Happy Thanksgiving Break!
We write Stevens history HOBOKEN, NJ | NOVEMBER 22, 2024
VOLUME CXXI No. 12
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
Candidates face off in SGA Presidential debate ahead of voting deadline BY ISABELLA ZIV, EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
COURTESY OF DAVIS BRODY BOND
Stevens unveils plans for thirteen-story mixed-use tower to replace Davis Hall
BY BEN KNOBLOCH, been slated for replacement location directly between the capacity each year and we are by a large, mixed-use center UCC and academic buildings always seeking ways to use NEWS EDITOR in the style of the University like the Babbio Center and the our campus footprint more
Newly unveiled plans have drawn back the curtain on the design of the 13-story multipurpose building slated to replace Davis Hall in the next few years. The renderings, which were prepared for a Stevens presentation for the Hoboken Planning Board last Tuesday, show a modern structure towering over the academic green and surrounding buildings. It has been known for months that the aging Davis Hall — a first-year dormitory completed in the 1960s — has
Center Complex (UCC). The plans presented at the Planning Board’s Subdivision and Site Plan meeting detail how the new space will be allocated among offices, residences, classrooms, and laboratories. The Stute spoke with Vice President for Facilities and Campus Operations Robert Maffia to learn more about the project. Designed by the New York architectural firm Davis Brody Bond, the new building will add 238,000 square feet of space in a prime campus
Morton-Peirce-Kidde Complex. Stevens emphasized the building’s environmental features to the Planning Board, highlighting a “green roof deck space” along Wittpenn Walk and vegetation designed to manage stormwater runoff. The building will include 457 beds of on-campus student housing or a net increase of 245 beds. Alleviating the on-campus housing shortage has been a priority of recent Stevens campus infrastructure upgrades, according to Maffia. “Davis Hall hits full
efficiently to provide our community with the academic and student life resources needed to thrive.” But, unlike the 1,000-bed UCC, the Davis Hall replacement will also consist of significant new classroom and laboratory space, which have also been in short supply as the student population has boomed. A lower level and the first three levels of the building will be dedicated to labs, classrooms, and offices.
SEE DAVIS PAGE 2
Last Thursday, the four nominees for the 2025-2026 Student Government Association (SGA) Presidential Election took to the stage in a highly anticipated debate. The 90 minute debate, held in the UCC TechFlex and broadcast by SITTV, was moderated by current SGA President Nicholas Smith and current Vice President of Operations (VPO) Olof Persson. The election period began on November 17 and will conclude on November 23, with the newly elected president, vice president of operations, and their cabinet to be inaugurated on January 17. The election has been intense, and with three strong pairs still in the race, the outcome is expected to be close. Here is a summary of the debate and where the candidates stand. Meet the Candidates Alexander Stanczak, running with Shane Mitchell, describes his campaign as “active, fresh, and transparent.” Stanczak has served on two previous cabinets as Vice President of Student Interests (VPSI) and Vice President of Operations (VPO). His platform emphasizes encouraging student involvement through improved student-faculty interactions, both academic and social, strengthening student life, and enhancing student representation in decision-making process-
es. Stanczak is committed to building on the progress made by previous cabinets and continuing ongoing SGA work. Kevin Pfundstein, running with Tanya Avadia, describes his campaign as “Pfun, unifying, and supportive.” Pfundstein brings two years of experience as Vice President of Finance (VPF) on two different cabinets. He is proud of his contributions, including increasing club funding by raising the student activity fee and working with the budget committee to bring back GBM food. His platform focuses on understanding what works for students and building on past successes. Pfundstein aims to continue the “pfun” by driving clear, intentional changes to improve the student experience, offering support for student leaders, and making their roles easier. Angelo Naro, running with Mollie Good, describes their campaign as “student-focused, experienced, and passionate.” Naro brings valuable experience from their time in the SGA, having served on the campus wellness committee and hosted the “Out in FSL” event for LGBTQ+ in Greek Life during their first year. As the campus wellness chair in their second year, they expanded the event with more budget and greater attendance. Naro has also contributed to the Feed the Flock
SEE DEBATE PAGE 2
NATIONAL NEWS Hoboken votes to keep protections against raising rent Department of Education (DOE) will face scrutiny in Trump’s second term
Election result triggers stock market frenzy BY JEREMIAH CHINWENDU, MANAGING EDITOR
The fate of the US Department of Education (ED), first formed in 1979 and receiving on-and-off criticism in presidential campaigns since then, is now perhaps at its most uncertain stage after the re-election of Donald Trump to the presidency. The president-elect has made clear his disdain for this department, vowing on the campaign trail to have it dissolved, a promise key supporters such as Elon Musk have cheered. In all, Trump’s second term visa-vis education may end up having the most significant impact on college students or alumni who are still paying off student loans. Despite Trump’s criticisms, this department — which oversees the Federal Student Aid office providing federal student loans to college attendees,
Donald Trump won election to a second term as president earlier this month, sparking a diverse range of reactions among voters across the country. One of the most immediate impacts of his election has been the sudden surge in the stock market. Businesses led by Trump supporters have already experienced a significant increase in stock values. Additionally, Trump’s recent appointments of government officials have bolstered expectations of support for his policy initiatives, further fueling market optimism. Historically, the stock market often reacts strongly after elections as investors anticipate how new policies will affect businesses and the economy. This spike, however, is one of the largest ever recorded. The frenzy in the markets is being closely analyzed as businesses and investors brace for the broader implications of Trump’s leadership.
SEE DOE PAGE 3
SEE STOCK PAGE 3
BY CHARLES BEALL, OPINION COLUMNIST
NEWS (2-3)
Thirteen-story mixed-use tower to replace Davis Hall See the newly released renderings of the building and learn about the next stages. FEATURE (4)
Happy Thanksgiving! Learn about the history of Thanksgiving, how to host a Friendsgiving, and why wild turkeys are disappearing!
SPORTS (5)
Field Hocky wins MAC and wrestling seaons starts Read about what’s going on in the world of the Stevens Ducks. PULSE (10)
Read answers from the Stevens community to our weekly Roving Reporter, plus solve our weekly puzzle and sudoku.
BY EVAN PAPAGEORGE, HEAD COPY EDITOR
On November 5, 2024, Hoboken residents headed to the polls not only to vote for the next president and other local officials but also to decide the fate of a proposed amendment to the city’s rent control code. The referendum asked whether landlords should be allowed to increase rent to market rates after a tenant vacates a property, subject to a one-time payment to the Hoboken Affordable Housing Trust Fund. The outcome of the vote was a clear rejection of the amendment, with a large majority of voters
choosing to maintain the current limits on rent increases. The proposed amendment, if approved, would have removed the restrictions that currently limit rent increases after a tenant vacates a rent-controlled unit. Under the existing rules, landlords can raise the rent by either 5% or the rate of the Consumer Price Index, whichever is lower. If a tenant had occupied the unit for three years or more, rent increases could not exceed 25% and could only occur once every three years. However, the new amendment would have allowed landlords to increase the rent to market value, with
no cap on the amount, as long as they paid a $2,500 fee to the city’s affordable housing fund per unit — the amendment aimed to provide landlords more flexibility while contributing to the city’s affordable housing efforts. The issue arose after Hoboken City Council voted down a proposal that would have directly modified rent-controlled property pricing. As a result, the decision fell to the citizens through a voting referendum. The referendum asked Hoboken residents to vote “yes” or “no” on the proposed changes. A vote in favor of the amendment would have effectively reduced the restrictions on
rent increases for newly vacated units. Conversely, a “no” vote would maintain the current rent control policies, which have long been a staple of the city’s housing regulations. The referendum was part of a broader conversation about affordable housing in Hoboken. In this city, rising rents have sparked debates over the balance between tenant protections and landlords’ ability to operate their properties effectively. Supporters of the amendment argued that allowing landlords to raise rents to market value could incentivize property maintenance and
SEE RENT PAGE 3
2024 Ansary winners and their next entrepreneurial steps BY EVAN PAPAGEORGE, HEAD COPY EDITOR
The Ansary Entrepreneurship Competition has long served as a springboard for innovation, helping Senior Design students turn ambitious projects into thriving ventures. Among the standout winners from the 2024 competition, none have captured the entrepreneurial spirit better than the first-place team, Knee-sy Does It. With their breakthrough knee therapy device, this team of biomedical engi-
neers has proven that even undergraduate projects can transform lives. But what have the winners been up to since their triumph? Brandon Sems and Margaret Gibson, two Kneesy Does It team members, have gone all in on entrepreneurship. Their $10,000 Ansary prize and $15,000 Venture Prize from the DEBUT Challenge fueled their transition from student engineers to business founders, funding research and development to refine their prototype into a market-ready device. Their knee therapy device,
which automates stretches for patients recovering from knee injuries and surgeries, personalizes treatment plans and tracks progress using integrated sensors and a mobile app, providing critical insights for patients and healthcare providers. According to Gibson, “Our work is just beginning. We’re committed to making knee rehabilitation more accessible and effective for millions of patients.” The duo has begun preliminary talks with manufacturers and initiated FDA
approval processes, aiming to secure Class I medical device certification. Additionally, they are planning clinical trials to validate the product’s effectiveness and safety. Their ultimate vision is to lease the device to clinics and homes, making high-quality physical therapy affordable and convenient. While Sems and Gibson have taken an entrepreneurial route, their teammates, Jalen Bailey and Grace Fukazawa, have opted for complementary
SEE ANSARY PAGE 3