Akshat Shekhar | Eat, read and be merry

By Akshat Shekhar · Sept. 28, 2014

The next bucket of cases centers around vague, almost meaningless benefits, such as “learning how to learn” and “learning for its own sake.” The latter advantage is particularly dubious; roller coasters are ridden for their own sake, the experience to be quickly forgotten once the seat belt is unbuckled. In the current environment, would a student really embark on a course of study whose benefits leave him as soon as he obtains a diploma, just for its own sake?

Guest column by Ghinwa Moujaes | Transition to Penn

By Ghinwa Moujaes · Sept. 28, 2014

It was hard adjusting to Penn. After two weeks, I was set on going home. I had decided that Penn wasn’t worth it. I didn’t want to be Americanized. I wanted to stay true to my identity. I wanted to go back home to Lebanon.

Sam Sherman | Back again

By Sam Sherman · Sept. 28, 2014

Sam Sherman is a College junior from Marblehead, Mass. His email address is samsherman6@gmail.com.

Anneka DeCaro | Penn dining

By Anneka DeCaro · Sept. 28, 2014

Anneka DeCaro is a College freshman. Her email address is annekaxiv@gmail.com.

Jonathan Iwry | Why we need the past

By Jonathan Iwry · Sept. 25, 2014

To study history is to take ownership of the human race, sharing in its triumphs and bearing witness to its sins and follies. We join a legacy of transient beings striving to craft a fleeting world for the better. Only by linking ourselves to them across the ages do we keep that legacy intact.

Maya Rawal | Not so special

By Maya Rawal · Sept. 25, 2014

We have the rest of our lives to focus on our chosen field of work. Take advantage of Penn’s opportunities now.

Katiera Sordjan | Beyond the male gaze

By Katiera Sordjan · Sept. 25, 2014

“All About That Bass” is not the first pop song to tell young women and girls that the only real value of their bodies is how men perceive them. “What Makes You Beautiful” by One Direction, “Just the Way You Are” and “Treasure” by Bruno Mars are just some examples of pop hits that require the man to define a woman’s beauty for her. “Men love curvy women.” “Guys love skinny girls.” These back and forth arguments are unhealthy and put down other women. Girls shouldn't have to justify their body types by pointing to what men find attractive.

Samantha Antrum | West Philadelphia students need investment

By The Vision and Samantha Antrum · Sept. 23, 2014

The building was filthy. Roaches and mice frolicked about on dirty walls and stained hallway floors. Program instructors watched the unsanitary circumstances continue outside, as the cleaning staff dumped dirty mop water and cleaning chemicals into a flooded drain in the school yard. Internet access ceased and took several days to be restarted, which was a major barrier for instructors attempting to academically engage their students.Where I once was frustrated with the conditions at some schools, I was now livid. Children attended the program because of its potential to provide fun and enriching activities. Our purpose was to supplement the students’ school-year learning experiences. We aimed to provide encouragement and support for the students, demonstrate that learning is more than sitting in class looking at books.

Jeremiah Keenan | The unwanted fetus

By Jeremiah Keenan · Sept. 23, 2014

But the question remains: When does the pregnancy become a human being? Biologically, this happens within 90 minutes of fertilization — when the fetus’s DNA synthesis is complete and growth begins. At this point, the child is clinically alive in his own right. But legally, this life is initially unrecognized, and finally recognized only in an animal sense.The difficulty with this legal approach is that it fails to provide any point at which our unborn biological selves take on humanity. Viability — the law in Pennsylvania — is absurd because it makes humanity a function of medical technology. By this definition, at 26 weeks a fetus in a third-world country is an animal while his western counterpart is a human being.

Nick Moncy | Just one more

By nick moncy and Nick_Moncy · Sept. 23, 2014

Nick Moncy is a College junior from North Miami, Fla. His email address is nickmon@sas.upenn.edu.

Letter to the Editor on "Econ TA Has Goofed"

By Nick Janetos · Sept. 23, 2014

To the editor,In your 'Under The Button' September 23rd blog post, "Econ TA has 'Dun Goofed'", you made a number of erroneous claims and omissions.

Guest column by Penn Dems | Starving for change

By Penn Democrats · Sept. 22, 2014

Fortunately, Republicans were not able to cut SNAP funding by $40 billion. Still, Republicans were somewhat successful in their quest to cut aid to the needy. Earlier this year, President Obama signed into law a compromise agreement that cut SNAP by almost $9 billion.As a result of those cuts, 175,000 Pennsylvania families will lose $65 in benefits each month. Many of these families undoubtedly live close to Penn, and perhaps some of the affected children are those whom Penn students tutor in local schools. For families that have already been struggling to make ends meet, these cuts will be devastating.

Dani Blum | Yes, you're a feminist

By Dani Blum · Sept. 22, 2014

I’ve identified myself as a feminist since middle school, but it’s difficult to apply that passion into real social settings. I note trends, but I don’t see the significance in them. I spend too much time trying to determine if a friend’s joke or a passing comment is anti-feminist that I end up letting it pass. I want to practice what I preach — or more accurately, what I share on Facebook — but I over-rationalize my way into inaction.Furthermore, it’s difficult to put the more idealistic points of feminism into place at college. I consider myself a feminist, but I compare myself to other women. Few of my conversations are about women’s issues, and I have no plans to take a gender studies class. Eighty percent of the music on my workout playlist is overtly misogynistic. I don’t freak out when “Blurred Lines” comes on at a party. I go to the gym not so I can release endorphins, but so I can fit into my skinny jeans.

Sophia Wushanley | Race, gender and grades

By Sophia Wushanley · Sept. 22, 2014

Everything you’ve ever put your name on has been tinged with your race and gender, be it a paper, an exam, a lab report or a resume. No matter how well you know your professors, and how earnestly they condemn prejudice in any form, a bulk of scientific literature suggests that who you are influences how they see the work you produce.

Hannah Rosenfeld | Torn

By hannah rosenfeld · Sept. 22, 2014

Hannah Rosenfeld is a College sophomore from Tokyo.

Guest column by College Republicans | An inconvenient truth: When rhetoric and action don't line up

By College Republicans Executive Board · Sept. 22, 2014

We want to reaffirm our support for a two-state solution, predicated not on concessions to terrorists, but on security and mutual trust.

Guest column by Jaime and Paul Shweitzer| In defense of the Maimonides program

By Jaime and Paul Shweitzer · Sept. 22, 2014

We have had over five years experience with MEOR on two college campuses, one of them being University of Pennsylvania.