Editorials

Editorial | It's time to take responsibility for Penn's culture around mental health

It’s been two weeks since Wharton junior Ao “Olivia” Kong died by suicide. Since then, Fling has come and gone, finals are looming and as we have nine times before, we are beginning to move on from the discussion of mental health.

Editorial | Regarding the SDS protest

The disruption by protesters of the talk being given by sitting CIA Director John Brennan on Friday afternoon is a dark mark on this University’s reputation.

Editorial | Ray and Andrew for UA

Despite what some might say, the Undergraduate Assembly is a body of students that has the potential to have a large amount of influence at Penn.

Editorial | Our Presidential Primary Endorsements

With the Pennsylvania primaries fast approaching, as well as those of many other relevant states, the DP Opinion board is endorsing candidates for the Presidential Primaries, as we have in past elections.

Editorial | Regarding the length of break

The spring semester may only be at its halfway point, but Penn has set the calendar for the next academic year.

Editorial | The definition of safety

What truly matters to the safety of Penn students is not what leaves the library, but what enters it.

Editorial | Caitlyn Jenner’s talk was a step towards creating conversation

Yesterday, Penn welcomed Caitlyn Jenner as the Social Planning and Events Committee Connaissance spring speaker and QPenn’s keynote speaker.

Editorial | Thrive at Penn fails to thrive

During the summer of 2015, Penn introduced a new online program for freshmen called Thrive at Penn.

Editorial | How Penn dealt with winter storm Jonas

What is there to say about Winter Storm Jonas? Not very much on our campus. To go by the vista offered by High Rise Field on Saturday morning, no student could be rebuked for thinking we’d get to February before attending class again.

Editorial | Penn's response to Kenny Jones

Earlier this week, Kenny Jones — a former administrator in the Office for Fraternity and Sorority Life — was found to have misrepresented his academic credentials on multiple occasions.

Editorial | Cheers and jeers for 2015

This year was an historic one, both at Penn and across the country.

Editorial | Pennsylvania's governor is right to accept Syrian refugees

Amid the recent, mainly Republican, backlash against accepting Syrian refugees by many states, Governor Tom Wolf’s decision to allow refugees to settle in Pennsylvania is a refreshingly ethical decision in American politics today.

Editorial | A setback for sexual assault investigations

Last year, the University revamped its sexual assault adjudication process in response to changes in federal guidelines for sexual assault on campus.

Editorial | In support of #WeArePhilly

Systemic racism at college campuses across the country was thrown into the spotlight two weeks ago, with protests at the University of Missouri and Yale demanding action to address the institutional marginalization of people of color.

Editorial | Expanding our vision

Fraternities are not guilt-free of partaking in the culture of excessive drinking and sexual misconduct, but we cannot expect to lay sanctions on them alone and consider the issue resolved. It is all too easy to lay the blame on the highly visible Greek societies that seem to dominate the social and party scene, but they are only part of the problem, not the problem itself.

Editorial | Looking beyond PILOTs

Before we can even look at paying PILOTs as a yes-or-no issue, there are many questions that need to be answered. From the effectiveness of Penn’s community programming to the City’s allocation of PILOT funds, these concerns need to be addressed as part of the much-needed conversations regarding the status of public education in Philadelphia and the University’s relationship with the community.

Editorial | Shooting down trigger warnings

While personally traumatic experiences are important to address and treat on college campuses, trigger warnings are neither a fair nor sufficient solution to such issues and would ultimately serve to undermine the fundamental values of academia.

Editorial | Endorsement of Gabe Delaney and Joshua Chilcote for UA President and VP

Furthermore, we wholly support Delaney’s commitment to changing the internal structure of the UA, which did not seem to be shared — certainly not to the same extent — by Kim. After the recent impeachment debacle, it’s clear that something needs to be improved internally, and we believe that Delaney’s plans to empower other UA members through a more horizontal structure will be crucial to making the necessary changes.

Editorial | UA: Undeniably absurd

It’s a shame that students are disenchanted with the UA. It’s also a shame that the UA does very little by way of visible action or effective communication with students.