We had Muffins with Martini... are we thinking Tacos with Tillie?
We write Stevens history HOBOKEN, NJ | FEBRUARY 21, 2025
VOLUME CXXI No. 18
Lottery system housing applications open for Fall 2025
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BY SERENA PANUCCI, STAFF WRITER
PHOTO COURTESY OF STUDENT AFFAIRS
Welcome Tillie Stella Stevens to the Stevens family! BY EVAN PAPAGEORGE, HEAD COPY EDITOR
The Stevens community welcomes an exciting new addition to the Division of Student Affairs family: a Goldendoodle with four legs, a wagging tail, and an endless supply of love. Meet Tillie Stella Stevens, whose role will extend beyond being an adorable campus presence. As Stevens’ official comfort dog, Tillie will emotionally support students, faculty, and staff, reinforcing the university’s commitment to mental health and well-being. Born on December 12 of
last year, at only 3 months old, Tillie is a spirited Sagittarius, full of energy and warmth. After an enthusiastic campus-wide effort to name her, she is now preparing for her grand debut in late August 2025, joining Stevens alongside the incoming Class of 2029. Tillie will work from the Division of Student Affairs office on the second floor of the University Center Complex with her handler, Dean of Students Ken Nilsen. While she is still in training and won’t be on campus full-time, students can look forward to special appointments with her and sightings at various campus events, leisurely walks,
NATIONAL NEWS Trump administration attempts to reduce university research funding BY TANYA AVADIA , BUSINESS MANAGER With every new administration assuming office, policy shifts are to be expected, and with Trump returning to office, his favorite way of enacting change is through executive orders. Despite being in office for less than a month, he has already begun to carry out aspects of his agenda. From social issues to economic regulations, he and his administration have made many alterations, which has garnered them both support and backlash. One example of such a policy shift is the
freezing of federal research funding, which negatively impacts universities and research institutions. On January 20, 2025, President Trump signed off on an executive order and mandated federal agencies not to recognize the identity of transgender individuals. This, in turn, led to the suspension of several research programs that were previously funded by the federal government. Such research programs included the National Institute of Health (NIH)’s Adolescent Medicine Trials Network for HIV Interventions. Weeks later, on February 7, 2025, NIH
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Welcome Tillie Stella Stevens to the Stevens family! Learn more about Stevens’ new goldendoodle coming August 2025. FEATURE (4)
Happy Founder’s Day! Find out more about the original Stevens family, in honor of Founder’s Day Ball this Friday.
NEW STUTE EVERY FRIDAY • EST. 1904
SGA receives a record-high 28 new club applications
BY FIONA SHI, STAFF WRITER On January 27, the Office of Residential and Dining Services opened housing applications for the Fall 2025 semester. There were a few changes to both the payment and application processes, and students interested in on-campus housing for the semester will need to submit their Housing Application by Friday, February 28. The Housing Application can be accessed through the myStevens Housing & Dining (StarRez) page. After submitting the application, a $200 non-refundable application fee is due by February 28 in place of a $500 security deposit. If students wish to cancel their applications for unapproved reasons, they will be charged $500 cancellation fees. Different from previous years, room selection dates will be determined by a random lottery system, with students assigned lottery numbers within their class year. The process will occur in order of class standing, starting with first-years students, followed by second-year students, and so on.The implementation of this system “aims to create a fairer, more equitable process for all students and support our commitment to inclusivity and accessibility,” Dean of Residential and Dining Operations Trina Ballantyne said. Housing groups range from two to four people, and there is a builtin roommate-matching function for students who need it. “There are a series of questions that must
The student newspaper of Stevens Institute of Technology, and creator of Attila the Duck. www.thestute.com TikTok @thestute Instagram @thestute facebook.com/stevensthestute
Earth’s inner core? Brains over come fear? Non-opiod pain medication? Read about what’s going on in the world of science. PULSE (10)
Read answers from the Stevens community to our weekly Roving Reporter, plus solve our weekly puzzle and sudoku.
announced it would cap indirect cost reimbursement for research grants at 15%. Indirect costs refer to costs such as laboratory maintenance, utility costs, and administrative staff expenses. While these costs don’t directly relate to any research projects, they are still necessary for research to occur. This is a significant difference, as previous reimbursements used to be around 30%, with some research facilities receiving up to 60% reimbursements for indirect costs.
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and perhaps even the occasional “Pup Cup” treat at America’s Cup. “As Tillie’s caregiver, I’m excited to see the positive impact she will have on our campus community,” said Nilsen. “Her presence is more than just comforting, it’s a reminder that even in the busiest, most stressful moments, there’s always space for compassion, connection, and a moment of calm. I’m looking forward to seeing how she brings joy and support to our students, and I feel honored to be a part of this journey with her.” Like the university’s
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The Student Government Association (SGA) at Stevens plays a crucial role in our campus life, overseeing the creation and approval of new student-led organizations. This year, student engagement has increased significantly, resulting in 28 new club applications submitted for review, a sign of rapidly growing interest in expanding extracurriculars on campus. The SGA’s mission to “advocate for the undergraduate student body” and “enhance the student experience” serves as a meaningful tool for the Stevens community, connecting students with faculty and staff while working to enhance campus life. It provides a space for students to share ideas, take on leadership roles, and help shape their college experience. This year’s rise in applications brings more voices and perspectives, allowing the SGA to better support the community and ensure that everyone feels welcome and included. Ranging from academic clubs to culture/religious and even hobby-based clubs, the SGA has a lot to offer its students, and these clubs reflect the diverse passions of the student body. Stevens students are always striving for more, as reflected by the 28 new applications this semester, most of them being firstyear students. Sebastian Sztolberg, the current Vice President of Student Interest (VPSI) for the SGA, expressed enthusiasm about the exceptional rise in applications this year. He views this as a positive development that will only strengthen the SGA. “It’s exciting to see more students eager to start new clubs and get
involved!” he said. The SGA has recently implemented a new process for approving new clubs, and it is even more thorough and structured than before. “The process this year is built on last year’s, but with slight modifications to help make it as easy as possible for applying student organizations.” Students begin by submitting a proposal through Ducklink, outlining their vision, key ideas, and what sets their club apart from existing organizations. Once submitted, the application moves to the voting stage, where the SGA evaluates its potential impact on campus life before making a final decision. Sztolberg also emphasizes the SGA’s determination to allow each club organization a “fair chance of being reviewed as individuals,” without being compared to other applying organizations. Asked why he believes the amount of applications has increased significantly in the past year, Sztolberg said, “I think it’s because these clubs reflect the diverse interests of our student body, and how so many people are willing to spread their passions and hobbies to the campus.” New clubs such as a rocketry club, an artificial intelligence club, a structural engineering club, a Greek cultural club, and many more are in the process of being implemented by students. Their next step is to submit videos to be reviewed by the VPSI and Office of Student Life before moving forward. The overall increase in applications is a testament to the recognition of the importance of extracurricular involvement in shaping a well-rounded student experience. Sztolberg emphasized, “It’s important to me that all of
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LOCAL NEWS New luminous artwork at Pier A BY EVAN PAPAGEORGE, HEAD COPY EDITOR In early 2025, a captivating new art installation, “Star Light Star Bright,” was brought to Hoboken’s waterfront. This interactive pavilion at Pier A Park is the brainchild of designers Nancy Hou and Josh de Sousa of the Brooklyn-based studio Hou de Sousa. The installation, commissioned by the Hoboken Business Alliance (HBA), aims to provide a vibrant communal space for residents and visitors alike. “Star Light Star Bright,” Hou de Sousa’s first project in New Jersey, official-
ly opened to the public on February 5 and will remain in place until the first week of May. The pavilion’s design features over 9,000 feet of fluorescent paracord arranged in a starshaped configuration. By day, the structure offers a striking visual against the Hudson River and Manhattan skyline backdrop. As night falls, the pavilion transforms, with its cords shimmering under ultraviolet light, creating a luminous spectacle that enhances the waterfront’s nocturnal ambiance. Visitors are encouraged to walk through and around the pavilion, immersing themselves in its vibrant hues and dy-
namic forms. The arched entryways frame the picturesque views of the surrounding landscape, inviting casual passersby and dedicated art enthusiasts to engage with the space. The HBA’s commitment to enriching Hoboken’s public spaces through art is evident in its previous installations. In 2023, the city featured an array of miniature glass houses, and in 2024, towering “Electric Dandelions” illuminated the waterfront with their 28-foot-tall steel and LED structures. “Star Light Star Bright” continues this tradition, offering a fresh and interactive ex-
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