Despite student requests, UC does not focus on safety

Council discusses FinMIS,Council discusses FinMIS,restructuring, academics Concerned students filled the Quadrangle's McClelland Hall yesterday afternoon for the year's first University Council meeting, hoping to spend the two-hour period discussing campus safety issues. But the body devoted limited time to the issue in order to proceed with its originally scheduled agenda, frustrating students who had hoped to voice their opinions after Wednesday morning's on-campus shooting. During her initial remarks, University President Judith Rodin told Council she understands how the student body feels in the wake of the incident, especially because she lives in the campus neighborhood. "It is our responsibility -- and we take this responsibility enormously -- to make this campus safer," Rodin said. Rodin added that the University already works diligently to ensure its community's safety, but said administrators are planning even more action on the issue. Undergraduate Assembly Chairperson and College junior Tal Golomb used his official Council time to appeal to administrators for concrete answers to safety issues. "We do have much to be angry about," he said. When the floor finally opened for questions, Council Moderator Will Harris -- following usual procedure -- only allowed Council members to speak at any length. The Political Science professor twice cut off PennWatch President and Wharton senior Jon Brightbill, who is not a member of Council, as he attempted to address the body. Several UA members, who are on Council, questioned Rodin and Public Safety Managing Director Thomas Seamon about safety. But when InterFraternity Council President and College senior Josh Gottheimer attempted to address Seamon, Harris reprimanded him for making a statement instead of asking a question. "Why could there not be a police officer on every off-campus block every night?" asked audience member and College senior Rebecca Waranch. In response, Harris asked, "Is this for an essay?" "It's just that my parents are paying a lot of money and I'm very scared at this school," said Waranch, senior class treasurer. Despite the problems students faced in addressing Council, Seamon did confront the security issue, assuring the University community that "we are appropriately staffed at this point." He added that the University Police force presently employs more than 70 University officers, including eight expert investigators. Executive Vice President John Fry told Council that the capital and operating budgets will devote millions of dollars to safety and security initiatives for the coming year. "We're not sparing any expenses in this area," Fry said. Later in the meeting, Undergraduate Assembly member Gil Beverly, who serves on Council, said several students left the meeting feeling discouraged that their concerns had not been sufficiently addressed by Council. Council spent the majority of the meeting discussing other issues facing the University, including Rodin's new six Academic Strategic Goals, administrative restructuring plans and the new Financial Management Information System, or FinMIS.