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Course Portfolio – Learning by DoingAcademic Goal My personal college-career goal is to graduate in May of 2028 with my major in Occupational Safety and Environmental […]

A Night at Clair Global: A Journey with the Tell School of Music's Live Audio Majors It was an evening filled with excitement and learning as the Live Audio majors from the Tell School of Music at Millersville […]

Fall 2025 – Spring 2026 Housing Applications / Room Selection Process Important On-Campus Dates November 25, 2024 Online application (including housing deposit) and roommate matching opens in […]

My Experience at the Hazel I. Jackson Lecture – Guest Writer Simone ColemanOn Thursday November 7th, Millersville University welcomed Amina Gautier, author of The Best That You Can Do, to our campus as part of […]

Millersville D2 Ice Hockey defeats Drexel 5-1 Millersville forward Alden Spotts takes the face off against Drexel’s Aiden Barrett. KATELYN AUTY / SNAPPER Katelyn Auty Head Copy Editor Social Media Editor Associate Sports Editor In an impressive show of skill and teamwork, Millersville D2 Ice Hockey secured a dominant 5-1 victory over Drexel Saturday night. From the start, it seemed like the game would be a tight contest. About halfway through the first, Justin Carrelli scored assisted by Alden Spotts and Elias Lountzis, giving the Marauders the lead. With a minute left in the period, Pat McDevitt put another one on the board, assisted by Joe Pedicone. The Marauders ended the period with a 2-0 lead.  Millersville controlled the puck in Drexel’s zone for most of the second period but were ultimately unable to pick their way through. The Marauder defense held off the Dragons, yet again preventing them from scoring.  Less than a minute into the third period, Drexel got their first and only goal of the game. Millersville answered a few minutes later with a goal from Jack Cranston assisted by Aiden Stromberg. Pedicone put another one on the board towards the end of the period, with assists from Cole McCulley and Connor Rysak. In a desperate attempt to get back in the game, Drexel pulled their goalie to get one more skater on the ice. This only worked to the Marauders’ advantage, however, as McDevitt scored an empty-net goal with 36 seconds left in the game, making the final score 5-1.  Millersville goalie Jackson Bell was a standout, saving 48 of the 49 shots he faced throughout the game.  “I thought I saw the puck really well today,” said Bell. “I think the defense was really great in front of me, and not a lot of neutral zone turnovers, and not in the offensive zone either. So I think we’re putting ourselves in a really good position headed into the break and heading into the next semester.” Millersville will faceoff against the University of Pennsylvania away on Friday, Dec. 6 at 10 p.m., then will play them at home on Saturday, Dec. 7 at 4:25 p.m. “I think [this game] is a good building block,” McDevitt shared. “We’re obviously a lot stronger team than Drexel in our eyes, and it’s a good step for next weekend against […] “Millersville D2 Ice Hockey defeats Drexel 5-1”

Marauder Music's Concert on the Quad Breonna Dull Features Editor On Nov. 9, students gathered on the Quad to experience an evening of live music and community hosted by Marauder Music, Millersville University’s student-run music organization. Featured performers included soloists John Evans and Nera, along with the student band “Huh? What?” led by vocalist Kelly Feldman. On this chilly November evening, fundraising for Marauder Music sold hot apple cider, cookies, and hand warmers. Despite the cold, the campus crowd rocked out to impressive sets by each artist. The concert is part of Marauder Music’s monthly event series that features different artists. The club has invited notable artists such as Joan Jett, Young the Giant, and Third Eye Blind. Yet, the heart of the organization is its commitment to giving students and local musicians a chance to take the stage. Marauder Music provides an invaluable opportunity for students to perform live, record their work, and develop essential industry skills. Their goal is to create spaces where artists can present their talent and gain meaningful career experience to build successful futures. The band “Huh? What?” shared their appreciation for Marauder Music’s impact on their musical experience. “It gives us a little bit of exposure, even for a commercial band for a class. I mean, I enjoy playing with [the band]. I think it could go somewhere,” shared the band. In addition to concerts, Marauder Music hosts workshops, plans recordings, and helps manage and promote artists, providing hands-on industry experience for students. Millersville University is proving to be a creative hub for independent artists, bringing students and locals together to enjoy the power of live music right in the heart of campus. Marauder Music will host the Autumn Leaves Music Festival on Nov. 16, from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m., also on the Quad. The festival will showcase student artists, including 25th Hour, Fuzztide Jones, Somewhere, Barkley Cove, Fos Howell, and returning performer Jae Evans. Alongside live music, there will be art vendors and a bake sale, giving visitors a chance to support local creators/student groups. You can find solo artists John Evans and Nera as @Jaeevansmusic an […] “Marauder Music’s Concert on the Quad”

Keeping Invasive Species Out A collaborative study involving Millersville University students, alumni and faculty sheds light on the problem of invasive species across various U.S. regions. This project, led by Dr. Aaron M. Haines, professor of biology at Millersville, included contributions from current and former students as well as researchers from institutions like Stony Brook University, William and Mary, and the Virginia Institute of Marine Science. “Hawaii and U.S. Pacific Island territories face the most significant invasive species challenges in the United States, followed closely by Florida and the West Coast,” says Haines. “While Pennsylvania’s issues with invasive species are not as severe, the state still contends with around 300 invasive species, including 140 invasive plant species, 60 aquatic animals, and various pathogens, insects and birds.” A full list of Pennsylvania’s invasive species can be found here. The team’s study highlights the urgent need for awareness and action in the face of this growing problem. The data has already informed practical work and been integrated into academic settings to support future research and community education. “The study is not only advancing our understanding of invasive species but also enriching learning experiences for students,” says Haines. He has incorporated this extensive dataset into several courses, including Conservation Biology, Mammalogy and Wildlife Ecology and Management. “The data from this study allows students to engage directly with real-world ecological issues,” he shared. Dr. Christopher R. Stieha, associate professor of biology at Millersville and a co-researcher, worked with Millersville biology students to analyze the data, conduct background research, and present findings. “To me, this study is about interactions among groups of organisms, whether that interaction is competition, predation or herbivory,” says Stieha. “We have learned that a one-size-fits-all attempt at a solution to invasive species will not work,” says Stieha. “But we do have a good understanding of how to handle these situations individually.  As a case study, this emphasizes the importance of identifying and understanding processes occurring in your systems.” The group’s paper, “The Impact of Invasive Alien Species on Threatened and Endangered Species” was recently published. The project was made possible through the contributions of Millersville alumni, including Delaney Costante, currently pursuing her doctorate at Stony Brook University, Dr. Matthias Leu, professor of biology at William and Mary, and Dr. Robert E. Isdell, research scientist at the Virginia Institute of Marine Science. Undergraduate biology students at Millersville who contributed include Cameala Freed, Lauren Bleyer, Emily Ritter and Gina Salerni. You can read the entire article at https://wildlife.onlinelibrary.wil […] “Keeping Invasive Species Out”

Lombardos Receive Eckert Philanthropic Award The annual presentation of the Susan and Gerald Eckert Philanthropic Service Endowment Award was held on Oct. 30. This year, it was awarded to Dr. Samuel N. Lombardo ‘07H and Dena M. Lombardo. The endowment award is selected based on exemplary service and philanthropy in advancing the mission of public higher education. Innovative ideas or practices assisting public higher education are considered part of the selection criteria. “Our objectives were to appropriately recognize the impact of those giving of their time and treasure that improves the human condition and our community,” says Gerald Eckert. As a part of the recognition, the Lombardos will choose a University program to receive the annual spendable income from the endowment. The Lombardos join the small group of previous recipients who have achieved this award. The Lombardos are members of MU’s Fiat Lux Society, a giving society at Millersville University that recognizes generous donors who have contributed to the institution. Each member of the society gained their status by pledging $1 million or more to the University. The Lombardos have played a significant role in some of the University’s facilities including the zero-energy Lombardo Welcome Center and for helping fund the upcoming transformation of Brooks Hall into the Lombardo College of Business. Samuel Lombardo is the founder, former CEO and chairman emeritus of The Benecon Group, founder of ConnectCare3 and is the owner of Lombardo’s Restaurant, his Italian American family restaurant in Lancaster. Past recipients of the award include: 2023 – Karen Ashkar Murley ‘63 2022 – Lois Todd Morgan ‘54, M. Diane Koken ‘72, ‘08LHD, John K. Herr III 2019 – Robert M. Krasne, Hale A. Krasne 2018 – Robert L. Shoener, Alan K. Wyand 2017 – James D. Hagelgans, Esq., Gale Zorian-Hagelgans 2016 – Rick Rodgers, Jessica L. Rodgers More about the Lombardos and the Fiat Lux Soci […] “Lombardos Receive Eckert Philanthropic Award”

Lancaster County Faces Drought Watch Amid Unseasonably Dry Fall Photo courtesy of GetArchive. A corn filed sits in the middle of a drought. Victor M. Fallas III Staff Writer The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has declared a drought watch for Lancaster County and 34 other counties due to a prolonged period of low rainfall. This advisory calls on residents to voluntarily reduce water use by 5-10% to help maintain local water supplies. The drought immediately had a noticeable effect on Lancaster’s agriculture. Farmers report that insufficient rainfall has stressed crops, reducing their yield potential and creating concerns for local produce availability. As of the latest DEP reports, nearly 40% of Pennsylvania’s topsoil is now categorized as low in moisture. Many local farmers are turning to irrigation, but this solution is costly and can be unsustainable if water sources continue to dwindle. The DEP has expressed concern that if soil moisture doesn’t improve, the drought may lead to more significant impacts on the food supply chain and ultimately affect food prices in the region. Suggested measures include limiting non-essential activities such as lawn watering, pool filling, and at-home car washing. Smaller changes in daily routines, like fixing leaky faucets, using water-efficient fixtures, and reducing shower time, can also help conserve water across the community. Even minor conservation efforts, when multiplied across a large population, can help stabilize water levels in the area. Commercial and industrial sectors are encouraged to identify areas where they can reduce water use. These voluntary conservation steps are aimed at preventing the need for stricter water usage regulations later on. The drought conditions are significantly increasing the risk of wildfires. Neighboring counties such as York and Lebanon have already instituted burn bans, and Lancaster officials are advising residents to avoid open fires. A small spark could easily ignite a larger fire under current conditions. Officials are urging the public to take extreme care when engaging in any activities that involve flames. Meteorologists predict continued dry conditions across southeastern Pennsylvania in the coming months, which has prompted the DEP to closely monitor local water levels. While Lancaster is not yet under mandatory water restrictions, the DEP has warned that stricter measures could be imposed if voluntary conservation does not achieve sufficient water savings. Potential restrictions could include limiting outdoor water use, regulating certain non-essential activities, and placing additional requirements on some business operations. Residents are encouraged to stay updated on the latest drought conditions through local news outlets and DEP announcements. The proactive conservation approach will allow the community to adapt if drought conditions persist or worsen. By making small changes in their daily habits, Lancaster County residents can help preserve local water supplies and lessen the need for more severe measures. As the winter season approaches, proactive conservation is critical. For more information, Please visit dep.p […] “Lancaster County Faces Drought Watch Amid Unseasonably Dry Fall”

Boeing strike concludes and workers come to an agreement Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons. Boeing 777-200LR flies over a mountain rage. Abigail Manbeck News Editor Recently, some of Boeing’s workers were on a seven-week strike. The largest union that is part of Boeing has now ended the strike and approved the latest contract that was part of the cause of said strike. According to TheWeek.com, “The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers said 59% of the more than 26,000 of its voting members approved Boeing’s fourth offer, which includes a 38% raise over four years plus a $12,000 signing bonus and other benefits.” This seems to be a positive for both the company and the workers. The machinists will now have an annual pay of $119,309, which is more than they are currently receiving at $75,608. This new pay also includes benefits, however, there is no overtime included. Boeing originally offered its workers only a 25% raise, which was considered to be not enough. International Association of Machinists (IAM) president John Holden said about the workers’ passion for the new change, “You stood strong, you stood tall and you won.” The seven-week strike cost both Boing and its suppliers billions of dollars. The workers, who are now going back to work after the strike, will start their processes at Pacific Northwest assembly plants no later than Nov. 12. The Wall Street Journal commented on how Boeing is “under pressure from jet-starved airlines to ramp up deliveries.” Because of this, Boeing is hoping that their employees will get back to work sooner than Nov. 12, and everything will go back to […] “Boeing strike concludes and workers come to an agreement”

The federal government shouldn't be the priority Mark Linker Opinion Editor    When sitting on my couch at 5:30 on Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024, we have yet to know what the outcome of the 2024 presidential election will be. However, regardless of the results, there’s an undeniable truth that can be taken from this election cycle as a whole. Since 2016, there’s been an uptick in voter turnout for each following presidential election. Along with the prominence of advertising through social media, presidential elections have become a staple of American culture. You’ll see people posting their “I Voted” stickers on social media, and sometimes actively promoting which side they voted for. This much emphasis on federal elections that are bound to disappoint at least half the country is bound to be unhealthy for a country as diverse as ours.  Giving the federal government this much power and cultural influence creates division, as there’s no way one entity can fulfill the needs of a country with such a large and culturally diverse population. The American experiment works when it is conducted in small communities spread across the country. In many ways, the branding prompted by the 2008 Obama campaign and (to a certain extent) the 2024 Kamala campaign has been one of attempting to create a party for all Americans. However, I think this vision and expectation for America is bound to fail. The founders of this country conceptualized us as a melting pot of many ideas and cultures that were united under one banner, not with the cultural homogeneity of smaller European countries where strict alignment in values is more realistic.  A conception of the United States of the future is one where the realization of our differences as a nation is concentrated in local elections and communities where our differences in values can be put to use and where tangible results from voting can be more accurately felt. However, this also requires a stronger emphasis on local communities which have been in decline for the past few decades. Local community spaces have been largely replaced with online social spaces and the movement of people away from rural communities to suburban communities. The decline of a religious ethic in America has ripped a common virtue from the American soul. This has caused an effect of failing to look at fellow citizens with the same humanity and empathy as was once the case. Even if two Americans came from separate parts of the country, and had different cultural, economic, and geographic backgrounds, they could still have a similar ontological commonality.  This destruction of local communities in favor of larger online spaces has created a system where the average American looks to the federal government and party affiliation as one of the only commonalities with fellow Americans. The problem with this system is that both parties are beginning to represent an America that aligns with very few common values anymore. A possible solution to this is redrawing and putting more focus on our tangible communities where we can effectively make change and where we have more in common with our fellow Americans. It is unrealistic to expect American citizens to become less divided when there is so much stake and attention on federal politics. Federal politics are bound to oscillate back and forth and very rarely represent the in […] “The federal government shouldn’t be the priority”

Twitter users leave platform for alternativesJamie Hughes Associate Photography Editor Users of X, formerly known as Twitter, have been predicting the platform’s downfall ever since its takeover by billionaire Elon Musk. But many continued to stick with the popular network. Multiple waves of departures occurred, frequently following a controversial decision by Musk to change something on X, such as more recently changing how blocking users works. These waves of movement, however, often proved to be temporary. That is, until the reelection of Donald Trump to the presidency on Nov. 5. The common sentiment among X users was that Musk’s support of Trump led to his election. This was seen through the frequent elevation of posts on X supporting Trump, and Musk’s frequent appearances alongside Trump during his campaign. Another potential cause was the change to X’s terms of service which would explicitly allow user content on the platform to be used for training artificial intelligence, likely X’s own chatbot called Grok. Whatever the cause, the data has shown that alternatives to X have seen their user numbers skyrocket. The two main competitors to X are Threads, owned by Facebook’s parent company Meta, and Bluesky. Bluesky was originally developed by Twitter’s founder Jack Dorsey, but is today owned by Jay Graber. Another X alternative called Mastodon also exists, which touts being “decentralized,” or not tied to a single owner. This network, though, has experienced slower growth owing to the platform’s perceived complexity. Following the Nov. 5 election, Bluesky’s user numbers went through a dramatic shift, at one point seeing over a million user sign-ups within a day according to the platform’s official account. As of the afternoon of Nov. 16, Bluesky had over 18 million user accounts, compared to an estimated 190 million Threads users according to Quiver Quantitative. According to FediDB, Mastodon has roughly 7.5 million users, though these users are split across many sub-platforms run independently called “servers.” The benefits of the three alternate platforms have largely been better moderation, less toxic culture, and a lack of a predatory algorithm that focuses on negative posts. Musk’s management of X has seen a dramatic uptick in controversial content on the platform, which many users desire to get away from. Musk’s changes to the verification of “official” accounts on X led to paying users being pushed to the top of many feeds. Online trolls and scammers took advantage of this to make their posts appear over other posts, leading to a perception that X was now supporting toxicity and negativity. Many are beginning to see X’s competitors reach a “critical mass” of users in which a greater community forms on the platform and overall engagement rises. Several major accounts have moved to Bluesky, including bestselling author Stephen King and “Star Wars” actor Mark Hamill. Mass audiences have also moved, such as much of the fanbase of musical artist Taylor Swift. Altogether, the growth of Threads and Bluesky shows a potential paradigm shift in social media; an increase of negative sentiment towards toxic content, and a desire to rebuild communities in a friendlier environment. If this post-election growth holds, it may lead to a future where many users are split between Threads, Bluesky, and Mastodon, and X is left for everyone else, people unw […] “Twitter users leave platform for alternatives”

Six Flags Great Adventure to close world’s tallest roller coaster Photo courtesy of Flickr. Kingda Ka coaster sitting high in the sky. Michael Keehan Staff Writer On Nov. 14, 2024, the Six Flags Entertainment Corporation released a statement on the future of their 51 properties, including those recently acquired following the merger of Six Flags and Cedar Fair. The company unveiled a more than $1 billion capital investment for the 2025 and 2026 operating seasons, which will see the installation of record-breaking attractions and the removal of others. Six Flags Great Adventure in Jackson Township, New Jersey is no different. Located two hours from Millersville, the park was announced to be removing one of its star attractions, the record-breaking roller coaster Kingda Ka, along with four other attractions. Park President Brian Briaca said, “We understand that saying goodbye to beloved rides can be difficult, and we appreciate our guests’ passion. These changes are an important part of our growth and dedication to delivering exceptional new experiences. We look forward to sharing more details next summer.” Opened on May 25, 2005, the launch coaster became the world’s tallest and fastest roller coaster, still holding the record for tallest as of 2024. It took the record from Cedar Point’s 2003 coaster Top Thrill Dragster, both of which are “Accelerator” coasters designed by Lichtenstein manufacturer Intamin. Both coasters were plagued with technical issues for years, including an incident on Top Thrill Dragster in 2021 that prompted Cedar Point to redesign the ride. Top Thrill 2 opened in 2024 courtesy of Italian manufacturer Zamperla, but closed a few days later due to an issue with the trains, and will not reopen until 2025 following sporadic testing. The issues with Top Thrill 2 fueled uncertainty regarding the future of Kingda Ka in the coaster enthusiast community. Rumors swirled during the last few weeks of Great Adventure’s operating season, with markers being identified that signaled the ride’s demolition. Days after the season ended, Great Adventure announced the removal of Kingda Ka, along with four other attractions. This includes the trio of drop towers on Kingda Ka, known as Zumanjaro: Drop of Doom, the Bolliger & Mabillard stand-up coaster Green Lantern, relocated from Kentucky Kingdom in 2011, the HUSS Top Spin Twister, located decently close to Green Lantern, and the second arm of the gondola lift, the first closing in 2023. In place of Green Lantern and Kingda Ka, Six Flags revealed in their press release that Great Adventure will be installing a “record-breaking launch coaster” for the 2026 season. No other information was revealed, the coaster enthusiasts believe the coaster will provide competition for Falcon’s Fight, an Intamin “Exa Coaster” set to open in 2025 at Six Flags Quiddaya. After years of being seen as the budget theme park chain, this along with other additions to the chain, is expected to reignite unique large-scale attractions in the Six Flags chain. Six Flags President & CEO Richard Zimmerman spoke on the new additions in the press release saying, “The new Six Flags has a unique opportunity to refresh and renew the guest experience, one so compelling that a visit to one of our parks will be viewed as an indispensable choice in family entertainment.” Construction on Great Adventure’s new coaster is expected to begin next year, with the park expected to bring teasers during August and Septemb […] “Six Flags Great Adventure to close world’s tallest roller coaster”

Donald Trump didn't win. The Manosphere did. Michael Keehan Staff Writer      Let me make something clear: Trump supporters are not inherently bigoted. While the last few months have shown very ugly sides of MAGA rhetoric, as I discussed in another piece two months ago about the cat-eating hoax, there are still many reasons one would’ve voted for Trump, and the last thing I want to do is lump all of his supporters into one reason. Still, it’s hard to comprehend how America, as a collective nation, chose Trump as their president again. And it’s not the idea of him being president as much as it is the idea of him winning. The Harris campaign, while not perfect, did the best they could with what they had, while the Trump campaign had everything going against it. Criminal charges, national embarrassments, and the fear of an authoritarian presidency looming over the election set the stage for a Harris victory.  But then a massive rightward shift hit America, one no campaign could’ve prepared for. Trying to understand this, I turned to the reactions from online right-wingers and saw multiple of them celebrate the idea of putting women who were at the front of the Harris campaign in their place. It hit me right there that the rightward shift in our country is the result of open misogyny and toxic masculinity. I know I’d seem like a stereotypical “Social Justice Warrior (SJW)” who hates masculine men and feminine women, but that’s because the term “toxic masculinity” is misleading. It has nothing to do with gender expression, but rather the subjugation of women and enforcement of gender roles. We’ve seen an increase in online influencers promoting an “alpha male” mindset that views women as beneath them and queer people as degenerates. You might’ve heard of some of these people: Andrew Tate, Joe Rogan, Fresh and Fit. They’re known as the “Manosphere,” and they prey on isolated, impressionable young men who are without active male influences in their lives. They’re less likely to connect to female influences, so the manosphere fills the role of a male influence, taking advantage of a parasocial relationship to feed misogyny, homophobia, transphobia, xenophobia, and even racism in some cases. There’s a lot of variation and disagreement, but no matter what a manosphere influencer may preach, they all share the same goal: gradually ending feminism and reinstating gender roles in society. And gradually it is, as the manosphere has been active since 2014 with GamerGate, where a false claim about game developer Zoe Quinn led to her and many other women in the video game industry being harassed and threatened. While the harassment died quickly, SJWs became a prominent target for young conservatives like Ben Shapiro and Charlie Kirk, elevating the misogynistic rhetoric of Donald Trump to the White House. Think about how the two people Trump defeated were both women. It isn’t rocket science to believe that the idea of a woman in the country’s highest office sparks fear and disgust in many men. Tell me, would the country constantly slutshaming women elect one president? And don’t get me started on Elon Musk, who promoted ideas that “women and low t men” can’t think freely as he turned Twitter into a stomping ground for the manosphere to spread monetized lies. Now he’s being considered for Trump’s cabinet.   There are other things that could be responsible. The Great Recession spawned populism on both sides of the political spectrum, while COVID-19 negatively impacted Trump’s 2020 chances and distorted perceptions of his term that helped him in 2024. But the manosphere wins regardless and can continue to gain the widespread sexism in society. It’s a societal issue that the Manosphere benefits from, and anyone on its opposing end needs to counter its influence on society […] “Donald Trump didn’t win. The Manosphere did.”

Alex Jones loses Infowars for bad behavior Photo courtesy of Flickr. Alex Jones testifying before a Senate Intelligence committee. Abigail Manbeck News Editor Recently at a bankruptcy auction, Infowars, which was a company owned by Alex Jones, was bought by a satirical news site called The Onion. Jones was no longer able to own Infowars because of the money he owed to the families and victims of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting. A few years ago, Jones spoke of claims stating that the shooting was just a hoax, and spread defamatory information, causing harm and hurt to the victims and their families. Because of this, Jones owed over a billion dollars to said victims and families. This large sum of money caused him to give up a lot of the property that he owned. After having to relinquish his company Infowars, and sending it to a bankruptcy auction for The Onion to bid and then win, the Infowars site was taken down. Jones was then talking from a new studio location about this matter. Not only was the website up for auction, but also the social media pages, Jones’ studio in Texas, all of the trademarks, and video archives. A parent of a student who was killed in the Sandy Hook shooting was rejoicing with a comment on the situation, “The dissolution of Alex Jones’ assets and the death of Infowars is the justice we have long awaited and fought for.” Jones was pretty upset with the outcome of what happened to his company. He made a comment saying that this situation is “a total attack on free speech.” He also made an announcement that his show was going to be shut down as well. The Onion’s parent company Global Tetrahedron CEO Ben Collins said that the Infowars website will be back up in January with a satirical approach. The site will focus on right-wing people, conspiracy theorists, and education about gun violence prevention that will come from a group called Everytown for Gun Safety. Collins made a statement saying, “We thought it would be a very funny joke if we bought this thing, probably one of the better jokes we’ve ever told. The [Sandy Hook] families decided they would effectively join our bid, back our bid, to try to get us over the finish line. Because by the end of the day, it was us or Alex Jones, who could either continue this website unabated, basically unpunished, for what he’s done to these families over the years, or we could make a dumb, stupid website, and we decided to do the second thing.” It seems that Jones is not taking this situation the best, however, The Onion seems like they will put his old site to a pot […] “Alex Jones loses Infowars for bad behavior”

The death of higher education Mark Linker Opinion Editor    A few weeks ago, I wrote a column about the decline of traditional humanities degrees in universities. This is a shift that has been happening over the past couple of decades with factors such as the increased cost of living, ideological capture of many humanities fields, and free access to information being the main contributing factors towards the gradual move away from these subjects. However, the shift away from humanities and towards STEM and “hands-on” professions isn’t just crouping up within the universities but is also one of the primary trends that are killing universities in general. Over the past 10 to 15 years, the cost of attending college has made it a luxury that only the wealthiest people in our country can afford without any debt. If someone comes from a family that isn’t financially stable, they will inevitably be suffocated with massive amounts of payments upon graduating from a school that they spent four years attending. This is four years where one isn’t able to work full-time and begin saving their finances.  This has caused a substantive preference for two-year programs that are significantly more affordable and usually offer apprenticeships. This apprenticeship gives the individual field experience and allows them to make some money. The rising cost of attending college is pushing young people, particularly men, away from college. This trend is likely to continue, and if it does we face a situation where colleges and universities will only be attended by the most financially elite people in our society. This trend has been reinforcing itself for the past few decades, whereas the price of college has gone up and the population of college students has been selected for a smaller and wealthier subset of the general population. This has also had a reinforcing behavior, where the culture surrounding universities has become further disconnected from the values of everyday Americans making them less appealing. Why attend a costly school that for the first quarter of your twenties never helps build wealth, and for many degrees, does not even help one learn a particular skill that can be applied in the workforce? With this environment, it is completely reasonable to assume that the death of higher education for the general public is inevitable.  With this collapse looming over our country, there will likely be ramifications felt. For one, it’s entirely possible that fewer men getting degrees and therefore better-paying jobs will exacerbate the already growing gender divide we see playing out. In this situation, women will continue to get better-paying jobs and climb the economic ladder, while the men choosing to not attend universities will likely move toward social conservatism. It’s also the case that although most college graduates are women, the more selective and expensive higher education gets, many women will also be left by the wayside but without having the selection of two-year programs that men do. What we find ourselves with is a youth population that in 20 years will be vastly less educated than decades prior. If the government cares about inculcating a culture of great education to the widest possible margins, we need to rethink our higher education system. One solution could be offering some of these two-year programs at major universities while adding some requirements for mathematics, science, and history. Another could be cutting a huge number of required classes from most universities, thus reducing the price and time spent at college. Along with the cutting of classes and reducing the cost, every program should have at least one semester of built-in internship work. Although some programs do this nationwide, it’s not always a requirement. If we can reinvigorate the notion of higher education, we can heal many of the social ills that are infecting our stability as a nation. Making college more affordable and practical will bring young people together and fulfill the goals that college was originally meant for. To allow every citizen to expand their knowledge both through experie […] “The death of higher education”

What was once Twitter is now a propaganda machine. Bluesky is the future. Michael Keehan Staff Writer    I write a lot about social media in these opinion pieces, particularly the way unsavory characters use it to spread propaganda, and the worst example is easily the site once known as Twitter. Since its acquisition by tech billionaire Elon Musk, the site has undergone a new name and branding. You will never hear me refer to it under its current name, though. To me, that name represents legitimizing the hijacking of a platform that brought social change into a right-wing propaganda machine that not only allows misinformation but allows people to profit from it. Plus, he deadnames his transgender daughter, so why should I feel guilty about deadnaming his site? Since the founding of Twitter in 2006, it has been, in short, chaotic. But amidst all that chaos, there was power. Activists across the globe, from the Arab Spring to the Black Lives Matter movement, used it to bring worldwide awareness to social issues and elevated demands for change. News was able to spread quickly from a variety of sources. Leaders could directly communicate with their people, and anyone could share their voice in ways unseen. This wasn’t something unique to Twitter, but it was something Twitter did best. But there was still a need for moderation to filter out bigotry, harassment, and disinformation, so Twitter’s moderators tried their best. However, a few prominent targets, particularly those of conservative backgrounds, have put Twitter in Musk’s crossfires. In 2022, he bought the site for a head-scratching $44 billion, and quickly implemented changes that angered users and advertisers on this site. But I doubt any anger gained or money lost will make Musk change his mind. He has the money to burn, and his actions show very clear intentions. Nowadays, when you go on Twitter, you frequently see users with a blue check, way more than those without it. This isn’t because there are just more users with them, only one percent. Rather, it’s because the algorithm favors those who pay the $8-a-month subscription to monetize tweets. Twitter now has its own breed of influencers that, more than any other platform, are incentivized to say outrageous things to rack up thousands of likes without fear of being suspended. And they can say anything, even if it violates the terms of service. Anything except the word “cis,” apparently. Many users voiced their anger but still stayed on the site for years without many other options. This changed with two things. One was a change in terms of service that limited blocking and allowed AI to be trained off of tweets, angering many artists. The other was the election, which caused an uptick in harassment from the worst of Twitter, including white supremacist Nick Fuentes, who spread the catchphrase “your body, my choice” shortly after Trump’s victory. It’s believed that with the victory of Trump and Musk’s involvement in the “DOGE” advisory board, the right-wing propaganda machine Twitter has become will only grow stronger. This prompted millions of users, myself included, to emigrate over to a website called Bluesky, designed to be similar to Twitter in the early 2010s. New users found it to be a breath of fresh air, free of attention-seeking influencers and an abundance of right-wing nonsense. A lot of progressive users, the kind that sparked Twitter’s activism in the last decade, are thriving on the site, feeling much safer and freer with a new community, not under the Silicon Valley tech bros that run sites like Twitter and Threads. The latter is a mess while the former is a wasteland, as Bluesky retains the soul and spirit that brought Twitter to its peak. It’s arguably a rebirth for the famous site, and I would recommend keeping your […] “What was once Twitter is now a propaganda machine. Bluesky is the future.”