Students unsatisfied with campus dining and printing are in for a treat.
The Undergraduate Assembly unanimously passed two proposals at Sunday night's meeting tackling complaints about inefficient dining halls and expensive printing.
n With its Dining Proposal, which has been in the works since last year, the UA seeks to create a series of "baby steps" for Penn Dining to improve the quality of food and service.
Focusing on 1920 Commons, it urges that a "utensil manager" be present at meals to ensure a constant supply of utensils, cups and plates; that popular staple foods like cheese pizza and pasta bar are always available; and that four frying pans are present at the stir fry station.
The plan also urges a reassessment of weekend hours at dining halls, and suggests that a posted whiteboard display in the Commons foyer replace the largely ineffective comment cards and online reports as the main form of feedback.
Finally, the document recommends more meal flexibility for freshman, including an extension of the period during which they can change their meal plans and more plan options for second semester.
n In response to a UA survey conducted earlier this year that revealed 45 percent of students use on-campus printing services, the body is encouraging more convenient, cost-effective and environmentally friendly printing in the Printing Proposal.
The document recommends Wharton and Nursing adopt PennCash-based printing and the University switch to larger, more cost-efficient printers.
The proposal recommends Penn increase its capability and offer a discount for double-sided printing, and put recycling bins near printers.
In addition, the proposal recommends the University add security features on printers, such as locks on paper trays, to reduce stealing.
n The body also passed a $6,750-budget request from the Senior Class Board for Hey Deja Vu 2008. The event seeks to ensure seniors participate in Hey Day in a positive manner through a responsibility pledge with incentives.
The Vice Provost's Office for University Life sponsored the event last year by contributing $10,000 to jump-start the program, but did not this year because they said it was not in their budget, according to the senior class board.
n The UA also agreed to provide $360 for students to attend the Ivy Council Spring Colloquium this weekend at Cornell University. Ivy Council is expected to return the money by the end of the year.
n During Open Forum, College junior and chair of the Asian Pacific Student Coalition Ben Alisuag sought UA support to prevent a proposed 25 percent funding cut for Asian American Studies, which would likely terminate the 11-year program. College senior and UA chair Jason Karsh agreed to contact the Provost's Office and President Gutmann.
A student also brought up the possibility of obtaining regular use of Franklin Field for pickup soccer. The UA recommended he bring the matter to the Students Activities Council.
