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College of DuPage's Student Newspaper

The Courier

College of DuPage's Student Newspaper

The Courier

Mariyam Syed

Mariyam Syed, Managing Editor

Content by Mariyam Syed
Deceased pine warbler (Photo by David Ouellette)

Saving The Lives of Local Birds

Mariyam Syed, Staff Writer April 24, 2023

Taking a scenic walk in the paths behind the MAC building, students may be distressed to find injured birds lying on the ground. With its wings splayed or its head bent sideways, these delicate airborne...

Learning Spanish with Connection and Culture

Learning Spanish with Connection and Culture

Mariyam Syed, Staff Writer April 10, 2023

Navigating the subway, interviewing for a job and moving into a new home are all challenging but necessary parts of life. Imagine trying to do these tasks in a country abroad where you do not speak the...

SAFE-T Act in Illinois Supreme Court

SAFE-T Act in Illinois Supreme Court

Mariyam Syed, Staff Writer March 13, 2023

Law enforcement and legislative officials throughout Illinois will have their attention on the Illinois Supreme Court this week as more insight into the state's key piece of justice reform, the SAFE-T...

Free Hugs on the Front Lines

Free Hugs on the Front Lines

Mariyam Syed, Staff Writer February 20, 2023

California-based activist Ken Nwadike Jr., “The Free Hugs Guy,” uses activism to overcome trauma and bridge divides between the Black community and police officers at the front lines of protests. He...

Work-Arounds for College Textbook Expenses

Work-Arounds for College Textbook Expenses

Mariyam Syed, Staff Writer January 30, 2023
A can of Red Bull, self-care kits, and coupons for food - these were all free items that showed up with my package when I ordered a textbook. It was surprisingly like a swag box and really fits the needs of the college student clientele.
Graphic by Mariyam Syed

Advice from STEM Major Alumni

Mariyam Syed, Staff Writer December 5, 2022

At the STEM Club event on Dec. 1, a panel of COD alumni shared their valuable insight on what it’s really like working in STEM jobs and how their experiences in COD’s STEM clubs helped propel them...

Students Lead Social Change in Africa

Students Lead Social Change in Africa

Mariyam Syed, Staff Writer November 21, 2022

Balancing the duties of being a college student and the leader of a social movement has been a challenge for African activists. Over the course of two virtual meetings, South African and Zimbabwean students...

“Gift of Giving” Volunteer Season Starts at COD

“Gift of Giving” Volunteer Season Starts at COD

Mariyam Syed, Staff Writer November 14, 2022
Continuing through the month, COD Cares has partnered with 16 social service and donation agencies from across DuPage County for the 2022 Gift of Giving program. To participate, students need to form volunteer teams with classmates, friends and family members. Then they view the donation gift wishlists of their chosen agency. These items can be put in designated locations called Drop Gnomes around campus or delivered directly to the agencies by Dec. 9. 
Our Clothes - From Closets to Landfills

Our Clothes – From Closets to Landfills

Mariyam Syed, Staff Writer November 7, 2022

On display is a delicate white dress patterned with blocks of red text, “No Thank You” written over and over. A similar dress has colorful organza flowers down one side. This dress is made of plastic...

Policies on the Midterm Ballot

Policies on the Midterm Ballot

Mariyam Syed, Staff Writer October 31, 2022

Lynn LaPlante, DuPage County Board District 4 member, reminds voters to pay attention to pending legislation, because it can have a county-wide effect. This is also related to the work the County Board...

Eric Willoughby talks to Saba Haider, a candidate for DuPage County Board.
(Photo by Mariyam Syed)

Youth at the Front Lines of The Elections

Mariyam Syed, Staff Writer October 31, 2022

As the finale of the midterm election draws closer, DuPage County youths have been just as involved as the candidates. They are working hard to educate voters, participate civically, and make sure their...

Provost Plans for Students' Academic Success

Provost Plans for Students’ Academic Success

Mariyam Syed, Staff Writer October 17, 2022

A member of the provost’s Completion Committee, Dr. Mark Curtis-Chavez, presented the provost’s data report on COD student’s academic completion rates, during the Oct. 13 meeting on-campus. 53% of...

Unify America fosters constructive dialogue between people to solve our country’s political divide. 
Graphic provided by Unify America.

Talking Politics with Unity, Not Uniformity

Mariyam Syed, Staff Writer October 10, 2022

Imagine being in a room for one hour with a stranger, and the only thing you can discuss are your most controversial political views. This is the premise of the Unify America Challenge. Participants sign...

Susan Kirt led students of the Architectural Design class on a tour, where she explained the history and preservation of the prairie. This was one of her ongoing workshops, as the fall 2022 Artist-in-Residence.

Preserving the Prairie with Pictures

Mariyam Syed, Staff Writer October 3, 2022

Forty-eight years ago, College of DuPage became the first community college to have prairies as study spaces. It was through the efforts of Russell Kirt, who worked to restore the local Illinois prairie...

Economic Forum event information.

The Economic Forum with Charles Evans

Mariyam Syed, Staff Writer September 5, 2022

College students concerned with the threat of recession, loss of employment and rising expenses caused by inflation will have a chance to hear an expert view on the economy this week at COD. Researching...

International Hall at COD. Wide shot of flags hanging from wall, student story portraits, and chairs.

Explore the COD Campus on Your First Day!

Mariyam Syed, Staff Writer August 1, 2022

This coming fall semester, new students may be surprised by how large the campus is. With 14 buildings, outdoor athletic fields and large prairie spaces, it can be overwhelming. Don’t feel lost though!...

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