COMMENTARY
Hateful comments hurt GOP reputation
If ignorance was a crime, Republican National Committeeman Dave Agema would be found guilty on all charges.
COMMENTARY
Trust a virgin: waiting ‘til you’re ready won’t kill you
When I was 7, I expected to get my graduation cap and gown around the same time I’d get a ring on my finger. I’m not sure where this timeline came from, but as I grew older, I began to realize how silly it was. If I ever get married, it’ll happen when I meet a person I’d be comfortable spending the rest of my life with. Most of my peers agree with me.
COMMENTARY
Progressive Pope will help Catholic Church
In his first weeks as pontiff, Pope Francis has made it perfectly clear he isn’t afraid to break from routine.
COMMENTARY
Marriage equality for new generation
On March 26, anyone active on social media witnessed or participated in the red equal-sign takeover. That day, the U.S. Supreme Court entertained arguments concerning gay marriage for the first time, in the case that challenged California’s Proposition 8 — Hollingsworth v. Perry — and the federal Defense of Marriage Act — U.S. v. Windsor.
COMMENTARY
Love can make people change
For the better part of this week, it was hard to visit any social media site without being reminded of the arguments being heard by the Supreme Court.
COMMENTARY
Save madness for basketball court
Many of us know exactly where we’ll be tonight at 9:45. For the 11th time in Tom Izzo’s tenure, MSU will battle in the Sweet 16 — taking on Duke in a matchup that is as much anticipated nationally as it is locally
COMMENTARY
Wear that Nirvana T-shirt to the party tonight
Everyone is familiar with coincidences. When these all-too-perfect coincidences occur, most people think nothing of them and move along with a dismissing shrug — which is the completely sane and practical thing to do.
COMMENTARY
Eight things I hate about you
We all have things that bother us about the opposite sex. From the clothes they wear to the things they say, sometimes guys and girls just don’t see eye to eye. Here are the top eight things opinion writer Greg Olsen and opinion editor Katie Harrington can’t stand about the opposite sex.
COMMENTARY
Colleges must be pioneers of human rights
What characteristics do you need to be recognized as the gender you identify with? Is it strictly an issue of biology or something that depends more on what gender the individual considers himself or herself to be?
COMMENTARY
Sometimes you just have to be there
I sat one night recently watching numerous commercials that asked me to send donations to every conceivable part of the known universe. _Craig Gunn is a guest columnist at The State News and an academic specialist in the Department of Mechanical Engineering.
COMMENTARY
Healthy eating habits must begin on campus
In 1990, not one U.S. state had an adult obesity rate above 15 percent. In 2011, more than 12 states had obesity rates above 30 percent, Michigan being in that category. There are studies that project more than half of America will be obese by 2030.
COMMENTARY
Rising tuition could be fault of tenured staff
According to a report released last week by Education Sector and the American Council of Trustees and Alumni, a decline in the teaching loads of tenured faculty members could play a role in driving up tuition costs.
COMMENTARY
Reaction troubling in Ohio rape case
Controversial court cases often generate severe public reactions, which jolt the way the original problem is handled and remembered.
COMMENTARY
Impact of legal pot remains debateable
The legalization of marijuana generally has been an issue of morality and social acceptance above all else, and because of that, the debate never has particularly interested me.
COMMENTARY
15 things you won’t miss about MSU
It’s a true college tragedy. It’s 3 p.m. Thursday, and you and your friends decide to start your weekend off early. So you head down to the The Riv to share a few pitchers at ‘Rama. Only one problem: it’s 10 degrees, snowing and the line is wrapped halfway around the building.
COMMENTARY
Media industry needs new approach to piracy
Depending on who you ask, online piracy might appear a clear-cut issue.
COMMENTARY
Make Energy Transition Plan priority
Dear President Simon, As you may know, I have been trying to schedule a meeting with you to propose changes in the Energy Transition Plan. I was let down when I was told I should speak with Vice President Bill Beekman instead.
COMMENTARY
Retaining graduates key priority for state
According to a 2010 poll, Michigan ranked fifth in the nation for the total number of degrees and certificates awarded, and fourth for the total number of degrees and certificates in critical skill areas such as medicine, engineering and math.
COMMENTARY
All experiences open doors to future endeavors
In life, there seem to be a lot of things that are simple and easy to understand, but not plainly obvious. You know, those times when the answer in plain sight finally appears on our radar resulting in the classic “Aha” moment. One of those moments happened to me last Monday evening.
COMMENTARY
‘Competency’ student aid not without flaws
On Tuesday, the U.S. Department of Education sent a letter to colleges across the country permitting federal aid to be provided to students enrolled in “competency-based” programs. These programs include tests, portfolios, clinical observations and other assessments of current and prior knowledge.