Next year, Penn students looking for the perfect place to sit, chat, drink coffee or do homework will have a new outdoor option.
And they'll have the Class of 2003 to thank -- or, more precisely, the large fraction of the class that participated in the Senior Class Gift drive.
This year's gift is the Class of 2003 Terrace, a sitting area that will be located at the intersection of 36th Street and Locust Walk next to the Psi Upsilon fraternity house.
The Senior Class Gift drive is an annual tradition, a rite of passage that initiates seniors into the world of Penn alumni.
And with Alumni Weekend this weekend -- during which past graduates return to campus for a series of formal dinners, lectures and other gatherings and make their class gifts to Penn -- seniors are catching a glimpse of what it means to be part of that network.
For its 50th reunion, the Class of 1953 has secured $10 million so far, funding a Class of '53 Scholarship, a Class of '53 Digital Technology Center in Van Pelt Library and a Class of '53 Interdisciplinary Learning Center in the School of Social Work, in addition to more general funding.
For its 25th reunion, the Class of 1978 has pledged over $3 million, providing general funds as well as a Class of '78 endowed scholarship and renovation of the Rare Book Room in Van Pelt Library. The 1978 alumni have broken the record for the 25th reunion donor count, exceeding 700 individual donors.
As of Thursday, 956 individuals had participated in the senior drive, amounting to 42 percent of the class and approximately $34,800 dollars, according to Penn Fund Assistant Director Elise Betz and Becky Hashim, a College senior and one of the Senior Class Gift drive co-chairwoman. Last year's class had broken a record with 808 donors -- in 2001, just 18 percent participated and, last year, 41 percent of the class made donations.
"I think that this is the first opportunity Penn students have to say thank you to the Penn community for their education and experience here for the past four years," said College senior Nikki Cyter, Senior Class Gift drive co-chairwoman.
"By taking on the project ourselves and fundraising the money ourselves, we free up money in the budget for things like financial aid," Hashim said.
She further explained that the terrace was chosen for its visibility and because it seemed like a way for the class to fill a void on campus.
The location "is so central to campus that it's a really noticeable project," Hashim said. "Also, since the Palladium is closing down, there really won't be a seating area around there."
This year's goal is for at least 50 percent of the senior class to participate.
Cyter cites student enthusiasm as well as a partnership with the Senior Class Board as explanations for the overwhelming response from this year's class.
Over Senior Week, an average of 100 students made donations each day, with most students giving $5 or $10.
