On Thursday evening, I received a text message from my mom that said: “Look what just came in the mail.” Since I was in the midst of doing my Spanish homework, I had to stop to think about what it could be. It had to be something important otherwise my mom would not have texted me about it — I...

As college football teams gear up for the coming postseason, the bowl games' sponsors are preparing their gifts for the players. This is a rare exception to the NCAA's amateurism policies — sponsors are permitted to give up to $550 worth of gifts to each player. The NCAA has long held that collegiate athletes cannot receive compensation beyond scholarships and...

During the week after Nov. 12, online activism took Facebook and other social media platforms by storm. Red, white and blue filters covered profile pictures in response to the ISIS attack in Paris, and thousands of students across the nation posted statuses in solidarity with the students of the University of Missouri. Within a few days, Occidental students organized protests...

In the Republican presidential debate Nov. 10, Marco Rubio declared, incorrectly, that “welders make more money than philosophers. We need more welders and less philosophers.” This is not the first time that politicians, usually Republicans, have decried the value of liberal arts and the humanities. Earlier this year, Rubio also stated that he did not believe it is “worth borrowing...

In a time when Whole Foods boasts a strong customer base and other supermarkets are increasing their stock of in-demand organic food products, neighborhood markets that rely on everyday customers coming in for fresh fruit and a cut of meat for that night's dinner seem obsolete. Eagle Rock and Highland Park have their share of grocery stores, but several have...

The sound of churning treadmills, enthusiastic grunts and the monotonous thump of dropping dumbbells is ever present at the Occidental Alumni Fitness Center. Yet this pattern is often shattered by a booming sound that makes headphones fall out of ears, eyes swivel and tempers flare: the sound of 400 pounds slamming onto a hardwood platform. There are very few students...

Jay MillerGuard Jay Miller (junior) had a productive Thanksgiving break, leading the Occidental men's basketball team (4-1 overall) to victories over West Coast Baptist (82-49) and Sarah Lawrence University (83-52). Miller acted as the offensive spark plug for the Tigers by netting 15 points against the Eagles and then a season-high 23 against the Gryphons. In addition to his offensive...

Jeevin Sandhu How did you get started playing basketball? When I was young, my mom encouraged me to play all types of sports. So I grew up playing football, soccer, baseball and basketball. But as I grew older, she wanted me to really focus on one sport. So around sixth grade, she started having me focus on basketball. What would...

“Rowdy” Ronda Rousey stepped out Saturday, Nov. 14 to fight Holly “The Preacher's Daughter” Holm in Melbourne, Australia in UFC 193 to defend her UFC Women's Bantamweight title. Rousey, who has risen to mainstream fame in the last year, had never lost a fight. She was the clear favorite. But Holm kicked her in the head at the 4:03 mark...

For many years, plus-size women have been shamed for their figures. Despite this, many plus-size women have managed to break out into the fashion world as models. Women such as Ashley Graham and Tess Holliday gained world-wide recognition for being the first plus-size model to be featured in the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue and the first to be signed to...