Penn Compact • Increasing Access 2006

PENN INCREASING P E N N C O M PA C T

A D VA N C I N G O P P O R T U N I T Y A N D D I V E R S I T Y AT P E N N

ACCESS

> www.upenn.edu/compact

INCREASING ACCESS We must make an excellent Penn education available to all outstanding students

PENN

COMPACT

of talent and high potential who can benefit from and contribute to our University. In a democracy and at great universities, diversity and excellence go together. To keep them together, we must significantly boost scholarship aid to make Penn even more affordable to exceptional students from all backgrounds.

I N T E G R AT I N G K N O W L E D G E The most challenging questions and problems of our time cannot be addressed by one discipline or profession. To comprehend our complex world, we must better integrate knowledge from different disciplines and professional perspectives in our research and teaching. Beginning with the recruitment of eminent scholars who will hold joint appointments in two schools and departments, Penn will

The Penn Compact, launched at the inauguration of President Amy Gutmann

achieve a truly successful partnership between arts and sciences and our profes-

in October 2004, expresses the Penn community’s aspiration to move “From

sional schools that will benefit our students, our society, and our world.

Excellence to Eminence.” The Compact focuses fresh attention on making a Penn education affordable for all outstanding students of talent and high potential, while reaffirming the importance of providing a rich and welcoming educational environment for all students.

Low- and middle-income students are underrepresented in enrollment at most of the nation’s highly selective colleges and universities, including Penn. President Gutmann is at the forefront of the national debate to urge that private colleges and universities pay more attention to the need to attract a student body as diverse in class background as it is in geography, gender, race, and religion.

E N G A G I N G L O C A L LY A N D G L O B A L LY Through our collaborative engagement with communities all over the world, Penn is poised to advance the central values of democracy: life, liberty, opportunity, and mutual respect. As we prepare to expand Penn’s campus to the east, we strengthen our ties with our neighbors and help drive economic and technological development throughout the City and Commonwealth. At the same time, we will share the fruits of our integrated knowledge wherever there is an opportunity for our students, faculty, and alumni to serve and to learn.

I invite every member of our extended Penn family and friends to unite behind the Penn Compact and contribute to our bold vision for moving our great University forward.

AMY GUTMANN

President, University of Pennsylvania

> 140 new scholarship funds in 2005

Penn is one of the few private American universities

> Easing the burden

measures to ease the burden on low- and middle-

that no one is denied admission based on financial

income undergraduate scholarship students and

aid requirements.

their families. Outside scholarships now supplealso increased the incidental expenses allowance

Penn undergraduates, need-based grants make the

and reduced expected summer savings for students

crucial difference in their ability to attend Penn. In

with the greatest need.

BOTTOM LEFT Bernard Segal Memorial Scholarship recipient Joyce Pulphus MIDDLE Frank L. Coulson Jr. Endowed Scholarship recipient William Chin

While some private colleges and universities are

a record 140 new named funds. University Trustees

able to fund significant proportions of financial

and other donors have established challenge funds

aid through their endowments, Penn’s endowment

to encourage new scholarships.

currently can cover only 13% of its student aid

Penn bolstered its commitment to affordability

Nancy Ryan & Ryan’s Way Endowed Scholar Angela Lee

TOP LEFT

ment rather than replace Penn-funded aid. Penn

individualized financial aid package. For 40% of

2005 a heightened focus on financial aid produced

> Preparing for a 5-year fundraising campaign

In the past year Penn instituted a series of

that maintains a “need-blind” admission policy so

Every admitted student with need is offered an

on scholarship students

BELOW Association of Latino Alumni Endowed Scholarship recipient Arlene Fernandez

budget. In 2007 Penn will launch a major endow-

by replacing loans with grants for economically

ment campaign to help fulfill the University’s

disadvantaged students whose families earn

commitment to make financial aid ever more

$50,000 or less. By making a Penn education

effective. A $14 million gift from Trustee George

even more accessible, this policy will afford more

Weiss gave Penn’s financial aid effort a dramatic

talented, high-achieving students greater freedom

boost in anticipation of the campaign.

to chart their educational and career paths.

P E N N C O M PA C T

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U N D E R G R A D U AT E S C H O L A R S H I P S

PENN ADDING UNDERGRADUATE SCHOLARSHIPS PENN BOLSTERED ITS COMMITMENT TO AFFORDABILITY BY REPLACING LOANS WITH GRANTS F O R E C O N O M I C A L LY D I S A D VA N TA G E D S T U D E N T S W H O S E FA M I L I E S E A R N $ 5 0 , 0 0 0 O R L E S S

> Raising graduate student stipends > Increasing support

for students with dependents > Encouraging greater diversity

PENN ENHANCING

THE GRADUATE AND PROFESSIONAL STUDENT EXPERIENCE

OVER THE 2005 AND 2006 ACADEMIC YEARS, PENN RAISED THE MINIMUM ANNUAL STIPEND FOR D O C T O R A L S T U D E N T S B Y A T O TA L O F 1 4 % T O $ 1 8 , 0 0 0

Penn’s outstanding graduate and professional students collaborate with Penn faculty at the highest levels of research and teaching. Supporting the next generation of scholars is a sound investment in the future of higher education.

Over the 2005 and 2006 academic years, Penn

and professional students successfully navigate

raised the minimum annual stipend for doctoral

these waters and is exploring ways to make Penn

students by a total of 14% to $18,000. Penn also

more family-friendly.

funded a set of summer stipends of approximately

Penn is committed to recruiting more men and

$3,900 each to entering Ph.D. students in the

women of color into the pipeline to become tomor-

humanities and social sciences. New “prize” fellow-

row’s scholars. Two programs actively encourage

ships will provide additional funding for our very

diversity within Penn’s graduate student body.

top recruits—which strengthens Penn’s ability to

The McNair Scholars Program, funded by the U.S.

compete for the best students.

Department of Education, is designed for graduate

Many graduate students find themselves prepar-

school-bound first-generation college/income-

ing for careers in academe at the same time that

eligible students, as well as for students from groups

they are starting families. Penn is helping graduate

that have traditionally been underrepresented at the doctoral level.

The Fontaine Society, named for Penn’s first African-American professor Dr. William Fontaine, enables graduate students from diverse backgrounds to receive full five-year fellowships.

P E N N C O M PA C T

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G R A D U AT E A N D P R O F E S S I O N A L S T U D E N T E X P E R I E N C E

> Boosting racial, ethnic, and socio-economic diversity

> Welcoming and

supporting minority students

> Recruiting students from urban public high schools

CREATING A

MORE DIVERSE T H R E E I M P O R TA N T E N D S O F H I G H E R E D U C AT I O N : E Q U A L I Z I N G O P P O R T U N I T Y, E N R I C H I N G T H E E D U C AT I O N A L E X P E R I E N C E O F A L L S T U D E N T S , A N D E D U C AT I N G L E A D E R S F O R A L L S E C T O R S O F S O C I E T Y

P E N N C O M PA C T

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DIVERSE COMMUNITY

PENN COMMUNITY

In a democracy and at great universities, diversity

hailing from 75 other countries. Nearly 38% of

Cultural Center, Penn Women’s Center, and

represented minorities, that a Penn education is

and excellence go together. Penn values diversity

these students are people of color.

the Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Center.

accessible to them. Reaching out to Philadelphia

Penn recognizes that a diverse and open campus

Together with various service and governmental

area students, a pre-college Young Scholars pro-

diversity is a means to three important ends of

invites dialogue, encourages understanding, inspires

organizations, these centers coordinate a plethora

gram enables academically exceptional Philadelphia

higher education: equalizing opportunity, enrich-

creative thinking, and fully prepares all members of

of mentoring, cultural, and issues-based programs

public school juniors and seniors to take courses

ing the educational experience of all students, and

society for leadership in the global marketplace.

that help all Penn students learn valuable lessons

with Penn students at no cost. The entering class

about diversity outside the classroom.

of 2009 includes a record number of students

not because it is an end in itself, but rather because

educating leaders for all sectors of society.

We are proud that the proportion of international

Seven campus resource centers offer community support to our diverse student body: Greenfield

Since becoming Penn’s President, Amy Gutmann

students rose from 9.3% in 2003 to 11% for the

Intercultural Center, La Casa Latina, the Pan Asian

has visited several urban high schools to remind

freshman class that entered in 2005, with students

American Community House, the Makuu Black

talented students, particularly those from under-

from the Philadelphia region, up almost 4% over the previous year.

> Expanding aid to middle-income and low-income students > Excellence

Concerns about equal opportunity in higher edu-

and equity go hand in hand > Creating the Penn World Scholars program

At Penn these students include a gifted writer

America. Excellence as well as equity demands

cation have focused primarily on the widening gap

who is the daughter of a New Hampshire auto

that we not let them fall on the losing side of an

between low-income and high-income students.

mechanic and the first in her family to attend

arbitrary line dividing those deemed deserving of

Recent studies have shown, however, that middle-

college; the son of a truck driver from Texas who

preferences from those who are not.”

income families—who represent the vast majority

has become a standout at the Wharton School

To promote greater access worldwide, Penn is

of American households—cannot afford the sticker

and a campus leader; and the son of a grocery

establishing a World Scholars program that will

price of most of our universities and also are

clerk who wants to pursue both a doctorate in

recruit outstanding scholars with strong leadership

strikingly underrepresented on our campuses.

philosophy and a law degree.

potential from around the globe. Penn will offer

Colleges and universities that are truly committed

As President Gutmann stated in her October

these students financial assistance throughout their

to achieving the goals of diversity and equal

2005 address to the Association of American

studies and valuable mentoring from Penn alumni

opportunity must focus their efforts on middle-

University Presidents and Chancellors, “These

from their home countries.

income as well as low-income students.

are the sons and daughters of middle-income

PENN BROADENING THE SCOPE OF

“THESE ARE THE SONS AND DAUGHTERS OF MIDDLE-INCOME AMERICA. E X C E L L E N C E A S W E L L A S E Q U I T Y D E M A N D S T H AT W E N O T L E T T H E M FA L L O N T H E L O S I N G S I D E O F A N A R B I T R A R Y L I N E D I V I D I N G T H O S E D E E M E D D E S E R V I N G O F P R E F E R E N C E S F R O M T H O S E W H O A R E N O T. ”

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY

P E N N C O M PA C T

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EQUAL OPPORTUNITY

> Attracting extraordinary faculty and students from all backgrounds

> Fostering living-learning communities

> Furnishing state-of-the-art facilities

Along with our students, Penn’s exceptional faculty

opportunities that enrich the undergraduate

gloriously renovated Nursing Education Building,

form the heart and soul of our great University. Our

experience. The establishment of the College

which has been renamed for the eminent scholar,

capacity to shape the future will rise with our

House system and creation of student hubs for

former nursing dean, and former interim presi-

increasing ability to attract and retain eminent fac-

writing, technology, undergraduate research,

dent Claire Fagin. The University Museum of

ulty and outstanding students from all backgrounds

and community service have contributed to

Archaeology and Anthropology also is undergoing

across all 12 schools. We also aspire to furnish our

Penn's 2006 ranking as “Hottest Ivy for Happy

major renovations.

students and faculty with an even more welcoming

to Be There” by the 2006 Newsweek Kaplan Guide

and rewarding educational environment that

to Colleges—surely an encouraging indicator of

to open in 2006 will support the creative and

includes quality housing options and state-of-the-

the vitality of undergraduate life at Penn. A

innovative talents of our faculty and students.

art research and teaching facilities.

high priority for fundraising is to strengthen

They include: Skirkanich Hall, a state-of-the-art

the College House system by building the first

bioengineering building; the Carolyn Hoff Lynch

residence specifically designed to realize the

Biology Laboratory, representing the first phase of

College House vision.

a new Life Sciences Complex; the David B. Weigle

Penn is committed to providing access to campus housing options, amenities, and extracurricular

Recently renovated facilities that have enlivened

A host of new buildings and facilities scheduled

Information Commons in Van Pelt Library; the

the Penn campus include the beautifully modern-

Vernon and Shirley Hill Pavilion, a gleaming new

ized Fisher-Bennett Hall, home for our English,

research facility for Penn Veterinary Medicine; and

Music, and Cinema Studies departments, and a

the Platt Student Performing Arts House.

David B. Weigle Information Commons in Van Pelt Library

P E N N C O M PA C T

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FUTURE OF ACCESS

Fisher-Bennett Hall

THE FUTURE OF PENN IS COMMITTED TO PROVIDING ACCESS TO CAMPUS HOUSING OPTIONS, AMENITIES, A N D E X T R A C U R R I C U L A R O P P O R T U N I T I E S T H AT E N R I C H T H E U N D E R G R A D U AT E E X P E R I E N C E

ACCESS AT PENN

INCREASING

ACCESS ENGAGING

LOCALLY AND GLOBALLY INTEGRATING

KNOWLEDGE

P H O T O / I L L U S T R AT I O N C R E D I T S C O VE R

scholarship students outside Houston Hall, Candace diCarlo; student in lab, Suzanne Faubl

I N T E R I O R FRON T FLA P

portrait of Dr. Gutmann, Candace diCarlo

portrait of Arlene Fernandez, Emily Robin; portraits of Nancy Ryan & Angela Lee, William Chin, and Joyce Pulphus, Candace diCarlo

P E N N A DDIN G U N DE RGRA D UAT E S CHO LARS HIPS

parents with stroller, Paul Talley; doctor with nursing students, Bill Denison, graduate student instructor, Steven Begleiter; student in lab, Bob Krist

E NH A NCIN G TH E GRA DU AT E AND PRO F ES S IO NAL S T UDENT EX P E R IE NCE

C R E ATI N G A M ORE DIV E RS E PENN CO MMUNIT Y Penn Women’s Center walkway, Erme C. Maula; woman holding sign, students with laptop, students at the Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Center, and students walking

by La Casa Latina mosaic, Bill Denison

girl in hallway, Peter Olson; Penn Quaker and cheerleaders, Bill Denison; student with headphones, Gregory Benson, students on bench, Bill Denison B R O A D E N IN G TH E SCOP E O F EQUAL O PPO RT UNIT Y

TH E FU TU RE OF A CCE SS Fisher-Bennett Hall stairway, Lisa Godfrey; students in College House room, Gregory Benson; David B. Weigle Information Commons, Ann Beha Architects; Penn professor, Bill Denison I N T E R I O R BA CK FLA P

Mark Stehle

two students, Bob Krist; Wharton Students, Peter Olson; students sitting on benches,

OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT

University of Pennsylvania For further information contact: Office of University Communications 215-898-8721

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> www.upenn.edu/compact

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