How many of you made a New Year’s resolution this year? Likely, many of us did. And like most things in Western society, they likely revolve around ourselves, our physical appearance or the image we project to others. This self-obsession is an extreme deviation from the original intent of New Year’s resolutions, which was to rededicate oneself to community. It’s time we returned to that.

Queen’s is an exceptional school, filled with exceptional students. These are students who are involved in clubs, sports teams, faculty societies and community groups; they’ve made many meaningful contributions to the Queen’s experience.

As Kofi Annan said, “Education is, quite simply, peace-building by another name.” But what happens when this isn’t the case for people of colour? What happens when the endeavour for a higher education is “whitewashed” and surrounded by a culture of whiteness?

“I’m going home this weekend.”Jenna Fletcher, ArtSci ’18   “Insane amounts of caffeine.” Nathan Quinn, Comm ’16  

The recent cancellation of a free yoga class through the Centre for Students with Disabilities at the University of Ottawa has raised a number of issues in the media and within the yoga community.

“Rugby 101.”Gillian Pegg, Phe ’16  

From promises of a national inquiry into missing and murdered Aboriginal women, to the Truth and Reconciliation report, Indigenous people have been in the news a lot lately.

With today’s growing awareness of mental health on university campuses, Queen’s students seem to have it pretty good in terms of access to services. Student Wellness Services, AMS Peer Support Centre, the Jack Project and other initiatives on campus all offer an outlet for counselling and advice on everything to do with one’s mental health.

One of Queen’s most important values is that Queen’s students govern themselves. This sense of student ownership for the “broader learning environment” differentiates Queen’s from other universities.

“If possible, great.”Holly Honderich, ArtSci ’16  “I don’t have too many points, but it would be great if I did.” Robbie Cheng, Comm ’17 

Queen’s Homecoming is an important and meaningful tradition not only for the football team and alumni, but also for the community as a whole.

“There should be boundaries around sensitive topics.”Suzanne Breen, ConEd ’18  “I think Halloween’s a time when things should be taken lightly.” Meagan Norris, ArtSci ’17 

The longest, most expensive and quite possibly the most important Canadian federal election is finally over.

“It’ll fade and hopefully his leadership will shine through.”Andrea Vovk, ArtSci ’18  “He has nice hair.” Ryan Thistlethwaite, ArtSci ’16 

Changes to the structure of the Non-Academic Discipline (NAD) system at Queen’s are compromising the quality of the system itself and revealing insufficient leadership in the AMS.