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Penn’s David and Lyn Silfen University Forum: February 28: A Formidable Foe: Cancer in the 21st Century

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Penn President Amy Gutmann, with the Vice President of the United States Joe Biden at the January 15 formal launch for the Cancer “Moonshot” Project.

It has been called “the emperor of all maladies.” A scourge familiar to the ancient Egyptians that still elicits fear. The foe: cancer.

The last century saw enormous progress in our understanding of cancer biology as well as prevention, diagnosis and treatment. Yet, while cancer mortality rates have been steadily declining in the United States, enormous challenges remain in understanding and treating cancer. The decline in cancer death rates is slowing, but some cancers still remain largely incurable.

Our improved understanding of cancer has uncovered many new questions about this broad collection of diseases. Can different cancers be reclassified? Can the body’s own immune system be harnessed to aid in the fight? Are the newest treatments and technologies scalable to all cancers or are they “one-hit wonders” destined to help comparatively few patients?

In 2016, President Barack Obama announced a new “Cancer Moonshot” with a goal of, in the words of Vice President Joseph Biden, “fundamentally chang[ing] the trajectory” of how our society and world understands and combats cancer. America’s research universities and academic medical centers are critical to this effort (Almanac January 26, 2016).

On February 28, Penn President Amy Gutmann and a distinguished panel, including Mr. Biden will discuss the past, present and future of cancer research and treatment at the David and Lyn Silfen University Forum.  What progress has been made in the fight against cancer? What are the most difficult questions and challenges ahead? What is the role of leading universities and academic medical centers like Penn in overturning the tyranny of this “emperor of all maladies”?

The David and Lyn Silfen University Forum series was generously endowed by the late University Trustee David M. Silfen and his wife Lyn to foster conversation and debate regarding important contemporary issues.

Dr. Gutmann will be joined by The Honorable Joseph R. Biden, Jr., 47th Vice President of the United States; Loretta “Lori” Alf, Penn Medicine Ambassador and patient; Otis W. Brawley, chief medical officer, American Cancer Society; Nancy E. Davidson, director, Clinical Research, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, president, American Association for Cancer Research; Carl H. June, director, Translational Research Program, Abramson Cancer Center, professor of pathology and laboratory medicine, Perelman School of Medicine.

There was such a great response that tickets sold out in minutes. The University will stream the Silfen Forum live on February 28 at 4 p.m. at http://www.upenn.edu/silfenforum/webcast.html

2017-2018 Penn’s Financial-aid Budget and Tuition

The University of Pennsylvania announced a $224 million financial-aid budget for 2017-2018—the largest in the University’s history —while increasing total undergraduate charges by 3.9 percent.

Since Amy Gutmann became Penn’s president in 2004, Penn’s financial-aid budget has grown by 171 percent, and the University has awarded $2 billion in undergraduate aid to a total of 17,253 students. 

Penn is the largest US university with a need-blind admissions policy and grant-based financial aid for undergraduates. Upon admission, Penn determines students’ financial need, then reduces the cost of tuition, room and board and fees through University grants and work-study jobs. These grants, made up largely from Penn’s funds as well as federal and state grants, do not require repayment. This current academic year, 46 percent of Penn undergraduate students received need-based grants from the University, with the average grant for students estimated at $45,368.

“Approaching the tenth anniversary of establishing grant-based financial aid among the highest of our priorities, Penn’s Ivy League education is more accessible and affordable to students with the greatest promise from all backgrounds than ever before,” said Penn President Gutmann. “Doubling the number of first-generation college students is just one among the many educational and societal benefits that flow from Penn’s doubling of financial aid and our outreach efforts, which we continually strengthen. As the first in my family to attend college, I understand the transformative impact that affordable access to high quality higher education can have. It is the single greatest gateway to economic opportunity and has an indelible impact on society. This is the enduring value fueling Penn’s grant-based financial aid program.”

Penn’s grant-based financial aid initiative supports the University’s long-standing commitment to its need-blind admissions policy, which means students are accepted based on academic achievement, regardless of their ability to pay. 

Financial aid packages are determined based on the cost of attendance for 2017-2018, which includes tuition, fees, room and board, books, supplies, transportation and personal expenses. For 2017-2018 undergraduate tuition will increase to $47,416 from $45,556; room and board will increase to $15,066 from $14,536; and fees will increase to $6,118 from $5,908. 

Demonstrating Penn’s commitment to supporting a socio-economically diverse student body, 48 percent of aided students receiving grants in the academic year 2016-2017 were awarded more than $50,000. Most undergraduate students with a family income of less than $40,000 received grant-based aid covering the total cost of tuition, room and board and fees. Ninety-four percent of undergraduate students with a family income of $180,000 or less received grant assistance.

Penn’s grant-based financial aid program is aligned with the inclusion goals outlined in the Penn Compact 2020 Presidential Initiatives, which include a comprehensive effort to raise additional funding for the endowment to support undergraduate financial aid as well as graduate and professional student aid. At Penn, one in eight members of the class of 2020 are first generation, up from one in 20 in 2004, reflecting success with inclusion goals.

Additional information on undergraduate financial aid at Penn is available at www.sfs.upenn.edu

Penn Joins Amicus Brief Opposing Trump Administration’s Executive Order on Immigration

The University of Pennsylvania joined with fellow Ivy Plus and other research universities from across the country in filing an amicus brief opposing the Trump Administration’s Executive Order on Immigration. The brief was filed in the United States District Court Eastern District of New York.

The brief contends that the executive order impedes amici’s goals of “educating tomorrow’s leaders from around the world.”

“Because amici seek to educate future leaders from nearly every continent, attract the world’s best scholars, faculty, and students, and work across international borders, they rely on the ability to welcome international students, faculty, and scholars into their communities. The Executive Order at issue in this case threatens that ability, and creates significant hardship for amici’s valued international students, faculty, and scholars.”

In addition to Penn, the brief was signed by leaders of Brown University, Carnegie Mellon University, University of Chicago, Columbia University, Cornell University, Dartmouth College, Duke University, Emory University, Harvard University, Johns Hopkins University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Northwestern University, Princeton University, Stanford University, Vanderbilt University and Yale University.

A link to the amicus brief can be found at https://news.upenn.edu/sites/default/files/Darweesh-university-amicus-brief-21317-FINAL-2.pdf

Fall 2016 University Research Foundation Awards

In the most recent cycle, Fall 2016, of Penn’s internally-funded University Research Foundation,  URF Conference Support (noted with *), the Office of the Vice Provost for Research has announced awards to the following members of the faculty for the projects listed below.

Amada Armenta, School of Arts & Sciences, Sociology, Immigrants & Justice: Gendered Understandings of Crime and Policing Among Latino Immigrants in Philadelphia

Daniel Barber, School of Design,  Architecture, Climatic Effects: Architecture, Media, and the Great Acceleration

Eugenie Birch, Provost Interdisciplinary Programs, Penn Institute for Urban Research, Penn IUR Undergraduate Research Colloquium UURC

Hsiao-wen Cheng, School of Arts & Sciences, East Asian Religions;  Knowing Women: Medicine, Popular Religion and Female Sexuality in China, 7-14th Centuries

Brian Chow, School of Engineering &  Applied Science, Bioengineering, Engineering artificial proteins for stimuli-responsive photoacoustic imaging contrast

Mariella De Biasi, Perelman School of Medicine, Psychiatry/Neuroscience, Epigenetic regulation of gene expression following marijuana vapor delivery

David Fajgenbaum, Perelman School of Medicine, Medicine, Investigating inhibition of mTOR and T-cell activation in Castleman disease

*Tulia Falleti, School of Arts & Sciences, Political Science; The Future of the Left in Latin America

Ian Fleishman, School of Arts & Sciences, German Language/Lit, An Aesthetics of Injury

*Michael Gamer, School of Arts & Sciences, English, Gothic States: a Conference

*Marybeth Gasman, Graduate School of Education, Higher Education Division, Teaching the Liberal Arts to Diverse Students

Sarah Guérin, School of Arts & Sciences, History of Art, Caravans of Gold, Fragments in Time: Art, Culture, and Trans-Saharan Trade

*Raffaella Giannetto, School of Design, Landscape Architecture, Ethics and Aesthetics of the Cultural Landscape

Reto Giere, School of Arts & Sciences, Earth and Environmental Science, The Energy-Food-Water Nexus- A Grand Challenge of our Time

Maria Golson, Perelman School of Medicine, Genetics, Regulation of Mature Beta-Cell Function by the Transcription Factor FoxM1

*Sara Heller, School of Arts & Sciences, Criminology, Transatlantic Workshop on the Economics of Crime

*Yasmin Kafai, Graduate School of Education, Teaching, Learning, and Leadership Division, Bio Design in K-12 Education

Ayako Kano, School of Arts & Sciences, East Asian Languages and Civilizations, War, Sex, and Belonging: Analyzing Adaptation of Modern Japanese Fiction to Film

*Justin Khoury, School of Arts & Sciences, Physics, New Frontiers in Cosmology and String Theory

Annette Lareau, School of Arts & Sciences, Sociology, Individuals of High Net Worth: Challenges and Opportunities in Family Life

Jennifer Sternad Ponce de León, School of Arts & Sciences, English, Politically Engaged and Extra-disciplinary Art in Argentina, 1998-Present

Marsha Lester, School of Arts & Sciences, Chemistry, Spectroscopy and Dynamics of Reaction Intermediates

Chunsheng Li, Perelman School of Medicine, Obstetrics/Gynecology, Novel Shikonin-loaded smart nanoparticle for targeting CD248-positive carcinoma and sarcoma

*Terri Lipman, School of Nursing, Family and Community Health; Community/Academic Partnerships to Increase Activity in Youth and their Families

*Heather Love, School of Arts & Sciences, English, Disability Studies: A History

Timothy Lucas, Perelman School of Medicine, Neurosurgery, An actuated, high density neuroprosthetic interface

Steven Marcus, School of Social Policy & Practice, A pilot study to identify factors that interrupt suicide plans

Mark Neuman, Perelman School of Medicine, Anesthesiology, Pilot of Peer Engagement for Enhancing Recovery after Surgery Study

E. James Petersson, School of Arts & Sciences, Chemistry, Toward a Molecular Mechanism of Secondary Tau Fibril Seeding in Neurodegenerative Disease

*Jean-Michel Rabate, School of Arts & Sciences, English, Ezra Pound Among the Taurians: A Public Lecture

Megan Ryerson, School of Design, City and Regional Planning, Flying the Urban Airways: The design of freight delivery and emergency response urban airways for Unmanned Aerial Systems

*Daniel Singer, School of Arts & Sciences, Philosophy, Penn-Rutgers-Princeton Social Epistemology Workshop

Andrew Tsourkas, School of Engineering & Applied Science, Bioengineering, Multi-pronged approach for the treatment of glioblastoma

Related: University Research Foundation Applications: March 23

University Research Foundation Applications: March 23

The University Research Foundation (URF) is now accepting applications for the March 23 deadline.

The URF is an intramural program that provides three funding mechanisms: Research Grants and Conference Support, Impact Seminar Grants and Research Opportunity Development Grants.

URF Research Grants and Conference Support provides up to $50,000 in project support and up to $3,000 for conference support. Its objectives are to:

• help junior faculty undertake pilot projects that will enable them to successfully apply for extramural sources of funding and aid in establishing their careers as independent investigators;

• help established faculty perform novel, pioneering research to determine project feasibility and develop preliminary data to support extramural grant applications;

• provide support in disciplines where extramural support is difficult to obtain and where significant research can be facilitated with internal funding; and

• provide limited institutional matching funds that are required as part of a successful external peer-reviewed application.

URF Impact Seminar Grants will make awards up to $20,000 for support for a cross-school, cross-disciplinary large scale event to be held on Penn’s campus within a year of the award. Funding for this award can be used to augment an already scheduled University event. The event—which can be a symposium, forum or conference—should occur over one to two days and be open to the entire Penn community. It should highlight the scholarship of Penn faculty and bring distinguished scholars to Penn’s campus, with a particular focus on the University’s distinguishing strength in integrating knowledge. Documented school and/or department matching funds are required.

URF Research Opportunity Development Grants (RODG)

The Research Opportunity Development Grant program (Phase 1 and Phase 2) was designed to facilitate the intersection of the forward trajectory of Penn’s research frontiers with the trajectory of the national and global research priorities. RODG applications should map onto emerging research areas with new opportunities for support. Awards from these programs should be used to develop preliminary information and data for new applications in these emerging research areas. The two programs are described here.

Research Opportunity Development Grants: Phase 1

With an identified new research area in mind, Phase 1 grants enable a team to articulate the research focus, map Penn’s intellectual assets in the new area, coalesce the appropriate group of scholars, identify Penn’s potential contributions in the area  in the context of national and international research initiatives and identify a funding target. Typically a Phase 1 proposal would lead to a Phase 2 application. In addition, special attention will be paid to project proposals that include mentorship of Penn undergraduates. Applications up to $10,000 will be considered.

Research Opportunity Development Grants: Phase 2

Phase 2 grants offer extensive support for up to two years to enable specific outcomes in support of a center or group proposal to an external funding organization. Activities include research workshops, preliminary studies, networking in the relevant research community, etc. Specific outcomes are expected. Documented matching department and/or school funds will be considered positively. In addition, special attention will be paid to project proposals that include mentorship of Penn undergraduates. Applications with requests between $50,000 to $200,000 will be considered.

Note: Phase 2 grants are not intended to support the development of proposals that respond to regular solicitations such as those for NIH RO1 grants or NSF Division programs.

Disciplines for all award programs: Biomedical Sciences, Humanities, Natural Sciences and Engineering, Social Science and Management.

Undergraduate Participation: As part of the University’s commitment to providing research opportunities to scholars across our campus community, URF applicants are encouraged to include undergraduate student participants within the framework of their proposals.

Budget: Each URF program has separate budget requirements.

Eligibility for all award programs: Eligibility is limited to Penn assistant, associate and full professors in any track. Instructors and research associates must provide a letter from their department chair establishing that the applicant will receive an appointment as an assistant professor by the time of the award. Assistant professors must submit a letter from their department chair describing their research independence. Adjunct faculty are not eligible to apply. Awards must be expended on University of Pennsylvania facilities, equipment and/or associated University technical staff and undergraduate students. Note: Proposals from faculty who have received awards from the University Research Foundation in the past three cycles will be less competitive.

Detailed information including application materials can be found at http://www.upenn.edu/research/smarts/university_research_foundation/

Related: Fall 2016 University Research Foundation Awards

Penn Libraries’ Community Outreach Program Exponentially Expands Engagement with Greater Philadelphia Area Schools

What started with a Penn Libraries program to ensure a West Philadelphia elementary school library would remain open has turned into a sustainable model for service learning. In the two years since creating the Community Outreach Librarian position and the ever expanding Community Outreach Program, the Penn Libraries has increased its contribution to the greater Philadelphia area exponentially—from serving 500 students to nearly 6,000.

Penn Libraries’ engagement with local schools began at the Henry C. Lea Elementary School in West Philadelphia, where Penn volunteers and student workers have helped set up an electronic catalog, staffed library shifts, and maintained a collection replenishing program. Through a relationship with the West Philadelphia Alliance for Children (WePAC), Penn Libraries’ public school engagement has expanded to over a dozen schools, positively impacting the educational experience of at-risk students in the city. New planned partnerships with three additional Philadelphia schools—Southwark School, William L. Sayre High School and Benjamin B. Comegys School—are on the horizon.

The Penn Libraries is able to sustain its Community Outreach Program through collaborations with local nonprofits and stakeholders on Penn’s campus such as the Netter Center for Community Partnerships. This partnership helps Penn Libraries place student employees and work-study students in local schools, providing opportunities for service learning in mentorship, literacy studies and librarianship.

“This model is both sustainable and replicable,” said Vice Provost and Director of Libraries H. Carton Rogers. “While we are focused on the particular needs of Philadelphia, our vision is one that expands beyond the city itself. Ultimately, we hope, that other colleges and universities can replicate this model within their own communities by utilizing on-campus resources and local non-profit organizations,” he added.

The University of Pennsylvania remains broadly committed to community outreach across campus. Its goals for engagement are outlined in the University’s current strategic vision, President Amy Gutmann’s Penn Compact 2020: “Penn is engaging locally, nationally and globally to bring the benefits of Penn’s research, teaching, and service to individuals and communities at home and around the world.” Alongside President Gutmann and Penn, Penn Libraries is pleased to do its part in nurturing the lives of readers and learners in Philadelphia and beyond.

Related: The Science of Information, 1870-1945: The Universalization of Knowledge in a Utopian Age

Related: Celebrating the 120th Anniversary of the Birth of Marian Anderson

Deaths

Ray Drum, Penn Dental Medicine

Ray Drum, Penn Dental Medicine

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Ray Kenneth Drum, D’60, a dentist and a professor at the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine for more than 30 years, died February 1 at age 82 of complications of Parkinson’s Disease.

Dr. Drum was a graduate of Ursinus College and of the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine. He also earned post-graduate certificates from the University of California and the University of the Pacific.

Dr. Drum joined the Penn faculty in 1960 as an assistant instructor in the School of Dental Medicine. He became an instructor in 1970, working in the department of restorative dentistry. In 1977, he became a clinical associate and in 1981 he became a clinical assistant professor. He held this title until 1990. While at Penn, he researched craniomandibular dysfunction and his work was published in a number of articles in medical and dental journals. He delivered dozens of lectures and papers throughout the United States and in London, Munich and Athens. In addition, he practiced forensic dentistry and served as an expert witness for the Pennsylvania State Police.

Dr. Drum and his wife, Alice, loved traveling and hiking in the British Isles and in 2001, the couple established an award to support summer research there.

He is survived by his wife, Alice; his children and their spouses, Trevor and Jean Drum, Alison and Michael Althouse, Jessica and Eric Lindsey, Greg and Lisa Guise, Brent Guise and Melissa Hess, Richard and Maureen Guise, Robert and Kerstin Guise and Clay and Heather Guise; 14 grandchildren; and two great grandchildren.

Memorial donations can be made to the Ray K. and Alice M. Drum United Kingdom Student Travel Award Fund at Franklin & Marshall College, Box 2004, Lancaster, PA, 17604.

____________

To Report A Death
Almanac appreciates being informed of the deaths of current and former faculty and staff members, students and other members of the University community. Call (215) 898-5274 or email almanac@upenn.edu

However, notices of alumni deaths should be directed to the Alumni Records Office at Room 517, Franklin Building, (215) 898-8136 or by email at record@ben.dev.upenn.edu

Governance

Council Open Forum Topics

At the next University Council meeting on February 22, the following topics will be raised:

1. Request to speak about mental health at Penn; topic submitted by Zhan Okuda-Lim, MPA’17

2. Request to speak on sustainability and the endowment; topic submitted by Zachary Rissman, C’19

3. Request to speak on the University’s recent statements regarding President Trump’s executive orders; topic submitted by Hannah Victor, NU’17, L’18

4. Request to speak on the possibility of the University considering offering faculty and staff a fossil-free investment/retirement portfolio; topic submitted by Jena Laske, Wharton Dean’s Office

5. Request to speak regarding the safety and support of marginalized students on campus and the need for a centralized diversity office; topic submitted by Julianne Rieders, GR’18

Faculty Senate Executive Committee 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, February 15, 2017

Chair’s Report. Faculty Senate Chair Laura Perna informed SEC members that several faculty leaders at peer universities nationwide are in discussion to coordinate a national teach-in on Friday, March 24. She invited input as to how that event might be conceptualized and implemented and offered to keep SEC members informed on its progress.

Past-Chair’s Report. Faculty Senate Past Chair Reed Pyeritz reported that the Campaign for Community continues to accept and review applications for funding related to on-campus events that promote understanding of key issues that may appear to be difficult or intractable.

Update from the Provost. Provost Vincent Price discussed the “Message to the Penn Community Regarding Immigration from Amy Gutmann” issued on January 30, 2017. He noted that administrators have been working directly with individuals from the affected countries and with the international community more broadly at Penn. International Student Support Services (ISSS) offers free consultations to affected students and the Law School operates legal clinics for affected parties. Penn recently co-filed with other institutions an amicus brief opposing the executive order (EO) on immigration (see here). Administrators are also considering how to address the needs of affected individuals during spring break and summer. In response to a question about the financial impact of the EO to Penn, he remarked that, although financially the impact is minimal, the global value of Penn (and other universities) is negatively affected. He also explained that Penn only cooperates with requests from immigration officers when they produce warrants or subpoenas that require doing so.

Provost Price invited SEC members to visit the new spaces in Van Pelt-Dietrich Library that co-locate the offices of the Online Learning Initiative, Center for Learning Analytics, and Center for Teaching and Learning with the Library’s Teaching, Research, & Learning Services office, Vitale Media Labs and Collaborative Classrooms. He noted that SEAS will be piloting a micro-master’s program in robotics, in which participants can take four non-credit, online courses at minimal cost and transfer the credits earned if they apply and are admitted to the full master’s program. He informed SEC members that the “Inclusion Report” documenting outcomes from the five-year Action Plan for Faculty Diversity and Excellence will soon be published and that the Plan will be renewed for another cycle. When asked about whether the Senate should issue position statements on politically related issues, he indicated that endorsing official statements lends strength to such statements. He also cautioned that the group should only adopt a position following reasoned consideration of all faculty perspectives on a given matter.

Provost Price concluded by thanking SEC members for their leadership and engagement and expressed his appreciation for the consultation that the Senate provides to University leaders. SEC members thanked him, in turn, for his service to Penn and the Senate and offered him a round of applause. (Provost Price served numerous Senate roles during his time on the Annenberg faculty, including Faculty Senate Chair in 2006-2007.)

2017 Senate Committee on Committees. SEC members voted for members of the 2017 Senate Committee on Committees.

Political Advocacy at Penn. Jeffrey Cooper, Vice President in the Office of Government and Community Relations (OGCA) and Dawn Maglicco Deitch, OGCA Executive Director, described ways that faculty members can engage in advocacy with federal and state governmental representatives as individual citizens, Penn faculty members and a collective. They shared a list of contact information for federal, state and local representatives and encouraged individuals to make personalized contact as the representative’s constituent with his/her local offices and in-person for the greatest impact. When making contact, the individual should state that they live in the representative’s district, describe the issue they support and thank the representative for something (e.g., their role in public service, a recent specific action). Individuals should frame issues as specifically as possible and in their own words (rather than using a form letter). They asked that advocacy on behalf of Penn be reported to OGCA and invited faculty members to contact OGCA directly with further questions. OGCA seeks faculty who are willing to visit—with OGCA staff—federal and staff representatives to advocate for particular issues. Particularly important now is advocating for continued research funding for the humanities and social sciences.

Review of Statements on Immigration Policy. SEC members unanimously voted to endorse the “Message to the Penn Community Regarding Immigration from Amy Gutmann” (Almanac February 7, 2017). A majority of SEC members present voted to endorse the “Academics Against Immigration Executive Order” open letter that has been signed by more than 31,000 individual US faculty members.

Discussion of Senate Strategies in View of Uncertain Impacts of Federal and State Political Climates. Following discussion, SEC members who were present and chose to cast votes unanimously voted to establish an “Ad Hoc Committee on Government Engagement,” which will propose to SEC ways that the Senate can engage in advocacy on federal and state policy issues. The committee will be chaired by a SEC member and comprised of Standing Faculty members with diverse perspectives and backgrounds. Faculty members may nominate themselves or colleagues by emailing the Senate office.

Coverage of Trustees February Meetings

The University of Pennsylvania Board of Trustees held their Winter Stated Meeting last Friday, February 17, following a day of numerous committee meetings. The Trustees passed a Resolution of Appreciation for Andrea Mitchell and designation as an Emerita Trustee after having served her alma mater as a Trustee for 20 years. The Trustees also resolved to reelect James G. Dinan as a Term Trustee for a five-year term.

The reappointment of J. Larry Jameson as Executive Vice President of the University of Pennsylvania for the Health System and as Dean of the Perelman School of Medicine, along with the appointment of Gregory S. Rost as Senior Vice President and Chief of Staff were also approved.

President Amy Gutmann took a moment to congratulate University Chaplain Charles (Chaz) Howard for his new book, Pond River Ocean Rain, which she called a “beautiful meditation.” He will be doing a signing/reading at Penn’s Bookstore tonight, February 21; proceeds are being donated to support World Vision’s Clean Water Fund.

President Gutmann said that Penn is honored to welcome former Vice President Joe Biden to join Penn as a Benjamin Franklin Presidential Practice Professor (Almanac February 14, 2017). She also mentioned the appointment of Jay Gottfried (Almanac January 17, 2017) as the 18th PIK Professor. President Gutmann said that Penn’s Commencement Speaker US Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) (Almanac January 31, 2017) “has a compelling life story.”

Provost Vincent Price described the recently opened hub in the library devoted to teaching and learning (Almanac January 24, 2017) bringing together three resources at the heart of campus.

EVP Craig Carnaroli gave the financial report for the University for the six months ended December 31, 2016. He noted that for the Consolidated University the total net assets were $15 billion, an increase of $590 million over the prior December, driven largely by strong investment performance and strong operating performance at the Health System. For the Academic Component, new contributions, totaled $192 million, an increase of $20 million, or nearly 12% over the prior year.

PSOM Dean J. Larry Jameson reported that Penn Medicine gave back to the community in many ways again last year, providing nearly $400 million of care and services including charity and underfunded care, physician training support, research support and community health improvement services.

PricewaterhouseCoopers was once again approved to audit the University’s financial statements for Fiscal Year 2017.

The Trustees approved the 2017-2018 tuition, fees and other student charges for Penn undergraduates; the total charges will be $68,600 (see here). For graduate and professional students, tuition will be determined administratively to reflect the budget requirements of the various schools. The financial aid budget will total $224 million.

Also approved were resolutions to authorize Steinberg Hall-Dietrich Hall first floor classroom renovations ($7.72 million); Van Pelt-Dietrich Library’s HVAC upgrades ($18 million); the Dental School’s Evans Building Main Clinic renovation and Schattner Center addition ($21.13 million) and Richards Building A & B Tower renovations and elevator modernization ($33.15 million).

Numerous appointments to Penn Medicine, overseers and other boards were approved, including the following:'

Anilesh Ahuja, Richard M. Horowitz, Henry D. Jackson, Sheryl D. Kaye, and Rich S. Ross to the Board of Overseers of SAS; Gary D. Rose and Paul Williams as emeritus members.

Benjamin A. Breier and T. Gibbs Kane, Jr. to the Athletics Board.

Dirk Brunner to the Board of Overseers of the School of Dental Medicine.

Patricia P. Udell to the Board of Overseers of the School of Design, Keith L. Sachs as an emeritus member, Kevin S. Penn as its chair.

Candice Wang Willoughby to the Libraries Board of Overseers.

David J. Adelman and Melissa Neubauer Anderson to the Penn Medicine Board.

Mason Haupt and MaryFrances McCourt to the Board of PennPraxis.

Jeremy Nowak and Ari M. Shalam to the Penn Institute for Urban Research Advisory Board.

Christopher B. Cowen to the Board of Overseers of the School of Veterinary Medicine.

Policies

OF RECORD: Guidelines for the Operation of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) at UPenn

The University of Pennsylvania establishes the following Guidelines to govern the operation by any person of an Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) on or above the University of Pennsylvania’s campus or properties.  These Guidelines are established to support the use of Unmanned Aircraft Systems in ways that ensure the safety and protect the privacy of all members of the University community and promote compliance with all applicable federal and state laws. These guidelines cover the University of Pennsylvania Campus, Morris Arboretum, New Bolton Center and Pennovation Works. 

The University of Pennsylvania, consistent with the regulations and guidance from the Federal Aviation Administration, allows the operation of a UAS on or above the Penn campus for permitted educational and recreational purposes (for which a Section 107 Remote Pilot in Command Certification is optional) and research or UAS-dedicated curriculum purposes (for which a Section 107 Remote Pilot In Command Certification is mandatory) provided that all operations are in compliance with the following guidelines:

1) The operation of the UAS is a component of research, science, technology, communication, art or aviation-related coursework at Penn, or 2) recreational and hobby use is conducted at the designated location for UAS operation at Penn, Penn Park South Field (see below). Scheduled hours for operation are set monthly, and can be found at http://www.pennathletics.com/page/athletic-facilities-schedules under the South Field schedule.  The University of Pennsylvania reserves the right to restrict use to Penn-affiliated persons.

Operation of the UAS aircraft must adhere to these restrictions:

  • Flights must be below 200 feet and clear of surrounding obstacles.
  • Flights may not exceed 100 mph.
  • UAS must be in visual sight of its operator at all times.
  • UAS may not operate over any persons not participating in the operation or in a building or other covered structure. 1
  • UAS must remain clear of all manned aircraft operations. Note: Penn Hospitals have frequent medical helicopter flights coming and going and all UAS operations must not be in proximity to or interfere with medical helicopter flights .
    • Anyone intending to operate a UAS at the University of Pennsylvania must notify the PennSTAR Communications Center, (215) 662-7736 (primary) or (215) 662-7737 (alternate), at least one hour prior to the flight and provide flight location and duration.
      • Individual notification is not required for flights at the designated Penn South Field UAS location during scheduled flight hours.
  • No flights are allowed in proximity of large gatherings of people or sporting events.
  • No flights are allowed 30 minutes before official sunset to 30 minutes after official sunrise.1
  • UAS must weigh less than 55 pounds.
  • No reckless operation.
  • UAS may not be used to photograph, video, record or monitor areas or locations where members of the University of Pennsylvania community or members of the general public would have a reasonable expectation of privacy.
  • The operator must safely ground and suspend operations of any UAS when ordered by a University of Pennsylvania Police Officer or public safety official.
  • UAS use must comply with all federal, state and local laws and guidelines.
  • The operator of a UAS weighing between 0.55 to 55 pounds must register the UAS with the FAA.
  • Information on FAA rules and online registration can be accessed at: http://www.faa.gov/uas/registration
  • Registration of a UAS aircraft under 0.55 pounds is not required, but all other safety restrictions apply. 
  • Recreational and educational operators may not receive any compensation (including cost reimbursement, honorarium, or pay) directly or indirectly related to operation of the UAS.
  • Any use for instructional, research or commercial purposes by Penn faculty, students and staff must comply with all FAA Part 107 or Section 333 requirements: https://www.faa.gov/uas/media/Part_107_Summary.pdf and https://www.faa.gov/uas/beyond_the_basics/section_333/333_authorizations/media/University-of-Pennsylvania-14755.pdf

Flight restrictions in these guidelines may be modified through compliance with the FAA waiver application and approval process.

Commercial Operation of UAS

  • All civil commercial UAS use must comply with all federal, state and local laws and guidelines and operators must obtain a Part 107 Certification, a Section 333 Exemption,  or a “Special Airworthiness Certificate” issued by the FAA.
  • Commercial use of a UAS from or above University of Pennsylvania property is permitted only for educational, research or University-related purposes. 
  • A commercial UAS operator must provide proof of $5 million in general liability insurance on an occurrence basis, with a certificate of insurance naming the Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania as an additional insured.  Proof of insurance shall be submitted to the University of Pennsylvania risk management department prior to flight operations.
  • A commercial UAS operator must be accompanied by a representative of the University of Pennsylvania at all times when operating a UAS on University property.

Penalties for Violation of University UAS Guidelines

Any violation of law (trespassing, illegal surveillance, reckless endangerment, etc.) or violation of this policy may subject the individual responsible for the violation to disciplinary action and/or prosecution. 

Any damages or injuries to property or individuals during the operation of a UAS on University of Pennsylvania property, other than for a University of Pennsylvania authorized research or educational use, shall be the sole financial responsibility of the UAS operator. However, an operator shall be solely liable for negligent or intentional use outside of the authorized research or educational use.

For questions regarding the operation of a UAS at the University of Pennsylvania, contact: Division of Public Safety (215) 573-3333.

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This restriction does not apply to UAS operations in secured UAS research and development areas such as those at SEAS and Pennovation.

Honors

Rajeev Alur and Arjun Yodh: AAAS Fellows

The American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) has elected the University of Pennsylvania’s Rajeev Alur, the Zisman Family Professor in the department of computer and information science, and Arjun Yodh,  the James M. Skinner Professor of Science and director of the Laboratory for Research on the Structure of Matter, as AAAS Fellows.

Fellows are elected annually by the AAAS Council and include members of at least four years who have contributed scientifically or socially distinguished work on behalf of the advancement of science or its applications. Nominees contribute to areas including research; teaching; technology; services to professional societies; administration in academe, industry and government; and communicating and interpreting science to the public.

Dr. Alur conducts research in theoretical computer science, formal methods in system design and cyber-physical systems. He is a member of the PRECISE (Penn Research in Embedded Computing and Integrated Systems Engineering) Center and PL (Programming Languages) Club.

Dr. Yodh holds an appointment in the department of physics & astronomy and a secondary appointment in the department of radiation oncology in the School of Medicine. He is a member of several interdisciplinary institutes at Penn including the Laboratory for Research on the Structure of Matter (LRSM), the Institute of Medicine and Engineering (IME), the Bioengineering Graduate Group and the Abramson Cancer Center.

Paul Ducheyne: Bioceramics Pioneer Award

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Paul Ducheyne, professor of bioengineering at University of Pennsylvania, has received the Bioceramics Pioneer Award from the International Society for Ceramics in Medicine. The award recognizes outstanding lifetime achievement and pioneering contributions to the field of bioceramics.

Dr. Ducheyne’s research focuses on mechanistic effects of materials on cellular functions. His lab works extensively with the interface zone between materials and cells and tissues. He has been a leading voice explaining the mechanisms whereby calcium-phosphate-based ceramics and glasses enhance and stimulate bone tissue formation. His papers have been cited more than 11,000 times. He has edited 16 books and book volumes. He is also editor-in-chief of Comprehensive Biomaterials, a six-volume, 3,650-page widely-respected reference work.

 Dr. Ducheyne has been secretary of the European Society for Biomaterials and is past president of the Society for Biomaterials (based in the United States) and of the International Society for Ceramics in Medicine. He is a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, of the American Institute of Medical and Biological Engineering and of the International Society for Ceramics in Medicine.

Karen Glanz: National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute Advisory Council

Karen Glanz: National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute Advisory Council

The former United States Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) Sylvia Burwell recently appointed the University of Pennsylvania’s Karen Glanz, the George A. Weiss University Professor and professor of epidemiology and nursing, to the advisory council for the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI). The appointment is for a four-year term.

The council advises the HHS secretary, the assistant secretary for health, the director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the director of the NHLBI on matters relating to the cause, prevention, diagnosis and treatment of heart, blood vessel, lung and blood diseases; the use of blood and blood products and the management of blood resources; and on sleep disorders. In addition, the council considers applications for research and research training grants and cooperative agreements and makes funding recommendations. The council may also make recommendations to the director of the NHLBI respecting research conducted at the Institute.

Dr. Glanz’s research in community and health care settings focuses on healthy eating; obesity prevention; cancer prevention and control; chronic disease management and control; reducing health disparities; and health communication technologies.

The University of Pennsylvania recruited Dr. Glanz, who holds dual appointments in medicine and nursing and is a Penn Integrates Knowledge (PIK) Professor.

Vartan Gregorian: Chevalier of the French Legion of Honor

Vartan Gregorian, provost at University of Pennsylvania from 1977-1981, was awarded the medal of Chevalier of the French Legion of Honor at a ceremony at the Cultural Services of the French Embassy.

Dr. Gregorian, currently president of Carnegie Corporation of New York, was recognized for his 30-year effort to strengthen relations between France and America; to improve links between French and American institutions of higher education; and to promote the study of French culture and language.

“Vartan Gregorian is a visionary and a living example of the modern man of letters, for whom education and knowledge is the key to opportunity and peace,” said Gérard Araud, French ambassador to the United States. “It is through cultural exchanges and by opening new pathways of cooperation that we promote understanding in the world. Vartan Gregorian has been a true partner in our advancement of dual language education in public schools.”

As founding dean of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences and later as provost at the University of Pennsylvania, he helped strengthen the ties and promoted scholarly exchanges between Penn and the Sorbonne, and helped preserve the high academic standing of Penn’s department of Romance languages.

Dr. Gregorian carried out similar efforts as president of Brown University. In his current position as president of Carnegie Corporation of New York, Dr. Gregorian has supported French culture and education through such establishments as the French-American Foundation, Sciences Po (Paris Institute of Political Studies), and the Fondation Maison des sciences de l’homme. He has also promoted the study of French language at New York City schools.

Mike Uram: 2016 National Jewish Book Award

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Mike Uram, executive director and campus rabbi of Hillel at the University of Pennsylvania, was the recipient of a 2016 National Jewish Book Award for his first book, Next Generation Judaism: How College Students and Hillel Can Help Reinvent Jewish Organizations.

The Jewish Book Council, based in New York City, selected winners in 20 different categories. Rabbi Uram’s book was the winner in the category of Education & Jewish Identity.

“It’s wonderful to get this kind of formal recognition for work that is so close to my heart,” Rabbi Uram said. “I hope the award will help showcase the vibrant cultural innovation on Penn’s campus and the incredible work of generations of students and professionals at Penn Hillel.”

The book offers a model for the reconstruction of Jewish organizations to appeal to younger generations, using college campuses as a guide. 

“The book is for any leader who feels stuck, who knows that the world is changing faster than the organization can change, and is asking how to keep up,” Rabbi Uram said. “Each chapter is a practical tool to help leaders think differently and act differently.”

The award winners will be honored on March 7 at a dinner and ceremony to be held at the Center for Jewish History in New York City.

George Yang: LDI Undergraduate Health Services Research Prize

George Yang: LDI Undergraduate Health Services Research Prize

George Z. Yang, a University of Pennsylvania freshman earning a dual degree in nursing and health care management, is the recipient of Penn’s Leonard Davis Institute of Health Economics (LDI) 2017 Undergraduate Health Services Research Prize.

The award is a collaborative program among LDI, the Jacobs Levy Equity Management Center and the Mack Institute for Innovation Management. It recognizes a student who has shown a high level of interest and initiative in health services research and health policy analysis.

As winner, Mr. Yang will have the opportunity to be mentored by LDI Senior Fellows, be invited to conferences and seminars on research and policy and will have other chances to network with leading experts in the field.

“It’s exciting to be part of this and work alongside Penn professors who are such authorities in their fields,” said Mr. Yang.

Events

Levin Family Dean’s Forum: February 23

The University community is invited to the School of Arts and Sciences’ annual Levin Family Dean’s Forum on Thursday, February 23, at 4:30 p.m. in Harrison Auditorium at the Penn Museum. For more information, please see: https://www.sas.upenn.edu/fear-inc/

The event is free and tickets are not required.

This year’s program will feature the internationally renowned writer, commentator, professor, producer and scholar of religions Reza Aslan, who will give a lecture entitled Fear Inc.: Confronting Islamophobia in America. Professor Aslan is a tenured professor of creative writing at the University of California, Riverside, and serves on the board of trustees for the Chicago Theological Seminary and The Yale Humanist Community.  His first book, international bestseller No god but God: The Origins, Evolution, and Future of Islam, has been translated into 17 languages, and was named one of the 100 most important books of the last decade by Blackwell Publishers. He is also the author of the New York Times bestseller Zealot: The Life and Times of Jesus of Nazareth and Beyond Fundamentalism: Confronting Religious Extremism the Age of Globalization. He will be the host of Believer, CNN’s forthcoming show on world religions.

On this occasion SAS will also recognize the 2017 undergraduate and graduate Dean’s Scholars for their outstanding academic performance.  

The 2017 Dean’s Scholars are:

College of Arts and Sciences

Isabella Auchus, Psychology

Kevin Chen, Biochemistry, Biophysics and Physics

Jordan Doman, Biochemistry

Jaron Ma, Earth and Environmental Science

Darby Marx, Biological Basis of Behavior

Sheridan Small, Anthropology

Chunzi Song, Biochemistry and Biophysics

Kaitlyn Ugoretz, East Asian Languages and Civilizations

Sarah Wilson, English and History

College of Liberal and Professional Studies–Undergraduate Program

John Grisafi, East Asian Languages and Civilizations and History

Professional Master’s Programs

Adam Serlin, Master of Public Administration

Graduate Division–Doctoral Programs

William Beck, Classical Studies

Lauren Grant, Chemistry

Carlo Lanfossi, Music

Maria Pape, Comparative Literature

Jordan Paul, Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations

Juliet Sperling, History of Art

Brooke Stanley, English

Nicole Welk-Joerger, History and Sociology of Science

Celebrating the 120th Anniversary of the Birth of Marian Anderson

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(Above) Marian Anderson in Japan in 1953.

On Monday, February 27, 2-4 p.m., the Penn Libraries will recognize a legend’s legacy with Happy Birthday, Marian Anderson! in the Marian Anderson Music Study Center, Van Pelt-Dietrich Library Center, fourth floor west.

Marian Anderson (1897-1993) was an American singer, Philadelphia born, and while her most famous performances took place in the United States—notably, her 1939 open-air concert in Washington, DC, on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial—she performed in nearly two dozen countries across the globe. She enjoyed world travel and found some of her most appreciative audiences outside the United States. The Libraries’ exhibit presents photographs and memorabilia documenting her travels abroad, which spanned nearly 35 years of her long career.

Before her death in 1993, Ms. Anderson placed her personal papers, including letters, music, scores, programs, photographs and sound recordings, with the Penn Libraries. In 1996 the National Endowment for the Humanities provided the Penn Libraries with outright and matching grants to preserve, catalog and make these materials available to the public. The collection is rich in tapes and other recording media that capture not only Marian Anderson’s artistic range, but also her efforts to gain technical mastery of her voice and material.

Join the Otto E. Albrecht Music Library and the Kislak Center in celebrating the 120th birth anniversary of legendary singer, civil rights pioneer and Philadelphian Marian Anderson with a pop-up exhibit featuring recordings, letters, excerpts from Miss Anderson's home movies, and more. Refreshments will be served. Registration is appreciated: rbml@pobox.upenn.edu or (215) 898-7088. Free and open to the public (please show photo ID at entrance).

Related: The Science of Information, 1870-1945: The Universalization of Knowledge in a Utopian Age

Related: Penn Libraries’ Community Outreach Program Exponentially Expands Engagement with Greater Philadelphia Area Schools

The Universalization of Knowledge in a Utopian Age: February 23-25

In partnership with the Beckman Center for the History of Chemistry at the Chemical Heritage Foundation, the University of Pennsylvania Libraries announces The Science of Information, 1870-1945: 

The Universalization of Knowledge in a Utopian Age, February 23-25, at Beckman Center and the University’s Kleinman Center for Energy Policy.

Between about 1870-1945, for visionaries and planners around the world, projects for assembling universal knowledge and projects for effecting a universal political order went hand-in-hand. This symposium will investigate the development of intertwining utopianisms in internationalist politics and in the science of information during this period. This span of years stretches from the onset of modern war, in America and Western Europe, to its most horrific climax in World War II. It is also the period during which global transportation and communications systems were constructed, the modern global economy was knit together, and both scientific and humanistic scholarship became a professional and global enterprise. Such developments made the collection and sharing of information and the establishment of accord among nation-states especially urgent, the stuff of utopian speculation, pacifist dreams, and, sometimes, pragmatic nightmares. A striking measure of this urgency was the formation in 1922 of the League of Nations’ International Committee on Intellectual Cooperation, the primary aim of which was to address and resolve issues at the intersection of information and diplomacy.

This period is also approximately the lifespan of one of the foremost of these dreamers: the pioneering information scientist Paul Otlet who, along with his partner, the Belgian statesman and the 1913 winner of the Nobel Peace Prize Henri La Fontaine, championed internationalist ideals in their campaign to promote democratic access to universal knowledge. In light of the emergence of contemporary forms of information utopianism centered on the internet, big data, and the political possibilities of social media and other information technologies, Mr. Otlet in particular has become a figure of much interest among both historians of science and historians of libraries and information management. A goal of this conference is to bring these communities together to work toward a collective understanding of the hodgepodge of familiar and strange utopian projects that characterized this eventful 75 years. How did internationalist thought shape the way information was processed and disseminated? Why did some political and information-sharing projects succeed and others flounder? Did political and information universalism always go hand-in-hand? Could political universalism instead be paired with skepticism about information-gathering, or information universalism with nationalism? This conference will shed new light on a pivotal aspect of the making of the modern world and generate valuable perspectives to inform conversations about political and information universalism today.

The symposium begins at the Beckman Center with a keynote address by Michael Gordin, Rosengarten Professor of Modern and Contemporary History at Princeton. It continues on Friday and Saturday at Penn. Attendance is free and open to the public, but registration is required. It will take place at the Beckman Center and Penn’s Kleinman Center for Energy Policy (Fisher Fine Arts Library, 4th Floor).For information, please contact Lynn Ransom at lransom@upenn.edu or (215) 898-7851.

Related: Penn Libraries’ Community Outreach Program Exponentially Expands Engagement with Greater Philadelphia Area Schools

Related: Celebrating the 120th Anniversary of the Birth of Marian Anderson

Update: February AT PENN

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FILM

28 Film Screening: Train to Busan; harrowing zombie horror-thriller; 6 p.m.; rm. 402, Claudia Cohen Hall (James Joo-Jin Kim Program in Korean Studies).

FITNESS/LEARNING

22 Pre-Health Post-Baccalaureate Programs Information Session; learn about clinical, volunteer, and research opportunities with Penn Medicine; Jackie McLaughlin, Pre-Health Director; 4:30-5:30 p.m.; 3440 Market Street, suite 100 (Pre-Health).

TALKS

22 Oscars 2017: The Glitter and Politics; Peter Decherney, English & cinema studies; Karen Redrobe, Meta Mazaj, Kathy DeMarco Van Cleve, cinema studies; noon; Amado Recital Hall, Irvine Auditorium (Knowledge by the Slice).

     A Korean Murder Case at the Intersection of Migration and Crime in Late 1950s Philadelphia; Justine Guichard, Korean studies; 5 p.m.; rm. 402, Claudia Cohen Hall (James Joo-Jin Kim Program in Korean Studies).

___________

AT PENN Deadlines:

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

Related: Levin Family Dean’s Forum: February 23

Related: Celebrating the 120th Anniversary of the Birth of Marian Anderson

Related: The Universalization of Knowledge in a Utopian Age: February 23-25

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 February 6-12, 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 February 6-12, 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.

02/07/17 7:30 PM 3409 Walnut St Theft Merchandise taken without payment
02/07/17 9:02 PM 3400 Spruce St Theft iPhone taken from desk
02/08/17 9:35 AM 3620 Locust Walk Theft Secured bike taken
02/08/17 4:07 PM 51 N 39th St Assault Security officer assaulted/Arrest
02/08/17 5:25 PM 3400 Spruce St Assault/Dating Offender choked complainant
02/08/17 5:53 PM 138 S 34th St Fraud Counterfeit bill used to purchase merchandise
02/08/17 8:05 PM 140 S 34th St Fraud Counterfeit bill used to purchase merchandise
02/10/17 4:51 AM 3817 Spruce St Arson Matchbook lit and left by door
02/09/17 3:40 PM 200 S 42nd St Auto Theft Vehicle taken from highway
02/10/17 9:08 AM 3400 Civic Center Blvd Theft Unknown male took wallet
02/10/17 11:07 AM 3400 Spruce St Theft Jewelry taken from room
02/10/17 5:20 PM 3730 Walnut St Theft Secured bike taken
02/11/17 11:24 AM 3400 Civic Center Blvd Theft Rubbermaid carts taken from loading dock
02/11/17 5:54 PM 51 N 39th St Drunkenness Intoxicated male causing disturbance/Arrest
02/11/17 10:39 PM 237 S 41st St Theft Secured bike taken
02/12/17 1:16 AM 4000 Walnut St DUI Intoxicated female/Arrest

8th District Report

Below are the Crimes Against Persons from the 18th District: 1 incidents with 1 arrest (1 domestic assault) were reported between February 6-12, 2017 by the 18th District covering the Schuylkill River to 49th Street & Market Street to Woodland Avenue.

02/08/17 5:32 PM 3400 Spruce St Domestic Assault

Bulletins

Many Thanks to All Who Helped Make the Season Brighter

Dear Penn Community,

Thank you so very much for all of your contributions to benefit our surrounding community. There are no words to adequately describe your generosity during the holiday season.  Many continue to benefit from your  willingness to give.  Here are examples of the various efforts:

Thank you to President Amy Gutmann for hosting her Annual Holiday Party where over 300 toys and gifts were donated. These toys along with many others were donated to Councilwoman Jannie Blackwell’s Annual Holiday Party for the Homeless.

Thank you to the following departments; they brought joy to families during the holidays by “adopting” them*:

Career Services, coordinated by Jamie Grant
Center for Interdisciplinary Research on Nicotine Addiction, coordinated by Zoe Rosoff-Verbit
College Housing and Academic Services, coordinated by Nancy McCue
Contact Center and Concierge Reception, Student Financial Services, coordinated by Yvonne Giorgio
Critical Writing Program, coordinated by Valerie Ross
Division of HIV Prevention Research, Perelman School of Medicine, coordinated by Chelsea Voytek
General Counsel, coordinated by Helen Logan
Graduate Education Admission and Financial Aid, coordinated by LaToya Floyd
Karima Reuter and Family, coordinated by Karima Reuter
Netter Center for Community Partnerships, coordinated by Yetunde Pinckney
Office of the Comptroller, coordinated by Celestine Silverman
Office of Gift Planning, coordinated by Lorleen Finor-Maxwell
Office of the Provost, coordinated by Laura Balin
Penn Center for Innovation, coordinated by Kara Swift Collins
Penn Fund, coordinated by Joshua Nay
Penn Vector Core, coordinated by Amy Onorato
Research Services, coordinated by Lauren Oshana
School of Arts & Sciences Graduate Division, coordinated by Judith Reed Tjiattas
Training and Development, HR, coordinated by Holly Marrone
Translational Medicine and Human Genetics, coordinated by Barbara Bernhardt
University Communications, coordinated by Lauren Summers
University of Pennsylvania Libraries, coordinated by Jeanne Shuttleworth
Wharton Fund, coordinated by Monty Harris
Wharton Finance and Administration, coordinated by Linda Kiraly Gilbert
Wharton Aresty Institute, coordinated by Anne M. Corcoran-Petela
Wharton School, Business & Public Policy Department, coordinated by Beth Moskat
Wharton Marketing and Communications, coordinated by Marcia Longworth
Wharton School Dean’s Office, coordinated by Jennifer O’Keefe
Wharton School Undergraduate Division, coordinated by Bernadette Butler

*Several departments adopted multiple families.

Special thanks to the Department of Cell and Developmental Biology coordinated by Stephanie Yuhasz for their generous donation of gift cards that increased our capacity to adopt families and provide dinners. 

Special thanks to Paul and Terri Dziomba for their generous donation of gift cards from the Flyers Fan Club that further increased our capacity to adopt families, and support an agency in need of gifts for teenagers.

Special thanks to Helen Logan and the Office of General Counsel for adopting four families.

Special thanks to Brig Williams for providing over 500 books that were donated to Councilwoman Jannie Blackwell’s Holiday Party for the Homeless where over 4,000 were in attendance.

Special thanks to Human Resources coordinated by Syreeta Gary, and others from across the University for their large donation to the Annual Coat Drive. We provided coats to Project Home, Salvation Army and various local families.

Special thanks to Business Services for their Annual Warm Me Up, “Gloves with Love” Drive that benefited many local families, students in the Penn WorkPlace Mentoring Program and the People’s Emergency Shelter.

Thank you to the entire University community for donating over 1,200 gifts and toys.

Thank you to the Dropsite Volunteers who collected all the toys/gifts and made it possible for us to respond to request for donations from our neighbors: Councilwoman Blackwell’s Annual Holiday Party for the Homeless; Earth’s Keepers, Inc.; Parents Against Drugs; Youth Services, Inc.; Project Home; People’s Emergency Shelter and Salvation Army and local families.

— Isabel Sampson-Mapp, Associate Director, Netter Center for Community Partnerships

Penn IUR and Perry World House’s Photo Contest on Urbanization and Migration: April 5

The Penn Institute for Urban Research (Penn IUR), in collaboration with Perry World House (PWH), is pleased to announce its annual photo contest. This year’s theme focuses on the topic of urbanization and migration.

The contest aims to highlight the research theme of this year’s PWH conference, Global Shifts: Urbanization, Migration, and Demography. For this contest, they ask participants to submit images that relate to the themes of urbanization and migration, and examine the relationships between urbanization, migration and marginalization.
Submissions will be accepted through WednesdayApril 5, 2017.

The contest is open to the public, and submissions will be judged by a panel of urban experts. Winners will be announced on April 21 at the Global Shifts: Urbanization, Migration and Demography conference, to be held at the University of Pennsylvania. 

To enter, participants should text their image to Penn IUR (@PennIUR), and include a short description of the photo, as well as the date and location that the photo was taken, and the hashtag #IURPhotoComp.  For those who do not use social media, submissions can be emailed to  penniur@pobox.upenn.edu

For additional information, visit  http://www.penniur.upenn.edu

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