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Augustana Observer

Augustana Observer

Augustana Observer

Sophomore Renee Jednachowski applies her makeup on Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024.

More than “Just a girl”: How stereotypes hold us back

Chloe Baxter December 14, 2024

As a woman navigating college life, I often hear the phrase “just a girl” in pop culture, social media and even among friends. At first glance, it seems harmless enough, a catchy way to acknowledge...

Filtered expectations: Social media distorts the ‘perfect’ college experience

Filtered expectations: Social media distorts the ‘perfect’ college experience

Chloe Baxter November 30, 2024

As I near the end of my senior year at Augustana College, I find myself reflecting on my college experience compared to the images and stories I once saw on social media.  For many incoming students,...

Cash or convenience: Campus dining facilities should allow patrons to pay with cash

Sarah Holzman November 30, 2024

Campus dining facilities, such as Gus’ Snack Bar, the C-store and the Brew by the Slough currently only take debit and credit cards, Viking Bucks and meal swipes as payment. This excludes those who want...

Augustana students participate in a Japanese speaking practice session with Miyuki Komura, a volunteer staff member, at The Brew on Nov. 14.

Immersive language learning at Augustana: Could clubs replace classrooms?

Yael Haddad November 23, 2024

Language learning in today's society is frequently limited to textbooks, memorization and classrooms. However, at Augustana College, active language-focused clubs like the Spanish and French Clubs provide...

Should public safety receive increased funding to meet state standards and enhance campus safety?

Phat Lam November 23, 2024

One of the most pressing reasons for increased funding is meeting state minimum wage requirements. Inadequate pay can deter qualified individuals from applying for or staying in campus safety roles, including...

Unplugged and thriving: why college students should give the “digital detox” a shot

Yael Haddad November 16, 2024

On a college campus, the only thing more constant than tests and caffeine runs is the buzz of notifications: texts, Snaps, endless TikToks and never-ending emails. Screens have become the ideal third roommate,...

First-Year Lucien Dong enters one of the all-gender restrooms on the second floor of the Thomas Tredway Library at Augustana College. Students can also use single-gender restrooms on the library's 1st, 3rd and 4th floors.

For the safety of trans and nonbinary students, Augustana needs more gender-neutral restrooms

Sarah Holzman November 16, 2024

Gender-neutral or all-gender restrooms are important for all students to feel comfortable on campus. Augustana should prioritize putting them in every building to ensure all students can use the restroom...

First-Year Faizan Pal prepares sandwich condiments at The Gerber Center on Nov. 6.

Work to live or live to work

Phat Lam November 16, 2024

College life offers many transformative experiences, and one of the most important is career readiness. For many Augustana College students, this readiness is facilitated through the C.O.R.E. program,...

From the right, Sophomore Youssef Chekkoricreates a new website design
for K&S Tool Repair Company on Photoshop; First-Year Carlos Cartagena learns basic HTML and Sophomore Blake Sloyan practices his skills on Photoshop and Illustrator in the EDGE Center on Nov. 1.

Pay to play: The hidden costs of unpaid internships

Phat Lam November 9, 2024

As the need for real-world experience becomes an essential stepping stone for career success, internships have become a popular pathway for students and recent graduates, including those at Augustana....

Giving students Election Day off would prompt them to go vote

Sarah Holzman November 9, 2024

Voting is important because politics impacts everyone in one way or another. It is just as necessary for young adults to vote as much as anyone else, particularly college students. This is why Augustana...

No bags, no solution: Why the C-store’s bag ban fails to address campus security concerns

Yael Haddad November 9, 2024

In an effort to reduce possible theft, the recent removal of bags from the on-campus convenience shop (often known as the "C-Store") has sparked disagreement among students, particularly those living in...

Student feedback resources can’t be useful and inaccessible

Sarah Holzman October 26, 2024

Student feedback is one of the most important aspects of running a successful college institution as many students learn and live at the school they attend.  With this in mind, it must be an environment...

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