The University Council met on October 22, 2025, in Houston Hall’s Hall of Flags. Penn President J. Larry Jameson opened the meeting by thanking the Penn community for providing feedback that had informed the Penn administration’s decision to decline to sign the federal government’s proposed Compact for Academic Excellence. He also acknowledged recent incidents of hate speech on campus and called on the entire Penn community to foster inclusion and belonging.

The first focus presentation of the year, Dining With Purpose: Building Campus Community at Penn, was given by Michael Scales,  vice president for business services; Shazad Khan, campus executive chef in Penn Dining; and Ted Morrin, associate director of meal plans in Penn Dining. They discussed Penn Dining’s multifaceted role on campus, uniting cultures and cuisines from across the world, creating a space for community, and maintaining a reliable and consistent presence.

Currently, 6,541 people hold meal plans at Penn and eat 10,000 meals every day. Penn Dining hosts 105 events annually and employs 370 people. Recently, Penn Dining has begun to offer culinary events in  collaboration with students, faculty, and staff, and it works to ensure that waste is composted. Future plans include the renovation of the 1920 Commons dining hall which is currently in the design phase.

Regarding a proposed amendment to Council bylaws to change a committee name, commenters discussed the symbolism of removing the word “diversity.” Faculty Senate past chair Eric Feldman made a motion, which passed, that a vote on the proposed amendment be tabled until the next University Council meeting.

During President Jameson’s State of the University report, senior vice president for facilities and real estate services Anne Papageorge discussed Penn’s Climate and Sustainability Action Plan 4.0 (CSAP). CSAP 4.0 is a five-year climate plan and the four that Penn has adopted since 2009. Since 2009, Penn has significantly reduced its carbon footprint (with the goal of carbon neutrality by 2050). Senior Vice President Papageorge and her co-presenters Julie Ellis, interim faculty director of the Environmental Innovations Initiative, and Nina Morris, director of Penn Sustainability, discussed new initiatives contained in CSAP 4.0, such as civic outreach in West Philadelphia (including greater employment of local vendors); expansion of the action plan to encompass Morris Arboretum, New Bolton Center, and Pennovation Works; and increased landfill diversion (chiefly via composting).

Associate vice president and associate university secretary Lizann Boyle Rode updated the Council on new business topics raised at the September 10 meeting. The Penn administration is working with transfer students, who would like an increased voice on campus as well as international and Latinx students to discuss safety concerns. In the wake of possible SEPTA cuts, Ms. Rode enumerated Penn-operated transportation options and resources. She also announced that the Council would hold an open forum on December 3.

In the new business portion of the meeting, speakers called for part- and full-time lecturers to have a greater voice in Penn governance; advocated for increased transparency from the Penn administration on measures taken to comply with federal government directives; requested a fund to assist students with journal fees for published articles; thanked President Jameson for declining to sign the federal government’s compact and requested the release of Penn’s letter to the government; and urged Penn to take increased action to distribute masks during a period of increased spread of respiratory diseases.

The next University Council meeting will be held on December 3, 2025.