The past few weeks have undoubtedly been a high pressure time on the Westminster campus. As the election unfurled in early November, many students and faculty initiated ongoing discussions about polling, democracy, and the current political climate of the United States. Additionally, power outages rattled campus life around the same time that seniors made the final push to submit early college applications. Finally, tests and final projects piled up for students as Thanksgiving break lingered on the horizon. But, we finally made it; the Westminster community can take a deep breath. 

However, as we unwind over the course of the next week, it is still important to stay informed about what is happening around us. While this respite from school ushers in the opportunity to spend time with family and loved ones, we must also continue to take individual measures in ensuring the safety of our community. With cases of COVID-19 increasing daily, the country has entered a new stage of the pandemic – one that is defined by hope for the prospect of an effective vaccine as well as a heightened awareness of the virus’s presence in vulnerable communities.

Nonetheless, we encourage each of you to express your gratitude for our blessings as a community. It is a privilege to return to campus each day and learn alongside peers. It is a privilege to live in a country in which we have the right to express our beliefs freely. It is a privilege to receive testing each week in order to preserve the safety of those around us (even if spitting into a tube isn’t necessarily your life’s calling). Now more than ever, we must acknowledge these privileges as we continue to fight for equity, unity, and inclusivity as a community.

As we send you off, we do hope that you start this break off on the right foot by reading this month’s issue of the Bi-Line. Thank you, and have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Your Head Editors,

Julia Rhee and Sarah Street

P.S. we could not be more grateful for the amazing Bi-Line staff! We still think the Bi-Line is the best newspaper on the east coast…try to change our minds 🙂