Penn in the News

Seven years ago, Ronke A. Oke felt as if she no longer belonged in philosophy. For Ms. Oke, earning a master’s degree at the University of Memphis had been difficult, and she considered quitting the discipline and not going for her Ph.D. Her experience at Memphis stood in stark contrast to her undergraduate years at Spelman College, a historically black institution. At Spelman, Ms. Oke, who is black, could imagine herself as a philosopher. Most of her professors were black women. She was not yet aware of philosophy’s reputation as an old boys’ club.

Researchers are calling on the federal government to begin collecting information about LGBT students’ experiences at the nation’s schools, arguing that such data collection is necessary to protect against disproportionate rates of suspension and expulsion. “When we fail to ask questions about youths’ sexual orientation and gender identity, we fail to understand, support, and protect all students from discrimination in schools,” wrote a group of researchers in a brief paper published Sunday by Indiana University’s Equity Project.

Kathleen Hall Jamieson of the Annenberg Public Policy Center comments on the marketing strategies of the National Rifle Association.

When the idea of starting an honors college at Western Carolina University first came up, in the mid-1990s, it seemed like a big leap to many people on the regional public campus. Maybe too big a leap, given the university’s role in the state of expanding average citizens’ access to higher education. But to John W. Bardo, the chancellor at the time, the idea held too much promise to pass up.

David Casarett of the Perelman School of Medicine writes about why families shy away from photographing their dying relatives.

Angela Duckworth of the School of Arts & Sciences shares her opinion on how “grit” should not be tested and graded in schools.

Graduate student Luke Messac of the School of Arts & Sciences writes about patients in poor countries who do not have access to opioid pain medication.

Glen Gaulton of the Perelman School of Medicine is quoted about directing Penn’s Center for Global Health.

Its first appearance at the NCAA men’s basketball tournament in more than 50 years wasn’t a good moment for Yale University’s team to be without its captain. But he wasn’t there. Jack Montague was expelled last month after being accused of sexual assault. His expulsion highlights questions about how colleges handle such allegations against athletes and whether the process is impartial. Yale hasn’t disclosed exactly what the former captain was accused of or found responsible for.

Howard Kunreuther of the Wharton School shares his insights on understanding insurance policies.