Now that the presidential search has finally come to an end, many students still remain unaware of exactly what has transpired around them.
Some have said that they are not fully informed on the presidential selection process. Others know little about the presidential nominee Amy Gutmann herself.
"I think Gutmann should be OK, but I don't have a strong opinion about" the nomination, graduate student Sankar Mukhopadhyay said.
Gutmann's nomination "is good because she's someone who knows about universities and stuff like that -- she will be a good president," College freshman Martin Masola said.
Still other students said that they do not have enough information at the moment to give a definite opinion.
"I don't really know what it would take to be a university president. ... I have no background" on the matter, College freshman Mara Pillinger said. "I'm just glad it's not Condoleezza Rice."
Many said they were satisfied that the presidential search had selected a woman.
"It's nice to have another woman in a position of prestige," College junior Irene Godoy said.
These feelings were reiterated by others as well.
"I'm moderately pleased that the University didn't fall into the 'let's get a man into office,'" ancient history graduate student Amanda Coles said. And Gutmann "seems to have a lot to her name."
One of the main hopes students have regarding the University's new leader is that she will be more accessible to students than her predecessor.
"I hope she will be open to suggestions and comments," Wharton senior Arinze Onugha said.
Others said they hope Gutmann will actively adapt to the unique features of the University.
"She has no background here," Pillinger said. "She should get more in touch with what Penn is because of the different personalities of the other places she's been."
Pillinger added that while there is a "huge business aspect" to the direction of a university the size of Penn, the president should be more accessible to the student community, and that University President Judith Rodin was not as accessible as many would have liked.
Onugha said Rodin -- despite her impact on the financial aspect of Penn -- "responded very defensively" to student suggestions. He added that Gutmann should make it a point to be a visible presence on campus, so as to add "school spirit" to Penn.
Another issue students felt should be addressed in the following years is the rising cost of tuition, while maintaining the institution's high standards.
Another topic was the continuing amelioration of academic programs and departmental organization at both the undergraduate and graduate levels.
Gutmann can "make the University better by improving programs and majors," Masola said.
An area many thought should be left untouched is the policy of diversity and openness Penn has supported throughout the years.
Argentinian-born Masola said that "overall, international students are pretty comfortable here -- Penn is doing a good job with them."
