Whether in-person or online, masked or unmasked, socializing or isolating, COVID-19 continued to determine what life at Penn looked like in 2021.

The University was the subject of national controversy when it was discovered that the Penn Musuem was in possession of the remains of a victim from the 1985 MOVE bombing.

Penn's climate-related initiatives ranged from its commitment to net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 to its second annual Climate Week, and most recently, its decision to halt new investments in fossil fuels.

The return to in-person campus life allowed students and community members to resume gathering to demonstrate their grievances and frustrations with the University. 

The return of students to campus boded well for many local businesses after a year of financial hardship brought on by the pandemic.

Classes remained largely virtual until fall 2021, when in-person instruction — as well as the on-campus party scene — resumed. 

As campus reopened and students returned to Locust Walk, in-person life allowed Penn's political clubs to restart in-person programming and voter mobilization efforts for both local and national elections. 

Columnist Alex Eapen discusses his positive interactions with departing UPenn President Amy Gutmann. 

Columnist Caroline Magdolen discusses how the Omicron variant will affect our future. 

Columnist Joseph Squillaro discusses the importance of gratitude in uncertain times. 

Pritchett will be reinstated as a faculty member at the Penn Law School after the spring 2022 semester.

Because this weekend is full of activity in women’s basketball, we’ll check in with the Ivy League women’s basketball teams to see where they stand as we close out the calendar year with a few more games.

Despite a trend of students from the same high schools consistently being admitted, the Admissions Office maintained that there is no formula to get accepted to Penn. 

Despite the pandemic shutting down her junior track season, senior Ariana Gardizy has not missed a beat, leading the Quakers to success on the track as a captain and competing in international track competitions while balancing nursing research and her occupation as a realtor.  

Despite COVID-19 restrictions across the Ivy League limiting athletic participation in spring 2021, several athletics teams in that part of the season were able to participate in limited capacity.  

As did fall sports, the winter athletics teams entered the season having not played in almost two years. Unlike this past fall season, however, it looks like a few of these teams have a shot at competing for Ivy League titles.

The Daily Pennsylvanian's Editorial Board discusses how Penn's new president can reshape life at Penn.