Family Resource Center to Open on January 13	Print Issue
December 8, 2009, Volume 56, No. 14

Vice Provost for Education Andrew Binns is pleased to announce the opening of Penn’s new Family Resource Center (FRC) on January 13, 2010, the first day of classes in the spring semester. An official opening reception will be held later in the spring.

The FRC is designed to provide a safe, welcoming environment for Penn student-parents and designated caregivers to spend time with their children. It will provide a hub for social activities, information and resources, and a diverse menu of programs.  

“I am delighted and proud that Penn will provide this critical resource to our students with children,” said Provost Vincent Price. “It is an especially important initiative for our graduate students, whose value to the life of the University cannot be overstated.” 

The FRC will be housed on the second floor of Houston Hall and administered from Houston Hall’s Graduate Activity Suite (Room 240). Anita Mastroieni, director of Penn’s Graduate Student Center, will also serve as director of the FRC. 

“We created this Center,” explained Ms. Mastroieni, “so that our student-parents have a way to connect and develop supportive networks.  Penn has more than 500 students with children, and many others who are contemplating starting a family, and they are often spread out across different departments or graduate groups.”

“We are immensely grateful to Val Cade, Ajay Nair, and their team in University Life,” added Vice Provost Binns, “who worked tirelessly to help us identify an appropriate space and coordinate the many aspects of planning and launching it. 

We are equally indebted to GAPSA for its vigorous and persuasive advocacy on behalf of students with families. It is to everyone’s great benefit for Penn to continue to be a welcoming and supportive place for families.” 

For more information about campus resources for students with children, please visit: www.gsc.upenn.edu/kids/resources.php.