Browsing: Opinion

Currently, it is mandatory for all first-year students at Baylor to live on campus, but what is the reasoning behind this? According to Baylor, it is “for first-year students to live and grow together and find their place.” However, I find that in some cases, the benefits of on-campus living do not always outweigh the drawbacks. Here are some reasons why I believe mandatory on-campus living should be reconsidered.

Whether it happens or not, I still stand by this: If our campus provides surgical procedures and health exams, there shouldn’t be an issue with providing Kleenex every once in a while.

Growing up in the boom of technology, college students have come to know the changing landscape of school and work. Whether it be the regularity of weekend exams, 11:59 p.m. deadlines or last-minute emails, the way current students interact with school is severed from the “good ol’ days” — weekends and breaks absent of homework — preached upon by elders.

Gaming culture has long been a source of misogyny and exclusion. As far as hobbies go, gaming is incredibly inclusive; it doesn’t require certain physical characteristics for success. However, women still experience backlash for participating in this male-dominated sphere.

In a world saturated with digital manipulation, it’s important for us to stay vigilant and aware of what we are seeing. When it comes to photojournalism, we must take care to ask: is what we’re seeing authentic, or is something more going on?

We have all experienced painfully awkward encounters where every word feels like a potential misstep, leaving us second-guessing our social skills. So, what is the secret to navigating these clumsy encounters with grace?

All in all, exploring new places such as the United Kingdom has opened my eyes to the beauty of cultural norms and lifestyle choices other than our own and has left me with a newfound appreciation for them. There is truly something so special about watching firsthand the ins and outs of a different culture. I wish that everyone could have this same opportunity, so that they too might learn to find beauty in a culture and lifestyle other than their own.

Even if we can’t agree that Julian Assange is a journalist, and even if we can’t agree on support for him as a person, it is imperative that we agree on the principles of the situation. Prosecuting someone whose actions align with the daily practices and goals of journalism would be an attack on the First Amendment freedom that allows the press to give the public the news it needs.

I would encourage anyone to do things that may make them a little uncomfortable because it will help them gain new experiences. However, with that being said, it is also important to do things that will actually benefit you and to know where to draw the line.

We need to remember that it is important to be able to step back from the stress and smell the roses that spring blossoms.

The problem isn’t resources. The problem is awareness and utilization of those resources. It is impossible to ignore the fact that, beyond the required video, the university is reaching an unacceptably small portion of the student population.

Every year, I anticipate watching the Oscars, getting excited to see all the speeches, outfits and well-deserved celebrations. And every year, I leave the couch feeling a little disappointed. This year was no exception.

Audiences yearn for narratives that defy genre expectations and offer thought-provoking insights into what is relevant in the current day.

Playing the comparison game seems inevitable, and it probably is. However, it’s simply not fair to you or to those you may be comparing yourself to. So, what if you were to reframe those thoughts into something more constructive and meaningful?

​​The importance of higher education in an age of global rivalry and technological developments cannot be emphasized enough, and the argument over whether or not all students should receive a free college education has gained tremendous traction. Proponents contend that offering a free college education is not just a commendable goal but also a tactical necessity for promoting societal advancement, economic expansion and personal empowerment.

At Baylor, the Equity, Civil Rights and Title IX Office exists to engage in these issues of sexual and interpersonal misconduct with care and integrity. We take very seriously our role to actively shape a conscientious community where members are valued, empowered, recognized and supported.

As a woman, one of my go-to defenses against implicit sexism is repressing my feminine traits in favor of masculine ones. In classes, when I feel underestimated, I quickly bring to mind all my knowledge of football and the stock market. I make sure to hide my pink nails and try not to bring up Taylor Swift. Our “girliness” doesn’t imply inability.

Over the past five to 10 years, I have witnessed a phenomenon: anime, the treasure I used to hold so dear to me, is beginning to spread nationwide. I have a fear that once it becomes mainstream in America, the quality of anime will decrease due to us forcing our societal norms onto the shows.

Oftentimes, required classes may seem unnecessary and unhelpful in our everyday lives. However, each one has been chosen to further our education and our perspectives at Baylor. Classes that should be added to this list are those emphasizing cultural conversations. This could include English classes that focus on multicultural literature, history classes that examine a certain ethnic group, medical humanities classes that discuss race in medicine and so many more.

Of course, this isn’t a Baylor problem or a Waco problem or a Texas problem or a U.S. problem. This is a cultural problem. And the way to solve a cultural problem is through education.

In comparison to a school like the University of Texas at Austin, which regularly holds events to support the homeless community and has a social work program that collaborates with the city, it appears that Baylor is missing out on many opportunities.

Street Dog Cafe’s distinct offerings are that it’s both a coffee shop and a full bakery. It’s also pet-friendly, with an outdoor area for dogs to run around. Lastly, it’s at a notable location on Elm Avenue, close to the Brazos River.

In a society that encourages and praises strength, resilience and that “boss babe” mentality, vulnerability is often overlooked or viewed as a sign of weakness. However, beneath the surface, there is a profound power in being vulnerable.

Welcome to Christian nationalism: the ideology of removing the wall between church and state. This is not only a violation of the most basic of all individual rights but also a distortion of Christianity itself.

Professors are there to assist you in achieving your academic goals and your success. They are there for you. So, get off your high horse in thinking that you don’t need to go to office hours. Take advantage of the opportunity by showing them your interest in their class and gain support that will benefit you for the rest of your life.

Long story short, there are a lot of expenses when it comes to college, and students might not be well-equipped to handle them. Baylor has resources for financial aid and counseling; however, it’s still vital to understand what costs you or your family are paying and how they can impact you in the long run.

The purpose of spring break is to escape your school environment, not to go on an expensive trip to a crowded beach in Florida, where everyone in your logic class is also vacationing.

“It’s a relationship, not a religion.” Or at least, so say the Christians of Generation Z, who are attempting to paint their faith in a less legalistic light than their predecessors. However, pretending to be a nonreligious Christian is disingenuous and oxymoronic.

Classes such as biology and world history truly have important values to be gained by students, but at what point do differentiating DNA from RNA and memorizing the Treaty of Utrecht overshadow learning basic life skills?

With a fan base in the millions, the critically acclaimed original is placed on an exceptionally high pedestal for its world building, original music, redemption arcs and so much more. However, this should not be the same standard for other renditions of the story.