Being a more sustainable member of society is a goal that most people should be striving for. Trying to eliminate one-use plastic or disengaging from industries like “fast fashion” is where many eco-conscious members begin. Some practices of a sustainable lifestyle have even become trends that, while well-intentioned, might further the problems these movements aim to help with or create new problems of their own.

Milne Library's $40 million renovation is finally finished after five years of continuous construction. Within these years, the reconstruction of Milne Library has caused immense stress for faculty members and students alike. Construction began in 2019, which immediately displaced the library archives and other collection materials. The transition from Milne Library to Fraser Hall Library hindered many students' success, some of whom even graduated without gaining the full library experience. Some students have also used their public libraries as a reliable and capable resource. Students have been utilizing the Wadsworth Library to restore the college library experience. There have been many ways to work around this decrease in study spaces on campus. Still, now that there is a functioning library on campus, students and faculty members have the ability to depend on their library resources.

Fewer programs, diminished funding for liberal arts, and empty dormitories seem a growing reality for many college campuses nationwide—especially in New York State (NYS). The national average for college enrollment from 2010 to 2024 saw an 11.61 percent decline, while SUNY schools, such as Potsdam, saw as much as a 43 percent decrease in first-year student enrollment. Geneseo itself has experienced a -22.57 percent enrollment difference since 2010. Several New York schools, including the College of Saint Rose, Medaille College, and Cazenovia College, have been forced to close due to decreased enrollment and funding issues.

Students often struggle during the middle of the fall semester; as midterms pass and Thanksgiving break approaches, it's common to lose momentum and motivation. Knowing that you are not the only one feeling this way is essential! Once the buzz of starting a new school year (or starting college at all) wears out and deadlines begin to creep in, it can start to feel like the semester starts to drag you along. So, instead of holding on for dear life, here are some tips and tricks from students who are along for the ride with you! 

During the upcoming festive season, people engage in shopping to a way higher degree than most will at any other point of the year. It is no surprise to any of us in the modern age that there has been a large movement away from traditional retail stores to check boxes off of birthday and holiday lists, and turning to finding and buying these goods online. E-commerce is a foundational pillar of the Internet age, with many of the biggest online companies in the world, such as Amazon, being companies based on acquiring, purchasing, and shipping various products. While more convenient for many people, is it better that society has moved to this more streamlined version of shopping? Or will this reliance lead to a dissolvement of one of America’s largest industries?