Tag Archives: Foghorn Staff

Millennials Rejoice: Staff Editorial

It seems that our parents have underestimated us again, and we have the studies to prove it. Our generation has endured a multitude of criticisms from our parents and grandparents, ranging from laziness, shallowness, having an addiction to electronics, and being snobby brunchers. But researchers are now saying that there seems to be much more to us than just being selfie-fiends.

A Pew Research study published earlier this year claims that as a post-9/11 generation, we have been pioneering a path more progressive and enlightened than seen before by Generation X. An attack that was intended to break our spirit and confidence only drove us to push for social change. Being a “digitally native” generation, we have turned to social media to express ourselves and connect with people we might have never interacted with. Continue reading Millennials Rejoice: Staff Editorial

In case you haven’t noticed…

Staff Editorial 

…We, at the Foghorn, have gotten a makeover! For the first time in 13 years, our established newspaper has been redesigned in its entirety, as a result of a collaboration with the Office of Communications and Marketing. We present to you a sleek and minimalistic design that offers more color, visual supplements, and design liberty.

This has been a product in the making for the past few semesters; we, as a staff, met time and time again to figure out how exactly we would like to rebrand the century old San Francisco Foghorn. In an effort to keep up with shift in the more modern aesthetics of print media, we present to you the final product of this vision. We hope you love it as much as we do!

We invite you to participate in a survey that will help us continue to tailor your experience as a loyal reader of the Foghorn. The link provided below will allow us to further understand what is expected of us, as the only student newspaper on this campus, as well as, the voice of the students. The more we know of what you hope to see printed in the Foghorn, the more this publication will continue to grow as the academic year continues. You can find the survey at http://goo.gl/MJF7Ho.

We also encourage you to join our conversations on social media! Our Twitter and Facebook pages are managed and monitored by our staff, as we hope to provide real-time updates and increase our online presence.

Thank you, again, for being a loyal reader of the San Francisco Foghorn. And as always, we look forward to hearing from you.

The Foghorn Staff

USF Community Comments on President's State of the Union Address

Foghorn staff asked, “What was most interesting to you about Obama’s State of the Union address last week?” 

Meagan Cuthill | Senior politics major

“I thought his address was very typical of how Obama’s speeches go. Very well presented, well balanced. I think he delivered a State of the Union that was expected, in a good way, and even so there will always be critics. Like oh, he didn’t comment on this issue as much as he should! Or that anecdote was inappropriate! For example. Anyways, all in all it was well-rounded and him addressing minimum wage and foreign affairs (despite some questionable wording) were the best for me.”

Robert Elias | Politics professor

“What become clear to me is that Obama feels as though congress has been an impediment to getting things done. He’s putting the burden, the blame, on congress… but at the same time, he’s kind of abducating responsibility. Yes, congress is horrible at getting things done, but Obama hasn’t been a good leader in terms of rallying and gaining support for what he wants to do.”

Students and professors had mixed reviews about Obama’s 2014 State of the Union address, last Tuesday. (Photo courtesy of Creative Commons)
Students and professors had mixed reviews about Obama’s 2014 State of the Union address, last Tuesday. (Photo courtesy of Creative Commons)

Ian ScullionJunior politics major

“Some notable highlights, but largely an uninspired propaganda piece (which is historically characteristic of State of the Union Addresses in general mind you). President Obama touted his “all the above” energy strategy yet again—the argument being to ostensibly become “energy independent.”

While these euphemisms may sound agreeable to the masses, the actually existing policies behind the rhetoric are quite shocking. Part of his “all the above” energy strategy includes – if deemed “safe” for the climate – the building of the highly controversial Keystone XL pipeline, which would funnel tar sands oil from Canada to the Gulf of Mexico.

In 2012, prominent American climate scientist James Hansen remarked that the exploitation of these tar sands would mean, ‘game over for the climate.’ Yet surprisingly, a recently released State Department report asserted that the building of the pipeline would not significantly exacerbate green house gas emissions in the United States. At the moment, Keystone XL looks relatively imminent. That is unless popular backlash, of which there is a remarkable amount, proves effective.”

USF Students Need to Invest in Personal Responsibility

At a recent Foghorn staff meeting we discussed registering for classes last week. Most of us had registered for classes we needed for our major or as a core requirement. We all had met with an advisor to have our holds cleared and were aware of our registration time. Somehow, however, all of us had friends, roommates, or co-workers who were not prepared for registration. We concluded that many students do not know which classes they need to take to graduate or how to find and schedule a meeting with an advisor.

The Foghorn’s lead story last week, “USF’s 4-Year Graduation Rates Hit Low,” seems to fit with our observance of student carelessness. As a staff, we agree that many students are not taking responsibility for their education or seeking out ways to enhance their experience at USF. As far as registration goes, students should care enough about their education and future career to take the initiative and research the classes within their major(s) that inspire them the most. Professors at USF are often incredibly well respected in their field and their relationship with you can make or break your career.

Many editors on the Foghorn staff are trying to make it in competitive fields where only individuals with the most motivation and ambition can be successful. This is not meant to discourage students, but simply to put their college experience in perspective. Apathy can be a lot of fun, but life is going to get rough in ten years when you have no experience to draw on and no employer to send you a paycheck.

Student apathy does not just apply to academics. Many students come to organizations like the Foghorn and express interest in getting involved. Unfortunately, as soon as we approach them with any level of responsibility they tend to disappear. Tuition at USF is a lot of money, but that investment can really pay off when you get involved and realize just how good leadership positions look on your resume and just how helpful it is to network with professionals in your industry. In a job market that rejects nearly everyone, what will you do to make yourself stand out?

The Foghorn staff believes there is a bigger problem circling college aged individuals. The line between childhood and adulthood is somewhat blurred while in college. Most students still depend on their parents financially, but do not have to adhere to the regulations their parents enforced in high school.

Next time you ask your parents for financial support, consider what steps you are taking to becoming an independent and responsible adult and how you are utilizing the resources USF has to offer you. It’s not too late to get involved, go to class, and create a sense of personal responsibility.

Editor-in-Chief: Heather Spellacy

Chief Copy-Editor: Burke McSwain

Opinion Editor: Laura Waldron

The Foghorn is Thankful For…

Heather Spellacy, Editor in Chief: “I’m thankful for all day parking. In a city like SF nothing makes me more excited than finding one of those coveted spots.”

Daniela Ricci-Tam, Managing Editor: “I’m thankful for hipsters. In Fresno, I was a loser with a bad haircut, Goodwill clothes, and a collection of cassettes and floppy disks; in SF, I’m an alt, vintage, ironic star.”

Elizabeth Brown, Online Manager: “I’m thankful for my family, who love to play board games during the holidays.”

Cass Krughoff, Photography Editor: “I’m thankful for Skype, cheap flights, and being patient.”

Rachelle Phillips, Co-production Manager: “I’m thankful for rain, chicken soup, Lake Tahoe, farmer’s markets, and my grandparents.”

Laura Waldron, Opinion Editor: “I am thankful for all of the amazing independent coffee shops with free wi-fi in San Francisco.”

Ilyse Liffreing, Rich Media Editor: “I am thankful for Thanksgiving break so I can go home and see my friends and family!”

Tamar Kuyumjian, Scene Editor: “I’m thankful for late night coffee at Crossroads, the Fog, all my wonderful friends, my new and old sisters.”

Matt Steinbach, Sports Editor: “I am thankful for football on Sundays, the Lakers, family and friends, and a break from school.”

Vasili Angelopoulos, Advertising Manager: “I’m thankful for all of the opportunities USF has given me in and out of the classroom.”

Emily Bogden, Photography Editor Assistant: “I’m thankful to my parents for adopting me.”

Tracy Sidler, Co-production Manager:  “I’m thankful for my dad’s stuffing recipe, and for weather that’s nice enough to drive with the windows down.”

Editor-in-Chief: Heather Spellacy

Chief Copy-Editor: Burke McSwain

Scene Editor: Tamar Kuyumjian