Opinion

TOBIN | The Tobin Times

By Lali Tobin · Monday, Nov. 24, 2025

Opinion Columnist Lali Tobin opens up her column, The Tobin Times, which chronicles her experiences in very different environments, from the vibrant politics of New York City to the quiet determination in Georgia, and then to the thoughtful atmosphere at Cornell. With this column, I want to help my generation see the personal side of politics, turning disinterest into engagement and discussion. By sharing genuine stories with openness, humor and compassion, The Tobin Times aims to remind readers that politics is fundamentally about people.

KHEDER | You Can Use AI Better

By Zak Kheder · Monday, Nov. 24, 2025

SELL | I Want To Ride My Bicycle, I Want To Ride It Where I Like

By Wyatt Sell · Monday, Nov. 24, 2025

BELMONTE | The Scariest Thing This Halloween Was Socialism

By Adrian Belmonte · Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2025

Committee on the Future of the American University | The Crisis of Trust

By Committee on the Future of the American University · Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2025

Committee on the Future of the American University writes that the crisis of trust facing higher education reflects a broader nationwide decline in confidence across American institutions and demands renewed effort to rebuild the foundations of trust that sustain both universities and society.

STITH | Cornell and Trumps' Holy Matrimony

By Yihun Stith · Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2025

Senior Opinion Columnist Yihun Stith '26 argues that Cornell’s agreement with the Trump administration on paper doesn’t accurately depict Cornell’s relationship with the government. From secretive subpoenas to Cornell’s witch hunt of Cheyfitz, Stith contends that our academic freedom and free speech are being trampled by Cornell to appease Trump.

PHAM | The First Domino Has Fallen

By Ella Pham · Monday, Nov. 17, 2025

Opinion Columnist Ella Pham ‘29 analyzes the long-term effects of Trump’s executive orders on law firms, observing how it has shaped the legal landscape today and may continue shaping the landscape of tomorrow.

PETROVA | The Red Sun Rises: How Democratic Socialism Swept the Vote

By Mina Petrova · Friday, Nov. 14, 2025

Opinion Columnist Mina Petrova ’29 reflects on how sweeping DSA victories nationwide mark a rare and urgent opening for transformative politics.

KASSAM | Struggle, Responsibility and Meaning

By Karim-Aly Kassam · Friday, Nov. 14, 2025

Prof. Kassam puts campus concerns for students' mental health in the context of an interpersonal struggle for meaning.

JASO | New Luddites

By Francis X. Jaso · Thursday, Nov. 13, 2025

Columnist Francis Jaso ’28 condemns AI’s plight on mind and man. Within the context of Luddism, he maps a historical legacy of adverse reactions to innovation and suggests Cornellians’ complacency to a brutally technological reality is careless, if not cause for rejecting the machine itself.

GUEST ROOM | AAUP Executive Committee on the Draft Recommendations of the Presidential Task Force on Institutional Voice

By Opinion Department · Thursday, Nov. 13, 2025

A guest column from the Cornell Chapter of the American Association of University Professors addresses concerns for academic speech found in recent draft recommendations by the Presidential Task Force on Institutional Voice.

CARUSO | That's Not How That Works

By Paul Caruso · Thursday, Nov. 13, 2025

Senior Opinion Columnist Paul Caruso MPA '27 responds to Henry Schechter’s claims on negotiation, lobbying and policy formation. He addresses further the University’s recent deal with the Trump Administration.

TODDINGS | Views from Sky

By Skylar Toddings · Thursday, Nov. 13, 2025

Opinion Columnist Skylar Toddings '29 introduces her new fortnightly column, Views from Sky. Her column offers a "cloud-like haven amidst the tempest of opinion."

GUEST ROOM | AAUP Statement on the Trump-Cornell Deal

By Opinion Department · Thursday, Nov. 13, 2025

The Cornell Chapter of the American Association of University Professors writes to address harmful provisions in the University's deal with the Trump administration.

GALPERIN | It's All Connected

By Ezra Galperin · Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2025

Opinion Columnist Ezra Galperin ‘27 writes about the far left’s tendency to connect many perceived injustices to the war in Gaza, arguing that the only real connection is in the oppression that the far left supports and perpetrates.

CLIFFORD | Some Like It Hot — Gen Z Likes It Incarcerated

By Elise Clifford · Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2025

Opinion Columnist Elise Clifford ’29 impeaches Gen Z’s infatuation with “criminal chic,” arguing that it mirrors not only aesthetic values but a deeper veneration of victimhood — a moral currency now weaponized in American populist politics. She links viral mugshots to Christian notions of virtue, all the while wondering what might have been had she met Luigi Mangione before his alleged crime.

FOSTER | "Any Person, Any Study" — If You Can Keep It

By Opinion Department · Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2025

In our guest room, Professor of Computer Science Nate Foster reflects on Cornell’s recent settlement with the Trump administration — a deal he argues trades principle for expedience.

GUEST ROOM | From Bikes to Buses: How to Sustainably Navigate Campus this Fall

By Opinion Department · Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2025

Assistant Director of Transportation Reed Huegerich offers several options for commuting sustainably around campus.

VINK ⎸ One Day Longer

By Adriana Vink · Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2025

Opinion Columnist Adriana Vink introduces her column One Day Longer, sharing her experiences in political organizing in New York City and at Cornell and arguing for us all to take inspiration from the legacies of labor and student movements.

TOBIN | TikTok Democracy: How Influencers Are Shaping Cornell’s First-Time Voters

By Lali Tobin · Monday, Nov. 10, 2025

Opinion Columnist Lali Tobin MPA ‘27 argues that social media personas are playing an important role in communicating political messages to first-time student voters. They simplify complex topics into relatable content, however this brings the risk of spreading oversimplified views and misinformation. Her article looks at how this trend is influencing civic engagement within Cornell University.