Over the past few weeks, these pages have seen a flurry of debate over the Minimum Legal Drinking Age (MLDA) of 21. This week alone, three separate pieces in the opinions section deal with the topic, and each of the last four weeks have included at least one op-ed submission targeting this contentious debate. In honor of the lively discussion, we have decided to endorse the goal of lowering the MLDA, particularly in Vermont, with a sincere effort made toward increased alcohol education.
We do not presume to propose a plan …

In last week’s Campus, Dr. John Searles defended the legal drinking age of 21 by doing what the establishment does best: lying. From high atop his bully pulpit, Searles graced Midd-kids with a letter to the editor devoid of relevant science and saturated with ridicule, even stooping so low as to accuse me, a college undergrad, of having spent too much time in the ivory tower. This, coming from a doctor and former professor who has spent more time in universities than I have on this earth. No one is …

I am tired of pragmatism, of “centered” political views, of sacrificing change for compromise. In the past year, I have watched as those in power touted the Canadian oil sands as a solution to weaning America off foreign oil; as they turned universal access healthcare into something simply less exclusive than what is offered today and allowed genuine financial reform to slip under the bailout bus; as economic, ecological and community sustainability was sacrificed and change at a snail’s pace championed instead.
What adds insult to injury is when young …

As somewhat of an addendum to my previous column about the Community Council’s so-called review of keg policy, I thought I might lend my voice to the debate about alcohol that has been raging — probably unnoticed — in these pages for weeks. As The Campus’ alcohol columnist, it is my duty to reiterate points already made, further polarize arguments and alter the level of discourse to my own designs. But I digress.
Most of the current uproar stems from an article published in The Campus’ Feb. 11 …

James O’Brien complained last week that everyone in the previous week’s issue of The Campus was “so very angry, especially in the opinions section.” Mackenzie Beer was roiling in hysterics over being labeled. The Republican columnist was seething at the spring. I wrote about manly stuff. All these negative vibes seemed to gravitate around one black hole of controversy: Tess Russell & Co.’s maligned “Where do I belong?” infographic. Online, a parent commented: “offensive, stereotyped content at its worst.” A student seconded: “crappy.” Mackenzie Beer reenacted the passions of St. …

For the past month or so, the opinions pages of The Campus have played host to a dialogue regarding the minimum legal drinking age (MLDA) of 21. The latest such piece to appear in our pages was written by Dr. John Searles, in response to Nick Alexander’s ’10 op-ed on the subject. As someone with a few opinions on the subject myself and an editor of these pages, I feel that now would be an appropriate time to add my two cents.
Most of the debate over MLDA thus far has …

It’s quite easy nowadays to vilify Big Business and conglomerated corporate interests. In fact, in a way, it’s become even fashionable — certainly not much of a surprise after watching the financial giants pull enormous profits out of thin air, cause a near collapse of our economy and then steal (under the guise of a federal bailout) our taxpayer money. Can you even feign shock that they are now actively (and productively) lobbying to ensure regulatory reform never sees a congressional agenda?
And it’s not just Michael Moore running around with …

To the editor:
I enjoyed reading Karl Lindholm’s recollections of Carnivals in the olden days (“Looking back, moving forward,” Feb. 25). I also remember Carnivals from growing up here, and the college-wide participation. Hoards of people crowded the Snow Bowl for ski-jumping in particular, which you could comfortably watch from the sunny side of the lodge. Many faculty members spent a day on the race course as gate-checkers, and it seemed as if the entire faculty (almost all male) skated in the Ice Show. The same was true for the …

The calendar turned itself to March this week, taking with it the Olympics, Winter Carnival and, of course, “Let’s Talk About Sex” Month. The annual series of events, sponsored by the Office of Health and Wellness Education, included a dating game, discussion about sexual conversation and a sex toy party, and was a popular event across college demographics. Central to the annual event’s success is the director of the Office of Health and Wellness Education, Jyoti Daniere, whose tireless efforts kept the student body interested and excited in the month’s …