Opinion Columns
Alex Eapen | Exploitation of Black vaccination sites takes Penn privilege to a new level
Columnist Alex Eapen discussed the harms Penn students cause when they get vaccinated from clinics designed to serve Philadelphia's Black community.
Matthew Liu | Space Exploration: The case for government-funded basic science research
Columnist Matthew Liu argues that there is a disconnect between public support and government funds with regards to space exploration.
Isabella Glassman | Keep tests open book when classrooms reopen
Columnist Isabella Glassman argues that professors should keep exams open book when in-person classes return to decrease exam-related stress.
Alex Eapen | Penn’s pre-professional culture is the enemy of passion
Columnist Alex Eapen critiques Penn's pre-professional culture and offers suggestions on how students can find more enjoyment in their lives.
Caroline Magdolen | Let’s talk about the other global crisis: sustainability
Columnist Caroline Magdolen investigates the status of sustainability at Penn and discusses how the University and its students can lead green lives at Penn.
Urooba Abid | Philly schools are reopening. Penn should provide testing.
Columnist Urooba Abid argues that Penn has an obligation to support the School District's reopening plan by providing testing for staff and students as they return to in-person schooling.
Surayya Walters | Wharton must amplify the intersectional voices of BIPOC students
Columnist Surayya Walters makes the case that Wharton has long ways to go before becoming an equitable institution and uplifting the experiences of BIPOC women to feel comfortable in the workplace.
Lexi Boccuzzi | Stop losing faith
Columnist Lexi Boccuzzi argues that Penn students should not disregard religion on campus and should see these organizations as a vessel for reflection and community.
Isabella Glassman | The pandemic goes past fortieth street; so should PennOpen Pass
Isabella Glassman argues that Penn should expand the reach of PennOpen Pass to protect West Philadelphia businesses and residents.
Lexi Boccuzzi | Rev. Martin Luther King’s complex and lasting legacy
Columnist Lexi Boccuzzi examines the history of Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. and the use of his ideas in 21st century social movements.
Andy Yoon | Penn should not extend its dining requirement
Columnist Andy Yoon makes the case that imposing a dining plan requirement on sophomores is not the way to build community.
Varun Saraswathula | Penn, hiding COVID-19 data only endangers us more
Public information about the status of COVID-19 at Penn is hard to come by, with only weekly updates on a dashboard largely devoid of relevant information. With real concerns about an outbreak on campus, Penn has to do better.
Valerie Wang | Penn administration has no one to blame but itself for COVID-19 spikes
After months of changed plans and doubts raised, Penn stands on the precipice of a major campus COVID-19 outbreak. But instead of blaming the students, the University must hold itself accountable for changing standards and implementing half-baked policies that were supposed to keep our campus safe.
Bruce Shen | This Black History Month, read “Native Son”
Written decades ago, "Native Son" by Richard Wright stands, unfortunately, as a largely-accurate picture of the systemic racism in America today. This Black History Month, consider it a must-read.
Andy Yoon | Robinhood is not your friend
The quick rise and fall of GameStop's stock was largely driven by small investors looking to turn a quick profit. But young investors must be wary of such schemes and treat online investments with care.
Lark Yan | The Lunar New Year as the 'Chinese' New Year: A display of cultural ignorance that harms
This Friday marks the beginning of the Lunar New Year, an important annual celebration in many Asian cultures. However, it denies the diversity of these cultures if all of these celebrations are called the Chinese New Year.
Emily Chang | Canceling COVID-19 testing was a disaster
Penn canceled COVID-19 testing last Monday and Tuesday, followed just days later with news of spiking case counts. Had the tests not been canceled, it is likely an outbreak could have been avoided.
Emily Chang | It’s time to bring back indoor dining
Penn's COVID-19 mitigation policies are driving students away from campus to avoid breaking regulations. One step Penn should take to keep students in line is reopening limited indoor dining.
Alex Eapen | Take your slacktivism to the next level
Political activism doesn't require voting — being involved in the other parts of activism is just as important.