The first day of Trump’s second term, explained by
Penn experts
The Daily Pennsylvanian spoke with Penn professors about the potential consequences of dozens of executive orders signed by President and 1968 Wharton graduate Donald Trump, many of which reversed policies from the Biden administration
ALEX DASH, ANVI SEGHAL, AND SAMEEKSHA PANDA Staff Reporters
On his first day back in office, President and 1968 Wharton graduate Donald Trump signed dozens of executive orders — many of which reversed policies from the Biden administration.
The orders reflected Trump’s inauguration speech, in which he promised to reverse the “many betrayals” that have occurred and to restore the faith, wealth, democracy, and freedom of the people.
The Daily Pennsylvanian spoke to Penn professors about the potential consequences of the new policies.
Withdrawal from the Paris Agreement
While onstage at the Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C. for a post-inauguration rally, Trump signed an order to withdraw the United States from the Paris Agreement, an international treaty that pledges to reduce carbon emissions. This is the second time Trump has removed the United States from the agreement after Biden rejoined in 2021.
During his inaugural address, Trump said Biden’s climate policies opposed domestic energy goals and led to a “national energy emergency.”
Penn Program on Regulation Director and Political Science professor Cary Coglianese wrote to the DP that Trump’s decision to pull out was “inconsistent with international law” and the provisions of the treaty.
“The withdrawal process under the Agreement calls for a one-year period following notice of withdrawal before any country’s withdrawal can be effectuated,” Coglianese wrote. “But Trump’s order expressly declares that the United States will withdraw immediately.”
Political Science assistant professor Parrish Bergquist emphasized the danger of the reversal “for the U.S. and … the world.”
“It signals to the world that the U.S. is an unreliable partner on climate energy investment,” Bergquist said.
From Colombia to California, meet three students admitted via early decision to Penn’s Class of 2029
The Daily Pennsylvanian spoke with three members of the Class of 2029 about their journeys to Penn and what excites them most about the next four years
NINA RAWAL Staff Reporter
Penn released early decision admissions results for the Class of 2029 on Dec. 19, 2024, admitting nearly half of the incoming class.
Over 9,500 students applied through Penn’s Early Decision Program this year — an increase from last year’s 8,500, according to a University announcement. The admitted students — including a record number of QuestBridge National College Match scholars — represent 64 countries and 48 states, along with Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico, the United States Virgin Islands, and the Mariana Islands.
“We are thrilled to welcome our newest Quakers, applaud their many accomplishments, and eagerly anticipate the arrival of the rest of their classmates in the spring. Hurrah, hurrah for the Penn Class of 2029!” Vice Provost and Dean of Admissions Whitney Soule wrote in an announcement.
The 2024-25 admissions cycle comes after Penn’s announcement of expanded financial aid policies for the upcoming academic year,
increasing the income threshold for full-tuition scholarships from $140,000 to $200,000 for families with typical assets.
The Daily Pennsylvanian spoke with three early decision admitted members of the Class of 2029 about their journeys to Penn and what excites them most about the next four years.
Tatiana Jimenez plans to study international relations and economics in the College of Arts and Sciences. She is from Colombia but currently resides in Orlando, Fla. Jimenez said her Penn acceptance through the QuestBridge program marked a moment of joy and relief.
“I found out on Dec. 2 that I got the Match Scholarship, and it was crazy,” Jimenez said. “I couldn’t believe it. I was scared of opening the decision because I was so scared of rejection. So I came home, and my brother was here, so he opened it with me.”
Jimenez said her interest in the Huntsman Program in International Studies and Business, See STUDENTS, page 2
According to Penn’s Vice Provost for Climate Science, Policy, and Action Michael Mann, who also directs the Penn Center for Science, Sustainability and the Media, the potential repercussions of the withdrawal could be mitigated if “other superpowers like China step up and fill the void left behind by U.S. withdrawal from the climate battle.”
Trump also signed an order to halt the operations of offshore wind energy projects, a decision that Bergquist described as “foolish” and “ironic,” given Trump’s claims of prioritizing the economy.
“Curtailing renewable energy development in the country doesn’t make sense economically, and it doesn’t make sense environmentally,” Bergquist said. “I think prohibiting it is driven by symbolism, and to me, capriciousness, rather than some sort of understanding that this is going to make people better off.”
See TERM, page 2
‘I’m definitely worried’: Penn experts discuss abortion, reproductive rights in second Trump term
The Daily Pennsylvanian spoke with Penn health care experts and Philadelphiaarea abortion providers about what the next four years under Trump’s second administration may hold, from federal abortion bans to state-by-state restrictions
JESSICA WU Senior Reporter
1968 Wharton graduate Donald Trump was sworn in as the 47th president of the United States this week, ushering in a wave of uncertainty surrounding the future of reproductive rights and abortion access.
During Trump’s first term in office — which saw the overturning of Roe v. Wade and significant changes to abortion policies at the state level — the landscape of reproductive healthcare shifted dramatically.
See ABORTION, page 2
Trump pardons 2010 Penn graduate Patrick Stedman for involvement in Jan. 6, 2021 Capitol
riot
Stedman is one of 1,500 people — including some convicted of assaulting police offcers — included in sweeping pardons issued shortly after 1968 Wharton graduate and President Donald Trump returned to the White House
BEN BINDAY Senior Reporter
2010 College graduate Patrick Stedman, who was convicted of five offenses for his involvement in the Jan. 6, 2021 riot at the United States Capitol, received an unconditional pardon from President Donald Trump on Monday.
Stedman is one of 1,500 people — including some convicted of assaulting police officers — included in sweeping pardons issued shortly after the 1968 Wharton graduate returned to the White House. According to a press release by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia at the time of his sentencing, Stedman was part of a “disorderly mob” during the riot, overran police lines, and entered the chambers of thenSpeaker of the U.S. House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.).
The press release also stated that Stedman took “selfie photos of himself on the Speaker’s Balcony” and shouted threats at police officers.
“After he was expelled from the Capitol building by police, Stedman recorded a video for his followers, explaining that he had ‘taken action’ to prevent Congress from certifying the results of the presidential election and that the ‘rats’ – as he referred to members of Congress – had ‘scurried into the tunnels’ to escape. He posted on social media that ‘patriots’ had stolen the hard drives from the Capitol and, ‘The Storm is Here,’” the press release said.
“I was pretty much in the first wave, and we broke down the doors and climbed up the back part of the Capitol building and got all the way into the chambers,” Stedman said in a video shortly after departing the Capitol.
Stedman, who has frequently petitioned Trump on social media to pardon individuals involved in the riot, shared his gratitude to the president for
See PARDON, page 3
KYLIE COOPER | DP FILE PHOTO
ETHAN YOUNG | STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
Penn’s international relations program, and the University’s faculty influenced her decision to apply.
“I wanted to be in a big city like Philadelphia,” Jimenez said. “Since your freshman year, you can start doing study abroad programs. I’m also excited about the community that I’m going to find.” For Lesley Hernandez — who hails from Lawrence, Mass. — the moment she realized she had been accepted to the School of Nursing was one of surprise.
“I was in my room and I was in disbelief. I literally paused and had to re-look at the page over and over again,” Hernandez said. “There was a moment of shock, and then afterwards, tears started streaming down my face. Then I ran to the living room and told my grandparents and mom.”
Hernandez said she is eager to take advantage of Penn’s student organizations.
“I’m so proud to be representing the
Dominican Republic and can’t wait to get involved with my soon-to-be community in Philadelphia,” she said. “I’m especially excited to connect with the diverse organizations offered at UPenn and build unforgettable memories.”
Mishal George, who plans to study communications in the College, was born in Philadelphia but now lives in the San Francisco Bay Area. Her decision to apply early decision to Penn was solidified after a visit to campus last year.
“When I was in Philadelphia for a weekend, we stopped by Penn’s campus and sat in on an Annenberg class,” George said. “I was eavesdropping on the students’ conversations while listening to the lecture, and it was really cool hearing such interesting discussions from the students and professor.”
Coming from a small high school, George said she is thrilled to join a larger community at Penn.
“At my current school, there are only 74 kids in my grade, so I’m so excited to branch out next fall,” she said. “I really want to join the Muslim Students Association. My brother and I are the only Muslims at our small school, so I would love to join a bigger community at Penn.”
Exiting the World Health Organization
Trump also initiated the process of withdrawing the United States from the World Health Organization for a second time following his initial withdrawal order in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, former President Biden reversed this decision upon taking office in 2021.
In a statement, WHO expressed its “regret” over the withdrawal and urged the United States to reconsider.
Penn Carey Law School and Medical Ethics & Health Policy professor Eric Feldman wrote in an email to the DP that “relinquishing our participation is not only shortsighted; it is dangerous.”
“As the Covid-19 pandemic made clear, infectious diseases know no borders, and our success in controlling their spread and protecting our population is inexorably linked to our engagement with other nations,” Feldman added.
Penn Medicine’s Division of Epidemiology Director Sean Hennessy highlighted the “profound consequences” of the executive action, “not just for America, but for global health as a whole.”
Hennessy said the decision was a “massive financial hit” that would leave the WHO “severely compromised.” He also highlighted the potential damage to the relationship between the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Food and Drug Administration.
“By severing these ties, we’re not only depriving the WHO of crucial technical guidance, but we’re also cutting ourselves off from vital global health data and intelligence,” Hennessy said.
The withdrawal could result in a potential rise in misinformation regarding public health, according to Hennessy. He highlighted social media platforms as “major conduits for misinformation” and cautioned against the “perfect storm of technological and social factors that are amplifying the spread of false health information.”
Hennessy described the health community as optimistic in dealing with these “challenges,” as it develops “strategies to combat misinformation” — citing health literacy education and fact-checking initiatives as examples.
Restricting immigration and ending birthright citizenship
In his inaugural address, Trump said that his highest responsibility is to “defend our country from threats and invasions,” and that his administration will “use the full and immense power of federal and state law enforcement” to combat illegal immigration.
On Monday, the president issued executive orders
temporarily halting refugee admissions to the United States for “at least four months” and declared the state of immigration at the southern border to be “an invasion.”
Political Science professor Rogers Smith wrote in a statement to the DP that the 14th Amendment does not protect birthright citizenship for children of undocumented immigrants. Smith alleged that the amendment also does not give the executive branch authority to determine birthright citizenship, calling Trump’s executive order “unconstitutional.”
Smith said that the executive order could prompt legislation on the issue in Congress — to which the 14th Amendment gives the power to enforce birthright citizenship — or constitutional debate resulting in a Supreme Court decision on the issue.
“I strongly believe the current policy [of birthright citizenship] should be upheld, as it does far more good than harm,” Smith added.“Restoring”
Freedom of Speech and Curtailing Censorship
Trump also promised to “bring back free speech to America” during his inauguration speech. He immediately signed the “Restoring Freedom of Speech and Ending Federal Censorship” executive order, which forbids fact-checking on social media platforms, a tactic the Biden administration had endorsed to combat misinformation.
The executive order refers to the fact-checking initiatives as “government censorship of free speech” used to “moderate, deplatform, or otherwise suppress speech” that the federal government was not in agreement with.
Political Science assistant professor Jane Esberg, whose research focuses on censorship, told the DP that “the Biden administration’s approach to combating misinformation did not amount to government censorship.” She cited Biden’s June 2024 Supreme Court victory in requesting the removal of misinformation from social media platforms.
“Dismantling any federal attempts to promote fact-checking and stop the spread of fake news — as Trump’s executive order does — is not a good start,” Esberg said. “We will likely see an increase in misinformation on social media, but not as a direct consequence of the EO. Decisions about allowable content still rest with the companies themselves.”
History of Education professor Jonathan Zimmerman noted that while it was “perfectly fair to criticize” social media content moderation, “it’s a very scary prospect for the government to say they can’t do it.”
“I understand that Trump’s order is a nod in the direction of the production of free speech, but given his track record on these subjects, I’m deeply skeptical about it,” Zimmerman added. “Somebody who calls the media the enemy of the people doesn’t strike me as a great champion of freedom of expression.”
abortions in 2023.
The Daily Pennsylvanian spoke with Penn health care experts and Philadelphia-area abortion providers about what the next four years might hold, from federal abortion bans to state-by-state restrictions.
Sarah Gutman is an obstetrician-gynecologist and abortion provider in Philadelphia with a subspecialty training in complex family planning.
“I’m definitely worried that a second Trump administration is going to severely limit people’s ability to access reproductive health care, in particular abortion and contraception care,” Gutman said. “The constant change in the political environment and the constant change in what restrictions are around is really confusing. It’s confusing for providers, and it’s confusing for patients.”
She said that the uncertainty can be a barrier for doctors who want to provide care but are concerned about the legal ramifications and for patients who may lose confidence in the medical system.
abortion care.
She added that the ACA is another example where regulations vacillate between Democratic and Republican administrations.
The ACA requires that all health insurance plans include FDA-approved contraception coverage — with exemptions for religious organizations such as churches. Prior to Trump’s first administration, there were also exemptions in place for religious nonprofits and closely held for-profit corporations with religious objections.
During his first term, the Trump administration created a regulation that exempted all employers with religious or moral objections to this requirement from covering contraception in their plan, which Hoffman called a “really broad exemption.”
“It really gave employers full discretion to decide whether they were going to cover contraception or not,” Hoffman added.
Gutman also said that the “global gag rule” — which prevents foreign organizations that receive U.S. global health assistance from providing abortion services or referrals — is also high on her radar of policies that could be reinstated and expanded by the Trump administration.
indicator that he will continue to support policies that reduce access to safe reproductive services.
Sonalkar added that she believes this would lead to increased morbidity and mortality of vulnerable populations.
Abernathy noted that in recent public statements, Trump has vacillated on whether or not he would ban abortion federally, adding that “it seems Trump and his team are wrestling with what stance to take.”
During a campaign event in October, Trump said that he would veto a federal abortion ban, adding that he supports the rights of states to make decisions on abortion.
Even if Congress does not pass a federal law banning access to legal abortions, there are still other ways that the Trump administration could restrict abortions nationwide and that individual states can ban abortion care.
Hoffman and Gutman noted that the administration could try to limit medical abortion in a number of ways, including making it illegal to mail these pills under the Comstock Act.
The Comstock Act, which banned the mailing of anything intended for the “prevention of conception” and the “procuring of abortion,” was passed 150 years ago but has remained dormant for years.
A second Trump administration could reinstate the Comstock Act.
In addition to addressing the availability of abortion pills by mail and at retail pharmacies, Abernathy said that she is uncertain about the extent to which FDA approval of these pills backslide under Trump’s presidency.
“There have been state efforts to reclassify these medications as more dangerous than they actually are, when they’re ultimately life-saving in many cases,” Abernathy added.
Perelman School of Medicine Assistant professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology Alice Abernathy, who researches the links between constrained abortion access and maternal mortality, told the DP that abortion bans have “always been unpopular across sectors of the population.”
During the 2024 election cycle, 10 states featured ballot measures that would enshrine abortion rights in their respective state constitutions. The measures passed in seven of those states, which Abernathy cited as evidence that voters wanted to preserve abortion access.
University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School professor Allison Hoffman — whose work examines health insurance regulation, the Affordable Care Act, and Medicare — explained that policies from the first Trump administration and previous Republican administrations signaled to her that the upcoming Trump administration will take similar actions regarding abortion access.
“There has been, in recent years, this pattern of flip flopping on certain areas and regulations as we move back and forth between Democratic and Republican administrations,” Hoffman added. Hoffman highlighted the Title X Family Planning Program, a federal grant program that provides family planning and related preventative health services for low-income and uninsured individuals, as an example. Family planning clinics — which are typically well-funded by Democratic administrations — provide services such as pregnancy testing, infertility services, contraceptive counseling and provision, and cancer screenings.
The first Trump administration prohibited Title X family planning clinics from providing abortion referrals, Hoffman said, which caused a large number of family planning clinics to refuse federal funding rather than comply with the rule.
Planned Parenthood, for example, withdrew from Title X funding in 2019, despite previously receiving about $60 million annually through the program to serve more than 1.5 million low-income women, according to The New York Times.
The Biden administration reversed the regulations banning abortion referrals in 2021.
Hoffman said that she is fairly confident that the new Trump administration will reenact similar restrictions on Title X funding as part of the long-standing policy turn toward Republican administrations not wanting federal dollars to go toward
Sarita Sonalkar, an associate professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the Penn Med, agreed that Trump’s Supreme Court nominations during his past presidency — which “directly led to the decision to end the federal right to abortion” — were a likely
Gutman said that the Trump administration could refuse to enforce the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act, which is a federal statute requiring hospitals to provide emergency care to patients who need it. The act protects patients who seek emergency care for acute pregnancy complications requiring an abortion to save the mother’s life — even if it conflicts with the state’s abortion ban.
Both Hoffman and Abernathy also discussed the possibility of Trump targeting two abortion pills, which account for an estimated 63% of all medical
In the next four years, Gutman advised people to remain aware of misinformation and noted the increased stigma patients who need abortion or miscarriage care may face.
“There were really blatantly false things said by the Trump campaign and during the debates, and I think that also increases this risk of harm to providers,” Gutman said. “It’s going to be really important that you get your healthcare information from trusted sources.” ABORTION,
CHENYAO LIU | SENIOR PHOTOGRAPHER
The Penn undergraduate admissions office is located in Claudia Cohen Hall.
the clemency in several posts on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter.
“It’s almost four years to the day, and a few hours from now four years ago I was arrested by Biden’s DOJ, and so I spent one year behind bars and three years under various release conditions, and it’s all over now,” Stedman said in a video posted to his X account.
In the announcement of the pardons, Trump described the prosecution of individuals involved in the riot as a “grave national injustice that has been perpetrated upon the American people over the last four years.”
The Federal Bureau of Investigation arrested Stedman in his hometown of Haddonfield, N.J. on Jan. 21, 2021, 15 days after the Capitol riot. He was later convicted of a felony count for obstruction of an official proceeding and four misdemeanor counts.
While Stedman was sentenced to four years in prison, a September 2024 victory on appeal vacated his felony conviction and returned the charge to the trial court. The Department of Justice and Stedman later reached an agreement in which the felony charge would not be retried, provided Stedman refrained from appealing his misdemeanor convictions.
As a result, Stedman was released from custody on Oct. 27, 2024 after one year behind bars. Stedman, a social media influencer, describes himself in his biography on X as a “J6 Political Prisoner” and a “Dating + Relationship Coach … Helping men who want healthy relationships to attract & keep their dream girl.”
At Penn, Stedman double majored in history and political science and earned a minor in modern Middle Eastern studies. He also listed involvements with the Penn Debate Society and Penn Political Review in the MyPenn alumni database.
The pardons come four years after the riot — which marked a historic challenge to the center of American democracy — bringing to a halt extensive efforts by federal investigators to hold its organizers accountable. As part of the proclamation, Trump also ordered the U.S. attorney general to cease prosecution of approximately 450 remaining cases related to the riot.
Trump, throughout his presidential campaign and in recent months, frequently sought to downplay the violent nature of the Capitol riot — instead recasting it as a “day of love.”
Penn Medicine leads cancer treatment breakthroughs in CAR T-cell therapy
Penn Medicine is advancing cancer treatment with its work in CAR T-cell therapy, an innovative immunotherapy that is reshaping the fght against blood cancers and rare genetic diseases
SERENA EL FEGHALI Staff Reporter
Penn Medicine is advancing cancer treatment with its work in CAR T-cell therapy, an innovative immunotherapy that is reshaping the fight against blood cancers and rare genetic diseases.
Penn Medicine is one of the first institutions to develop FDA-approved CAR T-cell therapies. By utilizing the power of the body’s own immune system, CAR T-cell therapy aims to help patients for whom traditional treatments have been ineffective. This therapy is currently approved to treat leukemia, lymphoma, and multiple myeloma, with researchers working to expand its application to other cancers and diseases.
CAR T-cell therapy genetically reprograms a patient’s T cells, a type of white blood cell responsible for fighting infections, so they can identify and destroy cancer cells more effectively. The process involves collecting T cells from the patient’s blood, modifying them in a lab, and infusing the enhanced cells back into the patient’s body. These engineered cells can then locate and attack cancer cells with remarkable precision.
The treatment, while highly effective, is not without its risks. Patients undergoing CAR T-cell therapy are closely monitored for side effects, including cytokine release syndrome, which can cause fever, dizziness, and fatigue, as well as potential neurological complications such as confusion or tremors.
“We’ve learned that the way you design your CAR really matters,” Perelman School of Medicine assistant professor Marco Ruella said. “Designing a different CAR might drastically change the way the T cells work, potentially allowing that CAR T-cell product to work where other CAR T-cell products have failed.”
Penn Medicine is also leading numerous clinical trials to improve efficacy and expand treatment options. Its specialized Cell Therapy and Transplant Program provides comprehensive support, from pre-treatment education to post-treatment follow-up, ensuring patients receive the necessary care.
Behind the groundbreaking innovations in CAR T-cell therapy at Penn Medicine is a team of clinical researchers, nurses, and coordinators who work together to bring these treatments from the lab to the bedside.
For more than a decade, clinical research nurse Joanne Shea has played a pivotal role in these advancements. Her work involves not only administering CAR T-cell therapies but also providing critical follow-up care and collecting essential data that drives further innovation.
“Patients come first … before data,” Shea said.
Patients undergoing CAR T-cell therapy often
commit to intense procedures and frequent monitoring, yet they remain at the heart of Penn Medicine’s efforts. Clinical project managers work closely with patients, scheduling appointments, managing data, and offering emotional support.
“We were not expecting such a drastic early difference in this study,” Ruella added. “The CART19 products that are already FDA-approved are very effective, and it’s not easy to do better. While there is not a randomized trial of this product yet, the initial results seem very promising, and we look forward to moving into the planned Phase II portion of the study.”
Penn likely to face ongoing congressional scrutiny as new U.S. House education chair begins tenure
Walberg — who was selected as the committee’s chair in December 2024 — has been outspoken about campus antisemitism and cited “continuing to protect Jewish students on college campuses” as one of his main priorities
ALEX DASH AND PAIGE RAWISZER
Staff Reporters
Penn will likely face continued congressional scrutiny over allegations of antisemitism as United States Rep. Tim Walberg (R-Mich.) takes the helm as chair of the U.S. House Committee on Education and Workforce.
Walberg — who was selected as the committee’s chair in December 2024 — has been outspoken about campus antisemitism and cited “continuing to protect Jewish students on college campuses” as one of his main priorities. He replaced Rep. Virginia Foxx (R-N.C.), the two-term chair who conducted numerous investigations into Penn following former Penn President Liz Magill’s testimony before the committee in December 2023.
Walberg is currently serving his ninth term in the House of Representatives and served 16 years on the Committee on Education and Workforce. In a press release announcing his new role, Walberg wrote, “The American people have given us a mandate to enact meaningful change and ensure future generations will succeed.”
“We have significant work ahead of us, from enshrining protections for parents to continuing to protect Jewish students on college campuses to rights providing more opportunity and flexibility to American workers,” Walberg wrote. “Freedom, opportunity, and fairness will guide our work as we deliver results for America. Let’s get to work!”
In December 2024, the committee released a 42-page report as the culmination of an investigation Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives Rep. Mike Johnson (R-La.) initiated last April, when he called for a “House-wide crackdown on antisemitism.”
The report offered a roadmap for legislation the Republican Party plans to pursue during this congressional session, which began on Jan. 3 and included recommendations for stronger oversight into American universities — including Penn — from the U.S. Department of Education and other federal agencies. The document echoed numerous findings from the Education Committee’s 325-page report released in October 2024, which revealed Penn’s disciplinary data and private exchanges between senior administrators.
In response to the findings, the report detailed several recommendations for higher education institutions to mitigate antisemitism on campuses — including recommendations to push several universities — including Penn, Columbia University, and Harvard University — to take greater steps in response to campus antisemitism. The report also advocated for escalated pressure on universities to “impose meaningful discipline” in response to antisemitic incidents and to increase the transparency of these responses. The report also called for universities to report discrimination and instances of antisemitism more forcefully under the Jeanne
Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistic Act, which requires “additional reporting when victims of certain crimes are elected on the basis of certain characteristics — including religion, national origin, and ethnicity.”
The report included recommendations for higher education legislation, including the removal of Title IV eligibility from universities that divest from Israel, increased oversight of university relationships with foreign entities, and measures to lower the cost of higher education.
Walberg participated in the December 2023 congressional hearing that resulted in the resignations of Magill and former Harvard President Claudine Gay. During the hearing, Walberg responded to Gay’s opening statement, in which she called knowledge the cure to antisemitism, and said “the cure to antisemitism is not simply knowledge … it’s truth.”
In July 2024, Walberg and Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.) were the lead authors of a letter — along with 26 other members of the U.S. House of Representatives — to Interim Harvard President Alan Garber, arguing that the preliminary recommendations of Harvard’s Presidential Task Force on Combating Antisemitism were not sufficient enough in their protection of Jewish students.
The letter urged Garber to implement the Antisemitism Advisory Group’s stronger recommendations — which included “zero tolerance” for classroom disruptions and greater accountability for student organizations that break university rules — and to end Harvard’s relationship with Palestine’s Birzeit University.
In his time in Congress, Walberg has advocated to simplify financial aid and reduce the cost of college. In 2023, he co-sponsored the Bipartisan Workforce Pell Act, which would allow the use of Pell grants for students in some shortterm education programs. The bill stalled in the 118th Congress, but Walberg — who believes it will positively impact short-term education and industry — will likely fight for it during his time as chair.
He has also emphasized the link between higher education and workforce success as a main facet of his agenda as chair, which he says will involve a collaboration with the Department of Labor to steer education toward preparing students for employment.
In a statement, Foxx praised Walberg as a “collaborative, effective, and hardworking member of the Committee.”
“Tim has been a lifelong fighter for education and literacy and truly believes in helping every American reach his or her God-given potential,” Foxx wrote. “I have no doubt that he’ll hit the ground running and will work tirelessly to ensure students have the opportunity to learn and workers have the ability to succeed.”
FactCheck.org, the award-winning political website at the Annenberg Public Policy Center of the University of Pennsylvania, is now accepting applications for its 20252026 undergraduate fellowship program. The next class of undergrads will be trained if necessary) from May 27 to July 18. 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 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 February 11 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.
ABHIRAM JUVVADI | STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
United States Rep. Tim Walberg (R-Mich.) was appointed chair of the U.S. House Committee on Education and Workforce on Dec. 12, 2024.
DEVANSH RANIWALA | STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
The Perelman School of Medicine campus on Jan. 20.
GUEST COLUMN | President of The Daily Pennsylvanian
The world is changing, rapidly. We hear many iterations of the phrase “we live in unprecedented times” every year. I’m not going to repeat those lines because they’ve already been said, but what I will say is this: Amid the constant evolution and change seen in our communities, staying informed is not just important — it’s essential.
In recent decades, many local media organizations — hallmarks of keeping readers informed about their community — have faced significant challenges. Both a decline in readership and the rise of social media as a source of information have contributed to falling revenues for local media, leaving many communities without reliable, localized reporting. Many important stories are often missed or overlooked without the crucial involvement of legacy media, leaving people disconnected from events, policies, and pressing issues that directly affect their communities and livelihoods.
The absence of these institutions doesn’t just mean missing out on reporting; it means that there are fewer opportunities to hold leaders accountable, hear from underrepresented voices, and build a collective understanding of our communities.
Student journalism has a unique responsibility in the media space. On college campuses, student media organizations have the ability to inform, engage, and empower. As students, we are in a distinct position to fill the gaps left by larger
media organizations, telling stories and offering perspectives that are directly relevant to our campus and communities.
Last year, we at The Daily Pennsylvanian dove headfirst into telling the stories that matter most to our community. We set up camp at Penn’s Van Pelt-Dietrich Library for more than two weeks to cover the Gaza Solidarity Encampment — live. We investigated an allegedly incomplete donation to charity, the mistreatment of athletes on the Penn women’s track and field team, and many other stories. Our efforts won an Associated College Press Newspaper Pacemaker Award, 10 2024 student Keystone Media Awards, and five College Media Association Pinnacle Awards.
This year marks the DP’s 141st year since its establishment, and our new board was inaugurated earlier this month. We are taking on these leadership roles at a time defined by unprecedented student activism on campus, significant administrative changes, and deep political polarization.
Now, more than ever, we need strong, independent journalism. The DP is an independent company with no financial ties to Penn. We rely on the support of our readers, advertisers, and donor contributions to sustain our organization. Our independence allows us to ensure that our coverage remains impartial and committed solely to the truth, constantly holding institutions and individuals accountable.
This year, expect to see changes in our publications. Editorially, we are working on complete redesigns of websites of the DP, 34th Street Magazine, and Under the Button, among other changes. On the business side, you can expect to see an introduction of new product offerings and an overhaul of existing ones, including Peek@Penn, our new high school newsletter. As we adapt to the changing media landscape, we are committed to embracing innovation and delivering excellence for our readers across all publications. Readers can stay updated through the weekly Letter from the Pink Palace. However, our commitment to quality coverage and innovation can only be achieved through a two-way partnership with our readers. We need your perspective, feedback, and criticism to uphold and bolster our mission. Your engagement with us ensures that our coverage remains impactful and relevant to the Penn community.
Your voice matters in shaping the work we do. Whether you have a story idea to pitch, feedback on our coverage, or a perspective to share, your input is what will help make the DP a stronger publication. And if you are a Penn student looking to get involved in a community dedicated to its mission — and wanting to make new friends along the way — join us. Together, we have the power to ignite change, foster dialogue, and remain committed to staying informed. Let’s make our 141st year one for the history books.
ABHIRAM JUVVADI is a College and Wharton junior studying history and finance from Morrisville, N.C. He is the president of the 141st Board of The Daily Pennsylvanian, Inc. Previously, he served as the photo editor on the 140th Board. His email is abhiram@ sas.upenn.edu.
Penn’s biggest worry under the Trump administration
THE BOTTOM LINE | Penn is ‘actively waiting’ on impending budget cuts to federal organizations
Penn received just shy of $15.8 billion over the 2024 fiscal year, which ended on June 30, 2024, according to the University’s recently released Annual Financial Report.
This figure is by far the highest in the Ivy League, dwarfing Columbia’s $6.6 billion, which is the next highest in the conference. This is largely due to the University of Pennsylvania Health System, which accounts for roughly two-thirds of Penn’s entire balance sheet. Revenue generated from patient services alone amounted to $9.48 billion of the total $15.8 billion.
So, what fills the gap between that $9.48 billion and two-thirds of Penn’s total revenue of $15.8 billion? That can be attributed to the National Institutes of Health. Penn reported that the NIH contributed $811.3 million to the University for “sponsored programs,” which primarily entail grants that fund the wide variety of medical research conducted at the University. These grants are one of the reasons why Vice Provost for Global Initiatives and renowned medical ethicist Ezekiel Emanuel calls the Perelman School of Medicine “the best in the world.”
You may be asking “why does this matter?” but the better question would be “why does this matter now?”
On Monday, President Donald Trump’s inauguration ignited a massive regime change in the White House, a place that has been very supportive of Penn’s endeavors for quite some time. But that isn’t always a guarantee.
Budget cuts affecting various federal organizations, including the NIH, are clearly forthcoming, based on the actions of Trump’s previous term as well as his plans for his current administration. In a previous Trump-proposed federal budget, the NIH was predicted to lose as much as 18% of its funding. A decrease like this would, in turn, lower the grants given by the NIH to institutions such as Penn.
So how does this appropriation even work? According to Emanuel, the entire grant is split into “two buckets”: direct and indirect costs. The direct cost is what “the researcher [is paid] to do the research project” while indirect costs cover “things not on a grant but necessary to do the research.”
This may include, but is not limited to, elements like machines, electricity, housing for animals, rent, and even payment for the janitors who clean the lab nightly.
Once the NIH allocates an amount to a university’s direct costs, it adds an additional percentage of that figure to account for indirect costs. This percentage, like the amount of direct costs, is whatever is deemed necessary by the NIH budget. The combination of these two outputs is the current $811.3 million from the NIH given to Penn in FY24.
Emanuel spoke about the seemingly imminent decrease in funding, which could affect both elements of the grants.
“That’s probably the biggest, real threat,” Emanuel said. This means that the federal
government could decide to lower the percentage Penn receives in indirect costs, in addition to lowering the base amount paid for direct costs. That would lower the overall grant amount from both sides of the equation — Penn would receive fewer extra pennies on fewer dollars.
Although the complete elimination of these grants is not anticipated, Emanuel said that any impending NIH budget cuts would be “potential threats” that are “bad for the country, and bad in particular for Penn.” He stressed the notion that it is “important to be prepared” for whatever may be coming (or in this case, not coming) Penn’s way.
Regardless, a substantial decrease in funding would not do the University any favors. It is clear that University stakeholders — in whatever capacity that may be — should be aware of possible future operational changes, whether noticeable or unnoticeable.
“People are spending a lot of time thinking about what we would do, [and] how that would have to be addressed,” Emanuel said. He also believed that this specific situation was incomparable to anything he’s experienced over his tenure at the University.
The Health System does “cutting-edge research” on gene therapy, microbiomes, weight loss, and cancer, among many other topics. Many of these projects could take hits in the coming months. “It’s a threat to those kinds of advances,” Emanuel said. “One of the great things about RNA — prior to COVID, no one had any idea that [it] would be the big breakthrough … that’s part of the brilliance and wonderfulness of sciences, breakthroughs happen that you don’t anticipate.”
It is not only the Health System that can
be affected by the NIH budget cut: These grants can make their way to the Schools of Dental Medicine, Nursing, and Veterinary Medicine as well. But it doesn’t end with the NIH; Trump has also proposed eliminating the Department of Education. Even though the Department of Education grants are often directed to the liberal arts and sciences — the School of Arts and Sciences and the Graduate School of Education, for example — these grants are much smaller than the ones given by the NIH.
This means the impact of disrupting that revenue stream could greatly affect SAS and GSE much more than other schools on campus. Emanuel explained that taking away much smaller amounts of money from these schools could be just as, if not more, impactful than the hundreds of millions in the Health System.
The federal budget is normally an item rolled out in an administration’s first 100 days — typically in early February — so there is still some time left before any decision is made at the federal level. This is certainly not something anyone will know in the opening days of Trump’s presidency. It will certainly not go into effect until the government passes the budget, which could be as late as the end of the summer.
The man charged with manipulating the federal budget, starting on inauguration day, is Russell Vought, the presumptive nominee for Director of the Office of Management and Budget. Vought previously held this same position for the second half of Trump’s initial term.
Vought is also a key player in the 2025 Presidential Transition Project — a potential strategic framework for Trump’s
second term that is also known as “Project 2025.” This appointment comes despite the president’s consistent denial of having any connection to the initiative, even after his election to the nation’s highest office in early November 2024.
Politics may also play a role in the decision-making process, as Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the presumptive nominee for Secretary of Health and Human Services, has historically expressed his opposition to vaccinations. This is something that hits close to home for Penn, as the Health System has been a leader in the research and development of mRNA vaccines. “[With] the money we made from mRNA, one of the main things we did was to invest in more vaccine work,” Emanuel said. “If they’re hostile to vaccines, a lot of that investment might go.”
Nevertheless, Emanuel said that various University departments are in an “active waiting game” in preparation for the potential decrease in government funding. Offices across the administration and in many of Penn’s 12 schools are currently engaged in “situational planning,” running through scenarios that could impact them due to less revenue.
“Could we weather this storm; obviously, it depends how deep the cuts are [and] how long they last,” Emanuel said. “We very well are going to have to change how we operate, [and] if they’re very substantial, we will change.”
BRIAN BARTH is a College first year from New York. His email is bbarth@ sas.upenn.edu.
LYDIA TONG | SENIOR PHOTOGRAPHER
Abhiram Juvvadi, the president of The Daily Pennsylvanian, urges the greater Penn community to stay informed and engaged.
MEHAK DHALIWAL | DP FILE PHOTO
Columnist Brian Barth discusses potential budget cuts from the National Institutes of Health, which funds various medical research conducted at the University.
Walking out of your last final feels like stepping into a world that’s suddenly brighter, freer, and full of possibilities. The grass looks greener, the sky seems bluer, and for a fleeting moment, everything feels at ease. But then reality creeps back in, and with it, a sinking realization: No matter how far you try to run from it, the dreadful exam you just took will catch up with you when your grades drop.
You try to reassure yourself: Surely it won’t take that long for grades to be posted … right? But the waiting begins. Hours turn into days, and days stretch into weeks. You begin to study the stock image behind the Path@Penn menu, noticing new people every time. Just when you think you’ve reached your limit, endlessly refreshing Path@Penn, you find yourself doing it again. And again. And again. This past fall semester, the waiting reached a breaking point. For many students, grades seemed to take an eternity to appear. From talking with others after returning back to campus, I realized that some students did not have grades posted until as late as Jan. 15. On top of that, confusion abounded regarding the official deadline for professors to submit final grades. Was it Jan. 2? Jan. 15? Nobody seemed to know for sure.
Officially, the deadline for final grades is the first university business day after winter break by 5 p.m. However, the University did not do much to publicize this policy to the students or if their professors have requested extensions.
This kind of uncertainty is not just frustrating — it’s unacceptable. The University should have done more to communicate clear, consistent grading deadline policies to both students and faculty.
Instead of enjoying a stress-free break, most, if not all, Penn students underwent their winter vacation with the looming uncertainty of fall semester grades. After a grueling semester, students deserve a chance to relax and recharge over winter break. Instead, they spent it in limbo, haunted by the uncertainty of how their grades might affect their academic standing, internships, or scholarship eligibility. For many, this worry overshadows what should be a rare period of rest. The University has an obligation to mitigate this anxiety, not exacerbate it.
With their time on break, many students choose to apply to internships and fellowships over the summer. However, there’s one thing many of those applications have in common: a copy of your transcript with the most recent semester’s grades on it. Considering that Penn is one of the most preprofessional universities in the nation, the lengthy wait for grades — which likely delays some internship applications — feels particularly ironic.
Now, some might argue in defense of professors. After all, it’s unreasonable to expect them to grade 60 finals with a rapid turnaround during what’s also supposed to be their break as well. And on this point,
I wholeheartedly agree. Professors deserve the same respect for their time that students do. However, my sympathy starts to wane when we’re talking about midterm grades from October still missing in late December.
As Penn students, we are held to incredibly rigorous standards. Deadlines, exams, and countless responsibilities demand our best, often at the expense of our well-being. It’s not unreasonable to expect professors to be held to similarly high standards. If students can be penalized for late work, why shouldn’t professors be held accountable for timely grading? If professors aren’t transparent with their students about when their work will be graded, why should students have to be held to that 11:59 p.m. deadline?
If it is expected that students should cut professors some slack as they swim in a sea of assignments, why shouldn’t professors be expected to demonstrate the same leniency to students?
Beyond this, Penn is lagging behind other universities. I remember recounting to my friends at the University of Georgia on New Year’s Day how I still hadn’t received three final grades, and they were shocked. They had known their grades since Dec. 17, with their final exam period being from Dec. 5 to Dec. 11 — over a week ahead of Penn’s. At UGA, professors adhere to strict grading deadlines with complete transparency and no confusion. The stark contrast between their timely grading and our extended wait was hard for me to ignore, highlighting the clear need for improvement in Penn’s grading timeline.
The University must step in to address this issue. Clear policies, reasonable grading deadlines, and better communication are the bare minimum. After all, no student should have to start a new semester still waiting on grades from the last one.
ANANYA SHAH is a College first year studying philosophy, politics, and economics from Bonaire, Ga. Her email is aoshah@sas.upenn.edu.
Are admissions ofcers need-blind, or are they always peeking?
VESELY’S VISION | Price fxing does a disservice to all students and to the University’s reputation
The cost of a Penn education can reach $92,288 per year for an undergraduate student, and it is only rising. While Penn claims to have very generous financial aid, with 46% of students receiving need-based aid last year, a recent lawsuit has shown that admission practices might not be as “need-blind” as students are often led to believe.
The 2022 lawsuit in question accuses Penn and 16 other institutions of price fixing — conspiring to increase tuition costs for students and withhold aid — and has not been getting nearly as much media attention as it should. Among the Ivy League, six schools were mentioned, excluding only Harvard University and Princeton University. Of the universities mentioned in the suit, 10 have settled with the plaintiffs, and affected students were granted settlements totaling $284 million.
While Penn is adamantly denying the accusations, testimony from Sara Harberson, the associate dean of Penn admissions from 1999-2008, says otherwise. Harberson testified that some student applications were marked “BSI,” for “bona-fide special interest,” leading to a drastically higher rate of admission. She stated that the BSI tag was used for wealthy families or for those entangled with the University Board of Trustees.
According to Harberson, these students “were untouchable” and “would get in almost 100 percent of the time.” She also mentioned that this pattern held “even if the student was incredibly weak.” In 2019, the admission rate for those with this label was 73.18% compared to just 7.14% for students without it.
This means the presence of the label increased a student’s chances of admission by over 900%. This is incredibly unfair and deeply alarming. If the label were used to designate something like aptitude, it
might be different, but the length of one’s pursestrings or proximity to Board members should not raise one’s admissions chances in the slightest, let alone by such a dramatic margin.
In the past, I have spoken out against legacy admissions, and I would argue this practice is even more unjustifiable. Any applicant should be able to stand on their rigor relative to their means, and being wealthy already allows access to better schools, tutors and other luxuries. These students especially do not deserve a break when it comes to academics. Every application should be read without knowledge of the student’s financial background.
In a post-affirmative-action world, it is exceptionally important that students are allowed to tell their stories, but when an acronym gifted only through privilege is all some students need for admission, we have a big problem on our hands.
As a “need-blind” school, Penn brags that financial aid is not considered in the admissions decisions, but the practice of designating those with the ability to pay full price undermines this whole system. For the Class of 2028, Penn received over 65,000 applications and admitted 3,508 students. A Penn education is more sought after than ever, and every student deserves a fair chance at a spot.
Penn has made it very clear that expanding its financial aid programs is important. Just recently it launched the Quaker Commitment, an initiative that aims to strengthen Penn’s financial aid for middle-income families, such as excluding primary home equity in financial aid calculations. While these are wonderful steps that will make affording Penn a lot easier for some, it doesn’t matter if students from low and middle-income families are less likely to even be admitted. I want Penn to acknowledge their shortcomings when it comes to aid and to be more transparent about their admissions processes.
As a student, I encourage you to read about the lawsuit and reach your own conclusions, while being mindful of what the University is promoting and why. It’s not surprising to me that now is the time Penn unveils new systems for financial aid, while still not settling this case regarding its old ones. I hope they put their blinders back on and, unlike little kids in their first few games of hideand-seek, don’t peek through their fingers at who would be the most lucrative to admit.
MIA VESELY is a College junior studying philosophy, politics, and economics from Phoenix. Her email is mvesely@sas.upenn.edu.
KATE HIEWON ANH | SENIOR ILLUSTRATOR Senior columnist Mia Vesely criticizes the University for accusations of preferential admissions practices.
DANA BAHNG | SENIOR ILLUSTRATOR Senior columnist Ananya Shah discusses the need to address issues related to final grade deadlines.
Checking in with the nationally ranked men’s and women’s squash teams
The men’s and women’s teams are ranked No. 1 and No. 4 respectively in the nation
TYLER RINGHOFER Deputy Sports Editor
In any sport, winning back-to-back championships is incredibly difficult. For one, championship-winning rosters rarely look the same from year to year. But more importantly, a team that once was the hunter now becomes the hunted, which can come with some trouble. On the other hand, with that target on one’s back, it can bring out the best in a team — and one team couldn’t relate more.
After a blistering start to the season, Penn men’s squash sits atop the national rankings amidst an unblemished record. The Quakers currently have a perfect 13-0 record, including impressive wins over national runner-up Trinity and Ivy League rival No. 3 Yale. Furthermore, it’s impossible to discuss the men’s team without mentioning how dominant the women’s team has been as well. Ranked No. 4, Penn women’s squash is also off to a noteworthy 10-1 record, highlighted by a 3-0 mark in conference play.
Coming off the heels of their first national championship in program history, men’s squash looked to continue that momentum heading into the start of this season — and to say they have been dominant would
be an understatement. The Red and Blue have steamrolled their opponents, winning nine out of their 13 games by a score of 9-0. To put this into context, in a given match, nine players from each team compete against each other — meaning that the Quakers did not drop a match in any of those competitions.
A highlight of the season came this past week when Penn men’s squash faced four consecutive top-10 teams. A win versus each of the squads would be a telling mid-season benchmark for the Quakers. Indeed, the Red and Blue emerged victorious over Yale, Cornell, and Columbia, and also cemented a win against their non-conference foe Trinity as well. These teams will certainly be in the mix for the CSA Team National Championships later in March.
“It was a great start to the second semester for the men. We have been eyeing this weekend for a long time, playing the number two and three teams in the country,” said coach Gilly Lane. “Both Trinity and Yale have the opportunity to win the national championship this year, and it was great to be able to test where we are as a program.”
Individually, senior Nathan Kueh made history in
his match against No. 8 Columbia, recording his 60th career win and making him the all-time wins leader in Penn men’s squash history.
“I am extremely proud of how the boys responded over the weekend and how they played. It is just a start for us, and we are looking forward to the rest of our matches this spring,” Lane said.
On the women’s side, the Quakers also remain undefeated in Ivy League play. Despite a loss to No. 3 Trinity, the Red and Blue could not be stopped in the Ancient Eight, with contributions from all positions.
The Quakers made it look easy, beating No. 7 Yale, No. 9 Columbia, and No. 8 Cornell by a final score of 8-1, 9-0, and 9-0. With all of the games being played at the state-of-the-art Penn Squash Center, it is clear that the Quakers are playing into their home-field advantage.
As both of Penn’s powerhouse squash teams know too well, as great as the regular season wins are, the wins in the championship taste even better.
Interestingly, there have only been three different schools in the past seven years that have won the team championship on the men’s side and only two different schools in the same breadth on the women’s side.
In fact, Harvard and Trinity men’s squash are the only two schools besides Penn to take home their respective championships.
Although it seems that repeat championships happen more in college squash than in other sports, Penn knows that the mission is anything but easy. Being arguably one of the most successful sports in all of Penn athletics, no further motivation is needed for both squash teams to remain at the top.
in his first years in the program, star senior quarterback Aidan Sayin said in a written statement that he thinks “the degree still holds its value, but opportunities elsewhere will continue to take the top players in the league from each sport at an even higher rate than we saw over the past few years.”
According to the email to athletes, the Ivy League is set to maintain its longstanding rules — including prohibiting any form of compensation for participation in athletics — and will “continue to provide an educational intercollegiate athletics model that is focused on academic primacy and the overall student-athlete experience.”
The announcement details how the Ivy League’s membership in Division I and access to NCAA championships are not affected by this decision and states that Ivy League athletic rosters will still not be subject to roster limits imposed by the NCAA.
Despite not opting into the settlement deal, the Ivy League will still be subject to the “clearinghouse” terms of the settlement coordinated by the five defendant conferences. These terms will require all D-I student-athletes receiving NIL payments over $600 to disclose deals with a third-party “clearinghouse” with the ability to block NIL payments that they believe to be “pay for play” alternatives.
The Ivy League affirmed that current conference rules will remain in effect unless otherwise announced or modified.
“The Ivy League remains committed to its foundational principles and longstanding rules that intentionally foster student participation in intercollegiate athletics as an important aspect of a holistic education,” Harris wrote in a statement to the DP. “Ivy League institutions will continue to offer an experience that resonates with studentathletes, and we firmly believe the League will continue to thrive competitively as one of the top five athletics conferences across all of Division I.” Olympian and former Penn track and field star Isabella Whittaker felt the news represented the reality of the conference’s programs: unsupportive to student-athletes.
“As a former student-athlete who has singlehandedly helped to uplift the Penn program, I am extremely disappointed,” Whittaker, a 2024 College graduate, said in a written statement to the DP. “Ivy League schools are under the impression that they can take, use, and reuse their athletes and give them nothing in return.”
Under the terms of the settlement, each nondefendant conference or institution, including the Ivy League, may independently decide whether or not to opt into providing or facilitating the payments or benefits permitted under the terms of the settlement.
The settlement received preliminary judicial approval on Oct. 18, making any D-I players who participated in NCAA-sanctioned athletics since 2016 eligible to apply for payments. The settlement was in response to three separate antitrust lawsuits filed against the NCAA, in which plaintiffs argued that college student-athletes are entitled to profit off of their participation in their respective college athletics programs.
If approved, NCAA rule changes for non-Ivy institutions that opt in to the settlement will go into effect by the beginning of the 2025-26 academic year.
DEREK WONG | STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
The squash team regroups before its game against Princeton on Feb. 4, 2023.
Men’s basketball defeats Harvard for first Ivy victory of the season
Junior guard/forward Ethan Roberts led the way with 21 points
BRIAN BARTH
Deputy Sports Editor
Sophomore guard Sam Brown sprints down the court against Harvard on Feb. 24, 2024.
It may be chilly outside, but Penn men’s basketball came in hot in its clash against Harvard in Boston. With a final score of 82-67, Penn (5-11, 1-2 Ivy) defeated Harvard (6-10, 1-2) for its first Ivy League win of the season after nail-biting matchups against Dartmouth and Cornell, respectively. This outing was the team’s secondbest shooting performance of the season thus far, with the Quakers nailing 29 out of 57 shots. After a quiet start, junior guard/forward Ethan Roberts sparked momentum for the Quakers when he converted a four-point play to tie the game at 11 apiece just over five minutes into the game. He was the only player on either team to end the first half in double figures. Through the first half, Harvard was unable to get a feel for the basket, wavering just under 38% from the field compared to Penn’s 45.5%. Then came the first Crimson highlight of the afternoon: Harvard forward Thomas Batties II managed to block Roberts twice in the same possession.
But the Quakers didn’t let the Crimson have all the fun. Penn seized an opportunity as four offensive rebounds on the same possession allowed junior guard Dylan Williams to hit a triple. His next bucket would come less than a minute later, when his layup sparked Harvard coach Tommy Amaker to call a timeout with just under three minutes remaining in the first half.
In the final five minutes of the first half, Penn went on a nine-point run before the intensity in Lavietes Pavilion skyrocketed. Sophomore guard Sam Brown fouled Harvard guard Robert Hinton, with Brown converting a three-point play with less than two seconds remaining.
Coach Steve Donahue called a timeout and drew up a play for Brown, who “called bank” on a half-court shot that sent the Quakers into the locker room up by nine points.
“[Half-court shots are] something we literally work on before every game,” Donahue said.
“[Senior center/forward] Nick [Spinoso]’s a great passer — took one dribble and got within 35 feet. Sam [Brown]’s pretty good at it, [but] it’s still obviously a hard shot, right? But they executed and gave themselves a chance.”
Brown opened the second half for the Quakers with a deep three-pointer and layup, giving Penn its largest lead with a quick five-point run.
Penn’s offensive barrage fizzled entirely as the Quakers went over five minutes without scoring, with the Crimson scoring nine points in that time frame to cut the lead to just two points. Spinoso got to the line to end the drought but went 0-for-2 from the charity stripe — extending the Harvard run.
“The guys reacted like they should. They weren’t going to let it happen again,” Donahue said.
Spinoso did end up putting a stop to the Harvard defensive attack with a layup shortly after — scoring Penn’s first basket in almost six minutes. A three-point shot from senior guard
George Smith would give the Quakers a 56-51 lead going into a media timeout.
Then came the “EBO” show.
Back-to-back possessions ended in threepoint jumpers from Roberts — the second coming off of a beautiful jump-pass from Smith. Roberts would finish the afternoon with 21 points.
“I just did my part,” Roberts said. “I let the game come to me and just focus[ed] on doing what I had to at the moment. … My shots [were] falling, and it felt good — so that’s all I could really ask for.”
Freshman guard AJ Levine also wanted in on the action, following with three points of his own to open the Penn lead to 11 with just over four minutes left of play.
A pull-up jumper for Batties II from downtown put Harvard back in the game with two-and-a-half minutes to go. Donahue was quick to call a timeout as the lead was now
STILL , from back page
academics over athletics. But these pursuits are not mutually exclusive. Several other elite academic universities — Stanford, Michigan, Vanderbilt, and others — have kept up with the modern age of college athletics without sacrificing their commitments to the classroom. But the Ivy League is its own club, convinced that it must unflinchingly abide by the strictures it wrote before the invention of the permanent marker.
The league’s officials are not the only ones with decision making power. In recent months, the conference has seen perhaps its largest exodus of star undergraduate talent in history, with stars from topearning sports like football and men’s basketball transferring out of the league in droves. Last spring, four top men’s basketball players — Danny Wolf, Malik Mack, Tyler Perkins, and Chisom Okpara — left the Ivy League for bigger programs— programs that participate in the pay-for-play boom.
In the fall, a similar wave occurred with the conference’s football standouts, where leading rusher and Penn sophomore running back Malachi Hosley and leading receiver Cooper Barkate left for bigtime programs. Jackson Proctor, quarterback of Ivy League champion Dartmouth, also transferred to an FBS school.
“When you see all these other schools looking out for their athletes, it sort of gets you thinking, ‘Oh, maybe the transfer portal would be best for me and my family,’” junior wide receiver Jared Richardson, the conference’s fifth-leading receiver, said in wake of the House settlement.
The House decision is consistent with the Ivy League we know, but it nonetheless compounds the league’s other self-imposed disadvantages. With no scholarships, no pay-for-play NIL, and no revenue sharing, the writing is on the wall for the league’s major sports to fall into obscurity, all in the name of protecting an amorphous academic mission.
Ivy League teams have a mission of their own: to win. But it is becoming increasingly clear that their schools do not share it.
WALKER CARNATHAN is a junior and former DP sports editor studying English and cinema and media studies from Harrisburg, Pa. All comments should be directed to dpsports@ thedp.com.
ATHLETES, from back page
graduate Lia Thomas’ participation in NCAA women’s swimming and diving during the 2021-22 season. Thomas was initially a part of the men’s swimming and diving program during her freshman and sophomore years at Penn. After the cancellation of the 2020-21 season due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Thomas returned to practice and competition representing the women’s team after transitioning.
As a member of the women’s team, Thomas collected many accolades, including an NCAA championship in the 500-yard freestyle, fifth place in the 200-yard freestyle, All-American honors, and three Ivy League titles. Thomas did not reply to a request for comment.
A known friend of Thomas and LGBTQ+ activist Schuyler Bailar posted a video on Instagram on Inauguration Day, stating, “Even if they ban trans athletes from all realms of sport, I can still go outside and go for a run. I can still get in the pool and feel the water against my skin.” Bailar added, “No matter who is sitting in the White House, I will always know that I am trans, and that will always be one of my superpowers.”
Bailar is a former Harvard swimmer who was the first openly transgender swimmer to compete in NCAA Division I swimming and the first trans man to compete in any NCAA men’s sport.
2022 College graduate and Thomas’ former teammate Paula Scanlan — who has built an activism career after her experience with Thomas — reacted to the executive order on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, stating, “All women won today. Thank you to everyone that helped fight so hard for this.”
down to just six points.
Out of the timeout, a beautiful pick-and-roll created the opportunity for Roberts to dish the ball inside to Spinoso for an easy layup. A defensive stop and a three-pointer from Roberts solidified the victory for the Red and Blue.
Penn men’s basketball returns to the Palestra on Jan. 25 to face off against Columbia at 2 p.m.
Former University of Kentucky swimmer and activist Riley Gaines also reacted on X. Gaines also built an activism career after her experience racing Thomas at the 2022 NCAA championships, where she tied for fifth in the 500-yard freestyle with Thomas. “We finally have a true CHAMPION for women in the White House,” she stated on the platform.
Scanlan and Gaines did not reply to a request for comment.
NATHANIEL SIRLIN | STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
LYDIA TONG | SENIOR PHOTOGRAPHER
Columnist Walker Carnathan discusses the consequences of opting out of a pending House settlement set to provide direct compensation to NCAA Division I athletes.
Ivy League set to opt out of House v. NCAA antitrust settlement
An email from Ivy League Executive Director Robin Harris stated that Ivy League student-athletes will continue to not receive shared revenue or direct name, image, and likeness payments from their universities
VALERI GUEVARRA & SEAN MCKEOWN Sports Editors
The Ivy League will opt out of a pending NCAA settlement set to provide direct compensation to former and current college athletes, according to an email sent to Ivy League studentathletes on Jan. 21.
The email, sent by Ivy League Executive Director Robin Harris, states that the conference will not participate in the $2.8 billion settlement and that its athletic programs “will continue to not provide student-athletes with revenue sharing allocations, athletics scholarships, or direct [name, image, and likeness] payments.” The decision was made by the Ivy League Council of Presidents under recommendation from the Ivy League Athletics Directors and Policy Committee.
“It’s honestly a let-down for us Ivy League athletes,” star junior wide receiver for Penn football Jared Richardson wrote in a statement to The Daily Pennsylvanian regarding Penn’s decision to avoid paying players directly. “I understand that
the main focus is on academics, but when you see all these other schools looking out for their athletes, it sort of gets you thinking like ‘oh, maybe the transfer portal would be best for me and my family.’ It also doesn’t help that we don’t receive athletic scholarships … hopefully, this ruling will get changed in the near future because I am honestly not a fan of it, nor are my teammates.”
This decision will not impact student-athletes’ ability to secure “legitimate NIL-related payments,” described as NIL deals earned without influence from their university, per the announcement. This comes days after the United States Department of Education declared that future NIL payments paid directly from universities should count as “athletic financial assistance” under Title IX — and thus should be distributed equally between men’s and women’s programs.
“Like our fellow Ivy League institutions, Penn will not be subject to NCAA roster limits,
and will continue to support legitimate NIL opportunities for our student-athletes,” Penn Athletics wrote in a statement to the DP. “We remain committed to providing a first-class athletic experience, one that embraces our incredible history but continues to evolve and meet the holistic needs of our student-athlete community.”
On top of payouts to current and former athletes, the settlement, which will have a final hearing for approval on April 7, will establish a 10-year revenue-sharing model allowing NCAA conferences and their member schools to share 22% of their annual revenue with student-athletes.
The Power Four NCAA conferences — the Atlantic Coast Conference, the Big Ten, the Big 12, and the Southeastern Conference — along with the Pac-12 conference, who are the defendants in the settlement, have agreed to this model.
Regarding whether the Ivy League’s decision to opt out would have impacted him if he was back
Trump administration, U.S. House advance agenda to bar transgender athletes from women’s sports
National controversy surrounding transgender women in women’s sports has persisted following 2022 Penn graduate Lia Thomas’ participation in NCAA swimming
VALERI GUEVARRA Sports Editor
In the first hours of his second presidential term, 1968 Wharton graduate and President Donald Trump signed an executive order for the United States government to recognize only two sexes, further advancing a political agenda supported by the U.S. House of Representatives’ passage of a bill prohibiting biological males’ participation in women’s sports programs last week.
The executive order proclaimed that the two recognized sexes — male and female — are “not changeable” and that “radical and wasteful” diversity, equity, and inclusion programs inside federal agencies will be ended. It also explicitly states that it will “defend women’s rights and protect freedom of conscience by using clear and accurate language and policies that recognize women are biologically female, and men are biologically male.”
While not explicitly banning transgender participation in sports, the order came shortly after Trump said that he “will keep men out of women’s sports” at a campaign-style rally on Jan. 19 in Washington. A bill explicitly prohibiting the participation of individuals who were assigned a biological sex of male at birth in women’s sports programs also passed in the House and was received by the U.S. Senate on Jan. 15.
The controversy surrounding trans women in women’s sports gained national attention after 2022 College
Carnathan | The conference that stood still
The Ivy League’s decision to opt out of the NCAA payment settlement is the latest in a series of self-limiting policies
WALKER CARNATHAN
Former Sports Editor
The bombshell that was anything but. On Monday, Ivy League Executive Director Robin Harris emailed the conference’s athletes and coaches with an order from up high, the kind the conference has made plenty of in its 70-year history: The Ancient Eight will opt out of a pending House of Representatives settlement set to provide direct compensation to NCAA Division I athletes, preserving its existing model which opposes payment for athletic participation, better known as “pay for play.” “[The Ivy League] will not change longstanding rules, including those that prohibit any form of compensation for participation in any intercollegiate athletics program,” Harris wrote in the email. “… [The league] will continue to not provide student-athletes with revenue sharing allocations, athletics scholarships, or direct NIL payments …”
The league’s decision is unique, as it will likely be the only D-I conference to abstain. It is significant, as it will hinder the conference’s ability to recruit and compete in the same arena as paying schools. But there is one thing the ruling is not: surprising.
As college athletics have turned upside down in recent years, the Ivy League has been content to watch the world go by, maintaining confidence in the viability of its founding principles. In that sense, the House decision is not a new development, but rather the latest in a long line of decisions the conference has made to tie its own hands.
While the House settlement has not yet received final approval, many D-I schools have already begun preparing for its ramifications. VCU, whom Penn played in men’s basketball this season, recently announced that it would opt in to the settlement and pay a total sum of roughly $5 million to its athletes starting next fall.
The Ivy League’s opposition to payment for participation is nothing new. The founding Ivy Group Agreement prohibits athletic scholarships, and while the conference has allowed its athletes to pursue “legitimate” name, image, and likeness opportunities in the years since the advent of the practice, it has shied away from NIL collectives and other forms of direct payment that dominate college sports’ upper crust.
It is worth noting that the Ivy League does not apply this standard to its team units. In many sports, specifically in basketball, smaller programs like the Ivies play in “money games,” where they travel to play a larger school and receive a lump sum in exchange. This season, Penn men’s basketball played at VCU and Penn State, Brown played at Kansas and Kentucky, and Yale played at Purdue and Minnesota. The Ivy League teams went 0-6 in those games, but the athletic departments were paid hundreds of thousands of dollars for them.
The conference argues that there is a difference between athlete and team, and that direct compensation would jeopardize its mission to prioritize
ABHIRAM JUVVADI | STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
1968 Wharton graduate and President Donald Trump signed an executive order for the U.S. government to recognize only two sexes.
JESSE ZHANG AND ANNELISE DO | DP FILE PHOTO AND SENIOR DESIGNER See NCAA , page 6
