EVP Newsletter

Fall 2023

News from Across the Division

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Message from Craig 


Greetings!


As the beautiful season of fall sets in, the city of Philadelphia is buzzing with excitement for its sports teams! With both the Phillies and Eagles in full swing, there's no shortage of entertainment for those who love the thrill of competition. Whether you're a die-hard fan or just enjoy the atmosphere of a live game, now is the perfect time to connect with your Penn colleagues through sports.  

 

Life is unpredictable, and you never know what each day may bring. However, one thing on which we can all agree is having fun and enjoying the company of our co-workers can make the journey even more worthwhile. Here in the EVP Division, we believe that fostering a positive and supportive work environment is paramount to our success and taking time to connect with colleagues can be a fun and meaningful way to build lasting relationships. Whether it's grabbing lunch, attending a University event, or simply engaging in small talk, these interactions can help make our days more enjoyable and fulfilling. So, let's all take a moment to appreciate the people we work with and make the most of our time here at Penn. It's important to remember that these relationships and friendships are valuable and should not be taken for granted.

 

Sports have a unique way of bringing people together and fostering a sense of camaraderie, especially in our city of Philadelphia. By taking the time to engage with our co-workers, we can create a supportive network that will be there for us in times of need.  So, grab your favorite jersey, t-shirt or cap, and get ready for some unforgettable moments this fall season! 



Penn and the Community



Katalin Karikó and Drew Weissman Win

2023 Nobel Prize in Medicine!

Katalin Karikó and Drew Weissman, Penn’s historic mRNA vaccine research team, whose discoveries gave the world a vaccine to fight the COVID-19 pandemic,

were named winners of the 2023 Nobel Prize in Medicine on Monday, October 2nd, and the Penn community came together to celebrate! To learn more about this exciting news, click here.

Pictured above from left to right: Jon Epstein, Craig Carnaroli, Liz Magill, Katalin Karikó, Drew Weissman, Larry Jameson, Kevin Mahoney and John Jackson, Jr.

Campus Construction Updates!


This past summer, you may have noticed multiple construction projects were underway. The renovation of Stouffer College House was completed in time for Move-In, and the GSE renovation and expansion advanced for use this semester. The former Sansom Place East was preserved & renovated into The Accolade on Chestnut for graduate housing, while Amy Gutmann Hall progresses towards completion next year. Phase One of the Franklin Field Team Operations renovation was also completed: a new locker room for the Penn Football team – check out this video to see the players reaction to their new space. Learn more about all of the campus construction updates here!

The former Sansom Place East was preserved and renovated into the fully leased The Accolade on Chestnut for graduate housing. A ribbon cutting opening was held August 8 (above).

Amy Gutmann Hall reached a milestone of topping off with a final mass timber panel as the new data science building progresses towards completion next year. 

ISC Celebrates PennFlex and Teams Up

with DAR for New Salesforce Platform!


Craig spoke at ISC’s PennFlex Phone celebration, after the team successfully migrated more than 15,000 campus accounts to a new cloud solution.





ISC and Penn DAR successfully launched the new Compass alumni and donor system replacing Atlas with a new Salesforce platform.

Procurement Staff Supporting the Phillies!

Procurement staff, above, show their support as the Phillies start their Wild Card series. Left to right: Mark Mills; Kerri Strike Stahller, Sarah Bandos, Kathryn Homa and Vince Gumbs, Jr. It's Red October time!

Division of Finance Employee

Engagement Activities Are a Hit!


This past spring and summer, DOF employees connected with their co-workers while having fun. Events and activities they participated in include: Bring Our Children to Work Day; Proudly Penn; Team Sports Day; Ben and Jerry’s Ice Cream Social; and DOF Twin Day. See some of their photos below!

Craig's List 

Here are some headlines worth checking out...


  • Powerful Fall Campus Recreation Membership Discounts! Full-time, benefits-eligible University faculty and staff as well as benefits-eligible postdoctoral researchers and fellows can save 50% or more on Penn Campus Recreation memberships for 20232024. Members have access to convenient, state-of-the-art fitness centers, classes, and programs.


  • That’s a wrap on another successful Move-In season! Business Services helped welcome 2,416 first-year and 3,301 returning students during Move-In 2023. Take a look at the many moments captured by University Communications during the event.


  • Penn has been recognized as a top performer in AASHE’s 2023 Sustainable Campus Index, securing the #2 position in the area of Sustainable Food & Dining based on Penn Dining’s offerings of food services that reduce environmental impact, support fair and resilient food systems, and reduce food waste. 


  • The Penn University Club reopened on September 12, once again welcoming guests for a buffet-style lunch from 11:30 am to 2 pm Monday to Thursday. In honor of the club’s reopening, the membership requirement for individuals is waived for Fall Semester allowing all standing and emeritus faculty staff, post doctorial researchers and fellows, graduate students and alumni with valid PennCards to dine there. Learn more about the club and check weekly menu options by visiting the University Club Website.


  • Penn Transit Announces New Bus Route and Service Enhancements. Penn Transit announced service changes that extend Penn Transit’s overall coverage area, expand service hours for its buses, and anticipated to shorten average wait times for shuttle riders. For full details, please click here.  


  • DPS will be undergoing an annual reaccreditation review and we welcome your feedback! Please visit the CALEA feedback portal found here to provide your comments about the University of Pennsylvania Police Department


  • Congratulations are in order for two BSD Departments who have been recently honored for their sustainability efforts - see below!


  • Penn Dining was ranked second in the 2023 Sustainable Campus Index, which is put together by the Association for the advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE)


  • The Sustainable Purchasing Leadership Council awarded Penn Procurement the Special Initiatives Award for the inclusive and sustainable Catering@Penn platform and the Case Study Award for Penn’s program to promote sustainable travel while offsetting Scope 3 carbon emissions from University air travel.


  • Penn’s 2023 Green Purchasing Award, presented by Penn Procurement Services and Penn Sustainability, was awarded to Dr. Michael Bernhardt, Director of Penn Transit, for his work in introducing the first electric vehicles to the campus transportation fleet.

We Asked... You Answered! Check Out some EVP Staff Summer Vacation Photos Below!

Here is Julie Van Duzer at her favorite stop - forest bathing at Muir Woods National Monument in California!

Brandi Falco and her fiancé spontaneously eloped on vacation in Rehoboth Beach, DE on 7/7/23. Congrats to the beautiful couple!

Here is Tracy Hawkins having fun in the historic district of Franklin, Tennessee, during a trip to visit her family.

Craig's Tips

Don't Miss Autumnal Activities at Morris Arboretum!


It’s Fall at Morris Arboretum, and there is a full calendar of events to celebrate the season! Visit the Garden Railway now through October 9 to watch the Harvest Trains haul their autumnal bounty. Bring the family on Saturday, October 28 to carve up something special at the Arboretum’s Pumpkin Carving Party (ages 8+). Or follow the Trick-or-Treat Trail among the scarecrows to pick up candy and admire the costumes. For more information and additional events, click here.  

Be in the Know! On-Campus Biometric Screenings This Fall


Penn’s 2023–2024 Be in the Know wellness campaign, open to all benefits-eligible faculty, staff, and postdoctoral researchers and fellows eligible for the Penn Postdoc Benefits Plan, will offer on-campus biometric screenings this fall. Quick, no-cost screening appointments will be held at convenient University locations from October 10–November 30. Advance registration is required, so make sure to sign up for your appointment online at Penn’s Health Advocate portal. Once you complete your screening, you will earn $50 in Pulse Cash rewards and up to $300 total in rewards! 


Celebrate Staff Achievement - Models of Excellence Award Nominations Are Open!


Penn’s annual Models of Excellence Award Program celebrates the outstanding achievements of individual full- and part-time staff members and teams throughout the University. This fall, you can participate in this long-standing tradition by nominating staff for a 2024 Models of Excellence honor. The 2024 call for nominations is open now through October 27, 2023. The online nomination form is available here. Download the Call for Nominations brochure for the latest award standards for each category: Models of Excellence, Pillars of Excellence, and Model Supervisor.

Share the Road!

DPS reminds drivers, micro-mobility device riders, and pedestrians to stay safe and be courteous and respectful of others when travelling. Learn more about our initiatives below: