Freshmen, wear clear safety goggles when entering your nightmare
Zak Khan
August 21, 2015
To incoming freshmen, by now your orientation leaders and other folks you’ve met at Case Western Reserve University have probably told you how great it is here. They may have waxed eloquent on how “accepting” and “diverse” CWRU is. How we’re all in this together. The dining halls seem to...
Is it the summer you wanted?
Zak Khan
June 17, 2015
Is it the summer you wanted? Is this that summer? The one that you are going to all the events you swore you would? Does that matter? I often find myself asking whether it was that summer as it ends. Now, I’m asking that question in the middle because it doesn’t have to be that way to a meaningful,...
The threads of your diploma
Zak Khan
May 26, 2015
Science, technology, engineering and math (STEM), according to Case Western Reserve University and almost everyone, is the be-all end-all of degrees. After many tears, late nights and much blood, I received a STEM degree. The experience was less than fulfilling. Somehow, it was not the magical ticket...
Why I complain
Zak Khan
May 12, 2015
All I do is complain. At least, that’s the accusation levied at nearly the entire Observer opinion staff. And, in some ways, it’s true. It’s a part of my job to angry bark about something for around 300 to 500 words. I find it cathartic. But beyond this, it’s an accusation that has deeper implications...
The damsel of Ohio
Zak Khan
May 4, 2015
Cleveland can be a fickle mistress. At times She blesses us with 70-degree mid-April days, and then plunges the last week before May down so low we see snow. Her neighborhoods at times actively welcome and yet distrust outsiders. Case Western Reserve University kids, in the hours spent in classes, dorms...
What Greek Life recruitment can teach us
Zak Khan
April 24, 2015
As we look back at this year, one thing I notice is the focus on Greek Life. All of the focus on Greek Life problems got me thinking: Greek Life is very good at getting rather uninvolved students to participate. They have it narrowed down to a fine art. From the kinds of events to have, to what to...
Hotels as dorms offer contrast, perspective
Zak Khan
April 17, 2015
Upon entering college as a freshman, you can be sure to look forward to at least one thing: a dorm. Look forward to, that is, cramped quarters, questionable roommates and strange noises from next door. By senior year, you've grown used to it, usually. The recent announcement that some upcoming juniors ...
Starbucks lovers
Zak Khan
April 10, 2015
I pay around 30 cents a cup for my daily morning cup of tea. Because I make it at home. Of course, I have the privilege of time to do so. Recently we learned that Bon Appétit and Starbucks had discontinued the $2 coffee deal. Students’ collective outrage led to it being front page news. Not even racist ...
Brag about yourself, Cleveland
Zak Khan
April 3, 2015
I like to think I have talent in some things. I did manage to land this writing gig. But like most Clevelanders, I don’t actually often tell others about what I do. Newly admitted Case Western Reserve University students often have the complaint that “nothing happens in Cleveland,” but perhaps...
CWRU transportation missed the bus
Zak Khan
March 27, 2015
Every Case Western Reserve University student, regardless of major or year, has the common denominator of a commute to class. Like most things at CWRU, those commutes bring us together because they cause us grief. A few months ago CWRU officials said they would examine changes in our campus transit system....
