News Summary
The University of Pennsylvania recently initiated its Spring semester, welcoming back students, faculty, and staff. Significant academic highlights for the semester include the confirmation of key dates, the appointment of J. Larry Jameson as President extending through 2027, and new initiatives focusing on wellness and digital security. Additionally, the university is promoting a health wellness campaign and navigating new U.S. entry restrictions affecting international students. These updates reflect UPenn’s commitment to academic and community well-being.
Philadelphia, PA
The University of Pennsylvania officially launched its Spring 2026 semester this week, welcoming students, faculty, and staff back to campus with a focus on academic pursuits, campus well-being, and digital security. Key dates for the semester, including the start of classes on January 14 and final exams from May 4-12, have been confirmed. The university also announced that J. Larry Jameson has been formally appointed as President, extending his leadership through June 2027.
Academic Calendar Highlights for Spring 2026
The Spring 2026 semester commenced with classes starting on Wednesday, January 14, 2026, with Monday classes meeting on this day. The university will observe Martin Luther King Jr. Day with no classes on Monday, January 19, 2026. Students have until Tuesday, January 27, 2026, to add or drop courses without financial penalty and to register for the spring term. The Drop Period will conclude on Monday, February 23, 2026. A Spring Term Break is scheduled from Saturday, March 7, to Sunday, March 15, with classes resuming on Monday, March 16.
The last day to change grade type status in a course is Monday, March 23, 2026. Registration for Summer Session 2026 begins on Monday, March 23, 2026. The final day to withdraw from a course is Monday, March 30, 2026. The last day of Spring Term classes is Wednesday, April 29, 2026, followed by Reading Days from Thursday, April 30, to Sunday, May 3. Final Examinations are slated from Monday, May 4, to Tuesday, May 12, marking the official end of the Spring Term. Baccalaureate is set for Tuesday, May 12, 2026, Alumni Day on Saturday, May 16, 2026, and University Commencement on Monday, May 18, 2026. For the graduate and professional student community, May 1-3 is the final period to host registered social events during the Spring 2026 semester.
Presidential Leadership and Key Recognitions
J. Larry Jameson, who has led the university as Interim President since December 2023, has officially been appointed President of the University of Pennsylvania. His term has been extended to run through June 30, 2027. This appointment comes as the university navigates significant challenges facing higher education. Before his interim presidency, Jameson served as the Executive Vice President of the University of Pennsylvania Health System and Dean of the Perelman School of Medicine since July 2011.
In other notable news, Aaron Roth, the Henry Salvatori Professor of Computer & Cognitive Science in the School of Engineering & Applied Science, has been awarded the 2025-2026 George H. Heilmeier Faculty Award for Excellence in Research. Professor Roth is recognized for his significant contributions to formalizing, quantifying, and enforcing data privacy and algorithmic fairness. He will deliver the prestigious Heilmeier Lecture during the Spring 2026 semester.
Campus Initiatives for Wellness and Security
The Office of Information Security (OIS) launched its “One Step Ahead” initiative to encourage technology readiness for a secure start to the semester. Faculty, staff, and students are reminded to complete the mandatory tutorial “Information Security at Penn: A Practical Guide” in Workday by January 12, 2026. Essential security practices include creating strong passwords or passphrases, installing the latest operating system and application updates, regularly restarting devices, and reviewing and securing stored data. These measures aim to protect university computing assets and confidential information.
The 2025-2026 Be in the Know wellness campaign is actively promoting health and well-being across the university community. Running from July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2026, the campaign, powered by WebMD, offers a range of tools, programs, and resources. Benefits-eligible faculty, staff, and postdocs can participate in biometric screenings to gain insights into their health and earn 1,000 points, along with a $50 cash incentive. Participants can earn up to $300 in cash rewards by accumulating up to 6,000 points through various wellness activities. Achieving 9,000 points qualifies individuals for “Very Impressive Participant” (VIP) status, which includes special recognition. The deadline for all 2025-2026 “Be in the Know” activity completions is 11:59 p.m. EST on June 30, 2026.
Advisory for International Community
The International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) has issued an advisory concerning new U.S. entry restrictions that took effect on January 1, 2026. These expanded restrictions impact nationals of certain countries and are primarily for individuals who are outside the United States and did not possess a valid U.S. visa as of the effective date. While individuals already within the U.S. are generally not subject to these new restrictions, non-essential international travel is advised to be deferred for those who might be affected. The ISSS continues to monitor federal guidance and provide individualized advising to affected students and scholars to help anticipate potential impacts on academic programs, employment, travel, and research activities.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What are the key dates for the University of Pennsylvania Spring 2026 semester?
- The Spring 2026 semester officially started with classes on Wednesday, January 14, 2026. Final Examinations are slated from Monday, May 4, to Tuesday, May 12, marking the official end of the Spring Term.
- Who is the current President of the University of Pennsylvania?
- J. Larry Jameson has officially been appointed President of the University of Pennsylvania. His term has been extended to run through June 30, 2027.
- What is the Heilmeier Lecture and who will deliver it in Spring 2026?
- The Heilmeier Lecture recognizes excellence in scholarly activities. Aaron Roth, the Henry Salvatori Professor of Computer & Cognitive Science, will deliver the prestigious Heilmeier Lecture during the Spring 2026 semester.
- What is the “One Step Ahead” initiative about?
- The “One Step Ahead” initiative by the Office of Information Security encourages technology readiness for a secure start to the semester. It reminds faculty, staff, and students to complete the mandatory tutorial “Information Security at Penn: A Practical Guide” by January 12, 2026.
- What is the “Be in the Know” wellness campaign?
- The 2025-2026 “Be in the Know” wellness campaign is actively promoting health and well-being across the university community. It runs from July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2026, offering personalized wellness activities, biometric screenings, and incentives, including cash rewards and VIP status.
- Are there new U.S. entry restrictions affecting international students for Spring 2026?
- Yes, the International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) has issued an advisory concerning new U.S. entry restrictions that took effect on January 1, 2026. These impact nationals of certain countries, primarily individuals who are outside the United States and did not possess a valid U.S. visa as of the effective date.
Key Features of Spring 2026 Semester at UPenn
| Feature | Details | Scope |
|---|---|---|
| Spring 2026 Semester Start Date | Wednesday, January 14, 2026 | University-level |
| Final Examinations | Monday, May 4, to Tuesday, May 12 | University-level |
| University President | J. Larry Jameson (term extended through June 30, 2027) | University-level |
| Heilmeier Lecturer | Aaron Roth (2025-2026 George H. Heilmeier Faculty Award for Excellence in Research recipient) | University-level |
| Information Security Initiative | “One Step Ahead” (mandatory tutorial completion by January 12, 2026) | University-level |
| Wellness Campaign | “2025-2026 Be in the Know” (July 1, 2025 – June 30, 2026, with cash rewards and VIP status) | University-level |
| International Travel Advisory | New U.S. entry restrictions effective January 1, 2026 (Nationwide) | Nationwide |
| Graduate/Professional Social Events Deadline | May 1-3, 2026 | University-level |
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