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Navigating Life After College By Ariana Perez Opinion Columnist Receiving your degree is a massive accomplishment in life, a testimony to years of dedication and hard work. However, with graduation looming around the corner, many wonder not just in anticipation, but in dread, for what awaits them.
Regardless of whether a job or internship is lined up, many graduates are wondering, “What now?” as they prepare to leave the institution they have studied and built their social lives around for years. As a result, post-graduation depression is not an uncommon occurrence for graduates. While the phenomenon is largely not talked about, it’s a pattern that is too important to ignore. The reality is that many graduates have been students for 20 years, and struggle with losing that aspect of their identity as they transition into working adults. Moreover, there’s the sudden loss of communal space that college campuses provide. Suddenly, it becomes harder to connect with peers and friends, especially when you’re acclimated to living close and hanging out together in the college’s surrounding area. Not to mention the struggle to find a job and pave a future that aligns with your degree and experience. All in all, graduates may plummet in their mental health, falling into what is essentially a quarter-life crisis in their struggle to navigate life after college. Thankfully, there are multiple ways to prevent post-graduation depression. Below are some recommendations for adjusting to life after college: Keeping yourself busy is critical. Whether or not you’ll be traveling, applying for jobs, or working right away, you are inevitably going to have some form of free time that needs to be filled as you develop a completely new routine that doesn’t revolve around class. New or old, exercise or art related, hobbies provide a healthy outlet to destress to shape your day. Engaging in hobbies releases dopamine within the brain, assisting in the improvement of mental health. Setting goals for yourself is important as well. Career planning can be a daunting task, setting achievable goals for yourself allows you to make progress each day without feeling overwhelmed.
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By Remy Zerber Visiting Opinion Columnist The “Parental Rights in Education” bill is a bill that was passed in Florida that bans teachers from discussing LGBTQ issues and supporting lesbian, gay, bisexual, intersex, asexual, or transgender people in grades K-3. The text states that teachings on sexual orientation or gender identity would be banned “in kindergarten through grade 3 or in a manner that is not age-appropriate or developmentally appropriate for students in accordance with state standards” (2022, Laviettes). It would create mistrust in schools and in classrooms. “First, opponents say a broad restriction particularly aimed at sexual orientation and gender identity will have a chilling effect on teachers — making educators question what kind of dialogue students can have with trusted adults in the classroom.” It will also make kids not trust teachers. Kids should be able to trust their teachers with their secrets (2022, Wilson). Proponents call it the “Parental Rights in Education” bill, which is its official name, while opponents call it the “Don’t Say Gay” bill. It was passed on Feb 17, 2022. The “Don’t Say Gay” bill is a step back in progress towards having freedom and acceptance for all people.
Children and their education are being affected by this bill. My friend Dylan who is a student here said, “I think the “Don’t Say Gay” bill prevents our youth from being exposed to important matters regarding identity and poses a major safety and mental health concern for our LGBTQ+ youth.” Mental health is important because it is what keeps people going. Brains are what control our bodies, so it is important to make sure they are healthy. The people who are in agreement with the bill are saying that “...early exposure to sexual content can harm young students. It has been linked to poor “mental health, life satisfaction, sexual behavior and attitudes, and pornography-viewing patterns in adulthood.” (2022, Eckerd) Proponents of the bill think that they are protecting kids from harmful sexual content by limiting their exposure to discussions about sexual orientation and gender identity at a young age, but all they are actually doing is preventing kids from learning about LGBTQ issues early in their life. Dylan, a student who is against the bill said, “The bill will prevent youth from talking about the identities of themselves and their loved ones. The classroom will become a space that isn’t respectable towards inclusivity and the notion that “love is love.” It should be a safe space for all students. “In a statement, [Sen. Joe Harding of Florida] explained that “the exaggeration and misrepresentation in reporting about the amendment was a distraction; all the amendment did was create procedures around how, when and how long information was withheld from parents so that there was a clear process and kids knew what to expect.” (2022, Rosica) LGBT kids already face enough issues like bullying, high suicide and depression rates, and low representation. “Charlee Corra Disney, the heir of Disney who recently came out as transgender, said, “I had very few openly gay role models,” Corra, 30, said. “And I certainly didn’t have any trans or nonbinary role models. I didn’t see myself reflected in anyone, and that made me feel like there was something wrong with me.” (2022, Yurcaba) Dylan, a student against the bill, said, “My worry about the bill is that it will shadow LGBTQ+ history from part of our generation and that it will increase suicide rates, which are already high amongst LGBTQ+ individuals. I think that this bill is a huge step back in progress and is a threat to the future and well-being of America.” “[Openly gay republican Carlos Guillermo Smith] cited research that LGBTQ youth are four times "more likely to seriously consider, make a plan for, or attempt suicide than their peers AND that at least one LGBTQ youth aged 13–24 attempts suicide every 45 seconds in the U.S." (2022, Rosica) This bill is damaging to LGBT children’s (or kids who are LGBT but don’t know it yet) mental health because once this bill goes into effect, they will feel like they are different and not good enough for society. Opponents of the bill say that it is just homophobia. It is a shame that more states are considering passing a “don’t say gay” bill. Andrew Sullivan, a British-American author, wrote “a flurry of red states are now beginning to follow in the footsteps of Florida and shut down instruction in critical queer and gender theory in the kindergarten through primary school years” (2022, Sullivan) in an article for The Weekly Dish. It is too bad that other states are going to shut down queer instruction in kindergarten through third grade. If children don’t grow up believing in LGBTQ rights, they will probably be homophobic adults. Dylan said, “Other states have already begun to look into implementing the bill. So yes, I see it as a huge threat that will spread to other states.” States like Mississippi and Arkansas have already put restrictions on transgender people so I wouldn’t be surprised if they followed Florida’s lead in passing a “Don’t Say Gay” bill. Everyone should be treated equally. This bill is unfair to kids that identify with the LGBTQ community. Everyone should be free to be who they are and express their individuality without fear of rejection or being outed. I think students should be allowed to learn about the LGBTQ community in kindergarten through third grade because the younger they are exposed to these issues, the more comfortable they will be with them and the less likely they will be homophobic. Florida has made a mistake and accidentally regressed in progress towards freedom and equality for all people with the “Don’t Say Gay” bill. The bill is very damaging for students and teachers alike in schools. The ideas are spreading to other places, taking many parts of the country backward. A look into the slim course offerings at SMC Riley Mulcahy Opinion Section Editor Academic excellence and inclusion are two of the most important tenets of the Saint Mary’s College community; however, the course offerings have declined over the past few years. When it is essential to promote classes that best support the whole student, how can a college say that it is preparing its students for the real world?
Looking at the course offerings for next semester, there are 492 courses offered at Saint Mary’s, and according to their site, SMC has 40 majors in total. Some, such as Women and Gender Studies, have three courses offered in the fall, along with Ethnic Studies. Given the lack of attention to diverse majors, how can change at SMC occur when students are not given options to learn more about America that accepts all parts of our history, one that showcases the diversity of SMC, which we still need to strive towards more. If the pandemic has taught us anything, it is that we must understand what our political and educational leaders are doing and what their motivations behind it are. One must ask, why is there such a significant reduction in classes, and who takes ownership of this problem? The classes that are missing in the fall are important to notice because they have negative ramifications for students looking to graduate in a timely manner. There are only seven Seminar classes in the fall, an essential class, however, Spring 2022 had seven Seminar classes. Specifically, Biology, Microbiology, and Genetics are either reduced or not offered, and these are foundational classes for the Biology major. Furthermore, the English department is offering limited classes as well, with ten sections devoted to Composition, limited Creative Writing options, and no class for the Authors and Genre requirements. The major with the most classes is the Performing Arts Department with 33 classes. The major encompasses music and theatre and it is understandable why there are a lot of classes. However, how does it make sense not to spread the funds in a more equitable way, one that understands the stresses of students needing to fulfill their requirements to graduate? From the Spring to the fall semester, there is almost a 200 class reduction, which is curious given where SMC spends their money. Some may ask what the solution is to this problem, and the first answer is to increase the enrollment so that there are more students to serve and more classes to be offered. Although this is a logical conclusion, we must ask ourselves how currently enrolled students are treated. Without access to classes that are needed for graduation, there is a sense that students are working so hard for something, a degree, and there are barriers to getting something they have worked so hard for. Ariana Perez Opinion Columnist I like to think of the fall semester as the obligatory semester of transition, of breaking out of a routine set by three months living under the grueling summer heat and setting yourself up for the school year. In other words, it's a semester of first and new experiences. Whether it’s new classes, new professors, new roommates, or maybe even your first job or first internship, the fall semester is a major period for fresh beginnings.
As a transfer student at Saint Mary’s, there were a lot of firsts for me during the fall semester. I went from two semesters of zoom classes to finally living on campus and attending classes with actual people I only previously knew as boxes on a screen. Surprisingly, I was fairly well prepared for living independently and setting my own routine. However, what I was not prepared for was figuring out how to juggle a social life with academics. A late bloomer, introverted, and naturally anxious, I’ve always struggled with socializing effectively. Not to mention that when it comes to schoolwork I tend to get tunnel vision. Never one to wait till the last minute to do anything, my homework often took precedence over going to campus events and hanging out with other people. My schedule didn’t help either, with a senior capstone on top of three other classes that demanded a lot of reading that I wasn’t willing to skim or skip, I felt major pressure to do everything to the fullest extent. Looking back, as someone about to graduate it wasn’t ideal, with the whole semester feeling like one major adjustment period. A good chunk of my semester was spent writing, reading, and researching in the library like a hermit, October through November, telling myself that I just needed to get through one more week and the stress would wear off. That’s not to say there weren’t any good times sprinkled into the emotionally messy cake that was the fall semester. Between the transfer student A’s game, and the Intercultural Center’s dance Bring Back the 90’s, there were a couple amazing moments. These minor events improved my mental health and were my first insights into the importance of socializing and getting out beyond my dorm and library. Thankfully, things improved greatly with the coming of the spring semester, with a lighter load and different mindset I felt more open to the experiences Saint Mary’s had to offer, including actually having a social life. Even if it was just a quick late night dinner, drinks at Roundup, or a jog around Moraga, it was a world of a difference compared to last semester. Compared to the fall the events the spring semester offered seem to explode in amount and variety, piquing my interest and attention. The student-run events were spectacular, from the APASA Night Market to the Cultural Nights. But the one event that stands out the most to me still was the Angel Island excursion offered by CAB. Though the original event promised a hike and got sidetracked by the weather, I still got to ride a ferry for the first time and explored a bustling San Francisco farmer’s market with a friend, heading back to campus with a free book and free lunch. This all led to a major improvement in my mental health, getting more involved with clubs made me realize just how greatly they can improve your social life, and how academics shouldn’t be overly prioritized, since socializing is equally as important for developing into a well rounded adult. Overall, my time at Saint Mary’s may have been brief, and the lessons I learned may have come a little too late, but I’m thankful for the good memories I was able to make in the short time I was here. Santa Clara University and Fordham University name their first-ever lay-people (and women) to become president.
By Riley Mulcahy Opinion Section Editor Santa Clara University and Fordham University, two Jesuit institutions, named their first female presidents, breaking longstanding traditions to name priests or theologians in the role. Tania Tetlow, Fordham’s choice for president, broke a similar tradition as president of Loyola University in New Orleans, and Julie H. Sullivan comes from St. Thomas University in Minnesota. Both women have been hailed trailblazers for breaking down walls in predominantly male institutions and as their perspective roles as presidents, creating a space for non-lay people to control a university. Saint Mary’s has also broken the tradition; however, the first two presidents to halt the practice have been two white men, James Donahue and Richard Plumb. Santa Clara and Fordham’s announcements come at a time where there is a reckoning of racial injustice and a sudden newfound awareness of what should have been obvious a long time ago: if we want to change in our institutions, we should hire people who do not necessarily look like who have been employed for decades. One question that is on the top of a lot of people’s minds is what type of progress will be made now that these announcements have been made. For instance, will there be a ripple effect of colleges and universities hiring women presidents and finally acknowledging the changing landscape that may not have a Jesuit or Lasallian, white male Priest or Brother that can be the anchor of a college? Will we see more diversity in admissions and more scholarships and grants for students who need them? At the same time, the average endowment for colleges and universities has skyrocketed to 1.1 Billion dollars according to Inside Higher Ed. At Saint Mary’s, there needs to be a conversation about why a woman was not chosen over another white male, now that there is no need for the president to be a layperson. This is especially apparent considering the qualifications of the candidates Plumb was chosen over. What does it say about the university that there have only been white men at the university’s helm, and how does it benefit the university not to hire women? In the public’s view, there is no benefit in not hiring women. We must break the cycle where men are always in control of academia because it does not showcase the diversity of the professors and students, which still needs to be improved upon SMC. According to the press release announcing Sullivan’s presidency at Santa Clara, the University updated its bylaws to remove the requirement that its President must be a Jesuit priest in June 2021. One of the reasons for the sudden change could also be that there is a decline in the number of priests and brothers, let alone those who are called to be educators. Furthermore, a more cynical view could suggest that Sullivan and Tetlow’s presidencies are based on the decline of eligible laypeople. However, this should not negate the accomplishments that they have had and should be a sign of progress. Theo Zittel
Visiting Opinion Writer Ukraine is one of the few countries that allows for surrogacies to legally occur, making it a hub for international parents to hire women willing to birth their children. However, Ukraine has policies only allowing surrogacy to occur if the parents are in a heterosexual relationship and have a medical reason requiring it to be done. In addition, due to the current affairs of the Russian invasion in Ukraine, both citizens and surrogate mothers alike are faced with either remaining in the danger of the conflict zone or escaping to safety. Is the woman or the child more important during the war? Should a woman flee her home country for the sake of the child she is being paid to bear? These are the concerns that many surrogate women have felt in recent weeks during the Ukrainian Conflict. Many mothers are more concerned about their wellbeing and safety than worrying about the baby they are carrying for the arranged surrogacy. War leads to difficult decisions in morally gray areas, where those affected must do what’s best for their interests. The mothers want to make decisions independently and are not necessarily concerned about what they want them to do. At the same time, the parents living abroad fear for the child’s safety and feel a sense of vulnerability as the surrogate mothers choose not to leave their homes for safety elsewhere. The New York Times recently reported on 19 surrogate babies being cared for by nannies after parents were barred from traveling to Ukraine. This creates a dispute in the expectations of these women, who give up their ability to give birth to a child that is not even their own to raise. Why are the parents less concerned about the woman’s safety when the unforeseen peril produced by Russia threatens her life? There has to be empathy for the Ukrainian surrogate mothers, not just the children that they carry. Their lives have worth, too, even if it means sacrificing their safety, leaving their families behind, or even disappointing their parents. 50 years after Title IX, and there is still inequality. By Madison Sciba Opinion Columnist In celebration of National Girls and Women in Sports Day on February 3rd, SMC athletics honored women athletes during the women’s basketball game. With catered Chipotle and matching Title IX t-shirts, the Gaels were spotlighted during the halftime break. With this being the 50th anniversary of such an important piece of legislation, it seems strange how the only people to attend the celebration were the female athletes. National Girls and Women in Sports Day celebrates the passing of Title IX in 1972. According to the US Department of Justice website, in relation to athletics, Title IX states that “No person shall on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, be treated differently from another person, or otherwise be discriminated against in any interscholastic, intercollegiate, club or intramural athletics offered by a recipient, and no recipient shall provide such athletics separately on such basis.” Not only was the celebration held on a day during JanTerm break when practically no one was on campus except athletics, but the UCU was empty except for the women’s teams who attended. The female teams were told to attend and they would be honored, yet why weren’t the men’s teams required to attend in support? Seemingly the whole point of Title IX is so that women and men get equal opportunities in athletics. However, there is a severe lack of support for women’s teams. For example, the UCU is packed for men’s basketball games, yet there are always open seats at women’s basketball games. Everyone at SMC knows about the men’s rugby team, which is a club sport, yet a lot of people do not know that there is a women’s rowing team which is one of the women’s D1 sports. The school's Instagram account advertises every men's basketball game and event related to men's basketball. Yet there is rarely a mention of women’s volleyball, soccer, softball, rowing, etc. So the question is: why is there so much more support for men’s sports than women? Saint Mary’s puts such an emphasis on the star basketball team and the best rugby team in the country, yet, that does not mean those teams deserve way more support than the women’s rowing team. Even some of the men’s teams get overlooked, like the men’s golf team. Or the men’s and women’s tennis, or men’s and women’s cross country/track and field teams. Is it just because these teams aren’t featured on ESPN? Is it because they are not nationally recognized? Or is it just because they just don’t make money? It all has to do with money. Though it cannot be officially recorded, the school justifies the imbalance because men’s basketball and rugby are supposedly HUGE money-makers for SMC. There aren’t a lot of people who are invested in collegiate rowing and it is not a well-followed sport in the US, so the rowing team doesn’t bring in a lot of sponsors and donations. However, the men’s baseball team is with a recent $1 million donation to the baseball program, which will go to a brand new stadium. No matter how much legislation is passed, it is clear that people prefer to support men’s sports rather than women’s, and it all comes down to money. How much Saint Mary’s can profit off the team and their success. How many supporters the team gets. You can easily sell tickets to soccer, basketball, and baseball games, but you can’t make a lot of money by selling tickets to rowing races, cross country meets, or tennis matches. All this makes it clear that inequality in athletics is evident at Saint Mary’s even in 2022.  Image from the Saint Mary’s Website. From the Title IX celebration on Feb. 3rd.
Image source: https://www.stmarys-ca.edu/celebrating-womens-history-month-50-years-of-title-ix-at-saint-mary%E2%80%99s Source: US Department of Justice https://www.justice.gov/crt/title-ix#10.%C2%A0%20Athletics%20(%C3%AF%C2%BD%C2%A7%20__.450) Ariana Perez
Opinion Columnist March 8th marks International Women's Day, but is a single day enough to acknowledge and celebrate all that women have accomplished throughout American history? Designating all of March as Women’s History Month gives ample time and opportunity for the education of prominent female figures that history has let slip under the rug, giving a brighter and broader spotlight for the diverse range of women overshadowed by their male counterparts in fields such as the arts, sciences, politics, sports, literature, medicine, and more. Moreover, extending the recognition of women’s history allows for a more in-depth acknowledgment of women who exist in marginalized communities, and the impactful work they have achieved for critical causes, such as queer and BIPOC women. Women History Month emphasizes not just thanks and consideration for women past and present, but for reflection as well. Each year designates a theme, a topic to be discussed and reflected on; for this year, the theme is “Women Providing Healing, Promoting Hope.” The theme for 2022 is meant to give special attention to caregivers and frontline workers for their impactful work throughout the global pandemic. It also acts as a tribute to recognize how women from all cultures have provided hope and healing during times of stress. Additionally, important discussions and conversations for change are emphasized as well throughout the month of March. The fight for women’s rights did not end with the right to vote and access to contraceptives after all. Movements aren’t just a section in the history textbook. They are still present today, dedicated to the rights of all women, regardless of race, religion, or sexuality. Overall, it is critical to celebrate and recognize all that women have achieved and unearth all accomplishments that were lost or buried, but it is also of critical importance to recognize the struggles and fights women still face in the modern era, especially the battles fought outside of America. It cannot be expected to achieve all of this in one day. Sources: https://www.history.com/topics/holidays/womens-history-month There is no excuse for not having more inclusive texts and courses here at Saint Mary’s
By: Riley Mulcahy Opinion Section Editor In the never-ending pursuit of obtaining fundamental human rights for BIPOC in the United States, one could feel that there is not much a university, let alone an individual, can do to combat the blatant scar on our humanity. However, SMC can help students of color by embracing texts and creating courses that actively help dismantle the white supremacy that is so prevalent in this country. In creating a more diverse and inclusive campus, SMC appeals to students who value diversity and want to become more involved in campus life. Also, one must not forget the impact of protesting after George Floyd was murdered and how the Black Lives Matter Movement has walked the walk by supporting BIPOC individuals and creating a more diverse campus. How is this possible when everyone has different majors and different post-college ambitions? By creating a more productive Seminar environment in which texts from Black authors are acknowledged and celebrated, and having similarly styled classes to ENGL-130, The Novels of Toni Morrison. While it is impressive that the university is creating a space for Morrison’s work, we must fight for more diverse authors being offered. The college can do this by adding more diverse offerings for The Common Good and Community Engagement requirements. The notion that Ethnic Studies and Women and Gender Studies Departments should be solely responsible for creating more varied course offerings is not feasible. We must aim for every department to celebrate the achievements of writers, researchers, and scholars of each department, which will help students become more aware of the world of academic life. Not every person who writes a novel or textbook is a white straight male. Although there is always progress to be made, this is not to say that there are no strides happening here at Saint Mary’s. Talking About White People About Race/White People Talking About Race, a Jan Term class taught by Scott Schonfeldt-Aultman, looked at the notion of whiteness in the context of the privilege it represents and how white students can help students of color have a better experience. As a student in the class myself, my biggest takeaway was to continually educate yourself before trying to have a person of color explain the history of trauma in this country, present due to the white supremacy that our country is rooted in. If colleges only select white authors and a handful of BIPOC authors, then we are still not even reaching the magnitude of representation, and it must be explicit. Classes revolving around the issues of diversity and representation must be at the forefront of SMC’s curriculum, and it takes professors such as Schonfeldt-Aultman to create engaging courses that also speak to the current climate we are living in. However, we must also expect a college located in the Bay Area to have diverse texts so we will not repeat the same mistakes that generations before us have. Over the last five years, we have witnessed the fragility of democracy and the reason why we must educate, educate and educate students again on the history of this country, one that represents the Black excellence in this country, and dismantle the white supremacy that has been here longer than our country’s formation.  The Russian figure skater who was allowed to compete versus the American sprinter who wasn’t.
By Madison Sciba Opinion Columnist After recent news of a positive doping case at the Olympics, frustrated fans are bringing to light the fact that an African-American sprinter was unable to compete as the result of a positive drug test, yet a Russian figure skater was still allowed to compete despite also testing positive. So people are asking: what is the difference between the two cases? Is it because the Russian skater is white and the American sprinter is Black? At the trials for the last summer Olympics, 21-year-old Sha’Carri Richardson won the women’s 100-meter dash, but after testing positive for cannabis she was given a 30-day suspension from competing. This suspension resulted in Richardson missing out on the Tokyo Olympics last summer. In December of 2021, Kamila Valieva, a 15-year-old Russian figure skater, tested positive for a heart medication, which is banned as a doping agent. Even after news of her positive result came to light, she was still allowed to skate in the Beijing Olympics. While the two cases may be similar at first glance, there are severe differences that prove that there is more to these situations. Richardson’s case and punishment were dealt with by the United States Anti-Doping Agency, while Valieva’s case was dealt with by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) and the Russian Anti-Doping Agency (RUSADA). The WADA recommended Valieva be suspended from the sport and barred from continuing to compete in the winter games, the RUSADA, however, has yet to comment on their findings and punishment over Valieva’s case. Russia has already faced troubles over evidence of doping in Russian Olympians, resulting in them having to compete at the last few games as the Russian Olympic Committee (ROC). This brings another question: why is Russia still allowed to compete in national sporting events? The idea of having them compete as the ROC was supposed to be a punishment in hopes of a lesson against doping. Yet with this case of Valieva’s doping, Russia has proved that they will still dope their athletes. Why should they be allowed to cheat and get away with it? Russian athletes are still able to compete. Putin is still allowed to represent Russia at the games. Is Russia facing any actual punishment?? Source for image: npr.com |
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