Guest Opinion | Puneet Singh

This Saturday, the University will be kicking off the largest fundraising campaign in its history. The multi-billion-dollar goal is set to expand programs like student financial aid, academic research and infrastructure. Along with these goals are plans to transform the postal lands, which will have an enormous impact on the Philadelphia community. With so much going on, Penn students have a unique opportunity to get involved in the process.

Surveys to Penn constituents over the past two years have highlighted priorities for use of the new land, including housing, recreational facilities, student and cultural centers, retail shopping, dining and more. Many of the needs that students expressed are being addressed in the development plan, which promises to change some of the eyesores currently on campus.

One example is around Franklin Field, where dead grass will turn to lush greenery, opening up space for students to congregate and play sports. Hutchinson Gymnasium will be renovated and connected to the Palestra by the Franklin Plaza, all leading to a pedestrian bridge that could potentially extend over the Schuylkill River.

Other areas are already under construction, including the 3200 block of Walnut Street, which will feature a new nanotechnology building. Close by, the Walnut Street Gateway will house everything from academic and research facilities to retail stores and even a hotel.

Despite other development plans, which include everything from medical expansion to an overhaul of Hill Square, acres of land remain available for planning and development. It is in these areas that we, as students, have the biggest opportunities to voice our needs.

In many ways, Penn belongs to its students - past, present, and future. As undergraduates, we have a unique opportunity to influence the transformation of Penn and Philadelphia. After personally seeing the success of the Hey Day Committee last year, I firmly believe that when administrators, faculty and students work together, Penn can change in incredible ways. More importantly, by maintaining open, transparent lines of communication between students and the administration, we are able to make more informed and effective decisions for the entire university.

In that respect, I encourage you to provide feedback about the expansion. Write to the DP, the administration or to your Class Board. Come to student-government meetings and tell us if you want more housing, retail or just open space. After all, our job as student leaders is to represent your interests, and it is much easier to do so when we have your opinions directly.

With three years of Penn under their belts, seniors have especially valuable insights that the development committee appreciates. Even as young alumni, we should and will be encouraged to voice our thoughts. After all, with the expansion's target end date of 2030, students will need to be involved for the long-term if the plans are to remain relevant over time.

Just a few years ago, Penn looked very different than it does today. From Fresh Grocer and the Bridge to Huntsman Hall, Penn has begun building to improve its campus. Other universities have also hoped to expand, including peer institutions like Columbia and Harvard. However, neither of the schools have land that is as easily accessible to the rest of their universities. Other Philadelphia schools, including St. Joseph's and Temple Universities, are growing by acquiring much smaller properties. Thus, the postal lands give Penn a truly unique opportunity among universities to develop our campus, and it's an opportunity that we shouldn't waste.

This Saturday, College Green will be a hub of activity, featuring informational speeches and videos, free food and student performing-arts groups. This event, in celebration of the capital campaign kick-off, is a great step for students to learn more about and provide input on the expansion. I encourage you to attend and enjoy the festivities while also keeping a keen eye on the plans that will affect our university in the following decades.

To quote President Gutmann, we now have a "once-in-a-century opportunity" to change both Penn and Philadelphia. Let's get the dialogue started.

Puneet Singh is the Senior Class President. His e-mail address is puneet@wharton.upenn.edu.

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