Religion has no place in politics — it says so in the law itself. However, with the way society and politicians have behaved it does not seem as though this distinction or separation of church and state ever really existed.

America does not have a “national religion” nor should we or will we ever as a nation. The freedom of religion as outlined in the Bill of Rights guaranteed that Americans would not be forced to convert to or adhere to one powerful or dominating religion. The first clause states, “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion.”

Religion was not to be used as motivation or inspiration for any laws simply because the people were given the right to believe whatever they wanted. What I think many people today forget is that one of the main reasons early Europeans settled — and unfairly colonized land, may I add — in the United States was to avoid religious persecution in Europe and establish a land where people of all religions practiced freely and coincided with each other.

That being said, why does the president of the United States swear into office with his hand placed on the Bible? Why is the Bible used in the court of law? Why are religious beliefs the driving force behind Congressional bills and Supreme Court decisions regarding women’s reproductive rights and the rights of LGBTQIA+ individuals in this country?

It is important to note that not everyone in the U.S. believes in God, despite Christianity being the dominant religion. Regardless of the popularity or demographic of people who identify as Christian in this country, which in 2019 was approximately 70 percent of Americans, I am unable to comprehend how and why laws are trying to be passed with a religious viewpoint supporting them.

I do not want to get controversial or bring up the differences in political parties in America right now, because this is not intended to favor my personal opinions or promote a specific political agenda. However, the umbrella statement that religion has no place in politics does, unintentionally, target Republicans given the recent confirmation of Amy Coney Barrett as the newly elected Supreme Court Justice.

Barrett is a lawyer, jurist and former academic who was nominated by Donald Trump and has been serving on the court since Oct. 27, 2020. She is a conservative woman who is taking the place of deceased and well-loved Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. RBG was a feminist icon who advocated for women and minority rights while serving on the Supreme Court for 27 years before she died of cancer on Sept. 18, 2020.

My problem with the nomination of Amy Coney Barrett is multi-faceted. She is going to figuratively close every door RBG has opened. Her presence swayed the court to have a conservative majority. She is a proud practicing Christian. However, with speculation of her beliefs affecting her judgment and decisions in Court, she has yet to make a statement. Contrarily, she has made comments that display and highlight exactly how her faith is going to influence decision-making — sending panic across America.

According to The Washington Post, Barrett served as a “handmaid” in a Christian group called People of Praise. Though she and the group have declined to comment or explain her involvement, she has had an active role in the organization, as have her parents, according to documents and interviews with a group that keeps its teachings and gatherings private. Barrett’s ties to the religious group, which has conservative stances on the role of women in society and other social issues, did not come to light until after she was questioned by senators considering her nomination to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 7th Circuit in 2017.

There is nothing wrong with being a Christian and having conservative views. People are entitled to their own opinions and it is morally and legally wrong to discriminate based on a person’s religious beliefs or political affiliation. That being said, it is even more wrong to use your religion and personal viewpoints to influence politics and make life-changing decisions for citizens of this country when you are in a position of great power.

Barrett’s views on abortion, birth control and LGBTQIA+ are repulsive, insulting and not welcome in a position of extreme political power and influence. Being homophobic or pro-life are personal viewpoints that a person, though it is disgusting and unethical to feel such a way, is entitled to. She is not entitled, however, to use her personal beliefs to take away or retract the basic human rights of minorities in America.

Barrett publicly denied the possibility of her religion and views towards women and LGBTQIA+ individuals influencing her decisions as a judge; it is not shocking, though, that her previous comments say otherwise. In a 2016 lecture, she questioned whether Title IX protections should be extended to transgender people, as well as questioned whether or not the Supreme Court should have made the ruling on Obergefell v. Hodges legalizing same-sex marriage federally. She is proudly pro-life and in 1998 co-wrote an article that stated terminating a pregnancy at any point was “always immoral.” When questioned about this, she argued that she was simply stating the viewpoint of the Catholic Church and that she would not let her religion and personal bias dictate her decisions as a judge. She also sidestepped an adequate answer for questions regarding contraception. When asked during her Senate confirmation hearing about whether or not the Supreme Court ruling of Griswold v. Connecticut was correctly decided, she chose to answer by saying it is unlikely the case would ever be overturned.

We are scared. As a feminist, I feel physically nauseated that another woman was given a position of power and the chance to make a difference and carry on the legacy of RBG, and yet she is predicted to do the complete opposite. The chance for women to influence politics and hold positions of power is an honor, a landmark and an accomplishment that all feminists and even all women should be embracing — and yet the reality is much darker.

Amy Coney Barrett’s nomination and confirmation as the newest Supreme Court Justice is a threat to women’s autonomy over their own bodies. It is a threat to same-sex couples and their right to be legally married. She is a threat to minority groups and she is a threat to this country.

Dating violence is a pressing and serious issue that not enough young adults and teenagers are talking about — but they should be. October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, hence it feels important to discuss the common and tragic occurrences young people today experience in romantic relationships. 

Relationship abuse looks different in every situation. It is very complex and terrifying, and it is happening far too frequently in the lives of young adults, yet there is little awareness to bring about its demise. According to a study from the National Institute of Justice, 56 percent of young adults reaching the end of adulthood reported perpetrating or being the victim of some form of relationship abuse. Shockingly, one in five of those reported individuals felt sexual pressure from a romantic partner. 

I think part of the problem with recognizing and handling abuse is that it is often portrayed as violent and physical, which is not always the case. Domestic abuse can be emotional, physical or sexual. You should never feel pressured or forced you to have sex. You should never be made to do sexual things you don’t want to do or that make you feel uncomfortable or disrespected. And you should never be physically hurt in any way by a romantic partner. 

Physical harm is not the only sign of abuse, and the absence of it does not mean a relationship is not abusive. For example, it is important to recognize whether or not your partner demands to look at your phone or social media accounts, logs into your social media accounts without permission, puts you down, insult you or calls you names. Other warning signs of relationship abuse include getting jealous or insecure;, making you change your behavior to make your partner feel better; trying to make you “confess” to doing things that you haven’t done or make false accusations about your behavior; having outbursts or a “bad temper” that causes you to fear for your safety and demanding that you cease communication with certain friends, classmates and others. 

The long term effects of abusive relationships can be detrimental to an individual’s mental, physical and emotional health. Depression, anxiety, PTSD and other trauma disorders are common in individuals who have experienced abuse, and these disorders remain prevalent in the future and could potentially affect future, healthy relationships. 

If you or someone you know is experiencing dating violence, there are resources available. It is important to know that you are not unlovable because someone made you feel that way. 

Please share or visit https://www.thehotline.org for more information or to speak with someone regarding abuse.

“You should smile more.” “You’re beautiful.” “What’s your name?” “I’m talking to you.”

News flash — it’s none of your business.

I would just like to bring that attention to the male population, because it seems as though they have forgotten. We would like to let you know that neither I nor any other woman is required to tolerate or listen to such annoyances while we walk home.

The word “catcalling” itself takes away from the harsh reality of street harassment against women — not only in America, but in countries around the world. It is not a compliment. It is pure objectification and sexual harassment, which women everywhere experience in various settings on a daily basis. We are uncomfortable. Quite frankly, we always have been.

When it comes to catcalling, two-thirds of women reported having a story where they were spoken to, touched, followed or made to feel uncomfortable, according to a 2016 California State University survey. Almost a quarter of them said it led to being inappropriately touched, and 20 percent reported being followed, regardless of whether they responded to or ignored their harassers. Even further, in a recent survey more than 81 percent of women have reported some form of sexual harassment. Others believe that catcalling is somehow complimentary. It never is, because compliments do not incite fear.

However, with the recent trend in women’s empowerment and movements such as #MeToo and Hollaback!, women are taking back the power men feel they are entitled to. More attention is being drawn to the unhealthy, toxic behaviors that society has normalized for centuries.

The trend of writing out catcalls in chalk on the sidewalk originally began in New York City when an NYU senior used catcalling women as the topic for one of her writing assignments. She began an Instagram account for women to share their experiences in NYC; it soon caught media attention and was mirrored by women in other states and countries.

People got too comfortable with knowing that catcalling existed and ignored it… but it is hard to ignore the vulgar, inappropriate words when they are written in neon chalk exactly where they were said to someone.

It is safe to say that a majority of women in every major city in the U.S., and in every country in the world, have experienced some form of street harassment — even girls as young as 12 years old.

The issue of street harassment, or any form of sexual harassment, is not simply a women’s issue. It is vital that men be a part of these conversations because they are the driving force behind such occurrences. Many men have been shocked by the words written in chalk or the stories women share, but others remain ignorant and entitled, brushing the issue under the rug and ignoring its severity.

An even bigger concern regarding street harassment is rejection violence, which perpetuates a cycle of women living and traveling in fear to escape physical violence for standing up for themselves while being harassed. Catcalling is not innocent or flirtatious; it is an aggressive act of male power that feeds into rape culture.

There are bars, dating apps, parties and other settings where men can have their fair chance at flirting or complimenting a woman. Men must take accountability for what they have done and continue to do, and those men who do not engage in such behaviors must be allies for the women, LGBTQ+ and BIPOC individuals who are most commonly victimized by street harassment.

I, for one, am not intimidated anymore. We acknowledge that you are insecure, but we no longer want to be nice about it.

With the recent conversations in the media and circulating accusations against multiple prominent political leaders of the United States for rape and sexual assault, it only seemed fair to provide readers with further clarity as to why feminism is necessary — for everyone.

Feminism is not just a women’s movement that aims to gain superiority over men. Contrary to what the biased media outlets in this country may depict, feminism is simply the belief in equality for all people regardless of gender. It works toward eliminating toxic masculinity, eradicating disparities in health care and education and empowering women who have been oppressed.

It is perhaps one of the biggest miscommunications between the media and the ignorant population of American people that feminism today exists solely for the benefit of women. Feminism is not a man-hating group of women, or women who feel as though they deserve more than their male counterparts. Though the movement was originally created to ensure basic human rights for women, feminism today is a social movement and belief focused on changing society for the better.

This is an attempt to guarantee equal opportunities and equity for both men and women, which do not exist right now. The wage gap is real. Women in America make on average $0.80 to a white, non-Hispanic man’s dollar. The exact numbers are often lower for minority women. We need to start having these difficult conversations, at the office, at the dinner table and on the street. It is time to start bringing attention to disparities rather than ignoring them as we have in the past. Talking about salaries is not taboo, or at least should not be perceived as so. In fact, it might even help a woman who is underpaid get what she deserves.

The feminist movement works tirelessly to eradicate the harsh stereotypes and prejudices that have burdened our country’s unfair family and social dynamics for people since the origin of this nation as a country. In doing so, feminists today strive to change the gender norms while also promoting healthy behaviors, perspectives, and attitudes for all people… not just for women and girls.

Sexual assault and rape are among the major concerns of this “second wave of feminism” in history. It is crucial to understand that these topics and those similar are not just women’s issues, they are everyone’s issues. Rape and sexual assault are most often committed against women, by men. Approximately 90 percent of perpetrators of sexual violence against women are men. When the statistics are combined, men perpetrate 78 percent of all reported sexual assaults, according to the National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey.

There are multiple groups involved in such acts of senseless violence and dominance. Domestic abuse, sexual assault, sexual harassment and rape occur at extremely high rates in America. Why is it that? Why do so many women have a story to tell — a story about the time they were followed, catcalled, harassed, touched, raped, scared or even just made to feel uncomfortable by a man? As much research as I have done and as many people who I have spoken to about their experiences and feelings, I am still unable to comprehend how individuals will deny the need for feminism both in this country and in others around the world.

The issue is deep-rooted in how society expects and encourages men to act. Men have been groomed to think they are entitled and have a right to a woman’s body, hence the reason the people making important political decisions regarding the reproductive rights of women are also men. Women have been denied autonomy over their own organs. For centuries, women have been expected to limit their voices, kneecap their sentences and be apologetic. Things are changing now — women are no longer afraid, we are no longer silenced.

The recent news and suspected presence of a child sex trafficking ring existing among the wealthiest businesspeople and politicians in both the United States and other countries is appalling and terrifying to hear, especially as a young woman.

It is both wrong and unethical for the media to refer to these child victims as “underage prostitutes”; there is no such thing. An underage child cannot consent to sex. That is rape. Non-consensual sex also does not exist. That is rape. Journalists and news sources need to do a better job in highlighting and exploiting these individuals who are accused of rape rather than diminishing the victims involved. Dress codes and societal expectations for women have led to large scale victimization. It needs to be eliminated. Instead of teaching women how to dress and how to protect themselves, we should try teaching men not to rape.

It is even more sickening that the president of this country has been accused of numerous accounts of sexual assault and rape, in addition to his continued use of degrading comments and misogynistic attitude towards women. The fact that the leader of this nation can speak so carelessly and disgustingly about women fills my chest with an overwhelming, suffocating anxiety and has instilled a fear in me that I never before knew was possible.

This is my reality — but is also the reality of most women in this country. Despite making monumental strides towards equality and gaining an increased number of positions in the government and male-dominated fields, we are habitually objectified by men, especially those in power. It is ingrained in the foundational structure of this country and its leaders, it is made obvious in policies and is undoubtedly executed on an individual and group basis.

The denial and dismissal of these accusations in both political parties without proper investigation are even more frightening than their suspected existence, because if these are in fact true than the government and those powerful individuals dominating our society have successfully halted the progress of those brave survivors of sexual and gender violence.

College campuses across America, including Drexel University, continue to cultivate an environment that ignores the presence of and refuses to enact change in the policies regarding sexual and gender violence. I walk home at night on Market St. with my keys pointed outward and a pepper spray attachment dangling from them.

We, as women on this campus and as women in this country, cannot walk to Wawa or 7-11 or even to our own homes alone either during the day or at night without hearing a vulgar comment about our appearances or bodies. We are often specifically targeted and bothered by the homeless people for money outside of convenience stores because we are viewed as clueless or timid, weak.

I am tired of being classified as something I am not. Women are different in all aspects of life, just as men are. There are no “standards” we should be required to meet. Masculinity and femininity are social constructs we created, they do not and should not exist.

I will not say sorry anymore. A woman should never apologize for speaking her mind, regardless of what society tells her.

At an institution that so often promotes the inclusion and safety of all students, the realities that students face contradict those alleged values. Sexual assault and rape are undermined at Drexel and the administration cultivates an environment that allows misconduct with no repercussion.

One of the major issues of sexual assault on college campuses is that it is commonly unreported. Perhaps the reason it goes unreported so often is that universities like Drexel have a jaded and warped system that allows these incidents to keep happening. According to Women’s Health, one in five college females experiences sexual assault. Sexual assault on college campuses is reported at a much higher rate than other locations in America. This reality is because of the high presence of drugs and alcohol on college campuses, the low statistic of reporting, as well as peer pressure from other students and societal coercion to remain silent.

The following is Drexel University’s Sexual and Gender-Based Harassment and Misconduct Policy: “The University is committed to providing an environment free from discrimination, including discrimination based on sex and gender, and has a zero-tolerance policy concerning any and all forms of sexual harassment and misconduct. The University prohibits sexual and gender-based harassment and misconduct in any form, including, but not limited to, sexual assault, sexual violence, sexual abuse, stalking, intimate partner violence and any form of nonconsensual sexual conduct. The University encourages any individual who has been affected by sexual or gender-based harassment or misconduct to immediately report the incident or incidents giving rise to such concerns. This policy provides several reporting options. For emergencies, the University encourages all individuals to call 911 or the Drexel University Public Safety Department at 215.895.2222.”

Regardless of whether these policies exist, it does not mean they are followed or executed properly, nor does this explain the stereotypes of particular groups on campus because of reports in specific fraternities or sports teams across the nation. When asked to comment on the Title IX policies and the lengthy process of reporting rape and sexual assault on campus, coordinator Paul Apicella did not respond to our email asking for further information. This professional contact available on the website is supposedly the “central source for all sexual harassment/misconduct allegations on campus.” The lack of correspondence was a strong enough statement.

Some victims of this unjust process have told their stories, but with discretion as not to offend or expose the administration at Drexel. We were unable to find victims willing to speak, but a few unnamed sources have informed us that the process is purposely dragged out in an attempt to force victims to give up. The Drexel administration is known for wanting to uphold the “prestigious and respected” reputation the institution so proudly holds; thus, they purposely make the process of reporting and convicting offenders drawn-out and complicated as to avoid any real repercussions.

Pi Kappa Alpha, a well-known fraternity on Drexel’s campus, has unfortunately reaped the benefits of negative stereotypes. However, this particular fraternity has shown more initiative than the Drexel administration has to combat sexual assault on campus. Marc Jordine, the current president of Pike, informed us that the fraternity always has closed, registered socials to begin with. For these socials, there is a list of attendees, one executive board member who is sober at the front door, and five to six other sober brothers to keep the peace and ensure peace and make sure everything is being handled smoothly.

Jordine shared that the brothers do not allow random guys in, simply because it is a lot harder to account for people when you don’t know who is there. The brothers are aware of who is at the party, what time they were there and are advised to always be keeping an eye on each other throughout the night. He called this “being your brother’s keeper.”

The Pike brothers have certain rules and regulations in the event that something does happen, whether it be an allegation or a formal charge. If someone is accused of rape or sexual assault, there is immediate suspension from all activities — no letters —  until further action is taken. In the event that an allegation does arise, the executive committees gather and decide which action needs to be taken in order to preserve the name of the brotherhood and ensure justice for the victim. Jordine said, “We take that very seriously because we don’t want those actions associated with our name.”

The Pi Kappa Alpha National fraternity also has specific rules and regulations that must be followed in the event of sexual misconduct. However, Jordine noted, “I’m not sure what role Drexel plays in that.” This was perhaps the most concerning to me, given that there was a rape allegation against a Pike brother and though the police were involved, the university remained silent. The National Fraternity wants the brothers to be educated on safety, empowerment and basic human decency. Drexel PD has been trying to educate and raise awareness among Greek organizations on campus, not the school. The Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity often has guest speakers. This year they had one at chapter and one at their board elections on how to handle emergency situations and who to call or contact if you see or know of sexual assault. “That’s not Drexel, that’s us taking the initiative,” said Marc.

Jordine said, “There’s definitely a stereotype, and we definitely get it pretty bad at Drexel because of the whole ‘Pike Spikes’. It rhymes and I am sure it has happened before, just not here. We do not spike girls’ drinks and we definitely don’t condone sexual assault. Just because I am in a fraternity, does not mean I am a stereotypical frat boy. When one brother rapes a girl, it doesn’t mean everyone in the frat is bad. We are not disgusting; we don’t tolerate that.”

Jonatha Stewart is the President of Phi Sigma Sigma sorority at Drexel University. I asked her what she had to say about the rape culture on Drexel’s campus and what sororities do to make people aware and any resources they have. Stewart explained, “there is a whole position dedicated to campus activities on PHC executive board and they work on planning awareness events to help us stay informed about rape, sexual assault and other things that people at college could experience.” Stewart further elaborated that sororities have done several events related to self-defense and what to do in those situations. For example, she mentioned, “’don’t stall just call’ focused on what to do when someone is too drunk, but we used it for sexual assault as well.” Stewart went on to explain that at social events with fraternities or other clubs and at formals, Phi Sigma Sigma has sober sisters at every event to keep everyone safe. She feels it is important to educate the new members of the sorority. “We have new member education dedicated to keeping people safe about what to do in that situation. Also, Drexel really employs the see something say something approach and we do too, but a lot of events cater to making sure that [if] — god forbid — someone is assaulted they know exactly what to do and have the resources to help them in any way.”

Perhaps one of the most recent and newsworthy incidents of mishandled sexual assaults on Drexel’s campus occurred in 2017. The Tau Kappa Epsilon fraternity was on social probation and had an unregistered party. During the unregistered party, a female was sexually assaulted by two fraternity members. When the woman came forward and explained the situation, the school later found out that this attack occurred at an unregistered party.

The Drexel Crime log reported on April 28, May 4 and May 18 of 2017: “Sex Offense-Rape-Forcible Rape,” “Sex Offense-Rape-Forcible Rape,” “Sex Offense-Rape-Known Acquaintance”, “Sex Offense-Rape-Forcible Rape,” respectively.

The Tau Kappa Epsilon fraternity was suspended from all campus activities and lost recognition as an organization for five years because they had an unregistered party, not because of the alleged sexual assault. It was known by some people at the university what happened at the party, but the school did not hold the fraternity accountable for the incident. Drexel did not prosecute or even investigate the Tau Kappa Epsilon fraternity for the sexual assault allegations. This further underscores the issue of mishandling sexual assault in an attempt to save a university’s reputation.

Rapists are going to attack. They will continue to attack regardless of whether Drexel sends out an email or has an office of inclusion and safety, or whether there are available resources on campus. With the current situation of COVID-19 and major changes to social gatherings, there is the hope that people will have time to think about and decide what is really important. Students, upon returning to campuses, might decide that the culture of Greek life is not that important. Nevertheless, there is the hope that rape culture might calm down, or that people will value privacy and respect others more openly. On the other hand, when COVID-19 is forgotten and students return to college, the partying may increase and lead to people losing control and sexual assault will skyrocket.

In order to raise awareness and hopefully put an end to the rape culture on college campuses and sexual assault, we need to keep the conversation going. Raising awareness and promoting education are small steps in eradicating rape culture on campuses. Hosting events with both the fraternities and sororities on campus to define and explain sexual assault and rape, as well as hearing victim experiences may bring attention to the seriousness of this topic. Education is necessary for knowledge to be attained.

The students are the voice of change on this campus. They are the ones taking the initiative to combat this environment that enables sexual assault. These students are the ones who need to see the effect something this grave can have on a person and everyone around them instead of just reading about the situations that happen on Drexel Campus in an email. The administration has failed the students up to this point, and it is time for a change.

At an institution that so often promotes the inclusion and safety of all students, the realities of these students seem to contradict those alleged values. Racism, sexism and other forms of prejudice are undermined and ignored at Drexel. The administration cultivates an environment that allows misconduct to occur and reiterates inequalities with no repercussion.

When the protests and riots for the Black Lives Matter movement weighed heavy on the city of Philadelphia, the National Guard was brought into the Armory. The armory is located on Drexel’s campus, right next to a residential building where some students currently reside. The community was uninformed about the National Guard’s presence on campus beforehand.

With uproar from students, faculty, staff, alumni, etc., select members of Drexel’s community banded together to fight for the implementation of actively anti-racist policies on campus — a reality that has never existed, despite the image the university attempts to project. A letter was written and emailed to the administration on Wednesday, June 10. The letter addressed the safety issues regarding the National Guard’s presence as well as outlined necessary policies to prevent racial injustice on campus. The letter calls for reparative justice, taking accountability for faculty diversity and changing the current policing strategies, as well as clarification on the National Guard’s occupancy of the armory. It currently has 274 signatures. The letter was sent out via email and is still being shared among Drexel-related individuals. Unfortunately, the authors were not granted access to the faculty senate or email lists. It had to be distributed and passed along to others by the individuals themselves.

The authors of this letter and its signatories do not speak on behalf of all the faculty at this institution. Some are content with the current policies, some are not content but disagree with the letter and others agree but refuse to sign because they are fearful for the security of their job. Letter writing is a learning process, as is creating change for issues that are systemic. The authors of the letter did extensive research, reached out to faulty abroad and aimed to draft up policies designed specifically for Drexel. Title IX has failed us, without question, and is aimed to prevent liability. Therefore, the policies laid out and the needs addressed in this letter are drafted in a way that aims to fix what happens to students, faculty and staff — not just protect the institution. There needs to be reckoning, not just protecting the institution’s liability.

The letter and the faculty’s intention, at the foundation, is to invite more productive forms of conversation. Those who wrote and signed the letter do not claim to know all of the answers, and the letter is not meant to be an attack on the administration. We are seeking perspectives among a broader audience, not just perspectives from the people in power. There are no quick fixes to institutionalized racism and prejudice; no one who supports these changes is looking for a quick fix. However, there needs to be a conversation and a transformation for all persons involved.

Some of the individuals who support the letter have formed a coalition: Drexel’s Anti-Racist Coalition. A follow-up email was sent to President Fry after he addressed the social injustice issues on campus. In the response, the coalition urged for further action while also acknowledging and respecting the administration’s devotion to combatting structural racism. The email stated: “We are heartened to read that Drexel is beginning the first step towards defunding campus policing through review. It is critical that the review process builds trust with our students and campus community, as well as neighbors in Powelton Village and Mantua, which is why we urgently ask you to reconsider appointing Charles H. Ramsay as the consultant in charge of this process. Ramsay’s record of intensive policing in Chicago and Washington DC, and the well-documented increase in civilian shootings by Philadelphia police while he was in charge of the city’s department would not augur the kind of trust and partnership such a review process is meant to establish. We urge you instead to consider partnering with organizations like NCBI (National Coalition Building Institute) to conduct an independent review of campus policing and take the necessary actions that would enrich Drexel and our communities.”

Drexel has failed the larger community for years in terms of gentrification, profiling, failed student opportunities in West Philadelphia and other cases. This community is not just made up of Drexel affiliated individuals, but of all those who reside and work in the areas surrounding our campus. Time and time again these conversations are had at a metaphorical table where Drexel sets the plates and determines who is invited.

Things have gone too far. Change is needed, and the dynamic needs to switch for that to happen. Drexel needs to come to the table set by the community, and not vice versa. We all have a voice on this campus. Students are the biggest advocates and have the opportunity to ensure the safety and well-being of the minorities on this campus who have been failed by the system. College is supposed to be the best time of your life, but for some, it is not. Be the change you wish to see in the world. Sign petitions, advocate for justice and be kind. It is the least you can do.

The letter is as follows: https://nam01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fdocs.google.com%2Fdocument%2Fd%2F19w-KPCOR6XODqtO6Z307qtb20HTqV51_AapcHNe-H00%2Fedit&data=02%7C01%7Cmlg344%40drexel.edu%7C60c0e997c71e4395eb9508d80d94709b%7C3664e6fa47bd45a696708c4f080f8ca6%7C0%7C0%7C637274278485443541&sdata=TK%2BS1UGw4E3MEUoTI1lduxZH7HuqxKGQTAzJyut82Vk%3D&reserved=0

June 4, 2020

Dear Members of the Drexel University Community:

As faculty, staff, students and alumni of Drexel University, an urban campus whose civic engagement mission we proudly embrace, we are writing to express concern about the University’s response to the wave of civil action against systemic racism sweeping the nation. We are glad that President Fry and our University’s leadership have denounced the police lynching of George Floyd and have made a commitment to address the racial disparities and systemic racism that cause grievous harm to the Drexel, as well as to the larger West Philadelphia community. In line with the University’s expression of support for anti-racist principles and spaces for dialogue and reflection, we suggest that Drexel also adopt the following steps, as part of a much longer and sustained process to repair racial and social injustices:

Policing:

1. We demand that Drexel show commitment to its anti-racist principles by defunding or disarming campus police and by severing ties with Philadelphia Police. Recent studies demonstrate that increased policing on campuses rarely prevents crime and, in many cases, exacerbates long-standing tensions between a university and the wider community that it serves. Other universities and schools have moved quickly and decisively to sever ties with police forces that have undermined racial justice or moved to disarm campus police.
2. Defunding our campus police would allow us to redistribute costs into academic programs such as Africana Studies, Women’s and Gender and Sexuality Studies and build new Ethnic and Disability Studies programs. Projects to relocate funds from the  police to community needs are already underway, and we ask that, in this time of budgetary crisis of a $90 million deficit, whether Drexel can reinforce its commitment to racial justice on campus and to its pedagogical mission.
3. We also demand that future decisions about the hiring of campus police (should they continue to exist), and their duties and responsibilities, especially in their engagement with the neighborhoods surrounding campus, should be led by a panel of community leaders and residents of those neighborhoods. Drexel, with its Dornsife Center for Neighborhood Partnerships, is well positioned to host these conversations and learn from the communities we reside in.
4. Police officers should not be the first responders for mental health crises on campus, nor for students who live off-campus.

Accountability for Faculty Diversity:

We call on the University to stand by its commitment to racial justice by holding the Deans and Department Heads accountable for diversity in their departments and schools. The hiring, promotion, and retention of Black, Indigenous and People of Color faculty and staff is an important part of these administrators’ jobs, and they should have to account in systematic ways (including in their performance reviews) for the breadth of racial and gender representation in their respective departments. The current low number of Black and Latinx faculty demonstrates that institutional accountability is needed.

Reparative Justice and Campus Racism:

We also ask that the University develop a more transparent process for handling incidents of racism against Black, Latinx, Queer students of color and students from minority backgrounds. Incidents of racist attacks between students, between students and faculty and between administration and students should not simply be seen as a code violation, but should be treated and acknowledged as a breakdown of a relationship of trust. Justice should not be about protecting the University’s liability, creating task forces and expanding administrative hiring. It should be grounded in a process of healing within the community as outlined by scholars working on reparative justice in higher education. A transparent process should be developed in consultation with experts on harm-reduction practices, and should include modes of accountability at the department and college level when such incidents take place. The University should develop methods to recognize and acknowledge patterns of racist behaviors through restorative justice practices, instead of implementing punitive and disciplinary actions. Too often our students, who suffer racism at the hands of faculty, are terrified to report it and the onus should be on the university faculty, administrators and leadership to create an atmosphere of zero tolerance for racism and bias. Spaces should be created to accommodate the trauma and allow for healing if a student suffers a racist incident on campus. Jorge Fortin, a 2019 Drexel graduate, writes about his experience at Drexel as a moment when he stood alone and voiceless against a professor’s racism.

National Guard

We are also seeking clarification on certain points in President Fry’s June 3, 2020 email regarding the presence of Armory on Drexel’s campus about which there remain questions and concerns within the community:

1. While it may be true that the Armory is the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania property and access to it is not controlled by Drexel, the University has also placed parking spaces at the National Guard’s disposal. This point was made in a letter to President Fry drafted by concerned Drexel students at Drexel on June 2, 2020. Why has the University decided to take this extraordinary action, in the face of so many of our students potentially at risk by this same military intervention?
2. President Fry mentioned Drexel’s lease of the Armory. What is the Armory being used for, and how does this use fit into the University’s educational mission? During the May 26, 2020 Town Hall with faculty, CFO Helen Bowman noted that our leadership is renegotiating leases with outside entities.
3. Are ICE and CBP agents among the forces stationed at the Armory? If so, we urge you to think of the negative message we are sending to our DACA students. Drexel should end its lease of the Armory, sending a clear message to the Black, Latinix, DACA students and students from underrepresented communities who are affected in larger numbers from police violence.

We urge the administration for a commitment to a process that ensures a more racially just and equitable campus —with wide, diverse representation by all relevant stakeholders—to study the issue and report to the community in a manner that is informed by expertise within the next six months.

Mandatory attendance policies in college are not as useful or necessary as most professors and administrators think. A university should not be responsible for ensuring a student’s success, but rather the individual paying tuition should be obligated to make smart decisions and determine whether or not going to class is important.

Most of the syllabi at Drexel enforce the concept that any number of missed classes over 10 percent, or two classes per term, will result in a reduction of the student’s grade. The attendance policy differs in certain departments and with different professors; however, Drexel University’s policy insinuates that more than two excused absences is grounds for deduction of grade points.

Furthermore, nowhere in the attendance policy on the institution’s website does Drexel administration address the issue of mental health days, especially not in terms of these necessary days for students as possible excused absences. There has recently been an increase in college students nationwide dealing with varying mental health issues. As a result of this increase, many students feel overwhelmed, anxious or depressed, and thus their attendance for certain classes is affected.

Depression and anxiety often result in numerous behavioral, cognitive and mood symptoms, including insomnia, irritability, difficulty concentrating, fatigue, mood swings and lack of interest in normal activities, in addition to countless others. If a large percentage of students are experiencing these — or similar symptoms — on our campus, it could make attending class or doing classwork extremely difficult and strenuous. However, many students are forced to amplify their symptoms unintentionally because the fear of low or failing grades as a result of poor attendance hovers over their heads.

The issue of mandatory attendance could be changed; it is not state or federally mandated that students should be unable to skip class at a university — especially not a private one. Making attendance optional is a new and effective idea that enables professors to treat their students like adults and encourages them to make positive decisions in their own best interest without the threat of academic penalty. I have had a few professors here at Drexel who do not enforce the “typical” attendance policy outlined by the school. For these classes, I attended class as I saw fit. I also did extremely well because I was able to prioritize my emotional and mental health, as well as additional classwork and a part time job, as I thought was best for me. I am an adult, I pay tuition and the outcome of my dedication and work should be a reflection of what I learned and retained, not how many classes I attended per quarter.

In these sorts of classes, it should be noted that a majority of the students attend the lectures anyway, despite the seemingly lackadaisical policy, because the academic penalty is eliminated almost immediately. Without the overwhelming pressure, I felt more inclined to make my own choices. If an individual chooses not to attend class or do the appropriate work, the result of their performance will reflect that. It is not the university’s or professor’s responsibility to coddle or bully students into showing up or doing work. This is not high school. This is the real world, the real world  college is supposed to be preparing us for.

Success should not be determined by the number of classes attended, but rather the quality of the work submitted and the knowledge retained by the student. We, as students, are paying a significant amount of money annually, and it should be our choice to decide how we approach learning.

There is nothing worse than being single with no plans or not being able to fit in with the “typical” relationship plans on Valentine’s Day. The holiday itself has become so commercialized in the United States, and many people want to avoid the festivities at all costs. While on the topic of costs, there is also nothing more frustrating than when you’ve found that “special someone,” but your bank account can’t support your spectacular date idea. According to a 2017 survey from Live Science, almost half of Americans described Valentine’s Day as “overrated.” This Valentine’s Day, I decided to come up with a list of some atypical, but still incredibly fun, date ideas for anyone who’s single, broke, bored or just ready to do something different with your favorite person or people.

The first unconventional date idea for this “romantic” holiday is an at-home, or (in most of our cases) at-apartment, game night. Get some friends together, or even just yourself and your significant other, and spend the night playing board games! This is a great way to share some laughs and create some fun memories, all while avoiding being stuck elbow-to-elbow in a dimly-lit restaurant where you’ll probably end up paying double the amount for an average meal.

Second, the people have spoken: 2020 is a year of self-care and determination. That being said, another fun date idea is a workout class. The Drexel Recreational Center offers free classes that require sign-ups before the event, including BodyPump, Cycling and Barre, Pilates, Yoga, Cardio n’ Tone and more. This is a nice way to stay active, spend time with those you love and crush your 2020 goals. It also does not have to be a typical date night, as the classes are offered throughout the day, sometimes starting as early as 6 a.m.

Another fun date idea is cooking dinner at home. I personally hate going out to eat on the weekend because of the price of the food, wait time for the meal and plenty of other annoyances that come with going to a restaurant. A romantic, or just friendly, home-cooked meal steers directly away from the cliche candle-lit dinners at restaurants, but can still be just as delicious.

Museums are also an amazing and educational date idea that many people fail to consider. Philadelphia is filled with museums, most of which offer student discounts for entry. The Philadelphia Art Museum, the Franklin Institute, the Penn Museum, the Academy of Natural Sciences, the Rodin Museum and plenty more are all within a subway or Uber ride away and will not break the bank. Fine art, science, literature, animals and various other interesting topics are on display at these museums, and it can be intriguing to discover new things with people who you share affection for. Finding a creative outlet to spark a discussion can easily revitalize friendships and relationships through intellect, while steering the conversation away from boring small talk!

Volunteering is another unusual date idea, but an excellent way to get involved in the community and make an impact on the lives of others, while spending time with the person or people you love the most. The Lindy Center for Civic Engagement has countless organizations in need of volunteers, and it is extremely easy to Google different nonprofits and organizations throughout Philadelphia that are in need of volunteers. Poverty is a major social issue burdening the neighborhoods surrounding this campus, and what better way to spend a holiday designed for love than to show love for your community?

Last, but most certainly not least, a spa night at home is a perfect Valentine’s date idea to relax and alleviate the stress of week six at Drexel. Organizing a simple DIY spa night is inexpensive and easy, whether it is for that special someone or just for your friends! Anything from face masks to nails to taking a hot bath, lighting a candle and reading a book. Meditation, relaxation and other techniques are perfect ways to reduce stress and anxiety that may be causing tension or conflict in your relationships and friendships.

Valentine’s Day can be cliche, overrated and blown way out of proportion, both in the media and commercially. Especially in college, when social pressure is suffocating, it is difficult to find ways to spend the holiday without spending a fortune or feeling uncomfortable. I challenge everyone this year to do something fun and memorable, no matter who it is with.

Israel, and most of the Middle East in general, is a place that Americans tend to fear visiting because of the jaded misconceptions and biased viewpoints that the media has crafted for years now. My experience in Israel was life-changing, and the people I encountered and information I learned changed my views drastically.

Politics in the Middle East have always been multifaceted and complicated; quite frankly, these issues may never be resolved. From the oil disputes and the Palestinian occupation, to the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, as well as countless other political issues, Americans have created unjustifiable prejudices towards the people, cultures and religions in the Middle East. American portrayal of Middle Eastern disputes has some truth to it, undoubtedly. However, there are deep-rooted issues created among American political parties when an individual sides with a particular group in the Middle East, a side that does not align with that individual’s typical political beliefs.

I am a registered Democrat. I would like to consider myself very liberal and probably the least judgemental or prejudiced human being I can be. That being said, I am “supposed” to support the Palestinian viewpoints in the Israeli conflicts and exile of the Palestinians. I do not think it is fair for people to judge so harshly when an individual respects and supports a single opposing view within a political party. I am not less of a Democrat because I am pro-Israel.

Israel is a primarily Jewish state, with the exception of Muslim and Christian populations who reside there. The area of land that is now Israel was declared a state in May of 1948, the same year that Palestinians were exiled from their land and the Arab-Israeli war took place. Not being from either Palestine or Israel, I cannot speak on how this affected me or what this tension and chaos must have felt like for all those involved and affected. However, when traveling to Israel in December, I experienced a nation unlike the one described by Democrats and left-wing news sources in the United States. The Israeli people are not terrorists. They have strong, unwavering pride in their nation, which Americans can and should respect. The land is not all an active war zone, and as a white American woman with no cultural or religious ties to the land, I was still treated with respect by most people.

The land of Israel is a beautiful country with peaceful, accepting people from all different backgrounds and religions. Muslims, Christians and Jews do live in peace throughout most of the country, contrary to popular beliefs. Political unrest burdens the Middle East, and there is nothing a young American woman like me could do to fix that. I did, however, go abroad with an open mind and accepting heart, and I was not disappointed. The Israelis were unbothered by me and my fellow students touring religious sites that did not directly relate to our beliefs, as long as we showed respect.

The Jewish vendors in the Old City of Jerusalem did not sell any merchandise that was offensive, anti-Christian or anti-Arab. They were proud of their own culture and religion without having to discredit that of other people. From my experience, the Jews in Israel do not hate Muslims, Christians, Arabs or anyone for that matter. They do not speak down on any particular group of people and want peaceful coexistence more than anything. They have endured enough persecution and anti-Semitism to understand that hate does not make things better and is not the way to live.

Contrarily, the Arab people who live in Jerusalem were selling t-shirts that were anti-Jewish, anti-Israeli, anti-military and were outright disrespectful. These vendors were selling merchandise in a manner that promoted Palestine but offended Jewish people. This small example of disrespect does not eliminate the fact that Israelis did exile the people from their land, and I can understand and respect the frustration and heartbreak. The land is Israel, and whether people support the exodus or not, there is no more Palestine; there are ways for people to live in peace and still remain in touch with their cultural identity in a way that is not hateful.

The headline news stories about Israelis bombing or destroying innocent Palestinians’ homes and cultural landmarks are often biased; the opposing sides are not ever fully discussed because it is easier to make victims out of the minority population, rather than expressing full stories and letting people who are disconnected from the events decide for themselves. It is infuriating, especially from a bystander’s perspective, because I am not involved in these disputes religiously or culturally, and I am automatically disadvantaged with my knowledge. I feel as though we, as a country, deserve to know the truth before preconceptions are made in the media about a particular area or group of people. This is a fault of almost all news sources though; both right and left-wing news give such a one-sided explanation of events and issues that is impossible to find a middle ground or decipher the truth from a story.

It is important for young people to travel, broaden their horizons and experience the world differently than the way the media portrays it. My time spent in Israel changed my perceptions about humankind, my own identity and American media. I was opened to a different side of the politics that I was unable to get while in the United States. I felt embarrassed to be a journalist when reading some of the popular news stories from both political parties. We need to do better. It is our job to educate ourselves on all sides of the issue and decide which viewpoints we want to support. There is no place for hate, prejudice or bias in the media.

There is a typical stereotype that almost all college students are “broke.” I am here to tell you that this is not just a stereotype and that for some people this is the ominous cloud hovering over their heads while they try their hardest to make college worthwhile.

Being broke while in college is displayed in the media regularly, in movies and on TV commercials; it is a concept used so regularly that many people have just accepted it as fact. However, the term is thrown around very loosely and often undermines the reality that some of us have no money and are still going to school full time.

A college course load is difficult to manage, regardless of major or concentration. What isn’t talked about is the overwhelming pressure that having no money puts on an already stressed young adult.

There are so many college students whose financial aid doesn’t cover full costs, whose parents do not help with tuition, who have to pay their own rent, forcing them to work a full or part-time job, all while having to manage good academic standing.

Drexel is one of the most expensive private universities in Pennsylvania for both in-state and out-of-state tuition. That being said, there is  an overwhelming number of wealthy students who attend school here. For many of those students, paying tuition or rent is never an issue because their parents or grandparents pay, or because it is simply not their problem to worry about.

On the other hand, there is still a percentage of students, myself included, who have to worry about financing school while also focusing on their academics. There is little to no understanding from wealthier students, as they cannot comprehend why others need to work or pay their own bills.

According to Forbes Magazine, the current student loan debt for 2019 is at $1.52 trillion. There are 44.7 million people in this country right now that are unable to afford college outright. Affording college is not something new that students need to be aware of; there are people our parents’ ages still paying back their loans while also trying to live their lives to the fullest. It is a difficult and overbearing part of life, but it is also calming when you are not alone in going through it.

The stress that putting myself through college has taken on me is absurd. Every month, I have to budget my rent, loan payments, car insurance and obviously leave room for food and extra necessary items.

I cannot always afford a night out to eat or a shopping trip to the city, but that doesn’t mean that I am worth any less than my wealthier friends. No one really talks openly about the burden that putting yourself through school can be on your mental and physical state.

In the prime years of our lives, college students should be striving to enjoy themselves and reduce stress. It is important, especially while at Drexel, in an environment designed for fun and excitement, that we give ourselves and each other a break.

Be empathetic and kind to each other. You do not always know another person’s life situation or what they are tackling outside of their class schedule.