Administration
Penn declines divestment proposal from Muslim Students Association
A University spokesperson told The Daily Pennsylvanian that the Steering Committee declined the proposal, reiterating Penn’s opposition to boycotts, divestment, or sanctions against Israel.
Climate activists interrupt fireside chat with Penn Board of Trustees chair
The demonstrators addressed Board of Trustees Chair Ramanan Raghavendran, calling for him to use his position to lead the University's divestment from fossil fuels.
Michael Mann named inaugural vice provost for climate science, policy, and action
As the inaugural vice provost for climate science, policy, and action, Mann will lead institutional efforts to support sustainability, draw from Penn’s academic strengths in the sciences and public policy, and advance scholarship and training.
Penn’s endowment sees 7.1% annual investment return, growing to $22.3 billion
This fund comprises over 8,800 individual endowments and provided nearly $1.1 billion in annual budgetary support for the institution in the 2024 fiscal year.
Penn named in lawsuit accusing universities of price-fixing scheme targeting divorced parents
The suit explicitly names the former director of Student Financial Aid at Penn for involvement in the price fixing scheme.
Penn’s student conduct, academic integrity violations increase, disciplinary data shows
The report, which was released in July, listed 742 total incidents — a 22% increase from 608 in 2022-23 and 678 the year before.
Lauder Institute establishes institutional neutrality, following Penn’s lead
Representatives and administrators of the Lauder Institute will “abstain from opining on societal and political events,” unless there is an exceptional case which poses a danger to the “very mission of the Institute and its values of free inquiry," according to the statement.
Penn alters financial aid application to simplify process, limit paperwork
Five new changes to the financial aid process aim to make it more simple for applicants, according to the announcement from Penn Admissions.
Donations to Hillel can now be made directly through Penn under new agreement
The new agreement allows unrestricted donations to Penn Hillel to be eligible for recognition from Penn.
Penn creates position to manage antisemitism task force, presidential commission recommendations
The new project manager will be responsible for implementing the recommendations of the University Task Force on Antisemitism and the Presidential Commission on Countering Hate and Building Community.
Wharton sees sharp apparent decline in students of color in newest undergraduate, MBA classes
The percentage of Wharton admits who are students of color dropped 13% for the Class of 2028, from 68% to 55%.
One year after Palestine Writes festival, organizers would be open to returning to Penn
Several faculty members pointed to the challenges of holding the festival on campus a second time.
An ‘unwinnable situation’: Why Penn’s encampment negotiations broke down
Penn offered to pause all disciplinary cases against protesters and committed to engaging with their demands if they ended their demonstration.
Penn tries to move vigil ‘in remembrance of our martyrs’ in Middle East, citing new protest policies
The vigil — which was held "in remembrance of our martyrs, from Palestine to Lebanon to Syria," according to an Instagram post from Penn Students Against the Occupation of Palestine — began around 1:30 p.m. near the Split Button.
Penn trustees discuss antisemitism response, open expression, artificial intelligence in meeting
The Committee discussed the progress of several academic and campus initiatives and passed multiple resolutions, including to reappoint the deans of two of Penn's graduate schools.
Wharton appears to lose donors, omit donation statistics in annual report after year of backlash
The shortened nature of this year’s Wharton Fund Donor Honor Roll, which is 23 pages shorter than its 2023 counterpart, indicates a reduction in Wharton donors over the past 12 months.
Penn cites new religious inclusion office in antisemitism lawsuit — just days after announcing it
Interim Penn President Larry Jameson announced the new office four days before citing it in the lawsuit.
Some Penn affiliates applaud Amy Wax sanctions — while others warn of free speech implications
Wax’s sanctions are wide–ranging, including a one–year suspension at half pay that goes into effect next fall.
Biden: ‘I want to’ return to Penn after presidency
Biden used the the Penn Biden Center as his main office in Washington after he departed the vice presidency under former President Barack Obama in 2017.