Student Life
78% of surveyed Penn students will return to campus for mostly virtual fall semester
The DP surveyed undergraduates to gauge what students are planning to do for fall 2020 amid the pandemic. Though the vast majority of the nearly 1,000 respondents will return to campus in less than a month, they expressed a general distrust in the Student Campus Compact and mixed feelings about the fall semester.
Calls to abolish Greek life are sweeping the nation. Now, they’re growing louder at Penn.
Students involved in Greek life believe there is room for reform, while those calling for abolition disagree because of Greek life’s long history of alleged racism, classism, and sexism.
Penn will mail all domestic undergrads COVID-19 tests and hold nearly all classes online
While colleges across the nation are reversing their fall plans, the University continues to stand by its initial hybrid instruction model. The vast majority of undergraduate fall classes will be held online, the statement read, with very few in-person offerings.
Pottruck will reopen under a phased approach for fall 2020
As the reopening phases progress, Campus Recreation will increase hours, group exercise programming, services, and access to other indoor facilities such as squash, indoor tennis, and the Fox Fitness Center.
Students question enforcement of Campus Compact, call on Penn to allow safe socialization
Without strict oversight, students worry a surge in cases could occur, yet students fear strict oversight and individual reporting could create a divisive campus culture.
Students are expected to follow the Campus Compact this fall. Here’s what it means.
The Compact expects students to adhere to a set of public health and safety measures, including practicing strict physical distancing and using facial coverings for two weeks before returning to campus before classes start on Sept. 1.
‘The campus was dead’: Students who stayed at Penn last spring recount isolated experiences
Students unable to return home were able to fill out an online form requesting to remain on campus. Approximately 450 students received approvals, while thousands of other residents rapidly left campus en masse.
On the front lines of COVID-19: Penn student describes working as EMT in New York City
As an emergency medical technician in the Bronx, rising Wharton sophomore Stuart Harris likens his job to watching a “horror movie” — even months after the city survived its most devastating impact of the COVID-19 pandemic to date.
‘A roller coaster month’: Intl. first-year students shaken once again by newest ICE policy
After receiving their schedules on Monday, international first years are worried that they won't be able to enter the U.S. without registering for in-person classes.
Scared silent: Hong Kong national security law forces Penn students to rethink future plans
For Penn's Hong Kong students, returning home and speaking out against the law incites fear and leaves them with questions about their identity and their home.
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.
All pre-orientation programs will proceed virtually in 2020
Applications are now open for the Class of 2024 and fall 2020 transfer students to apply for any of the University's five pre-orientation programs — PENNacle, PennArts, PennCORP, PennGreen, and PennQuest.
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.
‘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.
Rising seniors concerned about social life, course quality ahead of their final fall term
A college career defined by in-person experiences and a bustling campus was quickly halted by a global pandemic this spring — an obstacle that rising seniors never envisioned would mark the end of their time at Penn.
Students concerned about new on-campus housing arrangements for fall 2020
Prior to receiving their new fall housing assignments, students planning to live on campus expressed concern of being separated from their intended roommates and confusion about the social aspect of new living arrangements. All rooms will be charged the same rate.
Police Free Penn demands abolition of Penn Police Department, redress of anti-Black violence
Police Free Penn seeks to reimagine police-free strategies to ensure community safety and well-being, and demands that the University reinvest in community-controlled funds, particularly in West Philadelphia.
Student groups can now donate revenue after Office of Student Affairs reverses policy
In a June 29 email to Student Activities Council groups, OSA Associate Director of Activities Rodney Robinson announced that SAC-funded student groups may donate their unused revenue to charities.