I am sure it is no secret that across the globe, Christmas is a holiday phenomenon. Wreaths, trees, lights, garlands, fake snow, and reindeer fill homes and department stores the second this joyous season rolls around, but I am writing to ask: Has it gone too far?

With the upcoming election coming up in less than two weeks, it is important to take a step back and center ourselves for the sake of our understanding of what is to come with the influence to use our voices. There has been a noticeable increase in the discussion of politics within the last 10 years and, alarmingly, an increase of radicalization in politics as well. The American people have become increasingly enthralled by the world of politics as it plays a crucial role in how we will live our lives in the next few years especially.

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.

Dear Minerva,

How do I deal with the people in my dorm building being annoying? People are always so loud, ding dong ditching, and incredibly nosey. I know being in a first year building makes it difficult, but these people lack respect, especially when living in a shared space.

Help me!

Judgement Kazzy

Remember South Africa! Remember Vietnam! SUNY Geneseo, what side are we on? 

he cool, refreshing breath of a fall breeze, colorful leaves swaying gently to the ground, apple cider, cinnamon, and pumpkin spice—how lovely. It is as if nature is bullying us, offering a taste of joy and whimsy as we all dread what we know will inevitably follow—winter.

Have you noticed the dining hall food is lacking? Perhaps you have heard of a fly or two entering the food? I have heard multiple cases of students finding all sorts of bugs on their plates—whether it be a fly, a caterpillar, or even a spider. When I noticed raw chicken, I thought that was bad enough, but having insects make their way into the food is completely unjustifiable. Of course, the students do not expect gourmet meals, but there are certain standards we rely on for our health and safety. Overcooked pasta or even a hair is unappetizing, but moldy bread, raw chicken, and insects? I don't know about you, but I am losing my appetite altogether. How can I function as a college student when I am too grossed out to eat any food provided and pay for?

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! 

Social media platforms have allowed us to follow the lives of our fellow friends, families, and peers. Media platforms like TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat, X, and Facebook are some of the many ways that media users share even the most private or minuscule pieces of their lives. On all kinds of media platforms, you can get news of marriage proposals, birthday posts, business promotions, and, of course, any type of drama you can get your hands on. Unsurprisingly, on at least one of these platforms, you may have witnessed users sharing too much about themselves.

Dear Minerva,

Lately, I’ve been struggling to find the motivation to do any of my classwork. Projects, assignments, you name it, I don’t want to do any of it. Obviously, I need to do my work, but how could I get some motivation to actually do any of it? Things are piling up, and I could use some guidance here. Please give me some pointers.

Sincerely,

Procrastinator

Rosa Parks sat in the front of the bus, Martin Luther King Jr. marched on Washington, Mahatma Gandhi went on a hunger strike, and Americans spilled tea into the Boston Harbor. Activism and boycotting are not foreign concepts and have proven effective in achieving equality and creating a voice for marginalized communities. Yet somehow, telling people to abstain from drinking Starbucks coffee, eating McDonald’s, or watching Disney causes discourse and discomfort surrounding its political context. How is it that despite the discourse and public opposition, there is a blanket of solidarity through activism? And why has this “solidarity” seemingly died out in a digital age of interconnectedness?

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?

When Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart assumed the iconic roles of Edward Cullen and Bella Swan, the result could only be art and pure magic. As someone who has watched the entire series (at least 10 times), I can clearly approach this matter with the utmost objectivity. Universally beloved (of course), this movie series has remained relevant and has stood the test of time since the first movie’s release in 2008.

Earlier this year, I wrote an article defending Apex Legends, labeling it as one of the best battle royales of our time. I complemented their representation, growth, storytelling, and in-game updates that enhanced the abilities of every player. It is with disappointment that I have to rescind my previous statements—Entertainment Arts (EA) is slowly destroying Apex Legends, and they are taking the community down with it.

It’s not when I hated living here when I knew I had to leave. When I started to love it again, I knew I had to go. From an outside perspective, Rochester is an overlooked city. Once the flour city, now the flower city, it seems like even now, the flowers Rochester cares so deeply about are wilting away. The infrastructure is crumbling, downtown streets are lifeless, and there isn’t one day without hearing about another shooting happening within city limits. Tourists will see Rochester with a more upbeat take, citing events such as the Lilac and Fringe Festivals, the abundance of parks, and the prominent universities of the University of Rochester and Rochester Institute of Technology.

As an avid World Wrestling Entertainment Inc. (WWE) enjoyer, I have seen my fair share of gimmicks capable of winning over a crowd and some that have done the opposite. There have been far too many gimmicks that have caused the WWE Universe to overlook the talents of a superstar because of their doltish nature. For viewers, it is a lack of effort by the creative team.

Spider-Man is one of the most popular Marvel superheroes. Since his first appearance in Amazing Fantasy 15 (1962), Spider-Man has appeared in various comic books, movies, television shows, and video games. In 2018, Insomniac Games released Marvel’s Spider-Man, the highest-selling Playstation 4 game ever. The beautiful visuals, amazing gameplay, and thrilling story cemented it as my favorite game of the year. With these factors in mind, Spider-Man fans were excited when the official sequel was announced and released in March 2023.

Students and educators alike have become hyper-aware of using artificial intelligence (AI) in the classroom as technology upgrades exponentially. This week, The Lamron reached out to SUNY Geneseo students and staff in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), as well as those in humanities and literacy classes. All participants in this article are willingly depicted anonymously, as some content might be incriminating—specifically for students.

With the recent execution of Marcellus Williams, the death penalty and its use have once again come under significant scrutiny. In 2001, Williams was convicted of the 1998 killing of Felicia Gayle; in a scene of armed burglary, he was accused of stabbing her with a kitchen knife 43 times. He spent 23 years in prison. In both 2015 and 2017, he was spared from execution, but his conviction was not overturned.

Cassettes, VHS tapes, floppy discs, CDs, DVDs, albums, etc., are all examples of physical media. Over the decades, they have provided means by which movies, television shows, music, pictures, and videos have become a permanent staple in homes worldwide. In the modern age, there is a starkly decreased need for companies to produce these kinds of releases due to decreased consumer interest. What was once the only gateway to fictional worlds, experimental chords, or permanent reminders of important people and/or moments has surmounted to nothing more than a souvenir, collectible, or keepsake.