As leaders of the University of Pennsylvania, we write today to affirm unequivocally and in the strongest possible terms Penn’s unwavering commitment to advancing racial equity and social justice in our nation. These are principles that rest at the very soul of our mission.

Inclusion has always stood as one of the three main pillars of the Penn Compact. Our University’s commitment to equity is long-standing. We are proud of the many steps that the University has taken historically, as well as the initiatives we have been able to launch in recent years to strengthen our efforts to achieve greater equity We know we have much work still to do but believe that many recent efforts are helping to move us in the right direction. We recently created the Office of Social Equity and Community, led by Vice President Chaz Howard, which is developing programs and initiatives that deepen awareness and help to advance the University’s mission of fostering social equity, diversity and inclusion. Joann Mitchell has been promoted to Senior Vice President and Chief Diversity Officer, the first time the University has had such a position, giving diversity a truly senior voice at Penn.

Numerous initiatives are also having a meaningful impact, including:

The Campus Iconography Group, which just completed a report that outlines steps to ensure the placement and presence of statues and other prominent iconography on campus better reflects the University’s achievements and aspirations to increase the diversity of the Penn community.

A Comprehensive Review of the Division of Public Safety, which was designed to focus on ensuring a physically and emotionally safe environment on campus in a way that prioritizes and promotes anti-racism, racial equality and justice.

Action Plan for Faculty Diversity and Excellence has proven to be an important blueprint in bringing greater diversity to our faculty.

Penn First Plus and many other student-focused programs are helping to diversify our student body and provide support for low-income and first-generation students.

In addition to our many University, School, Health System and Center led initiatives to combat racism, we are proud of the initiatives of all members of our community including faculty and student initiatives such as the Penn & Slavery Project and the Paideia Program’s panel conversations with faculty and guest experts tackling racial disparity.

As the country continues to grapple with enhancing racial equity, and as the Derek Chauvin trial for the murder of George Floyd concludes in Minneapolis and the emotions it touches rise ever more in people’s consciousness, we want everyone in the Penn community to know that there are resources available to support you if you are feeling stress, anxiety, or have any other concerns that this case has brought to the surface. A list of many of those resources is at the bottom of this memo.

This has been a tumultuous time for our community and our country. But with our ongoing work we are hopeful that good will spring from it in the form of increased awareness of the challenges that have confronted so many in minority communities across America and ultimately—and most importantly—in greater racial equity. Penn stands proudly with all of our communities of color on campus in the fight for equal treatment and equal justice.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, our country has witnessed an alarming and deeply troubling surge of violence, hatred and discrimination directed at Asians and Asian Americans. We write today to denounce this appalling prejudice and to assure our students, faculty, staff, and postdocs of Asian descent that Penn is unwavering in our commitment to providing you with a safe, welcoming, and supportive campus environment.

In honor of the late Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s recognition that local engagement is essential to the struggle for equality, the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Commemorative Symposium on Social Change Executive Planning Committee of the University of Pennsylvania announced the 2021 Community Involvement Recognition Awardees during the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Interfaith Commemoration event on January 26.

President Amy Gutmann and Provost Wendell Pritchett announced the appointment of Kevin Johnson as the University of Pennsylvania’s twenty-seventh Penn Integrates Knowledge University Professor.

On March 19, the Women of Color at Penn will honor the following award winners whose work has promoted education, cultural diversity and positive change on campus and in the world.

The Penn Museum has appointed Muriel Patricia Clifford as its inaugural development diversity liaison in an effort to deepen meaningful community connections.

ISSS (International Student & Scholar Services) offers 3 tracks of iCommunicate trainings. Request a training for your group, office or department. Open to all Penn students, scholars, faculty and staff.

Penn Medicine Teams with West Philadelphia Skills Initiative, Hires 50 Laboratory Assistants for COVID-19 Testing Efforts.

Whitney Soule has been named vice provost and dean of admissions at the University of Pennsylvania, effective July 1. The announcement was made today by Penn President Amy Gutmann and Provost Wendell Pritchett.

After a national search involving students, faculty, and staff, Krista L. Cortes, GED ’11, ’13, has been named and begun her work as Director of the Center for Hispanic Excellence: La Casa Latina, in the Division of the Vice Provost for University Life.