Writing SNHU’s Story
VOLUME XXVII
ISSUE 3
NOVEMBER 6, 2020
PENMENPRESS.COM
Life On Campus: Emergency Housing
questions regarding their living situations which helped to gauge the number of students in need of emergency housing. “After hearing from a number of returning students that campus is their only safe place to live and learn, SNHU opened a very limited number of housing options for students who were in unsafe or unstable living situations. This emergency housing option is tru-
ly only for those who do not have anywhere else to live, and applicants who meet these criteria were approved for emergency housing this fall,” says Athena Adair, Resident Director. A follow-up email was sent soon after, which included a form to be filled out as well as guidelines that students need to follow while on campus. Residents on campus are restricted from having guests
on campus however can visit one another, though with no more than two people in the same room. Upon arrival to campus, students are required to quarantine in their dormitories for up to 14 days, including if they travel outside of New England and back to campus. Additionally, students need to keep their Wellness records updated, take a Covid-19 test and follow social
distancing protocols. Housing costs typically range between $4500 and $5500. Currently, students in Monadnock pay $5000 for their room. Additionally, campus residents are expected to purchase and prepare their own meals. They can find the items they need at the provided SNHU food pantry, The Cupboard. While on campus, students are prohibited from going to public locations on campus such as the dining center, library and fitness center. Meanwhile, other services like in-person office hours have also been closed on campus, and virtual meetings are strongly encouraged. “Before the coronavirus pandemic, resident students were allowed to have a limited number of guests visit them on campus. Their guests could be fellow SNHU students, or family and friends. There was no curfew for residents on campus. All students were expected to follow the Code of Conduct in the Student Handbook,” says Shannon Brown, Resident Life Director. Throughout the
are all being watched over by public safety. "Public safety includes general services such as helping students who may be locked out of their room, helping them access their car, and escorting them on campus," says James Winn, the head of public safety. "If somebody comes back late at night
and they are alone, you might escort them from the parking lot to a resident hall." However, with a decrease in student population, Winn explained that public safety has moved away from general services. Instead, he sees his department dealing with more security-related
matters. One of which includes checking on the status of buildings. With a smaller campus population, fewer people use these facilities, which makes maintenance checks especially important. Public safety also continues to conduct security patrols across campus. "Since there
is such limited activity on campus, it makes us more vulnerable to break-ins, thefts, and such," says Winn, stressing their importance this semester. However, Winn also highlighted this procedure's success, making it clear that there has not been any crime since February.
Monadnock Hall. (image source: SNHU External Affairs) Taylor Posik Staff Writer Students have been given the option to utilize emergency housing on campus for the 2020 fall semester. This option was put in place for those that were in unstable and unsafe living conditions as well as for those that had nowhere to live. Prior to the fall semester, an email was sent including a survey that asked students
Joshua DiNapoli Staff Writer Even with SNHU's campus mostly closed, public safety continues to aid the remaining faculty and students. Those utilizing SNHU’s emergency housing, grounds keeping, or those that need to be on campus to do their jobs
Public Safety on Campus during COVID
course of the fall semester, residents have had to adjust to the new normal on campus. "I arrived to SNHU with high expectations of bustling college life, complete with sororities, organizational events, and extracurricular sports. Instead, I was greeted by a ghost town, and share a building with fourteen other students who are too occupied with their online classes, or cautious about COVID-19, to socialize,” says Dones Williams, ‘22. “Simply, it's been tough for me to adjust to living in a new state on a campus that has been closed for health measures. We cannot have visitors, so if I mean to connect with other people, I must venture out into the pandemic-ridden world. I want to connect with others with common interests, because spending most of my free time in my huge, empty room can and will eventually drive me mad." As SNHU enters the second quarter of the school year, staff and students are beginning to prepare for the remote spring semester.
COVID has also impacted the working hours of public safety. The department has lowered the typical 10hour shift to 8 hours. Furthermore, employees no longer work overlapped shifts. Before the pandemic, the busiest . . . . . . . . . . . Continue to page 2
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News
tHE PENMEN PRESS STAFF 2020-2021 CO EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Grace Mage grace.mage@snhu.edu CO EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Daniel Hopler daniel.hopler@snhu.edu
“Public Safety on Campus During COVID,” Continued from page 1 . . . . . . . . . . . hours for public safety has also taken on some PPE. were weekends from 9 new preventive meaRegarding SNHU's p.m to 9 a.m. Now, with sures. Public safety decision for the upcoma smaller campus pres- makes explicitly sure ing spring semester, ence, the busiest time that everyone coming Winn remains optimisis during the average on campus has a tem- tic. "I think if we stay weekday, when faculty perature check and fills remote and have the is on campus. out a health screening. same ballpark number In light of state The school has also of students on campus, COVID-19 guidelines, provided public safety we will operate as we Winn's department with a ready supply of are right now."
ONLINE MANAGER Ryan Barrett ryan.barrett3@snhu.edu BUSINESS MANAGER Julie Armstrong julie.armstrong@snhu.edu EVENTS MANAGER Eliza Fandel eliza.fandel@snhu.edu MARKETING MANAGER Kyle Griffin kyle.griffin@snhu.edu LEAD COPY EDITOR Bailey Arnold-Fuchs bailey.arnold-fuchs@snhu.edu NEWS CO-EDITOR Stefan Karlberg george.karlberg@snhu.edu NEWS CO-EDITOR Andrew Wilson andrew.wilson8@snhu.edu LIFESTYLE EDITOR NOW HIRING: email penmenpress@snhu.edu RTS & ENERTAINMENT/ A Talib Williams OPINION EDITOR talib.williams@snhu.edu SPORTS EDITOR Sofia Barassi sofia.barassi@snhu.edu LAYOUT EDITOR Hailey Tremaine hailey.tremaine@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.
Public Safety. (image source: SNHU 2018 Welcome Guide)
Course Scheduling Conflicts Among Students Taylor Posik Staff Writer
Every student starts out the school year with a set schedule, commonly consisting of five classes. When students register for their courses during the previous semester, they have the ability to choose whichever schedule works best for them. However, with the transition to remote learning, some professors have been tweaking their courses, affecting synchronous class meet times. “As you know, in this remote semester some instructors are holding their classes in asynchronous mode, which means the class doesn’t meet at a specific time—everything is done through Brightspace. Others are holding synchronous classes, meaning the class meets at the scheduled time. And
some are doing a mixture of the two,” says Michael Evans, Vice President of Academic Affairs.” There have been reports that instructors have been looking into changing their synchronized class times. Students have been speculating on what to do should they face a conflict in their schedule. “We have encouraged the faculty who are holding synchronous class sessions to keep them at their scheduled time." Evans continues, "That way, we can be confident students won’t have scheduling conflicts with other courses. If some instructors are moving their meeting times, they run the risk of overlapping with other scheduled courses.” A method to check in with everyone’s schedules is to send out
a class poll using sites such as Google Forms, Poll Everywhere, or Survey Monkey. This will provide information and allow instructors to plan ahead for their upcoming classes. Remote learning can take its toll on staff and students as everyone continues social distancing. Now more than ever, communication is the key to success. During times of stress, staff and students must do their best to work together. “As always, students who find themselves struggling with any aspect of a course, including the schedule, should first reach out to their instructors. The faculty and staff here are committed to supporting students and helping them succeed, so that initial conversation is usually all that is needed to work things out,” Evans says.
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Elizabeth White Staff Writer Many SNHU students have found themselves in time crunches this remote semester. Students who live at home and have jobs, now have to juggle their coursework alongside their jobs. Fortunately, there are many tips and tricks to reduce the stress of a busy schedule. Time management is a great skill for all working college students to have. This kind of skill allows students to prioritize their time and keep them on track. There are many ways one can properly balance their time between work and school that will lead them to success
Lifestyle
How to Manage Work and School
in both situations. Communicate with Employers and Professors If you are finding yourself in a situation where you are working too much and you need more time dedicated to school, consider discussing your work schedule with your employer. Getting an education and earning a degree is important. If work is getting in the way, it is okay to take a step back. It may help to think about the ‘big picture’ and remember why you are pursuing an education. If you are struggling with your courses and need more time or help, reach out, and communicate that need to your professors. Never be afraid of
asking for help when you need it most.
other classmates while still being safe at home. Involvement is a great way to gain more skills and network with other students, staff, and possible future employers. It also helps students grow by allowing interactions and discussions to take place. Students have the opportunity to improve their interpersonal skills by attending events. Interpersonal skills include verbal and non-verbal communication, listening skills, emotional intelligence, team-working, negotiation and persuasion skills, as well as conflict resolution. Virtual events are meant to be fun and stress relieving, especially after a long day of RingCentral meetings. Some events
include Homecoming week, meditations and yoga, Big Money BINGO, Speed Trivia, painting, and many more that can be found on the Southern New Hampshire University website. During times where we are staying home and don’t have the option to attend school face to face, it is great to attend and take advantage of the virtual events the school has to offer. Involvement is important to our education, and future jobs as well, so being present during events and taking advantage of what there is to offer will only improve your interpersonal skills even more. For more information on events and when they are happening, please check out SNHU’s event calendar!
Organize A great way to stay organized is by getting a planner, or some sort of notebook. Jotting down assignments and due dates will ensure you don’t miss homework, quizzes or exams. It is also important to dedicate a space where work can get done. Finding a place where you can complete work in peace is crucial to getting school assignments done while also managing a work schedule. Having one space where homework and remote classes can get done will also help you keep all your school materials organized.
Get Enough Sleep Sleep is important. Not getting the proper amount of it every night can cause negative effects on your day. Quality of sleep affects how one thinks, learns, works, and reacts. This is why it is so important to get good sleep every night. It allows us to work more diligently throughout the day and retain more information. Those with busy
schedules who struggle with managing work and school should start a nighttime routine that is realistic and achievable. Take Time for Yourself Don’t forget that college is a great and fun experience that only lasts a short amount of time, so make the most of it! Take time to enjoy yourself and make memories with friends. Yes, it is important
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to stay on top of assignments and go to work, but if time management can be done properly, you will have more time to yourself. This allows you to think clearer and get more energized. Balancing work and school is possible and can increase productivity. Balancing these two allows students to make better use of their time and become more confident in their jobs and in their education.
Why Is It Important to Attend Virtual School Events? Elizabeth White Staff Writer
Remote education and social distancing have created a situation where we cannot have the normal face to face interactions we are used to. Despite this, interacting with others is still important in order to make strong connections and relationships. Southern New Hampshire University continues to have events going on, remotely, of course. They are giving students opportunities to connect with other students who have similar interests, while also being involved in campus activities and events. This allows students to do something they are interested in and have fun with
How is time management related to productivity? (image source: Breeze)
The World Organization for Early Childhood Education
OMEP is the World Organization for Early Childhood Education at SNHU. It is an education club on campus and is open to all majors. The club defends and promotes the rights of the child to edu ation and care worldwide, and supports activities that improve accessibility to high-quality education and care. OMEP follows the UNICEF calendar for its meetings and will discuss whatever the theme is for that month. As a supportive com-
munity, every meeting starts with check-in because to ensure that members are doing okay, particularly in SNHU’s remote mode. “Our Eboard is always there for members, whether it’s just to vent about their day or assist with homework help,” said Elise Gutierrez (‘21), President of OMEP. The club tries to keep meetings fun but and informative. Meetings are held on Tuesdays at 6 PM, with two meetings November and each month thereafter. OMEP will an-
nounce its meeting schedule on social media and through the SNHU Master Calendar. OMEP also collaborates with other education clubs like ASCD, STEAM TEAM, SNHU Buddies, NAEP, and field-based courses in order to promote its purpose in the SNHU community and in the surrounding communities. To get involved with OMEP, email omep@ snhu.edu or message OMEP’s Instagram at @snhu_omep to get on the email list.
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Arts & Entertainment Elizabeth Lemieux Staff Writer Reality competition shows flourished this past decade and there is no stopping them now. One of the most unique shows to make prime time is “The Masked Singer.” “The Masked Singer” is a celebrity singing competition show hosted by Nick Cannon. Originating in South Korea as “King of Masked Singer,” the show brings viewers a TV mystery like no other. Several celebrities sign on every season and hide their identities behind a crazy mask and creature costume. Every week, the celebrities perform a chosen song and present clues about who
Introducing “The Masked Singer”
they are to the audience and the judges. The panel of judges consists of four stars. Robin Thicke, Jenny McCarthy, Ken Jeong and Nicole Scherzinger offer their input on who they think each masked singer is. By a vote, the worst singer each week is kicked off and forced to reveal their identity. The last one standing wins the golden mask trophy. Many notable singers, actors, personalities, and sports stars have graced the “Masked Singer” stage. Rob Gronkowski, Raven Symoné, Chaka Khan, Jojo Siwa and Lil’ Wayne are just a few of the celebrities who chose to compete. Wayne Brady as the
fox and T-Pain as the monster even went on to win their seasons. “The Masked Singer” premiered in the United States in January of 2019. The show has already completed three seasons. Season four premiered on September 23rd this year and it looks slightly different. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the judges are seated six feet apart and the live audience is nonexistent except for some fancy special effects. Several celebrities have already been unmasked this season. In week one, Busta Rhymes was discovered to be behind the dragon mask. In week two, Mickey Rourke as
loaded for free in the Play Store application or in the Apple store on a mobile device. It can alternatively be played on a computer for $5.99 on Steam. The home screen gives two options: local or online play. Local gamers must be on the same Wi-Fi in order to play, where they have the option to host a session or select an existing game. Online players can choose to host a game, or select either a public or private session. Public games will allow to either host a game or join an ongoing competition. In order to participate in a private session, players must be given the game code. Players have the option of talking to other members using the chat built into the game, or virtual
meeting sites such as Discord, RingCentral, Zoom, or Microsoft Teams. When joining a game, each person is given an avatar. Players have the choice to choose a name, as well as change their character’s suit color, apparel, and accessories. Within the game, between 5 to 10 players are allowed, and each person is randomly given a role: crewmate or imposter. Determined by the game host, up to three imposters can be generated. The players are then dropped onto one of three maps chosen by the host. Crewmates are required to perform their given tasks and avoid being killed by the imposter. Imposters can perform sabotages in specific areas of the
Masked Singer Season Three Poster. (image source: FOX) the gremlin decided to reveal himself before any voting took place. This was a first for the show. In week three, Brian Austin Green was unmasked as the giraffe,
and in week four, Mark Sanchez shocked the country when viewers discovered he was under the baby alien mask. Season four is just getting started. There is
so much more to see and so many more celebrities to be unmasked. Who is the crocodile? Who is the sea horse? All will be revealed on Wednesdays at 8/7c on FOX.
map, go into vents to hide, and kill crewmates. Should a crewmate find the dead, they will then call a meeting. During the meeting, everyone is able to give their alibis and discuss who they think is the imposter. When time is up for discussion, players are able to vote out one person of question. In order to win as a crewmate, all imposters must be voted out. For imposters to win, they can either perform sabotages that will kill all players at once, or can still be on board if there are few crewmates left.
to winning as both imposter and crewmate. “If you confidently believe someone is an Imposter and for some reason, the group thinks your it when your a crewmate a quick way to flip the vote is saying, ‘It’s this “insert color/ name of imposter” and if it’s not them vote me out next,” most people will flip their vote and if that person is really the imposter it helps other crewmates grow trust with you,” says Brady Brady continues. “... if I’m [the] imposter I’ll sabotage a door when there’s another player following someone to a task which makes them look suspicious before me. Also, a quick tip is [to] pay attention to visual tasks to know who’s safe, and at the start of every round after a meeting watch to
see if someone changes direction or floats in a hallway; it’s a great telltale to them being it.”
Crewmate or Imposter: Online Game Gains Traction Amongst SNHU Students
Taylor Posik Staff Writer
The online game, Among Us, created by the American game studio InnerSloth and released in 2018, is sweeping its way across SNHU. Growing in popularity during remote learning, students are now playing the online game to connect with their fellow peers and step away from their demanding schedules. The trending game is all students can talk about. Whether it is at a club meeting or during class, players are making comments such as, “red is sus,” “I was in navigation,” or “I’m not an imposter.” How to Play First, in order to play, the game needs to be bought and down-
Tips Many students have played hundreds of games like Shane Brady, ‘23. During that time he has figured out the trick
Conclusion Playing Among Us is allowing for more connections between students during remote learning. As everyone continues social distancing, students can use the time to step away from their work and simply enjoy time with their friends. “It’s a great way for people to connect; the game can require next to no thinking to play and as much as thinking like Sherlock Holmes which makes it great for many age groups and player types. The game also allows the brain to think more openly even when playing a video game while socializing,” says Brady.
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Sports
Why Doesn’t Snhu have a football team?
SNHU Soccer Field. (image source: Penmen Press) Christopher Kelly Staff Writer SNHU has 20 different athletic teams that house a range of different sports, but one popular sport that is played by most colleges is missing from the list: football. When teams are being considered for the SNHU roster, there are several questions that must be answered. One major question is whether the sport will fall in line with the federal mandate typically
referred to as Title IX. Title IX requires that there be an equal opportunity and spending in athletics regardless of sex, while also reflecting the make-up of the campus, according to NCAA Title IX. The current ratio for SNHU athletics is 53% males and 47% females or, in real numbers, 202 males and 181 females, according to the Director of Athletics and Recreation at SNHU, Anthony Fallacaro. “This ratio is with-
in 2% of the current campus make-up. This difference is meant to be corrected in the next few years with the growth of Women’s track,” said Fallacaro. This relates to the lack of a football team because the addition of one would add an estimated 65 male players to SNHU’s athletics, causing several issues with the current ratio for Title IX laws. Adding a football team would require SNHU to either remove
a current male team or add the equivalent female teams to their roster. This leads to the second factor regarding the drawbacks of a football team: finances. Fallacaro mentioned the burden of an estimated $600,000– $800,000 initial investment needed that would be geared towards the new team. This would generate a need for the same financial accessory for girls’ sports as well. Another hurdle would be the geography
of SNHU as the current conference only has nine football teams, and in order to play the normal “eleven no-repeat games”, a trip to Pennsylvania would be required. This would cost anywhere between $35,000–$55,000, according to Fallacaro. Conclusively, if SNHU were to add a football program, there would be a need for more funding for both male and female athletics. This could result in higher tuition, or
funding being siphoned from other athletic programs. For these reasons, a football program is not on the horizon for SNHU. Should any new programs be required, it would most likely be swim teams with a pool overhaul or men’s track. Intermural sports and club sports don’t affect the current ratio because Title IX is overseen by the NCAA. Esports also operates in a new column because it isn’t exclusive to any particular sex or gender.