Published by the Students of Johns Hopkins since 1896
March 26, 2023

Editorial





FIBONACCI BLUE / CC BY 2.0
After a record-breaking number of shootings in January, the Editorial Board calls for a renewed fight for gun control.

Gun violence is a life-or-death issue. We need to act like it.

As soon as the holiday season came to a close, the grim reality of gun violence in America once again reared its head. We didn’t even have time to take down our Christmas trees before headlines were filled with tragedy after tragedy — this past January was the worst January on record for mass shootings, both in terms of frequency and the number of casualties. 



SHOURYA ARASHANAPALLI / DESIGN STAFF

TRU-UE is finally in the game. Will Hopkins play fair?

Teachers and Researchers United (TRU) — affiliated with United Electrical Radio, and Machine Workers (UE) — has achieved a historic milestone. Last week, after more than four years of organizing, Hopkins graduate students voted to unionize with a resounding 97% majority.


Be gone, bot: Don’t use AI to cheat your way through college.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is revolutionizing higher education, but as we integrate ChatGPT, a language model created by OpenAI, into our classrooms, we must also consider the ethical implications. Privacy, accountability, and the student-teacher dynamic are all at stake. It's crucial that we take responsibility for ensuring the responsible use of this powerful technology, before it's too late.


JOHN D’CRUZ / GRAPHICS EDITOR

Don’t let the winter blues get you down.

This week kicked off the start of the spring semester. Though we have new classes and new professors, it’s difficult to feel excited with Baltimore’s cold and gray winter weather hanging over campus. Our surroundings may be bleak, but it doesn’t mean our days should be, too.


SHOURYA ARASHANAPALLI / DESIGN STAFF

Get through finals, then get involved

We have come to the end of another semester at Hopkins. Fall 2022 was challenging, rewarding and in many ways the first “normal” semester since the University suspended in-person instruction in March 2020.


Hopkins, put your money where your mouth is and divest.

If you didn’t know the United Nations’ Convention on Climate Change was happening last month, we don’t blame you. Representatives from almost 200 countries attended the summit, known as COP27, to advance global climate action. Despite its importance, conversations on campus about the conference were slim to none.


The News-Letter is taking a break. You should, too.

This week, our cozy Monday night staff meeting in the Gatehouse looked a little different. While it is usually a time for everyone to catch up and converse on the couches, crowded around the space heater, we instead found ourselves speaking primarily to a Zoom audience with only a few in-person attendees. 



COURTESY OF MOLLY GREEN
With the recent crimes near campus, we encourage everyone to take advantage of the University’s safety resources. 

In light of recent crimes around campus, prioritize safety.

Over the past few weeks, the Hopkins community has received multiple emergency alerts about crimes occurring around Baltimore campuses, including two abductions or attempted abductions near the Homewood Campus. The University responded to this uptick in serious violent crimes in a message to affiliates on Oct. 29. 


Voter apathy is spooky. Go to the polls.

As midterm elections near, it seems that many young voters have become disillusioned with the political sphere. For many of us, it’s been a while since we were our 18-year-old selves, all registered and geared up to vote.



SHOURYA ARASHANAPALLI / DESIGN STAFF

In SGA, we (wish we could) trust

According to its constitution, the Student Government Association (SGA) was founded upon “the importance of strengthening student unity, representing student interests and providing a forum for the exchange of ideas.” Unfortunately, we’re not sure these lofty ideals are being met. 



SHOURYA ARASHANAPALLI / DESIGN STAFF

The grind should stop sometimes. Go on a Brody detox.

Welcome to Week Four of the semester — classes are underway, midterms are right around the corner and life just got a whole lot busier.  While high grades are a top priority for any student, especially here at Hopkins, we also want to emphasize the importance of maintaining your mental health and well-being.


Don’t get cocky, Blue Jays. Rank is just a number.

The recently released 2022-2023 U.S. News & World Report college rankings place Hopkins at seventh among national universities — a jump from last year’s ninth. The annual rankings always spark conversation around campus. Over the last decade, Hopkins has gradually climbed to the top 10 and is continuing to rise through the ranks.


It’s time to be real, Hopkins. COVID is still here.

Every new school year brings change: different professors, different classmates, maybe even a different go-to order at Brody Cafe. But some of the recent changes on campus have us scratching our heads, wondering how and why the University has decided to alter key policies.


Podcast
Multimedia
Lost in time
Leisure Interactive Food Map
The News-Letter Print Locations
News-Letter Special Editions