Good afternoon, Quakers! It's Monday, July 28, 2025, and you're tuned in to the latest updates from the University of Pennsylvania. Let's dive into today's top stories.
First up, the University has reached a compliance agreement with the Trump administration concerning the participation of transgender athletes in women's sports. This settlement requires Penn to disavow its previous policies, apologize to female athletes who faced disadvantages, and revise athletic records to align with current eligibility standards, which restrict women's sports to individuals assigned female at birth. This agreement concludes a U.S. Education Department investigation initiated under Title IX after Lia Thomas, a transgender swimmer, won an NCAA Division I championship, sparking controversy over fairness and shared facilities.
In related news, Penn has updated its women's swimming records, reversing three set by Lia Thomas during the 2021-2022 season. The University has also issued apologies to female athletes affected by her participation. This move is part of a voluntary agreement with the U.S. Department of Education, concluding an investigation into whether the University violated Title IX by allowing Thomas, who is biologically male, to compete in women’s events.
In other developments, a federal judge has denied law professor Amy Wax's request to prevent the University from enacting disciplinary sanctions against her. These sanctions, which include a one-year suspension with half pay, removal of her named chair, loss of summer pay, and a public reprimand, stem from an investigation concluding that her public remarks were discriminatory and derogatory. Wax had argued that these measures would harm her reputation and hinder her ability to speak on issues like diversity and affirmative action. However, the judge ruled that she failed to show she would suffer irreparable harm from the penalties.
On a more positive note, the University has received an $8 million gift from the Robert K. Johnson Foundation for its School of Arts and Sciences. This generous donation will fund the Integrated Studies Program at Penn’s College of Arts and Sciences, a first-year residential academic program where the cohort lives together in the Hill College House residence hall. With the new gift, professional and service learning opportunities will be afforded for students.
In administrative news, J. Larry Jameson, executive vice president of Penn Medicine and dean of the Perelman School of Medicine, has been appointed as Penn’s interim president. This appointment comes as the University continues its search for a permanent president.
In the realm of financial aid, starting in fall 2025, Penn will no longer consider the value of a family’s primary home among its assets when determining financial aid eligibility. This change aims to increase affordability and accessibility for middle-class families.
Turning to campus events, the Penn Glee Club recently completed a 12-day tour of Asia, performing in Tokyo, Hong Kong, and Beijing under new director Sam Scheibe. Highlights included a concert at Tokyo’s Suntory Hall with Keio University’s choir, a “Sight and Sound” performance at a Hong Kong art gallery, and a show at the U.S. embassy in Beijing.
In sports, third-year Kampton Kam of the Wharton School earned First Team All-America honors at the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships on June 13, finishing tied for eighth in the men’s high jump.
Finally, a new study led by Penn climate scientist Michael Mann finds that extreme summer weather patterns—like heat domes, floods, and wildfires—have nearly tripled since the 1950s due to a phenomenon called quasi-resonant amplification. This research highlights the increasing impact of climate change on our environment.
That's all for today's update. Stay cool and enjoy the rest of your day!