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Harmless J.Crew ad causes unnecessary drama

J. Crew released a new ad this month that features the company's Creative Director and President, Jenna Lyons, and her son.  Jenna is smiling and looking into her son's eyes while holding his feet. 

For the sake of change

Unless you have been living under a rock this year, or just don't go to class, you cannot help but notice the change that we have undergone as a university.  

Every aspect of our campus has changed. 

You can’t teach an old cow new tricks

Studying in Philadelphia, PA one may never fully experience what the country terrain is all about.  You can't particularly take a walk down City Ave to familiarize yourself with nature. In Laufen, Germany this is a much a different story. Regina Mayer, an imaginative a 15-year-old, decided to take matters into her own hands after her parents refused to buy her a riding horse. Living in the country side and growing up with woods in her backyard, Mayer had a calling to brave the terrain atop an animal.

Public Safety must keep students’ needs in mind

I called the department of public safety to request an escort on Friday, April 1 at 7:48 a.m. from McShain to Overbrook Station.  

My plan was to catch the 8:14 a.m. SEPTA train out to 30th Street Station, and if I missed that one, I could take the 8:24 a.m. train in order to arrive in time for my bus, which was scheduled to leave for Boston from 30th St. Station.

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Reconstruction of global economy needs to be done with the right intentions

In the next week George Soros, a billionaire financier, is going to put his plan of rearranging the entire global economic system into action. Soros has extensive plans to establish new international rules in order to reform the currency system. He hopes to establish a multilateral system that would result in America not being so dominant. More than 200 leaders are expected to come together for a global gathering and with only four journalists attending, little to no publicity is being generated.

Phils may struggle to meet high expectations this season

In December of 2010, the Philadelphia Phillies ensured their 3rd World Series Championship in franchise history.

Well, at least that's what a lot of Philadelphia fans thought when they heard Cliff Lee was coming back to town.

US and NATO work together in Libya

It's about time.

After countless U.S.-led foreign invasions and interventions, someone else is finally taking the lead: NATO.

Victoria Jackson comes out of the woodwork to offend Gleeks

Victoria Jackson can go back to that rock she's been hiding under for the past 20 years.

Wolfington’s doors are open to all

I would like to thank Ms. Catherine Migel for her article in the Feb. 23 issue of The Hawk on Wolfington Hall. As a so-called, "Wolfington Kid" myself, the article raised many issues for me that need to be addressed. I take issue with a few of Ms. Migel's assertions.

Americans have royal fever over upcoming wedding

People are counting down the days till the royal wedding on April 29, 2011.  Even I am keeping track on my calendar.

The tragedy of Prince William's mother Diana dying in 1997 caused William to grow up in the spotlight.

Corbett’s higher education spending cuts a bad idea

Tom Corbett, the Governor of Pennsylvania, is planning on reducing spending for higher education in Pennsylvania.  

What this means is that universities such as Temple, Penn State, Pittsburgh and the other state-schools in Pennsylvania, will be receiving approximately 50 percent less money from the government than they do now.  This could potentially be a problem for the universities as well as the students who want to attend them.

University should take greater role in campus conversations

Timothy Lannon, S.J., president of Saint Joseph's University, informed students in an email sent on Fri., March 4, that Thomas Gleeson, S.J., a part-time chaplain at the university, had been accused of sexually harassing a former seminarian while living in Berkeley, Calif.

Be mindful of what you write, bro

If you've been on Facebook recently, you have probably seen the buzz about blog posts by "Saint Bros."  He's gotten thousands of hits a day, and all the buzz is about pictures and intimate stories of St. Joe's students. In fact, the stories about all of YOU have become so popular, that "Saint Bros" has graduated from a wordpress blog to a "dot-com."

No consistent U.S. policy in the middle east

As uprisings and mass protests continue to ripple across the entire Middle East, it is becoming ever more obvious that no country is safe from democracy. In Libya, Iraq and Iran, the protests have taken a violent turn. Government crackdowns in the epicenters of the protests have resulted in numerous injuries and deaths.

GOP looks to dismantle unions

The union-busting efforts of states such as Wisconsin, Indiana and Ohio have sparked arguments and debates across America.

More funds need to be given to sexual assault cases

A lawsuit was filed against the Department of Defense last Tuesday for the violation of constitutional rights. The plaintiffs, 17 active and veteran service members, accused the department of mishandling their cases of rape and sexual assault.

Planned Parenthood needs support

I'm not an expert on Planned Parenthood. Unlike millions of American women, I've never actually been inside of one (most likely because the closest location to St. Joe's is eight miles away and not easily accessible by public transportation).

Wolfington a not-so-friendly place

Here at Saint Joseph's we have an amazing reputation for our community service that we do through our Campus Ministry.  If I had asked 18-year-old me why she was coming here, the main factor would be for the strong community service opportunities, and how amazing the Campus Ministry program seemed to be through Wolfington. 

Has Facebook taken over our brains?

When did we become dependent on Facebook?  Most people cannot go a day with out checking their Facebook page and newsfeed, and they feel left out of their social scene when they do not update.  But how is it really any different from Twitter?

What’s next for Egypt?

After 18 days of mostly peaceful protests, celebration erupted in the streets of Cairo as hundreds of thousands of Egyptians learned of President Hosni Mubarak's resignation Friday. While the government was officially listed as a Republic, Mubarak had been in power for more than 30 years, and his party made up 93% of Parliament.

Bookstore needs to tailor prices to students

College students are used to being ripped off.  It does not matter where you go to school, if you identify yourself as a college student, you are getting ripped off in some shape or form. 

U.S. should initiate peace between Israelis and Palestinians

It would be an understatement to say that the crisis in Egypt stole the attention of U.S. newspapers and television programs this past week. The riot that began in Cairo's Tahrir Square has Americans wondering how this will ultimately affect our country.

Egypt policy controls Middle East relations for U.S.

With the situation in Egypt growing ever more violent, confusing and intense, only one thing is certain: President Obama needs to make up his mind.

On Feb. 1, the President made a public statement regarding the unfolding situation in Cairo, hours after Egyptian President Mubarak announced to the world that he would not run for re-election. In it, Obama stressed that the transition to a new, democratic government in Egypt "must begin now."

Dating in the new decade is hurt by technology

My grandfather's story blanketed the room, beckoning my mind to absorb his words, which always possess such wisdom. His voice was coated with nostalgia, as he once again recounted his favorite memory of how he had met my grandmother: "It was at the church dance," he recalled fondly, "and as soon as I saw her, she caught my breath, and my heart skipped a beat." He recounted the story of his first-date proposal, and remembered the many dates that followed.

Election of new president brings hope to St. Joe’s

Last week, the Saint Joseph's University Board of Trustees announced the election of Joseph O'Keefe, S.J., as the university's 27th president. O'Keefe will begin his presidency on May 18, after the current president, Timothy Lannon, S.J., becomes the president of Creighton University in Nebraska. 

Unlikely that health care repeal will pass

This past week, the House of Representatives voted on legislation to repeal the health care reform bill. The bill is titled "Repealing the Job-Killing Health Care Law Act" and although it won in the House (253-175), it is unlikely that it will pass through the Democrat-controlled Senate. Unfortunately, this means that the "Affordable Health Care Act" will stand at least until the 2012 election. Until then, Americans will have to deal with this un-Constitutional bill that will add to the budget deficit and could possibly destroy jobs.

Merion Hall causes stress for some students

After a long wait, Merion Hall on Maguire campus is finally open.  As an English major, I knew most of my classes would be in the new building.  What I did not know was how confusing it would be.

No time for senioritis

A common myth among college students is that once senior year hits, it is smooth sailing for the entire year and there is nothing left to worry about. As a current senior, I beg to differ. For a majority of the students I know in my class, this semester has been anything but a walk in the park.

Shoppers are smarter this season

With the holidays quickly approaching, consumers around the nation are hitting the malls and department stores to get their shopping done. Holiday hours have been in effect now for a few weeks, and customers have been trying to use every last minute. Although the malls and stores are still jam-packed around this time, none of it compares to what they were like on Black Friday.

LGBTQ students need a safer space on campus

I submit that campuses across America are obligated to create an accepting environment for LGBTQ students and implement a zero tolerance policy for discrimination against any such person. According to the United States Department of Health and Human Services, homosexuals and gay youth are two to three times more likely to attempt suicide. This shocking statistic sheds light on a large gap in our society as well as our social awareness. Saint Joseph's University needs to take action because there are gay students on our campus and we are a Jesuit institution.

You won't get Chlamydia and die

Despite being a Catholic institution, the reality is that we are a college campus where sexual activity is prevalent. As an institution, we can deny, disapprove of, and refuse to discuss or educate on this topic as much as we want. However, the fact of the matter is that a majority of students on campus are sexually active. With that in mind, the issue of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) on our campus is a reality that should be addressed.

Cheaters never win

In Richard Quinn's Strategic Management course at the University of Central Florida, about one third of the class of 600 cheated on the most recent midterm.  Quinn noticed that the grades were about a grade and half higher than in previous semesters. 

Keep tax cuts to save the economy

This year's holiday gift? It might just be higher taxes.

BIgger is not always better

We are getting a new president in July, expanding our campus, and admitting more students every year. While I understand that change can be a very good thing, and I think the expansion will help our campus, I think we have a problem on our hands. 

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There's more than one explanation for GOP's midterm victory

As many of us know, the midterm elections for Congress took place last week. The 2010 elections saw a huge shift for control of the House in favor of the Republicans, while the Democrats still maintained a slight edge in the Senate. Although this may not have turned out to be a surprise, people's explanations for this past week's results seem to be all over the radar.

Is high school really "the Wonder Years"?

Why high school might not be "the best four years of our lives"

Going loco over Four Loko

Whether you call it liquid cocaine, "blackout in a can," or by its real name, it seems as if everywhere you turn, the drink Four Loko is popping up. Whether it's on the news or across campus, Four Loko is everywhere. 

More fun activities are needed on campus

To aid to with frustrations due to an increased security and crack-down on parties many campus organizations have increased their late night weekend programming to keep students on campus and actively involved here at Saint Joseph's University.

Students need to realize harsh effects of bullying

Recently, serious tragedies have occurred throughout the U.S. that are cause for significant concern. Over the past few weeks, celebrities and other media personnel have made public announcements and videos calling attention to the incidents. Over the course of three weeks, five teenagers committed suicide after being victims of bullying due to their sexual orientation.

Utah law does more harm than good

A very controversial abortion bill was recently proposed in the already legally insane state of Utah. The logistics of the bill are as follows: it expands the definition of what is an illegal abortion to include some miscarriages and it removes protections for women who have had or even looked into illegal abortions. And finally, it treats women who have had an illegal abortion or a certain type of miscarriage as criminals, with the option of being charged with criminal prosecution.

Condoms and Cosmos

Monday night was Ladies Night in the Perch.  Sponsored by the Student Union Board (SUB), this event gave out Shirley Temples, goodie bags filled with candy and nail polish, and the real reason everyone went: free issues of October's Cosmopolitan magazine.  On the cover of this month's issue is a smiling Lauren Conrad, and four out of the seven headlines revolve around sex.

Staff Editorial: Faculty deserve say in their healthcare

In recent weeks, changes to Saint Joseph's University's employee health care benefits has caused significant and justifiable concern. While it is understandable that the university needs to make changes to many areas of the operating budget during a rough economy, the way in which the new health care plan was communicated to faculty and staff was less than ideal.

Staff Editorial: Students should take responsibility

State Police responding to neighbors' complaints

The relationships between off-campus students and their Overbrook and Wynnefield neighbors have historically been negative. Students have often shown disrespect, in both words and actions, towards their neighbors—particularly when alcohol is involved.

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Facebook-free for one week

It's no secret that Facebook has become an influential part of college students' lives. From confirming the legitimacy of relationships to aiding in procrastination, Facebook rules our lives. A small college in central Pennsylvania, the Harrisburg University of Science and Technology, has taken matters into its own hands by banning Facebook, Twitter, and all other social media sites for a week.

Taylor Swift: Time to move on

We all have seen the clip of Kanye West famously interrupting Taylor Swift's acceptance speech at the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs) more times than we can count. We gaped, we cringed, we tweeted about how much we hated Kanye. After a year of this though, here is my question: can't we all just move on?

Tea Party makes no difference

Some may scratch their heads and wonder whether the Tea Party is just some fancy new name for the Republican Party. It's not. It's something much worse.

Campus parking: a blessing or a curse?

Parking one of many fees on campus

A common issue for college students across the United States is how to afford certain items.  After all, the stereotype of the poor, struggling college student has a large amount of truth to it.  Considering this is common knowledge, along with the current financial status of many American families, one would imagine that colleges and universities would cut back on the charges and prices of necessities. 

So wasted doesn't mean you have to be rude

During the beginning of the year, most people are filled with the excitement of coming back to school and meeting up with friends they haven't seen since last semester. With this excitement sometimes comes the behaviors with which college students are so widely known for, in particular, drinking. And with the drinking comes the actions of the drunken people.

Trashy TV sends all the wrong messages

Last year we were introduced to the reality show "Jersey Shore."  No one had high expectations for the MTV reality show, but we decided to give it a shot.  Now it is a national phenomenon.

New iTunes feature underwhelming

On Sept. 1, 2010, Apple unveiled its latest innovation in the music industry—Ping—and many people were left wondering why.

Staff Editorial: Students need to take responsibility for offensive CollegeACB.com content

There's a new online distraction in town, and it has a lot of St. Joe's students talking. CollegeACB.com, a Web forum that allows anonymous comments from college students, was created last year by two Wesleyan University grads, but it wasn't until recently that the site made waves at Saint Joseph's University.

Staff Editorial: Summer homework for school administration should be to work on openness

It seems that this year, St. Joe's has made a greater effort to be honest and open about its relationship with students. Whether it's this afternoon's unprecedented town hall-style meeting between the student body and President Timothy Lannon, S.J., or the presentation of fiscal year 2011's budget earlier this semester, the university has been relatively responsive to the concerns of its students.

Women at St. Joe’s could take an example from Vivian Stringer

Don't let adversity get in the way of your dreams.  That was the message of Rutgers women's basketball coach C. Vivian Stringer's talk in the Perch last Wednesday. Stringer faced a lot of adversity in her life.  She grew up a poor coal miner's daughter, had a daughter stricken with meningitis at the age of two, and then lost her husband Thanksgiving Day in 1992.

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