With no end in sight, it is likely the remaining Democractic presidential candidates will descend upon Pennsylvania before the April 22 primary.
However, despite the state's potential role in deciding the nominee, the likelihood of campaign rallies and speeches at Penn remains in doubt.
When Arizona Sen. John McCain spoke at Penn last November, finding a suitable venue on campus without the University's help was a huge challenge, said College senior Abby Huntsman, chairwoman of the College Republicans.
When the event was moved from Huntsman Hall to Zellerbach Theater for its increased capacity, the McCain campaign and the College Republicans became responsible for Zellerbach's $10,000 cover charge.
"We had zero help from the administration because it was a one-sided [political] event," Huntsman said. "We don't get any funding from the University to help host those events."
Matt Waller, the spokesman for office of the Vice Provost for University Life and the liaison between student groups and the administration in coordinating political speakers, could not be reached for comment.
Candidates often utilize universities to stage campaign rallies, and this year has been no different.
"Colleges are almost the perfect setting to convey energy and excitement" during a political rally, said Randall Miller, political analyst and St. Joseph's University professor. "The venues are usually easy and available and provide for good publicity."
This unexpected attention and expectation has left student groups scrambling to find ways to bring candidates to Penn.
Penn for Obama and Penn for Hillary are two such groups.
"We tried getting Obama here before the Drexel debate, but the specifics were never hammered out," said College junior Jon Kole, co-founder of Penn Students for Barack Obama.
College freshman Patrick Bauer, the Penn for Hillary communications director, said a visit from the New York Senator would have similar obstacles to overcome.
For legal reasons, the Clinton campaign would need to pay for a visit to the University, and "campaign scheduling is not done until a month in advance," Bauer said.
The University's neutrality in hosting political speakers has been a recurring issue, but it is one that students are hoping to resolve before it's too late.
"We've spoken to the administration and are trying to keep the pressure on," said Wharton junior Clayton Robinson, former president of the Penn Democrats. "We believe the administration has gotten the message."
Robinson said he thinks the University will be able to host at least one of the Democratic candidates before the April primary.
College Republicans also look forward to re-hosting McCain, who is now the presumptive Republican presidential nominee.
However, College sophomore Zac Byer, president of the College Republicans, said he would "like the University to be the instrumental force behind a visit, not the College Democrats and not the College Republicans."
