Rina Thomas | O Gutmann, where art thou?

Amy Gutmann hit newsstands this Tuesday. With the three other female Ivy League presidents, she strikes a jaunty pose for Glamour's Women of the Year issue. Hands on hips, she gazes upward, envisioning great things for the future of Penn.

Gutmann is gaining national attention. Too bad she's not even on students' radar.

I conducted a random survey of the Penn undergrad population to gather feedback on our head of state. My question was very simple: "What do you think about Amy Gutmann?"

The results were less than inspiring.

"I really have no opinion," said Wharton sophomore Jovan Vialva, "She's done nothing to affect my life."

College sophomore Heather Kunen admitted, "The biggest thing I ever heard about her was the Halloween scandal."

There were some disparaging remarks: "What she says doesn't make sense," said College sophomore Brian McGill.

There were some weird reactions. One Huntsman student shied away in fear and repeatedly refused to comment.

There were some kind words from those proud to have a female leader. Some even leapt gallantly to her defense: "I think she gets more shit than she deserves," said Engineering sophomore Nathan Lee.

But by far, the most common response was head-scratching and "um." Most students had no opinion on Gutmann and no idea how to get access to her.

"It's not apparent really how students could contact her," said College junior Jenna Trosko. "I'm assuming it'd be difficult."

Citing the abridged version of the usual Halloween festivities this year, College senior Alana Kopke feels "she's less of a presence than she was last year."

O Gutmann, where art thou?

According to a spokesperson for Gutmann, the president makes herself available. She cheers on the Quakers at most of the basketball and football home games. She dined with the Muslim Student Association and will participate in a candlelight ceremony with Hillel. She can be spotted on Locust on the way to her office. And don't forget about the annual holiday parties.

Student input is encouraged, according to the spokesperson. Gutmann confers with the UA and GAPSA. All e-mails directed to presweb@pobox.upenn.edu will be answered. "I feel like there are lots and lots of opportunities for student feedback," said Gutmann's spokesperson.

But how can an unaffiliated student interact directly with Gutmann? Gutmann's spokesperson informed me that the president attends the monthly University Council meetings.

What's the University Council again? I attended yesterday's meeting to find out. According to the published agenda, it is "a deliberative and broadly representative forum which exists to consider the activities for the University in all its phases."

The Council also has an Open Forum component intended to provide an opportunity for student-administration interaction.

But only a handful of people in the room didn't sit on the University Council. When the moderator asked for questions during the Open Forum, I heard crickets chirping. I resisted the urge to scream "Why did Stetson resign?" and decided to be patient. Eventually, a GAPSA member raised his name tent and broke the silence. He asked how the Open Forum is publicized.

Apparently, ever since the Open Forum was changed from a yearly to a monthly event back in 2003, it hasn't been advertised in the The Daily Pennsylvanian. In practice, it no longer exists.

"I haven't seen an Open Forum come to the University Council this academic year," said UA chairman Jason Karsh. "I definitely want to find a way that members of the community can come to council and bring relevant issues to the University's attention."

GAPSA Exec Board member and graduate student Andrew Rennekamp tried to raise the issue of the Open Forum, but was told by Faculty Senate chairman Larry Gladney to wait until the official debate in January. Let's hope they actually advertise the event this time.

It's sad that the average student on the Walk feels so disconnected from the president. Gutmann has a great vision for the University, but she won't get the backing of the student body if these attitudes persist.

We should have the opportunity to address her directly in a town-hall-style meeting. The Open Forum should be expanded into an event in its own right, not just an afterthought at the end of a ninety-minute-long University Council meeting.

No one expects our fearless leader to be omnipresent, but a little more visibility for the average Quaker would be nice.

Rina Thomas is a Wharton and College senior from New Orleans. Her e-mail address is thomas@dailypennsylvanian.com. The Gospel According to Thomas appears on Thursdays.

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