Amid the academic transformation Drexel University is undergoing, including the restructuring of schools and transitioning to a semester schedule, various advocacy groups are working to communicate their goals to the administration. Sustainable Just Future Drexel, a student-led organization, is advocating for a climate change course requirement among the common core curriculum changes. 

This goal is not new among higher education institutions in Pennsylvania. Dickinson College in Carlisle implemented a sustainability course requirement in 2016.

However, in this everchanging century, some schools are choosing to focus on other newfound academic fields, such as Artificial Intelligence. SUNY schools have added ethical AI usage courses to their general literacy requirement. 

To measure interest in environmental education among Drexel students, SJF is conducting a survey. 

“The data-driven aspect is the most crucial,” says Alyssa Kemp, SJF’s co-founder and co-leader. 

While other groups propose course requirements such as AI knowledge, Kemp argues these are following “nationwide trends,” while SJF aims to reflect the true needs of Drexel students. 

However, the organization has encountered what Kemp refers to as “unspoken competition” with these programs, which can make it harder to gain traction.

The foundation of SJF’s work is the belief that “all careers are climate change careers.” 

Kemp stresses that climate change is already impacting students and will continue to do so: “The best thing you can do is gain the knowledge to prepare yourself.”

In their third year, Kemp recognized a gap in their understanding of climate change despite working toward a degree in environmental engineering. In response, they partnered with Alex Ashley to create workshops focused on solar energy equity and sustainable development.

 “We realized we needed a university-wide, top-down approach,” Kemp said. 

Kemp and Ashley applied for the Second Nature grant, which offers students paid opportunities to work with the program. Since then, Kemp has collaborated with co-leader Victoria Rodriguez to hire five undergraduate students to advance their ideas and gather data through the survey. Though SJF has not yet met with Drexel administration, they have made significant headway by collecting valuable data.

Drexel officially launched its committee-driven Climate Action Plan, a process aiming towards a more eco-friendly campus. Students can get involved to any degree, whether that be attending an information session or supporting subcommittee research. If environmental advocates are curious to learn more about these opportunities, they are welcome to email climateactionplan@drexel.edu.

Additionally, Drexel currently has a Climate & Sustainability team that works to engage students in environmental discussions and share resources. Their upcoming events include Recycling Collection Events and Civic X EarthFest2025 on April 23. 

There are also significant sustainability research groups at Drexel such as the Sustainable Water Resource Engineering Lab and Urban Health Collaborative. Evidently, there is opportunity to involve oneself in environmental studies at Drexel, however, the key component of SJF’s goal is to ensure that everyone, regardless of their interest has basic knowledge. Students are encouraged to scan the attached QR code to make their voices heard by Drexel’s administration. To stay updated on SJF’s goals and accomplishments, follow their Instagram account, @sjfdrexel.

Amid the academic transformation Drexel University is undergoing, including the restructuring of schools and transitioning to a semester schedule, various advocacy groups are working to communicate their goals to the administration. Sustainable Just Future Drexel, a student-led organization, is advocating for a climate change course requirement among the common core curriculum changes. 

This goal is not new among higher education institutions in Pennsylvania. Dickinson College in Carlisle implemented a sustainability course requirement in 2016.

However, in this everchanging century, some schools are choosing to focus on other newfound academic fields, such as Artificial Intelligence. SUNY schools have added ethical AI usage courses to their general literacy requirement. 

To measure interest in environmental education among Drexel students, SJF is conducting a survey. 

“The data-driven aspect is the most crucial,” says Alyssa Kemp, SJF’s co-founder and co-leader. 

While other groups propose course requirements such as AI knowledge, Kemp argues these are following “nationwide trends,” while SJF aims to reflect the true needs of Drexel students. 

However, the organization has encountered what Kemp refers to as “unspoken competition” with these programs, which can make it harder to gain traction.

The foundation of SJF’s work is the belief that “all careers are climate change careers.” 

Kemp stresses that climate change is already impacting students and will continue to do so: “The best thing you can do is gain the knowledge to prepare yourself.”

In their third year, Kemp recognized a gap in their understanding of climate change despite working toward a degree in environmental engineering. In response, they partnered with Alex Ashley to create workshops focused on solar energy equity and sustainable development.

 “We realized we needed a university-wide, top-down approach,” Kemp said. 

Kemp and Ashley applied for the Second Nature grant, which offers students paid opportunities to work with the program. Since then, Kemp has collaborated with co-leader Victoria Rodriguez to hire five undergraduate students to advance their ideas and gather data through the survey. Though SJF has not yet met with Drexel administration, they have made significant headway by collecting valuable data.

Drexel officially launched its committee-driven Climate Action Plan, a process aiming towards a more eco-friendly campus. Students can get involved to any degree, whether that be attending an information session or supporting subcommittee research. If environmental advocates are curious to learn more about these opportunities, they are welcome to email climateactionplan@drexel.edu.

Additionally, Drexel currently has a Climate & Sustainability team that works to engage students in environmental discussions and share resources. Their upcoming events include Recycling Collection Events and Civic X EarthFest2025 on April 23. 

There are also significant sustainability research groups at Drexel such as the Sustainable Water Resource Engineering Lab and Urban Health Collaborative. Evidently, there is opportunity to involve oneself in environmental studies at Drexel, however, the key component of SJF’s goal is to ensure that everyone, regardless of their interest has basic knowledge. Students are encouraged to scan the attached QR code to make their voices heard by Drexel’s administration. To stay updated on SJF’s goals and accomplishments, follow their Instagram account, @sjfdrexel.

Amid the academic transformation Drexel University is undergoing, including the restructuring of schools and transitioning to a semester schedule, various advocacy groups are working to communicate their goals to the administration. Sustainable Just Future Drexel, a student-led organization, is advocating for a climate change course requirement among the common core curriculum changes. 

This goal is not new among higher education institutions in Pennsylvania. Dickinson College in Carlisle implemented a sustainability course requirement in 2016.

However, in this everchanging century, some schools are choosing to focus on other newfound academic fields, such as Artificial Intelligence. SUNY schools have added ethical AI usage courses to their general literacy requirement. 

To measure interest in environmental education among Drexel students, SJF is conducting a survey. 

“The data-driven aspect is the most crucial,” says Alyssa Kemp, SJF’s co-founder and co-leader. 

While other groups propose course requirements such as AI knowledge, Kemp argues these are following “nationwide trends,” while SJF aims to reflect the true needs of Drexel students. 

However, the organization has encountered what Kemp refers to as “unspoken competition” with these programs, which can make it harder to gain traction.

The foundation of SJF’s work is the belief that “all careers are climate change careers.” 

Kemp stresses that climate change is already impacting students and will continue to do so: “The best thing you can do is gain the knowledge to prepare yourself.”

In their third year, Kemp recognized a gap in their understanding of climate change despite working toward a degree in environmental engineering. In response, they partnered with Alex Ashley to create workshops focused on solar energy equity and sustainable development.

 “We realized we needed a university-wide, top-down approach,” Kemp said. 

Kemp and Ashley applied for the Second Nature grant, which offers students paid opportunities to work with the program. Since then, Kemp has collaborated with co-leader Victoria Rodriguez to hire five undergraduate students to advance their ideas and gather data through the survey. Though SJF has not yet met with Drexel administration, they have made significant headway by collecting valuable data.

Drexel officially launched its committee-driven Climate Action Plan, a process aiming towards a more eco-friendly campus. Students can get involved to any degree, whether that be attending an information session or supporting subcommittee research. If environmental advocates are curious to learn more about these opportunities, they are welcome to email climateactionplan@drexel.edu.

Additionally, Drexel currently has a Climate & Sustainability team that works to engage students in environmental discussions and share resources. Their upcoming events include Recycling Collection Events and Civic X EarthFest2025 on April 23. 

There are also significant sustainability research groups at Drexel such as the Sustainable Water Resource Engineering Lab and Urban Health Collaborative. Evidently, there is opportunity to involve oneself in environmental studies at Drexel, however, the key component of SJF’s goal is to ensure that everyone, regardless of their interest has basic knowledge. Students are encouraged to scan the attached QR code to make their voices heard by Drexel’s administration. To stay updated on SJF’s goals and accomplishments, follow their Instagram account, @sjfdrexel.

Shortly after 6:00 p.m. on Jan. 31, a medical jet working for the Jet Rescue Air Ambulance crashed outside the Roosevelt Mall in northeast Philadelphia, killing all six people on board. 

In addition to the six victims inside the jet, the crash killed 37-year-old Steven Dreuitt, who was found dead inside of a car. Currently, 24 bystanders also sustained injuries from the subsequent explosion and fires. 

According to NBC, the plane was only in flight for a minute at an altitude of 1,500 feet before taking a rapid plunge and making impact on the sidewalk of Roosevelt Mall. Officials are still retrieving flight data to search for any clues of what caused the crash, as the black box from the cockpit of the jet has been found for officials to analyze. The crash has affected more than 300 properties in northeast Philadelphia, ranging from minor damage to complete destruction and displacement of northeast Philadelphia residents. 

The tragedy claimed the lives of 11-year-old Valentina Guzman Murillo, a young girl who had just undergone intense treatment for a spinal cord malformation known as myelomeningocele at Shriners Children’s Hospital in Philadelphia, as well as her mother, Lizeth Murillo Osuna. Aboard the flight were two medical staff, Dr. Raul Meza Arrendondo and paramedic Rodrigo Lopez Padilla, in addition to Captain Alan Montoya Perales alongside co-pilot Josue de Jesus Juarez. 

As confirmed by President of Mexico Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo on X, all of the victims onboard were citizens of Mexico, with the pilots and staff working for Jet Rescue Air Ambulance. They were transporting Murillo and her mother to the hospital for her treatment and back to Tijuana, Mexico. 

Shriners Children’s Hospital reports that Muillo was admitted as a pediatric patient to receive her treatment in Philadelphia due to the complex and dangerous nature of her condition. Family members praise the 11-year-old girl for her resilience and positivity as she combated her condition. 

With the crash occurring at such a major time for commuting, many people in the area witnessed the crash and the chaos that followed. 

“I was coming home with my friend… We just saw smoke,” said Dylan, a resident of the northeast Philadelphia area. 

Others reported seeing the explosion itself, and some residents of Philadelphia even captured the crash on video from their homes’ doorbell cameras and security systems. The crash destroyed four homes, and seventeen others received moderate to critical damages. The accident also created debris and caused fires to start, damaging other buildings and blocking major roads such as Cottman Avenue. 

The outcome of the crash warranted action from the American Red Cross of Southeastern Pennsylvania and the Philadelphia school district, both of whom worked together to set up a shelter at the local Samuel Fels High School and provided avenues for residents to report property damages. Fortunately, officials confirmed that the crash’s explosion and fires did not pollute Philadelphia’s air quality to a detrimental degree, though they still encouraged residents to exercise caution when outside and to minimize their exposure. 

Unfortunately, this tragedy adds to a string of issues arising in the risks of airline travel in the United States. Recent news reporting many other plane crashes — most notably the crash in Washington D.C. that took the lives of 67 people — has begun to build concern among American citizens in the safety and reliability of flight. 

Drexel University student Nelson Feidelson stated, “Plenty of people already don’t trust flying.” 

The crashes follow United States President Donald Trump’s changes to the staff in charge of national air safety in federal departments, including the firing of the Aviation Security Advisory Committee and his criticisms of many Air Traffic Controllers.   

Another student, Aurora Bitting, added, “This only started happening after [Trump] started rolling [air safety] back… It could be [a] coincidence, but we have had two [crashes] in the same week.” 

In a press conference after the crash in Washington D.C., Trump implied “that diversity, equity and inclusion programs could be the cause, although an investigation into the fatal disaster has only just begun,” according to NBC News.

While the public is left to wonder whether flying by airline is worth the risk, they can redirect concerns to helping the victims of the recent plane crashes by donating to the charities and organizations contributing to recovery, sending their regards to the victims’ families and advocating for future federal action to promote the safety of aviation. 

Amidst the rollout of an app-based building key system, residents of two American Campus Communities properties are experiencing difficulties getting into their apartments. ACC is partnered with Drexel University to offer second-year students housing alternatives to a Drexel dormitory that fulfill the university’s Two-Year Residency Program.

Drexel students living in Chestnut Square and The Summit at University City had their key fobs replaced this fall and winter, respectively, by the Livvi mobile app, which is touted as a “Mobile Access solution” that makes physical key cards and fobs redundant. It was developed by Assa Abloy, AB, a Swedish “entrance automation” conglomerate that owns lock brands like Kwikset and Sure-Loc. 

The app is seemingly straightforward. Residents can unlock the door simply by opening the app and scanning their mobile device. It uses the same Bluetooth-based technology as a physical key card or fob on existing scanners.

But the first red flag appears before even downloading the app: its App Store rating. At time of writing, it has received 1.1 out of five stars based on 227 reviews. The reviews themselves are tales of woe.

Residents who spoke with the Triangle voiced many of their complaints. 

They have experienced a host of software issues: the Livvi app crashing while failing to open or scan; scanning at their door causing Apple Wallet to open instead; elevators being rendered practically unusable by unreliable scanners; and a frustrating lack of action from ACC, all amounting to headaches. While the previous key fobs were not issue-free, sometimes requiring multiple scans to be recognized, complete breakdowns were rare.

Residents are typically confronted with four touch points where they must scan their key: at the building’s front door, at its front desk, in the elevator and at their apartment door. All have become unpredictable points of failure.

“One time, Apple phones updated and it completely broke the Livvi app. Every time you tried to open the app, it crashed immediately, so building staff told everyone to delete the app and reinstall it. After that, the app would open, but then there was the chance that your key wouldn’t be assigned to you again, and you had to call or go to the office to have them assign your key so that you [could] get into your apartment,” recounted Audra Reidy, a second-year computer science major.

“Sometimes, the elevators require us to scan to make them operate, but that’s inconsistent,” said Michael Davis, a second-year computing and security technology student.

“[They] don’t often work well with the mobile keys and I’ve seen people not able to scan their key in time… so the elevator will pick up a person from [a] higher floor and go down to the ground floor. I tried going from 14 to 4… and [was sent] to the ground floor because I couldn’t scan in time,” Davis added. 

Even if the app could be relied upon, it still ties residents’ ability to get into their apartments to their phones. Sarah Fiedorek, a fourth-year fashion design and art history student, has had especially aggravating experiences with Livvi.

“Last quarter, my mobile key stopped working. When I realized, it was late, and the office had closed. The security guard… called the on-call staff member, but they just never picked up. My roommate wound up being able to let me in that night.” 

“[Another] night, I was up late. It was around finals, so I was out of my apartment getting work done. I assumed all my roommates were asleep, and given the events of [that] night… I didn’t think the on-call staff would be helpful. I wound up sleeping on one of the couches in URBN, because it’s open 24/7,” Fiedorek recalled.

“I was also once locked out of my friend’s apartment because we got evacuated and his phone had died. We had to go back to my place and let his phone charge,” Davis said.

As a stopgap measure, many residents have been given temporary physical key fobs once again.

“It does not make sense,” Owen Hayes, a third-year software engineering major, claimed. “The scanner at the [front] desk doesn’t work, [so] you just have to show them the app. At the elevators, you have to use your key fob… Currently I have three keys from Summit: the mailbox key, my key fob and now on my phone.”

Unfortunately, the temporary key fobs have proven to be the only reliable solution. 

“I would be satisfied if we all had a key fob and a mobile key, as the fob could back up the mobile key, but given the choice the fob is far superior,” said an exasperated Davis. 

He recalled being stuck in the building office with other residents for upwards of an hour when mobile keys were first being configured, only to be offered back a fob.

“[I]f it ain’t broke, don’t fix it,” concluded Reidy. “Especially when your ‘fix’ is something so finicky that it could leave you locked out or stuck in an elevator.”

The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority recently confirmed to WHYY’s Billy Penn that its previously postponed Bus Revolution, an overhaul of the agency’s bus network, is being revived. The first stage of the initiative is already being implemented, with six lettered bus routes being assigned numbers in February.

While being pulled from the shelf, the “Bus Revolution” nomenclature has been retired in favor of “New Bus Network.” The changes are tentatively set to proceed under the umbrella of SEPTA’s “Better Bus” initiative, which includes capital projects like bus lane installation, bus-mounted-camera traffic enforcement and a rebuilt Wissahickon Transportation Center.

However, the elephant in the room remains: SEPTA’s ongoing budget crisis. While the agency has reported finding savings of $27 million, expected to grow to $30 million by fiscal year 2026, it still expects a shortfall of $213 million come June. 

This may leave it with inadequate funds to retrain drivers and actually implement the overhaul.

“We will have to make a go/no-go decision by mid-spring to put us on track to have new schedules, signage and other materials ready for service changes that would go into effect in late August,” spokesman Andrew Busch told Billy Penn.

The original Bus Revolution was on track to begin this summer, meaning the New Bus Network is not far behind schedule. However, any route redesign going forward will be sensitive to the political climate in Harrisburg.

State lawmakers have been unable to reach an agreement to fund the difference, with the Democrats’ proposed tax on skill games failing to gain Republican support. Furthermore, with the State House of Representatives tied along party lines, no agreement has even advanced to the Republican-led State Senate. Amidst the gridlock, Governor Josh Shapiro resorted to an emergency reallocation of state highway funds to SEPTA in November. 

Aid in the upcoming state budget does not appear forthcoming, and SEPTA is already preparing a worst-case “austerity budget” for FY 25-26 with a 21.5 percent fare hike and steep service cuts.

The New Bus Network will not bring any cost savings. While its stated purpose of streamlining operations and reallocating resources sounded like a pretense for service cuts, the agency pledged that the program would be cost-neutral, meaning all savings would be invested back into service.

The network redesign is the result of three years of hearings and more than 10,000 comments, many being skeptical. After countless revisions, SEPTA’s board approved it last May. The redesign marks the first comprehensive reform of the region’s bus system, which largely maintains the shape that SEPTA inherited in the 1960s and ’70s from a patchwork of privately owned bus and trolley operators.

It is unclear whether any further route revisions have been made since approval last May. 

Another coming cash outlay is a replacement for SEPTA’s Key payment system. Developed by Conduent Transportation, it has been plagued with reliability issues, delayed implementation and has gone tens of millions of dollars over budget. SEPTA announced that its Key 2.0 will be developed by Cubic Transportation Systems, a major industry player, to the tune of $230 million.

The Office of Management and Budget sent out a memorandum on Monday, Jan. 27 ordering for all federal agencies to “temporarily pause all activities related to obligation or disbursement of all Federal financial assistance, and other relevant agency activities that may be implicated by the executive orders, including, but not limited to, financial assistance for foreign aid, nongovernmental organizations, DEI, woke gender ideology, and the green new deal.” 

This order caused a great deal of concern and confusion amongst the American public and the Drexel community. 

The freeze was set to take place on Tuesday, Jan. 28, but was blocked by federal district judge Loren L. AliKhan, with the intent to halt the administration’s efforts until Monday, Feb. 3. On Wednesday, Jan. 29, the White House rescinded the order. Though the order was rescinded, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt stated in a press conference on Wednesday that the push to end the “egregious waste of federal funding” will not cease. 

Turning to the university level, Drexel University is classified as an R1 Research Institution, receiving part of its funding from federal grants for its ongoing research efforts. With the scare of the rescinded federal funding freeze, investigators and students have wondered how this freeze would have affected Drexel’s active grants, funding and staff salary. 

The freeze was set to halt activities by the National Institute of Health, National Science Foundation, and other federally funded biomedical research programs. In response to the order, Gliadelphia, a Philadelphia research community made up of both Drexel and UPenn laboratories, stated that “The current shutdown of the NIH and halt on all activities could have devastating consequences to the core biomedical scientific engine of our country, disrupting the important life-saving work of thousands of dedicated scientists and doctors, and have a massive cascading impact on economic activity, drug discovery and our pipeline of scientists and researchers for the future.”

Alex Sahl, a first year masters psychology student talked about the potential effects the freeze could have had on education for students. 

“I was very disappointed by this decision. This choice pulled away valuable resources from education which affects everyone, including those he claims to advocate for. It was selfish and I don’t see any benefit to this decision,” Sahl said. 

Drexel’s Office of Research and Innovation posted an update on the order’s university impact on their website on Wednesday, Jan. 29 before the freeze was rescinded.

“If the Executive Order takes effect, we do not yet have clarity on how federal agencies will handle activities that fall into the categories listed above,” referencing the OMB’s memorandum. “The most likely scenario is that decisions will be made on a case-by-case basis,” Aleister Saunders, Ph.D., executive vice provost for Research & Innovation said. 

An extensive slide deck regarding federally sponsored research at Drexel was also included in Saunders’ update. In the event that the order had passed it “would have temporarily paused reimbursement to the University of federally sponsored research activities.” However, the ORI recommended that federally funded research at Drexel continue unless a stop work or cancellation order is received. 

If researchers were to receive a stop work or cancellation order, they need to contact the ORI and “cease activities immediately, unless its human subject research and places participants at immediate risk,” the update slide deck continued. 

The ORI will continue to update the Drexel community as they gather more information and plan to address the community later today. 

Drexel Interim President Denis O’Brien addressed the University community in an email on Wednesday, stating, “through robust systems and processes that are managed by experienced professionals, our University is always prepared to respond to federal policy changes while safeguarding our community’s interests and well-being.”

“Our University is prepared to navigate these changes with precision, professionalism, and steadiness. We will lobby energetically and effectively for Drexel with lawmakers in Washington and Harrisburg. We also will continue to work closely with our partners and peer organizations to amplify higher education’s collective voice. And as more information becomes available, we will continue to provide updates and communicate directly to our community members who may be affected,” the statement continued. 

This is a developing story and the Triangle will continue to provide information to the community as it becomes available. 

Since his second inauguration on Jan. 20, President Donald Trump has signed over 35 executive orders, many of which echo claims and promises he made during his campaign and previous presidency. These orders have the potential to impact Drexel University students and Philadelphia residents.  

According to Vice Provost of Faculty Advancement and Inclusion Leslie Ashburn-Nardo, Ph.D., “While Drexel is not part of the federal government, orders that affect the federal government can have implications for institutions like Drexel that receive federal funding. Drexel has always needed to comply with a wide array of terms and conditions that agencies require from federal grant recipients.”

One executive order that may have prominent effects is titled, “​​Ending Radical And Wasteful Government DEI Programs And Preferencing,” and calls for “the termination of all discriminatory programs, including illegal DEI and ‘diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility’ (DEIA) mandates, policies, programs, preferences, and activities in the Federal Government.”

Following the overturn of court precedent protecting affirmative action in 2023, this executive order further pushes for the ridding of programs meant to provide historically marginalized groups a more equitable chance of receiving valuable resources such as higher education. 

In response to the executive order, Grace Harvey, a first-year master’s psychology student, said, “Unfortunately, I can’t say I was surprised to hear about this order.”

Harvey has a “deep concern that this is just the beginning of President Trump’s attack on our nation and its people.”

As a first-year psychology major at Drexel, Gabby Rodriguez recalled, “I was terrified.”

Having worked as a DEI representative during their time in high school, Rodriguez said, “It was devastating to learn that Trump would be ending something so significant, something that genuinely strengthens communities and gives everyone a better understanding of people like us.”

“There is a reason these programs were established, and there is an equal and opposite reason why these programs are being terminated,” Harvey continued. “There is no denying this fact.” 

While this order is not in effect yet and will not immediately impact universities, many wonder about its implications. 

“There are many conversations happening among leaders across the university to determine the impact of this and other executive orders on all operations,” Ashburn-Nardo said. “Such conversations are always necessary; they are not unique to this order.”  

While it is not clear how it could affect Drexel’s DEI department and Lindy Center, students worry about the safety and environment of student-dominated spaces.  

Without DEI policies, students are “anxious” about how “places that have more constricted point of views…will look like now,” according to Rodriguez. 

“I feel it would affect…anything within the diversity programs or scholarships, and especially our clubs that center certain ethnicities, races, and cultures because all of those clubs are meant to create a more inclusive environment,” Rodriquez said. “While I hope Drexel would fight against that as a private institution, it’s hard to see how that order will affect everything.” 

Harvey shared a similar sentiment: “I hope there is a certain amount of resistance from universities.” 

“This order risks making students feel unsafe on campus and attempts to do away with important policy and education that promotes institutional alignment with equity and antiracism,” Harvey continued. 

Another order, titled “Protecting The American People Against Invasion”, calls for “sanctuary” jurisdictions to be denied access to federal funds. 

Since 2016, Philadelphia has acted as a sanctuary city as enacted by Executive Order No. 5-16, signed by former Mayor Jim Kenney. This means the city limits the collaboration between local law enforcement and Immigration and Customs Enforcement; ICE detainer requests will not be granted unless supported by a judicial warrant for someone who was previously convicted of a violent felony. 

According to CBS News, “many city departments will not ask for immigration status and are under orders not to disclose anyone’s status if they know it.”

However, people feel that the order still poses a threat to not only those figuring out their immigrant status but to anyone who may be wrongly profiled. 

“I’m Puerto Rican, born here, and raised in Philadelphia, but even my place as a Puerto Rican goes into question,” Rodriguez mentioned. “Especially after the remarks at Trump rallies with jokes pertaining to my island being ‘trash,’ I don’t feel that I would be looked at as any part of the USA even if I tried, and I feel Trump has made that clear.” 

“There is already news of ICE ‘detaining’ Puerto Ricans and targeting people who look like me,” Rodriguez shared. “It’s a terrible thought to think…something would happen to me or my family just cause we look a different way.” 

“Again, these orders aren’t surprising, President Trump was incredibly clear about his initiative to remove protection for immigrants,” Harvey said. 

“This order, along with mass deportation efforts beginning to take place in the United States, is deeply troubling. I am saddened for the families who will be affected by these orders,” Harvey shared. “Additionally, I am concerned about the increase in violence that will arise from this order and the President’s harmful rhetoric towards immigrants.” 

Trump also rescinded many of President Joe Biden’s orders, including Protected Areas Policies, through the “Initial Rescissions Of Harmful Executive Orders And Actions” executive order. 

According to Harvey, “These orders remove previously safe places…This may cause people to avoid healthcare facilities, schools, and churches out of fear. There is no good that can come from that. I hope there is power in the community to do what we can to protect our neighbors.” 

Not only will this order impact Philadelphia, but it “could make students feel unsafe on campus,” Harvey said. “This increases the risk of ICE activity in schools, specifically areas on campuses that are considered ‘public.’” 

Advocating for student organizations, Rodriguez said, “As someone who is not only Latinx, but queer, spaces that help us fit in [are] important…I feel there could possibly be an invasion to these clubs or safe spaces and threaten what they are meant to do for us as students. It takes away pure sense of belonging and instills fear.”

Another order that students believe will have a significant impact is titled “Defending Women from Gender Ideology Extremism and Restoring Biological Truth to the Federal Government”. This order establishes that the federal government will only recognize two sexes, male and female, “with a disregard for gender identity,” according to Harvey. 

“I believe this order, along with all the previously mentioned orders, will absolutely pose a threat to cause harm to all the people of the United States,” Harvey stated. 

“Trump [is] basically saying we don’t exist, which is not only harmful for students who are queer but affects the way we go about expressing ourselves, telling our teachers our pronouns [and] being open about our queerness,” Rodriguez said. “This threatens our freedom.”  

As more executive orders are being signed each day, they draw attention to “consequences on systemic and interpersonal levels,” according to Harvey. 

“I understand that the uncertainty raised by these orders can create a great deal of confusion, anxiety, fear, and distress. At times like this it is important to come together as a community and support one another as we work toward answers,” Ashburn-Nardo said. “In addition to the strength we gain from being together as a community, there are a number of resources available to help manage the stress and anxiety students, staff, or faculty might be feeling, including those offered by our Counseling Center and Employee Assistance program.” 

“Please educate yourself and please spread anything that will help regarding DEI, ICE, or queer issues that are happening,” Rodriguez said. “Even if you can’t physically do anything, sharing and standing by us is what we need.” 

“As a community, we have the power to make change,” Harvey said. “Take care of your neighbors. If you think this doesn’t affect you, it probably does.”

Drexel University alumnus Patrick McGonigal, ‘86, has made a $2.5 million donation toward the expansion of the university’s Academic Resource Center. The gift will allow the ARC to expand and occupy an additional 5,500 square feet within the Korman Center, according to the Philadelphia Business Journal. The renovation is scheduled for completion in the fall of 2026.

The center will now be known as the McGonigal Academic Resource Center. McGonigal, who has sat on Drexel’s Board of Trustees since 2018, made a $1 million contribution towards establishing the ARC in 2023, bringing his total contributions to $3.5 million. 

The university describes the ARC as “an integrated hub of on-campus academic support services focusing on providing tutoring, academic coaching, workshops, specialized courses, and more.” 

Prior to establishing the ARC, these resources were scattered and administered separately by program or college advisors.

The McGonigal Academic Resource Center will continue to feature the Drexel Writing Center, Academic Center for Engineers and more, while the renovations will bring additional study spaces and “state-of-the-art” technology designed to support STEM majors.

“I imagine this space being one that alumni return to years from now, noting its transformative impact on their lives,” Interim President Denis P. O’Brien envisioned. 

After graduating with a bachelor’s in finance and accounting, McGonigal worked at PricewaterhouseCoopers before moving into the healthcare sector. A medical payment management company he co-founded in 2000 was later purchased by Goldman Sachs. He continues to be a private investor focused on early-stage companies.

He previously donated $840,000 towards scholarships for the LeBow College of Business in 2008, citing the pathway the university’s co-op program provided him.

“This is an exciting moment in the history of an institution that has meant so much to me, dating back to my time as an undergraduate,” McGonigal told DrexelNEWS. “Drexel’s unique experiential education model is the future of higher education, so I’m honored to be able to support it and the many students who will benefit from pursuing a Drexel education.”

On Jan. 13, Harris Blitzer Sports Entertainment, owners of the Philadelphia 76ers, and Comcast Spectacor revealed their 50-50 venture to have the NBA team remain in South Philadelphia, solidifying a partnership after much effort to close in on a deal. 

According to NBC10, Ryan Boyer, president of the Philadelphia Building and Construction Trades Council, announced that the team intends to demolish the Wells Fargo Center and will eventually build a new area in South Philadelphia for the 76ers and the Flyers.  

76ers coach Nick Nurse mentioned a “state-of the art facility” that promises to be “super exciting.”

In addition to the arena deal, Harris Blitzer Sports Entertainment and Comcast, who still have ownership over the properties on Market East Street, released in a statement that “the partnership will…invest in the revitalization of Market East in Center City.” 

With their lease on the Wells Fargo Center set to expire in 2031, the Philadelphia 76ers have been racing towards a new arena deal since the start of the decade. This years-long conversation surrounding the 76ers’ plan for a new arena has experienced numerous developments that have marked enormous shifts in the priorities and goals of all parties involved. 

Previously on Dec. 19, 2024, the Philadelphia City Council voted 12-5 in favor of constructing a new arena called “76 Place” in Center City. This $1.3 billion project, also being backed by Mayor Cherelle Parker, appeared to be a done deal. The project was set to open in 2031 in the block between 10th and 11th Street at Market and Filbert Street, where a portion of the Fashion District mall currently resides. The city’s drive for this arena to be built in Center City has been active since 2022, and many in support of the proposed arena celebrated in response to what they believed to be the end of the efforts.

In September of 2024, Mayor Cherelle Parker revealed details of the former agreement with the Sixers, in which the city’s economic plan and the redevelopment of the proposed area was discussed. Despite the assets this new stadium was expected to bring, including a supposed $700 million in tax revenue and thousands of jobs in construction and operation, Philadelphia’s Chinatown fought back against the new proposed development.  

Many stated the breakdown of a tight-knit Chinatown and loss of cultural identity as key reasons not to implement a new arena in Market Street East. Concerns about traffic blocking, increased rent, displacing key businesses, gentrification, increasing crime rates and safety regarding limited access to Jefferson Hospital during events were also raised.

As the city was caught by surprise, students from the Drexel community shared their initial reactions.

Adhi Gadre, a second-year biological sciences major and self-proclaimed 76ers fan, went to his first Sixers game recently, but he has “been to Wells Fargo many times before because of concerts and other things.” 

Living very close to Philadelphia, he spoke of common experiences of taking “the train into Philadelphia and [knowing] exactly where everyone’s going on the train. Everyone’s in their sports gear.” 

Gadre affirmed that he favored an arena in South Philadelphia and commented that “It would be such a shame to have to tear down such historic and important buildings to build a sports arena when we already have such a special place,” and that since Drexel students live in Philadelphia, they would inherently be affected by the loss of culture.

As for Claire Brown, a fourth-year English student, she also believes “the South Philly arena is the way to go.” 

Brown mentioned parallels to Washington DC, as she expressed her criticism towards the Center City arena prospect, saying, “I’ve always been opposed to the arena because I come from Northern Virginia and growing up I would go to DC all the time. And DC Chinatown is tiny. And right smack in the middle of DC Chinatown is a massive basketball stadium. It’s completely choked the district.” 

Echoing the course of events from the past several days in Philadelphia, she later referred to “the company that built the arena in the center of Washington DC. Another company comes in and says ‘Hey, we’re gonna build an area in Northern Virginia.’…$515 million of funding are raised for this deal. Then, reversed. They’re staying in DC. Same exact thing.” 

Reactions to the news also included notable and direct statements from city council members.

Kendra Brooks and Nicolas O’Rourke, members of the Working Families Party, issued a statement saying, “We knew this deal was bad from the beginning. Anybody following this issue closely could clearly see this was a power struggle between billionaires and corporations.” 

Both among the five council members who voted against a Center City arena, Brooks and O’Rourke added, “Their plans can change on a whim, and these latest developments are a clear example of why the Mayor and City Council should never waste precious time and resources prioritizing billionaire projects over the work Philadelphians elect us to do.” 

Prior supporter of the Market Street East arena, City Councilmember At-Large Jim Harrity stated “I’m so livid right now I don’t even know what to do…I feel as though I was used as a pawn.”

Contrarily, Councilmember Mark Squilla told the Inquirer “I’m OK being used in that process. This might end up actually being the best-case scenario.” 

Pushing the conversation forward without any remaining prospect of the presence of the 76ers in Center City, Squilla asserted,“We can reimagine Market Street without an arena, have people committed to investing in it and still have a new arena in South Philly.”

On Tuesday Jan. 14, the day after the deal was struck, a City Council Press Conference focused on the new developments between the managers of the 76ers and Comcast. Many familiar faces were welcomed to the podium to discuss the new deal. 

Mayor Cherelle Parker made her present intentions clear towards the beginning of the meeting: “The revitalization of our historic East Market commercial quarter is essential. The building of a new state-of-the-art arena for the Sixers is essential.” 

She also introduced a new conversation point that alludes to further future collaboration with Comcast, stating that “the potential for that WNBA team–it is essential.”

NBA commissioner Adam Silver made a brief appearance through a video call displayed on a large computer screen and stated, “This new collaboration will result in real tangible benefits for the people of Philadelphia. Not just with the construction of a new arena, but immediately as the 76ers and Comcast are now partners in the current Wells Fargo Center.”

David Adelman, a limited partner with HBSE, proclaimed that “The plans have changed” but that “the one thing that has not changed is our commitment to do something for the Sixers, our fans, and most importantly our city.”

Brian Roberts, the CEO of Comcast appeared ready to work with the 76ers as he spoke about how “we thought the timing should be a little later, but over the next 30, 40 years, many decades, it doesn’t matter when we start, we’re willing to do it now. We can do bigger, better, faster.”

When the speakers stood behind the podium in City Hall, little was said regarding those who were consistently opposed to the arena being built in Center City. 

Kenyatta Johnson, council president and 2nd district representative mentioned, “When you talk about the displacement of those who live in Chinatown, that was a concern that individuals had. When you talk about the impact of this particular arena project on SEPTA. But this deal shows, at the end of the day, we always need to make sure that we are working toward moving the city of Philadelphia forward. And so for me, I feel good…”.

Just down the street from City Hall in front of the Chinatown Arch, Mohan Seshadri, the executive director of the Asian Pacific Islander Political Alliance and founder and co-chair of the Asian American Power Network, spoke at the No Arena Coalition press conference on Tuesday. 

Standing right alongside many who have opposed an arena in Center City for years, he said, “We are so proud and so happy, we’re so relieved and heartened that there will not be an arena in the heart of our city… and relieved that Chinatown, a 150 year-old community will continue to stand strong. But let’s be clear, it didn’t have to be like this. None of this had to be like this.” 

“When we said two and a half years ago that this arena was the wrong site, the wrong location for a project like this, that it was going to destroy Chinatown, that it was going to threaten access to Jefferson’s ER, when it was going to impact SEPTA to the tune of $25 to $50 million a year, when we did research, when we did press conferences, when we did rallies and marches, when we organized our hearts out, when our elders and our young people took a rest in City Council and City Hall, we were told throughout the entire last two years, ‘Give up,’ ‘Shut up,’ ‘Go away,’” Seshadri continued. “And we’re still here. And our community is still here. And our movement is still here.”

Another prominent speaker outside the arch was Harry Leong, the president of the Philadelphia Suns, whose website states their primary goal as “to promote, organize, and support athletic, cultural, recreational, and educational opportunities for anyone who wishes to participate,” with a significant focus on the needs of children. 

Leong stated, “The billionaires got the best out of this bargain. They got their arena in South Philly. They also have the land, they’re set to take over the land here, so they have the real estate.”  

“So that’s the battle that we face, and as Mohan said, we have a difficult challenge. We need to change the narrative in this city. We need to care for our city and do the right thing,” Leong confronted the crowd. “This is a time to celebrate for us. But yet, we also have to have a cautious eye to look ahead, too, as well.”

Katie Garth, a local Philadelphia artist and educator who has stood beside the No Arena Coalition, made a brief appearance with a direct message: “The Sixers will stay in South Philly [and that] is a massive victory and a reason for us to celebrate. That it almost didn’t happen that way, and how it came to die, is a reminder that billionaires call the shots as long as our elected representatives allow them to, no matter how Mayor Parker tries to spin it.” 

Commenting in direct response to Parker’s hinting of working with Comcast for a Philadelphia WNBA team, Garth said, “This was never a WNBA bid, this was a colossal waste of time and city resources.”