EDITORIAL: A bid for GSE and Social Work

Administrators should not give space in Vance Hall to the Political Science Department but to GSE and Social Work. But we think the Political Science Department does not deserve space in Vance Hall over the School of Social Work or the School of Education. While the department would fit nicely into Vance, the building is not appropriate for one department when it can serve the needs of an entire graduate school. Both schools are expanding and are currently located in deteriorating buildings that are more than 30 years old. University President Judith Rodin has also called the facilities, "ugly" and "not the kind of buildings Penn wants in the middle of its campus." GSE already rents space off campus for research facilities. Money used for rent could be better used in renovating space in Vance for the school's use. It is also not feasible for Social Work to have separate research space from its office space. Social Work officials have said they turn away students from its classes since their classrooms can't accommodate large numbers. When administrators are sitting at the drawing board, trying to find a place for Social Work and GSE, they should definitely give priority to them over the Political Science Department. Vance Hall may just be the right site for one of these graduate schools.