Announcements

Late yesterday afternoon, a group of individuals led a series of protests that began at Temple University and traveled to Philadelphia City Hall and to Drexel University. At approximately 4:00 p.m., these protestors arrived on Locust Walk, joining with members of our Penn community.Penn’s Division of Public Safety, in partnership with local law enforcement, was informed of these pending demonstrations and worked to initiate safety plans in anticipation of the protestors arriving on our campus.

At Penn, we pursue our academic mission guided by fundamental commitments to upholding freedom of inquiry and open expression, while maintaining a safe, inclusive, and respectful campus community.Over the last 24 hours, we have closely monitored the protest that evolved into an encampment on College Green. We have vigilantly supported the rights of our community members to protest peacefully. Representatives from Open Expression, University Life, and faculty leadership have engaged with some of the protestors, with limited access to the broader group.

At the beginning of this semester, we convened a Muslim, Arab, Palestinian (MAP) student advisory group to seek input on ways Penn can foster a more inclusive and supportive campus environment. I know I speak for the leaders engaged with the MAP student advisory group—John Jackson, our Provost, Karu Kozuma, Vice Provost for University Life, and Chaz Howard, University Chaplain and Vice President for Social Equity and Community—in commending these students for their open and thoughtful engagement as members of this group.

Like you, I am witnessing the turbulence and strife taking place on several university campuses across the country. Members of our community will have different reactions to what is happening, including feeling heightened anxiety and other strong emotions. That this unrest is happening at the start of Passover undoubtedly creates further stress.

Today, the University of Pennsylvania announced admission decisions for Regular Decision applicants to the Class of 2028 across Penn’s four undergraduate schools: the College of Arts and Sciences, the School of Engineering and Applied Science, the Wharton School, and the School of Nursing. These remarkable students will comprise Penn’s 272nd undergraduate class.

With heavy hearts, we write to share that Nathaniel Gordon, a sophomore in the College of Arts and Sciences, passed away Saturday, March 23, at Penn Presbyterian Medical Center.Nate, as he was known to family and friends, was a native of Covington, Georgia, and moved to Philadelphia when he was 13. He earned his high school diploma through the Community College of Philadelphia’s Gateway to College Program, a partnership with the School District of Philadelphia that enables high school students to enroll in CCP courses.

During these first weeks of the spring semester, I have been sitting down with students, faculty, and staff who are deeply engaged in fostering a vibrant and inclusive environment on our campus. I have talked with the chairs of the Antisemitism Task Force and the Presidential Commission on Countering Hate and Building Community.

There are times when leaders should weigh in on the values and principles that guide and define an institution. Recent political cartoons make this one of them.

Just before the winter break, Interim President J. Larry Jameson convened the Presidential Commission on Countering Hate and Building Community. A full listing of the members of the Commission and their charge all can be found on the Office of the President website. We are grateful to Dr. Jameson for his leadership and share his view that hate has no home at Penn.

Welcome to a new semester and a new year at Penn!As I begin my role as Interim President, people within our University and beyond are sharing with me their deep affection for Penn. They believe in Penn’s extraordinary work and our boundless potential.I believe in Penn, too. Over the years, I have witnessed what we can do to make the world a better place.