The University Council -- the only body at Penn that brings together representatives of students, faculty, staff and administration -- seems to think there is not much going on around campus. Oh, really?
We had little trouble coming up with this list of eight items for discussion that seem to be of concern to the greater community:
The end of the pilot curriculum and the College's ongoing look at reforming its general curriculum.
President Amy Gutmann's plans for expanding interdisciplinary study and the recent inflow of funds for that cause.
The changing landscape of retail and restaurants around campus.
Philadelphia's impending crisis with mass transit funding and stability.
Gender equity concerns across academia sparked by the comments of Harvard President Lawrence Summers.
The rising cost of textbooks in light of efforts by other states such as Virginia to make educational materials more affordable.
Penn's policy toward accepting advance placement and transfer credits.
The Undergraduate Assembly's proposal for revising the University's system of advising.
This is just a small sampling of the issues and problems that are relevant to students and faculty -- the very constituency the council is designed to represent.
By forgoing its past two meetings, the University Council is doing everyone at Penn a disservice. And when the group only schedules seven meetings a year, missing two is significant.
For administrators who always like to say that they are seeking student input, now is the time to come back to the table. And for the UA -- who so often tell students they are getting things done for their benefit -- now is the time to demand a meeting.
Not meeting for months, especially considering that the University Trustees just had a meeting, is inexcusable.
The council is the only open forum where all of the parties represented can come together to air grievances and provide input on the direction of the University. It is particularly important for students who often have the least access to top administrators.
These lines of communication must be reopened because, as you can see, there is plenty to talk about.
