Guest Columns

AAUP Penn | Penn faculty need a meaningful voice in university governance

Penn's faculty have too long been denied meaningful representation and a substantive voice in University decision making.

Shriya Beesam & Ashna Yakoob | Why gendered clubs should be a thing of the past

Bloomers is moving away from being an all-female club to make a more inclusive space for those not on the gender binary. Other gendered Penn clubs should do the same.

Netter Center Student Advisory Board | Building a True Year of Civic Engagement

Penn's year of civic engagement should encourage students to take ABCS courses. Why aren't they?

Guest Column by Andi Johnson | Dear Division of Public Safety

Those text messages, sent at 8:38 p.m. and 8:40 p.m. on Tuesday night to the entire Penn community, were an act of “public safety,” meaning they were a direct warning to us all that we should avoid that location. 

Guest Column by Virginia Wardell | SP2's treatment of international students is alarming

Master candidates for Social Policy were given the opportunity to anonymously react to the decisions made surrounding MSSP 628 and  MSSP 710. The candidates expressed a variety of concerns, including a lack of transparency, equal treatment, and potential self-censorship.

Guest Column by 340+ current MBA Students | Wharton Students for Biden

At this critical crossroads of our nation’s history, we need a principled leader that can deliver the truth, unite the country behind a shared vision, and carry us forward to a better America. We need Joe Biden in the White House, more than ever. 

Guest Column by five GET-UP members | Penn must provide funding extensions for all doctoral students

As graduate workers and members of GET-UP, we believe that for Penn to make good on its promise to support current students, the administration must guarantee a universal one-year funding extension for all doctoral students in every school and department.

Guest Column by Eli Moraru | Penn is failing to support its students' mental well-being and right to vote

Penn's administration should be ashamed that it has come to this point where students must boycott classes for their mental wellbeing and for the ability to vote on election day.

Guest Column from Penn graduates and students | Penn employees deserve paid time off on Election Day

To all students, graduates, staff members, and faculty — please join us in signing this petition urging the University to take stronger action to protect Penn employees’ right to vote. 

Guest Column by Penn Leads the Vote Leadership | Why we vote

Your vote counts just as much as anyone else’s, and the only time your voice is not equal to others is when you don’t let it be heard. That’s why we vote.

Justin Greenman | Whether your “side” wins or loses, open dialogue must triumph

We’re not asking you to hide your principles going into Election Day or going forward; we’re asking you to be open to listening to and associating with those you disagree with.

Guest Column by Francois Barrilleaux | Why you should vote for Joe Biden

Joe Biden can’t solve all of our problems, and for many of us, including myself, he wasn’t our first choice for president. But electing Joe Biden is absolutely necessary if we are going to make any sort of progress.

Guest Column by Nicholas Williams | With deadlines fast approaching, ensure your voice is heard

Please ensure that your vote is counted by making a voting plan and sticking to it. Because your voice matters.

Guest Column By John Gamba | Walking the Walk on Civic Engagement

Decisions are made by those who show up. The stakes couldn’t be any higher.

Guest Column By Regis Fields | 'How far will we go?'

What I am lobbying for is for in this time of social change that my employer challenges the very boundaries I have discussed here. To align itself with efforts of correcting wealth inequalities and to entertain serious discussion that could affect the lives of many of its employees of color.

Guest Column by Angela Chan and Robert Rivera-Amezola | PILOTs: The Neighborly Thing to Do

We make this appeal to Penn not just because we believe it is the socially just thing to do, but because we also feel it is the neighborly thing to do. In our time as teachers, we have taken part in reciprocal relationships with the university grounded in mutual respect and genuine concern for the education of our students. 

Guest Column by Gerald Campano | PILOTs are a civic responsibility

Especially given the dire circumstances the District now faces as a result of Covid-19, Penn and other wealthy nonprofits must fulfill their civic and financial obligations through PILOTs.

Guest Column by Alex Eapen | Your personal choice to not vote is not all that personal

The conversation cannot stop after we cast our ballots but it is the first real step towards progress. So this November, please, vote.

A petition to President Gutmann | Investigate allegations of admissions fraud by President Trump

We, the undersigned faculty, staff, students, and alumni believe that the long-term good name and reputation of the University of Pennsylvania and the Wharton School depends on Penn’s administration doing the right thing in the present moment.

Guest Column by Penn President Amy Gutmann | Welcome to the New Academic Year

At the start of this new academic year, our call to action for all Penn faculty, students, and staff has never been clearer: Stick to our mission. Stand with our community.