Writing SNHU’s Story
VOLUME XXV
ISSUE 1
Trip: Dominican Republic Subject: Education Access Organization: Outreach360 Coordinators: Samuel Blanchard (‘21) and Aliemma Kanu (‘22) Number of Spots Available: 14 Cost: $1000 Travel: Airplane Service: Teaching English and lesson planning in K-8 school Trip: Grand Canyon, Arizona Subject: Environmental Organization: Grand Canyon National Parks Service Coordinators: Justin Vanasse (‘22) and Nick Arsenault (‘21) Number of Spots Available: 8 Cost: $600 Travel: Airplane Service: Park maintenance, education on the effects of tourism Trip: Lorida, Florida Subject: Environmental Organization: Florida Trail Association Coordinators: Maddie Frisella (‘20) and Braeden Dutile (‘21) Number of Spots Available: 8 Cost: $600 Travel: Airplane Service: Environment restoration, assist with research, educate children Trip: Niagara Falls, New York Subject: Mental Health and Homelessness Organization: Community Missions Coordinators: Izzy Proia (‘20) and Lauren Gralenski (‘22) Number of Spots Available: 10 Cost: $250 Travel: Car Service: Assisting in food kitchens and pantries, working with emergency housing and youth and recovery services.
SEPTEMBER 11, 2019
PENMENPRESS.COM
Alternative Break Trips Revealed
“Alternative break is a program that has the foundation to change your life, but you have to put good in to get good out,” Jenkins said. Nikki Fain Editor in Chief Every year, students, staff and faculty alike return from these trips unable to convey with words the impact they’ve had on them. Today at the Involvement Fair, the Chandler Center announced the much-anticipated alternative break trips. These trips offer students the chance to travel and engage in direct service during spring break. In each community, students learn about the issues that affect it the most while working with those most impacted. The Chandler Center’s mission is to coordinate and engage students in civic engagement opportunities. To the left is the basic information of each trip. Every year the center offers different trips focused on different subjects, but there are usually some similarities to the previous years’ offerings. Returning students will recognize the Dominican Republic trip which, due to its success and popularity as an inter-
Environment trips are most popular survey concludes. (image credit: Break Away)
national option, is becoming a “staple” to the program. The Niagara Falls trip is similar to the prior two years’ Washington D.C. trip, which also focused on urban homelessness. In Niagara Falls, New York, participants will also learn about the ways mental health intersects with homelessness. Finally, the last two options focus on the environment and sustainability much like the Utah trip from last year. The Chandler Center piloted its first sustainability-focused alternative break at Arches National Park in Moab, Utah last year after learning of data from Break Away, the national organization that helps colleges to develop alternative break programs. The success of it encouraged Alternative Break Program Coordinators Jay Jenkins (‘19) and Alicia DeBruin (‘22) to offer two trips focused on the environment this year. Each year the alternative break program coordinators attend Break Away’s annual conference. It was at last year’s conference that Jenkins learned of the rising popularity of trips dedicated to environmental issues. According to Break Away’s 2017-2018 survey, the environment ranked as the number one most common trip focus out of 193 schools. Environmental trips are valuable, because they provide diversity in service. According to Jenkins, some people prefer working with the Earth while others like seeing the effect on individuals. Meanwhile, DeBruin acknowledged that there is a
DeBruin at Arches. (image credit: Nick Arsenault) challenge to working with location that thrives due the environment. to tourism, is one way to “A lot of the trips focus educate participants on on social justice issues that this connection. “A lot involve real people where of the conversations that we can sympathize with we’ve had is that if we can them, but environmental find a way to bring those trips there’s not necessari- two things closer together, ly people being impacted. . then we can really bring . So the direct service that this program to the next you’re doing is with the level.” earth and the ground,” she Meanwhile, in Lorida, said. She explained that Florida, participants will this forces participants focus more on the science to look beyond the direct aspects of environmental service they’re doing and issues by assisting with to consider the impacts of research and teaching their service. what they’ve learned to In particular, the local children. They’ll Grand Canyon trip will still be able to work with allow participants to con- the Earth with activities sider the ways tourism like trail maintenance and service are sometimes and restoration. This was connected rather than another way that the proin conflict. Sometimes gram aimed to diversify short-term volunteer trips its service opportunities can lead to voluntourism, this year. which is when people use The deadline to apply service as an excuse to is November 10 at midtravel to new locations. night. Both DeBruin and Rather than promot- Jenkins encourage stuing voluntourism, The dents to apply if they have Chandler Center works even the slightest interest. to make their trips as ed“If you are able to be ucational as possible for selfless and understand participants. the problems that affect Jenkins explained others, it can actually imthat bringing students prove you as an individuto the Grand Canyon, a al,” Jenkins concluded.
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letter from the editorS tHE PENMEN PRESS STAFF 2019-2020 CO-EDITOR IN CHIEF Nikki Fain nikki.fain@snhu.edu CO-EDITOR IN CHIEF Maddie Covino madison.covino@snhu.edu ONLINE MANAGER Ryan Barrett ryan.barrett3@snhu.edu BUSINESS MANAGER Austin Bonnell austin.bonnell@snhu.edu EVENTS MANAGER NOW HIRING: email penmenpress@snhu.edu PODCAST EDITOR Samantha Aguilar-Hernandez samantha.aguilarhernandez @snhu.edu LEAD COPY EDITOR Catherine LaChance catherine.lachance@snhu.edu NEWS EDITOR NOW HIRING: email penmenpress@snhu.edu LIFESTYLE EDITOR NOW HIRING: email penmenpress@snhu.edu OPINIONS EDITOR Spencer Fennell spencer.fennell@snhu.edu SPORTS EDITOR Madyson Alexander madyson.alexander@snhu.edu LAYOUT EDITOR Taylor DeForrest taylor.deforrest@snhu.edu LEAD VIDEOGRAPHER Eli Hark thomas.hark@snhu.edu PHOTOGRAPHY EDITOR Kyle Griffin kyle.griffin@snhu.edu SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER Jacy Bergeron jacy.bergeron@snhu.edu FACULTY ADVISOR Jon Boroshok j.boroshok@snhu.edu
The Southern New Hampshire University Penmen Press is a news publication produced by Southern New Hampshire University students and funded largely by the Student Government Association of the University. It is our responsibility to inform the SNHU community about events on and around campus. The Penmen Press will print any material found to be factual and in good taste by the editorial staff of the paper. The views published do not necessarily reflect the views of Southern New Hampshire University. The Penmen Press is published biweekly during the academic year and is printed by the Concord Monitor. To contact the newspaper, please email us at penmenpress@snhu.edu.
find Inspiration & get to work
Welcome back, everybody! Whether you’re in your last year or your first year, or somewhere in the middle, let us just say that we’re happy that you ended up here, reading this. Every first issue of the year is special to us, because, well, it’s the first issue. But this issue is a little more special to us than usual. This is the earliest we’ve published an issue in recent memory, and we’re really excited to share that with you. In the past handful of years, our staff has grown and pushed themselves incredibly. This issue is a hopeful testament to all the growth we can continue to do. Now traditionally, what we’ve done with the first Letter From the Editors of the year is take this space to tell you a little bit about our accomplishments from last year and tell you about what we’re going to do this next year. We’re going to break away
from that tradition a little here. This summer, we spent a long weekend at the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis for the College Media Mega Workshop learning ways to improve our editorial leadership - which is just a fancy way to say ‘improving our student leadership and journalist abilities’. Of course while we were there we got a lot of ideas and feedback on ways to improve our reporting, but we are most thankful for the journalistic community we discovered. We didn’t just leave with new ideas, but also mentors and friends to exchange trials and errors with. Don’t get us wrong we’re pumped to explore more solutions-based and data-driven stories with engaging design, and we have some cool events and perhaps a couple new ways to tell SNHU’s story in the pipeline. But that’s not why we’re inspired.
Student journalism and student leadership can both be isolating. You have to keep secrets, skip parties and manage your friends. And all for what? Some idyllic vision of what your campus should be like, what your community should be like? Well, yeah. That’s a great reason to do it. But sometimes you lose sight of that vision. And that’s okay. Let us repeat: That’s okay. In fact it’s more than okay. It gives you the chance to be inspired again, remember why you do what you do. Then, you bounce back even stronger, more creative. Here’s to a great year of bouncing back, of student leadership, of community. Whether this is your last or your first year, or somewhere in between, go out and gain a new perspective in our community, get engaged in something that inspires you, then show us.
on my block party
International Student Services Press Release
Come one, come all to the annual On My Block Party at 7:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. on Friday, September 13 on the Quad. This event will be a celebration of the cultural diversity within the SNHU community through international food, activities, music, performances and more. Students can expect to experience different types of authentic cultural foods from around the area. There will be dishes from restaurants such as U.S.A Chicken, Café Momo, Royal India and Yummy Somali Food. Along with the diverse food selection, there will be plenty of activities for
all.
There will be New Hampshire themed coasters to paint. Students can learn more about cultures that use Henna at a Henna station. Lastly, students can learn about Arabic at the calligraphy station. Students will be able to commemorate this event by designing a quilt square at one of the tables with Christine Keenan, the innovation lab coordinator. The decorated squares will be sewn together in unity and displayed for years to come. The event will also feature a variety of selfie walls where Residence Life will be there to assist students and get them their best selfie. Students can also enter a contest by posting a picture from the event
on social media and use the hashtag #OMBP2019 in their caption. Immediately following the On My Block Party there will be a Global Dance Party in the Last Chapter Pub until midnight, featuring international music, dancing, snacks and a special appearance from DJ Jen. This event is brought to you by the following offices: International Student Services, Diversity Programs, Residence Life, Student Involvement and The Deborah L. Coffin Women’s Center. Special thanks to the Penmen Press, RadioSNHU, International Student Association, Phi Psi and the Chinese Student Association for co-sponsoring.
the penmen press
A CONVERSATION WITH ICE-T SLATED FOR SEPTEMBER 18 ACES Committee Press Release (Manchester, NH, September 11) Southern New Hampshire University’s ACES Committee will welcome rap music icon, author, and TV star, Ice-T, to campus on September 18 in the SNHU Athletic Complex Small Gym at 7 p.m. Ice-T has been an advocate for America’s youth and has left a positive impact on all communities and people he has interacted with. With an impressive array of musical accomplishments and television appearances and
roles, Ice-T has made a name for himself and flourished in his career. Although best known for his role on Law and Order: Special Victims Unit, he has also directed films, produced a documentary, and been nominated for a Grammy. Tickets are already on sale through SNHU tickets. They are free for students, $5 for staff members, and $10 for the general public. Doors open at 6:30pm and the event begins at 7pm. Get your tickets now, and join the SNHU community in celebrating and welcoming Ice-T to campus!
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news
A conversation with Ice-T flyer (image credit: CAPE)
MARCH AND RALLY WITH THE DEBORAH L. COFFIN WOMEN’S CENTER Deborah L. Coffin Women’s Center Press Release
Maddie Covinio posing at Take Back the Night. (image credit: Nick Klotz)
(Manchester, NH, September 11) The Deborah L. Coffin Women’s Center is hosting the 10th annual Take Back the Night rally on Monday, September 23 at 7 p.m. on the Quad, weather permitting. Take Back the Night is a signature SNHU event that unifies the campus community against violence and sexual misconduct. The 10th annual Take Back the Night rally is sure to be the biggest one yet. A student-based speak out will be the focal point of the event to encourage student participation and ownership of their campus environment and community standards. Anyone is welcome to take the mic and share
their own experiences, poetry, prose and other artistic messages. Speakers will have the option of sharing anonymously by reaching out to the Women’s Center before or during the event or they can choose to speak themselves. Each speaker will be asked to keep their remarks to three minutes or less. In the pursuit of privacy for survivors, we ask speakers to not include names or other identifying information when speaking about sexual violence experiences, as this information could be inadvertently shared with a community member who is obligated to report to Title IX. If you are interested in participating as a speaker or have additional questions, please email womenscenter@ snhu.edu.
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opinion
Get Your Students in the ‘Real World’: A Student’s Take on Inbound 2019 Nikki Fain Co-Editor in Chief Theory. Theory. Theory. Experience. Experience. Experience. Chances are your professors at SNHU, like mine, preach one or the other. It’s a tale as old as time in academia. Across the nation, educators clash over whether theory or industry experience is the end-all-be-all in instruction. Either can be difficult for a student to see themselves in. We don’t know what we don’t know. In particular, as a business major, some of the soft skills can be abstract and difficult to apply in the classroom. And of course, there are always doubts about the relevance of the material that professors impart to students. Conferences have been a favorite part of my college experience. Free travel, food, swag. An excuse to geek out with people I don’t know. They’re great. But as I enter my senior year, graduation looms and anxiety lingers. Everything is now becoming a “last”. Senior events are a cherished must-go. But maybe most common
and important, I worry about the job market and money more frequently. So when the opportunity to attend the annual conference of Boston software firm, HubSpot, arrived, the answer undoubtedly was a yes. A conference? A place to hand out resumes? Maybe get a job? Yep, count me in. Inbound - named after HubSpot’s signature marketing practice - was unlike any conference I’ve ever attended. I was enticed to attend by keynote speakers like Sal Khan, founder of Khan Academy, Katie Couric, Janelle Monae, Jonathan Kraft, Brad Stevens and more. Personally, I was most excited for Educated author Tara Westover and Just Mercy author Bryan Stevenson. Not to mention a food truck festival for lunch. The past conferences I’ve attended have been geared towards educating college students, but the goal of Inbound is to unite big-name industry leaders with marketing and business professionals. Inbound was my first step into the infamous ‘real world’, and it was an experience disruptor, something that HubSpot CEO Brian Halligan ar-
gued was imperative to the future of the business world. I was thrown off by the booths of sponsors trying to coax me to buy their product or the boujee happy hour events. Or even the selfie stations (which, admittedly, were actually pretty fun and the lighting was goals). It gave me insight into the conversations businesses are having daily. It gave me something to discuss during an interview, something to connect with. Halligan and HubSpot Co-Founder Dharmesh Shah’s presentations on the current business trends have helped to inform and excite me. SNHU Senior Melanie Alibozek agreed that this experience was valuable for her future aspirations. “I learned that starting a new successful business begins with finding the gaps to fill a consumer need.” She also enjoyed her first experience as a young professional. The theory or experience argument is outdated. Students have different preferences or don’t care about what their professor’s background is. They need to see it, feel it. Conferences do just that.
Noelle Magee in Hawaii. (image credit: Noelle Magee)
Inbound 2019. (image credit: Nikki Fain)
nOELLE mAGEE SHARES nse Experience Stefan Karlberg Staff Writer In the spring semester of the 20182019 school year, SNHU participated in an exchange program called National Student Exchange (NSE). NSE’s website describes the program as “. . . An exchange program within the US, Canada, and Puerto Rico. Students can study away for a semester or a year. The program provides a variety of benefits to college students looking to add to their resumé and life experiences.” It goes on to say, “This study away program features the academic offerings of 160 colleges and universities throughout the United States and Canada, providing [the student] with the awesome courses, programs, and experience of your choice host campus.” As part of this program, SNHU student Noelle Magee (‘21) spent her spring semes-
ter at the University of Hawaii at Hilo. Magee wrote that, “I am greatly intrigued by it all. I am making sure to always listen to everyone here and all that the Hawaiian people have to say about their culture and beliefs. I have even been considering living here one day.” Magee also talked about the cultural traditions she had learned in Hawaii. “An enormous part of Hawaiian culture is the land and the ocean. They are very conservative of their land and life revolves around the ocean here. It is very important to them. They are also very humble towards nature, they believe that nature can rightfully come back and claim their homes and land.” She continued depicting Hawaiians’ culture by adding, “The Hawaiians also heavily believe in superstitions here on all of the islands. There are many superstitions. One is that if you see an old woman walking/hitchhiking on
the side of Saddle Road (the road that goes from one side of the island to the other through the 2 volcanoes Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa), you are advised to pick her up and bring her to wherever she pleases because she is believed to be Pele, the goddess of volcanoes and fire.” SNHU students are able to have their own NSE experiences at no additional cost. SNHU’s study abroad department explained, “You pay normal tuition to SNHU and room and board to the host institution. Financial aid will apply, if needed. Credits and grades completed while on exchange are transferred back to SNHU, keeping you on track for graduation. You work with your academic advisor to plan for study away with NSE.” To apply for the program, visit NSE.org. The deadline to apply for the spring semester is October 1, and all students are encouraged to apply.