We prepare to shift all the time; on the roads, waiting in line, while playing sports, or if you’re like me and pretty tall, you have to prepare to change directions while walking (if you don’t shift your weight, you lose your balance in the turn and look like a tumbling oaf). There are bigger things we have to prepare for too, like when we … Continue reading Preparing to shift

I’ve often questioned the so-called “Five Pillars of Gustavus” and their applicability to student life. Justice, Community, Service, Excellence and Faith; I see the first four, but it’s the last I feel is lacking. There’s the Community Service Center, social justice theatre and Building Bridges, the continual strive for academic excellence, the notion of a tight-knit college community, but where is Faith on our modern … Continue reading Got Faith?

Amid all the furor and hard feelings over The Gustavian Weekly’s coverage of Case Day, I think the widespread anger would be better focused on the existence of Case Day and ways we can change it. Many letters ask us as a newspaper to examine the causes of Case Day. Indeed, what are they? What is it about the Gustavian, collegiate and nationwide culture that … Continue reading You can’t chug a craft beer

Although those words are eerily reminiscent of what I remember being told numerous times throughout my childhood, my heart no longer jumps at the mere presence of the words “What’s going on here?” In fact, I think I’ve come to appreciate them in a new way; they don’t always mean that you’re in trouble, but can also signal genuine confusion over something that has happened … Continue reading What’s going on here?

The Weekly would like to clarify a few things about the Feb. 26, 2010 issue, specifically the article on Case Day. First of all, it was not our intent to be inflammatory or malicious in publishing the Case Day article. We firmly believe that Case Day and the larger issue of binge drinking are important issues that affect this campus. In publishing the story, we … Continue reading Weekly Staff Editorial

You know what really yanks my chain? Hypocrisy. Especially when it comes in the form of political theater. Every time a politician has some sound bite that is played repeatedly in the media and never gets challenged by said media makes me wince in barely suppressed indignation. This indignation has been happening a lot more recently thanks to all the lovely sound bites from Republican … Continue reading Fear of health care

At the beginning of every school year, I always try to make a mental note of the important dates throughout the academic calendar, such as Homecoming, Halloween, Reading Days, Thanksgiving Break, Christmas Break, Spring Break—well, you get the idea. However, my first priority when planning my college agenda is to find out when President’s Ball is. I realize this sounds creepy and unnecessary, but like … Continue reading How I stopped worrying and learned to dance

I was one of those girls who had a massive Barbie collection. I’m talking three full shoeboxes for dolls alone, then another case full of their oh-so-age-appropriate clothing and modest footwear. But I remember the day I got my Pocahontas Barbie complete with hut accessories was a special day for me. As a child, I saw myself as a real-life Pocahontas in that I loved … Continue reading How high will the sycamore grow?

There are many times in our culture when two labels are created to describe something that is actually far more diverse than what can fit under just two groupings. These two labels become so culturally pervasive that, suddenly, we no longer see the spectrum that was once there. It is either one thing or the other. Choose black or white, because suddenly any other color … Continue reading Can I see in color, please?

We must refuse to become the subjects of society’s supposed truths. What do I mean? Everywhere we look we are being influenced by different societal forces, some good, some not so good. The media is telling us what to believe about Tiger Woods, the church is telling us how to worship, our roommates are telling us not to eat out of the pan and pretty … Continue reading “Truth’s” manipulative influence