Administration
New Zeke Emanuel course will bring students to Washington to learn about how policy is made
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.
Penn employees allege ‘dysfunctional, toxic workplace’ in Gene Therapy Program
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.
Penn will continue hybrid work for staff next spring, extend employee winter break
Winter break will be extended by two days to include Jan. 3 and Jan. 4 as a show of gratitude, University administrators announced.
Student groups criticize Penn for stopping short of divestment in latest climate policy update
Penn administrators announced late last week that the University will halt commitments to private equity vehicles dedicated to investments in fossil fuel production.
Penn will place 1,150 students on registration hold due to COVID-19 vaccine noncompliance
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 faces federal complaint for participation in conference discussing Hindu nationalism
Penn community members, including the South Asia Studies Department and some faculty members, disputed the complaint.
More than 9,000 students have broken Penn’s COVID-19 testing policy in last two weeks
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.
Penn Police superintendent Maureen Rush to retire by end of 2021
Rush has been at Penn since 1994, in which she launched several public safety initiatives on campus and faced criticism from University and Philadelphia community members.
Penn Engineering breaks ground on new data science building named Amy Gutmann Hall
Construction for Amy Gutmann Hall, a data science building for research collaboration, is scheduled to be completed in 2024.
Championing intersectionality, environmental groups lead Penn’s second annual Climate Week
Sustainability Director Nina Morris said a significant part of Climate Week programming was virtual to ensure that it reached beyond the University, and created a ripple effect throughout the Philadelphia community and in higher education as a whole.
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.
DPS unfolds new measures to increase transparency and accountability of Penn Police
The report's recommendations are based on an independent review of DPS that was previously commissioned by the University in July 2020, following the police killing of George Floyd and ensuing criticism of policing 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.
Penn’s new admissions dean talks goals for tenure, updates to application process
In the current admissions cycle, Penn will require only one teacher recommendation instead of two. The other letter of recommendation can come from anyone who can comment on the student's character.
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.
‘We will always remember:’ Gutmann honors lasting impact of 9/11 at memorial event
In her speech, Gutmann emphasized the need to recognize all those who lost their lives that day, including 16 Penn alumni.
Penn announces committee to select Gutmann’s successor
Gutmann is set to depart her role after President Joe Biden nominated her to serve as the U.S. ambassador to Germany in July.
Some students support reinstating Penn’s indoor mask mandate, others feel it’s unnecessary
Some students welcomed the reinstatement of the mask mandate, saying that it is important to protect students, faculty, and staff and the surrounding Philadelphia area from the rapidly-spreading Delta variant.
Gutmann announces plans for a new $31 million student-focused performing arts center
Plans include creating a 450-seat theater and stage, and the center will support performing arts instructors and provide rehearsal and practice spaces.