Announcements
A Message to Penn Undergraduates
April 9, 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.
An Update on Housing and Dining Credits
April 9, 2020 - We understand you have been waiting for an update on Penn’s approach to crediting housing and dining fees for the remainder of the semester. Penn has been working around the clock to support students in this challenging time, and we thank you for your patience while we determined the best approach to processing these adjustments.
Letter to Penn Community Regarding COVID-19 Biased-Based Incidents
April 7, 2020 - We have been alerted to bias-motivated attacks against members of the Asian and/or Asian-American communities in the Philadelphia region that have occurred since the outbreak of the COVID-19 Virus. We are also aware of other incidents of bias-motivated street harassment that have occurred to members of our community and throughout the nation.
A Message to Students From Benoit Dubé
April 3, 2020 - As almost all of our Student Health, Campus Health and CAPS staff are considered essential personnel, we are able to continue to support our students’ physical and mental health needs amidst the stay-at-home order in the city of Philadelphia. We offer both in-person and telehealth services to our students, connecting with students regardless of where they are.
A Message to Penn Faculty Members
April 2, 2020 - We are writing, as an update to the Provost’s message of March 23, to set your minds at ease about several faculty affairs matters that we know are at the forefront of concern for many junior faculty members and their mentors: (1) 2019-20 mandatory reviews, (2) probationary period extensions, and (3) teaching evaluations.
Message to the Penn Community About the Summer Session
April 1, 2020 - We are writing now to let you know that our current remote learning plan will extend to all credit-bearing courses scheduled to begin on May 26, including both Summer Session I and the 11-week Summer Session. This decision, while not taken lightly, arises from the indefinite stay-at-home order in Philadelphia and the need to resume campus activities only when it is considered safe to do so.
Thank you, Penn Medicine
March 30, 2020 - In recent days I have heard from countless people across our University and our region, describing the gratitude and awe that has filled them as they witness the courage, commitment, and compassion—in addition to an inspiring range of professional expertise—that are being displayed every hour of every day by the team at Penn Medicine. I write to you on behalf of this University and our entire community to say thank you.
Penn Provides an Additional $4 Million of Support to Communities, Small Businesses and Workforce Impacted by COVID-19
March 30, 2020 - The University’s dedication is on top of the $1 million employee assistance fund announced earlier this month by Penn Medicine.
Message to Penn Faculty and Staff - Extension of Onsite Operations Suspension
March 27, 2020 - Today we are announcing that the University of Pennsylvania’s interruption of all onsite operations, except for those that are life-sustaining essential employees, will continue until further notice. We will keep you updated well in advance when more information is available on an exact date for returning to onsite operations.
Thank You, Penn Faculty From Amy Gutmann
March 26, 2020 - I have long known that the talent, dedication and collaboration of Penn’s faculty is unsurpassed in the world but it has never been more evident—and more stress-tested—than this past week when everyone worked so hard to do so much to help our students continue their education during a global crisis unlike any we have witnessed in our lifetimes. From the bottom of my heart, thank you for all that each of you has contributed to continue our students’ education.
Message to All Penn Faculty on Probationary Period Extensions Related to COVID-19
March 23, 2020 - For faculty who are assistant professors in the Tenure, Clinician-Educator, and Research Tracks and associate professors without tenure, we recognize the impact of COVID-19 on your ability to perform the academic responsibilities on which the evaluation for promotion will be based.
Message to Penn Faculty and Staff Regarding University Operations
March 20, 2020 - Consistent with an order issued by Governor Wolf late Thursday afternoon, the University of Pennsylvania is suspending all operations performed onsite except for those that are life-sustaining. Remote work is not impacted by this order and is expected to continue.
Message to Penn Undergraduates About Pass/Fail Options
March 20, 2020 - We are now writing with an update about grading options for the rest of this semester. We have decided that all undergraduate students, across the four undergraduate Schools, may choose to designate any course pass/fail for the Spring 2020 term – including courses satisfying your major or general education requirements.
Update For Students Living Off-Campus
March 18, 2020 - I am writing to clarify the message sent this weekend about students who live off-campus. The University is not ordering students who live in private residences to leave, and we regret any confusion about this. We strongly encourage students who live off-campus to return home if they can.
Update For Students Living Off-Campus (for parents)
March 18, 2020 - I am writing to clarify the message sent this weekend about students who live off-campus. The University is not ordering students who live in private residences to leave, and we regret any confusion about this. We strongly encourage students who live off-campus to return home if they can. For students who decide to stay, please join us in urging them to engage in the social distancing that is now being practiced all over the world to stem the outbreak of this virus. It is essential to sustaining the health and safety of every member of our community.
A Personal Message from Amy Gutmann
March 18, 2020 - In light of the disruption our graduating students are going through, we all want to do more, not less, to celebrate and honor you. The day of your scheduled Commencement, May 18, should not pass without recognizing that you are now Penn graduates, which we will do virtually. We also will celebrate and honor you in person with Commencement ceremonies on Penn's campus when it is safe and feasible to do so.
Penn’s EAP Behavioral Health and Work-life Services
March 17, 2020 - During this challenging time, Penn’s Wellness team would like you to remember Penn’s Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to assist you with behavioral health and work-life issues. Please feel free to contact EAP at any time.
2020 Penn Relays Cancelled
March 16, 2020 - Due to the coronavirus public health threat, we have made the difficult decision to cancel the 2020 Penn Relays. We remain hopeful that the recent measures put in place by many health organizations, government officials, and academic institutions will prevent the spread of this disease and the world will slowly begin to return to normal.
Message to Penn Faculty and Staff Regarding University Operations
March 16, 2020 - Thank you to all of you who have followed our guidance regarding remote work and engaging in good and healthy practices both in and out of the Penn environment. We are writing today to clarify Penn’s guidance in the context of the recent announcements from federal, state and city officials.
An Update for Students on COVID-19 Exposure
March 16, 2020 - I am writing to share that three Penn undergraduate students have tested positive for COVID-19. Two students are home, away from campus. One was on campus and tested by Penn Medicine. Upon release from the hospital, that student will be quarantined and cared for in an undisclosed campus location following public health protocols.
Enhanced Penn Health Insurance Coverage and Care Access
March 16, 2020 - Penn’s insurance carriers, Independence (Blue Cross), Aetna, CVS Caremark, Keystone (IBC), and Penn Medicine’s Connected Health Virtual Care Telemedicine Practice are all closely monitoring the COVID-19 virus (Coronavirus) situation. They are committed to making sure that our participants can receive appropriate testing and treatment for this virus if needed. Here is an overview of the enhancements Penn’s insurance carriers have made to our plans to improve access for members. This information is also available at the Penn Health Plans and COVID-19 web page.
An Update for Faculty & Staff on COVID-19 Exposure
March 16, 2020 - I recently informed Penn undergraduate, graduate, and professional students that three of our undergraduate students have tested positive for COVID-19. All had traveled internationally during Spring Break and were very forthcoming about details of their itinerary, allowing us to conduct a thorough contact investigation.
A Message to the Penn Community on Major Changes to Commencement
March 16, 2020 - To protect the health of our graduates, their families, alumni, and faculty and staff of the University—our highest priority in the face of this unprecedented coronavirus pandemic—we are cancelling this year’s on-campus Commencement events and moving them to a virtual ceremony that will be broadcast online.
A Message from Penn Libraries
March 15, 2020 - Dear All, As the University’s and the world’s response to COVID-19 continues to shift at a quickening rate to offset the spread of the virus, effective immediately, all Penn Libraries, including the Van Pelt-Dietrich Library Center, will be closed to the Penn community until further notice.
New Measures for Research at Penn in Response to COVID-19
March 15, 2020 - All researchers should immediately prepare to discontinue all non-essential on-campus research activities on or before March 17. Our research efforts to combat COVID-19 will continue, and they represent an example of the very limited essential research that should continue.