University President Amy Gutmann has charged nine Penn officials -- ranging from academic deans to financial advisers -- with shaping the future of Penn's eastward campus expansion.
Gutmann formed the Campus Development Planning Committee -- which will be chaired by Interim Provost Peter Conn and Executive Vice President Craig Carnaroli -- to develop plans for the land currently held by the U.S. Postal Service that was recently acquired by Penn. She said she expects the committee's final report by June 2006.
While no students will serve on the committee, the Undergraduate Assembly and the Graduate and Professional Student Assembly will form their own task force to collect student input. Known as the "Student Consultative Committee for Penn's Eastward Expansion" the three undergraduate representatives and three graduate representatives plan to draft a report for Carnaroli and Conn.
"We need [student] input," GAPSA Chairwoman Simi Wilhelm said. "But we also need really creative ideas."
The UA Steering Committee -- which is composed of representatives from major student groups on campus -- recommended last night to name the UA chairman, a member of the UA Steering Committee and a student chosen by the Nominations and Elections Committee to serve as the undergraduate members of the student committee.
The GAPSA Executive Board will nominate the three graduate students.
Gutmann said she sees the land acquisition as an opportunity "to enhance Penn's campus and our future possibilities and ... to create an attractive gateway between Center City and West Philadelphia."
In 2007, Penn will officially take ownership of the 24 acres of land roughly bordered by Locust and Market streets. The area cost the University $50.6 million.
"It's probably the most exciting development project that Penn has had in many, many decades," Gutmann said.
Gutmann said she chose the committee's members to represent diverse perspectives on the University's future.
Committee members will "drive the process forward," Gutmann said. "We would have a unified planning process between the academic and nonacademic at Penn."
Gutmann will receive regular reports on committee progress.
The work will coincide with the launch of an extensive University capital campaign in the near future.
"Since we see both [fundraising efforts and the eastward expansion] looming simultaneously in front of us, it's very wise for us to keep both activities closely coordinated," Conn said.
Gutmann said she sees a variety of potential uses for the space, from recreational grounds to biotechnology research facilities.
It is a "rare occurrence for an urban university to have access to this much land at one time," said committee member Scott Douglass, the University treasurer and vice president for finance.
