U. Council tackles new issues

University Council met yesterday to discuss presentations on several key issues, including last week's decision by the Board of Trustees not to sell the University of Pennsylvania Health System. University President Judith Rodin opened the meeting by reminding members that Penn is committed to maintaining the integrated nature of the Health System. She also announced the current plan to reform the Health System as a separate not-for-profit entity under direct control of the University. However, Rodin emphasized that this action does not absolve Penn of the debt accumulated over the last several years by the Health System -- a figure that totalled more than $300 million. "We still have all of the financial challenges and this does not reduce the debt balance,"Rodin said. Rodin also announced the recent gifts of trustees George Weiss and Charles Williams, who recently gave $20 million and $16 million, respectively, to the University. Weiss' contribution will go towards financial aid and the establishment of a new technology hub, and Williams' gift is earmarked for air conditioning the University Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology. Also at yesterday's meeting, Provost Robert Barchi announced the creation of an advisory committee charged with looking at the role music plays in campus life. And Undergraduate AssemblyChairman Michael Bassik announced that the UA would hold a five-kilometer run through West Philadelphia on April 1 to raise money for the Drew School, a local public school where 90 percent of the students come from low-income families. Bassik also announced that the UA has been working on a system to convert grades from study abroad programs to their American equivalents, as is done at other Ivy League schools. A prime focus of yesterday's meeting was Laurie Olin's presentation on Penn's plans for landscape development throughout campus. Olin, a professor of landscape architecture and regional planning, said the University plans to increase and improve access to "green space" on campus, especially along Locust Walk, 36th Street, and Woodland Avenue. "We've got to believe we're going to grow the University and the city towards the river," said Olin, who has been working on landscaping at Penn for 25 years. Olin also said the University was working on plans for the new biological science building to interfere as little as possible with the biopond, which is between University Avenue and Hamilton Walk. Specifically, Olin's presentation centered on what would become of the current Postal lands when, and if, Penn acquires them. According to the plans that Olin presented, the main focus of the "green space" will be in the area along the Schuylkill River south of Walnut Street. The northern portion of the current Postal holdings will be devoted to the creation of more commercially oriented ventures. "The area we're really talking about as a biotech corridor and such is the area north of Walnut," Olin said. The last item on Council's agenda was a discussion of whether or not Penn should release the names of students convicted of violent crimes and non-violent sexual offenses. A committee composed of faculty, administrators and students is currently looking into this issue.