P enn's grand plans for eastward expansion may not be realized for several years to come, but the time is now for students to get involved in the process. It is vitally important that the University take student commentary into consideration when deciding how to shape the eastern gateway to campus. It is of equal importance, then, that students heed the call from the Nominations and Elections Committee to get involved.
Plenty of undergraduates on this campus have ideas about Penn's future, and many of them do not fit into the groups of commonly defined "student leaders." Far too often the administration and others gauge "student opinion" solely on the comments of a select few.
That is why it is refreshing to see the NEC making a public cry for the Penn community to join the eastward-expansion committee. Making a strong case for applying to various University panels should be NEC's standard operating procedure.
Penn is governed in many ways by a bureaucratic system of committees, many of which students can join. It is up to the NEC to assign these spots, and more importantly, attract the best candidates regardless of which circles they are in. The University trustees should want to base their decisions on the comments made by a wide range of students.
This fall, the dialogue will begin about the most significant transformation to Penn in several decades. Students today should take an active interest in the future of the campus for themselves and for the generations to come.
Considering that only a small group will have a seat at the table when the eastward-expansion committee begins its work, Penn's planners should also be open and willing to discuss ideas with the whole of the University community.
Everyone on this campus is a stakeholder in Penn's future.
