Politics
Penn Dems president secures delegate slot to represent Biden at Democratic National Convention
Rising College senior Owen Voutsinas-Klose, who also serves as co-chair of Penn for Biden, was officially declared a delegate on June 16 after running in Pennsylvania’s primary election on June 2.
Trump campaign sues Pennsylvania's county elections boards over mail-in ballot drop boxes
Mail-in ballot drop boxes became a central part of the Pennsylvania primary this year, which was delayed from April 28 to June 2 in an effort to slow the spread of COVID-19.
Penn spent millions lobbying for education, healthcare, research funding in last decade
Penn also spends money on cash grants to University City and the School District of Philadelphia, according to the University's most recent Form 990 from the 2018 fiscal year.
New visa restrictions won’t affect most Penn intl. students. Many still remain worried.
Penn’s international students are worried about their long-term prospects in the United States following President Donald Trump’s recent announcement that will institute sweeping restrictions on work visa availability to foreign nationals.
In NJ-5, progressive and centrist Penn alumni vie for Democratic nomination
Arati Kreibich, 2005 Perelman School of Medicine graduate and Glen Rock councilmember, is challenging 1997 College graduate and New Jersey Representative Josh Gottheimer in New Jersey’s upcoming fifth district Democratic primary.
Joe Biden outpaces Donald Trump's presidential campaign fundraising for the first time
Biden and the Democratic National Committee pulled in $80.8 million for his presidential campaign in May — over 10% more than the $74 million that Trump raised with the Republican Party.
While mail-in voting proved popular in University City, statewide primary turnout declined
Six and a half percent fewer Democrats and 29% fewer Republicans voted in the 2020 Pennsylvania primary than in the 2016 Pennsylvania primary.
Progressive Penn grad defeats incumbent to represent West Philadelphia in Pa. statehouse
In January 2021, 2013 Engineering graduate Rick Krajewski will take office to represent Philadelphia’s 188th district, which encompasses Penn’s campus in University City.
Former Penn for Bernie members start Young Democratic Socialists of America campus chapter
The newly-formed YDSA chapter aims to engage members of the Penn community in activism for Democratic Socialist policies, such as providing universal single-payer healthcare, canceling nationwide student debt, and providing tuition-free undergraduate public education.
Penn supports Supreme Court ruling to uphold DACA program
Following the 5-4 ruling, Penn President Amy Gutmann released a statement, writing she was “enormously pleased” by the decision, calling it a “great victory for human rights and the future of America.”
City Council passes five bills to ease Phila. renters' economic pain amid COVID-19 pandemic
The Emergency Housing Protection Act is a package of bills intended to provide relief to renters affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
UMOJA demands Penn give Makuu a building on Locust Walk, cut ties with Philadelphia police
Members of UMOJA said they were disappointed after a meeting with administration, in which the group also demanded a COVID-19 response fund for students and SAC funding for local non-profits.
After Phila. settles COVID-19 jail conditions lawsuit, students, prof. urge aid from Penn
The suit, filed on April 20, argued that the city's current jail conditions increase the likelihood of incarcerated people contracting the virus and becoming seriously ill.
Penn Leads the Vote and University create plan for 100% campus voter registration by 2028
PLTV, the Office of Government and Community Affairs, and the Netter Center for Community Partnerships released Penn’s official 2020-21 voter engagement action plan on June 1.
Trump vs. Twitter: How the tech giant’s clash with POTUS brings fact-checking to the fore
For years, Twitter has passively watched the president use its platform as a bullhorn to antagonize political rivals and spread misinformation, but on May 26, for the first time, the social media platform placed an addendum on the the 1968 Wharton graduate's false claims.
‘It had to come down,’ says Penn grad who sculpted city’s controversial Frank Rizzo statue
Protesters who attempted to tear down the statue during anti-police brutality protests say the statue stood as a symbol of discrimination and police brutality.
Extended Pa. mail-in ballot deadline prompts debates over politicization, voter fraud
Public reception of Pennsylvania's week-long extension for mail-in primary ballots has been mixed, with voters' support largely falling along political party lines.
Republican congressman calls for investigation into Penn Biden Center in letter to Devos
Florida representative Matt Gaetz is asking the Department of Education to investigate the Penn Biden Center for Diplomacy and Global Engagement for allegedly accepting millions in undisclosed foreign donations.
Fifteen student groups host phone bank against proposed Phila. police budget increase
Penn students are urging Philadelphia councilmembers to reallocate millions in increased police funding toward other city services.