New University President Neeli Bendapudi met with Penn State Abington students, faculty, staff, and stakeholders this week. Meeting Bendapudi was emotional for some faculty and staff at Abington, the most diverse campus in the Penn State system, since the new president is the first woman and first person of color to lead the University.
Even before taking the reins as Penn State’s 19th president this month, Neeli Bendapudi has spent much of the spring traveling across the commonwealth on her listening tour of the University’s campuses.
"The violence and lawlessness that occurred at the United States Capitol Wednesday afternoon are an affront to the values of our country and another distressing result of the erosion of civil discourse – the civil discourse that is a hallmark of the United States’ democracy," writes Penn State President Eric J. Barron in a message to the University community. "I know many in our community have witnessed and watched this event unfold with intense sorrow, anger and fear."
"We have seen leaders of both parties denounce this violence, and we too condemn these actions without equivocation. We must remember violence is never the answer."
Penn State has decided to delay the start of in-person classes and transition to a fully remote learning environment for the beginning of the spring 2021 semester at all campus locations. This decision was made following extensive analysis and scenario planning given worsening virus conditions nationally and across the state indicating predictions of rising hospitalization rates in the coming weeks.
"Over the past two weeks I have heard from hundreds of students, faculty, alumni and community members about their concerns involving hate in the Penn State community. People are justifiably upset about the events in our nation, and the limitations surrounding our institutional response. We must acknowledge the pain, anger and frustration that such events inflict on our community. We must recognize that Black Lives Matter, and that racism, bias and religious intolerance yield an inexcusable cost to life and liberty."
Penn State President Eric J. Barron has shared a message with the university community, denouncing hate-filled speech and urging solidarity against racism in the face of nationwide unrest.
Due to the economic challenges facing Pennsylvania and the nation, Penn State President Eric J. Barron announced plans today (April 23) to freeze tuition rates for all students University-wide for the 2020-21 academic year. The plan, which will be presented to the University’s Board of Trustees for final approval at its July meeting, would mark the third consecutive year that Penn State has held tuition rates flat for Pennsylvania resident students.
