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Opinion-Columns

University sexual assault policies aren’t great now. But they used to be worse.

By Kirby Davis | December 5, 2019

In early December two years ago, I was waiting to hear back from the Office of Student Ethics and Conflict Resolution (OESCR) about the results of my sexual assault investigation. I reported an incident from my sophomore year. I didn’t know if reporting was the right thing to do, because while the incident met one of the standard definitions of sexual assault (“unwanted sexual” contact), it wasn’t rape. It took me awhile to realize maybe I had been assaulted, and much longer to stop hanging out with the guy I reported. But my friends and Title IX office employees assured me the incident was worth reporting, and I did. The guy was found “not responsible” of violating the Student Code of Conduct, meaning a panel of OESCR judges believed what happened was consensual.

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OPINION

A House Divided

By Cathleen McLaughlin | November 12, 2019

It is said that there are three topics of conversation people should always avoid discussing: money, religion and, perhaps the most controversial of all, politics. And yet, those topics always seem to come up. With Thanksgiving fast approaching and Election Day fresh on the minds of Americans, many families dread the political discussions and fights with extended family that come with the holidays. I have seen my friends, extended family, teachers and even strangers openly debate each other on the state of the country. I hold no doubts about the potential negative strains political disagreement can have on a relationship. I see this strain between two of the most influential people in my life — my parents. 

OPINION

Co–Star told me to write down my good ideas today, so here we go

By Will Gorman | November 5, 2019

Throughout history (alternatively, since 1998), I’ve had a long-running record of moments where I’ve made fun of people who read too much into astrology. It’s really easy to quip about, so I often do — I even wrote a shambly, one-act play with a joke character dedicated to garnering laughs about those who turn to the constellations for guidance. But then something funny happened. I downloaded Co–Star onto my phone over the summer, and I give it validity more often than I’d like to admit.  Am I now the person searching for guidance down any avenue possible? It’s possible.

OPINION

The weight of our society's words

By Kate Stumph | October 29, 2019

As far back as I can remember, I’ve struggled to accept my body.  I remember being no older than 11 and begging my mom not to make me go into the Macy’s dressing room. I hated playing with Barbies. I envied the girls who could fit into Abercrombie and Fitch and Lululemon.  I went to an affluent private school in a conservative area, one that emphasized perfection in all aspects, including personal appearance.  As an overweight theatre kid, I felt I didn’t make the cut.

OPINION

Hang in there, everybody

By Samantha Brunn | October 29, 2019

I distinctly remember the first Saturday night of my sophomore year. I was laying on the floor of my dorm room as the noise from raucous groups of kids walking Uptown toward whatever the night held seeped in through the open windows.  I called my dad, tears rolling down my face. “This is going to be the same as last year,” I rushed to say as soon as he picked up. “I’m miserable.” After a first year filled with solo Netflix nights and enough studying to carry me through the rest of undergrad, I was terrified that the fact I didn’t have plans or friends to hang out with the first weekend back meant I was in for another lonely year.

OPINION

Double Take: Breaking down cancel culture

By Julia Robinson and Cathleen McLaughlin | October 22, 2019

You may have seen a headline on your social media feed, or even from a news outlet, about a famous celebrity caught in a scandal and subsequently being “canceled.”  In 2018, comedian Kevin Hart stepped down from hosting the Oscars after homophobic tweets he wrote several years ago were brought to the public’s attention. The media firestorm that followed often referred to Hart as being “canceled.”  Just this month, actress Gina Rodriguez was seen in an Instagram video singing a racial slur. Rodriguez, who has previously been accused of racist comments against the black community, was swiftly condemned from the entertainment community and fans alike.

OPINION

Good Morning Miami: Let’s not wait until it’s time for goodbyes

By Emily Dattilo | October 15, 2019

I’m a pretty sentimental person, and behind that sentimentality resides an appreciation for tradition and a dislike for goodbyes.  My traditional nature reveals itself in my predictable restaurant orders, my go-to Starbucks drink and my annual Christmas playlist. Some might call it boring, but I find comfort in familiarity and don’t apologize for refusing to stray from my usual.  My dislike for goodbyes affects me most, as you might guess, at the end of things. The end of a summer job, the end of the school year and the end of a holiday season all carry with it a mix of sadness and anxiety. 

OPINION

No one prepared me for life pre-grad

By Will Gorman | October 8, 2019

On a rainy August morning, the arrival of my senior year brought me a perpetually-ticking internal clock counting down the minutes until I graduate from Miami.  It’s like a New Year’s Eve countdown in slow motion, except I’m the only one in Times Square, and I’m chained to a lamppost and waiting for the ball to drop. And when it drops, there’s a strong likelihood that it’s going to drop on me.

OPINION

The major change

By Kate Stumph | October 1, 2019

It’s a go-to question at everything from college orientation to the Thanksgiving dinner table.  “What’s your major?” And, for the longest time, my answer was simple: “biochemistry and pre-med.” 

OPINION

Supreme Court should legalize sports gambling

By Varun Raghuram | May 1, 2018

The legacy of departed New Jersey Governor Chris Christie is one that will be hard to discern. He went from the hard-charging face of the Republican Party to a governor allegedly closing bridges to spite political rivals, and chastising constituents on radio stations. The fate of the former presidential candidate was destined to be among promising but forgotten politicians. But the final legacy of the deposed governor has yet to be written, largely due to an action currently before the Supreme Court.

OPINION

Growing into yourself

By Kate Rigazio | May 1, 2018

In elementary school, a lot of kids had end-of-the-school-year traditions. Some would have pool parties, take day trips to the beach or celebrate good grades by going to their favorite ice cream places. My end-of-year tradition was staying up far past my bedtime and sobbing to my mother about how I was scared of growing up.

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