ALEX F: When people think of journalism, their first thought naturally goes to publications with a vast audience, like the BBC or the New York Times. But just because these journalism organizations are the ones that usually break the biggest news does not mean that they are the only publications that matter — lower level…
Staff Editorial: Your weekly reminder to #VoteLocal
On Tuesday, Feb. 18, Appleton celebrated an election day, narrowing the field of candidates for mayor of Appleton and for Wisconsin’s Supreme Court. Last week, many Lawrentians jumped at the chance to engage in local politics, but found that voter ID laws impeded their ability to do so. While this obstacle exists, it is not…
Staff Editorial: Research is key to dispelling your fears
Most of the time, when a news alert pops up on your lock screen, it serves as a reminder of what you already know — the world is a scary place. The big story dominating the news cycle changes periodically, each time giving us a new thing to fear. Right now, that fear stems from…
Staff Editorial: Reading Period is awesome!
With Reading Period underway, now is a good time to reflect on how we can make the most of it. First of all, Lawrentians are very lucky to have a midterm break at all. Most schools have a reading period before finals, but very few have one around midterms. Lawrence is, fortunately, a rarity in…
Staff Editorial: Reconsidering Lawrence’s credit system
One typical six credit course at Lawrence is expected to entail 3.3 semester hours of lecture time a week. However, some six unit classes have a significantly higher number of semester hours. These classes that require more hours spent in class or time dedicated to a specific skill should be reflected in either additional credit…
Staff Editorial: What we can learn from legal pot in Illinois
As of the beginning of 2020, the use of recreational cannabis is now legal in Illinois, following the lead of 10 other states. Lawmakers in Illinois made the bold move to begin expunging the criminal records of up to 800,000 individuals arrested for the purchase or possession of less than 30 grams of cannabis, according…
Staff Editorial: Building a stronger community at LU
Lawrence is a university that prides itself on a small, tight-knit community. One key selling point by the admissions team is the small class sizes that allow students to build more meaningful relationships with each other and their professors. Outside the classroom, events like the annual President’s Ball, Greek Week and LUaroo bring large groups…
Staff Editorial: Looking at memes is not being informed
Soon after the White House announced the killing of Iran’s top military commander, Qassem Soleimani, the internet reacted in the only way it knows how — by making memes. Jokes about the upcoming World War III, being on missile duty “with the boys,” what music you would play when you drive a tank and ignoring…
Staff Editorial: It’s not protest; it’s harassment
Over the past few weeks, Lawrence students crossing College Avenue have run the risk of being bombarded with grotesque images of “bloody and dismembered fetuses, with harsh slogans comparing Planned Parenthood to the Holocaust,” according to sophomore Dalton McLaughlin who participated in a recent counter-protest. The group that has organized this anti-abortion campaign has also…
Staff Editorial: New CA operations challenge community-building initiatives
Returning students may have noticed a change at their residence halls. Resident Life Advisors (RLAs) have evolved into Community Advisors (CAs). Along with the name change, the way duty hours operate and how programs are defined have also been modified. While the name suggests that these new changes would create a better sense of community,…