Yale-NUS in a Malay World: A Case for Decolonizing Our Common Curriculum
The Common Curriculum spans cultures and continents, but fails to include important texts from Singapore’s own indigenous culture. Faris makes a case for examining our position in the Malay world.
The Octant Explains: Singaporean Education (Advanced Level)
story | Harrison Linder, Staff Editor
photo | Elesin Teo, Head Photographer
In the last issue of The Octant, we gave a basic overview of the structure of...
Editor’s Note: Our Finest Hour
Dear reader,
If you are reading this article in print, you would be holding Volume X, Issue 10 of The Octant. It is, by all measures, a normal issue for you...
Latest Task Force Report Raises New Questions in Public Spaces Debate
The latest report from the Public Space Task Force finds that previous definitions of public spaces within the college were not in accordance with Singaporean law. Alysha reports.
Staying Alive: Classics at Yale-NUS
“Well, first of all I wouldn’t call these languages dead.” Avani speaks to Nicholas and Jun Hao about studying classical Chinese, Sanskrit, Ancient Greek, and Latin — all on campus!
The Student Effort Contribution hurts low-income students
The Student Effort Contribution, which mirrors a similar scheme introduced at Yale University, has made its way into the financial aid award structures in Yale-NUS College. Matas writes about its impact.
Investing in the Future by Divesting from Fossil Fuels
Have you heard of the Yale-NUS Divest movement? While that campaign ended in 2017, the fight for divestment carries on in two new student campaigns. Harrison chats with Fossil Free Yale-NUS College (FFYNC) and Students Taking Action For NUS to Divest (STAND) on their work.
Financial Aid Office Quietly Rolled Out New “Student Effort Contribution” for First Years
Do you know what the Student Effort Contribution is? Students on financial aid from the Class of 2022 and onwards will see an additional clause on their student bill. Aryan reports.
The Octant Explains: Singaporean Education (Normal Level)
story | Harrison Linder and Amanda Leong
photo | Singapore Ministry of Education
Any student studying at Yale-NUS College lives in Singapore for at least...
The Children on Campus
story | Amanda Leong, Staff Editor
photo | Ruchel Phua, Staff Illustrator
At the start of this semester, I was surprised by the presence of two sprightly...
Stepping out of the Steel Gates and Ivory Towers: A Guide (Part 1)
story | Paul Jerusalem
photo | Paul Jerusalem
In an article by Ethel Pang ’22, she ponders: Where’s the NUS in Yale-NUS? This is undoubtedly an impor...
Is Yale-NUS a Fully Residential College?
story | Sofia Sigal-Passeck, Guest Writer
photo | Sofia Sigal-Passeck
While the exact definition of a fully residential college is not that clear, i...
Financial Assistance for Student Programmes Is Undergoing Review
story | Dion Ho, Senior Writer
photo | Ruchel Phua, Staff Photographer
Executive Vice President (Academic Affairs) and acting Dean of Students, Joann...
Prominent Presidential Candidate’s Talk Leaves Students Wanting More
story | Justin Ong, Executive Editor
photo | Bozy Lu
On Oct. 16, Elm College hosted former People's Action Party (PAP) Member of Parliament (MP) and ...
What is Dead May Never Die: Learning Dead Languages at Yale-NUS
story | Avani Adhikari, Staff Writer
photo | Wang Xing Hao
With as much liberty as the pixelated connection would allow, Wang Xing Hao ’21, also kno...
A Not So Common Curriculum
Yale-NUS students hail from at least forty countries and hundreds of different schools and education systems. But all students have to take the same Common Curriculum. Rhyhan explores the consequences of these different backgrounds.
“The Spirit Is Willing But the Flesh is Weak”: Why are Freshman Lectures So Empty?
How often did you attend Common Curriculum lectures? Alex and Wisha explore the yearly phenomenon of decreasing lecture attendances.
Senate Announces Resolution to Tackle Academic Stress
Are the kids alright? The Student Government Senate doesn’t think so. Avani and Wisha report on the Senate resolution to tackle academic stress.
Religious and silent: why some don’t want to voice opinions on 377A
When seeking interviews for an article on Section 377A, The Octant faced difficulty getting students affiliated with religious groups to speak on the record. Justin writes about their silence.
The Point of Scientific Inquiry
story | Goh Rui Zhe, Guest Writer
photo | Khang Huynh
When I took Scientific Inquiry 2 (SI2) last year, I thought that the course content was far too...
From the Black Box to The Globe: Seven Week 7 Highlights
250 students. 14 hotly-contested destinations. One Week 7. What did they “learn across boundaries”? Kimberly, Wisha, Rhyhan, Aryan, Jun Jie, Michelle and Fatima write about their experiences.
Is Yale-NUS College Home?
Every year, more than 200 students join Yale-NUS, of which around 40% or more do not come from Singapore. Bilge chats with three students on their ideas of home and being away from home.
Where’s the NUS in Yale-NUS?
story | Ethel Pang, Contributing Reporter
photo | Elesin Teo, Chief Photographer
As a “true-blue” Singaporean, I find that I can easily flit betwee...
The Future of Finance in Student Government
“Finance in this year’s Student Government may not look big, fast or exciting,” said Director of Finance Ryan Yoong ’20, “but there’s nothing wrong with that.” Alysha reports.
Financial Aid Now Available For Testing Learning Disabilities
Suspect you have a learning disability? Need the funds to get it checked out? The Centre for Teaching & Learning has got you covered. Wisha tells us more.
Yale-NUS Latin Honours: A Source of Distinction or Discrimination?
The Yale-NUS College Latin Honours system has caused a number of graduates to face pay discrimination. Dion and Shiying report on the problems they faced, as well as the Yale-NUS administration’s response.
Students Weigh in as Discussions on Section 377A reignite in Singapore
Should 377A be repealed or should it remain? A month after India’s landmark ruling to decriminalise sex between consenting males, The Octant asks students if Singapore can, or should, follow suit.
Crazy Unequal Nations: A tale of two outliers and the responsibilities of their progeny
story | Meghna Basu, Guest Writer
photo | Meghna Basu
On a windy evening in January 2016, a group of unlike-minded individuals gathered atop Prospec...
20KM, No Phones, Limited Water; Arduous Orientation Activity Raises Questions
They had to walk 20km with limited water and no phones, and only $20
to feed a group of six. No, they’re not doing National Service — they were part of Elm’s Orientation Teambuilder. Runchen, Esther, and Shiying report.
Is Yale-NUS Safe?
Do you feel comfortable keeping your doors unlocked? Leaving stuff
around? What do you do when stuff goes missing? Amanda talks to students who have experienced theft at Yale-NUS College.