Students raised concerns about artificial intelligence access and the University’s civil rights center at the first meeting of Penn’s University Council this academic year.
The Sept. 9 session took place in Houston Hall and gathered input from various campus constituencies, including several administrative, faculty, staff, and student groups. Among the attendees was Faculty Senate Chair Roy Hamilton, who had his first Council appearance as chair of the Steering Committee.
A spokesperson for the Undergraduate Assembly raised concerns about “serious equity issues resulting from inequitable AI access.”
Last week, Penn rolled out Claude Enterprise access for all active faculty, staff, and students, offering two paid levels with specific implementation determined by individual schools and centers. For students in the Wharton School, the service is free — while students in the College of Arts and Sciences only get a $4 discount, according to the speaker.
“A student who has Claude access has a competitive advantage,” the speaker said. “The solution is for Penn to foot the bill for AI use.”
A student representative from Penn Abuse and Sexual Assault Prevention shared comments alleging a lack of transparency surrounding the University’s new Center for Civil Rights and the implications of the office on survivor protections.
Earlier this year, Penn announced that the Office of Equal Opportunity Programs, the Office of the Associate Vice President for Equity and Title IX, and the Office of Religious and Ethnic Interests would be consolidated into one administrative structure. The center’s leadership is scheduled to be announced this fall.
“CCR raises real concerns about protections for survivors’ rights surrounding Title IX,” the spokesperson said.
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The speaker pushed for transparency surrounding the center’s implementation timeline and offered protections.
A representative from the Penn Association for Gender Equity voiced concerns about the support for transgender students at Penn — specifically highlighting a lack of “adequate information” and “apologies” regarding the continued ban on transgender athletes in women’s sports.
After the University reached a settlement with the federal government over Title IX compliance in July 2025, Penn President Larry Jameson explained in a campus-wide letter that the University will continue to follow NCAA rules regarding eligibility. In February 2025, the NCAA restricted transgender athletes from participating in women’s sports after executive orders from the Trump administration.
The PAGE spokesperson also questioned the removal of the Leslie Townsend fund, a grant previously available to students undergoing a gender transition during their time at Penn.
A spokesperson from the Assembly of International Students inquired about the support for international students following the University’s recent pause on Curricular Practical Training approvals. AIS called for further support for international students and more transparent communication in this moment of “uncertainty and anxiety.”
The University also provided a brief response to comments made on the draft Guidelines on Open Expression at a previous Council meeting in April, stating that it “appreciated” the feedback from the Penn community.
In March, Penn unveiled a revised version of its Guidelines on Open Expression, with a final draft initially set to be presented during Wednesday’s meeting. After receiving community feedback, Provost John Jackson Jr. announced in June that the final version is now due at the University Council meeting on Nov. 18 and could even be further delayed.
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Senior reporter Kathryn Ye covers central administration and can be reached at ye@thedp.com. At Penn, she studies biochemistry and philosophy. Follow her on X @Kathryn__Ye.
