SEIELSTAD | The Danger of “Live and Let Live”

HARNEY | A Chill Comes Over Cornell

Sun Columnist and second-year law student Liam Harney makes an intrinsically American argument against the Trump administration's suspension of Cornell funding. Constitutional values and legal precedent are at stake.

CHEEK | The Toxic and Elitist Culture of Pre-Professional Clubs

In her first-ever column, Zara Cheek reflects on pre-professional clubs. She argues:Rather than fostering genuine learning and mentorship, these clubs often prioritize prestige and resume padding, reinforcing success as determined by connections and status rather than intellectual curiosity or ethical leadership.

WEIRENS | Dressed to Distress: White Dress Woes

Senior columnist Aurora Weirens takes us through the grueling process of finding a graduation dress, specifically a white one. Is it truly worth it for the 15 second walk across the stage and the onslaught of awkward pictures? Weirens is here to tell us!

GUEST ROOM | Reflections on Les Misérables, Cornell University and the Trump Administration

In a Guest Column, Madeline Rose reflects on the converted connections between Les Misérables, the Trump administration and President Kotlikoff's term.

BURZLAFF | Feedback: How to Make It an Invitation, Not a Judgment

With the end of the semester approaching, Professor and Columnist Jan Burzlaff takes a moment to reflect on the delicate balance of providing and receiving feedback.

KOH | The (Budget) Cost of Ignorance

AGRAWAL | Candor and Chlorophyll

GUEST ROOM | We See Your Silence

JASO | Be Whoever You Want. Just Don’t Be VP (for Now)

REYEN | Qualitative Study Reveals ChatGPT Up, Critical Thinking Down

GPT may seem like the busy student’s solution to managing heavy course loads, job applications, and club activities. But what writing skills will we have left if the tool becomes the first — and final — draft? Using GPT as a crutch removes the process of forming connections and patterns while writing, minimizing the ability to learn from writing feedback and academic improvement. 

GUEST ROOM | “Little p” Politics

In a Guest Room Column, Professor Alexandra Dufresne defines "little p" politics — the emotional and interpersonal considerations that drive people’s behavior. How does this impact public policy and political decisions?

BURZLAFF | Beyond the Silent Wall: Participation Is a Process, Not a Performance

LETTER TO THE EDITOR | Faculty Call on Trustees to Oppose Political Interference in Higher Education

Over 500 Cornell faculty members signed an open letter to the Board of Trustees urging the University to defend academic freedom amid growing political attacks on higher education. Released on the National Day of Action for Higher Education, the letter calls for legal resistance, public condemnation, and collective action across institutions.

SEIELSTAD | A Degree in Decline: The Hidden Costs of Cornell's Changes

Columnist Pilar Seielstad chose CALS for its unique blend: Ivy League rigor coupled with the practicality of a land-grant institution. However, Cornell's recent push for self-sufficiency within CALS has her questioning whether University decisions are inadvertently diminishing the value of its degrees by fostering academic silos, limiting interdisciplinary exposure and obscuring student achievement.

BURZLAFF | The Tip Jar (1)

How do you empathize with someone you can’t understand? In his first The Tip Jar series, Professor and Opinion Columnist Jan Burzlaff explores the need for understanding and community in a time of societal division.

SCHECHTER | Harvard Took the Bullet: Let’s Follow

How does higher education overcome paralysis? With a first mover: a respected individual who takes that gutsy first step and absorbs the uncertainty of action. Maybe the risks aren’t as bad as everyone’s making them out to be, but they'll never know until someone acts. Once that dam breaks, momentum can build.