Beginning July 1 of this year, the University of Pennsylvania will cease recognizing students’ academic achievements via Dean’s List designations.
According to Interim Provost Beth Winkelstein and Vice Provost for Education Karen Detlefsen, the change comes from “the shared belief that a Dean’s List designation does not reflect the breadth and evolution of students’ academic achievements over the course of their education.”
Penn Undergraduate Assembly minutesfrom September of last year state that deans cited the “reduction of emphasis on grades,” that Dean’s Lists are “not as rare as one might think” and that “many […] peer institutions” no longer have Dean’s Lists as reasons for the decision.