PAC members assess church site

Many dissatisfied with space, request administrative action At a meeting last Friday, members of the Performing Arts Council agreed that while the Christian Science Church at 40th and Walnut streets will begin to solve the problem of limited space allocated to PAC, the issue is far from resolved. After touring the building, the nearly 25 PAC members in attendance discussed space allocation on campus and their reaction to the church itself. College junior Dan Gutin, a member of Quadramics' Board of Governors, said he was taking the tour "to see what the church can do for us." "Space on Penn's campus has become a high commodity," he said. "I think that the Perelman Quad issue is a complete mess. I mean everyone is arguing this and that. "They need to sit down? and realize that while we're not trying to bite the hand that feeds us, we also have certain needs," he added. Students cited lighting, office space, location, acoustics and an adequate security system as items that must be addressed. "Obviously the place is kind of a dump right now," PAC Chairperson and Engineering senior Pat Ede said, discussing with his fellow members what needs to be done. But College senior Paul Pimentel, PAC financial secretary and Penn Players chairperson, was optimistic about the space. "I think that room would be a perfect rehearsal space as it is right now," he said. "We should be able to start using it soon, hopefully." Vice Provost for University Life Valarie Swain-Cade McCoullum said the University administration is currently working on a permanent solution for PAC's problems. McCoullum said PAC can look forward to a large practice space in the back of the first floor, as well as organization office space, staff space and some storage place in the church. "As the provost and I have been noting, no one building on campus can solve all the important needs of PAC," she said in a statement. "But this building may provide interim possibilities which could be very, very interesting." Safety was also a hot topic for discussion, as members pointed out that there is poor lighting around the 40th and Walnut streets area. But Associate Vice Provost for University Life Larry Moneta said he believes the area will be made safer if the building is occupied. "I think it will help safety," he said. "Anything that bring life to 40th Street will attract a lot of activity and people engaging in this environment will be much greater to safety than only relying on police." Still, Ede stressed his unhappiness with the Christian Science Church. "This is not the performance space we want," he said, supported by almost everyone present. College sophomore Matt Korahais said he felt that if the area would not work as performance space, PAC could make the space into a scenery shop. But technical advisor for performing arts students Peter Whinnery disagreed. "I think it would be a shame," he said. "It's a nice big room, but it's too beautiful to be turned into a scene shop." And since February is the busiest month for performing arts groups, Ede said there is a need to "work out this area of rehearsal space now." He added that PAC needs to begin discussing major structural and theatrical change. The Department of Facilities Planning, as well as someone with a background in theater architecture, will be called on to help redesign the building in the near future, according to Jeanne Fritsch, administrative assistant to the VPUL. Whinnery expressed his frustration with the decision making structure. "I don't think we are the people who need to be making these decisions," he said. "We're not qualified to make decisions on building codes, getting heating and electrical safety, handicap accessibility," Whinnery added. "We need consultants to help us."