Observer Department: Opinion
Massachusetts legalization of marijuana
By Duane Sherman On Nov. 6, 2012, the voters of Massachusetts approved the legal use of medicinal marijuana, yet there still is not one dispensary open. Why? Question 3 passed with 63 percent approval. On Jan. 1, 2013, the law took effect, eliminating criminal and civil penalties for the possession…
Texting in class can be a distraction
By Rachel Sarcione Although many NECC professors request that students refrain from using their electronic devices during class, texting and social media continue to be a distraction during lectures and exams. “I feel bad for the professors,” said NECC student Melissa Dow, 37. “They spend all that time preparing lessons…
End of semester blues
By Eduardo Souza To students, the end of the semester can feel like a mixed blessing. On one side, it’s almost over. Students are almost done and winter break is coming. However, there’s still so much to do. There are papers to write. There are final exams to study for.…
NECC baseball players talk sports and school
Have you ever thought of joining a sports team here at Northern Essex? Think you wouldn’t have time to juggle classes, work and a sport? Wrong! The students on the NECC baseball team beg to differ. Baseball is an all American sport. Here’s some of the NECC baseball players giving…
Dance club perserveres
By Shaina Richards, Correspondent Conflict arose for the dance club this semester when it was discovered that they would not be able to use the dance studio. The dance studio was going to be used for another class at the time the dance club had planned to meet. …
Fun fall inspired activities
There is a crisp feeling in the air and the leaves changing colors. Fall has arrived. Fall is my favorite season here in New England. I love the fall foliage, watching the leaves change their color and of course the weather. It’s not too cold, and it’s not too humid. …
Should NECC celebrate Columbus?
Columbus Day has been a controversial holiday for a long time. There are several reasons for the controversy; first, it’s generally understood to celebrate Christopher Columbus’s discovery of America. Which he didn’t do. What Columbus discovered was the Bahamas, and he only found them because he expected to be able…
People ponder parking passes
By Henry Brewster, Correspondent Despite the initial oppositions that many students and faculty presented a year ago when the parking passes became mandatory, people are generally now accommodating of the $8.50 ∑it costs to park on NECC’s campus. There are still outliers who refuse to pay for parking sheerly on…
Opinion: Transition
UMass Amherst is so different. I attended NECC for three years. For two, I was on staff at the Observer. During those two years, those four semesters, I met people from all walks of life. I worked in Athletics, did orientations for Student Engagement, was friendly with Public Relations. I knew…
Opinion: #internetslowdown
Sept. 10 was the #internetslowdown when many websites shared their opinion on the net neutrality decision that will be made my Tom Wheeler and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) on Sept. 15. Net neutrality is the assurance that the internet remains free without effecting loading speeds. Internet service providers, or…
