All members of the Penn community now can initiate a meal between students (undergraduates, graduates, postdoctoral scholars and researchers) and mentors (i.e. current or past professors, postdoctoral scholars, researchers, teaching assistants, advisors, RAs, PHINS, Peer Advisors, and members of Penn’s professional staff). The Penn Mentor Meals Program encourages students and their mentors to engage in intellectual or casual conversation outside of the classroom and simultaneously provide them with the opportunity to do so free of charge over lunch or dinner.
The program options range from 1-on-1 experiences to large meals organized for classes and groups up to 100 students. Lunch is served at the University Club at the Inn at Penn. We are only accepting reservations from 11:30am to 2:00pm for lunch Mondays through Thursdays. Dinners at dining cafes across campus are available by request only, please contact Ray Franckewitz, rayf@upenn.edu, to do so.
The Penn Mentor Meals Program has reached full capacity for fall 2024 and is no longer accepting reservations. The reservation system will reopen on January 15, 2025. We look forward to your participation in the spring semester of 2025.
* The tables at the University Club are limited, we ask the participants to book reservation at least 48 hours prior to the meal. Any reservation booked within 48 hours may not be honored based on the University Club’s capacity.
Looking for a Mentor?
However, if you are thinking about participating in the Penn Mentor Meals program, but don’t have a mentor yet, take a look at the mentor list below, and contact the mentor(s) via email by yourself.
The mentors are from various centers, schools and offices across Penn campus, some have specific topics that they would like to explore and discuss. You can simply reach out to the mentor(s) via email, and arrange the meal time together. Once your group have a set meal time together, you may fill out the form to book reservation.
You don’t need to be added to the Mentor List to host a meal. However, if you would like to meet new mentees and have them reach out to you via email, please fill out the interest form below, our staff will contact you and add you to the list.
Group Sizes
- Small Groups (maximum of 4 participants including 1 Faculty/Mentor)
- Large Groups for Faculty Hosted Meals Only (more than 4 participants including 1 Faculty)
- Up to 12 guests in University Club, Lenape Room (Lunch only)
- Up to 50 guests in University Club, Hourglass Room (Lunch only)
- Up to 100 guests in Dining Cafes (Lunch & Dinner)
Guidelines
- One individual submits the registration form for the group.
- Reservation need to be booked at least 48 hours prior to the meal. Any reservation booked within 48 hours may not be honored based on the University Club’s capacity.
- Students can participate as a host/guest for a maximum of 5 meals per semester.
- Faculty/Mentor Hosts are limited to 1 meal with a specific class/group per semester. Large classes/groups can be split into multiple small group meals.
- Penn Mentor Meals are available Mondays through Thursdays.
- Registration will permit you access to the University Club.
- Please remember to stay home if you don’t feel well.
Other Meal Option for Faculty Hosts
- Meals Hosted at Home (for instructors and teaching assistants only)
University Club at the Inn at Penn
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