Thursday Vol. 123, No. 1 September 16, 1999 The Campus Meadville, Pa. e ,,v For African Americans Smith resigns amid Allegheny harassment charges in top 100 BY ROXANNE SCALA to Smith's dismissal apparently be- By KENDRA STANTON News Editor gan when Heather Volkman, a se- Assistant News Editor nior chemistry major, filed sexual Reliable sources within the harassment charges against him. This summer, the 1998 publica- Allegheny administration and fac- Associate Professor of Art Sue tion of "The Best 100 Colleges for ulty say that former Associate Buck, the college's Sexual African-American Students" by Er- Professor of Chemistry Douglas Harassment Officer, was hesitant to lene Wilson was released featuring Smith was forced to resign prior to speak to The Campus about the mat- Allegheny College as one of the Fall semester following an alleged ter. schools recognized. Reactions have violation of the college's Sexual "I don't want the students to feel been mixed among members of the Harassment Policy. that they could not say anything be- Allegheny community in hearing of Smith, who was hired at cause the person accused could lose this recognition. The qualifications Allegheny in 1977 and later tenured, his position. Someone won't lose for such an acknowledgment have was reached by phone at his Dallas his job nor will a student be kicked been widely questioned, but some home Wednesday evening. out of school because of one com - believe that recognition is merited. "I would rather not comment on plaint." Wilson examines many aspects anything at this time," said Smith. Buck continued to say that of the college, from scholarship "That was my agreement with the Allegheny always deals with sexual programs to safety, computer ser- dean [Bruce Smith]." harassment cases "in a confidential vices to campus environment, and Former Dean of the College manner, immediately and very seri- academics to African-American stu- Bruce Smith commented that the ously." dent organizations or activities. situation was highly sensitive. "I Though Volkman declined to Allegheny's special minor pro- prefer not to discuss personnel mat- comment, sources inside the admin- grams, including Black Studies, are ters," he said. istration say that she has been "very highlighted in the book. Wilson While the exact procedure of upset" about the situation. A source mentions a plethora of diversity af- Smith's termination is unknown, the close to Volkman said "she just fairs programs. However, some of Allegheny College Faculty wants to put the story behind her." the names of the organizations are Handbook states that Professor of Chemistry Edward outdated and several organizations "termination...of a tenured appoint- Walsh (retired) said Smith came to that have recently been formed and begun to thrive including Union ment shall be for adequate cause or see him before he left campus this CONSTRUCTION ZONE—The extension of the Brooks Walkway is in summer. Latina (UL) and Association for for financial exigency or program its final phase. Workers are putting on the finishing touches wiy) sod discontinuation." Smith said he "felt he deserved Asian and Asian-American Aware- "Adequate cause" includes what was dealt to him," according to and lampposts. -photo by Tiff& Hrach ness (A5) are not mentioned. "personal or professional miscon- Walsh. (continued on page 4) duct" and "moral turpitude." "We think the resignation was The Handbook continues to state appropriate," said Professor of that "in making the determination Chemistry Richard Bivens. the Dean must, if the charges appear Single Voice Reading opens Adrienne Post to warrant further consideration, Monday with poet Sarah May 12, 1980—August 8, 1999 seek the advice of the tenured mem - Article compiled with the help of Gordon. See story, page 12. bers of Faculty Council." • Patience Bartunek and Jennifer The process that eventually lead Midgley. We report with sadness that Adrienne Post, a rising sophomore Allegheny student, died August 8, Residential tensions aired at meeting 1999 in an automobile accident. She was 19 years old. By JENNIFER MIDGLEY do enforce alcohol laws and cite stu- the real world is like, and they have Her funeral was held at St. Editor - in - Chief dents through state law and our own to learn to face it." Patrick's Cathedral in Canonsburg, internal judicial system." The meeting was catalyzed by Pennsylvania on August 12. A Meadville residents and Sabruno told the roughly 40 peo- Meadville resident Al Somerville, memorial service was held on Allegheny students living off-cam- ple in attendance that his office has who called McInally about his con- Wednesday, September 8 in Ford pus aired complaints and frustra- handled 24 violations so far this cerns. Somerville lives on West Chapel. dons with one another in a meeting academic year, four of them under College Street. "I'm a homeowner Adrienne was born in Ohio on held last night In Li,c Walker Room. state law and the rest internally. trying to raise a family," he said, May 12, 1980 and graduated from Adrienne was easily approach- Dean of Students Dave McInally "and I've invested a lot of time and Canon-Macmillian High School. able and "easy to talk to and always Director of Security Tony concurred. "We will not protect stu- money here, and I don't want to see Tina Wyland, a sophomore and willing to listen," said Akers. Sabruno explained to anxious and dents in any way from the conse- the value of my home depreciate be- Adrienne's best friend of eight "She was generous," said Pec- angry Meadville residents that "we quences of their actions; that's what cause of this situation." years, said that Adrienne planned on ora, "and had that kind of personal- After speaking with Somerville, being a psychology major and had ity that everyone admired." McInally contacted Sabruno, Allan her heart set on working with chil- "Adrienne was a dedicated mem-, We're All That Blattner, Director of Residence Life, dren in this field. ber of Kappa Alpha Theta," com- Don't miss next week's issue of The and Hal Tubbs, the Meadville Chief "It was all the little things about mentfx1 Pecora. a fellow sorority. of Police. The three met with Adrienne that mattered the most," sister. While at Allegheny, she Campus; a complete redesign, just in Somerville to plan last night's meet- explained sophomore Vicky Akers. also worked in the library. time for the millenium, will debut! ing, which originally called solely Noelle Pecora, a sophomore com- Adrienne is survived by her fa- It'll be so pretty, you'll kick yourself for a discussion of concerns in the mented, "she always made us ther, Brad Post from Valrico, West College Street area. laugh." Florida; her mother, Janis Post for not asking it out sooner. However, as McInally pointed "Adrienne would drop everything from Canonsburg, Pennsylvania.; out during the meeting, "Feelings to be with her friends," remembered her brother, Ryan, 15; and her sis- (continued on page 8) Elena Hurley, sophomore. ter, Deanna, 17. Page 2 News CAMPUS NEWS BRIEFS -The group known as "the bad The Women in the Arts House 'Alec Chein, Professor of Music, • boys of a cappella" will take the are sponsoring Rhythm and Funk will be a guest soloist with the Erie stage in Shafer Auditorium at 7:30 The Allegheny Student Government (ASG) held elections Night, Wednesday, September 22, at Philharmonic Orchestra on Saturday, p.m. on Friday, Septemeber 24. last week for new officers. Elections ran for two days, from 7:30 p.m. Come to the house with September 18. The Alumni Associ- The performance will start with a your dancing shoes and a funky in- ation of Allegheny College invites September 8-9, in the Campus Center. According to the comical improvisation of ancient strument. The House is at 373 attendees to a Dessert Reception at Gregorian chants and continue with Director of Student Voting Brad Richard, 249 freshmen and the National City Bank Community Sherman Street. old favorites and original composi- 654 juniors cast their ballots this year. Room on 8th Street, between State tions. Presented by Allegheny Col- -Fall term Community Ballroom and French. The reception is at 6:30 Ten positions were open in the freshmen class, and only lege Centerstage Series, tickets go Classes taught by Tom Erdos and p.m., and the performance is at 8:00 three in the junior class. on sale Monday, September 13 cost- Jan Hyatt will meet on Tuesday p.m. ing $8.00 for adults and $6.00 for Students wishing to campaign had to first circulate a nights beginning September 14 senior citizens and children ages 17 through November 16. Two levels petition and obtain 25 signatures. years and under. of classes in waltz, tango, fox trot, The elected officials for the freshmen class of 2003 are as •The educational performing swing, rumba, and cha—cha will be •The Reverend Harry A. Cole- follows: held in the Montgomery Performing group Up With People will present man, former Associate Dean of the Space: Beginners: 6:30 to 7:45 a choreographed musical program President—Sean Daley p.m., Advanced Beginners: 7:45 to Chapel at West Virginia Wesleyan Vice President—Tamara Pavasovic celebrating the exuberance of youth College, will be the preacher for the 9:00 p.m. Cost to Allegheny on Monday, September 20, at 7:30 Towns Distinguished Visiting Secretary—Britt Rusert Community members is $20.00 per p.m. in Shafer Auditorium. Tickets Chaplain Series at Allegheny Col- couple and $15.00 per single person. Treasurer—Natalie Tompkins will be $12 for adults; $8 for senior lege on Sunday, September 26 at To register, or for more information, Senators—Vanessa Braun, Jason Fidorra, Jamie Kimbrough, citizens and students; or $32 for a 10:45 a.m.