Welcome to Franklin’s Forum

A community of Penn alumni committed to academic excellence, the pursuit of truth, free expression, and governance focused on self-improvement.

Latest newsletters

Issue 23 — Open Expression at Penn: Could “Temporary” Become Permanent?

Jan 30, 2026

Penn introduced temporary expression guidelines in 2024 with the promise of a formal process to amend the rules. Two years later, the temporary guidelines still stand.

Issue 22 — What Is the Governor’s Role in Penn’s Governance?

Jan 24, 2026

Governor Josh Shapiro's new memoir discusses his recent involvement at Penn. Today, we consider the governor's role as the President of the Trustees.

Issue 21 — Reforming Research Integrity at Penn

Jan 16, 2026

Penn rewrote its research misconduct rules, replacing fragmented processes with one unified system focused on fairness and integrity.

Issue 20 — The Role and Reach of Penn's Faculty Senate

Jan 9, 2026

The Faculty Senate is Penn’s public forum for faculty governance. Today, we explore how it works, why it matters, and what may change under new leadership.

Issue 19 — Penn Forward and the Measures of Success

Jan 4, 2026

Initial recommendations for Penn Forward, the university's new strategic plan, are expected in early 2026. Today, we discuss what success should look like.