Residential board discusses virtual communities

The Residential Advisory Board yesterday approved a plan to create collegiate communities linking students of all years into a "virtual" environment, according to English Professor Peter Conn, director of the 21st Century Project. As freshmen, students will be assigned to virtual college houses, which University officials hope they will remain in close contact with for the remainder of their college experience. The college houses will conduct academic and social programs that are designed to foster close-knit communities. For example, a community located in Hill College House would also include a cluster of students in a high rise, as well as off-campus students. At the meeting, Conn identified three important issues in the theoretical planning of the collegiate community -- residential education, technology and student services. He explained that the goal of this plan is to increase the number of students living on campus. Currently, approximately 54 percent of undergraduates live in residences. But Conn said the program will not aim to move all undergraduates back to campus. He also emphasized that Penn needs to bring superior technology into the residences. He suggested enhancing student services as a further reason for the "virtual college" system. Conn hopes to bring the administration, Career Planning and Placement Services, Student Health and other such agencies under one roof. This will make faculty and services easier and more accessible to students, he said. Collegiate Planning Board Chairperson Robert Lucid, an English professor, explained to the group that although there is a great need to make Penn feel smaller, "we are not going to turn Penn into a Haverford," which fosters very close community relations. "The sole purpose of the project is to set up a system in which you have places within places -- micro-units which will function within the macro unit of the four schools," he said. Conn pointed out that Penn has approximately 25 faculty living in the residences -- more than any Ivy League school or Top 10 research institution. But he urged greater interaction between faculty and students as the University moves into the 21st century. The RAB members expressed numerous concerns about the nature and operational aspects of the future residential program. RAB Co-Chairperson and College sophomore Gina Millin was worried that students will be separated from their friends in other college houses. Conn responded by saying this is an important issue that still needs consideration. He emphasized, however, that the plan will continue to respect student choice and said he "would never dream of forcing a plan on the students." Other RAB members were concerned about the financial aspects of the program. But Conn explained that there is "a hundred billion dollars" of work that remains to be done in order restore the campus, and that establishing the virtual communities will make it easier to raise this money. "If we go around to donors and just talk about bricks falling down, one is less likely to support us than if we present a new plan," he said. Wharton sophomore Scott Aronow expressed concern that plans similar to this have already been discussed and have never come to fruition. He cited as examples the Revlon Center and House Plan in the 1960s that would have been similar to the current proposal. The RAB was pleased that it had the opportunity to meet with faculty and that their concerns were addressed. "I feel the RAB underwent in one semester a period of exceptional growth," said Co-Chairperson and Engineering junior Billy Kung. "We went from a small discussion group to something that the 21st Century Project and the provost have looked at seriously." Residential Living Director Gigi Simeone said she was "thrilled" with the outcome of the meeting. "I know that Conn and Lucid are interested in the students' concerns and the students were pleased that it went so well," she said. "The fact that the faculty and students came out on such a miserable evening shows their dedication."