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Opinion


Opinion

Rules can't bully students into behaving

INSOMNIA stalked my bed, so I turned on the radio to break up the monotony of sheep-counting. 3WV was playing my favorite Pink Floyd song: "We don't need no education, we don't need no thought control ... Teachers, leave those kids alone!" Of course, the members of Pink Floyd went to British schools in the 1950s, when emotional abuse of the students was considered acceptable, even character-building.


Opinion

Language classes fuel future fluency

THE Tongue-Tied American by Paul Simon reports the following exchange. "A Georgia school board member asked Genelle Moran of the University of Georgia, "Why should a student who will never leave Macon, Georgia, study a foreign language?" Moran's reply: "That's why he should study a foreign language." I read the April 13 lead editorial, "Scrap language requirement" and cringed with embarrassment as I imagined how it would sound to international students, teaching assistants, professors - anyone, for that matter, using English every day as a second language.


Opinion

Actualizing goals for activism

DURING the Easter season, it is common for one to reflect personally upon the true meaning of one's religious faith, particularly if one is a Christian (full disclosure: I am one). For those who prefer to look at the holidays in a non-theological light, two Grounds-related issues that have garnered attention in the past few days might have an additional relevance, if considered in light of the political and social lessons of Easter.


Opinion

No joy in following 'not gay' tradition

STUPID traditions usually have stupid beginnings. The University does not have a shortage of similar meaningless traditions, but the fact that they've earned the title of being "traditions" doesn't make them any less stupid. All University traditions have an endearing little anecdotal beginning that is passed through generations and ingrained in the students' way of life.


Opinion

Charity, alcohol mix on the rocks

THE UNOFFICIAL motto of the University is "work hard, play hard." Although not all students drink, and certainly not all students drink excessively, it is no surprise that "play hard" has translated into the drinking culture that pervades much of the University.


Opinion

Or closing doors to first year choice?

NOT MANY people fully understand the implica-tions of the First Year Housing Proposal. As a Student Council representative, I was first introduced to it last semester as SR01-7, "A resolution supporting the ad-hoc enrollment committee proposal." It seemed like a relatively amicable idea, but then I thought on it a little more, talked to other students, and now I realize that it has far greater social ramifications.


Opinion

Bush's repeated reversals cause confusion

PRESIDENT George W. Bush, the man who brought you the words "Hispanically" and "misunderestimated," has eliminated the AIDS and race relations offices of the White House, and is getting rid of mandatory testing for salmonella in school lunch meat.


Opinion

Tanning pasty skin proves too costly

SELF-HATING white people. You don't often hear about them, but they're out there. Forums like Reflections on Complexions tend to focus on the concerns of minorities, with the implicit understanding that white people are already taken care of.


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Latest Podcast

The University’s Orientation and Transition programs are vital to supporting first year and transfer students throughout their entire transition to college. But much of their work goes into planning summer orientation sessions. Funlola Fagbohun, associate director of the first year experience, describes her experience working with OTP and how she strives to create a welcoming environment for first-years during orientation and beyond. Along with her role as associate director, summer Orientation leaders and OTP staff work continually to provide a safe and memorable experience for incoming students.