College students need to avoid burnout in the era of COVID-19

Do you ever feel exhausted, unmotivated, frustrated or disengaged with your academic and personal life? If you have, you’re not alone; I’ve felt it too. There have been several occasions when I’ve gone straight from class, to a meeting with a professor, to a newspaper interview, then to Frisbee practice and finally to more homework — there never seems to be a moment to take a breath, recover and recharge. At times, I find myself dreading doing the work for activities and classes that I originall

Companies are not as green as their marketing seems

In the wake of the World Climate March, it’s trendy to be eco-friendly. I bet you could name at least a couple of your friends at Oxy that wouldn’t be caught dead with a non-eco clamshell or a plastic water bottle. Consumers are increasingly choosing to buy green: more than half of online shoppers “are willing to pay more for products and services from companies that are committed to positive social and environmental impact,” according to a 2014 Nielson study. In light of changing customer habit

San Pascual Elementary principal removed amid concerns by parents and teachers

On Friday, April 5, Paula Cordoba, principal of San Pascual STEAM Magnet Elementary School (SPSM), was temporarily removed from her position as head of the school after a number of complaints of harassment, favoritism and neglect from students, faculty and staff. A teacher hired by Cordoba took a leave of absence from the school following similar complaints. Cordoba arrived at SPSM in 2014 after being removed from her position as principal at Aldama Elementary School, according to SPSM parent Pa

Residents frustrated by increasing number of Highland Park liquor licenses

Highland Park residents gathered alongside city and state representatives March 21 at the Highland Park Senior Center to discuss liquor licensing laws. Many community members said that they felt frustrated that new liquor licenses are being administered even though the community has protested them. Residents said that patrons of bars and restaurants serving liquor vomit or urinate on their lawns, make noise late at night and take up residential parking space. Gemma Marquez, Highland Park residen

Men's rights activist brews up a lawsuit over women-only beer forum

Steve Frye, an Orange County resident, filed a discrimination claim with the Department of Fair and Equal Housing against Eagle Rock Brewery for hosting monthly women-only beer forums. Frye, a member of the National Coalition for Men (NCFM), claimed that he had been discriminated against under the Unruh Civil Rights Act, a state law that prohibits the discrimination of any person based on “sex, race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, disability, medical condition, genetic information,

Male students discuss mental health struggles

The Occidental Active Minds chapter hosted an event discussing the stigma surrounding masculinity and mental health Oct. 16. During the event, attendees examined issues like the norms that prevent men from expressing themselves emotionally, the stereotypes of masculine men and the epidemic of male mental illness and its isolating effects. Though attendance rates were low — five men including counselor Matt Calkins attended — public mental health advocate and former Associated Students of Occide

"Dad's night out" leads to Martian concrete

Geology department chair and professor Chris Oze and his research partner Allan Scott, a professor at the University of Canterbury, have discovered a new way to make concrete that can be replicated on Mars without any materials from Earth. The concrete process created by Oze and Scott is a deviation from the conventional way of making concrete that has existed since the late 3rd century — it creates no carbon dioxide emissions and uses significantly less energy than the method used to generate

Eagle Rock left unrepresented by LAUSD school board

Former Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) board member Ref Rodriguez pleaded guilty July 23 to conspiracy and three misdemeanor counts of assumed-name contribution and resigned from the board the same day. Rodriguez, an influential charter school advocate, had previously stepped down from the position of board president last year after less than three months in the role due to allegations of money laundering. He represented LAUSD District 5, an area that encompasses Eagle Rock. The rema