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Who said it was a good idea to make students pay upcharges with meal swipes?

We write Stevens history HOBOKEN, NJ | SEPTEMBER 25, 2026

VOLUME CXXIIII No. 03

The student newspaper of Stevens Institute of Technology, and creator of Attila the Duck. www.thestute.com TikTok @thestute Instagram @thestute facebook.com/stevensthestute NEW STUTE EVERY FRIDAY • EST. 1904

Cannon Cafe makeover and new upcharges

Stevens enrollment stumbles as economic pressure mounts

BY SRIKAR VELAM, CONTRIBUTOR

Stevens welcomed the Class of 2030 to campus this month with the same celebratory tone it uses every September. The semester started with convocation, a Wittpenn Walk, and a class profile touting nearly 1,100 new undergraduates including the university’s first cohort in its new School of Computing. But behind the celebration, Stevens’ enrollment picture is more complicated than the marketing suggests. According to a preliminary breakdown obtained by The Stute, Stevens’ total undergraduate population sits at roughly 4,125 students this fall — down from the 4,206 that Stevens reported for Fall 2025 and 4,236 the year before, a 2% drop overall. Per Stevens’ own 2025-26 Common Data Set, the university’s admission yield—the share of admitted students who actually enroll—has slid from roughly 24% in 2015 to under 21% today. For the class that entered in Fall 2024, Stevens admitted 5,078 of 10,673 applicants, but only 1,055 chose to enroll — a 20.8% yield. Some of that pressure predates Stevens entirely: Birth rates

Stevens Dining is a campus-wide experience that everyone in the student body has tasted. Most people head to Pierce Dining Hall for its immense pickand-choose buffet options and free fountain drinks, while others tend to head to UCC Marketplace for more. One location that falls under students’ radars is Cannon Cafe, situated on the first floor of the Harries Tower of the UCC Towers. And recently, it has been the subject of a large-scale makeover, spearheaded by the Director of Student Life, Dr. Sara Klein. But why did this makeover come about? To Klein, she believes that students didn’t really feel like visiting Cannon Cafe and were unsatisfied with its previous vibe. She made sure to factor this in when redesigning the wall decor and apparel. “I felt that Cannon Café needed a cozier vibe where students would want to hang out, spend time, socialize, and study,” Klein said.

SEE CANNON PAGE 2

BY JOSH BODENSTEIN, NEWS EDITOR

PHOTO COURTESY OF MARIO SOTO

Bringing a piece of home to Stevens: Cultura Carnaval BY SACHEL GIL, CONTRIBUTOR National Hispanic Heritage Month is observed every year from September 15 to October 15. This month is dedicated to celebrating the Hispanic and Latine heritage in the United States. At Stevens, it’s important to celebrate this month on our very campus. On Wednesday, September 16, the Campus Cultural Events Committee hosted Cultura Carnaval with a variety of

Latin organizations. Cultura Carnaval brought together students from across campus to celebrate Hispanic and Latine culture through food, music, activities, and community. All the different organizations contributed something unique, giving students the option to experience Hispanic culture in a variety of ways. One highlight from this event was the live music provided by Son Montuno. As the music played, students listened, danced, and

enjoyed the cultural atmosphere. For some students, however, it was more than entertainment. It reminded them of home. There was also an opportunity for students to participate in a FIFA Futbol Shootout, connecting to the strong presence soccer holds in many Latin American countries. Sabrina Elgazzar, President of Stevens’ Society of

SEE CARNAVAL PAGE 2

fell sharply during the 2008 recession, and demographers have long projected that the resulting “enrollment cliff”—a shrunken pool of 18-year-olds nationwide—would hit campuses right around now. Stevens is not alone. Overall postsecondary enrollment grew 1% last fall, but that growth came almost entirely from community colleges (+3.0%) and public four-year schools (+1.4%). Private nonprofit four-year universities like Stevens saw undergraduate enrollment decline 1.6%, Forbes reported in January — a reversal after three years of post-pandemic growth. The timing is awkward for Stevens’ bet on computing: The same report found that computer and information science enrollment declined nationally at every level last fall, down 3.6% at the undergraduate level, even as Stevens launched its standalone School of Computing this semester. Money compounds the pressure. Tuition climbed from $58,680 in 2023-24 to $63,010 in 2025-26, and it now sits at $65,530 for 2026-27 — that’s before required fees and housing, which pushes full cost of

SEE PRESSURE PAGE 2

Get to know Dr. Gabriela Ciocarlie, the new Interim Director of Stevens Institute for Artificial Intelligence BY NEHEMIAH LICIAGA, CONTRIBUTOR

PHOTO COURTESY OF STEVENS.EDU

On September 1, 2026, Dr. Gabriela Ciocarlie was announced as Interim Director for the Stevens Institute for Artificial Intelligence (SIAI), succeeding the current Dean of the School of Computing, Dr. Brendon Englot. SIAI was launched in 2018 as a collaborative effort to advance all fields of business, engineering, technology, and humanities, all while using new domains in machine learning and artificial intelligence to further re-

search. Today, it is Stevens’ largest institute, comprising over 150 faculty from all schools coming together to solve real problems for both public and private partnerships and social good. Dr. Ciocarlie’s academic career spans over 20 years before joining the Stevens family as Stephen Bloom associate professor in 2025, earning her Ph.D. in Computer Science at Columbia University in 2010. Over the years, she further specialized in anomaly detection, cyber-physical systems security, trustworthy AI, and network and application security. She also

founded SRI’s New York City research branch in cyberanalytics in 2016 and is the current Chief Technical Officer for the Cybersecurity Manufacturing Innovation Institute (CyManII). She is recognized by IEEE as both a senior member of the organization and the laureate for the Golden Core award in 2025. Since becoming the new interim director, Dr. Ciocarlie has been connecting with current students and faculty members to collaborate across all the domains that SIAI has to offer, including the AI Research Fellowship Program (AIRS), and is

working behind the scenes to coordinate the AIRS event where students can present their work. She hopes to further expand the opportunities offered to both faculty and students, and to continue supporting current members of the institute with new setups and research opportunities to further advance the interdisciplinary field involving AI. In her closing remarks of the interview, she shared her goals and aspirations for what she hopes to leave behind for the institution.

tariffs. To end this, the 16th Amendment was passed, granting Congress the ability to impose a Federal income tax. Canada is the second largest trading partner of the United States of America, only second to Mexico. As of 2025, the U.S. traded approximately $879.9 billion in goods and services with Canada, where the U.S. imports a large number of goods, including oil, chemicals, plastics, and other

goods used in production. The United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) was an agreement between the three countries that set the majority of tariffs to zero, which aimed to protect intellectual property rights of domestic producers, develop product and labor standards, and defend against exclusionary rules towards making investments. In July 2026, the U.S. refused to renew the agreement, resulting

directly in tariffs placed on goods imported from Canada and Mexico. As a means of resistance, Canada placed tariffs on September 8, 2026, matching those imposed by the U.S. These tariffs have rates of 15%, 25%, or 50% and apply to products including steel, aluminum, cheese, appliances, clothing, cosmetics, and farm equipment. In addition, 8 of 10 provinces

AiBC Scholars program: NATIONAL NEWS bridging AI, biology, and chemistry Canadian trade war... again BY LIEU BUTLER, ASST. LAYOUT EDITOR

Artificial intelligence continues to change how scientists approach questions in biology and chemistry, serving as a tool in evaluating complex datasets and discovering effective drugs. Stevens’ AI in Biology and Chemistry (AiBC) Community, created in collaboration with Saint Peter’s University and Hudson County ComNEWS (2-3)

Cultura Carnaval 2026! Learn more about how Stevens celebrated Naional Hispanic Heritage Month and what events and food were provided on Palmer Lawn! FEATURE (4)

Opinions! Discover different Stevens opinions about food on campus, use of AI, and politics!

munity College, combines undergraduate STEM education with modern biotech and healthcare industries. Headed by Dr. Woo Lee alongside faculty members Dr. Marcin Iwanicki and Dr. Patricia Muisener, the four-week summer program uses AI as a learning environment to help early-stage undergraduates build technical laboratory skills through interdisciplinary collaboration.

SEE AiBC PAGE 3 SCIENCE (6)

New cat? Brain implant? Human brain? 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.

BY RYAN LEVINTER, CONTRIBUTOR A tariff is a tax placed by a government on goods coming into or out of its country. These are also known as customs duties, as they commonly increase the cost of goods for consumers. Prior to 1913, the year the 16th Amendment was ratified, Americans experienced an increase in the price of goods due to a global trade war fought using

SEE CIOCARLIE PAGE 3

SEE WAR PAGE 3

Friday, September 25

News Masthead Volume CXXIIII No. 03 Executive Board

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF.............................JIYA JAISINGHANI ‘27 BUSINESS MANAGER.......................CAMRYN WINANT ‘28 MANAGING EDITOR.................................TIANNA SPITZ ‘27 LAYOUT EDITOR.......................................CLAIRE DEANS ‘29 OUTREACH CHAIR................................ISABELLA FAMA ‘29 DIGITAL MANAGER.........................CHARMY KOTADIA ‘27 SECRETARY.....................................JOSEPHINE CHOONG ‘28

Editorial Board

NEWS EDITOR...................................JOSH BODENSTEIN ‘29 SCIENCE EDITOR.......................................DISHA GOHIL ‘28 OPINION EDITOR....................VEDHESH A. KAMARAJ ‘28 SPORTS EDITOR..........................MILAGROS CARBAJAL ‘28 FEATURES EDITOR ...........................PRISHA VAGVALA ‘28 HEAD COPYEDITOR................................KAILEY SUPAN ‘29

Operations Board

HEAD PHOTOGRAPHER.................BRADY SANSOTTA ‘29 ASST. LAYOUT EDITOR...........................LIEU BUTLER ‘30 ASST. LAYOUT EDITOR........................SHRI SARANYA ‘30 ASST. LAYOUT EDITOR..........................ALANA JONES ‘30 ASST. SOCIAL MEDIA...............................CHRISTINE YI ‘29 DELIVERY BOY...................................MARTIN MURIITHI ‘29

Staff & Contributors Lieu Butler Fiona Shi Wesley Yu Sydney Leung Ryan Levinter Nehemiah Liciaga Sachel Gil Srikar Velam Kannon Peters

Miguel Villalobos Ashley E. Flores Alessandra Nieto Breeza Ma Riyana Phadke Reka Weinacht Aryan Basetty Chrystiella Mensah Breona Pizzuta

Alessandro Chavez Isabella Marques Viktor Palmer Gavin Ruby Jeylan Jubran Jack Dietrich Izzy Gabay Dominic Souza Michael Beecher

GENERAL.........................................EBOARD@THESTUTE.COM EDITOR-IN-CHIEF.........................EDITOR@THESTUTE.COM ADVERTISING.............................BUSINESS@THESTUTE.COM OFFICE.................................UNIVERSITY CENTER ROOM 216B

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CANNON

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 Besides just a visual makeover, Klein additionally made sure to implement some minor improvements to the overall quality of life, specifically citing the convenience store items. “The Stevens Dining team pointed out to me that there wasn’t much student traffic with the convenience store items, so we agreed that they could store many of those items behind the counter and make them available for purchase via the GrubHub app.” With the upsides of Cannon Cafe’s makeover also came the ramifications, taking the form of price upcharges in the cafe menu for minor commodities such as syrup. The Student Government Association (SGA) commented on said unexpected upcharges that were not directly communicated to the student body. “I can’t comprehend how a burger, fries, and a drink are at a lower value than a cup of coffee with a pump

CARNAVAL

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE) and senior Electrical Engineering major, was asked what she personally believes is the goal behind Cultura Carnaval: “To foster a sense of belonging. We might feel like a minority on campus, we’re not a minority. We’re together, and we all have the same goal of wanting to uplift each other.” This event was about making students feel like they weren’t alone at Stevens. Students shared parts of their very own cultures with friends and experienced others beyond their own. Food was another major part of Cultura Carnaval, giving a flavorful feel to this event. There were churros, horchata, arepas, and empanadas, which many students, when asked, named as their favorite parts of the celebration.

PRESSURE

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 attendance upwards of $88,000 a year. Mandatory fees have climbed too: The Student Activity Fee, which funds SGA’s club and organization budgets, has risen from $230 per semester in 202324 to $338 this year — roughly a 47% increase in three years. That squeeze is colliding with another shock: The Trump administration’s restrictions on international enrollment. As The Stute reported last September, Stevens laid off 45 staff in August 2025, with President Nariman Farvardin citing enrollment concerns. International students made up 58% of Stevens’ graduate population in Fall 2024 and contributed over $172 million to the budget in 2023 — mostly full-price tuition, since they’re ineligible for federal aid. Weeks later, Stevens merged two administrative divisions citing the same pressures. Against that backdrop, The Stevens Investment—the university’s new full-tuition program for domestic students from families earning $75,000 or less— launched this fall as a strategic and philanthropic effort to widen the applicant pool and improve yield. Full implementation of the program takes place right as national data shows students moving toward cheaper public options. The program also requires eligible students to live on campus their first year, tying it directly to housing capacity. On housing, The Stute reached out for a comment, and Tony Blazini, Director of Residential and Dining Services, said the university has 2,038 beds at 93% occupancy, which is “in line with national averages,” and noted that some beds are customarily held open for emergencies and transfers. Blazini added that River Terrace—traditionally first-year housing—was opened to a small number of graduate students for

of syrup,” says Jeylan Jubran, President of the SGA. Klein, on the other hand, sees the upcharges as optional choices: “Students are seeing these new options in the app and may be confusing an optional upcharge for something they think is standard.” Jubran describes that these recent changes will be discussed with the dining committee, with the next meeting happening on September 30. Additionally, she mentions discussing other complaints from students, such as the lack of bagels at Cannon Cafe: “Students are upset that there are

no longer bagels. So we talked about getting those back, and it looks like they will.” The Stute can confirm that the bagels did return to Cannon Cafe after the interview with Jubran. However, Cannon Cafe no longer offers a toast option or a variety of cream cheeses, as it did last year. Moving forward, it is unclear how much the Cannon Cafe renovation will affect its popularity amongst students. As students search for third spaces to eat, study, and socialize, Cannon Cafe continues to welcome students with a new look.

PHOTO COURTESY OF STEVENS.EDU

For some, the food could have been something completely new, for others — it was a reminder of home. Each organization’s table also had their own activity. For example, Lambda Theta Alpha (LTA) Latin Sorority Inc. had a flower crown-making session. Carli Sanchez, a 5/5 Computer Science major and a member of this newly established sorority at Stevens, spoke on the inspiration behind this activity: “We wanted to have something that made people feel beautiful. Who doesn’t feel pretty in a flower crown?” Students got to create their own unique crowns with a number of different flowers. Multiple tables also offered Muneca Quitapena, also known as Worry Dolls, originating from Guatemala and Mexico. Students received the dolls along with instructions on how to use them for things such as finals season, destressing, and calming down. For many students, these activities offered more than something

to do between eating or conversations. It was a way to interact with traditions they may have grown up with or experienced for the first time. When asked what at Cultura Carnaval reminded them of their home country, many mentioned the food, the music, and particularly the soccer activity. Whether it was a familiar song, dish, or trick, these details gave students a piece of home with them to Stevens. Students were also asked what they thought others might be surprised to learn about Latine culture. While many discussed differences between countries, others focused on what connects them: “No matter which country you’re from, we always connect with music or food in general. There’s something in our blood that connects us” (Diego Navarro, first year Mechanical Engineering major). Cultura Carnaval made Hispanic Heritage Month something the Stevens community could experience right here on campus.

the first time this year, mentioning that “Stevens does not intend to change its housing policies.” Taken together, it’s less a single crisis than a convergence: a shrinking pool of full-pay students, a home field—computing—shrinking nationally, and

an international revenue stream under federal pressure. Whether Stevens’ spending-its-way-to-stability approach works will likely become clearer once the first full admissions cycle under The Stevens Investment plays out this winter.

MICHAEL BEECHER FOR THE STUTE

Friday, September 25

News AiBC

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 This summer, student scholar participant Zainab Qureshi, a 2/4 Biology major, committed to

CIOCARLIE

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 “I hope in two years to have at least one big funded center that will enable us to work, first of all, as a community. Second of all, for building more different AI technologies that are going to be relevant to much of the population.

dry-lab data analysis, an activity that introduces rising sophomores to contemporary computational biology and chemistry datasets. Working in Python with AI prompts, participants create genomic heat maps and statistical visualizations. Additionally,

the program teaches students how machine learning techniques can anticipate molecular assembly and retrosynthetic processes. Students also develop drug analogs and calculate synthetic production costs using expert modeling software such as Schrödinger,

And then to give us some continuity, so that whoever is taking over in two years, to have the center as a means to move the institute forward, so I hope we have at least one big award, that’s the biggest thing I can give forward to.” She ended with a few words of advice to the Stevens community: “Try to find people and colleagues that share the same thing that you like to do, share the same goal, and

it’s going to be a much more fun experience, in general [...] These are the four years where you have so much freedom. You still have a lot of classes, but you have freedom to find your passion, and this is the only time you have fewer constraints in life, so enjoy finding what it is you like to do.” Dr. Ciocarlie’s appointment as interim director runs through August 31, 2028.

Maestro, and SwissADME. AiBC equips emerging scientists with the essential computational skills driving scientific discovery. Programs like AiBC prepare the next generation of scientists to not only understand these technologies, but also apply

them to the questions shaping the future of biology and chemistry. All Chemistry and Chemical Biology rising sophomores, as well as partner school students with a GPA of 3.2 and above, are eligible to apply.

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PHOTO COURTESY OF STEVENS.EDU

NATIONAL NEWS WAR

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 across Canada restricted the sale of U.S. goods such as alcohol. It is estimated these tariffs will hurt the job market in the U.S., as increased prices and decreased consumer spending will directly lead to a reduction in the number

of workers companies require. In addition, the Federal Reserve increased interest rates for the first time since 2023 to reduce inflation rates. It was raised by 25 basis points and is expected to be raised another 25 points by the end of 2026. The long term effects of these tariffs will not be immediate, as consumers brace for cost-of-living and pocketbook issues.

PHOTO COURTESY OF APNEWS.COM

Australian government releases new social media initiative, here what that means BY NEHEMIAH LICIAGA, CONTRIBUTOR On September 8, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese released his government’s new “My Feed, My Way” campaign, which would set new minimum standards for the tools that Australian minors use on social media. This comes at a time when Australia has been one of the leading countries on social media regulations for minors, being the first country to have a nationwide ban on social media for people under 16 years of age. As a result, dozens of other countries have followed suit with similar policy actions. So, what will the “My Feed, My Way” campaign bring to Australians? The campaign states that social media companies will be required to notify all users, whether new or existing, of choices about their default feed. Additionally, users can choose to opt in or opt out of personalized content and choose whether to allow the algorithm to boost videos liked by friends, family, and people they follow. Minister for Communications Anika Wells stated that “It will also give parents the tools they need to keep their family safe

online.” However, not all responses to the new initiatives were met with praise. The U.S. government, through its embassy in Canberra, along with a coalition of free speech organizations, responded with criticism, citing free speech concerns and the potential geopolitical effect that feed regulation can have in the region. Both the Liberals and the National Party of Australia have signaled that they will be against voting for the policy under a larger bill for social media regulation. This means that the Labor Party would have to go to the Green Party of Australia to pass “My Feed, My Way,” which they have signaled that an opt-out approach does not go far enough for social media regulation. While the details of the final bill will be debated, and Prime Minister Albanese is expected to discuss his proposal to the United Nations during the General Assembly meeting, the main question is this: Will it be effective? Experts’ responses to the opt-out are mixed. Dr. Marian-Andrei Rizoiu, AI and Behavioral Data Science professor at the University of Technology Sydney, stated that although the idea is overdue,

he has concerns that social media companies might rely on and strategize around users’ tendency to actually not change their settings, defeating the policy’s purpose. However, Dr. Brooke Nicole, Senior Research Fellow at the University of Sydney, showed more optimism: “Giving the public greater control over what algorithmic content they see is an important public health intervention.” Nonetheless, it will take a while for the bill to make it through the Australian Parliament, and what the ultimate end result will be— whether the idea becomes law or dies in Parliament—will have to be seen and tested.

PHOTO COURTESY OF SHUTTERSHOCK

Friday, September 25

Feature

LOTS OF OPINIONS

Hoboken bagel tier list BY JOSH BODENSTEIN, NEWS EDITOR When I’m hungry for breakfast, I can really only think of 3 things: Pop-Tarts, cereal, and a nice warm bagel. The first two are boring (and a little unhealthy), so despite being last on the list, bagels are probably my favorite breakfast food — and over the year and a half I’ve been in Hoboken, I’ve made it my mission to find the best one you can get your hands on. Back home, you could call me the bagel connoisseur, having tried basically every shop in Arlington, VA, so I came to Hoboken with high hopes. Turns out bagels can’t ride the train on their own, so Hoboken’s don’t always live up to the NYC standard just a PATH ride away. Here’s how I’m ranking: At every shop, I order a bacon, egg, and cheese (BEC) on an everything ba-

gel, since it’s my go-to and the fairest way to compare across the board. From there, I’m judging on bagel quality, price, the quality of the BEC itself, and—just as important —how I feel walking into the place. With all of that out of the way, let us begin with the rankings: SSS Tier: Bagels on the Hudson (802 Washington St A) Bagels on the Hudson is good, and it’s worth the price. The bagels are firm and crunchy outside, soft and chewy inside — exactly what you want in the morning. Inside, this shop is as close as you’ll get to a traditional NYC bagel spot, with a no-nonsense ordering method. Their BEC comes piled high with crispy bacon and freshly scrambled eggs. Best of all, it’s open 24 hours — I can grab a bagel at 2:15 a.m. after a long night out. Incredible.

A Tier: Apollo Bagels (324 Washington St) This New York City chain, known for its sourdough, recently opened a location further down Washington Street, and the bagels live up to the hype — crispy outside, wonderfully soft inside. Where it falls short is variety and pricing. This is the only shop on this list without a BEC, an immediate turnoff, though their smoked salmon (lox) bagel was a solid substitute. The catch: At the time of writing, a lox bagel runs $15 before tax. I get the economy is tough, but that felt disrespectful for the amount of salmon involved. Good bagel, but more of a treat than an everyday one. B-C Tiers: Anything I didn’t have strong opinions on! I’ve tried a lot of bagels in Hoboken, and anything I didn’t have a

strong opinion on gets lumped in here. If I forgot your favorite spot, let me know — I’ll go get more bagels to try. (Also definitely a tax write-off.) D Tier: Hoboken Hot Bagels (634 Washington St) I first tried this place during last Stute Weekend and wasn’t a fan. I gave it another shot recently, and it’s still mediocre. Prices and atmosphere are great, and the BEC was flavorful, but the bagel itself is the problem — hard in some spots, soft nowhere. It tastes fine, but the texture throws the whole thing off. Fine in a pinch, but you can do better for the price. Super F Tier: O’Bagel (600 Washington St) Freshman year, I would’ve called this the best bagel near campus and cursed you off for suggesting oth-

erwise. Older and wiser now, I’ve come to my senses: O’Bagel is expensive and not worth the hype. In my year and a half at Stevens, a BEC here has gone from $7.95 to $13.95 while getting worse. The bagel itself is entirely adequate — a little bready and soft, but satisfying enough. In a vacuum, that’s a B-tier. This isn’t a vacuum. Prices climbed while quality dropped, and no amount of new locations, a new mascot, or overpriced coffee makes up for that. Overall, if you’re in the mood for a bagel, Hoboken has you covered — just watch your prices (and your carbs). Everything here is rated in good fun; enjoy whatever bagel makes you happy, and don’t let my whining get in the way. And if you’re a business owner reading this, why not send me a free bagel to review and maybe move up in the rankings? (For legal reasons, this is a joke.)

Weekend itinerary: Late Hoboken summer

What’s of exploring isn’t complete without check out is the Hoboken Historical Hoboken Farmers Market. BY ASHLEY ELIAS You can find fresh produce, baked a yummy sweet treat. Hoboken has Hoboken Museum. With their hours easily acFLORES, cessible online and admission being goods, specialty foods, and other tons of options to satisfy any craving; CONTRIBUTOR $5, you simply can’t miss this oppor- products from local vendors. It’s also just walk down Washington Street wearing? If you’re looking for a fun place tunity. The museum is a great place a nice place to grab something to eat and go with whatever catches your

to spend the day, Hoboken is a great choice. You get an amazing view of the Manhattan skyline while still being in New Jersey! There are plenty of things to do, whether you’re interested in shopping, learning something new, or just relaxing by the water. The mindset in Hoboken is that everything is a walkable distance; you just have to have the will to get there. One of the first things you’ll notice as you walk around Hoboken is that there’s a coffee shop on almost every corner, so why not try one? In case you’re unsure, you can always check out A Guide to the Coffee Shops of Hoboken. My personal favorites are Mojo Coffee Company on Bloomfield Street and Joey No Nuts Cafe on Willow Street. After you’ve grabbed your coffee and a yummy treat, the next place to

to learn about how Hoboken became the city we know today. Hoboken Historical Museum has exhibited Hoboken through the eyes of the people who experience it every day and who have been calling it home, while providing insight into the history of Hoboken. Then, after visiting the museum, head toward the Hudson River Waterfront Walkway. This is one of the best parts of Hoboken because you get a beautiful view of New York City from across the river. The walkway is a great place to take a walk, ride a bike, take aesthetic pictures, and, of course, just sit and enjoy the view. You could also walk down and explore some of the piers, which will give you a whole different view of the waterfront. If you want that local feeling in Hoboken, make some time for

before continuing your day. The markets operate at different locations and times depending on the day, so it’s a good idea to double-check the schedule before going! Of course, no day of exploring is complete without trying a new food spot. Luckily, finding something good to eat isn’t that difficult. Hoboken has restaurants and little food spots all throughout the city, so you have plenty of options to choose from. If you’re craving a bagel, no matter the time, Bagels on the Hudson is open 24/7! So, feel free to stop by there to get a good Jersey bagel. And if you’re craving pizza, you can’t go wrong by stopping at Benny Tudino’s. One of Hoboken’s oldest pizzerias with HUGE slices worth your buck. If you’re anything like me, a day

eye! My personal recommendation would be Chip City or Carlo’s Bakery. By the end of the day, you’ll probably have walked more than you expected, eaten more than you planned, and taken plenty of pictures of what you’ve seen throughout the day. But, that’s what makes Hoboken a great place to be. There’s always another coffee shop to try and more stores to explore, and the waterfront view never gets old. Whether you’re coming for the history, the food, the views, or just looking to spend the day somewhere, Hoboken has something for everyone. You can make your trip as busy or as relaxed as you want. With everything being within walking distance, you really don’t need much more than a comfortable pair of shoes and a charged phone for pictures.

Hoboken Italian Festival celebrates its 100th anniversary BY JOSEPHINE CHOONG, SECRETARY Recently, the Hoboken Italian Festival celebrated its 100th anniversary from September 10 to 13. Hosted in honor of Madonna Dei Martiri, the weekend was dedicated to commemorating Italian culture while spotlighting many of Hoboken’s local businesses. The festival was derived from the tradition of the Madonna Dei Martiri over 600 years ago. In 1399, the King of Napoli combined the Street Festival and Religious Celebration to jointly celebrate the “Miracle” and the blessing of Madonna. These blessings originated in 1188, when crusaders found the Icon of the Madonna floating on the water after returning from the holy land. They brought it to an infantry in Molfetta, a port town on the Adriatic Sea. There, some patients were miraculously healed, while those

who died were regarded as Martyrs of the Faith. The Madonna became Molfetta’s patron in 1840, where many prayed to her. Among the most devoted were fishermen, who asked for her protection, and as a result, many statues of the Madonna were placed on fishing boats for veneration. Traditionally, the Hoboken Italian Festival is hosted the weekend after Labor Day. Throughout the festivities, attendees could feast on local Italian cuisine stationed across Sinatra Drive. From delicious zeppoles to savory Italian sausages to fresh pizzas and sweet cannolis, there was something for everyone to try! The celebration kicked off on September 10 with the tunes of country music and classic rock, country line dance lessons, a feast bar filled with alcoholic drinks, and a mechanical bull. On September 11, coinciding with the 25th anniversary of September 11, 2001, the City of Hoboken hosted its annual

memorial service to remember the lives lost. The Hoboken Italian Festival supported Tunnel to Towers, a foundation helping first responders with mortgage-free homes, with Salute to America, a show honoring America’s music icons. The show included Kyle Martin’s Piano Man, a tribute to Billy Joel, and Separate Ways the Band, a homage to Ultimate Journey. The true star of the weekend, September 12, was the “Feast Day,” where an 800-pound statue of Madonna Dei Martiri, or Madonna of the Martyrs, was paraded through the streets of Hoboken and sailed around the Hudson before its return to church. In the afternoon, La Strana Sensazione and Dio LoVuole Band, two bands from Molfetta, filled the streets of Hoboken with fantastic music. The tunes continued in the evening with a performance from Sal “The Voice” Valentinetti singing iconic songs from Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin while the R3 Broth-

ers, a festival classic for nearly 20 years, brought their high-energy to celebrate the fest. The day concluded with Hoboken Italian Festival’s first-ever drone show. September 13, the feast finale, started the day with an NFL watch party at the Feast Bar. Moroccan Sheepherders, a 12-piece band, played live cover music on the pier in the afternoon. The festival’s last performance, played by The Jersey Tenors, was the ultimate tribute to Frankie Valli, The Beach Boys, Queen, and more. It was an amazing opportunity for everyone to enjoy Hoboken’s sights while listening to wonderful music and feasting on local food. Feast Committee member Gregory Gallo said that the Hoboken Italian Festival represented more than just a celebration of Italian culture. “This is really the history of our country,” Gallo said. “We have so many immigrants that have come here and assimilated in our society.”

Hoboken’s only nut-free establishment: Joey No-Nuts Cafe BY CAMRYN WINANT, BUISNESS MANAGER Joey No-Nuts Cafe is exactly what it sounds like: A cafe with absolutely no nuts. They officially opened on October 1, 2019, on the corner of 7th Street and Willow Avenue in Hoboken. Jeff and Jessica Witte-Dyer, the owners of Joey No-Nuts, met over 15 years ago while working at Empire Coffee & Tea, also located in Hoboken. Throughout the seven years that Jeff managed Empire, they both felt the urge to open their own shop — an urge that was there since they were married but was not easy to achieve. The inspiration for this cafe came from their daughter, Ruby, who was

allergic to peanuts and tree nuts. When Ruby was four years old and their second child, River, was an infant, they saw a for-rent sign go up in July, and they signed a lease in August. It was perfect timing for Jess since it allowed her to take care of Ruby and River while also being able to help out at the shop. While opening the shop, they realized there was nowhere in Hoboken that was 100% nut-free, and they wanted to create a place where everyone could be welcome, even people with allergies. In a quote to Hoboken Girl, Jess said, “We want to be able to accommodate as many people as possible while serving quality food and drinks.” Joey No-Nuts is a cozy, small sliver of space that is pet-friendly with

a laid-back and welcoming atmosphere. The walls are adorned with homemade dioramas, and the music selection is a carefully curated collection of vinyls. A drum set can also be found here, and they sometimes do live music performances (the most recent one being on September 15, 2026). They have an extensive menu, catering to all cravings, at a fairly reasonable price point. There’s, of course, the coffees, with drip coffees and lattes ranging from $4 to $6. There is even an espresso-less latte option. They have a large variety of teas and signature drinks that include options such as “pumpkin chip,” which is pumpkin and chocolate, or a raspberry white mocha.

If none of their options are to your preference, they have a list of 18 flavors to choose from, with a sugar-free vanilla or caramel option for an upcharge of 75 cents. You can buy beans there, whole or ground, espresso or drip. There are three size options for both hot and iced: 12, 16, and 20 oz, and 16, 20, and 24 oz, respectively, with a 50-cent upcharge for an iced. Soy and oat milk are the two non-dairy options they serve, and you can add that on without an upcharge, a rare thing to see at cafes nowadays. They even have a small bakery and breakfast menu, offering pastries and bagels. If you’ve been looking for your new favorite coffee shop, run to Joey No-Nuts.

BY ALESSANDRA ZULUETA NIETO, STAFF WRITER

With summer officially ending on September 22, temperatures will begin to drop, and wardrobes will change for the new season. Summer trends are going out of fashion, and new trends are developing. So the question is, what’s Hoboken wearing? Predictions from Vogue, based on runway observations, lean towards “a more expressive approach to style,” expanding beyond prevalent, minimalist trends of the past year with bolder styles. For example, the Andra top by Khaite elevates a knit top through its exaggerated peplum shape, playing with proportions to provide a more distinctive silhouette. Colorwise, earth tones were seen in a variety of collections taking inspiration from “the nature around us.” While temperatures won’t drop into sweater weather for another few weeks, pre-fall fashion trends could bridge the gap between summer shorts and fall flannels. As noted by Elle magazine, the five major trends to look out for during this transition period are silk scarves, structured leather, clear materials, pink pops of color, and contemporary lace usage. Around Hoboken, the transition into fall is happening gradually. With afternoons still warm, summer staples have not yet disappeared. Shorts, tank tops, t-shirts, and athletic wear can still be seen around town, but they’re increasingly paired with warmer pieces to fend off the morning chill. Lightweight sweaters, hoodies, and jackets offer protection from the early breeze while still being removable, keeping options open for temperature shifts. From my observations, Vogue’s prediction of more exaggerated shapes rings true. People are playing with the proportions of their outfits, with an emphasis on contrast. Tight tops with loose pants are popular around town for a dressier look, while casual or gym styles lean toward the opposite, with loose sweatshirts and fitted bottoms. Wide-leg jeans and pants also continue this emphasis on proportion while offering a breezy transition from summer styles. Footwear is making the seasonal transition as well. Sneakers remain common, especially with casual outfits, but boots and heavier shoes are returning to people’s rotations, especially for rainy days. Colors are still in a transitional period, with autumn’s earthy tones arising as summer’s colors start to mellow out. Browns, creams, dark greens, and gray are beginning to appear alongside colorful summer holdovers. For now, Hoboken fashion seems to be caught somewhere between the two seasons. Summer is slowly being shed, and fall is starting to emerge, one sweater at a time.

Friday, September 25

Sports

ON DECK IN SPORTS FRI, SEP 25 WOMEN’S TENNIS ITA Atlantic South Region Championship - Day 1 Fredericksburg, VA TBD

SAT, SEP 26 WOMEN’S TENNIS ITA Atlantic South Region Championship - Day 2 Fredericksburg, VA TBD WOMEN’S VOLLEYBALL Haverford College Haverford, PA 12:00 p.m.

ARYAN BASETTY FOR THE STUTE

Stevens sweeps Oneonta in Women’s Volleyball BY ARYAN BASETTY, CONTRIBUTOR On Friday, September 18, Stevens Women’s Volleyball took on SUNY Oneonta and secured a 3-0 victory. It started when the Ducks took four of the first six points in the initial game due to Oneonta’s technical errors, followed by three aces from first-year Cadence Sturt,

pushing the Ducks up to an 11-4 lead. Both sides kept volleying the points, with Oneonta starting to move up to seven points from four, but in the end the Ducks took the first set, with junior Ella Bolland taking four kills among the final 10 of the set. In the second, Oneonta started ahead of the Ducks with a 7-3 lead. But the Ducks were relentless

and chased down the Red Dragons, forcing Oneonta to time out at 10-8. After the timeout, sophomore Julianne Danis scored two aces, along with additional buffering points from the team, pushing them to a 17-9 lead. The final blow came from Sturt, throwing an ace to finish out the set. In the third set, senior Kileen McNeill, senior Molly Harris, and

FIELD HOCKEY Stevenson University Hoboken, NJ 12:00 p.m.

junior Ella Kraver all had kills early on, with a 16-7 lead after an additional two aces from Sturt. Senior Liz Pederson and sophomore Jenna Hathaway had the final kills of the match. Make sure to stay on the lookout as the Ducks travel to Pennsylvania to face Haverford college on September 26th, 2026 at 12:00 p.m.

WOMEN’S SOCCER York College York, PA 2:00 p.m. WOMEN’S VOLLEYBALL Susquehanna University Haverford, PA 2:00 p.m. MEN’S SOCCER Plattsburg State Hoboken, NJ 3:00 p.m.

SUN, SEP 27 WOMEN’S TENNIS ITA Atlantic South Region Championship - Day 3 Fredericksburg, VA TBD MEN’S GOLF DIII Northeast Elite - Day 1 Williamsport, PA TBD

MON, SEP 28 WOMEN’S TENNIS ITA Atlantic South Region Championship - Day 4 Fredericksburg, VA TBD MEN’S GOLF DIII Northeast Elite - Day 2 Williamsport, PA TBD MEN’S SOCCER The City College of New York Hoboken, NJ 7:00 p.m.

TUES, SEP 29 WOMEN’S VOLLEYBALL Misericordia University Hoboken, NJ 6:00 p.m. PHOTO COURTESY OF STEVENSDUCKS.COM

STEVENS SCOREBOARD DATE

TEAM

WED, SEP 16 THU, SEP 17 FRI, SEP 18 FRI, SEP 18 FRI, SEP 18 FRI, SEP 18 SAT, SEP 19 SAT, SEP 19 SAT, SEP 19 SAT, SEP 19 SAT, SEP 19 MON, SEP 21 TUE, SEP 22

FIELD HOCKEY MEN’S GOLF WOMEN'S VOLLEYBALL WOMEN’S CROSS COUNTRY MEN’S CROSS COUNTRY WOMEN’S VOLLEYBALL WOMEN’S TENNIS FIELD HOCKEY WOMEN’S VOLLEYBALL WOMEN’S SOCCER MEN’S SOCCER MEN'S GOLF MEN'S GOLF

OPPONENT

NEW PALTZ WILLIAM PATERSON UNIVERSITY SUNY - ONEONTA MAC CONFERENCE COUNTRY PREVIEW MEET MAC CONFERENCE COUNTRY PREVIEW MEET WILLIAM PATERSON UNIVERSITY SWARTHMORE/WASHINGTON COLLEGE VASSAR COLLEGE SPRINGFIELD COLLEGE PENN STATE HARRISBURG NEW YORK UNIVERSITY THE GAUNTLET - DAY 1 THE GAUNTLET - DAY 2

LOCATION

HOME AWAY HOME AWAY AWAY HOME AWAY AWAY HOME HOME HOME AWAY AWAY

SCORE

W (2-1) 5TH W (3-0) 5TH 2ND W (3-1) COMPLETE L (2-3) W (3-1) L (0-2 L (0-1) 6TH 7TH

Friday, September 25

Science Categorization as the brain’s predictive processing mechanism BY RÉKA WEINACHT, STAFF WRITER Water. Cat. Pencil. Fear. Reward. Categories that exist inside the signal processing structure we call the human brain can range from concrete and tangible to amorphous and abstract. But they all serve the practical purpose, from an evolutionary point of view, of increasing our metabolic efficiency and thus evolutionary fitness. From a neurologist’s point of view, they can be described as part of the brain’s signal compression process. Lisa Feldman Barrett and Earl K. Miller are the authors of a recent paper published in the journal Nature Reviews Neuroscience which hypothesizes, based on decades of studies, that categorization is an even more fundamental part of our thought processes than traditional neuroscience has thought. Scientists have long known that categorization is done by all animals; categorization allows us to

combine incoming sensory signals from various receptors on our body into more manageable groups or packets. Our brains receive a constant influx of information from all kinds of sensory surfaces such as our eyes, nose, and even things like glucose monitors in our intestines. All this information creates signals with high dimensionality, meaning that they are full of many specific details — so many details that trying to process each one individually, every second of every day, would be an impossible task. Or, in the language of evolutionary fitness, it would simply incur way too much of a metabolic cost. By the time we processed all those details, we would be eaten by a lion. This is where signal compression comes in: These high-dimensional, granular signals are constantly transformed by our brain’s neuronal pathways into lower-dimensional, more abstract signals. They can be thought of as our brain’s way of looking at the forest instead of the trees. Tra-

ditionally, these lower-dimensional signals have been referred to as the static categories that are reached at the end of signal compression. For example, the signals providing information like purring, furry, tabby, and soft can be compressed into a single category: cat. Barrett and Miller, however, think about categorization in a slightly different way. A category, they claim, is not just a thing that the brain reaches after signal compression, but rather a part of a dynamical process involving both feedback and feedforward that helps the brain to make predictions during signal compression. Feedback signals are the predictive ones traveling towards the sensory neurons, sending them information about what may come next, and feedforward signals are the incoming sensory signals being sent towards the decision-making parts of the brain (limbic edge), taking many little details of information about the world and compressing

them. Feedforward signals continually correct prediction errors from the feedback, interacting in real time as the information is processed. These predictions are part of a state called allostasis, in which the brain anticipates energy needs before they arise, preparing for them in order to boost metabolic efficiency. An example of this would be the brain preparing an organism for action by increasing heart rate, blood pressure, and glucose utilization when it has reason to anticipate a period of stress or uncertainty. Allostasis is different from homeostasis because the former is predictive, while the latter is reactive. Allostasis is our brain’s way of staying ahead of the game. One part of this, compressing signals, allows the brain to generalize across both space and time, to learn from past events and context clues and predict what is likely to happen. Using a prototype or algorithm to predict likely future

signal inputs can minimize the cost (in this case, metabolic cost — energy resources) of signal processing. This is where categorization comes in. It comes in, however, as a trial-and-error process of creating similarities from differences, because the world is not presented to us as a pre-sorted group of categories. We, humans, have to constantly deal with an overwhelming noise of information (signals) screaming at us from every direction. Our brain’s job is to sort that information into useful groups — and what makes useful groups is different for everyone, varying with past experiences and cultural background. Interestingly, as Barrett and Miller note at the end of their paper, some neuropsychiatric disorders may be understood as differences in the complexity and organization of people’s categories — a highly interesting topic for future research that could enhance our understanding of neurodivergence and depressive disorders.

How the heart regrows muscle cells after a heart attack BY RIYANA PHADKE, OPINION COLUMNIST For many years, scientists believed that the adult human heart could not replace muscle cells lost during a heart attack. When blood flow to part of the heart is blocked, oxygen-starved cardiomyocytes, the cells responsible for contraction, die. The damaged region is then largely replaced with scar tissue, which does not contract as effectively as healthy heart muscle. This loss of pumping ability can contribute to long-term heart failure. Now, new research from the University of Sydney, the Baird Institute, and Royal Prince Alfred Hospital suggests that the human heart has a limited natural capacity to regenerate muscle cells after injury. The key process is mitosis, the division of one cell into two new cells. Researchers found that cardiomyocytes in human hearts show increased mitotic activity after myo-

cardial infarction, the medical term for a heart attack. In other words, surviving heart muscle cells can re-enter the cell cycle and divide following injury. Similar responses had previously been observed in mice, but this study provides evidence that the response also occurs in humans. “Our research shows that while the heart is left scarred after a heart attack, it produces new muscle cells, which opens up new possibilities,” said Dr. Robert Hume, first author of the study. This finding challenges the long-standing assumption that mature human cardiomyocytes are essentially incapable of reproducing after injury. Rather than being completely unable to regenerate, the adult heart appears to retain a small but measurable ability to produce new muscle cells. This regenerative activity does not mean that the heart completely repairs itself. A major heart attack may destroy a substantial amount

of heart muscle, while the natural production of replacement cardiomyocytes is currently far too small to restore all lost tissue. Scar formation still occurs, and the scarred region reduces the heart’s ability to pump blood efficiently. Therefore, the finding should not be interpreted as a cure for heart attacks or heart failure. Instead, it changes the scientific understanding of the adult heart from an organ with no meaningful regenerative potential to one with a modest but measurable repair response. An important feature of the study was its use of living human heart tissue. The researchers obtained samples from consenting patients undergoing coronary bypass surgery at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital. They collected tissue from both diseased and non-diseased regions of the heart. This approach allowed comparisons between areas affected by cardiovascular disease and areas that were relatively healthy, while

preserving biological features that may be absent in animal models or tissue collected after death. These living tissue samples also provide a valuable laboratory model for studying the molecular signals involved in repair. The research team identified proteins associated with heart regeneration in animal studies, suggesting that related pathways may operate in people. By determining which signals encourage cardiomyocytes to divide, scientists may eventually develop treatments that strengthen the heart’s existing regenerative response. Potential future therapies could aim to stimulate production of new muscle cells, reduce scarring, or improve recovery of damaged heart tissue. The researchers believe this discovery could eventually have implications beyond understanding how the heart responds to injury. Professor Sean Lal, senior author of the study, described the long-term goal: “Ultimately, the goal is to use this

discovery to make new heart cells that can reverse heart failure.” The clinical importance of this work is substantial because heart failure remains a major consequence of heart attacks, and treatment options for advanced heart failure are limited. Heart transplantation can be life-saving for some patients, but donor hearts are scarce. A therapy that safely increases cardiomyocyte regeneration could one day help preserve heart function after injury and potentially reduce the need for transplantation. For now, however, the discovery is best viewed as an early but promising foundation for regenerative cardiology rather than an immediate treatment. By showing that human heart cells can respond to injury by producing new muscle cells, the research opens a new question for scientists: How can the heart’s natural repair process be strengthened enough to make a meaningful difference for patients?

Science discover strange link between low vitamin D and pain BY SRIKAR VELAM, CONTRIBUTOR Vitamin D is one of the most important nutrients for your body, and it is essential for day-to-day functioning. It is most commonly known for its ability to help regulate bone health by promoting calcium absorption within the gut, and it is a necessity for bone growth. Beyond just bone development, vitamin D helps reduce inflammation and actively supports cell growth within the body. It’s no secret that without Vitamin D, the body would grow immensely weaker without all its regulative processes. However, new research has uncovered a very bizarre connection between a low vitamin D intake and increased pain following breast surgery cancer. Published in

Regional Anaesthesia & Pain Medicine, the research describes a relationship between vitamin D and the processing of pain in the body; this is theorized to be due to the inherent inflammatory nature of vitamin D and how vitamin D affects the immune system. Historically, vitamin D has been used in the context of treating numerous infections, such as tuberculosis before potent antibiotics were commonplace; in fact, deficiency has been linked to an increased infection rate among subjects of similar demographics. As such, it would not be absurd to say that the regulatory effects of vitamin D may extend towards post-surgery pain. In order to investigate this possibility, researchers at Fayoum University Hospital in Faiyum Egypt conducted an experiment involv-

ing 184 breast cancer patients that were scheduled for surgery. The researchers split the participants between two groups: those with regular vitamin D levels (>30 nmol/L) and those with a deficiency ( <30 nmol/L). Additionally, both groups of patients had a mean age of 44 in the deficiency group and about 42 in the group with regular levels. The patients then received the hospital’s standard treatment both during and after surgery. To ensure that there would be no bias influencing the pain treatment, doctors and clinical staff had no knowledge of which group the patient was in. Fentanyl was administered during the operation to assist in managing pain levels across patients. The results aligned the theorized hypothesis: Patients in the deficiency group were far more likely to report

moderate pain 24 hours after surgery. Interestingly, neither group had reported severe pain, indicating that the pain reduction between vitamin D sufficient and deficient groups may not be exceedingly far apart. During the surgery, patients with vitamin D deficiency had received, on average, eight micrograms more fentanyl than sufficient group patients. However, post-operation pain treatments had a far stronger gap in tramadol intake: The deficient group had consumed an average of over 112 mg more tramadol. Subsequently, it also led to people only in the deficient group to experience nausea and vomiting, byproducts of the group’s elevated use of opioids. The study did have some limitations that prevented a more con-

crete analysis: Since it was primarily observational, this would only beget a cause and effect relationship between vitamin D deficiency and increased pain rather than causality. Furthermore, inflammatory markers were not measured, preventing the research team from delving into the links between vitamin D and pain and missed several other extenuating factors that may have contributed to surgical pain. Regardless of the nature of this study, it is extremely valuable data for future uses. As more and more research is developed and published, so will health and medicine. Not only will findings like these bring us closer to understanding the human body in its entirety, they will also serve as the foundation for better treatment options in the future.

Age‑reversing fish? Science shrugs. Turns out youth is in the ocean! BY BREEZE MA, CONTRIBUTOR We’ve all heard of the Fountain of Youth, the legendary fountain that bestows youth upon those who drink from it; it’s pure fantasy. However, it may not be for long with the help of seafood.We’ve all heard of the Fountain of Youth, the legendary fountain that bestows youth upon those who drink from it; it’s pure fantasy. However, it may not be for long with the help of seafood.We’ve all heard of the Fountain of Youth, the legendary fountain that bestows youth upon those who drink from it; it’s pure fantasy. However, it may not be for long with the help of seafood.We’ve all heard of the Fountain of Youth, the legendary fountain that bestows youth upon those who drink from it; it’s pure fantasy. However, it may not be for long with the help of seafood.We’ve all heard of the

Fountain of Youth, the legendary fountain that bestows youth upon those who drink from it; it’s pure fantasy. However, it may not be for long with the help of seafood.We’ve all heard of the Fountain of Youth, the legendary fountain that bestows youth upon those who drink from it; it’s pure fantasy. However, it may not be for long with the help of seafood.We’ve all heard of the Fountain of Youth, the legendary fountain that bestows youth upon those who drink from it; it’s pure fantasy. However, it may not be for long with the help of seafood.We’ve all heard of the Fountain of Youth, the legendary fountain that bestows youth upon those who drink from it; it’s pure fantasy. However, it may not be for long with the help of seafood. A group of researchers from Stanford University, Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, and

the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences discovered a peculiar effect in animals from a diet of sea squirts. Ascidiacea, or sea squirts, are sea flowers that can be found all across the ocean growing on dead coral, rocks, or even shipwrecks. Most species are poisonous, but the ones that aren’t are eaten raw in Korean and Japanese cuisine. They contain plasmalogens, which are essential for the human body to function. Plasmalogens are a type of lipid, or fat molecule, found all over the human body. They are abundant in the heart, brain, and immune cells and are essential for protection, structure, and neurotransmitters. As our bodies age, plasmalogens gradually die out, leading to various neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. This led researchers to investigate ways to restore plasmalogens in hopes of slowing down these changes.

In order to do this, scientists used a common experiment called the Morris water maze, in which mice navigate a pool of water for a hidden platform. Young mice typically remembered the platform’s location quickly, while older mice generally took more time, showing the decline in learning and memory that comes with age. After five days of the experiment, older mice receiving plasmalogen supplements started to perform similarly to the younger mice. They found the platform remarkably faster than the aged mice without the supplement. Upon examination, researchers found a vast improvement in brain functions, allowing for better memory and learning. Although still unclear how the dietary plasmalogen supplement can improve these brain functions, researchers believe it might be a potential strategy to slow neurodegeneration and promote neurore-

generation. The idea that seafood could influence aging may sound whimsical, but the research hints at real biological potential, and it’s especially encouraging for people who can’t eat seafood, since plasmalogens can be extracted and supplemented without requiring the whole organism. Of course, this doesn’t mean sea squirts are about to replace your skincare routine or that eating sashimi will turn back the clock. The research is still in early stages, and results in mice don’t always translate directly to humans. But the study opens the door to new possibilities: treatments that preserve memory, protect the brain, and improve quality of life as we age. The Fountain of Youth may remain a myth, but science is inching closer to understanding how to keep our brains healthier for longer, and the secret might just come from one of the ocean’s strangest residents.

Friday, September 25

Opinion THE STUTE EDITORIAL

Fail, get up, and try again My last editorial expressed my concerns about how the administration hides behind its PR responses. And I would not be honest if I did not acknowledge how my week, once again, was consumed by issues revolving around the administration. We are a student newspaper, and unlike many other organizations, we do not need to report to the administration. The Stute was created this way so the school does not filter our news. However, this does not mean that the school cannot make it difficult for us to find answers. I find it interesting that on several occasions, Stevens boasts about having a highly intelligent student body. I have heard administrators talk about how Stevens attracts valedictorians and students from some of the most prestigious high schools in the country. Yet, when discussing the transition to college, students are told that by being around other

high-achieving students, our academic experience is that much more difficult. Students who were accustomed to receiving an easy A in high school are now expected to struggle and perhaps not feel nearly as successful as they once did. But this is college — we fail, we learn, and we get right back up again. Stevens teaches us to do just that. But does the administration practice what it preaches? We understand that the administration will not always meet every goal it sets for itself. Circumstances change, priorities shift, and there are never-ending shifts in student needs. But when The Stute attempted to write an article about how the school had not met certain goals it had set for itself, we were met with silence. The Stute was ghosted. There seems to be a perception that I am searching for gossip or attempting to uncover dirty secrets that faculty members are trying to hide. In reality, I am

MIND OF A FRESHMAN

just searching for each side of the story. My writers email basic questions about how and why decisions are made, only to receive carefully crafted PR responses or no response at all. It is deeply frustrating not only as Editor-in-Chief but as a student. There is nothing wrong with failing. There is nothing wrong with having to reassess decisions, changing course, and trying again. Academic institutions across the country are facing the same hardships Stevens faces. But when Stevens is asked why certain goals were not met or why certain decisions were made, our questions are too often left unanswered. I think most students can agree with me on this: Owning a misjudgment or a mistake and acknowledging that plans have changed is respectable. I want administrators to acknowledge when something did not go according to plan, rather than treating us as though we are out to expose them.

BY CHRYSTIELLA MENSAH ‘30 We’re a month into the fall semester, and I’m already tired of answering these three questions. “What’s your name?” “What’s your major?” “Where are you from?” These are three questions I’ve been asked the most since starting college, and I’m exhausted by them. There’s nothing wrong with these questions. They make sense. When you meet someone for the first time, you need something to talk about, and asking their name is probably a good place to start. But after answering the same three questions over and over, it starts to feel less like a conversation and more like I’m filling out a survey. “What’s your name?” “Chrystiella.” “What’s your major?” “Cybersecurity.” “Where are you from?” “Newburgh, New York.” And then comes the awkward pause where we both have to figure out what to say next. Saying “Cybersecurity” usually leads to the same follow-up: “Are you going

Jiya Jaisinghani ‘27

Editor-in-Chief

SENIORITIS

Drafting the If they tell me they’ve senior year bucket list

Do we have to ask this again? to hack my computer?” Then there’s the question of where I’m from. Newburgh, New York usually gets me a blank stare or a “Where’s that?” After explaining where it is more times than I can count, I’ve started saying “upstate New York” instead just because it’s easier. I understand why these questions are so common, especially during the first few weeks of college. Everyone is meeting dozens of new people at once. You’re trying to remember names, majors, hometowns, and somehow recognize them when you see them again. But after a while, everyone starts sounding like robots. “What’s your name?” “Where are you from?” “What’s your major?” “What dorm are you in?” It feels like there’s an unofficial freshman script that everyone follows. I’ve started wondering why we don’t skip the basics sometimes. Instead of asking someone where they’re from, why not ask what they’ve been watching lately? Instead of asking their major, why not ask what music they listen to? Instead of asking what dorm they live in, why not ask what the most random thing they brought to college is? Those questions actually tell you something about the person. If someone tells me they’re from New Jersey, I know where they’re from.

You tell us to fail and get back up again, but how can you preach that lesson when you refuse to admit failure in the first place? It is the reluctance to admit failure that can create a stigma around struggle. And that sends the wrong message to students. We are angry, not just because the administration has pushed writers away from journalism with their responses, but because we expected more. I expected honesty, transparency, and a little trust. And as for The Stute, if we do not get enough information to publish an article, we will find it. The fact that we could not publish an article one week does not mean that we will not get back up and try again. The stories that are relevant to Stevens and are a part of our history deserve to be told — failures and all. And as a student, we aren’t asking Stevens to be perfect. We are asking Stevens to be honest when it’s not.

watched the same show five times, I have something to talk about. Maybe the problem isn’t the questions themselves. They’re just the easiest questions to ask when you don’t know someone yet. And when everyone around you is also trying to meet people, it’s easy to fall into the same routine. I’ve definitely done it too. I’ve asked people their names, majors, and where they’re from. Sometimes I realize halfway through a conversation that I’m basically asking the same questions I’ve already answered ten times that day. At this point, I’ve probably asked “What’s your major?” to enough people to know that Stevens has a lot of Mechanical Engineering majors. Maybe we should start asking better questions. Not deep questions or anything that feels like an interview. Just something a little more interesting. What’s your favorite movie? What do you do when you’re bored? What’s something you’re weirdly good at? What’s the best thing you’ve eaten since getting here? I’d much rather find out that someone has a completely useless hidden talent than find out where they’re from. So if you meet me on campus and you’re trying to start a conversation, you can still ask my name. Just maybe skip the other two.

BY BREONA PIZZUTA ‘27 Earlier this week, sitting at the kitchen table surrounded by markers, crayons, and colored pencils, my roommate and I took part in, what some would call, a sacred college tradition — drafting the Senior Year Bucket List. Technically, we should have been working on assignments or doing something more productive with our time. Instead, we were debating whether this or that deserved to make it on our intensely cultivated list. My roommate Claire and I have lived together since day one of freshman year. That’s four consecutive years of coexisting. First, we were crammed into a dorm on the second floor of Davis Hall, navigating those cinderblock walls and twin XL mattresses; then, we moved into the Residential Towers feeling like seasoned upperclassmen because we had a slightly newer view. And now, we settled into our second year living off-campus in a real apartment where we actually have to clean our

COMIC CORNER BY IZZY GABAY

own stove. We’ve seen each other through 8 a.m. exams, cooking experiments, mid-semester breakdowns, and the quiet triumph of surviving midterms. So when it came time to write our final college checklist, the stakes felt weirdly high. Freshman year, a college bucket list sounds like a movie script. It’s all grand gestures, rowdy traditions, and unchecked ambition. You want to attend every single sporting event, join six clubs you’ll drop after two weeks, and pull legendary all-nighters just to say that you did. You think the magic of college is hidden in the giant milestones. Looking at our list now, halfway through September of our final year, to me it looks nothing like what 18-year-old us would have written. Sure, there are a few classic campus staples we still had not crossed off: sitting on Babbio with the perfect view at sunrise, taking photos at the landmarks we walk past every day without noticing, and finally visiting the Hoboken restaurants that we always claim we’re “too busy” to walk to. But the items that took up the most ink weren’t about campus glory. They were intensely domestic, specific events between two people who know the lease on their shared life is running out. Our list included things like: host a movie night for friends before

everyone scatters, go line dancing like we always said we would, go sledding and have a snowball fight this winter, and spend an evening doing karaoke just for fun. That’s the paradox of senioritis. We spent the last three years in an endless sprint of surviving labs, racing to meetings, and constantly bracing for the next academic hurdle. We always operated under the assumption that there would be another semester to slow down. Another spring to sit and tan on the Schaefer lawn. Another fall to explore the neighborhood. Now, the calendar has stopped playing along. The finish line is no longer an abstract concept — it’s a date circled in May. Drafting a senior bucket list with someone who has witnessed every version of your college self isn’t just about chasing novelty. It’s an exercise in paying attention. It’s admitting that the things we’ll miss the most aren’t the dramatic milestones, but the background noise, the morning rush in our tiny bathroom, the synchronized waking up for classes, and the shared realization that we have grown up in these four walls. We might not check off every single bullet point before graduation day. But as long as we’re making the effort to pause, look around, and share the ride, I think we’re right on schedule.

Friday, September 25

Opinion BOOK OF THE WEEK

Take notes from Elizabeth Zott

BY RIYANA PHADKE M.S. ‘27 As a Chemical Biology major, I picked up Bonnie Garmus’ Lessons in Chemistry expecting a story about science. I didn’t expect it to be a story about loss, or one of the most encouraging books I’ve read in a long time. Elizabeth Zott is a gifted chemist in the early 1960s, working at a research institute where her colleagues assume she’s a secretary.

Her work on abiogenesis— the question of how life could arise from nonliving chemistry—is serious and ambitious. Then her partner, Calvin Evans, the one person who treats her as an intellectual equal, dies suddenly. Soon after, she is pushed out of the lab and ends up hosting a cooking show called Supper at Six. There, she teaches her audience that cooking is chemistry and trusts them to keep up. What starts as a detour becomes a platform, and Elizabeth uses it to urge women to question the expectations placed on them. The romance is real, but I never felt it was the center of the book. What stayed with me was how Garmus treats grief as bigger than losing a person. Elizabeth loses Calvin, but she also loses her position, her re-

search, and the future she had mapped out. The book understands that you can mourn a dream or a path you were sure you’d take, not only a person. That idea hit close to home. At Stevens, we are always working toward the next internship, offer, or line on the resume. We get used to measuring ourselves by what comes next. Then the position falls through, an experiment fails for the third time, or we realize the career we planned isn’t the one we want. Sometimes things simply happen that no amount of effort could have prevented. Lessons in Chemistry doesn’t treat perseverance as pretending those losses didn’t happen. Elizabeth grieves, gets angry, and is often thrown off course. What she does is keep build-

FROM CUBICLES TO CAMPUS

Finance people, your clock just started version of “your clock just started”: This is the onramp to Summer 2028, not Summer 2027. Know which race you’re running before you start sprinting.

BY JEYLAN JUBRAN ‘27 I’m an engineer so you might be thinking I have no business writing this article — and you might be right, but we’re inclusive here. If my consultant brother and my business-obsessed former roommate taught me anything, it’s this goddamn timeline stuff. So let’s talk about it! The cycles, roughly For most of us, recruiting runs in three windows: fall semester, January to March, and a last-chance April-to-May cycle for whatever went unfilled earlier. That’s a normal calendar. You can plan around that. Finance does not run on that calendar. If you’re aiming at the big banks—the Goldmans, the JPMorgans, the Morgan Stanleys of the world—those Summer 2027 applications opened back in December and January, and they were largely filled by May. Before this semester even started. So yeah. If that was the plan, that specific door already closed, and no amount of hustle this month reopens it — unless you’ve got a nepo baby situation, then maybe (lucky you). What’s opening right now, through the fall, is the next layer: Big four advisory, asset managers, mid-market, and regional banks — and, more importantly, the early pipeline for the cycle after that. So if banking is the goal, here’s the honest

How to actually prep Get your story straight before you get your resume out. Why finance, why this firm, why now — you’ll get asked some version of this in every single conversation. Try to make it fun, but make it genuine. Don’t give them some BS answer. Learn the basics before you need them. You don’t need to be an expert. You need to not freeze when someone asks. I’m a big fan of YouTube University! Go to the info sessions. Recruiters remember the names they see in September when they’re deciding who to move forward in November. It shows commitment to the firm. Talk to actual people at the firm before you apply. Not to network for networking’s sake, but to have one specific thing to reference later that isn’t just the company website. Don’t be too eager!!! How not to sound too eager on LinkedIn What not to do: Comment “Would love to connect and learn more about your journey at [Firm]!! ” on a stranger’s post the day they get promoted. What to do instead: Send a short, specific message. Reference something real—a deal, a talk they gave, a shared connection—and ask one clear question. “I saw you worked on the [specific] deal — I’m early in exploring investment banking and would love 15 minutes to hear how you got into that group” reads as prepared. A string of exclamation points reads as a template. Restraint is the tell that

🚀

you’ve done the research. Overexcitement is the tell that you haven’t. And some people will ignore you, and you might hate that. Rejection is part of this process. Engineers don’t really do this—we’re an antisocial bunch—but in finance, by all means, reach out. Some people love it, others just want their ego stroked. Either way, it’s part of the game. The hazing culture, briefly Finance and business recruiting has a reputation for a certain amount of gatekeeping — the “I suffered through this so you will too” energy, the unspoken tests, the sense that asking a question the wrong way costs you the room. Some of that is real. Most of it is people repeating a culture they were never given permission to question. You don’t have to play into it to be taken seriously. Showing up prepared, asking real questions, and not pretending to know things you don’t will get you further than performing exhaustion or false confidence ever will. It’s a toll, but you have to rise above it. And even if you get the internship, you can always switch tracks later if that’s the goal. So build some confidence before walking into the wolves’ den.

ing a life anyway, bringing the same rigor and curiosity that made her a good scientist. Even on a cooking set, she approaches problems like a chemist. The book is also funny, and Six-Thirty, Calvin’s dog, is a delight. It also made me think about how the fight for women’s recognition has changed. Elizabeth’s barriers were blunt: She was underestimated in the lab and on the water as a rower, no matter what she accomplished. Today, many of those doors are open, but questions about how women are recognized and represented remain. We can see that in recent conversations surrounding female athletes’ pushback against Sydney Sweeney’s Novig sports betting ad, which some athletes have criticized for its portray-

al of women in sports. The conversation is very different from Elizabeth’s experience, but it raises a related question: When women enter spaces where they have historically been underestimated, are we actually seeing and valuing their skills and accomplishments? What I admired most is that Elizabeth never stops being curious, and she never accepts that she should shrink herself to fit someone else’s expectations. As students, we can borrow that. We can chase the subjects that fascinate us, even when they don’t fit the plan, and support the people around us in the lab and on campus. If we do it well, the students who come after us will have more opportunities than we did. If you’re a STEM major, if you’ve ever had a plan fall

apart, or if you just want a book that is smart, funny, and hopeful, this is one to pick up. That’s the real lesson in chemistry: Sometimes you have to experiment, fail, adapt, and try again before you find the thing that works.

PHOTO COURTESY OF WALMART

SOPHMORE SLUMP

Join the A-List cult

BY ROBERT JACK DIETRICH ‘29 I love watching movies. I make an effort to watch at least one movie a week. There is something just so incredibly special about so many different types of art being combined into one single medium. In the past, the easiest option has been a streaming service. Just to watch anything I can find in the comfort of my own home is a miracle in itself. However, there is no substitute on Earth that can replicate a movie theater. No level of surrounding sound or OLED TV could ever replace the experience of going to a theater and experiencing a movie as the creators intended. Unfortunately, seeing movies has become a little annoying. The big shift for me, at least, was the cost of the ticket. Back at home, the average cost per movie was around $8. Granted, I didn’t have access to any special formats (IMAX, VistaVision, Dolby, etc.) but for less

than $10 a movie, I’ll take that deal. Now that I am in Hoboken, the average price now sits at a calm $20. For someone who tries to make an effort to go at least twice a month, that’s an issue. Enter AMC A-List. Subscription services suck but for only $15, I can see around 16 movies a month without paying a single cent more. Equipped with this, my dilemma was solved. Now I can either walk to Newport or tank the cost of the PATH and MTA and see a movie virtually at any time. Moral of the story: get A-List, the end. Except, there’s a new problem. As far as I know, none of my other friends have A-List. Thus, it is much easier for me to say, “Hey, let’s go see a movie!” when the financial burden for me is $0 and $20 for my friends. Now, I have no issue seeing movies alone. Some may consider it depressing or lonely, but there is a vast difference between being alone and being lonely. Every so often, seeing a movie alone is almost therapeutic. Even more so if you are the only one in the theater. It is just you and the movie. You can get completely immersed in the picture and hypnotized by the sound. Some people take walks to cool down; others run or swim. If I had a crappy day

or experienced something I would be happier forgetting, I go to the movies. But what if I don’t want to be alone? There is something to be said about getting out of the theater, grabbing a slice and talking to a friend about what you just experienced together. Similarly to how going to a movie alone is therapeutic I also consider going with a friend its own kind of therapy. Shared experiences are what bond us whether it’s sports, clubs, jobs or a hobby. So where is the balance? I need to find a middle ground because right now, it’s either never seeing a movie with another person or, every time I open my mouth, my friends brace themselves to drop a minimum of $20. Maybe the solution is to see fewer movies? Or maybe rotate friends based on what movie I’m going to. Or convince everyone that I know to get AMC A-List. Now that may sound crazy, and it definitely is, but hear me out. Once you get past the shock of the price tag, a whole new world opens up. If every movie is now free, you would see so many more movies that you wouldn’t see otherwise, thus expanding your taste and knowledge of film. And I would have more friends to go to the movies with. It’s a win-win! Moral of the story, get AMC A-List.

Bottom line Finance moves early and it moves fast, and if you’re just hearing that now, you haven’t missed everything — you’ve missed this specific cycle for this specific type of firm. Figure out which race you’re in, prep like the timeline is real, and don’t let anyone’s manufactured urgency talk you into applying somewhere you didn’t vet.

PHOTO COURTESY OF TWINCITIESBUSINESS.COM

PHOTO COURTESY OF BOXOFFICEPRO.COM

Friday, September 25

Opinion GIRL(ISH) TALK

Caught a case of FOMO

BY ISABELLA BARROQUERIO MARQUES ‘30 As we’re all beginning to settle into the semester, a wave of what is known as the “freshman flu” has hit a lot of us, myself included. It’s a rite of passage into college living, and I know

I wasn’t surprised when it hit me. However, I was surprised to find that I hadn’t just caught the simple freshman flu — I was coming down with something a lot worse. By Sunday, I knew what it was. I’ve officially caught a bad case of FOMO. I realized that even with all of the socializing and going out I had done over orientation week, I still don’t feel like I’m doing enough. Even though I am a Chemical Biology major, I’m no doctor. While I can’t diagnose anyone with it, I’m starting to suspect it’s not just me who’s caught it. This doesn’t have to be a bad thing, though. In fact,

that’s exactly why I’ve chosen to write about this topic this week. If you’ve fallen victim to my previous rambling columns, you’ll know that Girl(ish) Talk wasn’t the first paper I wrote. It was actually a paper called “Finding your people.” Flash forward a few weeks, and it’s ironic how much easier that’s said than done. All the suggestions I had written about—joining clubs, finding people with shared interests—can be a lot harder and feel more daunting than I’m sure any of us would expect. But don’t worry, not everything has to be applying for leadership positions and

EXPEDITION ENGINEERING

Stop pretending engineers should work with humanities

BY ALESSANDRO CHAVEZ ‘28 Engineers shouldn’t work with humanities. Radical as that sounds, the forced pairing between engineers and humanities creates resentment. Students meander through their essays, confused as to why they, as people who think in numerical systems, need to interpret Shakespeare. Therein lies the fundamental flaw. Society misclassified engineers! I argue engineering is the most humanities-driven subject there is, and siloing it as a discipline to work with humanities instead of a discipline within humanities exacerbates the phenomenon known as information entropy, threatening student education at its very core. Let’s back up for a second. What is information entropy? I define information entropy as a phenomenon that occurs when details are lost in translation due to the continuous process of abstraction. Think of it like a game of telephone applied to assignments. All assignments start with a set of goals. The course objectives most students gloss over in the syllabus. From there, especially in the design labs, a course coordinator works to develop curriculum. Professors then

transmit that material to students via presentations, who interpret it, and later apply the material within their projects. At each step, there is a level of abstraction by the receiving party that distorts the initial meaning to the point where, after a few abstractions, the initial truth disappears to obscurity. Information entropy is a large problem across engineering. It builds up from small moments like assuming friction as negligible, or that a thermodynamic process is ideal. Momentarily, these assumptions feel inconsequential. Compounded over iterations of experimentation, with various interpretations built from the foundation, what transpires is not a true representation of reality. It is what one would call a simulacrum; a version of reality that lacks the original meaning. The same concept applies to education. Ideas go through so much translation that the initial meaning is lost. How does this tie back to humanities? Well, consider the following. Humanities compress entire texts into digestible material. Keep in mind, these texts cover many non-logical subjects like personality theory, ethics, and dystopian futures possibly ruled by Big Sister. How do they accomplish this? Discussion. Interpretation. Freedom of expression. Wait a second. Ethics. Freedom of expression. Interpretation. Aren’t these concepts also present in engineering? Where a problem is subject to interpretation? Where solutions are expressed through a unique

design? Where individuals must weigh questions about ethics? Yes. Engineering is a branch of humanities. In fact, I argue it’s a simulacrum of humanities itself, so detached from its origins that we’ve forgotten why it exists: Problem solving. Engineers fundamentally exist to solve problems, but not exclusively the math kind. Engineers push the boundaries of logic. They build the future by not assuming reality is fixed. No. They look at its entire, messy, entropy-filled form. That’s the same idea that drives humanities students. They formulate ideas that challenge pre-existing assumptions. I’ll leave with this. To all engineers, stop approaching your design classes like a math problem. There is no single solution. There never was and never will be. Stop using ChatGPT to look for the silver bullet. The purpose isn’t to find the solution. Your job is to experiment, fail, and try again. Yes, the system we exist in—grades, pressure, and judgment—constantly works against you, but trust me when I say that engineers who work as humanities students instead of with them are far more valuable than those who know two plus two is four.

making 10 friends a day. Try going to a club that’s strictly for your enjoyment. Focus on fostering real connections with people and enjoying yourself, whether you’re out with a group of 12 or you’re spending the night by yourself. Do the things that seem random, even if you’re not really interested or don’t have anyone to go with. Also, it’s easy to see how people feel behind even when they are growing. I can’t count on two hands how many times I’ve seen a friend run for a position on some e-board and thought, “What am I doing?” It is easy to feel like you aren’t

achieving enough and aren’t achieving the perfect college dream. However, the truth is that the “perfect” college experience doesn’t exist. It can look different for everyone! Maybe your perfect experience is sticking to homework and research, or maybe it’s being a member in every organization at Stevens. Either way, what you do with your time is not less or more valuable just because it doesn’t fit the stereotypical “day in my life” for a college student. Focusing on taking care of yourself and managing all the aspects of college life you find important is what really matters.

I’ll admit that this column might be a little different from the others, in the sense that I really have advice to give. I don’t have any tips and tricks, I don’t have more cute clothes to recommend, because the truth is that I’m stuck in the same spot that everyone is in. This article is a reminder to everyone who seems to have caught a case of FOMO: to relax. Recognize that we’re only four weeks into the semester, and we have plenty of time to create that perfect college experience. So, the next time the symptoms of FOMO kick in, take a deep breath and time for yourself.

ON SHUFFLE

Unbelievable ears

BY VIKTOR PALMER ‘28 The way we experience a medium impacts how we respond to it. As a musician, I like to talk about how we perceive sound as an example of this. Sound can be both auditory and physical — sound waves apply pressure as well as be heard by us. Humans have evolved to be pretty sensitive to certain sounds; some can trigger physiological or emotional responses. As humans, we have evolved to feel alert at a baby’s cry or at sounds of threat. Earth produces its own electromagnetic frequency that hums constantly in our atmosphere, it being invisible but always present. Even before we are born, sound begins sending signals to our brains, making us respond. The auditory medium stands out because of this. The long evolutionary history of sound makes it interesting. People don’t just listen and respond. This is a phenomenon that has existed since prehistoric life

PHOTO COURTESY OF ETSY.COM

first formed on this planet. About 320 million years ago, early animals learned to puff up their body parts as a visual warning to communicate. Then around 300 to 250 million years ago, ancient crustaceans and insects communicated by clicking and buzzing. Crickets and other insects began to chirp, which we still hear on summer nights or dewy early mornings. Every living thing is constantly listening and responding. That is why sound is such a powerful medium. I recently enjoyed a lecture in my Sound Recording 3 class about ears. Not the amazing electronic duo ear. I mean the ones on our heads. Our ears are doing a ton of work all the time, no pun intended. The physics behind how we hear is truly captivating. Inside our ears are a bunch of different tiny parts that we often don’t think about. Many people know that the cochlea exists inside our ears from learning about cochlear implants or knowledge of anatomy. What a lot of people don’t know of is the basilar membrane, a fibrous, flexible structure that separates fluid pockets in the cochlea. Different frequencies produce vibrations along the membrane, where they get broken up and sent to our brains. There are many different types of shapes of sound waves, but all nat-

urally occurring sounds are complex sounds. This means there are overtones and additional frequencies that exist at all times. The basilar membrane takes those complex sound waves and sorts them (interpreting each frequency), simplifies them, and then feeds those signals to our brains, where we then reassemble and distinguish those sounds into their complex forms and process them. The way our brains recognize patterns in music is also interesting. Active listening, for example, requires attention and engages processes involved in auditory perception, memory, and prediction. Because music has recurring patterns, our brains constantly make predictions about what comes next. When we listen actively, our brains use patterns we have already learned to anticipate what happens next. Our ears are doing more than just hearing. They keep us balanced. Sound is always around us, and our brains are always working to perceive it. It is now impossible for me to listen to any sound and not acknowledge all of the inner workings happening inside my head to make my perception possible. It is an amazing thing to think about, and I advise anyone interested to look further into these topics.

PHOTO COURTESY OF AUDIBEL.COM

UNDERGROUND FASHION

Let’s rework Vivet, Kai

BY GAVIN RUBY ‘27 New York Fashion Week may be over, but Vivet is still in the news. Vivet is the latest influencer-owned company by Kai Cenat — head of Streamer University. In January, Cenat announced his fashion line

in an emotional YouTube video, titled, “I Quit.” The video acted as a vulnerable exploration of Cenat’s mental state and his desire to evolve beyond his identity as a streamer. It is great for influencers to pivot, especially in industries when your career can end when you least expect it. However, this shift needs to make sense. Rarely do influencer or celebrity brands work when it was not part of their previous brand, i.e. Beis or Rare Beauty. However, it can work when it is on par with their brand, like Skims, Pattern, or Victoria Beckham. Companies like Victoria

Beckham, Skims, and even Yeezy made sense because that was who those celebrities were and there was a clear vision about what they were trying to sell. When I saw the items by Vivet, I could see a cohesive theme of distressed leather, fur trims, or alternative designs. However, it seemed to be an amalgamation of Rick Owens, Demna’s Gucci and Balenciaga, and Yeezy. There were even parallels between Kai and ASAP Rocky, as Kai used the exact same venue ASAP used the year before—Cipriani Downtown—and drew the same large crowd outside. The pants were low-rise,

jackets were commodiously large, and the leather was tight to the skin, but the comparisons can be seen as soon as items started walking down. This is only the first show and there is space to grow. If he really wants this, it could go farther, as long as he continues being dedicated to the craft. Lest we forget, Yeezy was hated when it first came out and a decade later, fashion still takes cues from the originality of the first couple seasons by the company. All in all, was it a good collection? No, but there is always the ability to grow and continue.

PHOTO COURTESY OF IMDB.COM

Friday, September 25

Campus Pulse

Nicholas Liggio ‘29

Nicole Ola ‘28

Larry DiVittorio ‘29

“‘Gmod’ by Mellowpunk”

“‘safety net’ by Ariana Grande ft. Ty Dolla $ign”

“‘Pressure’ by Billy Joel”

ROVING REPORTER

By Brady Sansotta and Rachel Choi

Annika Lachica ‘28

“‘A Couple Minutes’ by Olivia Dean”

“What is your go-to song when walking to class?”

“‘Choosing Texas’ by Ella Langley”

Jeremiah Malik ‘29

Erica Khoo ‘29

David Jable ‘30

Ayden Raju ‘30

“‘Fire for You’ by Cannons”

“‘It Was a Good Day’ by Ice Cube”

“‘I Run This’ by Birdman”

Puzzle Page

Dominic Souza Cryptolist

Mini Crossword Across: 1. Type of social organization on campus 5. Slang abbreviation of a main street in Hoboken 6. Tricky or unstable 8. Symbol used in music composition 9. Title of an Eminem song

Down: 1. Abbreviation of forward 2. Showers or falls 3. Unique article of clothing worn by Fred from Scooby-Doo 4. Often used as a variable denoting an angle in physics 7. Japanese currency

The following list has been translated using a basic substitution cipher. For example, if E represents T in one word/phrase, it will represent T in all the words/phrases in the list. No letter maps to itself. The list is alphabetized. Hint: start guessing things in the category and see if any of the letter patterns match up.

Music Genres

DYIQQADIY

EHE

UYUDBCXZAD

OAE OHE

KIVV

CEDT

*Puzzle instructions by Stephen Pachucki

Hidden Links

Chain Reaction

Inspired by the British game show Only Connect, the goal of this puzzle is to find the hidden connection between four seemingly abstract clues. Each answer will use trivia, wordplay, logic, or some combination thereof. The solution is always more specific than “nouns”, “places”, etc. What do the following have in common?

Each of the six clues on the right leads to a two-word phrase or compound word. Insert each answer into two of the boxes on the right. At the end, you will have an interlocking chain of six phrases.

Grenade

Finesse

Count on Me

Treasure

20 min

1979

One More Hour

Clocks

Hetfield

Ulrich

Hammett

Trujillo

*Puzzle instructions by Stephen Pachucki

Clues: 1-2. Outdoor area with slides, swings, and climbing structures 2-3. Something innovative and original 3-4. Decomposing or dissolving 4-5. Negative aspect or con 5-6. Street branching off of a main one.

P___ G_____ B_______ D___ S___ R___

*Puzzle instructions by Stephen Pachucki

Sudoku

ANSWERS TO LAST WEEK’S PUZZLES

Difficulty: Difficult CRYPTOLIST

KINGS TOUR

Popular Shoe Brands

Olivia Rodrigo

Adidas

Nike

CHAIN REACTION Gear

Crocs

Puma

Skechers

Vans

Shift Work Out Side Ways

HIDDEN LINKS Cargo, Sea, Passenger, Air → Types of Planes Beatles, Eagles, Arctic Monkeys, Def Leppard → Rock Bands Named After Animals Zu, Thomas, Vreede, Englot → Deans of Schools at Stevens