Guest Columns

Maya Arthur | Searching for your body

Identity. Identity is a word that floats throughout life. It can be a badge of honor for some, something shiny and embossed.

Guest Column by Luke Tortora | Where tolerance goes to die

A short preface: Penn, surely, is strengthened by its status as a progressive institution. It is diverse, eclectic, and empowers all to seek the resources and opportunities they deserve.

Guest column by Peter Thacher| An Unjust Decision Borne Of A Bad Faith Process

On Thursday, Sept. 22nd just after 3:00 p.m., I was flipping through my phone while waiting for the exams to be passed out in my Biology class.

Guest column by Steven Sun | Discussions over Disgust and Diatribe

As a student once active in minority politics at Penn, I often encountered discussions of micro-aggressions and privilege.

Guest column by Valarie Swain-Cade McCoullum | I also know, in my own flesh...

A couple of days ago, I read an opinion piece in the DP by a wonderful, thoughtful student —Titus Adkins — who used his powerful voice to posit some queries to me and to other members of the Penn community.

Guest column by Nathan Ausubel | Hillary Clinton, advocate for women and children

In November, I urge members of the Penn community to vote for Hillary Clinton as the next president.

Guest column by Ben Goodman | A challenge to individual fraternities on campus

“Every system is perfectly designed to get the results it gets.” - Paul Batalden, M.D. Let me preface the following discussion by saying that I am not in a fraternity, and do realize that they offer many benefits for their members: life-long friendship, deep alumni networks, and social structure, to name a few. That being said, as I am sure you are all aware, there has been a vocal conversation on campus after the OZ email flyering that took place on Tuesday.

David Moore | We're here to listen

I live on Locust Walk. Three minutes to class, three minutes to Lyn’s, three minutes to Pottruck – the location alone is fantastic.

Guest column by Penn Masala | An Apology to the Penn Community

Dear Penn, As many of you have heard by now, we had a question on our audition form that was completely inappropriate.

Guest column by Peter LaBerge | From One “Bro” to Another: On Complicity

By the second week of freshman year, we have all learned to avoid the Compass in the center of Locust Walk.

Guest column by Kat McKay | Your shot to make Penn history

Welcome to Penn, freshmen and transfer students. Over the next few weeks, you will have a lot of opportunities to start choosing the courses, campus spaces, and student groups that will come to define your experience here.

Guest column by Chaz Howard | My freshman year and insecurity

Insecurity, I have found, is a dangerous force that can subtly permeate various aspects of one’s life.

Guest column by Amy Gutmann | Make your mark

Voting is a simple act of civic duty, but it is also a transformative one. Each of us joins with millions of individuals across the country to enact something--the democratic choice of our representatives--that none of us can or should do alone. Voting in a constitutional democracy not only expresses our citizenship; it also enables us together to continually re-establish something much mightier than any of us could otherwise be: a democratic republic that aspires to recognize the liberty and equality of all persons.

Guest column by Brittany Maschal | Five reasons to start planning for business school now

With graduation almost here, and a farewell to four unforgettable years on Locust Walk, you might already be making plans for graduation trips, time at home and beginning your first full-time job.

Guest column by Majid Mubeen | Anti-Muslim Rhetoric: a Challenge to the Dignity, Safety and Lives of the Community

In a post-9/11 world, Islamophobia is not uncommon, and many Muslims and non-Muslims can recount instances of undue fear-mongering, ranging from high school bullying to murder. More recently, we must note that anti-Muslim sentiment has resurged in light of upcoming Presidential elections, with proclamations threatening the sense of belonging for Muslims all over this country.

Guest column by Ansley Bolick | Part of the problem

Like most Penn students, I spent Fling partying outdoors in the sun. It was wonderful, but when I recount my weekend to friends later this week, there’s a part of the story that I will want to leave out.

Guest column by Rebecca Brown | Wall of Rejection

The impact of Penn’s high-pressure environment on mental health has been a trending topic over the past few years.

Guest column by Ritika Philip | We need to rethink success

This past Monday, we all suffered a great loss. I was shocked and saddened to hear that a Penn student took her own life, but as cavalier as this may sound, I wasn’t too surprised.

Guest column by Trudel Pare | Reopening old wounds

When Emma opened the door, I saw the extra pair of feet first. "Hi, I'm Jennifer," she said. I shook her hand and sat down.

Guest Column by Debbie Rabinovich| Here's what I really think about Penn

I am so frustrated with Penn. I am a freshman who chose to come here because it was supposed to be the best of all worlds and the best in the world.