“Yay, another group project!” said no introvert ever. It’s nearing the end of the term, which means students are knee-deep in group projects in every department at Portland State. And…
Red flag warnings
Recently, I was walking through campus, and I overheard two young women discussing a third friend, and how that friend wanted to take a small vacation with some of her…
Navigating the academic maze
It was a typically cold, dark and wet Oregon winter night when I ran into my old college buddy Jim outside a small Mexican restaurant in Roseburg. I was just…
The fall of the classroom
A couple years ago, I was taking an English class that focused on the topic of debt. The class was full of dire, heavy conversations ranging from paying off credit…
Midterm lethargy
I, like many Americans, watched my phone as voting results came in around 8 p.m. on Nov. 4. I did my best to try and express a legitimate interest and concern…
A major change
I slowly walk along the skybridge between Smith Memorial Student Union and the School of Business Administration, lost in thought. Another student walks past, smoking a forbidden cigarette. It’s a…
Polish prevention
You may have seen on the news that some students have developed a nail polish that changes color when exposed to four of the most common date rape drugs. You…
La Décadanse
Recently, instead of studying for my French homework, I spent about two hours watching Jane Birkin and Serge Gainsbourg videos and looking at pictures of what appeared to be the…
Summer term
Patricia A. Schechter Professor of history I don’t know anyone who is happy about summer term at Portland State. In 2013, the abrupt cancellations of some 90 classes, a number…
Networking for introverts
“It’s all about who you know” is terrible news for the introvert. Networking for the sake of networking is awkward for extroverts and introverts alike, but come on. Introverts have…
The crisis of catcalls
A few years ago, I was taking a walk around my neighborhood in Southern California. It was early evening, and I had my headphones in. A man on his way…