Opinion Columns
Mritika Senthil | What Trump’s 'Wharton School of Finance' blunder says about Penn's true value
Columnist Mritika Senthil explains how Penn’s lack of campus unity led to Wharton’s shoutouts in the presidential debate.
Liala Sofi | Is self-absorption your Penn legacy?
Columnist Liala Sofi encourages Penn students to look beyond their personal ambitions, use their privilege to engage meaningfully in their communities, and leave behind a legacy of service.
Zaid Alsubaiei | First years, tread lightly
Columnist Zaid Alsubaiei acknowledges the difficulty of adjusting to university life and shares what he learned his first year.
Jessey Shin | Penn left me stranded, metaphorically and literally
Columnist Jessey Shin highlights the lack of support for disabled students at Penn and examines the underlying structural issues.
Francesco Salamone | You may have eyes, but do you know how to see?
Columnist Francesco Salamone argues that our distracted, inattentive eye causes us to be blind to each other, and simply noticing is where we should start.
Allison Santa-Cruz | Young men versus young women: Where did we go wrong?
Columnist Allison Santa-Cruz explores the growing gender divide in American politics, fueled by declining trust in government and polarizing social media, and calls for greater understanding between young men and women to bridge this ideological gap.
Jack Lakis | Rethinking 21: Alcohol and adulthood should start at 18
Columnist Jack Lakis expresses his dismay with the United States’ minimum drinking age.
Akiva Berkowitz | Every first day of school op-ed you'll ever read
Columnist Akiva Berkowitz explores the wisdom and usefulness of traditional school advice and pushes to break the mold.
Francesco Salamone | I wasted my time this summer, and I will in the fall too
Columnist Francesco Salamone argues that our view of time as useful or wasted is broken and letting time “just be” can be life changing.
Mritika Senthil | Cultural identities are not conditional
Columnist Mritika Senthil unpacks the ineffectual weaponization of racist tropes in American political discourse.
Max Annunziata | Shared governance is on the brink
Columnist Max Annunziata recalls how faculty failed to mount an effective campaign to preserve their freedom and influence, and outlines how they might strike back this fall.
Elo Esalomi | My summer of change
Columnist Elo Esalomi shares her reflections on the excitement and challenges of studying in the United States as an international student.
Mariana Martinez | Dear (Class of 2028) Quakers: Networking is overrated
Columnist Mariana Martinez questions Penn’s networking culture and invites students to take a different approach.
Mariana Martinez | We Need All Eyes on Venezuela
Columnist Mariana Martinez demands the international community’s support for the people of Venezuela.
Ananya Shah | Money talks, Biden walks
Columnist Ananya Shah explores President Biden’s withdrawal from the 2024 presidential election and donors’ influence on the decision.
Olivia Nicastro | Embracing harm reduction for substance use at Penn
Columnist Olivia Nicastro examines the benefits of advancing Penn’s harm reduction approach to student substance use.
Meihuan Yu | Summer reading: burden or benefit?
Columnist Meihuan Yu explores whether mandatory summer reading assignments are beneficial or detrimental to students.
Eliza Carroll | LinkedIn … the new hot social media?
Columnist Eliza Carroll questions the usage of LinkedIn and its connection to the preprofessional culture at Penn.
Ashley Acosta | How Penn’s health coverage worsens financial gaps
Columnist Ashley Acosta argues that Penn’s student health insurance plan fails to address the financial barriers that students face.