At the virtual University Council meeting on Wednesday, October 27, Lizann Boyle Rode, associate vice president in the Office of the University Secretary, read responses to three topics raised during new business at the September University Council meeting. The topics included University recognition of Indigenous Peoples’ Day, having a centralized sexual assault hotline, and proposed changes to transfer student advising. 

President Amy Gutmann said the groundbreaking on the School of Engineering and Applied Science’s new data science building took place in early October (Almanac October 12, 2021). The building, to be named Amy Gutmann Hall, is a critical investment that is funded by the single largest gift in SEAS’s history. She introduced SEAS’s Nemirovsky Family Dean, Vijay Kumar, who then gave a presentation about data science at Penn and showed renderings of the new building, which will be located on the northeast corner of 34th and Chestnut Streets.

It is believed that data science is leading to significant societal transformations and will change the process of scientific discovery. The amount of data created, captured, and stored over the last decade has increased tremendously, from approximately five zettabytes in 2011 to 79 in 2021, said Dean Kumar.

Data science impacts every discipline and Penn is well positioned in this area, he said. It’s important to educate everyone to have realistic expectations of data and adhere to FATE: fairness, accountability, transparency, and ethics in artificial intelligence (AI).

Interim Provost Beth Winkelstein said Penn Libraries is at the heart of research and scholarly missions at Penn and played a crucial role in welcoming the Penn community back to campus. She introduced Constantia Constantinou, the H. Carton Rogers III Vice Provost and Director of the Penn Libraries, who presented on the topic of inspiring critical inquiry and creative expression.

Dr. Constantinou said that during the pandemic, Penn Libraries staff responded to accelerated user demand for access to physical library materials from those who could no longer access them in person. Curators deployed new technologies and scanned rare documents to share with researchers around the world.

Penn Libraries has implemented contactless technologies, including a mobile app and kiosks, for patrons to check out materials. Students can now also request that library materials be delivered to them on campus. 

Dr. Constantinou said the new Biotech Commons displays a vision for a library of the future, with a mixed reality lab, digital fabrication lab, and an anatomage table, among other services. Penn Libraries is committed to advancing information equity to the University, Philadelphia, and the world, she said.

Going forward, Penn Libraries plans to further address information challenges and opportunities, make strategic investments in technology, reimagine its physical spaces, and contribute to local and national movements to address inequities. 

Ms. Rode announced that the December 1, 2021 University Council meeting will be an Open Forum in Bodek Lounge, Houston Hall. Individuals who want to be assured of speaking must inform the Office of the University Secretary (ucouncil@pobox.upenn.edu) by 10 a.m. on Monday, November 8, 2021 (Almanac October 26, 2021).