Opinion
Guest Column by Louis Lin | What graduation means for FGLI students during the pandemic
Ever since Penn first announced there would be no in-person ceremonies this year, I have been thinking about what graduation means as a first-generation, low-income student, and what it means for my family.
Senior Column by Sarah Fortinsky | To Eric Jacobs, the one who made the DP home
My graduation from Penn coincides with Eric Jacobs’ retirement from the DP after four decades as general manager. From the start of my time at Penn, I’ve known Eric to be the DP’s guiding light.
Guest Column by Penn Leads the Vote Leadership | You deserve to be heard. Vote on June 2nd
By voting in the upcoming primary election, students at Penn will be able to make a difference in who represents our communities in Congress and the state legislature. One person, one vote is perpetually under threat and this year is no different, if not more than ever before.
Varun Saraswathula | After COVID-19, we need to consider universal health coverage in the United States
Every human life has equal value, and it’s time for our healthcare system to recognize that.
Senior Column by Annabelle Williams | It’s a process, not a plan
I’m not a sports person, but I hear their advice is to “trust the process.”
Senior Column by Elias Rappaport | Make it a habit of saying yes
Understand that saying “yes” is praxis. The truth is that not every “yes” is a good decision; not every door opened has treasure on the other side. But more often than you think, a good day at Penn starts by opening one unremarkable door and ends with a dozen more doors unlocked.
Senior Column by Theodoros Papazekos | I’ve written 100 versions of this column in my head
The problem with writing columns in the shower is that the water gets cold before you can end them.
Guest Column by Vanessa Chan | A note on finals
I’m writing to wish you luck in your finals but to also put everything in context for you as well. As a Penn undergraduate student, I remember how stressful the finals period was and I’m imagining that in this virtual environment, this stress is likely amplified.
Guest Column by Ada Lim | President Trump ought to stop playing the blame game with China
Pinning responsibility on China is using them as a scapegoat, and the Trump administration cannot afford to live in the past when there are such pressing concerns in the present and the future.
Guest Column by eight GET-UP members | Calling on Penn to protect graduate and professional students
In this time, we graduate student-workers at Penn find ourselves wishing more than ever that we had a union to represent us in ongoing campus-wide conversations that affect all our futures.
Guest Column by Jasper MacLean and Lauren MacLean | The true cost of not going back to campus
For both students and faculty, being on campus means so much more than covering the content of facts and formulas.
Guest Column by Emma Wennberg | We need new leadership in West Philly. Rick Krajewski is our chance to get it.
By voting for Rick, you are supporting leadership vital in today’s pandemic and necessary for Philadelphia’s future.
Editorial | Completing Penn’s COVID-19 survey can create change on campus
If students want to continue having the Penn administration hear their voices, they need to fill out Penn’s COVID-19 Pulse Survey.
Jessica Gooding | All students forced to leave campus should receive a housing credit
In light of Penn’s recent announcement that it would not accept 9.9 million dollars in CARE Act funds, it makes sense to wonder how those funds could have been allocated to help secure stability for vulnerable students.
Emilia Onuonga | Amy Gutmann made the right decision. Congress did not.
Yes, Americans ought to put pressure on well-established institutions and businesses to reject these funds. However, people should direct criticism to Congress and the Trump administration during this national crisis.
Guest Column by Lucy Corlett | Power Purchase Agreement points to the dangers of greenwashing
By using the PPA to proclaim itself a champion of sustainability, Penn is greenwashing the areas of its operations that are, and will continue to be, socially and environmentally harmful.
Agatha Advincula | Preparing for uncertainty in uncertain times
It’s okay to be scared and still make contingency plans. It’s okay to be frustrated with the ways in which Penn has often left us in the dark and it’s okay to be worried about the future.
Guest Column by Johaer Jilani | If the Fall semester is online, Penn should implement a Double-A policy
The two most important aspects that need to be fulfilled in order to accommodate all Penn undergraduates are to allow the option to have letter grades and to mitigate the effects of circumstantial inequality. The best way to approach this problem is by having a Double-A grading policy, in which students are guaranteed an A-, or a double-A/fail policy, in which passing a course awards at least an A-.
Sophia DuRose | Penn’s campus is my new home
Even though there are massive problems in the world right now, small ones still hurt. And if anything good could come out of any of this, it should be a greater sense of urgency to be empathetic and kind.