Resources – Penn Disorientation Guide

On-Campus Organizations

There are many organizations at Penn striving to improve the University for its students, workers, and surrounding community members. We encourage you to find a group that aligns with your identity and values and get involved.

FGLI Resources

Welcome to Penn! As a first generation and/or low income college student, please know that you are not alone. We, as a community, are here to support you.

On-Campus Organizations

There are countless organizations at Penn engaging in community-building and striving to hold the University accountable for the harm it perpetuates. We encourage you to get involved!

Confidential Resources at Penn

Penn offers a range of confidential resources for students’ mental and physical safety. However, there are caveats to confidential resources at Penn (and any institution).

Alternatives to Police in Philadelphia

While it’s important to be mindful of your safety, involving the police is not always the best option. Here are a few local alternatives to calling the police.

Mental Health Hotlines

Penn offers a few confidential on-campus mental health resources, but there are also off-campus networks with a range of services to address your needs. Here are a few.

Sexual Violence Resources in the Philly Community

There are several community-led organizations to support survivors of sexual violence in Philadelphia. No resource is perfect, but this list includes options for mental, emotional, and legal support.

12 Things to do Instead of Calling the Cops

As newcomers, it is important to learn about the space where we live, and how Penn displaces predominantly Black, working-class communities that live here through economic and physical violence. Part of this is understanding that Penn or Philadelphia police play a part in enforcing gentrification and that calling the police often puts Black communities in harm’s way.

Defanging Radicals

Penn continuously undermines its own students and community members to preserve its institutional power. Here are some of their strategies, so you can label and successfully oppose them.