From WikiCollegiate

Throughout its nearly 75 years of existence, Penn Student association at Penn has retained its mission: Provide real-world business and managerial experiences for students and assist them in financing their educational costs. In addition, PSA provides essential goods and services to the university community at reasonable prices. We are always seeking ways to better serve our vital role at Penn and welcome your feedback.

[edit] What services would you like us to offer?

[edit] What feedback do you have for existing services we provide?

[edit] What We Do

We provide products and services through the following agencies:

• First Services - Laundry, Water, Drinks, and Dry Cleaning
• PSA Store - Apparel, Care Packages, and Linens
• Promotions - Corporate Agreements and Discounts
• Publications - Penn Planner, PSA Notebook, Penn Calendar
• Bartending Academy - Bartending Classes on campus
• Publicity Services - Postering, Flyering, and Graphic Design
• Williams Café - Quality food and drinks and catering
  
  

[edit] Managers & Directors

Bartending Manager - Ngozi Okoh

Ngozi speaks conversational Igbo (she’s Nigerian) and is a spinning class fanatic. Why did she choose PSA? As a dental student, Ngozi loved the opportunity to be productive in a more laid-back environment. She’s looking forward to working with everyone at PSA

First Services Manager -

Denis O’Flynn O’Brien

Denis has never ridden in an elevator with Mr. T… and he’s 6’8” Why did he choose PSA? His love for Williams Hall.

Human Resources Manager - Carolina Lee
Carolina is a former Reel Scoops associate. She is from Sao Paulo, Brazil and speaks mostly Portuguese at home. Why does she love PSA? It never gets boring!

PSA Store Manager - Chris Wogan

Chris sings with the Glee Club and even got a standing ovation once on a Broad Street subway car. He also surfs in New Jersey during the summer. Why does he love PSA? Obviously… it has the coolest staff ever!

Web Initiatives Manager - Rishi Rais

Rishi is a hardcore metal fan, and he loves cooking, traveling, and soccer. Why did he choose PSA? Because it’s managed by students so it had to be a fun place to work in.

Williams Cafe Manager - Arthur Spector

Promotional Programs Manager - Ivy Epstein

Ivy loves to bake and invent new recipes. And, her bike is pretty old– 15 years older than herself! Why did she choose PSA? She liked the idea of a business that also functioned like a community. And she is looking forward to all the creative opportunities available.

PSA Web Fulfillment Manager / Creative Consultant - Francis Tseng

Francis loves bicycles and music, and he’s a former Reel Scoops Associate. Why does he love PSA? Because he gets a discount at Williams Café.

[edit] History

During the thirties, Self-Supporting Students grew and thrived under FDR's National Youth Administration, an early incarnation of what is now the Federal Work-Study Program. Penn Student Agencies made its first appearance on July 1, 1933. It is on that date where a reference to "Self-Supporting Students" appears on an organizational chart that details different student aid options. The University of Pennsylvania Placement Service's 1935-36 Annual Report elaborates upon the structure of the Self-Supporting Students. At that time, PSA (then "Self-Supporting Students") consisted of three agencies: the Dorm Laundry Agency, the Parking Squad and the Trunk Moving Squad.

The forties reflected a pull back in university attendance due to World War II. A document from the Student Aid department dated March 1, 1943 and entitled "For the Duration of the War Emergency" lists ten student agencies: Car Parking, Service Stands, Dorm Laundry, Medical Laundry, Railway Express, Trunk Moving, Photography, Tutoring, Magazine and Newspaper.

By the beginning of the fifties, the Self-Supporting Students were now referred to as the Associated Agencies and reported gross income of $50,000 annually. The Birthday Cake, Stationary, Coat Checking at the Palestra, Furniture, Auto Linen and Desk Blotter agencies were added during a period of growth in the middle of that decade. In 1959 Car Parking was folded into the University and has since been a separate department.

The sixties saw the advent of corporate partnerships. The Associated Student Agencies collaborated with Tiparillo Cigars and Mennen After Shave to distribute and promote products on campus. Additionally, there was a short-lived Embossograph Agency that produced posters. In 1964, agency workers manned the phones to call in vote tallies for various precincts from Pennsylvania's central control point during the Johnson-Goldwater election. In 1969, the Associated Student Agencies, now located in the lower Quad, invested $40,000 in new linen with the expectation that the newly constructed high rises would create increased demand. Instead, with laundry rooms located on every other floor, wash-and-wear sheets became the next big thing and the Associated Student Agencies realized a financial loss. However, the creation of the Student Snack Agency brought in a new revenue source and the Associated Student Agencies moved forward.

In 1972, the Associated Student Agencies relocated its offices to 3609 Locust Walk. Then, in 1974, they relocated again, this time to 301 Logan Hall. During the seventies, the student directory began publication and the Apparel Agency manufactured clothing for various Penn departments. In 1975, citing marketing reasons, the organization's name was changed to Penn Student Agencies. In 1976, the Publications Agency printed The Student Bicentennial Guide to Philadelphia. At the same time, the entire city saw an onslaught of bicentennial related merchandise and a smaller than anticipated tourism turnout. This made for another financial disappointment. Yet, the Catering Agency, Bartending School and Bus Agency all brought about large successes. By 1977 the PSA budget had expanded to $300,000 annually and maintained a workforce of 180 students.

In 1985, PSA reported the following agencies: Professional Services, Newspaper, Catering, Travel, Linen, Publications, Small Ventures, Product Line, Commissaries and Distribution. That year also saw the debut of the Penn Calendar, customized Penn Banners and a partnership with Art Carved (now Balfour) for class ring sales; all of which continue to the present day.

In recent years, Williams Cafe and the Video Vault have opened their doors. Other new ventures include partnerships with PhillyCarShare and Kaplan.

Throughout its history, PSA has evolved to keep-up with changing market demands. However, one thing remains constant; PSA has consistently worked towards achieving its mission of providing part-time employment to students and useful products and services to the University of Pennsylvania community.