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

Grocery store employees deserve to have hero pay for working throughout the pandemic.

Grocery workers deserve hero pay for working in hazardous conditions

Richard Ho, Staff Writer March 6, 2021

Hero pay, also known as hazard pay, is a bonus pay that boosts grocery workers’ salaries during the pandemic due to hazardous conditions of their workplace.  Grocery store workers and their respective unions have rightfully been advocating for hero pay because they are endangering their lives to...

Working women have been disproportionately affected during the pandemic.

The pandemic pulls back the curtain at gender inequalities for working women

Tania Ortiz, Opinion Editor February 28, 2021

Since the beginning of the pandemic, the job market in America has suffered a lot.  Women, 2.5 million to be exact, have felt the repercussions of the pandemic-induced recession. The pandemic has pushed women out of the workforce in alarmingly larger numbers than men. The main reason women have left...

Student involvement in campus organizations has decreased during the pandemic.

Student organizations struggle with participation during the pandemic

Tania Ortiz, Opinion Editor February 27, 2021

Student life has drastically been impacted during the pandemic. Since the campus has been closed for almost a year, the “Zoom university” era has created hurdles for campus clubs to thrive. Clubs have resorted to social media to gain traction amongst students and hopefully gain membership along...

Introverts have both advantages and challenges with learning in a virtual environment

Richard Ho, Staff Writer February 27, 2021

In the virtual academic world, many introverts are motivated to learn in the online classroom because they have the flexibility of posting their creative arguments in forums. They can balance their academic and online social life during the pandemic era from the comfort of their homes.  However,...

VIDEO: Cougars on the Run: Opinions on the Virtual Spring Semester

February 22, 2021

CSUSM students share their outlook on the spring semester.

The answer is still very unclear whether CSUSM students should return to campus next fall.

Return to campus remains uncertain

Natalie Navarro, Assistant Opinion Editor February 21, 2021

The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic brings up several questions about future reopenings and how groups of people could convene with each other safely. However, a sense of normalcy seems to be on the horizon due to the increase in vaccinations, which hopefully reduces infection and hospitalization rates.  With...

Cultural appropriation disrespects minority cultures at the benefit of the privileged

Tania Ortiz, Opinion Editor February 21, 2021

The debate surrounding cultural appropriation and appreciation is nothing new. While we have  come across social media forums on the topic of cultural appropriation versus appreciation, it still tends to happen. If you are still confused about the differences between the two, I’m pretty sure you...

Check out four movies to watch depending on your quarantine mood.

GRE scores should not be the sole indicator of students’ success at the graduate level

Richard Ho, Staff Writer February 21, 2021

The landmark decision from the UC Board of Regents on suspension of standardized exams required for undergraduate admissions of fall 2021 and 2022 for students applying to UC schools has made critics question the quality of standardized exams for graduate school admissions.  Income inequality gives...

2021 is about adapting to our new lives and letting go of our pre-pandemic roles

2021 is about adapting to our new lives and letting go of our pre-pandemic roles

Kat Parra, Assistant A&E Editor February 12, 2021

It is difficult to believe that a year ago our lives changed.  As the pandemic swept the world overnight, we were all sentenced to a life of isolation from our families, friends and society. Now, people are starting to return to some version of their old lives.  Yet, how much have our previous...

In the aftermath of the insurrection, social media platforms have suspended accounts encouraging violence.

Accountability is not censorship

Natalie Navarro, Assistant Opinion Editor February 12, 2021

As the world watched the attempted insurrection of the United States Capitol last month, we anxiously waited for a response from then-President Trump. Many hoped that Trump would condemn the violence but ended up disappointed when he did not do so.  Instead, Trump labeled the insurrectionists as...

Taking a gap year during pandemic can benefit students’ wellbeing

Kristie Castillo, Staff Writer February 12, 2021

It’s been one year since “Zoom university” became the campus community’s new reality.  Students have had to adapt to new software, deadlines and assignments all amidst a pandemic that may have impacted their personal housing situations and access to technology. While many students have...

The Academic Senate approved to relax the academic policy on pass/fail grades due to the pandemic, which will lighten students’ stress.

CSUSM makes the right decision on expanding pass/fail grading

Richard Ho, Staff Writer February 10, 2021

The CSUSM Academic Senate acknowledged students’ concerns and passed a resolution to relax academic policies, allowing pass and fail grades and withdrawal policy for the spring 2020 semester.  Since former CSU Chancellor Timothy White made an official announcement to have a virtual spring semester...

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