Public discourse unfolded online, leaving students to make sense of gun violence on high school and college campuses. With traditions like Homecoming and Christmas on Fifth Street around the corner, administrators are navigating safety measures in the current political climate.

The impact of new federal legislation will vary for all groups. For student organizations that have a culture of support, the change may be minimal. But for organizations that have faced challenges related to hazing in the past, the new requirements will increase awareness and accountability.

Results from an online survey presented by Active Minds and TimelyCare showed that 64.7% of college students reported feeling lonely in 2024.
Vice President for Student Life Sharra Hynes said Baylor is working to combat this issue by emphasizing community on campus, especially for freshmen, who Hynes said are among the most vulnerable to loneliness.

With tradition, community and spectacle woven together, the Heart O’ Texas Fair & Rodeo remains one of Waco’s biggest fall attractions. Whether it’s the thrill of bull riding, the rhythm of live music or the comfort of fair food, the event continues to draw crowds — and students — year after year.