The independent student news site of San Marcos, California

The Cougar Chronicle

The independent student news site of San Marcos, California

The Cougar Chronicle

The independent student news site of San Marcos, California

The Cougar Chronicle

Opinion

CSUSM’s full transition to in-person classes next spring causes worry in students.

University’s push toward mainly in person classes abrupt

Jaden Whitehead, Staff Writer December 3, 2021

Personally, this  semester  has been one of the most difficult of my college career. While it is nice to be back on campus, I cannot help but feel that normality has yet to return in  our lives. My schedule is  half in person and half online, making it a strenuous task to balance the two. Despite...

President Biden has plenty of work to do, despite changes.

Despite progress, President Biden has plenty work ahead

Jaden Whitehead, Staff Writer November 15, 2021

Last week  marked  a full year since the 2020 Presidential Election where Joe Biden defeated the incumbent President Donald Trump. President Biden has done plenty within his first year in office to separate himself from his tumultuous predecessor, but while progress has been made, he still has a ways...

FAFSA only relieves some students’ financial stress.

FAFSA is the help college students need but do not get

Natalie Navarro, Opinion Editor November 15, 2021

Each year on Oct. 1, the Free Application for Federal Student Aid ( FAFSA) opens for high school seniors and college students nationwide. Universities often require students to apply for two reasons: for statistical data and financial aid eligibility. Depending on the applicant’s financial status,...

Students are facing more stress during midterms this fall.

Midterms stress can be lessened practicing self-care and time management

Jaiden Quiroz, Staff Writer November 15, 2021

From university to university across the country, midterm season is taking form and opening the floor for additional academic stress upon students. The COVID-19 pandemic taught us a lot about education, academic stress and stress within our personal lives. Students  have experienced test taking formats...

Students have faced many struggles with mental health during the pandemic.

COVID-19 has taken its toll on the campus community

Kristin Bergmann, Staff Writer November 10, 2021

Symptoms of anxiety or depression have gone up by 30 percent  in the U.S. during the Covid-19 pandemic. According to KFF, four in 10 adults have reported symptoms linked to anxiety or depression in January, compared to 11 percent between January and June of 2019. This concerning trend can be seen...

Students believe that receiving the COVID-19 vaccine is beneficial to the community.

Why I got the COVID-19 vaccine

Natalie Navarro, Opinion Editor November 2, 2021

As of Sept. 30, CSUSM officially enacted a vaccine mandate on all students and faculty. In addition to the vaccine mandate, CSUSM is still enforcing masking while indoors to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Unless granted an exemption, active CSUSM students, faculty and staff  must be fully vaccinated...

The recent testimony of a former Facebook employee raises more questions about the company’s faults.

Facebook whistleblower’s allegations could lead towards monopolization

Jaden Whitehead, Staff Writer November 2, 2021

Over the past couple weeks, Facebook whistleblower Frances Haugen  testified in front of Congress and took up an interview on “60 Minutes” detailing her allegations and concerns. Hauge, a former data analyst for the social media giant, alleges that Facebook prioritized user and company growth at...

Governor Newsom’s victory in the recent recall election is not a surprise to many.

Newsom’s decisive recall victory comes as no surprise

Jaden Whitehead, Staff Writer October 26, 2021

On Sept. 13, California held its special election to determine if Governor Gavin Newsom would be recalled. Newsom smoothly avoided being recalled, winning 62 percent of the vote compared to the 38 percent who voted in favor of being removed from office. For many, these results were no surprise. The...

Universities attempt to create a safe environment against COVID with vaccine mandates.

CSUSM vaccine mandate helps keep campus community safe

Sayna Nassertorabi, Staff Writer October 26, 2021

Almost every university that opened their campus  during the COVID-19 pandemic  has some sort of a mandate in place to keep the students and faculty safe. CSUSM has taken a huge step to keep the students safe by  giving  them the freedom to decide whether they want the vaccine or not. Many...

The Gabby Petito case has highlighted the bias in media coverage on missing people.

Gabby Petito case ignites discussion on bias in media coverage and “missing white woman syndrome”

Tania Ortiz, Editor-in-Chief October 26, 2021

In the past three weeks, the media and public have become heavily invested in the Gabby Petito case. A case that started as a missing person case has now turned into a homicide investigation with a search underway to arrest the main suspect, Petito’s fiancé, Brian Laundrie. While Petito’s case...

Students greatly benefit from in-person learning and events at CSUSM.

In-person events and learning help create a sense of community at CSUSM

Jaelyn Decena, Arts & Entertainment Editor September 29, 2021

As we go further into the semester with more students, faculty and staff getting vaccinated, CSUSM’s campus is slowly  returning to a sense of normality once again. While there is much unpredictability surrounding transitioning back to fully traditional learning, multiple departments at CSUSM are...

The campus wide mask mandate helps reduce the spread of COVID-19 within the CSUSM community.

Campus mask mandate keeps the campus community safe from COVID

Brittany Stroffolino, Staff Writer September 29, 2021

March 2020 was the last time I walked into work without a mask. I remember asking my  manager if the mask was necessary, since I did not want to ruin my makeup. I also claimed that it  was difficult to breathe in with hopes of being excused from this new mandate. Over a year has passed and I still...

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