UA designing long-term plan

The Undergraduate Assembly held its first full body meeting Sunday to establish an internal structure and divide members into committees for the semester. The two-hour meeting centered around a five-year comprehensive plan -- Project 2000 -- that is designed to implement "practical changes in the University," according to UA Chairperson and Wharton junior Dan Debicella, who is the plan's chief proponent. "The previous two plans in '85 and '90 gave us such things as McClelland Hall and the electronic swipe card," Debicella said. Project 2000 would attempt to continue to bring forth practical student concerns to the administration, "such as a new weight room," Debicella added. The original Project 2000 proposal suggested that the UA allocate 50 percent of its time to assembling the five-year plan, which would then be passed on to future UA bodies. At last night's meeting, however, several UA members voiced their concerns about budgeting too much time "and too many resources" to such long-term goals. The full body took an informal vote to show support for the project. While most of the 23 members present backed the project, seven members dissented. "I like the idea of Project 2000, but I'd rather have the whole project toned down a little bit," said College junior Lance Rogers. During a short discussion, several more members expressed their concern about dedicating too much time to long-term goals that would likely not go into effect until possibly five years from now. "This is the year of action, and we need to take action now with a new administration," Rogers said. After the meeting, Debicella admitted he was "unaware" of the opposition to Project 2000 until last night. Debicella added, however, that he sees the meeting in a positive light. "I think we got some valuable feedback tonight," he said. Debicella added that the UA will further discuss and possibly modify Project 2000 -- which could include reducing the large time commitment. Other business at the meeting included the formation of 13 committees, in which members can devote themselves to specific issues such as safety, academics and athletics. Temporary committees, which would take charge of specific projects, were also set up last night. Rogers, a three-year member of the UA, also announced his plan to survey students about abolishing smoking in the dining halls. He admitted, however, that depending upon the outcome of the survey, there may be "a need to create one entire non-smoking dining hall". Another UA temporary committee is responding to the closing down of the only two movie theaters on campus. College senior Dan Schorr and College junior Eric Tienou will investigate the reasons behind the sudden shut down of Eric's Campus and AMC Walnut theaters. "We're in the process of talking to owners and trying to find reasons, whether it's a better contract they're looking for or if security is the issue," Schorr said. UA members said the overall attitude of the body was optimistic, despite the temporary halt in setting up committees for Project 2000. "I've been through three first meetings and things can be bumpy, but they'll eventually smooth out, especially since the steering committee is working so hard," Schorr said. UA Secretary Mosi Bennett agreed. He described the UA as "totally different, younger, more energetic and enthusiastic."