January 11, 2023

Penn Band suspends student protesters

SOPHIA LEUNG Staff Reporter

Students in Penn Band who participated in the Fossil Free Penn Homecoming weekend protests have since been suspended from participation in the band until January 2024.

College sophomore Sabirah Mahmud and College junior Katie Francis were among nearly 75 students who participated in Fossil Free Penn’s protest on Oct. 22, which interrupted Penn’s Homecoming football game against Yale. The protest delayed the game for over an hour and resulted in the arrests of 19

demonstrators.

Although Mahmud said that she and Francis made sure to remove their Penn Band attire before running onto the field, the two students were told in an email from their band director on Oct. 24 that their membership status was “under review.” Mahmud said Penn Band Director Greer Cheesman informed the students in another email on Nov. 9 that they had breached the band’s constitution by failing to properly uphold the reputation of the University through

Five takeaways from the DP’s exclusive interview with Magill

Nearly a year after her nomination, the Penn president discussed climate efforts and the University’s relationship with West Philadelphia

SARA FORASTIERI Senior Reporter

Liz Magill was nominated as Penn's ninth president on Jan. 13. One year later, The Daily Pennsylvanian sat down with Magill on Jan. 9 to discuss her presidency so far, including getting to know Penn and Philadelphia, her aspirations for the future, and ongoing initiatives that she hopes to highlight as she enters the second semester of her tenure.

Magill talked about both personal and professional memories from the past year as well as issues such as climate change, Penn's relationship with the West Philadelphia community, and the search for new administrators. Magill also discussed her challenges and goals as president and for the Penn community as the University's first new leader in 18 years.

"From afar and thinking about this job and having an opportunity to have this job, I kind of had this hypothesis that this was the most exciting presidency in the United States, at a higher education institution. I would say that that hypothesis has been really valuable," Magill said.

Below are five main takeaways from Magill's 25minute interview with the DP:

While her time as president began in July, Magill was formally inaugurated in October. In the week before her inauguration, Magill announced the Red and Blue Advisory Committee as an effort to determine the University's priorities for the next century.

Magill told the DP that the Red and Blue Advisory Committee is still in engagement stages and will hold forums in the next few weeks. She added that she regularly meets with the chair of the committee, Annenberg School for Communication Dean John Jackson. The committee — which consists of 15 members including professors, administrators, and students — is dedicated to enhancing the institution and its participation in the community around it.

their actions.

Since then, Mahmud and Francis told The Daily Pennsylvanian that they received separate — but identical — communication on Dec. 19, noting that they have been suspended from Penn Band until January 2024 and have been barred from traveling with the band or holding leadership positions in the group

DOJ finds Biden’s classified documents in Penn center

The president’s special counsel wrote to the DP that the materials from his vice presidency were found while preparing to “vacate office space”

VIDYA PANDIARAJU Staff Reporter

The Department of Justice is reviewing classified documents that were found at Penn’s Biden Center for Diplomacy and Global Engagement, a University think tank based in Washington, D.C. Attorney General Merrick Garland called into review around 10 documents from President Joe Biden’s term as vice president, CBS News reported Monday. The documents — which were found in Biden’s office in the center — were discovered on Nov. 2 by Biden’s personal attorneys before being turned into the National Archives and Records Administration, according to a statement from the White House.

Richard Sauber, who serves as Biden's special counsel, wrote to The Daily Pennsylvanian in a statement that the materials were found on Nov. 2 while preparing to "vacate office space" belonging to Biden in the center. The contents of the classified documents, as well as their level of classification, remain unknown — though CBS News reported that they are not nuclear secrets.

The classified materials consisted of documents on foreign countries, including on Ukraine, Iran, and the United Kingdom, though the majority of discovered items contained Biden family documents, CNN reported.

University spokesperson Ron Ozio referred the DP to the National Archives and the White House in response to a request for comment. The National Archives declined to comment, and the Penn Biden Center did not respond to an inquiry by the time of publication.

The Presidential Records Act requires federal officeholders to turn over legal documents as well as classified records at the end of their government service, according to CBS News. It is unclear why the records remained in a private facility after former President Barack Obama’s term.

Sauber wrote in his statement that "[the] President periodically used [the Penn Biden Center] from mid-2017 until the start of the 2020 campaign.”

He wrote that the White House has cooperated with the National Archives and the Department of Justice since the documents were discovered. He added that the documents were found by the president’s attorneys, and that they have cooperated with the National Archives and Department of Justice to make sure that all Obama-Biden

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See

PHOTO BY JESSE ZHANG

Fossil Free Penn activists allege University involvement in Band’s disciplinary process

PHOTO BY JESSE ZHANG

1. Working towards a set of University priorities

2. Continuing efforts to become a carbon-zero University

In response to a question about her focus on climate in her inauguration speech, Magill

MAGILL

Protesters outside Penn Police station on Oct. 22.

Penn eliminates enrollment deposit to ‘create equitable practices’ in admissions

SARA FORASTIERI Senior Reporter

After eliminating the $400 enrollment deposit, admissions administrators at Penn described the decision as part of an effort to ease new students’ transition into the University.

Ahead of the release of early decisions in Dec. 15, Penn admissions announced that it would eliminate the enrollment deposit beginning with the incoming Class of 2027. Students who were admitted no longer need to put any money towards their tuition until the first semester.

Penn’s decision places it as the seventh out of eight Ivy League institutions to do so in an effort to reduce the economic barriers on enrolling. Previously, about 20% of students got their deposit waived. This change, made by Vice Provost and Dean of Admissions Whitney Soule, aims to ease the students’ admission into Penn.

“We are intentional in our efforts to create equitable application processes and experiences,” Soule wrote in a statement to The Daily Pennsylvanian. “As part of that work, we chose to remove a financial component as a means of expressing a commitment to enroll.”

The decision initiates a transition to eliminate other fees and reduce costs of attendance for Penn. Executive Director Marc Lo of Penn First Plus, the University’s hub for first generation, low income students, told the DP that he was excited about the news and what it meant for the community that P1P supports.

“What we know as the field this goes beyond Penn is that the more you reduce the upfront costs of an opportunity, the more accessible it becomes for everyone,” Lo said.

This year, Penn expanded their waiver efforts for the application fee as well, Soule wrote. College counselors

in high schools and community organizations received waiver codes that could be distributed as needed to students who would benefit from it.

Other Ivy League universities, including Brown University, have gone further to eliminate their application fees entirely. Penn’s application fee is $75 and, in order to be waived, the University must approve the request. This process must also recognize that there is a significant difference between students who are coming from lower-income communities and students who might identify as being a part of the middle class, Lo said.

“As a leader in financial aid and grant-based aid, it’s all about discovering what’s the next place we can go,” Lo told the DP. “How do we expand the benefits of things like the highly-aided program in ways that make sense for students who might be more middle-income?”

Penn will continue to learn more about student experiences and how pressures can be alleviated, Soule wrote to the DP. Soule added that some initiatives, like the elimination of the enrollment deposit, can be made in a shorter timeframe, while other efforts require “long-term planning and structuring.”

Penn also offers programs that aid students with managing costs in general. Soule noted the Financial Wellness at Penn program, which allows students to learn about best monetary practices that they can use during their time at Penn and beyond.

“Working to create equitable practices will be an ongoing, adaptive process. Student needs change. The pressures within the application process change. Economics change,” Soule wrote. “My goal is to always be in the process of searching for what would be better for students and finding ways to make that happen.”

Dean of Admissions Whitney Soule wrote that this change aims to ease students’ transition into Penn

PHOTO BY ANNA VAZHAEPARAMBIL

College Hall on Jan. 10.

at any point in the future.

Penn Band and Cheesman have not responded to the DP's request for comment at this time. Previously, in an email on Nov. 2, Cheeseman, declined a request for comment, citing that he wanted to "honor the integrity of the membership review process."

The decision was reached after each of the two student protestors said they were granted a private meeting last November with the band's director and executive board, comprised of four student representatives. Mahmud said the students were each allowed to have one additional student in attendance for support, although she noted that they were not permitted to bring a faculty member to advocate on their behalf.

In the midst of these discussions, Mahmud said that her bandmates circulated a petition in support of the two protestors. Francis said that the letters garnered 38 signatures — a majority of the band’s voting body. She added that several of the signees also included personal anecdotes about the students’ impact on the band and its culture to express their dissatisfaction with the disciplinary process.

Francis said that the band’s decision was released on the same day that she received communication from the Center for Community Standards and Accountability regarding her involvement in FFP’s encampment, suggesting that the band may have made its decision due to pressure from University administration. She said that the CSA did not find sufficient cause to pursue disciplinary action against her for her participation in the encampment on College Green.

In an email to the DP, University spokesperson Ron Ozio maintained his previous statement on the issue. Previously, in an email to the DP on Nov. 3, Ozio wrote that the University was not involved in the band’s decision to discipline its members for their participation in the Homecoming protest.

However, both Mahmud and Francis said that they felt as if administration placed pressure on

the band to implement consequences that were “harsher than anticipated,” according to Francis.

Francis said that there have been new limitations placed on the Penn Band following the Homecoming protest, including the restriction of the band’s access to the microphone at athletic events. She said that the University also considered cancelling Penn Band’s travel plans to an athletic game the following weekend, although the group was ultimately able to travel — with the exception of Mahmud, Francis, and one other student protestor.

“I think that this is just the University's way of attacking students as much as they can because this is where they have power,” Francis said.

Members of the Penn Band are also now required to sign a code of conduct specifying that they will not partake in protests or similar activities “on band time,” according to Mahmud, though she said that “band time” was left ambiguous.

Mahmud said that she was frustrated with the lack of transparency during the weeks-long disciplinary process. She added that although she and Francis were told after their meetings with Cheesman and the executive board that they would hear a final verdict within a week, it was over two weeks before they heard any news.

Mahmud said that on Dec. 14, she was told by a bandmate that Cheesman and the executive board had reached a decision about her membership status, although she did not receive official communication from Cheesman until Dec. 19 — which she noted was in the middle of the final examination period.

Francis added she was disappointed, saying that she felt that the band's decision-making deferred to the University rather than defending its members.

“I guess the point of view that [the Penn Band board has] taken in this process is that the band exists to make the University look good and uplift the University, and not really for the students,” Francis said.

United By Blue closes temporarily after inspection finds mice

JONAH MILLER Senior Reporter

United By Blue closed from Jan. 3 to Jan. 9 after a City inspection found 13 health code noncompliance violations, including rodent and insect droppings and a dead mouse.

The Philadelphia Department of Public Health issued a cease operations order to United By Blue, located at 3421 Walnut St., on Jan. 3 at 12 p.m., according to a sign posted on the door of the coffee shop. The order required the business to discontinue food operations and vacate the premises until the violations were corrected and approved by the department. The store reopened on Jan. 9 after addressing the violations.

In response to a request for comment, the Department of Public Health responded with a link to the Jan. 3 inspection report.

The inspection report included evidence of mouse droppings along the floor perimeter in the prep and warewash area, on counters, and on shelving units, including those holding the single-use cups. A dead mouse was also observed on a glue trap in the warewash area. The report also found several instances of negligent employee cleanliness practices and food residue, in addition to inadequate ventilation and foodborne illness risks.

Employees did not demonstrate adequate

knowledge of the Philadelphia Food Code, failed to wash hands properly, and neglected to wear effective hair restraints, according to the inspection report. Dried food residue was observed inside the microwave oven, and coffee residue was found on the counter in the prep area. Code-violating dust was also discovered on light fixtures in the prep area, the report noted.

Various food items — including raspberries, cream cheese, liquid eggs, tomatoes, milk, and cheese — were being kept at incorrect temperatures, posing foodborne illness risk and requiring public health interventions.

The Department of Public Health cited United By Blue’s failure to satisfy Title 6, Chapter 300 of the City’s code on ‘Food Establishments.’ The Jan. 3 inspection was serving as the reinspection following various health code violations found in a report from Nov. 7, 2022.

Three days after the cease operations order, a second reinspection of the coffee shop found five repeat violations and one new violation, where the business was ordered to continue its indefinite closure “due to imminent health hazards.”

The Jan. 6 reinspection report found continued evidence of rodent activity in an increased number of places, including near the ice machine and the equipment storage rack. The account also noted dust on the wall above the freezer, chipped paint in several places, and damaged flooring in the prep area. Foods such as yogurt, mango, milk, and tomatoes were also being kept at inadequate temperatures, presenting the threat of foodborne illness.

A third reinspection on Jan. 9 allowed the coffee shop to reopen, though three repeat violations — noncompliance in the proper construction of prep area handles, presence of a self-closing toilet door, and installation and maintenance of physical facilities — were detected by the health department.

United By Blue first opened its University City location in October 2014 and serves drinks, pastries, sandwiches, and apparel. The business operates one other location in Philadelphia at 205 Race St.

FactCheck.org, the award-winning political website at the Annenberg Public Policy Center of the University of Pennsylvania, is now accepting applications for its 2023-2024 undergraduate fellowship program. The next class of undergrads will be trained during an eight-week, paid summer program at FactCheck’s offices at APPC (or online, if necessary) from May 30 to July 21. Those who are trained this summer must agree to work 10 to 15 hours per week at FactCheck.org during the fall and spring semesters, if their work merits continued employment.

The fellows at FactCheck.org help our staff monitor the factual accuracy of claims made by political figures in TV ads, debates, speeches, interviews, social media and news releases. They also monitor viral claims and rumors that spread through email and social media. They help conduct research on such claims and contribute to articles for publication on our website under the supervision of FactCheck.org staff. The fellows must have an ability to write clearly and concisely, an understanding of journalistic practices and ethics, and an interest in politics and public policy. The fellows also must be able to think independently and set aside any partisan biases.

If you are interested, please submit your resume and two writing samples by the Feb. 6 deadline to FactCheck.org.

Deputy Managing Editor Rob Farley at rob.farley@factcheck.org. Please direct any questions about the program or application process to the same address.

Volunteers

The coffee shop reopened on Jan. 9 following a third reinspection by the Department of Public Health

PHOTO BY ANA GLASSMAN

United By Blue at 3431 Walnut St. on March 18, 2021

How Penn is changing me (for the better)

SOSE’S STANCE | The unwalked road from a tight-knit and insular community to Penn

after graduating.

Ivy League. Top 10. Prestigious. Elite. The University of Pennsylvania.

Coming to Penn, I imagined that I’d be living a life as close to Rory Gilmore’s as a California girl could get. Penn has it all: the beautiful, old-school collegiate campus, the Hogwarts-looking library that fits into the “dark academia” aesthetic, and the crisp cold weather that would have me drinking a daily latte on my walk to class.

As enchanting as this seemed, my sights initially were set on public institutions, specifically the University of California at Berkeley or University of California, Los Angeles. After all, I would be following the same path as my parents, brother, 14 first cousins, and all my aunts and uncles that had the privilege of attending one of these premier public universities.

Even beyond my family, though, it was routine for graduates of my small, homey Armenian school to attend an in-state college, as both the desirability of California and the pressures of an immigrant family lead most of us to stay close to home. Thus, it was natural for me to apply to the UC schools, with big dreams of one day becoming a Bruin or Golden Bear.

Yet at the same time, I wanted to break out of the mold and try something new and unknown — at least for me. As I applied to several private universities around the country, I assured my friends and family that I was doing so “just for fun” or “just to see what

happens,” as I assumed that the admission committees of these schools wouldn’t give serious thought to a student from a small and relatively unknown high school thousands of miles away.

That all changed on Ivy Day. My friends, family, and I thought that there was no way I could turn down an elite institution like Penn.

And so, after extended deliberation and a first-time visit to campus on one of Penn’s Quaker Days, I declined my offers — and dreams — of attending UCLA or Berkeley, and became the first in my family and school to matriculate to the University of Pennsylvania.

With no one to fill me in on Penn culture, I boarded my flight from LAX to PHL eager to pursue my undergraduate degree in history with hopes of becoming a journalist. Penn had other plans.

Many things came as a shock to me as my first semester swung into action. Before starting at Penn, I had never heard of McKinsey Consulting or really understood what Goldman Sachs did. And yet early on, I learned that everyone around me seemed to be interested in some form of professional consulting.

I quickly realized that making lots of money is very important to many Penn students, and the University is a springboard for students to achieve their goals of wealth. Indeed, even the students who aren’t in Wharton aspire to work at a consulting firm or go into investment banking in New York City

The ethnic Armenian community I grew up in at home kept me mostly sheltered from the finance and power-driven culture that exists at Penn. Instead, the pinnacle of careers in my circles have always been doctors or lawyers, the only “acceptable” choices to many immigrant families like mine. Thus, even though I have aspirations of being a foreign correspondent, I always keep the lawyer plan in my back pocket, knowing very well that a career in law would be a more practical — and respected — option.

But now, the Penn culture is having an effect on me. Yes, being a journalist or lawyer is one thing, but I also find myself thinking about the importance of financial success and stability. Yes, I’m a history major, but perhaps I can use that knowledge in a consulting career. I can enter a specialized industry such as consulting for museum exhibitions or use my obtained logic and research skills to aid me in other branches of the consulting industry.

Penn’s culture is rubbing off on me in other ways, too. Cognizant of the importance of social networking, I’m thinking about my Friday night plans instead of paying attention in recitation. I also began to apply to clubs that I wasn’t even interested in — and unsurprisingly wasn’t accepted to — simply to keep pace with other students. The pre-professional frenzy doesn’t all come naturally to me, but I understand why it’s important.

BY JOJO BUCCINI

To be clear, these changes to my mindset and preconceived ideas of the college experience are not necessarily negative ones, but they can promote poor mental health trends and create a trend of forced involvement in unwanted activities. It is therefore imperative to take the competitive social and academic scenes at Penn with a grain of salt. Even if I had known about Penn’s somewhat cutthroat and pre-professional culture before arriving here, it would not have changed my decision to be a Quaker. One’s Penn experience is shaped by their ambitions, choices, and proclivities. For me, Penn has opened my eyes, encouraged me to think beyond my norms, and allowed me to develop personally and as a member of our community.

It’s important to begin college, especially at Penn, with an open mind. I am living comparably to Rory Gilmore at Yale University, but with a few tweaks that make my experience both very me, and very Penn. I’m far away from home, but have established friendships and connections with people from all points of the globe, a privilege I never had in my primary years. And I am considering more life paths than ever before. Who knows, maybe a career in consulting is in the cards after all.

SOSE HOVANNISIAN is a College first year studying history and legal studies from Los Angeles. Her email is sosehova@sas.upenn.edu.

Penn needs an updated and upgraded dining experience

ALLISON’S ATTITUDE | Penn Dining needs upgrades in both accessibility and food quality to

student dining experience

definitely room for improvement.” Colgate’s Premier Plan costs $4,164 per semester and is required for first-year and second-year students. It is cheaper than nearly all first-year and second-year options at Penn.

Another comparison can be made with Harvard University’s implementation of their dining plan. Although it is more expensive than Penn’s, standing at $7,236 per semester, their plan is one with unlimited access. All undergraduates living on campus must be on the plan.

Although having multiple dining halls across campus is good for accessibility and diversity of options, the varying hours and inconsistent food options leads students to feel overwhelmed and disillusioned with the entire Penn dining experience. In addition, the quality of food at Penn is something that students have issues with. I have personally experienced many times where I have swiped into a dining hall and felt unsatisfied with all of the options available, and I know that I am not alone in this sentiment.

It’s no secret that Penn students are unhappy with their dining experience. Before second-year students were forced to participate in the Second-Year dining plan, many students did not enroll in a dining plan after their first year, citing limited dietary options and operating hours.

What I find particularly interesting about Penn’s dining plans is that the price that students pay for a swipe varies based on the plan that they choose. The First-Year 187 plan costs $14.26 per swipe, while the First-Year 296 plan costs $9.94 per swipe, though both plans overall cost $6,134 per semester. The Second-Year 156 plan costs $11.29 per swipe and overall costs $4,124 per semester, while the Second-Year 296 plan costs $9.94 per swipe and $6,134 overall per semester. These inconsistencies make no sense, because at the end of the day all swipes give students the same access to the same foods.

Furthermore, the quality of dining is something that many Penn students have taken note of. In a Class of 2025 GroupMe poll of 82 students, only 4.9% of students respondents said that they were satisfied with the quality of Penn’s dining. 65.9% of students respondents said they were not satisfied with Penn Dining, and another 29.3% said they were sometimes satisfied with Penn’s dining halls. Though these results are somewhat informal, they nonetheless illustrate a widespread dissatisfaction with dining. In my personal experience, I’ve swiped into a dining hall and left because I felt that the food was inedible. Other times, I’ve tried to significantly rush my eating process because of odd hours, especially on weekends.

In an interview, College sophomore Sophia Paris, a transfer student from Colgate University, said that she was “initially surprised by Penn’s dining halls. Considering that Penn’s

student body is much bigger than Colgate’s, I would have assumed that Penn’s dining halls would be similarly accessible and would provide a variety of options to students. Although Colgate only had one dining hall, it was consistently open from 7:30 a.m. to midnight – food was available to students whenever they wanted during those respective hours.”

She added that “having dining halls that operate with different hours and inconsistent food options, in my opinion, makes Penn’s dining much more confusing and complicated than it needs to be.” In regards to sustainability, she said that she has “noticed that there’s a lot of food waste on behalf of the students and the dining hall staff, for example. This is all to say, though, that it’s still worthwhile to note that Penn does have immense dining resources in comparison to other institutions, even though there is

Not having quality food readily accessible in hours that are complementary to a college student’s schedule is not just an issue of mere convenience. It is widely known that eating healthy is good for physical health, but there are also many positive mental health effects. Eating consistently healthy drastically improves gut health, which in turn helps neurotransmitter production. This is important because the gastrointestinal tract is home to billions of bacteria that influence the production of neurotransmitters, chemical substances that constantly carry messages from the gut to the brain. At a school where mental health is a preeminent issue, focusing on the accessibility, healthiness, and quality of food should be at the forefront of the University’s operations.

enhance the

PHOTO BY ABHIRAM JUVVADI

ALLISON SANTA-CRUZ is a College sophomore studying communications from Jackson, Miss. Her email address is allisant@sas.upenn.edu.

DESIGN

Students eating at Hill House dining hall on Nov. 28.

It’s time for student representation on Penn’s Board of Trustees

GUEST COLUMN | As Penn plans its future, now is the time for students on its Board of

When we decided to run for Executive Board positions of the University of Pennsylvania’s Graduate and Professional Student Assembly, the University’s official graduate student government representing over 14,000 graduate students, we did not yet fully understand what particular spaces of power students occupied on campus.

We were pleasantly surprised to find our newly elected student government team inundated with invitations to join various Penn committees, councils, and forums, a few of which we had never heard of before being elected.

Yet there was a notable absence from these seemingly endless invitations: the University’s overarching governing body, the Board of Trustees. Upon further investigation, it became clear that the Board of Trustees was one of the primary University institutions where students did not have representation.

University boards of trustees are common governing bodies at American universities that are typically responsible for strategic planning decisions and carrying out universities’ legal and fiduciary obligations. At Penn, the Board of Trustees is the body responsible for selecting the University’s president; maintaining relationships with other universities, government agencies, and the media; and have the notably broad discretion “to make rules and statutes ... and to do everything needful and necessary to the establishment of the said university ... and education of the youth belonging to the same.”

Concrete examples of this broad authority have been on display recently as the University’s Board of Trustees has been intimately involved in reshaping Penn’s investments, most notably as it relates to fossil fuel divestment. Additionally, in 2018, the Board of Trustees altered the foundations of Penn’s campus in implementing major construction efforts impacting student housing.

It’s undeniable that students’ experiences on Penn’s

campus are implicated in nearly every decision made by the Trustees. Whether it be the selection of Penn’s president, who influences all of student life; holding the University accountable for its role in climate change; or changing the physical structure of campus itself; students would be, and are, those principally affected by the decisions of Penn’s Board of Trustees. For decisions that centrally impact the students who the University is responsible for serving, it is beyond reasonable to demand that students — undergraduate and graduate — have a full seat at the table.

Paving the way for undergraduate and graduate student representation on Penn’s Board of Trustees would realize significant benefits beyond providing an opportunity for students to have their voices heard in University decision-making.

Penn has long looked to its fellow “peer institutions” for guidance and standards in developing the University’s goals and operations. Although some Ivy League universities such as Cornell University have made notable efforts to include students in their highest governing bodies, Penn would still be among the first few to make a firm commitment that students should have a place in the University’s central governing body. Such a first-mover advantage is a ripe opportunity for Penn to emerge as a leader in shared governance.

But beyond the predicted student advocacy and reputational advantages, more fundamentally, such a move would indicate a deep commitment to valuing student voices and experiences that account for an integral part of the Penn community. Without students, there is no University of Pennsylvania, and its mission of being a leader in producing empowered world leaders is rendered moot. Penn must, therefore, work to integrate student voices into all of its governing institutions, including the Board of Trustees.

Trustees

Any suggestion that students simply are ill-equipped or do not have the desire to participate in University governance runs in stark contrast to the decades of activism and change that students themselves have led and precipitated.

It was Penn’s students who led efforts to increase access and retention of underrepresented students on campus, who have advocated for improved stipends for research students, and who have called for major changes to the university’s relationship with climate change and the West Philadelphia community.

These historic accomplishments underscore that Penn is not and has never been simply a forum to impart knowledge onto students as if they are “empty vessels” to be filled with the wisdom of others, but a space where students themselves share equally valuable insights and

lived experiences that deserve a space in the University’s system of governance.

Until this realization is translated into student seats at the Trustees’ table, students will continue to be left out of the decisions that matter most.

ROBERT WATSON is the Graduate and Professional Student Assembly (GAPSA) president, and a Penn Carey Law and Graduate School of Education third year from Louisville, Ky. His email is rbwatson@pennlaw.upenn.edu.

KESHARA SENANAYAKE is Penn’s GAPSA vice president of Programming, and a Penn Law third year from New York City. His email is keshara@pennlaw.upenn.edu.

The time has arrived: the Add/Drop period for spring 2023 courses. Path@Penn is filled with an amalgamation of courses, and as Penn students, we must fulfill course requirements for majors, minors, special programs, and school cores. To fulfill these requirements and venture beyond traditional courses, we urge you to sign up for a transformative academic experience: an Academically Based Community Service (ABCS) course.

Supported by the Netter Center for Community Partnerships and open to undergraduate and graduate students enrolled in any of Penn’s schools, ABCS courses provide an opportunity for students to engage in the community and make a positive impact. These courses also have personal

benefits for students: involvement in community service positively affects undergraduates’ academic competencies, leadership skills, and sense of self-efficacy.

ABCS courses focus on a variety of different topics and allow students to learn by tackling realworld local problems in collaboration with those impacted by them. For example, students in ANTH 5467/EDUC 5467: Community Youth Filmmaking work with high school students to create films that tell stories about their lives, neighborhoods, and communities, such as a film about Sayre High School, a university-assisted community school. The films elevate youth voices and aim to spark social change regarding important social issues

such as racism and environmental injustice. These courses also support immediate needs while reflecting on the systemic causes of and solutions to these problems. For example, students in the Wharton course ACCT 2110/BEPP 2110: Tax Policy and Practice in the Philadelphia Community help low-income Philadelphia residents obtain tax credits, a valuable source of additional cash for families looking to meet their day-to-day expenses. These students also discuss the effectiveness and implications of tax policies and their potential role in affecting broader change.

Many of the ABCS courses address the historical lack of adequate resources and funding for schools in Philadelphia. In NURS 3130: Obesity and Society, students work across the city to help create a free library for elementary school students. NRSC 1160: Everyday Neuroscience allows students to develop their science teaching and communication skills by implementing hands-on labs with tenth graders from Paul Robeson High School. Louis Lozzi, a science teacher at Paul Robeson High School, noted that this partnership has led to a significant growth in Robeson students’ test scores on the Pennsylvania Keystone exam.

After a semester as an ABCS student, you’ll likely walk away with a stronger knowledge base and personal growth. After taking URBS 1780/AFRC 1780/HIST 0811: Urban UniversityCommunity Relations, College senior Adam Goudjil felt that he “learned simply everything about Penn’s socio-political relationship with West Philadelphia.” Along with other URBS 1780 students, Adam learned how to democratically develop an implementable service initiative

Sen.

I don’t know what I expected after I watched the Oct. 22 Pennsylvania Senate debate, and saw former Lt. Gov. John Fetterman labor through his responses, struggling to defend himself against accusations lodged by his Republican opponent, Mehmet Oz. I knew the world would not respond kindly — try as we might, we are not yet accustomed to the idea that a politician need not be perfectly articulate to succeed at his job. But I didn’t know whether Fetterman’s debate performance would cost him the upcoming election. I was not sure that we, as Americans, were ready to elect a man with an auditory processing disorder to high office.

It has been two months since Fetterman’s victory and appointment to the Pennsylvania Senate seat, but my heart still bridles with pride when I think of the senator-elect’s address to the nation, following his win. The Reading, Pennsylvania native spoke out to a crowd of supporters, all of whom had gathered in the wee hours of morning to celebrate the politician’s success. “This campaign has always been about fighting for everyone who’s ever been got knocked down, that ever got back up,” Fetterman said to the mass of voters. “This race is for the future of every community across Pennsylvania … I’m proud of what we ran on. Protecting a woman’s right to choose, raising our minimum wage, fighting the union way of life. Healthcare is a fundamental human right. It saved my life, and it should all be there for you when you ever should need it.”

In this last line, Fetterman referenced the ischemic stroke he suffered in May, just four days before the Democratic primary. The former Braddock mayor was still in the hospital when he received news of his win as Democratic nominee for the Pennsylvania senate race. Following his stroke, Fetterman developed an auditory processing disorder — a disorder which makes it difficult to perceive subtle sound differences in words. The Pennsylvania native also developed aphasia, a language impairment disorder that affects the expression and understanding of spoken words.

Aphasia and auditory processing deficits are common in stroke survivors, with the former affecting one-third of

all patients. These disorders can make it challenging for survivors to process the words of others, or to come up with appropriate responses.

These speech difficulties were apparent in Fetterman’s October formal debate with Republican challenger, Oz. During the dispute, the senator-elect stumbled when asked to address Oz’s accusations that he wasn’t medically fit to serve as senator. Fetterman also seemed to have trouble patching responses together in the timed, rapid-fire manner typical of formal debates.

Still, the politician prevailed, winning Pennsylvania by a margin of 263,000 voters, even after pundits on both sides of the political spectrum criticized his performance, challenging his ability to fill the Pennsylvania senate seat.

But inquiries into Fetterman’s competence as a U.S. senator indicate a larger misconception about auditory processing disorders and disabilities in general. Central auditory processing disorders simply affect the brain’s ability to hear language in the “usual way.” Auditory processing impairments are not cognitive deficits, nor are they learning disorders. They do not affect an individual’s ability to understand meaning.

This fallacy that disabilities connote intellectual impairment is more common than you’d think. Misconceptions about disabilities abound even among the more progressive and educated, says Lex Gilbert, a College sophomore and the founder of the Disabled Coalition at Penn. As an umbrella organization for all disabilities, the Disabled Coalition works to advocate for the University of Pennsylvania’s disabled community and build authentic connections among their ranks.

Gilbert formed the coalition after discovering a clear need for safe spaces among disabled students. As we met on a Monday night to discuss their work, Gilbert recalled a situation in which they were approved for classroom accommodations — only to be told by a professor that they need not receive accommodation for that class because they were “smart.”

“I was shocked that she thought me being smart

would have anything to do with my disability status,” Gilbert said.

Unfortunately, ableist attitudes such as these are prevalent throughout our society. Gilbert argues that some of the misconceptions about disabilities come from an unwillingness to discuss what it means to struggle with one. “I think there’s an ableist narrative where disability isn’t really discussed in able-bodied households … It’s not ever talked about so people don’t know what it’s like to have a disability or what it means to have a disability.”

Gilbert argues that even beyond the household, at the corporate level, most diversity, equity, and inclusion teams aren’t ready to do the work to combat ableism. Gilbert contends that most diversity, equity, and inclusion teams are not formed with accessibility in mind. “No one is starting a DEI program and looking first to accessibility. They’re looking first to racial identities, and then maybe they’re looking to sexual orientation, and then maybe after that they’re looking to gender identity, and then maybe after that — ten years down the line — then they’re looking at accessibility,” Gilbert said.

“Of course, being a person of color and a member of the LGTBQ community, I think those are important as well. But I think that DEI teams often forget that accessibility is a part of DEI. I just wonder — and I want to throw the question back out — what would it look like to center accessibility?”

When it comes to questions like these, more work must be done. Perhaps Fetterman’s appointment to the U.S. Senate indicates a shift in the right direction when it comes to challenging misconceptions about disabilities. Still we, as individuals, must work to uproot our own inherently ableist beliefs.

Gilbert says there are plenty of ways students can get involved in disability justice and target their own false beliefs about disabled people. “Follow disabled content creators. I know pretty much everyone who’s reading this article is on TikTok, Instagram et cetera. Maybe you’re still on Facebook. There are disabled content creators on all of those platforms and there is a disabled content

focused on a local issue of his choice.

These classes also provide an opportunity to develop meaningful relationships outside of the Penn bubble. College senior Julia Dawson took FREN 2180: West Africa to West Philadelphia, which focuses on the experience of Francophone migrants from West Africa at the Lea School. “I looked forward to every session at the Lea School — our time spent together with the students was a real breath of fresh air from my day-to-day Penn schedule,” she noted. “I built strong relationships with the students that grew beyond the classroom and our Francophone studies.”

When you look back on your time at Penn, you may not remember every lecture or recitation, but you will surely cherish and utilize the skills and experiences of an ABCS course. You can engage deeply with a topic that matters to you — from educational inequity (EDUC 3123: Tutoring School: Theory and Practice; URBS 2020: Urban Education) to cross-cultural dialogue (EDUC 5437: Interfaith Dialogue in Action) to financial literacy (MGMT 3530: Financial Literacy Community Project) and beyond — through an invaluable, collaborative problem-solving process with your local community.

Visit Path@Penn and add an ABCS course to your spring 2023 schedule.

THE NETTER CENTER STUDENT ADVISORY BOARD works to increase Penn student involvement in the operation and strategic planning of the Netter Center. Members are closely engaged in Netter programming and represent a majority of Netter Center-led initiatives.

creator for whatever kind of content you’re interested in,” Gilbert said.

The Disabled Coalition president also encourages students to engage in open conversations with differently-abled people in their own lives, whether it’s a friend or a family member. If you don’t have someone you’re comfortable talking to, Disabled Coalition events are a great resource to learn more about accessibility justice.

“We all have to start somewhere,” Gilbert told me in closing. “And I think all of us as humans, to a certain extent, understand that.”

PHOTO BY KYLIE COOPER

JULU NWAEZEAPU is a College sophomore studying behavioral and computational neuroscience from Chicago. Her email is julunwae@sas.upenn.edu.

PHOTO BY ANNA VAZHAEPARAMBIL

A Board of Trustees meeting at the Inn at Penn hotel on Nov. 8, 2019.

Then- Lt. Gov. John Fetterman speaking at a rally at Temple University’s Liacouras Center on Nov. 5.

PHOTO BY JESSE ZHANG The Netter Center

said she is also committed to continuing Penn's efforts to become a carbon-zero institution. As part of this, she said Penn will soon publish its update to the Climate Change Plan 3.0, for which the University has hired a group of chemists and engineers in an effort to find a carbon-neutral future.

Additionally, Magill added that when the Power Purchase Agreement — an operational change in progress — is in effect, more than 70% of Penn’s energy will be produced from carbon-free sources. Magill said she believes that the most important effort the University is taking is its net-zero investment commitment because it allows the reinvestment of funds in companies that care about the future.

The commitment to net-zero investment was highlighted in a November statement from Magill and Board of Trustees Chair Scott Bok, where they announced that Penn no longer holds direct investments in fossil fuels. The announcement followed a renewed campaign by Fossil Free Penn this semester that Penn divest from fossil fuels. Most recently, FFP stormed Penn’s Homecoming football field on Oct. 22 during the game’s halftime, leading to 19 arrests.

"The students' views always play a role in what we're doing," Magill said when asked whether student activism played a role in the November announcement. "You're some of the most talented people in the country, and you're here, and you have perspective on what we're doing, [and] what we could do better. So I don't know if I'd say anything more than that. I'm always listening."

3. Expanding Penn's relationship with the West Philadelphia community

Magill said that she had observed "a lot of sentiment" that Penn should continue to "double down" on complex societal issues, including climate

, from front page

Administration records are in the “[appropriate] possession of the Archives.”

Garland has assigned John Lausch, United States attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, to identify how the documents ended up at the center, according to The Washington Post. The review will serve as a preliminary step which will be followed by further investigation, should Garland deem it necessary.

According to CBS News, Biden is reported to have found out about these documents in November. CBS also reported that familiar sources said that he is unaware of the content of the documents.

The Department of Justice is also reviewing 1968 Wharton graduate and former President Donald Trump’s handling of classified official documents. The FBI conducted a court-approved search of Trump’s Mar-a-Lago property in August

change, sustainability, and Penn's relationship with the West Philadelphia community. In response to a question about a recent student government survey in which students listed relations with the West Philadelphia community as top priority, Magill noted that she had heard also concerns surrounding affordable housing.

"[T]his fall, we asked a group of faculty to engage and think about what we can do in affordable housing in Philly in the coming years," Magill said. "So that's not an entirely new issue for us, but it's newly significant. I think we should be doing more."

4. Searching for successors to departing administrators

Penn is also searching for successors to the deans of the Graduate School of Education and Penn Carey Law School, who will be leaving at the ends of their terms in June, as well as the provost position, which is currently occupied by Beth Winkelstein in an interim capacity.

5. Reflecting on her first year and the upcoming semester

As Magill herself continues to transition into her new job, she described her experience moving into and exploring Philadelphia as “incredibly energizing.” Magill said she has gotten to know the Penn and Philadelphia community and has become more knowledgeable. Over the summer, Magill got to know civic and community in West Philadelphia and also explored history, art, culture, and food.

Her favorite moments so far have been getting to meet the Class of 2026 in the Philadelphia Museum of Art, throwing the Phillies' first pitch, and visiting the new Barnes Museum.

She praised her team for allowing a smooth transition between presidencies.

Magill concluded the interview by saying “I have the best job in the world."

of 2022, where about 100 classified documents were seized.

The Penn Biden Center — which Biden used as his main office when he was in Washington — officially opened in February of 2018 as a hub for diplomacy and a representation of Biden's ties to the University.

Under the title “Benjamin Franklin Presidential Practice Professor,” Biden held joint appointments in the Annenberg School for Communication and the School of Arts and Sciences, with a secondary affiliation in the Wharton School starting in February of 2017. Biden left Penn in 2019 to pursue the Democratic nomination for the presidency.

Apart from serving as an office for Biden, the Penn Biden Center — which is part of Penn Global — has employed interns participating in the Penn in Washington program and hosted political science courses offered by Penn. The center currently lists no staff on its website, and Penn community members have expressed visions for the center's future since Biden's ascent to the presidency.

SHOPSATPENN.COM

BIDEN

PHOTO BY JESSE ZHANG

Penn President Liz Magill speaking at Convocation on Aug. 30, 2022.

Penn Admissions extends testoptional policy for 2023-24 admissions cycle

BEN BINDAY Senior Reporter

Penn Admissions announced the extension of the current test-optional policy for first-year and transfer applicants through the 2023-24 admissions cycle.

Penn Admissions’s statement, released Jan. 9 on its blog, represents a continuation of the policies first implemented due to the COVID-19 pandemic during the 2020-21 admissions cycle. The announcement said that applicants will not be harmed by a failure to submit scores.

In a written statement to The Daily Pennsylvanian, Dean of Admissions Whitney Soule wrote that the extension was made due to the "continued effects of the pandemic" and to make sure that Penn Admissions can "responsibly review the role of the test-optional practice."

“Students who are unable or choose not to submit test scores will not be at a disadvantage in the admissions process,” the online announcement said. “We will continue to evaluate all components of an individual’s application through our comprehensive review process.”

As with other recent admissions cycles, Penn Admissions will accept and review ACT and SAT scores submitted by applicants. These scores may be self-reported on students’ application to Penn, though official scores are required to be submitted following acceptance and enrollment.

Penn Admissions will continue to require testing to prove English-language proficiency for certain international students.

The announcement comes after Penn’s release of its early decision admission results for the 202223 admissions cycle, where it welcomed the first members of the Class of 2027. Penn Admissions did not release its early decision acceptance rate, in a continuation of a policy that Dean of Admissions Whitney Soule implemented for regular decision results for the Class of 2026.

In February 2021, Associate Director of Admissions Sara Cohen told the DP that Penn’s test-optional policy may contribute to an increase in application totals.

Over 8,000 students applied through the Early Decision Program, an increase from the 2021-22 cycle’s total of 7,795 early decision applicants, which was the highest number in Penn history.

Soule assumed her current position in July 2021.

Penn has recently made several other changes to its admissions policies. A new supplemental essay introduced for the 2022-23 admissions cycle asked applicants to “Write a short thank-you note to someone you have not yet thanked and would like to acknowledge.” In tandem with December’s early decision announcement, Penn also removed its $400 enrollment deposit for admitted students, becoming the seventh Ivy League institution to do so.

In 2021, Penn altered its requirements to give applicants more flexibility when they choose from whom to receive recommendation letters. While the former requirement was two recommendation letters from teachers, the change allowed applicants to receive one recommendation letter from a teacher and one from somebody else.

This represents a continuation of the policies first implemented due to the COVID-19 pandemic

PHOTO BY MAX MESTER

Claudia Cohen Hall, which houses the admissions center at Penn.

Flooding in Harnwell, Harrison over winter break affects over 210 residents

NITIN SESHADRI Senior Reporter

Multiple floors in Harnwell and Harrison College Houses flooded over winter break due to cracked pipes that resulted from open windows letting in cold air.

The flooding — which occurred on Dec. 25 in Harnwell and Dec. 26 in Harrison — impacted 96 residents in Harnwell and 117 in Harrison. The eighth and ninth floors in Harnwell and the 11th and 12th floors in Harrison saw the most damage. In Harnwell, there was additional damage all the way down to the mezzanine level, while in Harrison, damage extended to some areas of the seventh floor.

The damage in both buildings included an inch of water in common spaces, kitchens, bathrooms, or bedrooms. Higher floors have more flooding than lower ones, according to Paul Forchielli, the senior associate director for building operations in Residential Services.

Damage to the mezzanine in Harnwell included broken and missing ceiling tiles.

Between the two buildings, ten students were offered alternate accommodations in the Sheraton, located at 3549 Chestnut St.

In both buildings, Forchielli said multiple open windows were found around the area where the flooding started. In Harnwell, pipes inside two fan coil units, which are responsible for heating and cooling the building, broke. In Harrison, a pipe leading to a fan coil unit on the 12th floor cracked.

Forchielli said that some of the pipes froze and then cracked, which caused them to release water once they thawed. Temperatures in University City ranged from 18 to 29 degrees Fahrenheit and from 17 to 30 degrees Fahrenheit on Dec. 25 and Dec. 26, respectively, according to AccuWeather.

“We’ve reached out to residents on four separate occasions to remind them to close the windows and latch the windows,” Forchielli added. “[The week of] the 23rd, the college houses had the RAs and the GRAs help to check, and we also had Allied [Universal] patrolling throughout the break period looking for windows open.”

According to a Dec. 27 email from Penn Residential Services sent to the affected Harrison residents, repairs included removal of the cove base, the strip of vinyl at the base of the wall, in student rooms and common areas to allow the water to dry out. Belfor, a property restoration company performing the repairs, has placed air-moving and drying equipment in both buildings.

In some areas, according to Forchielli, drywall had to be removed and replaced, with Harrison requiring more drywall replacements than Harnwell. Replacement and repainting of drywall in student rooms was prioritized, with common areas coming later.

“For anyone who registered for winter break, they got a note within about six hours of the incident happening,” Forchielli said. “For folks who were impacted by the water … we got them a note within about 24 hours of the incident.”

College sophomore Niko Amber, who lives in Harrison, had her room and possessions significantly damaged by the flooding. Still, she said that she and her roommates were not notified of the incident by the University.

“One of my roommates saw that there was flooding on Sidechat,” Amber said. “She told my [other] roommate, who was local. And when she got there, our room had an inch of water, and it was mainly concentrated in the living room and, actually, my room.”

After calling Facilities, Amber and her roommates were told that no water had been found in their room, and they had to send a picture of the damage to be placed on the list of affected residents, Amber said. A subsequent email from the University told them that the repairs would be completed in their suite by Jan. 9.

Upon entering her room on Jan. 9 to clean up, Amber told The Daily Pennsylvanian that her possessions were in disarray and covered in mold. Amber added that the cove base was still missing from the walls of the suite.

“All of my stuff was moved onto my bed. There was stuff that clearly had gotten wet and was still there in my room. I had things that were very clearly moldy,” Amber said. “My room was covered in drywall dust.”

Amber added that her severe allergies made the situation more challenging.

“I have severe allergies,” Amber added. “So as soon as I walked in there, I got really, really sick, and I’m now looking for another place to stay for the next few days.”

Amber also said that there was a lack of communication from the University about the process of getting reimbursed for damaged possessions.

“I also have no idea what I’m supposed to do about my damaged items,” Amber said. “My rug is completely moldy and they just rolled it up and put it next to my bed. I have other things that are covered in water … we have cords and electronics that don’t work.”

Forchielli said that residents were given information about how to get in touch with Risk Management.

Harrison residents may see more work going on in the hallways over the next few weeks due to the replaced drywall needing repainting, according to Forchielli. There will also be communication at a later date about workers coming in to replace the removed cove base in student rooms.

In a written statement to The Daily Pennsylvanian, Director of Communications and External Relations Barbara Lea-Kruger added that the new cove base should arrive this week, with installation starting later this week or early next week.

There was also an unrelated flood in the Quad over break that affected eight residents, Forchielli said. He added that Rodin College House was not affected by flooding.

Last October, an activated fire sprinkler on the fifth floor of Harnwell flooded the residences of 27 students.

Ten residents were displaced due to the flooding’s impacts

PHOTO BY ANNA VAZHAEPARAMBIL

The hallway on the twelfth floor. Harnwell College House on Jan. 10.

duo still led Penn offensively on the night. Dingle’s game-high 21 points kept the Quakers in striking range of Cornell for the entirety of the first half. Slajchert’s 15 points and 3 assists also helped Penn match the Big Red’s strong offensive display.

Cornell showed no restraint in punishing Penn’s turnovers throughout the night, scoring 30 points from the Quakers’ 19 giveaways. But on the other side of the ball, Dingle and senior forward Michael Moshkovitz combined for five steals and were key in pressuring the opposition’s ball handlers. Despite this, the Quakers weren’t able to generate enough offensive chances from Cornell’s mistakes and only scored 9 points off of turnovers.

Penn was unable to match The Big Red’s dynamic team play. Cornell ended the night with more second chance, fast break, and bench points while the Quakers had to rely on getting tough buckets in the paint and converting free throws.

But on Saturday night, everything that went wrong for Penn against Cornell went right against Columbia (6-12, 1-2). The team shot a superb 15-23 from three. 12 Quakers were able to see action in the blowout victory, with Penn leading for over 35 minutes of game time.

The team moved the ball well, finishing the game with 21 assists on 29 made field goals.

“I think it’s a great way to show how much this team is developing and how much we’re continuing to grow day by day,” Dingle said. “We’re learning each other’s games and preferences, and we’re looking to create for one another.”

But while Saturday’s win was ultimately a team effort, it was Dingle’s individual dominance that was one of the key takeaways from Saturday night.

Dingle, who is now the second leading scorer in all of Division I, notched an effortlessly efficient 11-17 from the field, including 7-9 from three-point range.

But despite the impeccable performance, he was quick to attribute most of this success to his teammates.

“When everyone else is playing well, it creates more space for me,” he said. “So with everybody playing as well as they have, I’ve been able to take advantage of the opportunities that it has created.”

By the time he checked out with eight minutes to play, he had notched 33 points. This was his third 30-point game of the season, and his 13th straight game with at least 20 points scored.

“There’s certain games when he just gets that look, and tonight was one of them,” Donahue said. “He scores at all different levels and if he’s shooting the ball from three then it’s really difficult [to stop him].”

While the Quakers led for most of the first half, it was early in the second when they turned the offensive jets on. Penn began the second half on a 12-2 scoring run, and scored 25 of the first 33 points in the second half.

On Friday, with 10 minutes left to go, Penn was on the verge of giving up the run that would put victory out of reach. But at that same point on Saturday, the game was largely won, and Donahue began pulling starters.

Penn will next play at Dartmouth next Saturday at 2 p.m. The game will be streamed live on ESPN+.

Winter sports check-in: January 2023 edition

bit more certain, I look back on it, and I’m thinking, man, I’m gonna miss these guys so much.”

“The other [graduating players] and I were big parts of the team, but there are a lot of guys who are more than capable of filling in our spots,” Stitz added. “I think the program is in safe hands.”

No matter what the future has in store for Christoffersen and Stitz, their pivotal roles in securing Penn’s first Ivy League soccer title since 2013 will always be remembered.

With a little over two months of play left to go for most teams, the winter sports season is picking up right where it left off before break. Here is all you need to know to get caught up on what’s happened so far … and what the Quakers have left.

Men’s swimming and diving

Aside from not-so-impressive records, men’s swimming (2-2-1) and diving just finished wrapping up a record-breaking Zippy Invitational performance, and the program shows promise of bringing home a NCAA championship down the road. The men’s team secured its second straight first-place finish at Zippy, held in Akron, Ohio in early December.

As swimming and diving resumes its season after a six-week hiatus, there is one key figure to keep an eye on. Having secured a spot on the United States Men’s National Team earlier in the season, it is no shock sophomore Matt Fallon leads the men’s team in impressive performances and has already qualified for the 2023 NCAA Championship.

Women’s swimming and diving

The women’s team also finished the fall season on a high note, coming in third place at Zippy, but the team still has a 2-3 record.

For the women’s squad, it is senior Anna Kalandadze who has made the most waves in the pool thus far, winning the Zippy’s 500-yard freestyle, with an NCAA B-cut time of 4:42.45.

In spite of this, before planning for the NCAA championship can begin, the Ivy League Championship awaits both teams in February — where the women finished in third place in 2022.

Men’s squash

In a case of déjà vu, Penn men’s squash finds itself undefeated at the midway point. Holding a 8-0 record before setting off on a month-long winter break, the team is looking to repeat as Ivy champs — winning an outright title for the first time since 1969 last season.

The men’s squad is also hungrier than ever for a Potter Cup victory after falling just short last season to Harvard in the championship round — who also stands

Women’s squash

Penn women’s squash has only dropped one of its matches this season — to No. 3 Drexel on Nov. 13 — and currently stands at a 4-1 recond. The Quakers have impressive sweeps their last time out and sitting at ninth in national rankings, the team looks to improve on its poor 2-4 finish in conference play last season when

13.

Wrestling

After starting the season with three losses to ranked teams, Penn wrestling took the winter break to rebound, with head-to-head defeats of Army and UNC wrapped around a second place finish at the Midlands Championships in Evanston, Ill. and fifth place at the Franklin & Marshall Open. With the thick of the season still to come, the team stands at 2-3, but has reasons for optimism.

Despite the losing record, Penn’s season has been littered with impressive individual performances. In fact, nine Quakers were nationally ranked at one time with sophomore Nick Incontrera shining the brightest.

Incontrera picked up a couple of wins in previous matchups with nationally ranked opponents such as No. 19 Rutgers and No. 9 Wisconsin.

Men’s fencing With multiple ranked wins in the first part of the season, Penn men’s fencing is off to a 4-1 start. The men earned a pair of top-10 wins at the Elite Invitational in November, including a decisive 18-9 defeat of UNC, which was ranked No. 6 in the country at the time. The program’s only loss of the year was also at the Invitational, to No. 8 Notre Dame. Up next is the Penn State Invitational on Jan. 15 — a tournament where Penn went 2-2 last year.

Women’s fencing

With six matches in the books, Penn women’s fencing is 4-2. At the Elite Invitational, hosted at the Tse Center in Philadelphia, the team snagged three victories against top-15 squads. So far, some of the team’s most impressive fencers have been freshmen Elizabeth Wang and Lenna Choi, who have a combined 11-8 record.The women will also see their next action at the Penn State Invitational on Jan. 15.

Men’s squash is off to an undefeated start, while multiple swimmers have posted NCAA-qualifying times

ALEXIS GARCIA & CALEB CRAIN Sports Editors

PHOTO BY ANNA VAZHAEPARAMBIL

Junior Cole Urbas grapples with UNC’s Cade Lautt to win the bout 16-0 during the meet on Jan. 10.

PHOTO BY ANNA VAZHAEPARAMBIL

Senior Alexander Trauber defeats Haverford’s Matthew Sullivan in three sets during the matchup on Dec. 3, 2022.

a spot above Penn in national rankings at first place.

Ancient Eight play commences on Jan.

The Ivy League’s football stadiums, ranked

In my time with The Daily Pennsylvanian, I was able to cover three Ivy League football seasons, and I received the rare opportunity to visit all eight of the conference’s football stadiums. Now, with my final season as a student in the books, it feels only fitting to rank the stadiums from best to worst. In my rankings, I will focus on how well-suited they are to host college football games in the present day, with a reduced emphasis on historic aspects.

8. Schoellkopf Field - Cornell Big Red Coming in last on a list in the Ivy League is nothing new for Cornell. The vast majority of this stadium’s 21,500 seats are located on one sideline, giving it a lopsided, aesthetically displeasing look. Additionally, the stadium lacks barriers behind the end zones, giving it a very open feel. On the plus side, it is located conveniently on campus.

7. Wien Stadium - Columbia Lions

Located at the northern tip of Manhattan, the Lions’ home since 1984 takes the seventh spot. Featuring a surprisingly scenic view from the top stands, the stadium is by no means a bad spot to take in a game, but the concrete feel of its facade is not particularly appealing to the eyes. That and its long distance from Columbia’s campus and the rest of New York City keep it towards the bottom of this list.

Harvard Stadium - Harvard Crimson

6.

The U-shaped arena where the Crimson have hosted games for nearly 120 years makes the casual stroller feel they have been transported from Cambridge to ancient Athens in just five minutes — for better and for worse. While certainly boasting a classical feel, the amenities are also reminiscent of antiquity, as the stadium has seemingly not been upgraded since the forward pass. For all its downfalls (not to mention the unheated, wet press box), 30,000 fans still squeeze in every other year for the Yale game.

5. Memorial Field - Dartmouth Big Green

Dartmouth is in the opposite situation of Harvard; the stadium has been greatly renovated and feels very sleek and modern, but lacks the historical feel that is so typical of the conference. It is similar to the massive high school football stadiums that are so popular in Texas. Overall, it’s a great place to watch

a game, but something seems missing.

4. Yale Bowl - Yale Bulldogs

Taking in a game at the Yale Bowl is certainly a unique experience. A well-kept relic of the past, 60,000 can fit into just one level of seating, with dozens of tunnels serving as entrances and exits. The slanted grass ring that encloses only adds to its mystique. Being over a mile from the university is certainly a downside, but it’s worth the trip from campus and much farther.

3. Brown Stadium - Brown Bears

Although boasting architecture similar to its counterparts at Cornell and Columbia, Brown Stadium beats them out with its gameday atmosphere — easily the best in the Ivy League. From an array of food trucks to a beer garden and several tailgates, the environment here feels how college football should. Unfortunately, because of its spot 25 minutes away from campus and the student body’s overall athletic apathy, few students attend. However, those in the stands seem to have a great time.

2. Franklin Field - Penn Quakers

While the stadium does have by far the most history in the Ivy League, Franklin Field sometimes feels too proud of its own history to remember that it’s in the present. Additionally, its NFL capacity is far too much for the audience it regularly draws, and the empty seats leave a defeating aura at Penn games. With that said, it is a beautiful structure that well represents Penn and Philadelphia as a whole, and its prime location next to the Palestra cements its status. Bonus points for the toast throwing.

1. Princeton Stadium - Princeton Tigers

The newest stadium in the Ivy League, it wouldn’t be hard to mistake it for a miniature NFL arena. Decked out from top to bottom, the building stands as a bright symbol of Princeton’s overall incredible athletic facilities. The press box almost feels more like an elegant casino viewing room. But despite this modernity, the stadium’s architecture still feels timeless. It was built on the location of its predecessor, Palmer Stadium, and more than does it justice. Located right on campus, there isn’t much more you can ask for from an Ivy League football stadium.

attempts. On one of Columbia’s final possessions, junior center Floor Toonders blocked a shot which would have tied the game.

“Today I focused really well on staying inside the paint mostly and guarding the basket,” Toonders said. “So I was able to step up this time and block a shot.”

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eventually seal the Quaker’s four-point lead. “I think Jordan doesn’t really need to be told … she knows internally what she needs to do [to win],” Padilla said. “At the end of the day she knows she needs to get the job done and there was no one stopping her.”

In the clutch, Penn came up big on offense, but perhaps even bigger on defense. The Quakers finished the game on an 8-0 scoring run, and Columbia made just two of its last 15 field goal

McLaughlin spoke highly of Toonders’ performance, especially complementing her conditioning throughout this weekend’s backto-back games.

The Quakers will next be in action Tuesday night against Hartford, in their final non-conference game of the season. The game is at the Palestra at 7 p.m. and will be streamed live on ESPN+.

Two facilities in the Empire State fall at the bottom, while Franklin Field sits near the top BRANDON PRIDE Former Sports Editor

PHOTOILLUSTRATION BY ANNA VAZHAEPARAMBIL

Three up, three down

CALEB CRAIN Sports Editor

Less than a week into Ivy play, Penn women’s basketball has now extended its winning streak to nine straight with a pair of wins against Cornell and Columbia at the Palestra over the weekend. The Quakers are red hot, winning all four games held over winter break.

Throughout the weekend, Penn relied on star senior guard Kayla Padilla, and she rose to the occasion. But that’s where the similarities between the two matches ended.

Cornell (8-8, 1-2 Ivy) has been around the middle of the Ivy League all season. But Columbia (13-3, 2-1) has been dominant and came into Saturday’s matchup riding a 10-game winning streak.

“They’re older, they’re skilled, they’re athletic,” Coach Mike McLaughlin said of Columbia. He added that he “was not surprised at all” by their success so far this season.

And just as the two opponents differed, so did the games. On Friday night, Penn (11-5, 3-0) led comfortably, not trailing in the final three quarters and eventually defeating Cornell 62-54. But in Saturday’s contest, the Quakers trailed for over 30 minutes and had to overcome Columbia in the final minutes of their 71-67 victory.

On Friday night, Padilla dominated from start to finish. She scored nearly half of the Quakers’ 62 points, on an incredibly efficient 8-14 from the floor. Padilla was also perfect from the free throw line, making all eight shots from the charity stripes. When the night was over, she had 27 points – nearly twice as many as any other player from either team.

But Padilla’s impact was felt beyond just scoring, as she grabbed six rebounds and dished out four assists.

While Padilla’s scoring might stand out the most, she certainly wasn’t the only Quaker who made an impact against the Big Red. Jordan Obi grabbed 15 rebounds and forced four turnovers, while only sitting for one minute of game time.

“I feel like everyone knows that Jordan has been an absolute force on the offensive side who can score from inside and from three,” Padilla said of her teammate. “But I think in these past few Ivy games she has showed that she’s an absolute monster on the boards.”

Penn was also able to capitalize on a sluggish offensive night from the Big Red. Despite generating eight more turnovers than Penn, Cornell shot 1-17 from deep, and ended the night below 35% on all field goals.

Following her performance on Friday, Padilla was honored before Saturday’s match against Columbia. Pregame, Penn President Liz Magill, Athletic Director Alanna Shanahan, and Coach Mike McLaughlin presented Padilla with the ball from her Dec. 11 match against Temple, when she became the 24th Quaker to reach 1,000 career points.

Miscues were an issue for Penn on Saturday, and Columbia capitalized on them this time. In the first quarter alone, the Quakers turned the ball over six times, leading to 11 points for the Lions. Penn didn’t score following either of Columbia’s two first-quarter turnovers.

Some of these giveaways were due to Columbia’s game plan. Full-court pressure prevented Mandy McGurk from bringing up the ball on many possessions, forcing Penn to rely on others for ball handling duties. But there were still many which were preventable.

But when Penn could get off shots, the team was hitting them. The Quakers shot 54% from the field, and hit four of 10 three pointers in the

first half. And this was enough to keep it a onepoint game by halftime. Padilla and Obi, Penn’s leading scorers so far this season, had 10 and 11 points, respectively.

In the second half, Columbia was able to jump out to a seven-point lead early, and held it for most of the third quarter. But to end that period, Padilla led the Quakers on a 13-3 scoring run, giving the Quakers a one-point advantage with 10 minutes left to play.

Early in the fourth period, Penn appeared poised to pull away, jumping out to a five-point lead in the first few minutes. But, again, mistakes reared their ugly head when Penn only made two of its first seven free throws in the fourth quarter. With under three minutes left to play, Columbia led by four.

Men’s basketball splits weekend games against Cornell and Columbia

Cornell pulled away from Penn late on Friday, while the Quakers dominated the second half against Columbia

CALEB CRAIN & ANTONIO MELONI Sports Editor & Sports Associate

The past two games marked the first of three Friday-Saturday back-to-backs that Penn men’s basketball will play this season. And while the two games in quick succession have the downside of reducing the amount of rest a team can have, they provide an opportunity for a quick mental bounceback.

This weekend, the Quakers (9-8, 2-1 Ivy) were able to capitalize on that quick turnaround as they split their weekend series, losing to Cornell 88-69 Friday before dominating Columbia 84-55 on Saturday.

“I thought we made great strides tonight,” coach Steve Donahue said after Saturday’s win. He complimented the team’s ability in “bouncing back from a real difficult last 10 minutes of that game … to focus and put that behind [them].”

On Friday night, after closely trailing the Big Red for the majority of the contest, the Quakers began to fall behind midway through the second half.

Despite having briefly led Cornell (12-4, 2-1) by one with roughly 12 minutes left in the game – following a tough three scored by junior guard Clark Slajchert – the Quakers’ offense failed to convert for the next three minutes. This allowed the Big Red to open up a double-digit lead on a 15-2 scoring run.

“We were pretty good overall until about the 10 minute mark in the second half,” junior guard Jordan Dingle said. “Then we just fell flat.”

Hindering Penn throughout the entirety of the contest was a three-point shooting drought. Slajchert and junior forward Max Martz each went 1-3 from beyond the arc, and the rest of the team shot a combined 2-13. The Big Red’s defense did a strong job of contesting Jordan Dingle’s long-range efforts, resulting in him going 0-5 from deep.

Although Dingle and Slajchert weren’t able to do much damage from the three-point line, the scoring

See MBB, page 10

But it was at this point, with the stakes the highest, that Padilla and Obi’s performances were the brightest. Padilla drove to the basket, nailing a layup through contact and finishing the three-point play on the ensuing free throw. And on the next possession, after bringing down a rebound, Obi made both free throws after being fouled, giving Penn the lead with under a minute left.

In the match’s closing seconds, it was Obi who ended the night as the game’s leading scorer with 24 points, even with the most pressure on her. She delivered repeatedly, bringing down rebounds and hitting free throws to

Men’s soccer sees Stitz, Christoffersen selected in MLS Draft

ANTONIO MELONI Sports Associate

There’s dreams and there’s reality. For many people, they often don’t intersect. But for two members of Penn men’s soccer, their dreams became reality last Wednesday night.

On Dec. 21, seniors Nick Christoffersen and Ben Stitz were selected in the 2023 MLS SuperDraft. Stitz, a prolific forward, was chosen by D.C. United with the 31st overall pick, and starting goalkeeper Christoffersen went to CF Montréal 83rd overall.

“When I saw my name pop up next to D.C. United on my phone, it didn’t feel real,” Stitz said. “Going into the draft, you think you know what being drafted feels like and you play draft night out in your mind in a variety of different ways. When it actually happened, I couldn’t believe it was real.”

Despite Stitz’s joy and unlike other professional sports, MLS doesn’t guarantee contracts to all who are drafted. Instead, it ensures players an opportunity to showcase their talent during the January preseason period. For aspiring professionals like Stitz, earning a spot on an MLS roster before the 2023 season opener in late February is crucial.

“Getting drafted is very important because you get the opportunity to enter the preseason with the first team, but, at the end of the day, there’s still a ton of work to be done in terms of performing,” Stitz said. “You’re expected to prove yourself, and if you’re not cutting it, then you can be sent down to the second team or even released.”

Having graduated following the fall 2022 semester, Stitz is fully ready to pursue a professional career. Christoffersen, on the other hand, is still in the process of deciding whether to pursue a professional career.

“I haven’t made a commitment to anything yet — it’s an interesting position I find myself in,” Christoffersen said. “Unlike [Stitz], I haven’t completely finished all of my collegiate eligibility and right now, I am focusing on remaining eligible as a student.”

Christoffersen is looking to train with CF Montréal in January while balancing his academic responsibilities at Penn. He could still elect to stay at Penn for an additional year or semester, allowing him to enter the 2024 MLS SuperDraft.

Coincidentally, Christoffersen was born in Montreal, but during his childhood, he moved to Toronto where he would eventually join the Toronto FC Academy.

“The rivalry between Toronto FC and CF Montréal has always been there,” Christoffersen said. “Being on the other side of that now is a lot of fun. I have a lot of close family friends in Montreal and it brings me a lot of excitement to go back there.”

Despite not knowing what his immediate future holds, Christoffersen is resolute in his eventual goal.

“My long-term aspiration is to hopefully make it onto the 2026 Canadian World Cup team and I think having the opportunity to play for this club is a chance to showcase myself in Canada,” he said.

Now, a week into the next stage of his soccer career, Stitz is able to look back fondly on his time as a Quaker.

“It’s crazy because leading up to the draft, even when I was still at school, I was so consumed by the stress of the uncertainty of the draft and what was gonna happen,” Stitz said. “Now that my future is a

Women’s basketball undefeated in Ivy play following weekend triumphs over Cornell and Columbia

The two played key roles in securing Penn its first Ivy League title since 2013.

PHOTO BY ANNA VAZHAEPARAMBIL

Junior forward Jordan Obi dribbles to the basket during the game against Columbia on Jan. 7.

PHOTO BY JESSE ZHANG

Senior forward Michael Moshkovitz passes the ball down the court during last season’s game at Columbia at the Levien Gymnasium in New York on Feb. 4, 2022.