12/10/02, President and Provost Respond to Quad Incident

From the President and Provost

On the November 16 Incident

Penn's administration has been deeply concerned about the incident involving the Princeton debating students visiting our campus the night of November 16. The allegations about the behavior of several Penn students are very serious, and have shocked and appalled our community. Many people have been working hard since the time of the incident to make sure that appropriate action is taken.

First, the University of Pennsylvania Police were called in immediately. They conducted the law enforcement investigation that ultimately led to the District Attorney's decision to pursue the incident as a criminal matter and to arrest those alleged to be involved.

At the same time, the University has its own, separate student disciplinary system and that system has been engaged with full dispatch. This system is managed in the first instance by the Office of Student Conduct. As the Penn Community is aware, and to ensure a fair, thorough and appropriate process, student disciplinary proceedings are confidential--that means that "updates" on the progress of these proceedings while they are unfolding are precluded.

During the time since November 16, we have been in contact with several Princeton officials and will continue to communicate with them, consistent with our responsibilities to the process. We will continue to address this situation actively and are committed to completing the process without undue delay.

--Judith Rodin
--Robert Barchi

Almanac, Vol. 49, No. 15, December 10, 2002

ISSUE HIGHLIGHTS:

Tuesday,
December 10, 2002
Volume 49 Number 15
www.upenn.edu/almanac/

Al Filreis is the first holder of newly endowed chair created by Paul Kelly’s $3 million gift which also supports the Writers House and the Huntsman Program.

Rebecca Bushnell will become dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, succeeding Rick Beeman who will spend a year at Oxford.

A statement from the president and provost on the incident involving the Princeton debating student last month in the Quad.

Speaking Out on the NLRB decision concerning graduate student unionization, and a response from President Rodin.

Almanac’s annual guide to Holiday Shopping Around Campus includes dozens of the local destinations for finding great gifts.

The IRS has new limits for Tax-Deferred Retirement Plan contributions in 2003.

Time to upgrade from standard Telnet to access e-mail or Netnews securely.

The Emergency Closing Reminder: what to do when winter weather strikes.

A Government Affairs Update: Homeland Security, NSF, Rendell’s task force on medical malpractice crisis, consolidating Community Affairs for Penn and UPHS.