Academics
Amid Hong Kong protests, Penn Abroad releases advisory for students to stay on campus
The current political and social unrest in Hong Kong began in June, when people took to the streets to oppose the introduction of the Fugitive Offenders Ordinance amendment bill, which would allow local authorities to detain and extradite citizens of Hong Kong to mainland China.
Students explore Japanese religion through anime and manga in new Penn course
The syllabus includes anime and manga from a range of genres, including the popular anime film "Your Name" and "Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind."Wharton introduces new Academically Based Community Service course
Social Impact and Responsibility is a seminar-style class that explores the role business can play in eradicating societal issues on both local and global levels.
Mary Francis to become new Penn Press director
For over two decades, Penn Press has been led by Eric Halpern, who took the position in 1995. Francis, who will succeed Halpern on Sept. 23, will be the press’s 13th director.
Van Pelt's basement just got a facelift. Here's what's new.
The renovated basement, which suffered from several broken electrical outlets, now has a rewired electrical system and fully functioning outlets.
Penn Global Seminar expands to offer more courses and department-specific programs
Previously, Penn Global Seminar courses were only courses that did not require prerequisites.
Penn rises to No. 6 in U.S. News & World Report university ranking
Penn has been ranked number eight for the past three years. Now, the University shares the No. 6 spot with Stanford University and the University of Chicago.
Penn undergrads can now major in environmental anthropology
Anthropology professor and Undergraduate Chair Katherine Moore said the new concentration was created because of interest from students and faculty in past years, amid the growing benefit of studying anthropology through an environmental lens.
Weeks after Amy Wax's 'dangerous' claims, students urge UA to start diversity programs
“I was really appalled that we even had a professor [at] this University making such derogatory comments,” said Nancy Ibrahim, vice president of the Muslim Students' Association and a College junior.
Penn adds a design major for undergraduates starting this semester
The University announced the creation of a new undergraduate program in fine arts and design in late August, which offers the new design major and a revamped fine arts major for students in the College of Arts and Sciences and the School of Engineering and Applied Science.
Amid a national epidemic, Penn launches a center to study opioid addiction
“The opioid crisis is a catastrophe for the country, which many people have suffered and lost their lives,” said Henry Kranzler, director of the Center for Studies of Addiction at the Perelman School of Medicine.
Penn no longer plans to eliminate Van Pelt bag checks
The current bag check procedure has been working well, and there aren't any changes that need to be made, Associate Vice Provost and Deputy University Librarian Jon Shaw said.
Gutmann, Pritchett recommend Dean Fluharty to lead SAS for a second term
"The Committee was unanimous that Dean Fluharty has the vision, energy, skills, and broad support needed to thrive and succeed in a second term as Dean," Penn President Amy Gutmann and Provost Wendell Pritchett wrote in an email to the Penn Community. "We enthusiastically agree."
Wharton appoints professor Diana Robertson as new head of undergraduate programs
Robertson, a Wharton legal studies and business ethics professor, will replace current vice dean Lori Rosenkopf on July 1.
Finance, consulting, and tech remain top industry choices among 2018 Penn grads
While students pursuing finance decreased over the years, the share of students working in the technology sector has doubled since 2011, jumping from 7% to 14%.
Ramadan will fall during finals, leading Penn students to balance studying and observance
While University policy allows examinations to be postponed for religious observance and allows students to take make-up exams during the first week of the fall or spring semester, the exact details are left up to the faculty and students to decide, University Chaplain Charles Howard said.
Students praise Penn Global Seminar flat fee for increasing financial accessibility
Before Fall 2018, Penn Global Seminar program fees did not include travel expenses or meals, creating uncertainty regarding the actual cost of the program.
The story behind the failed 2013 plan to renovate David Rittenhouse Labs
A plan to renovate DRL was scrapped in 2013 after administrators determined there was not enough funding.
Penn Global to offer its first biology seminar course in Costa Rica
The course will be taught by Byron Pedler Sherwood, a senior fellow in the Biology Department, and will be offered to students from all four undergraduate schools with no prerequisites.