Issue date: 11/30/07 Section: Opinion

Here in Philly, VIP treatment isn't just limited to the hottest nightclubs in town.

At the highly anticipated Republican Senator John McCain /Utah Governor Jon Huntsman event last Monday, while hundreds of students patiently waited outside Zellerbach Theater, my Huntsman colleagues and I effortlessly skipped the queues despite our late arrival.

"This venue has reached full capacity," the security guards announced as they pushed back the crowd, but gave us the go-ahead. Looks of confusion and jealousy began to circulate around us. I, too, was bothered by the unfairness, though I did feel somewhat special - sorry, but we're on the list.

Throughout the evening, Senator McCain repeatedly expressed his high regard for our Huntsman Program in International Studies and Business, a joint-degree course of study appropriately named after the Utah Governor's philanthropist father.

The praise surely resonated well with us. Sitting together in a reserved front row section, we cheered and reveled in the extra attention.

Yet I wondered if others in the audience viewed our behavior as showcasing our elitist attitude.

Indeed, despite their best intentions to provide a unique interdisciplinary education, the Huntsman Program and similar creations can sometimes divide rather than unite our University.

Some students see the Huntsman label as an all-access pass to an exclusive club. Standing austerely across from Huntsman Hall, our program lounge remains an unknown realm whose modern conveniences like computers and printers are only enjoyed by the fortunate few. Except for a handful daring prospective freshmen and their equally eager parents, outsiders rarely venture into this foreign territory.

And to be fair, the perceived arrogance of "Huntsmanites" isn't entirely false. When making self-introductions, some never neglect to mention their affiliation with the program - in a seemingly casual manner as to not sound overtly ostentatious. The prestige factor usually works, producing the desired "wow" effect in making a good first impression.

But this is true only of an annoying few. Most Huntsman students are simply grateful to the program and the community it provides.

Sophomore Aditi Kumar revealed that she embraces her Huntsman heritage, since "the program offers us so much, it would almost seem ungrateful if we don't express our pride."

Aside from the ample amount of free food, most Program students truly treasure the lasting bonds of camaraderie they have formed with their fellow "Huntsmanites" since freshmen year, when everyone takes a small history class and lives on the same floor together.

Other bonding opportunities range from frequent guest-speaker lectures and welcoming receptions to ice-cream socials and holiday celebrations. The care and support from faculty members further foster a sense of community.

In fact, the program provides a home away from home, particularly for the 43 percent of international students. Jeongsoo Choi, a Huntsman sophomore originally from India, certainly agrees with this point. "I really wish that the program office is open 24/7," she said sincerely. "I would sleep here!"

Exclusivity and pride don't have to lead to elitism. Our strong Huntsman spirit simply highlights the importance of being a part of a tight-knit community at a large university like Penn.

I admit that the extra perks of being in the Huntsman program might not seem reasonable from an egalitarian point of view. After all, since we Penn students are all competent individuals whose parents pay the same amount of hefty Ivy League tuition, why should some of us receive more advantages than others?

Personally - as hypocritical as it sounds - I could do without those checkboxes for "special program status" (Huntsman, M&T, Vagelos, etc.) on, say, finance-class applications. I just don't see any correlation between my being a Huntsman student and my ability to deal with financial modeling. But when it comes to securing these coveted spots, preferential treatment still plays a role. Well, I guess life isn't always fair.

Nevertheless, it is the strong ties within our community that defines the Huntsman experience and gives us reason to be proud; not the attractive material incentives that seem to allure some and upset others.

Still, there's no question that the advantages make for a slippery slope. Huntsman students should continue to take caution as we walk the fine line between displaying innocent pride and blatant haughtiness. A lesson or two in the virtue of humility perhaps isn't such a bad idea after all.

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Jenny Zhan is a College and Wharton sophomore from Pleasanton, Calif. Her e-mail address is zhan@dailypennslyvanian.com. Jenny from the 'Burbs appears on Fridays.

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