The brief accuses Penn and the district court that dismissed the lawsuit of ignoring a “hostile educational environment” for Jewish students.

The messages marked a higher level of transparency with the University's stakeholders in comparison to Penn's prior dealings with the government — including its July resolution with the Department of Education.

The agenda for the Oct. 22 meeting in Houston Hall included the proposed renaming of the “Committee on Diversity and Equity” to the “Committee on Belonging” — which would require a change to the Council bylaws.

The notice follows the school’s February decision to reduce admissions by one-third amid uncertainty over federal funding.

Passed in July 2025, the legislation establishes a three-tiered endowment tax system for the nation’s wealthiest private universities. Penn will fall in the middle bracket at 4%.

Two days after the Oct. 20 deadline to provide feedback, seven of the nine universities initially asked to sign the “Compact for Academic Excellence in Higher Education” have rejected the proposal.

According to a recently filed disclosure, Penn lobbied the federal government on multiple issues, including National Institutes of Health and research, international student visas, and student financial aid.

In an interview with The Daily Pennsylvanian, Greta Kazenski, Penn Abroad’s associate director, described the changes as a step toward “equal access” within each study abroad program.

Carley will officially step into the role on Nov. 1 and will work closely with Executive Director of Penn Climate Stephen Decina and Vice Provost for Research David Meaney.

The initial cuts in February drew widespread criticism from Penn students and faculty, who expressed concern for the University’s research projects and academic mission.

During the demonstration, AAUP-Penn members emphasized that the University’s rejection of the compact was only the “beginning” and argued that the White House would continue “exerting pressure” on Penn.

While the Wharton's leadership has characterized the change as an improvement to club culture, some students have expressed concern that fewer interview opportunities will lead to a more unfair process.

According to an Oct. 16 email from Penn President Larry Jameson, the University rejected the compact after considering input from Penn faculty, alumni, trustees, students, and staff.

The union’s victory came just days before its one-year anniversary of negotiations, which began on Oct. 17, 2024.

With the decision, Penn became the third university to decline the offer.

The Executive Committee emphasized that signing the compact would “compromise” Penn’s academic freedom and scholarly diversity.

At the Oct. 15 conference, lawmakers criticized Penn for not immediately rejecting the White House agreement, and asserted that it threatens campus diversity and academic freedom.