Opinion

How do we save the news at Mason? (part 3)

Fourth Estate Editors Frank Muraca and Hau Chu spend a lot of time discussing how best to inform the Mason community. In rapidly changing world of journalism and media, they thought it'd be most helpful to have this discussion publicly. More importantly, we want to hear from you, the reader. Share your thoughts below or send us an email! Your ideas and feedback is important to us.

OPINION: The harm in "harmless" campus culture

About a month ago, an email sent over the Delta Zeta chapter of Sigma Chi fraternity listserv at William and Mary University gave everyone a look into the mind of one disgusting and disrespectful human being.

OPINION: Legal representation hinders the goals of student conduct process

Dear Editor:

Thank you for the invitation to provide an opinion on HB 1123, a bill that has been proposed in the Virginia legislature. that The proposed bill would allow attorneys to actively participate in student conduct hearings at public institutions by representing students who are involved in cases that could result in suspension or expulsion from the institution.  As a professional educator, I am concerned about HB1123 for several reasons.

How do we save the news at Mason? (part 2)

Fourth Estate Editors Frank Muraca and Hau Chu spend a lot of time discussing how best to inform the Mason community. In rapidly changing world of journalism and media, they thought it'd be most helpful to have this discussion publicly. More importantly, we want to hear from you, the reader. Share your thoughts below or send us an email! Your ideas and feedback is important to us. 

OPINION: Israel Apartheid Week unjustly generalizes international debate

Letter to the Editor:

Every February, students supporting the Boycott-Divestment-Sanctions (BDS) movement against Israel pepper university campuses with vitriolic lectures and protests demanding the cultural and academic boycott of Israeli institutions by the international community.  They claim that Israel treats Palestinians inhumanely by occupying their territory and racially discriminating against Israel’s own Arab citizens.  These, they claim, amount to "apartheid", not unlike the treatment of the South African Blacks before 1994.

How do we save the news at Mason? (part 1)

Fourth Estate Editors Frank Muraca and Hau Chu spend a lot of time discussing how best to inform the Mason community. In rapidly changing world of journalism and media, they thought it'd be most helpful to have this discussion publicly. More importantly, we want to hear from you, the reader. Share your thoughts below or send us an email! Your ideas and feedback is important to us. 

OPINION: The plight of the modern-day racist

Perhaps the most interesting aspect of bigotry today is how it seems to take place primarily online or behind closed doors. 

By now, most people have seen the Coca-Cola Super Bowl commercial in which “America the Beautiful” is performed in seven different languages spoken in the United States today against the backdrop of the scenery and diversity of American society. In addition to the commercial itself, most people have also heard of the vitriolic reaction of many outraged Twitter users, all of whom seemed to take personal offense to the six non-English languages featured in the commercial.

Letter to the Editor: Students should be allowed to have legal representation in conduct hearings

Fourth Estate reported on January 30 about HB 1123, a bill pending in the Virginia legislature to guarantee university students the right to hire counsel in disciplinary hearings for serious, non-academic charges.

Letter to the Editor: Mason to lobby for greater funding

On Thursday, January 30, 2014, more than one hundred members of the George Mason community will travel down to the state capitol in Richmond, Virginia, for Mason Lobbies 2014. Mason Lobbies is a day of advocacy where students, faculty, staff, alumni, and administration join together to collectively advocate for Mason as “One Institution with One Voice.” The initiative was started last year with the goal of demonstrating the important investment that is George Mason University.

OPINION: Cuts to SNAP may be mitigated by donating to local food banks

For many Americans, November brings thoughts of a gluttonous holiday meal. But, for those Americans enrolled in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, commonly referred to as SNAP, November brings a kick in the face reminder of their poverty.

On Nov. 1, a recession era boost in benefits expired, thus approximately 47 million people will have to cope with reduced food stamps just as the holiday season begins. The general consensus within the GOP seems to be that if the food stamp recipients work hard enough, they should be able to pull themselves out of poverty.