Guest Columns
Guest Column by Lucy Corlett | Power Purchase Agreement points to the dangers of greenwashing
By using the PPA to proclaim itself a champion of sustainability, Penn is greenwashing the areas of its operations that are, and will continue to be, socially and environmentally harmful.
Guest Column by Johaer Jilani | If the Fall semester is online, Penn should implement a Double-A policy
The two most important aspects that need to be fulfilled in order to accommodate all Penn undergraduates are to allow the option to have letter grades and to mitigate the effects of circumstantial inequality. The best way to approach this problem is by having a Double-A grading policy, in which students are guaranteed an A-, or a double-A/fail policy, in which passing a course awards at least an A-.
Guest Column by Katie Rader | What Do Penn’s Austerity Measures Mean?
While Penn’s focus on continuing to support staff under $70,000 is commendable, this is truly a moment for the Board of Trustees and the Penn administration to be more transparent about why fiscal austerity is falling on the backs of their employees and students.
Guest Column by Jaden Cloobeck | Why We Must Preserve the On-Campus College Experience
With the federal government’s current social distancing recommendations, it is best for us to remain in our homes until the experts say it’s safe to come out again. However, once we return to campus, we should not fear the precious in-person connections that make Penn wonderful.
Guest Column by Emma Glasser | Joe Biden has been accused of sexual assault. What if we actually took it seriously?
What if, instead of bowing to political pressure, we demanded more news coverage and investigations? What if we gave Tara Reade the same credibility and respect that we gave Dr. Christine Blasey Ford in 2018?
Guest Column by Michelle Nigro | 2020 is the International Year of the Nurse and Midwife. Here’s why that matters
As we navigate our lives during this pandemic, the designation of 2020 as the International Year of Nurse has become more profound.
Guest Column by Borna Saeednia | Penn for Bernie should endorse Joe Biden
I call for unity among Penn community ahead of the upcoming presidential election in support of Biden to restore the dignity of the office of presidency. I ask Penn for Bernie to endorse Biden for president despite all the disagreements.
Guest Column by Sam Kesler | Penn should partially refund students’ tuition for this semester
It is time for Penn to acknowledge that it owes more to students than a refund for housing and dining and that we pay our school for more than just a diploma, especially when students have never been more vulnerable.
Guest Column by Three Penn Dems Board Members | College Republicans: Your president has blood on his hands
Even though President Trump doesn’t “take responsibility at all,” we must hold him accountable for his mistakes — and hold Penn College Republicans accountable for theirs.
Guest Column by Jaywon Kim | Penn, We Must Count in the 2020 Census
As residents of Philadelphia, we have the obligation to make sure the city has enough resources to be able to support us. For every person not counted, Philly stands to lose $21,000 in federal funding over the next ten years.
Guest Column by Jacob Hershman | Of COVID-19, climate-change, and exploding stars
Many are unconvinced of the virus’ threat not only to themselves, but also to society at large – so unconvinced, in fact, that they are engaging in the most socially destructive behavior imaginable, given the threat at hand. Sound familiar?
Guest Column by a former UPenn Statesman Editor | No, Penn did not steal our senior year
Missing graduation this May is going to be terrible. Social distancing is not going to be easy. But if what we must endure for the coming months saves even one life, then it will be worth it.
Guest Column by Penn Dems | It’s time for Democratic leadership, and it’s time for Joe Biden
More than ever before, we also need a leader capable of guiding our country and restoring our democracy. That Democrat at the top of the ticket will be Joe Biden, and Penn Dems is proud and excited to endorse him.
Guest Column by Penn Student Government members | Letter to the Administration on housing
As members of Penn Student Government, we hope to advocate for the needs of those most vulnerable in our community at this time.
Guest Column by Michelle Shen | Where to channel your coronavirus rage
I was feeling a lot of things — a strange cocktail of sadness, sentimentality, bitterness, and anger. Originally, a lot of that anger was directed at Penn and other universities.
Letter from the Executive Editor | We decide our stories
Right now, this period may seem like a difficult, uncertain time. But looking back at the past three years, I know we have the power to decide how these moments will become meaningful.
Guest Column by Alice Heyeh | Viruses do not discriminate based on ethnicity and neither should we
Know the facts and stay informed. When making efforts to prevent the spread of a pandemic, we must also prevent the spread of misinformation and violence.
Guest Column by Maher Abdel Samad | International students, ISSS has not left you behind
If you felt panic rather than inconvenience after getting the University’s sparse response to the virus or identify with one of the above categories, as I did, I have good news for you.
Letter from Benoit Dubé | A message to students regarding Spring Break
Amid this uncertainty, any travel, domestic or international could heighten your risk of exposure.