Opinion Columns
Hadriana Lowenkron | Penn needs a 24-hour dining hall
The pricing and inadequate availability of Penn’s dining options forces students to either spend their own or more of their families’ money on food, or, for those who can’t afford to do so, to be hungry.
Ton Nguyen | A first-generation, low-income perspective on who deserves to be in the Ivy League
We’re the ones you learn about in class about inner-city kids struggling with educational inequality. We’re also the ones you claim to be stealing your financial aid. So as great as it is that you’re learning more about us at Penn, it’s even more important that you understand that there are many people who could have been us.
Ana West | Undergraduate Assembly needs to deliver beyond election season
Penn students don’t just feel disconnected from the UA because they don’t care — they feel disconnected because it’s frustrating to have the issues and concerns facing them discussed for the sake of gaining votes, and then ignored again.
Sophia DuRose | Men can't take all the space in the classroom
Equal opportunities to participate are created when professors leading conversations actively engage women, women actively participate, and men in the classroom recognize that they need to leave room for these women.
Guest Column by Maria Curry and Chase Serota | Maria and Chase for UA
Throughout the last years, we have seen how not only ambition, but also determination and strategy, can lead to concrete, tangible change for the student body.
Urooba Abid | I’m embarrassed to wear the Penn logo off campus
For many Philadelphia residents who struggle to get by, Penn is a full view reminder of a system that isn’t designed for them.
Tyler Larkworthy | Your four years at Penn don't have to be the best of your life
So, instead of trying to make the most out of Penn, just try to make it through. That is an accomplishment in itself.
James Morrison | Pay the Penn band
Because of the band’s integral role in publicity initiatives undertaken by the University and its highly visible presence on campus, the University should divert more funds to support the band’s efforts, and perhaps even pay its members for their services.
Zuri Robinson | Low-income minorities deserve their spots at Penn
On Decision Day, my teacher made a point of looking directly at me, decked proudly in my Penn hoodie, as he told us why he considered affirmative action to be reverse discrimination. The message was clear: my spot in Penn’s Class of 2022 had been given, not earned.
Sophia DuRose | Frontera should be replaced with a 24-hour diner
One thing college campuses tend to lack is comfort; they are chasms full to the brim with diverse people, backgrounds, and stories, but they don’t always radiate the feelings of warmth and support that people need.
Catherine Qiao | Benjamin Franklin isn't the best role model for us to follow
There is certainly merit in our pursuit of a higher education and a better life — both spiritually and financially. But there are also costs to consider.
Joel Lee | You know someone who needs help, so reach out to them
The point is practical: Everyone knows someone who is in need of help. Rather than waiting for someone else to step up to it, act upon it yourself.
Sophia DuRose | Penn students need to be more politically engaged
We can do more. And we should.
Lucy Hu | Cheating is as unfair as admissions bribery
Putting yourself ahead — whether through bribing coaches, doctoring resumes, or using unethical means to get extra time on exam — is destructive.
Hadriana Lowenkron | The admissions scandal shows us the importance of affirmative action
While Penn is undoubtedly patting itself on the back for not getting wrapped up in the current college admissions scandal, it still has a long way to go to ensure that its affirmative action policy benefits its students.
Sophia DuRose | Facetune isn't always a bad thing
The insecurity I feel about my body is mine, meaning learning to be comfortable with my appearance is an internal journey. And yes, it is immensely discouraging to be bombarded with images of models who seem so picture-perfect.
Christy Qiu | College admissions will never be perfect, but we need reform
The college admissions process might always have broken aspects, but one doable reform is to make time for fact-checking.
Ana West | Christians at Penn have a responsibility to stand by the LGBTQ community
When I came to Penn, I saw explicitly inclusive congregations and met accepting faith leaders for the first time, and it made me genuinely optimistic for the future of the Christian church. But there is a massive amount of progress that needs to be made — and recently, some of that progress has been reversed.
The college admissions process is under nationwide scrutiny. We want your take.
We are looking for guest columns that make compelling arguments from the Penn community to gauge a variety of different perspectives.