Rodin to reveal future of Book Store site today at U. Council

Also during University Council, Rodin will give her 'State of the University' address about Penn's long-range strategic goals. The future of the current Book Store site will be announced at tomorrow's University Council meeting, ending months of lobbying by both the Wharton School of Business and the Psychology Department. Also at Council, University President Judith Rodin will discuss the University's long-range strategic plans during her "State of the University" address. "Campus master planning is an ongoing process," she said yesterday. The address will also detail the principles behind master facilities planning as presented by architect Denise Scott Brown, Rodin said. Venturi, Scott Brown and Associates is working with the University in developing a building plan. The company worked on the restoration of the Fisher Fine Arts Library and the Perelman Quadrangle plans. Rodin added that in order to effectively carry out a master plan, administrators must focus on specific sections like retail and University facilities and residences. "You can't move everything at once," she added. Retail and vendors throughout the University make up a key component of the master plan. Rodin said all retail on Walnut Street and on the ground floor of Houston Hall will be distributed appropriately. "We have a strong sense of what students want," she said. In December, the University will regain leasing responsibilities for 3401 Walnut Street, which had previously been handled by a Philadelphia-based leasing company. As a result, the University will be able to control which vendors are located in the Food Court and the store fronts at Walnut and 34th streets, Rodin said. She added that she wants to emphasize the importance of long-range planning even though the benefits are not immediately visible. Provost Stanley Chodorow will also report to Council on the University's international strategic plan. Chodorow said he will specifically address the globalization of the University, research and graduate education. The body will also hear a report on equipping University Police officers with semi-automatic weapons. Last year, Council's Safety and Security Committee looked at the University's proposal to replace University Police revolvers with semi-automatic pistols. But the group did not vote on the issue, since members couldn't reach a consensus, Committee Chairperson Sean Kennedy said. Since then, the Division of Public Safety decided to arm its officers with semi-automatics. They are now trying to decide which company's pistols to purchase. The Council meeting will be held from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. today in the lobby of the Annenberg Center.

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