Administration
Faculty advocacy group outlines recommendations to govern course end times with new block schedule
Penn's chapter of the American Association of University Professors urged the administration to refrain from encouraging professors to teach through the 10-minute passing time at the end of class meetings.
Suspension of this year’s dean’s list leaves some students disappointed
Some students said that the timing of the announcement, which was made less than two weeks before the end of spring classes, blindsided them, given how hard they worked to receive the award.
Penn received 389% more foreign donations in 2019 than in 2018, DP analysis finds
Penn attributed the increase to the addition of an international development department to The Power of Penn, the University’s most ambitious fundraising campaign which ran for the first time in the fiscal year 2019.
Penn affirms commitment to racial equity as Derek Chauvin trial approaches verdict
Forty-five members of University leadership — including Penn President Amy Gutmann, Board of Trustees Chair David L. Cohen, and Division of Public Safety Vice President Maureen Rush — signed the email affirming Penn's commitment to advancing racial equity.
Penn suspends dean's list for 2020-2021 academic year
In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, the University suspended dean's list awards to keep academic policies consistent with the previous year, in which Penn also adopted an extended pass/fail grading system.
Penn clarifies instructors won’t have to teach for 10 extra minutes under new block schedule
Several faculty members reported unclear communication from administrators about whether they would be required to teach for extra time, and if so, whether they would be compensated.
Penn extends terms of Graduate School of Education and Penn Law deans through 2023
Pam Grossman, dean of the Graduate School of Education, and Ted Ruger, dean of Penn Law School, will now hold their positions until June 30, 2023.
Penn Museum will repatriate Morton Collection in effort to repair ‘racist and colonial practices’
Penn Museum and the University issued an apology for their "unethical possession of human remains" in a Monday evening statement.
Top Penn administrator criticizes Fossil Free Penn’s calls for divestment at climate seminar
The seminar took place just hours after Penn announced its new plan to reach net-zero greenhouse gas emissions from endowment investments by 2050.
Penn to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions within endowment by 2050
While Penn announced it plans to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions associated with underlying investments in its endowment, it will not be completely divesting from fossil fuels.
Students praise Penn’s plan to hold class in person this fall
Some students were optimistic that a return to traditional learning will be beneficial for their social and mental health.
Penn refuses to move 2021 commencement from Jewish holiday despite student pleas
A petition garnered over 1,500 signatures urging the University to move the date of the 2021 Commencement ceremony.
Over 100 protesters march through University City demanding Penn, Drexel pay PILOTs
The protest, called #PhillySchoolsDeserve: A March for PILOTs, was co-sponsored by Penn Community for Justice, Drexel Community for Justice, Penn for PILOTs, and other community organizations.
Penn to recruit Asian American Studies profs. following concerns over lack of program support
The search will occur during the 2021-2022 academic year in an effort to have the new faculty join SAS in the 2022-2023 academic year, according to an announcement by School of Arts and Sciences Dean Steven Fluharty.
First-year FGLI students share experiences of impostor syndrome at Penn First Plus, GIC forum
A primary concern shared by students was feeling a lack of community while taking virtual classes. Some students also said that grappling with feelings of inadequacy and impostor syndrome as FGLI students has been a struggle.
Annual Women in STEM symposium celebrates progress, calls for more diversity in engineering
Female enrollment in Penn Engineering currently stands at about 40%, which Engineering Dean Vijay Kumar said is not enough.
Penn to consider impact of COVID-19 on faculty for tenure, promotion applications
While faculty members welcomed the option to submit a pandemic impact statement, some expressed concern over how answers would be interpreted.
More than 1,300 petition against Penn’s decision to hold commencement on a Jewish holiday
University spokesperson Stephen MacCarthy did not respond to a request for comment about whether the University is aware of the petition and if it is considering moving the date of commencement, which coincides with Shavuot.
UA secures climate town hall meeting with Penn admin. over a year after initial demands
The event — which some student and faculty leaders say is an important step in a longer process of voicing climate concerns to administrators — will take place on April 7 from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.