Penn in the News

Paul Robinson of the Law School pens an op-ed about President Obama’s use of presidential clemency to change federal sentencing policy concerning nonviolent drug offenses.

Scott Barry Kaufman of the School of Arts & Sciences is highlighted for his work on how human intelligence is measured.

David Casarett of the Perelman School of Medicine is interviewed about the use of medical marijuana and his new book, Stoned: A Doctor’s Case for Medical Marijuana.

Mauro Guillén of the Wharton School blogs about a French and German confrontation over the rules that govern European unity.

The American Psychological Association gave psychologists involved in the often-brutal interrogation of detainees at Guantánamo Bay and elsewhere a free pass. The association tweaked its ethics code for the convenience of the U.S. military. For years it failed to investigate serious complaints of unethical conduct — and when it did investigate, its efforts were laughable. Officials seemed more interested in currying favor with the government than living up to the "high standards of ethics" the APA proclaims as integral to its mission.

In 1979, the British rock band Pink Floyd released their trademark hit recording, “Another Brick in the Wall,” and left generations singing its famous line: “We don’t need no education!” While there are innumerable arguments that could be made against that claim, a new study just found another persuasive one: Education may add years to the human lifespan. Researchers at the University of Colorado, Denver, New York University, and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill found that people with higher levels of education live longer.

Congress is unlikely to provide new funding for the 30 year old Perkins Loan program for those with “exceptional financial need.” In the total scheme of federal assistance for higher education, the Perkins Loan program is small stuff–about $1.2 billion in new Perkins loans were made for the 2013-14 school year, a fraction of the $100 billion in new loans Uncle Sam extended.

Benjamin Abella of the Perelman School of Medicine writes an opinion piece about the importance of high school students learning how to administer CPR.

Annenberg Public Policy Center’s FactCheck.org is highlighted for its work, especially during campaign seasons.

Anne Norris of the Perelman School of Medicine talks about treating a patient with Lyme disease.