The Collegian
Thursday, March 28, 2024

Editorials


Opinion

It's getting hot out here ...

Do Richmond students care about the environment as much as our president does? On Nov. 13, 2007, President Ayers signed the American College and University Presidents Climate Commitment. Since then, the president announced environmental stewardship to be a priority on campus and has followed this pronouncement with actions: D-Hall's certification as a Virginia Green Restaurant, a commitment to the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certificated Silver certified construction projects, the pursuit of a program that would allow SpiderCards to be used on the GRTC public transportation system and the Eco-Spider Challenge to promote sustainability on campus.


Opinion

Mockery is ignorance

To the person who dressed in blackface for Halloween this past weekend: You are not funny. You are not clever. You are ignorant. You represent an image of African Americans that was popularized during the 1700s.


Opinion

Envisioning my return

This Homecoming Weekend promises to be as strange as it will be memorable, because those who were my peers just a few months ago will be returning to campus as members of that distant and ever-growing faction that is "alumni." And sadly, if all goes according to plan, I will reluctantly be initiated into that same group about six months from now.


Opinion

How far have we really come?

Dear Administration, Faculty, Staff and Students: I am writing this letter to address some concerns about an incident which occurred this past weekend, which I feel that we, as members of the University of Richmond community, need to address as a collective.


Opinion

The color of money

MADRID ? After being here for about 2 1/2 months, there are very few things that still trigger that little feeling of homesickness from time to time.


Opinion

The real issue with blackface

Blackface. It's the "issue du jour" and it's on everyone's minds. Was it wrong for that student to choose a costume from a performance style steeped in racism?


Opinion

After blackface, hoping for change

I am hopeful. A few weeks ago I read an article in The Collegian that someone wrote about the magic of 'Crankin dat' soulja boy,' a song played at an apartment party that managed to bring people of all races together for four minutes of laughing, dancing and "Superman-ing." I was there for that party, and to find that other people had noticed that moment of brief but fantastic unity truly made me feel as though we were making progress for the race relations of this campus. I am hopeful. Last week I went to a SALSA event in the Alice Haynes Room, thinking it would probably solely consist of students of Spanish or Latino descent.


Opinion

Change behavior now or pay later

In 2005, if someone had asked me to pick a theme for the year, my one word response would have been water. Not to belittle other tragic events in 2005, but it was a marked year from the start.


Opinion

What about the others?

Before I go any further let me say I was not on campus this weekend to experience the University of Richmond Halloween or see any of the creative costumes put together by our "intellectual risk takers." Nonetheless, I would place a bet on there being a "risk taker," somewhere on this campus, that did dress up like a Mexican gangster, American Indian or terrorist (intended to be of Muslim descent). I've seen these impersonators dress up in sombreros, head dresses and black and white scarves before, so I know I am not making this up.


Opinion

Virginia's increased driving fees draw sharp criticism

Widespread opposition from Virginia drivers over the state's recently imposed abusive driver fees, which range from $750 for driving on a suspended license to $3,000 for motor vehicle-related felonies, may soon apply to out-of-state drivers as well, lawmakers say. The new regulations, which Virginia lawmakers designed to raise $65 million for much-needed transportation projects, took effect July 1 and is at the nexus of a conflict that has resulted in differing court opinions and a patchwork of laws throughout Virginia. All 140 seats in the Virginia General Assembly are up for election this November, which has led many state lawmakers, sensing the unpopularity of the fees, to distance themselves from Gov.