At the virtual December 2 Council meeting, Senior Vice Provost for Research Dawn Bonnell provided an update on the research that was impacted by COVID-19 throughout the year.Some research was initially ramped down in the spring, while some continued remotely, and essential research continued. Penn has received $16 million in federal funding for such research. Throughout the various phases of Penn’s resumption of research, she said that health and safety have been the highest priority. During the fall semester, there has been an expansion of some research with social distancing in place. Penn has established policies for post-docs’ term limits to be extended and opened Penn’s post-doc program to Penn graduates. She also noted that some of the vaccines being developed for COVID-19 began at Penn over a decade ago. 

Deputy Provost Beth Winkelstein provided an update on innovative teaching and learning that has taken place this year, due in part to the efforts of the Center for Teaching and Learning and the Penn Libraries, which have enabled the University to offer more than 9,700 sections of classes online this fall up from more than 5,600 in the spring. She also noted that financial support in the form of technology grants has been provided to nearly 1,000 graduate and professional students and additional support has been provided through emergency funds such as the President’s PhD Initiative. The Year of Civic Engagement includes a year-long preceptorial series, open to the public, on Racism and Anti-Racism in Contemporary America, organized by the Paideia Program, the Office of the Vice President for Social Equity and Community, the Office of the Provost, the Andrea Mitchell Center, Civic House, and New Student Orientation and Academic Initiatives.  One webinar session will be held tonight, December 8, at 5 p.m.. Panelists will focus on Health and Wellness Disparities; register at https://upenn.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_Kik3RreZTUOCrHVHXJa5nA

During the Open Forum portion of the meeting, there were several presenters, including students and faculty, who raised concerns about various issues including classes and work on Election Day; the challenges of meeting tenure and promotion criteria while dealing with COVID-19 caused childcare responsibilities; extending funding for graduate students; meeting the needs of transfer students; free speech on campus; Penn Police conduct and funding; extending the Pass/Fail option for the spring semester; and climate action.