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.

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.

“I think Magill has a huge opportunity to make real positive change, not just around climate change,” Hargest added. “I think she can be the person this school’s activists have wanted for years: she can pay PILOTs, she can give back to the local community, she can divest from fossil fuels … all these things are so important and connected.”

A group of students pushing the University of Pennsylvania to divest from fossil fuels among other demands rooted in environmental justice has set up tents on the College Green to share their message around the clock… Students also are calling on Penn to make Payments in Lieu of Taxes (PILOT) to help city schools, Glasser said. Penn in November 2020 announced it would donate $100 million over 10 years to the Philadelphia School District to remediate environmental hazards, including asbestos and lead. But that is not considered a PILOT.