Officials are beginning to plan the eastward expansion of Penn's campus, and more than 2,900 undergraduate and graduate students want in on the action.
A survey on campus development sent to students in early December by student government representatives asked for input as Penn officials prepare for the 2007 acquisition of a 24-acre property bought from the U.S. Postal Service for $50.6 million.
While analysis of the survey has not been completed, preliminary data show that most students appear to be interested in turning the postal lands into a multifunctional student center, new housing, an outdoor public space or a new retail area.
"I would like to see a new kind of student center--a cross between Rosengarten and Houston," said College freshman Rebecca Gerr, who responded to the survey.
The survey -- which was distributed to all students via e-mail by the Joint Undergraduate/Graduate Student Task Force on Campus Development -- elicited 1,636 undergraduate responses and 1,284 graduate responses.
The questionnaire asked students to provide feedback on desired facilities, outdoor space, housing, retail areas and restaurants.
Information about student opinion collected by the survey will be presented to the provost's committee, which will then use the information in its mid-year report to the University Board of Trustees.
"It's cool in general that we get to be involved in what they're planning," said College junior Camille Hardiman, who responded to the survey. "It's like SimCity: University Edition."
Cynthia Wong, a Wharton senior and chairwoman of the Undergraduate Assembly Development Committee, cited the survey as having one of the highest response rates ever for a UA survey.
During the fall semester, town hall meetings were held to discuss campus development, but the meetings did not draw sizable crowds.
"We tend to not be deluged with attendees at these meetings," said Provost Ron Daniels, who co-chairs the Campus Development Planning Committee.
"The town hall takes extra effort," Wong added. "With the survey, we're coming to you."
The task force initially surveyed student leaders, then used their answers to develop the survey sent to all students.
Although the survey response is seen as a success by those involved, it still is not representative of the entire student body. The student task force plans to hold another town hall meeting during the spring semester based on information collected by the survey.
"We're getting feedback from the people who are really interested," task force member and fourth-year Engineering graduate student Alice Chou said. "But that's not a consensus of all students."
