Penn reportedly taking measures to prevent future protests

Penn is actively working to prevent campus unrest as the fall semester begins, according to the student newspaper.

The Ivy League school's "new policies, task forces, and security measures show a University eager to avoid future protests," according to The Daily Pennsylvanian, after a pro-Palestinian encampment on College Green led to police involvement and several arrests in May.

Among the recent measures, according to the newspaper:

• Penn has banned encampments and instituted temporary guidelines for campus demonstrations. Signs on campus say "prior approval" is required for any events.
• The school has begun a review of its Guidelines on Open Expression, a policy last updated 31 years ago.
• School officials have not commented on whether specific protest preparations are ongoing.

Campus activist groups and others have criticized the changes. Two House committee chairs recently requested Penn provide information on how it plans to address campus antisemitism and disruptions during the upcoming academic year. 

The Daily Pennsylvanian also reported it obtained emails detailing Penn's request for the city of Philadelphia to assist in stopping the on-campus encampment earlier this year, days before city cops ultimately helped intervene. But Mayor Cherelle Parker rejected Penn's calls to "secure our campus," instead advocating for a peaceful resolution.