Volume XXVIII
Issue 1
august 23, 2021
penmenpress.com
THE
PENMEN PRESS Writing SNHU’s Story
07
11
15
How to SNHU: Campus COVID Guidelines
How To SNHU: Communicating With Professors
How to SNHU: The Last Chapter Pub
2 | News
MEET THE
STAFF Co-Editor-in-Chief Sofia Barassi
Co-Editor-in-Chief Stefan Karlberg
Business Manager
Events Manager
Online Manager
Senior Copy Editor Bailey Arnold-Fuchs
Andrew Wilson
Lifestyle Editor
Julie Armstrong
Ryan Barrett
Now Hiring!
Marketing Manager
Marketing Manager
NEws Editor
Sports Editor
A&E Co-Editor
A&E co-Editor
Opinion Editor
Layout Editor
Faculty Adviser
Now Hiring!
Devin Pouliot
Chirstopher Kelly
Jordan Sanger
Taylor Posik
Jon Boroshok
Steven Covey
Now Hiring!
Joshua DiNapoli
The Penmen Press | 3
THIS MONTH’S
EVENTS
Sunday, August 29 First days 7:30am
Monday, August 30 start of fall term student emploment job fair 4pm
tuesday, August 31 Field Hockey Vs Assumption 6:30pm
wednesday, september 1 IGC Block party 5pm
thursday, september 2 Welcome Back Week Photoshoot
friday, september 3 Field Hockey Vs american int’l 6pm
free money game show 9pm
saturday, september 4 volleyball vs post 11am volleyball vs LeMoyne 3:30pm
involment fair 12pm penmen press meeting 2pm Glow casino 7pm
sister speed datimg with phi psi
Radio SNHU Name That Tune 8pm
tuesday, september 21
saturday, september 11 MSoccer vs Wilmington 1pm
sunday, september 12 WSoccer vs Adelphi 12pm Field Hockey vs Adelphi 4pm Keeping Up With Kappa 12pm
Global Cafe 3pm Volleyball vs St. Anselm 7pm WSoccer vs Franklin Pierce 7pm
wednesday, september 22 penmen press meeting 2pm MSoccer vs Assumption 7pm
thursday, september 23
Meet the Sororities 7pm
Radio SNHU - Musical Trivia 8pm
tuesday, september 14 Volleyball vs Mercy 4:30pm Mock Interviews - Meet the Firms Event 5pm SNHUconnect Tour: Navigating Your Virtual Community- Online Student Life Series 7:30pm
volleyball vs bloomberg 10am volleyball vs felician 12:45pm
penmen press meeting 2pm Mock Interviews - Meet the Firms Event 5pm
thursday, september 16
tuesday, september 7
Penmen press birthday bash
IGC Block party 5pm
Radio SNHU - Karaoke Night 8pm
wednesday, september 8
7pm
monday, september 13
wednesday, september 15
Roommate Games 8pm
monday, september 20
thursday, september 9
sunday, september 5 monday, september 6
Constitution Day 10:30am
630pm
friday, september 17
saturday, september 25 Volleyball vs Bentley 1pm WSoccer vs So. Ct. State 4pm MSoccer vs Adelphi 7pm
sunday, september 26 6p Field Hockey vs Franklin Pierce 6pm
tuesday, september 28 Field Hockey vs Stonehill 6pm
wensday, september 29 IGC General Meetings 2pm penmen press meeting 2pm Weekly Bingo 8pm
thursday, september 30 Radio SNHU - Open Mic Night 8pm
4 | News
Letter from the editors
The Penmen Press | 5
Letter From The Editors: Finally: Welcome Back Sofia Barassi and Stefan Karlberg Co-Editors-in-Chief Welcome. Back. While the past 18 months have been difficult for everyone, our patience has gotten us back to a place where we can all be together. No matter what this time has looked like for you, the sacrifices that have been made come in all shapes and sizes. With that being said, as the leaders of the Penmen Press, we want to say welcome back and we are happy to share this moment with every single one of you. Last academic school year, the Penmen Press held weekly meetings and produced issues for the SNHU community in an online format with the help and dedication of our resilient staff. This does not go unrecognized as an arduous task and is something that
we want to praise them and say thank you for. This passion continued over the summer when staff members trained and refined their skills to generate an orientation issue. We share this issue with you all as we step foot onto campus for the first time in what feels like a lifetime. You will find “How to SNHU” articles in this issue that will refresh the minds of our returning classmates and plant a seed in the minds of our new-toSNHU friends. Check out the amazing work that our staff created for our first print of the school year. We are so excited to finally be on campus with all of you. We have so many plans for this semester that we
cannot wait to share, and this issue is only the very beginning of what’s to come. As many of us have seen before, what we have in front of us can be taken in an instant. We are here to tell you to not take what you have for granted, be bold and live life to the fullest. Be safe. Have fun. Be YOU. The Penmen Press will host our first event on September 16th where you will find games, sweet treats and great company for our fourth annual Birthday Bash. Everyone in the SNHU community is welcome to attend and we can’t wait to see you there. We meet every Wednesday from 2-3:15 pm in room 106 of the ACC. Come join us!
Penmen Press logo (image source: Chris Kelly)
6 | News
News
The Penmen Press | 7
How to SNHU: Campus COVID Guidelines Andrew Wilson News Editor The fall 2021 semester is approaching fast. Students are excited for the opportunity to return to campus for the first time in over a year and a half. Just as many are excited for their first time living on campus. However, with the rapid spread of the Delta variant of Covid-19, SNHU has released a statement about what precautions will need to be taken on campus. These precautions are being placed on top of requiring vaccination for any student who wishes to return to campus. Though the vaccines “provide… strong protection against serious illness and death,” they are not 100% effective, and fully vaccinated people can still get and spread the Delta variant, according to the Center for Disease Control (CDC) (last updated August 6 2021). At the top of the list of major changes to campus life is the return of the mask mandate. “All students, faculty, and staff, regardless of vaccination status will be required to wear masks in all indoor SNHU public spaces,” says President Paul LeBlanc in a recent email. However, masks will not be required for outdoor gatherings of fully vaccinated students. This change is in line with the CDC recommendations on their website, which states, “Given what we know about the Delta variant, vaccine effectiveness, and current vaccine coverage, layered prevention strategies, such as wearing masks, are needed to reduce the transmission of this variant.” While masks will be required to attend classes, in the hallways of dorms and in the dining hall, they will not be required to pass between classes, hang out on the green space or attend an outdoor sporting event. A final, though significant change to campus living is the restriction on visitors. Residence
SNHU Masks. (image source: Redbubble) halls have a new restriction on the number of SNHU residential guests allowed per room, being one guest per person. Combined with previous changes, that person will need to wear a mask inside. The larger change, however, is to the off-campus guest policy. “Students may have visitors on campus, but they must visit in common areas outside of residence halls and will be required to wear a face covering,” states the aforementioned email. This also follows the CDC guidelines for travel, domestic or otherwise, which is on their website. In response to questions of move-in, SNHU answered by saying, “Resident students will be allowed two guests for movein day, and face coverings will be required.” While many students may be dismayed by the response from SNHU regarding the return of the mask mandate and required vaccines, this response is not without precedent. Many schools, both private and public across the
country, are requiring masks. These changes to campus may not last the entire semester though, as the email states. “We will continue to monitor state and federal health guidelines related to face coverings, surveillance testing, health screenings, and social distancing, and will adjust our policies as needed and hope that we can loosen restrictions as soon as it is safe to do so.” It is possible the restrictions on masks and visitors may be lifted in the coming months, should the Delta variant stall out. Perhaps if SNHU students can prevent a major spread on campus by following the guidelines put in place, masks and visitor allowances will return to relative normalcy before the end of the semester. To delve more into the specifics of SNHU’s Covid plan, visit the SNHU Return to On-Site Work & Campus Operation Plan, which is available at the following link: h t t p s : / / s n h u externalaf fairs.app.b ox.com/s/ t3780jwn02ps1xopq3gbchcyel1spky4
8 | Sports
Sports
The Penmen Press | 9
How to SNHU: Attending Sporting Events Sofia Barassi Co-Editor-in-Chief Attending SNHU athletic events allows students to watch their classmates perform their sports and engage with each other outside the classroom. When turning onto Victory Lane in Hooksett, NH, Penmen Stadium might catch the eye on the drive into campus. The recently built stadium is a great spot for SNHU fans to gather and watch their soccer, lacrosse and track and field community compete for the NE10. The tennis teams also find their home at Penmen Stadium where spectators can watch the team’s matches in both the fall and spring. Penmen Stadium can hold 1,500 spectators as well as providing an engaging experience with the
lighting and sound systems that were built in according to Shane Carley, a writer for SNHU’s site on the official opening of Penmen Stadium, Another hot spot for sporting events is the Stan Spirou Field House located at 2500 North River Rd. on the Manchester side of campus. Here, people can find the men’s and women’s basketball teams as well as the women’s volleyball teams during the fall and winter. These seasons attract large crowds. According to SNHU Athletics, The gymnasium holds 2,000 people and gives the community and players an atmosphere that is most engaging. “I love playing volleyball at SNHU and love to have as many
people in the stans as we can. Fans watching makes the game much more fun and the cheering helps us gain momentum in the game,” said women’s volleyball player Ainsley Knox (‘23). The field house also hosts the campus gym, workout rooms, studios, and swimming pools which are all available to SNHU members. Whether new to SNHU or returning after a long hiatus from campus, attending events is another activity to do with the community. SNHU students are allowed to attend events and show their school spirit this semester. Visit Penmen Athletics for all the game schedules and sporting events information.
SNHU Women’s Soccer (Image Courtesy: SNHU Athletics)
10 | Lifestyle
Lifestyle
The Penmen Press | 11
How To SNHU: Communicating With Professors Jon Boroshok Faculty Adviser Connecting with professors, advisors and administrators is never as complicated as it seems, and they’re all here to help you if you let them. Understanding a few simple “ground rules” can help build relationships and effective communication. For example: All professors have office hours, and many post those on their office doors. Don’t be afraid to visit them in person. Introduce yourself on a first and last name basis so they’ll know who you are. Have your student ID card with you in case you want help with your academic program. Speaking with them in person is the best way to communicate. If they see you willing to make that effort, they’re more likely to go the extra mile for you too. If a class you want is full, go ask the professor directly. It’s harder to turn down students who care enough to look you in the eye. Once professors get to know you, they can help you make contacts and
be part of their network. This can open up new opportunities to learn, do internships, and find jobs. For many professors, that’s the most rewarding part of the job. Let yourself benefit from it! Remember that professors are people too. They work here. Try reaching out to them during normal business hours rather than at night or on weekends. Most professors believe that being a student is your full-time job. While many understand that you also work part-time, have internships, or are involved in other activities or athletics, they expect schoolwork to come first. Help them believe this about you! Don’t miss classes. If you have an 11 a.m. class, be in your seat, with your phone out of sight by 11. Don’t be that student who strolls in at 11:02 a.m. because there was a line for the coffee that’s still in your hand. Professors see that as a sign of disrespect or not caring
about class. If you can’t get to their office hours, that’s okay. Professors check their SNHU email regularly. Until you get to know them, address them formally, such as “Dear Professor Smith.” Remember that it’s a business email, not a text to your friend. Try to send emails during business hours. Check your SNHU email at least twice a day, every day. That’s how professors and the school will communicate with you. Sorry – we don’t text or Snapchat. If you have a problem with a class, see that professor first. Most are open to discussion, and want to work with you. Being proactive helps earn their respect, and is more likely to lead to a happy resolution. If that doesn’t help, see your Academic Advisor, or the Department Chair. Above all remember, we here to help you. Welcome to the Fall 2021 semester!
Communicating with professors (image courtesy: Pexels)
12 | Lifestyle
How to SNHU: Time Management Christopher Kelly Layout Editor
How is time management related to productivity? (image courtesy: Breeze) Moving onto a college campus involves a lot of change simultaneously. Therefore, it’s important to remember time management. Students should remember there are only so many hours in a day and they should leave time for themselves. One way to accomplish this is to treat assignments like projects by starting them early and chipping away at them over time. This strategy will keep assignments from piling up and reduce stress to the college experience, which will help avoid late nights and missing sleep. Another strategy students can use to ensure they leave time for themselves is to write down assignment due dates and time commitments. This will help students track their time so they don’t fill up their schedule. For new students, time management in college can be a difficult change from high school. When asked about the differences between high school and college, Evy Hill (’23) said it was the amount
of reliability. “Going online made it very difficult to balance everything going on in the world around me,” said Hill. “Writing it down on paper and visually seeing it made me keep better time schedules.” If students have trouble with assignments, there are plenty of resources to help them. Teachers have office hours to answer questions and provide help on assignments. Classmates are another resource students can use to set up study groups or ask for help with assignments. The Shapiro Library also offers tutoring services and workshops for anyone. Another service offered by the library is the Chat 24/7 with a Librarian link to answer any questions by students and to help find any necessary information. Study rooms are also available to provide a quiet space to complete assignments or work on team projects. With the Covid-19 guidelines being enacted on SNHU campus, there is concern about the availability of resources at the
Shapiro Library. When asked if there would be services available in the fall, Heather Walker-White, Manager of Library Information Services, said that study rooms would be available for students to use. “At this time, we plan to re-open the Wolack Learning Center (WLC) on Monday, August 16, with limited summer hours until fall classes resume at the end of August,” Walker-White said. “The study room reservations calendar will reflect available times beginning August 16, and fall semester hours will begin Sunday, August 29.” There are seven group study rooms and a screening room for all students to use. To reserve a room, go to the library homepage, click the reserve a study room option (third from the bottom in Quick Links) and choose a time. As long as the reservation is confirmed within four hours, the study room will be reserved. SNHU provides many resources to help with time management of all kinds so students can work with confidence.
The Penmen Press | 13
How to SNHU: Combating Boredom on Campus Andrew Wilson News Editor
Why boredom can be good for you (image courtesy: The Conversation) The fall 2021 semester is in full swing, and with it come new challenges for students. Not only must the first years adjust to campus life, but so too must the sophomores, juniors and seniors after a year of remote learning. While some never got to be on campus, the rest haven’t been on campus in over a year. The return is exciting, however, combating boredom is an important challenge to address. Upon returning to campus, there will be many activities for students to participate in. With all of the following suggestions, bear in mind that they may be subject to change with the Covid restrictions that have been placed. One of the easiest ways to avoid boredom on campus is to join a club. SNHU has over 75 clubs and organizations to get involved in. The involvement fair will have many of these clubs set up to look at and talk to representatives. It will be taking place on Wednesday, September 8 at 12 pm, according to the SNHU calendar. Joining a club can be an easy way to meet new people, entertain
oneself and even bolster a resume. Organizations often have weekly meetings, which can help fill out a schedule and prevent too much downtime. A good place to find out what’s happening on campus is in the SNHU events calendar, which is accessible on the mySNHU homepage in the top right-hand column. The calendar provides information on events that are happening on campus, including the event’s date, time and location. Students can even sync it up to their Google or Outlook calendar. One of the most popular activities is Bingo which is held on Wednesday nights. It is a great way to hang out with people and have some fun. Once a month Big Money Bingo is held where prizes offered often include TVs, air pods and gift cards. Students can also look at the calendar to check the schedule of the many campus sports teams. From soccer at Penmen Stadium to field hockey at Larkin Field, and hockey down at the Ice Den Arena, there is a sport for everyone to watch and enjoy. In addition, students can hang
out in popular places to get to know people. The Last Chapter Pub (the Pub) is a great example of this. Located in the Student Center, the Pub is a place to relax and be entertained. Their Facebook page description states, “We host comedians and musicians also so if you love a good laugh then the pub is your hub! And one of the best parts is you don’t have to drive anywhere! It’s a five minute walk from most places on campus.” Besides the Pub, the library is a great place to get homework done or to grab a book to read. If students have some downtime, another spot to interact with people is in the common areas, which are located in every housing building on campus. It is a great place for students to meet new people in their building. For students with a car, offcampus locations like Ben and Jerry’s on Elm Street is a popular spot to go to after a hard day’s work. Whether a new student or a returning one, there are many activities to get oneself involved in on campus to combat any boredom or isolation.
14 | A&E and Opinion
A&E and Opinion
The Penmen Press | 15
How to SNHU: The Last Chapter Pub Devin Pouliot and Taylor Posik A&E Editors As SNHU prepares to reopen for the fall semester, students are eager to reunite with their peers and get involved after a year of remote learning. Part of the college scene is having a place to hang out. The Last Chapter Pub (The Pub) located in the Student Center is one of the hotspots on campus. Events featured include and but are not limited to weekly bingo, live music, slam poetry, Name That Tune and karaoke. Other activities at The Pub include using the pool table and lounging on the giant beanbags. Students are also offered free refreshments including various snacks and both alcoholic and nonalcoholic drinks.
Returning students like Dennis Nguyen (‘22) say it is the refreshments they are looking forward to at The Pub. “If you’re not going to the pub for the free snacks and drinks, you’re lying to yourself,” says Nguyen. Other students, like Alex Goedel (‘22), agree: “The Pub was a great place to get snacks, so of course I’m going back,” Goedel. While students are excited to return, there are still concerns regarding the spread of COVID-19. “I’ll go back to The Pub once we clear one week on campus without any COVID cases,” says a SNHU senior. In response to these concerns, SNHU has clarified that The Pub will
follow SNHU’s guidelines. “We will operate under all University policies regarding the safety of faculty, staff, and students,” says Elizabeth Laclair, Assistant Director of Student Involvement. The Office of Student Involvement has received confirmation that guidelines surrounding upcoming events might change. However, The Pub will be open when students return to campus. “We’ll still be giving out those much loved Shirley Temples and Peanut Butter Pretzels, to name a few,” says Laclair. After more than a year closed, The Pub will reopen with the start of the Fall term on August 30.
SNHU’s Last Chapter Pub (image courtesy: SNHU Conference Services)
The Penmen Press |16
e Southern New Hampshire University Penmen Press is a news publication produced by Southern New Hampshire University students and funded largely by the Student Government Association of the University. It is our responsibility to inform the SNHU community about events on and around campus. e Penmen Press will print any material found to be factual and in good taste by the editorial sta of the paper. e views published do not necessarily reect the views of Southern New Hampshire University. e Penmen Press is published monthly during the academic year and is printed on campus by Copies Plus. To contact the newspaper, please email us at penmenpress@snhu.edu
