CHEERS
- To Facilities and Real Estate Services for a number of announced improvements around campus. Scoop deVille is already here, and Taco Bell, KFC and Quiznos will all be welcome additions to the new Moravian Cafes. An even more ambitious project will create an entirely new complex on the 3900 block of Walnut Street. While it is imperative that Penn not forget the need for a 24-hour restaurant in the construction process, the finished product will be a huge improvement.
- To the College for making positive curriculum changes. Expanding options for students by eliminating and streamlining requirements gives everyone more flexibility.
- With some reservations, to the Undergraduate Assembly for tackling issues that are more relevant to students. Chairman Jason Levine presided over a largely productive semester. Changes to the fall-term schedule, unlocking Quadrangle doors and pushing for coed housing are all things that affect students and that should be the focus of student government discussion.
- To successfully maintaining traditions. Spring Fling and Hey Day went off without major incidents this year, and that success is owed to solid planning on the part of students and administrators.
- To the men's basketball team for capturing its 23rd Ivy League title in convincing fashion. Ancient Eight Player of the Year Tim Begley led the Quakers to the NCAA Tournament for the third time in four years.
- To Interim Provost Peter Conn for providing stability and leadership during a time of administrative transition in College Hall.
- To David Brownlee and Bob Seddon for many years of service. Brownlee, who was instrumental in the creation of Penn's College House system, will be handing over the reins after nearly a decade as faculty master of Harnwell College House. Seddon, who spent 37 years on the sidelines for Red and Blue baseball and soccer teams, has left the Murphy Field dugout for good.
JEERS
- To chronic facilities problems in University residences. From floods to errant fire alarms to water and power outages, students put up with too many unnecessary hassles to live on campus, especially in the "newly renovated" high rises.
- To the concert planners at the Social Planning and Events Committee for the debacle that was the Spring Fling show. Sonic Youth was an experiment that failed, and miserably. Next year SPEC would be wise to solicit input from actual students and bring in an act that appeals to more than 400 people.
- To the various branches of student government for not being accountable. The Nominations and Elections Committee is a prime example of a self-appointed body handing out powerful positions behind closed doors without any checks or balances. The UA also must do a better job of showing that it can actually accomplish the projects it advances.
- To the University Council for skipping its regular meetings. It's irresponsible for arguably the most important governing body on campus to fail to discuss the many pertinent issues affecting the University.
- To the Athletic Department for failing to create a campus buzz for the NCAA Tournament. Penn was playing on national television, and much of the student body was oblivious.
- To the University for not living up to its pledge to take a leading role in the relief effort for tsunami victims in Southeast Asia. While students put forth laudable efforts, the school as a whole did not. Our peers went out of their way to send aid and support, while Penn did little.
