Supporting Our Community

“The challenge we face together, as the Penn community, is to find a balance – supporting open expression and peaceful demonstrations while ensuring safety and respectful, inclusive culture that allows all to thrive.”

J. Larry Jameson, MD, PhD
Interim President

This site brings together resources to foster individuals’ safety and well-being, as well as the latest messages and information from Penn leaders and scholars to help navigate these complex times.

Penn is connected to and a part of the world around us, and our campus community continues to be impacted by the violence in the Middle East. During these challenging times, the University remains committed to supporting students, faculty, and staff and to sharing information with our larger community of alumni, parents, and friends.

Penn launched several initiatives that are addressing how we affirm Penn’s values, clarify University policies and reporting, build community, invest in research and scholarship, and continue to support students. We are actively implementing the recommendations of the University Task Force on Antisemitism and the Presidential Committee on Countering Hate and Building Community. Important progress includes Temporary Standards and Procedures for Campus Events and Demonstrations and the creation of a faculty-led Open Expression Task Force charged with reviewing the Open Expression guidelines and the Temporary Standards and Procedures for Campus Events.

Penn leadership also announced two new institutional positions: a statement of University Values and a statement Upholding Academic Independence. The statements are a result of broad input and deliberation, including the collaborative efforts in 2023 to create In Principle in Practice, Penn’s strategic framework. These positions will serve as guideposts to help our leaders best support Penn’s mission and community. 

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University Messages

Updates, resources, and calls to action from Interim President J. Larry Jameson and other University leaders.

University Policies

Information on Penn’s policies and procedures, including free speech FAQs, Penn’s Code of Conduct, and Penn’s Open Expression guidelines.

Community Resources

Penn has a robust network of campus resources for students, faculty, and staff impacted by events on and off campus. We are committed to supporting the health, safety, and well-being of the Penn community.

Upholding Academic Independence

The University will refrain from institutional statements made in response to local and world events except for those which have direct and significant bearing on University functions.

University Values

In a September 10, 2024 message to the Penn community, Interim President J. Larry Jameson shared a statement of University Values. Aligned with the recommendations of the Presidential Commission on Countering Hate and Building Community and the University Task Force on Antisemitism, and the result of broad input and deliberation, the statement of University Values sets out to “capture what is distinctive about Penn” and articulates values to guide the Penn community.

News

Final Reports

On May 30, 2024, Interim President J. Larry Jameson shared the final reports from both the University Task Force on Antisemitism and the Presidential Commission on Countering Hate and Building Community. Recommendations contained within these reports offer concrete guidance for actions Penn can and will take now, as well as aspirational goals that will inform our institutional priorities for the future. The reports are both reaffirming and complementary. They contain shared themes, such as affirming Penn’s values and clarifying University policies and reporting, and offer distinct ideas for building community, investing in research and scholarship, and supporting the student experience. 

Task Force Report Presidential Commission Report

 

Safety and Wellness at Penn

The Division of Public Safety (DPS) is committed to the safety and wellbeing of the Penn and West Philadelphia communities. Learn more about UPennAlert, the PennGuardian app, and other emergency resources. We are here for you, and we care for you. Reach out anytime. 

Learn More at DPS