EDITORIAL: Clear specifics for 'Excellence'

The strategic plans announced yesterday provide an improved and detailed image of Penn in the future. The goals set in the strategic plans will help Penn as a school -- not just in rankings, but in improving the quality of education. The stress on interdisciplinary programs will also provide more opportunities for students. Although the Law School previously announced a joint B.S.-J.D. program with Wharton, the strategic plan outlines programs with the Annenberg School for Communication and the School of Engineering and Applied Science. There was also a proposal for undergraduate minors between the Law School and the School of Arts and Sciences. These strategic plans are encouraging for undergraduates who want to take advantage of the excellent graduate programs we have at Penn. Not only are there new initiatives for undergraduates, but graduate schools are included as well. Construction of new facilities for the Dental School and renovations for the Veterinary School are planned. All of the graduate schools mention obtaining more financial aid for students to reduce the indebtedness following graduation. While some of the strategic goals are not new, the priority being placed on certain projects is heartening. The reorganization of the writing program and the revamping of the Political Science Department definitely need to be a top priority for SAS. We're glad that they are. But all of these grandiose plans need to be funded, and while we are pleased that tuition will not be raised to support these projects, Rodin and other University administrators will have to fundraise heavily to meet the financial needs of these strategic goals. The Agenda for Excellence now has the strong concepts it needs to be a more comprehensive plan for the University than when it was first released. We hope administrators can proceed in haste with these initiatives, as we are anxious for the end results