University Chronicle

I am sure most of us here in college have some forms of an experience with standardized testing, where your answers are graded by a computer program — SAT, ACT, TOEFL, IELTS, GRE, GMAT, you name it. Among some of the hottest buzzwords around college grading and assessments today is the use of grading machines to score student papers. According to Inside Higher Ed, professors are at odds on this mechanism implemented by administrative officials at many higher educational institutions.

Read the full story

The United States of America celebrated a historical moment in November of 2008 when the first African-American became president. Many celebrated this moment, not only for the historical moment in the country’s history, but also as a sign that the country was moving past the racial prejudices and stereotypes which have plagued the nation since its beginning. As he was re-elected the nation rejoiced again. I, however, am not rejoicing, as I do not see this as a progression away from the prejudices and stereotypes.

Read the full story

As we advance through our busy American lives, we often seem to overlook important issues in today’s society.

Sure, most people know about same-sex marriage and the changes regarding it, but do we realize history is happening in front of our own eyes?

It is believed by some that within five to 10 years, same-sex marriage will be legal nationwide. Now tell me that isn’t kind of a big deal.

Okay, so there is something big happening here, but how does one know which side to take, especially as a young adult? You might have parents who oppose homosexuality, but close friends who are gay. The decision can certainly be tough.

Read the full story

As we have six more weeks to go before finals week hits, I am motivated to talk about the importance of getting some hands-on experience this summer for college students.

I received a call last week from a student hiring rep of a sales company who was looking for recommendations from student club presidents to put forward the names of their respective members who may be interested in a summer internship.

So, I asked around the members of my club and found that most of my fellow colleagues have already secured a summer internship. While I am contented with the achievements of these students, I wonder how many students out there have not considered an internship yet.

Read the full story

Image courtesy of cuinsight.com

Now that we can all agree that the Harlem Shake phenomenon is over, I think it is about time we ask ourselves the long overdue question of “What the hell was that?”

Don’t get me wrong, I thoroughly enjoyed the awkward humping and disturbing flailing dance moves as much as the next man, but I knew (and I think we all knew) that soon the fun of it was going to collapse under its own silliness.

Read the full story

I like to walk.

It is one of my favorite things. I walk for pleasure, exercise, or just to get places.

I walk everyday with my dog, and sometimes I run.

Two weeks ago, I ran.

I have a great time running with my dog and boyfriend around the beautiful Lake George. Everything went smoothly.

The next day, however, I began my usual walk to work, and experienced an intense pain in my left heel the entire walk there, causing me to limp.

I thought nothing of it, but I decided to contact my boyfriend’s mom, an orthopedic nurse, to see what she had to say.

Read the full story

Welcome back from spring break, folks.

As we prepare to finish up the semester in seven or so weeks, most of you will be dealing with a similar situation like I do every time when it comes closer to the end of the semester: Email-catastrophe (noun: a horrible calamity manifested in the form of an email that will put your life into misery).

Read the full story

Relative to a few articles recently written in the past few weeks in the University Chronicle about MnSCU’s plans to raise tuition for students enrolled in their schools, I would like to throw my two cents in the pot.

According to an email sent to me from Doug Anderson, Communications and Media Director for MnSCU, the plan for the tuition hike is to increase tuition for full-time college students by $145 a year and full-time university students by $205 a year in order to afford better state-of-the-art technology and equipment, and provide more internship opportunities for students. There are some other aids expected to come from the proposal, but these factors seem to be the highlight of benefits for the common MnSCU student.

Read the full story

When is it acceptable to cast aside your convictions for sake of convenience?

Who benefits from the silence of looking the other way when a situation arises where a genuine conflict of personal beliefs can potentially damage a life-long relationship?

The impersonal relationships society perpetuates makes the demonization of individuals and groups far too easy. Truthful information is far too hard to come by.

When all you know about someone is that they stand on the other side of the line on a particular issue, or set of issues, the disdain for that individual flows easily and with little remorse.

Read the full story

Hello, my name is Humanity, and I have a hero problem.

I know the concept of heroizing is varying degrees of importance from culture to culture, but many of us have a tendency to idolize and idealize those who do things we deem “good.”

Think about it: when it comes to scandals and discussion, there’s little that measures up to the attention we give “good guys” when they do something bad.

Tiger Woods.

Michael Phelps.

Lance Armstrong.

All the way back to MLK, JFK, Clinton, Nixon and many others.

Read the full story