As the School District of Philadelphia struggles to deal with asbestos in its aging buildings, administrators are making use of the University of Pennsylvania’s $100 million pledge to help with abatement of toxic materials… Jerry Roseman said he’s grateful for Penn’s gift — which others have criticized as a drop in the bucket compared to what the university would contribute if it had to pay property taxes…

Students affiliated with Fossil Free Penn camped on College Green for 39 days last semester with three demands for Penn: a public commitment toward preserving the University City Townhomes, total fossil fuel divestment, and making payments in lieu of taxes — or PILOTs — to Philadelphia public schools... In addition to legal repercussions for trespassing, the students faced disciplinary action from the University for violating the open expression guidelines.

Gym addressed the issue of PILOTs and affordable housing — an issue that has seen heightened student activism among the Penn community in the past two years… “I think [universities] could do so much more if there's a much more cohesive mission for them,” Gym said.

Student speakers expressed their regret that Magill was not present during their statements, and many of them requested to meet with her to discuss the issues at another time. They advocated for the preservation of the UC Townhomes, protection of student protestors’ rights, and for Penn to pay PILOTs.

[H]ow can I represent a school that refuses to divest from fossil fuels, that refuses to pay PILOTs to its city, that has not helped stop the displacement of 68 families living just blocks away from the heart of campus, and — on top of all of this — that detains protesters with its own private police force? On the day that I finish my Ph.D — a six-year effort with some of the greatest teachers and colleagues I’ve ever had — I will be ashamed to be graduating from Penn.

The School District of Philadelphia (SDP) largely relies on funding from property taxes to support its students and families. Therefore our failure to contribute property taxes to the community directly and negatively impacts Philadelphia public schools… The simple fact is this: Penn’s partnership with local elementary schools is an inadequate substitute for the very real money we owe the city of Philadelphia.

Penn’s band was wrapping up its halftime show, and moments before the third quarter was set to begin, protesters rushed the field, holding three banners:
“Save The UC Townhomes”
“Divest from Fossil Fuels”
“PAY PILOTs”

[P]rotestors associated with Fossil Free Penn ran onto the field carrying signs demanding that the university divest from fossil fuel investments, save the UC townhomes and pay local taxes via the PILOTs program. Some protesters in the stands also unfurled banners hanging from the upper deck of the stadium. Prior to interrupting the game, protesters handed out flyers to fans in attendance demanding that Penn become a force for "climate and community justice."

Anyone who has walked by College Green in the past two weeks has likely noticed Fossil Free Penn’s colorful tents and banners strung up on trees… [T]hese students said that they remain resolute in their beliefs and do not plan on leaving College Green until Penn meets their three demands: a public commitment toward preserving the UC Townhomes, total fossil fuel divestment, and making payments in lieu of taxes, or PILOTs, to Philadelphia public schools.