Penn Med's frontline health care workers praised for courage, yet denied COVID-19 tests

The Daily Pennsylvanian spoke to more than a dozen nurses, doctors, and clinical students who work across Penn Medicine’s hospital system. While Penn undergraduates enjoyed virtually unlimited access to COVID-19 testing this semester, some health care workers continue to be denied COVID-19 tests.

Students struggle to adapt to virtual classes

Behind the Zoom screen: students reflect on housing in the time of COVID-19

As some students are deciding whether to return to campus for the hybrid spring semester, The Daily Pennsylvanian virtually sat down to talk with three students, each of whom offered a glimpse into their different fall semester experiences living on campus, off campus in University City, or at home with their family.

Here’s what you need to know about housing and dining in the spring

Despite having fewer food options, standardized portion sizes, and no guest swipes for the semester, first-year students will have to pay nearly $100 more for their meal plan than what was required last academic year.

With classes online, a wave of cheating is ravaging Penn’s academics

While some professors have implemented anti-cheating measures like "live proctoring" on Zoom, students claim that many professors have failed to take necessary precautions against cheating even in the face of inflated class scores.

For intl. students, club recruitment means pulling all-nighters to attend Zoom meetings

Many Penn international students had no choice but to become “nocturnal” and operate on Eastern time in order to attend club information sessions and interviews this semester.

Gutmann, highest paid Ivy League president, will not take COVID-induced pay cut like peers

In response to the financial downturn brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, the presidents of four other Ivy League schools have taken pay cuts of 20% or more for this academic year. 

Students call on Penn to subsidize storage costs for dorm items

Residential Services will no longer cover the cost of storing students’ belongings until January 2021 as it previously had promised. Students must now choose to have all belongings shipped home, or have them donated or discarded at no cost.

Penn students ring in Jewish new year with socially distanced Rosh Hashanah celebrations

Despite the virtual and socially distanced Rosh Hashanah celebrations, students and spiritual leaders said the COVID-19 pandemic has brought a greater meaning to the holiday, which signifies a fresh start and new year. 

Two Hillel chefs were furloughed. Now, they’re launching a Kosher food truck.

The food truck will be stationed near Clark Park and serve dairy foods such as macaroni and cheese, tomato basil soup, quesadillas, chili fries and "build your own" pasta options.

Penn will not pay contracted dining workers in financial blow to Bon Appétit employees

While Bon Appétit workers will not receive pay this semester, the 113 dining workers directly employed by Penn are not furloughed and will continue to be paid for their typical 40-hour work week.

Hundreds petition Penn to extend widespread COVID-19 testing for the entire fall semester

The University will invite specific asymptomatic members of the Penn community, including students, faculty, and staff who are deemed have a higher exposure risk, to enroll in surveillance testing protocols once Penn has finalized the details of the program.

Penn will now pay to ship students’ spring dorm items home following student pushback

The shipping process will begin around mid-September and take several weeks to complete, Penn Business Services Director of Communications and External Relations Barbara Lea-Kruger wrote in an email to The Daily Pennsylvanian on Monday. 

Broken mirrors and missing TVs: Penn fails to deliver items left in dorms to many students

Many students believe the lost and damaged belongings were the result of a disorganized process with little oversight from Penn and poor record keeping from moving companies.

NCHW will still open in fall 2021 as other construction projects face COVID-related delays

Installation of air conditioning in Gregory College House has been delayed by one year, while the Weitzman Plaza will experience a seven-week delay.

After reversal of fall plans, students demand Penn subsidize shipping costs for dorm items

Many students feel that they should not have to incur expensive shipping fees or risk contracting coronavirus on the trek to the Penn Tennis Center or their moving company's warehouse to retrieve their belongings. 

International students hesitant to return to campus due to concerns about testing, move-in

International students are “encouraged, but not required” to receive a coronavirus test before returning to the United States.

With mosques closed, Muslim students celebrate Eid virtually

Muslim students at Penn who were unable to go to their local mosque and gather in person on Eid celebrated with virtual communal gatherings and prayer sessions.

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. 

Incoming first years frustrated with process and results of on-campus room selection

After receiving their fall assignments on July 17, many students felt it was unreasonable that they only have until July 31 to confirm their housing assignments without facing additional charges.