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Caryn Lerman: John H. Glick, MD Professor in Cancer Research

Caryn Lerman has been named the John H. Glick, MD Professor in Cancer Research. She is also the Vice Dean for Strategic Initiatives for the Perelman School of Medicine. Dr. Lerman has also held roles as co-director of the Penn Medicine Translational Neuroscience Center, senior deputy director of the Abramson Cancer Center and interim chair for the department of psychiatry.

“Since joining Penn in 2001, Dr. Lerman has proven to be a prolific researcher, making exceptional contributions to the scientific mission of the medical school,” said J. Larry Jameson, dean of the Perelman School of Medicine and executive vice president for the Health System. “Her work embodies the important collaboration between disciplines that distinguishes Penn Medicine as a top-tier academic medical center.”

The Glick Professorship in Cancer Research was made possible through the generosity of numerous philanthropic partners, and honors John Glick, the Madlyn and Leonard Abramson Professor of Clinical Oncology.  A nationally recognized medical oncologist and clinical investigator in the areas of Hodgkin’s lymphoma, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma and breast cancer, Dr. Glick served as director of the Abramson Cancer Center from 1985 to 2006.

Dr. Lerman began her work at Penn as a professor of psychiatry and associate director for population sciences for the Abramson Cancer Center. Her initial position included a secondary appointment with the Annenberg School for Communication, from which she forged a bridge between the fields of psychology, cancer prevention and health communication.

Dr. Lerman’s work is distinguished not only by its interdisciplinary bridging, but also by its potential to transform clinical practice. Her pioneering work elucidating genetic underpinnings of tobacco addiction culminated in the validation of a biomarker for targeted therapy for tobacco addiction. Dr. Lerman has also created a highly novel research program that harnesses advances in cognitive neuroscience to promote cancer risk behavior change, laying the foundation for her receipt of the National Cancer Institute Outstanding Investigator Award in 2015. Her innovative scientific program is likely to have transformative effects on current paradigms for behavioral cancer prevention.

Dr. Lerman is an elected member of the National Academy of Medicine and her work has been presented in more than 365 peer-reviewed publications. She has served as a member of the National Advisory Council for Human Genome Research, the National Cancer Institute Board of Scientific Advisors and the National Institute on Drug Abuse Advisory Council.

Greg Rost: Senior Vice President

President Amy Gutmann announced that Gregory S. Rost has been named senior vice president and chief of staff. “This appointment recognizes the increasing scope of Greg’s extraordinarily broad-ranging responsibility, advice and counsel for University-wide agenda setting and strategy. Greg’s responsibilities have expanded over the decade of his exemplary service to include overseeing major parts of the design and implementation of new programs and initiatives of our Penn Compact 2020,” Dr. Gutmann said.

During his 10 years at Penn as Vice President and Chief of Staff, “Greg has worked expertly and tirelessly with me and our entire senior leadership team to advance every priority of Penn Compact 2020. He has unfailingly provided superb advice and counsel to us all. At the same time, Greg has also mobilized the widest range of great Penn teams to drive forward many Penn Compact initiatives from their start to their successful and timely finishes,” Dr. Gutmann added.

In addition to his essential roles in university-wide agenda setting, crisis management and budget steering, Mr. Rost oversees the administrative and financial functions for the President’s Office and Center, and works closely with the Office of Government and Community Affairs on government relations and community initiatives, with the Office of University Communications on University messaging and visibility, and with the Secretary’s Office on Trustee and Overseer issues and initiatives.

Prior to joining Penn, he served as chief of staff to two former presidents of Temple, and served for eight years in the administration of former Philadelphia Mayor Edward G. Rendell, including three years as the mayor’s chief of staff.  He holds an MGA degree from Penn.

Opening A New Hub Devoted to Teaching and Learning: January 30

Provost Vincent Price announces the opening of a significant new hub devoted to teaching and learning, located on the first floor of the Van Pelt-Dietrich Library Center and encompassing the Center for Teaching and Learning, the Online Learning Initiative and the Center for Learning Analytics.

“This dynamic new space represents a major leap forward for teaching and learning at Penn,” said Provost Price.  “It brings together the expertise of these vital resources for online and in-class education, placing them at the heart of campus and providing greater opportunities for them to share ideas, collaborate with the Penn Libraries and work more closely with faculty and students across our 12 Schools.”

All members of the Penn community are invited to the new hub’s open house on Monday, January 30, from 4:30-5:30 p.m. 

Penn’s Center for Teaching and Learning, founded in 2000, promotes teaching excellence across the University, offering a wide range of teaching workshops, informal discussions and seminars, and one-on-one consultations. In particular, it has been at the forefront of Penn’s Structured Active In-Class Learning (SAIL) initiative, working closely with faculty on innovative classes in which students engage actively with course material, often through hands-on, in-class group projects. It also customizes programs for the needs of particular disciplines and for instructors who may be planning specific teaching innovations.

The Online Learning Initiative was created in 2012, when Penn became one of the founding university partners in Coursera, the pioneering online learning platform. Penn now offers more than 80 courses on Coursera, with 22 million learners around the world in disciplines that encompass all 12 Penn Schools.   At the same time, the University has expanded its engagement with online learning to include the non-profit edX platform, support of executive and professional training certificate programs, assisting in the launch of a new Master of Health Care Innovation, and other innovative and advanced educational programs. The work of Penn faculty members in online learning has also spurred educational innovations on campus, especially through the SAIL initiative and other new forms of active in-class learning. As part of this expansion, the collaborative space will host Penn’s new Center for Learning Analytics, led by Ryan Baker of Penn’s Graduate School of Education. The Center will offer essential research about best practices in teaching and learning, both online and on campus. Collaborating with the Online Learning Initiative and other partners across the University, it will use a wide range of data to examine such areas as how best to promote long-term learning, predict student success and study how learners differ between different cultures.

Co-located in the Van Pelt-Dietrich Library, these three centers will have greater opportunities to work closely with the Libraries’ Office of Teaching, Research, and Learning Services, a key driver of innovative educational technologies across campus, especially the highly successful launch and widespread adoption of Canvas.  They will also draw on the Library’s Weigle Information Commons, Vitale Digital Media Lab and Collaborative Classroom to create a truly interconnected hub of activities that collectively advance teaching and learning at Penn.

“From the time of its founding, Penn has been a leader in educational innovation,” said Provost Price.  “This vibrant new space will help us sustain that place at the vanguard of teaching and learning, for the benefit of our entire community – and of the wider educational community around the world.” 

TCPW: Nominations for the Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Advising: March 1

The Trustees’ Council of Penn Women (TCPW) is an international network of Penn alumnae. By power of their example, these leaders support, foster and promote the advancement of women and women’s issues within the University, thus enriching the University community as a whole.

Beginning in 2012, the organization’s quarter-century milestone, the TCPW 25th Anniversary Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Advising was established to recognize undergraduate faculty advisors who have distinguished themselves in providing assistance and advice to their advisee students and who have made a significant impact on the academic experience of these students.

Nominations of standing faculty may be made by an undergraduate or any member of Penn’s community for someone other than oneself and must be submitted together with an essay—not to exceed 250 words in length—supporting the nomination. The deadline for these nominations will be at 5 p.m. on March 1, 2017.

The nomination form is available at https://provost.upenn.edu/education/teaching-at-penn/tcpw-award The winners of this award will receive $2,500 and will be celebrated at the Fall TCPW Conference, to be held on November 2-3, 2017.

 

Penn Humanities Forum Faculty Research Fellowships: March 20

Applications are now being accepted for research proposals from standing faculty in the humanities and allied departments on the topic of Afterlives, the Forum’s topic for 2017–2018. Two types of awards are available: $5,000 research fund stipends for junior faculty (assistant professors), and up to $10,000 for senior faculty, payable to departments for one course offset.

Fellows are required to attend the Forum’s weekly Mellon seminars (Tuesdays, noon–1:50 p.m.) and to present their research at one of those sessions during the year. In addition to Penn faculty, seminar members include Mellon Postdoctoral Fellows, regional faculty, the Forum’s director (Jim English) and topic director (Emily Wilson) and others.

For details on the Afterlives topic and how to apply for the fellowship, please visit the Penn Humanities Forum website: phf.upenn.edu

Application deadline: March 20, 2017.

ABCS Course Development Grants: March 17

The Barbara and Edward Netter Center for Community Partnerships announces course development grants for Fall 2017 and Spring 2018 to promote Academically Based Community Service (ABCS) courses that integrate research, teaching, learning and service. Over 150 courses from a wide range of disciplines and Penn schools have linked Penn undergraduate and graduate students to work in the community. The grants support University faculty to develop new courses or adapt existing courses that combine research with school and community projects.

To see a list of the ABCS courses, visit https://www.nettercenter.upenn.edu/abcs-courses/current-courses

Grants will be for no more than $5,000 per project. These funds can be used to provide graduate and undergraduate support, course support and/or summer salary ($5,000 is inclusive of employee benefits if taken as salary).

Funded by the Netter Center, course development grants facilitate faculty in developing new and substantially restructured undergraduate and graduate level courses that engage students in real-world problem-solving projects in conjunction with schools and community organizations located in West Philadelphia.

The following criteria will be used to evaluate proposals:  

1. Academic excellence
2. Integration of research, teaching and service
3. Partnership with schools, community groups, service agencies, etc.
4. Focus on Philadelphia, especially West Philadelphia
5. Evidence as to how the course activity will involve participation or interaction with the community as well as contribute to improving the community
6. Evidence as to how the course activity will engage undergraduate and/or graduate students in real-world problem-solving research opportunities
7. Potential for sustainability

Please format proposals as follows:

1. Cover page

1.1 Name, title, department, school, mailing address
1.2 Title of the proposal
1.3 Total amount of funding you would like
1.4 100-word abstract of the proposal (include a description of how the course will involve interaction with the community and benefit the community)

2. A one-page biographical sketch of applicant
3. A two-to-four-page mini-proposal
4. Budget detailing how you intend to use the requested funding

Proposals for Fall 2017 and Spring 2018 courses should be submitted to the Netter Center for Community Partnerships by March 17, 2017. 

Please e-mail proposals to Jenny Bae, ABCS coordinator, at baeji@sas.upenn.edu

Netter Center Faculty-Community Partnership Award & Nomination Process: February 24

Netter Center Faculty-Community Partnership Award

We are pleased to announce the Netter Center Faculty-Community Partnership Award. This is a new annual award of $5,000 to recognize outstanding Faculty-Community Partnership projects in Philadelphia, particularly West Philadelphia. One award will be made annually: $2,500 to a faculty member and $2,500 to the community partner to develop and advance an existing partnership. Junior and senior faculty along with senior lecturers and associated faculty from any of Penn’s 12 schools are eligible for nomination. Please see below for the complete description and process of nomination. If you have any questions or concerns regarding this award, please direct them to Jenny Bae, ABCS coordinator, at baeji@sas.upenn.edu

—Dennis DeTurck, Dean of the College of Arts & Sciences and 
Professor of Mathematics, SAS;
Faculty Fellow of Riepe College House; 
Netter Center Faculty Advisory Board Co-Chair

—John Gearhart, James W. Effron University Professor and 
Emeritus Director, Institute for Regenerative Medicine; 
Professor of Cell and Developmental Biology and Animal Biology, PSOM and School of Veterinary Medicine; 
Netter Center Faculty Advisory Board Co-Chair

—Ira Harkavy, Associate Vice President,
Founding Director, Barbara and Edward Netter Center for Community Partnerships

—John Jackson Jr., Dean of the School of Social Policy and Practice; Richard Perry University Professor of Communication, 
Africana Studies, and Anthropology; 
Netter Center Faculty Advisory Board Co-Chair

—Francis E. Johnston, Emeritus Professor, Anthropology, SAS;
Netter Center Faculty Advisory Board Co-Chair

—Terri H. Lipman, Assistant Dean for Community Engagement, 
Miriam Stirl Endowed Term Professor of Nutrition,
Professor of Nursing of Children, SON;
Netter Center Faculty Advisory Board Co-Chair

—Carol Muller, Professor of Music, Director of Jazz and 
Popular Music Studies Minor, SAS;
Netter Center Faculty Fellow, Moorman-Simon Program for Education and Schooling for Democracy and Citizenship

Award Nomination Process: February 24

The new award recognizes Faculty-Community Partnership Projects. One award will be made annually for $2,500 to a faculty member and another $2,500 to the community partner to develop and advance an existing partnership.

Criteria for Selection

(1) Must be a faculty member whose work is affiliated with the Netter Center for Community Partnerships i.e., engaged with Academically Based Community Service (ABCS), Problem Solving Learning (PSL) or Participatory Action Research (PAR) style pedagogy and/or research.
(2) Can be assistant, associate, or full professor, senior lecturer, or associated faculty.
(3) Must demonstrate record of sustainable engagement.

Process of Nomination

(1) Nominators should submit a completed packet (as outlined below) by February 24 of the given academic year to the ABCS coordinator at the Netter Center, who will submit applications to the faculty awards committee.
(2) The faculty committee will submit their recommendations by March 31 to Netter Center Director Ira Harkavy, who will make the final selection by April 7.

Nomination Packet

(1) Cover sheet including: name, title, department, school, mailing address; 100-word abstract describing the partnership, its impacts and its potential for sustainability.
(2) Two letters of support (at least one must be from the community partner).
(3) A two-page CV that highlights community engagement work of the nominee.
(4) 800-word document detailing the following items:
a. Significance of Engagement with the Community: a description of the project; outline the pedagogical practices, the nature of the partnership, and where relevant, the scholarly presentations and/or publications that have come out of or may develop from this work.
b. Impact of the Project: outline the community and academic impacts of the project, including impacts on Penn.
c. Sustainability: What are future plans for further engagement with this project, or for new related projects? What are the community partners’ expectations of further engagement, and how are these being addressed by the faculty member?

Constitution of Awards Committee

(1) The selection committee will comprise a Netter Center Faculty Fellow and three other Netter-affiliated faculty members. The committee members will be appointed annually.
(2) The committee will make recommendations only.

Announcement of Awards:

Awards and award winners will be announced in Almanac and in the Netter Center’s Annual/Biannual Report.

Penn Libraries Acquire Only Known Copy of Legendary Franklin Broadside, “The Elegy on the Death of Aquila Rose”

In 1750 Benjamin Franklin, lifelong bibliophile, lover of knowledge, and founder of the University of Pennsylvania, gave the Penn Libraries one of its very first books. In honor of his 311th birthday, the Libraries announce the acquisition of the publication that launched his life and career in Philadelphia, “The Elegy on the Death of Aquila Rose.” It is the last previously-missing major piece of Franklin’s printing to become available to scholars, and it marks the beginning of Franklin’s Philadelphia legacy.

The broadside laments the recent death of Philadelphia poet and pressman Aquila Rose and was composed by the printer Samuel Keimer. It was printed by a teen-aged Franklin almost immediately upon his arrival in Philadelphia in 1723. According to Jim Green, a Franklin expert and librarian at the Library Company of Philadelphia, “‘The Elegy on the Death of Aquila Rose’ reveals how much care Franklin lavished on the first thing he printed in Philadelphia. Franklin imposed the type in two columns and added a mourning border headed by a woodcut perhaps of his own design.” Green notes that the presswork involved in the broadside is “impeccable” suggesting that this masterpiece is what earned him a job as a pressman and kept him in Philadelphia. Without the opportunity to print the broadside for Keimer, one can imagine Franklin quickly moving on from Philadelphia, drastically changing the course of history.

This excerpt from Ben Franklin’s auto-biography illustrates the circumstances around the elegy’s printing:

“Keimer’s printing-house, I found, consisted of an old shatter’d press…which he was then using himself, composing an Elegy on Aquila Rose… promising to come and print off his Elegy as soon as he should have got it ready.”

According to Penn Libraries’ Kislak Center for Special Collections, Rare Books, and Manuscripts curator Mitch Fraas, scholars know of around 900 surviving works printed by Franklin. “Many of these works, especially broadsides and small ephemeral pieces, exist in only one or two copies,” explains Mr. Fraas. “The Penn Libraries now hold more than a third of his print production, making our collection of Franklin’s printing among the most important in the world.”

Though discussed in Franklin’s auto-biography, no other copies of this broadside are known to survive. This particular copy is legendary for having appeared in the 1820s before disappearing from public view—until now. Discovered by an antiquarian book dealer inside the scrapbook of its 1820s owner and offered to the Penn Libraries, this is the first time the broadside will be available to scholars.

With the acquisition of “The Elegy on the Death of Aquila Rose,” the Penn Libraries now has the bookends of Franklin’s career, both his first and last works of printing. “As an institution founded by Franklin and dedicated to his passion for the widest possible dissemination of knowledge and the promotion of learning,” Vice Provost and Director of Libraries H. Carton Rogers says, “the Penn Libraries is proud to carry the torch of his legacy, lighting pathways to the future by making Franklin’s work open and accessible to the wider world.” 

From the President and Provost: Reappointment of J. Larry Jameson

We have received the report of the Consultative Review Committee on the Reappointment of J. Larry Jameson as Executive Vice President of the University for the Health System and Dean of the Perelman School of Medicine, and we are delighted to recommend to the Trustees the reappointment of Dean Jameson for a second term, to run through June 30, 2023.

After receiving its charge from us, the Consultative Committee conducted a comprehensive review of Dean Jameson’s first term as Dean and identified the major challenges and opportunities facing Dean Jameson and the Perelman School of Medicine in the years ahead. The Committee assessed and analyzed the accomplishments of the Dean and the School over the past five years in a wide array of domains, including strategic vision and planning; faculty recruitment, retention, and diversity; academic programs and student quality; research and scholarly programs, including both basic and clinical research; clinical programs and services; School administration and staff; finances and fundraising; facilities and infrastructure; and engagement with alumni, the professional community, and the general public. 

The Committee was enthusiastic and unanimous in its confidence that Dean Jameson has the skills to effectively address the varied opportunities and challenges he and the School will face in the years ahead and therefore to have a successful and productive second term as Executive Vice President and Dean. 

We agree with the Committee’s conclusion that Dean Jameson’s first term was one of significant accomplishment; the Perelman School and Penn Medicine have seen impressive and continued progress under his leadership. We also concur with the Committee’s observation that the Dean, in his second term, will need to carefully steward the Perelman School and Penn Medicine in a period characterized by great opportunity and change.

The Committee found especially notable the comprehensive, inclusive, and far-reaching strategic plan, developed with Dean Jameson’s strong leadership and support, that guided his first term. The Committee also noted two overarching accomplishments of the Dean’s that merit special mention: his abiding sense of University citizenship and his full embrace of the multi-dimensional and integrated mission of Penn Medicine.

We wholeheartedly agree with the members of this Review Committee and will enthusiastically recommend to the Trustees that J. Larry Jameson be reappointed as Executive Vice President of the University for the Health System and Dean of the Perelman School of Medicine. 

—Amy Gutmann, President
—Vincent Price, Provost

TCPW Grants for Groups: February 10

The Trustees’ Council of Penn Women (TCPW) is accepting applications for its Annual Grants Program and encourages members of the University community to apply.

Grants ranging between $1,000-$5,000 will be available to individuals or organizations which promote:

• women’s issues

• the quality of undergraduate and graduate life for women

• the advancement of women

• the physical, emotional and psychological well-being of women

Favorable consideration will be given to projects that:

• affect a broad segment of the University population

• foster a greater awareness of women’s issues

• provide seed money for pilot programs that have the potential to become ongoing self-supporting programs

To apply, visit the TCPW website at www.alumni.upenn.edu/tcpwgrants and download the application from the Grants page. Applications must be submitted no later than February 10, 2017.  Awards will be announced in the Spring of 2017 and funds will be distributed in July/August 2017 for projects in the 2017-2018 academic year. 

Related: TCPW: Nominations for the Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Advising: March 1

Deaths

Charles R. Koch, Psychiatry

Charles R. Koch, a clinical professor of psychiatry at the University of Pennsylvania and associate psychiatrist-in-chief at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia for many years, died January 11. He was 82.

Dr. Koch earned a bachelor’s degree from Washington and Jefferson College in 1956 and a medical degree from Penn in 1960.

He joined Penn as a fellow in the division of child psychiatry in 1964 and became an associate professor in 1972. He left in 1995, but returned in 1997 as a clinical associate professor, and held that position until 2005.

He also held positions including director of the child and family mental health component for Hall-Mercer Community Mental Health/Mental Retardation Center in Philadelphia and medical director of the Delaware Guidance Service in Wilmington, Delaware.

Dr. Koch was recognized by Philadelphia magazine as one of Philadelphia’s “Top Docs” in 1973.

He was predeceased by his wife, Betty. He is survived by his sister, Susanna Shearer, and nephew, C. Brandon Shearer.

Governance

University Council Agenda

University Council Meeting Agenda

Wednesday, February 1, 2017 4 p.m.
Bodek Lounge, Houston Hall

I. Approval of the minutes of November 30, 2016. 1 minute

II. Follow up questions on status reports. 5  minutes

III. A discussion of academic and personal integrity at Penn. 50 minutes

IV. New business. 15 minutes

V. Adjournment.

From the Senate Office: SEC Actions

The following is published in accordance with the Faculty Senate Rules. Among other purposes, the publication of SEC actions is intended to stimulate discussion among the constituencies and their representatives. Please communicate your comments to Patrick Walsh, executive assistant to the Senate Office, either by telephone at (215) 898-6943 or by email at senate@pobox.upenn.edu

Faculty Senate Executive Committee Actions
Wednesday, January 18, 2017

Chair’s Report. Faculty Senate Chair Laura Perna invited SEC members to participate in “Listening to Diversity,” a forum for the Penn community to share suggestions for how to bring about productive change on campus. The forum, to be held today, January 24, 4-6 p.m., at the Van Pelt Library’s Orrery Pavilion (6th floor), is convened by the University Council Committee on Diversity and Equity, the Faculty Senate and the Penn Forum for Women Faculty.  This initial public forum will provide all members of the campus community (faculty, staff, and students) the opportunity to voice their concerns and share their suggestions for how Penn might work together to bring about productive change. The coordinating committee for the event will then make recommendations to the university as to how best to be preemptively responsive to ongoing questions and concerns about equity and diversity that are directly affecting the Penn community. 

Past-Chair’s Report. Faculty Senate Past Chair Reed Pyeritz reported that the Academic Planning and Budget Committee and Capital Council continued to meet and that the Campaign for Community Steering Committee is in the process of scheduling its next meeting.

Update from the Office of the President. President Amy Gutmann provided updates on philanthropic initiatives, innovation efforts and the search for a new provost. She encouraged faculty members to attend the open meeting of the Consultative Committee on the Selection of a Provost, which will be held on January 30 at noon in the Claudia Cohen Hall Terrace Room. SEC members then discussed a number of other issues with President Gutmann, including: Penn’s status as a sanctuary campus for undocumented students, the future of online learning at Penn, student mental health and wellness and the Sachs Program for Arts Innovation.

Discussion and Votes on Proposed Amendments to Faculty Tracks in SP2 and Annenberg.  The Senate Committee on Faculty and the Academic Mission (SCOF) reviewed and unanimously approved two proposals from the School of Social Policy and Practice (SP2). The first proposal is to adopt the Senior Lecturer track and the second proposal is to adopt the Practice Professor track in the school.  Following discussion, SEC members voted to approve the first proposal by a vote of 24 in favor, 2 opposed, and 5 abstentions, and they voted to approve the second proposal by a vote of 26 in favor, none opposed, and 5 abstentions. Following SCOF’s meeting but prior to the SEC meeting, the Senate Tri-Chairs received a proposal from the Annenberg School for Communication to adopt the Practice Professor track in that school, requesting that the proposal’s review be expedited by SEC due to exigent circumstances. Upon motion made and seconded, and following discussion, SEC members voted to approve this proposal by a vote of 24 in favor, none opposed, and 7 abstentions.

Discussion on the Role and Representation of the “Non-Standing Faculty” at Penn.  SCOF Chair Amy Sepinwall (Wharton) led a discussion of SEC members designed to inform SCOF as it addresses its charge to “Initiate a review of teaching by Academic Support Staff and Associated Faculty in the undergraduate schools.” SEC members broke into smaller groups for the discussion.  Upon reconvening in plenary session, SEC members suggested that the Senate consider the feasibility of including the non-Standing Faculty more substantially in shared governance at Penn. They also noted the great variation in the experiences and responsibilities of this group and the implications of this variation for efforts to codify shared governance roles.

Report of the Senate Ad Hoc Committee to Review the Academic Calendar. SEC member Ron Donagi (SAS/Mathematics), chair of the Ad Hoc Committee, presented a proposal for restructuring the academic calendar. Following a discussion, the proposal was referred to the Senate Committee on Students and Educational Policy (SCSEP) for further review. Faculty may voice concerns pertaining to the academic calendar by emailing the Senate office.  

Honors

Stephen A. Levin Building: Gold/Honor Award

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Photograph by Marguerite Miller

The Stephen A. Levin Building at the University of Pennsylvania has received the Gold/Honor Award from the American Institute of Architects–Potomac Valley.

The six-story Levin Building includes research laboratories, teaching facilities and space for students to collaborate and study. The building, which houses the departments of psychology, biology and behavioral sciences, is located at 425 South University Avenue, between the Leidy Labs at 3740 Hamilton Walk and the Carolyn Lynch Labs at 433 South University Avenue. It was part of the Penn Arts and Sciences’ life sciences expansion project.

The building’s design team was led by SmithGroupJJR and its construction manager was P. Agnes Inc.

The ornate aluminum sunscreen on the south façade is designed to convey the branching and network structures found at all scales of biology and to resonate in psychological, linguistic and cognitive models. It also is expected to offer a minimal 50% reduction of solar heat gain during summer months. The project is targeting a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Silver rating or higher.

Lauren Sallan: TED Fellow

Lauren Sallan, an assistant professor at the School of Arts & Sciences’ department of earth and environmental science, has been selected as a TED Fellow. Dr. Sallan joins a class of 15 innovators from around the world, each of whom will deliver a talk on the TED stage in April in Vancouver, BC.

Dr. Sallan is a paleobiologist who uses “big data” approaches to understand the ways global events, environmental change and ecological interactions have shaped evolution and modern biodiversity. She will share her work with fish fossils, which has shed light on mass extinction events.

“This is an amazing opportunity to share what fossil data tells us about the rules of biodiversity with a global audience and connect with incredible people doing awesome things,” Dr. Sallan said. “I am excited and honored to have been chosen.”

Yvonne Paterson: National Academy of Inventors Fellow

Yvonne J. Paterson, a professor of microbiology in the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, has been elected a fellow of the National Academy of Inventors. The 2016 class includes 175 named inventors on US patents who have created or facilitated outstanding innovations that have tangibly impacted quality of life, economic development and the welfare of society.

Dr. Paterson, a breast cancer survivor, works to harness the body’s immune system to provide protection against, and find cures for, cancer. She has been issued 32 US patents and numerous foreign patents; a further 12 possible US patents are under review.

Among her achievements, she led the development and testing of a cancer vaccine that uses the common bacterium Listeria monocytogenes, which can cause food poisoning and other illnesses, to fight tumors.

Dr. Paterson genetically modifies listeria to smuggle in proteins that can activate the immune system while reducing listeria’s adverse symptoms in the patient. She then uses the modified listeria to mimic an infection in the cancer cells, which cues the immune system to eradicate the contamination. The goal is to destroy tumor cells while preventing metastatic cells from developing and spreading the cancer elsewhere in the body.

The research has led to the formation of two US companies, one of which, Advaxis, is in phase 3 clinical trials for this immunotherapy for cervical cancer, as well as earlier-stage trials for several more forms of cancer. Other potential targets include lung, prostate, head and neck, anal, breast, and gastric cancers, as well as melanoma and lymphoma.

“In principle, this could be used against virtually any cancer,” said Dr. Paterson.

Through a partnership with Penn School of Veterinary Medicine, use of the therapy is generating positive results against bone cancer in dogs—adding as many as five years of extra, tumor-free living.

Jennifer Pinto-Martin and Leah Moran: Penn Nurse Innovation Fellows

Jennifer Pinto-Martin and Leah Moran have been appointed the inaugural Penn Nurse Innovation Fellows. Dr. Pinto-Martin is the Viola MacInnes/Independence Professor of Nursing, a professor of epidemiology in Penn’s Perelman School of Medicine, and executive director of the Center for Public Health Initiatives. Ms. Moran is nurse manager for the Cardiac Intermediate Care Unit at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania.

The Fellowship, which was formed through a collaboration among the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing, Penn Medicine’s Center for Health Care Innovation (CHCI) and the Department of Nursing from the University of Pennsylvania Health System (UPHS), supports nursing faculty and staff to develop an intellectual foundation in innovation methodology and gain expertise in the rapid testing of new approaches to enhance health care delivery and patient outcomes.

“Both Dr. Pinto-Martin and Leah Moran make excellent inaugural recipients of this important fellowship,” said Regina Cunningham, senior vice president and chief nurse executive for UPHS. “It is through this type of collaboration—nurses, researchers, physicians, developers coming together—that new avenues to improve patient experiences and outcomes will be developed.”

The new program will foster multidisciplinary collaboration by enabling fellows to work directly with designers, developers and innovation specialists from the CHCI over the course of a semester. As the fellows learn new techniques, they will be able to apply that knowledge to drive change in health care, both at Penn Medicine and beyond.

James D. Lewis: Achievement in IBD Clinical Science Award

James D. Lewis, a professor of medicine and epidemiology and associate director of the inflammatory bowel disease program in the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, received the 2016 Achievement in Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) Clinical Science Award from the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America (CCFA).

During Dr. Lewis’ 20-year career, he has published 200 scholarly articles. Dr. Lewis, who is also a senior scholar in the Center for Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, is among few researchers leading NIH-funded clinical trials for novel therapeutic strategies for IBD. He has also conducted studies looking at whether patients treated with various medications for IBD are at increased risk for cancer, infections, neurologic diseases and death, and whether such risks are warranted given the effectiveness of the therapy.

Dr. Lewis is the lead scientist behind CCFA’s IBD Plexus, a resource that will standardize data collection and sharing, allowing researchers to mine extensive patient data for new insights into Crohn’s and colitis.

“The enormous potential to improve the lives of those with IBD is the driving force behind my research efforts,” Dr. Lewis said. “By improving current treatments and creating less toxic therapies, my colleagues and I will continue advancing the body of knowledge in Crohn’s and colitis to help patients control their IBD and improve their quality of life.”

Kathryn Hellerstein: Fenia and Yaakov Leviant Memorial Prize

The Modern Language Association of America has awarded Kathryn Hellerstein, associate professor of Germanic languages and literatures at the University of Pennsylvania, with the eighth Fenia and Yaakov Leviant Memorial Prize in Yiddish Studies.

Dr. Hellerstein’s translation, A Question of Tradition: Women Poets in Yiddish, 1586-1987, was chosen for the award, which is awarded each even-numbered year to either an outstanding translation of a Yiddish literary work or an outstanding scholarly work in English in the field of Yiddish.

Events

Update: January AT PENN

CHANGES TO MLK SYMPOSIUM

See www.upenn.edu/aarc/mlk/ for the latest information.

26 Talking to Our Children About Race and Diversity: A Discussion For Parents and Caregivers; noon-1 p.m.; Lounge Front, Family Center; register: www.upenn.edu/aarc/mlk/ (AARC).

26 Eric Grimes’ talk, For the Love of Black Children, will take place from 5:30-8 p.m. in the Amado Room, Irvine Auditorium.

2/2 The screening of the movie 13th, formerly scheduled for January 30, will now take place on February 2 from 5:30-8 p.m. in W.E.B. DuBois College House.

TALKS

25 Second Thoughts on “Abusive Subtitling”; Markus Nornes, University of Michigan; 5-6:30 p.m.; Rainey Auditorium, Penn Museum; register: www.phf.upenn.edu (Penn Humanities Forum).

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AT PENN Deadlines:

The January AT PENN calendar is here. The deadline for the March AT PENN calendar is February 14.

Info. is on the sponsoring department’s website; sponsors are in parentheses. For locations, call (215) 898-5000 or see www.facilities.upenn.edu

 

Architectural Archives: Back Matter

Back Matter, at Penn’s Architectural Archives until Friday, March 3, traces the development and manifold permutations of the provocative ideas put forth in Robert Venturi’s Complexity and Contradiction in Architecture, marking the 50th anniversary of its publication. The exhibition contributes a broader perspective of the catalytic role that teaching played in defining his artistic voice. Works on view include manuscript drafts and working documents related to this publication, along with original sketches and never-before-seen period photographs of the architect’s early built works, including the iconic Vanna Venturi House (at left). Of particular note are materials related to Venturi’s Theories of Architecture course, which he taught from 1961-1965 at Penn.

Listening to Diversity

What is your vision of equity and inclusion at Penn? Listening to Diversity will be discussed from 4 to 6 p.m. today, January 24, in the Class of 1978 Orrery Pavilion, at Van Pelt-Dietrich Library, 6th floor.

Listening to Diversity will be a public forum that will provide all members of Penn’s campus community the opportunity to voice their concerns and share their suggestions for how to work together to bring about productive change. Sign up to speak by emailing listeningtodiversity@sp2.upenn.edu

Sponsored by the University Council Committee on Diversity & Equity, the Faculty Senate, and the Penn Forum for Women Faculty.  

Human Resources: Upcoming February Programs

Professional & Personal Development Programs

Improve your skills and get ahead in your career by taking advantage of the many development opportunities provided by HR. You can register for programs by visiting knowledgelink.upenn.edu or contacting Learning and Education at (215) 898-3400.

STEP UP: Introduction; 2/7; 9 a.m.-noon; $150. STEP UP is a pre-supervisory training program designed for motivated individuals who aspire to be supervisors or managers. This initial course, First Steps to Excellence, is the entry point for the seven-course STEP UP Pre-Supervisory Curriculum and must be completed as the first course in the curriculum. For your convenience, all seven courses are offered multiple times on a rotating basis throughout the year. Please also enroll in the STEP UP Pre-Supervisory Curriculum, which tracks your program completion.

Emotional Intelligence; 2/8; 9 a.m.-noon; $75. Professionals who have a high level of awareness and control over their emotions, and use their emotions to connect with others and develop positive relationships, often find greater success in the workplace. This soft skill is known as emotional intelligence, and it is an essential element in the business world, especially in high-stress environments.

This program is designed to provide you with the knowledge and tools to develop your emotional intelligence. You’ll learn how to avoid self-sabotaging outcomes by altering how you perceive and respond to emotionally-charged situations. In addition, you’ll improve your ability to resolve conflict constructively, create a productive work environment, build and mend relationships, and bounce back from setbacks and disappointment.

Brown Bag: Learning with Lynda—Disrupting Yourself; 2/8; 12:30-1:30 p.m.; free. “Disruptors” secure a foothold by coming up with ideas and innovations that eventually upend their entire community or industry. Disrupting yourself is the secret to breaking into a new field, never settling for less, and achieving more. In this course, author, Harvard Business Review blogger, and consultant Whitney Johnson walks you through her seven-step model to disrupt yourself and move to the next level in your career. Discover how to take the right risks, play to your strengths, embrace constraints and more in this short course.

Learning with Lynda utilizes the University’s enterprise-wide license of Lynda.com to provide a blended learning solution to the Penn campus. Prior to attending the in-class session it is strongly recommended that you take the online Lynda module. During the classroom session, we will apply the concepts from the online module.

Words at Work; 2/14; 9 a.m.-noon; $75. Are you ready to improve your business writing skills? This three-part workshop (you must attend all sessions: Feb. 14, Feb. 17, Feb. 28) is designed to provide you with an updated, practical, no-nonsense perspective on today’s business writing. The workshop challenges many long-held assumptions about the “right” way to communicate. By the end of this course, you will gain a better understanding of the dynamics of written communication; try out a group of the latest writing tools; transform tentative, imprecise writing into effective communication; energize your writing style; develop appropriateness, clarity and powerful expression; and learn how to revise your own work.

Brown Bag: Coaching Conversations; 2/15; 12:30-1:30 p.m.; free. Coaching is a method and technique that can be used for guiding an individual to new learning within defined timeframes and puts the responsibility on the individual to become more proactive in defining goals and reaching them. Managers can utilize coaching as a tool to support and develop staff. This session will review the techniques managers can use to coach staff.

TED Talk Tuesday: Brene Brown–Listening to Shame; 2/21; 12:30-1:30 p.m.; free. Shame is a cultural epidemic. It feeds on secrecy, silence, and judgment and isolates people in a way that prevents constructive discourse. In the video before the discussion, researcher Brene Brown delves into vulnerability and human connection with insights on shame. She encourages viewers to stop listening to shame, to practice empathy and to dare to reveal their authentic selves.

The Art of Presentation, Part 1; 2/22; 9 a.m.-noon; $75. The Art of Presentation is a two-part skills seminar that will help you improve your presentations skills whether you are persuading, educating or informing. This interactive workshop focuses on professional business communication including preparation, structure, delivery and strategy. Personal presentations will be followed by peer evaluations and coaching and personalized one-on-one feedback from the instructor. Participants will receive a tool-kit containing information on the use of visual aids, PowerPoint “Do’s and Don’ts” and handling Q&A. Part two is scheduled for March 22.

Brown Bag: Managing Conflict; 2/22; 12:30- 1:30 p.m.; free. Conflict is a natural part of working with others, and is typically the result of stress in a relationship. Conflict in the workplace should be addressed in order to maintain productivity, increase retention rates and improve morale. Failure to address conflict often leads to an escalation of the problem and may lead to unproductive behaviors such as resentment, displacement or defensiveness. In this program we will explore how conflict can be helpful and strategies to better manage conflict at work. 

Brown Bag: Learning with Lynda–Communicating Across Culture; 2/28; 12:30-1:30 p.m.; free. When you travel, some differences are easy to identify: language, food, music. But in order to communicate effectively in a cross-cultural business setting, it’s important to understand your international colleagues’ underlying values, beliefs and history. In this course, Kelley School of Business professor and executive coach Tatiana Kolovou demonstrates simple techniques to communicate well across cultures as a manager, peer and coworker.

Learning with Lynda utilizes the University’s enterprise-wide license of Lynda.com to provide a blended learning solution to the Penn campus. Prior to attending the in-class session it is strongly recommended that you take the online Lynda module. During the classroom session, we will apply the concepts from the online module.

Quality of Worklife Workshops

Dealing with the demands of work and your personal life can be challenging. These free workshops, sponsored by Human Resources and led by experts from Penn’s Employee Assistance Program and Quality of Worklife Department, offer information and support for your personal and professional life challenges. For complete details and to register, visit www.hr.upenn.edu/myhr/registration or contact HR at (215) 573-2471 or qowl@hr.upenn.edu

Protecting Yourself and Your Dependents from Identify Theft; 2/2; 12:30-1:30 p.m.; free. More of our everyday activities from banking to shopping are moving on-line. With the greater convenience these services offer also comes a greater risk of identity theft. This seminar will help participants learn how to keep personal information personal. This informative and eye-opening seminar will give you the tools you need to minimize your risk and increase your security.

Guided Meditation: Take a Breath and Relax; 2/10; 12:30-1:30 p.m.; free. Practice mindful breathing that focuses your attention on the present moment with kindness, compassion and awareness. Self-massage and gentle mindful movements that promote relaxation and reduce stress may also be included in the workshop. No experience necessary.

Mindfulness Monday; 2/13; 12:30-1:30 p.m.; free. Mindfulness is “paying attention, on purpose, in the present moment, non-judgmentally,” said Jon Kabat-Zinn. Mindfulness practice develops awareness of your present thoughts and feelings to help you manage different situations. In this once-a-month experiential workshop, you’ll see how mindfulness can help you become more engaged and effective both at home and in the workplace. No prior meditation experience necessary.

Navigating Tuition Benefits and Financial Aid for Your College-Age Dependents; 2/14; 12:30-1:30 p.m.; free. Join staff from Penn’s Student Financial Services (SFS) and Human Resources Tuition Benefits Office to learn more about the tuition benefit program for dependents and the financial aid process. The session will provide an overview of Penn’s two dependent child tuition benefit plans and help clarify how the tuition benefit interacts with financial aid packages. This session will also offer tips for reading and comparing financial aid package components and communications with financial aid offices.

Choosing High School Classes for Next Year? Navigating the Curricular Waters; 2/16; 12:30-1:30 p.m.; free. Join staff from Penn’s Undergraduate Admissions office for a discussion about the role of the high school transcript and course selection in the holistic admissions review. This may be particularly timely for parents of high school freshmen, sophomores, and juniors as course selection will be happening in the spring.

Mindfulness Skills Course; 2/20; 3-4:30 p.m.; free. The four-week mindfulness skills course, offered by Penn’s Employee Assistance Program, is designed to teach you the core principles and practices of mindfulness, which include breathing meditation, body scan, sitting meditation, and movement meditation. In addition, each class will focus on a theme linking mindfulness, stress and quality of life. Ample time will be devoted to experiential guided meditations. To be added to the waiting list, call EAP at 1-888-321-4433, select option 3, and ask to register for an upcoming mindfulness course.

Guided Meditation: Take a Breath and Relax; 2/21; 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.; free. Practice mindful breathing that focuses your attention on the present moment with kindness, compassion and awareness. Self-massage and gentle mindful movements that promote relaxation and reduce stress may also be included in the workshop. No experience necessary.

Tips for Managing Stress; 2/23; 11:30 a.m. -12:30 p.m.; free. Learn to identify when you are relaxed, how to manage it, and how to use it to improve your quality of life. Participants will discover responses to relaxation, the physical and mental signs of relaxation, and specific relaxation exercises and techniques. Please feel free to bring your lunch.

Healthy Living Workshops

Get the tools you need to live well year-round. From expert nutrition and weight loss advice to exercise and disease prevention strategies, we can help you kick-start your body and embrace a healthy lifestyle. These free workshops are sponsored by HR. For complete details and to register, visit www.hr.upenn.edu/myhr/registration or contact Human Resources at (215) 573-2471 or qowl@hr.upenn.edu

February Wellness Walk (Indoors); 2/3; noon– 1 p.m.; free. A special someone may hold the key to your heart, but taking care of yourself by eating well and being physically active can be the key to a healthier heart! Meet the Center for Public Health Initiatives staff inside the Palestra for some heart-healthy exercise. Although candy hearts and heart-shaped boxes of chocolate are often a main feature of Valentine’s Day festivities, February is also American Heart Month and an appropriate time to pay attention to one of the most important organs in your body. As the center of your circulatory system, your heart is vitally responsible for just about everything that gives your body life. In keeping with this month’s Valentine’s Day and heart health theme, participants are encouraged to wear red for this 1-2 mile walk. Bring your water bottle and don’t forget your sneakers!

Gentle Yoga; 2/7; noon-1 p.m.; free. Let your body reward itself with movement! Join us for this Gentle Yoga session and explore the natural movements of the spine with slow and fluid moving bends and soft twists. During this session, you will flow into modified sun salutations that loosen those tightened muscles and joints of the lower back, neck, shoulders, and wrists. And as an added bonus, you’ll get a workout in the process. Mats and props will be provided.

Body Pump; 2/15; 1-2 p.m.; free. A toning and conditioning class with weights that is for everybody! It’s perfect for anyone who wants to add strength training into their aerobic workout. You won’t know if you don’t go. So meet the challenge and reap the rewards!

Get to Know What’s Healthy at Houston Market; 2/21; 11–11:30 a.m.; free. Join Dan Connolly, Bon Appétit’s registered dietitian nutritionist, on an interesting tour of the many delicious, healthy options in Houston Market. You will meet Dan at Houston Hall’s Information Desk, where he will give a brief history of Bon Appétit and explain the elements of a healthy meal. Then, you’ll follow Dan downstairs to Houston Market, where he’ll walk you through the various food stations and explain how you, too, can eat healthy at Houston Market!

Spinning; 2/23; 11:30 a.m-12:15 p.m.; free. Pedal your way to a fantastic workout indoors! With the use of stationary cycles, each class is led on a “virtual” outdoor road, complete with a variety of exercises. This class will give you an energizing, calorie-burning, fun workout. It is great for all fitness levels because you will always ride at a self-directed pace.

Relax with Free Yoga; 2/26; 3-4 p.m.; free. Open to all levels: Join Campus Recreation and Campus Health in a 50-minute yoga practice to calm your mind and strengthen your body through movement and breath. A limited amount of mats will be provided, so we encourage you to bring your own! Registration opens 15 minutes prior to class. Free to all faculty and staff. No membership required. For location updates follow @healthypenn and @pennrecreations

Gentle Yoga; 2/28; noon-1 p.m.; free. Let your body reward itself with movement! Join us for this Gentle Yoga session and explore the natural movements of the spine with slow and fluid moving bends and soft twists. During this session, you will flow into modified sun salutations that loosen those tightened muscles and joints of the lower back, neck, shoulders and wrists. And as an added bonus, you will get a workout in the process. Mats and props will be provided.

—Division of Human Resources

Crimes

Weekly Crime Reports

The University of Pennsylvania Police Department Community Crime Report

About the Crime Report: Below are all Crimes Against Persons, Property and Crimes Against Society from the campus report for January 9-15, 2017View prior weeks' reports.—Ed.

This summary is prepared by the Division of Public Safety and includes all criminal incidents reported and made known to the University Police Department between the dates of January 9-15, 2017. The University Police actively patrol from Market Street to Baltimore Avenue and from the Schuylkill River to 43rd Street in conjunction with the Philadelphia Police. In this effort to provide you with a thorough and accurate report on public safety concerns, we hope that your increased awareness will lessen the opportunity for crime. For any concerns or suggestions regarding this report, please call the Division of Public Safety at (215) 898-4482.

01/10/2017 8:18 AM 4001 Walnut St Theft Merchandise taken without payment/Arrest
01/10/2017 11:00 AM 3900 Delancey St Assault Complainant struck by male/Arrest
01/10/2017 2:46 PM 4036 Spruce St Burglary Property taken from residence
01/10/2017 3:45 PM 3900 Chestnut St Fraud Unauthorized charges made on credit card
01/10/2017 6:19 PM 125-129 S 40th St Narcotic Male in possession of narcotics/Arrest
01/10/2017 10:10 PM 3820 Locust Walk Burglary Bluetooth speaker taken
01/11/2017 1:42 PM 3944 Delancey St Theft USPS package taken/Arrest
01/11/2017 4:21 PM 4117 Walnut St Theft Package taken from apartment
01/11/2017 5:28 PM 3901 Walnut St Theft Property taken from backpack
01/11/2017 6:22 PM 3180 Chestnut St Assault Complainant threatened by male with gun
01/11/2017 8:33 PM 4100 Spruce St Theft Packages taken from front porch/2 Arrests
01/11/2017 10:12 PM 3910 Irving St Theft Wallet taken from office
01/12/2017 6:17 PM 3420 Walnut St Theft Wallet taken from office
01/12/2017 7:22 PM 4039 Chestnut St Burglary Males entered building without authority/2 Arrests
01/12/2017 9:32 PM 3820 Locust Walk Fraud Complainant paid for computer services not provided
9:32 PM 11:14 AM 3737 Market St Theft Cell phone taken
01/13/2017 11:56 AM 3735 Walnut St Fraud Male attempted to obtain debit card with fake ID
01/13/2017 5:02 PM 33 S 42nd St Robbery Store robbed by 2 unknown males
01/13/2017 8:08 PM 3400 Spruce St Theft Cell phone taken
01/14/2017< 11:39 AM 3701 Walnut St Theft Property taken from locker
01/14/2017 4:49 PM 3200 Market St< Theft Unknown male took cell phone
01/15/2017 4:22 AM< 51 N 39th St Other Assault Threats received via text and Facebook
01/15/2017 12:36 PM 3820 Locust Walk Theft Property taken from unsecured bedroom
01/15/2017 1:53 PM 4040-4042 Walnut St Theft Property taken while at party
01/15/2017 6:28 PM< 3340 Smith Walk Theft Secured bike taken

18th District Report

Below are the Crimes Against Persons from the 18th District: 8 incidents with 1 arrest (4 aggravated assaults, 2 domestic assaults, 1 assault and 1 robbery) were reported between January 9-15, 2017 by the 18th District covering the Schuylkill River to 49th Street & Market Street to Woodland Avenue.

01/09/17 1:59 AM 45th & Spruce Sts Aggravated Assault
01/10/17 11:09 AM 3900 Delancey St Aggravated Assault/Arrest
01/11/17 6:22 PM 3180 Chestnut St Aggravated Assault
01/13/17 5:02 PM 33 S 42nd St Robbery
01/13/17 5:41 PM 121 S. 50th St Aggravated Assault
01/13/17 6:14 PM 506 S. 42nd St Assault
01/14/17 2:37 PM 216 S. 48th St Domestic Assault
01/15/17 11:56 PM 4632 Walnut St Domestic Assault

Talk About Teaching & Learning

Teaching STEM at the Time of Political Distress

Zahra Fakhraai

I would like to thank Tobias Baumgart for help constructing the ideas and editing this document and Chanda Prescod-Weinstein, UW-Seattle, for editing this document. I participated in a CTL-organized gathering of the faculty to discuss teaching on Monday, November 14, after the election. Some of the ideas presented here were nucleated in that discussion and all faculty present in that meeting are acknowledged for their illuminating discussions that contributed to this piece.

When I was 2 years old, all universities in Iran were closed for three years. The universities reopened (1982) in the midst of a war that took the lives of about 1.5 million people on both sides (1980-1988). Two major universities established their first PhD programs in physics in the same year that the war ended, even as both cities where these universities are located (Tehran and Shiraz) were the targets of daily missiles that killed many civilians and displaced millions.

I often ask myself what motivated a handful of US-educated physicists with job opportunities in the US to return to Iran to establish these PhD programs while civilians were dying. What motivated that first cohort of PhD students to pursue high-energy physics rather than fighting for their country or participating in the reconstruction efforts? Regardless of the answer, their decision profoundly affected my life and many others. One of the first graduates of the PhD program became one of my favorite teachers/scholars during my undergraduate studies, giving me a chance to pursue my dream and passion, physics.  The programs they established quickly became some of the most successful physics programs in the Middle East and their graduates are now successful scientists, engineers, economists, politicians and leaders of the country. Their model spread, motivating development of many other PhD programs in the basic sciences.

Perhaps they chose to dedicate their lives to science and education, because education is needed in any society under any circumstance. It is motivating to me to think about their impact on me and my country when I think about my role teaching chemistry (and STEM in general) in times of political distress. When we teach basic science, we are teaching more than just the laws of nature. We teach how our understanding of the laws of nature is constructed using evidence-based reasoning. We teach how one gathers evidence, builds hypotheses and fortifies those hypotheses using various observation methods in order to move towards maximizing scientific consensus. We teach how to construct “facts,” not just as facts that are written in stone, but as “consensus” that is carefully constructed based on gathering various pieces of evidence, constructing mathematical concepts to explain them, and verifying them over and over, until new phenomena emerges that necessitates changing and upgrading those “facts.” The scientific process is like designing a new Lego set from scratch. These critical thinking skills are something that we hope our students would apply in their real life.

Evidence-based reasoning provides an intellectual anchor to hold when the world appears to be falling apart. When few others are willing to apply reason, science trains us to use that logic to survive and to build consensus with others in order to resolve conflicts. When opinions appear to be more important than facts, evidence-based reasoning can return us to the facts and allow us to question and verify those facts. Education, both in the sciences and humanities is important not just because it guarantees the future technological advances of a country, but also because it provides critical skills for the educators, politicians, and the general public.

Should political events be discussed in a science class? I see multiple reasons against and for discussing major political or social events in a science classroom or making exceptions in exam and assignment deadlines. As scientists it is our mandate to teach science and follow a specific curriculum, and to prepare our students for their future classes/careers. Discussing politics may be distracting and lead to delays in teaching. Students may see the science classroom as a refuge or feel that exam or assignment delays are unfair to them if they have already struggled to meet the deadline. Moreover, as scientists most of us are not trained in social or political sciences. We don’t always feel as if we have the right background and tools to critically think about complex political events. Most of us are unsure how to bring up the subject, and feel that it is easier to stay on topic.

However, sometimes the crisis dominates. On Friday, November 11, when Penn’s black freshmen were targeted by a hate crime, most of us wanted to do something to protect and help our students to cope with this unacceptable attack. I went back to the lab, unsure of what to do when I couldn’t find my two undergraduate students. One thing was very clear though: this event could not have been ignored, because many of our students—in particular our black students who are typically already under-represented and marginalized in STEM classes—could not have been expected to focus on a class discussion or exam when there was an ongoing perceived threat to their safety. It is important for me to be prepared should another crisis happen.

If I decide to discuss a political event, what should I consider? I don’t have a recipe, but here are a few things that I may consider when discussing politics.

1. Student well-being is important to their learning. We make exceptions when a student faces a personal distress and try to accommodate them. Major political or social events could probably follow the same path. It is important, however, to remember that when the majority of our students are in distress, support networks on campus can be quickly overloaded, so there may be even more of a need to be lenient. Sometimes, just acknowledging the event could be a big step towards students’ emotional recovery.

2. Not everyone is affected in the same way. Our students have a diverse range of backgrounds and experiences. A major shift in the policy may mean just an inconvenience for one group, while others may face deportations, hate crimes, or attacks based on their sexual and religious identity. While we may instinctively want to help everyone, and rightly so, we may not always be able to. It is important to be conscious of how a discussion may affect those who are the most marginalized and ensure that they are given the chance to stay and excel in our class. A generic response may not address their specific concerns and can further disenfranchise them.

3. Classrooms are not safe spaces. Marginalized students may not feel safe to speak out or may find it traumatizing to share their concerns with strangers. One can consider providing a chance for students to discuss their concerns during office hours, over email, Canvas or even anonymously. While trying to be more generous with my time, I can also provide an alternative list of places they go for help.

4. Group assignments can be challenging. There has been significant effort on campus to promote SAIL (structured, active, in-class, learning) classrooms. While we typically assign students to random groups, the groups cannot function well if the students don’t work together. Major disagreements on political issues can reduce student participation and hinder learning. One could show flexibility by allowing students to request a group change or even to opt out if such action becomes warranted.

5. The instructor may not feel safe. Finally, when considering discussing politics in the classroom it is fair to ask whether one feels safe with the discussion, given the recent backlash against professors who speak about politics in their classrooms or on social media. An instructor from a marginalized group could consider whether their safety would be compromised and whether that is a price they are willing to pay. One can contribute differently, by reaching out to specific students in distress, or by volunteering their time outside the class instead.

 

Zahra Fakhraai is an assistant professor of chemistry in the School of Arts and Sciences.

This essay continues the series that began in the fall of 1994 as the joint creation of the
College of Arts and Sciences, the Center for Teaching and Learning and the Lindback Society for Distinguished Teaching.
See 
https://almanac.upenn.edu/talk-about-teaching-and-learning-archive​​​​​​​ for the previous essays.

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