Penn in the News

Peter Decherney of the School of Arts & Sciences writes about opportunities for women to direct franchise films.

Jonathan Zimmerman of the Graduate School of Education pens an article about Indigenous Peoples Day celebrations.

Vukan Vuchic of the School of Engineering and Applied Science shares his thoughts on the National Transportation Safety Board’s investigation of a commuter train accident in New Jersey.

Peter Conti-Brown of the Wharton School writes about his concerns of the impact of Donald Trump on the Federal Reserve if he is elected president.

Nick Estes, a doctoral student at the University of New Mexico, decided last spring to design a new university seal. Using Microsoft Word, he positioned an armed frontiersman and conquistador atop skulls and bones with the words, "What Indians?" printed over the image. Mr. Estes’ version is a satirical take on the real seal, which features the frontiersman and the conquistador, but in place of the bones and the dialogue is a Latin motto. In both the satirical and the official versions, a Zia Indian symbol for the roadrunner stands atop the letters UNM.

Dan Hopkins of the School of Arts & Sciences is quoted about poverty rarely being mentioned on the political campaign trail.

Two professors are suing Wheelock College, charging it with illegal discrimination against them as Jews, and a campaign of retaliation, allegedly to punish them for suggesting campus discussions about diversity be more inclusive of Jewish students. The college says it’s dedicated to inclusion and regrets the two plaintiffs declined to resolve their concerns outside court -- an assertion they challenge. A third plaintiff, a former administrator, is also suing, alleging race-based discrimination and retaliation.

Marybeth Gasman of the Graduate School of Education comments on the increased interest of black students in enrolling in historically black colleges and universities.

Since athletes and others have been taking a knee during the national anthem, the leaders of public colleges and universities have offered a variety of views on whether the protests are wise. Even so, they have defended the protests as a form of speech protected by the First Amendment and traditions of free expression in higher education. But East Carolina University is taking a different approach.

Jason Karlawish of the Perelman School of Medicine writes, “Alzheimer’s is a disease because it takes away our capacity to exercise a cherished ethic, our autonomy, the capacity to rule ourselves as each of us desires.”