Spring 2021 Graduate Space Reservations

The Office of the Deputy Provost and the Graduate Student Center are providing a temporary study/relaxation space for graduate and professional students during the spring 2021 semester. 

February 1 - March 12:  space will be available in the Ben Franklin Room on the 2nd floor of Houston Hall from Monday-Friday from 9AM to 4PM each day, as conditions permit.

March 22 -  April 30: a limited number of seats in the Graduate Student Center main floor Common Room will be available to reserve for individual, quiet study use for up to three hours per day, Monday-Friday through the end of the semester. Reservations will be required for any entry to the Graduate Student Center. No food or beverages will be permitted or provided in the space.

The graduate and professional student study space is provided for students to have a safe environment conducive to study and relaxation. Students must comply with Penn's COVID-19 testing protocols and show both a confirmed reservation and a PennOpen Green pass, valid for the day of their reservation, for entry. Revisions to space location, hours, and policies will be made as needed, with guidance from the University of Pennsylvania, city and state officials, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Students may also reserve a seat in Van Pelt Library  for individual study. All campus facilities will require students to comply with the Student Campus Compact, and show both a confirmed reservation and a PennOpen Green pass.

Policies and Procedures

All students who reserve a seat must comply with the following policies and procedures: 

Reservations 

• Use of seats is restricted to currently enrolled graduate and professional students who have a confirmed reservation.
  • Students enrolled in submatriculant degree programs who have not yet received their bachelor's degree are not eligible. 
     
• Reservations can be made from 1 to 5 business days (M-F) in advance.  
   
• Each individual may reserve one seat per day during one of two reservation blocks: Morning 9AM-12PM or Afternoon 1PM-4PM.
   
• After submitting a reservation request, students will receive two emails: 
  • An automatically-generated email acknowledging that a request has been received. 
  • A second email confirming the reservation will be sent no later than 5pm on the day before the student's desired reservation date/time. This is the reservation confirmation. 
     
• Students must show both a  GREEN PennOpen Pass and a graduate PennCard upon entry to the Graduate Student Center.
   
• Students must be able to show a reservation confirmation to University staff on site at any point during the reservation period.  
   

Using the Space

• Students must abide by all safety precautions described in the Student Campus Compact, including wearing face coverings and adhering to social distancing requirements at all times.
   
• No food or drink is permitted in the study space.
   
• This space will operate as a quiet study area. Voice/video calls and conversations must be conducted outside the building. 
   
• If a student needs to briefly leave the room, they may return within their reservation window. A GREEN PennOpen Pass and Penn Card must be shown for building re-entry.
   
• The Graduate Student Center remains otherwise closed to students at this time.
   
• Students must avoid moving their table and refrain from moving around within the space except when using the restroom.
   
• Students must leave promptly at the end of their reservation block so housekeeping can ready the space for the next reservation block.

Enforcement

Violations of the Student Campus Compact will be referred to the University’s Compact Review Panel. Students who do not comply with these guidelines for space usage will be asked to leave the space and may be prevented from making future seat reservations.

Please Note: This space is being provided in accordance with current health and safety guidelines. We will continually assess how to best meet student needs guaranteeing the safety of staff and students on campus. 

All services are subject to change; revisions will be made as necessary with guidance from the University of Pennsylvania, city and state officials, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.