COMMENTARY

3-year college plan misses point

I rush from class to office hours, then to my counselor, back to class and to work. I don’t sleep for 40 hours in an attempt to get caught up from that one night I spent talking about religion, politics and the English army instead of doing my Mandarin Chinese. I bike in the pouring rain, the cluttered leaves, the freezing temperatures. And I keep getting lost on the Capital Area Transportation Authority buses.

COMMENTARY

Affirmative action ban court challenge misguided

Since the passage of Proposition 2 in 2006, public universities in Michigan have been prohibited from using race as a factor in admissions, meaning all affirmative action in the state effectively has been banned.

COMMENTARY

Word on the street

Compiled by Emily Wilkins

November 18, 2009

Should MSU have a fall break?

COMMENTARY

Columnist rages against catcalls

I once accidentally flicked off a priest because I thought he was one of you. Anytime my daily run is interrupted by an obnoxious car horn, I immediately jump to conclusions, and the end result is the high-flying, rage-filled, stride quickening and obscene hand gesture that is provenly effective at assuring either one of two things.

COMMENTARY

Pittsburgh's proposal to tax tuition idiotic

In a free market society, nothing is free. And when a government needs money to provide its citizens with services, it taxes them. Oftentimes, the wealthier in a society are taxed more than those with less wealth.

COMMENTARY

MSU College democrats call for student action on Promise

In order to save Michigan’s future, we need all hands on deck.

COMMENTARY

Catholic values can exist in politics

From an early age, we’re taught the value of compromise. Whether it’s learning to share in kindergarten, conflict resolution in elementary school or mastering the give-and-take relationship in marriages, society expects us all to come to a compromise on a number of issues.

COMMENTARY

Faculty, students would benefit from fall break

It’s an old rivalry. We have a facility for rare isotope beams, they have a library nicknamed “the Ugly.” We have a majestic 9-foot tall statue of Sparty, and they have some pavement tile you can’t step on or you’ll fail your first blue book.

COMMENTARY

World must come together on climate change

Remember in high school when everyone came together to plan the senior prank? Something so mind-blowing the school would remember it for years to come? Everyone was excited for it, but when the time came, no one took charge. Nothing happened. And time ran out.

COMMENTARY

Year's end brings boring future

Where’s my flying car? I know, I saw that flying car on BBC’s “Top Gear” as well, but that’s not what I meant. That car was stripped down and had nothing in it.

COMMENTARY

Diversions more than distraction

Have you paused for a moment while you are changing channels to dwell on any one of a thousand self-help paid commercial programs or segments from public television where a guru of some sort or other leads you through five or 10 or 20 steps to better this, that or another?

COMMENTARY

Medill students' findings, not motives, important

Technically, you do not need a degree in journalism to be a journalist. Student journalists across the country are doing quality work and should be treated the same as their professional colleagues. But, lately, that hasn’t been the case.

COMMENTARY

Religion should not be taboo

Don’t chew with your mouth open. Keep your elbows off the table. And whatever you do upon first meeting someone, do not talk about religion.

COMMENTARY

Stem cell restrictions don't violate voters' will

One year ago, Michigan voters passed Proposal 2, which allowed for an expansion of stem cell research and potentially millions of dollars in private investments and federal funding to be poured into the state.

COMMENTARY

Despite troubles, U.S. still great

Results of a recent international poll state the United States is the nation where most would like to move. The results might be surprising, especially considering current circumstances.

COMMENTARY

Dorm promotion must account for students' needs

Anyone who has eaten in one of MSU’s many cafeterias has probably noticed that, placed in the center of each table is a table-topper, which, for the past several weeks, has been running ads encouraging students to live on campus next year.

COMMENTARY

Olin official responds to editorial board claims

It was disappointing to read the State News editorial Olin should give doctor’s note to sick students.

COMMENTARY

Experiences to be had across U.S.

As my May graduation date looms ever closer, I can’t help but think about more than a few regrets about my college experience so far. Sure, I wish I had studied more for a few tests, enrolled in — and dropped — another class or two, and pursued closer relationships with a few of my favorite professors.

COMMENTARY

Students deserve to know cost of ASMSU retreat

Please believe us: We actually don’t enjoy calling out ASMSU. As MSU’s undergraduate student government, ASMSU serves an important function on campus. However, as long as the group continues to make major missteps, we would be failing in our purpose if we did not draw attention to it.

COMMENTARY

Word on the street

Compiled by Emily Wilkins

November 9, 2009

Given the current flu situation, should MSU be more lenient with its attendance policy?