"Academic indicators for the early decision group equaled or surpassed those of previous classes," Dr. Rodin said. "SAT and achievement test scores are up, and once again our admitted students average in the top four percent of their high school classes.
Perhaps even more exciting than the raw data are a few developing trends," she continued, calling the Class of 2001 the "most geographically diverse early-decision group ever," with students from 44 states and 23 foreign nations.
'Tangible Change' and Other Initiatives:
In his Council report, Dr. Stanley Chodorow described the work of a new UA "Tangible Change Committee," led by Samera Barend and its work done in partnership with VPUL Valarie Swain-Cade McCoullam and Vice President for Business Services Steve Murray. The committee identifies "immediate campus improvements which students would like to see made" to add, immediately, to the quality of campus life for students, the Provost said.
Some recent examples are the renovation of High Rise East's dance gallery performing arts students, and the adoption of a "late-night dining" schedule which now serves food to 2:00 a.m. in Stouffer Dining Commons under a pilot plan recommended by the students.
Reminding Council of the appointment of an Undergraduate Advisory Board to the 21st Century Project; its creation of a new Web site (http:/ /www.upenn.edu/provost/21st/), and its creation of a student project to help faculty and staff create homepages, Dr. Chodorow also noted the creation of the Admissions Data Work Group, which has begun its work by revising a major working tool of Admissions. The "President's Report," which provides data to schools and offices has now been revised and begins circulation shortly to the schools to "increase the quantity and utility of data on the current admissions cycle."
Standing Committees: In progress reports by several standing committees (to be covered in a future issue), Council fine-tuned the 1996-97 agenda of several. In response to the request of Safety & Security Committee's Dr. Sean Kennedy, members expressed a strong preference for timeliness in both neighborhood and campus crime reporting. (Campus police reports based on data from the 18th District are now provided for the same time period as the Community Crime Report; see this issue.)
Moderator: Dr. David Hildebrand, a former moderator of Council who chaired the Faculty Senate in 1992-93, was nominated by the President and unanimously approved as moderator of Council again. Before receiving Steering Committee Chair Peter Kuriloff's warning to expect of Dr. Hildebrand, "superb leadership and horrible puns," the new moderator had already acknowledged his selection to succeed Dr. Will Harris with the introspective question, "But where there's no Will, can there be a way?"
Ed. Note: In this issue, the University Council's Committee on Committees issues its annual call for nominations (including self -nominations) to serve on key committees of Council.
Almanac
Volume 43 Number 19
January 28, 1997
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