Faculty, students gather in Logan Hall

Between midterms and partying, most students don't often get a chance to interact with their professors outside the classroom. The College of Arts and Sciences Dean's Advisory Board hopes to change that with the Logan Lounge, a monthly get-together aimed at uniting College students and faculty members in a relaxed, informal atmosphere. The inaugural event was held last night in the entrance to Logan Hall. The building was chosen as the location of the event because it "is the center of the College," according to Jamie Hine, chairperson of the advisory board. "We hope to enhance relationships between students and faculty by providing an informal atmosphere for them to get to know one another," said Hine, a College senior. She added that "we want to increase College unity, something that has been difficult so far because of the size of the College and the fact that there was previously no central location." The College office moved back into its original quarters in the newly renovated Logan Hall over winter break after spending several years on the second floor of the Mellon Bank building at 36th and Walnut streets. Thursday's event featured plenty of free food and entertainment. Catered by the Palladium, organizers offered an array of food ranging from sandwiches to cold vegetables to lollipops. An added treat was the presence of College Dean Richard Beeman's dog, Chief Justice John Marshall. Beeman began the event with a short speech. "Logan Hall will be the center of academic and social life, where College students can get together and meet other students in the College," Beeman said. His speech was followed by performances by two of Penn's a cappella groups, Penn Six-5000 and The Inspiration. The get-together was widely publicized to both students and faculty members. The Dean's Advisory Board sent a letter to all College students, in addition to an e-mail. Banners were hung on Locust Walk and signs were placed all over campus as well. College sophomore Teneille Brown said she attended the gathering because it was recommended by one of her professors. "This is a great way to learn a lot about professors and the way they orient themselves in a casual environment. It's an easier forum for discussion between professors and students." But Brown was disappointed that "there didn't seem to be too many professors [at the gathering]." Indeed, while Hine estimated that "about 150 people" attended the event, students far outnumbered faculty members. Not everyone came for the free food and the chance to mingle, however. For some, the chance to see the newly reopened Logan Hall was enough to get them to the event. Romance Languages Professor Jose-Miguel Oviedo came because he "wanted to see how [Logan Hall] was refurbished." "I am interested in seeing the new classrooms," he said. "I wanted to see if there was any available space for cultural events." The advisory board plans to sponsor a similar event on the last Thursday of every month. Future get-togethers will be sponsored by specific academic departments and held in the Terrace Room of Logan Hall, once it is completed. They will also be less formal, with pizza and soda being served, and will most likely last for only one hour, according to Hine.