Meet the Penn graduates tapped to serve in the Biden-Harris administration

A new slate of Penn affiliates will serve in leadership roles within the Biden-Harris administration, ranging from the Office of Political Strategy and Outreach to Biden's White House COVID-19 Response Team.

President-elect Biden names Penn alumni to White House staff

Three Penn graduates were appointed to Biden's White House staff this week, completing the Biden-Harris transition team's endeavor to appoint 100 diverse staffers by the end of 2020. 

Penn takes center stage in the 2020 presidential election

The history-making presidential election saw an intense battle between former Penn professor Joe Biden and 1968 Wharton graduate and Republican incumbent Donald Trump, with Pennsylvania flipping blue to propel Biden to the White House. 

Here's how Penn graduates running for office did on Election Day

They span across six states and the majority are running for seats in the United States House of Representatives. Nine are incumbents, while seven are running for the first time. 

Amid a poll worker shortage, Penn students are stepping up to work on Election Day

Around Philadelphia, Penn students have expressed so much interest in working at the polls that the commonwealth has had to turn some volunteers away.

Biden hosts Philadelphia town hall in lieu of presidential debate

Biden is currently on an unpaid leave of absence from the University, but remains the Benjamin Franklin Presidential Practice Professor, and has established the Penn Biden Center for Diplomacy and Global Engagement. 

Are 'bad things' happening at the Philadelphia polls? Student political organizers say no.

Although Trump is concerned about election integrity in Philadelphia, Penn students are not. Instead, student leaders  are pointing the finger at the 1968 Wharton graduate himself.

Pennsylvania will allow mail-in ballots this election. Here's all you need to know.

While absentee ballots require the voter to list a reason they cannot vote in person– like traveling out of state during the election, or having an illness or physical disability – anyone can apply for and receive a mail-in ballot.

‘Out now!’: Penn students join protests outside President Trump’s Philadelphia town hall

Outside the venue, at least 200 people gathered for an anti-Trump demonstration organized by Refuse Fascism Philly and the Penn Community for Justice. 

Cory Booker, Pa. AG Josh Shapiro headline Penn Dems virtual kickoff event

The event was held over Zoom Monday night, and is part of Penn Dems' effort this semester to encourage as many people as possible to vote.

Penn closed on-campus housing for the fall. Now, fewer students can vote in Pa. in 2020

Though upperclassmen with residences in Philadelphia remain eligible to vote, most first years did not live on campus, preventing them from establishing a residence and registering to vote in the state.

Penn Dems and Penn for Biden gear up for election season through a virtual format

Penn Democrats have seen over 150 sign-ups after posting about it in the Class of 2024 Facebook group, along with many new Facebook likes and follows on their social media pages.

Penn releases 'Return to Campus Guide' for faculty and staff regarding masks, safety, pay

The "COVID-19 Return to Campus Guide for Penn Faculty and Staff," released in mid-July, was developed by a 20-member committee comprised of faculty and staff from various University departments.

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.

Penn’s history of refusing to pay PILOTs, explained

What exactly are PILOTs, why doesn’t Penn pay them, and where does that money go instead? The Daily Pennsylvanian has answers to all of those questions and more — here is everything you need to know about the relationship between Penn and PILOTs.

Professors are wary of in-person teaching following Penn’s hybrid semester announcement

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. 

Communication major consolidates 12 concentrations to five new options in curriculum update

The new concentrations ⁠— Advocacy & Activism, Audiences & Persuasion, Culture & Society, Data & Network Science, and Politics & Policy ⁠— represent a "less is more approach." 

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.”

Biden formally clinches Democratic presidential nomination

America is now left to decide between the former Penn Presidential Professor of Practice and 1968 Wharton graduate and President Donald Trump.

Error 404 exhibit showcases Fine Arts senior thesis projects — in virtual reality

The virtual art exhibition was created by 2020 College graduate Stara Diamond and 2020 College of Liberal and Professional Studies graduate Natalia Cabalceta.