Penn community members coped with the ever-changing pandemic and associated losses, and they managed a complicated and often stressful return to in-person classes and exams.

Several high-ranking members of Penn’s administration announced their plans to leave Penn, either temporarily or permanently. 

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

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.

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

Natives at Penn is the second organization to join the coalition in the last three years, which meets regularly with top University administration to advocate for the interests of their constituents.

This year’s report, released on Nov. 8, tracks progress made during the 2021 fiscal year towards the goals set in the University's third Climate Action Plan, which was released in 2019.

The theme of this year’s Beyond Business lecture series is examining business and corporations through the lens of environmental, social, and governance concerns.

The University is adding multi-stall, all-gender bathrooms for future buildings on campus, but student groups are still advocating for renovations to existing buildings that are popular among community members. 

Even with these delays, CAPS Director of Integrated Care Initiatives Batsirai Bvunzawabaya said students should understand they can also choose to walk into the CAPS office, call for 24-7 support, or attend Let’s Talk.

The course, PSCI 398: How Washington Really Works, will include students from Penn and George Mason University, and will be co-taught by Emanuel and George Mason University professor Steve Pearlstein. 

Despite numerous complaints to multiple University offices over at least the past decade, employees said nothing has changed. They allege Penn has turned a blind eye to the abusive work environment at GTP, failing to hold the moneymaking program and its director, Jim Wilson, accountable.

Winter break will be extended by two days to include Jan. 3 and Jan. 4 as a show of gratitude, University administrators announced.

Penn administrators announced late last week that the University will halt commitments to private equity vehicles dedicated to investments in fossil fuel production.

The registration holds will be placed on student accounts on Oct. 29, barring students from participating in the upcoming Advance Registration period, which begins on Nov. 1.

Penn community members, including the South Asia Studies Department and some faculty members, disputed the complaint. 

The University requires that all vaccinated students receive at least one COVID-19 test every two weeks, and if they fail to do so, they will receive a red PennOpen Pass until they test negative.