Welcome back to Penn! For our new students, faculty, staff, and post-docs, welcome to your University.
I have been incredibly fortunate to have spent my adult life on a University campus. The excitement of Move-In Day reminds me of when I arrived at college as a first-year student. Everything, and everyone, was new. I loved literature and was confident I wanted to major in English. But a few years in, an inspiring teacher convinced me to explore the natural sciences, and I discovered an unexpected passion that turned into my career as a physician-scientist. Many of you may have a similar experience as you explore the vast array of courses at Penn.
When I started college, the country was embroiled in protests and was politically divided. As we start this academic year, overseas events are again sparking demonstrations, and the country is as politically divided as I’ve ever seen it. While this historic parallel may imply a sense of constancy, universities succeed not just by maintaining traditions of academic excellence into the future, but also by remaining relevant for the present. The protests of the 1970s catalyzed a cultural transformation in civil rights, human rights, environmental protection, and a dramatic shift in the demographics of higher education and the workforce. This evolution of our society is part of the reason we so passionately defend open expression, freedom of inquiry, and civil debate.
Higher education, and Penn specifically, faced many challenges over the last year. We had unanticipated leadership transitions, and received intense scrutiny and criticism from some alumni, the media, and government agencies. I heard from our champions, but I also met with and listened carefully to our critics.
Penn has much to celebrate—just look at the impressive accomplishments of our faculty, staff, and students! But we must always improve and adapt to a changing world. We must reinforce our commitment to excellence and ideological diversity, cultivating an environment in which everyone can fully explore the amazing opportunities offered by the University of Pennsylvania. The challenge we face together, as the Penn community, is to find a balance—supporting open expression and peaceful demonstrations while ensuring safety and a respectful, inclusive culture, that allows all to thrive.
Building on Penn’s actions to date, here are some important ways we are supporting our community and enabling Penn’s critical work.
· We are actively implementing the recommendations of the University Task Force on Antisemitism and the Presidential Commission on Countering Hate and Building Community. Many of these recommendations are underway and we will provide regular updates throughout the year.
· New temporary standards and procedures for campus events and demonstrations were announced at the end of the last academic year. These standards support the balance we seek. All members of the Penn community should review these policies.
· We continue bringing the strategic framework, In Principle and Practice, to life. The Provost’s Office will soon announce inaugural leaders to spearhead our work on grand challenges and opportunities like climate and sustainability and the arts. We continue to advance our strength in data science and AI. We will soon announce new grants for dynamic projects that catalyze Penn’s strategic framework. New programs are being launched at Penn Washington as each of our 12 Schools bring scholarship to bear on public policy.
As the new year starts, I am reminded of those euphoric moments when new knowledge opens a different perspective. A new solution answers a long-standing problem. A new student discovers an unexpected calling. These are the pivots that redirect lives. They are enabled by a community that respects open-minded debate and privileges facts—a community where we put respect and dignity first, and where all are free to make the most of campus life. I believe ours is and will remain that kind of community.
Penn was founded by a scientist and a philosopher, a citizen who challenged the status quo and a statesman who recognized the outsized importance of relationships and diplomacy. Since the time of Franklin, our impressive faculty, students, and alumni have shaped every aspect of society, used knowledge to improve the world, and selflessly served their communities.
Together, we will continue to prepare the citizens and leaders of the future. Welcome to a new academic year at Penn!
Sincerely,
J. Larry Jameson, MD, PhD
Interim President