THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2021 VOL. CXXXVII NO. 18
THE INDEPENDENT STUDENT NEWSPAPER OF THE UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA
More than
225
instructors petition Penn to allow remote teaching
FOUNDED 1885
First years and sophomores say returning to campus feels normal despite initial fears While excited to be back on campus, some students are also feeling a sense of anxiety associated with in-person interactions ELIZABETH MEISENZAHL& DELANEY PARKS Senior Reporters
ISABEL LIANG
The petition, which was sent to Penn administrators on Aug. 22, is inclusive of tenured and non-tenured faculty, adjunct professors, lecturers, and graduate student instructors KAMILLE HOUSTON Senior Reporter
More than 225 instructors have signed a petition urging Penn to allow instructors to make their own decisions about whether to teach in person or virtually — but administrators insist students should remain in the classroom. The petition expressed concern over rising COVID-19 infection rates linked to the more contagious Delta variant, inefficient air circulation in closed buildings, limited capacity to social distance in classrooms, and instructors who have unvaccinated family members or relatives with weakened immune systems. The petition also leveraged criticism at current Penn guidelines, which no longer mandate weekly testing and recommend nonmedical grade masks instead of the more effective N95 respirators. The petition, which was delivered to Penn administrators on Aug. 22, is inclusive of
Penn announces presidential search committee for Gutmann’s successor Penn Student Government leaders call for more students in the search committee ELIZABETH MEISENZAHL Senior Reporter
Penn Student Government leaders are calling on the University to include more students in the search committee for Penn’s next president, which they hope will prioritize student feedback on issues affecting marginalized communities on campus. The Consultative Committee, which was announced on Tuesday, consists of seven trustees, two deans, five faculty members, one staff member, one undergraduate student, and one graduate student. Penn President Amy Gutmann was nominated in July by President Joe Biden to serve as the next United States ambassador to Germany. She confirmed that she will continue to serve as Penn’s president until June 30, 2022, or until the U.S. Senate confirms her as ambassador, which could accelerate her departure. “The outcome of our search will affect the University far into the future,” Penn Board of Trustees Chair Scott L. Bok told the Penn Almanac. “The goal of the Trustees, in which they seek the Committee’s assistance, and the Penn community’s input, is to identify the best individual to serve as the new president of this extraordinary institution.” College senior and Undergraduate Assembly
tenured and non-tenured faculty, adjunct professors, lecturers, and graduate student instructors. “We recognize that the circumstances around COVID-19 are evolving and that the administration has difficult decisions to make,” the petition reads. “And while we understand that our academic responsibilities are primarily to meet the educational needs of our students, we also recognize the necessity of protecting each other in dangerous times. Health and safety must come before all else.” In an emailed statement to The Daily Pennsylvanian on Sept. 8, Vice Provost for Faculty Laura Perna reiterated Penn’s commitment to an in-person undergraduate education. Perna added that instructors may be permitted to shift to virtual instruction for a short duration of time, such as if the instructor or a significant number of students in the course need
to quarantine. “Should the risk assessment associated with classroom teaching change, we would make accommodations accordingly and quickly communicate with faculty and other members of our community,” Perna wrote. The Faculty Senate released a memo on Aug. 27 addressing faculty concerns about in-person teaching, noting the safety of in-person teaching depends on vaccination, masking in the classroom, and regular testing and contract tracing. According to the memo, faculty members who qualify for an exemption from in-person teaching may request a medical accommodation through the
President Tori Borlase will serve as the sole undergraduate student on the committee to search for a new president, which Borlase said has not met yet. Borlase hopes the University will find a successor who makes student voices a priority. “At the end of the day, Penn is a school — not a business,” Borlase said. “So it’s really important to make sure that student voices are prioritized in decision-making processes.” Penn released a survey Tuesday on Penn Almanac for members of the Penn community to fill out if they wish to nominate a candidate, list characteristics they hope to see in the next president, and describe challenges they see arising for Penn during the tenure of the next president. “We invite members of the University community to provide input by responding to the survey on the presidential search or directly to a member of the Consultative Committee listed below,” Bok said. College and Wharton senior and UA Vice President Janice Owusu said she hopes that more members of the UA will have a role in selecting the new president as the committee narrows down candidates. University spokesperson Stephen MacCarthy did not respond to a request for comment on whether any other student leaders or student groups will be consulted during the search process. Owusu said she hopes the next president will also prioritize diversity, equity, and inclusion within the University, particularly by giving space on Locust Walk to the cultural houses and supporting FGLI students. The 6B, a coalition of groups representing marginalized communities on Penn’s campus, has long called for houses on Locust Walk, rather than their current rooms in the basement of the ARCH building. “Because of [Gutmann], we have this term ‘[FGLI],’ and the FGLI program, the highly aided program,” Owusu said. “I couldn’t go to Penn if it wasn’t for [Gutmann’s] role in fundraising for them.” In 2008, Gutmann instituted the University’s noloan financial aid policy, making Penn’s financial aid policies grant based and without loans. In 2016, Penn became the second Ivy League university to
open a center dedicated to the needs of FGLI students. The percentage of FGLI students at Penn has tripled since the beginning of Gutmann’s tenure in 2004. Owusu added that she hopes the next president will continue to emphasize expanding financial aid, as Gutmann did, by meeting full need for international students. Similar to other student group leaders, Engineering senior and Student Committee on Undergraduate Education Chair External Aidan Young said that while he thinks PSG should have some part in the selection process, he hopes to see other student groups consulted as well. Young said his biggest hope is that the new president would be someone who “is willing to take risks” over the next two to three years to implement the policies SCUE outlined in their most recent White Paper. These changes include revamping sector requirements to add more flexibility and increased support for FGLI students. “I think what we’re setting our sights on the next couple of years is going for some of those bigger projects and ideas that we set out in the White Paper,” Young said. “So we would love to have a president that is willing to take risks and work with us and the rest of the student body.”
“We must commemorate the American lives lost in the 9/11 tragedies and the heroism that was on display that day. But we must also commemorate how, in the face of tragedy, our country reacted with discrimination, violence, and war.” - DP Editorial Board SEND STORY IDEAS TO NEWSTIP@THEDP.COM
Penn men’s soccer dominated against Colgate in its first match at Rhodes Field since Nov. 16, 2019.
SEE PROFESSORS PAGE 6
MAX MESTER
Two weeks after diving back into in-person classes, first years and sophomores expressed excitement about the opportunity to have shared on-campus experiences with others. The first years and sophomores said they have enjoyed their in-person classes and the ability to see their classmates face to face on campus, although they admitted the transition has been abrupt for some students after more than a year of primarily solely virtual interactions. “Being on campus and being in person is exciting, although it does come with its limitations,” Eileen Wang, a first year in Wharton, said, explaining that she has faced some COVID-19-related difficulties in classes, including soft-spoken professors wearing two masks and a recitation being held online with poor connection. “It’s not exactly the same, but it’s the best we can get,” she said. “So I’m pretty happy with that.” Similarly, College first year Thomas Shaw said the atmosphere surrounding this semester has been enthusiastic, and that everyone they have met seems excited to be in person. “It is much easier to find people and to find things that are happening just by walking around or being in places where people gather. It’s so much easier, and it’s so much more fun,” Shaw said. Eashwar Kantemneni, a sophomore in the College, said this year has felt much more like an actual college experience so far, since it’s been easier to meet new people and spend time with friends in dining halls and dorm rooms. He added that campus is “much more lively” this year. Likewise, College sophomore Anooshey Ikhlas agreed that Penn’s social element was much more present this year, explaining that she now has the opportunity to walk to and from classes with other students and eat with friends in the dining hall, all new experiences for her at Penn. “At the end of the day — school and all the social activities — I felt so tired, but kind of in a good way,” Marisol Sanchez, a sophomore in the College, agreed, saying that crossing paths with people has become much more common. She said she’s been able to turn casual connections with classmates and acquaintances into friendships by making plans, seeing each other on Locust Walk, and grabbing lunch. While students have eagerly awaited a return to in-person campus life, some are feeling a sense of anxiety associated with in-person interactions. Sanchez said that she has been both anxious and excited about returning to an in-person environment. The pandemic — and not being around lots of people — has caused her to worry about returning to her normal social life, but she has enjoyed in-person interactions in class and meeting new people in a “natural” way. College first year Anthony Wong agreed, saying he has made strong connections with students and professors in his small seminar classes. Another student, Engineering first year Arda Enfiyeci, who took a gap year last year and did not take virtual classes, said he is grateful to have classes in person this year. After a year of awkward breakout rooms, Sanchez said, it has been a relief to connect with her professors more deeply and work with in-person groups for her ASTR 001: “Survey of the Universe” class. Kantemneni also said that in-person classes have provided opportunities to connect with professors in an easier and more natural way. Especially in his small seminar class, he said he’s been able to learn more about his professor and classmates than he previously did in virtual classes. W h ile some students indulged in the pandemic-induced flexibility of virtual learning, Ikhlas realized that having to attend her lectures every day has helped her avoid procrastination and keep up with assignments.
President Amy Gutmann speaks at the University’s 111th Convocation on Aug. 30.
NEWS
UNDERGRADUATE ASSEMBLY ELECTS NEW EXECUTIVE PAGE 7 BOARD FOR 2021-2022
SEE CAMPUS PAGE 6
NEWS PAGE 7
STUDY ABROAD IS BACK — BUT WITH LIMITED OPTIONS
BACKPAGE ONLINE AT THEDP.COM
CONTACT US: 215-422-4640