The March University Council meeting was held on Wednesday, March 27, 2024 in the Hall of Flags in Houston Hall. Associate University Secretary Lizann Boyle Rode provided updates on topics raised by speakers during the February 21 meeting.

• Regarding University-level support for cross-school psychedelic research, Ms. Rode said that the Office of the Senior Vice Provost for Research has met with the Penn Psychedelics Collaborative to discuss next steps for integrating research efforts.
• Regarding support for Arab, Muslim, and Palestinian members of the Penn community, Ms. Rode emphasized that staff in the Division of Public Safety, the Spiritual & Religious Life Center (SPARC), Wellness at Penn, and University Life are available to support students affected by the global crisis. In addition to the work of the Presidential Commission on Countering Hate and Building Community, Provost John L. Jackson, Jr. and Interim President J. Larry Jameson have met with Arab, Muslim, and Palestinian students.
• Penn takes doxing and online harassment seriously (Almanac February 28, 2024), and resources are available to ensure the safety of members of the community.
• Regarding a call to divest from support of Israel, Penn will consider how to proceed, following procedures set forth in the Guidelines and Procedures for Consideration by the Trustees of Proposals for Divestment from the University Endowment.
• Regarding concerns that the University inconsistently prohibits pro-Palestinian rallies and events, Ms. Rode emphasized that, in accordance with the Guidelines on Open Expression, potential events are evaluated not on the basis of content but on the basis of conduct and disruption. Disciplinary procedures for community members who violate these standards are also set forth in the guidelines.
• Regarding University contributions to postdoctoral trainees’ retirement funds, Penn leaders are in contact with the newly-created Office of Postdoctoral Affairs to develop new support programs for postdocs.
• Regarding a call to rename the Ted Nash Rowing Center, the University has removed Mr. Nash’s name from the center and will follow the guidelines set forth in the Campus Iconography Group Report (Almanac April 6, 2021) to determine next steps.
• Regarding alleged isolation of the transfer student community, Penn staff are talking to transfer student leaders about how to better support and integrate them into the college houses and into student life.
• Regarding concerns about faculty diversity in Penn Engineering, it was noted that Penn regularly assesses and considers ways to cultivate a more diverse and excellent faculty. Several avenues students and other members of the Penn community may use to offer advice and opinions were enumerated.
• Regarding concerns about limitations of the Penn Dining Plan for students with religious and allergy-based dietary restrictions, affected students were referred to the Office of Disability Services and to SPARC, which can advise on the best options available through Penn Dining.

Interim President Jameson gave the President’s Report and introduced Vice President for the Office of Budget Planning and Analysis Trevor Lewis to discuss Penn’s FY2024 budget. Mr. Lewis stated that Penn operates under a responsibility-centered management financial model, which allows for broad stewardship of funds and rewards innovation and efficiency. Penn’s FY2024 budget was driven by priorities of health/well-being, diversity, faculty recruitment, financial support for students, expanding and maintaining Penn’s physical campus, and sustainability.

For FY2024, Penn had expenses of $4.402 billion, of which the largest components were compensation (59%-Penn’s largest single expense) and current expenses (30%). Revenue in FY2024 was $4.734 billion, of which the largest components were tuition and fees (29%) and sponsored programs (19%). Revenue from tuition was $1.804 billion; though undergraduate charges of $84,600, the FY2024 financial aid budget totaled $288 million, with 46% of students receiving financial aid. Almost all of the 3,655 PhD students at Penn receive full funding. Despite geopolitical instability, federal bud- get challenges, and labor market pressures, Mr. Lewis expressed optimism for FY2025.

Provost Jackson gave the Provost’s Report, introducing Senior Vice President for Strategic Initiatives David Asch to discuss Penn’s implementation of its new strategic framework, In Principle and Practice. Despite being released at a challenging time for the University, he said In Principle and Practice continues to reflect Penn’s vision and values and is a living document that informs the work being done every day.

During the New Business portion of the meeting, speakers urged Penn to make Penn Transit more easily accessible to disabled members of the Penn community, asked Penn to cover chest binders for transgender people in insurance plans, and encouraged Penn to continue its process of reviewing campus iconography.

The next University Council meeting will take place on April 17, 2024 in the Hall of Flags in Houston Hall.