After twenty-five years directing the LGBT Center and working with college students, you'd think I might be able to predict what students want, what makes them happy. There seem to be some popular activities, which I probably do need to enumerate for you – and which, by the way, the LGBT Center does not provide. In truth, the fact that student preferences are ever-changing, while sometimes challenging, is also exciting.

So what's new at the Center, what has recently received applause (literally in some instances) from our student consumers, perhaps somewhat to our surprise?

First, our new lounge. Created out of previously unfinished space at the east end of the first floor, it is a direct result of feedback that students wanted a more intimate and comfortable place to hang out. While they appreciated the aesthetic and utilitarian qualities of the Goodhand Room, our main multi-purpose space, they requested overstuffed furniture and a bright atmosphere. With assistance from interior designer Michael Pollak, C'05, the lounge is outfitted with couches, chairs, and tables from Design Within Reach, a flat-screen TV, and aqua and orange walls. In short, it is definitely a departure from the look of the rest of the Center. Applause from students.

All of the fiction from the Center's reading room has been moved to the lounge, with encouragement to browse. And, the Center now has a Netflix account and will feature a “movie-of-the-week”, easily borrowed from the reception desk and slipped into the DVD player on a break between classes or when avoiding studying. More applause.

The Carriage House will soon have a flag – five by eight feet – hanging flat on its east wall, visible from the green in front of the high-rises, which it is hoped will direct students and other visitors to the Center. There will also be a banner suspended from the light-pole in front of the Carriage House doors, bearing an amazing logo designed by Curtis Rogers, C'10, assuring visitors they have arrived and proclaiming the Center's twenty-five years of service to the Penn community. Applause anticipated.

Finally, the Center will be offering a series of cooking classes – the fourth Wednesday of most months 5:00-7:00, in conjunction with other campus departments and centers. For example, next week, we will join with the Office of Health Education for a session regarding healthy cuisine and, in October, with La Casa Latina for, well, you know what dishes. Competition is expected for a limited number of spots in the kitchen, based on the whoops from students when the series was announced.

New initiatives (especially ones that are not very expensive) are good – and pleasing consumers is wonderful. We are always open to feedback and suggestions.