Isha Chitirala

The resolution comes after several student groups voiced concerns about how Penn would respond to United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement activity on campus.

Intended to “preserve” Penn’s “principles of open expression,” the draft policies could significantly shape how speech, demonstrations, and protests unfold on campus.

Penn’s 270th Commencement, scheduled for May 18 at Franklin Field, will grant degrees to graduates, recognize honorary recipients, and feature remarks from University officials.

Senior Vice President David Asch previously said he had not contacted Epstein — his former high school teacher — in “nearly 50 years.”

“I’ve seen how the school has felt constrained,” Faculty Senate Chair-Elect Roy Hamilton said while describing “what’s happened to these programs” under the current guidance from the Trump administration.

Per University policy, classes will also not report in person on Jan. 26. 

Several speakers emphasized the need for increased awareness on Penn’s campus surrounding recent protests in Tehran, which have faced harsh retaliation from the Iranian government.

The increase in national scrutiny of Penn coincided with a series of lawsuits against the University, as well as federal investigations and ongoing negotiations with the White House.

Penn’s Senior Vice President for Strategic Initiatives David Asch was referenced in a 2015 email exchange between his high school classmate and Epstein — Asch’s former teacher.

The University attributed its decision to withdraw the motion to Goldberg's retirement in September. adding that the case the justice dismissed is currently on appeal.