Messages & Statements
2024
Address & Speeches
Interim President J. Larry Jameson’s Remarks for the University of Pennsylvania's Class of 2028 Convocation
August 26, 2024
What We Share: Anchored, Interwoven, Inventive, Engaged.
Interim President J. Larry Jameson’s Remarks for the University of Pennsylvania's 268th Commencement ceremony
May 20, 2024
Don’t just strike while the iron is hot. Heat the iron by striking it.
Interim President J. Larry Jameson's Prepared Remarks for the March 1, 2024 Stated Meeting of Penn’s Board of Trustees
Mar. 01, 2024
Our Remarkable University is Strong.
University Messages
Higher Education Sexual Misconduct and Awareness Survey
Oct 21, 2024
We write today regarding the 2024 Higher Education Sexual Misconduct and Awareness Survey. Along with nine other institutions, Penn engaged with this survey – as we did in 2015 and 2019 – as a critical part of our longstanding commitment to protect and support students.
Draw Down the Lightning Grants
September 16, 2024
Bold, inventive ideas drive societal improvement, and they empower universities like Penn to address great challenges. Today, we are excited to unveil the Draw Down the Lightning grant initiative, a dedicated seed fund to further propel Penn’s new strategic framework, In Principle and Practice.
The Words that Guide Us
September 10, 2024
Today, Penn is introducing two new institutional positions: a statement of University Values and a statement Upholding Academic Independence.
Establishing an Office of Religious and Ethnic Inclusion (Title VI) at Penn
September 05, 2024
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.
A welcome message from Interim President Jameson
August 23, 2024
Welcome back to Penn! For our new students, faculty, staff, and post-docs, welcome to your University. Penn has much to celebrate—just look at the impressive accomplishments of our faculty, staff, and students! But we must always improve and adapt to a changing world. Building on Penn’s actions to date, here are some important ways we are supporting our community and enabling Penn’s critical work.
Temporary Standards and Procedures for Campus Events and Demonstrations
June 06, 2024
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.
Update on the work of the Antisemitism Task Force and Presidential Commission
May 30, 2024
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.
A Message on Ending the Encampment
May 10, 2024
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.
Encampment Update
May 6, 2024
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.
An update to the Penn community
Apr. 26, 2024
At Penn, we pursue our academic mission guided by fundamental commitments to upholding freedom of inquiry and open expression, while maintaining a safe, inclusive, and respectful campus community.
A message from Interim President J. Larry Jameson
Apr. 26, 2024
Late yesterday afternoon, a group of individuals led a series of protests that began at Temple University and traveled to Philadelphia City Hall and to Drexel University. At approximately 4:00 p.m., these protestors arrived on Locust Walk, joining with members of our Penn community.
A message to the Penn Community
Apr. 25, 2024
At the beginning of this semester, we convened a Muslim, Arab, Palestinian (MAP) student advisory group to seek input on ways Penn can foster a more inclusive and supportive campus environment.
A message to the Penn Community
Apr. 22, 2024
Like you, I am witnessing the turbulence and strife taking place on several university campuses across the country.
Statement on political cartoons from J. Larry Jameson, Interim President, University of Pennsylvania
Feb. 04, 2024
There are times when leaders should weigh in on the values and principles that guide and define an institution. Recent political cartoons make this one of them.
New Year Message: Hearing, Healing, Honoring One Another
January 17, 2024
Welcome to a new semester and a new year at Penn! As I begin my role as Interim President, people within our University and beyond are sharing with me their deep affection for Penn. They believe in Penn’s extraordinary work and our boundless potential. I believe in Penn, too. Over the years, I have witnessed what we can do to make the world a better place.
Statement on the passing of Claire M. Fagin
January 16, 2024
It is with great sadness that I inform you of the death of Dr. Claire M. Fagin, former interim president of the University of Pennsylvania and former dean of the School of Nursing.
2023
A Message from Interim President J. Larry Jameson
December 12, 2023
I am honored that the Board of Trustees has asked me to serve as Penn’s Interim President. I accept this responsibility clear-eyed about the challenges facing our University. Like you, I love Penn. I have dedicated many years of my life to this amazing institution. I have been honored to serve as Executive Vice President of our health system and dean of the Raymond and Ruth Perelman School of Medicine for more than 12 years.
A Message on Penn Medicine’s Ongoing Response to Antisemitism and Other Forms of Hate
December 07, 2023
Dear Penn Medicine Community, The events of the last several months have been among the most difficult in recent memory. Across our community, people are grappling with intense, heightened emotions as we witness painful words and activities that threaten, harass, and intimidate individuals among our colleagues, patients, families, and friends. Like you, we are alarmed and devastated each time we hear about an incident of antisemitism, Islamophobia, or hate in any form. The fear and traumatic effects are acute but can also be long-lasting.