As the saying goes, he won’t buy the cow if he can get the milk for free. Mothers and fathers have said this for years to caution their daughters from living together before marriage. Even in this day and age, people second-guess the benefits of couples living with one another before marriage. “Never before in Western history has it been acceptable for unmarried couples to live together,” said Andrew Cherlin, a sociologist at Johns Hopkins University. “It was unacceptable a… Read more

Since California is surrounded by beautiful cities, mountains and beaches, any one of these locations can be a prime destination for spring break. Depending on your interest, here are five destinations that range from soaking up the sun, floating down the river to hiking through a desert. Kern River Valley For those who are looking for a relaxed getaway with some activity, head over to Kern River Valley, the options are endless and there is something for everyone to do…. Read more

Every year the Freshman Common Reading program chooses a book that will bring freshman together as part of the campus community, “The Glass Castle” by Jeannette Walls was chosen out of 13 other books for the 2011-12 selection. “The Glass Castle” is a memoir of Walls’ unstable childhood.  She and her siblings grew-up in poverty with mentally ill parents. Having a childhood with no solid roots or an influential parent, Walls grew into a successful writer and is widely known… Read more

The gender and women’s studies student association (GWSSA) organized a photo shoot  on campus Tuesday to address the issue of marriage equality.  It was similar in concept to the NOH8 campaign, in which people from all walks of life are photographed with their mouths taped shut. John Anderson, gender woman studies major, and president of the GWSSA said it is time to legalize same-sex marriage. “It’s playing with people’s lives and relationships. We are fed up with it because no… Read more

Sophomore Maria Hernandez has received both Pell Grants and federal financial aid since she started college. She said she has noticed that each semester her financial aid is decreasing and has heard rumors the Pell Grant funds are decreasing. This has her concerned. “I have heard rumors that the Pell Grant was only going to distribute $5,000 for the whole year,” Hernandez said. “I’m an art student and there are a lot of supplies required of me.” Hernandez is not… Read more

The Civil Rights Project/Proyecto Derechos Civiles at UCLA conducted a conference call Tuesday morning to discuss their recently issued report that examines the impact that state budget cuts have had on our student body. Patricia Gándara and Gary Orfield surveyed more than 2,000 students at CSUN in Fall 2010. They chose CSUN because it is one of the largest universities in the CSU system and it demographically mirrors the student body of the CSU system. “Cal State Northridge has the highest… Read more

In a world where ballet is serene and beautiful, “Black Swan” portrays a conflicting world of darkness. This thriller, directed by Darren Aronofsky, intensely focuses on the physical and psychological pressures on a ballerina and shows the surreal beauty and tragedy that a performer will endure for their craft. When an opportunity arises for Nina, played by Natalie Portman, to be the soloist for “Swan Lake,” she faces a dilemma: as a fragile perfectionist, she has the ability to play the… Read more

Habitat for Humanity is building homes for low-income working families in Pacoima. On Saturday, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, a fraternity at CSUN, spent the day helping out. In the early morning the Sigma Alphas were knee deep in dirt and sewage. Twenty three  fraternitybrothers joined together to build, dig and make a difference. “We try to volunteer at least once a year. Fraternities get such a bad rap for not doing anything. They’re known for just partying,” said Jim Raggio, president,… Read more

The City of Angels’ cherubic face has been given a black eye. In a 2010 survey conducted by “Travel & Leisure” magazine that questioned residents and visitors alike, 35 US cities were ranked in various categories and Los Angeles was judged to be the rudest. Being a native Angeleno, it comes as a shock and disappointment that our city is considered rude, and at that, the rudest. I would think New York, with its ruthless cab drivers and fast-paced residents… Read more