Anchor Institutions During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Universities and academic-based medical centers such as Penn serve heroically on the front lines providing clinical care and conducting medical research as the COVID-19 pandemic crisis dramatically changes the economic, social, political, and even, physiological, landscape of our cities. When a public crisis such as this emerges, Penn takes stock of our role in the city and neighborhood. This approach to civic engagement was born more than two decades ago when Penn and University City were facing a different crisis—of high poverty, unemployment, and crime; low single-family home ownership and educational attainment; and loss of both population and economic strength. Prompted by our Trustees to reverse these threatening and negative trends, Penn assembled a strategic neighborhood initiatives plan that, as it succeeded, was replicated by other universities and is the origin story for what is known today as the Anchor Institution movement.

Being an engaged Anchor was displayed on March 30 when President Gutmann, Provost Pritchett and I announced initiatives totaling $4 million to provide emergency financial assistance to Penn employees, third-party contract workers, small businesses and nonprofit organizations impacted by the COVID-19 crisis, in addition to $1 million in employee assistance by Penn Medicine, totaling $5 million in emergency assistance. Penn’s actions extend regionally to nonprofit social services aiding the health and safety of our community via our contribution to the PHL COVID-19 Fund; closer to home we financed the launch of the University City District’s grant program for small businesses in the Special Services District’s two-square-mile boundary. And we are providing short-term rent abatement for locally owned and operated retailers in our own commercial real estate portfolio. Taken together, grants such as these help nonprofits and small businesses stay afloat in advance of CARES Act stimulus funding, while keeping our community safe, vibrant, and positioned to rebound post-pandemic. Last, but not least, Penn is distributing grants up to $1,500 for full-time staff and contract workers, and up to $750 for part-time staff and contract workers, earning below $70,000. These grants are to assist those adversely affected by the economic downturn created by the COVID-19 crisis. These are important (one-time) investments in our community so we can withstand the present and prepare for the future together. While Penn itself is adversely affected financially by the pandemic, we also know that the globally renowned reputation for the highest quality teaching and research also is contingent on the health and vibrancy of our community.

Craig R. Carnaroli is Executive Vice President, University of Pennsylvania.

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