University Messages

September 10, 2024
The Words that Guide Us
Today, Penn is introducing two new institutional positions: a statement of University Values and a statement Upholding Academic Independence.

September 10, 2024
Upholding Academic Independence
Going forward, the University of Pennsylvania 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.

September 05, 2024
Establishing an Office of Religious and Ethnic Inclusion (Title VI) at Penn
The new office ensures that Penn can continue to fulfill its obligations under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to protect students, faculty and staff from discrimination based on their religion, ethnicity, shared ancestry, or national origin.

August 21, 2024
Faculty-led Task Force charged with reviewing the Guidelines on Open Expression
Chaired by Senior Vice Dean Lisa Bellini of Penn Medicine and Faculty Director Sigal Ben-Porath of the SNF Paideia Program, the Task Force includes faculty, students, and staff members.

June 6, 2024
Temporary standards and procedures for campus events and demonstrations
Today, we write to share two important updates about Penn’s policies and procedures for when, where, and how open expression can take place. Throughout the academic year, members of the Penn community have urged University leadership to clarify and update our guidance and policies specific to campus events and demonstrations.

May 30, 2024
An update on the work of the Antisemitism Task Force and Presidential Commission
Interim President J. Larry Jameson shares the final reports from the University Task Force on Antisemitism and the Presidential Commission on Countering Hate and Building Community. 

May 10, 2024
Ending the Encampment
In a message to the Penn community, Interim President J. Larry Jameson, Provost John L. Jackson, Jr., and Senior Executive Vice President Craig R. Carnaroli update how Penn Police took action, with support from local law enforcement, to remove the encampment from College Green.

May 6, 2024
Encampment Update
As university campuses around the world face protests of increasing intensity, Interim President J. Larry Jameson shares an update on the encampment and demonstrations at Penn and his continued focus on safety and advancing the University’s missions.

April 26, 2024
An update to the Penn community
The administration notifies protestors of their legal and policy violations and reiterates its commitment to a safe, inclusive, and respectful campus community.

April 26, 2024
A message from Interim President J. Larry Jameson
Interim President J. Larry Jameson updates the Penn community that the University is closely monitoring an encampment of protestors with tents on College Green to ensure the safety of the Penn community and the protestors.

April 25, 2024
A message to the Penn community
Interim President J. Larry Jameson addresses concerns raised by the Muslim, Arab, Palestinian (MAP) student advisory group and makes clear that all Muslim, Arab, and Palestinian members are welcome and belong at Penn.

April 22, 2024
A message to the Penn community from Interim President J. Larry Jameson 
Interim President J. Larry Jameson announces immediate steps to support the Penn community, including a Community Listening Session, an extension on the comment period of the work of the University Task Force on Antisemitism and the Presidential Commission on Countering Hate and Building Community, and additional Wellness and Penn Public Safety services.

February 28, 2024
A message about online resources and support for the Penn community 
Provost John L. Jackson updates the community on his conversations with students, faculty, and staff regarding the campus climate, reiterates Penn’s commitment to cultivating an inclusive campus environment, and shares policies and resources on online harassment and doxing.

February 4, 2024
Statement on political cartoons from J. Larry Jameson, Interim President, University of Pennsylvania 
Interim President J. Larry Jameson calls on the more than 50,000 members of the Penn community to redouble efforts to be respectful and supportive of one another when exploring differences through civil discourse.

January 18, 2024
A message regarding the Presidential Commission on Countering Hate and Building Community
Commission Co-Chairs Vijay Kumar, dean of the School of Engineering and Applied Science, and Katharine Strunk, dean of the Graduate School of Education, announce the work of the Commission and encourage feedback from the Penn community.

January 16, 2024
New Year Message: Hearing, Healing, Honoring One Another 
Interim President J. Larry Jameson welcomes the community back to campus and outlines the important work to come, including implementing Penn’s strategic framework, In Principle and Practice, and ensuring a safe and secure campus for everyone at Penn.

December 12, 2023
A message from Interim President J. Larry Jameson
https://penntoday.upenn.edu/announcements/message-interim-president-j-larry-jameson

December 07, 2023
A message on Penn Medicine’s Ongoing Response to Antisemitism and Other Forms of Hate
https://president.upenn.edu/meet-president/announcements/Dec-07-2023

November 22, 2023
President Magill announces University Task Force on Antisemitism membership
https://penntoday.upenn.edu/news/president-magill-announces-university-task-force-antisemitism-membership 

November 10, 2023
The Responsibilities of our Penn Community
https://penntoday.upenn.edu/announcements/responsibilities-our-penn-community 

November 9, 2023
Statement from President Magill on Campus Projections
https://penntoday.upenn.edu/announcements/statement-president-magill-campus-projections 

November 6, 2023
Responding to Antisemitic Threat to our Campus
https://penntoday.upenn.edu/announcements/responding-antisemitic-threat-our-campus 

November 3, 2023
President Liz Magill’s Remarks at the Stated Meeting of the Trustees
https://penntoday.upenn.edu/announcements/president-liz-magills-remarks-stated-meeting-trustees   

November 1, 2023
Countering Hate, Together - A Message to the Penn Community
https://penntoday.upenn.edu/announcements/countering-hate-together 

November 1, 2023
President Liz Magill announces Penn’s Action Plan to Combat Antisemitism
https://antisemitism-action-plan.upenn.edu/ 

October 19, 2023
Penn Alumni President Michael Barrett sent a letter to fellow alumni.
https://www.alumni.upenn.edu/s/1587/gid2/16/interior.aspx?sid=1587&gid=2&pgid=42813

October 18, 2023
President Magill sent a message to the University on community safety.
https://penntoday.upenn.edu/announcements/message-president-liz-magill-community-safety 

October 17, 2023
The Division of Public Safety sent a message to the Penn community about safety.
https://www.publicsafety.upenn.edu/news/safety-message-to-the-penn-community/

October 16, 2023
Scott L. Bok, Chair, Penn Board of Trustees, released a statement.
https://penntoday.upenn.edu/announcements/statement-scott-l-bok

October 16, 2023
Scott L. Bok, Chair, Penn Board of Trustees, responded to Marc Rowan’s letter featured in the PhillyVoice and widely circulated at Penn. 
https://www.thedp.com/article/2023/10/penn-administration-response-marc-rowan-trustees-campus-direction-palestine-writes

October 15, 2023
President Magill sent a personal message to the Penn community decrying the assault on Israel by Hamas and condemning antisemitism.
https://penntoday.upenn.edu/announcements/penns-response-recent-events-terrorist-attacks-in-israel 

October 11, 2023
Julie Platt, Vice Chair, Penn’s Board of Trustees, released a statement in support of Board Chair Scott Bok and President Liz Magill.
https://supporting-our-community.upenn.edu/university-messages/julie-platt-oct11

October 10, 2023
President Magill and Provost Jackson sent a University-wide message condemning the attacks by Hamas on Israel and offering support to the Penn community.
https://penntoday.upenn.edu/announcements/war-middle-east 

September 22, 2023
University leaders sent a message to the Penn community condemning two antisemitic acts that occurred on campus and providing support to the Jewish community.
https://president.upenn.edu/content/message-penn-community 

September 20, 2023
President Magill, in a public letter, outlined specific steps the University is taking in the wake of the Palestine Writes Literature Festival, and made concrete commitments to combat antisemitism on campus in line with the U.S. National Strategy to Combat Antisemitism.
https://president.upenn.edu/content/penn-response-adl 

September 12, 2023
University leaders issued a statement condemning antisemitism and controversial speakers appearing on campus as part of the Palestine Writes Literature Festival.
https://penntoday.upenn.edu/announcements/statement-palestine-writes-literature-festival