Announcements

Dear Members of the Penn community, We write to share that Julie Platt, the Vice Chair of the University of Pennsylvania’s Board of Trustees, has been named Interim Chair by the Board’s Executive Committee. As current Vice Chair, Julie was the clear choice, and we are grateful to her for agreeing to serve in this capacity during this time of transition. Due to her current commitment as Board Chair of the Jewish Federations of North America, Julie will only serve until a successor is appointed.

Dear members of the Penn community, As you may be aware, I will testify today at a hearing before the U.S. House Committee on Education & the Workforce on the topic of “Holding Campus Leaders Accountable and Confronting Antisemitism.” I will be joined by Harvard University President Claudine Gay and Massachusetts Institute of Technology President Sally Kornbluth.

I write you today to share “In Principle and Practice: Penn’s Focus on Tomorrow,” providing a strategic framework to guide our path forward. This document is the result of a yearlong strategic planning process, shaped further by the initiatives we launched this fall. You can learn more at: https://in-principle-and-practice.upenn.edu/

Advancing Penn’s Action Plan to Combat Antisemitism, Penn President Liz Magill today announced the members of the University Task Force on Antisemitism. The Task Force, a centerpiece of the plan President Magill announced earlier this month, is charged with engaging broadly and deeply with all members of the Penn community to better understand how antisemitism is experienced on campus and to provide critical feedback and actionable solutions as part of Penn’s ongoing efforts to counter and combat antisemitism.  

Dear members of the Penn community, College and universities across the country are experiencing disturbing acts of hate on their campuses—Penn is no different. I write to condemn all acts of hate that are perpetrated on our campus, to affirm our responsibilities as members of this community, and to make clear that we take seriously and will vigorously pursue any violation of our policies or the law.

Last night, vile, antisemitic messages were projected onto several campus buildings, including on Penn Commons, Huntsman Hall, and Irvine Auditorium. Penn Police were notified and quickly responded, and a full investigation is currently underway. We will pursue this matter to the fullest extent and take swift action in accordance with our policies.

Penn President Liz Magill emphasizes increased campus security amidst investigation into threatening, antisemitic emails to Penn staff.

For nearly 300 years—we are looking forward to our 268th Commencement in June—Penn has created knowledge, shared it for good, and educated the next generation. With everything I have, I believe in the power and importance of our mission. It must continue, and it will continue. But this is a dark and difficult time for the world. And it is a dark and difficult time for Penn.

I write today to announce Penn’s Action Plan to Combat Antisemitism, our dedicated commitment to counter this evil on our campus and beyond. I also want to update you on additional steps Penn is taking on the related challenges of other forms of hate.

Message prioritizing the safety of our campus community