In a recent announcement, the University of Pennsylvania (Penn) introduced a new regulation restricting study abroad students to a specific limit of social media posts. According to interim president J. Larry Jameson, the decision aims to address what he described as a “pernicious, alien, and parasitic subset” within the Penn community. The ruling dictates that students studying abroad can only make two public posts per week and are limited to one private post per day.
President Jameson’s decision has generated mixed reactions, sparking outrage among students currently residing in various locations, including London, Vienna, and the Mediterranean. Conversely, students on the university campus overwhelmingly supported the move, expressing frustration with the volume of posts from their abroad peers.
Jenna Furhman (W ’26) voiced her discontent, stating, “I’m so sick of their posts. We get it, you went to KitKatClub last night. Whatever. You can literally do that in Philadelphia too. It’s called TLO.”
Following the announcement, students studying abroad sought clarification from the administration, posing inquiries about the specifics of the new policy. Notable questions included whether the one-post-per-day limit applied individually to each social media platform and how the administration defined a “day.”
In response, the administration clarified that students are permitted one private story post for each social media platform they use. Therefore, a student utilizing Snapchat, Instagram, and Whatsapp, for instance, can post up to three private story updates per day.
However, students were disheartened to learn that the definition of a “day” adheres to the conventional 24-hour cycle. Consequently, students cannot post both a 5-second blurry video of a 3 AM rave and an 8:30 PM pizza for Florentine dinner on the same day. Choices must be made.
Michael Raskowitz, a College junior currently studying abroad in Seoul, expressed his frustration, stating, “How can I be made to choose?! It’s like killing my babies. I HATE killing babies. It’s immoral. What Penn is doing is akin to making me kill a baby which is immoral! There should never be a choice. Babies should live.”
