Monday, June 16

Good morning, Penn.
 

Happy Monday — and a belated Happy Father’s Day to all who celebrated yesterday. It was a busy news week on Penn’s campus as the Board of Trustees convened for their spring meeting.

Various University organizations will host events this week to commemorate Juneteenth, and Philadelphia Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie donated $50 million to Penn Medicine and the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia to create a new center for autism research.

But first, The Daily Pennsylvanian compiled key takeaways from last week’s board meetings — held on Thursday and Friday — which covered topics ranging from new academic programs to federal research funding.
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TODAY’S TOP STORY
Photo by Jackson Ford
Here’s what was discussed at Penn’s Spring Board of Trustees Meeting

The University Board of Trustees gathered at the Inn at Penn for its annual Spring Full Board Meeting on June 12 and 13. 

Over the course of two days, the board — which carries the “formal institutional governance and fiduciary responsibility” for the University — heard briefings and reports from Penn’s senior administrators on topics ranging from campus renovations to budgetary plans for the upcoming fiscal year.

In his opening remarks to the trustees, Penn President Larry Jameson reiterated the University’s commitment to “excellence” in academics and research, despite “significant headwinds,” including threats to federally funded research and international students.

“We will continue with everything in our power to protect Penn’s missions, academic freedom, and people. We will also adapt, evolve, and move Penn forward,” Jameson said. “The world will continue to benefit from Penn’s exceptional graduates, knowledge creation, care, and service.”

Here are six takeaways from the meeting.
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FIVE MORE BIG STORIES

 Vice Provost and Dean of Admissions Whitney Soule announced a 4.9% acceptance rate for the Class of 2029 — Penn's most selective year on record — at the University Board of Trustees spring meeting this week. 

  Penn joined other leading research universities in filing an amicus brief supporting Harvard University in their lawsuit against the Department of Health and Human Services over the termination of federal research funding. 

  Philadelphia Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie donated $50 million to Penn Medicine and the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia to launch the Lurie Autism Institute.

 Three former Penn swimmers have filed a reply opposing the University’s motion to dismiss their lawsuit, which alleges that 2022 College graduate and former Penn swimmer Lia Thomas’ participation in the 2022 Women’s Ivy League Swimming and Diving Championships violated Title IX.

 Penn’s African American Resource Center, the Penn Museum, and Penn Libraries will join other groups on campus to commemorate Juneteenth this week. 
ALSO IN THE NEWS

Jeffrey Cooper, Penn’s top government affairs official, will leave his post once his successor is named according to a Thursday announcement at a Board of Trustees meeting. 

Research Associates and Postdocs United at Penn rallied outside the Board of Trustees meeting on Thursday demanding that the University allow them to move forward with a vote to unionize.

MOST READ


Penn urges impacted international students to immediately return to U.S. as Trump travel ban looms
 
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OPINION
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GUEST COLUMNIST CAROLYN VAZIRI argues that private prison companies such as GEO Group are eroding fundamental human rights

SPORTS


Junior women's basketball guard Sarah Miller has found success on and off the court in Japan

TODAY IN DP HISTORY
Photo by Max Mester

In 2022, Penn Medicine and Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia announced a partnership with Costa Rica’s social security program to advance CAR T-cell cancer therapy research. A $50 million donation from Philadelphia Eagle's owner Jeffrey Lurie announced this week will create a new partnership between the two health systems focused on autism research.
Today’s newsletter was copy edited by Ava Savino. 
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