“We are not here to be served, but to learn how to develop our thinking and contribute to society and the environment. Walking a few more minutes to another dining hall is the least that we can do.” Yihui makes a case for why we should all take steps to reduce food wastage.
“The college should own, accept, and examine the sociopolitics of the issue, instead of disavowing all political responsibilities by retreating to the seemingly impartial ground of “academic rigor”. In light of the cancelled Week 7 LAB, Wee Yang examines Yale-NUS’ role in Singapore.
“We can fervently debate issues and advocate for causes until the cows
come home to graze, but if we never bring that conversation beyond our bubble, then we can never expect anything to change.” Elizabeth tells us why we should move our discussions about social issues into our personal lives outside of Yale-NUS.
“The divided reactions to the cancellation of the Week 7 program reveal a growing polarization between different groups in Singaporean society with competing notions of what Singapore can and should look like.” Jia Qi and Daryl reckon with what public reactions to the cancelled LAB mean for Yale-NUS students and Singapore at large.
“I was hesitant to try it out when I first heard of it, due to the protests of Singaporeans describing it as overpriced and seething with expats. Nevertheless, I gave the pretentiously named ‘lounge’ a chance, and I don’t think I’ll ever look back.” Michael tells us why he clubs at Kilo.
“I want to encourage our community to remember the Wall as more than a contested space filled with hostile language among members of the Greater China region. It is a civic education project that never got to realize its full potential at and beyond Yale-NUS.” Winnie tells us more.
“In response to Speaker Tan Chuan Jin’s question, I say: if the foundation of a liberal education is to encourage engagement with differing sentiments, then we do need a liberal education, not just to get us into the future — but to create that shared future.” Shawn tells us why dissent matters for Singapore.
“Several days earlier, I had a conversation with an alumnus from the then University of Singapore about student activism in Singapore in the 1970s…Had the vibrant culture of student activism not been annihilated in the preceding decades, we would never have needed such a course.”
“Ultimately, Singapore can adapt itself all it wants -- but do we really want to live alone in a dead world?” Ajay tells us why you should join SG Climate Rally on September 21st 2019, at Speaker’s Corner, Hong Lim Park, from 3 pm - 6 pm.
“Do we want to engage with an institution that is complicit in perpetuating America’s imperialistic foreign policies in Vietnam?” Following the participation of Yale-NUS College faculty members at a Fulbright University Vietnam’s (FUV) conference, Ai Huy Luu asks how Yale-NUS should engage with the school.
“We succeed in a writing consultation when the student leaves the session having changed their mind about how they thought of something, entirely prompted by writing that has already been done. Radical change, even when an assignment is to be submitted the very same night, sometimes.” For our Graduation Issue, Jolene reflects on her time as a peer tutor in the Writers’ Centre.
“In a school that regularly hosts events about inequality, oppression and social justice, the lack of any kind of conversation concerning the existing precarity on campus is remarkable.” The silence surrounding working conditions in Yale-NUS College implicates all of us as part of the college community. Elias tells us more.
You’ve probably seen people walking around campus with metal straws stuck into plastic bubble tea cups. Alisha tells us why metal straws are not an end in the fight against pollution, but only the beginning.
After Monica Baey’s experience as a survivor of sexual violence went viral, public attention has focused on the appropriate penalties that her perpetrator should receive. Daryl and Alysha discuss why we should consider more pluralistic, rather than punitive, forms of justice for survivors of sexual violence.
In Yale-NUS College, the issue of overworking is always framed as an individual problem – just learn better time management skills! Francesca tells us why we need to have a more honest conversation about wellness and success.
“While a little messy and off-kilter at certain points, babies! was enjoyable and heartwarming.” Steven and Runchen review babies!, which ran from March 29–31 at the Yale-NUS Black Box Theatre.
