After months of debate, University officials have decided to extend food truck operating hours at various locations to 8 p.m., rescinding their original call for a 6 p.m. closing time.
The affected areas -- known as the Fresh Air Food Plazas -- include 37th and Walnut streets, 33rd and South streets, 34th and Spruce streets, 34th and Walnut streets and 40th Street.
According to Business Services spokesman Tony Sorrentino, the administration is "trying to be responsive to the demands of the students" while simultaneously helping "small business[es] ... expand."
At a meeting in November, members of the Undergraduate Assembly unanimously passed a proposal calling for longer hours.
In the past, vendors sometimes remained open until 9 p.m. as a result of lax University enforcement of closing hours.
The administration responded with research, which culminated in the decision to amend the lease agreement. The change will go into effect on Jan. 12.
Sorrentino said he hopes the new hours will have "a positive impact on both the retail district as a whole [and] the faculty, students and staff of the University."
For the past five years, the food carts in the Fresh Air Food Plazas -- areas where the University acts as the landlord -- have had a 6 o'clock closing time under their lease. However, as time went on, "the enforcement became lax" on this stipulation, according to Sorrentino.
Although the University began strictly enforcing the curfew after the completion of the Pottruck Health and Fitness Center, they have now "decided to let the market help shape the operating hours."
However, other theories about the administration's motivations have been circulating on campus.
"I think there's a general impression within the student population that the University favors bricks and mortar institutions for meals," UA Chairman and College senior Jason Levy said.
But Sorrentino says the administration sees the food trucks as "a part of the Penn tradition."
"They offer convenient food at an affordable price, and they add to the local flavor of the retail mix," he said.
The University approved the proposal after an analysis of pedestrian and dining traffic, as well as communications with food truck vendors and student leaders.
"In Facilities and Real Estate, we are interested in what the students have to say and we'd like to create an open dialogue," Sorrentino said.
Levy and the UA seem to have recognized Sorrentino's efforts.
"It really is a credit for the University to listen to the overwhelming majority of students even when that's not really in their best interest," Levy said of the change.
Conor O'Callaghan, the co-author of the UA proposal, agreed with this sentiment.
"It just shows that the administration and the students can work together to reach amiable solutions for all parties," the Engineering junior said.
Sorrentino acknowledged students as the "University's primary customers."
"We're trying our best as administrators to respond to [students' concerns] and to try to enhance their dining options," he said.
Sorrentino also said that the University is not worried about a possible reduction of dining hall use.
"There's a really big consumer base on campus [which brings] a lot of purchasing power," he said, adding, "there's enough business to go around."
College freshman Kenneth Jackson agreed.
"I don't think I would use the dining halls less if [the food trucks] were open later," he said.
