Guest Columns

Guest Column by SP2 Student Government | We oppose the unwarranted raise of tuition

With most of campus life going on-line, SP2 students won’t have access to collaborative study spaces, mental and physical health care, school-sponsored social events, in-person office hours, library resources, guest lectures, and all other resources that constitute the “Penn experience.” 

Guest Column by Marialena Mouaikel and Saskia Wright | The Lebanon explosion hit home

Rising College freshman, Iman Ezzeddine, recounts witnessing the explosion from her living room in Beirut.

Guest Column by College Dean's Advisory Board | We need access to course syllabi now

Currently, Penn students mostly rely on Penn Course Review and word of mouth to make decisions on which classes to take. 

Guest Column by Lyla Rose | Pre-meds, we can’t act like the pandemic is over

Healthcare work can be all-encompassing, especially in this environment, and we must hold ourselves accountable to the standards of our profession.

Guest Column by Bruce Shen | Penn, explore “Go Local” option for international students

With over 1,500 international undergraduates enrolled, Penn should make Go Local available. This is feasible, given that Penn Abroad has over 50 exchange partners in 17 countries.

Guest Column by 568 Penn Faculty and Staff | Penn must pay PILOTs

When the University does not pay for the services and environment that make its work possible, other Philadelphians are left to make up the difference — or, city schools and other institutions simply go without.

Guest Column By Penn Dems | Biden isn’t doing enough to confront systemic racism

In recent months, Joe Biden responded to the dual tragedies of coronavirus and police killings with resolve, but we must put pressure on our future president to support his words with concrete actions.

Guest Column by Wharton Women in Business Leadership | Dean James’ appointment is historic

While we celebrate Dean James’s appointment and Wharton’s new era led by a Black woman, we also recognize that there is still a lot of work to be done at Wharton in terms of diversity.

Guest Column by Gabriela Alvarado | The Penn Museum must end abuse of the Morton collection

The Penn Museum has no right or reason to keep human remains that bolstered racist science in its basement. 

Guest Column by Charlie Aresty | Teach, don’t punish, inactive allies on social media

Help them understand the underlying issues and get involved. Respond to their posts to engage in meaningful conversations.

Guest Column by Lillian Weng | Anti-Blackness in Asian American communities

As non-black people of color, Asian Americans do not share the trauma of the black community and cannot dismiss their pain. 

Guest Column by Lexie Shah | We are at a reckoning. America is failing us.

While social media feeds have been bombarded with tweets and Instagram stories in solidarity with the Black community, these efforts are not enough.

Guest Column by Layla Murphy | Apathy is a sin. Empathy is the solution.

As privileged people, we must stop expecting oppressed groups to educate us, to accommodate us, or to be civil toward us.

Guest Column by Mary Shin | Address racial disparities in contact tracing

Technology and surveillance methods are ingrained in the problem of social disparities.

Guest Column by Hector Cure | COVID-19 made me realize my country's other crisis

We hold a responsibility to think about the critical issues faced in our home countries, and find ways to confront them, even while at Penn.

Guest Column by Michelle Shen | Let's Agree to Disagree

It’s natural for us to construct echo chambers by choosing what circles we choose to interact with, and this phenomenon has only been exacerbated by our move to a virtual world.

Senior Column by Michel Liu | “Play hard” along the way

I, too, was anticipating Senior Week, Commencement, and all the last goodbyes we never got to say. But after everything that has happened, my doubts about taking a “scenic route” instead of the expressway to my goals have vanished. 

Guest Column by Borna Saeednia | From a TA to Penn Class of 2020: Congratulations!

To the Class of 2020, I want to express my deepest gratitude for the contributions you have made, and for giving me an opportunity to learn with you and from you. 

Senior Column by Sam Yellowhorse Kesler | “What are perfect places, anyway?"

Penn is still not perfect, but it’s filled with perfect places. 

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.