Pilot Block Project to kick off in the fall

Starting next fall, Penn students living off campus may benefit from many of the college house program's services. Earlier this year, the Undergraduate Assembly passed a proposal to try to provide off-campus students with some of the amenities that on-campus students are provided. The UA called for the establishment of a pilot program on Beige Block as well as the 3900 block of Pine Street. UA University Council Steering Representative Jason Levy and Wharton representative Yelena Gershman recently convened with administrators as well as campus and community leaders in their first collaborative meeting since the proposal was passed. The UA decided to postpone the start of the program from the end of the spring semester to the beginning of fall 2003. In the meantime, they will focus on laying the groundwork for the project. The UA will jumpstart the project this semester by utilizing a vacant spot either on the 40th Street block or a location near 42nd Street as a computer hub and study space for off-campus students. According to Levy, the UA will make use of older computers from the college houses that otherwise would have been given away to recipients such as area high schools. In preparation for the initiation of the UA's Block Project, the UA will be distributing applications for block captains to students living on the "test blocks." The captains will act much like resident advisers and will keep in contact with University officials and student groups to provide their block with recreational and educational activities. Students,however, will have no obligation to be a part of the program. This "won't cause students to lose their independence," Levy said. "Students move off campus for a reason, and we're certainly not looking to recreate a college house atmosphere." "It's more about giving [students] the opportunity to participate," he added. Although the program will differ from the college house system in terms of student commitment, UA Vice Chairman Ethan Kay said that he thinks it will progress in a similar manner. "It will grow over time," the Wharton senior said. "It will be an evolution." The UA has been in close contact with area realtor Campus Apartments, and as an incentive for the block captain application initiative, Campus Apartments will partially subsidize the block captains' rents. Because the captains -- whose role will largely be defined by the premier volunteers who assume the position, according to Levy -- will receive financial merits for their service, they will be accountable to administrators and UA members following the project. In upcoming weeks, the UA will meet with Deputy Provost Peter Conn to find an administrator to advise the project. Other facets of the proposal include improving safety conditions outside of University-owned property -- block listservs and increased communication between neighbors will allow the Penn Police and the Division of Fire Safety to distribute information to students, Levy said. Additionally, for next year, the UA is already proposing the availability of Information Technology Advisor service for off-campus students.