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Do you ever realize that you have been unfortunately preoccupied worrying about something that in retrospect wasn’t quite as pressing a matter as other considerations? For instance, in the agony of a paper cut, would you really fail to notice that your hair was on fire? Probably not. However, while this manner of shortsightedness is rare individually, on a societal level, I get the feeling that proper arrangement of the deck chairs is more important than the Titanic itself sinking into the ocean. Such is the situation in today’s America, ... News, Perspectives »
This afternoon, Payson Library will play host to the closing comments of the Borders of Faith Panel. The panel, moderated by the School of Law Straus Institute for Dispute Resolution, is focused on improving interfaith relations. Thursday’s closing comments will address “informal efforts at joining religion with the political process in the Middle East and elsewhere.” Would that such dialogue had occurred sooner, on a national level.
The war in Afghanistan is drawing to a bloody, uncertain close, marked by scandals and slip-ups as the United States begins the tedious process ... Perspectives »
As the smoldering ashes of Songfest 2012 grow smaller in our rearview mirror, whispers echo through the halls of Seaver College: “Remind me never to do this again.” Fast-forward 51 weeks into the future to Songfest 2013. These same students stumble around campus in a haze of sleep deprivation and malnutrition. They have mysteriously ignored their own advice from the previous year and once again, they believe themselves oppressed.
But who is to blame? Is it not these bedazzled, bumbling students who signed up for the late rehearsal hours and prolonged ... Perspectives »
For many countries around the world, 2012 is a very important year. No, I’m not talking about the Mayan hype. Rather, a number of countries will have elections this year, meaning there’s potential for a lot of change. On July 1, Mexico will hold federal elections in which a new president and 128 members of the senate will be elected to serve six-year terms along with 500 deputies to serve three-year terms in the Chamber of Deputies. Besides that, six states will have gubernatorial elections.
Mexico presents an interesting electoral process ... Perspectives »
The Internet is taking over social life. Everything has shifted, not only to an online focus but an online dependence. Our social, political, cultural and economic lives have all come to be defined by our online presence. A business without a website is more rare than a political candidate without a Twitter account, and when somebody tells you that they don’t have a Facebook account, you can’t help but look at them like they’re cross-eyed.
Nevertheless, the question of Internet activity remains relevant as we navigate current issues. The way we ... Featured, Perspectives »
Dear Grace,
I never realized “Ring by Spring” was so real until this month — it seems like everyone is getting engaged! As a senior with less than two months to seal the deal, what do you recommend I do?
Ready to Mingle
Dear RTM,
I remember the days leading up to my freshman year of college, days I spent laughing at the absurd notion that Pepperdine students frequently got engaged before their 22nd birthdays. I scoffed at those stereotypical Christian school kids, racing down the Stauffer Chapel aisle, eager to jump into a ... Featured, Perspectives »
Pepperdine boasts a first-class education the likes of Stanford and Notre Dame, but its consistently slipping national rankings aren’t falling for no reason. Boasting a No. 2 ranking for Peace Corps Volunteers in 2009, 6 recent Fulbright Scholars, and some 20-plus Teach for America participants in the past two years, Pepperdine is top of the charts for bleeding hearts. Why? Pepperdine students just cannot say no — to people, charities or a myriad of activities.
I’m just as guilty of this habit; my activities list as a last semester senior is ... Featured, Perspectives »
If you didn’t throw it away in the Sandbar trashcan approximately three seconds after you opened your mailbox, it’s time to take a good look at the March calendar that we all received in our on-campus mailboxes. The Student Programming Board, Campus Recreation, Athletic Advisory board, student clubs and other organizations come together each month to create a fresh program of campus-centered activities for the student body, and this month’s is especially exceptional. As the students being catered to, we need to take advantage of what they’ve put together for ... News, Perspectives »
Recently, when hearing talk of next school year, an unfortunate yet pleasant phrase keeps popping into my head: “Not my problem.” It’s that time of the year again, when the seniors start counting the days. Everyone looks forward to the end of school: For freshman it’s that much closer to studying abroad, for sophomores, it’s their ticket home, for juniors, it’s the beginning of the end. But as a senior, there is a special (and dangerous) kind of anticipation to the closing of that final semester.
Obviously, I don’t want to ... Perspectives »
In the ongoing debate about whether a gay-straight alliance should be recognized by the university, a common argument made against recognition has been this: Pepperdine is a private university, and it can do whatever it wants. In addition, because it is a Christian university and advertises this feature, people who attend or teach here shouldn’t complain about its conservative policy decisions.
Frankly, this argument is irrelevant. By its logic, we also shouldn’t care if Pepperdine starts requiring all students to attend University Church every Sunday and learn all its hymns by ... 
