Student Life
Over 7,000 students risk being barred from classes due to COVID-19 testing noncompliance
Students who have not received a COVID-19 test since Oct. 19 are in danger of receiving red passes and have until Oct. 30 to get tested.
‘Falling through the cracks:’ Students with disabilities allege poor support from Weingarten
Students who receive testing accommodations are frustrated by an alleged lack of communication and organization from Penn’s Weingarten Learning Resources Center and Disability Services as they have transitioned to in-person exams.
Flooding in Harnwell prompts late-night evacuation, displaces over 20 residents
Water from the sprinkler leaked into multiple dorms early Wednesday morning, with the fifth floor — where the sprinkler turned on — facing the brunt of the damage.
MERT holds first in-person Mass Casualty Incident drill since fall 2019
The drill is an opportunity for MERT to work with outside organizations and prepare for medical emergencies that could occur on campus.
Family Weekend will be held virtually in October, altering some families’ plans
Family Weekend will include both live and asynchronous Zoom webinars and BlueJeans conferences with speakers from the University.
From hiking to internships, Penn first years reflect positively on gap years
Many students who chose to defer enrollment at Penn said they made the decision to avoid taking classes online due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Weingarten receives $2.6 million donation for new testing center and academic support
The donation will contribute to a new testing location scheduled to open in the fall of 2022 for students who need accommodations.
Students talk classroom self-censorship, role of Greek life at virtual Penn Paideia event
About 50 students from a variety of local universities — including Penn, Drexel University, and the University of Delaware — attended the virtual event.
More than 9,000 students have broken Penn’s COVID-19 testing policy in last two weeks
The University requires that all vaccinated students receive at least one COVID-19 test every two weeks, and if they fail to do so, they will receive a red PennOpen Pass until they test negative.
Fisher Fine Arts Library expands its hours until midnight during the week
The library — a “quiet space” known for its architecture — is expanding its hours to remain open until midnight on Sundays through Thursdays.
Students unable to de-stress during fall break due to midterms, assignment deadlines
Students say their piling homework deadlines and exams — due the week immediately after Penn's four-day fall break from Oct. 14 to Oct. 17 — have prevented them from de-stressing and spending time with their loved ones.
Penn vaccinates nearly 14,000 community members at largest-ever flu clinic
The flu clinic — which ran from Oct. 4 through Oct. 8 — was held in Gimbel Gymnasium in Pottruck Health and Fitness Center.
Penn hits 99% undergraduate COVID-19 vaccination rate
The University also reported that 97% of faculty and staff and 96% of all students, both graduate and undergraduate, are fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
Students frustrated by assignments over fall break, but still excited for time off
Penn has the fewest days off of all the Ivy League schools with a fall break of only four days including the weekend.
GIC, Penn Park Farm partner to offer free, fresh produce to address food insecurity
Starting Sept. 13, the GIC began to offer weekly opportunities to pick up a bag of produce at the center’s location on 37th and Chestnut streets behind Pottruck Health and Fitness Center.
Penn students reflect on summer pediatric cancer research
Perelman School of Medicine second year Andrew Siaw-Asamoah and College junior Cristle Ike received funding from Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation to pursue pediatric oncology research alongside a mentor.
Penn Marriage Pact returns with new questions to help students meet their match
The Marriage Pact system is currently at 55 different schools, including Stanford University, Princeton University, Yale University, and Duke University, and has facilitated 68,192 matches.
6B leaders are pushing for more cultural center space and community building this fall
The Daily Pennsylvanian interviewed the 6B leaders about their priorities and ambitions for the fall semester, especially as the groups transition to in-person activities during COVID-19.
College Houses host events across Philadelphia to encourage students to leave ‘Penn bubble’
From Old City to the Gayborhood, College Houses are giving students the opportunity to explore different parts of Philadelphia with their hallmates during their first in-person semester at Penn.