UA proposes Res. Liv. changes

Betty YuanBetty YuanDaily Pennsylvanian Staff Writer The Undergraduate Assembly recently proposed solutions to three student complaints about Residential Living. And Residential Living Director Gigi Simeone said the University would work to implement the UA's proposals. One proposal calls for direct student involvement in Residential Living's budgeting process. Another proposal suggests allowing outside contractors to bid competitively for individual projects Residential Living needs completed. The third proposal addresses the ailing condition of the high rise elevators. Simeone said Residential Living plans to begin revamping the high rise elevators this summer. "Starting with High Rise South, we will be renovating one [high rise elevator system] every year," Simeone said. "Within three years they should be done." The estimated budget for the project is $2.25 million, compared to the projected $25 million to replace the elevators entirely. Graduate Tower B recently underwent similar renovations in which there was "an overhauling of their [elevator] operating systems," UA Treasurer Sabrina Gottlieb said. Gottlieb, a College sophomore, is a member of the UA's Residential Living committee, one of the temporary committees formed last semester to look more closely at student concerns. Gottlieb said she is "excited and pleased" about Simeone's promise to act on the group's concerns. "She seemed very concerned with what I had to say," Gottlieb said. "She wants our input." In addition to the previous two proposals, Gottlieb said she plans to schedule a meeting with Associate Vice Provost for University Life Larry Moneta to discuss "possible student involvement in the [Residential Living] budget process." Gottlieb said she met with Deputy Vice Provost George Koval last year to initiate her plan. She said she hopes the plan will be implemented this year as a result of a follow-up meeting with Moneta. "The UA is working for the students," Gottlieb said. "They wanted elevators, we got them elevators."