Administration
Brandeis Center sues U.S. Department of Education over dismissal of Penn antisemitism complaint
The 32-page lawsuit accused the OCR of not following its own procedural guidelines by dismissing the November 2023 complaint and citing the existence of a parallel lawsuit.
Waitlist admit rate drops 72% while Penn updates admissions considerations, new data reveals
The University reported in-state acceptance rates for the first time, and the Common Data Set appears to indicate changes in the “relative importance” of factors influencing admissions decisions.
Penn vice president for University Communications steps down, predecessor returns in interim
Cowenhoven, who was appointed by former Penn President Liz Magill, resigned less than a year into her tenure, which began last August.
Ala Stanford, health equity advocate and founder of Black Doctors COVID-19 Consortium, joins Penn
Her work will focus on researching barriers to vaccine uptake and teaching undergraduates about the intersection between science and equity.
Peter Struck named College of Arts and Sciences dean
Dean of the School of Arts and Sciences Steven Fluharty announced the appointment in an email to the SAS community on Tuesday morning.
Penn & Slavery Project receives new funding, looks to expand outreach
Students and faculty affiliated with the P&SP spoke with The Daily Pennsylvanian about their aspirations for the future of the project.
AAUP approves proposal urging Penn faculty pension provider to divest from fossil fuels
The proposal specifically calls for Vanguard, Fidelity, and the Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association of America to divest entirely from fossil fuels and reinvest in renewable energy projects. Penn is TIAA’s biggest client.
Penn suspends four students involved in recent campus activism, local pro-Palestinian groups say
The suspensions mark the University's most significant disciplinary response to the encampment and on-campus activism to date.
School of Design announces new faculty, department heads for 2024-25 academic year
According to a June 25 announcement from the Weitzman School of Design, the school is welcoming seven new faculty members and two new department chairs for the upcoming school year.
Penn rebuffs student referendum vote in favor of divestment from Israel
22% of the undergraduate student population voted on the referendum, which was organized by Penn’s Muslim Students’ Association and circulated in April by the Nominations & Elections Committee.
Court dismisses Penn faculty group’s ‘McCarthyism’ lawsuit, cites lack of standing
Judge Mitchell Goldberg granted Penn's motion to dismiss on June 24 and denied the plaintiffs’ motion for an injunction aiming to prevent the University from submitting documents to Congress.
Penn announces Felicia Washington as next vice president of human resources
Effective Sept. 1, 2024, Washington will succeed Jack Heuer, who is retiring this year.
Penn Libraries staff file petition to unionize with National Labor Relations Board
According to a press release from Penn Libraries United, a “supermajority of eligible library staff have signed union representation cards.”
Penn graduates report highest income in Ivy League among financial aid recipients
Among Ivy League students receiving financial aid, University of Pennsylvania alumni have the highest median income 10 years after matriculation.
University administration announces creation of Penn Washington program
Penn Washington aims to “enrich the connection between federal and global policy makers and Penn faculty, students, and staff” by establishing connections between three programs.
‘Blatant violation of the First Amendment’: Civil liberties experts criticize Penn’s new media policy
The policy states that “[n]ews media are required to produce credentials when requested by University Communications” and may be asked to limit the filiming of specific campus locations to ensure campus security.
Penn’s temporary open expression guidelines contain contradictions and ambiguities, DP analysis finds
The analysis found that the guidelines increase the powers of Penn’s vice provost for University Life, redefine events on campus as inherently private to the University community, and specifically prohibit many of the tactics used by demonstrators on campus in recent years.
Penn resident advisor union unanimously ratifies first contract
The new two-year contract will provide RAs with a $3,000 stipend, 150 meals, and a $750 contract ratification payment for RAs who worked during the most recent spring semester.
United RAs at Penn present resolution to Philadelphia City Council
Philadelphia City Councilmember Nicolas O’Rourke invited United RAs at Penn to speak to City Council on May 16 about Penn’s union-busting tactics and to advocate for the resolution.