Politics
Penn launches website to track federal policy changes, monitor impacts on University
The new website intends to centralize updates on ongoing federal actions impacting higher education, research funding, immigration, and other essential areas of Penn's operations.
Penn freezes hiring, cuts spending in ‘proactive’ response to federal funding uncertainty
Senior Penn administrators announced six University-wide financial measures to protect Penn's "core principles and support existing people and programs" in an email on Monday.
Penn advises some international students to avoid non-essential travel ahead of potential travel ban
The email strongly advised students who are citizens of one of the listed countries to avoid “non-essential travel outside of the United States” until more details are available.
Penn Medicine pauses pilot grant programs, citing federal funding uncertainty
The Perelman School of Medicine has paused institutionally funded pilot grants in response to federal funding cuts, according to a Feb. 28 email obtained by The Daily Pennsylvanian.
Trump threatens to withhold federal funding from universities that allow ‘illegal’ protests
In a March 4 post on Truth Social, Trump said that non-citizen student protesters who participate in “illegal protests” would be imprisoned or deported and promised to expel or arrest American student protesters.
ADL gives Penn ‘C’ rating on 2025 Campus Report Card, marking improvement from last year
The Anti-Defamation League rated Penn “above expectations” in publicly disclosing administrative actions and “excellent” in Jewish life on campus.
Penn political groups discuss reactions, approaches to Trump’s immigration policies
As the Trump administration implements changes to federal immigration policy, student groups on campus are planning discussions, debates, and events to address the impacts of these changes.
Perry World House hosts ‘Autocracy in the World’ event on authoritarianism, role of the media
Ben-Ghiat is “a historian of authoritarianism" and testified before the House Jan. 6 Committee on alleged attempts made by the administration of 1968 Wharton graduate and President Donald Trump to stifle freedom in the country.
DOGE initiates mass federal agency layoffs threatening Phila. area national parks, wildlife refuges
The dismissals come as part of a large-scale reduction of the federal workforce by the Department of Government Efficiency.
Graduate chairs express concerns over admissions cuts in letter to SAS admin.
The letter expressed concerns about the negative effects of reducing graduate program class sizes, and argued that the cuts may inflict "reputational harms" on Penn.
Penn spent $180,000 lobbying the federal government in fourth quarter of 2024, most spent since 2019
The University spent a total of $640,000 on lobbying in 2024 — a 37.5% increase from the year prior.
‘Cowardice’: Pa. lawmakers express disappointment with Penn’s DEI response at meeting with admin.
One lawmaker said that Penn “has made a cowardly move” in “rushing to heed dog-whistle demands from a feckless federal leadership.”
Jameson reiterates Penn mission, campus unity as 'existential threat' of federal action looms
In a Feb. 24 email, Jameson wrote that Penn is closely monitoring changes to federal actions and reaffirmed the University's commitment to academic freedom, inclusion, and legal compliance.
Penn community commemorates third anniversary of Russia-Ukraine war, honors lives lost at vigil
Attendees of the vigil included Penn students, faculty, and Temple University students — some who had a personal connection to the war, and others who showed up in support.
Faculty and student groups call on Penn to protect undocumented, international students
“In this moment, it is imperative that university leadership offer unequivocal reassurance and a concrete commitment to protecting those most vulnerable,” the letter read.
Penn to reduce graduate admissions, rescind acceptances amid federal research funding cuts
Penn notified department chairs that it will cut admissions across graduate programs — a decision faculty members say will force them to rescind offers from newly-accepted students.
Jamie Gauthier condemns Trump for ‘Long live the king!’ post in Phila. City Council resolution
Gauthier introduced the resolution at the Feb. 20 city council meeting in a response to a Feb. 19 Truth Social post in which Trump wrote, “Long live the king!”
Senate committee flags $11 million in Penn research grants for advancing DEI, ‘neo-Marxist’ values
The committee's database cited 15 grants awarded to Penn faculty by the National Science Foundation, identifying them as “woke” and “questionable” for advancing DEI and “neo-Marxist class warfare propaganda.”
Pro-Palestinian activists demand divestment, highlight Penn’s ‘complicity in genocide’ during march
Several activist groups on campus and from the greater Philadelphia area co-hosted the march, which moved down Walnut Street on Monday evening.