An agenda for the spring

2001 wasn't supposed to be like this. With the official coming of the new millenium, it's obvious that many of the prophecies of the ideal twenty-first century existence -- like flying cars, household robots and simplified living through computers -- still have yet to come to fruition. Here at Penn, as we enter both a new year and a new semester, the University continues to confront issues and challenges that look suspiciously similar to those from the twentieth century. In the realm of academics, the Nursing and Medical schools will enter yet another semester without permanent leadership. Naming new deans and putting both schools on a clear course for the future will hopefully be a main priority for the University administration in the weeks ahead. The University of Pennsylvania Health System, as in past semesters, will occupy a crucial space on the University's agenda throughout the year. Recent indications of growing profitability have been encouraging, but more concrete plans for the system's future -- as well as the naming of a permanent CEO -- will help steer the UPHS towards a more successful future. The end of this semester will also give the University the first opportunity to launch a comprehensive evaluation of University President Judith Rodin's Agenda for Excellence program. Such a review -- like one that should be undertaken by the School of Arts and Sciences to review this year's new pilot curriculum -- should be done openly, and will prove instrumental in making appropriate changes for future generations of Penn students. Following last semester's Rhodes and Marshall scholar awards, undergraduate research will also take an more central role this year. We hope that the initiatives of the Center for Undergraduate Research Fellowships gain an even stronger following -- and the continued attentions of the University's budget-makers. The University's finances, like those of its troubled health system, will demand more attention, especially as the nation's general economic outlook changes. The University's endowment, in particular, should be monitored vigorously to ensure that it stays on a positive track, even if the economy slows as the year rolls on. While campus crime has fallen dramatically in recent years, the Division of Public Safety will once again take its place in the campus discussion as the search for a new vice president continues. Hopefully, the search will be concluded quickly, keeping the University Police Department on the trend of success it's seen in recent years. The coming weeks should also give the Penn community its first glimpse of some much-awaited new retail openings around campus. It is encouraging to finally see that projects like Freshgrocer, El Diner and Papaya King are nearing completion, and we anticipate that a successful El Diner will show the University the validity of working with students on retail issues. In a related development, the fate of the Sundance Cinemas site should be resolved in the near future. The naming of a new tenant should alleviate fears about the half-built collection of girders and gravel at the corner of 40th and Walnut streets. Politics will also play a crucial role in 2001, as the reigns of power are turned over to a new party and new administration in Washington. Though we don't yet know what to expect of President-elect George W. Bush, we are hopeful that he will move forward with his campaign promise to expand college financial aid, and that he works with Congressional leaders to foster a truly bipartisan spirit in the divided legislature. Here in Philadelphia, politics will also demand our attention as Mayor John Street attempts to overcome a rocky first year. The mayor should prove successful if he is able to finalize the two stadium funding deals in a manner that speeds up the timeline for construction and minimizes the already substantial taxpayer commitment. Needless to say, there are numerous challenges ahead in the coming months. We welcome you back to campus in the hopes that all of them are handled in a timely fashion and result in nothing but success. And if that doesn't happen, we'll settle for the flying cars.

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