GAPSA MONTHLY
UPDATE

Dear Fellow Doctoral and Research Master's Students,

We hope your fall semester is off to a great start and that you are looking forward to the upcoming Fall Break (if you have one!).

GAPSA represents all graduate and professional students across Penn's 12 schools. At its core, GAPSA is always committed to supporting students in every way possible and to strengthening our shared sense of belonging as One Penn Community — whether by amplifying your voice to university leadership, funding initiatives and grants, or providing programming that fosters community and connection.

Below, you will find important updates and opportunities to keep you informed, engaged, and connected across the Penn community.

Ludwig Zhao

President, Graduate and Professional Student Assembly
gapsa.president@gapsa.upenn.edu

GAPSA hosts General Assembly Meetings every other Wednesday 7 - 9 PM, where representatives from all 12 schools come together to disucss issues and concerns affecting graduate and professional students.

- Have something you'd like to see discussed? Share it with us here!

- All meetings are open to the public - see the full meeting schedule here.

As extensively reported in the media, Penn is one of nine universities that recently received a proposal from the Secretary of Education and other senior leaders in the U.S. administration titled, "Compact for Excellence in Higher Education."

GAPSA is collecting comments and feedback on this matter and welcomes your input. If you have any comments or feedback, please submit here.

GAPSA is proud to offer grad students a limited supply of discounted Homecoming Quaker Passes. Use promo code GAPSASTUDENT25 for $7 tickets. Connect with fellow Quakers at the pre-game tailgate. Sample picnic fare and raise a toast to the university. Join us after the football game for the annual battle of the bands competition between students and alumni while enjoying the Beer Garden at the Blutt Band Slam. Questions: gapsa.alumni@gapsa.upenn.edu.

When: 11/8/25

Where: College Green & Franklin Field

Tickets: https://penn.events.alumniq.com/go/hc25

Wellness at Penn is offering free flu shots through its annual Flu Clinic, held 10/15 - 10/17, at the Pottruck Health & Fitness Center. All Penn students, faculty, postdocs, and staff are welcome to drop in – just remember to bring your PennCard!

Penn Forward is a University-wide initiative reimagining how Penn can lead in education, research, and service for the next century. Six working groups – comprising students, faculty, staff, and postdocs – are exploring bold ideas to help Penn meet emerging challenges and opportunities in higher education.

You are invited to share your ideas, questions, and perspectives to help shape this collective vision. Your insights can help define what is next for Penn.

Submit your ideas and questions here or connect with our graduate and professional students representatives involved in the working groups.

Graduate and Professional Student Assembly
Questions? Concerns?
Email gapsa.president@gapsa.upenn.edu

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