day in direct contact with media. And 90 percent of the media we see actually comes from six enormous companies. Who knew?

3. We learned that Buzzfeed was born from boredom. Buzzfeed began in 2006 as a “bored-at-work network,” aimed at working adults looking to procrastinate on their desktop computers, Shafrir said. When smartphones came along, it evolved into a “bored-in-line network.” Now, Buzzfeed is a “bored-at-home network” as well, reflecting just how much of our precious free time we squander on the internet.

4. Some kind things were said about our generation. People like to insult millennials. But Kotlova said that our generation is characterized by “intuitive learning” and “multi-channel communication styles,” and that we are “value-driven.” Advertising companies uses these qualities to develop media that we can enjoy.

5. Apologies were made for all the time you waste on Buzzfeed quizzes. Shafrir spoke about the Buzzfeed strategy of integrating itself into our social media and its sneaky ability to appeal to our specific choices and preferences. So, when we take one Buzzfeed quiz, it is — unfortunately — more likely that additional quizzes will tempt us to continue procrastinating.

6. We were reassured that Wharton and Engineering students are not the only ones who get jobs after college. Both Kotlova and Shafrir studied the humanities at Penn. They took some time to discuss why humanities skills are useful in the professional world. According to Shafrir, liberal arts majors are able to “be very open-minded, to be critical, to ask questions.”

SOBER, SOBER, SO WHAT? SO WHAT? NEWS 3-D PRINTING FOR ALL The Addlab, with 3-D printers for use by the Penn community, opens today PAGE 5

OPINION EMMA WATSON Columnist reflects on the He For She campaign and Watson’s UN speech PAGE 4

7. They gave us an important biology lesson. Kotlova spoke about the need of media companies to adapt to an increasingly digital world, saying that they must either “evolve or die.” That is basically natural selection, which is science, right?

8. They gave advice on how to get jobs in a "dying industry." Both Kotlova and Shafrir highlighted the importance of meeting people and making connections, which, in the media field, is more important than your resume. Kotlova’s words of wisdom — “If you make yourself useful and helpful you are halfway to a job.”

SPORTS LET THE FUN BEGIN

9. They mentioned "fun" as a key to success. Media must appeal to its users in order to thrive, Kotlova said. “Fun never stops being important, especially online – you will always pay attention to what you like." BACK PAGE

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