Director of Residential Services Patrick Killilee confirmed that the relocation of the offices is not permanent and that they will return to Stouffer Commons following the renovations.

Leaders from Penn Government and Politics Association, Penn Democrats, College Republicans, and Penn Justice Democrats agreed that it is essential to follow Penn's new guidelines for campus events and gatherings outlined in their most recent statement due to the surge in COVID-19 cases nationwide. They expressed that they hope that it will be safe to return to face-to-face meetings and events in the upcoming weeks. 

Penn accepted 15.63% of early decision applicants to the Class of 2026. Admission was offered to 1,218 students, comprising around half of the Class of 2026.

The new requirement applies to any Philadelphia establishment that sells food and drink for onsite consumption indoors — including movie theaters, bowling alleys, and sports venues.

Management from HamCo and The Radian said that their properties have not experienced any significant issues with other delivery or mail services — just Amazon.

Postponed final exams from the fall will be made up during the beginning of the spring semester in the same format they were offered previously.

Most libraries are open under Winter Break's shortened hours and access is limited to only Penn community members through Jan. 23. 

Residential dining halls will suspend indoor dining and operate with a grab-and-go "takeout" system for the foreseeable future. 

Penn will begin the spring semester with several COVID-19 mitigation measures — including two weeks of virtual learning and a new masking requirement.

On-campus housing move-in, which was previously scheduled to begin on Jan. 8, will begin on Jan. 15 and in-person classes will resume on Jan. 24. 

The location will be renovated into a mixed-use office building, according to Executive Director of Real Estate Ed Datz.

The petition calls for final exams for large lecture classes to be moved online, citing several grievances with the enforcement of the PennOpen Pass self-reporting system and difficulties with social distancing in classrooms. 

Penn community members coped with the ever-changing pandemic and associated losses, and they managed a complicated and often stressful return to in-person classes and exams.

Dubé said the decision to prohibit indoor social events was preventative in nature and was made in an effort to avoid the need for further restrictions on campus movement, which could jeopardize the University's academic mission.

Whether in-person or online, masked or unmasked, socializing or isolating, COVID-19 continued to determine what life at Penn looked like in 2021.

The return to in-person campus life allowed students and community members to resume gathering to demonstrate their grievances and frustrations with the University. 

The return of students to campus boded well for many local businesses after a year of financial hardship brought on by the pandemic.