Academics
Asian American Studies Program adds faculty, co-director after fears for program’s survival
Under Asian American Studies professor Fariha Khan's co-directorship, the ASAM program will offer more courses, research and internship opportunities, and opportunities for collaboration and engagement with Asian American community organizations.
Penn announces new $100 million center for biomedical engineering research
The center will not have a physical building, but its work will be done at several of Penn's existing engineering buildings, according to SEAS Dean Vijay Kumar.
‘I know I’m supposed to be here’: Penn’s newest FGLI students adjust to being on campus
Some FGLI first years reported feeling pleasantly surprised by Penn's existing FGLI community and resources, though some added that they felt culture shock upon arriving on campus.
AAUP-Penn recommends classroom safety guidelines, accuses Penn of ‘downplaying’ COVID-19 risk
AAUP-Penn is doubling down on their push for Penn to allow instructors to choose whether to teach in person or virtually.
Students find block schedule inconvenient, unsafe as Locust Walk becomes crowded
The fall 2021 semester marks the beginning of the University's new block schedule format, which created standardized class start times and eliminated the possibility of back-to-back classes.
Some professors remain on Zoom despite resumption of in-person learning this semester
After having adapted their instruction methods for the last year and a half, many of these professors said those changes are here to stay — at least for now.
Penn hopeful entire semester will be in person after finding no COVID-19 classroom transmission
Penn currently has a positivity rate of 1.11%, a vaccination rate of 97% among faculty and undergraduates, and no classroom transmission has been found.
New Penn Museum director talks MOVE, Morton Collection controversies, long-term goals
Christopher Woods sat down with The Daily Pennsylvanian to discuss his goals and how the Museum will address widespread criticism — including towards the Museum's "unethical possession" of the Morton Cranial Collection and its handling of MOVE bombing remains — under his tenure.
Study abroad returns with limited options this semester
Travel to seven countries resumed after Penn suspended study abroad programs in spring 2020 due to global travel restrictions and health risks.
First years and sophomores enjoy in-person classes, social life after virtual learning
While students have eagerly awaited a return to in-person campus life, some are also feeling a sense of anxiety associated with in-person interactions.
Penn suspended operations Thursday. But some classes were still held virtually.
Some professors assumed that only in-person classes were canceled and planned to hold class on Zoom before receiving further communication from administrators that no classes could be held.
In-person classes and accessible class recordings: A guide to Penn’s academic scene this fall
Undergraduate courses are set to be primarily delivered in person with limited exceptions, remaining in line with administrators' original plans announced in April.
A rundown of Penn’s FGLI student resources this fall
Students can join various FGLI-oriented clubs and take advantage of academic resources.
Ten tips for navigating your first in-person semester at Penn
The Daily Pennsylvanian reached out to Penn students and faculty for advice on how incoming first years, transfer students, and sophomores can succeed in their first in-person semester.
Penn Medicine establishes professorship, fellowship for vaccine research and development
Professor of Medicine Drew Weissman — whose research allowed for the development of the COVID-19 mRNA vaccine — was named the inaugural Roberts Family Professor in Vaccine Research.
As Penn’s 2021 summer course session ends, some students say they will miss online learning
Students generally expressed that while they are looking forward to the switch to in-person learning in the fall, they will miss the flexibility of online courses.
Penn community members are once again required to wear masks indoors
A total of 80% of students enrolled in on-campus programs and 84% of faculty and staff have reported being fully vaccinated. The University expects the community vaccination rate to reach 90% by September.
Prof. Dache becomes first tenured, female, Latinx professor in Graduate School of Education
Dache’s research focuses on how historical challenges and racial demographics influence access to higher education in places such as Havana, Cuba; Cape Town, South Africa; Ferguson, Missouri; and Rochester, New York.
Penn Vet, Pa. Game Commission investigate cause of mysterious songbird deaths
Initially, Penn Vet solely tracked the cases of sickness and death, but they are now focused on finding the underlying source of the illness, the Centre Daily Times reported.