Published by the Students of Johns Hopkins since 1896
May 27, 2026 May 27, 2026 | Published by the Students of Johns Hopkins since 1896

Voices

Hopkins is a diverse university where an incredible mix of cultures, academic interests and personalities coexist and thrive. Here is the section where you can publish your unique thoughts, ideas and perspectives on life at Hopkins and beyond.

MSE, where are the women speakers?

By JULIA DEVARTI | December 4, 2014

Awhile ago I was talking to a friend of mine who was then on the board of the Milton S. Eisenhower Symposium (MSE) about why they bring in so few women as speakers. He — note here that he’s a man —  told me there weren’t as many women to invite to speak, which I promptly told him was a dumb excuse. There are plenty of successful women out there, even if there are more men available. Then he argued that women cost more to have at events, citing Hillary Clinton and Oprah, two speakers who obviously would cost a fortune. Anyway, shouldn’t we only pay a woman 77 percent of what we pay a man to speak? Just kidding.

The Barber of Seville: Bugs Bunny edition

By Elizabeth Sherwood | December 4, 2014

Over Thanksgiving break, I was extremely fortunate to be invited by a friend to the Metropolitan Opera. The production was Rossini’s The Barber of Seville (Il Barbiere di Siviglia), his most popular opera, which has many recognizable tunes. Besides the Viking lady with the horns and the long blonde braids, Figaro, the barber himself, is to me the most recognizable character in any opera. The Barber of Seville, however, was about Count Almaviva’s courtship of Rosina with the help of Figaro. Not only was it a comedy, but it was in Italian. I loved it.

Taylor Swift stuns Spotify users

By ALEX HUROWITZ | December 4, 2014

Love her or hate her, Taylor Swift can sell an album, with 1.287 million copies of her latest album 1989 sold in the first week of its release — in other words, two albums were sold every second of that week-long period. 1989 was also the first album to go platinum for 2014. (The only other album to sell one million units this year was the Frozen soundtrack, but that was released in 2013.) Besides that, Swift’s whole discography has gone platinum, with her last three releases, 2010’s Speak Now, 2012’s Red and 2014’s 1989, selling a million copies in their first respective weeks.

The importance of peaceful solitude

By LILLIAN KAIRIS | December 4, 2014

When I was younger, and teachers or summer camp instructors or various adults-trying-to-relate would ask me what my favorite animal was, I would say “the human being.” They would say that wasn’t what they’d meant.

From your closet to your Instagram

By KATHARINE RUBERY | November 20, 2014

Due to the technology advancements of the 21st century, fashion blogging and trend watching are as accessible to us as ever. Instagram, if you don’t already know, is an application that allows us to post filtered pictures that give insight to our experiences and lives. There are many different types of “Insta-bloggers.” Recently, however, the new trend is to document all glamorous adventures through pictures of daily outfits, café meals and beauty bags.

Fifty shades of grey areas

By JULIA DEVARTI | November 20, 2014

The newest trailer for the upcoming Fifty Shades of Grey was released last week, and the Internet is all atwitter about it. The movie, scheduled to open on Valentine’s Day 2015, is based on the book of the same name by E. L. James., and boy oh boy, there is a lot to say about the story.

An interview with President Ron Daniels

By KATIE B | November 20, 2014

In many ways, University President Ronald J. Daniels brings back monarchy to campus. We like to post statuses about seeing him dancing the twist or talking to the ghost of Johnny Hopkins — alright, alright, these rumors may be slightly exaggerated. We send Snapchats when he disregards his royal bloodline to dine with students, and we often assign to him the burden of responsibility for all University decisions.

A summary of my first semester at Hopkins

By GILLIAN LELCHUK | November 20, 2014

The conclusion of my first semester here at Hopkins is approaching, and I’m feeling a little nostalgic for my initial arrival. I showed up at Hopkins with bright eyes and excitement for the classes that I’d chosen, for my future, for my major in Writing Seminars and my minor in mathematics.

The case of the un-chargeable phone

By AMANDA GARCIA | November 13, 2014

All of the exciting features and applications found on phones have turned our mobile devices into another limb we all unconsciously use and look at when we’re bored. So, when my cell phone stopped charging, it messed up my routine.

Introducing: The Paine-ful Truth

By ZACHARY PAINE SABIN | November 13, 2014

It’s been a turbulent few weeks at Hopkins. Parties being shut down, sexual assaults and even the death of a student. These problems present challenging questions. I’m here to offer my (hopefully solicited) opinions on these issues, and whatever else the readers of The News-Letter choose to ask me about.

Run the Jewels hits the stage in D.C.

By LOUIS ROSIN | November 13, 2014

This past Saturday night, Run the Jewels, the inspired collaborative duo of hip hop oldheads Killer Mike and El-P, kicked off the nationwide tour for their sophomore effort. Following opening acts by Queens rapper Despot and hip hop group Rat King, the veteran emcee’s took the stage at Washington, D.C’s 9:30 Club and — literally — made the building shake.

Words of wisdom: keep calm and platitude on

By LILLIAN KAIRIS | November 13, 2014

I remember when I was in high school, and “Keep Calm and Carry On” became a thing. Like, a plastered-on-your-wall, written-on-your-sweaters, embroidered-on-your-pincushions level THING. One moment my peers were stressed and angsty, and the next they were placated, professing that everything will be okay. Keep calm and carry on, Lily. I really didn’t get it.

New event procedures are counterproductive and convoluted

By ALEX HUROWITZ | November 13, 2014

While I usually use this column to ramble about something related to music, I decided this time to talk about the new policies the administration has put in place concerning events that students groups organize. With the controversial moratorium on Greek life-related events taking the spotlight, these new, relatively unnoticed policies affect all student groups, not just fraternities and sororities.

Halloween and hipsters at Hopkins

By AMANDA HOBSON | November 6, 2014

The stuff at the bottom of the cup tasted like vinegar; I had to choke it down. Day two of Halloweekend, 11:30 p.m., I’m close to done. While my eyes were closed, another ping pong ball bounced past

The do’s and don’ts of college roommates

By GILLIAN LELCHUK | November 6, 2014

Unless you’re one of the few with a single in the AMRs, all of us freshmen are stuck with a roommate, or at least a suitemate or two. And while some of us might have been lucky (like myself, for example; my roommate is lovely), many freshmen have to deal with horribly impolite roommates. Or maybe you are the awful roommate? Then this is the article for you, a comprehensive list based on real-life experiences of several frustrated freshmen, who will remain anonymous for their own safety.

My reading list for budding feminists

By JULIA DEVARTI | November 6, 2014

As any good feminist knows, you don’t become a feminist by chance. Often, women read an empowering book and discover feminism, or they hear someone speak about womanhood and find it inspiring. And once someone claims the name “feminist,” there’s still a lot to learn and read and use to help you grow as a woman.

An ode to Oscar de la Renta and his legacy

By KATHARINE RUBERY | November 6, 2014

On Oct. 20, 2014, Oscar de la Renta died at the age of 82 in his home in Kent, Conn. After struggling with cancer for eight years, De La Renta passed away leaving behind a massive legacy of prêt-a-porter fashion. Born and raised in Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic, he always desired to work in the fashion field throughout his youth. After training with Cristobal Balenciaga in Spain, De La Renta moved to work with Antonio del Castillo at Lanvin.

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