To both the new faces and old hands coming to campus this week, the most visible aspect of the University of Pennsylvania will once again be the omnipresent construction projects.
Huntsman Hall, little more than a hole in the ground when today's seniors arrived three years ago, is complete. A newly renovated Quadrangle awaits the Class of 2006. But there's more than enough new work going on to take these projects' place.
Most prominent, of course, is the renovation of the 26-story Hamilton College House, but construction continues on new buildings for Hillel, the Computer Science Department and the Dental School. A new gym is nearing completion on Walnut Street, and the movie theater on 40th Street continues to crawl toward an opening day so often postponed that almost no one takes it seriously.
But for the first time in seven years, Penn's vast business empire -- and the many retail vacancies it encompasses -- will not be overseen by John Fry, who ended his term as executive vice president this summer. Fry is credited with revolutionizing the way the non-academic side of the University operates, and his loss is made all the greater because his replacement is yet to be found.
Fry's is not the only prominent position currently vacant. The School of Social Work is looking for a new dean, and the search for a successor to the indomitable Kathleen Hall Jamieson, dean of the Annenberg School for Communication, will begin soon. The University also seeks a new fundraising chief.
In any event, it should be an eventful year, and one that we will strive to cover accurately and fairly to keep you informed.
We hope that over the course of the coming year, you'll turn to The Daily Pennsylvanian for the news that matters to you. Our reporters will be in the field, covering all of the latest news and sports action on and off campus. And every day, we hope that you will turn to this page for thought-provoking editorials and columns.
The DP is here for you. But it -- and this page in particular -- depends on your input and your involvement. So let us know what you think, not only about the issues of the day, but about what we're doing right, and what we're doing wrong.
Welcome, and welcome back. Have a great semester.
