Throughout 2024, Penn navigated heightened campus activism, a historic wave of labor unionization, concerns about free speech and governance on campus, and controversial administrative responses to the campus climate.
Interim Penn President Larry Jameson’s first year in the position was marked by heightened campus activism, as Penn remained divided amid pro-Israel and pro-Palestinian demonstrations that culminated in the 16-day Gaza Solidarity Encampment at the end of the spring semester. Penn’s temporary open expression guidelines, announced in response to the activism, have since drawn concerns from students, faculty, and community members about the state of free speech and academic freedom on campus.
The Daily Pennsylvanian also exclusively acquired hundreds of internal documents detailing Penn’s response to antisemitism concerns on campus and the encampment, revealing additional information about negotiations and the University’s interactions with the Mayor’s and Governor’s offices.
As Penn remains under investigation for its handling of antisemitism over the past year and continues to move forward after former Penn President Liz Magill’s resignation, the University developed several community task forces and outlined institutional policies. The DP also examined the continued effects of the overturning of affirmative action, analyzing this year’s admission statistics and demographic data, and looked at the impacts that 1968 Wharton graduate Donald Trump’s reelection to office might have on the country and Penn itself.
The year also saw an unprecedented rise in campus labor organization and demands for fair workplace policies and payment. Penn’s graduate student workers, resident advisors, and library staff members pressed forward in their unionization efforts and they, along with other campus labor groups, have described Penn as a union-buster.
University City also experienced a large amount of business turnover, with several new restaurants opening around campus and a few beloved stores closing their doors, and several areas of Penn’s campus remain under construction or will soon undergo renovations.
Look back at the biggest stories from Penn this year with the DP’s Year in Review:
The Daily Pennsylvanian is an independent, student-run newspaper. Please consider making a donation to support the coverage that shapes the University. Your generosity ensures a future of strong journalism at Penn.
Donate