(This article appeared in the 4/5/04 joke issue)Due to numerous complaints of overcrowding in Huntsman Hall, Wharton administrators announced that the facility will be closed to all non-Wharton students starting in mid-April.
Huntsman has become a popular place for many students to study over the past year. However, the quest to find a coveted space can be both difficult and time-consuming.
Numerous verbal and physical altercations were reported during the reading days of last semester, administrative assistant Tifphani Fernandes said.
University officials said they have been looking for a solution to this growing problem for a long time.
"We tried to deter non-Wharton students from coming by restricting their e-mail access in the building," Wharton Undergraduate Vice Dean Barbara Kahn said, "but unfortunately, they are not as technologically dependent as we assumed."
The idea of restricting access was proposed when one Wharton student complained to the administration after failing her econ exam.
According to Kahn, the unnamed student said it was due to an inadequate place to study.
"Our primary obligation is to our Wharton students," Kahn added.
Those students who normally study in Huntsman will be relocated to the Fisher Fine Arts Library.
Wharton student reaction has been overwhelmingly positive to the news.
"I think it's a great idea," Wharton freshman Vivek Kumar said. "It's really hard to study for management when there is somebody writing an essay in the carrel next to you."
Agreeing, Wharton junior Karina Swette said, "This building was created for Wharton students. It's not right for other people to come and clog up our space."
In addition to student support, many alumni and donors to the Wharton School have praised the initiative.
"Huntsman was designed as a resource center for Wharton students, and I'm glad it will finally become that," said Steve Guglielmi, editor of the Wharton Alumni Magazine.
However, many students are outraged by this new rule.
"This is unbelievable," said College freshman Livia Levine. "It's not the College kids who ruin the atmosphere in there -- it's the Wharton ones."
Upon hearing the announcement, Engineering junior Sam Starr said, "This is yet another example of The Man trying to put us down. We will not be silenced."
While calling the decision unfortunate, Wharton Dean Patrick Harker said it was necessary to ensure the caliber of excellence expected of the Wharton School.
More Spectaguards have been hired to prevent students from sneaking in.
"We are taking all the necessary precautions to promote a smooth transition to a Wharton-only zone," said security manager Steve Notts, adding that "I can smell a College student a mile away."
Administrators are still deliberating in which category Management and Technology students and dual degree students should be placed.
Undergraduate Assembly Chairman and College senior Jason Levy has vowed not to sleep until Wharton changes its mind and allows College students back into Huntsman Hall.
"This is a complete injustice to the student body. I mean, what about ABP? They have the best coffee on campus!"
