Housing Guide, 2024 by The Daily Pennsylvanian

Housing Housing Guide Guide

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Inside Du Bois: Residential community celebrates community, reflects on house’s challenges

Residents have celebrated the dorm’s strong sense of community while describing ongoing challenges with amenities and the dorm selection process.

MUNA UWANAMODO Contributing Reporter

Citing the spirit of Du Bois College House’s founding, residents have celebrated the dorm’s strong sense of community while describing ongoing challenges with amenities and the dorm selection process.

Amid accusations of segregation, Du Bois College House was founded in 1972 to help support the retention and success of Black students. The house's original mission was to “support students of the African Diaspora by serving as a hub for activities that promote African and African American scholarship and culture.”

“I found the community that I was looking for,” College sophomore Clarke Dickens said. “I only wanted to come to a [predominantly white institution] with college houses that serve Black students.”

The College House approaches its goal of supporting Black students in multiple ways, including a variety of program communities and signature programs centering around cultural expression and fitness.

Graduate School of Education professor Amalia Daché, the Du Bois faculty

director, is in charge of organizing the dorm’s academic programming, which she described as important to the house’s identity.

“Because we’re such a small house, there’s always community building and social experience that comes out of the academic side,” Daché said. “We’re very communal. Very familyoriented.”

Many residents cite these activities as one of the unique benefits of living in Du Bois.

“There’s always special programming and there are always familiar faces there. I really do like that about Du Bois,” Wharton junior Bijon Gayle said.

Gayle, who has lived in Du Bois his entire time as an undergraduate, said the house’s energy motivates residents to return in future years, including many of those in the Classes of 2025 and 2026.

Residents, including Dickens, described the multipurpose room as a central hub in the house, serving as a venue for different activities and events.

"So many things happen there," Dickens said. "It can be a study room, [or] events can happen there. It’s so accessible and that’s what I really appreciate."

Aside from being the location for Du Bois’ programming, the MPR also hosts several events from UMOJA, the University’s umbrella organization for Black student groups. Recently, residents and other community members

gathered to watch the Africa Cup of Nations finals.

“Our MPR after 5 p.m. is very vibrant,” Daché said.

Despite the strong community supporting Du Bois, residents said they are aware of the challenges facing the College House. Students in the College House have historically reported substandard living conditions compared to other college houses, with many saying the amenities prevented their return. The dorm lacked air conditioning until 2019 and is missing other accommodations, such as full kitchens, which have been built-in to newer college houses such as Gutmann and Lauder.

“There are a lot of amenities in other dorms that compel people away from Du Bois," 2023 College graduate Emilia Onuonga said when asked about the dorm in 2022. "... We know that Penn has the resources to invest in Du Bois, and yet they have not done so.”

With Quad and Stouffer college houses receiving renovations as part of the Penn Connects 3.0 plan, some residents have wondered which dorms are the next target. Du Bois is not among the buildings listed as part of Penn’s current stage of campus development. However, the building recently received upgrades to its facilities,

including a dance room and new furniture.

Gayle, who cited the poor amenities as the reason he did not rank Du Bois first as an incoming first year, expressed interest in an elevator.

Despite calls for improvements to Du Bois, some residents are concerned about what that could mean for those involved with the house.

“If Du Bois does get renovated, where do the Black students and staff go?” Dickens said. “When you feel like you have a sense of community and home here, it’s hard to go without.”

Even for those accepting of the current conditions, there are obstacles to staying in the house. Multiple students spoke about challenges encountered with the University's room selection process and how that impacts the dorm’s population.

“It’s tough. I wanted to live with certain people, but they didn’t get to return to housing — there’s just a lot of issues that arise that way,” Dickens said when asked about their room selection experience.

This trend has led to frustration for some Black students who believe the University does not do enough to prioritize Black students who want to live in the house over non-Black

students — some of whom did not rank Du Bois as a housing choice.

“My freshman year we had a lot of non-Black engineers or nurses on our floor saying things like ‘I wanted to live in Lauder and Quad,’ and don’t even remember ranking Du Bois,” Dickens said. “Then I go outside and there’s a lot of Black students saying they really want to live here and ranked it first.”

Senior Executive Director of Business Services Douglas Berger, who oversees on-campus housing, previously told the DP that the University has to abide by fair housing laws — meaning that neither residential communities nor housing applications consider race. The Du Bois website echoes this, stating that “from its inception, the Du Bois program never rejected students on the basis of race."

When asked how the makeup of the house influences Du Bois’ mission, Daché emphasized Du Bois’ commitment to supporting Black students while inviting students of African descent and those who are not.

“There isn’t an expectation that you have to be of African decent to live in Du Bois,” Daché said. “Yet the mission is based on the inclusion of Black culture around the diaspora."

PHOTO

DEREK WONG

Penn began leasing the Axis for on-campus housing, opened Gutmann to ﬁrst years

Gutmann College House, previously a second, third, and fourth-year college house, has begun allowing ﬁrst-year students to live there this year.

JASPER TAYLOR Contributing Reporter

Penn began leasing the Axis apartment building for on-campus upperclassmen housing for the 2024-2025 academic year to house students during the renovation of Ware College House.

According to an email sent to undergraduate students on Dec. 6 of last year, Penn will use the Axis because Gutmann College House has become a fouryear college house for the 2024-2025 academic year, providing space for the students displaced during the renovation of Ware in the Quad.

Because Gutmann, which was previously a second, third, and fourth-year college house, has allowed

ﬁrst-year students to also live there this year, Penn has leased the Axis to provide more housing options for displaced upperclassmen.

The email says that the closure of Ware has resulted in 624 ﬁrst-year bed spaces needing replacement within the College House system. This is 170 more bed spaces than are currently unavailable because of the Riepe College House renovation.

All rooms in the Axis are single occupancy with a private bathroom, according to the email. The rate for the rooms is set at $12,166, making it the lower rate of Penn’s two housing costs. The Axis is located at 20

S 36th St., near Kings Court English College House. The Axis operates as part of Kings Court English College House during the lease. It has College Houses and Academic Services faculty and staﬀ support, as well as programming and residential advisors.

Penn is currently leasing The Radian until August 2026 for on-campus housing, also to make space for students displaced by the conversion of Lauder College House and Gregory College House Van Pelt Manor into ﬁrst-year only dorms because of the renovation of the Quad. The Radian is available as a housing option for second,

third, and fourth-year students.

The Quad is currently being renovated, with one college house closing within the Quad each year until 2026. Riepe is currently under construction. Ware will be under construction for the 2024-2025 academic year, while Fisher Hassenfeld College House will be under construction for the 2025-2026 academic year. Rooms in the Axis are equipped with microfridges, and the dorm also has a ﬁtness room, free community laundry, and a community lounge with community kitchen.

PHOTO BY ABHIRAM JUVVADI

Upgraded Apartments Available

Philadelphia Historical Commission approves creation of Southeast Spruce Hill Historic District

The new district will stretch between Spruce Street and Woodland Avenue and between 39th and 43rd streets — in close proximity to Penn's campus.

Penn’s residential advisor and graduate residential advisor union is continuing to defend itself against the University — and is alleging retaliation from College Houses and Academic Services for unionization efforts.

United RAs at Penn, which first unionized in September 2023, filed an Unfair Labor Practice charge with the National Labor Relations Board on Aug. 12, accusing the University of violating its newly ratified union contract by unfairly tracking GRA hours in Workday. While a URAP representative told The Daily Pennsylvanian that Penn Human Resources has helped resolve this particular issue, the group is looking ahead to the new school year and is wary of continued negative interactions with CHAS, the Penn agency that oversees RA and GRA operations.

Eighth-year South Asian studies Ph.D. candidate and URAP member Shaashi Ahlawat told the DP that GRAs received an email from the University on Aug. 5 informing them that RA jobs would now count towards the 20-hourper-week maximum that student workers are allowed while classes are in session. In response, the union began communicating with Penn officials and representatives from the Office and Professional Employees International Union — Local 153, which represents the union.

“There was no clarification from CHAS, and there

was a lot of stress because of that,” she said, adding that the issues led to a couple of GRAs quitting their positions.

Ahlawat, who also served on the URAP bargaining committee, said that OPEIU began attempting to communicate with Penn, but did not hear back for a week, spurring the union into creating a petition to the University to cease the alleged violations of the union contract.

The petition — which was released on Aug. 12 and had collected over 600 signatures at the time of publication — escalated the need for a meeting, Ahlawat said. She added that Penn HR was able to clarify the situation that drew complaints from GRAs — and place some responsibility on CHAS.

In the meeting, Penn HR representatives clarified that “CHAS is putting zero work hours for GRAs [in Workday],” and that “House Directors should have never emailed that [GRAs] can’t work other jobs or other hours,” Ahlawat said. Since then, she said that “things seem settled for now.”

Penn HR referred the DP to a University spokesperson. CHAS did not respond to requests for comment.

Since the situation was resolved, Ahlawat said there have been fewer issues, but some GRAs ran into issues being excused from CHAS trainings for academic obligations — a process that has previously been simple. RA trainings, which take

NEHA DOPPALAPUDI Contributing Reporter

place at the beginning of each semester, are mandatory, but some GRAs are able to be excused for important academic obligations — including internships, course teaching, and professional development opportunities, Ahlawat said. However, this year — the first since the ratification of URAP’s contract — some GRAs ran into difficulties being excused.

“They were told that [their academic obligations don’t] excuse you from RA training, and that you have to be there; if you choose not to, discipline will be taken against you,” Ahlawat told the DP, adding that some RAs had “been excused … in the past, but this time, they were denied.”

Ahlawat said that although the situation was resolved and the RAs’ exceptions were processed, the initial communication “definitely felt like … CHAS

was retaliating” after the activism of the past year and the ratification of the union contract.

Since the union was formed and the contract was ratified, RAs and GRAs are now considered workers at Penn — making this year different than previous ones. However, these workers are still permitted to request exceptions through CHAS if they have an academic or religious conflict with training.

This semester marks the first since URAP’s contract was ratified in June following their initial unionization a year ago. Ahlawat told the DP that next steps for the union include selection of and training for stewards, who will serve as liaisons between the union, the University, and the rest of the RAs and GRAs.

“Things seem a bit more hopeful,” she said. “We will have to be cautious, but

BY AVI SINGH

we are all excited to have a union for the first time and take things further from here.” Penn’s residential advisor and graduate residential advisor union is continuing to defend itself against the University — and is alleging retaliation from College Houses and Academic Services for unionization efforts.

PHOTO

interactions with CHAS, the Penn agency that oversees RA and GRA operations.

“There was no clarification from CHAS, and there was a lot of stress because of that,” she said, adding that the issues led to a couple of GRAs quitting their positions.

Ahlawat, who also served

on the URAP bargaining committee, said that OPEIU began attempting to communicate with Penn, but did not hear back for a week, spurring the union into creating a petition to the University to cease the alleged violations of the union contract.

wat said. Since then, she said that “things seem settled for now.”

Penn HR referred the DP to a University spokesperson. CHAS did not respond to requests for comment. Since the situation was resolved, Ahlawat said there have been fewer issues, but some GRAs ran into issues being excused from CHAS trainings for academic obligations — a process that has previously been simple.

RA trainings, which take place at the beginning of each semester, are mandatory, but some GRAs are able to be excused for important academic obligations — including internships, course teaching, and professional development opportunities, Ahlawat said. However, this year — the first since the ratification of URAP’s contract — some GRAs ran into difficulties being excused.

“They were told that [their

academic obligations don’t] excuse you from RA training, and that you have to be there; if you choose not to, discipline will be taken against you,” Ahlawat told the DP, adding that some RAs had “been excused … in the past, but this time, they were denied.”

Ahlawat said that although the situation was resolved and the RAs’ exceptions were processed, the initial communication “definitely felt like … CHAS was retaliating” after the activism of the past year and the ratification of the union contract.

with training.

“Things seem a bit more hopeful,” she said. “We will have to be cautious, but we are all excited to have a union for the first time and take things further from here.”

Think You’ll Never Own a Home?

Think Again: A Guide to Breaking into the Housing Market

BOB LUCZAK

Fairway Independent Mortgage Loan Of cer, NMLS 436116

The idea of owning a home often feels like a dream that is out of reach for many students and recent graduates. Rising home prices, student loans, and the belief that a large down payment is necessary can make homeownership seem impossible. However, buying a home is not as remote as it might seem. The right information and determination can turn homeownership into a reality sooner than you might think.

Myth #1: You Cannot Get a Loan with Student Loans

Student loans are often a major concern when thinking about qualifying for a mortgage. Some people believe that having student debt disqualiﬁes you from getting a mortgage. That is

not true. Lenders consider more than just your student loans. They examine your overall ﬁnancial picture, including your income and other debts.

Lenders often focus on the debt-to-income (DTI) ratio, which compares your monthly debt payments (including student loans) to your monthly income. Here is an example to help visualize how this ratio works: Imagine you earn $3,500 a month. If your monthly student loan payment is $300 and you have a car payment of $200, your total monthly debt payments would be $500. Divide your total debt payments by your gross monthly income to calculate your DTI ratio. $500 divided by $3,500 equals a DTI ratio of about 14% in this case.

Lenders generally prefer a DTI ratio of 43% or lower, meaning your monthly debt payments should not exceed 43% of your gross monthly income. Flexibility exists, so even if your DTI ratio is slightly higher, having steady income, a decent credit score, and manageable debt payments can make qualifying for a mortgage possible—even with student loans.

Myth #2: You Need 20% Down to Buy a Home

Another myth that discourages would-be homeowners from pursuing their dream is the idea that a 20% down payment is necessary. This is false. While having 20% down is great because it can help you avoid private mortgage insurance, it’s by no means

a requirement. Many loan programs require less. FHA loans, which are popular choices among ﬁrst-time buyers, require as little as 3.5% down.

Conventional loans can also require only 3% down, and some buyers even have options with no down payment at all, such as VA loans for veterans or USDA loans for rural areas.

Real Stories, Real Success

These stories are happening all the time. For example, I closed a loan in July involved a young couple, both recent graduates. They trusted me to help them navigate the home-buying process for their ﬁrst time. Despite having no idea what they could qualify for, they were surprised to learn that they

were approved for more than they expected. Smartly, they chose to stay within their calculated budget. We secured a Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency (PHFA) Conventional loan with no down payment assistance, and they only needed to put down 5%. Before speaking with me, they had little knowledge about home financing, but with the right guidance, they were able to purchase their first home with confidence. Conventional loan with no down payment assistance, and they only needed to put down 5%. Before speaking with me, they had little knowledge about home financing, but with the right guidance, they were able to purchase their first home with confidence.

Your Path to Homeownership

Are you ready to explore homeownership? Start with these steps:

1. Check your credit

Your credit score plays a big role in the mortgage process. Start by reviewing your credit report, which you can access for free once a year from each of the three major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion) at www.annualcreditreport.com. When reviewing your credit report, keep an eye out for common mistakes, such as incorrect personal information, accounts that do not belong to you, and outdated information. If you ﬁnd any errors, take steps to dispute them with the credit bureau. Fixing these mistakes can improve your credit score and make it easier to qualify for a mortgage.

2. Understand your budget

Knowing what you can aﬀord is important. Use online calculators or talk to a loan oﬃcer to get a realistic picture of your budget.

3. Explore your options

Many loan programs exist, each designed to meet different needs. You can review detailed information about various loan options, such as conventional loans, FHA, USDA, and VA loans, by visiting reputable mortgage company websites. However, while online research is a great starting point, nothing beats personalized advice. Connecting with a loan officer you trust is crucial. They can help you navigate the complexities of these programs and find the best option for your unique situation. A trusted loan officer will take the time to understand your financial picture and guide you through the process, ensuring you are informed and confident in your decisions.

4. Start saving

While 20% down isn’t necessary, some savings will still be required. Set a goal and start putting money aside.

5. Talk to a loan officer

This might be the most important step. A good loan oﬃcer can guide you through the process, explain your options, and help you make the best decision for your situation.

Your Future is Closer Than You Think

Owning a home might seem like a distant goal, especially when you are just starting out. However, with the right information and planning, it is more achievable than you might think. The key is to take it one step at a time. Educate yourself, explore your options, and do not be afraid to ask questions. Reach out to a reputable loan oﬃcer who can help you understand your ﬁnancing options and guide you through the process.

Remember, the dream of owning is within reach. Start taking the steps that will shape your future.

About the author: Robert Luczak, NMLS# 436116, is a seasoned loan officer with over 20 years of experience in the mortgage industry. Specializing in guiding first-time homebuyers and repeat homebuyers, Bob is dedicated to helping clients find the right mortgage solution for their needs, whether it is a primary residence, second home, or investment property. Licensed in both Pennsylvania and New Jersey, Bob’s expertise and personalized approach have made him a trusted loan officer for homebuyers across the region. In his spare time, he loves biking and hiking with his wife.

Bob Luczak (267) 257-3992 bob.luczak@fairwaymc.com bobluczak.com

Copyright©2024 Fairway Independent Mortgage Corporation. NMLS#2289. 4750 S. Biltmore Lane, Madison, WI 53718, 1-866-912-4800. All rights reserved. This is not an oﬀer to enter into an agreement. Not all customers will qualify. Information, rates and programs are subject to change without notice. All products are subject to credit and property approval. Other restrictions and limitations may apply. Equal Housing Opportunity. * Includes satellite branches. Licensed by the NJ Department of Banking and Insurance.

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Quad renovations prompt unusual first year housing options — and a new sushi spot

The Daily Pennsylvanian spoke with first-year students and University administrators to learn more about the University's housing process.

NITIN SESHADRI Senior Reporter

As Penn's students moved in for the 2024-2025 school year amid ongoing construction on campus, The Daily Pennsylvanian spoke with first-year students and University administrators to learn more about the housing process.

An overview of the housing process

In May, then-incoming first-year students completed a housing application where they indicated their preferences for College Houses, program communities, roommates, and gender-inclusive housing, according to Courtney Dombroski, Penn's Senior Associate Director of Residential and Hospitality Services.

“The application is not first-come, first-served,”

Dombroski said in a statement to the DP. “All applications receive the same randomized priority.”

In the housing application, first-year students rank the College Houses in order of preference. For each student, the system assigns students at random to their highest-ranked College House that has availability, according to the Residential Services website.

First-year students who apply to program communities have their application reviewed by College Houses and Academic Services. If CHAS approves the application, the student is assigned

to a room within the program community. Students whose application is not approved are assigned to rooms through the regular housing process, according to Dombroski.

All first-year housing assignments were released in mid-June through Campus Express, according to Dombroski. She added that over 80% of first-year students received one of their top three College House preferences.

“There were no changes to the housing selection and assignment processes for this academic year,” Dombroski said.

College first-year Ayesha Mallick — who is living in Gregory College House

— told the DP that she appreciated that the application allowed her time to consider which housing option was best for her.

“I thought [the application not being first-come, first-served] was really important, because I needed time to research, and I needed time to look and see and make like a pros and cons list,” Mallick said. “Because for me, having a suite was really, really important … and having a house near my classes was also really important for me.”

Mallick said that while she did not receive her top choice of Lauder College House, she is satisfied with being assigned to Gregory College House.

“I think Gregory satisfies all the requirements I had with my housing assignment,” Mallick said. “Because for me, the biggest thing that was most important was having a suite, and I was able to get that.”

College first-year Linda Zhang — who is living in the newly-renovated Riepe College House — described the housing application process as “a pretty smooth process.”

“[The process] was actually quite perfect,” Zhang said. “I applied without a roommate in hopes of getting a single, and I did, in fact, and I ended up getting Riepe as my house, which was my first top choice.”

Mallick also told the DP

PHOTO BY ISA MERRIAM

that she liked that the Residential Services website had pictures of all the different rooms.

“I think that made it really, really helpful, because even though I lived close to campus, I didn't really have an idea of what exactly a quad suite looked like or what a triple suite looked like,” Mallick said. “So I thought that website was really, really helpful for me when I was deciding the housing assignments and everything.”

Construction on campus

Construction on campus will continue throughout the school year, including renovations to the Quad, which is in the second year of a three-year, $238-million renovation project slated for completion in the summer of 2026.

Renovations to Riepe College House — the first of

the project’s three phases — finished this past summer, with the college house now ready to be occupied by first-year students. The improvements include updated heating, air conditioning, and electrical systems, renovated bathrooms, painted student rooms, new furniture, and floor repairs and replacement, according to Dombroski.

Ware College House will undergo renovations for the 2024-25 academic year, and renovations to Fisher Hassenfeld College House are planned for the 2025-26 academic year, Dombroski said.

As the second phase of the Quad renovations affects the most first-year beds of the three phases, Penn turned Lauder College House and Class of ‘25 in Gregory College House into first-year houses for this year and Gutmann College House into a four-year

house. The University also agreed to lease 135 beds at The Axis, and continues its the three-year lease agreement with The Radian to meet the demand for housing for second-, third-, and fourth-year students, according to Dombroski.

Dombroski said that incoming students received information about the renovations during the "Eat. Sleep. Penn." presentation during Quaker Days and during the room selection process, which provided a link to a dedicated page on Residential Services's website with a timeline of the renovation process.

“Emails are also scheduled to be sent to Fisher Hassenfeld, Riepe, Hill, and Lauder communities to provide additional information about what they can expect during move-in and the academic year,” Dombroski said.

Zhang, in contrast, told

the DP that she had not received much information about the status of the renovations until recently.

“All we knew was that Riepe was in renovation, but we didn’t get any pictures or any progress,” Zhang said. “The only update that we've gotten so far is actually, I think about a week ago, the Penn Residential Instagram account posted [that] they finally revealed the new renovations at Riepe.”

McClelland Sushi and Market, as part of Ware College House, will also be undergoing renovations.

Under the new name Penn Dining Sushi Spot, McClelland is relocating to 3724 Spruce Street beneath Stouffer College House.

Penn Dining Sushi Spot — which is slated to open at the start of the academic year — will offer rice bowls and noodle bowls, gyoza, steamed buns, and edamame. Like McClelland,

Penn Dining Sushi Spot will be open Monday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Friday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., but will have extended weekend hours of 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Penn affiliates will be able to use Dining Dollars, cash, and credit cards, and dining plan holders will be able to use the meal exchange, Dombroski said.

Additionally, Stouffer College House — which underwent a $35 million renovation that ended in August 2023 — is having renovations performed to its patio, which includes new waterproofing, concrete, planters and landscaping, as well as accessibility improvements. The work is scheduled to be completed by the end of September, Dombroski said.

Opinion | Penn left me stranded, metaphorically and literally

Columnist Jessey Shin highlights the lack of support for disabled students at Penn and examines the underlying structural issues.

Imagine your commute to class every day, and everything you take for granted about it. Being able to open your own door. Knowing that, no matter what class you go to, there will be a seat for you (unless you attend one of those crowded lectures at David Rittenhouse Laboratory. What if none of those were guaranteed? How much of a hindrance would that be?

This is the reality that many disabled and marginalized students face at Penn. Even with an endowment totaling $21 billion as of June 2023, the support given to the most vulnerable populations is deeply and embarrassingly lacking. Upon returning from winter break last year, I — along with many other high rise residents — found that my room was flooded. The administrators at Penn Residential Services quickly worked out a plan and informed us that we were to stay at the Sheraton until further notice. In light of the inclement weather (this preceded a school closure due to heavy snow), PennRides vehicles were also arranged to help move students and their belongings into the temporary residences.

I required some further assistance as a wheelchair user. After an exchange of emails, I confirmed that my room assignment at the Sheraton would be wheelchair accessible, and that I would have a van with a wheelchair lift pick me up. When the van showed up, however, the driver informed me that the wheelchair lift on his vehicle was broken, and that he had re-

ceived no notification of any passengers needing it. No further action was taken; he made an “oh well” face and left me and my belongings in the heavy snow. I ended up having to drag myself and the suitcase through the weather without assistance.

Similarly, upon move-in this year, I had arranged for some move-in crew to meet me and assist with pushing carts, as I am not able to do it myself and my family lives far away. We had had a plan set in place. Someone from the team would come to my residence at 11 a.m. on Friday with two carts, and I was given their contact information. Once again, however, the crew member did not show up nor reply to my texts. I had to request my friends to help me, who thankfully pulled through, but I was also denied the originally promised two carts from the tents.

Frankly, being disabled at Penn is humiliating and dehumanizing. The wording may be strong, but so is my frustration and so are this institution’s deficits. I am sick of having to fight tooth and nail for rights that other students do not even know they have. At the beginning of every semester, I email countless building administrators to please leave the wheelchair seat open, lest I have nowhere to sit. Regardless, I am not given an option to sit anywhere else on days I cannot walk; I cannot choose to sit next to my friends, or closer to the professor. I can never go to a building without looking up whether it has space for me.

As there is no system to assign accessible classrooms to those who need them, I occasionally have to request for professors to change the location. As it is at their discretion, even going to class is not a guarantee, no matter how required that class is for my degree. Neither is housing: Moving in this year, I found that an automatic door opener had not been installed in my room, which means I have to struggle to go inside my dorm every single day. As of this week, I still haven’t received updates beyond the fact that they’re working on it.

I am by no means implying that Penn, any organization under it, or any one person, is ill-intentioned in their dealing with disabled students. I have found my disability specialist, the people at Residential Services, and the drivers from PennRides (or the sister service Penn Accessible Transit) to be exceedingly kind people who were will-

ing to go far to accommodate me.

I occasionally encounter students and faculty who are unwilling to make room for me, or express blatant apathy about my disability, but those types of interactions are relatively uncommon; rather, the problem I face in my day-to-day life stems from the support that falls through or is otherwise lacking. Such is the nature of structural issues: They act out violence and hostility that has been embodied in the historic and cultural narrative of any given institution. Even without a so-called “ableist agenda,” or an explicit plan to exclude disabled students, we still face tremendous issues with accessing education, opportunities, housing, and much more.

We must work to dignify every student who has earned the right to be on this campus. We as a community must be committed to creating environments that are designed for all,

which will often be at the expense of existing systems. Increasing funding for student resource centers like the Weingarten Center and Disability Services, as well as removing some of the bureaucratic barriers to accessing certain accommodations (e.g. by expanding provisional accommodations while a student obtains medical documentation), are good ways to start. Another key factor is attention from the wider community. Institutional issues require institutional-level changes, which means that we should embody care and support for marginalized students instead of treating them as an afterthought.

JESSEY SHIN is a College sophomore studying sociology and communication from Seongnam-si, South Korea. Their email is jessey0@sas. upenn.edu.

PHOTO BY SYDNEY CURRAN

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Opinion | Beyond the Greek letters: A dive into fraternity life at Penn

Guest Columnist Joe Houlden offers a critical reflection on the highs and lows of navigating fraternity culture as a UK exchange student.

My entire conception of fraternity life was, for the most part, built on movies like "Neighbours" and "American Pie Presents: Beta House," where it is painted as a hub of eccentric and unrestricted merriment around the clock. My own experiences as an exchange student revealed a more complex and nuanced social landscape, challenging these simplistic portrayals and highlighting the often-overlooked depth and diversity within these communities.

My introduction to

fraternity life was by word of mouth and through Sidechat. A few minutes into it, I realized that the openness and accessibility glorified in movies were light years away from reality. From dark, cramped porches to parties that were dimly lit and overflowing, my first forays conformed to media-driven stereotypes and showed me a fraternity culture that was more difficult than rewarding to navigate.

My initial encounters with fraternity life were guided by Sidechat, where parties

are often advertised. The fraternity parties themselves were an accurate contradiction of the welcoming experience, which I somewhat expected. Early experiences, such as being selected for the party based on superficial judgments, highlighted one uncomfortable truth about the practice of exclusion within social spaces. The selective entrance would only allow people known by the bouncers and those considered attractive. The eeriness that my friends and I felt pointed to an overall feeling

of not being welcome. This specifically creeped out my female companions, who were also experiencing this for the first time.

One experience in the cramped basement further increased that impression when the crowded and stifling conditions forced us towards the more welcoming environment of Smokey Joe's, and that's where we ended up after many of our excursions. Such experiences of exclusion and discomfort were recurring, dampening our enthusiasm and an effective attempt to

integrate into Penn's social life.

The turning moment in my walk through fraternity life was at a Halloween party, which was distinctly different because I had received a personal invite from a friend with ties to the fraternity. It was a much warmer welcome — I felt like a part of the social fabric of the University, as opposed to the experiences that happened before, where we had just turned up because of finding something on Sidechat.

This event sparked more

PHOTO BY IPEK OBEK

positive interactions. As I began to be better known in these circles, the fraternal doors did seem to open, and it appeared that the exclusivity which I ﬁrst had felt began to diminish for me while still being present for others. The fraternities I interacted with revealed themselves as diverse groups of individuals, each bringing diﬀerent perspectives and openness to their gatherings.

Besides the deeper relationships, my participation developed until I was invited to the parties from just attending the parties. This gave me an insider's perspective of real community and belonging, which could be found in some fraternities. It was more than I had been experiencing up to that time because of the superﬁcial barriers. Such experiences underscored the

dual character of fraternity life — an environment that was both exclusionary and friendly — but made the individuals present realize that social connections in college were indispensable.

As I delved deeper into fraternity life, discussions with members indicated that motivation and early experiences played an important role in their experience. They sought the sense of belonging and brotherhood, otherwise lacking in full measure, through fraternity life. The nature of the process of joining the fraternity varied physically and mentally, all designed to promote the team and make bonds between brothers stronger.

These insights helped me discern the diﬀerent values upheld by various fraternities.

Some favored social status

and exclusiveness, while others placed more weight on community involvement and personal development. This realization showed me that I should be in a group of people who share my values. This nuanced view greatly inﬂuenced my experiences within the fraternal community to be able to pick and choose from the type of groups, thus allowing me to get the most from my social experiences and appreciation of the constructive part of fraternity life.

During my time at Penn, I discovered a diverse fraternity scene that deﬁed the stereotypes often seen in the media. This community of brotherhood, ranging from emotional support to professional networking, challenged my perceptions. I found deep, respectful connections

that went against the usual assumptions, showcasing a complex fraternity experience based on inclusivity and respect.

Reﬂecting on these experiences, I see fraternity culture as inherently dualistic. While some fraternities reinforce negative stereotypes, others strive to create positive and inclusive environments. The complexity of fraternity life serves as a reminder of the diversity within social organizations and the importance of a nuanced perspective to properly understand and appreciate their impact.

JOSEPH HOULDEN is a third year on exchange from the Queen Mary University of London studying human geography. HIs email is houlden@sas. upenn.edu

United RAs at Penn alleges retaliation from University for unionization efforts

United RAs at Penn is looking ahead to the new school year and is wary of continued negative interactions with CHAS, the Penn agency that oversees RA and GRA operations.

EMILY SCOLNICK Senior Reporter

hours in Workday. While a URAP representative told The Daily Pennsylvanian that Penn Human Resources has helped resolve this particular issue, the group is looking ahead to the new school year and is wary of continued negative interactions with CHAS, the Penn agency that oversees RA and GRA operations.

Eighth-year South Asian studies Ph.D. candidate and URAP member Shaashi Ahlawat told the DP that GRAs received an email from the University on Aug. 5 informing them

that RA jobs would now count towards the 20-hourper-week maximum that student workers are allowed while classes are in session.

In response, the union began communicating with Penn officials and representatives from the Office and Professional Employees International Union — Local 153, which represents the union.

“There was no clarification from CHAS, and there was a lot of stress because of that,” she said, adding that the issues led to a couple of GRAs quitting

their positions.

The petition — which was released on Aug. 12 and had collected over 600 signatures at the time of publication — escalated the need for a meeting, Ahlawat said. She added that Penn

HR was able to clarify the situation that drew complaints from GRAs — and place some responsibility on CHAS.

Penn HR referred the DP to a University spokesper-

PHOTO BY NATHANIEL BABITTS

son. CHAS did not respond to requests for comment.

RA trainings, which take place at the beginning of each semester, are mandatory, but some GRAs are able to be excused for important academic obligations — including internships, course teaching, and professional development opportunities, Ahlawat said. However, this year — the first since the ratification of URAP’s contract — some GRAs ran into difficulties being excused.

“They were told that [their

Ahlawat said that although the situation was resolved and the RAs’ exceptions were processed, the initial communication “deﬁnitely felt like … CHAS was retaliating” after the activism of the past year and the ratiﬁcation of the union contract.

Since the union was formed and the contract was ratiﬁed, RAs and GRAs are now considered workers at Penn — making this year diﬀerent than previous

ones. However, these workers are still permitted to request exceptions through CHAS if they have an academic or religious conﬂict with training.

This semester marks the ﬁrst since URAP’s contract was ratiﬁed in June following their initial unionization a year ago. Ahlawat told the DP that next steps for the union include selection of and training for stewards, who will serve as liaisons between the union, the University, and the rest of the RAs and GRAs.

“Things seem a bit more hopeful,” she said. “We will have to be cautious, but we are all excited to have a union for the ﬁrst time and take things further from here.”

PHOTO BY ABHIRAM JUVVADI

Penn names new vice president of Division of Business Services, overseeing dining and housing

Scales — who is currently the associate vice president for Business Services at Temple University — will succeed Marie Witt in the position.

NITIN SESHADRI Senior Reporter

Michael Scales was named the vice president of Penn's Division of Business Services today, with his tenure set to begin on June 1.

Scales — who is currently the associate vice president for business services at Temple University — will succeed Marie Witt in the position. Witt has worked at Penn since 1981 and will be retiring at the end of the academic year.

As vice president, Scales will be responsible for managing many of the services offered by Penn Business Services, including housing and dining services, Penn Transit and commuter ser-

vices, parking, Conference and Hospitality Services, PennCards, mail services, Campus Express, the Penn Bookstore, and Universityowned hotels.

Senior Executive Vice President Craig Carnaroli described Scales as “an effective facilitator, collaborator, and builder of effective partnerships” to Penn Today.

“[Scales] has been strategically leading his team of more than 1,000 staff, overseeing a slate of capital projects valued at more than $300 million, and managing Temple’s diverse portfolio of auxiliary

services across all six of its local and Pennsylvania campuses,” Carnaroli said. “We look forward to welcoming him to Penn in this important role.”

Scales received a bachelor's degree in psychology with a minor in business in 1992 from Appalachian State University in North Carolina. He then pursued an master's in higher education administration and student affairs from The Ohio State University, graduating in 1995, according to his LinkedIn. He is in the process of completing a Ph.D. in education from Temple University, accord-

ing to Penn Today.

Before becoming the associate vice president for Business Services at Temple University — a position he has held since December 2015 — Scales held various student affairs, housing, and residential life positions at Temple University, Drexel University, North Carolina State University, Georgia Institute of Technology, Ohio State University, and Appalachian State University, according to his LinkedIn.

Scales is a member of the board of directors for Campus Philly, a nonprofit organization that aims to

encourage college students and recent graduates to live and work in the Greater Philadelphia area.

He is also the vice chair of NorthEast Treatment Centers — a non-profit organization that provides behavioral health and social services in Greater Philadelphia, the Lehigh Valley, and in Delaware — and has been a member of the board of trustees for Albright College in Reading, PA since 2020.

PHOTO FROM PENN TODAY

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