Editorial | Let them eat breakfast

Now that summer has finally come, Penn students are noticing a few inconvenient changes around campus.

For example, the 1920 Commons dining hall closes between 9 a.m. and 11 a.m this summer. Students with morning classes and meal plans cannot eat breakfast as they could during the school year, a serious problem for some.

Even Van Pelt Library closes at 9 p.m. four days a week (and before 6 p.m. the other three) throughout the summer. Studying for midterms will be even harder with fewer spaces for students to work. The mid-afternoon closing of Mark's Café's only adds insult to injury, removing the option of in-library caffeine for students stuck in the stacks during testing periods.

Similarly, the David Pottruck Health and Fitness Center instituted summer hours, closing at 10 p.m. on weeknights and 8 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

Considering the mostly-noctural schedule of the average college student, whether working or taking classes, this change makes it difficult for many students to fit exercise into their agendas.

Logically, Penn should decrease summer hours for certain facilities and services, but these buildings play a role in daily life for most of the student population.

Although it may be costly to accommodate the longer hours that students enjoy during the regular academic year, the Penn community needs continued access to some vital facilities.

Penn Facilities should adjust certain buildings' schedule to better fit the lifestyles of those on campus.

Studies have shown the benefits of eating breakfast and exercising regularly, and the University itself stresses the importance of long study hours. Penn needs to help its already-harried students do all three - or at least let them try on their own time.

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