Office of New Student Orientation and Academic Initiatives

Your SYO Daily Digest

Sunday, August 29, 2021

Hi Quakers!

Welcome to the first day of SYO activities! We have a jam-packed schedule of events for today that you do not want to miss. Check out today's event lineup below. Please note that, due to the weather, Penntracks Walking Tours have been canceled and the location for the Penn Athletics Picnic has changed.

For today’s weather, we are expecting scattered afternoon thunderstorms and a high of 82 degrees.

YOU MUST WEAR YOUR SYO WRISTBAND ALL MEALS AND EVENTS. Class Board 2024 will be distributing SYO wristbands at the entrance to the Penn Athletics Picnic, TODAY, Sunday, August 29 at 11am under the Tent on Penn Commons (see below for details.)

Please wear a mask at all orientation events. Additionally, all students are now required to complete PennOpen Pass daily symptom checks. You may be asked to show a Green Pass at orientation events, so fill out your daily symptom check here.

If you have any questions or would like more information about any SYO programs, look for our volunteers, the PHINS, all around campus in light blue and dark blue t-shirts, visit www.nso.upenn.edu or email us provost-nso-ai@pobox.upenn.edu.

- NSO Staff

Today's Calendar: Sunday, August 29

Please note that Penntracks Walking Tours have been canceled.

Penn Athletics Picnic & Class of 2024 Photo

Penn Commons & Franklin Field | 11am-2pm

The Penn Athletics Picnic is your sole dining option for this evening; all dining cafes will be closed. Kosher options available.

11am-12:30pm: Grab & Go Food on Penn Commons Commons (SYO Wristband distributed by Class Board 2024 at the entrance)

Enter tent by Cohen Hall and eat in Houston Market (lower level of Houston Hall)

12:30pm-2pm: Class Photos & T-Shirts at Franklin Field

Enter Franklin Field through gates located at 33rd & South streets or between Weightman Hall and Dunning Coaches Center. See map below.

Dinner

Various Locations | 5pm-8pm

Hill, Kings Court English, Lauder, and 1920 Commons dining cafes. Kosher dining at Hillel, 4pm-7pm.

Class of 2024 Evening at the PMA

Philadelphia Museum of Art | 7:30pm-10pm

This is the gala event of SYO that everyone talks about! Enjoy music, dancing, and free admission to the world-class galleries! Mask, SYO Wristband, and Green PennOpen Pass required to attend!

Chartered shuttle buses will arrive on-campus at on-campus at 39th & Walnut, 39th & Spruce, and 34th & Walnut starting at 7pm and starting at 7:00PM and will be continuously looping back and forth from the PMA and campus throughout the duration of the event.

Late Night Activities Fair

Houston Hall | 11pm-1am

Meet various student organization reps and participate in a late night party with food and activities.

Preceptorials are informal, non-credit, conference-style sessions which offer a unique way for new students to take a closer look at the cultural, social, and intellectual environment at Penn. During NSO, Preceptorials are on Monday, August 30.

View some of our archived Preceptorials on our YouTube Channel and click the button below to register for the upcoming NSO Preceptorials! View the buttons below for the most updated information.

Second-Year Reading Experience (SYRE)

The book for the inaugural Second-Year Reading Experience is All We Can Save: Truth, Courage, and Solutions for the Climate Crisis, a 2020 collection of essays and poetry edited by Ayana Elizabeth Johnson and Katharine Wilkinson. The book opens with a selection from Penn's Class of 2024's very own Xiye Bastida! Second-Years will have an opportunity to discuss the book on Monday, August 30 from 4pm-6pm in Chem102.

To request your copy of the book, click the button below.

COVID-19 Reminders

Upon arrival to campus, all students must be tested once for COVID-19, regardless of vaccination status. Click here to register for your gateway COVID-19 test.

Please remember to wear a mask and have a Green PennOpenn Pass at all orientation events.

Still have questions?

For questions related to NSO, contact us at provost-nso-ai@pobox.upenn.edu.