Pan inTouch

Funding matters

Funding matters for religious communities are intertwined with administrative support in most cases (except special issues discussed later), in that both are partially restricted by legal issues. I would fight to secure religious group funding for administrative costs at the very least. This is certainly possible, as we did so successfully with political group funding last year. I would speak with PRISM’s constituent groups for a detailed understanding of budgeting needs, discuss strategy with Chaz and PRISM, and speak to the Office of the General Counsel to sort over legal matters. The OGC would likely point to gains such as with SPEC Fully Planned funds and the Faith Fund. Those are excellent steps, but University administration should be doing more to allow religious groups more continuity and institutionalization from event to event.

If that still doesn’t get us anywhere with the OGC, I would bring on other Steering groups who can fight for equal funding opportunities. While we often encourage collaboration and support within Steering, it often isn’t manifested. My plans for integrating Steering with each other and with the UA through things as simple as socials and more structured changes such as problem solving discussions (where PRISM would lay out its roadblocks for other Steering groups to become aware, provide suggestions, and team up) would bring about that fellow student group support.

Religious Commons

I would create an on-campus religious commons to both promote interfaith dialogue and provide special resources for those without extensive resources by gathering a list of PRISM constituents’ prioritized needs within the space, identifying already-existing options, and present these to the OGC, Facilities, and Ajay Nair. If we hit a roadblock, the numerous students involved with religious life is so large that I would work with PRISM to mobilize students, including those not in a PRISM constituent group, via a petition and public rally. The basement of Commons and the old Kappa Alpha house are potential spaces, as well as currently-unused spaces in Williams. But it isn’t students’ jobs to find an already-existing place; the onus is on the administration, and so if there is no space, that is not a reason to give up. Having a third of all Penn students be involved with religious life certainly warrants a hub that doesn’t just promote interests, but satisfies critical needs such as prayer spaces.

The aforementioned issues are huge priorities of mine in that I see what students want versus what they truly need. Issues such as better dining or increased athletic spirit are both wonderful, but NEEDS such as prayer spaces and stable funding are of paramount importance.

Open Expression

Open expression and intergroup dialogue with communities with completely different mission statements is key to my platform and personal beliefs. Awareness benefits everyone; by attending GBMs and meeting regularly with leaders of various groups, I want to identify groups which could benefit from sharing with one another certain topics especially within religious misunderstandings. The tolerance rally that took place when the Westboro Baptist Church decided Penn was a worthy target was a great example of coming together that I will enumerate by mobilizing and identifying members of groups passionate about subject “x” to spread that passion to their own group. And finally, I want to work on issues that YOUR groups care about by working with PRISM so deeply that we are working with its constituent groups as well; this starts with making clear to groups what exactly we do by producing online or print materials that outline what the UA does, what it has done in each aspect of student life (i.e. religious life) and how we can work together, and it continues through working with PRISM through the UA and at PRISM GBMs.