Opinion Staff

Patrick Minnerly

Opinion Editor

Patrick is a junior from Torrington, CT majoring in political science and english at the University of Connecticut. He writes the weekly column Patrick's Politics. Outside of the DC, he is a member of the theater group Dramatic PAWS and plays tuba in the UConn Marching Band!

Patrick’s Politics: Concerned about gun violence? Have a ballroom instead

Opinion Patrick Minnerly - April 30, 2026

The U.S. has many items high on the national security list – everything from combatting China to claiming Iran is making nuclear weapons. But can you guess what tops that ranking for the Republican Party? A $400 million ballroom for the use of Donald Trump.

Patrick’s Politics: The sexual misconduct “norm” in government

Opinion Patrick Minnerly - April 16, 2026

Two congressmembers, Eric Swalwell (D-CA) and Tony Gonzales (R-TX), resigned from the House of Representatives on Tuesday following allegations of sexual misconduct. Both had been facing calls to leave or be expelled. The cases are certainly somewhat different; Gonzales was accused of having an inappropriate relationship with a staffer who later committed suicide, and Swalwell reportedly committed sexual assault and rape against several women.

Patrick’s Politics: Christian fanaticism and the unholy war in Iran

Opinion Patrick Minnerly - April 2, 2026

On March 25, within the walls of the Pentagon, U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth held a prayer session. His preaching included a chilling encouragement of U.S. troops to commit “overwhelming violence of action against those who deserve no mercy.” These words took place in the context of America’s war against Iran, which has dragged on for weeks with no clear end in sight.

Gianna Cassino

Associate Opinion Editor

Gianna is a junior from Westchester, NY majoring in english and communication. Her column "Girl, Uninterrupted" examines pop culture through a critical feminist lens. Outside of writing, she enjoys theater and listening to music.

On Gen Z’s fame addiction and the digital panopticon

Opinion Gianna Cassino - April 29, 2026

As a kid, I wanted nothing more than to be famous.

Meet Coachella’s Headliners: Influencers and brands

Opinion Gianna Cassino - April 15, 2026

“This was Coachella, 2016. It was the vibe at the time”. — Kendall Jenner for Vogue, 2023. Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, arguably the country’s most culturally relevant music festival, is currently celebrating its 25th anniversary. Over the past 25 years, public perception of Coachella has come a long way from its humble origins as a protest against rising concert ticket prices.

Women in GLAM: Academia’s unsung heroes

Opinion Gianna Cassino - April 8, 2026

Over the past year, I’ve developed a love of wandering museums. Art, natural history, you name it and I’m there with my camera. Despite my penchant for gaping at displays, I (like many other museum-goers) paid little mind to one key aspect: the curators. I spend a lot of time in libraries and museums but rarely take a minute to appreciate those that collected, organized and displayed their materials for public consumption.

Colin Hamilton

Weekly Columinst

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.

‘I want you’ for the US service industry

Opinion Colin Hamilton - April 29, 2026

My first job was as a host at Chili’s. More specifically, I found employment at one of the chain’s many strip mall locations, found between a froyo shop and a trampoline park.

To save the planet, all we need is…love?

Opinion Colin Hamilton - April 22, 2026

I was introduced to Edward Abbey in high school by my then-English teacher, who had the peculiar habit of inserting entire paragraphs of Abbey’s works into his emails. Juxtaposed against my teacher’s notoriously short messages, the effect was often humorous — no more so because of Abbey’s fierce reputation.

Students, stop UConn’s proposed golf facility

Opinion Colin Hamilton - April 15, 2026

We count ourselves lucky to spend our college lives at UConn. Life treats us well — we are given the remarkable chance to pursue both ample opportunities in recreation and academia, all within the confines of the picturesque woods of Storrs, Connecticut. It is these woods, and the Fenton River tract which feeds it, that we can credit our positive experience.

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.

Engineering without the liberal arts is a broken machine

Opinion Tamara Segal - April 24, 2026

As my second year of studying engineering at the University of Connecticut comes to a close, I must admit that I have sometimes found myself wishing I had chosen a small liberal arts college instead. There is an indispensable spirit of inquiry in a liberal arts education, one that pushes us to pose the essential questions: where we’ve been, where we are and where we’re going.

Pretty Little Liars: Updated Y2K references and looming media control

Opinion Tamara Segal - March 31, 2026

The book series “Pretty Little Liars,” which inspired the TV show of the same name, has come into recent attention after readers discovered one of its lines had been mysteriously changed in the e-book version. Instead of a reference to the show “Fear Factor,” the line now reads, “You guys want to come over and watch this cool TikTok I found?”

‘Good Enough’ Is Even Better: Why gen-eds should be pass/fail

Opinion Tamara Segal - March 25, 2026

This week marks the beginning of course selection for the upcoming semester, and with it comes the (often begrudging) search for a gen-ed class to fill out your schedule.

Alex Renzulli

Staff Writer

The Opinion section's newest Staff Writer!

Call your friends more often

Opinion Alex Renzulli - April 6, 2026

I call Noah just about every day. He’s my best friend, so of course I am going to give him a ring whenever I can.

You Should Find A New Study Spot: It’s time to get creative

Opinion Alex Renzulli - March 2, 2026

With the unrelenting snow that has blanketed Storrs, Conn. this second semester, the walls of my dorm room and Homer Babbidge Library may just be able to know my entire life story.

Apricate: The key to solving the winter blues is self-confidence

Opinion Alex Renzulli - February 16, 2026

As a former professional angsty teenage boy, I know how low one's mental health can get during the dreaded winter months.

Victoria Hancock

Staff Writer

The Opinion section's newest Staff Writer!

UConn Dining needs to start caring for students

Opinion Victoria Hancock - March 23, 2026

UConn has a glaring problem when it comes to dining. It’s a universal experience among students to open up their phones to check the dining hall menus and find absolutely nothing they want to eat.

Anime needs to get more tasteful with its fanservice

Opinion Victoria Hancock - March 10, 2026

Gooner. Cringe. Incel bait. Anime fans and haters alike throw around these words daily to describe some of the biggest shows on the scene. These insults relate to one of the biggest controversies in anime: fanservice. Fanservice exists to provide content to fans that they might enjoy but isn’t necessary to plot or character development. While this can include small, tame details such as references to an author’s other works, it mostly pertains to sexualization of characters, existing only for viewer enjoyment.

Alysa Liu proves there is no ‘perfect aesthetic’ for women

Opinion Victoria Hancock - February 27, 2026

When it comes to the athletic world, sports that are driven towards women do not highlight strength or athleticism such as with men. Instead, they serve to emphasize the imagery and grace of women that the public eye had wanted to see. But this unlocked a world of harmful coaching practices that continue to haunt the sport.

Evelyn Pazan

Staff Writer

Returning Opinion staff writer

Less Grind, More Growth: What internships abroad get right

Opinion Evelyn Pazan - March 30, 2026

In about two months, internship season will be upon us, and University of Connecticut students will disperse around the country to their internships with one thing on their mind: securing that full-time return offer by whatever means necessary.

“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.

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Opinion Staff