Announcements

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.

As the future of higher education may alter dramatically depending on how courts rule, how agencies implement new policies, and how future orders and legislation are enacted, there are resources available to the Penn community while navigating the recent executive orders.

Beginning with the 2025-2026 undergraduate admissions cycle, Penn is reinstating a standardized testing requirement for applicants, with the goal of bringing clarity and transparency to the application process. Students applying for fall 2026 admission will be required to submit SAT or ACT scores as part of their admission materials. Penn’s updated policy will allow students facing hardship in accessing testing to submit a testing waiver with their application. 

The City of Philadelphia is expecting sizable crowds of people to attend this Friday’s parade to celebrate the Philadelphia Eagles decisive Super Bowl victory (approximately 3 million attended the last Eagles Super Bowl parade in 2018). This event will come with significant logistical and transportation challenges that will impact our entire community. Both SEPTA and PATCO have issued advisories that will substantially modify service on Friday in order to accommodate people traveling to the City to view the parade. (See current information here.)

NIH-funded research at Penn has enriched the world in innumerable and lifesaving ways. The cuts by NIH will affect universities across the country, and Penn will continue to explore legal options to address these reductions.

Like you, I am closely monitoring recent developments from Washington that directly affect higher education. These include executive orders and pending legislation on research funding, financial aid, visas, immigration status, student loans, endowments, and DEI programs. Because these immediately affect our missions, operations, and community, I write today to provide guidance to sustain our missions while ensuring Penn complies with federal law. 

As students and faculty begin a new semester, Interim President J. Larry Jameson welcomes the Penn community back with a hopeful message and a commitment to the work ahead.

To the Penn community:Oct 21, 2024 We write today regarding the 2024 Higher Education Sexual Misconduct and Awareness Survey. Along with nine other institutions, Penn engaged with this survey—as we did in 2015 and 2019—as a critical part of our longstanding commitment to protect and support students.

Going forward, the University of Pennsylvania will refrain from institutional statements made in response to local and world events except for those which have direct and significant bearing on University functions.

Today, Penn is introducing two new institutional positions: a statement of University Values and a statement Upholding Academic Independence.