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Announcements
Campus-wide communications from University administration.
University Announcement
An update on classroom masking
We announced last week that masking would be required in classrooms until March 28. We are now extending the requirement of masks in classrooms beyond March 28, following consultations with students and faculty across campus. This is a provisional decision, consistent with guidance at peer universities, that we will continue to reassess in an ongoing consultative process. Our highest priority is to maximally protect the health of our community as we all head into the closing weeks of the semester, final exams, and Commencement.
University Announcement
Message to the Penn community about updated COVID-19 protocols
We are very pleased to welcome back our faculty and students from Spring Break and to look ahead to the second half of the semester. It has now been two years since our community first experienced the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. This has been one of the most challenging periods in Penn’s long history, yet it has also been a time of extraordinary resilience, perseverance, and partnership. Together, we have sustained our historic university missions of teaching and research, while striving to keep each other safe and supported through many unpredictable changes.
University Announcement
Penn and Penn Medicine commit matching funds to UNICEF and the International Red Cross
The invasion of Ukraine has marshaled Penn’s powerful sense of solidarity to help communities who are suffering, near or far. Time and again, we are inspired by the efforts of our students, faculty, and staff to find ways to help others—to comfort, heal, and bring hope in times of the greatest struggles.
University Announcement
A message in support of Ukraine
Recent events in Ukraine have generated great concern around the world and on our campus, especially for those in our community with personal ties to the region. We are writing to express our condemnation of the violence in Ukraine and our solidarity with those who are suffering as a result of the incursion. This is an uncertain situation, and we do not know how events will unfold over the coming weeks and months, but we urge community members to seek out the support resources you may need during this time.
University Announcement
A message to the Penn community about masking on campus
We continue to monitor our shared progress in lowering the COVID positivity rate on campus. We are very pleased that the campus positivity rate, as posted today on the University Dashboard, is now at a remarkably low 0.97%.
University Announcement
A message to the Penn community about COVID-19 restrictions on social gatherings
We are very pleased to update you about positive trends in the COVID-19 situation on campus. The campus positivity rate, as posted on the University Dashboard today, is now 1.8%, including a dramatic one-week decrease among undergraduate students to 2.99% and a remarkable 0.84% rate among graduate and professional students.
University Announcement
University mourns the loss of Mia Bezar
With heavy hearts, we write to share that Mia Bezar ’23, a student in the College of Arts and Sciences, passed away Sunday, February 13th, 2022. Mia was majoring in Political Science, with minors in Urban Studies and French and Francophone Studies.
University Announcement
A message to the Penn community regarding the departure of Amy Gutmann
Having now been confirmed by the U.S. Senate, Amy Gutmann, Penn’s president for the past 17 years, will soon be sworn in as United States Ambassador to Germany.
University Announcement
A Message from University of Pennsylvania Board of Trustees Chair Scott L. Bok
Scott Bok, Chair of the University of Pennsylvania Board of Trustees, today announced that former Provost Wendell Pritchett has been selected to serve as Interim President of the University, effective at such time as Amy Gutmann may be confirmed and resign to serve as Ambassador to Germany. Pritchett would serve in the role through June 30, 2022.
University Announcement
University mourns the loss of Tolamariam Nemomsa
Dear Penn Community, With heavy hearts, we write to share that Tolamariam Nemomsa ’24, a student in the College, passed away this week in his off-campus residence. He was 21. From an early age, Tola, as he was known, was passionate about community health, specifically issues affecting his home state of Colorado. Committed to learning more about disparities in health care, he had the honor of being selected as a Pre-Health Scholar at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus.