Announcements

To the Penn Community,As I communicated to you on October 16, 2025, we sent a letter to the Department of Education in response to their request for limited, targeted feedback about the proposed Compact for Academic Excellence in Higher Education.Since then, many of you have requested access to the actual letter and in the spirit of transparency, I share its text with you below.

To the Penn Community:For 285 years, Penn has been anchored and guided by continuous self-improvement, using education as a ladder for opportunity, and advancing discoveries that serve our community, our nation, and the world.

To the Penn Community:As extensively reported in the media, Penn is one of nine universities that recently received a proposal from the Secretary of Education and other senior leaders in the U.S. administration titled, “Compact for Excellence in Higher Education.” We have been asked to provide feedback by October 20, 2025.

Today, we announce the launch of Penn Forward, a University-wide strategic planning initiative to shape Penn’s future.Since its founding in 1740, the University of Pennsylvania has continuously innovated in education, scholarship, and service. That constant self-improvement is part of what makes Penn such a practical institution, able to address current challenges and emerging opportunities.

As a student and then a faculty member, I have been privileged to spend most of my life on university campuses. Learning, teaching, and leading in higher education has been deeply fulfilling for me. I can always find joy at Penn and in our amazing community.

To the Penn Community:Yesterday, Penn and the U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights (OCR) resolved a February 2025 investigation into Penn's compliance with Title IX for women’s athletics. This is a complex issue, and I am pleased that we were able to reach a resolution through the standard OCR process for concluding Title IX investigations.

After months of anticipation and careful review of more than 72,000 applications, today we had the privilege of extending an official Quaker welcome to our newest Regular Decision admits!

President J. Larry Jameson provides an update on two important and related matters: the Trump Administration’s expected suspension of $175M in federal contracts awarded to Penn and the Office of Civil Rights investigation under Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972.

Global engagement is critical to our mission as a leading research university, bringing the world to Penn and Penn to the world. Penn is committed to welcoming and supporting students, scholars, faculty, and staff from all over the world. We know that recent policy changes and actions related to immigration, visas, and travel are causing uncertainty and anxiety for many members of the Penn community. We are taking action to offer direct support to impacted community members, plan for disruptions caused by potential policy changes, and provide information to ensure that we can continue to support students, scholars, and others.

We are writing to update you on our near-term operational and financial planning in light of potential federal funding cuts and legislation. We recognize the strain that these policies put on our community—and the uncertainties surrounding their timing and impact. In moments like these, we are guided by our core principles: protecting our missions, sustaining our culture, supporting our people, and judiciously managing our resources.