Over at the intersection of Walnut and 38th streets, an enormous new Wharton School building is rising quickly, adding a dramatic new touch to Penn's skyline.
A few blocks down the road, a hole in the ground now stands where the Katz Fitness Center once resided; its space will soon be occupied by more construction and, later, an expanded gym facility.
And over in the Quad, and at the Engineering School, and at the Dental School and at numerous other sites all around campus, jackhammers continue to meet concrete as the University reinvents its physical presence for the next generation of students.
These have been the scenes and the experiences that Penn students and staff have become accustomed to over the past few years. Every year, we are welcomed back to campus by a new building, retail establishment or renovated college house.
But the physical changes are just part of what's going on at Penn right now. For every new campus building, there are a number of key changes in the University's academic scene. For every renovated coffee shop, there are new student initiatives and changes in the advising system that need to be trumpeted.
Those changes, along with the construction, are what make this University a dynamic place. And with them in mind, it is our pleasure to welcome you back to another semester.
Over the course of the year, we hope you'll turn to The Daily Pennsylvanian for the news that matters to you most -- whether it concerns administrative shifts in College Hall, the score of last night's basketball game or an update on that new construction project on the corner.
Our reporters will be out in the field, covering all of the latest news and sports action on and off campus. And every day, our editorial board will use this page to take a stance on an important issue, and our columnists will share their impressions on life and events at the University.
The DP is here for you. But it's also dependent on your involvement. So share your views and your opinions -- on the issues that matter to you, and on how you think we're doing.
Welcome back, and have a great semester.
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