Also, Penn earns its lowest U.S. News ranking since 1997, according to preliminary data.
Wednesday, September 11
Good morning, Penn.
As Philadelphia recuperates from the presidential debate last night, this morning's Daybreak is packed with the latest analysis and news from Penn's campus to take you through your Wednesday.
School of Arts and Sciences Dean Steven Fluharty has announced his retirement after 12 years in the role, and the McDonald's at 40th and Walnut streets will re-open later this month.
But first, the debate itself — which saw both candidates mentioning Wharton and sparked a series of watch parties across campus and protests in Center City.
Throughout the debate, Harris sought to place Trump on both his presidential and criminal record. She saw that strategy bear fruit within the first ten minutes, citing a Wharton report to make a point critical of Trump's economic policy proposals. But Harris' offensive on the economy quickly garnered the former president to mention his alma mater.
The brief Penn-centric exchange was only one part of a busy night that placed Philadelphia at the center of the political universe in a high-stakes presidential campaign. Hundreds of pro-Palestinian protesters marched outside the venue, while inside, the DP spoke with multiple politicians in the debate spin room about the youth vote. And Harris later stopped by a watch party, one of many held throughout the city.
Penn students and faculty gathered across campus on Tuesday night to watch the presidential debate between Vice President Kamala Harris and former president and 1968 Wharton graduate Donald Trump, held only a few miles away downtown in Philadelphia.
Debate watch parties were organized everywhere from rooftop lounges in high rise dorms to Smokey Joe’s, as well as campus buildings like Irvine Auditorium and the Annenberg School for Communication. While many students called the debate a success in illuminating the substantive policy differences between the two candidates, some lamented the muting of microphones as inhibiting more intense discussion — and others said that, either way, the event made for a fun drinking game.
Penn dropped to its lowest placement since 1997 in this year's U.S. News and World Report's Best National University rankings, which were obtained exclusively by the DP.
School of Arts and Sciences Dean Steven Fluharty will step down from his role and return to Penn's faculty on Dec. 31. He is the longest-serving dean in the school's history.
COLUMNIST JESSEY SHIN articulates the lack of support for disabled students at Penn and examines the underlying structural issues.
SPORTS
A dominant start continues: No. 25 Penn men's soccer moved to 3-0 with a win over Fordham.
TODAY IN DP HISTORY
Photo by Luke Chen
In 2019, the DP reported that Penn had risen to No. 6 in that year's U.S. News and World Report's Best National University rankings. Yesterday, the DP reported that Penn dropped to No. 10 — its lowest ranking since 1997.
TAKE A BREATHER
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School of Arts and Sciences Dean Steven Fluharty will 
Interim President Larry Jameson announced that Penn will limit its statements on local and world events and 
A dominant start continues: No. 25 Penn men's soccer 
