Administration
More than 9,000 students have broken Penn’s COVID-19 testing policy in last two weeks
The University requires that all vaccinated students receive at least one COVID-19 test every two weeks, and if they fail to do so, they will receive a red PennOpen Pass until they test negative.
Penn Police superintendent Maureen Rush to retire by end of 2021
Rush has been at Penn since 1994, in which she launched several public safety initiatives on campus and faced criticism from University and Philadelphia community members.
Penn Engineering breaks ground on new data science building named Amy Gutmann Hall
Construction for Amy Gutmann Hall, a data science building for research collaboration, is scheduled to be completed in 2024.
Championing intersectionality, environmental groups lead Penn’s second annual Climate Week
Sustainability Director Nina Morris said a significant part of Climate Week programming was virtual to ensure that it reached beyond the University, and created a ripple effect throughout the Philadelphia community and in higher education as a whole.
Asian American Studies Program adds faculty, co-director after fears for program’s survival
Under Asian American Studies professor Fariha Khan's co-directorship, the ASAM program will offer more courses, research and internship opportunities, and opportunities for collaboration and engagement with Asian American community organizations.
DPS unfolds new measures to increase transparency and accountability of Penn Police
The report's recommendations are based on an independent review of DPS that was previously commissioned by the University in July 2020, following the police killing of George Floyd and ensuing criticism of policing on campus.
AAUP-Penn recommends classroom safety guidelines, accuses Penn of ‘downplaying’ COVID-19 risk
AAUP-Penn is doubling down on their push for Penn to allow instructors to choose whether to teach in person or virtually.
Penn’s new admissions dean talks goals for tenure, updates to application process
In the current admissions cycle, Penn will require only one teacher recommendation instead of two. The other letter of recommendation can come from anyone who can comment on the student's character.
Penn hopeful entire semester will be in person after finding no COVID-19 classroom transmission
Penn currently has a positivity rate of 1.11%, a vaccination rate of 97% among faculty and undergraduates, and no classroom transmission has been found.
‘We will always remember:’ Gutmann honors lasting impact of 9/11 at memorial event
In her speech, Gutmann emphasized the need to recognize all those who lost their lives that day, including 16 Penn alumni.
Penn announces committee to select Gutmann’s successor
Gutmann is set to depart her role after President Joe Biden nominated her to serve as the U.S. ambassador to Germany in July.
Some students support reinstating Penn’s indoor mask mandate, others feel it’s unnecessary
Some students welcomed the reinstatement of the mask mandate, saying that it is important to protect students, faculty, and staff and the surrounding Philadelphia area from the rapidly-spreading Delta variant.
Gutmann announces plans for a new $31 million student-focused performing arts center
Plans include creating a 450-seat theater and stage, and the center will support performing arts instructors and provide rehearsal and practice spaces.
Founder of Penn LGBT Center Bob Schoenberg dies at 76
Schoenberg founded the LGBT Center in 1982 after witnessing a Penn sophomore being severely beaten and targeted on Locust Walk for being gay.
Van Pelt Library opens to Penn community, visitors ahead of in-person fall semester
Individuals no longer need to schedule an appointment or make a reservation to browse the Van Pelt-Dietrich Library Center's stacks or to use self-serve study areas.
Penn Museum workers to vote on unionizing, alleging poor working conditions
The Penn Museum allegedly began a campaign earlier in the summer encouraging workers to vote against forming a union. In an emailed statement to The Daily Pennsylvanian, however, the museum wrote that it “supports its employees’ rights to make an informed decision about the voting process."
A look back at Amy Gutmann’s greatest accomplishments in her 17 years as Penn president
As Gutmann awaits U.S. Senate confirmation for her ambassadorship, here's a look at her greatest accomplishments during her 17-year presidency.
Penn's former Board of Trustees chair David Cohen tapped as U.S. ambassador to Canada
The nomination comes just three weeks after Biden nominated Penn President Amy Gutmann as the next U.S. ambassador to Germany on July 2.
Penn Law students revitalize club to petition against University-sponsored travel to Israel
Penn Law Students for Justice in Palestine released a statement on July 2 discouraging students from participating in itrek, an annual academic trip to Israel for business, law, policy, and STEM students.