Also, the story behind Penn's famous black squirrels
Friday, January 31
Good morning, Penn.
Happy last day of January, Penn! Congrats on getting through the first month of the Spring semester. As February approaches, consider applying to join the wonderful team here at The Daily Pennsylvanian.
Penn community members rallied in support of Penn postdoctoral students' efforts to unionize, and the DP explored the history behind Penn’s famous black squirrels.
But first, SCUE released their twice-a-decade white paper containing recommendations for Penn on issues ranging from free speech to academic policies.
The Student Committee on Undergraduate Education released its 2025 White Paper issuing recommendations to Penn this past week.
SCUE publishes a White Paper every five years proposing short-term and long-term changes to Penn’s academic policies. The 64-page document offered recommendations across six areas: Academics; Diversity, Equity, Inclusion; One University; Wellness; West Philadelphia and Beyond; and Open Expression.
College junior Max Annunziata and College senior Sophia Leung — who are both former staffers for The Daily Pennsylvanian — served as the co-executive editors of the White Paper. In their introductory letter, Annunziata and Leung expressed their hope that Penn administrators would use the document as a “reference” in addressing “Penn’s current shortcomings and the ways to fix them.”
As the month comes to a close, the DP compiled important moments from the past five Januarys at Penn.
Over 100 Penn community members rallied on Thursday to announce that Penn research associates and postdoctoral students have reached majority support to unionize.
The DP explored the history behind the presence of black squirrels on Penn’s campus.
GUEST COLUMNIST ELIJAH RAMIREZ urges Penn students to heed former President Joe Biden’s advice, and recognize the dangerous presence of an oligarchic regime.
SPORTS
Dedication and a 'blue-collar mentality' have fueled undefeated Penn men's tennis' dominance this season.
TODAY IN DP HISTORY
Photo by Joy Lee
In 2017, the DP reported on the potential effects of 1968 Wharton graduate and President Donald Trump's 2017 travel ban on students and faculty. On Wednesday, Trump signed an executive order directing federal agencies to deport non-citizens — including college students — participating in pro-Palestinian protests.
THIS WEEK IN PRINT
Missed this week's print issue? Read the DP's weekly paper online here.
TAKE A BREATHER
Click here to play today’s DP mini crossword, which was constructed by Srikar Venkatesan.
And click here to play today's Password puzzle, which was constructed by Andrew Zhang.
FROM 34TH STREET MAGAZINE
In classrooms across the world, generative artificial intelligence has proven to be more than just a simple chatbot — it’s emerged as a key tool for learning. At Penn, professor Robert Ghrist has even swapped out the traditional teaching assistant with his own custom chatbot, reflecting a broader trend among university professors who have begun leaning on AI to streamline students’ learning. With generative AI handling menial tasks, students can now spend less time on busy work and engage more meaningfully with complex coursework. By making learning more efficient and effective, AI has the potential to revolutionize pedagogy in the world of higher education.
Are you enjoying DP Daybreak? Please share any ideas or concerns with us by emailing The Daily Pennsylvanian's Editor-in-Chief Emily Scolnick at scolnick@thedp.com.
As the month comes to a close, t
The DP explored the history behind the presence of 
Dedication and a 'blue-collar mentality' have 
