Penn launched a webpage tracking federal policy changes and their impacts to the University on March 7.
The new website — titled "Federal Government Updates" — intends to centralize updates on ongoing federal actions impacting higher education, research funding, immigration, and other essential areas of Penn's operations. The site includes legislative updates summarizing changes in policy, links to external government resources, and University statements addressing how these changes affect Penn dating back to Jan. 28.
“Penn’s leadership is directly engaged with public officials to advocate vigorously for the essential role of higher education, scientific discovery, our values, and our service to the greater good,” the website reads.
The website launch comes as higher education institutions across the country — including Penn — face heightened federal scrutiny and policy shifts that have already led to significant changes. Since the beginning of 1968 Wharton graduate and President Donald Trump’s second term, new federal initiatives — such as federal funding cuts to research institutions — have affected Penn’s research funding, diversity policies, and academic programming.
The website stated that faculty, staff or students who “see any external law enforcement or have questions about encounters with external law enforcement, including Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents on campus” should call Penn Police, who will respond and “coordinate with other support resources on campus.”
In January, Trump signed an executive order directing federal agencies to identify and deport non-citizen participants — including college students — in pro-Palestinian protests.
As the University stands to lose $240 million from the changes in NIH funding, Penn instituted several proactive economic safeguards.
In a March 10 message to the Penn community, Provost John Jackson Jr. and Senior Executive Vice President Craig Carnaroli announced six University-wide financial changes — including a hiring freeze and a review of capital spending.
While Jackson and Carnaroli noted the uncertainty surrounding “the extent and final impact of [federal] policies,” the cost-cutting measures were set to go into effect “immediately and until further notice.”
Legislative changes to federal funding models have also forced some graduate programs to reduce class sizes, affecting Penn’s enrollment and admissions decisions. Developing federal policies regarding Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion initiatives led all of Penn's four undergraduate and 12 graduate schools to remove references to DEI efforts from their web pages and alter existing DEI programs, initiatives, and policies.
“This resource page informs and guides University community members on what they should know and where they can go for additional support,” the website read.
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
