The Gazelle opinion section has been, or at least has attempted to be, a forum that creates a foundation for public discourse within our university on a variety of pressing topics. Both the move to the Saadiyat campus and the graduation of NYU Abu Dhabi’s first class have brought change and possibility to the community as a whole. This provides us all with the chance to reinvent and reimagine. But beyond changing, The Gazelle opinion section should continue and build upon its current role in our community.

It is widely known that we are an argumentative, expressive and passionate community. However, sometimes this energy gets channeled into methods of discussion that are more likely to create an offensive and unproductive experience for all involved. It is also easy for us, especially in a community as diverse as ours, to find our niche and shun the opinions of those different from our own. Clashes caused by discussion may lead to discomfort, but that is not why many of us chose to come to such a place. Admittedly, The Gazelle has sometimes lacked in presenting a diverse array of opinions, although certainly not for a lack of trying. Going forward we are calling on all individuals in our community to come forth with their opinions to help The Gazelle function as the medium for respectful discussion and productive clash on campus, for those NYUAD students across the GNU, and others elsewhere.