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.

The title by which it’s known, the set of words that would follow all my writing thereafter, the pressure to choose something “good” was immeasurable; something that could follow the column as it lives, grows and changes over the years. I was having the veritable crisis of a first-time father. The answer I chose — the title of this piece — is what I reflect on now, for its last official edition.

On brainrot and the Gen Z will to reclaim

Opinion Tomas Hinckley - April 17, 2026

“In all honesty, my biggest concern and secret in the last two years that I’ve been out of school is that my brain has slowly been melting away,”

Where did all the campus protests go?

Opinion Tomas Hinckley - April 3, 2026

In the past week, two articles have been published, from The Atlantic and The New Yorker respectively, with both asking the same question:

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: 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.

Isaac Grad

Staff Writer

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

‘House M.D.’ and unconventional love

Opinion Isaac Grad - May 1, 2026

The love between Dr. Gregory House and Dr. James Wilson is one of the strongest pulls to the series “House M.D.”

‘Hannibal’ deserves a fourth season

Opinion Isaac Grad - April 27, 2026

NBC’s “Hannibal” series ran for three seasons, beginning in 2013 and ending in 2016.

Hannibal is gay representation done right

Opinion Isaac Grad - April 14, 2026

The NBC series “Hannibal” is renowned as queer art. This is predominantly due to the final (for now) season, which made explicit what many fans had already picked up on in the prior two seasons: the romantic relationship between Hannibal and Will. In its broadest sense, the relationship is unethical (Hannibal is Will’s therapist).

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.

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.

‘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.

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.

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.

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".

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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