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Penn in the News
A round-up of Penn mentions in local, national, and international media.
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Penn In the News
Northeastern Offers Debt-saddled Alums a Chance at Relief - If They Donate
Northeastern University alumni facing the daunting challenge of paying off student loans were offered a chance at debt relief from the school on Wednesday—for the small price of some more money. “Summer’s on us! Make a gift of any size to Northeastern by June 30, and you will be eligible to win $1,000 worth of student loan repayments,” the school wrote in an email to alumni. Asking alumni who have their own debt to pay to enter a debt lottery struck some as unseemly.
Penn In the News
Some Harvard Graduates Are Wearing Red Tape on Their Caps to Protest The University’s Sexual Assault Policies
Before Brianna Suslovic heads to her commencement ceremony Thursday morning, the Harvard senior will stick a long piece of red tape on her black graduation cap. “By wearing red tape, we want to show members of the Harvard community that we’re standing in solidarity with survivors of sexual violence, including ones who can’t be there because of the violence they experienced,” she said.
Penn In the News
Harvard Graduates Talk Cheating, Final Clubs and Starting Salaries in Senior Survey
The Harvard College Class of 2016 will graduate Thursday, leaving behind a year filled with tension over race relations on campus, the school’s massive endowment, and its all-male social clubs. But it hasn’t been all dramatics. In its annual survey, the student newspaper, The Harvard Crimson, asked seniors to reflect on their college experiences and what they have planned next (yes, including their starting salaries). The email survey received 906 responses, which is more than half the class, though The Crimson said not all respondents answered every question.
Penn In the News
What Happened to the Campus Race Demonstrations?
Student activists at Harvard Law School had a busy fall mounting a campaign that put increasing pressure on administrators to improve race relations within the school. They publicly pressured the college to change its seal, which was modeled on the family crest of an 18th-century slaveholder, demanded answers after someone placed pieces of black tape over the portraits of black professors, and issued a list of demands to make Harvard Law a more diverse and inclusive community. Then came time for final exams. Then winter break. The movement slowed.
Penn In the News
UMass Officials Throw Support Behind Plans to Divest From Fossil Fuel Companies Amid Student Protests
University of Massachusetts officials announced Tuesday that they would back a policy for the university system to divest from fossil fuel companies after students occupied a campus administrative building. Fifteen protesters were later arrested after refusing to vacate the scene. “Throughout my career, I have stood for environmental progress and reducing the carbon footprint,” UMass President Marty Meehan said in a statement.
Penn In the News
Four Harvard Students Arrested During Divestment Protest
Four members of the student activist group Divest Harvard were arrested Tuesday afternoon after they staged a sit-in at the Boston Federal Reserve. The group was protesting Harvard Management Company’s recent decision to invest in a private equity fund that supports struggling oil and gas companies. After learning of the investment in February, members of Divest Harvard sent an open letter to Stephen Blyth, Harvard Management Company CEO, and requested a meeting to discuss their concerns.
Penn In the News
Police Investigating Hidden Recorder at Harvard Law
Harvard University police are investigating allegations that a recording device was illegally documenting students conversations at the university’s law school. The recorder was found last Tuesday taped under a table in the Caspersen Student Center Lounge, according to the Harvard Crimson.
Penn In the News
Boston University Faculty Members Vote to Unionize
After petitioning federal labor officials to let them have union elections last month, full-time and salaried faculty at Boston University voted in favor of unionizing by 4-to-1 margin Wednesday. The vote allows them to join more than 3,500 Boston-area educators who are part of Faculty Forward – a division of Service Employees International Union Local 509. “This is tremendous day for faculty, our students and the entire Boston University community,” Bill Marx, a senior lecturer in the College of Arts and Sciences’ Writing Program said in a statement.
Penn In the News
There are Now 9 Confirmed Cases of Mumps at Harvard University
The number of confirmed cases of mumps at Harvard University has risen to nine, according to a statement released by the school on Wednesday. Including the outbreak at Harvard, which began earlier this month, there have been 12 confirmed cases of mumps across the state since January 1, according to a spokesman for the state Department of Public Health. UMass Boston confirmed two cases on Tuesday and another case was confirmed at Bentley University in Waltham in February.
Penn In the News
New Report Calls for Increased Sexual Assault Prevention Efforts at Harvard University
A Harvard University task force has recommended a significant increase in sexual assault prevention efforts on campus, according to a report submitted Monday to University President Drew Faust Monday.