Ed Observers

The confessions of a Facebook addict

Few holidays generate as interesting a Facebook News Feed as Halloween. Beyond Halloween party invitations and status updates, there is the wide variety of fascinating photos — groups of friends costumed, posed and in character, the odd baby-dressed-as-a-pumpkin photo and of course, the documentation of drunk and scantily-clad Fraternity Quad mayhem. For a frequent Facebook […]

The apparent paradox of weekend life

At UR, perhaps one of the greatest attractions to students is the vibrant student life that is continuously occupying campus. Apart from the generally substantial class load, most students are involved in one or more student organizations, and many more hold jobs on top of that. Nearly every weekday features some new lecture or campus […]

Apathy is change this coming November

We all know that there are some huge and supposedly important elections coming in November. Turn on the television — there are already a myriad of back-and-forth attack ads slandering one politician, because he or she took this or that sleazy donation, or said something that could or could not be construed as marginally racist.  […]

The joys of a combined Meliora weekend

The anticipated Meliora Weekend contributes three days of University sponsored excitement and celebrations meant for parents, alumni and students alike. The weekend not only hosts eminent keynote speakers and comedians, but dozens of events also fill nearly every available hour and provide the school community with entertainment that boosts students’ morale for weeks to come.  […]

The social ambiguity of race and ethnicity

One of the reasons why I fell in love with anthropology is because I realized that race isn’t an inherent part of who we are. Through careful socialization, via standardized tests and my parents, I had always known that when asked my race, the appropriate answer was Black/African-American/Non-Hispanic. But lo and behold, this year as […]

The sorority system is in need of change

I assume that after reading that title, a couple hundred girls on campus are now out for my head. Let me start with a disclaimer: it is my honest opinion that sororities are of great importance to this University, and that they have a positive impact on the community. Read More

Chicago sports fans share common bond

As of this past Sunday, Sept. 12, football season has officially begun. Can I explain every offensive and defensive play that exists in the game? Not exactly. Can I recite the team history of the major (or not-so-major) players? Definitely not. However, I do know the rules of the game. The offense needs to advance […]

How UR is slowly cooking all of us (alive!)

Just starting my third year of college, I am amazed at the things I’ve already been taught at UR that I didn’t expect to be part of my education. I’m talking about the school rules and regulations that address all the little things in life. Case in point: I never knew just how dangerous octopus […]

Welcome to a non-argument

Welcome to a non-argument. Welcome to Dada reborn.In this article, I will refuse to follow the artificial constructs of the English language. Those evil and wicked grammarians began codifying what is right and wrong in the 18th century. How dare they arbitrate their will over me and what they believe is right.The rest of my […]