October 10, 2022

As the Tri-Chairs of the Faculty Senate, we vigorously condemn the state violence perpetrated against civil society and protestors since the death of Mahsa Amini, who died on September 16, 2022, while in the custody of the morality police of Iran. In particular, we condemn the repression and violence committed against students and professors on university grounds, such as those of Sharif University of Technology in Tehran. We stand in solidarity with our Penn colleagues, postdocs, students, staff, and alumni who are deeply affected by these events and affirm the higher education values of freedom of thought, inquiry, speech, and lawful assembly.

—Vivian L. Gadsden, William T. Carter Professor of Child Development and Education, Chair of the Faculty Senate
—Tulia G. Falleti, Class of 1965 Endowed Term Professor of Political Science, Chair-Elect of the Faculty Senate
—William W. Braham, Professor of Architecture, Past Chair of the Faculty Senate