COLUMN: Give performing arts a heart-of-campus home

From Andrew Exum's, "Perilous Orthodoxy's," Fall '99 From Andrew Exum's, "Perilous Orthodoxy's," Fall '99You could very well argue that the corner of 36th and Locust is the heart of Penn's campus. Last week, Penn purchased the building on the northwest corner. Which means that Penn is now faced with deciding what to do with the building at the center of campus, currently home to the Christian Association. But what will move into the space? That's precisely what the provost's office and the rest of the University have to decide over the next few months. Personally, I think the CA building could be best used as a Performing Arts Center. Currently, performing arts groups float around the high rise rooftop lounges and basements searching for places to perform and rehearse. A renovated CA building could offer rehearsal space as well as offices to house the Performing Arts Council. In addition, the CA building is close to both Irvine Auditorium and Annenberg, giving performing arts groups a home close to their stages. While there are many other options that the University is sure to look at, they're all done in by one or more flaws, either perceived or real. For one, there's always the possibility, however remote, that the University could put a Greek house in the space. But that's unlikely, and it's not that the University has anything explicitly against housing a fraternity or sorority on Locust Walk, as it did during Sheldon Hackney's administration. No, it's just that the University's priorities lie elsewhere, not to mention that the CA building is frankly too big to house any one fraternity or sorority. Another interesting option would be to make the space a center for religious worship and observance at Penn, in some ways continuing the influence of the Christian Association. Currently, Penn is the only Ivy League school without a campus chapel. Imagine the odd position Rev. William Gipson currently finds himself in -- a University chaplain without a chapel. That's kinda like being a judge without a courtroom. So that's one need the CA building could fill. But as long as Gipson remains talented enough to support the campus community without a center to call his own -- which he has done for so long -- and as long as the University continues to take such pride in its traditional lack of any religious affiliation or support, the possibility of the CA building becoming a center for believers is far-fetched. That's a shame, incidentally. With Hillel moving off campus for renovations next year and the Christian Association moving to the northern border of campus, the center of campus is losing its spiritual side -- at least until Hillel moves back. So how about a center for academic counseling? The WHEEL program -- Penn's academic support network comprised of library advising, writing advising, counseling services and tutor networks -- could use a tangible central location to call its own. The Christian Association building's layout, with a central lobby and offices around the perimeter, might be ideal as the WHEEL program's new home. But so far, the University hasn't expressed much interest in giving the WHEEL program a tangible central home. They're content to commit themselves to the program itself and let the individual programs within WHEEL keep the homes they have now. Also, giving the WHEEL program a center would defeat one of the programs purposes -- to bring services to the student, not force the student to trek to a center to receive them. Regardless, it's clear that the University's use of the CA building will make a statement. As Penn decides what to do, I would recommend that students get involved in the provost's decision-making process. That's really the only way to ensure the CA building will be used in a way students are content with. So get involved. Pester the provost, lobby the University and throw in your two cents. The heart of the University is at stake.