Office of the University Secretary

University of Pennsylvania

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The Office of the University Secretary supports effective University governance, managing the work of the University Trustees, its leadership and its committees.  The Office also supports the efforts of Penn’s 15 School and Center Boards of Advisors boards.

Working closely with Trustee Board Chair Ramanan Raghavendran, Interim President J. Larry Jameson, Provost John L. Jackson, Jr. and as well as Penn’s Deans, Center Directors, and Development and Alumni Relations Offices, our Office seeks to ensure the continuity of Penn’s dedicated and diverse volunteer leadership through board cultivation and development, and board member engagement through effective meeting planning and communication.

The Office of the University Secretary also manages the work of the University Council and its committees.

Our Office also directs key institutional and ceremonial programs such as Commencement and Convocation, oversees the Honorary Degrees, Medal for Distinguished Achievement and Commencement speaker selection processes, issues all University diplomas, provides visitor protocol assistance, and manages other special events.

Ceremonies

Learn more about institutional and ceremonial programs such as Commencement and Convocation, Honorary Degree, Medal for Distinguished Achievement and Commencement speaker selection processes, and University diplomas.

Go to Commencement, Convocation and more >>
graduates in an alumni flag procession

In addition, the Office of the Secretary manages all aspects of the processes by which questions of Divestment and Proxy Voting are addressed, including the Ad Hoc Advisory Committee on Divestment and the Social Responsibility Advisory Committee.

Finally, our Office maintains custody of the University seal and regulates the use of Penn's name, trademarks and insignia.

More detailed information about the work of the Office of the University Secretary is found on this site.  I encourage you to contact us for further assistance.

Medha Narvekar
Vice President and University Secretary

University Seal and Penn's Name

The Office of the University Secretary maintains custody of the University seal and regulates the use of Penn's name, trademarks and insignia.

Use of University Name
Fisher Fine Arts Library interior view from iron stairs

Address
Office of the University Secretary 
1 College Hall, Room 211
Philadelphia, PA 19104-6303

Phone
Phone (215) 898-7005
Fax (215) 898-0103

Location
Campus Map