Opinion
Agatha Advincula | Preparing for uncertainty in uncertain times
It’s okay to be scared and still make contingency plans. It’s okay to be frustrated with the ways in which Penn has often left us in the dark and it’s okay to be worried about the future.
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-.
Sophia DuRose | Penn’s campus is my new home
Even though there are massive problems in the world right now, small ones still hurt. And if anything good could come out of any of this, it should be a greater sense of urgency to be empathetic and kind.
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.
Editorial | Penn should drop its standardized test requirement for next year’s applicants
Given the significant disruptions that high school students are facing, Penn Admissions should not require any standardized test scores for applicants in the coming academic year.
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.
Bridget Yu | Let’s talk about rape culture
In light of the fact that 25.9% of undergraduate women at Penn reported having experienced non-consensual sexual contact sometime in college, it is crucial that we address the many misconceptions surrounding sexual assault on college campuses.
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.
Varun Saraswathula | The Existential Crisis of Your College Decision
Choosing where you want to spend the next four years of your life is really stressful, namely because of how consequential that decision is. Your decision to come to Penn represents the first of many to limit the number of potential paths you can follow in life.
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.
Editorial | Summer classes give students a sense of purpose. Penn should cut their cost.
Many students are now searching for other ways to be productive and keep occupied this summer, such as enrolling in online courses for credit.
Alfredo Praticò | I Chose Penn, That Doesn’t Mean You Have To
As a first-year student at Penn, I hope to give you a bit of insight on how I made my decision to come here, and what I would have changed in that decision-making process if I could redo it.
Editorial | Professors should grade as many assignments as possible before April 29
Professors must aim to grade assignments promptly before April 29 for the pass/fail opt-in extension to have any practical meaning.
Jessica Gooding | The opt-in Pass/Fail deadline needs to be extended until after finals
We need to revamp the current opt-in pass/fail grading system to reflect our ever-evolving reality and to ensure the best possible outcomes are accessible to everyone.
Editorial | With Quaker Days canceled, here are 10 things to consider about Penn.
Many students entering the Class of 2024 will make their choice without a clear sense of what Penn is like. Here are ten points admitted students should consider before deciding whether to join us.