Administration will not back Unity Center

Officials agreed with the UMC position that the Greenfield Intervultural Center already fills the role. Administrators have agreed with the United Minorities Council in discussions about establishing a Unity Center on campus, saying that such a center would overlap with the goals of the Greenfield Intercultural Center. Members of the "Undergraduate Think Tank," which proposed the center last week, met again yesterday at the Christian Association to brainstorm ways to promote and achieve their goal. They envision "a central location on Penn's campus dedicated to the exploration and celebration of diversity in all its forms in an effort to foster community building, promote respect and expand our 'comfort zones'." But administrators supported UMC members who said those goals could be achieved through the already-established GIC, which is designed to achieve multi-racial integration. "I believe that the sentiments expressed by the students interested in a Unity Center would find terrific support for their important work through our already established Greenfield Intercultural Center, where diverse and talented students already come together to support programming welcoming all members of the community," Vice Provost for University Life Valarie Swain-Cade McCoullum said. "I invite all members of the Penn community to join Greenfield's thoughtful and vibrantly diverse initiatives," she added. Think Tank members, however, expressed concern that since the GIC is home to the UMC -- which is comprised specifically of multiracial groups -- other groups which are not centered around ethnicity may not find the GIC to be a suitable haven. But former UMC Chairperson Susie Lee stressed that the GIC is open to all members of the University community and "is not meant to be exclusive, as its events and forums are open to anyone." She added that other resources on campus -- such as the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual Center and the Penn Women's Center -- are also open to anyone in the community, thereby precluding the need for a separate Unity Center. Taking administrator and UMC concerns into account, Think Tank members suggested the possibility of moving the GIC from 3708 Chestnut Street to the Christian Association, located at 36th Street and Locust Walk. Such a move would put the GIC in a central, rather than peripheral, location and might increase participation in GIC events. "We would like to expand on the GIC's goal of promoting interaction between cultural groups by promoting interaction between everyone," said Think Tank member Vesal Dini, an Engineering sophomore. UMC members were more receptive to that suggestion. "The facility at the Christian Association is really great," said Lee, a College senior. "I am totally in favor of [moving the GIC there]."

Please note All comments are eligible for publication in The Daily Pennsylvanian.