Guest Columns
Letters to the Editor | Reflections from alumni on Penn's recent leadership
Several Penn alumni reflect on Penn’s response to recent events, including the Palestine Writes Literature Festival, the ongoing Israel-Gaza war, the withholding of alumni donations, and responses from Penn’s administration to these ongoing crises.
Jason Hagler | Penn’s audacious mediocrity on climate
Guest Columnist Jason Hagler argues that Penn’s current climate plan is the climate change equivalent of “hopes and prayers.” We need to hold the university to higher standards, because if the university actually tried, it could make a difference.
Penn Chavurah | Penn is censoring Jewish-led criticism of Israel
Leftist Jewish student group Penn Chavurah argues that Penn has censored the screening of the film Israelism this fall, demonstrating Penn’s disregard for free speech, Jewish safety, and Palestinian human rights.
Evan Golinsky | There is only one solution?
Guest Columnist Evan Golinsky identifies dangerous indifference present in the Palestinian liberation narrative on campus and suggests how effective discourse can be achieved in spite of this.
Selma Farsakh | IDF on Locust
Guest Columnist Selma Farsakh describes walking down Locust as a person who has lived in Israel-Palestine.
David J. Shapiro | Amy Wax, Liz Magill, and Hypocrisy
Guest Columnist David J. Shapiro argues that the University’s response to the Palestine Writes Literature Festival and the pro-Palestine rallies calling for “resistance” and “revolution” demonstrate that Professor Wax is the victim of selective prosecution and an insidious double standard.
Penn Democrats | Why you should vote this year
Penn Democrats urge the Penn community to vote on Nov. 7 in light of recent United States Supreme Court decisions and efforts to dismantle our fundamental rights.
Alex Baxter | "Never again, for anyone"
Former Columnist Alex Baxter reflects on the past month’s impacts on Penn’s sense of unity, and urges the community to stand up for justice.
Lala Mustafa | A nation on defense: Dismantling misinformation against Azerbaijan in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict
Guest Columnist Lala Mustafa explains the history of the Azerbaijani people in Nagorno-Karabakh in light of recent conflict in the region.
Benjamin Nathans | Liz Magill, free speech, and hostile takeovers
Guest Columnist Benjamin Nathans explains why Liz Magill should not resign and calls on Penn not to fall victim to a hostile takeover that limits free speech and debate.
Daniel Gurevitch | Hatikvah: Our hope is not yet lost
Guest columnist Daniel Gurevitch discusses the importance of finding hope during today’s situation in Israel and Gaza, emphasizing the importance of trusted collaboration and the interdependence of people.
David Koff | Why Penn should allow all voices, even voices of hate
Former columnist David Koff shares a story from his undergraduate experience in the 1990s, when a controversial speaker accused of antisemitism was allowed to speak on Penn’s campus.
Vincent Kelley and George Borg | COVID-19 vaccine mandates and a liberal education
Guest Columnists Vincent Kelley and George Borg argue that Penn's COVID-19 vaccine mandates created an environment of fear and coercion on campus.
Sydney Freedman | What I heard in my five hours at the Walkout for Palestine
Guest Columnist Sydney Freedman recounts her experience as a Jewish student at the Walkout for Palestine to add perspective on how a demonstration of solidarity and support turned into a breeding ground for hate.
Steven Weitzman | Moving beyond public statements
Guest Columnist Steven Weitzman, offering his perspective as a professor of Jewish Studies, calls on the Penn community to address long term institutional weaknesses in light of the Israel-Palestine conflict.
Faresi Alfaresi | Penn must not succumb to post-9/11 hysterics and anti-Arab rhetoric
Guest Columnist Faresi Alfaresi asserts that while Magill’s statement emphasizes much-needed and long-overdue solidarity with the Jewish community, the Arab and Muslim communities continue to suffer in the shadow the University has always cast onto them.
Scott Bok | Setting the record straight
Guest columnist and Chair of Penn’s Board of Trustees Scott Bok responds to the recent letter from Marc Rowan, calling on the Penn community to work together and move forward in difficult times.
Eyal Yakoby | Speaking louder than before: Penn's second chance to reject antisemitism
Guest Columnist Eyal Yakoby calls on Penn to speak up and reject antisemitism in the wake of recent attacks from Hamas on Israel, redeeming itself following the Palestine Writes Literature Festival.
United RAs at Penn | Why we’re voting to unionize
United RAs at Penn explain the need for a union and urge RAs to vote yes.