On Sept. 14, 1993, change was in the air on the Gustavus campus–literally. All indoor areas, including academic and administrative buildings and residence halls, became tobacco- and smoke-free. “Walking into the campus center through a cloud of smoke isn’t always the best way to start out your day,” Junior Political Science Major and Communication Studies Major Amber Hanson said. Hanson reflects an attitude that has … Continue reading Smoking Debate on Campus Lights Up

Vagina! If it shocks you to read it, to say it or to think about it, that is all the more reason to attend one of this weekend’s performances of The Vagina Monologues. Senior Psychology Major and cast member Holly Andersen, “The hesitancy to attend speaks volumes about our attitudes about that word, and I challenge you to go to overcome that.” But how does … Continue reading The Voices of The Vagina Monologues

Walking into the Market Place on any given day, most students expect to find shelves stocked with snacks, beverages flowing from machines and hot meals ready to be scooped onto plates. When the soup runs out, another pot quickly replaces it, and students continue with their daily routine of classes, activities and eventually, more eating. What journey brings the food we consume to our plates? … Continue reading New Kids on the Farm. New Farm on the Block.

Each morning during the month of January, a group of Gustavus Adolphus College students gathered in the dance studio. While some members of the campus rested warmly in their beds, this group promptly got to work. They started with group exercises, stretching a rope between partners to pull, twirl and dance around one another. This was a typical start to the day for the ensemble … Continue reading The Journey to The Other Shore

Al Pacino did it. There. I  saved you from wasting an hour-and-a-half of your life on Righteous Kill, the worst movie of the year. You’re welcome. Righteous Kill comes from director John Avnet, the man responsible for perhaps the worst movie of last year, 88 Minutes. Needless to say, I wasn’t expecting much from his newest venture. Despite my low expectations, I tried to go … Continue reading Oh, how the righteous have fallen

A month has passed since Barack Obama was voted the 44th president of the United States, and some Democrats on campus are still smiling about it. The Democratic victory has added a extra skip in the step of Junior Philosophy Major Shane Jensen. He said, “It’s such an exciting prospect to think that Obama will embody the change and passion of our generation.” Yet, there … Continue reading Campus Conservatives

“While I acknowledge that this experience is far from realistic, I do think that it holds significant value. It is a demonstration, a protest against the apathy and lack of awareness that most of us have for this growing segment of our society. Having this experience [allowed me] to empathize with their challenges. My mindset and priorities are completely different. I focus on where my … Continue reading Hunger and Homelessness Week

“Nigger, sand nigger, spic, Jews, I love the KKK, Obama is a nigger, I hate gays, black monkey.” On the evening of Saturday Nov. 1, vehicles belonging to nine members of the Gustavus community were vandalized with these deplorable expressions of prejudice. Six of the nine cars belonged to Gustavus students, one was a Gustavus vehicle and two belonged to non-students. The cars were parked … Continue reading Gustavus comes face to face with hate

While walking to class or sipping coffee in the Courtyard Café, the rural Tanzanian village of Tungamalenga may not occupy the daily thoughts of many Gustavus students. For the group of students that will accompany Professor of Nursing Paula Swiggum on her January Interim Experience course to Tanzania, it is a place that she says will leave an impression. While Gustavus Adolphus College and Tungamalenga, … Continue reading Global Connections: Gustavus forms ties with a community in Tanzania

Of the autumnal rituals listed under, “to be completed before the crunchy leaves and crisp temperatures give way to barren trees and a subzero wind-chill,” picking apples is a top priority for many Minnesotans. “It’s definitely a fall tradition,” said Senior Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Major Ryan Dobbs. The fall months are a unique time when residents of the state can eat apples grown by … Continue reading Look at them apples