Despite best efforts to convince you otherwise, true democracy does not exist on college campuses. Even with seemingly democratic institutions on campus, such as the concept and practice of shared governance, the existence of the Student Association and College Senate, etc., the administration does not have a culture or respect for an honest, representative democracy. The Student Association can only suggest, not implement, policies that directly govern students' rights and responsibilities. 

When Kim Kardashian lost a noticeable amount of weight, people online immediately jumped to proclaim that skinny was ‘in’ again. The expectations of women’s bodies shifted— now we were no longer expected to have that excellent hip-to-waist ratio (that many seemed to turn to surgical procedures to obtain). Instead, we had to lose that weight and change our shapes to fit an ever-changing body standard. 

As it is Valentine’s season, I have been partaking in an inordinate amount of television, movies, music, and literature focused on the topic of love. From Taylor Swift’s quintessential slow jam “cowboy like me” to Olivia Gatwood’s unflinching poem  “Aileen Wuornos Takes a Lover Home,” there is so much stellar media on the topic that it can be hard to know what is the best or which piece should take up our time during this season. 

Dear Geneseo, 

I lost my virginity to a Geneseo man. Am I cooked?

Last February, The Lamron discussed why Black History Month was February, the shortest month of the year. This year, I wanted to change the topic and focus on less well-known historical Black figures.

Discourse about the safety of students in and out of Greek life who attend fraternity-hosted parties is rising. Concerns about a breach of respect and safety (hazing) for those who choose to pledge sororities and fraternities on campus are also increasing. To try and see if these concerns were substantiated, I asked 19 Greek and Greek-adjacent organizations on campus, picked from the registered fraternities and sororities list— not including professional and service organizations, inactive organizations, or those that are on a conduct suspension— if they would be willing to talk with me about these serious allegations against specific organizations. 

I have a hyphenated last name. For much of my life, I have taken pride in this; my mother, unyielding, refused to give up her name when she married and asserted that her husband and children should have the hyphenated name, too. I always admired this as a feminist stance against a patriarchy-reinforcing expectation. I, however, have also always found one issue unresolved: my mother’s last name was her father’s last name, which was his father’s last name— and so on. For generations upon generations, women have been expected to take their husband’s name in marriage— a signal of change in ‘ownership’ from being her father’s property to her husband’s. This results in a particular problem for the modern feminist. I have long maintained that I will keep my last name if I am to get married; however, I must also acknowledge that I am holding a combination of names passed down along a male line. 

Every two years in the Spring semester, SUNY Geneseo holds its Referendum, which seeks to elect students into the various positions of the Student Association (SA) and allows students to vote regarding the school’s Student Activity Fees. 

The Olympic Games are the greatest sporting event; they’re a celebration of athletic ability and skill on a global scale. The Olympics include any sport you can imagine, like basketball, fencing, gymnastics, weightlifting, track and field, and much more. In fact, over the years, new sports have been added that you may not have even considered. For example, skateboarding debuted in the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo. Sports such as flag football and squash are set to appear in the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles. With this in mind, I want to propose an “unconventional” sport into the mix for the next Olympics— the Japanese battle top game—Beyblade.

Every week, millions of people purchase tickets to their nearest stadiums, and families gather around their televisions to watch some of their favorite wrestlers perform in the ring. Whether these families choose to watch World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE), All Elite Wrestling (AEW), Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA Impact), or other popular wrestling companies, all of these athletes have one thing in common: they put their bodies on the line just for the sake of it. Sometimes, it comes at the cost of their physical well-being and, in the worst cases, their life.

In March 2020, my senior year of high school was cut short due to the COVID-19 pandemic. I can’t say that the pandemic benefited my social development, but it gave me time to figure out certain aspects of life. While I never truly participated in any school spirit activities, the harsh reality of adulthood simultaneously took full charge and paused. There would be no more Model UN conferences, no more “Say No to the R-Word” campaigns, and something I will never forget: cafeteria grilled bagel breakfast sandwiches, the only edible food at that school.

Student clubs and organizations are a core part of any educational institution, though college is often a time when a larger percentage of students get involved with extracurricular activities on their campus. In any “freshman 101,” it is bound to be said that joining a club or organization is paramount to making friends and getting involved in this new environment. While there are many ways to meet people and get involved, clubs and organizations serve as the central force for activities, programming, and other campus events.

For people with eating disorders, the holiday season can often be filled with more stress than the advertised joy and wonder. The cold air and the falling snow are warning signals for the arriving difficulties. Food becomes a hot topic, and while the table fills with steaming platters, your great-aunt decides to share her opinion on the shape of your body and how much you have decided to put on your plate. It can be challenging to navigate— to know how to deal with potential guilt/body image issues, how to respond to insensitive family members, and how to approach holiday eating with the healthiest mindset possible.

‘Tis the season, and in response, I will be rating the different Doctor Who (2005- ) Christmas specials. As a disclaimer, my opinions are subjective. The ranking is based on how good it is writing-wise and the amount of Christmas spirit present. Let’s begin!

Donald Trump celebrated his victory in the 2024 US presidential election and graced the American people with his ultimate goals for the next four years in a lengthy video. In this video, Trump expressed that his primary goal is mass deportation, altering the role of the Department of Justice, ending inflation, abolishing gender-affirming care, and eliminating the Department of Education (DE).

With registration season passing us by, many students across the campus have been stressed about getting into the courses they need to graduate. Some students even balance the requirements of multiple majors and/or minors on top of general education requirements. This especially becomes stressful for seniors seeking to graduate in May, who are trying to avoid having to take intersession or summer courses —or even worse— stay an extra semester to finish their needed courses. As a student body, it is pertinent that we have the classes we need across all disciplines and levels to guarantee that students are able to keep their education on track. 

Dear Minerva,

I am feeling a bit worried after the election results. I have applied to a bunch of out of state graduate programs and am feeling unsure about the economic impact this may have on me. I am being told not to act due to fear but it is difficult as I feel like my future is at stake. What do you think I should do?

- Snarky Marky

Dear Minerva,

How do I work up the courage to ask questions? Or even just how do I overcome the fear of reaching out?

Sincerely,

Nervy!

For the last couple of weeks, I made a huge change to my nightly schedule and decided it was time to switch it up for the betterment of my own well-being. Instead of doom-scrolling endlessly on TikTok or Instagram for two hours before I went to bed, I decided to spend the rest of my night reading a book of my choosing. Now that the Milne Library has finally opened, we can finally have access to its amenities. Like other students, I wasted no time taking advantage of these services as I checked out around seven neatly stacked books on my nightstand.

Halloween is long gone, and Christmas is still yet to come (despite all of you hooligans who are already listening to Mariah Carrey’s Christmas album). Thanksgiving, however, is the always-forgotten holiday that is just around the corner. Students are counting down the days until break begins, the turkey is served, and football begins.