EDITORIAL: Preserving the Arts

The UA and VPUL office are workingThe UA and VPUL office are workingto put the now closed campus movieThe UA and VPUL office are workingto put the now closed campus movietheatres to good useThe UA and VPUL office are workingto put the now closed campus movietheatres to good use__________________________________ The theatres had been popular both with students and with the West Philadelphia community. Their convenient location and accessible prices made them an attractive option and offered a rare chance for interaction between the University and the surrounding community. When the theatres were closed, the bleak prospect of another missed opportunity loomed ominously. The University said it would consider the future of the two locations, but knowing the plodding pace of most administrative action, many doubted anything would get done. The doubters were proven wrong...at least for now. Undergraduate Assembly members have designed a plan that would devote both theatres to the performing arts. Under the plan, the Eric would become a permanent performing arts space and the AMC Walnut Mall would house a theatre company and show Penn Film Society movies. The benefits of this plan are many. Performing arts groups would get sorely needed space, space they're not going to get until the mythical Revlon Center becomes reality. Students would be provided with another social and artistic outlet on campus. The theatres could also potentially draw people from other parts of the city, thereby helping to revive this part of West Philadelphia. We wholeheartedly endorse this plan, provided it does not become an administrative substitute or excuse for not building the Revlon Center. The Revlon Center is a separate issue and ought to be treated as such. So far, administrative response has been encouraging. Vice Provost for University Life Valarie Swain-Cade McCoullum has called the UA's proposal "terrific". And Provost Stanley Chodorow has "committed in theory" to the idea. We commend the Undergraduate Assembly for placing student interests first and working hard to push their idea. Now, they must continue to promote their plan, to ensure it becomes reality, rather than another item on the administrative backburner. As for Chodorow, we urge him to embrace the idea in practice, not just in theory. If he has any reservations, let him air them, so that students and administrators together can work them out. This is one issue that must not be forgotten. Opening the Door The University Council has decided to allow outsiders to speak at meetings The University Council is the body made up of faculty, students, staff and administrators that makes recommendations to the President. Essentially, it is supposed to be the voice of the University. But until recently, although its meetings were open to the public, non-members were not allowed to speak. All this will change next Wednesday, when the Council holds its first-ever open forum. Members of the University community at large will be able to raise issues in front of the entire body. We commend the council for taking this important step towards improving campus dialogue. And we urge everyone to attend the next meeting -- November 9, 4 p.m. McClelland Hall.