Administration
Students question administration's handling of Wharton junior's suicide
News of the suicide raised concerns among prospective as well as current students.
Over one hundred faculty sign letter in favor of divestment
On April 8, Fossil Free Penn released a letter in support of divestment from fossil fuels that was signed by 100 faculty members across 10 out of the 12 schools at Penn.
UPDATED: Wharton junior's death ruled a suicide, students mourn
Kong died Monday morning at the 40th Street Station on SEPTA’s Market-Frankford line, according to an email sent to undergraduates by Provost Vincent Price and President Amy Gutmann at 2:22 p.m.
Free speech concerns raised across campus after protest at CIA event
The protests that interrupted and ultimately ended a discussion between Penn professor Marjorie Margolies and CIA Director John Brennan have kicked off a series of reactions across campus, from a petition by a student publication to an official debate sponsored by the Penn Political Union.
Administration sends email addressing free speech after protest of CIA director
In the email, Provost Vincent Price and Vice Provost for University Life Valarie Swain-Cade McCoullum called free speech a “treasured freedom” and asked students to familiarize themselves with the University’s Guidelines on Open Expression.
Penn works to eliminate smoking, but not all students are supportive
Administrators are most concerned about making sure that their promotion of ‘tobacco-less’ culture does not alienate them from students, but students have had varied reactions to Penn’s ‘philosophical shift’ on tobacco use.
Campaign for Community approaches the end of an eventful first year
In April of 2015, Penn’s administration launched the campaign, an umbrella initiative encompassing events, grants and partnerships that encourage discussion about issues that “may appear to be difficult or intractable,” according to the Campaign’s website.
Faculty to be trained in mental health awareness through University-wide program
In early May, a group of faculty from Penn’s four undergraduate schools will receive training to “learn the signs of distress and mental health crises that can affect college students,” according to the CAPS website.
University will add more questions about sexual violence to student surveys
The University said in November they would add more questions about sexual violence to existing Penn surveys, shortly after the American Association of Universities’ Campus Climate Survey on Sexual Misconduct and Sexual Assault was released.
Penn protects prof. after death threats
Controversial Religious Studies professor Anthea Butler has frequently said her status as a tenured professor protects her from sanction or censure. But it really may be the Penn Police that are protecting her from backlash.
New Director of Financial Aid has worked at Drexel and Rutgers
Elaine Papas Varas will formally assume her position on March 28, 2016, according to the Office of Student Registration and Financial Services.
Three of Penn's schools join forces to serve Philadelphia
The new initiative, called the Penn Futures Project, actually consists of three specific initiatives, combining the efforts of the School of Nursing, the Graduate School of Education and the School of Social Policy & Practice.
The other side of Penn's $14 billion impact study
The debate over what contributions Penn owes to Philadelphia took a turn this month as Penn released its annual economic impact report detailing a $14 billion contribution to the state in 2015.
Ramon-Diaz-Arrastia appointed Presidential Professor in Perelman School of Medicine
The Presidential Professorship is a feature of the University’s Action Plan for Faculty Diversity and Excellence.
Tuition hike sparks concern among students
Last week, administrators announced the University would be increasing the total cost of attendance by 3.9 percent, from $63,526 to $66,000 for the 2016-17 academic year.
BREAKING: Penn announces a 3.9 percent tuition increase for 2016-17
The total cost of attendance increased from $63,526 to $66,000 for the upcoming academic year. Concurrently, Penn’s student financial aid budget also increased 3.9 percent, from $208 million to $214 million.
BREAKING: Frederick "Fritz" Steiner named new Penn Design dean
Steiner’s new position is effective July 1, President Amy Gutmann and Provost Vincent Price announced.
Administration pushes back on UA efforts to accommodate religious students missing class
For students who have to miss class because of religious holidays, getting access to lecture material is not always a click away on Canvas.
Federal government investigates Penn's endowment, along with other wealthy colleges'
Penn, along with 55 other wealthy colleges in the U.S., received a letter from the Senate Finance Committee and the House Means and Ways Committee with questions on their endowments.