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.

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 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. 

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. 

According to an email sent to the DP on Wednesday afternoon, Penn will file an amicus brief in today's lawsuit brought against new ICE restrictions barring many international students from studying in the U.S. this fall.

Under Penn's hybrid model, courses with more than 25 students will be recorded and taught remotely while all smaller courses may be taught in person, at the discretion of the individual professor, and with larger seating space permitted. 

While students expressed an understanding of the importance of coronavirus prevention measures, they believe the restrictions on large gatherings and in-person classes will negatively affect their semester.

While they will be present on campus in the fall, incoming transfers are concerned that online instruction and the Student Campus Compact will make the transition to the University more difficult than normal.

Institutions such as Penn, Yale, and Princeton have deep-rooted ties to slavery and other discriminatory practices, prompting students to call on their schools to address and denounce their pasts.

Penn Provost Wendell Pritchett made the announcement on Tuesday that Mamta Motwani Accapadi will replace Valarie Swain-Cade McCoullum as Penn’s new VPUL on Aug. 17. Accapadi will arrive to Penn with committed to goals of inclusion, community, and social justice.

Chief Wellness Officer Benoit Dubé and Director of Campus Health Ashlee Halbritter discussed health and safety initiatives for bringing students back to campus, including the Student Campus Compact, and emphasized that many specifics of Penn's plan remain fluid. 

Shortly after the University released its fall semester plan to open campus and offer instruction in a hybrid format, students voiced mixed reactions. While some are concerned about intense time zone differences, Penn's testing abilities, and housing, others are excited to return to campus. 

Penn will invite students back to campus on Sept. 1 for a hybrid fall 2020 semester with a mixture of in-person and virtual instruction. The remainder of the semester will be conducted online after Thanksgiving break.

The DP surveyed undergraduates to gauge what students hope to see and are currently most concerned about regarding fall 2020. Over half of the nearly 1,000 respondents prefer a hybrid model of in-person and online instruction, while only 9% preferring an entirely remote, online option. 

Manāna, a nonprofit organization founded by a Penn graduate in 2014, creates celebrations and sends hopeful messages for children in need. It has locations in both Philadelphia and Atlanta.

'Dear Class of 2020' also featured speeches and performances by Michelle Obama, Beyoncé Knowles-Carter, Malala Yousafzai, Condoleezza Rice, Lady Gaga, and more. 

Performing arts groups have grappled with uncertainty over what rehearsals and performances will look like this coming fall, and whether groups will be able to meet in person next semester.