JOURNEY STARTS
An aerial view of campus
28 Penn phrases the Class of 2028
should know
What’s ‘SABS-ing’? Here’s a list of terms to help you navigate the Penn vernacular
SANYA TINAIKAR Senior Reporter
New to Penn and don’t have the lingo down yet? Don’t fret. Here’s a comprehensive list of terms and phrases to help you navigate the Penn student vernacular. Your campus
Compass: The large compass built into Locust Walk at the 37th Street intersection. According to superstition, first years who walk over it will fail their first midterm.
DRL: David Rittenhouse Laboratory, a semi-brutalist math and science building at 33rd and Walnut streets. Notorious among students for its bleak atmosphere and lengthy distance from most other campus buildings.
VP: Van Pelt Library.
Stommons: The Starbucks under 1920 Commons, which is the only Starbucks on campus that takes Dining Dollars.
The Tampons: Large red structure past the bridge on Locust Walk. A popular meeting spot.
The Button: White button sculpture outside of Van Pelt Library.
GSR: Group study rooms. Students must be proactive in claiming one during midterms or final seasons, as they book rather quickly.
Steiny-D: Steinberg-Dietrich Hall, a Wharton building on Locust Walk between 36th and 37th streets.
Grommons: Gourmet Grocer, the on-campus market in 1920 Commons where students can grab quick meals and snacks.
KCECH: Kings Court English House, a college house with a dining hall on the first floor.
Fisher: Fisher Fine Arts Library. Not to be confused with Fisher-Bennett Hall. Your classes
PPE: Philosophy, Politics, and Economics.
HSOC: Health and Societies.
BEPP: Business, Economics, and Public Policy.
Orgo: Organic Chemistry.
OIDD: Operations, Informations, and Decisions.
I T
Your social life
BYO: Philadelphia has a plethora of restaurants, including several located in University City, that allow customers to “bring your own” drinks.
MERT(ed): The Medical Emergency Response Team is a group of student EMTs who respond to emergency calls on campus. To be “MERTed” is to require this team to be called for emergency help — many instances of which involve alcohol or other substances.
Homecoming (hoco) weekend: An annual tradition where students attend a Penn football game in November. Famously known as one of the only days during the year where students show school spirit.
Spring Fling: A two-day festival that traditionally takes place the weekend before final exams, featuring parties, student performances, and a nighttime concert.
Darty: Outdoor day parties, many of which are held during Homecoming weekend, St. Patrick’s Day, and Spring Fling.
Late night: A party, typically hosted by a fraternity, around 1 a.m. or 2 a.m.
SABS-ing: To “see and be seen.” Some classic spots to SABS are Stommons and the tables outside ARCH. Apes, Theos, OZ, Crows, Fiji, St. A’s Hall, Elmo’s, Sammy, Pike, Phi, OAX: Greek organizations that aren’t known by Greek letters.
Sceney: A term used to refer to Penn students who are very involved with the social “scene.” Downtown: A party held in downtown Philadelphia rather than on campus.
Smokes’: Smokey Joe’s, a bar on 40th Street popular with Penn students.
Miscellaneous
OCR: On-campus recruiting. Explains why you might see Wharton students in formal attire running around campus. Often held at the Saxbys Coffee on 40th and Locust streets.
Y A R O U N D C A M P U S
ABHIRAM JUVVADI | PHOTO EDITOR
EMILY SCOLNICK Senior Reporter
The Penn administration’s response to campus activism has changed drastically in response to a year filled with protests.
Most activism during the 2023-24 academic year revolved around the University’s response to the Israel-Hamas war, but the year also brought on a new era of labor organizing. As campus tensions increased during the spring semester, Penn administrators’ responses to the unrest changed constantly, but included disciplinary action and University policy changes.
The largest and longest demonstration this year was a 16-day Gaza Solidarity Encampment on College Green, which students, faculty, and community members from Penn, Temple University, Drexel University, and greater Philadelphia set up on April 25. The encampment’s demands included that Penn divest from “corporations that profit from Israel’s war on Gaza and occupation in Palestine,” disclose its financial holdings under the Associated Investments Fund, and defend Palestinian students.
The encampment drew discontent from pro-Israel
students, who held several counter-demonstrations near College Green. While negotiating with encampment organizers, Penn began disciplinary proceedings for students on April 30, placing six students on mandatory leaves of absence on May 9.
In late April, Penn Muslim Students Association and the Penn Israel Public Affairs Committee circulated petitions for dueling referendums on whether Penn should divest from Israel. The majority of participating undergraduates in the MSA’s referendum voted in favor of divestment, and Jameson later reiterated Penn’s vocal opposition to the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions movement.
On May 10, Philadelphia and Penn Police officers swept the encampment and arrested 33 protesters, including nine Penn students. That night, organizers protested the arrests and entered the gates of the President’s House on Walnut Street.
One week later, as Alumni Weekend and Commencement celebrations began, pro-Palestinian activists attempted to occupy Fisher-Bennett Hall.
19 protesters were arrested, including seven Penn students. Penn officials later barred multiple seniors from the College of Arts and Sciences graduation ceremony due to their involvement in encampmentrelated disciplinary hearings. On June 6, Penn implemented new temporary campus demonstration guidelines,
tests.
Here’s what happened at Penn over the summer
And
BY
NEEMA BADDAM, ETHAN YOUNG, KATIE BARTLETT, JASMINE NI, AND ISAAC POLLOCK Summer News Editors and Summer News Reporters
Interim Penn President Larry Jameson will remain in his position through 2026 academic year
Waitlist admit rate drops 72% while Penn updates admissions considerations, new data reveals
Penn’s temporary open expression guidelines contain contradictions and ambiguities, DP analysis finds
Penn reiterates opposition to divestment from Israel after release of student referendum results
Penn rebuffed the results of a spring referendum in which the majority of participating undergraduate students voted in
our democratic process and fails to address significant concerns about ethical investments and transparency,” the statement read.
The referendum also surveyed students on whether the University Board of Trustees
University announces creation of Penn Washington program
solely based on alumni availability. Standardized test scores, which were listed as “important” in the 2022-23 Data Set, are now listed as “considered.” This change comes as Penn extended its test-optional application policy for the 2024-25 admissions cycle, despite several peer institutions recently reinstating their standardized testing requirements. Additionally, volunteer work and work experience are both listed as “important” in the new Data Set; they were previously labeled as “considered.” Penn Admissions wrote to the DP that these components “highlight how our applicants
from, engage in, or contribute to the government of Israel’s human rights violations.” 63.6% of students who voted were in favor of divestment, while 36.4% voted against it. 655 students abstained from voting. In a statement to the DP, the MSA wrote that “Penn’s student body showed overwhelming support for investment transparency and for divesting from companies associated with Israel’s documented human rights violations.” The group added that Jameson’s email “ignore[d] the call for increased disclosure or terminating ties with Ghost Robotics.”
“This disregard for the student body’s clear mandate undermines
NSO targets community-focused events after recommendations
The task forces, formed last year amid concerns of antisemitism and Islamophobia, proposed a refocusing of NSO
CHLOE NORMAN AND TANISHA AGRAWAL Senior Reporter and Contributing Reporter
With Penn set to welcome over 2,400 students to campus for New Student Orientation, NSO organizers are incorporating several new events intended to build community among the incoming class.
This year’s NSO programming, which runs Aug. 21-26, will include a new location for the class introductory session, a visit to the National Constitution Center, and a session focused on community relationships and discourse. The program’s changes are part of Penn’s efforts to respond to recent campus events, according to New Student Orientation and Academic Initiatives Director David Fox.
“I think this year obviously has been very complicated and, in some ways, a difficult year for the campus,” Fox said. “We are really trying to emphasize some of the important ideas that come out of the President’s Commission [on Countering Hate] and the Task Force on Antisemitism, and center those within a very positive framework, which we’re calling ‘Building the Penn Community.’”
The University task forces, which were formed last year to strengthen community on campus amid concerns of antisemitism and Islamophobia, shared their final reports in May. These recommendations included a redesign of NSO to highlight topics such as engaging in productive dialogue, understanding Penn’s open expression policies, and “becoming a Penn citizen.”
One major change is the relocation of class introductory sessions, which are typically hosted in Irvine Auditorium or the Annenberg Center. This year, the presentations will take place in the Palestra, and program leaders will address the entire Class of 2028 in a central location.
“[Holding it in the Palestra] is a very different feeling and will allow the class to be together from the very beginning,” Fox said. “We want to emphasize the excitement and celebratory nature of that.”
In the afternoon, students will attend a mandatory
“Building the Penn Community” session, where they will hear perspectives from various community members about “citizenship, inclusion, respect, and thoughtful communication.”
Another addition to the agenda is a visit to the National Constitution Center at 525 Arch St. The center offers a vast array of interactive exhibits, theatrical performances, and informational programs centered around civic education. Fox said that the trip will help introduce students to Philadelphia’s rich historical and cultural offerings, while also highlighting civil dialogue.
“[Students] are members of the Penn community and also members of the Philadelphia community, and we love to show off the resources of the city,” Fox said. “The Constitution Center is also very much a center for discussions of speech and interaction discourse, so I think it will also reinforce those values.”
Despite the introduction of new events, NSO will preserve many of the program’s most popular traditions, such as the Class of 2028 photo at Franklin Field. This year’s program marks the 21st year that NSOAI will hold the gala event at the Philadelphia Museum of Art, traditionally one of the highlights of the week for first-year students.
Noah Milad, a College junior and NSOAI intern, said that the team understands that starting college can be overwhelming, so their goal is to keep students engaged and connected throughout the week.
“We want to keep students active, meeting new people, and building connections,” Milad said. “Our whole thing is just trying to welcome new students, make them as comfortable as possible and just feel, you know, welcomed.”
Fox said that — despite the trepidation that new students may feel arriving to campus — he hopes that they will begin their time at Penn with a sense of joy.
“Come with an open mind and an open heart and ready to jump in,” he said.
ALEC DRUGGAN | DP FILE PHOTO
New students attend convocation on the final day of NSO.
Opinion
My summer of change
As I prepare to step onto a campus I have never seen in person, I am filled with a mixture of excitement and trepidation.
Sometimes I wonder why I chose Penn — a university 3,500 miles away from my family, friends, and the life I have cultivated over the last 18 years. As a British international student, this summer marks a significant transition in my life: a summer of change. I thought I was used to change; my family and I have moved from Lagos, Nigeria, to London, then to a quaint village in Southeast England, leaving schools and friends behind each time. But this move feels different — perhaps because it’s my first time without my family’s protective presence.
When deciding between Penn and a British university just one hour away from
my house, I thought the choice seemed straightforward. Penn offered a world-class education, a vibrant campus life, and the opportunity to experience a new culture. Yet now that the reality of my decision is sinking in, I sometimes find myself questioning my choice. Why am I leaving the comfort and familiarity of home for a place so distant and unknown?
These thoughts came to me more and more in my final days of high school. I remember one particularly sunny afternoon, right after our exams, when my friends and I gathered at our favorite local café. We laughed and shared jokes between spoons of ice cream and cookie dough. I felt so grateful for my supportive friends, whom I had known for the majority of my teenage years. However, it suddenly hit me that this might be one of the last times we could do
this together. While my friends will only be a train ride away from each other, remaining an active part of each other’s lives, I’ll be on the other side of the world, merely cheering them on from the sidelines. From now on, our café debriefs will have to be held over FaceTime. Of course, there are even more inevitable challenges facing international students like me, from the mundane differences like spellings (sorry, but it’s “colour,” not “color”), to the more significant hurdles such as jobs, cultural differences, and visas. In particular, the bureaucratic maze of securing a student visa is often the first taste of these problems for us. The paperwork, the interviews, the waiting — it all seems like an unrelenting reminder of things to come. But each step is bringing us closer to this new chapter in our lives.
However, this adventure is also a reminder of the familial support I am leaving behind. I have resigned myself to the fact that my parents won’t be at Family Weekend; I’ll miss out on my sisters’ birthdays and everyday moments with loved ones. These are the sacrifices that come with studying abroad. The support system that I have relied on my entire life will no longer be just a bedroom or a short drive away; they are five hours ahead.
Despite these fears, I am still incredibly excited to step onto campus. I know I will meet amazing people from all over the world, each with unique interests and backgrounds, yet all sharing similar feelings of missing family and home, whether they are international or domestic students. I look forward to exploring the diverse range of clubs and organizations at Penn, participating in campus events, and, of course, going to lectures and recitations.
Ultimately, my decision to study abroad is driven by a desire for growth and new experiences. The challenges I face will undoubtedly shape me in ways that staying close to home could not. Studying abroad is worth it because it broadens my academic and cultural horizons and deepens my appreciation for the support system that has guided me here.
So in these final days, what should I — and hundreds of other incoming international students — focus on?
Spend quality time with loved ones. Don’t hesitate to reach out to primary school friends that you haven’t spoken with in a while. Go on a walk. Watch the sunset in a park you visit often. Appreciate the little things. I am looking forward to seeing extended family and friends from every corner of England — Bath, Bristol, London, and Manchester — perhaps for the final time this year. Hug your loved ones tight; they’ve helped you reach this point, and their support will remain steadfast, no matter the distance.
How Penn’s health coverage worsens financial gaps
ASHLEY’S ANGLE | Penn’s student health insurance plan exacerbates nancial disparities for low-income students
During the hectic summer before my first year, I received emails from Penn Wellness regarding my health insurance coverage. Unaware of the difficulties I would face during New Student Orientation, I didn’t pay too much attention to the situation.
It wasn’t until NSO that I realized the deadline to waive the Penn Student Insurance Plan was approaching. I filled out the paperwork with my insurance, thinking that this simple action would resolve everything. A few days later, I received word that my health insurance, Medicaid, was not a plan Penn would accept. I immediately spiraled into panic, realizing I would be billed over $4,000 for the 2022-23 academic year.
To waive PSIP, a student’s health insurance plan must fulfill many requirements.
The insurance must:
1. Be licensed to do business in the United States
2. Provide coverage for pre-existing conditions
3. Offer an annual maximum benefit of at least $2,000,000
4. Provide for inpatient and outpatient medical care in Philadelphia
5. Provide for inpatient and outpatient mental health care in Philadelphia
6. Not limit coverage in Philadelphia to just emergency or urgent medical or mental health care
When speaking with Wellness at Penn, I was told that because I was enrolled in Medicaid through the state of Connecticut rather than Pennsylvania, Penn would not accept the plan. Transferring my residency to Pennsylvania would involve time and effort, including updating my driver’s license, voter registration, mailing address, etc. It would also mean facing potential waiting periods and bureaucratic hurdles that could delay access to my coverage. I was horrified. As a low-income student, I didn’t know how my family was going to handle another charge on my tuition bill. I attempted to negotiate with Student Registration and Financial Services, explaining the position I had been put in. They were able to subsidize the price by a couple hundred dollars. While I was grateful for the assistance, there was still a substantial amount that was left on the bill. Over one in five Americans are on Medicaid, the primary program providing health care to the more than 72 million low-income people in the United States. Benefits of Medicaid cannot be transferred from one state to another, nor can they be received simultaneously in two states.
Because of Medicaid’s limitations and
Penn’s strict policy, low-income students are stuck in a state of limbo. For those who are highly aided, Penn entirely covers the plan for the academic year. Those who don’t quite meet the highly aided mark — but are still low-income — are placed in uncomfortable circumstances, uncertain how much financial aid could be contributed to the bill, if any. Once insured with PSIP, students should still expect to pay for co-payments, prescription medications, and certain medical visits. While visits to Student Health Service are free of charge, students need to call to schedule an appointment and, at times, online booking has been unavailable for months. It should be noted that scheduling online through MyChart will redirect to Penn Medicine, which operates under a different system than SHS.
In addition to added insurance costs, first-generation, low-income students face other challenges as well. In the fall semester of last year, Penn suspended an initiative that provided textbook codes for students. Students were stunned by this announcement and unprepared for the costs they now had to bear for class material.
In February, Penn’s tuition was raised
by 3.9%, bringing the cost of billable items to $87,860 for the 2024-25 academic year.
This increase adds further strain to students already struggling to manage their finances. For many, the financial aid offered doesn’t stretch far enough to cover these rising costs, leaving students to seek additional loans or find part-time work to make ends meet. The financial burden doesn’t end with tuition and health insurance. The cost of living in Philadelphia is another significant expense. Rent, utilities, food, and transportation costs add up quickly. These expenses can be overwhelming and the pressure to juggle academics and jobs can be immense, affecting students’ mental health and academic performance.
Penn has made efforts to support its FGLI students through initiatives like the Penn First Plus program. When only about 15% of each class identifies as FGLI, the issues that these students face are easily pushed to the side. Penn needs to do a better job supporting FGLI students — for health insurance and beyond.
Groups on campus, like Penn Student Government’s Nominations & Elections Committee and the FGLI Dean’s Advisory
Board, have used their voices to advocate for underrepresented students on campus. Student groups continue to show their support for issues that impact the undergraduate body that Penn administration fails to fully recognize.
Health insurance is just one piece of a much larger puzzle. It’s a symptom of a broader problem facing higher education: the ever-increasing cost of attending college and the inadequate support systems for students who can’t afford these expenses. While Penn has made great strides in supporting FGLI students, there is still work to be done. The financial challenges students face are multifaceted and require more comprehensive solutions. By addressing these issues head on, Penn can create a more supportive environment, ensuring that financial barriers do not stand in the way of academic success and personal growth.
ASHLEY ACOSTA is a College junior studying political science from Newington, Conn. Her email is acostash@ sas.upenn.edu.
DESIGN BY INSIA HAQUE
ELO ESALOMI is an Engineering first year studying computer science from London. Her email is eloe@seas. upenn.edu.
CHASE SUTTON | DP FILE PHOTO
Columnist Elo Esalomi reflects on her final days living in the United Kingdom prior to moving to Philadelphia as an international student at Penn.
Cover illustration by Insia Haque
Borrow a hammock and break your routine
JAZZY JOTS | It is time for us to take a minute to punch out of Penn’s clock
While walking through the trees in front of Leidy and Franklin in the Quad, I came across a revelation that would redefine my college journey. I discovered the importance of a hammock: my place to decompress.
All throughout my life, free time seemed elusive. Whether it was a matter of avoidance or simply being unable to carve out moments to myself, the concept seemed foreign to me. Then, during my second semester of freshman year, I found myself torn between two extremes: scrambling to spend time with my friends or anxiously poring over my essays in the Van Pelt-Dietrich Library Moelis Family Grand Reading Room.
At many schools like Penn, the notion of “free time” has nearly vanished as we adapt to life on campus. We often get so caught up in time-consuming club applications and meetings, bustling social lives, or daunting course loads that we forget to take a minute to snack on a Lyn’s sandwich in the morning with our friends or take a walk to the fruit stand outside Gutmann College House for some produce.
While commercial dining halls are meant to be spaces of relaxation, the amount of time I’ve spent filling out applications or conducting professional interviews in these spaces outweighs the relaxing atmosphere. However, the hammock does not harbor these same social interactions. It reminds me of the necessity of slowing down and savoring these simple yet vital moments of the Penn experience. It was in a hammock’s embrace that I was able to find solace. I cried in a hammock after a difficult exam, sang the songs in my Spotify Daylist with my best friends, and swung back and forth at 2
a.m. when I couldn’t sleep. The hammock became a place free of the pressure of operating on the Penn clock.
Sophomore Hannah Stoitchkov held a similar sentiment and stated that she “loves spending time
What do we want out of our first year?
MERT’S MIRROR | Seeking authenticity and community at Penn
in a hammock, even when she has finals the next day or homework due that night.” It’s in a hammock that she engages in people watching and hangs out with her friends.
The hammock transformed into more than just a
Congratulations!
We are Penn’s Class of 2028. Now what? Like many other incoming first years, I have spent countless hours scrolling through admitted student forums, attending long virtual info sessions, doing research on TikTok, and occasionally engaging with other students on Instagram. If there’s anything I have gathered through these countless hours, it’s that everyone has their own opinion on what the first-year experience should entail.
So, here I am, with my freshly minted Penn email address and hundreds of dorm decor ideas saved, ready to join you all on campus. But before we get to that, here is what I want to get out of my
first-year experience. I want a community. Not a superficial “What’s your LinkedIn?” networking type of connection, but a real, supportive, help-me-with-my-mathproblems-at-2 a.m. kind of camaraderie. We are all aware that Penn is known for its daunting preprofessional culture, with so many people just out to climb the ladder, but wouldn’t it be nice if we could mix a little humanity into all that ambition?
I’m talking about making the type of friends who will get you halal food from that late-night food truck while you’re deep in your studies the evening before a big exam.
I want to thrive academically, but let’s keep it real. I suspect that my first finals season will
LinkedIn… the new hot social media?
transform me into a caffeine-fueled zombie, who will eventually question every life choice that led me to this Ivy League institution. I don’t want to walk around with the infamous Penn Face, the facade of effortless perfection everyone seems to wear. It has to be exhausting trying to look like you’ve got everything under control when you’re just trying to figure out if you can fit a nap between econ and bio.
We’re here to learn, not just memorize. What will make it worth it in the end are those moments where my coursework clicks, and it feels like I’ve unlocked a new area in my brain instead of just slogging through the class for the grade.
I want to ditch the toxic comparison culture I’ve
ELIZA’S EPISTLES | Enforcing career anxiety: Is our use of LinkedIn misguided?
Never in my life have I received as many LinkedIn notifications as I have this summer. Everyone I’ve ever met wants to connect: childhood frenemies, classmates I’ve never spoken to, niche family friends — likely in pursuit of the coveted 500+ connections — all piling up in my inbox. As college students, we’ve inevitably reached the point in our lives where the looming thought of careers is becoming more pressing; therefore, an increase in LinkedIn use is perfectly logical. According to LinkedIn itself, the platform is meant to help users “find the right job or internship, connect and strengthen professional relationships, and learn the skills you need to succeed in your career” — all of which are important. However, I would bet that for many of us, the large majority of the connections we’ve accumulated aren’t with people we’ve met in a work setting or mentors that we hope will keep track of our progress as we look for postgraduate jobs. Instead, they’re our friends and peers, who are going through the same process we are. This has led me to ponder whether the misalignment of our intended audience (mentors/ employers/recruiters) and our true audience (peers) on LinkedIn is problematic.
This is not to say that connecting with peers is a bad thing; it makes perfect sense, and — in the future — those relationships will be invaluable. But right now, I think it makes sense to cater either to friends and peers on a media platform like LinkedIn or to mentors and professionals, but not both. Ultimately, I think that this discrepancy between the content that students are publishing on LinkedIn and their audience plays into both the preprofessional culture at Penn and general anxiety over the inevitable question: “What do we want to do when we grow up?” In the years since Generation X went to college, had internships, and, for many, entered the corporate
world, there has been a significant change in the timeline for finding jobs. Specifically, the highly coveted worlds of finance and consulting, which operate on a highly scheduled recruiting cycle, have such a specific chronology for finding internships
and jobs that it leaves very little room for exploration.
LinkedIn highlights this strict recruiting chronology, making it easy to compare oneself to peers and simultaneously reinforcing the idea that if you aren’t hitting the benchmarks of banking recruiting and
piece of fabric suspended between trees. It became a haven where Hannah could relinquish the relentless grip of time constraints and constant pressures imposed by the Penn environment. It offered a rare gift of unfettered relaxation, a precious reprieve from university life. To me, the hammock serves as a symbol of the importance of self care and finding moments of respite in the midst of college chaos. It reminds me that while academic and social pressures may consume me, it’s essential to prioritize my wellbeing and seek out moments and places of relaxation. Your escape does not have to manifest itself in a hammock; it can be anything in your life. Sophomore Prashant Bhattarai shared that his escape was the James G. Kaskey Memorial Park (better known as the BioPond). Over time, sitting by the BioPond seamlessly became a part of his daily routine, serving as a much-needed study break tool. Whether it’s a hammock, a favorite spot on campus, or a quiet corner of your mind, finding your own escape is crucial.
So, as we navigate the upcoming semester, I encourage you to discover your own sanctuary — your own hammock — whether that be the Relaxation Room in Holman Biotech Commons, Rittenhouse Square, or your friend’s room. Sometimes all it takes is a simple, tranquil moment to power yourself up and thrive in the whirlwind that is university life.
MADRID is a College sophomore studying political science from New York City. Her email is jasminda@sas.upenn.edu.
heard so much about. At Penn, we’re surrounded by overachievers and the best of the best. So, why don’t we celebrate each other’s successes instead of treating college like a zero-sum game? I want my campus life to be lively and chaotic. I want to get lost in the study spots of Van Pelt Library or attend those backyard music festivals I got a glimpse of on one of my campus visits. I want to embrace the cringe traditions of our school while also creating some of our own. I’m prepared for the corny icebreakers we will have to endure our first week on campus that will hopefully turn into meaningful connections. I chose Penn because of its reputation as the “Social Ivy.” I choose to join Greek life or a book club; I want to have fun.
I want food that’s enjoyable, though that’s something Penn isn’t known for. I’ve heard stories about food trucks that rival Michelin-starred restaurants and dining halls that simply don’t. We are going to live in Philadelphia, a city known for its diverse cuisine. Instead of eating every meal at 1920 Commons or Houston Market, I am making it my mission to explore every culinary option around, whether it’s gourmet dining or that renowned family-owned breakfast truck I’ve heard about. I want my first year to be balanced. Throughout my social life, classes, clubs, and the fleeting hours of free time I expect to have, I want to make memories that will, unironically, last a lifetime. It’s funny how much power the word “want” carries, isn’t it? Whether it’s the motivating factor behind our passion to succeed, pushing us to achieve what we desire, or leading to disappointment, one word can influence everything. So, fellow Class of 2028 students, what do you want?
MERT KAYABAS is a College first year studying politics and economics from Dover, De. His email is mkayabas@sas.upenn.edu.
announcing your new amazing internship for the summer of 2026, you’re behind schedule.
Just as platforms like Instagram and Snapchat are often criticized for fostering comparison through curated, perfected life snapshots, LinkedIn has a similar effect. In addition to its purpose as a platform for career advancement and self advocacy, it has become a breeding ground for comparison. It’s a place where users feed into a competitive culture and where it has been deemed advantageous for users to self promote to the extreme, under the guise of professionalism.
Granted, I don’t think LinkedIn is inherently bad, but I do believe that this new nature of LinkedIn perpetuates the preprofessionalism at Penn and of our generation. Although there is no single right way to achieve success, the noise of LinkedIn makes it harder to remember this.
This piece may reveal my lack of certainty around my future career and how the nonstop nature of LinkedIn notifications this summer has affected me, making me question if I am wrong to not pursue investment banking, like everyone else. I don’t have a pithy ending, because boycotting LinkedIn is not really the answer or the issue. But perhaps this is just a reminder for myself and for anyone else who needs it that there is no single equation that will lead to career success, and, rather, diversity of aspiration will remain important even when every LinkedIn announcement seems like it could have been copied and pasted from the last.
ELIZA CARROLL is a College sophomore studying political science and art history from Greenwich, Conn. Her email is elizakc@sas. upenn.edu.
NATHANIEL BABITTS | SENIOR PHOTOGRAPHER
Columnist Eliza Carroll asks Penn students to reflect on their relationship to LinkedIn.
ABHIRAM JUVVADI | PHOTO EDITOR
Columnist Mert Kayabas asks the incoming class of 2028 to reflect on their desires and expectations for their years at Penn.
JASMINDA
ROGER GE | STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
Columnist Jasminda Madrid comments on well-being and relaxation at Penn.
From where to go, to how to pay: A guide to student health and wellness resources at Penn
The Daily Pennsylvanian spoke with Wellness at Penn about where, when and how students can access the University’s health and wellness resources
ETHAN YOUNG Staff
Reporter
Penn offers a variety of health and wellness resources to students as they navigate their undergraduate experience.
Experts at Wellness at Penn spoke with The Daily Pennsylvanian about the myriad resources for physical and mental health available on campus, how to navigate medical emergencies, and how to pay for your healthcare as a Penn student.
Health and counseling
Located at 3624 Market St., Wellness at Penn is responsible for the majority of health and wellbeing resources on campus and is centered on two pillars: Student Health and Counseling, and Public Health and Wellbeing.
The Student Health and Counseling team focuses on offering medical care and counseling, while the Public Health and Wellbeing team looks to help students through “education, advocacy, and action.”
“Our team is committed to offering a wide range of opportunities to access support, clinical resources, education, and practical tools to meaningfully engage with one’s health and wellbeing,” Chief Wellness Officer Benoit Dubé wrote. Services range from primary care and sports medicine to individual and group therapy. Appointments can be scheduled by calling 215-746-9355.
Wellness at Penn offers additional resources, including Peer Wellness Coaching, and works with other campus partners to operate the Penn Farm — which is located on campus in Penn Park and hosts various wellness programming opportunities.
Wellness at Penn also hosts an annual flu clinic, which will run from Oct. 16-18 this year, and offers free flu shots to the Penn community. The 2023 edition of the clinic vaccinated over 10,000 Penn community members.
Medical emergencies
In the event of a medical emergency, students on campus should immediately call 215-573-3333 or go to the nearest emergency room, Executive Director of Student Health and Counseling Patricia Ruiz said.
Ruiz explained that “a medical emergency is a situation that poses an immediate threat to a person’s life or long-term health and requires immediate medical attention.”
Penn Medicine operates two emergency rooms in West Philadelphia: one at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania at 34th Street and Convention Avenue, and another at Penn Presbyterian Medical Center at 38th and Powelton streets.
Penn’s student-run Medical Emergency Response Team also works with Penn’s Division of Public Safety and the Philadelphia Fire Department to offer prehospital emergency medicine treatment.
MERT operates 24/7 on weekends, and from 7 p.m. until 5 a.m. on weekdays, and is staffed by Penn students who are EMT-certified. MERT can be reached at 215-573-3333.
When MERT is dispatched, the Philadelphia Fire Department “is dispatched simultaneously,” according to the MERT website, to allow for transport to a hospital if necessary.
Penn also follows a medical amnesty policy for students seeking medical help related to alcohol or drugs.
“No student seeking medical treatment for an alcohol or other drug-related overdose will be subject to University discipline for the sole violation of using or possessing alcohol or drugs,” the policy reads. “This policy shall extend to another student seeking help for the intoxicated student.”
Policies and payment
To pay for your healthcare while at Penn, the University requires all students to have their own “comprehensive health insurance” or enroll in the Penn Student Insurance Plan.
All full-time students are also required to pay a clinical fee of $358 per semester to gain access to Student Health and Counseling services. The clinical fee is charged to students concurrently with their tuition and other charges.
“The clinical fee covers the majority of the costs you may incur in utilizing our services,” Wellness at Penn Chief Operating Officer Erika Gross wrote. “Additional fees may apply for labs or vaccinations which can be covered by your health insurance company directly or submitted for reimbursement.”
Students with questions about health insurance requirements can call 215-746-4200.
• Penn branded merchandise including apparel, gifts, & accessories
• Textbooks, technology products, and school & dorm supplies
• Take a break at the Penn Bookstore Starbucks app to order ahead and
ABHIRAM JUVVADI | PHOTO EDITOR
Wellness at Penn holds counseling services at 3624 Market Street.
DESIGN BY JANINE NAVALTA
Xfinity, New York Times, and more: The perks of a PennCard
Did you know Amtrak offers a national student discount of 15% on all ride purchases made one day in advance?
NEEMA BADDAM Senior Reporter
There’s no way around it: Penn is expensive. But there are still a few discounts and perks you receive simply by being a Penn student — and many of them are easy to miss. Here are some of the ways you can get the most out of your PennCard over the next four years.
Publications
As a research institution, the University grants students access to a range of major news sources and publications.
Penn Libraries provides free subscriptions to The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal, Bloomberg, Financial Times, and most recently, The Atlantic. Most of these subscriptions only require website registration using a student PennKey.
Technology Penn students also receive discounts on technology from major computer manufacturers Apple, Dell, and Lenovo. Penn Business Services provides instructions on how to access these educational discounts, which range from a 10% coupon on all Dell products to a personalized selection of Lenovo programs aimed to meet the specific needs of Penn students, faculty, and staff.
Transportation
Getting around — and off — campus is easy as a Penn student.
Look Through University City — or LUCY — is a shuttle operated by SEPTA that makes multiple stops between campus and William H. Gray III 30th Street
Station. The shuttle runs every 5 to 30 minutes from 6:10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday, and is free to students who present their PennCards.
Amtrak offers a national student discount of 15% on all ride purchases made one day in advance. Students can apply the discount by visiting Amtrak’s deal webpage and entering the code “V814” when booking their trip.
Finally, full-time students at Penn are eligible for a 25% New Jersey Transit discount. New Jersey Transit buses and trains both leave from 30th Street Station, located just a a 15-minute walk from the edge of campus.
Penn students and faculty are also allowed to use the Drexel Bus service — which routes around Drexel’s three campuses — at no charge with a valid PennCard.
Entertainment
All students living in on-campus housing have access to Xfinity digital streaming services. By logging into XFINITY on Campus with their PennKey, students can watch 291 channels including CSPAN, ESPN, and The Discovery Channel. The service does not include free access to premium channels such as HBO.
Students have several options for viewing movies.
Penn Video runs a free, on-demand movie streaming service for all students, faculty, and staff. Penn Libraries also provides PennKey access to streaming services such as Kanopy and Docuseek, which contain a wide range of films, documentaries, and oral histories.
CAUSES, from page 3
surrounding Penn’s response to the Israel-Palestine conflict also took place in the fall, intensifying after the Hamas Oct. 7 attack on Israel. Penn Hillel and organizations including the MSA and PAO hosted solidarity events, and administrators condemned the attack and instances of on-campus antisemitism.
On Nov. 14, the Freedom School for Palestine — a collective of Penn affiliates — began a sit-in in Houston Hall to protest the University’s response to the Israel-Hamas war. The sit-in continued through the end of the fall semester.
In late November, the University denied progressive Jewish group Penn Chavurah’s request to screen the film “Israelism” — a documentary exploring how American Jewish attitudes towards Israel have changed — citing safety concerns from Penn’s Division of Public Safety. The University had initially approved the screening earlier in the semester, and postponed it due to the Oct. 7 attack. Students held a rally on Nov. 27 protesting the “censorship” of the
film, and the screening ultimately took place the next day. On Dec. 3, a pro-Palestinian march hosted in conjunction with a vigil for the University City Townhomes — an affordable housing complex demolished by the city in March — culminated in a 500-person rally at 40th and Market streets. Several protesters graffitied businesses on Walnut Street.
The same week, 2024 College graduate Eyal Yakoby and College sophomore Jordan Davis sued Penn, alleging an insufficient response to campus antisemitism. Penn has since filed two motions to dismiss the lawsuit.
On Dec. 5, following weeks of backlash, Magill testified in front of the United States House Committee on Education and the Workforce. When Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.) asked if calls for the genocide of Jews constitute hate speech, Magill responded that it was a “context-dependent” question. Her response went viral and sparked national backlash.
Four days later, Magill and then-Board of Trustees Chair Scott Bok resigned. Penn appointed former Perelman School of Medicine Dean Larry Jameson interim president on Dec. 12. He will remain in the role through the 2025-26 academic year.
The war in the Middle East is not the only issue around which Penn students have organized. A wave of campus labor organization began when Penn’s resident advisors and graduate resident advisors unionized in late September. They have since negotiated with Penn, accused the University of bad-faith negotiations, ratified their first contract, and filed a complaint alleging contract violations.
Meanwhile, Penn’s graduate student workers formed the largest union at Penn, Penn Libraries staff members held a unionization election, and Penn Medicine residents campaigned for higher wages and improved benefits.
DEREK WONG | SENIOR PHOTOGRAPHER
A professor speaks on divestment as pro-Palestinian demonstrators begin a 16-day-long Gaza Solidarity Encampment on Penn’s College Green.
The University’s Office of Government and Community Affairs aims to lead nonpartisan initiatives, including encouraging voter turnout in conjunction with student-led organization Penn Leads the Vote. While elections happen every November, presidential election cycles are unique, especially given the heightened media attention on the 2024 cycle.
“Presidential election years are an especially exciting time on a college campus to learn and participate in voting, especially for our undergraduates, our young and firsttime voters,” OGCA Senior Executive Director Dawn Deitch told The Daily Pennsylvanian.
Some first-year students will be eligible to vote for the first time while on Penn’s campus. Deitch said her office is prepared to help students vote in whichever way they prefer — whether it be through voting by mail or early in their home states if they are not from Pennsylvania, or voting on campus.
One significant effort is National Voter Registration Day on Sept. 17, when Deitch’s office, PLTV, and multiple other campus partners will allow students to check their
increase awareness about voting.
As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, the University is bound by rules from the Internal Revenue Service, which prohibit participation or interference in any political campaign. As a result, the OGCA is strictly nonpartisan. While Penn has not adopted a policy of institutional neutrality, Deitch said the OGCA effectively operates under those standards.
“From an institutional mission perspective, Penn is organized around a single mission to deliver research, learning, and service, and when or if there are opportunities in the achievement of that mission to explore policies, issues, candidates, things like that — that’s an important part in discovery here on our campus,” Deitch said. Students are eligible to vote in Pennsylvania as long as they are 18 or older and have been citizens of the United States and residents of Pennsylvania for at least a month before the election — meaning that the vast majority of Penn students 18 and above are eligible to vote on campus in November. However, they can only be registered in one place: either at Penn or at their home address. Those who plan to vote at Penn must update their registration if they have moved addresses.
Pennsylvania does not allow same-day registration and voting. In the upcoming election cycle, Oct. 21 is the last day to register to vote, and Oct. 29 is the last day to apply for a mail-in or absentee ballot. In a general election, such as the upcoming one in November, voters do not have to be registered to a certain political party in order to vote for a candidate.
MAX MESTER | DP FILE PHOTO
National Voter Registration Day is on Sept. 17.
An overhaul of Riepe College House nished this past summer and includes updated bathrooms, painted student rooms, and new furniture
NITIN SESHADRI Senior Reporter
As Penn students move in for the 202425 school year amid ongoing construction on campus, The Daily Pennsylvanian spoke with incoming first-year students and University administrators to learn more about the housing process.
An overview of the housing process
In May, incoming first-year students completed a housing application where they indicated their preferences for College Houses, Program Communities, roommates, and gender inclusive housing, according to Courtney Dombroski, Penn’s senior associate director of Residential and Hospitality Services.
“The application is not first-come, firstserved,” Dombroski said in a statement to the DP. “All applications receive the same randomized priority.”
In the housing application, first-year students rank the College Houses in order of preference. For each student, the system assigns students at random to their highest-ranked College House that has availability, according to the Residential Services website.
First-year students who apply to Program Communities have their application reviewed by College Houses and Academic Services. If CHAS approves the application, the student is assigned to a room within the program community. Students whose application is not approved are assigned to rooms through the regular housing process, according to Dombroski.
All first-year housing assignments were released in mid-June through Campus Express, according to Dombroski. She added that over 80% of first-year students received one of their top three College House preferences.
“There were no changes to the housing selection and assignment processes for this academic year,” Dombroski said.
Incoming College first year Linda Zhang — who will be living in the newly renovated Riepe College House — described the housing application process as “a pretty smooth process.”
“[The process] was actually quite perfect,” Zhang said. “I applied without a roommate in hopes of getting a single, and I did — in fact, and I ended up getting Riepe as my house, which was my first top choice.”
Construction on campus
Construction on campus will continue throughout the upcoming school year, including renovations to the Quad, which is entering
the second year of a three-year, $238 million renovation project slated for completion in the summer of 2026.
Renovations to Riepe College House — the first of the project’s three phases — finished this past summer, with the college house now ready to be occupied by first-year students. The improvements include updated heating, air conditioning and electrical systems, renovated bathrooms, painted student rooms, new furniture, and floor repairs and replacement, according to Dombroski.
Ware College House will undergo renovations for the 2024-25 academic year, and renovations to Fisher-Hassenfeld College House are planned for the 2025-26 academic year, Dombroski said.
As the second phase of the Quad renovations affects the most first-year beds of the three phases, Penn turned Lauder College House and Class of ‘25 in Gregory College House into first-year houses for this year and Gutmann College House into a four-year house. The University also agreed to lease 135 beds at The Axis, and continues its the three-year lease agreement with The Radian to meet the demand for housing for second-, third-, and fourth-year students, according to Dombroski.
McClelland Sushi and Market, as part of Ware College House, will also be undergoing renovations. Under the new name Penn Dining Sushi Spot, McClelland is relocating to 3724 Spruce St. beneath Stouffer College House.
Penn Dining Sushi Spot — which is slated to open at the start of the academic year — will offer rice bowls and noodle bowls, gyoza, steamed buns, and edamame. Like McClelland, Penn Dining Sushi Spot will be open Monday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Friday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., but will have extended weekend hours of 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Penn affiliates will be able to use Dining Dollars, cash, and credit cards, and dining plan holders will be able to use the meal exchange, Dombroski said.
Additionally, Stouffer College House — which underwent a $35 million renovation that ended in August 2023 — is having renovations performed to its patio, which includes new waterproofing, concrete, planters, and landscaping, as well as accessibility improvements. The work is scheduled to be completed by the end of September, Dombroski said.
•
•
•
•
• Free WiFi
• USB charging stations in every unit
• Nest thermostats
Penn’s best food and co ee spots
The DP’s ultimate guide to campus dining, coffee spots, bars, BYOs, and late-night cravings
JASMINE NI Staff Reporter
Welcome to Penn, Class of 2028! We’ve got you covered with the ultimate guide to campus dining, coffee spots, and late-night cravings.
Caffeine destinations
Penn students keep busy schedules, which can mean substituting caffeine for sleep. Luckily, the coffee options on campus are abundant.
There are several places where you can purchase coffee and espresso drinks using the Dining Dollars included in your meal plan. Stommons, or the Starbucks at 1920 Commons, is a go-to for grabbing a coffee and settling in to work at tables inside or outside. Just be prepared to see plenty of familiar faces. Pret a Manger, located on the ground floor of
Huntsman Hall, has both indoor and outdoor seating. The tables are small and fill up fast, so keep an eye out for a free seat if you plan on staying for a while.
Tucked away at the back of Steiny-D (that’s Steinberg-Dietrich Hall), Joe’s Cafe is a quieter spot with plenty of outlets, making it a great place to get work done. It’s also close to the Quad, so most first years won’t have to go far to find a study spot to settle into.
Beyond Penn’s dining options are a wide array of options to caffeinate. A Dunkin’ with no seating but fast service is located on Walnut Street across from Van Pelt Library. A few doors down is a Starbucks. At the far end of campus, Saxbys is a staple for both studying and hanging out. Their extensive selection of pastries, food, and drinks includes “The Daily Grind,” a peanut butter-banana-cold brew concoction that has kept many a Daily Pennsylvanian editor fueled.
Metropolitan Bakery, located on 40th and Walnut, is known for a sandwich called “The Wharton.” It has few tables available, but offers a bona fide cafe vibe for those lucky enough to find a seat.
Comfort chains
For a quick meal between classes, or just some
familiar favorites, the fast-casual chains around campus won’t disappoint.
On Walnut Street, Chipotle is the spot for building your own Mexican bowl or burrito, while Sweetgreen offers a healthier bowl option. For those craving stir-fry or salads with an Asian fusion twist, Honeygrow is just down the street. DIG, just off Walnut Street by the Penn Bookstore, offers another option for customizable bowls.
Qdoba on 40th Street offers another buildyour-own Mexican option, while Hangry Joe’s on the same block is known for its fried chicken and wings. On Spruce Street, Five Guys delivers classic burgers and fries, while Playa Bowls offers açaí bowls and smoothies.
Down a drink
For those of age and looking to unwind, 40th Street’s Smokey Joe’s, known as “Smokes’,” is a Penn institution that is more than just a watering hole — it’s a hub for student life and entertainment.
The bar is known for its Wednesday night “Sink or Swim,” which attracts large crowds with $2 shots.
On Sansom Street, New Deck Tavern has become a favorite among students for its “Quizo” trivia nights on Wednesdays and karaoke on Thursdays nights. Order a margarita at Copabanana, or “Copa,” during its happy hour, running from 4-6
p.m. on weekdays. Midnight munchies
Whether you’re pulling an all-nighter or just need a late-night snack, these spots have you covered. Allegro Pizza is a go-to for Penn students at all hours and in various states of sobriety. This spot is known for its pizza and subs, and keeps its doors open until 3 a.m. on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, perfect for post-party cravings or late-night study breaks.
Raising Cane’s stays open until 2 a.m. on weekends and 1 a.m. during the week. And let’s not forget the holy grail of late-night sustenance: Wawa. Open 24/7, it’s got everything a busy student could want, from snacks to full meals.
BYO bliss
BYO is a Philadelphia dining tradition, saving students some cash and adding a personal touch to a night out.
Ken’s Seafood Restaurant and Ochatto are Penn classics, offering Chinese and Japanese fare, respectively. Both are solid choices for a casual meal with friends. Cilantro Mediterranean Cuisine is a bit further from campus, but it’s cost-effective and offers a discount if you leave a review before you leave. Thai Singha House and Pattaya are great options for Thai cuisine and group meals.
Note: This graphic is limited to the immediate area around Penn’s campus.
DESIGN BY KATRINA ITONA
accommodates climbers of all experience levels, and Pottruck allows guests to rent all necessary equipment at the front desk.
Next to the atrium is the Katz Fitness Center, Pottruck’s largest collection of cardio equipment, including treadmills, ellipticals, stairmasters, and other machines. The area has floor-to-ceiling windows that face the neighboring parking garage.
The first floor also houses offices and meeting rooms used by Penn recreation staff, as well as the newly renovated Rec Lounge, a space behind the climbing wall that contains board games such as checkers, bean bag chairs, and a study area tables and chairs.
In a typical year, guests can use the staircases on the first floor to access Pottruck’s basement, which houses Sheerr Pool, additional locker rooms, and a sauna. But the facility is currently undergoing renovations that will keep it closed for the entirety of the 2024-25 academic year.
Each floor of the facility also has lockers where guests can store their belongings, as well as restrooms in the back left corner.
The second floor: The busy floor
The second floor might be Pottruck’s busiest, housing the gym’s main weightlifting area along with the Avnet Basketball Courts. The weightlifting room, which covers over 8,000 square feet, is located to the left of the staircase, and contains equipment such as dumbbells, barbells, bench presses, power racks, deadlift platforms,
cables, and a number of additional machines.
The weightlifting room also contains windows that look out onto Walnut Street and the surrounding buildings.
To the right of the staircase are the Avnet Basketball Courts, where guests can play whenever the gym is open. Guests can bring their own ball or rent one from the front desk. Open shootaround is available, but guests are allowed to share the courts during peak hours. You’ll frequently see pickup games here, which are open to players of all experience levels. The basketball courts also occasionally host vaccine clinics, including the flu vaccine.
The second floor also houses Pottruck’s multi-purpose room, located down the hallway immediately to the left after entering the basketball courts. The multi-purpose room has additional cardio and weightlifting equipment, as well as a turf area for stretching and exercising, medicine balls, kettlebells, and several punching bags and a speed bag. The multi-purpose room is often less crowded than the main weightlifting area and also has additional lockers.
The third floor: The quiet floor
The third floor is regarded as Pottruck’s “quiet floor,” since there’s no music playing overhead. It contains additional cardio and weightlifting equipment, including a condensed set of free weights, as well as a number of rooms designed to enhance the facility’s recreational experience.
These include the cycling and pilates studios, which hold group exercise classes throughout the week and can be booked for private sessions for a cost. New to Pottruck is the third floor Recovery Room, a recently renovated space that has reclining chairs, compression boots, and massage guns. Bays are available on a first-come, first-serve basis, but they can also be reserved for 30 minutes at a time for a cost.
The fourth floor: Exercise classes and more equipment
The fourth floor also contains additional cardio and weightlifting equipment, including a CrossFit area. It also houses additional studios — including a HIIT studio — that offer group exercise classes throughout the week. These rooms are usually closed to the public outside of class times but can be rented for private use for a cost.
Recreational clubs
Pottruck is home to many of Penn’s recreational clubs, including club and intramural sports like basketball, as well as other groups like the Climbing Club and Penn Barbell Club. First-year students can learn more about these clubs and explore campus recreation’s offerings during “Night at the Rec,” which will take place at Pottruck during New Student Orientation on Friday, Aug. 23 from 7-9 p.m.
Ten pieces of closing advice
Now that you know where everything is, here are ten tips that I’ve gleaned during my two years of visits to Pottruck:
1. During the week, 5-8 p.m. is generally the busiest time, with 6-8 a.m. being the slowest. During the weekend, traffic is more evenly distributed.
2. Guests are forbidden from cursing or fighting during games at the Avnet Basketball Courts.
3. Wipe down all equipment upon completion of a workout — each floor contains multiple conveniently located wet-wipe stations for sanitation.
4. Only occupy one piece of equipment at a time.
5. There is a listed 30-minute limit on cardio equipment, but this is only enforced when all the machines are in use, which generally doesn’t happen.
6. There is a listed ban on bags in the weightlifting area, but in my experience, this rule is only enforced during the first few weeks of each semester.
7. Guests in the weightlifting areas are generally friendly and willing to “work in” with one another, meaning they share pieces of equipment by switching off sets.
8. If you’re going for a big lift, don’t be afraid to ask another patron to “spot” you, meaning to watch over the attempt and assist you in case of failure.
9. Certain machines, like the recently installed hack squat, may have heavier rigs or use slightly different ranges of motion than those you’re used to at other gyms. Be sure to dial back the weight as you adjust to the new machine.
10. When it comes to finding free weightlifting equipment, the multi-purpose room is your best friend.
And remember to have fun — exercise can be a great way to escape the pressures of Penn, but keep in mind that your physical and mental wellbeing is always the most important thing.
From a look at the nation’s oldest two-tiered stadium to the court that has been graced by the likes of NBA legends LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony, and Chris Paul, The Daily Pennsylvanian has you covered with a guide to all the major venues that Penn’s various Division I athletics teams call home.
Franklin Field
Franklin Field is the oldest operational college football stadium in the nation, with a seating capacity of 52,958. Built in 1895, the stadium is home to Penn’s football, lacrosse, and track and field programs. The stadium is located at the southeastern corner of campus, directly across the street from the Penn Museum.
As one of the more iconic sports venues on campus, Franklin Field hosts the annual Penn Relays, the largest and oldest track and field competition in the country. Also in the stadium’s illustrious past is a stretch of time from 1958 to 1970 when the Philadelphia Eagles called Franklin Field home.
The Palestra
Located on the eastern side of Shoemaker Green, the Palestra — nicknamed the Cathedral of College Basketball — is home to Penn’s men’s and women’s basketball, volleyball, gymnastics, and wrestling programs. Built in 1927, the stadium seats 8,725 people and has hosted more NCAA games than any other facility in college basketball. Until very recently, the Palestra was also the sole host for the Philadelphia Big 5 basketball conference.
Hutchinson Gymnasium
Named after Penn trustee and former football and baseball player Sydney Hutchinson, the building is home to the men’s and women’s fencing programs. Built in 1928 before being modified in 2013, Hutch also regularly hosts
intramural dodgeball and volleyball games.
The building is one of the trickier ones to find, as it is wedged between the Palestra and the Penn Squash Center.
Meiklejohn Stadium - Tommy Lasorda Field
Formerly known as Murphy Field, Tommy Lasorda Field plays host to Penn baseball and is located at the southernmost edge of campus.
It’s a bit of a trek but is considered one of the better fields in the country, as it underwent renovations in 2023 that included updated dugouts, protective netting, and the addition of a new pitcher–development area.
Penn Tennis Center
Penn tennis splits its time at two different courts: the Hecht Tennis Center, which is an indoor facility, and the Hamlin Tennis Center,
which is outdoors. The Hecht Tennis Center opened in 1973 and can be found adjacent to the Class of 1923 Ice Rink on the eastern side of campus. The Hamlin Tennis Center, which opened in 2011, can be found in the southern portion of Penn Park. It includes 12 all-weather courts, including six specifically designed for varsity team usage and stadium seating for spectators.
Penn Park
Opened in 2011, Penn Park is composed of 24 acres of athletic fields and open space on the east side of Penn’s campus. One area of note is the Hamlin Tennis Center, which hosts outdoor tennis matches, and the Multipurpose Stadium, which is the home of Penn softball.
With seating for 450 people in chairbacks and an additional 300 around the fencing, the field is sandwiched between the turf soccer fields and the tennis courts.
Penn Squash Center
Originally opened in 1958 and further renovated in 2019, the Penn Squash Center is widely
considered one of the best squash facilities not just in the Ivy League, but in the entire nation. The $19-million facility can be found adjacent to Hutch, with Franklin Field on the other side of the building.
River Fields
The River Fields complex is located on the easternmost side of campus, beyond Penn Park, and is home to men’s and women’s soccer, field hockey, and track and field.
The men’s and women’s soccer teams play on Rhodes Field, which was first named the official home for the two programs during the Homecoming festivities in 2002. Directly next to Rhodes Field is Vagelos Field, where the field hockey team has played all its home games since the field’s completion in 2013. Last, but not least, is the Ott Center for Track and Field — a new state-of-the-art indoor track and field facility that is in the final stages of completion. Sheerr Pool
Located in the basement of the Pottruck Health and Fitness Center, Sheerr Pool is typically home to the Penn swimming and diving teams. But this year, the programs will be temporarily housed at Drexel University while the pool undergoes renovations. During normal years, Penn students can access the pool for free and use it for exercise and recreation outside of practice and meet hours.
VIVIAN YAO Sports Editor
SUKHMANI KAUR | DP FILE PHOTO
view of the track at Franklin Field on Jan. 30, 2021.
Another event that I was able to cross off my bucket list was watching beach volleyball in front of the world-famous Eiffel Tower. Seeing the sunset with such a picturesque backdrop was breathtaking and something I knew I could not miss out on. I mean, what view could be better than that? In fact, I believe the venue is as important to enhancing the athlete and spectator experience as the sport itself.
Aside from watching the events, I also had the privilege of doing two sit-down interviews with two Penn Olympians: 2024 graduate Isabella Whittaker and rising senior Matt Fallon. Competing in track and field and swimming for Team USA, respectively, these individuals define Penn’s excellence in athletics — and that isn’t even what impressed me the most about them.
Despite the countless number of accolades and records they have achieved across the Ivy League, NCAA, and United States Olympic
Trials, their humility and authenticity are what I’ll remember them the most by. Through my interviews, I got to know more about the Olympic experience, including what goes on behind the scenes. For instance, I was able to gain insights into the athletes’ journeys, what it means to participate in the Olympics, and, of course, the infamous experience of living in the Olympic Village. With the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics on the horizon, many Americans will have the chance to experience the games on home soil. When I look back at some of the highlights of my life, a snapshot of it will certainly include my time in
TJADEN LITWILER
PHOTOGRAPHER
2024 graduate Bella Whittaker competed at the Paris Olympics.
MUST- SEE MATCH - UPS
From a football revenge tour at home to men’s soccer’s road to redemption, the Quakers will feature in plenty of exciting and highly anticipated games this fall
Mark your calendars, because the end of August doesn't just mean the return of classes — it also signals the return of Penn sports. In this first semester, the Quakers will feature in plenty of exciting match ups against a plethora of opponents. Here are five of the most highly anticipated games to catch as a fan of the Red and Blue.
Sept. 1: Return of Rhodes Field — Men’s Soccer Rhodes Field has been out of commission for the past season, but now, with renovations complete, both soccer teams will be back home on a natural grass pitch. The men’s soccer team gets the honor of stepping onto the pitch first in an ACC-Ivy matchup against Pitt, marking the first ever matchup between the two Keystone State programs. Penn hopes the nighttime game will mark
KRISTEL RAMBAUD Sports Reporter
the first win of many as it looks to reclaim the Ivy League throne.
Oct. 12: Road to Redemption — Men’s Soccer
It was heartbreak in Penn Park last fall. Penn, the 2022 Ivy Champs, fell to Brown in the semifinals of the Ivy League Tournament on penalty kicks. But a new season is upon us and Penn will look to reclaim its spot at the top of the Ivy League. Each conference match will count, but none will count more than this rematch against Brown, a chance for the team to get revenge for how last season concluded.
Oct. 25: Ivy Tournament Semi Rematch — Field Hockey
Last season, Penn’s strong 5-2 conference record earned them a bid to the inaugural Ivy
The beginner’s manual for Pottruck Health and Fitness Center
Carnathan | Breaking down Penn’s premier tness facility oor by oor, room by room
WALKER CARNATHAN
Sports Editor
When you first get to Penn, nearly every place on campus feels unfamiliar. And whether exercise is a staple of your daily routine or just a hobby you’re interested in exploring, it’s always helpful to understand a new space.
After I first arrived on campus two years ago, I was quickly overwhelmed by all of the new environments I found myself inhabiting. But in the time since then, Penn’s flagship gym has become something of a second home to me — and with this guide, I hope to give you all the information you need to feel at home there, too.
Let’s break down the layout of Pottruck Health and Fitness Center, Penn’s premier place for exercise and recreation.
The entrance
Pottruck is located at 3701 Walnut Street, across from the Graduate School of Education and next to a parking garage and Hello World.
The main entrance is up a small set of stairs and is unlocked during operational hours. Below is Pottruck’s current schedule:
Monday — Friday: 6 a.m. — 10 p.m.
Saturday: 8 a.m. — 8 p.m.
Sunday: 9 a.m. — 8 p.m.
Once inside, guests will be asked to sign in to the facility. Pottruck is free to all PennCard
holders, and students can either scan their PennCard at the front desk or sign in via the campus recreation app. I’ve found the front desk staff to be friendly and willing to help out in the event of any trouble.
Non-students and staff who are visiting campus can buy guest day passes at the front desk for $15. Equipment such as basketballs can also be rented at the front desk for free. Guests can access Pottruck’s lost and found by speaking with front desk staff.
The first floor: Rock climbing and lots of cardio equipment
The first floor of the facility has two main sections: the atrium and the Katz Fitness Center.
The main atrium encompasses the front desk. Here, you can find a small collection of tables and chairs, as well as some couches and a television that’s usually playing live sports or sports talk shows. The atrium is the former home of Sweet Treat Hut, where you could buy smoothies, protein shakes, and other food and drinks before it closed suddenly in April.
And it’s hard to miss the biggest part of the atrium: the 40-foot-tall climbing wall. The wall
See POTTRUCK , page 18
League Tournament for field hockey. In the semifinals, the Quakers faced off against Harvard, one of the two opponents that had beaten them in conference play. There, they narrowly fell to the Crimson with a final score of 1-0. Now, Harvard will make the trip to Ellen Vagelos Field, where Penn will seek to knock off the reigning Ivy League champions and one of the nation’s best field hockey teams.
Nov. 15: Big Night in the Big 5 — Men’s and Women’s Basketball
It’s a two-for-one special at the Palestra. Both the men’s and women’s basketball teams will face off against a Big 5 powerhouse: St. Joseph’s. On the men’s side, the Hawks are the defending champs, while the women went undefeated in Big 5 play last year. It won’t be an easy task to take
them down, but the Quakers are no stranger to showing up in these Philly rivalry matches. And with these two games happening back-to-back, the Palestra will packed on Friday night.
Nov. 16: The Revenge Tour Comes Home — Football
Each of Penn football's four Ivy losses in 2023 were within single-digits, but none stung more than its triple overtime loss against Harvard. The game was electric, with a 10-point comeback in the second half and an interception in double overtime. But the outcome just didn’t land Penn’s way. This time though, Harvard is at Franklin Field and will have to face a hungry Penn team looking to prove the doubters wrong — all in front of the thousands of alumni that will be in town for what is slated to be Penn's Homecoming game.
Twelve Olympians represented Penn at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
A once-in-a-lifetime experience at the 2024 Paris
Olympics
Ringhofer | From swimming to beach volleyball, a summer in the City of Light was a dream come true
TYLER RINGHOFER Sports Associate
PARIS — It’s often said that some things only happen once in a lifetime — a total solar eclipse, your high school graduation, or the feeling of your first love. After this summer, I can add experiencing the 2024 Paris Olympics in person to that coveted list.
Now, I know what you’re thinking — the Olympics happen every four years, so how can it be “once in a lifetime?” Although that may be true, the reality is that no Olympics is ever quite the same as the ones before it, nor the ones after it. Every moment, every competition, every race is history in the making.
For many athletes, achieving the Olympic dream is the epitome of a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. There is no guarantee that an athlete will be the same four years down the line. Years of dedication can come down to one final race, where the margin of error is as slim as 0.005 seconds.
This summer, I was blessed with the opportunity to fulfill that once-in-a-lifetime dream.
When I first arrived in the City of Light, I felt immediately ushered into a city that was buzzing with excitement like never before. Advertisements featuring famous athletes and Olympic
insignia surrounded me everywhere conceivable. I felt as if I was almost living in a bubble — a place where people from all over the world could gain respite from their daily lives.
As I went on with my days in Paris, I was taken aback by the fascinating architecture that made the city so unique. For one, it was my first time in continental Europe, so seeing landmarks like the Eiffel Tower, the Arc de Triomphe, and the Louvre exceeded my expectations. The only exception may be the Seine River.
The first event I watched was swimming. Since I’ve been a competitive swimmer for 13 years of my life, it was a full-circle moment to witness the pinnacle of the sport.
The atmosphere and national pride were unrivaled. When I closed my eyes, I felt like I was in a soccer stadium — chants of “Léon! Léon!” rang through the arena in support of hometown hero Léon Marchand. It gave me goosebumps seeing the Frenchman chase down his fellow competitors with fans enthusiastically screaming at the top of their lungs, waving their country’s flag.
See OLYMPICS, page 19
DESIGN BY ANISH GARIMIDI
ANNIE LUO | DP FILE PHOTO
Pottruck Health and Fitness Center on Sept. 15, 2019.
DESIGN BY INSIA HAQUE