Drew Armstrong: Non-Wharton students: no study space for you!

Printed on pleasing peach paper, the sign reads:

"While Wharton encourages all students to take advantage of its facilities, at this time Wharton Undergrads have first priority for the carrols [sic] and tables in this lounge. Please be respectful of their space. Thanks!"

My housemate brought it back from Huntsman Hall, where apparently copies have been posted informing College students of their place in the world. It's offensive for a few reasons, not just the hubristically capitalized "Wharton Undergrads" and the anachronistic spelling of "carrols" that went the way of the dodo back when the dodo was still alive and kicking (dear anonymous administrator -- use an "e," not an "o," we've entered the age of modern spelling).

There might as well be a smiley face after the cutesy little "Thanks!" I can just see some grinning lower-level Wharton lackey telling me, "I'm sure you're a person and deserve respect, but I'm afraid we can't do that for you in Huntsman Hall! You have a super day somewhere else!"

The rift between College and Engineering students and those who would call themselves their betters goes back farther than my time here, and no doubt it will continue on long after all of us are using legacy preferences to get our children admitted. I don't intend to hold hands and sing "Kumbaya" about this; I'd rather bring the fight to the enemy.

Non-Wharton students, here's what I ask of you: Go to Huntsman. Grab a "carrol." Grab two if you like (bring a friend who needs a nap). If you see any of the signs mentioned above, tear them down and discreetly throw them in the garbage. And use the Wharton facilities as much as possible -- you have to admit they're pretty nice. You pay the same tuition as that guy with a spreadsheet and an attitude.

The idea that the best study spaces should be reserved for members of a certain school is preposterous. Wharton students don't pay extra, so why should they be encouraged to throw College and Engineering students out of their seats? Maybe it's part of some "How to Screw the Little People 101" course that isn't listed.

I suspect that no one will actually walk up and say, "Pahdon me, boy, I don't think you're in Wharton. Show me your ID or move to the College section." But the fact that the signs are up says to me that somewhere, the staff and administrators of our business school are encouraging thought patterns like "We are God's gift to this green earth." (News flash: Plenty of people can use Powerpoint and do group work -- I got signed off on "plays well with others" in the third grade in a little class called "recess." The fact that Wharton students need to be socialized into interacting with actual other people leaves me less than confident that they'll have moral and ethical concerns about screwing me over when I'm an investor, a la Enron.)

This kind of thinking seems to pervade Wharton. That's why you see "Wharton" sweatshirts and umbrellas without any sign of "UPenn." The pretension would be laughable if it weren't so real. As is, it's just obnoxious -- get some school spirit.

The "separate but equal" doctrine implied in these signs sets an annoying precedent, one loaded with hypocrisy. Wharton students take classes in the College and the Engineering School, use our study spaces, root for Penn sports teams, etc., but it doesn't go the other way? I'm fine with not using your computers -- it seems that we all need some little form of validation of our special-ness -- but special tables? Give me a break, or stop sitting on College Green.

Wharton students, don't be what those signs make you out to be. They're an embarrassment to you and your school -- they make you look like snobs. That may be the case, but I don't think there's any need to make it a policy.

Drew Armstrong is a senior English major from Ann Arbor, Mich.

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