At the University Council meeting on Wednesday, October 26, Lizann Boyle Rode, Associate Vice President in the Office of the University Secretary, addressed topics raised at the September council meeting, including concerns about the UC Townhomes and follow-up by Penn officials, and University support for the Middle East Center, which has lost its federal funding. 

President Liz Magill introduced John Jackson, Jr., the Walter H. Annenberg Dean of the Annenberg School for Communication and Richard Perry University Professor, who is serving as chair of the Red and Blue Advisory Committee. He presented on the committee’s work, which will inform Penn’s strategic plan, Tomorrow, Together.

Dean Jackson said Penn is at an inflection point and the University needs to think big, be bold, and get creative as it looks to the future. Penn’s goal is to create future leaders and advance shared priorities; contribute to the city, nation, and planet; and cultivate a culture of service to others.

He urged members of the community to get involved by sharing their opinions online or during upcoming town hall meetings, the dates of which will soon be announced. The committee recommendations will underpin a strategic framework that is forward-looking and directional, as well as leverage what is exceptional about Penn.

Interim Provost Beth Winkelstein introduced Vice Provost for Faculty Karen Detlefsen, who discussed Penn’s reaccreditation by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, which is underway. A presentation to the council discussed the three stages of the process: self-study, site visit, followed by the MSCHE’s decision on Penn’s reaccreditation.

Penn is currently completing its self-study, which has the theme of “Inclusively and Effectively Educating the Whole Person for the 21st Century.” More than 130 faculty, staff, and students are serving in the working groups that are part of the reaccreditation process.

The process is led by a steering committee and has seven working groups, focused on topics related to course-based teaching; research; supporting academic development; supporting personal development; community engagement; leadership/working with others effectively; and supporting the whole person and learning to care for oneself and others. The working group questions are framed within University priorities. The working groups have been meeting for eight months and all 12 schools are represented. There is also an operations group focused on governance and financial and other resources.

The self-study report process began in fall 2021, and a draft will be available for the community for review and comment in the fall of 2023. A site visit by external experts will take place in spring 2024. The visiting team will report to MSCHE shortly after their visit and, in the fall of 2024, a decision on Penn’s reaccreditation is expected.

University Council also voted to amend its bylaws to add a postdoctoral trainee representative. The amendment was approved.

The next University Council meeting will take place on Wednesday, November 30. It will be an open forum meeting (see above for more details). For more information, visit https:// secretary.upenn.edu/univ-council.