Officials reopen newly renovated Rosengarten

The 24-hour study area in Van Pelt Library was overhauled this summer. At the official ribbon-cutting ceremony, University President Judith Rodin and Provost Robert Barchi joined Paul Mosher, vice provost and director of libraries, and several Undergraduate Assembly members in praising the success and speed of the renovations. Rosengarten opened Wednesday after the completion of the first phase of a $2 million renovation project designed to make the facility cleaner, more comfortable and more conducive to late-night studying. This summer's renovations included the addition of four transparent but soundproof rooms for group study space, 16 new computers, a more comfortable lounge area -- dedicated to the memory of 1974 Penn alumna Cynthia Anne Ebert -- and new carpeting, furniture and lighting fixtures. The facility also boasts new laptop connection ports, renovated bathrooms, new heating and air-conditioning equipment and a new sprinkler system. Introducing the ceremony's speakers, Mosher explained the administration's wish to "make it the best center for learning for our students anywhere in the world." Mosher then introduced Rodin, who joked that prior to this summer's renovations, Rosengarten had looked exactly as it did when she was a Penn undergraduate in the 1960s. "This is truly long overdue," Rodin said. She then explained that in addition to being more aesthetically appealing, the new laptop ports, a seminar room with equipment for vision- and hearing-impaired students and lockers for student use will make Rosengarten more functional as well. "We know that this is going to be the premiere day and night study space on campus," Rodin said. "Everything looks great but it will also work wonderfully well." Barchi echoed Rodin's sentiment, explaining that the renovated facility will better suit student study needs. "We were in a grave situation for study space," Barchi said. "The students really didn't have a place to go 24 hours a day to sit down, have their quiet time and study." The project, funded jointly by private donations and the University and jumpstarted by the UA, calls for further renovations next summer, including the construction of two more group study rooms and the relocation and renovation of the bathrooms to make way for a secured patio area outside. Officials also plan to obtain funding for a cybercafZ, which will seat between 40 and 50 people, where students can work and have access to computers without having to leave to get a snack or a cup of coffee. UA Chairperson Michael Silver, a College senior, called the events leading to the renovations a "model of collaboration" between administrators, student leaders and library officials. University officials had originally said in February that they could not approve the plan until all necessary funds were gathered, but soon after gave the library the go-ahead on the first phase of renovations. Small renovations to the third-floor lobby of Van Pelt Library were also completed this summer, adding more personal computers and a new student lounge. And the Jewish and Near East Collection, located on the fourth floor, acquired two new group-study rooms and a new seminar room this summer.