Resource fair educates students

Catered cuisine and crucial information were both on the menu for students of color at a resource and information program held last night in Bodek Lounge of Houston Hall. The resource fair, which was sponsored by the Office of the Vice Provost for University Life, the Greenfield Intercultural Center, the Office of Academic Support Programs and the United Minorities Council, had been scheduled to occur twice last month. It was postponed each time because of severe weather. According to Assistant Vice Provost for University Life Barbara Cassel, focus groups, which were organized last fall, provided the impetus for the fair. Students in the groups said while they had taken advantage of several campus resources, they were unsure of the full extent of services available to them, Cassel said. By identifying which resources students used most often, and asking those departments to come together in an "interactive and informal" atmosphere, Cassel said she hopes to create the feeling that there is an "accountable human being" who will respond to students' needs. Cassel and student organizers Ling Yeh and Rishi Sikka worked to accomplish that goal by bringing in speakers from the four undergraduate schools, and departments like University Counseling Service, Residential Living and Career Planning and Placement Service. The speakers complemented information tables set up by staff members from the Penn Women's Center, the Program for Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Community at Penn, the African-American Resource Center and the Office of Off-Campus Living, among others. Yeh, a College senior who works at the Greenfield Intercultural Center, said planning for the resource fair began before winter break. "[It] turned out well, considering that there are mid-terms and that the publicity wasn't so great," she said. "We're pretty happy." Sikka, a Wharton junior who serves as South Asia Society representative to the UMC, agreed with Yeh. "I think it went excellent[ly]," he said. "To see administrators and students talking over dinner -- that atmosphere brings out the person behind the administrator. "You want to know the person behind the desk, not just the title on the desk, when you have a problem," he added. College junior Liz Melendez said that despite her upperclass status, she still does not have a clear idea of the resources available to her as a student of color. "It was great to meet all these people," she said, referring to the many administrators in attendance, who were also enthusiastic about last night's activities. University Counseling Service psychologist Pamela Moore said the great thing about the resource fair is that "it gives students a chance to talk to [advisors] without being put on hold." Although last night's program was targeted toward students of color, Cassel said she would like to expand the resource fair to encompass an even wider variety of student services. A similar event may be offered during New Student Week this fall to ease the transition process for incoming first-year students, she added.