Administration
Penn plans for in-person instruction for fall 2021 semester
In an email sent an email to faculty on Monday morning, top University administrators cited the increasing availability of vaccines and Biden's recent promise to make every adult in the United States eligible for vaccination by May 1 as reason to be hopeful about a nearing end to the pandemic.
Penn will hold in-person commencement for Class of 2021 with no guests allowed
Only seniors who have participated in Penn's asymptomatic testing program this semester and who have not had housing or access to campus revoked because of a Campus Compact violation will be eligible to participate.
Here’s how the Ivy League plans to hold commencement ceremonies this year
As May approaches and the threat of COVID-19 still looms large, many universities are reconsidering their plans to hold in-person commencement ceremonies for the classes of 2020 and 2021.
Penn announces plans for Quad and Stouffer renovations, new SEAS building
University officials announced the three projects are all set to begin construction in 2022 and will carry steep price tags.
Pritchett estimates ‘50-50 chance’ Penn will launch student vaccination campaign by May
Although the University does not yet know when vaccines will be available for students, Pritchett said it is prepared for quick and seamless distribution.
Penn announces 2.8% tuition increase for 2021-2022 — lowest percent increase in 50 years
Next year's cost of attendance will total $79,014. The increase is notably lower than the typical 3.9% annual tuition hike, a move Penn President Amy Gutmann said is intended to benefit families amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
As some schools cancel in-person Class of 2020 commencement, Penn has yet to finalize its plans
Brown University and Princeton University have recently canceled their plans to hold an in-person ceremony for the Class of 2020 this spring.
Projects for Progress will award $100,000 to fund proposals directly impacting Philadelphia
Project proposals must directly address at least one of three objectives: eradicating or reducing systematic racism, achieving educational equity, or reducing health disparities.
Students demand fossil fuel divestment, mandatory climate course at University Council forum
Eight of the 15 topics at Wednesday's forum covered a wide range of climate-related demands, including mitigating the climate risk for Philadelphians and supporting issues of race and the environment.
Penn suspends operations, modifies COVID-19 testing schedule Thursday as winter storm looms
All classes will be held online, but COVID-19 testing will continue with a modified schedule at a limited number of sites.
Class of 2024 blindsided by new dining plan requirement, calling it a ‘blatant cash grab’
Hundreds have taken to a Change.org petition to voice dissatisfaction with the policy. A petition calling for the cancellation of the policy garnered more than 400 signatures as of the evening of Feb. 16.
Gutmann criticizes Trump administration’s handling of COVID-19 at pandemic ethics event
Penn President Amy Gutmann discussed the ethical and practical implications of the COVID-19 pandemic at a virtual event on Thursday.
Penn expands summer funding to include middle-income students
The Summer Funding Program will offer financial aid to students with an annual family income of $65,000 to $140,000 to pursue summer internships.
Penn threatens campus-wide quarantine policy in light of ‘worrisome’ positivity rate
If trends do not reverse, the University will move to Campus Alert Level 3: Safer at Home on the University's four-level alert system as early as next week.
After weeks of denying access, Penn will offer COVID-19 testing to Bon Appétit dining workers
Bon Appétit workers are subcontracted and not employed by Penn, which complicated providing them access to testing.
Penn to allow limited in-person gatherings, reopen Pottruck following end of Quiet Period
Student groups hoping to meet in person — either indoors or outdoors — must submit a request explaining why the activity cannot be held virtually.
Penn to standardize course times, eliminate back-to-back classes in fall 2021 schedule revamp
Under the new format, classes will start at one of eight designated start times beginning at 8:30 a.m. and ending at 8:30 p.m. Students will have at minimum 15 minutes between classes.
Penn will suspend operations, COVID-19 screening testing on Tuesday as snowstorm continues
Irvine Auditorium is the only COVID-19 testing location set to open on Tuesday, for symptomatic and close-contact COVID-19 testing only.
SCUE calls for sector requirement revamp, more FGLI support in first White Paper since 2015
SCUE releases a White Paper every five years recommending long-term changes to Penn's academic policies. This year's paper was set to be released in 2020, but was delayed due to COVID-19.