Friday Morning: Class of 2028 reacts to admin. turnover

Friday, January 19

Good morning, Penn.

I'm Neema, and I'll be your Friday morning newsletter anchor this semester.

Today, the University has suspended operations with campus under a winter storm warning, and Biden visited Philadelphia for the third time in only two weeks on Monday as his presidential campaign picks up. But first, let's hear what the Class of 2028 thinks about administrative turmoil at Penn following their early acceptances into the University.

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🌨️ TODAY'S TOP STORY

Photo by Abhiram Juvvadi

Incoming students reveal hopes and concern s amid admin. turmoil

Penn's Dec. 14 announcement of early decision results came at the end of a tumultuous fall semester that included controversy surrounding the Palestine Writes Literature Festival, tensions over the Israel-Hamas War, and the resignations of former Penn President Liz Magill and former University Board of Trustees Chair Scott Bok. Over 8,500 students applied to Penn through the Early Decision Program this year, submitting the contractually binding agreement by Nov. 1 — prior to Magill and Bok's resignations.

The DP spoke with several accepted students about their perspectives on Penn's recent administrative turmoil — and while some are concerned about student safety on campus, others were aware of the controversy while applying and chose to regardless in the hopes that the University will boast a new stability in the fall.

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Meet five students in the Class of 2028

The DP also sat down with five members of the Class of 2028 to speak with them about their backgrounds, aspirations, and what ultimately drew them to choose Penn.

FIVE MORE BIG STORIES

Penn Faculty for Justice in Palestine — a group including lecturers, staff, and graduate employees — announced their formation in a statement on Wednesday.
President Joe Biden visited southeastern Pennsylvania three times in the past two weeks, including a campaign event, visits to local small businesses, and volunteering at a food bank.
Several Penn students spoke at an event hosted by Decolonize Philly — a group that describes itself as "dedicated to fighting against genocide, injustice, and systems of oppression."
1968 Wharton graduate and former President Donald Trump was removed from the Colorado and Maine Republican primary ballots — and the United States Supreme Court is set to determine his eligibility.
Perry World House built on its visiting fellows program by introducing six inaugural non-resident senior advisors with expertise in a wide range of international topics.

BUNDLE UP…

Penn announced that normal operations will be suspended today due to the winter weather — the first such suspension in nearly three years.

OPINION

COLUMNIST MRITIKA SENTHIL urges the Penn community to reexamine institutional priorities after Liz Magill and Scott Bok’s resignations, describing how challenges in transforming campus culture at large have little to do with the former administration.

Photo by Ethan Young

SPORTS

With the spring season fast approaching, the future looks bright for the Penn women's lacrosse team as three of its players were recognized in the USA Division I Women’s Lacrosse Preseason rankings.

TODAY IN DP HISTORY

IN 2021, the DP reported that the Class of 2024 moved to on-campus housing for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic sent everyone home in March 2020, with some expressing excitement and others voicing concerns about safety. This year, incoming Quakers are expressing a similar mixture of concern and hope — though for very different reasons.
Photo by Max Mester

Today's newsletter was copy edited by Diamy Wang.

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