Opinions

Outdoor study areas a necessity to do work in warm weather

By LUC SOKOLSKY We’ve recently had an early glimpse of the summer-to-come here in Tacoma. Almost everyone loves the sun, so when it makes an appearance, students flock to the outdoors, sitting in front of the S.U.B., playing sports, tanning on the lawn and more. Yes, we crave vitamin D, and we all probably suffer from some degree of seasonal affective disorder whether we realize it or not, but our time in the sun comes at a price. This last month of school is the most academically rigorous, which is...
Opinions

Week Without Wheels is flawed, but promising

By LUC SOKOLSKY The Interfraternity Council (IFC) and Panhellenic Council (PHC) have recently enacted a new sustainability plan to help commit members of Greek life to more sustainable living. Week Without Wheels is a program that encourages members of Greek houses to drive less thus reducing carbon output. The program is a great start in encouraging students to be more actively aware about sustainable living, but could take more significant steps to be more effective. Conceptually, it is a good idea because it recognizes that students can be more sustainable,...
Opinions

On-campus living limits students from gaining valuable life skills

By IDA DUNN-MOORE Starting this year, the University took a major step by building a new residence hall and instituting a requirement that all students live on-campus for their first two years. This requirement has its benefits: it generates revenue for the University and strengthens the campus community. This trend suggests, however, that the University may institute an even longer on-campus living requirement, which would interfere with the pertinent experience of living off-campus, one that fosters independence and reality. Puget Sound has a unique off-campus community in that nearly every...
Opinions

Puget Sound athletes under appreciated and unsupported: Non-traditional sports need funding too

By IDA DUNN-MOORE Loggers clad in down vests and Carhartt pants flock to Tacoma’s two climbing gyms. They fill the pool on weeknights in plastic kayaks, practicing roles and paddle strokes for adventures out on local rivers. Skiers pore over weather conditions and learn avalanche safety, anticipating the next big powder day. Ultimate players cultivate the activity of tossing a Frisbee into a competitive sport. Cyclists train hard over every local road, picking up a number of strong wins and top 10 finishes in the North West conference. These are...
Opinions

Drunk consent isn’t consent at all

By IDA DUNN-MOORE A packed Schneebeck hall listened eagerly to the two presenters from the Babeland sex shop last Monday. The topic – consent. The message – any sexual act requires volitional consent from all parties involved. The event’s main photo on Facebook read: “Only an informed, sober, freely-given, ongoing, enthusiastic ‘Yes!’ is consent. That in mind, it was strange to see the presenters struggle to give a clear answer to a question about consent while under the influence of alcohol. Most of the presentation focused on consent from the...
Opinions

Puget Sound education, worthy charity

By IDA DUNN-MOORE As of the end of February, the One of a Kind campaign has raised 110 million dollars. The campaign, with its 125 million dollar fundraising goal, seeks to increase financial aid and improve our already beautiful campus. These projects include the newly built Commencement Hall and Weyerhaeuser Hall, as well as the upcoming aquatic center and soon-to-be-finished expansion of Wheelock Student Center. That is a lot of money for a school with only 2,600 students. As it stands, the University of Puget Sound already offers a stellar...
Opinions

Students too busy for social justice

By IDA DUNN-MOORE February is African American History Month across the United States, but here on campus it seems to be another month. It is hard to discern how many people know or care. The apathy and low awareness are not surprising. Puget Sound is a campus full of increasingly busy students, each with their own issues they find relevant. The Black Student Union, in association with other groups, is putting on two events in the last week of the month. Last Monday there was a Civil Rights Peace Poetry...