Dean asks College to drop a line

What's your favorite class at the University and why? Inquiring minds want to know, and so does College Dean Matthew Santirocco. Beginning today, students will be able to e-mail the dean with their answer to this question and comment on issues of concern to them in the College. And, Santirocco said, he wants to hear what students have to say as part of the newly instituted Dean's Forum. "This is an opportunity for student to finally get their voices heard," he said. "I want to hear [what they have to say]." Santirocco said he will pose a question on the new Internet newsgroup for students to ponder every few weeks. He added that the electronic discussions will be opened by a moderator, who will post student responses for others to read. When one topic is closed, another will be added. Susan Quant, an information management specialist for the College, who worked on the program's implementation, said the moderator will be chosen from the College staff. That person, she said, will guarantee that postings remain anonymous. Quant said the Internet newsgroup is similar to one in place for Engineering School students. "We spoke to them for ideas on how to implement our newsgroup," she said. "They told us what they felt worked well and we went from there." Santirocco said he is willing to take suggestions from students for ideas they want to see discussed on the newsgroup. "This is a real opportunity to get in closer dialogue with our students, to listen to them and to take action on problems they have," he added. Quant said she hopes the Dean's Forum will encourage students to use e-mail and other electronic services the University provides, including PennInfo to Internet. Santirocco said he envisions hundreds of students responding to the questions he poses. And he added that he hopes students can conduct discussions in the newsgroup, which will provide insight on the way they feel about issues that concern them. "Students can e-mail the Dean's Forum at any time of day," Santirocco said. "Even at 4 a.m., right before they go to sleep." To submit comments to the Dean's Forum, interested students should e-mail Santirocco at college@mail.sas.upenn.edu.