Students gave details of how they want campus life to change to top administrators, including Provost Ron Daniels, on Monday.
The Undergraduate Assembly Steering committee -- which is made up of student leaders from undergraduate organizations -- presented recommendations in the four areas that members consider most important to undergraduate students: college housing, cultural resource centers, community outreach and academic experience.
"The main purpose of these presentations is to give you an undiluted student opinion," UA Chairwoman and College senior Rachel Fersh told administrators at the meeting, among whom were Deputy Provost Janice Bellace and Vice Provost for University Life Valarie McCoullum.
Leaders of minority-culture groups emphasized the need for improvements to the ARCH building, where three of the groups are headquartered.
"We envision this cultural space to act as another type of student union," Asian Pacific Student Coalition Chairwoman and College junior Mana Nakagawa said.
Daniels agreed that all minority groups -- and students in general -- need an improved common space on campus.
"If we just have representation without interaction, then we don't have diversity," Daniels said.
Regarding the ARCH, students also brought up facilities problems such as flooding, as well as a need for an increase in space and visibility.
In addition, they emphasized the need for more funding for cultural-group events, enhanced technology in cultural centers, improvements in staffing and the ability for each group to raise funds individually.
"I applaud you, we're with you and we look forward to working with you," McCoullum said to the student leaders.
She added that banners for the ARCH building have already been ordered in order to increase the structure's visibility.
Civic House Associates Coalition outgoing Chairman and College senior Jeff William presented information about community outreach.
According to William, students do not know where to start when considering community service. He called for the development of a community service directory for students, as well as encouraging more than just the typical service projects.
"Getting involved in the community is not always community service," William said. "It's community engagement."
To educate freshman about community involvement, William advocated for events during New Student Orientation that would provide a meaningful service opportunity.
Much of the academic experience portion of the presentations mirrored the Student Committee on Undergraduate Education's recently released White Paper -- a critique of the undergraduate educational experience at Penn.
Suggestions for educational improvements included exploring courses focused on problem-solving rather than lectures, revamping the advising system, expanding teaching assistant training and improving the communication of research opportunities.
"Although we are an amazing research institution, you'd be shocked and amazed at how many students have difficulty in finding research opportunities," outgoing SCUE Chairwoman and College senior Farrah Freis said.
Daniels and other administrators were appreciative of the student feedback and emphasized the continued discussion of the suggestions brought forth.
"You've set a great stage for the conversation we're going to have," Daniels said. "You have my firm assurance that we're going to take all of these ideas very seriously."
