Grace Azaula

College should be a center for education and innovation. While this happens inside classrooms, learning has the potential to be limitless when there is an investment in relevant, accessible and large-scale programming.

Food insecurity is a global issue that impacts countless communities. According to Feeding America, 14% of Tompkins County is food insecure, affecting 14,500 individuals. It is essential that resources go toward addressing this pressing issue.

In a community that prides itself for its forward-thinking approaches to sustainability, renewable energy sources must be a priority.

When Ithaca College students think of the Office of Public Safety, words like “reliable,” “helpful” and “safe” come to mind. However, this response is not the case for every student, and I am one of those students who have experienced a lack of support from our school’s public safety office.

I recently walked into a cell phone store, and my experience was appalling. I wanted an upgrade but could not receive it because the employee suspected “suspicious activity.” The employee would not give me any information about my account or the “suspicious activity” because they did not trust me. I was told I needed to call my parents, and have them deal with this situation and resolve it. I checked my shirt — it did not say “clueless young adult,” and neither did my facial nor body expressions…

Climate change poses a severe threat to the planet, evident in unpredictable weather patterns during seasonal transitions. As awareness of these changes grows, so does the realization of the need for action to reduce our impact on the environment. One prominent discussion revolves around reducing vehicle emissions, which not only contribute to atmospheric risks like ozone, methane and carbon monoxide, but also raise broader public health concerns related to air and noise pollution.

When some think of art, they may think of big, prestigious museums or theaters with expensive entry fees and Eurocentric works. While those spaces may serve a purpose in the art world, local artistic spaces are just as, if not more, important, especially when it comes to promoting accessibility in the arts.

Since I started using a camera and editing videos in high school, I realized that I wanted to work in film and photography. The joy I find in being able to express myself visually and working through an artistic process has become a key part of my life. However, as I learned more about the structure of classes at Ithaca College, I often felt as though I wasn’t truly learning anything and questioned if I had made the right decision with what I wanted to do.

To create is one of the most beautiful things a human can do. The ability to translate feelings into poems, opinions into films, sorrow into songs — it’s what makes humanity so special. Creative projects and creative people alike have always entranced me, especially when they are able to use creativity as a force for change. However, as much as creating is a gift, it is a challenge that requires intention and care.

Throughout history, college students have been at the heart of social movements. From nationwide sit-ins during the Civil Rights Movement to more local movements, like protests advocating for the removal of former Ithaca College president Tom Rochon, students’ voices have consistently been a catalyst for change. Today, students’ right to free speech is being threatened nationwide.