Jason Karsh | I am student voice (and so can you!)

After this past weekend's Celebration on the Green there's no denying the increased visibility of the Capital Campaign.

It's amazing to see how the weekend really brought together all members of the Penn community from students to alumni, faculty to staff and even the occasional passersby who happened to stumble upon our festivities.

Certainly there's an element of pomp and revelry inherent to the ambitious (and rather amazing) fundraising efforts that are being unveiled. Yet, pomp and revelry do not illustrate the core element of both the capital campaign and eastward expansion: We actually have a very tangible and real opportunity to shape the future of this stalwart institution.

Very rarely do the members of such an ancient, prestigious, well-endowed linchpin in American higher education actually have the ability to provide input and feedback that will affect not only the future face of the campus, but all aspects of our Penn community and education.

At this point, you're probably thinking to yourself: Well, Jason, the concept of providing input is great and all, but I'm not a large donor or the UA chairman . how can my voice possibly make a difference? Well, hold your horses and continue reading, because I'll get to that. It's important, though, that you first understand how students have already voiced their opinions about the future of this campus.

Since the time that Penn began to look into purchasing the postal lands and expanding our campus eastward, the Undergraduate Assembly has consistently been reaching out to students for feedback and providing that student input to the administration and trustees.

In the fall of 2005, the UA formed a development committee, which was charged with researching what students would like to see happen with the 24-acre postal lands. The committee worked throughout the 2005-2006 academic year, interviewing 75 students personally, researching campus plans at our peer institutions and even coordinating with the Graduate and Professional Student Assembly (GAPSA) to administer a survey that elicited responses from 2,900 students. There was even a University-wide town hall, at which many students gave their two cents on campus development.

The development committee's research found that expanded housing options, more green space, increased study areas and more entertainment venues were the top priorities of students. Subsequently, the development committee presented its findings to the Campus Development Planning Committee headed by Provost Ron Daniels and Executive Vice President Craig Carnaroli, who were then able to convey student priorities to the University Board of Trustees.

Having voiced students' main concerns in regards to eastward expansion, the UA now works hard to ensure that students have a say in the plans for the new College House that will be built on Hill Field, to fight for the preservation and creation of green space on campus and to engage with building administrators and local restaurants to ensure more study space around exam time.

At the same time, the UA continues to work to improve everyday student life through projects such as Ruckus Music Service and free newspapers to students around campus.

So, now to the pinnacle of this op-ed: How to get involved. You should feel free to contact a member on the UA if you're interested in getting involved in our direct representation to the administration. You can also apply to be a Voting Committee Member on the UA. If you are interested in representing students on University-wide committees, but want to avoid dealing with the UA, apply to those committee spots through the Nominations and Elections Committee.

Or join a group that lobbies the administration for specific issues, like the Penn Environmental Group. They worked with Civic House to push sustainability to the forefront of the administration's agenda. At any time, you can also e-mail me directly to help you have your voice heard.

When it comes down to it, we are privileged to have an administration that truly wants to hear what students have to say about Penn - especially its future.

Sometimes my friends tease me about my optimistic and borderline-nerdy love of student representation, but the UA exists within student government to ensure that you have a say in your Penn experience.

Whether you have major issues with Jamba Juice, are frustrated with flooding on Locust Walk, want to provide some feedback for academic advising or want to be part of the conversations regarding eastward expansion, we are always eager to hear from you.

When it comes to the future of the university, the UA certainly has a voice, but so can you!

Jason Karsh is a College senior and the chairman of the Undergraduate Assembly. His e-mail address is uachair@dolphin.upenn.edu

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