Skip to Main Content
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

Images posted on social media by celebrities and influencers can have a lasting impact on one’s mental health.

Social media provides unrealistic images that impact mental health

Tania Ortiz, Opinion Editor May 3, 2021

A conversation we always seem to have is surrounding the way social media implies certain body image expectations. Images of celebrities, like the Kardashian-Jenner family and other influencers, have flooded people’s social media feeds presenting an unrealistic beauty standard  that can lead to many...

SUBMITTED CONTENT: CSUSM holds fundraiser event One CSUSM

SUBMITTED CONTENT: CSUSM holds fundraiser event One CSUSM

May 2, 2021

Editor's Note: The writer of this piece is serving as an ambassador for the One CSUSM event and submitted this piece to The Cougar Chronicle to inform our readers about the fundraiser and to encourage them to donate.  By Altaf Safi The Cougar community will come together on May 4 for One CSUSM...

The Academic Senate endorsed renaming Craven Hall due to the legislator’s controversial remarks toward the Hispanic community.

CSUSM faculty senate is correct: William Craven should not be honored at CSUSM

Natalie Navarro, Assistant Opinion Editor April 26, 2021

The CSUSM Academic Senate voted to show their support of removing all campus associations with late California Legislator William Craven on April 7. This proposed motion would include renaming Craven Hall, Craven Circle and Craven Road, as well as removing a bust of Craven.  The decision is ultimately...

CSUSM is only permitting 2020-2021 graduates to bring two guests to prevent COVID cases from spreading.

Although disappointing, limited guest seating for commencement makes sense as a way to protect peers and loved ones

Carolyn Cheng, Staff Writer April 26, 2021

As the COVID pandemic is slowly declining and more are getting vaccinated, there has grown controversy surrounding reopening facilities for large gatherings.  One event that is greatly impacted by this controversy includes this year’s commencement at CSUSM. CSUSM is looking to limit the amount...

Colleges shouldn’t have the power to withhold student transcripts over an unpaid balance

Tania Ortiz, Opinion Editor April 26, 2021

As we are aware, the price of higher education is high, causing students to scramble for any kind of financial aid that they can get. They sometimes resort to student loans that pile up with interest. But even after working relentlessly to earn a degree and pay off any fees, another problem makes the...

Code-switching can be beneficial in the workplace but oftentimes reduces opportunities for self-expression.

Code-switching is a double-edged sword: it can be oppressive or work in your favor

Tania Ortiz, Opinion Editor April 18, 2021

Growing up as a first generation Mexican American, I would constantly be reminded that I needed to speak English properly, especially in an academic setting with teachers and peers. The need to fit in was always in the back of my mind, but little did I know that I was being taught how to code-switch.  Code-switching...

Increasing the amount of aid given by federal Pell Grants will help relieve students from their financial burdens.

Doubling Pell Grants may provide financial relief for low-income students

Richard Ho, Staff Writer April 18, 2021

With the pandemic causing high unemployment rates, the financial situation for low-income students has only worsened this past year. To help low-income students struggling to pay their tuition, the government should increase funding for Pell Grants.   Pell Grants are a type of federal aid that helps...

Reading anti-racist books is not enough to fully understand the experiences of BIPOC.

Information doesn’t equal experience: Reading anti-racist books is not enough

Jaelyn Decena, A&E Editor April 11, 2021

At the height of the George Floyd protests last summer, many people turned to a plethora of books by BIPOC authors.  From You Can’t Touch My Hair by Phoebe Robinson to So You Want to Talk About Race by Ijeoma Oluo, many people chose to read books about anti-racism as a means to understand the different...

COLUMN: My plans for a post-pandemic world

Natalie Navarro, Assistant Opinion Editor April 11, 2021

As we all know, the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has restricted us from doing basic things such as attending large-scale events and traveling. Even schooling has been affected, as we have not stepped foot on campus for over a year now.  With the introduction of the vaccines and lower infection rates,...

Girl boss feminism ignores almost every aspect of feminism, while presenting itself as such.

Girl boss feminism symbolizes regressive gender politics

Tania Ortiz, Opinion Editor April 11, 2021

We have all seen those shirts with the phrase “girl boss” plastered on them in the name of women empowerment. While the shirts and accessories made women feel empowered to be a “boss” in their daily lives, the theory behind the infamous phrase is problematic and regressive to gender equality...

Universities are considering mandating a COVID-19 vaccine requirement for the fall semester.

CSUSM should require students returning to campus in the fall to be vaccinated

Richard Ho, Staff Writer April 7, 2021

Since the COVID-19 vaccine has become gradually available in California, universities, including CSUSM, are planning to open in-person instruction for the new academic year.  However, there are questions about the university’s planning of in-person transition after an academic year of virtual instruction,...

Students are feeling more academic burnout during the online learning period.

Online learning causes academic burnout in students

Natalie Navarro, Assistant Opinion Editor April 6, 2021

For many students, college is a time where they learn to balance coursework with real-life responsibilities. Many begin to live independently and/or take on extracurriculars that were not offered to them before. Additionally, students are subjected to rigorous coursework, which often requires a shift...

Load More Stories