June 6, 1997

William Sennit of Hackensack fatally shoots his girlfriend, Melody Arons, and then kills himself (New Jersey Daily Briefing) (S)

Relief Bill Is Passed Congress approved a disaster relief bill, but failed to gain votes enough to override a veto from President Clinton to kill a provision to prevent Government shutdowns. Page A23. A College From Scratch The F. W. Olin Foundation will use $200 million to build a completely new college in a Boston suburb as part of an effort to change the face of education for engineers. Page A16.

Holland Cotter Critic's Notebook in appreciation of Brooklyn Museum, which is celebrating 175th year as public institution and century at splendid Beaux-Arts home on Eastern Parkway; newly rechristened Brooklyn Museum of Art, under new director Arnold Lehman, continues to present first-rate shows, many drawn from its own holdings of 'astonishing quality and scope'; photos; map (M)

Chicago school system, pilloried a decade ago as worst in nation, has become perhaps the toughest experimenter of a toughened, back-to-basics approach; is insisting that students perform; about one-quarter of eighth graders in Chicago system were told this week that they will not be allowed to graduate from elementary school on time because they had failed to master required material; they must attend classes during summer and then pass standardized test, or repeat eighth grade; among ninth graders, a similar requirement will fall on staggering 48 percent; back-to-basics approach has been implemented by Paul Vallas, named by Mayor Richard Daley as chief executive officer of school system; Illinois Legislature gave Daley broad powers over school system; photo (M)

Clyde Haberman, in NYC column, notes that if Silver Charm wins Belmont Stakes he will become first horse to win Triple Crown since 1978; says racing officials hope that attendance at Belmont Park and other New York tracks will improve because of excitement over Silver Charm (M)