The University Council’s Wednesday, March 24 meeting was held virtually. President Amy Gutmann stated that the University has a stable financial outlook given the circumstances. President Gutmann then introduced Trevor Lewis, Vice President for Budget Planning and Analysis, who gave a presentation on the University’s Operating Budget for Fiscal Year 2021.

Mr. Lewis discussed Penn’s pandemic response, which has focused on the assessment and mitigation of risks, implementation of polices to ensure health and safety, reduction of controllable expenses without adversely affecting the University’s mission, the provision of increased revenue for strategic investment, and other efforts to position the University for an uncertain future. While there are ongoing challenges ahead, such as the post-pandemic transition and economic and political uncertainty, Mr. Lewis said some positives include enrollment stability, strong investment performance, and the vaccines’ impact.

Provost Wendell Pritchett thanked everyone for all their hard work over the course of the pandemic, from which the University community will emerge stronger. He then introduced Barbara Hewitt, Executive Director of Penn Career Services, who gave a presentation about the department’s remote services.

Dr. Hewitt said that Career Services’ fully remote operations include student appointments, drop-ins, and document reviews; virtual workshops; various social media and newsletter communications; career fairs; employee-student interviews; and job and internship postings in a wide range of fields. Dr. Hewitt reported that 2020 undergraduate employment outcomes were similar to the year prior with almost 74% finding full-time employment, compared to 77% in 2019. Forty-nine percent of respondents reported having found their full-time positions with the assistance of Career Services.

Bruce Lenthall, Executive Director of the Center for Teaching and Learning, and Jamiella Brooks, associate director of the center for Teaching and Learning, then presented on initiatives to support “education in this moment.” The center has built on its existing to provide programs that faculty members need and students value. Dr. Brooks indicated that helping faculty create a belonging framework in their courses is key to inclusive teaching. She stated that the center’s inclusive and equitable teaching programs are available to a broad range of campus stakeholders.

Anne Papageorge, Vice President for Facilities and Real Estate Services, presented the FY2020 annual report on the Climate and Sustainability Action Plan 3.0. She reviewed progress being made on the seven initiatives of the plan—academics, utilities and operations, physical environment, waste minimization and recycling, purchasing, transportation, and outreach and management. This year’s Climate Week will take place from September 20-26, 2021.

Melissa Goodall, inaugural senior director of the Environmental Innovations Initiative, presented on the Initiative and reported that its mission is to catalyze solutions to significant real-world environmental challenges. To do so, the Initiative brings together scholars, leaders, practitioners, students, and community members around climate action, stewardship of nature, and societal resilience, including equity and inclusion.

The next meeting of the University Council will be on April 21, 2021. For more information, visit https://secretary.upenn.edu/univ-council.