In the 21st-century American job market, it is imperative that students preparing for the professional world be technologically savvy. Despite the arguments that technological dependence stifles critical thinking and social skills, technology can be a boon in the classroom if implemented correctly. Occidental has recently upgraded much of its educational technology, but the focus should now be shifted from buying...

Today's students are overwhelmed by tuition hikes and debt obligations. According to Financial Aid Research at The Chronicle of Higher Education, the price of college tuition has grown at twice the rate of average prices since 1998, meaning the inflation rate for college tuition equals twice the rate of average U. S. inflation rates. Fast-growing college sticker prices means that...

The beheading of journalists by ISIS and the shootings in Ottawa have rapidly escalated Americans' fears of terrorist threats. In a poll conducted by CNN in Sept. 2010, only 3 percent of Americans picked terrorism as the most important problem facing the country. Yet in September of this year that figure had increased to 14 percent. The incessant reporting on...

On Friday night, students, parents and community members alike swarmed Keck Theater for the second night of "Refuge," a play directed by Culley Guest Artist Chris Fields. The play, which ran from Nov. 6–9, starred only four student actors, and the small, intimate venue created a sense of connectedness between those on stage and their audience. Despite this community feel,...

In a satirical exposition of high-society England, the artists at A Noise Within Playhouse brought to life the buffoonery of a tangled love story in "The Importance of Being Earnest," a farcical play by Oscar Wilde. The play will run at the popular Pasadena theater through Nov. 21. Wilde's most celebrated play exemplifies his tendency to poke fun at the...

It is no secret that Los Angeles boasts a wide array of flea markets, distinctive for their goods, customers and locations. But the markets, much like their wares, can be hidden gems tucked out of sight from even the most vigilant shopper. From a parking garage market in Pasadena to an elementary school lot in Silverlake, these indie markets are...

"Believe in the fiction." Professor John Bouchard says this at least 20 times every class period of his Acting II course. When my scene partner and I were having trouble with a scene, Bouchard implored us to "lose ourselves in the fiction." He wanted us to surrender to the art; to give in and take the scene personally. Once we...

Students filled the Salisbury-Young room Friday to hear about the atrocities committed by government-supported paramilitary groups, who have kidnapped thousands of Colombians since the 1960s. Colombian human rights activist Javier Enrique Barrera Santa spearheaded the discussion with contributions from Amnesty International (AI) Urgent Action Coordinator Mary Beth Goring. "It's very important for me to be able to speak to students...

Oxypreneurship is in the process of creating their own alumni network to foster entrepreneurship among students, faculty, administrators and alumni, according to Oxypreneurship adviser Sanjeev Khagram.“From a very early on stage in Oxypreneurship we realized that alumni are actually a really big part and can be a really powerful player in creating an entrepreneurial ecosystem at Occidental,” Oxypreneurship co-founder Alex...

John O'Neill '14 is looking to join the likes of Jack Kemp '57 and Alphonzo Bell '85 as another Occidental graduate serving in public office. O'Neill is running as a non-partisan candidate for the Los Angeles City Council in District 14, which consists of all or parts of the Downtown, Boyle Heights, Eagle Rock, El Sereno, Garvanza, Glassell Park, Lincoln...