Opinion

The opinions presented below are solely the views of the author and do not represent the views of The News-Letter. If you are a member of the Hopkins community looking to submit a piece or a letter to the editor, please email opinions@jhunewsletter.com.

COURTESY OF JEANNE LEE Lee argues that the University's current housing system is not conducive for maintaining long-term relationships.

Hopkins housing system fosters loneliness

By JEANNE LEE | October 18, 2018

I agree: We should continue badgering the administration for the construction of a new student center. But while we’re at it, let’s also address the University’s isolation-inducing housing system. 

Letter to the Editor 10/11/2018

By BENJAMIN TAYLOR and DAVID JOHNSON | October 10, 2018

If the values of “diversity” and “community engagement” are to be more than mere slogans — and if Hopkins is serious about its expressed commitment to equality — ending its contracts with ICE is non-negotiable. 

Indigenous Peoples Day Editorial

The University must stand behind indigenous students

By THE EDITORIAL BOARD | October 11, 2018

The celebration of Indigenous Peoples Day on campus makes us hope that Hopkins is becoming a more diverse and inclusive university. But we can’t expect indigenous students to carry that burden alone. We have to remember that the University must also take action. 

Students, please vote. You too, STEM majors.

By ANNALISE BLUM | October 15, 2018

When I was 17, I set up an ironing board on the side of Market Street in downtown San Francisco. I wore a brand new shirt with straight-out-of-the-box creases, which read: “Ask me to help you register to vote.” Panicked about the possible re-election of George W. Bush (remember him?), I had convinced four friends to spend the day with me trying to register distracted shoppers.

When everything seems to be going against you, remember that the airplane takes off against the wind, not with it. (40).png
COURTESY OF EDA INCEKARA Protesters rallied at D.C. on Saturday in opposition to Kavanaugh’s confirmation vote.

Brett Kavanaugh has won. All Americans have lost.

By ARIELLA SHUA | October 11, 2018

Yes, this is a piece by a college student lamenting the state of politics in this country. I’m not going to waste space here talking about what happened. We’re in America. Pretty much all Americans who’ve logged onto Facebook or seen a news headline know the facts, or, at least some version of the truth. Those in charge of our country these days seem to be always arguing about what actually happened in any given situation.

Opposing Viewpoints: It's your duty to vote in Maryland

By JACOB TOOK | October 8, 2018

Baltimore is a college town, with nine universities in the city limits attracting around 55,000 students. Many of these students, particularly those at Hopkins, are reluctant to make a home in the city. They are wary of exploring its neighborhoods, rarely patronize the city’s cafes, steer clear of getting involved in local political issues and are generally comfortable living in the Hopkins bubble for four years.

When everything seems to be going against you, remember that the airplane takes off against the wind, not with it. (33) (1).png
When everything seems to be going against you, remember that the airplane takes off against the wind, not with it. (32) (1).png

Opposing Viewpoints: This year, vote in your battleground homestates

By LAURA WADSTEN | October 8, 2018

As November approaches, the call to vote is heard louder and louder. There is no question as to whether you should vote, but the decision of where to register to vote may not be as clear.  If you are from Maryland, the choice has been made for you. However, those of us who hail from other states have to decide between having a voice in the places where we reside for most of the year and the places that built us.

FILE PHOTO Garland Hall currently houses administrative offices, like those of the President and the Provost.

Forget Mattin. Garland Hall should be our student center.

By ROLLIN HU | September 26, 2018

Students have been talking about getting a student center on campus since at least 2001, and every couple of years, there’s a renewed push to get one. We are in the middle of one of those pushes now as a confluence of University groups and reports —  the Student Government Association’s Referendum, the Second Commission on Undergraduate Education (CUE2), and the Task Force on Student Mental Health and Well-being Final Report — have called for the construction of a student center. 

We need a security committee for every campus

By MAX JARCHO | October 1, 2018

In an email to students last Thursday, new Vice President for Security Melissa Hyatt welcomed student feedback on Hopkins security. She included a new email address and announced the creation of a new Student Advisory Committee for Security, whose role is to “address a variety of subjects” and “provide diverse perspectives” pertaining to security at Hopkins. The Committee is actively seeking applications.

When everything seems to be going against you, remember that the airplane takes off against the wind, not with it. (29).png
When everything seems to be going against you, remember that the airplane takes off against the wind, not with it. (25).png

How self-care can empower women (and men)

By SARAH Y. KIM | September 23, 2018

This year, I’ve gotten better at taking care of myself.  For me, a lot of this means allowing myself to slow down. I set aside time to cook. I eat healthier and take my time at meals. I go to the gym. I sleep a lot more and avoid staying at Brody past midnight.

COURTESY OF ROLLIN HU Hu argues that to be more effective activists, students must look to their predecessors.

Take lessons from the past for future student activism

By ROLLIN HU | September 16, 2018

Over the past three years, I’ve gotten to learn more about Hopkins than I would have liked. Our renowned medical research carries the shadow of exploiting test subjects with cases like the nonconsensual removal of Henrietta Lacks’ cells or the Kennedy Krieger lead paint experiments. Our school’s commitment to research-based solutions is discarded as it pursues a private police force which researchers and community members alike have rejected.