Editorial Board
The Editorial Board is the official opinion of the Georgetown Voice. Its current composition can be found on the masthead. The Board strives to publish critical analyses of events at both Georgetown and in the wider D.C. community. We welcome everyone from all backgrounds and experience levels to join us!
Slashing spending won’t solve budget woes
In the aftermath of last week’s cliffhanger budget deal, pundits focused on the size of the cuts, about $38 billion. But while that number sounds large, it is small compared to the cuts that will be debated in the coming weeks, as Republicans try to pass parts of Rep. Paul Ryan’s (R–Wis.) long-term budget plan.If Democratic and Republican leaders really care about shrinking the federal debt and improving employment prospects they will drop the foolish narrative of austerity that has prevailed in recent months. The American economy needs growth, and massive spending cuts will do nothing to bring that about.
By the Editorial Board April 14, 2011
Students deserve more at campus concerts
Although it scarcely seemed possible after letdowns like Coolio, Third Eye Blind, and T-Pain, the Georgetown Programming Board hit a new low with its most recent concert, the underwhelming Kevin Rudolf and his even more obscure openers. The disappointing lineup drew hardly any student enthusiasm. In a pre-concert poll on Vox Populi, just eight percent of respondents said they were excited about the concert, and 30 percent chose the “Who is Kevin Rudolf?” response.
By the Editorial Board April 14, 2011
No more futile concessions on Campus Plan
Last week, the University announced a series of concessions in the bitter fight over the 2010 Campus Plan, including the addition of 250 undergraduate beds either on-campus or at a satellite location and the introduction of a hard enrollment cap of 15,000 students. Administrators agreed to these conditions after weighing suggestions from the District Department of Transportation, the Office of Planning, and the community. However, signals from the Advisory Neighborhood Commission and lessons from previous campus plans show that such concessions are nothing more than useless and unwise capitulations.
By the Editorial Board April 7, 2011
Erasures controversy reveals Rhee’s errors
When Michelle Rhee resigned as chancellor of D.C. Public Schools last fall, she left behind a legacy of school closings, teacher accountability, and rising test scores. But those apparently weren’t the only marks left during Rhee’s tenure. According to a report from USA Today last week, classrooms in 96 schools were flagged for an inordinate number of erasures on correct answers on the 2008 D.C. Comprehensive Assessment System. Over the past three years, dozens of D.C. schools have seen a statistically abnormal amount of corrections on standardized tests, implying that teachers possibly cheated to significantly improve test scores.
By the Editorial Board April 7, 2011
Student interns deserve pay and class credit
Few things are more coveted at Georgetown than a prestigious internship. Landing one has been universally accepted as the best way to secure a paying job after college. Unfortunately, students on the Hilltop find themselves constrained in the internship search by the University’s burdensome requirements for internship accreditation, along with employers’ growing preference for unpaid interns. Getting employers to fairly compensate interns will require action by the Federal government, but more immediately, Georgetown should reform its accreditation process and stop funneling students into menial, unpaid positions.
By the Editorial Board April 7, 2011
Funding proposal for Healy Pub holds promise
No proposal to spend the $3.4 million Student Activities Fee Endowment has received as much attention as the “Bring Back Healy Pub” movement, and for good reason. The proposal is well thought-out and shows great promise for the University’s campus culture. Crucially, it would provide students a place to meet and socialize other than Lau 2. Both the endowment commission and the Georgetown community should embrace this historic opportunity and bring back the Healy Pub.
By the Editorial Board March 31, 2011
Uribe’s tenure offers lesson for University
As Álvaro Uribe approaches the end of his yearlong appointment as a Distinguished Scholar in the School of Foreign Service, his tenure offers some clear lessons for the administration on how to handle high-profile and controversial guest scholars. When Uribe arrived, there were reasonable concerns about his record on human rights, but the University promised that the ex-Colombian president would provide students with a “unique perspective” and be a catalyst for fruitful debate. Instead, the administration has sheltered Uribe, preventing the type of open and honest interaction with students that could have justified his appointment.
By the Editorial Board March 31, 2011
At 35, Metro should continue focus on growth
Thirty-five years ago this week, the Washington Metro opened for business. The original system was a mere 4.6 miles and consisted of five stations from Rhode Island Avenue to Farragut North. Today, Metrorail is a 103-mile system with 86 stations and an annual ridership in the millions. Its growth is impressive, but it is threatened by the organization’s growing budget shortfall, which is estimated at above $40 million dollars. If the Metro wants to continue serving the city, it should embrace opportunities to expand its reach, while making selective cuts to close the budget gap.
By the Editorial Board March 31, 2011
SNAP suffers from arbitrary enforcement
Although the stated goal of the Student Neighborhood Assistance Program is to protect students’ safety, for most students, the sight of SNAP’s flashing yellow lights is a distressing one. On Thursday and weekend nights around Georgetown, SNAP is more often seen as a dour party police. By minimizing the interactions between Georgetown students and the Metropolitan Police Department, SNAP serves a legitimate purpose within the West Georgetown and Burleith neighborhoods. But the program has some unfortunate policies too, such as breaking up parties when there has been no complaint from neighbors, which must end.
By the Editorial Board March 24, 2011
Taxing universities won’t solve D.C. budget woes
With the District of Columbia facing a steadily rising $300 million budget shortfall, it is understandable that D.C. officials are looking for novel ways to raise revenue. However, D.C. Councilmember Mary Cheh’s (D-Ward 3) recent proposal to strip Georgetown and other universities in the District of their tax-exempt status is not the answer. Georgetown is, after the federal government, the largest employer of D.C. residents, and taxing the financially constrained institution will only hamper its growth and ability to employ new workers.
By the Editorial Board March 24, 2011