Announcements
A Message to the Class of 2021 Regarding In-Person Commencement
March 23, 2021 - We write with important updates and clarifications to previous communications about the May 17, 2021 Commencement exercises.
A Message to the Penn Community Regarding Plans for the Fall Semester
March 16, 2021 - Now, as we look forward to the fall semester, we want to share our current thinking so that students, families, faculty and staff can begin to make plans.
A Message to the Penn Community Regarding Commencement
March 9, 2021 - With the end of the academic year approaching, thoughts naturally begin to turn toward Commencement, one of Penn’s grandest traditions and a worthy recognition of the academic accomplishments of our students.
A Message to All Students
March 5, 2021 - In advance of the March 10 and 11 days off from classes, which we are affectionately calling Spring Stay, we are excited for you to have time to unwind and unplug. We are delighted to announce an expanding lineup of fun, free University-sponsored Spring Stay events to help you relax and recharge.
A Message to the Penn Community About the COVID Positivity Rates
February 16, 2021 - The University remains at Campus Alert 2. The worrisome trends we observed in our undergraduate student population two weeks ago fortunately did not persist. This allows us to avoid moving to a more restrictive campus environment.
A Message to the Penn Community About Covid Positivity Rates
February 5, 2021 - The University is seeing worrisome trends in the positivity rate of COVID-19 in our undergraduate student population this week. This situation is concerning amidst the emergence of highly transmissible variants in nearby communities.
A Message to Graduate and Professional Students
February 3, 2021 - We are writing, now that the Quiet Period has ended, to thank you for a safe and successful start of the semester and to reaffirm our shared commitments for the coming weeks and months.
A Message to Undergraduate Students
February 3, 2021 - We are writing, now that the Quiet Period has ended, to thank you for a safe and successful start to the semester and to reaffirm our shared commitments for the coming weeks and months.
A Message to Penn Faculty and Staff
January 28, 2021 - We deeply appreciate your continued commitment to keeping Penn a healthy and safe environment in which to live, learn, and work by following the public health guidance we have instituted for those on and off campus. Wearing masks, keeping physically distanced, and washing your hands remain the most critical tools to reduce the spread of COVID-19.
A Message To The Penn Community
January 14, 2021 - This past year has been fraught with many challenges – from a global pandemic that has forced unprecedented life changes, to the civil, political and racial unrest that is continuing to unfold. Despite all of this, we have been working collectively with our partners in Penn Medicine and the Philadelphia Department of Public Health to create an environment to bring the Penn community back together safely.
A Message to Penn Faculty and Staff
December 23, 2020 - We want to first thank you for all you are doing and contributing to our community during this unprecedented time and offer our best wishes to you for a very happy, healthy holiday season. We hope you will be able to take time to rest and refresh after a very long and challenging year.
A Message to Penn Undergraduates
December 17, 2020 - We look forward to welcoming many more students to on-campus housing for the Spring, and we are preparing to resume more campus activities over the course of the Spring term.
A Message to PhD and Research Master’s Students
December 17, 2020 - As this semester winds down, I hope you are proud of what you have learned and accomplished under such challenging circumstances. I am certainly proud of your perseverance and academic achievements. I know we are all looking ahead to next semester, and a brighter 2021. I write today with several updates about academic initiatives for the Spring 2021 semester. Grading Options
A Message to the Penn Community
December 3, 2020 - We would like to share some important news about the University’s new saliva-based screening test. Starting Monday, December 7, we are inviting students, faculty, staff and post-docs who are enrolled in the Fall testing program and are still living in the Philadelphia area to experience Penn’s new saliva-based screening test for the remainder of the Fall.
A Message to Penn Undergraduates
December 2, 2020 - We are very pleased to let you know that, working closely with our deans and student leaders, we will now plan three additional days with no classes in the spring semester: Friday, February 12; Tuesday, March 30; and Monday, April 12.
A Message From the Provost and Executive Vice President
November 18, 2020 - We are grateful to every member of the Penn community for your patience, resilience, and creativity as we navigate the global pandemic. The situation continues to evolve from day to day, bringing both positive news about vaccine trials and worrisome news about infection rates.
A Message to Penn Faculty and Staff
November 11, 2020 - The last nine months have tested everyone’s resolve and demonstrated your unwavering commitment to support the University’s mission of education, research, and service.
Note about Upcoming Holiday Travel
November 9, 2020 - Dear Student, As we enter the final weeks of the Fall semester, we know that many of you are eager to reconnect with families and loved ones over the Thanksgiving holiday. We are writing to offer recommendations and suggestions to help minimize any risk of COVID-19 curtailing your holiday plans:
Planning for Penn’s Spring 2021 Semester
October 30, 2020 - We write to provide you with the University’s current plans for the spring semester, which will begin on January 20, 2021.
COVID-19 RESPONSE UPDATE - Looking Ahead to the Spring Semester
October 1, 2020 - Looking ahead to the spring semester, the University continues to closely monitor developments related to the pandemic. We are regularly consulting with city, state, and federal agencies as well as our world-class health system in assessing options through multiple committees and working groups.
An Update on the Health and Safety of the Penn Community During the Fall Semester
September 11, 2020 - The health and safety of our community remain our highest priorities. As we complete the second week of the fall semester, we continue our strong commitment to reduce the risk of COVID-19 spread within the Penn community. This message provides an overview of the tools, including testing, that we have and will use during the fall semester. Our primary tools to minimize person-to-person transmission are: * wearing facial coverings * staying physically distanced * washing our hands
A Message to Penn Students
September 3, 2020 - As we move into this long weekend, we want you to have all the tools and information you need to make safe and informed decisions for yourselves and each other. For those of you living on or near campus, please note that the Philadelphia Department of Public Health has issued new guidelines for college students, asking them to avoid social gatherings with people outside their households.
Updates for Healthy Living at Penn
September 3, 2020 - As we move into this long weekend, we want you to have all the tools and information you need to make safe and informed decisions for yourselves and each other. For those of you living on or near campus, please note that the Philadelphia Department of Public Health has issued new guidelines for college students, asking them to avoid social gatherings with people outside their households.
A Message to Penn Undergraduates
September 1, 2020 - Welcome to the first day of classes! The Penn community, in this unusual year, is as innovative, resilient, and creative as ever. We are interconnected across the country and around the world. We did not choose the conditions of this semester – yet our extraordinary Penn students and faculty are already making the most of it, bringing to virtual learning the same rigor, passion, and engagement that we look forward to seeing back on our campus as soon as possible.
A Message to Penn Faculty and Staff
August 31, 2020 - Over the past six months, Penn staff, faculty, and students have faced the formidable task of navigating life in a new and uncertain context. We thank every Penn faculty and staff member for your commitment and dedication to the work that is moving the University forward during one of the most challenging chapters in our history.