Covid
Penn Museum will reopen to the public on July 28
In order to limit the spread of COVID-19, visitors will be required to wear facial coverings and remain six feet away from those who are not in their household groups.
Pedro Saltos Montenegro | Living with my dad, a COVID-19 patient
Seeing my father suffer, cry, and fight the COVID-19 through a window is undoubtedly one of the most shocking memories I will have to carry with me forever.
International first-year students taking an entirely online course load cannot enter U.S.
About 14% of admitted students to the Class of 2024 classify as international students who come from 98 countries, placing over 450 admitted international first years at risk under the restrictions.
Community service groups plan to volunteer virtually in the fall
After determining how they can be most effective to the communities they partner with, student groups such as A Moment of Magic, Camp Kesem, and West Philadelphia Tutoring Project all decided to operate virtually this fall.
Incoming first years frustrated with process and results of on-campus room selection
After receiving their fall assignments on July 17, many students felt it was unreasonable that they only have until July 31 to confirm their housing assignments without facing additional charges.
Editorial | As questions arise about the fall, Penn should host a community-wide town hall
Peer institutions like Cornell, Emory, and Purdue already made attempts to answer student questions through virtual town halls, giving Penn a blueprint from which to work.
Professors with school-age children worry about balancing work and childcare this fall
Professors also expressed concerns about their children's safety, as students in the School District of Philadelphia will return to school in person two days a week this fall.
New Student Orientation and Convocation will be online for incoming first years, transfers
David Fox, director of NSO and the Penn Reading Project, said Convocation may be run in a similar form to the Class of 2020's virtual commencement this spring. NSO will be held primarily through Thrive at Penn modules on Canvas.
Bridget Yu | Don’t take a gap year during the pandemic
Don’t take a gap year out of fear or discomfort with the chaotic state of the world. It’s our new normal and will continue to be in the foreseeable future.
‘Life or death’: Immunocompromised students fear return to campus
As some immunocompromised students prepare to return to campus despite the health risks posed by the ongoing pandemic, they worry that their peers may not take the threat of the virus seriously — potentially endangering their lives.
Penn summer courses enroll students in 30% more course units than 2019
Vice Dean for Liberal and Professional Education Nora Lewis said 2020 summer enrollment has increased by approximately 850-900 course units as compared to 2019.
Penn donates $100,000 to rebuild 52nd Street businesses after COVID-19, civil unrest
Penn donated $100,000 to The Enterprise Center to help rebuild the commercial corridor of 52nd Street, after it endured losses caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and effects of recent nationwide demonstrations calling for racial justice.
Lark Yan | Incoming first years, a gap year is in your best interest
Since incoming college first years are at a key transition stage of their lives, they should highly consider taking a gap semester given their inability to receive a complete college experience under present circumstances.
Philadelphia bans fans from Phillies and Eagles games, later walks back stance
The Phillies will have no fans in attendance in their home-opener against the Miami Marlins this Friday.
Guest Column by College Dean's Advisory Board | We need access to course syllabi now
Currently, Penn students mostly rely on Penn Course Review and word of mouth to make decisions on which classes to take.
Photo Essay | Meet six Philadelphia Black-owned businesses facing the COVID-19 pandemic
While facing challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Black-owned businesses have also received an outpouring of support in light of the Black Lives Matter movement. Here's how six Philadelphia Black-owned small businesses have been affected.
RAs worry about connecting with residents virtually, enforcement of distancing measures
RA and Graduate Associate training, orientation, and future programming will proceed virtually this year, due to coronavirus distancing measures.
Varun Saraswathula | Doctors are facing a silent mental health crisis — and they need help
Dr. Lorna Breen’s passing reignited a conversation surrounding well-being among physicians, but struggles with mental health often begin more than a decade before medicine itself.
Other conferences follow the lead of the Ivy League in decisions on fall sports
The Patriot League has become the second Division 1 conference to cancel fall sports after the Ivy League made its decision last week.