Staff Editorial: A major step in SAS fundraising

Last week, the School of Arts and Sciences took a major first step on what is sure to be a long road of much-needed building renovations.

The donation-starved school secured a $3.5 million gift to essentially rebuild the Music Building, one of the most weathered sites on campus. This donation will be matched by the University to ensure that the building -- constructed in the 19th century -- will be brought up to modern standards.

While an exact timetable and detailed plans still need to be finalized, this announcement is a sign that SAS and University officials are taking student and faculty concerns seriously on this matter. Many SAS buildings have been in desperate need of renovation for too long, and this is certainly a case of better late than never.

We applaud the University for devoting the necessary time and resources to secure this donation and congratulate Penn officials for taking this important first step. It is crucial, however, that this project be put in motion as quickly as possible so that current students can enjoy at least some of the benefits afforded by this generous gift.

There is much work to be done on SAS buildings, and the faster these renovations are completed, the sooner that renovations on the next building can begin.

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