Friday Morning: Annenberg School lecturers' contracts not renewed

Friday, March 21

Good morning, Penn.

Happy Friday, Penn! As we all get ready to belatedly celebrate St. Patrick’s Day weekend, please take the time to read our coverage from a busy first week back from spring break.

The Wharton School has renamed its diversity, equity, and inclusion undergraduate concentration and MBA major to “Leading Across Differences,” and Penn community members participated in a rally protesting changes to higher education by the Trump administration and Penn’s subsequent response.

But first, the Annenberg School for Communication will not renew the contracts of several part-time lecturers amid federal funding cuts to Penn.

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TODAY'S TOP STORY

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Annenberg School will not renew part-time lecturers’ contracts, citing financial uncertainty

The Annenberg School for Communication will not renew the contracts of its part-time lecturers for the next academic year as the school grapples with increasing financial uncertainty.

Annenberg School Dean Sarah Banet-Weiser notified the lecturers of the decision in an email sent on March 19. The “decision was made after deep consideration and analysis” and reflects the school’s “current financial reality,” according to an Annenberg School spokesperson.

"Due to our financial constraints, the immediate termination of three active federal grants, and uncertainties felt by all of us across the university, we have had to make the difficult decision to pause the renewal of all part-time lecturers for the academic year 2025-26,” an Annenberg School spokesperson wrote in a statement to The Daily Pennsylvanian.

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FIVE MORE BIG STORIES

Over 200 members of the Penn community rallied in protest of recent federal actions affecting higher education institutions on Thursday.

Wharton’s undergraduate concentration and MBA major in DEI were both renamed to “Leading Across Differences.”

The DP examined what Penn programs might be impacted after the White House froze $175 million in federal funding to the University.

1968 Wharton graduate and President Donald Trump signed an executive order to begin dismantling the Department of Education on Thursday.

A wave of layoffs initiated by Trump’s second administration has affected more than 175,000 federal workers, including Penn students and alumni.

OPINION

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GUEST COLUMNIST SEAN OH argues that Penn students should take pride in their institution for the resources and opportunities it provides them.

SPORTS

Former Sports Editor Walker Carnathan rank s the candidates to fill Penn men’s basketball’s head coach position.

Ahead of the Gymnastics East Conference Championships at the Palestra this weekend, the DP sat down with junior gymnast Marissa Lassiter to discuss her journey to the heights of the mat.

STRATEGIES & PROMOTIONS

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Course registration season is here, and we’ve got you covered! Our Advance Registration Special Issue dives into everything you need to know about advance registration — course selection, fun electives, and classes that double count. Plus, don’t miss our Instagram giveaway with exciting Penn merch prizes! Follow @dailypenn on Instagram and stay tuned for details.

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TODAY IN DP HISTORY

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In 2017, then-Penn President Amy Gutmann and other top Penn administrators criticized Trump’s proposed budget. This week, the second Trump administration froze $175 million in federal funding, citing the University’s failure to bar transgender student-athletes from competing in women’s sports.

THIS WEEK IN PRINT

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Click here to play today’s DP mini crossword, which was constructed by Clarice Wang.

And click here to play today’s Password puzzle, which was constructed by Andrew Zhang.

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Today's newsletter was copy edited by Nicholas Maharaj.

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