After more than a year of virtual learning caused by the pandemic, University of Pennsylvania students are moving back to campus this week to resume in-person learning. Partial closures of Spruce Street to accommodate students’ move-in began on Monday and will continue through Sunday, with the exception of Thursday when the street will remain open to traffic.

From Friday, Aug. 27 through Sunday, Aug. 29, Spruce Street will be closed between 38​th​ to 40th​ from 7:30 a.m.- 5:00 p.m.

Just a reminder that no vehicular traffic, including bicycles, is permitted on the closed section of the street. If you’re a bicyclist you will have to get off your bike and walk. Buses will be on detour (please check SEPTA for more info).

Penn Police will be on site during the closures assisting with traffic flow and delays should be expected.

The University of Pennsylvania and Philadelphia city and School District officials announced today that Penn will make a $100 million contribution to the School District of Philadelphia. The contribution – $10 million annually for 10 years – will be used to eliminate environmental hazards, including asbestos and lead, in the School District’s facilities.

“We are proud to be able to partner with our City and School District to significantly improve the learning environment for Philadelphia’s schoolchildren in a way that will have a long-lasting impact on the health, safety, and wellbeing of our entire City,” said University of Pennsylvania President Amy Gutmann.  Continue Reading

Most Penn undergraduates won’t be coming back to campus this fall, the university announced yesterday.

The university revised its plan for on-campus undergraduate housing for the 2020 Fall semester due to continuous spread of COVID-19. The revised plan was announced on Tuesday and now includes very limited on-campus housing for the Fall semester for international students and students experiencing significant housing or personal hardships.

Penn announced earlier this summer that the majority of instruction for undergraduate students would be online during the Fall semester, but the plan allowed for students to move onto campus.  Continue Reading

Penn has extended its spring break for a week for all students and is preparing to switch to virtual instruction for the remainder of the spring semester beginning Monday, March 23 due to the coronavirus-related health concerns, according to a message from the administration sent Wednesday to university students, faculty and employees.

Students who are currently out of town are asked to not to return to campus. Students who are on campus are asked to depart effective Sunday, March 15, according to the announcement. University staff will be assisting departing students. Students in health-related schools and programs, who have already had their Spring Break, will continue their clinical rotations.

For more information and details, read the full message here.

Residents are invited to a Spruce Hill Community Association (SHCA) Zoning Committee meeting on Monday, Feb. 12 to learn more about the residential complex proposed for green space on Penn’s campus next to Walnut Street West Library on 40th Street (see rendering). University of Pennsylvania announced plans for the new, 250,000-square-foot undergraduate college house in the fall.

While zoning is not in question for this development, according to SHCA Zoning Committee Chair Barry Grossbach, current law requires that this project be brought to the convening RCO (Registered Community Organization) prior to submission and review by the Committee for Design Review at the city Planning Commission. Representatives from the Penn’s offices of architecture and management will be present to discuss the project.  Continue Reading

It’s summer camp sign-up time already. A West Philly staple, Lavner Camps and Programs, is offering an expanded selection of specialty day camps for kids ages 6 to 15 on the University of Pennsylvania campus.

The program, which is accredited by the American Camp Association, has expanded over the last few years and now offers over 35 summer enrichment camps in sports, technology, the arts and education at 12 Philadelphia Metro area locations and 21 locations throughout the United States – in New Jersey, Delaware, New York, Maryland, Washington DC, St. Louis, Nashville and Los Angeles.

One of the first camp locations was the University of Pennsylvania, which hundreds of campers enjoy each summer.

“We started with a tennis camp geared towards junior tennis tournament players. We had lots of top ranked players in Philadelphia, Middle States, and the United States,” says Lavner Camps founder and CEO Justin Lavner, who grew up in the Philadelphia area and is a Penn graduate.  Continue Reading