The Cal State system is unjustly inserting itself in what should be a classroom-to-classroom dynamic. If professors want to encourage AI use for their assignments, great. If students decide on their own that the benefit is worth $20 a month, great. I believe it is not the Cal State’s place to provide these tools to students without meaningfully consulting faculty.
Category: Opinion
Posted inOpinion
From S’well to Stanley: Why you think you always need a new water bottle
While the “emotional support water bottle” trend signifies the uptick in personal eco-friendly practices, it’s also an explicit reflection of modern consumerism and overconsumption. The rise of reusable water bottles was initially tied to sustainability, but along the way, it has become focused on aesthetics, profit and social status.
Posted inOpinion
Snacks and recipes to sweeten your Valentine’s Day
Katherine Lu is a journalism senior and arts & student life reporter for Mustang News. The opinions expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect those of Mustang Media Group. They say the way to someone’s heart is through their stomach. Keeping your loved ones’ well-fed can be difficult on a college students’ budget. Luckily, […]
Posted inOpinion
Healthy eating at Cal Poly? Good luck avoiding on-campus fast food
This is going to be controversial, and I know that. But come on, Chick-fil-A, Panda Express, Taco Bell, Starbucks…these are considered some of the unhealthiest dining options across the US, and Cal Poly decided to put all four of them on campus. We deserve better, healthier, more diverse dining options.
Posted inOpinion
The world is on fire and I’m burnt out trying to save it
In a culture where it feels like no one is ever working hard enough, it’s difficult to feel like the work you’re doing is truly saving the planet. It’s easy to feel discouraged in the environmental industry, especially when the changes we’re striving for often feel like they can only happen at a systemic level. But it’s not just about the passion you once had, it’s the resilience to keep going that actually drives change.
Posted inOpinion
Why SLO transit isn’t adjusting well enough for a growing community
Scheduling life around bus schedules isn’t the only problem students without cars face; alternatives prove to be just as troublesome. Rideshares are expensive and knowing someone with a car is hard to come by, especially for a first-year. Many students are left stranded without suitable resources to explore the city they just moved to.
Posted inOpinion
TikTok ban helped Trump stumble into another win with young Americans, but don’t be fooled
It’s a funny tactic, but TikTok explicitly crediting Trump as the person responsible for something “good” staying in people’s lives will bump his popularity, especially among young Americans.
Posted inOpinion
Cal Poly’s Kennedy Library closure leaves many students without a true study sanctuary
Part of the “classic college experience” includes the studying and cramming sessions until the early hours of the morning, but nearly half of Cal Poly’s population has never had a designated library study space for this.
Posted inOpinion
Why getting ready is the best part of going out
Let’s be real – while the clubs and bars promise unforgettable nights, the true highlight isn’t in those overpriced cocktails or crowded dance floors. It’s in these chaotic, intimate hours of preparation when you’re sprawled across your friend’s bed, trying on everything in her closet and belting out lyrics at full volume. I’m going to tell you exactly why these pre-party moments mean more than any night out ever could.
Posted inOpinion
Why Cal Poly’s transition to semesters is worth the growing pains
This piece is featured in the Jan. 2025 print edition. John Washington is a journalism senior and opinion columnist for Mustang News. The opinions expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect those of Mustang Media Group. Walking into class one day last quarter, I heard my professor make a bold declaration in casual conversation […]
Posted inOpinion
Journalism’s excessive paywalls are leaving out young people. It’s going to kill the industry
I understand the need for paywalls in journalism. Everybody wants free news, but it takes resources to support the skilled writers who produce it. Excessive paywalls means journalism can’t reach those who need it most: young people.