Breaking news and more at TCNJSignal.net. Vol. XLVIII, No. 11
April 11, 2018
Serving The College of New Jersey community since 1885
Inaugural Pelson Chair recipient shares ecological findings By Thomas Infante Editor-in-Chief Professor Janet Morrison’s collaborative research with students, titled “Nine Years in the Woods: Measuring and Mentoring in the Forests of New Jersey,” was showcased to an eager audience of students and faculty members at the Barbara Meyers Pelson ’59 Annual Lecture on Friday, April 6 in the Education Building Room 212. Morrison was the inaugural recipient of the Barbara Meyers Pelson ’59 Chair in Faculty-Student Engagement, a three-year endowed position dedicated to collaborative work between faculty and students. As Pelson Chair, Morrison helped students in the School of Science conduct extensive ecological fieldwork to study New Jersey’s various plant and animal species. Morrison previously served as the chair of the Department of Biology at the College, a department that she has been a part of since 1997. She began the presentation by expressing gratitude for the opportunity to have additional resources and funding for student mentoring through her position. “There’s at least two decades worth of very extensive research about the benefits of doing closely-mentored research
with faculty members, particularly in the sciences,” Morrison said. According to Morrison, science students benefit from the practical experience of doing lab work and field research, which reaffirms their confidence in their field of study. “It helps to build what we call ‘science identity’ among our students,” Morrison said. “And we know that this is particularly important for students who come from underserved groups.” Morrison went on to present statistics showing that this type of close mentoring had a positive correlation with students going on to achieve graduate degrees, both in the sciences as well as in other fields. She shared recent statistics of the College’s chemistry department, which showed that 20 percent of graduates go on to obtain a PhD — a statistic that tops schools like Cornell, Harvard and Princeton. As the Pelson Chair, Morrison integrated the faculty-student collaboration model into a large ecological project called “Deer x Invasives².” As the name implies, the project is centered on the white-tailed deer, commonly found throughout New Jersey. Deer are herbivores, but according to Morrison, they can be quite picky eaters. see PLANTS page 3
Cultural clubs debut Asian Night Market
21 Savage ravages concert
Meagan McDowell / Photo Editor
The Slaughter King amps up the crowd with hits from ‘Issa Album.’
By Nadir Roberts Reviews Editor
Energized and ready for a two-hour adlib extravaganza, many packed into the Student Recreation Center ready to count the “M’s” in their bank accounts and rap about the no longer endangered, but still vulnerable panda. 2016 XXL Freshmen 21 Savage and Desiigner took to the stage for the College Union Board’s Spring Concert on Tuesday, April 3. Trying to see where his true fans were, 21 Savage played “Dip Dip” from his 2015 mixtape “Slaughter King,” then his 2015 single from his “Free Guwop” mixtape, “Red Opps.” Through the many waves of pushing and falling concertgoers, the crowd managed to stay hydrated thanks to the generous amount of water bottles being tossed to the
crowd, but not comparable to Fall Concert guest Lil Yachty, who supplied a boatload. The crowd did not need a mosh pit to go into “Savage Mode” when the Slaughter King said “Ain’t no loyalty, these niggas all for self, all these fuckin’ stripes, I shoulda been a ref.” Savage electrified the crowd by performing a variety of songs, not only from his discography, but also some tracks on which he is featured. He rapped over his verses in “Rockstar,” “Gucci On My” and “Sneakin.” His set included other hit songs like “Ghostface Killers” and “My Choppa Hate Niggas” off of “Without Warning,” a collaborative album with fellow Atlanta rapper Offset. The appropriately titled surprise collaborative album from 2017 kept the energy going. see RAP page 14
Camp CUB offers students nostalgic fun By Amanda Ippolito Correspondent
Kyler Steele / Staff Photographer
The aroma of grilled pork entices students at the market.
By Jennifer Goetz Staff Writer
The College got a taste of Asian nightlife at the first annual Night Market, hosted on Green Lawn by the College’s Japanese Student Association, Korean Student Association and cosponsored by the College’s Asian American Alliance on Friday, April 6.
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The Night Market’s perimeter and nearby trees were decorated with strings of lights. A brightly lit up stage hosted numerous acts, like singers and dancers, that represented different aspects of Asian culture. Activities, such as seeing a fortune teller or getting a caricature, were also available to students. Tents surrounding the stage offered street food
Nation & World / page 9
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from various Asian countries, including China, Taiwan, South Korea, Japan, the Philippines and Vietnam. “We made sure everyone represented a different country,” said Yani Aldrich, a senior sociology major and president of the KSA. “We made sure every activity had a cultural basis and that the see CUISINE page 21
Editorial / page 11
CUB Comedy Night Students stray from script in Traditions Lounge See A&E page 14
Students passing by Green Lawn on Thursday, April 5, were treated to an escape back to simpler times, with summer campthemed snacks, crafts and a rock climbing wall at “Camp CUB,” which was hosted by the College Union Board as part of its Nooner series. Attendees snacked on free s’mores and trail mix while enjoying the spin art, bracelet and lanyard making stations. Those on the rock wall raced friends to hit the bell at the top first before careening back down in their harnesses. “I really wanted to bring the nostalgic aspect
Opinions / page 12
of summer camp to the campus community,” said Katarina Mendez, a sophomore communication studies major and CUB member who was responsible for choosing the theme and organizing the event. “The Nooner events offer students an opportunity to do something fun and take a break between classes and studying.” Nooner events are funded through the Student Activity Fee, and usually feature at least one snack and one craft, along with an activity provided by a vendor, such as the rock climbing wall. For Thursday’s event, Mendez said she wanted a “throwback” theme. “People have been saying it reminds them of their
Arts & Entertainment / page 14
childhood,” said Kaitlyn Krause, a sophomore marketing major and member of CUB. “That is kind of what we were going for.” The various food and craft stations were creatively decorated with campthemed rustic touches such as hand-painted slate signage, tree stump coasters, burlap pennant banners and tree branch pencils. Isabella Ciccone, a freshman communication studies major, said she often comes out for the CUB Nooners and loved this event’s theme. “It brought back a lot of nostalgia and memories,” Ciccone said. “You kind of need that when you have exams.” see CRAFT page 19
Features / page 19
Sports / page 28
PB&J Race Student United Way hosts charity event
Track and Field Lions excel at home meet
See Features page 19
See Sports page 28
page 2 The Signal April 11, 2018
Diverse perspectives benefit college campuses By Grace Gottschling Staff Writer
When Milo Yiannopoulos, a rightwinged political commentator, attempted to speak at the University of California, Berkeley in 2017, a riot broke out. A local Antifa group, or anti-fascist militant group, accelerated the situation and caused more than $100,000 worth of damage with only one arrest being made, according to the San Francisco Chronicle. Later that year, lawyer and conservative political commentator Ben Shapiro was invited to speak at UC Berkeley. Given the violence and rioting that occurred earlier in the year, concrete barriers and metal detectors were put in place. San Francisco police officers were given special permission by the Berkeley City Council to use pepper spray, which had been banned in the city for 20 years, and roughly $600,000 was spent on security, according to CNN’s coverage of the event. The U.S. has recently been experiencing more and more bouts of thought policing and the labeling of what some would call “controversial” language as hate speech. In colleges specifically, there has been a number of riots and other non-civil disruptions of free speech events similar to what occurred at UC Berkeley. At colleges, there is debate over whether students have access to the type of environment conducive to exploring opinions and philosophies of all kinds without being unjustly targeted or mistreated for sharing their voices. Is a campus that prides itself on diversity and inclusion, such as the College, taking the time to ask students about how they feel about erring opinions? How do faculty
respond to those opinions offered when relevant to class discussion? These elements are valid when evaluating the quality of an institution and how they regard their students from all backgrounds. After surveying 30 students — all of whom belonged to a variety of self-identified ideological backgrounds — 60 percent identified as conservative, 30 percent identified as liberal and 10 percent identified as “other.” Furthermore, 60 percent of students feel like the majority of their professors have viewpoints that oppose their own. “Faculty sometimes characterize the student body as politically apathetic, but I think that TCNJ students are less apathetic than polite and averse to open conflict,” said professor Glenn Steinberg, chair of the English Department. “Being a quiet, polite community where people feel safe and respected is a good thing. Perhaps our nation at large could learn a thing or two about civil discourse from TCNJ.” Given the recently charged political climate, many professors at the College are making conscious efforts to remain as nonpartisan and inclusive as possible. Although 76.7 percent of surveyed students claimed that they felt intimidated to speak in class if they perceived their opinion to be in the minority, only 16.7 percent of surveyed students who did speak out in class with a minority opinion felt like they had been unjustly shut down for speaking up. “My job as a faculty member is not to convert my students to a particular position but to make sure that they hold those positions for really, really good reasons and that they have thought through all the consequences of those positions,” said Felicia
Students at the University of California, Berkeley protest fascism.
Steele, a linguistics professor at the College. Steele believes that students must be challenged on their positions in order to hold them properly, and that can mean throwing comfort out the window. “Students shouldn’t be comfortable in their classes,” she said. “They should have a nagging and painful sensation that they are being pushed to become more than they already are. So safety and comfort are entirely different.” When students do feel comfortable voicing their opinions, they are often received positively. “As a left-leaning person, I’m part of the political majority on campus, but whenever I do voice opinions that might warrant the term ‘controversial,’ I am never met with anything other than respect from my professors and fellow students,” said James Loewen, a senior English major. “Professors have disagreed with me before, but never in such a way as to discredit or belittle my opinions.”
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Loewen said that he even felt that when he does disagree with his professors, they respect his opinions and do not try to insult him. “I have noticed that professors like it when you engage with them in real discussion,” he said. “I’m not saying they love when students tell them they’re wrong, but different opinions help to facilitate better discussions.” Some students, however, feel as though voicing opinions that differ from those of their professor may have a negative impact on their performance in class. “If a professor expresses a certain opinion I tend to write my papers to fit that professor’s viewpoints,” said Sebastian Czerwinski, a sophomore management major. “I feel as though I get graded higher when I do that, as opposed to classmates who received lower grades but expressed their own opinion.” see SURVEY page 4
April  11,  2018  The  Signal  page  3
SG finds love for Love Your Melon
Meagan McDowell / Photo Editor
/HIW 6* VXSSRUWV *RY 0XUSK\¡V IDPLO\ SODQQLQJ OHJLVODWLRQ 5LJKW /RYH <RXU 0HORQ LV UHFRJQL]HG DV DQ RIÀFLDO FDPSXV RUJDQL]DWLRQ By Grace Gottschling Staff Writer
its goals to host events to recognize and UDLVH PRQH\ WR ÀJKW SHGLDWULF FDQFHU ZULWH cards and letters to children in local hospiStudent Government passed a resolu- tals and visit children who have been diagtion in support of New Jersey Gov. Phil nosed with cancer. Murphy’s signed legislation in support The club allows for up to 30 active of family planning and voted to approve members at a time, but encourages social the Love Your Melon club during the SG members as well, as there are no limits general body meeting on, April 4. on the number of social members. Social Love Your Melon, an on-campus PHPEHUV PXVW PDLQWDLQ D VSHFLÀF QXPchapter of a national charity organiza- ber of points to be considered for an ofWLRQ ZDV RIÀFLDOO\ UHFRJQL]HG DV D FOXE ÀFLDO PHPEHUVKLS $OO PHPEHUV UHFHLYH This victory came after Love Your Melon points for participating in club events was denied recognition last November and for volunteering. when SG recommended that SG proposed a resolution, the organization rethink its R-S2018-03, of support regarding structure and goals in order to Gov. Phil Murphy’s signing of two be considered for approval. pieces of legislation on February Love Your Melon donates 21, 2018, which will provide more SHUFHQW RI LWV SURÀWV WR allowances and accessibility to EHQHÀW FKLOGUHQ ZLWK SHGLDWULF FDQFHU family planning services using governThe organization’s chapter at the College ment funds. has been active since September of 2015. 7KH ÀUVW ELOO *RY 0XUSK\ VLJQHG In its proposal, Love Your Melon stated ZDV 1- $ ZKLFK DGMXVWV WKH ÀVFDO
2018 New Jersey state budget to allocate over $7 million in funding from the state’s General Fund to the Department of Health for family planning services. The signing of NJ A2134 breaks a long standing effort of former Gov. Chris Christie, who had suspended state funding for family planning services out of the General Fund since 2011 on the grounds that taxpayer dollars should not be used to fund contraceptives or other forms of birth control, including abortion. While NJ A2134 does specify that of the funds “appropriated for family planning services, no monies shall be expended on abortion procedures,� it is still a large point of contention among conservatives and those who have a moral issue with abortion procedures. Many argue that by allocating government funds to clinics that provide abortions, the taxpayer is inadvertently supporting all services the clinic provides. In turn, the government money allows
FOLQLFV PRUH Ă€QDQFLDO IUHHGRP WR DOORcate non-government funds to provide abortion services. The second bill, NJ A1656, extends the eligibility of family planning services for Medicaid recipients whose income is up to 200 percent above the federal poverty line (compared to 100 percent above the poverty line, which was allocated in previous years). The bill states that qualifying recipients would only be responsible for paying 10 percent of the cost for services covered in the legislation. SG’s resolution of support was met with contention, and members voted to enter into debate. During the debate, several SG members brought up concerns including the allocation of funds to clinics who offer abortion services, the ZRUGLQJ RI WKH UHVROXWLRQ DQG WKH EHQHĂ€W of a resolution on legislation that has already been passed into law. Ultimately, with a few “naysâ€? and abstentions, the resolution passed.
Plants  /  Professor  discusses  deer  population  research continued from page 1 “They have plants that they prefer and plants that they don’t prefer, and that changes over time as the plant tissues change,� Morrison said. “So something that’s preferred earlier in the spring might not be preferred in the fall.� Other factors, such as abundance and availability, also contribute to the deer’s food preferences. These preferences have tremendous impact on the surrounding plant community, according to Morrison. This effect has been compounded by the increase in the nationwide deer population in recent years, which Morrison described as “extraordinary.� “In the most recent survey of Hopewell Township, there were 32 deer per square kilometer,� Morrison said as the crowd murmured in disbelief. The massive deer population has made it easier to observe the animals’ effects on various types of invasive plants, the other focus of the project. Invasive plants like the mile-a-minute weed are nonnative species, and spread rapidly among a new habitat. “They often can have detrimental effects on the native plant community that’s there, and we’re worried about that because we care about biodiversity and ecosystem function,� Morrison said. Morrison explained that traditional experiments of nonnative
plant species focused on a single type of invasive plant. However, this model is not viable in the modern suburban sprawl of New Jersey, where individual ecosystems are much smaller, and often home to a variety of invasive plant species. “There’s a lot of urban/suburban infrastructure, but embedded in that is all this green stuff,â€? Morrison said, pointing at a topographical state map. “This is what nature looks like in the 21st century ‌ in New Jersey, two-thirds of the land is the built infrastructure. So if we’re not paying attention to the natural areas embedded in that, we’re not paying attention to a lot of the nature.â€? The preliminary stages of the project began back in 2008, when Morrison and her students started collecting data on local forests, eventually setting up six 4x4 meter study plots. By 2010, they were collecting data on the forests’ respective deer populations, including density and browse rates. The project took off after receiving a grant from the National Science Foundation, and 20 students have since completed capstone papers on work related to their experiments. The main Ă€QGLQJV FRQFHUQHG WKH QRQQDWLYH invasive plants such as Japanese VWLOWJUDVV 7KH Ă€QGLQJV VKRZHG that deer overbrowsing has facilitated the invasion of Japanese stiltgrass in areas with dense deer populations.
0RUULVRQ¡V Ă€QGLQJV DOVR VKRZHG that deer consume nonnative invasive plants equally as much as they do native plant species, showing a somewhat symbiotic relationship between the overpopulated deer and invasive plants. “This could mean that if we go in and try to control the deer herd, which a lot of agencies are trying to do, we could have a population explosion of nonnative plants that are being browsed at a high rate,â€? Morrison said. Morrison structured her students into small groups, typically led by a senior or junior. She worked directly with the students involved with the project for course credit, who would oversee freshmen shadowing the experiments. 6KH WKHQ JDYH WKH Ă RRU WR KHU students, who shared some of the work they have done with Morrison in the last few years. Alumna Gio Tomat-Kelly (’15), graduated with a degree in biology and is currently pursuing her PhD at the University of Florida. She studied the process of nitrogen recycling in soil, and how nutrients introduced from invasive plants could potentially affect the native soil’s natural processes. Alumnus Mitch Vaughn (’16) graduated with a degree in biology before obtaining his master’s the next year to become a high school science teacher. His research focused on the geographic origin of different species, and the effects on these origins in
Aaron Wilson / Staff Photographer
Morrison sees value in close student mentoring. their interactions. He tested this by attempting to feed plant species of varying national origins to European slugs. Besides lettuce, the control plant, the slugs would only tolerate the European plant garlic mustard, showing a correlation of geographic origin. Alumna Jen Wells (’16) graduated with a degree in biology and now works at the New Jersey Nature Conservancy. Her research focused on whether or not one invasive plant species would hinder another’s ability to invade the same area. By planting garlic mustard and Japanese stilt grass in a greenhouse one after the other and measuring the biomass of the soil, it was found that the original plant had a suppressing effect on the second’s ability to grow. Olivia Sohn, a senior biology
major, focused her research on the hypothesis that thorn-bearing plants will instinctively learn to grown more thorns after a sigQLĂ€FDQW GHHU EURZVLQJ SHULRG %\ measuring the thorn-to-stem ratio RI 5RVD PXOWLĂ RUD SODQWV LW ZDV found that the plant does grow more protective thorns in the presence of deer. Based on the testimonies of her students, Morrison’s mentorship has led them to make discoveries not only in the sciences, but about themselves as well. “Without her, I never would have thought that I myself could pursue a graduate degree in research,â€? Kelly said. “And research is really important because without research there’s no understanding, and without understanding, we can’t have progress.â€?
page  4  The  Signal  April  11,  2018
IFC lecture addresses healthy masculinity
Meagan McDowell / Photo Editor
Cornelius seeks to end harmful stereotypes of fraternity men. By Tiffany Rutkowski Staff Writer The College’s Interfraternity Council invited a keynote speaker to campus to address the detrimental stigmas and stereotypes about being a college man — more VSHFLÀFDOO\ D IUDWHUQLW\ EURWKHU ³ LQ WRday’s climate, as well as to offer ideas toward a solution on Friday, April 6. Casey J. Cornelius, CEO of For College
For Life and a leading national voice on the topic of healthy masculinity, presented his discussion, “Be The Man: A Movement for Healthy Masculinity.� “It is a hard time to be a college man,� Cornelius said. “It’s also particularly hard to be a fraternity man in today’s society.� His keynote speech tackled four main topics — current issues, socialization of masculinity, relationships and the “Be The Man� challenge.
As a fraternity man and a long time professional in higher education, Cornelius saw college campuses and organizations struggling to respond to the media, which he believes is a key component in the problematic portrayal of all college and fraternity men in the same light. Using headlines with words such as dangerous and toxic, the media points to issues of poor misconduct, declining academic success and a lack of positive male role models among college fraternity members, according to Cornelius. “We all get painted with the same brush,� he said. “But as a proud fraternity man, I would say we have brought a lot of it on ourselves as well.� Michael O’Connor, a senior interdisciplinary business major and president of the College’s Interfraternity Council, agrees with Cornelius. “The goal here was to just educate all the people who came to the event and to invite them to understand the idea of healthy masculinity versus toxic masculinity,� O’Connor said. Toxic masculinity is the socially-constructed idea that there is only one possible way to embody the male gender. According to Cornelius, it suggests that women should be looking for a man with violent, sex-obsessed, controlling, unfeeling and unresponsive tendencies. On top of educating men across college campuses, Cornelius invites men to be part of the “Be The Man� challenge. Participants receive a token that reminds them to
be a man who helps others and to embrace the idea of healthy masculinity, according to Cornelius. “If you look at someone else’s failure as your success, this is where the problem comes in,â€? Cornelius said. “Even if the guy sitting next to you wears different letters, his success is your success.â€? Although Cornelius’ event attracted a predominantly male audience, a small handful of female students attended and found the presentation valuable. “I got a lot out of it as a woman,â€? said Zuri Gill, a senior psychology major. “Say I have a son one day — it’s something I can keep in mind.â€? Cornelius started focusing on his movement toward health masculinity and being a better man for the most important girl in his life — his daughter. “The moment I start focusing on being the best man that I could be was the moment my daughter was born,â€? Cornelius said. With healthy masculinity in mind, Cornelius said he takes time every night to reĂ HFW RQ KLV GD\ DQG KLV JURZWK DV D PDQ “I ask myself, ‘did I get better today?’ I try not to hide from it if the answer is ‘no,’â€? Cornelius said. After shedding light on his experiences, Cornelius offered a chance for men at the College to start challenging themselves to always improve. “We have to be the man who uses our voices for positive things,â€? Cornelius said. “We need to start a process of course correcting.â€?
Survey  /  Open  discourse  valuable SFB funds previously tabled event continued from page 1 According to these students, the general atmosphere on campus can vary depending on who you are speaking with. However, even when disagreements arise, Dylan Novak, a freshman engineering major, said they never escalate past the point of discomfort. “Almost everybody I will talk to will disDJUHH ZLWK ZKDW , KDYH WR VD\ ZKLFK LV Ă€QH Âľ Novak said. “They’re not going out of their way to suppress me. Even people who disagree with me very strongly are at least still my friends.â€? All institutions of education are designed to help facilitate and prepare students to join WKH ZRUNIRUFH LQ D YDULHW\ RI Ă€HOGV Businesses identify thought diversity as playing a crucial role in the workplace. According to a 2013 report published by SURIHVVLRQDO VHUYLFHV Ă€UP 'HORLWWH &RQVXOWing, cultivating “diversity of thoughtâ€? at a business can boost innovation and creative problem-solving. Additionally, business publications like Forbes and Business Insider have acknowledged that having numerous voices with diverse backgrounds and ways of thinking improves the way a business is run. “Diversity of thought should be our single most powerful competitive advantage in our workgroups and organizational teams,â€?
“Perhaps our nation at large could learn a thing or two about civil discourse from TCNJ.� Meagan McDowell / Photo Editor
— Professor Glenn Steinberg
TCNJ Hellenic Society receives funding for a Cretan dance group. By Eric Preisler Staff Writer After being partially funded and tabled for
Chair of the two expenses last week, TCNJ Hellenic Society English Department was fully funded for Greek Fest, which will be Forbes contributor Glenn Llopis wrote in a 2016 article. “We need to change the conversation and get beyond diversity. What we need to do is embrace diversity of thought.� If thought diversity is fostered in the classroom and in academia, students will not only be able to successfully communicate a variety of opinions while in college, but will be valued assets to employers.
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Yiannopoulos’ lecture at Berkeley incites a riot.
held on April 18 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. in the Decker Social Space. SFB provided $1,025 to cover the costs of a photobooth and a Cretan dance group. The purpose of this event is to celebrate Greek culture at the College by providing Greek festivities such music, dancing and food, according to the proposal. The board fully funded its own organization for its annual SFB Base Budgeting Retreat, which will be held on April 22 from 9:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. at the College. SFB provided itself $244.80 for the costs of food, snacks and water. The purpose of this retreat is to allow members of SFB to review the base budget for every recognized student organization at the College, according to the proposal. During the retreat, SFB allocates SAF funds for events that occur before October 15, recurring events and other necessities such as RIĂ€FH VXSSOLHV “The entire Student Finance Board and the Student Finance Board director get together to review and approve base budgets,â€? said Lauren Bsales, the administrative director of SFB and a junior deaf education and iSTEM double major.
Food is important, since this obligatory event will occur throughout the day, SFB explained. “This is a day-long event because there are so many clubs and organizations at TCNJ,â€? Bsales said. “We don’t want our students to have to leave the base budgeting retreat (for food).â€? The Freshman Class Council was fully funded for its Beach Day event, which will be on April 28 from 10 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. in Asbury Park, New Jersey. SFB provided $1,860 for the costs of buses, water and coolers. The Beach Day event would create a fun environment for the Class of 2021 to socialize and relax, according to the event’s proposal. “It’s basically a fun day for IUHVKPHQ EHIRUH Ă€QDOV Âľ VDLG Suchir Govindarajan, a freshman Ă€QDQFH PDMRU DQG SUHVLGHQW RI the Freshman Class Council. The Muslim Students’ Association was fully funded for its event, Islamic Calligraphy Night, which will be held on April 20 from 5:45 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. in the Brower Student Center Room 104. Funding was provided for the costs of guest artist Faraz Khan, and art supplies. At this event, Khan will present about Islamic calligraphy and art, showcase his work and then lead a workshop in which participants will learn how to write Arabic calligraphy. As part of Islamic Awareness Month, this event will help raise awareness about Islamic culture and art, according to the event’s proposal.
April 11, 2018 The Signal page 5
‘Savage’ concertgoers face underage drinking charges By Brielle Bryan News Editor
Male individual admits to drinking ‘not much of much’ On April 3, at approximately 9:20 p.m., Campus Police was informed there was a male individual under the influence of alcohol in the TCNJ EMS room at the Spring Concert. Upon arrival, the individual, identified as a male who does not attend the College, was already being assessed by TCNJ EMS. According to police reports, Campus Police asked the individual how much he had to drink and he kept repeating, “not much of much.” The individual had glassy, bloodshot eyes and had the odor of an alcoholic beverage emanating from his breath, police said. The individual gave Campus Police his driver’s license, which indicated that he was only 19 years old. Since the individual was clearly under the influence of alcohol, the officer on scene began to write out his summons. While the officer was writing the summons, the individual began to vomit and fell off the chair and onto the floor, police said. After he sat back in the chair and finished vomiting, Campus Police asked what the individual had to drink. According to police reports, he continued to say, “not much of much.” The officer explained to him that she was not asking how much he drank, just what he drank. The individual then admitted to drinking an unknown amount of vodka, police said. The individual was given a summons for underage consumption with a court date. He was then transported to the hospital by Ewing EMS. Concert attendee recites date of birth as her phone number On April 3, at approximately 10:10 p.m., Campus Police observed a female who appeared to be having trouble maintaining her balance during the Spring Concert. A Campus Police officer spoke with the female, and she told the officer she was having fun with her friends. The officer told one of her friends to take her outside, but they told the officer they did not know who she was, police said. The female explained that they found her in the middle of the crowd and brought her to the side because she appeared to be too intoxicated. The officer then brought the female, identified as a visitor, to the TCNJ EMS room to be assessed. The female individual did not have her driver’s license on her, police said. When requested, she provided the officer with her date of birth. However, when asked for her cell phone number, she gave the officer her date of birth again. According to police reports, the officer repeatedly asked the individual for her cell phone number and she continued to tell the officer her date of birth. The officer said, “If I wanted to reach you on your cell phone, what number would I call?” The individual said her date of birth again and, “I don’t know what else you want me to tell you!” Finally, she provided the officer with her number, police said. Then, the officer asked her what she had to drink. She told the officer, “a bottle of Svedka vodka.” According to police reports, the officer asked if she drank the whole bottle, and she said, “No, I had about five shots.” While the officer was writing the individual a summons, TCNJ EMS assessed the patient. They asked for her cell phone number and she provided them with a different number than what she gave the officer, police said. The officer asked the individual which phone number was hers. The female told the officer that the number she provided Campus Police was her sister’s number. While TCNJ EMS was asking the individual questions, she was not answering them sufficiently, police said. TCNJ EMS recommended that she be transported to the hospital. The individual was transported to
the hospital by Ewing EMS, police said. She was given a summons for underage drinking with a court date.
Jaded ex-lover attacks Panera Bread employee, steals wig and boot On March 18, at approximately 3:30 p.m., Campus Police was dispatched to Panera Bread in Campus Town on reports of a fight that had taken place, police said. The caller was a female Panera Bread employee who stated she was attacked by a female individual who fled the scene. Upon arrival, Campus Police met with the Panera Bread employee who stated that she had just gotten to work when the individual arrived, police said. The employee stated that the individual attacked her, throwing her boot at her. According to police reports, the individual hit the employee in the face with a closed fist and ripped her wig off. While they fought on the ground, a couple of bystanders helped break up the altercation, police said. The employee said the individual grabbed her boot and wig and left in a silver vehicle that was occupied by an unknown individual described as having dreadlocks. According to police reports, Campus Police spoke with a few people at the scene, but no one witnessed the fight. The employee stated that she was in a romantic relationship with another female employee at Panera Bread. She stated she had been dating her co-worker since December 2017, and her co-worker just broke up with her “out of nowhere” the morning of March 17, police said. The employee said that the woman who attacked her was her co-worker’s ex-girlfriend, and believes that her coworker and her ex-girlfriend started dating again, which was why her co-worker broke up with her. The employee said that before going to work she went to her co-worker’s house to retrieve her belongings, and no one was there at the time. According to police reports, when the Panera Bread employee arrived at work, she said that the individual who attacked her called her from an iPad, telling her she wanted to fight. The employee said she hung up the phone and that was when the individual arrived at Panera Bread. The employee had a minor abrasion on her left hand, but refused medical attention, police said. She stated she wanted to press charges against her attacker, and Campus Police told her she would have to go to Ewing Court the next morning to file formal charges against the individual. Snapchat friend tells student to “obey” On March 19, at about 5:04 p.m., Campus Police met with a female student who reported that she posted a picture of herself and her friends in swimsuits over spring break. According to police reports, the student said that multiple people she did not know messaged her about the picture because the photo “went viral.” The student said that her Snapchat profile is set to “public,” so anyone can easily add and message her, police said. The student received a large amount messages from many random people. She received a message through Snapchat from an unknown person who offered her $400 if she sent him images of herself, police said. The student said that she sent him nine photos on March 19 at 1 a.m. She told him that she would not send any more photos since he did not pay her, police said. The student stated that the unknown individual continued to message her, and she did not answer him. He then sent her a photo of him following and requesting her friends and family on social media, police said. She blocked his account on Snapchat and reported it as harassment. Then, he made a new account and sent her back the pictures he had, telling her he followed her family members. According to police reports, the individual told the student to obey him. He also said,
“Do you want to get punished?” She advised him that she would pursue criminal charges against him and that she would sign charges with Campus Police. At this point, the unknown suspect messaged her, saying that he was sorry and that he would stop messaging her immediately, police said. The student said that she decided not to sign charges. She was satisfied with the outcome and did not wish to pursue the matter further, police said. The student was advised to call Campus Police if the individual continued to message her.
Intoxicated student gets stranded on toilet On March 24, at approximately 3 a.m., Campus Police was dispatched to one of the men’s bathrooms in Travers Hall on a report of an intoxicated male student sitting on the toilet. Upon arrival, Campus Police met with a group of students in the hallway outside of the men’s bathroom, police said. One of the students advised that she was the one that called, and that she was concerned for the well-being of her friend who was currently in the bathroom. The officer on scene asked one of the male students that had exited the bathroom if there was anyone else besides the intoxicated male in the bathroom, and he stated that there was not. The officer entered the bathroom and found that the intoxicated student was alert and conscious, police said. The officer asked him if he was decent, and if she could open the door. Another officer and TCNJ EMS arrived on scene. While waiting for the student to exit the bathroom stall, TCNJ EMS and Campus Police spoke to him and he was able to answer their questions without difficulty. He vomited into a plastic bag once while he was in the stall during questioning, police said. When Campus Police asked the student how much he had to drink, he stated that he was not sure, but knew he had drank jungle juice that he believed to contain Everclear. Once he was finished vomiting, they again asked him if he could make himself decent and open the stall door, police said. He stated that he currently could not put his pants on because there was vomit on his pants and underwear. Campus Police went outside the bathroom and asked one of the student’s friends that was standing in the hall if he would be able to retrieve a pair of sweatpants and underwear from his room, and he said that he could. While waiting for clothes for the student, Campus Police spoke with the caller and asked her if she was with the intoxicated student that night, police said. She stated that she was not and that she only saw over a group chat that someone was snoring in the men’s bathroom, so she and her friends went to check it out and found the intoxicated student vomiting. According to police reports, Campus Police asked the student if she knew where he was drinking, and she said that she did not know the address but knew that it was off campus and that the party was called “HAUS.” Once the student was provided pants, he dressed himself and exited the stall. At this time, TCNJ EMS provided him with medical attention, police said. After a second set of vitals was taken in the student’s dorm room, TCNJ EMS allowed him to refuse medical attention. After TCNJ EMS left, Campus Police asked the student where he was when he was drinking. The student said that all he knew was that a guy that called himself “HAUS” threw the party. Campus Police reminded the student that it is illegal to drink alcoholic beverages under the legal age to do so, and the student said that he understood, police said. Campus Police also told the student that because his friend called out of concern for his well-being, he
would not be issued a citation due to New Jersey’s 911 Lifeline Legislation. Once they were finished talking with him, Campus Police asked one of his friends if he could periodically check on him to make sure he was alright, and he agreed.
Female student arrested for marijuana possession On March 27, at approximately 10 p.m., Campus Police was dispatched to Wolfe Hall on a report of an odor of marijuana. As the officer walked closer to the room, the odor became stronger. When the officer arrived to the room, she observed the caller, a community adviser, standing outside of the door. The officer spoke with the two male residents in the hallway, police said. One of the male residents stated that he knew that police was called to their room because of a smell of smoke. Campus Police asked what kind of smoke he was referring to, and he replied “marijuana.” The officer asked the residents if they were smoking in the room, and they said that they did not smoke in the room but had smoked marijuana out in the fields, police said. When the officer asked if either of them had any marijuana on them or in the room, they advised that they did not. The officer advised the occupants that she would be writing a report on the incident, and she asked if anyone had anything illegal such as marijuana with them in the room. According to police reports, everyone but one female shook their heads and replied “no.” The officer asked why the female did not respond, and she stated that she had some marijuana in her bag. The officer asked the female where her bag was, and she pointed to a light brown bag lying on the floor across from her, next to one of the residents’ feet. Once the bag was handed to the officer, she was able to smell a strong odor that she knew to be marijuana. The officer took the bag containing marijuana and placed it back on the ground in front of her. She asked if the marijuana in the female’s bag was hers or if it belonged to someone else, and she stated that it belonged to her and someone else who was not currently present. The officer said she would further discuss the situation once she collected everyone’s information. Campus Police advised the female with marijuana in her bag that they would be placing her under arrest for the possession of marijuana, police said. Campus Police saw that she did not have any shoes on and asked her where they were. Campus Police then escorted the student to the patrol car and placed her in handcuffs. At Campus Police Headquarters, the student was read her rights off the Uniform Mercer County Rights Form, which she signed, acknowledging that she understood her rights and chose to waive them. According to police reports, the student was also read the consent to search form, which she also signed. After searching her bag, Campus Police found a plastic baggie containing less than 50 grams of a green leafy substance believed to be marijuana that was stored in a floral cloth bag, as well as a glass mason jar that contained small amounts of a green leafy substance, believed to be marijuana, police said. The plastic baggie with the suspected marijuana, the cloth bag and the mason jar were all collected as evidence, labeled, photographed and placed in the evidence locker. The student was issued a summons for possession of less than 50 grams of marijuana and given a court date, police said. At approximately 11:35 p.m., she was escorted from Campus Police Headquarters back to Wolfe Hall. Anyone with information can contact Campus Police at (609)- 771-2345.
page 6 The Signal April 11, 2018
FALL 2018 REGISTRATION APPOINTMENT PERIOD Initial Registration Period for Undergraduate and Graduate Students
Tuesday, April 3, Through Friday, April 13
Your enrollment appointment reflecting the first time you will be eligible to register for the Fall 2018 semester can be accessed via your PAWS account. To view your scheduled enrollment appointment, visit the Enrollment Appointment section in the PAWS Student Center. Once eligible, students remain eligible throughout the registration period. Undergraduate students who do not register for Fall 2018 by 11:59pm on Sunday, April 15, will be subject to a late registration fine. Undergraduate Late Registration Fine : $150
The Fall 2018 Schedule of Classes is available on PAWS and can be viewed by using the Search for Classes button. Both Summer 2018 and Winter 2019 registration are also open, along with Fall 2018 registration. Check PAWS frequently for any updated winter/summer course offerings and consult with your advisor for appropriate course selections.
Visit the PAWS HELP website for complete information on how to log-in to PAWS, search for classes, browse the Course Catalog, view your Holds, add courses to your Shopping Cart, and register for classes: http://pawshelp.pages.tcnj.edu/
Use the Validate feature directly from your PAWS Shopping Cart to check for potential pre-requisite issues before registration! For more information on the Validate feature, visit: http://pawshelp.pages.tcnj.edu/files/2011/07/validate1.pdf
Check PAWS early and frequently for Holds that will prevent you from registering. All Hold Flag information can be viewed under the Holds section in the PAWS Student Center.
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THE OFFICE OF RECORDS AND REGISTRATION Green Hall 112, 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM
April  11,  2018  The  Signal  page  7
Students compete in annual business competition
Meagan McDowell / Photo Editor
/HIW 0$5&R 7HFKQRORJLHV //& ZLQV ÀUVW SODFH IRU LWV WKHUDSHXWLF URERW GHYLFH 5LJKW 2XU 7VXQDPLL WDNHV VHFRQG SODFH By James Mercadante Staff Writer
companions for individuals suffering from a broad range of mental illnesses in order to encourage wider access to mental At the seventh annual Mayo Business health care and reduce the burdens placed Plan Competition Finals on the evening on caregivers, according to Boyle. of April 4, three teams competed for the The charming royal-blue robot looked $30,000 grand prize. out at the audience and said, “Nobody As the audience sat on the edge of should ever be alone in their suffering their seats in Mayo Concert Hall, William and I am here to make sure nobody ever Keep, dean of the School of Business, de- will be.â€? scribed how the competition started when The treatment that MARCo provides Herbert B. Mayo handed him a check LV EURNHQ XS LQWR Ă€YH GLYLVLRQV RI FDUH seven years ago, asking Keep to create a — companionship and social interaction, business plan competition. instructive and stimulating guided meditaRyan Chiu, a junior accounting major, tion, cognitive behavioral treatment, bioand Jacob Boyle, a junior mechanical en- feedback and external outreach in a highJLQHHULQJ PDMRU FDPH LQ Ă€UVW SODFH IRU risk situation, according to Boyle. Chiu their invention of MARCo, a therapeutic added that his team developed a treatment robotic device designed to assist individu- plan after consulting with the College’s als with illnesses including depression, Counseling and Psychological Services. anxiety and bipolar disorder. The idea of MARCo was inspired by MARCo Technologies, LLC strives to Chiu and Boyle’s personal experiences provide a line of compassionate robotic with their own loved ones who suffer from
some form of mental illness. Both members of the team noticed a gap between those who are mentally ill and those who receive treatment, and sought to make an effort to relieve this imbalance. Our Tsunamii placed second in the competition, winning $20,000, for its creation of board-shorts that are equipped to be a more sustainable, durable and affordable garment for lifeguards. The team was composed of four stuGHQWV 1HLO 'HVDL D MXQLRU ÀQDQFH PDMRU (ULND +DXVKHHU D MXQLRU ÀQDQFH PDMRU Sung Min Kwon, a senior marketing major and Dennis Tuohy, a junior political science and economics double major. These students all shared a passion to bring a wave of change in the lifeguard community, according to Tuohy. The team saw a need for a standard quality uniform for lifeguards, similar to WKDW RI SROLFH RIÀFHUV DQG ÀUHÀJKWHUV WKDW would increase rescue response times.
“We are proud of our product,â€? Hausheer said. “It took us a long time, but we’ve made it this far.â€? Sneaker Creatures placed third in the competition, winning a $10,000 prize. Sneaker Creatures is the third all-freshman team to compete in the Mayo Business Plan Ă€QDOV LQ VHYHQ \HDUV DFFRUGLQJ WR .HHS Benjamin Cutler, a freshman economics major, and Jon Lugo, a freshman management major, both stood on stage with a GLVSOD\ WDEOH Ă€OOHG ZLWK PXOWLSOH SDLUV RI sneakers, and presented their idea of buying and selling high-end sneakers — that are mostly used — online for lower prices. “We created a website with the goal of becoming a marketplace where people can browse through high-quality sneakers,â€? Cutler said. “This will save customers time because they will have a place to browse a variety of used sneakers — without our website, they have to hunt on websites like (ED\ IRU D VSHFLĂ€F VKRH Âľ
Final obesity lecture envisions healthier future
Miguel Gonzalez / Staff Photographer
/DFURL[ RXWOLQHV VROXWLRQV WR FRPEDW REHVLW\ By Samantha Malnick Staff Writer Global health care company Novo Nordisk held the last lecture of its four-part series, “Understanding Obesity: A Multidisciplinary Challenge,� on April 3 in the Education Building Room 212. The guest speakers discussed the understanding of the personal, societal and economic impacts of obesity, as well as the steps that can contribute toward making obesity care happen.
Blandine Lacroix, a global commercial leader at Novo Nordisk, started off the lecture by outlining current statistics of obesity in the nation. More than 95 million adults in the U.S. — more than 35 percent of American adults — are obese, and 12 million children also live with obesity, according to Lacroix. “These (children) are living with obesity,� Lacroix said. “The weight is there, and it is already negatively affecting their health outcomes.� Lacroix said that Novo Nordisk has sought to help diabetics for 95 years and has assisted more than 29 million people through their funding and services. “Of those 29 million people, 80 to 90 percent of them were people struggling with weight,� she said. “The negative health outcomes of weight are the reason why most of them have Type 2 diabetes.� Lacroix dissected the reasons why so many people struggle to control their weight. “This is not a willpower issue,� she said. “On average, a person with obesity is going to be active in losing weight five to seven times in their life, but 95 percent of the time that weight is gained back. Losing weight is the easy part — keeping it off is where we fight nature.� Throughout human existence, the body has adapted to be able to store fat more effectively. Lacroix believes that nothing has prepared the human species for the world that we live in today — a place filled with “toxic environments.� One large contributor of obesity in modern society is the availability cheap, unhealthy foods in the U.S., according to Lacroix. “For just $19.99, you can eat for two, and bring home a container of the same meal for the next day,� she said. “With all that butter, grease and carbs, how healthy of meals can you really get for just $20?�
Along with the issues of food availability comes stress, sleep deprivation, social pressures, lack of mobility and pharmaceutical drugs — all of which affect humans around the globe, Lacroix said. Kotryna Matulyte, a senior health and exercise science major, was shocked to hear about some of the external factors that contribute to obesity. “You don’t hear as much about the pharmaceutical side of things in my major,â€? Matulyte said. “Obviously it’s more of just ‘exercise,’ and that being the cure for everything.â€? Novo Nordisk wants to change how the world views and treats obesity. The company believes that some of its drugs are relevant to treating obesity, but until the barrier of how patients, health care systems and employers perceive the disease is removed, it will be a challenge for Novo Nordisk to combat the social and economic issues. Abhilasha Ramasamy, director of health economics and outcomes research for obesity at Novo Nordisk, discussed how these issues have the potential to be resolved. Data showed that nearly 42 percent of Americans in 1965 were smokers. In 2012, the prevalence fell to 18 percent, and is expected to drop to less than 10 percent in 2024, according to Ramasamy. “We are just scratching the surface with obesity,â€? Ramasamy said. “Think of obesity now as the 1965 smoking percentages. This change did not happen by a single company. For this change to happen the entire society had to come together — policy makers, payers, physicians, patients ‌ everyone has to join hands to make this difference.â€? Novo Nordisk envisions for this change to happen in the coming decades. Through research such as randomized clinical trials, personalized medicine and partnerships with stakeholders, the company hopes to educate and advocate for this societal shift in recognizing obesity as a disease.
page 8 The Signal April 11, 2018
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April 11, 2018 The Signal page 9
Gaza protests result in dozens of deaths By Jahnvi Upreti Staff Writer
Recent Palestinian protests along the Israel-Gaza Strip border have turned deadly, with violent conflict between protesters and Israelis resulting in at least 28 Palestinian deaths and thousands more wounded, according to Al Jazeera. On March 30, tens of thousands of Palestinians set up tents and camps on the Gaza Strip and marched along the border fence separating Gaza and Israel in what was called The March of Return, according to CNN. Approximately two million people live in Gaza. A vast majority are either refugees of the 1948 war between Israel and Palestine or family members of refugees, according to The New York Times. The March of Return was intended to be a peaceful, six week
long sit-in culminating in a mass march to Israel. The March protests Israel’s occupation of Palestine and represents the Palestinians’ frustrations with the Israeli government. The Palestinians are also protesting the Israeli blockade of Gaza, which is supported by neighboring Egypt and has severely limited the flow of people and goods in and out of Palestine since its beginning in 2007, according to The New York Times. Some of the Palestinian protesters rolled burning tires and threw rocks and Molotov cocktails, a type of homemade firebomb. Two armed individuals began firing shots into Israel, though the overwhelming majority of Palestinians did not own or use weaponry. Israeli soldiers retaliated with gunfire and tear gas, according to The New York Times. Prior to the protests, Israel took measures to heighten securi-
ty, including the deployment of snipers to the Gaza Strip, according to The New York Times. The Israeli Defense Force defended its use of force, blaming Hamas — the Islamic militant group that controls the Gaza Strip — for “all events and incidents taking place in (the March 30) protests.” Mahmoud Abbas, the president of Palestine, publicly stated that he holds Israel responsible for the deaths in the protest and marked March 31 as a national day of mourning, according to CNN. “Schools, universities, as well as all government institutions across the country will be off on Saturday as per President Mahmoud Abbas’ decision to declare a national mourning for the souls of the martyrs,” claimed an official government statement, according to Al Jazeera. This bloody protest marks one of the deadliest reported
Tensions at the Israeli-Gaza border are on the rise.
altercations between the Israelis and the Palestinians in recent years, according to The New York Times. Tensions have been rising in recent months following U.S. President Donald Trump’s decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.
AP Photo
“We came out to remember our martyrs and to reclaim ownership of our land,” said Yara Mahamid, a student from Gaza, according to Al Jazeera. “We will resist until our last breath. We shouldn’t negotiate anymore. We shouldn’t give up our rights.”
Sierra Leone peacefully elects new president
The nonviolent election process is a relief for voters. By James Wright and Breeda Bennett-Jones Staff Writer and Nation & World Editor
Sierra Leone elected its new president amidst rising tensions between the opposition and ruling parties on March 31, according to The New York Times. Julius Maada Bio, the leader of the opposition party, emerged victorious by a narrow margin. Both election parties claimed victory immediately after the election, according to Reuters. Maada Bio’s party, the Sierra
AP Photo
Leone People’s Party, was confident in its polling data. “Ladies and gentlemen, we are confident that retired Brigadier Julius Maada Bio is the next president of Sierra Leone,” said Jacob Saffa, the SLPP’s election management chairman, according to Reuters. The previously ruling All People’s Congress, led by candidate Samura Kamara, also claimed to have won the election, according to Reuters. “Our comfortable lead is based on 83 percent of the vote count,” said APC
spokesman Abdulai Bayraytay, according to Reuters. Despite the APC’s confidence, Maada Bio was declared the winner on April 4 with 51.8 percent of votes, according to The New York Times. He was sworn in the same night after a campaign swept by public dispute and controversy. “This is the dawn of a new era. The people of this great nation have voted to take a new direction,” Maada Bio said in a news conference after being sworn-in, according to The New York Times. “We have only one country, Sierra Leone, and we are all one people.” In the first round of voting on March 7, the SLPP took 43.3 percent of the votes in the first round of voting, comparable to APC’s 42.7 percent, according to Reuters. The SLPP has not held the presidency since 2007, according to The Washington Post. Maada Bio and Kamara are running to replace outgoing President Ernest Bai Karoma, who has served his allotted constitutional term limit, according to Reuters. The first round of voting was mired with controversy, according to The Washington
Post. A temporary injunction was issued after the APC filed a court challenge alleging irregularities in the voting process. The injunction delayed the election, inciting criticism from supporters of the SLPP. The mostly peaceful election process is a relief for the 7 million inhabitants of the West African nation, who endured a bloody civil war in the 1990s, according to The New York Times. Maada Bio previously ruled the country as the head of a military junta in 1996, according to Reuters. This year’s election is the fourth since the civil war ended in 2002. The last vote in 2012 was also predominantly peaceful, according to The Washington Post. The winner of the election will face intense pressure from Sierra Leone’s failing economy, which plummeted as a result of low prices on its main export, iron ore, and the outbreak of Ebola in 2014, according to Reuters. “We do not need any violence or confusion,” said Tanneh Kamara, a voter, according to The Washington Post. “All we need is to improve things for our nation so that we will be proud citizens of this, our country.”
Vermont enacts strict gun control regulations By Danielle Silvia and Breeda Bennett-Jones Copy Editor and Nation & World Editor
Vermont legislators approved new gun restrictions on March 30, including a ban on bump stocks, limits on the size of magazines, expanded background checks for buyers and a raise for the legal age to purchase a gun, according to CNN. Two additional bills regarding weapon confiscation are anticipated to be passed later this week. The legislation, titled S.55, is part of an effort to support the state of Florida in passing new gun control laws in the wake of the school shooting in Parkland, Florida last month, according to The New York Times. The Vermont Senate passed the law in a 17 to 13 vote. The bill needed 16 votes to pass, according to CNN. Vermont Gov. Phil Scott, a Republican, vowed to sign the law in a surprising move that deviates from usual partisan lines. Vermont’s current gun laws are among the weakest in the nation, due in part to the state’s hunting-friendly culture, according to The New York Times. One day after the shooting in Florida, a teenager from Poultney, Vermont was accused and arrested for plotting a shooting spree at a nearby high school, which pushed Scott to enact the new gun control measures, according to ABC. “No state is immune to the risk of extreme violence,”
Scott said, according to The New York Times. “If we are at a point when our kids are afraid to go to school and parents are afraid to put their kids on a bus, who are we?” The new legislation raises the minimum age to purchase a gun to 21. The legislation also bans the sale of bump stocks, accessories that allows rapid fire of a semiautomatic weapon. Compounded with the expansion of background checks, the legislation establishes a maximum capacity for the amount of magazines that can be sold and owned within the state, according to The New York Times. “I think the message that most members of the Legislature — not all — took is that public opinion is changing in Vermont,” said Eric Davis, a political science professor at Middlebury College, according to The New York Times. Several Vermont politicians and gun-advocacy groups expressed alarm at the passage of the legislature, which they view as invasive and extreme. State Senators like John Rodgers, a Democrat, feels that the new regulations go against cultural traditions of the state, according to Vermont Public Radio. “I think maybe if we pass this bill, maybe it is over, maybe the Vermont I grew up with is over, and it’s changed,” Rodgers said, according to Vermont Public Radio. Scott is anticipated to sign two additional bills headed to his desk in the coming weeks, according to Vermont
AP Photo
Scott sympathizes with gun violence victims.
Public Radio. The bills, titled S.221 and H.422, would permit law enforcement to confiscate a weapon from someone deemed as an extreme risk by a judge. The bills passed the Vermont Senate and House unanimously. “My hope is that we will have those in the very near future,” Scott said at a press conference on April 5, according to Vermont Public Radio. “My plan would be if everything goes right to have all three bills and have one signing of all three.”
page 10 The Signal April 11, 2018
April 11, 2018 The Signal page 11
Editorial
Stay attentive in class
Yes, hi, this is the professor’s pet speaking. You know, the one who sits front and center in every class. The one who takes scrupulous notes in her thick notebook. The one who raises her hand regularly to ask and answer questions. I am here to urge you to pay attention more in class. Before you start rolling your eyes, please let me make my case. Let’s start with the obvious reason to be more attentive in class — your grade. There are reasons why participation grades exist. Participation grades encourage students to stay engaged during the lessons so that they are prepared for an assessment. If a class does not have a participation grade, inattention will probably be reflected somewhere else, like in poor exam scores or project feedback. Some professors will call students who aren’t paying attention out, while others couldn’t care less. On the first day of one of my classes this semester, the professor told students that if anyone in the room prefers to do other homework or play games on their devices during the class period, they all should sit in the back row so their screen will not distract the other students sitting behind them. This request was in no way passive-aggressive. She was sincere, and some students did end up moving to the back row. The catch is that if you play on your computer all throughout class and halfway through the semester you realize you have no idea what is going on in the course, your professor will likely be less sympathetic when you come to their office hours in distress the week before the test. Professors don’t just notice when you are not paying attention, they also notice when you do. At the end of last semester I was 0.5 percent away from getting an A in one of my classes. I participated throughout the entire semester, engaged in class discussions and asked the professor intentional questions. The professor granted me the extra boost. I love to learn. If I could afford to be a student for the rest of my life, I would. My inherent curiosity makes it more bearable, if not pleasurable for me to engage in all of my classes, even when the lessons are not about something that initially piques my interest. Still, not every course is my absolute favorite. Sometimes a professor drones on about some dry concept that I believe has no relevance to my personal future, and I succumb to the temptation to check my email quickly. I may be a nerd, but I am still human. But I do go to every class with the intention to stay focused and do what I came to college to do — learn. I transferred to the College last fall. Though I wish to leave some of the unpleasant experiences from my previous college behind, I will always remember a statement one of the professors at my last institution made during my freshman seminar: “Students are the only consumers that want less for what they pay for.” Whether you or someone else is paying for your tuition, college is still a consumer product. It costs money to take a collection of classes so you can accumulate knowledge and build skills that are in turn marketable in the workplace. If you are not paying attention in class, you are not receiving the whole product. It’s like paying for a gym membership and then never going, except college is a lot more expensive. If I cannot persuade you using an academic or economic approach, let’s try a social angle. You are in the classroom anyway. You made the decision to get out of bed to sit at an uncomfortable desk. You are going to have to complete the homework, prepare the project, or take the test at some point. If you pay attention in class, that is less time spent studying in your free time. Instead of googling the topic the professor talked about or copying down your friend’s notes after class, you can take that time to relax and actually hang out with the friends you are texting throughout the lecture. I recognize it is hard in the digital age for students to stay focused. There is a plethora of stimuli that seem to demand your attention over the professor’s lecture. With a discreet click of a button, you can catch up with a friend from home, play a favorite video game or watch countless videos of any cute animal you please. I also understand there are extenuating circumstances. I know there are students in my classes with learning differences. I know there are students who work long hours to pay for college and therefore have difficulty finding the time to get all of their homework done. And I cannot know if the student who is vehemently typing away on their messenger app is actually communicating with family about a sick relative or another emergency. But I have accidentally eavesdropped on enough of my peers to know that usually is not the case. Take a break from Facebook, friends. It will still be there when you get out of class. — Heather Haase Web Editor
Editorial Content Unsigned editorial opinions are those of the Editorial Board, which consists of the Editor-in-Chief, the Managing, News, Features, Arts & Entertainment, Opinions, Photo, Sports, Review and Social Media editors and the Business and Production managers, unless otherwise noted. Opinions expressed in signed editorials and letters to the editor are those of the author and not necessarily those of The Signal.
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Students should pay more attention during class to avoid repercussions.
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“Without (Morrison), I never would have thought that I myself could pursue a graduate degree in research. And research is really important because without research there’s no understanding, and without understanding, we can’t have progress.” —Gio Tomat-Kelly Alumna (‘15)
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page 12 The Signal April 11, 2018
Opinions
Celebrities unqualified for presidency By Sumayah Medlin
Ever since the outcome of the controversial 2016 presidential election, Democrats have become desperate for any rising voice that can quell concerns over liberal issues in the U.S. When Oprah Winfrey gave an awe-inspiring speech at the 2018 Golden Globes in support of the “Me Too” movement, people were already in support of her running in the 2020 election. Winfrey is one of the few black celebrities, along with Beyoncé and Michelle Obama, who has managed to surpass racial boundaries to reconcile both racial and gender issues in the same speech. In her acceptance speech as the first black woman to receive the Cecile B. DeMille award, she recalled seeing Sidney Poitier become the first black man to win the Oscar for Best Actor, and noted that it was the first time she saw a black man be publicly celebrated. Later in her speech, she referenced the “Me Too” movement by ending with the powerful statement, “A new day is on the horizon, and when that new day finally dawns, it will be because of a lot of magnificent women, many of whom are right here in this room tonight, and some pretty phenomenal men, fighting hard to make sure that they become the leaders who take us to the time when nobody has to say ‘Me Too’ again.” Winfrey, however, is not the first or the only public figure to be considered presidential material. Michelle Obama has been pushed to run for president,
despite having previously stated in interviews that she would not want to take on the task. Even 18-year-old “Grownish” actress Yara Shahidi was referred to as “the future president” by composer Lin Manuel Miranda, along with other Twitter users. Emma Gonzalez, one of the survivors of the shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, is the latest public figure to be considered a potential presidential prospect. Gonzalez made herself a household name after delivering a passionate speech in support of gun control at an anti-gun rally following the shooting. One of her most highlighted remarks was directed toward President Donald Trump. “If the president wants to come up to me and tell me to my face that it was a terrible tragedy, and how it should never have happened, and maintain telling us how nothing is going to be done about it, I’m gonna happily ask him how much money he received from the National Rifle Association,” Gonzalez said before she eagerly answered her own question — $30 million. Most of the comments about public figures running for president are jokes, especially since most of the subjects, apart from Winfrey and Michelle Obama, are not eligible to run. However, some of these comments, even if they are meant as jokes, can be very dangerous. Shahidi, Winfrey, Michelle Obama and Gonzalez all share stances that most liberals agree with on topics such as immigration, gun control and sexual
Winfrey’s speech at the Golden Globes inspires her supporters. assault. However, it should take more than a speech for someone to be seen as a potential presidential candidate. I would never push Michelle Obama to be president, no matter how politically conscious she is, because I know that that is not what she wants for herself. Winfrey, whether she initially wanted to or not, has stated that she does not plan on running because she is not qualified. Someone’s first elected position in public office should not be commander in chief, which is why these jokes can be so dangerous. We live in a country where the current president is a former business tycoon and reality TV star. Democrats and Republicans were
shocked when Trump won over Hillary Clinton, and I bet that some Democrats didn’t vote, assuming that Clinton would win by a landslide regardless. The past couple of years have taught us how surprising people can be when it comes to voting. Prior to the election, most were joking about the possibility of Trump winning and what that would entail, but by November, it was no longer a joke. As voters, we have a responsibility to stay informed and research possible candidates with actual experience. We shouldn’t just vouch for our favorite celebrity or the next person who writes a viral tweet or gives a compelling speech, no matter how powerful it may be.
Individualism carries detrimental implications
Institutional barriers often inhibit prosperity. By Isabella Donnelly Individualism, which emphasizes one’s ability to govern his or her own life, has come to
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be recognized as a cornerstone of American society. It serves as an ideological lens through which Americans come to know a sense of empowerment
and agency. While the internalization of individualism has the potential to spur innovation, it also carries many negative implications that demand our attention. As a society, we must analyze the ways in which an individual’s life chances are influenced by institutional barriers. While individualism can benefit some, it is necessary that we acknowledge the ways in which the least privileged members of our society are crippled by its pervasiveness. The notion of equal opportunity is an essential component of how we understand individualism. Many of us accept the widely espoused notion that all Americans have the same chance to achieve success. However, this concept is complicated by societal barriers that perpetuate inequality in the U.S. The reality is that each individual life is affected by a vast number of factors which are beyond one’s
control. Something as arbitrary as the city in which one is born has the potential to determine one’s opportunity for upward mobility. We should not completely minimize the power one has over his or her own fate, but it is worth acknowledging that some institutions put less affluent Americans at a disadvantage. While we tend to think of schools as institutions that teach children the necessary skills to achieve success, the degree to which a child benefits from attending school is largely contingent on the quality of their public school district. Since the majority of funding for public schools comes from local property taxes, their quality is often determined by the affluence of the surrounding community. Thus, children who are born in affluent communities automatically have better chances for prosperity than students who work just as hard in
under-resourced schools, and individual hard work and merit are not sufficient for obtaining success in the U.S. Disparities between public schools is just one of many examples of how an individual’s quality of life is shaped by systemic inequalities, yet as a society, we continue to overlook these structural factors and assume the lower class is less capable, less motivated or less intelligent. This cultivates a sense of superiority and entitlement among the upper class, while poorer Americans internalize the concept that their lack of upward mobility is a direct result of their inferiority. While it would be neither feasible nor beneficial to completely eradicate individualism from American society, further discourse on institutional barriers could better inform us about how prosperity can be attained in the U.S.
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April 11, 2018 The Signal page 13
Students share opinions around campus “Have the desired qualifications for our president changed?”
Emmy Liederman / Opinions Editor
Kiley McBride, a sophomore urban education and Spanish double major. “Our president doesn’t have a political background, so the process has become a free-for-all.”
Emmy Liederman / Opinions Editor
Marissa Cardena, a freshman nursing major.
“A president doesn’t have to be a politician. They just need a good educational background.”
“Is success attainable for everyone in the U.S.?”
Emmy Liederman / Opinions Editor
Najalis Gual, a freshman history and political science double major. “Success is attainable for everyone, but certain people get a head start.”
Emmy Liederman / Opinions Editor
Welington Jimenez, a sophomore finance major. “Success is always attainable when you put the time and hard work in.”
The Signal’s cartoons of the week ...
page 14 The Signal April 11, 2018
Arts & Entertainment
Rap / 21 Savage ‘desiigns’ intoxicating set
Left: Desiigner hypes up the crowd as the concert’s opener. Right: Savage ends his set with his hit ‘Bank Account.’
continued from page 1
Reading his audience properly, Savage began to play “Bartier Cardi,” instantly getting female fans in the function jumping. Next, the crowd took out their shared anger on their failed previous relationships by screaming along to “X,” a 2016 single that features Metro Boomin and Future from the album “Savage Mode.” “I’m just stuntin’ on my ex bitch,” the crowd sang out. Finally, ending on the highest cloud, fans heard the iconic guitar riff to Savage’s “Bank Account” from his 2017 debut album, “Issa Album,” and went berserk. The crowd started jumping as he let the audience sing along and yell out the catchy chorus, “I got one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight M’s in my bank account.” To many people’s surprise and ultimately their disappointment, Savage finished his set a half hour early, closing up around 10:30 p.m.
Desiigner, a Brooklyn native, got the crowd ready for 21 Savage with an introduction that did not disappoint. “New Jersey, make some motherfucking noise!” Desiigner shouted at the crowd. Immediately the audience’s screams in response rang through the Recreation Center. As seen on television, Desiigner’s energy was unmatched and sky-high, making him a great opening act. His performance made 21 Savage’s laid-back style seem much less overwhelming in comparison, but both still were genuine. Desiigner amped up the crowd as much as possible, even taking off his shirt at one point. The fog machines made the crowd peruse the stage trying to find the jubilant rapper. Coming into the light, he would occasionally stand on the speakers and lean into the crowd, getting up close and personal. The rapper soon began to crowd surf through the pool of students amassed in the Recreation Center. The front of the crowd was used as a floating device as he dapped
up students and blurted out an insane number of his iconic adlibs. “GIT, GIT, GIT” and “GRRRAAHHHH” were heard throughout his whole set. Once he got back from the crowd, he let the crowd come to him. A few lucky people were able to dance, take Snapchats and run across stage before he started to play his 2017 single “Up.” As he neared the end of his set, Desiigner said, “Everybody put your middle finger in the air!” Then he proceeded to hype up the crowd by playing the two songs that placed him in the hip hop scene back to back. He started with “Timmy Turner,” the 2016 hit that Desiigner first shared in his XXL freshman freestyle. His 2015 super hit “Panda” — the debut that put the 20-year-old on the map — ended his time on stage perfectly and made the crowd ready to see the Slaughter King himself. Speculation rose after the sudden drop
Meagan McDowell / Photo Editor
of “Timmy Turner” whether or not Desiigner showcased some new music at the concert and gave fans a sneak peek at his material still in the works. The rapper is planning to release one album, and one mixtape, leaving fans waiting for his debut album “Life of Desiigner” and a follow-up mixtape, “New English 2.” When asked “Before I bring 21 Savage out, y’all gonna get turnt as fuck right?,” the audience wasted no time in screaming out their response, “Yes!” 21 Savage’s performance was a little different and somewhat rogue. He didn’t have an entourage or any of the Slaughter Gang accompanying him. He simply had one other homie with him on stage throughout the night. “If y’all had a good time, Imma need y’all to scream 21,” the rapper said and counted down. “One, two, three!” The crowd repeatedly shouted out “21,” as the rapper thanked the College for having him and complimented us on how “lit” the crowd was.
CUB Alt Comedy Night pokes fun at college life By Julia Dzurillay and Kaitlyn Njoroge Staff Writers
Brian Marino, a sophomore mechanical engineering major, was prepping for his first live comedy show. He had just downed four cups of coffee, and was ready to take the Traditions Lounge stage as the opening act of CUB Alt’s Student Comedy Night on Friday, April 6. Just as Marino was about to take the stage, his friends from the College’s ultimate frisbee team piled into the Traditions Lounge. Every seat by the stage was filled — some even shared — by students to support their favorite, self-proclaimed “Twitter comedian.” Marino began the night by glancing at his script and then ripping it in half. “We’re going off the script tonight. I’m off my shit — can I say that?” Marino asked his audience members. Some shrugged in response. “Hey Traditions, can I say that?” Marino shouted past the audience and into the restaurant. A single “yeah” escaped from a Traditions patron to everyone’s amusement. The event, which was emceed by Jack Sofka, a sophomore English major and CUB Alt co-chair, featured members of the TCNJ Stand Up Comedy Society, as well as other performers like Jason Thorpe, a freshman history and secondary education dual major. Decked out in a Champion hoodie and WTSR hat, Thorpe joked about elderly men hitting on his girlfriend in Staples, overworked college athletes and the absurdity of Columbus Day. Thorpe proposed a new holiday to replace Columbus Day — Mussolini Day. The holiday would not be a success, Thorpe argued, because kids would never remember the “father of fascism” without a clever rhyme. “‘In 1492 Columbus sailed the ocean blue’ sounds a lot better than ‘In 1935 Mussolini invaded Ethiopia,’” Thorpe said. He ended his set by slinging a case of water bottles provided
by College Union Board over his shoulder and lugging it back to his seat — a small act of retaliation after he was denied the chance to ask Stephen A. Smith for a selfie during the Spring Lecture by a member of CUB. “The guy who snapped a picture with him doesn’t even go here,” Thorpe said. “He doesn’t even go here!” For inspiration, Thorpe looks to comedic legends like George Carlin for inspiration. He channels their style of humor into his own comedy that favors the absurd. “If it’s crazy and dark, I can think of a way to make it funny,” Thorpe said. “And the story should be a base to build the joke off of. The joke shouldn’t be the story itself.” Then Caitlyn Connelly, a sophomore communication studies major ranted about her chain-smoking grandmother, and Sean Delanoy, a junior interdisciplinary business major, shared his encounter with the sleeping “lemon man” on a New York subway. Levi Reed, a senior communication studies major openly shared with the audience that he knew that his work outfit, a button-down shirt and brown pants, made him look like he
was homeschooled. Each story explored the best and worst aspects of college life. Austin Merritt, a senior interactive multimedia major discussed his problems working at Accepted Students Day and his horrible memories of high school, like when a gym teacher nicknamed him “little buddy.” The teacher even asked another student to invite Merritt to a party. “And of course I went,” said Merritt. “I had to support, I’m her little buddy!” As for Marino, the first comedian of the night, he shared his love for Eickhoff Hall, as well as his disdain for Dane Cook. “This is me,” Marino said. “That was me on four cups of coffee, but that’s pretty much me. I could do this again, I could go up there and I could scream about nonsense, I could make up another running joke … I enjoyed it a lot.” The student comedians used stories from their daily lives to make the audience laugh. With their authenticity and charm, audience members left feeling a little bit happier than when they came in.
Marino cracks jokes during his first live stand-up performance.
Kim Iannarone / Staff Photographer
April 11, 2018 The Signal page 15
i-Tunes A Capella presents Blends with Benefits
Gray wows the audience with a falsetto scream. By Heidi Cho Arts & Entertainment Editor
The College’s i-Tunes A Cappella invited three groups from other colleges to perform on Friday, April 6, for Blends with Benefits. Together the four groups covered songs and delivered performances of pitchperfect proportions. Spectators, friends and family members of the singers filled Mayo Concert Hall for an evening that had the audience and performers alike having fun. The high energy between the singers on stage carried through to the lively impromptu reception that followed. The i-Tunes began the night full of powerful vocalists and emotionally charged performances with their rendition of “Shut Up and Dance” by Walk the Moon. The beatboxing provided a strong foundation for soloist Amanda DeStefano, a freshman English major, to set the tone for the night. Destefano commanded the stage with a grin, even shimmying on the spot, as behind her, members of i-Tunes were grinning, tapping their feet and pointing finger guns at
Meagan McDowell / Photo Editor
one another. It was an enthusiastic start for an equally energetic performance. Next, 4GotteN Suitcase from Ramapo College invited the audience to clap along to their first cover, “House Party,” by Sam Hunt. Soloist Jesse Hann stepped forward to sing first, followed by Kiara Liwag, whose high voice provided contrast to Hann’s deep tones. The two soloists executed the polyphonic song with practiced ease, as the arrangement by Meghan Richline and vocal percussionist Jake Bookbinder captured the close atmosphere of a house party. Next, “Go Down Smooth” by Lake Street Drive featured soloist Victoria Suarez with powerful vocals comparable to Adele’s. Suarez was more than capable of holding notes so long that some audience members whooped. The soft background allowed the vocalist to shine throughout and carry the song to its end. The full accompaniment was well executed and as smooth as the title promised. Afterward, “Lights” by Journey slowed down the tempo as soloist Morgan Graham
took the audience down to “when the lights, go down, in the city.” Behind Graham, members of 4GotteN Suitcase swayed back and forth, adding a soothing visual element to the ballad. The next rendition, “September,” by Earth, Wind and Fire had an upbeat vibe. The members providing the accompaniment had the shooby doo-wop sound popularized by ’50s girl groups downpat. Soloists Meghan Richline and Lejla Hoxha’s voices complemented each other well until the song’s end. Between each group, the i-Tunes performed a song that helped keep the energy going for the next group. i-Tunes’ rendition of “Fire Rides” by MØ transcended function, as every member of the group played a role into making it a showstopper. Although it began soft, the voice of soloist Mallory Ilves, the treasurer of i-Tunes and a junior special education and women’s, gender and sexuality double major, was soon joined by many others. Seamlessly, the symphony of instrumentation created by the group would pick up where Ives’s voice left off in a back-and-forth that swelled as the song went on. Then, the group stopped the heavenly church choir-like accompaniment to sing with Ives. Next, Drew University’s All of the Above performed “Work Song” by Hozier. Soloist Liam Ryan carried the piece with a deep, dulcet voice only elevated by the church choir-like background. Soloist Grace Viveiros gave the next cover, “The Mother We Share,” by CHVRCHES a delicate and heartfelt quality. Between Viveiros and the accompaniment, the group successfully grounded a piece that heavily relies on synthesized noises. Minor Problem, the next featured group from Villanova University, performed audience member Nick Borezina’s favorite song of the night — “Bad Together” by Dua Lipa. “It sounded really good, the singing too – the soloist and everyone in the background,” Borezina said.
The audience cheered when soloist Jeffrey Lieto burst out and started rapping after fellow soloist Natalie Clendening’s high vocals. The rapping and singing duo held the crowd in high spirits that continued into the i-Tunes’s rendition of “Don’t Stop Believing” by Journey. Soloist Ian Gray, a sophomore English and special education double major, replaced the electric guitar solo with fun vocalizations and a falsetto scream that could have made members of Metallica jealous. Audience member Darshini Patel thought the song “got the crowd moving. (i-Tunes’s) energy as a group as a whole was really good.” Members of i-Tunes even broke out into the Macarena, and the audience started clapping along — unprompted. During the next crowd pleaser, “Drumming Song” by Florence + The Machine, the cheers of the audience upstaged the iTunes, who had to pause before continuing onto the finale. Soloists Asa Sams, a freshman secondary education and English double major, and Lauren Agho, a senior psychology major and the president of i-Tunes, charged the crowd with “Electric Lady” by Janelle Monae ft. Solange. Agho brought the house down with her powerful vocals, as Sams rapped his verse with enthusiasm and seamless execution. Eunice Olugbile, a member of i-Tunes and a freshman communications studies major, enjoyed being a part of what she thought was the group’s best performance so far. “‘Electric Lady’ had a really fun beat and doing the song was awesome,” Olugbile said. Each group was on the same frequency, and it showed through in the way that they acted on stage. “We are a family. We love having fun on stage,” said Adam Blais, a member of Minor Problem. The year of planning behind the event came to fruition in a night enjoyed by many. As Agho put it, the event was “aca-mazing.”
MSA Poetry Night emphasizes compassion, empathy By Joseph Volpe Correspondent
From children dealing with anxiety to gun control, no topic was off limits at the Muslim Students’ Association’s Poetry Night the evening of April 4. Seven original poems were read in front of a small, yet excited audience in the Library Auditorium. This year, the annual event was compassion and empathy themed. Each poem was accompanied by a single projected picture that represented the essence of each poem. As the first of several events planned for Islam Awareness Month, the poetry reading was designed to spread awareness of the Muslim faith throughout the campus community. “I thought the event was very unique, and it was fun to hear other people’s experiences and thoughts on certain topics and issues,” said Danielle Ziering, a junior mathematics major. As students slowly gathered in the Library Auditorium, 14 MSA members worked feverishly to set up the microphone, computer and projector with the library staff by the scheduled start time. The event began 15 minutes late due to technical difficulties, but audience members could see that the club was diligently working to put on a memorable show, and patiently waited in their seats. The first poem, “Gaza,” focused on the violence and bloodshed between Palestinians and Israelis in the Gaza Strip. Saif Hasan, a senior public health and exercise science double major, read the somber piece aloud. The piece — born out of anger and frustration — exemplified how there was a lack of compassion on either side of the conflict. Despite the nature of the subject, Hasan left the audience with some hope with the final line. “Because it doesn’t matter what you say,” Hasan read
Meagan McDowell / Photo Editor
Student poets tackle controversial topics like Israeli-Palestinian violence and gun control. at the finalé of his poem, “Because I know we will have peace someday.” Amaly Elmenshawy, the public relations chair of MSA, read a poem titled “I Have Seen.” The junior elementary education major based the piece off an experience while student teaching. The poem focuses on the everyday anxiety that children experience both in and out of school. The poem ends beautifully with a call for unity, so that both children and their mentors can combat the anxiety many children face, together. The longest poem of the evening was an untitled piece read by Nawal Mubin. This poem focused on the controversial topic of gun control. The poem reasoned that children should not have to live in fear of being slaughtered, and instead should be able to live and show compassion and empathy to one another. It
was a call to arms for U.S. citizens to demand stricter gun control laws. When Mubin finished reading her piece, audience members enthusiastically clapped and spent time discussing the topic after the event. Once the poetry reading concluded, attendees enjoyed free refreshments and snacks, capping off a successful event for the club. “I think that it was a success because we were able to reach more people than just us,” Elmenshawy said. “We recorded all of the poems and will be actively posting them on our social media for people who may have missed it. And in the end, we feel that if one person was touched by the words said, then that is a success. As cliché as it sounds, I think the conversation we had afterwards as a group forged more friendships and connections then we could have hoped for.”
page 16 The Signal April 11, 2018
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‘Isle of Dogs’ dips paws in new waters By Gabriella Gerace Correspondent
You do not need to be a dog person to enjoy Wes Anderson’s newest feature. If you happen to be, this makes an already thrilling experience all the more special. Released on March 23, “Isle of Dogs” is director Wes Anderson’s second stop motion film, his first being the 2009 Academy Award nominated movie, “Fantastic Mr. Fox.” With stunning visuals and precisely coordinated details, watching “Isle of Dogs” will make viewers forget that they are watching a film comprised of
everyday objects. Set in a dystopian Japan, “Isle of Dogs” follows the story of a pack of exiled dogs living in a junkyard the size of an island — blatantly titled “Trash Island.” Atari, the nephew of the cruel mayor who originally exiled the dogs, arrives on Trash Island and forms an alliance with the dogs, which leads them to revolt against the anti-dog forces on the mainland. Chapter One of the four-chapter story begins with an emotional narrator asking, “What happened to man’s best friend?” Oddly enough, her address does not come off cliché at all — it was a tearjerker that foreshadows the absorbing
The story of the abandoned heroes touches hearts of all ages.
journey to unfold. The dogs, in all their rugged and scrappy glory, are voiced by an ensemble cast that includes Bryan Cranston, Edward Norton, Bill Murray and Scarlett Johansson. By choosing such an eclectic mix of actors to personify the dogs, Anderson gives each dog a personality and manner of speaking that distinguishes them from the pack. The punny dialogue between the dogs, albeit sometimes cheesy, still feels like conversation amongst old college friends with an undeniably heartwarming undertone. With each scene, “Isle of Dogs” serves dazzling arrays of colors and textures despite the time-demanding difficulty of stop motion animated film. The film does not forget the Japanese culture infused in the characters, details and dialogue. One of the most notable aspects of “Isle of Dogs” is Anderson’s ability to balance comedic, sometimes childish interactions within a serious, socially aware plot. As Atari and the dogs continue to fend for themselves on the island, it quickly becomes apparent that “Isle of Dogs” is not an animated film intended only for young audiences. At times violent and a bit dark, the plot makes for an extremely engaging and unexpectedly tense story. “Isle of Dogs” is a fun experience for diverse audiences, regardless of whether the viewer is a dedicated Wes Anderson fan or simply a dog lover. With an original story complimented by the stop motion animation style, the film is fresh from start to finish and is great for viewers looking for something different.
Jazz Ensemble takes trip back in time
April 11, 2018 The Signal page 17
This week, WTSR music staff highlights some of the best new albums that the College’s own radio station, 91.3 FM WTSR, puts into its weekly rotation.
Band: Curtis Roush Album: “Cosmic Campfire Music” Release Number: Debut Hailing From: Austin, Texas Genre: Coffeehouse Guitar Music Label: Modern Outsider This soothing album is like a relaxing summer road trip. Sit at the fireside after a long day of driving, grab your guitar and strum simple melodies that are easy to sway to with vague lyrics that apply to everything. It is easy and calming study music that any coffeehouse would be proud to play. Lacking brash, quick notes, each song on this album fades into the next, coming together as one long song and one long road trip that listeners will never want to finish. Must Hear: “Space is Empty (Come With Me),” “Never Leave You Cold,” “You Already Got Me” and “Won’t You Please”
Miguel Gonzalez / Sports Editor
Left: The ensemble puts a spin on old swing tunes. Right: Fienberg discusses the golden age of jazz.
By Jared Wolf Correspondent
An impressive crowd assembled in the Kendall Main Stage Theater on Friday, April 7, for the Jazz Ensemble’s annual spring performance. From nostalgic swing-era tunes to placid hard bop ballads, the concert recreated the sounds of a big band in the golden era of jazz. The show was broken up into a swing section and a hard bop section as a homage to college big band performances in the ’50s, according to Director Gary Fienberg, who has also been a music professor at the College for 16 years. The audience was taken back to 1938 with the first piece, a sharp rendition of Count Basie’s “Jumpin’ at the Woodside.” The music of New Jersey legend William “Count” Basie lives on in his home state.
The next part of the show dove into the works of a contemporary of Basie’s — piano virtuoso Sir Duke Ellington’s “In a Mellow Tone,” “Koko” and “Caravan.” The ensemble played its own off-script interpretation of the last junglethemed number. Between compositions, Fienberg recounted the astounding vision of young African-American musicians in the swing era like Basie and Ellington. The latter half of the pieces incorporated works from composers Juan Tizol and Benny Carter. Ben Franco, an alto saxophonist and a junior music major, enjoyed playing Benny Carter’s “Amoroso,” due to its “fusion between Latin American rhythms and traditional swing.” Franco found that the piece “allowed (him) to speak my mind as well as soul.” The power of storytelling
through music was especially true for Franco, who played two heartfelt, improvised solos throughout the evening. “Soloing is like telling a story between the soloist and the audience,” Franco said. After intermission, the performers ventured into the ’50s with a lively section of hard bop pieces. The first piece of the second half, “Moanin’,” by Bobby Timmons started with a smooth piano riff, followed by a shout chorus with blaring brass that illuminated the concert hall. Senior music education major Ryan Galik, primarily a saxophone player for the College’s Wind Ensemble, shared his love for playing piano in the TCNJ Jazz Ensemble. “What’s most different about the jazz ensemble is the opportunity for freedom of expression,” Galik said. “The rhythm
section especially gets to build off each other and communicate on every chart we play and make some really special things happen that just can’t happen in other ensembles.” The second half of the show was filled with funky bass lines, swift drum beats and thunderous horns. The show continued with two Horace Silver classics. Fienberg found Silver’s pieces to be “hard, cool renditions of the blues.” Dominic Spera and Jerome Richardson’s “Trumpet City” and “Groove Merchant” concluded the evening by bringing the audience back to another time and place in music history. The Jazz Ensemble’s performance, a success that could make proud department founders and jazz legends alike, coincides with the year of the College’s Music Department’s 100-year anniversary.
Band: Buffalo Tom Album: “Quiet and Peace” Release Number: 9th Hailing From: Boston Genre: Alternative Rock, Country, Folk Label: Schoolkids Records Hailing from Boston, indie band Buffalo Tom presents “Quiet and Peace,” their first album in over six years. The band has not been slacking however. The band members have been touring the U.S., and now they present “Quiet and Peace” as a vision of the voyage they have completed. The album is full of evocative imagery, especially of the East Coast and New England in particular. It features a distinctive voice combined with strong guitar. “Quiet and Peace” is a must-listen for any alternative, folk or country rock fans. Must Hear: “Only Living Boy in New York,” “See High the Hemlock Grows” and “Least That We Can Do”
Fun StufF
page 18 The Signal April 11, 2018
HIRING PART & FULL TIME
Spring Sudoku!
Place numbers 1 to 9 in each row, column and diagonal
April 11, 2018 The Signal page 19
Features
Student United Way hosts annual PB&J race By Miguel Gonzalez Sports Editor
United by the common goal of feeding patrons of the Trenton Area Soup Kitchen, but divided in the spirit of friendly competition, 10 campus organizations participated in Student United Way’s fifth annual PB&J race on Thursday, April 5. Students from Sigma Lambda Gamma, Delta Sigma Pi, Alpha Xi Delta, Delta Zeta, Zeta Tau Alpha, Sigma Sigma Sigma, Humanitarian Yoga Club, Chi Upsilon Sigma, Women in Business and Circle K made a total of 1,251 peanut butter and jelly sandwiches by the end of the night. With a plethora of plastic bags and gloves, utensils, loaves of bread and jars of peanut butter and jelly at their disposal, teams dove into sandwich making with concentrated speed. Not a single table stayed clean as students splattered the spreadings onto the bread. Nevertheless, teams did have to follow several rules. Allison Vergano, a senior communication studies major and president of
Student United Way, assigned student judges to make sure that teams were using one peanut butter jar and one jelly jar at a time. Teams could only reload supplies once the jars were empty, and any mispackaged sandwiches were put on notice, according to Vergano. “We definitely made our judges aware of their responsibilities,” Vergano said. “We made them arrive a half hour before the event and explained them in detail of what they needed to do. We also added a box of shame so when you make a no-sogreat sandwich, it goes in there.” While most rounds focused on making the most sandwiches in a given time frame, the creative round proved to be the most challenging as teams assembled intricate sandwiches with three slices of white bread. Members of Circle K carved a sandwich with a lion’s face on top and used peanut butter for its mane. Meanwhile, members of Women In Business illustrated a formally dressed businesswoman with oozing jelly for hair. Stanley Zheng, a senior nursing and public health double major and a member of Circle K, loved working with other
Miguel Gonzalez / Sports Editor
Sisters of Zeta Tau Alpha scramble to assemble sandwiches.
Miguel Gonzalez / Sports Editor
Sisters of Sigma Sigma Sigma get their hands dirty during the race. organizations to help donate to TASK. “It was really fun,” Zheng said. “We got the opportunity to help those in need at TASK and collaborate with organizations that share Circle K’s message of philanthropy while also giving back to the community.” Not to be outdone by their competitors, members of Sigma Sigma Sigma constructed a sailboat and fish roaming through the messy table cloth. Delta Zeta, which was the only organization who had two teams at the event, created polar opposite designs. The first team depicted a day at the beach, complete with a palm tree, a person relaxing on a recliner, peanut butter acting as sand and jelly flowing as water. In contrast, the second team went with a winter theme, portraying an igloo with a complimentary snowman. Other notable designs included members of Delta Sigma Pi sculpting a rose that represented their organization’s official flower and Zeta Tau Alpha creating a flower that symbolized the emergence
of spring. After two hours of running for supplies, scraping jars deep for every last dip of peanut butter or jelly and packaging spotless sandwiches, Delta Sigma Pi emerged as the victor followed by Sigma Lambda Gamma in second and Women in Business in third. Caitlyn Vasquez, a senior psychology major and a member of Sigma Lambda Gamma, was happy to continue her sorority’s contribution to the event. “Our organization has participated in this for the past three years,” Vasquez said. “It’s really nice and it’s good to know it’s for the greater good. We had a lot of determination and competitiveness to win the race.” In the end, Vergano was proud of Student United Way’s efforts to improve the event from past occasions. “We looked back at last year’s (event) and reflected on what we could improve on,” Vergano said. “We wanted to amp up the race and make it a bigger, better impact for the community.”
Craft / Nooner provides outdoor entertainment
Students relive summer camp memories with CUB
continued from page 1
At the spin art station, students were offered an easy, stress-free way to make their own paint-splatter masterpieces by dropping neon paint onto small paper squares fixed in the spin machines. Some left their art for display at the event tables, while others took their pieces with them. At the bracelet station, students played with colorful string, beads and lanyards to make bracelets or keychains. As they walked by between classes, students lined up for s’mores, which were warmed up in miniature portable ovens and served by the event company, Any Excuse for a Party!, who also provided the rock climbing wall. Krause said she suspected the windy, 45-degree weather helped to
make the s’mores a popular choice. The wintry weather didn’t keep students from reliving their summer camp memories at Camp CUB. “When has any camping trip turned out to have good weather anyway?” asked Jimmy Armstrong, a freshman open options science major and CUB member.
“People have been saying it reminds them of their childhood.”
— Kaitlin Krause
CUB member
Students use colorful paints to personalize their spin art creations.
Meagan McDowell / Photo Editor
page 20 The Signal April 11, 2018
: April’88
Campus Style
Alcohol sanctions upset students
Photo courtesy of the TCNJ Digital Archive
Alcohol policies remain controversial on college campuses. Every week, Features Editor Lily Firth hits the archives and finds old Signals that relate to current College topics and top stories. Alcohol and other drugs are a point of contention on college campuses, as college is a notorious time for young people to engage in alcohol and drug use at parties. Today, the College handles students who are caught drinking underage with help from Campus Police, the Alcohol & Drug Education Program and the Office of Student Conduct. In 1988, the College passed a strict underage drinking discipline policy that outraged students. The College’s new alcohol sanctions have left many students residing on campus feeling angry. The new policy, which was issued by the Office of Residence Life, states that students who commit two violations of the alcohol policy will be forced to move out of the residence halls. “It’s just ridiculous,” said Mary Huder, a junior elementary education major who now lives off campus. “The college is saying that if you’re written up for alcohol more than once, you’ll get kicked off campus. If I was still living in Wolfe, I wouldn’t last a week!” Many students feel that college is a time for making their own decisions, and these new sanctions are a violation of their rights. Lisa Nemeth, a junior currently residing in Wolfe Hall, said, “A person has a right to drink if they’re not hurting anybody. After
all, it’s their body.” The law states that a person must be 21 years old before he can purchase or consume alcoholic beverages. But college students are notorious for breaking this law, and many feel that the College is being too strict. Pam Degenaars, a junior communications major, said, “I put in for lottery this year and I didn’t get housing. Now I’m thankful that I didn’t.” But it is more than the new policy that students are upset about, it is the way the administration tried to keep them from finding out about it. Although community advisors were informed, they were told not to tell everyone on their floor. Lorrie Willbergh, a junior special education major, said, “Students have a right to know what the rules are.” Some feel that the way the administration tried to restrict access to the information is a reflection on the College’s lack of faith in the new sanctions. “They must think something is wrong with it, or why would they cover it up?” said Sue Fitzer, a junior nursing major currently living on campus. “Besides, we are paying to go here, so why are they hiding the rules from us? It’s unfair.” Of all the students interviewed, none supported the new alcohol policy on campus. They feel angry and misled by the College, and some feel that it is their answer to the housing problem.
Lions Plate
Photo courtesy of Julia Kuzman
Mix vegetables with pasta for a fresh twist.
By Julia Kuzman Correspondent
I started my Instagram blog, @anythingbutramen,
Left: White T-shirts pair well with busy patterns and prints. Right: A spunky leather jacket compliments a basic white shirt. By Lexy Yulich Columnist Plain white T-shirts are one of the most versatile pieces of clothing you could ever own. You can create so many amazing outfits with a simple white shirt — from dressy to casual, the possibilities are endless. Today, I’m going to share with you five stylish outfit combinations that incorporate a white T-shirt. 1. White T-shirt with a leather jacket. As the weather slowly begins to warm up, I’ve been reaching for my moto-style leather jacket, which I like to pair with a white v-neck tee, black jeans and black booties. The outfit gives off an edgy yet comfortable vibe. 2. White tee and a flannel. A T-shirt and flannel is my go-to library look. If I get chilly in the library, I can put on my flannel, or if it’s warm, I can wrap it around my waist. I also typically add a baseball cap to hide my messy hair!
3. White T-shirt and boyfriend style jeans. I am a big fan of pairing distressed denim with a simplistic white shirt. For shoes, I usually wear my favorite grey suede slip ons, or white low-top converse. The outfit looks like I put a lot of effort into it, but in reality, it’s so simple! 4. White tee and a cardigan. There is nothing I love more than a cozy cardigan. I usually pair a gray or sand-colored cardigan with a white tee and leggings or ripped jeans. To add a little bit of dimension to the outfit, I’ll add a few pieces of dainty jewelry. 5. White T-shirt and a denim or printed skirt. I’ve been seeing this look all over fashion blogs and street-style inspired Instagram posts. For a simpler look, pair a denim skirt with a white shirt and a fun pair of flats or slip ons. If you’re feeling more daring, take a printed mini skirt such with stripes or a pattern on it and balance its business with the white shirt. I have a feeling this look will be on trend for the entire spring season.
Pasta with vegetables
to inspire people to eat healthy foods. When I moved into my first apartment as a college student, I found that I was completely overwhelmed when it came time to cook. I thought about the delicious balanced meals my mom would make, and researched healthy meals. I found out the hard way how difficult it was to make these meals while on a realistic budget. Throughout this process, I shared my creations with my family. I wanted to show what I was doing to a bigger audience, as well as help others, so I started my blog. Although it has been challenging, I have so much fun creating meals and hearing that I have helped people realize that having a healthy lifestyle in college doesn’t have to be difficult. This dinner is a great way to get in your daily serving of vegetables while still enjoying a bit of pasta. The possibilities are endless when it comes to making adjustments to this pasta dish. Swap out the pasta for a gluten free option such as brown rice pasta or even a high protein option like chickpea pasta. I served mine with olive oil, but you can also choose to top it with marinara instead. This pasta dish is great left over! Store the vegetable medley and pasta in separate containers to ensure freshness. Scoop both into a bowl and place in the microwave for 60-90 seconds if you want to reheat it.
Makes: 4-5 servings
Ingredients: 1 box of penne 1 garlic clove or 1/4 tsp garlic powder 1-2 tbsps olive oil 2 zucchini 1 cup broccoli florets 2 red bell peppers 1 package of sliced mushrooms Directions: 1. Fill up a pot with water and bring to a boil. 2. Add penne and cook for 10-13 minutes. 3. Chop vegetables. 4. In a sauté pan on medium heat, drizzle olive oil and then add garlic. 5. Add vegetables, salt and cracked pepper, cover with a lid and let sauté for 5-7 minutes or until slightly soft. 6. Strain pasta over sink. 7. Place vegetables in the pasta strainer over a paper towel to get rid of any excess oil. 8. Mix desired amount of vegetables with pasta along with any other toppings of your choice. 9. Enjoy!
April 11, 2018 The Signal page 21
Wellness Expo provides stress-free day
Activities aim to promote healthy habits
ADEP’s go-kart course puts a fun twist on alcohol education. By Gabriela Rey Correspondent
Students spent a rainy afternoon celebrating healthy lifestyle choices at the THRIVE: Wellness Expo on April 4 in the Student Recreation Center. The event, hosted by the College’s division of Health and Wellness, featured more than 25 on and off-campus vendors that promote healthy living, including TCNJ Dining Services and Body Zen, which provided complimentary massages to anyone feeling stressed. The Expo is “focused on creating a culture of wellness at TCNJ, at home and in the world around us” and coincided with National Public Health Week, according to the event’s page on Lion’s Gate. THRIVE focuses on every aspect of wellness at the College, according to Olivia Ortelli, a freshman math and psychology
double major and peer educator for THRIVE. This year, THRIVE is developing a peer educator program and has been present at various events on resiliency, sexual health and alcohol education. “I like to think of health and wellness as a lifestyle because I think it’s getting a little trendy,” Ortelli said. THRIVE’s table focused on environmental wellness. The organization potted complimentary lemon balm plants for students’ dorm rooms, since lemon balm is known to help reduce anxiety. “Environmental wellness is, yeah, the earth as a whole, but also, your dorm is like your personal environment,” Ortelli said. Mental health was the focus of many of the popular tables of the day, including Attitudes in Reverse, a non-profit organization that specializes in mental health awareness and suicide prevention
Aaron Wilson / Staff Photographer
through the use of therapy dogs. Tricia Baker, who works with the organization and has visited the College in the past, says that simply looking at a dog causes the brain to release oxytocin, known as the “cuddle hormone,” and petting a dog releases serotonin and dopamine, chemicals that relax the mind. “I see big smiles – all of the ‘oohs’ and ‘aahs’ is that flood of oxytocin happening in their brain,” says Baker. “A lot of students come back multiple times because they know they can get their doggy fix here.” Another table that seemed to receive significant traffic at the Expo was doTERRA Essential Oils. Students lined up to create their own mini roller bottles of essential oil blends, which facilitate alertness. Susan Walker, a doTERRA advocate and oil educator, holds classes to teach people about
the benefits and appropriate uses of each essential oil. “Peppermint is like a wake-up oil and can actually help increase oxygen levels in your brain,” Walker said. “Internally, it helps to ease nausea, digestive issues and it’s also a natural histamine for allergies.” Across from the Essential Oils table was the College’s Alcohol & Drug Education Program’s station, which also drew in big crowds with their go-kart race course. Jess Ayres, a junior public health major who works for ADEP, explained that the station focused on New Jersey’s 911 Lifeline Legislation, which provides amnesty to students who seek emergency attention for a peer who is intoxicated. The course featured red, yellow and green signs with behaviors to avoid and follow, and promoted the program’s Human Education Resource Office Campaign for Designated Drivers.
The venue also offered other health-conscious stations like TCNJ Dining Services, which served healthy smoothies and aided students in making the most out of Meal Equivalency in the healthiest way possible. Zumba and yoga classes, a game of “Are You Smarter than a Nursing Student” courtesy of the Nursing Department, raffles and miniature ponies that provided stiff competition for the therapy dogs were also offered at the Expo. Students, overall, seemed to enjoy of all of the activities the Expo provided, as well as the free goodies everyone got to take home. But the tiny ponies took first prize for the most attentiongrabbing station. “The mini horses were definitely my favorite. I have horses at home so it’s like a little piece of home here, it’s nice,” said Cameron Tague, a freshman business management major. “Oh my god, and their little sneakers!”
Aaron Wilson / Staff Photographer
Students participate in a Zumba class with Roscoe.
Cuisine / Night Market showcases Asian traditions
continued from page 1
food represented their country’s culture.” A barbeque wafted the smoky smell of grilled pork. Students could also taste bubble tea, Vietnamese coffee, spring rolls, sushi and more. Planning the event took five to six months, according to Nikki Huang, a senior nursing major and president of the College’s
Asian American Alliance. “We starting planning probably in like October, November because (this event) is the first of its kind,” Huang said. “We just needed a lot of time to think about where we want to have it, what kind of events, what activities (to have).” Huang said that the clubs wanted to create their own event, that would be fun for attendees as well as help their organizations stand
Kyler Steele / Staff Photographer
Hungry students eagerly await the chance to taste Eastern dishes.
out on campus. “JSA and KSA are new clubs, they’ve only been around for two, three years,” Huang said. “Each Asian club had their own specific big event … so they kind of wanted to integrate some of their own culture into a big event.” Christine Papas, a junior mathematics major and president of the JSA, said planning a brand-new event for the first time was stressful, but she knows that all the work paid off. “I think it’s completely worth it just because multiculturalism is not something that is found abundantly at TCNJ, so I think it was a great opportunity to show the campus what the rest of the world is like,” Papas said. Students acknowledged and appreciated the effort that went into planning the event’s activities. “I feel like all in all if you can get a turnout that’s like this, which is pretty decent, especially on a Friday night, I think it’s pretty good,” said Amanda Pegher, a senior biology major. Papas and Aldrich were pleased with how the event turned out. “I’m happy. It came together a lot nicer than I thought it would,” Papas said. “Only because we’ve never run an event like this, or any sort of event, we were worried about
whether or not things would actually fit into place and would work, but it turned out a lot better than I ever expected it to be.” In the future, Papas foresees JSA and KSA incorporating more multicultural organizations into the Night Market. “There are a lot of cultures on this campus that people may not be entirely familiar with, but I think this is actually a really good opportunity to invite people to see what it’s like,” Papas said.
“I think it’s completely worth it just because multiculturalism is not something that is found abundantly at TCNJ.” — Christine
Papas
President of JSA
page 22 The Signal April 11, 2018
Fun Stuff Spring Bird Scramble
1. reodopkcwe
2. ebul ajy
3. aedcicekh
4. ildfcnohg
5. worapsr
6. rougnmin 1. woodpecker 2. blue jay 3. chickadee 4. goldfinch 5. sparrow 6. mourning dove
April 11, 2018 The Signal page 23
Sports Softball
Lions outlast Montclair in conference opener
Platt allows only one hit against Rutgers-Camden.
By Miguel Gonzalez Sports Editor
In its only doubleheader of the week, the softball team cracked plenty of hits. The Lions defeated Rutgers-University Camden twice in 11-1 and 9-1 victories in Camden, New Jersey on Thursday, April 5.
Miguel Gonzalez / Sports Editor
With a strong pitching performance from freshman Alanna Namit, the Lions cruised by Rutgers in the first game. With second and third base occupied at the top of the third inning, freshman infielder Lauren Conroy hit a single to center field to give the Lions a 2-0 lead. The Lions’ bats then flourished at the top
of the fourth inning. Junior outfielder Gaby Bennett started off with a single past second base and allowed freshman outfielder Katie Winchock to cross home plate. Afterward, the team successfully loaded the bases and scored four runs off a walk from senior outfielder Madison Levine and a bases-clearing double by Conroy. Rutgers-Camden’s only run came in the bottom of the fifth, when Namit walked a batter with the bases loaded. Despite the walk, Namit struck out six batters and only allowed one hit. Once the Lions transitioned to freshman pitcher Elizabeth Sweet, they added more runs to seal the 11-1 victory. At the top of the sixth, sophomore infielder Megan Mayernik took advantage of the opponent’s shaky infield defense and reached third base off a throwing error. In the next at-bat, Levine hit a long drive to right field to send Mayernik home. Up 8-1, the Lions were not yet finished. Freshman outfielder Kaitlin Kocinski smacked a double to left field and scored two players. The team was equally as dominant in the second match as senior pitcher Sam Platt only allowed one hit and one run. Kocinski got the Lions on the scoreboard at the top of the second inning when she blasted a home run over center field.
Rutgers-Camden countered in the next inning when a runner rushed to home plate off a wild pitch. With the game tied at one in the bottom of third, the Lions quickly got into scoring position with runners on second and third. Junior outfielder Gaby Bennett contributed two runs when she cranked a long drive to right field. The Lions piled on more runs in the top of the fourth. With Conroy on second and Levine on third, Kocinski hit a pop up that Rutgers-Camden failed to catch, allowing Conroy and Levine to sprint through the bases to put the Lions ahead, 5-1. Bennett later padded the Lions’ lead with an RBI double, and sophomore outfielder Helena Coppola blasted a two-run home run. In the midst, Platt recorded a whopping 11 ground outs. Junior infielder Francesca Pugliese was impressed by the team’s pitching all around. “Platt and Namit were great,” Pugliese said. “They were really strong and they know how to adjust to the umpire’s strike zones. Liz always comes in to finish out the win.” The Lions look to continue their undefeated start in the New Jersey Athletic Conference when they play a doubleheader against Ramapo College on Saturday, April 14. The first game is scheduled to begin at 1 p.m. at Dr. June Walker Field.
Tennis
Women cruise through opponents, men surrender to NYU By Rohan Ahluwalia Staff Writer
With only a couple of weeks of the season left to play, the women’s tennis team continued its undefeated season last week, earning two victories. At the same time, the men’s team claimed two more wins before enduring a 6-3 loss against New York University on Sunday, April 8. The women began with a sweeping 9-0 victory over the State University of New York Geneseo at home on Friday, April 6, before defeating Ithaca College, 7-2, Saturday, April 7. Against SUNY Geneseo, the women dominated in doubles competition, winning all three matches in straight sets. Juniors Sneha Rangu and Alyssa Baldi continued their perfect partnership, taking an 8-2 victory. Senior Maddy Stoner then partnered with sophomore Audrey Chen to claim an 8-0 victory. The last doubles match resulted in a forfeit, which gave the College a 3-0 lead going into singles. In the singles competition, the women won all five matches in straight sets. Rangu defeated Salzano in straight sets of 6-0 before senior Brittany Reedman defeated Lam-Tran in 6-2 and 6-1 sets. Stoner then earned a victory over Dana Sorrentino while Baldi also won in straight sets, 6-0, over Gretchen Ayoub. Sophomore Sondra Lionetti wrapped up the victory for the Lions, taking a straight set victory, which was Lionetti’s
first ever collegiate win. The next day, the women hosted Ithaca College. Like the day before, Rangu and Baldi continued their unbeatable partnership, taking an 8-5 victory over Ithaca sophomore Brianna Ruback and freshman Sara Steinberg. Chen then partnered with freshman Andrea Giacobbo for an 8-1 victory. Meanwhile, Stoner partnered with junior Grace Minassian but the duo fell short, as they lost, 8-6, to Ithaca junior Caroline Dunn and junior Kathryn Shaffer. In singles, the women managed to win five of their six matches, with all victories coming in straight sets. “They’ve been playing very well,” said head coach Scott Dicheck. “We got some big matches coming up against teams that are nationally ranked so we got some challenges ahead of us but up to now we’ve been playing great.” Meanwhile, the men began their week with a dominating 9-0 victory at Muhlenberg College on Friday, April 6. In doubles, junior Matt Puig partnered with sophomore Thomas Wright to earn a 9-8 victory. Juniors Omar Bokhari and Tim Gavornik won, 8-1, which was followed by another victory with the same score from sophomore Gokul Murugesan and freshman Sean Reilly, giving the College a 3-0 lead going into the singles competition. In singles, junior Mitchel Sanders, Bohkari and Gavornik all won their matches in straight sets. Wright then defeated Muhlenberg sophomore Alex
Sanders earns a singles win against Muhlenberg College. Dagilis before junior Achyuth Balijepalle and freshman Andrew Mok both claimed wins. The next day, the men edged out Ithaca in a close 5-4 victory. Sanders and Murugesan earned a 8-0 doubles victory against Ithaca sophomores Minos Stavrakas and Colten Lavery, while Gavornik and Bokhari won, 8-1. In singles, Gavornik, Wright and Balijepalle were the winners for the College, with all three winning their matches in straight sets. The Lions hosted New York University at the Mercer County Park Commission Tennis Facility. Unfortunately, the men couldn’t
make it three victories in a row, as they fell 3-6. In doubles, Sanders and Reilly were the only victors for the College, winning 8-7. In singles, only Puig and Gavornik could earn victories, both earned in three hard fought sets. “We’re feeling really confident,” Puig said. “We really competed hard these last couple of days. We’re just going to try to keep the momentum that we have been building over the last couple of weeks and carry it into a tough match coming up this weekend.” Dicheck looks forward to the team having much needed rest
Photo courtesy of the Sports Information Desk
after a busy week. “We know three in a row is a tough schedule, especially since one of the games was a snow out that we had to redo,” Dicheck said. “I thought the guys played well all weekend. You want to go 3-0 but you go 2-1, but we’re happy. The guys will now get rested up and should be ready for next week.” The women play their next home match against New York University on Thursday, April 12, starting at 3 p.m. at the outdoor tennis facilities. Afterward, both the men and women travel to Salisbury, Maryland to play against Salisbury University on Sunday, April 15.
page 24 The Signal April 11, 2018
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April 11, 2018 The Signal page 25 Track and Field
Lap / Carter, Ellenbacher claim first place continued from page 28
Lindsey attributes the men’s success at the 100-meter and 200-meter dashes to patience. “With event like this, our team has to be patient,” Lindsey said. “We emphasize on slowing down mentally in order to succeed.” Noah Osterhus also won the 400-meter dash in dominant fashion, running at 49.85 to gap the field by nearly a second, and recording the only sub-50 second performance of the day. In the 800-meter, junior Daniel Lynch placed fourth overall with a time of 2:02.13. Freshman Robert Abrams led the Lions in the 3000-meter event, running at 8:48.30 for third place. Sophomore Andrew Dyer also ran in under nine minutes, placing sixth with a time of 8:57.70. In the steeplechase, sophomore Mike Zurzolo ran at 10:13.39, narrowly missing second place in a sprint finish to freshman Wesley Cruz of The State University of New York at Delhi. On the field, senior Andrew McNutt jumped at 6.40 meters in the long jump for third place. Sophomore Tim Reilly jumped 12.69 meters for fifth in the triple jump. Sophomore Stephen Huber placed sixth in the meet in the javelin throw, throwing for 51.83 meters. The women also turned in some impressive performances at the meet across all events. In the 100-meter dash, Grisson placed third with a time of 12.79, followed by fellow freshman Rachel Lanzalotti with a time of 13.09. Gorman recorded a time of 25.96 for second in the 200-meter final, good for third in the regional rankings. At the 400-meter dash, senior Meagan McGourty placed sixth with a time of 1:02.78. In the 800-meter event, freshman Emily Hirsch ran a season best time of 2:23.39. Sophomore Gabby DeVito took the win in the 3000meter run with a time of 10:33.98, outlasting sophomore
Genoese places second in the 100-meter dash.
Jennifer Polo of Ramapo College over the last 200 meters of the race. Junior Emma Bean secured fourth with a time of 10:52.07. In the 100-meter hurdles, sophomore Kaila Carter won decisively with a time of 14.96, placing seventh in the regional rankings. In the 400-meter hurdles, senior Jenna Ellenbacher took the win with a region-leading time of 1:04.07, besting the competition by over a second. The team’s 4x100 relay team also took the win, running with a time of 50.9. Sophomore Allison Zelinski won the long jump at 5.13 meters and junior Stephanie Wolfer threw 33.66 meters in the javelin throw for third. Overall, the Lions had a strong showing on the
Baseball
Miguel Gonzalez / Sports Editor
team’s home turf. Lindsey said the meet had a spirited atmosphere because many team members helped organize the invitational. “We ran (the invitational) ourselves,” Lindsey said. “The meet had more of a team atmosphere because everyone helped each other to organize everything. We actually finished earlier than scheduled. Overall, it was a great team bonding experience.” The Lions will be back to compete at the Coach P Invitational from Friday, April 13 to Saturday, April 14, at Moravian College in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. Several Lions will also run at the Chester Quarry Classic at Widener University in Chester, Pennsylvania on Saturday, April 14.
Lacrosse
Double / Baseball snaps streak Lions blast Montclair State By Miguel Gonzalez Sports Editor
Photo courtesy of the Sports Information Desk
Crowley pitches three innings of relief against Ramapo.
continued from page 28
about mindset and execution,” Crowley said. “We can’t go out there thinking that we’re going to mess up and we can’t dwell on previous outings. The starter may not go that deep into the game but we still have to be able to go out there when called on, execute our pitches and finish the job.” Curry explained how the additional pressure in the late innings amplified the importance of the team maintaining its composure. “A big part of being a relief pitcher is keeping your cool, especially coming in with guys on base or in a close game,” Curry said. “You have a whole team counting
on you to do your job, which, as a reliever, is to come in and get guys out, so anything less than that is perceived as a failure.” The Lions found themselves as the beneficiaries of another five-run inning in the eighth to thwart any comeback attempts — all of the runs were unearned. The team is scheduled to have another busy week, as the Lions take on Stockton University at George Ackerman Park on Thursday, April 12 at 3:30 p.m. The team then travels to Galloway, New Jersey for another game against Stockton on Friday, April 13. The Lions then conclude the week with a doubleheader against Montclair State University at George Ackerman Park on Saturday, April 14 at 11:30 a.m.
After a challenging two-game set against Middlebury College and Gettysburg College, the women’s lacrosse team breezed past Montclair State University, 16-2, on Saturday, April 7. In their first conference match of the season, the Lions limited Montclair to 14 shots and two goals. Senior defender Elizabeth Morrison stifled Montclair’s offense from the moment the whistle blew. The match opened with Montclair having possession until Morrison forced a turnover. She passed to junior midfielder Kathleen Jaeger, who immediately scored the Lions’ first goal. In the sixth minute, senior midfielder Amanda Muller recorded her 100th career goal off a free position attempt. Montclair immediately countered on the next play when freshman attacker Rhiannon Brown received a free position attempt and netted a goal. In the aftermath, the Lions asserted their dominance and pelted
Montclair with eight unanswered goals. In the midst of the offensive outburst, sophomore midfielder Allie Gorman collected three goals while junior midfielder Kathleen Jaeger netted a pair of her own. Montclair struck first in the second half before the Lions took over. After Montclair senior attacker Chelsea Orban scored a goal, the College put more goals up on the scoreboard With the offense led by sophomore attacker Kasey Donoghue and Jaeger tallying four goals together, the Lions steamrolled past Montclair for a resounding 16-2 win. So far into the season, the Lions have been an offensive powerhouse, as seven players recorded at least 13 goals. Fitzpatrick currently leads the team with 26 goals. Meanwhile, junior goalkeeper Miranda Chrone has kept the net secure by recording 47 saves. The Lions will continue their quest for an eighth consecutive New Jersey Athletic Conference title when they take on Ramapo College of New Jersey on Thursday, April 12 in Mahwah, New Jersey.
Photo courtesy of the Sports Information Desk
Abby Flagler pressures her opponent on defense.
page 26 The Signal April, 11 2018
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April 11, 2018 The Signal page 27
LIONS AROUND
D RM
Alexander Reich “The Ref”
Malcolm Luck Sports Editor
Matthew Fitzpatrick ATD Correspondent
Miguel Gonzalez Sports Editor
In this week’s edition of Around the Dorm, “Ref” Alexander Reich asked our panel of three experts — Malcolm Luck, Matthew Fitzpatrick and Miguel Gonzalez — three questions: 1. Will Tiger Woods win the Masters this year? 2. Can the Boston Celtics make a deep run in the playoffs without Kyrie Irving? 3. Will the Houston Astros continue their momentum from their 6-1 start?
1. Will Tiger Woods win the Masters this year? Malcolm: I don’t think Tiger Woods will win the Masters this year. He’s been performing pretty well lately, but definitely not well enough to outperform some of the guys like Patrick Reed, Rickie Fowler and Jordan Spieth, who have all maintained better success more recently. I think Tiger Woods has been getting so much hype lately because of the drastic improvement he has stumbled upon. It seems like a few years ago I would turn on SportsCenter to see Woods injured or performing uncharacteristically poorly in tournaments. Seemingly out of nowhere, he’ll flash signs of his old self with a long putt for a birdie and a classic fist pump but it’s nothing like his old self. Unfortunately, we
have seen the best of Tiger, and I don’t think he’ll win another major event ever again. Matthew: Tiger Woods will not win the Masters this year. Tiger has been very competitive these past few tournaments, but the Augusta National is a much more difficult golf course than the ones he has played on since his return. With young players like Jordan Spieth, Rory McIlroy and Justin Thomas and seasoned veterans like Matt Kuchar and Henrik Stenson, Tiger will not be the one putting on the green jacket. Miguel: It’s good to see the red Nike polo shirt at the Masters. While I admire Tiger Woods’ effort to come back on top, the competition is simply too much for him at the Masters. With perennial contenders like Jordan
AP Photo
Spieth, Patrick Reed and Rickie Fowler, Woods can’t be considered the best golfer in America. Tiger Woods at the Masters in 2018 is like seeing Vince Carter
in the NBA dunk contest. Regardless of the result, Woods is definitely showing potential after placing in fifth at the Arnold Palmer Invitational and second at
the Valspar Championship. If he keeps persisting and placing high in future tournaments, I can see Woods winning the Masters in two years.
Miguel gets 3 points for adding that Woods has the potential of winning. Matthew gets 2 points for pointing out that Woods is still competitive. Malcolm gets 1 point for his negativity about Woods’ future.
AP Photo
2. Can the Boston Celtics make a deep run in the playoffs without Kyrie Irving? Malcolm: The Celtics still have potential, but I don’t think they have a deep run left in them without Kyrie Irving. The Celtics win and lose games on their defensive output, and I don’t think that’ll be any different without Kyrie. He wasn’t necessarily a defensive liability, but he definitely isn’t good enough on defense to cause the Celtics to truly miss his presence. On offense, however, clutch playoff Kyrie will undoubtedly be missed. I’m a huge fan of his replacement Terry Rozier. I think Rozier has triple-double potential every time he steps on the court, but we have yet to see him in a playoff atmosphere. I’m not convinced that he can lead this team in a do-ordie type of game, and he definitely isn’t a good enough shooter to take clutch shots like Kyrie. Considering that they’re now losing games against the (really, really, really bad) Atlanta Hawks at home, I can see any team in the East knocking off the Celtics after the first round.
Matthew: The Boston Celtics cannot make a deep run without star point guard Kyrie Irving. Kyrie had been the difference this year that would have propelled the Celtics over the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Toronto Raptors. However, without star small forward Gordon Hayward and star point guard Kyrie Irving, the Celtics are not advancing to the Finals this year. Miguel: The Boston Celtics should be more worried about its foes this year. In an Eastern Conference filled with strong teams like the Toronto Raptors, the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Indiana Pacers, the Celtics don’t have much room for error. Not to mention the Celtics will have to deal with the red-hot Philadelphia 76ers, who are currently on a 14-game winning-streak. Sure, while the Celtics do have excellent players like 20-year-old forward Jayson Tatum, guard Marcus Smart and guard/forward Jaylen Brown, it won’t be enough to win the Eastern Conference. The Celtics should be thankful they are not in the ultra-competitive Western Conference.
Malcolm gets 3 points because he added that any team in the East can beat the Celtics. Matthew gets 2 points for mentioning Hayward. Miguel gets 1 point because he said that he does not think the Celtics can advance. 3. Will the Houston Astros continue their momentum from their 6-1 start? Malcolm: The Astros cannot and will not be stopped. Right now, they’re my front-runners for the World Series title. Every aspect of their team has so much depth. Their starting rotation, lineup and bullpen are all probably in the top five of the American League. They’ve added Gerrit Cole, who has looked phenomenal through his first two outings of the year. What really convinces me, however, is their lineup. With Springer, Altuve and Correa all at the top of their lineup, they’re easily one of the most consistent offensive teams in the league. Josh Reddick and Brian McCann have also been adding to the offensive powerhouse early on in the year which is promising as well because the top of their lineup can’t carry the entire team. The Astros are something special, and the rest of the baseball world should definitely take notice. Matthew: The Houston Astros will continue their hot streak after their 6-1 start. With the new addition of Gerrit Cole, the World Series champs only got better
this offseason and are primed for a great season. As long as star shortstop Carlos Correa and reigning MVP Jose Altuve stay healthy, they will be a force to be reckoned with. Miguel: Man, I have to admit, the Houston Astros are great. Throughout Major League Baseball history, championship teams usually can’t replicate their success from the previous year. It’s difficult because of free agency signings, retirements, trades and coaching changes. Unlike past championship teams, the Astros haven’t skipped a beat. During the offseason, the Astros revamped their pitching lineup by signing pitcher Gerrit Cole from the Pittsburgh Pirates. The Astros also extended the contracts of core players like Jose Altuve and George Springer. It’s almost as if the 2017 Astros transitioned to the 2018 season within a week. I expect the Astros to continue their great start and take over the American League soon. The only team that can stop them are the New York Yankees, only if Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton can’t stop striking out so much.
Malcolm gets 3 points for saying that the Astros are the real deal. Miguel gets 2 points for mentioning pitcher Gerrit Cole. Matthew gets 1 point for lack of detail.
AP Photo
Winner’s Circle Tom wins ATD 9-5-4
Malcolm wins ATD 7-6-5 “You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take”Faccus repe
“Let’s go Mets!”
Signal
Sports
Lions show strength at home invitational
Carter leaps her way to first place in the 100-meter hurdles. By Gregory Leddy Correspondent The Lions put on a slew of strong performances this weekend at both the Colonial Relays at the College of William & Mary from Friday, April 6 to Saturday, April 7 and at the TCNJ Invitational from Friday, April 6 to Sunday, April 8. The Colonial Relays saw a number of great performances on both the men’s and women’s sides. On the men’s side, members of the middle distance squad competed in both the 800-meter and 1500-meter events, slingshotting off of a great indoor season that culminated at
Miguel Gonzalez / Sports Editor
the All-Atlantic Region Track & Field Conference Championships in Ithaca, New York. Junior Jack Wood competed in a loaded slate at the 800meter event and placed eighth in his heat with a time of 1:56.97, good for 47th overall and his fastest career outdoor opening race. In the 1500-meter event, senior Dale Johnson won his heat with a personal best time of 3:59.97, representing his first mark under the four-minute barrier. Junior Luke Prothero placed seventh in his heat, clocking in at 4:00.51. Head coach Justin Lindsey was glad to see Johnson achieve a personal best time. “Johnson has trained really well to do this,” Lindsey said.
“He’s now healthy after being sick for so long, so it’s good to see his efforts pay off.” The women had a spectacular weekend at the Colonial Relays, competing in events ranging from the 100-meter to the 5000-meter event. In the 100-meter event, freshman Jada Grisson ran at a time of 12.56, the eighth fastest time in the region this season, and good for fourth in her heat. Senior Danielle Celestin was also fourth in her heat with a time of 12.78. Sophomore Samantha Gorman led the charge in the 200-meter event with a time of 25.59, placing third in the region. She returned for the 400-meter event, running at 58.98 that placed her seventh in her heat and fourth in the region. Freshman teammate Dana DeLuca ran 1:00.77 for sixth place in her heat. The College’s sole competitor in the 1500-meter event, junior Abigail Faith, ran a time of 5:00.94, earning 15th place in her heat. In the 5000-meter event, junior Natalie Cooper ran a personal best of 17:50.20, placing fourth in both her heat and the regional rankings. Junior Erin Holzbaur had a great showing in the 3000-meter steeplechase, placing sixth overall with a time of 10:54.36. The men also put on notable performances at the TCNJ Invitational. In the sprints, senior Nicholas Genoese placed second in the 100-meter dash with a time of 11.04, just behind junior Alex Kainer of Stevens Institute of Technology, who ran at 10.90. Genoese came back to lead the Lions in the 200-meter dash, running 22.80 for fourth. Following close behind were juniors Noah and Nathan Osterhus, running at 22.84 and 23.03 for fourth and eighth overall, respectively. see LAP page 25
Baseball dominates Ramapo, falls to Rutgers-Camden Malcolm Luck Sports Editor The Lions’ 11-game winningstreak came to a jolting halt when the College suffered backto-back losses at the hands of Rutgers-University Camden, 1-3 and 0-1 on Thursday, April 5 and Friday, April 6. The team then bounced back to trample Ramapo College in a doubleheader by scores of 11-0 and 11-2 on Sunday, April 8. The first loss to RutgersCamden was the result of a brilliant pitching performance by Rutgers-Camden junior Ian Scheidemann, who earned the win with a complete game and 11 strikeouts. The College’s sophomore starting pitcher Michael Walley threw a complete game himself, but ultimately fell victim to Rutgers-Camden’s sophomore first baseman/outfielder, Matt Yanick. Yanick, who pinch hit in the second inning, drove in all three runs for his team. He hit a sacrifice fly to center in the second inning, drove in an RBI with a single to left center in the sixth and smacked another RBI single
Lions Lineup April 11, 2018
I n s i d e
to left in the eighth. In the top half of the ninth, the Lions loaded the bases with no outs but only scratched away one run on an RBI walk by junior infielder Tommy McCarthy. Just a day later, the home field advantage at George Ackerman Park yielded the same offensive drought, as the Lions managed to put up zero runs. RutgersCamden’s starting pitcher Carter Fichter followed up Scheidemann’s performance with a gem of his own, hurling a complete game shutout. The Lions’ best scoring chance came in the first inning with the bases loaded, but McCarthy struck out swinging to end the threat. Rutgers-Camden took advantage in the top of the fourth, scoring on a single which ultimately ended up being the lone run of the day for both sides. Despite the loss, junior starting pitcher Michael Fischer went the distance, striking out eight batters in nine innings. After scoring a combined one run in two games, the Lions’ offense unloaded on conference opponent Ramapo College in their
Softball page 23
doubleheader on Sunday, April 8. The College made its statement early, starting with a single and a stolen base by junior infielder Danny Borup. Shindler brought him home with an RBI single, and the Lions never looked back. The College put the game out of reach in the bottom of the fifth, when it tacked on five runs before the first out of the inning was recorded. Simon, McCarthy and junior infielder Ryan Fischer all collected RBIs. When the dust settled, the Lions put up six total runs in the inning to take a commanding 9-0 lead. For the first time in a week, the starting pitcher was rewarded for an awe-inspiring performance as senior Joe Cirillo went eight innings for the win. An early offensive statement was the theme for the second game of the doubleheader as well, displayed by RBI singles by Shindler and Lindsay to take a 2-0 lead in the bottom half of the first. Senior pitcher Brandon Zachary responded with a shutdown inning, striking out three despite
Tennis page 23
Photo courtesy of the Sports Information Desk
Michael Fischer strikes out eight in nine innings.
giving up a pair of walks. However, Zachary was pulled after five innings in large part due to his lack of command. He tallied six walks and one hit-by-pitch, despite only allowing one hit. Junior pitchers Dylan Crowley and senior Matt Curry combined for two earned runs over four innings of work to complete
Lacrosse page 25
the game. After the game, Crowley and Curry expressed the importance of mental fortitude and accountability as members of the bullpen. “Being a relief pitcher is all about mindset and execution,” see DOUBLE page 25
Around the Dorm page 27