Opinion pitches 😷

Opinion pitches 😷

February 01, 2022

Have no fear, Opinion pitches are here!

Hear ye, hear ye: opinion pitches are here!

Hi all!I hope everyone is enjoying the warmer weather and staying calm now that midterms are starting! We're less than a month away from Reading Week!Here are this week's pitches! Just let me know which one you'd like and what your take on it will be. And, of course, if you have any pitches of your own, feel free to let me know!As always you can reach Emily or myself anytime at [email protected], [email protected] over Slack!xoxo, Katie

Neil Young and Joni Mitchell leave Spotify

Last week, Canadian singer Neil Young gave Spotify an ultimatum: either they stop letting Joe Rogan spread COVID-19 misinformation on the streaming service, or he would remove all his music. When Spotify didn’t respond, Neil Young said he was taking all of his music off the platform, with Joni Mitchell following suit a few days later. Will this have an impact on COVID-19 misinformation on social media?

Point/Counterpoint: eclass exams

As the winter semester progresses, students are starting to write their first midterms. While many professors have handed out projects or assignments while school is online, some are still doing exams on eclass. Are exams easier now that we’re online? Do some professors make them unnecessarily hard to combat cheating? Write a point/counterpoint with a fellow volunteer!

Engagement forums on draft curriculum

After mass outcries over the proposed draft curriculum in Alberta, the province is holding forums for parents to voice their concerns and provide feedback. Attend one of these sessions and write about the problems associated with this new curriculum! Register for one of many sessions being offered from January 31 to February 28.

Have the resources provided by the university on mental health during this time been useful? Are the email and social media mental health tips just performative and put all responsibility on mental health on the individual?

The Association of Academic Staff at the University of Alberta has filed for formal mediation in their bargaining process with administration. Meanwhile other Alberta universities are looking at possible strikes. Bring us up to date in the university labour negotiations and give us your takeaways!