Penn to Suspend Normal Operations on Friday, September 25 |
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August 25, 2015, Volume 62, No. 02 |
A Message to the Penn Community on Penn’s Preliminary Plans for the Pope’s Visit
Penn to Suspend Normal Operations on Friday, September 25
Due to anticipated logistical and transportation issues related to the historic visit of Pope Francis to Philadelphia, the University will suspend normal operations on Friday, September 25. As a result, classes and University-sponsored events are cancelled on this date.
Designated essential personnel—including offices such as but not limited to Public Safety, Dining Services and Facilities that provide essential services, University emergency personnel and those responsible for the health and safety of students and lab animals—will be required to report to work and should consult with their supervisors about accommodations and scheduling. Other staff members, faculty members and students should treat the day under the same protocols as a weather-related suspension of operations. Penn Medicine staff should consult with their supervisors about work schedules.
With as many as 2 million people expected to attend the weekend’s events in Philadelphia, faculty and staff could notice some transportation delays beginning earlier that week. Road closures around Center City and in the West Philadelphia area could begin as early as Thursday night after rush hour. We urge all faculty and staff to pay close attention to traffic and transportation plans that will soon be finalized by the City and SEPTA. The University will share the final plans as they become available.
Our priority is to ensure that our students, faculty and staff remain safe and that patients at our hospitals continue to receive world-class care. We know that the weekend of the Pope’s visit will create some inconveniences and challenges for members of the Penn community, and we appreciate everyone’s patience as the University works with the City in accommodating visitors during this very special event.
—Vincent Price, Provost
—Craig Carnaroli, Executive Vice President
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