Opinion
David Koff | Why Penn should allow all voices, even voices of hate
Former columnist David Koff shares a story from his undergraduate experience in the 1990s, when a controversial speaker accused of antisemitism was allowed to speak on Penn’s campus.
Vincent Kelley and George Borg | COVID-19 vaccine mandates and a liberal education
Guest Columnists Vincent Kelley and George Borg argue that Penn's COVID-19 vaccine mandates created an environment of fear and coercion on campus.
Allison Santa-Cruz | Social media is no place for real political discourse
Columnist Allison Santa-Cruz asserts that social media, while potentially a platform for discussing global issues, often fosters dehumanization, polarization, and misinformation. She advocates instead for more meaningful face-to-face interactions and a balanced approach to activism.
Sydney Freedman | What I heard in my five hours at the Walkout for Palestine
Guest Columnist Sydney Freedman recounts her experience as a Jewish student at the Walkout for Palestine to add perspective on how a demonstration of solidarity and support turned into a breeding ground for hate.
Reflections on the ongoing violence between Israel and Hamas
Members of the Penn community share out their thoughts and perspectives on the ongoing violence between Israel and Hamas, Penn's response to the conflict, and its impact on campus life and discourse.
Steven Weitzman | Moving beyond public statements
Guest Columnist Steven Weitzman, offering his perspective as a professor of Jewish Studies, calls on the Penn community to address long term institutional weaknesses in light of the Israel-Palestine conflict.
Sose Hovannisian | How I got Penn to listen to me, and my mother tongue
Columnist Sose Hovannisian describes the process of petitioning for a new language course with a persuadable and willing Penn.
Faresi Alfaresi | Penn must not succumb to post-9/11 hysterics and anti-Arab rhetoric
Guest Columnist Faresi Alfaresi asserts that while Magill’s statement emphasizes much-needed and long-overdue solidarity with the Jewish community, the Arab and Muslim communities continue to suffer in the shadow the University has always cast onto them.
Jack Lakis | The path to a prestigious education
Columnist Jack Lakis explores the implications of how a small number of high schools dominate American educational opportunities.
Scott Bok | Setting the record straight
Guest columnist and Chair of Penn’s Board of Trustees Scott Bok responds to the recent letter from Marc Rowan, calling on the Penn community to work together and move forward in difficult times.
Zara Tena | The urgent need for younger voices in politics
Columnist Zara Tena explores the need for elderly leaders to step down, and allow a new generation of politicians to step in.
Eyal Yakoby | Speaking louder than before: Penn's second chance to reject antisemitism
Guest Columnist Eyal Yakoby calls on Penn to speak up and reject antisemitism in the wake of recent attacks from Hamas on Israel, redeeming itself following the Palestine Writes Literature Festival.
Akiva Berkowitz | Israel under attack: What do you stand for?
Columnist Akiva Berkowitz addresses the recent terrorist attacks by Hamas on Israel, explains why we all should rally behind Israel, and considers how students can try to make a difference.
Izzy Feinfeld | Penn needs to end applications for clubs
Columnist Izzy Feinfeld calls on clubs at Penn to have a more open application process and prioritize building community.
Sangitha Aiyer | Philadelphia's public school libraries are severely underfunded. Penn can help.
Columnist Sangitha Aiyer calls for Penn to assist in combating the chronic underfunding of Philadelphia’s public school libraries.
Gladys Smith | Penn Admissions’ relationship with Philly applicants
Columnist Gladys Smith discusses whether Penn is truly giving back to the greater Philadelphia area through its current distribution of attention amongst local high schools.
Akiva Berkowitz | Penn 101: One class to unite them all
Columnist Akiva Berkowitz calls for a "Penn 101" introductory course to foster class-wide unity.
Clever Earth | Inside the pressure cooker mind of a pre-med: The case for mandatory health sessions
Columnist Clever Earth proposes the implementation of mandatory mental health sessions to address the detrimental impact of Penn’s pre-med culture on student wellbeing.
Lexi Boccuzzi | The modern dating game: High stakes, low emotional risk
Columnist Lexi Boccuzzi advocates for lowering the stakes of dating in order to create stronger, more meaningful connections.