Skip to Main Content
College of DuPage's Student Newspaper

The Courier

College of DuPage's Student Newspaper

The Courier

Content by Karla Villegas Pineda

Vote: It’s cool, I promise

Karla Villegas Pineda, Opinion Editor March 12, 2020

Amidst much political action this week, campaigns have been suspended, introduced and scrutinized. Regardless of which candidate you back, the lack of choice for primary candidates is due to the lack of...

COD’s open door policy is unsafe

Karla Villegas Pineda, Opinion Editor February 13, 2020
If COD Is a public institution like some high schools, why don’t we implement measures to keep our students, staff and community members safe?

Coronavirus: It’s the season’s new influenza

Karla Villegas Pineda, Opinion Editor February 10, 2020
Avoiding Asian people under the guise that you’re afraid of contracting coronavirus is xenophobic and immature.

COD’s Cannabis Policy

Karla Villegas Pineda, Opinion Editor January 30, 2020
COD needs to put more effort in constructing its drug policy.

Ruth’s Lesson: colleges must protect their students

Karla Villegas Pineda, Opinion Editor December 5, 2019

19-year-old Ruth George was walking to her car in a parking garage on UIC’s east campus when she was followed by a 26-year-old man. The man catcalled George from afar and when she ignored him, he came...

Illustration by Jessica Tapia

OK Boomer: It’s not the ageist N word

Karla Villegas Pineda, Opinion Article November 14, 2019
Young adults have rebelled against their parents and now isn’t any different, OK boomers?
Illustration by Jessica Tapia.

Domestic Abuse: Why aren’t we addressing men as victims?

Karla Villegas Pineda, Opinion Editor November 7, 2019
No one addresses men explicitly when it comes to them being potential victims of domestic abuse. It’s time to start the conversation to make sure all domestic violence is stopped.
Illustration by Josie Padilla

Pay Attention, Students!

Karla Villegas Pineda, Opinion Editor November 3, 2019
Passivity can only enable the opinions of people in power.
Illustration by Jessica Tapia

Who Polices the Police?

Karla Villegas Pineda, Opinion Editor October 23, 2019
Police officers are meant to protect our communities from harm. So why are police so quick to pull out their guns? And why are black people the ones who are disproportionately most at risk to be killed? 

Keep Employment Discrimination Out of People’s Bedsheets

Karla Villegas Pineda, Opinion Editor October 16, 2019
If someone has the experience, certifications and desired character traits, their sexuality or gender should not influence an employer about whether or not that person is a good fit for a job.

How Far Can Celebrities Go With Political Endorsements?

Karla Villegas Pineda, Opinion Editor October 9, 2019
Celebrities are entitled to opinions in the same way any other individual is. However, they especially have a responsibility to be mindful of their words and actions because their fame inspires political activism.
The Greta Effect

The Greta Effect

Karla Villegas Pineda, Opinion Editor October 2, 2019
Greta Thunberg is an inspiration to us all, yet we shouldn’t rely solely on her for change.

Do Students Really Have a Say at COD?

Karla Villegas Pineda, Opinion Editor September 25, 2019

Students at COD need to have a representation when it comes to major decisions. That representation is supposed to be reflected in the student trustee position. However, is our student representative doing...

Area 51 Can’t Stop Us All… Or Can They?

Area 51 Can’t Stop Us All… Or Can They?

Karla Villegas Pineda, Opinion Editor September 18, 2019

What does the fact that 1.5 million people signed up to a Facebook group intending to storm Area 51 say about the state of the world? We think people will do anything for clout, however the hype behind...

Environmental Responsibility: it extends past the average consumer

Karla Villegas Pineda, Opinion Editor September 17, 2019
The average consumer can continue to be as Earth conscious as they can, but without change on a big scale, no amount of metal straws will suffice.
Ballet Folklorico Quetzalcoatl performing at the Frida Kahlo Exhibition Announcement in Nov. 2018. They will also be performing at Frida Fest on Sept 8.
Photo by COD Newsroom Flickr

I’ve got my eye(brow) on “Frida Fest”

Karla Villegas Pineda, Opinion Editor September 4, 2019
“I think the Hispanic/Latino community should be very proud of the exhibition and the celebration of one of [Latin America’s] most famous daughters.”
The College of DuPage Faculty Association and community supporters protest before the Aug. 15 board of trustees  meeting (photo by: Alison Pfaff)

Will COD’s fall semester make it to December?

Karla Villegas Pineda, Opinion Editor August 29, 2019
While the board has publicly agreed to a mediation with CODFA to try to reach a contract agreement, no official statement has been issued to a very important party—COD’s students, especially because students contribute so significantly to the school’s income with tuition money.
Amira Abuarqoub

Being Muslim in Trump’s America

Karla Villegas Pineda, News Correspondent May 15, 2019
“How are you making America great when you demonize people and pit one group against another?”
The Marginalization of Latinos in the Trump Era

The Marginalization of Latinos in the Trump Era

Karla Villegas Pineda, News Correspondent May 1, 2019
Never before had I felt so small and guilty for being Mexican.
America’s Fake News Epidemic: We Need Credible News Sources

America’s Fake News Epidemic: We Need Credible News Sources

Karla Villegas Pineda, News Correspondent April 13, 2019

Misinformation in media is a detrimental trend in today’s age. It’s something we as consumers see spread by people on sites like Instagram, Facebook and Twitter. While we may laugh it off when our...

Horoscopes

Karla Villegas Pineda and Lindsay Piotter April 1, 2019

(SATIRE) Aries (March 20 – April 20): To those born under this fire sign, you are known for your incredible independent nature and drive towards success - so much so you don’t give a ____ about...

Chicago - Theatre District

Spring Break on a Budget

Karla Villegas Pineda, News Correspondent March 24, 2019

With spring break right around the corner, students must be itching for a chance to remove themselves from school entirely. Here are some ideas for how to spend your spring break without breaking the bank. Day...

College of DuPage Facing Enrollment Decline

Karla Villegas Pineda, News Correspondent March 18, 2019

The College of DuPage has historically been the largest community college in the state. However, in recent years, enrollment has been on the decline. This spring term has seen a 5% decrease compared to...

COD Student to Offer Life-Saving Bone Marrow Transplant

Karla Villegas Pineda, News Correspondent March 4, 2019

The Courier spoke with COD student Noah Redmond about his upcoming opportunity to donate a life -saving bone marrow transplant. To sign up for the Be the Match stem cell donor registry, students and faculty...

"Thank U, Next": Ariana Grande's Newest Album Tops Charts

“Thank U, Next”: Ariana Grande’s Newest Album Tops Charts

Karla Villegas Pineda, News Correspondent February 21, 2019

Earlier this month, Ariana Grande released her fifth studio album, “thank u, next.” The album, which debuted at the top of the Billboard 100, was recorded amidst her breakup with SNL star Pete Davidson...

COD to Host Student Elections for Student Leadership Council Positions

Karla Villegas Pineda, News Correspondent February 21, 2019

This spring, the Student Leadership Council (SLC) will host elections for the positions of president, vice president and student trustee. All students enrolled in at least one credit hour will be eligible...

State of our Student Leadership: Q&A with SLC President Yasmine Issa

State of our Student Leadership: Q&A with SLC President Yasmine Issa

Karla Villegas Pineda, News Correspondent February 21, 2019

The Courier recently spoke with current Student Leadership Council (SLC) president Yasmine Issa about her experience with SLC, as well as her most rewarding experiences working for the student body. What...

2018’s Foreign Film Star:  My Thoughts on Roma as the Daughter of Mexican Immigrants

2018’s Foreign Film Star: My Thoughts on Roma as the Daughter of Mexican Immigrants

Karla Villegas Pineda, News Correspondent February 13, 2019

When I first sat down to watch Roma with my Mexican immigrant parents, it was with an eagerness to view my parents’ Mexico. The film is set in the Mexico of the late 1960s. Both my parents were raised...

COD Biology Professor Organizes Spring Stem Cell Registry Drive

COD Biology Professor Organizes Spring Stem Cell Registry Drive

Karla Villegas Pineda, News Correspondent February 4, 2019

In January 2000, biology professor Julie Gibbs suspected she was sick with the flu. Yet after a visit to an immediate care center, her primary care doctor called her with devastating news—Gibbs had leukemia....

Load More Stories