The Rival American

Welcome to The Rival American, a university-unaffiliated media publication run by students, for students. We produce opinion editorials, culture critiques, student journalism, and even silly jokes.

A Brief Account On The Madness Of New Student Orientation ‘25

A Brief Account On The Madness Of New Student Orientation ‘25

New Student Orientation just seemed like another motivational or informational thing as practically everything has been up until this point. Dear reader, let me tell you: I. WAS. SO. SO. SO. WRONG.

Patrick WickSeptember 18, 2025

Kirk's Price for Liberty, Paid by Those Too Young to Know the Rights They Died For

Kirk's Price for Liberty, Paid by Those Too Young to Know the Rights They Died For

What happens when the grief of a nation bends toward the powerful, while the powerless die unnoticed? What happens when we choose the wrong graves to cry over?

Callie WhickerSeptember 15, 2025Comment

American University For Dummies pt. 2

American University For Dummies pt. 2

By Callie Whicker, Jhonny Lopez-Lopez, Megan McNamara and Jacob Saucier

The Rival AmericanSeptember 5, 2025

This win was grown from the dirt, not bought from the top.

This win was grown from the dirt, not bought from the top.

After six months of political stagnation, international horror, and a national mood defined more by despair than direction, this win feels like a pulse. A sign that something is still alive.

Callie WhickerJune 26, 2025Comment

You're Next

You're Next

In a democracy where rights are now seemingly reversible, and anyone can be a target, how safe are you really?

The Rival AmericanJune 13, 2025Comment

Wallowing Out of Time

Wallowing Out of Time

To wallow is to linger on what once was, and in college, there’s a lot worth lingering on.

Jhonny Lopez-LopezMay 6, 2025

The Grind

The Grind

Culture, CurrentSophia RomanoApril 30, 2025work, graduation, jobs, post-grad Comments

Challenge Not Accepted: AU Students Speak On Alger’s Responses (and Lack Thereof)

Challenge Not Accepted: AU Students Speak On Alger’s Responses (and Lack Thereof)

Campus, CurrentJhonny Lopez-LopezApril 26, 2025new administration, president alger, AU algerComment

Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood

Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood

Campus, Culture, CurrentJoey MalaczewskiApril 22, 2025sports, Basketball, aumbbComment

All Things Go... to Hell?

All Things Go... to Hell?

Culture, CurrentCallie WhickerApril 19, 2025festivals, all things goComment

New Orleans, Days after Mardi Gras

New Orleans, Days after Mardi Gras

the state of new orleans during spring break.

Culture, CurrentMatt RomanoMarch 23, 2025travel, new orleans, spring break, mardi gras Comment

La Universidad Americana: Perspective from a Child of Undocumented Immigrants

La Universidad Americana: Perspective from a Child of Undocumented Immigrants

Campus, CurrentThe Rival AmericanMarch 17, 2025Comment

Kris Estrada Sentenced: Perspective From The Courtroom

Kris Estrada Sentenced: Perspective From The Courtroom

An in-the-courtroom perspective on the Kris Estrada case

Campus, CurrentThe Rival AmericanMarch 4, 2025Comment

Scene Report: Last Week in Ithaca, NY

Scene Report: Last Week in Ithaca, NY

a quick report on Ithaca, NY’s local underground music scene.

Culture, CurrentSophia RomanoMarch 2, 2025music, ithaca, new york, underground music, music scene, indie, underground Comments

Rerouted Hearts

Rerouted Hearts

#fanficsnotdead

Campus, Culture, Sex Week, CurrentJhonny Lopez-LopezFebruary 24, 2025metrobus, wmata fanfic, love, bus loveComment

Bi Women, Stop Picking Crusty Men!

Bi Women, Stop Picking Crusty Men!

Sex Week, CultureCallie WhickerFebruary 24, 2025sexuality, lesbians, bi womenComment

Sex Lives of College Majors

Sex Lives of College Majors

Culture, Current, Sex WeekThe Rival AmericanFebruary 21, 2025Comment

Going the Distance

Going the Distance

Culture, Current, Sex WeekJoey MalaczewskiFebruary 21, 2025love, long distance Comment