UA to survey students about advising, area neighborhood

Students who consistently complain about the University's academic advising system or have grand visions for the development of West Philadelphia will finally have the chance this week to relay those opinions to administrators. An advising survey developed by Mark Sagat, Undergraduate Assembly academic committee chairperson and College sophomore, will include questions about how advisors work with students in choosing classes, fulfilling requirements, selecting majors or concentrations, dealing with academic problems and suggesting career options. It asks students to evaluate their faculty advisor, peer advisor, freshman year resident advisor or graduate fellow and school advising office. Sagat said the advising survey is part of an effort by the UA to work with the administration to improve undergraduate advising across the University. The other survey -- drafted by College junior and UA Steering Representative Meredith Hertz and UA member John Seitz, an Engineering junior -- deals with developing the area around the University. Hertz said the development survey is part of a UA effort to help bring businesses to the area around the University. It asks what improvements in the area students would like to see and makes suggestions, such as having a 24-hour diner near campus. Hertz said the survey will tell the UA what kinds of businesses students would frequent, as well as demonstrating student interest in potential retailers. According to Hertz, having popular restaurants and shops in the surrounding area will lead to more students on the streets and, therefore, a safer atmosphere. UA members will hand out the surveys in front of Steinberg-Dietrich Hall Wednesday through Friday. Hertz said she believes the surveys provide a positive way for the UA to interact with students. "We are going to be on [Locust] Walk because we want to get in touch with the students and find out what they want," she said. Sagat noted that it is important for the survey to accurately reflect the entire student body's views, adding that he thought distributing the survey on Locust Walk would be the best way to obtain a representative sample. Although the development survey is mostly intended for informational purposes, Sagat said the UA will present the results of the advising survey to University President Judith Rodin. This survey also has an optional section for students who wish to become involved in a future focus group that will examine the advising system.