When student cultural groups want to practice for performances, they face a shortage of space in high demand and often resort to cramped classrooms and high-rise lounges at odd hours.
But thanks to summer updates to the ARCH building - the home base for many campus cultural organizations and minority coalitions - students will soon have a basement equipped with floor-to-ceiling mirrors and a springy dance floor.
"We're always trying to reserve auditoriums and smaller classrooms, which we work around, but it's just never enough room," said Nursing senior and Penn Philippine Association president Nina Panaligan.
The improvements, which were funded by the Vice Provost for University Life in response to student suggestions, are a prelude to separate, long-term renovation plans to turn the ARCH into a revitalized and welcoming multicultural hub.
The University is working with architects to conduct feasibility studies, which will determine costs, deadlines and specific plans for the renovation, associate director of the Provost's Office Rob Nelson said.
The building's history - it used to house a restaurant and bar - and its central location will influence the design, he said. Potential features include a cafe and lecture hall for campus events.
Nelson added that the University's capital campaign was a catalyst for the renovations because it enabled Penn to assess student and community needs.
"It is such a beautiful building and so centrally located," he said. "I think this idea made sense to anyone who thought about it."
College senior and Asian Pacific Student Coalition chairman Ben Alisuag said minority coalitions have been advocating updates to the building for a number of years through meetings with administrators and proposals for better space allocation, and are glad to see progress.
"We're grateful the University has finally made renovations," he said. "We understand it will take time and we are pushing for as much efficiency and student input as possible."
Students who use the space daily are playing a central role in the renovation, which is led by the Provost's office, VPUL and other campus partners. Minority coalition leaders toured the building and met with architects last semester and earlier this week to share their input.
Alisuag said he envisions a brighter and more inviting space with features conducive to multicultural collaboration, such as a shared dining area.
He added that the renovations will not only improve the physical structure, but affirm Penn's commitment to building diversity and community.
VPUL spokesman Matt Waller said this summer's improvements - which are almost complete - are a continuation of other maintenance updates over the past year.
"Even in a best case, a fully renovated ARCH is still some time away," he wrote in an e-mail. "We want to make the ARCH as purposeful and inviting for students as we can today and in the future."
Cultural group leaders say that interest in the new practice space is already high and that they are excited for years of pushing for change to materialize into blueprints.
"This is something that started even before I came to Penn," Panaligan said. "We have to keep reminding those in charge of the renovations of their importance to us, even if the people who started that campaign have graduated."
