Opinion Board | Cheers and Jeers

CHEERS

 To the city of Philadelphia, for rejecting pay-to-play party politics by electing policy wonk and reformer Michael Nutter.

 To Huntsman senior Joyce Meng and Penn alum Stephen Danley for winning the Rhodes and Marshall scholarships.

 To athletic director Steve Bilsky, for ensuring that the eastward expansion plan improves Penn's athletic facilities through additional construction and building upgrades.

 To the administration, for a successful quiet phase of the capital campaign that raised $1.6 billion.

 To the University, for holding exciting capital campaign kick-off events that impressed alumni and current students alike.

 To the Penn Environmental Group, for its extensive work this semester in improving recycling off-campus.

 To Counseling and Psychological Services, for meeting increased student demand by hiring eight additional staff members and recognizing the need for experts in certain mental health areas.

 To the Muslim Students Association and the College Republicans, for working out a compromise over the conflict between Islamofascism Week and Islam Awareness week. Their efforts prevented ugly clashes between student groups, which occurred on other campuses, from happening here.

 To Women's Soccer, for winning the Ivy League Title and advancing to the NCAA Tournament.

JEERS

 To the administration, for their handling of the Stetson resignation. Their cover-up not only undermined the University's reputation, but also revealed the insincerity of its supposed dedication to honesty and openness with students.

 To the University, for losing the Democratic Primary debate to Drexel because of its lackluster efforts to accommodate media and party officials.

 To the Undergraduate Assembly, for holding and condoning a superficial freshman election that emphasized style over substance.

 To Student Health Services, for deciding not to cover the human papillomavirus vaccine under the University's insurance plan.

 To Facilities, for failing to provide more affordable off-campus housing options. Apartments like Radian have rents that are simply too high for many Penn students.

 To PECO, for their negligence in addressing outdated wiring and electrical equipment, which led to multiple power outages and fires around campus.

 To President Gutmann, who broke tradition by not dressing up at her Halloween party this year.

 To the University, for failing to help the College Republicans pay for an on-campus venue for presidential candidate John McCain's visit to Penn.

 To SEPTA, for raising fares again this year by an additional 15 cents.

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