EDITORIAL: Welcome back

The 113th Board of Editors and Managers welcomes incoming freshmen and returning upperclassmen to the University. In five days, Locust Walk will be crowded with backpack-laden students trying to find their way to class. To returning students, we hope you had a good summer and are ready to return to college life. To the Class of 2001, once the days of New Student Orientation pass, you will find yourself in the turmoil known as college. You will be bombarded with different organizations to join, whether it be a fraternity, sorority, a performing arts group or an intramural sport team. But don't worry. You will soon get the hang of this Ivy League institution. And to the seniors, this is your last year filled with job searching, graduate school applications, Senior Screamers, Ivy Day and finally graduation. The fun is just beginning. The University has been busy this summer breaking ground on the Sansom Common project and the new Barnes & Noble bookstore, scheduled to open in fall 1998. Franklin Field also came alive this summer, hosting the Irish rock band U2. Over 50,000 people flocked to University City to see the group perform on its "PopMart" tour. Campus lighting has improved, although the floodlights on top of the high rises may be excessive. And the Division of Public Safety has turned control of Walking Escort to Spectaguard. But how this will change the service provided for students remains to be seen. And University President Judith Rodin has finally achieved her Agenda for Excellence goal of elevating Penn to a top 10 ranking. The new U.S. News and World Report rankings tied Penn with Dartmouth for No. 7. The issues brought up this summer with street vending may change the face of the campus. An ordinance was proposed in May that would limit and reorganize the lunch trucks around campus but will not be voted on until this fall. It's up to you to express your opinions to city councilmen and ask questions about this bill before it is voted on. The Daily Pennsylvanian pledges to continue its proud tradition of complete, accurate and timely coverage of University and city news, sports and opinion this semester -- and we want you, as readers, to get involved. Write letters to the editor or guest columns, alert us to upcoming events and observances, call, fax or e-mail us if you feel our reporting has neglected you -- or better yet, come and join us. Informing the community and providing a forum for campus debate remain our top priorities as we begin a new school year.