Opinion Staff

Tomas Hinckley

Opinion Editor

Tomas Hinckley is the Opinion Editor. His column "Talking With No Mouth" focuses on political and cultural critique of the United States and UConn context.

Mark Carney says the liberal world order is dead, so what’s next?

Opinion Tomas Hinckley - January 30, 2026

Last week, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney shook the world with his speech at the 56th World Economic Forum.

No, the R-word should NOT be making a comeback

Opinion Tomas Hinckley - December 5, 2025

Everyone knows at this point that the United States is currently undergoing a very harsh and very fast cultural regression. What has been pejoratively described as the moral “excesses” of 2020 liberal politics, has now given way to a period of incredible social conservatism across the board.

On embarrassing boyfriends, social media and the panopticon

Opinion Tomas Hinckley - November 14, 2025

On Oct. 25, British Vogue published an essay by Chanté Joseph titled “Is Having a Boyfriend Embarrassing Now?”

Patrick Minnerly

Associate Opinion Editor

Patrick Minnerly is a sophmore from Torrington, CT majoring in political science. He writes the column "Patrick's Politics," which focuses primarily on national topics of interest, as well as local and international issues.

Patrick’s Politics: How Trump has made planning for storms worse

Opinion Patrick Minnerly - January 29, 2026

If you were anywhere in New England or indeed much of America this past weekend, you were probably walloped by a massive snowfall thanks to Winter Storm Fern – or Benjamin, if you go by the local news. Every town, Storrs included, was surely wondering how much snow they would get and when they would get it. This crucial part of the weather season, however right the predictions ended up being, has been deeply impacted by the Donald Trump administration’s massive cuts to weather services. On top of that, Trump seems bent on making sure we’re not prepared for the next storms, as he’s attempting to slash climate research resources.

Patrick’s Politics: Renee Good’s murder and the spread of ICE terror

Opinion Patrick Minnerly - January 22, 2026

On Jan. 7, 2026, the world watched as a woman was murdered in broad daylight. As more videos came out and more angles were analyzed, the details became clear: an agent from Immigration and Customs Enforcement shot the woman, Renee Good, three times as she was trying to drive away. After she suffered mortal injuries and crashed into a pole, the agent simply walked away from the scene.

Patrick’s Politics: Pay attention to Trump’s anti-immigrant hatred

Opinion Patrick Minnerly - December 4, 2025

There is a tumor growing from the White House. It is seeping and spreading out of every pore in Washington, D.C., wrapping itself around the workings of government.

Isaac Grad

Staff Writer

Isaac Grad is a senior majoring in English and Psychology. His writing focuses primarily on movie related topics.

You can learn another language (and you should)

Opinion Isaac Grad - February 2, 2026

Many, if not most, have toyed with the idea of learning another language.

‘Marty Supreme’ and The Lie of The American Dream

Opinion Isaac Grad - January 26, 2026

The 2025 film “Marty Supreme,” starring Timothée Chalamet as Marty Mauser, has garnered a lot of interest over the past few weeks.

Depression in Media: It’s not just being sad

Opinion Isaac Grad - November 17, 2025

Many films and series have included characters with depression. In an attempt to portray an illness that millions suffer from. However, like most things, depression is oftentimes inaccurately represented, or done so in a simplified, often surface-level and stereotypical fashion, leaving it less-than-relatable to those with a different presentation of the disorder.

Tamara Segal

Staff Writer

Tamara Segal is a sophomore from Stamford, CT studying Environmental Engineering and English. Her writing centers on environmental, cultural, and political issues.

What happens when the EPA crumbles?

Opinion Tamara Segal - January 27, 2026

Have you ever seen a tree on a slope? The soil beneath it slowly creeps downhill, and the tree's trunk curves at the base as it grows upward, leaving an awkward spine formed from instability. Much the same is the current state of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), being bent out of shape as the Trump Administration swipes the rug out from beneath it.

EPA, Don’t Get Bogged Down: Why wetlands deserve federal protection

Opinion Tamara Segal - January 20, 2026

In 1972, Congress passed the Clean Water Act, which serves as the country’s main safeguard against water pollution. It grants the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) regulatory authority over what it defines as “Waters of the United States” (WOTUS). In many ways, this law has drastically restored our waters from years of pollution and degradation.

The U.S. must own up to its climate debt

Opinion Tamara Segal - December 2, 2025

This year, for the first time in the history of the U.N.’s annual climate conference COP, the U.S. did not send any delegates.

Colin Hamilton

Staff Writer

Colin Hamilton is a freshman from Simsbury, CT majoring in Environmental Studies and English Education. His articles primarily focus on issues surrounding environmental justice, health, and policy.

Adventure is out there. Just ask the penguin.

Opinion Colin Hamilton - February 3, 2026

What do you call a seemingly suicidal penguin? An internet meme. It seems like a bad joke, and yet, this true story is causing penguins to really have a moment in the spotlight right now. If you haven’t seen the viral video, the premise is simple. Shot in one of Werner Herzog’s acclaimed documentaries, a singular “deranged penguin” makes the bizarre and unexplained choice to depart from the rest of its colony at their nesting grounds.

We are living among unicorns

Opinion Colin Hamilton - January 27, 2026

We are living among our next generation’s unicorns. Across the world, children are increasingly growing up with tales of animals they will never meet. Not because these creatures are by any means imaginary in today’s world — rather, that they are actively disappearing, being chased away and killed because of anthropogenic causes.

Apathy, ICE and the American people

Opinion Colin Hamilton - January 21, 2026

Nearly 2500 years ago, Plato issued a warning to his students: “the price of apathy in political affairs is to be ruled by evil men.” Sadly, as we enter 2026, this quote still holds true– in part due to its predictive nature. Apathy has long been the accomplice of injustice. In moments of exhaustion, as with the Nazi party’s rise during Germany’s economic collapse following World War 1, hatred and bigotry are allowed to thrive.

Gianna Cassino

Weekly Columinst

Gianna Cassino is a sophomore from Westchester, NY majoring in Communication. Her column “Girl, Uninterrupted” examines pop culture and online trends through a critical feminist lens.

Girl, Uninterrupted: Love thy neighbor, not AI

Opinion Gianna Cassino - January 28, 2026

Recently, I went to the doctor’s office to get my blood drawn.

365 buttons and the power of saying no

Opinion Gianna Cassino - January 21, 2026

If your screen time skyrocketed over winter break (or if you’re an avid SNL fan), you may be familiar with a girl named Tamara and her 365 buttons.

The Wonderful Wizard of Ozempic: Hollywood’s emaciation epidemic

Opinion Gianna Cassino - December 3, 2025

This Thanksgiving break, at the top of my to-do list was attending opening night of “Wicked: For Good.” As a longtime fan of the show, I was eager to see the second installment of a meaningful, fanastical story displayed on the big screen.

Evelyn Pazan

Staff Writer

Evelyn Pazan is a junior from Mount Laurel, New Jersey majoring in Finance and German Studies. She currently writes a column "The Evie-dence".

“Rich” Diversity: Study abroad doesn’t have to be expensive

Opinion Evelyn Pazan - January 26, 2026

For some students, studying abroad is viewed as a must-do college checklist item and the perfect addition to their Instagram feed; but for others, seeing study abroad posts is a reminder of a financial challenge that they can’t overcome. The good news is that it doesn’t have to be this way.

The Evie-dence: Make it good. Auf Wiedersehen!

Opinion Evelyn Pazan - April 29, 2025

As I sit down to write my final column, I realize that this might be the first time that I can’t find the right words.

The Evie-dence: Celebrities are expensive. Stop giving them so much attention.

Opinion Evelyn Pazan - April 22, 2025

The recent past has been full of economic uncertainty and financial stress.

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