New Graduate Student Orientation Hub

The African American Resource Center serves to enhance the quality of life for students, staff, and faculty at Penn, with a particular focus on those of African descent. AARC contributes to making the University of Pennsylvania a leader in higher education by constructively and proactively helping to create a teaching-learning community of real and harmonious diversity. Services include workshops and informational sessions, and many advertised events throughout the year.

AARC Programs include: 

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Symposium
Each year, during the month of January, the University of Pennsylvania and our surrounding communities come together to commemorate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The commemoration reminds us of our interdependence and reaffirms our commitment to the betterment of our communities through civility and service.

Men of Color at Penn
Men of Color at Penn was established in March 2006. The purpose of the monthly meetings is to provide men support in relationship to our surviving and thriving at the University of Pennsylvania as staff, faculty, and students. Men of Color at Penn also discuss methods/strategies of dealing with racism, social-emotional indignities and best practices of addressing abuses of power within the university and community at large.

Women of Color at Penn
Women of Color at Penn (WOCAP), is a community of remarkable volunteers who come together to celebrate and promote causes that impact women. Whether by lecture series, current research, health and finance leadership, the Queen’s Tea, or daylong celebrations and conferences, the WOCAP group has supported womankind for 33 years. This community has fostered a sense of belonging that all can appreciate.

Learn more by visiting the AARC website or following AARC on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. 

Welcome New Students and Families!
The Family Resource Center is Penn’s hub for information, resources, and activities for students and postdocs with children. Our staff are available to answer your questions about navigating Penn as a parent and the resources and benefits available to families.

We invite you to engage with the parenting community by attending our activities, and connecting with us online, and visiting the Family Center. For more information see our info sheet and visit our website: www.familycenter.upenn.edu. If you have questions email familycenter@upenn.edu.

 

Virtual Resources for Families

Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and desire to keep our members and their families safe, the Family Center facility currently remains closed.  Although our facility is closed, the Family Center will continue to provide limited in-person events, as well as virtual resources, benefits, support, and advising. 

We will miss seeing our families at the Center, but we are looking forward to connecting with all of you in the Fall. We are working hard to plan a diverse array of activities for the fall, including parenting workshops, support groups, and fun activities for the whole family. 

We know that pandemic parenting is hard; we are here to support you and we look forward to connecting with you virtually this semester. Learn more about our virtual events and activities at www.familycenter.upenn.edu/virtual-programming.

View and download the Family Center Handout

 

 

The Graduate Student Center is a central hub for programming, resources, support, and advocacy for all graduate & professional students at Penn. 

Located in the heart of campus, the Grad Center provides space and opportunities to connect with other graduate & professional students from across the University. In addition to providing a central gathering and study space for students, the Grad Center holds hundreds of events each year designed to help students gain the skills, experiences, and community they need for a truly successful graduate experience.

We also provide a range of services and resources to empower graduate and professional students to participate fully in the graduate community at Penn. Whether students need help finding mentorship, building connections on campus, accessing accommodations, or something else, our team and expansive graduate resource guide make it easier for students to connect with the help they need.
 

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Upcoming Events

Events for New Students   All Grad Center Events 

 

Weekly Campus Tours 

Are you a new graduate or professional student an want to learn more about Penn's campus? A current student looking for a refresher on where campus services are located? Join us for a guided tour of Penn's campus and learn more about the many resources and spaces Penn has to offer. The tour will provide an overview of important spaces on campus and will provide participants with a glimpse of Penn's history in the University City neighborhood of West Philadelphia. 

 

Culture Chats Workshop Series 
Are you an international student new to Penn? Interested in learning more about cultural practices in the U.S? We offer free workshops on a variety of topics related to transitioning to life at Penn and in the United States. Register for one or all three of our upcoming chats. 

Summer 2022 Chats: 

• Tuesday, July 12, 1:00 pm - 2:30 pm: Making "Small Talk" in Social Situations
• Tuesday, July 26, 1:00 pm - 2:30 pm: Meeting New People and Forming Friendships
• Tuesday, August 9, 1:00 pm - 2:30 pm: Life at Penn and in Philadelphia - with Trivia! 

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Sign up for our newsletter to stay connected with updates from the Grad Center!

Download the Grad Center Handout

 

The Albert M. Greenfield Intercultural Center (GIC) would like to congratulate you on your acceptance to the University of Pennsylvania. We are extremely excited that you have chosen Penn! We welcome you to check out the GIC, Penn's resource for enhancing students' intercultural knowledge, competency, and leadership.

 

Known fondly as the "GIC," the Greenfield Intercultural Center is more of a home than an institution. We provide a safe space for intercultural dialogue and interaction with students, faculty, staff and visitors from around the globe.

Come hungry, because like any family, we like to eat together. Sharing meals is a vital part of GIC's mission. We are passionate about serving the Penn community as an advocate of intercultural awareness, understanding, and appreciation and by building up student leaders.

Beyond breaking bread and hosting our annual Wellness Day, GIC staff mentor student groups and sponsor their events. We run training workshops, facilitate courses, support program development , and collaborate with a diverse collection of campus partners on special events.

Learn more by visiting the GIC website. Sign up for the GIC Newsletter or follow us on Facebook and Instagram to receive up-to-date information. Congratulations again on choosing the University of Pennsylvania!

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Upcoming Events 

Welcome to the World at Penn!

As a new member of the Penn family, you'll join a community of more than 7,000 international students, scholars, and employees from over 120 countries. ISSS is committed to making sure that you have the smoothest transition possible, from preparing for your trip to getting settled in Philadelphia. Even if you are embarking on your Penn journey from outside of the United States, we are here to help you hit the ground running. ISSS also offers programs and leadership opportunities throughout the year to enrich your Penn experience!

Prepare for Penn: See tips and important reminders for new international students at global.upenn.edu/isss/prepare

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Not sure where to start? Watch the recordings from Forerunner Global 2021, a virtual introduction to life at Penn!

Forerunner Global prepares newly accepted Penn international students and their parents for life as members of the Penn family. Watch the videos linked below and hear from current Penn students, faculty members, administrators, and alumni about how you can get the most out of your Penn experience and stay safe, healthy, and engaged along the way. Wherever this semester finds you, get a head start on your Penn adventure with Forerunner Global!

 

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Workshops & Events

ISSS hosts cultural, academic, career, and immigration-related workshops and activities in partnership with students and resources across Penn. Explore integration activities and events, as well as immigration-related workshops for international students across Penn! Learn more and sign up for events at https://global.upenn.edu/isss/events

Student Programs & Leadership Opportunities

Join some of our banner programs such as the Intercultural Leadership Program, International Student Advisory Board, and Penngagement International Experience Series! Learn more at https://global.upenn.edu/isss/programs

 

 

The Center for Hispanic Excellence: La Casa Latina is Penn's Latino cultural Center. La Casa Latina is a community space designed to serve the needs of all Latino/a students and the Penn communities at-large. La Casa focuses on building a unified community by working with the Latino Coalition, LaGAPSA, students, faculty, staff, and alumni.

Learn more about La Casa Latina by visiting the La Casa Latina website, Facebook and Instagram pages! 

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The Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Center enriches the experience, fosters success, celebrates victories, and affirms the existence of Penn's LGBTQ+ undergraduates, professional and graduate students, staff, faculty, and alumni using the lenses of social justice and intersectionality. Through education, support, and advocacy, the Center cultivates a campus climate where all students, regardless of their gender or sexual identity, can live authentically.

 

Staff Contact Information

Erin Cross, Ph.D. (she/her/hers) 

Director, LGBT Center

Adjunct Assistant Professor, Graduate School of Education

Affiliated Faculty, Gender, Sexuality, & Women’s Studies/Center for Research in Feminist, Queer, & Transgender Studies

ecross@upenn.edu

215-898-5044

 

Malik Muhammad, M.S (He/Him/His)

Associate Director, LGBT Center

malikmuh@upenn.edu

215-898-5044

 

Jake Muscato (He/Him/His)

Associate Director, LGBT Center

215-898-5044

 

 

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Upcoming Events 

Learn more about upcoming events with the LGBT Center. 

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Makuu, the Black Cultural Center, serves as a cultural hub for campus activities, activism, and personal, professional, and academic growth in order to increase resources and connections to the Penn community. Makuu seeks to enrich and support the principles of diversity and community in Penn student life, with an emphasis on students of African descent. Makuu utilizes the seven principles of Kwanzaa to provide support and guidance to individuals and student groups and aims to identify student evidenced challenges, enhance collaborative efforts among students, and become a repository of Penn resources that will increase students' academic, intellectual social, cultural and professional success.

Founded in 2000 to center the experience, concerns, and possibilities of students of the African Diaspora, Makuu: The Black Cultural Center is affectionately regarded as "home". Located in the ARCH building in the heart of campus, Makuu provides a comfortable and convenient space for students to gather. Makuu's staff work daily to provide academic, cultural, and social support to students and groups, connecting them to additional resources and opportunities.  Follow our social media accounts to get updates on our virtual programming!

Learn more by visiting the Makuu website or following them on Facebook or Instagram. 

Contact us: 
​Brian Peterson (he/him), Director | peterson@upenn.edu
​Michelle Gilliard Houston (she/her),  Associate Director | mhoust@upenn.edu
​Daina Troy (she/her),  Associate Director | richie17@upenn.edu

The Pan-Asian American Community House (PAACH) opened in the fall of 2000 in response to students' calls for a cultural resource center at the University of Pennsylvania where South Asian, East Asian, Southeast Asian, and Pacific Islander cultures could be celebrated. PAACH is a community center that develops and implements innovative programs for leadership development and community service in close collaboration with Asian American student and community groups. Learn more at www.vpul.upenn.edu/paach.

 

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Upcoming Events 

PAACH Open Houses 
August 30 - October 11, by highlighted community 
Suite G22, ARCH Building 
3601 Locust Walk 

Grad & Professional Student Open House 
Wednesday, September 8 at 12pm (noon)  

All students welcome! Come meet us, celebrate our diverse communities, and grad some free treats and a t-shirt! 
 

 

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PAACH Fall 2020 Handout 

The Penn Women's Center is one of the nation's oldest women's centers, founded in 1973, and we work with students, staff, and faculty of all genders and identities. The Penn Women's Center's mission is to promote gender justice, and to empower, support, and advance personal and professional development for women and female identified persons. We seek to achieve this by sponsoring student groups, highlighting the work of women and female-identified persons, advocating on a wide range of issues, and providing confidential crisis and options counseling. We welcome genderqueer, nonconforming, nonbinary, transgender persons and cisgender women and men to get involved in our community.

Sponsored Programs
We are affiliated with a number of centers and programs on campus, with the goal of centralizing women, gender, and sexuality focused resources. We encourage you to look at our support services and affiliated groups for further information. We offer programs related to: Career Development, Stress Management, Parenting, and Health and Wellness.

Events
We sponsor a number of events throughout the year that highlight issues of gender justice and promote women writers, activists, artists and political and professional leaders. These include conferences, trainings, and workshops, with topics ranging from restorative justice, to healthy relationships, to men and masculinities. Major sponsored events, co-produced with student groups, include the Vagina Monologues, the Women's Leadership Summit, Penn Women's Week and Take Back the Night. 

Sign up for the Penn Women's Center newsletter

Advocacy
We play an advocacy role regarding issues of gender equity, health, childcare, workplace discrimination, domestic and sexual violence, and mental health.  

 

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Learn more and connect with us at pwc.vpul.upenn.edu/ 

The video below, made as part of our 40th Anniversary Voices of Change Project, celebrates our past and present. We hope it will inspire you to become part of our future. 

Our Space

Located in the heart of campus, at 3643 Locust Walk, the Penn Women's Center offers the perfect space for women, female-identified persons and feminists of all genders to study, relax, host meetings, and workshops or team up for civic engagement projects.

More than just a building, we are also home to a fully-equipped nursing room, complete with a Medela Symphony breast pump, that provides a cozy private space for breastfeeding and/or pumping. We also have an eco-kitchen (PEEK) that can be used for cooking, events or hanging out, a film and book library, a TV lounge, wireless internet access and assorted meeting rooms.

Our Space

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Contact us 

Elisa Foster (she/her), Interim Director, elisaf@upenn.edu

Hitomi Yoshida (she/her), Coordinator, hyoshida@upenn.edu

The Spiritual & Religious Life Center (SPARC) provides a home on campus for religious and spiritual students and groups. SPARC provides space for regular prayer (including daily Muslim prayer space), scripture study, and meditation sessions for individuals and groups.

Incoming Student Survey
Welcome new students! Take our quick survey to get connected to Spiritual & Religious Life groups and activities at Penn

Learn more by visiting the SPARC website or following them on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter. 

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Get Involved 
Penn students pursue their faith and fellowship within a wide variety of student organizations. Find your community!

PRISM
PRISM is our student interfaith leadership group, join them to plan great interfaith events and advocate for religious life!

The Faith Fund 
Established in 2010, the Faith Fund provides support for activities that consider religious and spiritual themes.

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SPARC Partner Organizations and Groups 

Anglican & Episcopal Students at Penn and St. Mary's, The Episcopal Church at Penn, include activities centered on the Episcopal Student Association and the liturgical service at St. Mary's Church.

Lubavitch House at Penn provides a warm and stimulating environment for all Jewish students regardless of background or affiliation.

Penn Newman Catholic Center is the Roman Catholic Church's presence on campus, serving the entire community at Penn.

Global Connect Philadelphia & UPenn
We hope our city feels like home! We are a network of Christians in Philadelphia that seek to serve international students and scholars of all faiths and cultures through friendship, fun activities, English conversation, and spiritual support.  We wish we could welcome you face-to-face, but while we wait together for the pandemic to pass, please come join our virtual international community. And bring a friend! 

The University of Pennsylvania is a large and complex institution, and we know that a feeling of belonging on campus is critical to your success and well-being. It makes a difference to find and connect with people and activities that support your whole self and not just your role as a graduate or professional student. 

There are many, many ways centers and activities that help graduate students become active participants in the broader Penn community. Click the links below to see additional opportunities for engagement. 

Campus Engagement Opportunities 

 

Penn Campus Recreation offers intramural sport leagues, 2 on-campus fitness facilities, informal recreation, 35 sport clubs, group exercise classes, personal training, and rock climbing

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Campus Recreation Resources  

 

Penn Campus Recreation serves the University community, with memberships available for students, faculty, staff, and affiliates. Membership includes access to both Pottruck and Fox fitness facilities, group exercise classes, use of the Sheerr Pool and sauna, access to intramural sport leagues, and more. Additional services like Reformer Pilates, personal training, and rock climbing are available. Campus Recreation runs three week-long sessions of Adventure Camp in July for children 6-12. Additional athletic camps are available for children throughout the summer.

 

If you would like a tour or presentation for your department, cohort or team, please reach out to Erica Hildenbrand, Director of Programs. Teambuilding experiences, ticket blocks to athletic events, and custom fitness classes are available as a great option for new students to explore available wellness programming and enjoy a shared experience outside of the classroom.

A proud member of the Ivy League, Penn offers many unique and exciting opportunities for students, faculty, and staff to cheer on the mighty Quakers, participate in competitive team sports, and stay physically fit at state-of-the-art, world-class training centers.

Penn students get FREE tickets to most home games and are eligible for discounted guest tickets and more! 

View and Download

Penn Athletics provides intercollegiate and recreational opportunities that enrich the Penn student experience, and makes athletic facilities and activities available to the entire campus community. View athletic facility schedules here. 

The Intramural Sports program offers organized sport activities that promote participation and socialization between groups and individuals, enhance physical fitness, and foster a spirit of fair play and sportsmanship.

 

Penn Violence Prevention (PVP) engages the Penn community in the prevention of sexual violence, relationship violence, stalking, and sexual harassment on campus. We foster collaborative relationships across campus to ensure a survivor-centered, multi-faceted approach to support services and primary prevention. Through collective community action, we are committed to ending interpersonal violence by addressing gender inequity, social injustice, and oppression through outreach and education.

While our physical office is closed, Penn Violence Prevention is available to support you during this time. Additionally, all campus and confidential resources remain available to students. Please see their respective websites for availability. A FAQ guide regarding interpersonal violence resources and COVID is available here.  For 24/7 crisis response, please call Special Services 215-898-6600.

Important Links 

PVP Website

Penn Title IX Website

Penn Sexual Misconduct Policy

 

 

Public Health and Wellbeing

Creating a Community of Care

Wellness at Penn’s Public Health and Wellbeing (formerly Campus Health) division seeks to create a community of care through advocacy, education, and action. Our staff focuses on a wide variety of healthy living topics including sleep hygiene, stress reduction, nutrition, exercise, and sexual health.

Key initiatives include:
•    Disease surveillance and prevention
•    Insurance and immunization compliance
•    Health policy
•    Health education and promotion
•    Substance Use Prevention, Education, and Recovery (SUPER) Program
•    Penn Farm 

Health Education and Promotion topics include:
•    Substance use
•    Helping students in distress
•    Imposter syndrome
•    Mindfulness and meditation
•    Nutrition and physical activity
•    Sexual health
•    Sleep hygiene
•    Stress and self-care

Visit our website to request a health education workshop. 

Student Health and Counseling

Caring for Students During Their Academic Journey

Student Health and Counseling (formerly SHS and CAPS) is the primary care and psychological care division of Wellness at Penn. Our state-of-the-art medical and counseling centers are designed to provide high-quality, compassionate care for undergraduate, graduate, and professional students during their academic journey. Student Health and Counseling is committed to providing safe, accessible, cost-effective, culturally sensitive, and student-focused care. Our team provides care for acute and chronic health problems, preventative health services, as well as mental health and counseling, crisis management, and consultations.

Student Health and Counseling – Available Services: 

Medical Services
•    24/7 access and support (call 215-746-3535)
•    Allergy care
•    Gynecologic care
•    Immunization
•    Nutrition
•    Podiatry care
•    Primary care
•    Sexual health
•    Sports medicine
•    Travel Medicine

Counseling Services
•    24/7 access and support (call 215-898-7021)
•    Drop-in services (Let’s Talk and on-site)
•    Individual therapy
•    Group therapy
•    Psychiatric medication
•    Referral and consultation services
 

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Additional Information and Resources from Student Counseling

• Wellness at Penn Homepage
• I SHARE: Connection, Healing, and Hope (Video)

Counseling services are covered by your student fees and available to all students at no additional charge. Insurance information will not be collected. 

Medical services are available to all full-time students regardless of their insurance coverage. All full-time students are charged a Clinical Fee which allows them access to these services. Part-time students may elect to pay the clinical fee in order to be seen.

Penn strives to promote physical fitness and emotional balance so that students prioritize their health.Click the links below for additional information and resources

Physical and Emotional Health

Spiritual Wellness

Arts and Recreation

Help and Support 

See arts and recreational activities beyond campus on our Living in Philadelphia page. 

Career Services provides support and resources to assist PhD and master's degree students with career exploration and planning at any time during their academic programs. 

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Master's Students

Additional Resources for Master's Students

Beyond Graduate School
Beyond Grad School is an online platform that helps master’s students make the most out of their investment and launch their next great career. From video lessons on career exploration to writing application materials, to interviewing and negotiating for that next career step — Beyond Grad School helps master’s students through each stage of their job search. Beyond Grad School’s unique curriculum is designed by learning specialists and experts in career development. Our programming is research driven and proven to support master’s students in launching new careers.

Handout for Master's Students 

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PhD Students and Postdocs

Additional Resources for PhD Students

PhD Career Training Platform
A one-stop, online resource and curriculum for PhDs students exploring faculty and expanded career options – from making the most out of graduate school to positioning yourself for future career paths, you can find resources and structured support for your professional and career development.

https://careerservices.upenn.edu/resources/aurora-by-beyond-the-professoriate

Handout for PhD Students and Postdocs

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The Center for Teaching and Learning (CTL) helps to prepare graduate students to work as part of an instructional team as TAs or to teach their own classes at Penn.  In addition, CTL has a number of programs and services to help graduate students as they go on the job market and imagine themselves as future faculty.

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Programs and Services for Graduate Students

The Center for Teaching and Learning (CTL) provides a broad range of programs for graduate students that can help them succeed as TAs, prepare for the academic job market, and ready themselves for being faculty in the future. Please visit our website to learn more about programs and services for graduate students, including our Teaching Certificate and Fellows programs, and see upcoming workshops and mini-courses. You are welcome to attend any of our events for graduate students.

Teaching Certificate	Workshops	TA Training
CTL Graduate Fellows	Consultations & Observations	Job Market Consults
Inclusive Teaching Resources	CTL Mini Courses	Workshops by Request

Upcoming Events

Visit the CTL Website 

To Penn graduate students, CURF should be known as "The Center for Undergraduate Research AND (also) Fellowships" since CURF supports all undergraduate and graduate students and alumni in exploring and applying for Nationally Competitive Fellowships through one-on-one advising, specialized online resources, info sessions and events, draft review, and interview preparation.

CURF assists graduate students seeking funding for language study, graduate coursework, or research through any fellowships in CURF’s Fellowships Directory. CURF can help you identify the appropriate fellowship for you and help you apply for it. CURF can help you at any stage of the application process — finding fellowships, crafting your application, draft review, and practice interviews where applicable.

CURF manages Penn’s nomination process for the Fulbright U.S. Student Award, the Boren Graduate Fellowship, the Luce Scholars Program, and the Rhodes Scholarship (among others) and also supports applicants applying for fellowship opportunities such as the Critical Language Scholarship, Gates Cambridge Scholarship, Mitchell Scholarship, Schwarzman Scholars Program, and Soros Fellowship.

CURF is one fellowships resource for graduate students among many at Penn; along with the Graduate Student Center, your department, and your faculty mentors. To learn more about the fellowship opportunities with which CURF works, check out our customized Fellowship Directory for graduate students 

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Important Links 

Sign-up for CURF’s Weekly Email Digest at:  https://www.curf.upenn.edu/mailing-list

Schedule an appointment with the CURF Advisor who works with fellowships in which you are interested:  https://www.curf.upenn.edu/about-us

You may access CURF’s Canvas sites for:

• Fulbright Award specific guidance:  https://canvas.upenn.edu/enroll/H7TPER
• General Fellowships site:  https://canvas.upenn.edu/enroll/9TMP6E

Welcome, new graduate students! As a Penn student, you can access the Penn Libraries’ network of 19 distinct libraries, over 40 subject librarians, physical and digital collections, and a whole range of services designed to help support your research. We also offer support and expertise in various innovative technologies that you can incorporate into your research and teaching.

• Visit the Penn Libraries’ Quick Start Guide to learn the basics.
• Find a subject librarian in your discipline.
• Browse our calendar of events and workshops to learn new skills and connect with your community throughout the year.

More information about services for graduate students can be found on our Graduate Student Services page.

Our librarians look forward to meeting you and welcoming you to Penn! 

PENN LIBARIES WEBSITE

 

The Weingarten Center provides academic support and accommodations for undergraduate, graduate, and professional students to ensure that students receive comprehensive services that enhance their learning experiences and intellectual development at Penn. All services and programs are free and confidential.

Academic Support includes learning consultations, tutoring, and interactive programs support students as they develop learning strategies and content knowledge to further their academic and professional goals.

Disability Services provides comprehensive, professional services and programs for students who self-identify with disabilities to ensure equal academic opportunities and participation in University-sponsored programs. Professional staff evaluate current documentation, determine individual students' eligibility according to program guidelines, and determine reasonable accommodations for all qualified students with documented disabilities on a case-by-case basis.

**During the 2022-23 Academic Year, the Weingarten Center will be located in Hamilton Village at 220 South 40th Street, Suite 260. ** 

Access the Weingarten Center Portal to  Schedule an appointment Register for a workshop Request and manage accommodations

Weingarten Center Events Access the Weingarten Center's calendar for current events and activities. Read our Blog Get tips. Hear from students. See where we study. Sign up for our Newsletter Latest news.  In your inbox. Once a month.

 

 

Penn offers a wide variety of resources, offices, and programs for graduate students to support them in all aspects of their Penn experience.

Academic Policies and Requirements

Academic Resources and Support

School and College Contacts

 

The Graduate and Professional Student Assembly (GAPSA).serves as the official voice for the approximately 14,000 full and part-time graduate and professional students at Penn. GAPSA is also responsible for administering graduate student activity fees, providing resources for travel grants, research support, and other activities throughout the year. In addition to GAPSA, 12 School Governments handle school-specific issues, activity funding, and serve as school representatives in GAPSA. 

Student groups foster vital student interaction and offer countless opportunities for exploration, personal growth, and development of leadership, communication, and other invaluable skills.  Explore Penn's many graduate student organizations and campus activities to find out how you can participate in the broader Penn community. Search a full list of registered student groups at PennClubs.com

You can also connect with your Graduate Program Advisor or ask the Grad Center team for referrals to student organizations, affinity groups, or additional campus resources. 

Please see information and upcoming events shared by graduate student groups below. 

 

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Latin American Graduate and Professional Assembly (LAGAPSA)

Congratulations! We are so excited to welcome you to Penn!

We are the Latin American Graduate and Professional Student Assembly (LAGAPSA) and our mission is to enhance the quality of life for graduate and professional students of Latin American, Latina/o/x, and/or Hispanic descent at the University of Pennsylvania. Supported by GAPSA and the Grad Student Center, we address constituents’ academic, social, political, and cultural needs and concerns through programming, services, and advocacy. This year, we seek to put together events to allow community members to distress, learn, and feel together!

Are you interested in attending future LAGAPSA events? Join our mailing list!

Follow us on social media: Instagram @lagapsa.upenn & Facebook @LAGAPSAUPenn

Visit our website at upennlagapsa.wordpress.com/

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Pan-Asian American Graduate Student Association (PAAGSA)

The Pan-Asian American Graduate Student Association (PAAGSA) seeks to improve the academic and social lives of Asian and Asian American graduate and professional students at the University of Pennsylvania, and increase their awareness about Asian and Asian American issues. Through our various social, academic, health and wellness, and service-related activities, we seek to establish connections between both international Asian and Asian American students across the graduate and professional schools to foster a sense of community among the Pan-Asian population at Penn.

To keep updated on upcoming events throughout the year sign up for our newsletter here: https://forms.gle/DYBoNbBWfQsZkreN6 

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Penn First Graduate Association

The Penn First Graduate Association was founded in 2018 to enrich the lives of the first generation, low income graduate students here at the University of Pennsylvania. The purpose of the organization is to survey, evaluate, assess, and address the concerns of the constituents to engage them at the University. The organization will strive for equity amongst all graduate students at the University, and to bridge the gaps that first generation, low income graduate students may encounter. 

PFGA GroupMe

https://www.facebook.com/pennfirstgraduateassociation

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Penn Graduate Women in Science and Engineering (PGWISE)

We are a graduate student organization centered on the advancement of women scientists and engineers. We want to ensure that women are given the opportunity to be successful in their chosen fields and provide them the tools to do so. We host events for outreach, career development, social networking and more! Check out our social media (Instagram, Facebook and Twitter) as well as the GAPSA and BGS newsletters for the most updated information about our events. We host events frequently throughout the year. Feel free to attend any of our professional development workshops, happy hour events, or even get involved with PGWISE outreach around the city.

Want to be more involved in PGWISE? Apply for a position on the PGWISE Executive Board. Email pgwise.upenn@gmail.com to request more information.

Follow PGWISE on social media: 

facebook.com/PennGradWiSE

instagram.com/pgwise_upenn

twitter.com/pgwise_upenn

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Rangoli 

Rangoli, the Indian Association at Penn is a University of Pennsylvania organization, that was formed to prolong our culture, and rekindle the spirit of various Indian traditions and festivals with verve and vigor. Rangoli is proud to continue it’s journey, as it continues to be one of Penn's completely incorporated organizations. We are open to every member of Penn's community as we try to reach out to the various other cultural groups. Rangoli receives its funds from the Graduate and Professional Student Assembly (GAPSA).

Facebook: /Rangoli Indian Association at Penn 

Website: https://www.dolphin.upenn.edu/rangoli/index.htm

Contact: 
pennrangoli.president@gmail.com
ksridhar@seas.upenn.edu
miti@seas.upenn.edu

Click to view and download flyer 

 

Perry World House is a hub for global affairs on Penn’s campus, bringing the University’s academic knowledge to bear on some of the world’s most pressing challenges. We facilitate critical conversations about and foster interdisciplinary research on major global policy issues, ranging from new technologies to climate change, through our student programs, public events, and more.

 

Graduate Programming

• Graduate Associates Program: This competitively-selected program open to graduate students across Penn, helps you develop professional skills relevant to shaping policy and engage with our vibrant community of scholars, students, and visitors. The next application window for our 2022-2023 cohort opens on August 30, 2022.
• Professional Opportunities: Penn graduate students can work as research assistants for our visiting fellows and visiting scholars, and as rapporteurs for our annual conferences and workshops. Contact our Program Managers Thomas J. Shattuck (tshatt@upenn.edu) and Lauren Anderson (leander@upenn.edu) to learn more.
• Mentoring Undergraduate Students: Penn graduate students can mentor and advise undergraduates working on policy research projects through our World House Student Fellows Program.

 

Connect with Us

• Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram at @perryworldhouse.
• Watch videos of all our recent public events on our YouTube channel.
• Sign up for our mailing list to be the first to know about our programs, events, and other opportunities.
• Join us at one of our public events.

The Barbara and Edward Netter Center for Community Partnerships is the University's primary vehicle for advancing civic and community engagement at Penn. It brings together the resources and assets of both the University and the wider community to help solve universal problems such as poverty, health inequities, environmental sustainability, and inadequate, unequal education as they are manifested in the University's local geographic area of West Philadelphia and Philadelphia at large.

The Netter Center develops and helps implement democratic, mutually transformative, place-based partnerships between Penn and West Philadelphia that advance research, teaching, learning, practice, and service and improve the quality of life on campus and in the community. 

Get Involved

The Netter Center provides student involvement opportunities that cover a wide variety of interests. Find your passion and make a difference! 

• Academically Based Community Service (ABCS) courses, which involve service rooted in and intrinsically connected to teaching, learning, research, practice, and reflection. Students engage in hands-on, real-world problem-solving learning opportunities that help them become active citizens and lifelong learners. Over 70 ABCS courses are offered each year across the University.
   
• Volunteer and work-study opportunities with programs that partner with University-Assisted Community Schools (UACS), communities of faith, and community organizations.
   
• Summer opportunities, working or volunteering up to 40 hours a week with West Philadelphia youth and partners.
   

Provost’s Graduate Academic Engagement Fellowship

The Provost’s Graduate Academic Engagement Fellowship at the Netter Center for Community Partnerships (PGAEF @ NC) is an opportunity for PhD students across all schools and fields at the University of Pennsylvania. Fellows are outstanding students whose scholarship significantly involves Academically Based Community Service (ABCS) and related activities, including locally based community problem-solving, engaged scholarship, service learning, and learning by teaching in public schools.

Learn more 

 

Visit the Netter Center Website 

 

Penn Leads the Vote (PLTV) is a student-run, non-partisan program that increases voter engagement and voting while advancing Penn’s role of supporting the democratic and civic engagement of Penn students.  PLTV is university-wide and its leadership comes from both the undergraduate and graduate student bodies of the University of Pennsylvania. During election cycles, PLTV connects the Penn community with the resources needed to register and check registration, to be informed, and to get out to the polls.  Throughout the year, PLTV encourages students to learn about and engage with current issues and politics at the local, state, and national level.

What you can do:

• Register

  • Don’t wait: take two minutes to register to vote online in Pennsylvania or your home state so you are ready to cast your vote on election day. To register, all you need is the last four digits of your Social Security Number or your state ID, and your address.. 

  • Already registered? Confirm your registration or update your address here. 

• Learn About Your Vote

  • Streamline your experience at the ballot box by preparing ahead of time. Get a free sample ballot online, make a plan to vote, and make sure you don’t miss important deadlines by researching them ahead of time.

• Volunteer

  • PLTV is looking for volunteers to join us in getting out the vote on Penn’s campus. Volunteer as much or as little as you want right from your bedroom. Volunteers are eligible to win prizes such as a PLTV hat and mug, airpods, and more!

• Voting By Mail

  • Worried about long lines at the poll or don’t feel comfortable waiting in line? No problem! Learn about voting by mail in Pennsylvania and your home state. Don’t wait! Deadlines for voting by mail are much earlier than voting in person.

• Voting In-Person

  • Learn about what you need to bring with you to the polls, such as your PennCard, and where your designated polling place is ahead of time. Polls are open from 7am to 8pm, set a time to vote in advance and invite some friends to go with you!

Penn Live Arts (formerly the Annenberg Center) is a major cultural destination and crossroads in the performing arts, connecting regional audiences and the University through exposure to innovative human expression in theater, music, and dance.

The Annenberg Center Presents series provides:

• A broad range of programs in music, theatre and dance
• Performances by local, world-renowned and emerging artists with diverse perspectives
• Artistic and educational offerings for all ages

Penn students can get $10 tickets to Annenberg Center Presents performances at any time. To purchase, use promo code PENNSTUDENT online or at the Box Office. Must use Penn email address and show valid Penn ID at pick-up.* 

The Penn Live Arts blog features digital content intended to connect our audiences with visionary artists and innovative ideas, resulting in transformative artistic experiences.  Started in the summer of 2020, the blog has engaged with past and present artists through our 5 Questions series, featured numerous guest writers from the arts and Penn communities and had opportunities to spotlight some of our significant events like the Feintuch Family Lobby dedication and the kick-off of our multi-year 50th anniversary celebration with #MyAnnenbergStory. And all of this will continue right here in September when we welcome audiences back into our theatres for the 21/22 season. 

Sign up to receive emails and find us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to receive regular updates.

Penn Live Arts
3680 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104-6219
For tickets, call 215.898.3900.

The Penn Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology advances understanding of the world's cultural heritage through its extensive research, collections, exhibitions, and educational programming. 

Connect with the cultures of Africa, Asia, the Americas, and the Mediterranean, from the very first cities of the Middle East to the pharaohs of ancient Egypt; from early Mexico to the lives of Native American communities today. Experience the richness of the ancient past, gain an understanding of our shared humanity, and find your own place in the arc of human history.

Admission is free with your PennCard! Walk up and show your ID at the welcome desk. (Online ticketing is currently unavailable.)

Living Room Lectures	Digital Daily Digs
Galleries at Home	At-Home Anthropology

See upcoming events

Visit the Penn Museum website

 

Morris Arboretum
The Morris Arboretum is a historic public garden and educational institution. A short drive or train ride from campus, the Arboretum hosts a full slate of programs that integrate science, art, and the humanities. Admission is free with your PennCard!

 

Civic House 
Civic House is Penn's hub for civic engagement, centering community organizations and social justice education, promoting mutually beneficial collaborations between Penn and Philadelphia community nonprofit organizations. Through social justice education, trainings and workshops, Civic House prepares students for responsible community engagement and empowers them to become advocates for social change.

Learn more and connect with Civic House: 

• Civic House Website
• Civic House on Facebook
• Civic House on Instagram

 

Learn more about Arts & Culture at Penn
From the one-of-a-kind museums on campus to accomplished student performances in music, dance, and theater, culture and the arts play a leading role in life at Penn. Check out a list of cultural institutions at Penn or see a list of upcoming arts & culture events at Penn.

See arts and culture activities beyond campus on the Grad Center's Living in Philadelphia page. 

 

Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life 
Are you familiar with Fraternities and Sororities? Are you an alumni member of one or possibly just have an interest in working with the fraternity and sorority community? We know that involvement in a Fraternity and Sorority is not just an undergraduate experience but one that people stay engaged in throughout their time as Alumni. Whether you are an active volunteer with your fraternity or sorority, or looking to stay connected to the fraternity and sorority community post-graduate, we want to meet you!

With over 40 organizations strong and 2,000+ members, our fraternity and sorority community involves undergraduate members in a wide range of sororities, fraternities, and gender neutral organizations. Learn More about Our Purpose and our community here at the University of Pennsylvania

The Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life provides volunteer opportunities for staff and graduate level students that have a fraternity or sorority affiliation or interest. Reach out to us and follow us on Instagram to learn more about these programs @penngreeks.

 

Kelly Writers House
The Kelly Writers House is an actual 13-room house at 3805 Locust Walk on Penn's campus that serves as a center for writers of all kinds from Penn and the Philadelphia region at large. Each semester the Writers House hosts approximately 150 public programs and projects--poetry readings, film screenings, seminars, web magazines, lectures, dinners, radio broadcasts, workshops, art exhibits, and musical performances--and about 500 people visit the House each week. Writers House also has a strong virtual presence - with interactive webcasts and dozens of listservs and email discussion groups. Through its many programs and projects, the Writers House promotes the full range of contemporary literature, addressing writing both as a practice and as an object of study.

There are many ways for you to plug in to our community and to deepen your intellectual engagement with the writing arts. Our couches are available for studying and occasional naps. Coffee in the kitchen fuels many late-night discussions. We host open-mic nights, writing workshops, reading groups, community writing projects, and all kinds of free programming. Look around and find your thing or join our Planning Committee and become a writing activist. 

Visit the Kelly Writers House Website 

Hello, welcome to Penn from the Off-Campus Services Office.

My name is Linda Kromer, and I am the Associate Director of Off-Campus Services. I am here to assist you with educational and resource materials while living off-campus. I can help you read through a lease and offer suggestions regarding any issues you may have with your off-campus apartment. Please reach out if I can help you or if you have any questions. Email: ocliving@upenn.edu, phone: 215-898-8500. Have a great semester!

Off Campus Services Website

Follow us on Twitter

The Penn Bookstore offers a wide assortment of products and services to meet the needs of Penn faculty, staff, students, and the surrounding community. In addition to providing required course materials, the Penn Bookstore offers a wide range of Penn branded apparel and gifts.

Spanning over 50,000 square feet, the bookstore hosts many events and provides ample space for all to enjoy. Located within the bookstore is a fully-licensed Starbucks as well as a "marketplace" for grab-and-go goods. 

The Penn Bookstore is located at the corner of 36th & Walnut Streets. Order online or stop by in person. 

 

 

 

 

Penn Transit's integrated transit system provides effective, efficient, and safe integrated transit on and around campus within specific service boundaries. Transit Services are free of charge to all Penn community members holding a valid PennCard. 

Fall 2020 Transit Information

In addition to the display of a valid institutional identification card, all Penn Transit riders will be required to display a valid “green” PennOpen Pass in a manner consistent with the current protocols for building-entry on Penn’s campus and as a means of reducing the risks of COVID-19.

For information, medical questions, or technical support while using PennOpen Pass, please contact the PennOpen Pass Call Center at (215) 573-6355 or visit https://www.pennmedicine.org/pennopen.

Learn more about 

COVID-19 Ridership Requirements

Navigating Penn Transit 

Division of Public Safety's Walking Escort Program

Download the Penn Rides on Request App! 

Public Safety Overview 

 

At Penn Public Safety, our mission is to enhance the quality of life, safety and security of our community. We strive each and every day to earn the trust, confidence and respect of our community. Visit our website for an overview of some of the many services we offer to those living, working and visiting Penn’s campus.

Penn is located in the heart of University City, a vibrant urban environment in West Philadelphia. This diverse area offers an abundant cultural, artistic and communal setting that includes retail and fine dining opportunities. Just minutes away from Center City Philadelphia, Penn is close to some of our nation’s historic treasures – the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall.

The Division of Public Safety offers comprehensive safety and security services to our community members and visitors. Public Safety works closely with our city, state and federal law enforcement and emergency services partners to ensure the safety of all of those who work and study at Penn.

Your safety and security is our highest priority. We encourage you to partner with us in your safety by using the services described on our website. 

Follow us on Twitter @PennDPS.

Visit the Penn Public Safety website. 

 

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DPS “Top 10 List”

The Division of Public Safety encourages you to learn about all of the safety services available to you. Please take a moment to review the ten things you need to know, including free safety services that the Division of Public Safety offers the community.

1. Contact Information 

Emergencies: Call (215) 573-3333 or dial 511 from any campus phone.

Please program this number into your cell phone speed dial as “Penn Pub Safety.” Use this number for all medical and emergency-related calls, including the reporting of suspicious behavior, or to reach Penn Police & Public Safety personnel.

General information: Call (215) 898-7297

 

2. Safety and Security Services:

Walking Escort Service: (215) 898-WALK (9255).

Available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, between 43rd & 30th Streets and Market Street to Baltimore Avenue. Escorts are also available from 10 a.m. until 3 a.m. between 50th & 30th Streets and Spring Garden Street to Woodland Avenue via the University’s partnership with the University District Ambassador Program.

How to Request a Walking Escort:

• Ask any Public Safety Officer on patrol or inside a building

• Call 215-898-WALK (9255) or 511 (from campus phone)

• Use one of the many building and blue-light ephones located on and off Penn’s Campus

 

3. Penn Transit Ride Service

Penn Transit Services: (215) 898-RIDE (7433)

Business Services’ Penn Ride Service:  Monday-Sunday, 6 p.m.-3 a.m.; Limited on-call service, 3 a.m.-7 a.m. Visit www.upenn.edu/transportation.

 

4. UPennAlert Emergency Notification System

The UPennAlert Emergency Notification System enables fast and efficient dissemination of critical information to members of the University community during a major emergency via text messaging, e-mail, digital displays and the Penn Siren Outdoor System (Penn SOS). If you have not done so already, please take a few minutes now to register or update your contact information. All information is secure and confidential.

• Students: Register at Penn InTouch via Penn Portal

• Faculty/Staff: Register at Penn Directories

• Learn More about UPennAlert

 

5. Blue Light Phones:

If you observe a potential safety hazard, need a walking escort, or require Penn Police assistance, contact the Division of Public Safety from one of more than over 300 blue-light phones on campus and in the surrounding community. Just pick up the receiver or press the button.

 

6. PennGuardian:

This service allows PennComm, the DPS emergency communications center, to identify your GPS coordinates when you call from a cell phone that you have registered with Penn Guardian. Penn Guardian is available to you as a member of the Penn community. To activate this service, you must sign up and register your cell phone number. Once your cell phone number has been registered, a dispatcher will be able to view the profile information that you have entered when you call the DPS emergency number – 215-573-3333.

• Learn More About PennGuardian

• Register for PennGuardian

 

7. Property Registration:

Penn Students and Faculty/Staff can register their bicycles, electronic equipment and other valuable property, online with the University of Pennsylvania Police Department. Students can also purchase a U-Lock through their SFS account.

• Students: Access Campus Express Online via CampusExpress

• Faculty/Staff: Access U@Penn via www.upenn.edu/u@penn

 

8. Safety Presentations and Materials:

Members of the Division of Public Safety will provide safety information including brochures, videos, and presentations upon request. To request materials or arrange for a presentation, please contact our Special Services Department at (215) 898-4481 or email sdever[at]publicsafety.upenn.edu.

 

9. Preventing Theft on Campus:

Unattended theft is the number one crime here at Penn. The majority of all theft reported to the Penn Police occurs because items are left unattended or are improperly secured.

• All items should be taken with you at all times.

• U-Locks, NOT cable locks, should be used on bikes.

• You should always lock your doors, even if leaving for a few minutes.

• Always report suspicious activity by contacting the Division of Public Safety at 215-573-3333 or 511 from a campus phone.

 

10. Safety Practices:

The Division of Public Safety asks that all members engage the idea that “Safety and Security is a Shared Responsibility.” Please remember to take your personal property with you at all times, don’t leave doors unlocked and report suspicious behavior.

• Do not display your smartphone (iPhone, Android, etc.) when walking about. Keep it in your bag or pocket.

• Avoid using earphones when walking to ensure that you stay alert and aware of your surroundings.

• Stay in well-lit areas. Walk mid-point between curbs and buildings, away from alleys, entries, and bushes. Stay near people.

• Avoid short cuts through parks, vacant lots, and other low-occupancy places.

• Carry only necessary credit cards and money. Avoid using outdoor ATMs (automated teller machines). Instead, look for banks that require entry into a lobby to use their ATM.

• If you must carry a purse or handbag, keep it close to your body. This will minimize the chances of theft. If your purse is taken, don’t fight. Turn it over and immediately call 911.

• Walk with someone whenever possible. Participate in buddy systems.

• Do not stop to give directions or other information to strangers. Never hitchhike.

• If you believe are being followed, call 911. Be alert & confident – making good eye contact may discourage the follower. Cross the street, change directions, or vary your pace. If someone follows you in a car, record the license number and call 911 immediately.

• Have your key out and ready before you reach your car or door.

• Trust your instincts and use common sense.

Campus Express
Campus Express is the online onboarding site for all new students at Penn. The site is a one-stop shop for most essential student services at Penn such as the getting a Penn identification card, confirming on-campus housing,  purchasing a dining plan, registering property, purchasing books or a computer and taking advantage of Penn’s many transportation options.  Campus Express makes life easier and more convenient for thousands of new students each year.             

 

Office of the Ombuds 
The Ombuds Office welcomes any member of the Penn community who is experiencing difficulty, conflict, or confusion at work, within their studies, or throughout their life at the University more broadly. We offer an accessible and safe place to resolve differences, explore matters of concern, improve communication, and generate and evaluate options.

Our mission is to ameliorate those conditions that may impede community members finding satisfaction with their lives at Penn. Our door is open to students, staff, and faculty. We encourage people to contact us at the earliest stages of a problem so that we can assist before it escalates.

Learn more about the Office of the Ombuds and learn how they work with members of the Penn community.