THE INDEPENDENT STUDENT NEWSPAPER OF THE UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA • FOUNDED 1885
PHILADELPHIA, THURSDAY, AUGUST 28, 2025
VOL. CXLI
NO. 18
How Josh Shapiro shaped Penn’s response to campus turmoil Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro’s push to influence Penn’s affairs — according to documents obtained and first reported by The Chronicle of Higher Education — came as campus activism increased ISHA CHITIRALA AND FINN RYAN Senior Reporters
pretty convoluted, they sometimes take a long time. But that’s just bureaucracy.” He noted that assignments for tabling time slots came as late as 50 minutes before the event was scheduled to begin. The delays in communication put “a lot of strain on students,” Tuba said. Still, Tuba acknowledged that PAC — as well as the other student groups he is a member of — have been grateful for financial advisors assigned to their organizations by OSA. He expressed that he “really appreciated all the work that OSA is doing” and understood the difficult time constraints. Engineering senior Shruthi Kunjur — who
Amid internal strain and public scrutiny in the fall of 2023, Penn’s administration navigated the quiet but growing influence of Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro on campus. The governor’s unprecedented involvement at Penn intensified as the University faced pressure from students, donors, and politicians over concerns about antisemitism on campus. During the 2023-24 academic year, Shapiro helped shape Penn’s response to the controversy — including invoking a long-dormant state statute to appoint an observer to the University Board of Trustees. Shapiro’s push to influence affairs at Penn — according to documents obtained and first reported by The Chronicle of Higher Education — came as on-campus activism increased in fall 2023. The Palestine Writes Literature Festival, a celebration of Palestinian artists and writers, took place on campus in fall 2023 and hosted demonstrations of Palestinian culture, including dance performances, spoken poetry, and scholarly presentations. The event immediately drew criticism from students, trustees, and national Jewish groups, who objected to the inclusion of speakers alleged to have made antisemitic remarks. That same semester, Penn Hillel was vandalized, a swastika was drawn on campus, and a wall adjacent to a Jewish fraternity house was defaced with antisemitic graffiti. In November 2023, Shapiro appointed 1982 College graduate and Philadelphia-based lawyer Robert Fox as his representative on the Board of Trustees. Though governors are allowed to appoint a nonvoting observer to the board, they have not typically done so. In response to a request for comment, a
See OSA, page 2
See SHAPIRO, page 3
KATE AHN AND KENNY CHEN | SENIOR DESIGNER AND STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
Penn student leaders criticize Office of Student Affairs for ‘stressful’ activities fair scheduling OSA was responsible for organizing the annual Student Activities Fair, held from Aug. 26-28 on Locust Walk ANVI SEHGAL Senior Reporter
Student leaders and organizations across campus voiced frustration with the Office of Student Affairs over its leadership and communication in planning this year’s Student Activities Fair. OSA was responsible for organizing the annual Student Activities Fair held from Aug. 26-28 on Locust Walk. The event came after the University implemented “significant policy updates and updates to the timelines for existing/returning group re-registration,” according to the OSA website — including the elimination of Student Activities Council recognition and a more comprehensive registration process. While SAC used to be responsible for hosting
the club fair each fall and spring semester, OSA made the decision this year to “fully administer and run the Fall Activities Fair,” according to a statement from a SAC spokesperson. Engineering junior Attila Tuba, who serves as technical chair for the Performing Arts Council, said that the change in planning body came “out of the blue” and was not communicated until students arrived back on campus. “OSA has been overworked in the past as well, before they had to take on the financial responsibilities at SAC that [previously] some students were doing. So now, they must have so many duties that they need to attend to,” Tuba said. “Sometimes, the processes that they have are
Claire Lee, rising Nursing junior, died Aug. 20
Jameson highlights Penn’s resilience against higher education challenges in campus welcome
Vice Provost for University Life Karu Kozuma and School of Nursing Dean Antonia Villarruel notified the undergraduate community of Lee’s death in an email on Aug. 22
FINN RYAN AND AMY LIAO Senior Reporter and Staff Reporter
EMILY SCOLNICK Editor-in-Chief
Rising Nursing junior Claire Lee died on Aug. 20 in Syracuse, N.Y. Vice Provost for University Life Ka r u Kozuma and School of Nursing Dean Antonia Villarruel notified the undergraduate community of Lee’s death in an email on Aug. 22. “While our community arrives on campus and begins a new academic year together, we are deeply mindful of this profound loss and hold Claire’s family, friends, peers, and patients in our hearts,” the email read. “This moment is a reminder to take time to reach out to those around us, offer kindness, and find strength in the connections that sustain us.” Lee graduated from Fayetteville-Manlius High School in New York in 2023. She was a Benjamin Franklin Scholar at Penn and served as a student clinical assistant at Upstate Medical University this summer. Lee was “born with a deep desire to do good” and devoted her life to uplifting others, according to her sister, Chloe Lee, who added that “she wanted to become a nurse for this very reason.” A memorial post on social media stated that Lee “was admired not only for her academic excellence but also for her vibrant spirit and compassion, leaving classmates, professors, and friends grappling with profound grief.” In high school, Lee co-founded “Club H.O.P.E.” to support body image and combat diet culture. It featured discussion groups, bonding work, crafts, and speaking events with professionals. She was also a member of the National Honor Society, the Science Honor Society, the National Art Honor Society, and the High Honor Roll in high school, and she received the Wendi Birnbaum Memorial Scholarship in June 2023, which was awarded to a deserving Fayetteville-Manlius senior. Lee was named one of Syracuse.com’s Best and Brightest students in 2022. See LEE, page 2 SEND STORY IDEAS TO NEWSTIP@THEDP.COM
The Aug. 25 Convocation ceremony on Franklin Field was Larry Jameson’s first since his appointment as Penn’s 10th president
Penn President Larry Jameson welcomed the Class of 2029 and transfer students at Convocation on Monday before addressing the wider University community in an email that acknowledged ongoing challenges to higher education. The Aug. 25 ceremony on Franklin Field marked Jameson’s first Convocation since his appointment as Penn’s 10th president. In an email sent the next day, he welcomed the entire University community back to campus for the 2025-26 academic year. Jameson began his Convocation speech by metaphorically “put[ting] on [his] white coat” and sharing a story of watching fireflies light up across national parks due to their bioluminescence. He noted the three qualities of their brilliance — illumination, connection, and purpose — and encouraged the Class of 2029 to draw inspiration from them. “Each flash is a signal, an expression of identity and intent,” Jameson told assembled students and faculty members. “Each of you also brings your own identity and brilliance to this institution. A passion, a curiosity, a life experience, and a perspective that no one else can replicate.” He added that Penn offers “countless resources and
opportunities to shine,” adding that new students can engage in on-campus research, showcase “talents on the stage,” and demonstrate “athletic prowess” at the University’s facilities. Jameson also noted that “fireflies do not glow alone,” encouraging students to stand up and meet someone new — and joining the class on the field to participate himself. During Convocation remarks, multiple administrators recognized the turbulence of the past year on campus and stressed the importance of coming together under a shared purpose. Reverend Charles Howard similarly acknowledged the many volunteers and family members who helped “carry loads that were too heavy for one person to hold by themselves” while students were returning to campus. “The best of the Penn community is something that these students experienced just days ago: the hospitality, the grace, the mutual help that happened subtly yet powerfully during the move-in season,” Howard said. Jackson emphasized the “significant headwinds” that American colleges and universities are facing across the country. “Many people are questioning the very purpose
GRACE CHEN | SENIOR PHOTOGRAPHER
Jameson pictured speaking at the 2025 Convocation ceremony on Aug. 25. ONLINE AT THEDP.COM
and mission of academic institutions: not only what we teach — our courses, our subjects — but also how we learn together as a community, the ways we consider different ideas, backgrounds, experiences, and how those differences shape us, create knowledge, and inform our worldview,” Jackson said. Jackson urged students to engage with perspectives and opinions different from their own, adding that Penn “should have stood out because it attracts so many different kinds of learners and teachers and researchers from all over the country and the world.” Following a summer marked by an increasingly tense relationship with the federal government, Jameson’s Tuesday email emphasized the University’s need to “listen to concerns and adapt” to new perspectives. “Everyone here is part of these exceptional contributions,” he wrote. “We all carry the culture that has sustained this institution over decades and through previous challenges.” On July 1, Jameson announced that Penn had signed a resolution agreement with the federal government, agreeing with all demands issued by the Department of Education regarding the University’s Title IX compliance. Penn also faced a subpoena from the United States House of Representatives Judiciary Committee, which accused the University of inadequately submitting documents in the committee’s ongoing investigation into price-fixing in the Ivy League. The email did not make any mention of either development. He also highlighted the “value” that Penn brings “to individuals and to society” through the work of students and alumni. “Faculty will continue to expand the frontiers of knowledge further than at any other time in history,” Jameson wrote. “Our thousands of alumni, here and abroad, will use their skills and passions for major impact.” He added that Penn will continue to “heal patients, enrich lives, and serve the world.” Jameson also addressed his personal excitement for another year on campus, noting the “joy” he felt during this year’s move-in process, New Student Orientation, and Convocation. “Every family I met was energized,” he added. “I heard many times how organized and helpful the Penn team was, and of course, the pride of parents was evident. I remember these feelings well from moving my own children into college.” See WELCOME, page 2 CONTACT US: 215-422-4640