Monday, April 14 at 5:00 PM
This Spring, The Salon explores the relationship between Philadelphia and its institutions of higher education, with a focus on the resilience required by each to thrive during changing times.
Universities, federal funding and diversity, equity and inclusion...
In February, the Trump administration warned American universities to eliminate diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives or risk losing federal funding. What happens if universities do not comply with government demands to eliminate DEI? And what’s at stake?
The Salon: Spirited conversations in a convivial setting: The Salon provides an opportunity for Athenæum members to discuss issues impacting Philadelphia’s future. Twenty participants and a moderator gather around the table in the DuBarry Conference Room for discussions sparked by invited topic experts. The Salon is akin to a graduate school seminar: a moderated discussion in a safe, intimate setting. The moderator opens each 90-minute Salon with a brief welcome, introduces the presenters and asks a question to the presenters to open the session before posing the same question to participants.
As Vice President for Government and Community Affairs at the University of Pennsylvania, Jeffrey Cooper is responsible for advancing the university's interests with federal, state, and city governments, for coordinating its relationships with elected and appointed government officials, and for representing Penn before public agencies. He is instrumental in a wide variety of community initiatives, including Penn's economic inclusion programs in construction, employment and procurement and the university's connections with the School District of Philadelphia. Prior to joining Penn in July, 2008, he served as Chief Counsel for the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education providing legal guidance to the fourteen system universities. Mr. Cooper currently serves as President of the Board of Directors of The Athenaeum of Philadelphia.
Mr. Cooper will be in conversation with Robert Mitchell, Assistant Dean for Diversity Relations and Communications (retired) at Harvard University.
Please note, all program registration sales are final.
