Interim Penn President Larry Jameson addressed the University's approach to responding to recent federal actions in an email sent to the Penn community on Feb. 24.
The Monday letter marks the third Jameson has sent in response to 1968 Wharton graduate and President Donald Trump's new policies. In it, Jameson wrote that Penn is closely monitoring changes to federal and legal actions affecting higher education — including changes to diversity, research, and immigration policies — and reaffirmed the University's commitment to academic freedom, inclusion, and legal compliance.
Jameson first commented on the Trump administration’s policies — specifically federal funding freezes, revised immigration policies, and a crackdown on diversity, equity, and inclusion programs — in an email on Jan. 28. He sent a second message to the Penn community on Feb. 11 following the announcement of federal funding cuts that cap the indirect cost funding rates to research universities at 15%.
“As I communicated on February 11, cuts to federal funding loom, from financial aid to research funds, and proposed legislation to increase endowment taxes,” Jameson wrote on Feb. 24. “These elements, along with changing rules related to cultural norms of higher education, are among the most significant of our challenges and represent an existential threat across our University and American higher education.”
Jameson affirmed that amid the "rapidly shifting landscape," Penn will continue to uphold the law while reaffirming the University’s values.
“The anxiety and frustration many people feel at this moment is deep and often quite personal,” Jameson said. “I understand. But what has changed so rapidly is not the value, rightness, and impact of Penn’s contributions and promise. What has changed is the increasing polarization in public opinion about higher education and the accompanying changes in federal guidance and oversight.”
Among the principles that Jameson affirmed the University will uphold are Penn’s essential missions “in advancing Penn’s world-class teaching, research, clinical care, and service.” The University will also commit to upholding academic freedom and opportunity, access, and support, according to the email.
“Everything we do must be anchored in principled non-discrimination, expanding access, and embracing diversity in all its forms – all while following the law, which we will continue doing,” Jameson said.
Jameson also communicated the actions that Penn’s administration is taking to uphold the University’s missions. He stated that Penn’s leadership is directly engaging with elected officials in addition to the Association of American Universities, the American Association of Medical Colleges, and other professional organizations to “advocate for the essential role of higher education.”
Among these initiatives to protect Penn's mission is the creation of a pan-University group focused on evaluating the impact of federal actions on Penn’s academics and research, which Jameson previously announced in his Feb. 11 email. The group will be led by Provost John L. Jackson Jr., Senior Executive Vice President Craig Carnaroli, and Senior Vice President David Asch. Additionally, Jameson stated that Penn is modeling various financial scenarios and working with school and center leaders to devise ideas on revenue and cost containment measures.
Jameson ended his email by asking the Penn community to remain united, to take care of themselves, and to “be ambassadors for Penn and higher education.” He listed resources for the community that cater to mental health, immigration, and public safety.
“As the world around us changes, we will adapt and engage to shape the future,” Jameson said. “Today’s challenges are profound and multimodal, and they will test us. We are resourced and inspired by a community that loves Penn, and that pursues its future with idealism and pragmatism, courage and compromise.”
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