Focusing on campus safety and security and the status of student disabilities services, University Council met for the first time this semester yesterday in Houston Hall.
Council's first meeting had been scheduled for Sept. 12 but was canceled in deference to the terrorist attacks.
The meeting began with welcoming comments by University President Judith Rodin and a congratulatory statement from Provost Robert Barchi concerning last month's student fundraiser, which resulted in a $25,000 contribution to the American Red Cross.
"We owe the students a tremendous debt of gratitude for what they've done," Barchi said.
The first speaker at the meeting was Vice President for Public Safety Maureen Rush, who spoke about the accomplishments of her office over the past year.
Rush cited the University Police Department's recent accreditation and the decrease in overall crime -- down 33 percent since 1996 -- as major accomplishments. She also spoke about the merging of Penn's SpectaGuards with University City District safety ambassadors to unify security in the area.
"Now, security on and off campus has an easily recognizable branding," Rush said.
Rush said she is working to devise a new emergency management plan for the University, which will be directly connected to the emergency policies of the entire city.
Council then heard updates from the Committee on Admissions and Financial Aid, as well as the Committee on Recreation and Intercollegiate Athletics.
Speaking on behalf of the Admissions and Financial Aid Committee, Statistics Professor Abba Krieger proposed that the University look into the adequacy of services currently provided to support minority students.
In response to the motion, Rodin spoke about the recent recruitment of Native Americans that the University conducted in cooperation with the Mashantuckett Pequot tribal nation in Connecticut.
"We should try to find places where nobody recruits, where we can go and represent Penn and get the kind of students who don't know anything about Penn," Rodin said. "We need to be very imaginative in recognizing talented students."
Vice Provost for University Life Valarie Swain-Cade McCoullum spoke about future plans for the Student Disabilities Services Office.
McCoullum said she believes that both a director and an administrative coordinator for the new office, which will be located in Harnwell College House, will be appointed by the end of the semester.
