Opinion

Thoughts from the Georgetown community.

Editorials

Administration should spring for diversity

At this week’s Georgetown University Student Association meeting, Senator Nick Troiano (COL ’11) objected to the Academic Diversity Working Group’s proposal requiring all students to take two courses on the grounds that “diversity can be fostered, [but] it can’t be mandated.”

By the April 14, 2010

Editorials

Misguided idealism of Georgetown, Divest!

While many of the concerns and grievances articulated by the new campus group Georgetown, Divest! are valid, its demand that the University divest its money from companies profiting from human rights violations in Israel is logistically impractical and ultimately unreasonable.

By the April 14, 2010

Editorials

Don’t derail historic DCPS teacher raises

It’s no secret that Marion Berry has seen some scandalous activity in his day. So when the embattled councilmember describes anything as “the worst mess involving the city government that I’ve seen in my 31 years in city government,” it’s time to take notice.

By the April 14, 2010

Voices

The nanny diaries: From Mexico, with love

In a speech to his constituents in Las Vegas this past weekend Senator Harry Reid (D-Nev) promised that “we’re going to come back, we’re going to have immigration reform now.” This proposition was most likely politically motivated—as the 2010 census will confirm, over a fifth of the Nevada electorate is Hispanic. In San Diego, my hometown, nearly a third of the population is Hispanic. Needless to say, their vote and their issues are too great for any successful politician to ignore. While it can be easy to think about immigration as a purely political issue, the personal impact of immigration policy deserves attention, too.

By April 14, 2010

Voices

Internships: Opportunities or virtual slavery?

Yesterday, I spent about half an hour interviewing over the phone. If I’m lucky and the interview turns out to be a success, I will have the opportunity to spend the summer away from my family and friends, in “accommodations” provided by my employer, working 40-hour weeks, and earning exactly zero dollars. This might sound terrifying to some people. Modern-day indentured servitude, others might call it. And yet I’m kind of hoping I get the job.

By April 8, 2010

Editorials

Plan A should seek concrete concessions

Last Tuesday, Vice President of Student Affairs Todd Olson met with representatives from Plan A: Hoyas for Reproductive Justice—the recently formed pro-contraception coalition—following a dramatic protest, in which students chained themselves to the statue of John Carroll.

By the April 7, 2010

Editorials

Democracy shines in GPB’s spring concert

While some students may pass on this year’s Spring Kick-off Concert to avoid a trip back to middle-school angst with headliner Third Eye Blind, the Georgetown Programming Board should be commended for their remarkable competency in organizing this year’s concert.

By the April 7, 2010

Editorials

DDOT on track with separated bike lanes

Although the thought of more balding professionals clad in excessively tight clothing may be cringe worthy, the District Department of Transportation has wisely released a new plan to expand cycle tracks downtown.

By the April 7, 2010

Voices

A Savage approach to sex-ed

Everything I learned about sex I learned from Dan Savage. I wish that was a gross exaggeration, but it’s not. I’ve spent most of my life ignorant of, misinformed about, or terrified of sex. For the uninitiated, Dan Savage is an internationally-syndicated sex and relationship advice columnist. Think a male, gay, “Dear Abby” who instructs readers on how to pull off things like threesomes and polyamory instead of successful dinner parties.

By April 7, 2010

Voices

Plan A: Hoyas for Reproductive Justice resorts to plan B

Based on reader comments on the Voice’s and The Hoya’s websites, students reacted almost uniformly to students chaining themselves to the statue of John Carroll as part of a Plan A: Hoyas they agreed with the protest’s cause, but not with the way in which it was executed. And with protesters demanding the on-campus sale of condoms as if it was a matter of life or death and shouting fabrications at families visiting for Georgetown Admissions Ambassador Program weekend ... it was hard to disagree.

By April 7, 2010

Voices

Georgetown achieves non-Christian dharma

As I toured Georgetown one final time before making my college decision, the question “Would I fit in at a Catholic university?” lingered in my mind. I was raised Hindu, but my religion never played a large role in my life. During my childhood, I was introduced to my religion’s core values and beliefs, but never explored anything beyond the basics. However, that’s not to say that I don’t appreciate religion’s role in society. Religion can unite communities and restore people’s faith.

By April 7, 2010

Editorials

Healthcare reform a welcome success

At a rally held less than a week before this past Sunday’s monumental healthcare vote, President Barack Obama declared that the American people were “waiting for us to act ... waiting for us to lead.”

By the March 25, 2010

Editorials

SAC should embrace accountability

The Georgetown University Student Asssocation and the Student Activities Commission are at a negotiating standstill—it’s time for them to resolve this conflict.

By the March 25, 2010

Editorials

Make recycling easier for GU students

In his book The Daily Planet, environmental activist Paul Griss observed “just as we cannot blame others for destroying the environment, so we cannot look to others to protect the environment.

By the March 25, 2010

Voices

Turnitin.com turns profit on students’ work

Georgetown University prides itself on a strong ethical tradition. In my own journalism masters program, an ethics class is one of two mandatory graduation requirements. The University also boasts a policy-oriented ethics institute whose mission is to “serve as an unequalled resource for those who research and study ethics, as well as those who debate and make public policy.”

By March 25, 2010

Voices

One student’s premeditated path to medicine

Even before you get to college, people ask what you want to major in, a choice that could set out what you’re doing for the rest for your life. You did pretty well in all your math and science classes in high school: all APs, all fives, no big deal. So you say that you’ll go pre-med. Hey, after all, a doctor’s salary doesn’t sound too shabby.

By March 25, 2010

Voices

Oh V.P. Magoo, you’ve done it again!

Vice President Joe Biden is one of the most recognizable men in the country. He is Barack Obama’s right-hand man. He helped pass universal healthcare. But when he said, “this is a big fucking deal” on national television, Biden cemented his place in my heart. Biden was embracing the president in front of television cameras and microphones, and he probably thought that he was speaking out of range when he blurted out this statement to his boss. He was not.

By March 25, 2010

Voices

Agoraphobia on the Hilltop: Unreasonable insularity

Ask Georgetown students to list the top five reasons they chose this school, and the one thing that almost everyone will include is the location. Here we have the best of both worlds: a beautiful campus on a hilltop overlooking our nation’s bustling capital. But how often do Hoyas really venture beyond the brick paths of M Street and cross over to the cemented reality of what is commonly known as Pennsylvania Avenue? Not very often.

By March 25, 2010

Editorials

Spring for transparency in the District

Washington’s local government is theoretically supposed to be open to the public, but corruption scandals and everyday laziness often prevent the District from achieving that goal.

By the March 17, 2010

Editorials

No love or benefits from Catholic Charities

A famous bearded carpenter once said: “So in everything you do, do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” As wise as Bob Villa is, the actual credit for that line belongs to an older, swarthier carpenter—Jesus.

By the March 17, 2010