Council debates rec. facilities proposal

At its first meeting of the semester, University Council also held its annual open forum. A consulting firm's report on the University's recreational facilities calls for an additional 320,000 square feet of recreational space, a faculty member announced at yesterday's University Council meeting. The University currently has 80,000 square feet of recreational space, including Gimbel and Hutchinson gymnasiums and multiple sports fields. Veterinary Professor Peter Hand, chairperson of Council's Recreation and Intercollegiate Athletics Committee, delivered his committee's assessment of the Brailsford & Dunlavey report, which evaluates the state of Penn's recreational facilities. The committee expressed agreement with the study, which was officially released yesterday as part of Council's first meeting of the semester, which also included the advisory body's annual open forum. The Undergraduate Assembly passed a resolution Monday demanding a $40 million expansion of Gimbel Gymnasium after the student government body received a leaked copy of the report before its official release. The report by the Washington, D.C.-based consulting firm categorized Penn's current recreational space as "inadequate," adding that the University should ideally finance a ratio of 10 square feet of recreational space per person. Basing its study on campus-wide surveys and focus groups, the firm recommended separate cardiovascular and weight-training facilities, an indoor track, additional swimming lanes and more racquetball courts. It also urged improved spaces for basketball, volleyball, dance and aerobics. According to the report, students want more centrally-located facilities for solitary activities such as weight training, as well as a field house on the east end of campus for group sports, Hand said. University President Judith Rodin described the proposal as "an incredibly expensive" venture. But she said recreation will be the administration's top priority this semester. "This isn't about deferring projects until the year 2050," Rodin said. Rodin also questioned the study's finding that students would be willing to pay large user fees for such facilities if the improved facilities were built in the near future. Instead, Rodin said she preferred to find donors to fund the project. Hand responded that he thought students would consider paying user fees only if the facilities carried "top-of-the-line" equipment. The meeting also addressed the issue of benefits for University employees. Personnel Benefits Committee Chairperson David Hackney, a Radiology professor, delivered the committee's recommendations on the second phase of a redesign of the benefits system. The committee proposed cutting health care coverage for employees from a $2 million to a $1 million lifetime cap and imposing a one-year employment requirement for all monthly paid employees to participate in the University's retirement plan. The University began redesigning the benefits package last year with changes to the health care plans. The committee also recommended that the University stop paying full health care premiums for employees on disability. Instead, Penn should only pay premiums for managed-care plans, Hackney said, adding that the change would not affect current employees. In the past, bitter accusations have marked University Council's annual open forum. Yesterday was no different, as about 10 speakers addressed issues ranging from the University's investment policy to whether the University should close on Martin Luther King Jr. Day. In questioning the role of University consultation committees in the decision-making process, Council member and UA Chairperson Noah Bilenker confronted the Council with issues of trust and outsourcing. "Where is the trust? Where is the move toward consultation?" the College junior asked. He added that he suspects the Dining Services Steering Committee has had minimal involvement in the decision to outsource food services at Penn.