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Coronavirus (COVID-19) Information and Resources
Planning for the Fall Semester
April 27, 2020 - As we approach the end of the spring semester, we write to update you with the latest information on our planning and the important elements that will influence the decisions about how we move forward during this pandemic.
We are deeply engaged in a planning process so that we can reopen for on-campus instruction as soon as possible. All of our decisions will be driven by the most current scientific evidence and the guidance of medical experts. This is the only way to ensure that a return to on-campus living and learning will be as safe as possible for everyone—students, faculty, staff and visitors. To that end, we have established a Recovery Planning Group that is examining the elements that would need to be in place to allow a safe return to more normal campus operations.
Among the important factors that guide our decision-making are our capacity for testing, contact tracing, isolation of COVID-19 positive individuals, and maximizing our capacity for single bedroom living for students. We also will need to ensure that appropriately strong measures are in place for social distancing. We are planning for a likely combination of in-class and virtual teaching (particularly for large lectures) depending upon the circumstances.
There are many variables involved, and many questions that will need to be answered. We appreciate that everyone in the Penn community understands that until a vaccine is developed, we will need to be creative and flexible in how we teach and engage with students.
In-person engagement is a critical part of what we do. We are a community of scholars, where students and faculty creatively interact in our classrooms and labs on what is one of the most vibrant and remarkable campuses on earth. We are committed to finding the best ways to bring everyone back together on our campus. At this point, it is too early to say exactly when or how that will happen, but we wanted to update you on our thinking and planning, and we will continue to do so.
We will know more in the weeks ahead as we monitor disease activity and explore answers to critically important questions around testing and tracing. We are grateful to all of you for your patience as we plan for the fall, and we thank you for all that you do for Penn. Be assured that as we have more information, we will share it.
Amy Gutmann, President
Wendell Pritchett, Provost
Craig Carnaroli, Executive Vice President
J. Larry Jameson, Dean, Perelman School of Medicine and EVP University of Pennsylvania for the Health System
A Message to Undergraduate Students Regarding Summer Savings Grants
April 21, 2020 - Around the world, individuals, families, businesses, and institutions are facing the immediate financial impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. We know that many of you have concerns about the summer. While some employers continue to offer remote work—including Penn’s summer work-study program—various other opportunities are no longer available, leaving undergraduate students and their families who are eligible for need-based financial aid without essential summer income that they had been anticipating.
To help mitigate the loss of this expected income, Penn will provide all undergraduate students whose financial aid packages include a summer savings expectation with a supplemental COVID-19 Summer Savings Grant for the 2020-2021 academic year. This increase in financial aid applies to both incoming and returning aided undergraduate students and will replace the entire amount of a student’s summer savings expectation.
Aided undergraduate students do not have to take any additional steps beyond completing their standard financial aid application to receive this increased funding in their 2020-2021 packages. Eligible students will see additional grant funding reflected on their award for next year.
Penn is one of the few institutions that can continue to provide undergraduate students with grant-based financial aid. While also working to find ways to balance our budget, we are committed to adjusting our practices to meet this moment and provide additional support wherever possible.
We send our best wishes to each of you and your families. Please stay safe and well.
Amy Gutmann, President
Wendell Pritchett, Provost
MaryFrances McCourt, Vice President of Finance and Treasurer
A Message of Hope from Chief Wellness Officer Dr. Benoit Dubé and University Chaplain Rev. Charles “Chaz” Howard.
Previous University Announcements
Planning for the Fall Semester
April 27, 2020 - As we approach the end of the spring semester, we write to update you with the latest information on our planning and the important elements that will influence the decisions about how we move forward during this pandemic.
Penn Will Not Apply for CARES Act Funding
April 23, 2020 - The CARES Act, which was recently passed by Congress, allows universities to apply for emergency relief funds to offset the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite the serious financial impact to Penn as a result of the pandemic, after analyzing the full scope of the regulations involved, Penn has determined that it will not apply for nor accept the funds that would be available through the CARES Act.
A Message to Undergraduate Students Regarding Summer Savings Grants
April 21, 2020 - We know that many of you have concerns about the summer. While some employers continue to offer remote work—including Penn’s summer work-study program—various other opportunities are no longer available, leaving undergraduate students and their families who are eligible for need-based financial aid without essential summer income that they had been anticipating.
Support for Graduate & Professional Students During the COVID-19 Pandemic
April 17, 2020 - We write today because we know that this crisis has also impacted graduate and professional students in other ways, and we want to share several new initiatives to address these broader issues and provide you with support both immediately and in the longer term.
Finding Meaning Amid Misfortune
April 14, 2020 - In an audio message, President Amy Gutmann urges the Penn community—from Camden to California, Canada to Kuala Lumpur—to make the very best of this new way of life. (Via Penn Today)
A Message on Summer Programming and Budget Considerations for Fiscal Year 2021
April 13, 2020 - Many of you have asked about the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the University’s finances. As the end of the semester approaches, we want to share with you the University’s plans for the summer and coming fiscal year, which begins on July 1.
Information on Emergency Grant Assistance Fund
April 13, 2020 - Penn has created the Penn COVID-19 Emergency Grant Assistance Fund to assist its regular full time or part time employees who, as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, lack resources to pay personal, family, living, or funeral expenses.
A Message to Penn PhD Students
April 09, 2020 - We have decided to extend the deadline for all PhD students, across all Schools, to change the grade type in any course for the Spring 2020 term. You have until Wednesday, April 29 – the last day of classes – to choose to take any course pass/fail.
Dear Penn Healthcare Colleagues, Friends, Leaders, and Heroes
April 09, 2020 - I recently joined with university leaders from around the world to discuss our preparationand response to the coronavirus pandemic. From Singapore to Seattle, South Africa toSwitzerland, the presidents of major global universities virtually met via Zoom.
A Message to Penn Undergraduates
April 09, 2020 - We have decided to extend the deadline for all undergraduate students, across the four undergraduate Schools, to change the grade type in any course for the Spring 2020 term. You have until Wednesday, April 29 – the last day of classes – to choose to take any course pass/fail.
Announcement Archive »