In “A different perception of pressure,” the authors outline the views of Penn’s faculty and staff on the sources of the recently widely talked about “unique stress” found on campus. Missing voices from the article were the unique experiences of stress for minority students on campus. Particularly glaring was the absence of income as a “pressure factor” for students. The authors question whether Penn can control the stress its students endure, or whether it is indicative of a greater societal trend. I don’t disagree; there is only so much a university can do to mitigate natural stresses of society. One source of stress that Penn can control significantly, however, is economic inequality.
While I applaud the University for being one of the most financially generous in the country, it can still do more. From the pressure of maintaining multiple jobs while taking just as many classes as any other student, to fearing multiple dinner plans on a weekend for fear of running out of money for the month (or the summer?!) and to appearing as composed as possible in a three-year-old coat surrounded by $800-plus, brand-new winter jackets - I, and I imagine many others (including students, faculty and staff), can attest to the stress involved with being a Penn student. How’s that for a “different” perception?
Marco Herndon
College '16
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