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Articles by Caitlyn Mahoney
OPINION: Should you get a COVID-19 booster? The answer is yes
You may have heard that COVID-19 booster shots are available on campus, but how do you know whether or not you should get one? Well, the simple answer is we all should get a booster shot. Here’s why. Officially, the CDC’s current guidelines recommend that anyone 65 years or older, 50-64 years with underlying medical conditions and anyone 18 years or older who lives in a long-term care setting should get the booster shot.
OPINION: It’s time to end chaos of unnecessary time changes
Who else is tired and running late today because of the switch to standard time from daylight saving time (DST)? You would think we would be used to it by now, considering we have to change our clocks twice a year, every year. Yet it still seems to mess with us every time. Our sleep schedule is thrown off, no one ever knows what time it is and God forbid you miss that ONE clock and now you are off for the rest of the day. Ironically, not everyone abides by DST.
OPINION: It’s time to end of chaos of unnecessary time changes
Who else is tired and running late today because of the switch to standard time from daylight saving time (DST)? You would think we would be used to it by now, considering we have to change our clocks twice a year, every year. Yet it still seems to mess with us every time. Our sleep schedule is thrown off, no one ever knows what time it is and God forbid you miss that ONE clock and now you are off for the rest of the day. Ironically, not everyone abides by DST.
OPINION: North Carolina’s fight over the critical race theory is really a fight over anti-racism
School systems throughout the country have been debating the implementation of critical race theory (CRT) policies in their schools. Here in North Carolina, dirty tricks such as withholding $7.9 million of necessary funds have even been used to get around Gov. Roy Cooper's veto of a statewide anti-CRT policy. Innocent students have been thrown in the middle and parents have protested loudly.
OPINION: North Carolina’s fight over critical race theory is really a fight over anti-racism
School systems throughout the country have been debating the implementation of critical race theory (CRT) policies in their schools. Here in North Carolina, dirty tricks such as withholding $7.9 million of necessary funds have even been used to get around Gov. Roy Cooper's veto of a statewide anti-CRT policy. Innocent students have been thrown in the middle and parents have protested loudly.
OPINION: Professors shouldn’t make tests harder just because technology allows them to
Parents and teachers alike tell us about how much harder they had it back when they were in school. They didn’t have the internet to look up answers and had to open a book to learn. What they don’t realize is that the advancement in technology also means teachers now have the restrictive capabilities to make tests unnecessarily harder than they used to be. Picture this: You are sitting in your hardest class, waiting to take your test that is four pages long and has 100 questions.
OPINION: NC State’s WolfAlert systems need to be improved to handle life in a big city
We were all aware that living in a big city meant facing big city challenges when we first committed to NC State. What I was not ready for, however, was the number of major crimes I would encounter living on campus as well as NC State’s failure to effectively communicate them. NC State’s main form of communication for all criminal activity is the WolfAlert system.
OPINION: Texas can’t tell us what to do, stand up for our reproductive rights
Note: The following article contains content related to sexual assault. Girls grow up their entire lives being told what to do with their bodies. We’ve been told to cover our shoulders and hide our nipples for the benefit of men despite the fact they are natural features of the human body. Being controlled is nothing new to us, but Texas has taken it to a whole new level by passing state legislation dictating what a woman can and cannot do with her reproductive system.
OPINION: The draft has outlived its purpose
The House of Representatives voted on a crucial military bill on Wednesday, Sept. 1 that included a section mandating all women ages 18-25 to register for the Selective Service System, more commonly known as the draft. This means that the majority of NC State’s women might soon be required to register for the draft if the bill passes the Senate floor. Requiring women to join the draft has been a controversial debate since 2016, but it is not the debate we should be having.
OPINION: Grubhub's lack of customization makes eating on campus painfully hard
In 2019, NC State partnered with the mobile food app Grubhub in order to make ordering meals from campus restaurants easier and more convenient for students. Overall, this partnership has succeeded in making preordering food more efficient and has reduced lines at popular restaurants. However, it has one crucial flaw — the lack of customization options on the app unnecessarily restricts options for students with food allergies.
OPINION: We all need to listen to Simone Biles and quit this tough-guy mindset
Editor’s Note: The following article contains content related to mental health. On July 29, Simone Biles shocked the world by pulling out of the 2020 Olympic gymnastics all-around competition because of a mental health struggle she called the “twisties,” being quoted later saying her mind and body were just not in sync and no Olympic medal was worth her health.
New Student Orientation returns in hybrid format
The class of 2024 missed out on many traditional opportunities during their freshman year because of COVID-19, and despite Chancellor Woodson’s announced return to normalcy, the class of 2025 will not receive a typical summer orientation as well. Instead of experiencing the traditional overnight event, first year and transfer students are required to begin the transition to college life through a hybrid orientation that takes place from June to the end of July.
OPINION: The fall semester should end before Thanksgiving break
The 2020-2021 academic calendar was far from perfect. The lack of days off completely devastated students’ mental health, and the condensed semester made classes feel overwhelmingly impossible. Yet the one thing last year’s academic calendar did right was end the fall semester before Thanksgiving break. By extending winter break and ending the semester before Thanksgiving, students were actually given time to relax and recuperate.
OPINION: Sorry, the American dream is for the upper class only
Growing up, we are taught about the American dream. Immigrants used to be told stories about how the roads in America are paved in gold and everyone here is taught to work hard and make their own path to success. One of the most traditional ways to achieve economic success in America has been by getting a college education and pursuing a well-paying career.
OPINION: Working from home should remain a part of our new normal
America has been making rapid progress towards returning to normal as we progress into 2021. Here at NC State, our very own Protect the Pack recently announced maskless opportunities and more normal protocols for the fall. During our rush to return to how things used to be, I believe that some things, like working from home, should remain.
OPINION: Common Core failed to prepare our generation for communicating in the real world
The whole purpose of our academic careers has been to prepare us for the real world. This has been the goal since day one. Unfortunately, North Carolina’s Common Core curriculum has failed astronomically at teaching us one of the most crucial skills of all: communicating. The North Carolina State Board of Education adopted the Common Core standards for math and English language arts and literacy in 2010.
OPINION: NC State responded the best it could to the new COVID-19 guidelines
On May 21, Chancellor Randy Woodson announced NC State will partially integrate Governor Roy Cooper’s new COVID-19 guidelines into the university's COVID-19 Community Standards. This marks a giant leap towards normalcy for the university while keeping the safety of unvaccinated students at the forefront of the conversation.
Village Green residents displaced after massive fire renders 24 units uninhabitable
On March 22, a massive fire destroyed part of the roof of an apartment building at Village Green apartments, displacing 97 current NC State students and 20 other residents, according to Justine Hollingshead, assistant vice chancellor of the Division of Academic and Student Affairs (DASA). The fire started between 9 a.m. - 10 a.m. at 2110 Thesis Circle off of Lake Wheeler Road, according to the Raleigh Police Department.
SBP Debate: discussing views on safety, equity, sustainability, COVID-19
Technician and Nubian Message held their annual Student Government (SG) presidential and vice presidential debates over Zoom on Friday, March 12. Each year, the news organizations pose questions to candidates in order to gain a better understanding of their platforms and promote them more widely to students.
SBVP Debate: discussing wellness, diversity and their leadership experience
Technician and Nubian Message held its annual Student Government (SG) presidential and vice presidential debates over Zoom on Friday, March 12. Each year, the news organizations pose questions to candidates in order to gain a better understanding of their platforms and promote them more widely to students.
DASA plans to return to traditional, in-person classes in fall 2021
Announced on March 10 by Chancellor Randy Woodson, most classes for the fall 2021 semester will be face to face again after two and a half semesters of online instruction. However, there will still be distance education options available, according to the course catalog.
The Red, White, Black walking tour reflects on the African American experience at NC State
On Feb. 24, from 5-6:30 p.m., NC State University Libraries, the African American Cultural Center (AACC) and the Department of History collaborated to bring the Red, White and Black walking tour to students, staff, alumni and members of the community through Zoom. The program began in 2011 as an innovative way to highlight the parts of campus history that gave a voice to the African American experience at NC State.
NC State student Manali Shirsekar wins Girls in STEM Scholarship Award
Manali Shirsekar, a third-year studying computer science, won the 2020-2021 Girls in STEM Scholarship Award in recognition of her leadership and advocacy for minority participation in STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) careers within the NC State community. Girls Who STEM, an organization focused on the education, empowerment and inclusion of women in STEM, presented the award.
OPINION: College students need to wait their turn to be vaccinated
The whole world is on the edge of its seat waiting for its turn to receive a COVID-19 vaccination, but where do college students fit into this? When is the best time for us to be vaccinated? My colleague, Kristina Beek, believes that college students need to be moved up in the vaccination rollout line and receive them sooner rather than later.
Trends among new student applicants steady despite COVID-19 challenges
Potential undergraduate NC State students have faced many challenges during the end of their high school career due to COVID-19, which in turn affect the quality of their college applications. As a result, the NC State Office of Undergraduate Admissions has made slight changes to the fall 2021 application process. Despite these changes, the office’s core tenets have remained the same.
Bragaw Residents alerted to electrical damage in the resident hall days before move in
On Jan 8, Bragaw Residence Hall residents received an email making them aware of electrical damages in Bragwel’s basement, resulting in the closing of the residence hall while repairs are made. The damages were caused by unforeseen facility issues that Bragaw underwent on Jan. 3. University Housing emailed all affected residents the following statement: “In the early morning hours of Jan.
OPINION: The wellness days added to the spring 2021 semester are not enough
This semester has been hard on everyone. The lack of days off has left students and faculty members alike overwhelmed, drained and mentally struggling. After extensive discussions with community members and health professionals, Chancellor Randy Woodson has supposedly acknowledged our struggles. On Oct.
DUELING COLUMN: The 2020 presidential debate had a significant impact on voters
With the 2020 presidential election right around the corner, the biggest question is: Who are you voting for? As members of some of the most crucial voting groups during this election, we are being bombarded with political ads, emails and face-to-face questions. Televised presidential debates are supposed to be one of the main contributing factors to our decision, but do debates really influence how we vote?
OPINION: There are multiple ways to fight racial inequality even if you can’t protest
On Sept. 23, a Kentucky grand jury released a decision regarding the responsibility of the three officers involved in the Breonna Taylor shooting. The jury indicted officer Brett Hankison for wanton endangerment and acquitted the other two officers involved, arguing that all three officers were “justified in their use of force” against 26-year-old Breonna Taylor.
Around 1,562 students with special circumstances move into condensed housing
On Aug. 26, NC State closed campus residential facilities in response to the rapid increase in COVID-19 cases, and since then, University Housing has been working with students who need special circumstance housing.
OPINION: The portability of online classes offers new opportunities for students
We all feel the isolation, disconnect and disappointment brought on by the pandemic. Traditional tailgates are banned, classes are all over Zoom and classrooms are now our childhood bedrooms. There is one perk of having all online classes this year though: The portability of online classes is granting students the freedom to do school anywhere and with anyone. During a typical semester, students rarely get the chance to leave NC State's campus.
OPINION: Biden is the best presidential candidate for achieving racial equality
Breonna Taylor, George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Tony McDade and Dion Johnson. We say their names everyday and stand in solidarity with the modern day freedom fighters. Racial injustice isn't a new problem in America, but the most recent string of police brutality and acts of white supremacy have brought to light how deeply rooted systemic racism is in America.
OPINION: What suicide prevention month means to me
You may know that September is the national Suicide Prevention Month, but what does that mean? Suicide Prevention Month is a national event taking place right now around the world in order to promote suicide prevention awareness and share resources and knowledge about the causes and prevention methods of suicide. In honor of Suicide Prevention Month, I wanted to share my personal struggles with you in order to help explain why this month is so significant.
OPINION: Delaying the U.S. Postal Service budget cuts does not solve the problem.
During the first week of August, the U.S. Postal Service announced a series of cost-cutting changes. Immediately after the announcement, social media platforms and news outlets were filled with pleas from people for the postal service to reverse the changes. On Aug. 17, the U.S. Postal Service did just that. It announced that all cost-saving measures would be suspended until after the 2020 federal election. The masses are satisfied, but the fight isn’t over.
Pack the Polls Coalition prepares for 2020 Presidential Election
Pack the Polls, a nonpartisan coalition of students, staff and community organizations in Raleigh, prepares for the upcoming 2020 presidential election by reviewing applications for their annual ambassador program, educating NC State students on all aspects of voting and election participation and by securing safe voting measures at NC State.
OPINION: Students need to put the safety of others first and stop parting
All students were aware of the risks of returning to campus this fall before they moved in. Many students who chose to return to campus came with masks, cleaning supplies and the understanding that they had to follow university guidelines to reduce the spread of COVID-19. Unfortunately, not every student is doing this, and their refusal to follow the rules is putting everyone else in danger.
Latinx Heritage Month celebrates identity on campus “sin limites”
As the fall semester kicks off, various organizations are adapting and hosting their events safely. This year’s Latinx Heritage Month, hosted by Latinxistence, Multicultural Student Affairs and other Latinx organizations on campus, are finalizing their plans for the event to take place.
Meal prep: Your on campus dining options during COVID-19
NC State Dining has been working over the summer to create systems and implement procedures to maintain social distancing in dining spaces and optimize students’ dining experiences this fall, in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. Shawn Hoch, senior director of dining and hospitality services, and Jennifer Gilmore, director of marketing and communications, have both been a part of the effort to make changes to dining at NC State.
OPINION: Diary of a first-year: my fears and excitements starting college
The countdown to the start of the 2020-2021 school year has begun. Classes are finalized and last minute shopping sprees have started. Everyone is excited about moving back in with their friends and picking up where they left off last spring. However, as an incoming first-year student joining the Wolfpack community during COVID-19, this last week leading up to the first day of class is a time filled with excitement, anticipation and a whole lot of anxiety.
OPINION: North Carolina should be on a stay-at-home order
On July 14, North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper announced that phase 2 of the COVID-19 reopening plan will be extended for three more weeks. This decision was made in response to an increase in COVID-19 cases and deaths in North Carolina over the last few months. While Gov. Cooper believes that halting the reopening plan by staying in phase 2 is the best response to our current situation, I respectfully disagree.
OPINION: Chancellor Woodson’s response to ICE makes me proud to be part of the Wolfpack
The Wolfpack community is filled with pride and loyalty. This pride can be seen when students rush Hillsborough Street after we beat UNC-Chapel Hill and by the overwhelming amount of wolfies thrown up on social media. As an incoming student, my pride mostly stems from my excitement to call NC State my home and my growing sticker collection. However, Chancellor Randy Woodson’s statement regarding the status of NC State's international students filled me with more pride than any of these experiences.
“Wicked Problems, Wolfpack Solutions,” free summer course available to incoming students
During Summer Session II, all incoming students were pre-enrolled in an optional, free, online course to help them understand the historical, biological and societal impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.
DUELING COLUMN: Turning off your video during Zoom class is a right every student has
In a world filled with the coronavirus, our classes look very different from normal. Our lives are now centered around Zoom calls and virtual class lectures, and being portrayed as a little square is now the new normal. But what if you turn your little square off? Some professors say that turning your video off during a Zoom call is disrespectful. However, hiding your face and your surroundings during this unprecedented time is not disrespectful but rather a right that all students have.
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