Announcements

The world gathering in Egypt for COP27 reminds us of the urgency of our collective fight against climate change. Faculty, student, and staff attendees from Penn represent the energy and talent that so many Penn community members contribute to this crucial effort. This is an opportune moment to share our thoughts on the role of Penn’s endowment in combatting climate change. The complexity of the issue and the urgency of the climate challenge merit a thoughtful consideration and explanation of Penn’s policies.

PLEASE READ THIS NOTICE CAREFULLY. If you were enrolled in any program at the University of Pennsylvania (“Penn” or “University”) after March 17, 2020, and were assessed fees by Penn for the Spring 2020 semester, you may be eligible to receive a payment as part of a proposed settlement of Asha Smith and Emma Nedley, on behalf of themselves and all others similarly situated v. University of Pennsylvania, Civil Action No. 20-2086 (E.D. Pa.) (the “Action”).

I hope you are enjoying the fall semester! We have all been living, learning, and working on campus with many fewer restrictions than at this time last year, primarily due to our highly vaccinated community, our shared responsibility to stay home when not feeling well, and our evolving understanding of COVID-19. The following message contains important information about Penn’s upcoming COVID-19 booster clinic, in addition to guidance and reminders about campus protocols.

Penn’s future has never been brighter thanks to every member of our University community. We now have an historic opportunity to envision where Penn goes from here. I am writing to invite you to join as Penn plans for tomorrow, together. Led by a Red and Blue Advisory Committee, we are embarking on a University-wide effort to inform strategic next steps for Penn.

We invite you to celebrate Climate Week at Penn, which starts today, October 10. Begun as an informal initiative by students and faculty, Climate Week is now organized by the Environmental Innovations Initiative to highlight and promote the wide range of research, education, and outreach across our Schools, centers, and departments.

With heavy hearts, we write to share that Sarah Katz ’24, a student in the College of Arts and Sciences, passed away on Saturday, September 10, 2022, at Penn Presbyterian Medical Center. Sarah was pursuing majors in International Relations and Health and Societies and a minor in East Asian Language and Civilization.  

It is my pleasure to invite you to join the University of Pennsylvania Board of Trustees in celebrating the Inauguration of President Liz Magill. A series of wonderful events has been planned for Friday and Saturday, October 21 and 22, to mark her official installation as the University’s ninth President. 

We hope that everyone has been enjoying a great summer. As we welcome those new and returning to campus for the upcoming year, we are writing to update you on protocols related to COVID-19 for the fall semester. Over the summer, we have continued to meet and consult across our community and with our partners at the Philadelphia Department of Public Health. Mandatory testing and classroom masking mandates on campus were lifted, and testing was consolidated at one PennCares location at 3734 Spruce Street.

The Penn community reacts to today’s SCOTUS decision, which directly affects access to safe abortions and reproductive care in many states throughout the country.

COVID screening testing will continue to be available on campus at no cost throughout the summer, and wearing a mask in indoor public settings is encouraged.