Opinion Columns
Jaden Cloobeck | “Slow Down” is my mantra. What’s yours?
Columnist Jaden Cloobeck writes about how he learned to be more mindful and slow down, making his college experience better and more intentional.
Jaden Cloobeck | NROTC students take classes with exams. Why don’t they count for credit?
Columnist Jaden Cloobeck argues that it is unacceptable for NROTC students at Penn to have their naval science coursework go uncredited.
Asaad Manzar | A letter to the new transfer class
Columnist Asaad Manzar writes a letter to Penn's new transfer class, offering advice to new students adapting to Penn for the first time.
Jaden Cloobeck | Why Amy Gutmann was a transformative president, and what we need next
Columnist Jaden Cloobeck writes about how Amy Gutmann transformed Penn during her tenure at Penn, and how her successor should prioritize listening and open communication with Penn's student body.
Matthew Liu | No, a new president will not change anything
Columnist Matthew Liu argues that members of the Penn community should not expect significant changes with the University president that succeeds Amy Gutmann. He writes about how criticisms directed towards her often reference issues that are inherent to all large institutions.
Andy Yoon | Why America is at risk of obsolescence
Columnist Andy Yoon writes about the folly of American exceptionalism and how the United States isn't always going to be on top — unless we do something about it.
Lexi Boccuzzi | Inside the importance of independence day
Columnist Lexi Boccuzzi writes about the 4th of July, and how celebrating it is not incommensurate with valid criticism of our nation.
Matthew Liu | The subverted progressivism of Thomas Paine
Columnist Matthew Liu writes about how one of our Founding Fathers — Thomas Paine — was the surprise progressive at the heart of America's inception.
Surayya Walters | Why didn't I learn about the Tulsa Massacre in school?
Columnist Surayya Walters writes about the Tulsa Massacre and how important it is for Americans to learn about it in all aspects of academics, including business.
Jaden Cloobeck | Constructive Patriotism is True Patriotism
Columnist Jaden Cloobeck writes about constructive patriotism and how criticism isn't a sign of disrespect — it's a sign of love for one's nation.
Caroline Magdolen | So you want a third party? Support ranked choice voting.
Columnist Caroline Magdolen writes about ranked choice voting and how it is a better way of electing candidates compared to the standard winner-take-all system. She argues that we should include ranked choice voting wherever we can — starting with the clubs and organizations that we are a part of.
Lark Yan | My tastebuds might never be bored again
Columnist Lark Yan writes about cooking, a habit she developed in the wake of COVID-19. She describes the excitement, friendships, and joy that resulted from her pandemic-inspired time in the kitchen.
Asaad Manzar | We need to rethink our pandemic habits
Columnist Asaad Manzar writes about the habits — both good and bad — that we formed over the pandemic, and how we should use the summer as a chance to recycle our helpful habits and kick the negative ones.
Matthew Liu | COVID-19 Vaccine Patent Protections and the Private Innovation Lie
Columnist Matthew Liu argues that profit-focused pharmaceutical companies undermine the humanitarian mission behind large-scale vaccination efforts that are needed to combat the COVID-19 pandemic.
Jaden Cloobeck | Honoring a Jewish watermelon merchant and a Canadian frontiersman
For Father's Day, columnist Jaden Cloobeck goes into family archives to celebrate two of his ancestors from centuries past.
Neil Kapoor | Penn should create a climate school
Columnist Neil Kapoor argues that Penn should follow in the footsteps of peer institutions like Columbia and Stanford in creating a collaborative climate school, using its influence to combat one of the most emergent crises in modern history.
Jaden Cloobeck | Let’s end hazing, not rethink it
Columnist Jaden Cloobeck writes about hazing, and how Penn's New Student Orientation fails to adequately introduce the subject to incoming students.
Lark Yan | The recently passed Anti-Asian Hate Crime Act is like smoke and mirrors — it’s not enough
Columnist Lark Yan argues that the COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act, which seeks to curtail anti-Asian violence, does little to address the systemic racism that many in the AAPI community regularly face.
Andy Yoon | College admissions needs a standardized testing requirement
Columnist Andy Yoon argues that standardized testing is an essential component of the college admissions process, and that students actually benefit from its presence.