An Associated Collegiate Press Four-Star All-American Newspaper TUESDAY April 22, 1997 Volume 123 • THE • Number 48 Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage Paid Newark, DE 250 Student Center• University of Delaware • Newark, DE 19716 Permit No. 26 etts, UD professor sworn in Political science chair Joseph Pika New state will be working for the states first -ever secretary of education senator rises BY RYAN CORMIER National/State News Editor WILMINGTON - After months of debate over who would be Delaware's first-ever Secretary of Education, all the speculation from tragedy officially came to a close as Dr. Iri s T. Metts was sworn into office yesterday. The ceremony at Bayard Middle School BY ELIZABETH BREALEY With 82.3 percent of the vote also swore in three new school board members, National/State News Editor garnered in a special election April including a university professor. When state Sen. Robert T . 5, Dori , at 53, made her first The new members are Dr. Joseph Pika, Connor, R-12th, died March 7 of entrance into the political arena. chair of the political science department, Dr. heart problems, sympathy cards and She took her oath of office April 15 Dennis Savage, Christina school board calls poured in to his grieving wife and said she plans to emulate her member and Dr. Jim Spartz, former deputy Dori and their th ree children. B u t husband's professional ways. superintendent of instruction. so did words encouraging Dori to "He was a good guy," Dori said Students, administrators and state politicians fill Bob's shoes. "You're the only of her husband. "Bob's famous line, seated in a full auditorium looked on as history one who knows the job," his 'When I go to bed tonight and I can was made and Metts took over as Delaware's constituents wrote to her. sleep, I know I did a good job and chief educator. State concerning how much power the The idea was not new. In the last if I can't, I better get up tomorrow THE REVlEW I John Chabalko "I pledge my greatest efforts to make this secretary of education, the school board and three months before Bob died in and fix it,' is a motto I plan to live the best educational system in the world," Above, new state Secretary of Education Iris T. Metts the state will have over the schools, Metts said Texas, the couple had talked about by." Metts promised the crowd. those concerns are not too daunting. signs the cast of a young supporter after being sworn in the possibility of Dori running for While Bob served for 17 years as Pika, who will now work under Metts' "I don't think there will be a big debate over at Bayard Middle School in Wilmington on Thursday. his vacant seat. "We have formed the state senator of Penn Acres, leadership, said he is looking forward to hi s 23 years of friendships a nd Dori was his political ally and the division of responsibilities because all of us Below, the university's own Joseph Pika, a new member new position. want what's best for children and I am relationships. Who else would do confidant. After the birth of their "It is indeed a privilege for me in joining of Gov. Thomas R. Carper's ''Education Dream Team." confident we can work toward that end," she this?" the ailing Bob asked Dori. two sons, she worked once a week this effort to move forward the educational said. Seventeen days after her husband in order to devote her remaining agenda of this state," he said to the audience. died, Dori stood on her driveway time to assisting Bob in his duties. "I've been given the direction and the "It is all the more meaningful to me that it destiny of II 0,000 students in the state of and declared her candidacy for the "We had a constituency to worry occurred in a school where all three of my 12th district state Senate - Bob's about,'' she said. "We had to put Delaware and much is expected of me," she children have been students over the years." said. "I pledge this morning that I will not let seat. ourselves out there." The speed and efficiency of the school Addressing the needs of the anyone down and I will move forward with the board should increase, Pika said, because the reform agenda and accountability. people was a joint effort fo r the team is now complete. Metts said all Delawareans must "meet couple. "We always did things as a 'The school board has a plate full of issues team and had real name standards not just within our own schools but that has to be addressed very quickly," he said. meet world class standards" and she thanked recognition." While he attended a "The questions about· assessments and the governor for the opportunity to serve in civic leaders meeting, she showed accountability are foremost on the agenda." up at a school board meeting the such a historic manner. The governor praised Pika for his continued "He is elected as governor but he gives us same night. commitment to Delaware's education system. "He always told me to keep our his heart, his soul and his entity," she said. "He "He is a person whose expertise goes is recognized throughout the nation as an constituencies in mind. One part of beyond being just an outstanding teacher," us was always represented." educational governor and I am indeed honored Carper said, "but he is one who is very good to be his choice." And it didn't stop outside the with organizations and running them welL office. Dori recalled one time when Carper sai d the long road it took to reach " He also went on sabbatical from his yesterday's ceremony was worth it. she was in the grocery store with position at the university to serve as executive Brad and Brian, her sons. She had "This governor," Carper said referring to director of the Minner Commission which took himself, "believes that he will make no more her hands full with one child eating a top to bottom look at the state government food off the shelf and the other important nominations during his second term and he was extremely helpful - a great job," as govern or than the ones for secretary of crying when a constituent came up he said. to her. education and the state school board. Carper said he W(lS oveijoyed with his entire "I am sure," Carper said, "we have put in "My mailbox got knocked over "educational dream team." and lines are down in our place the rest of the leadership team which will Metts, the star player on his "dream team," help these young men and woman in this neighborhood," the constituent told said she is ready to take on the new position her. The constituent's worry school and in every school in our state to reach THE REVIEW I John Chabalko and tackle the main issues facing her. their very top potential and allow then to soar." State Sen. Dori Connor, R-12th. see CONNOR page A7 In addressing the squabbling across the First INDEX W. Del. renovations will Campus Calendar ..................... A2 Drug-Free Summit .............. ..... A2 Police Reports .......... ... ............. A2 Ag Day ...... ....... ........................ A3 Editorial ................. .. ................ A8 UD's government... .................. A4 rod~ y':· Comics ............ ... .... .. ................B5 Baseball scores 30 in two ....... B I0 \lft:!atf.r~ cost university $3 million Classified .. .................... ........... 86 "For The Record" ..... .. .... .. .. .. .. ..B I high 62 Feature Forum ...... ... .......... ....... B4 Ag students ......... .. ....... .... .........B I Sports column .......................... B9 Son Volt's "Straightaways" ..... 82 low 41 BY VERONICA FRAA TZ departments, whose offices are the department of music. Sports .... ............ .......... .. .... .. ... BlO Education debate ................... ... A2 Assistant Efltertainment Editor now in Ewing Hall, will be sharing " We want to make these Cranes and tractors have moved the newly renovated space in Fall particular buildings more in on three university-owned brick Semester, project coordinator Fran accessible to the handicapped and houses on West Delaware Avenue Cutrona said. also i nstall elevators and fi re as part of a $3 million renovation " We' re j ust continuing the stairs," he said. These additions are project to be completed in August. construction that has already been required by law to be installed in Officials with Facilities done on West De l a ware," the buildings. Planning and Construction said Executive Vice President David Before construction began the they decided in October to restore Hollowell said, referring to the houses served as space for graduate Police investigate the houses at 46 through 56 W. repairs made to the Greek Affairs students studying mathematics, as Delaware Ave and connect them house on West Delaware Avenue, well as the modern languages and via a large addition on the back of as well as the buildings that house literature department and the art the three houses. the Medical Scholars Program, and department. The anthropology and hi story offices for foreign languages and According to Ho llowell, the April towing spree graduate students who are now housed in an office on Academy Street, will eventually be moved BY MOSI K. PLATT into Ewing Hall in September. The Staff Reporter math department is. scattered Police are investigating allegations that throughout campus and this project Allied Properties violated Newark's private will give the department the chance towing ordinance when it removed 47 cars from to become consolidated into one its parking lot April 9, Capt. Charles Townsend building. of Newark Police said. Di visions of the department are A university student made similar allegations currently in Ewing Hall, Pearson Monday when he started a petition for the Hall, and part of Rees Hall, said reimbursement of students who own vehicles Dianne Iffland, assistant to the towed from the lot.