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THE STUDENT NEWSPAPER OF MANHATTAN UNIVERSITY | SINCE 1924
Volume CXI, Issue 10
MU Hosts 12th Annual Innovation Challenge Jaspers presented business ideas for the chance to win cash prizes. @MANHATTANEDU / INSTAGRAM
Manhattan University Students Compete in Annual Innovation Challenge The 12th annual Innovation Challenge, hosted by the O’Malley School of Business, once again brought together the sharpest entrepreneurial minds from Manhattan University for a night of creativity, competition and community impact. Student teams pitched their innovative business ideas to a panel of industry judges, with top winners taking home cash
prizes to bring their concepts to life. This year’s event featured six teams, showcasing a wide array of inventive solutions — from fashion-forward selfdefense tools to AI-powered recycling systems. The event drew students from various disciplines and academic levels, exemplifying the spirit of cross-collaboration between the business and engineering schools. SlaySpray, a self-defense accessory disguised as a stylish fashion charm, took home the first-place prize of $5,000. Created by graduate
IN NEWS:
IN FEATURES:
Emmanouel Sofillas Managaing Editor
FREE
NEW YORK, APRIL 1, 2025
MU Students Compete Center for Career in Innovation Development Looks Challenge for Workers pg. 3 pg. 5
student Anna Burnett, the product seeks to empower individuals, particularly those navigating public transit or difficult environments, through a discreet but effective alternative to mace. “Slay Spray brings fashion, accessibility, and comfort to those who are seeking a feeling of security,” Burnett said. “Inspired by personal experience, the product also aims to break the stigma surrounding conversations about violence, especially __________________________ CONTINUED ON PAGE 3
Senate Discusses Budget Plans, Staffing Levels in Residence Life and the Closing of Starbucks In Kelly Commons Brooke Della Rocco News Editor
Manhattan University’s second senate meeting of the semester was held on Tuesday, March 25, where budget planning, low staffing levels in the Department of Residence Life and the shutdown of the Starbucks in Kelly Commons were discussed. President Frederick Bonato Ph.D., was present along with Vice President of Finance and Chief Financial Officer James Perrino, to weigh in on future plans. While it is difficult to predict enrollment for the coming Fall 2025 semester, Bonato announced that Manhattan University has received 14,000 applications compared to last year’s 9,500. The majority of these applications are from out-of-state students, with most applying to be a resident student for the school year. This is highly important to MU due to its dependency on revenue from student housing. “A lot of our revenue is tuition dependent,” Perrino said. “It’s student dependent… In 2024 about 80% of our total revenue is derived from the student generated activities. So as enrollment goes, so does our year financially.” In 2024, the university
IN A&E:
MU Players Perform in One Acts pg. 6
had $119 million in revenue but spent $145 million which created an operating deficit of $23.9 million. Roughly $14 million of that deficit is made up of a depreciation expense. While not an out-of-pocket expense, it is reflected on financial statements. The spending rate for the institution has been increased as well, moving from 5% to 7% in 2024 and remaining that way for 2025. As of 2026, it will revert back to 5%. Perrino spoke about how this will affect the MU community as an institution. “It’s important as we start to think about how we move forward as an institution,” Perrino said. “What resources do we have and how we can execute on different strategic initiatives, but it’s also important for our bond rating.” MU is rated based upon the strength of their finances and their ability to repay our bonds by both Fitch ratings and S&P Global. Fitch scored the university BBB+ with a negative outlook, while S&P scored BBB with a negative outlook. A lot of these ratings are reliant on seeing improved operating performance, which relies once again on MU’s tuition dependency. “I will say, you know we still have challenges,” Bonato __________________________ CONTINUED ON PAGE 3
IN SPORTS: Women’s Lacrosse Wins Against Merrimack pg. 8