Breaking news, blogs and more at TCNJSignal.net. Vol. L, No. 3
February 13, 2019
Serving The College of New Jersey community since 1885
‘Mothers of the Movement’ fight for racial justice By Garrett Cecere Managing Editor
Students, faculty and members of the local community overfilled Mayo Concert Hall on Feb. 6 to hear two women’s powerful stories of loss, recovery and activism, as they continue to advocate for justice and police accountability. The Black Student Union co-sponsored the event with the department of African American Studies to invite speakers from the Mothers of the Movement organization, a political activist group created by and for the mothers of children who were killed by police or gun violence. The speakers, Gwen Carr and Samaria Rice, are the mothers of Eric Garner and Tamir Rice, both of whom were killed by police officers in 2014. The deaths of their sons launched Carr and Rice into an ongoing fight for justice. “What they’re telling me at the Department of Justice is everything is just at a standstill,” Rice said. “There was no indictment, as we all know, for Timothy Loehmann, which was the shooter.” Carr explained that Daniel Pantaleo, the officer who put Garner in a chokehold, heard him say, “I can’t breathe,” 11 times before he died. Pantaleo has remained with the New York Police Department at a desk job. “How does someone on desk duty make a six-figure salary?” Carr said. “That’s an
insult to injury. We know that there was no indictment.” Carr and Rice, author and activist, respectively, continued to share their experiences. Activist and journalist Bakari Kitwana, who moderated the forum, reminded the audience of the importance of activism and perseverance. “The people that give up are the people that lose,” Kitwana said. Kitwana lauded Carr and Rice for continuing to be active members of Mothers of the Movement. “This is a question, I feel, for every black political movement that there has been,” Kitwana said. “What do you do when there is no pathway to justice? What do citizens in a society do when they have exhausted all of the legal, institutional, structured methods of attaining justice, and they still have no justice?” Kitwana illustrated her point by using a historical example of Vincent Harding, who wrote speeches for Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. He spoke of Harding’s compared the Black political struggle to a river, saying that every new generation spawns people, leaders and organizations to jump in the river and keep it flowing. “We’re in the river,” Kitwana said with a laugh. “We’re in the river right now and we need to inspire that next generation … to jump in here with us.” Diamond Hackley, a junior psychology major and president of BSU, met with Carr,
New course stresses need for mindfulness
Meagan McDowell / Staff Photographer
Carr emphasizes the importance of equity in today’s society. Rice and Kitwana backstage before introducing them to the audience. “They were so kind and welcoming backstage,” Hackley said. “It was really awesome to share that moment.” Hackley admitted that while she felt nervous introducing Carr and Rice, they made her feel calm before appearing onstage.
see CLASS page 5
INDEX:
Nation & World / page 7
Follow us on... The Signal @tcnjsignal
see FORUM page 2
Community grieves loss of College senior
By Victoria Giardina News Assistant The College’s Center for Mindfulness and Compassion started the new semester with its mission to promote self-care among the student body with the recently launched, “Making the Most of Life with Mindfulness” course. This nine-week, non-credit course includes a variety of activities such as meditation practices, mindful movement and reflection practices. The course also provides information on both the science of mindfulness and the activities that reduce stress. According to Assistant Vice President for Health and Wellness Mark Forest, improvement in clarity of thinking, memory and overall physical and psychological well-being are incorporated in the course. Lisa Caton, the founder and director of the Center for Mindfulness and Compassion, reflected on over 12 years of experience with the College and how the mindfulness program came finally to fruition. The mindfulness course was influenced by Caton’s previous experiences at the Spiritual Center. “I am a retired Episcopal priest at TCNJ, and I found that a lot of kids were not that
“They were just … that mother sense of trying to calm me down,” she said. “And they told me, ‘no matter what, just keep talking. Just relax ... you’re here for a reason.’ And they were just really, really encouraging.” Hackley believed that there
DiBenedetto was a member of Delta Phi Epsilon. By Emmy Liederman Managing Editor
On Friday, Feb. 8, President Kathryn Foster sent out a campus-wide email to report the death of Jenna DiBenedetto, a
Editorial / page 9
Lions’ Plate Cream puff recipe delicious Valentine’s Day treat See Features page 15
Opinions / page 10
senior psychology major and member of the Delta Phi Epsilon sorority. The cause of death has not been confirmed. DiBenedetto’s visitation was held on Tuesday, Feb. 12 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Gallaway & Crane Funeral Home, 101 South Finley Ave, in Basking Ridge, New Jersey. According to the funeral home’s website, the family is requesting memorial donations to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention or St. Hubert’s Animal Welfare Center in Madison, New Jersey in lieu of flowers. On Friday between 1 a.m. and 5 a.m., six students close to DiBenedetto met with Campus Police and Mark Forest, the director of Counseling and Psychological Services. “We met with a group of students individually before the email came out,” Draper said. “We want to make sure the know the have support.” Whenever the community faces a tragic incident, there are various response teams in place at College that report to Campus Police so that students who may be most affected by the situation are made aware before a campus-wide email is sent out, according to Dean of Students Jordan Draper. The president and several other staff members also met with members of Delta Phi Epsilon on Sunday and discussed Features / page 13
Jazz Band Musicians dedicate performance in former student’s memory See A&E page 16
holding an American Foundation for Suicide Prevention Out of the Darkness community walk in DiBenedetto’s honor. As the campus community mourns this loss, staff members have stressed that students should be supportive of one another and the campus community. Students are encouraged to submit Counseling and Psychological Services referrals for friends who might be in need of support. This can be the first step in connecting peers with help in a variety of areas, including academic, financial and mental health needs. “If they have concerns about friends, please submit a CARE referral on our website,” Draper said. “The role of CARE is to get students to the place they need so they can achieve success both academically and personally. As we move forward in the community, it is important that students are listening to each other.” Sean Stallings, the Interim Vice President of Student Affairs, also emphasized the importance of leaning on peers, as well as resources at the College, in a Feb. 10 email. “I’d like to remind anyone who may be struggling with this loss that TCNJ is here for you,” he said. “Please keep Jenna’s family and friends in your thoughts and prayers and keep in mind that you are not alone.”
Arts & Entertainment / page 16
Sports / page 20
Wrestling Wrestlers win recordbreaking match See Sports page 20
Forum / Activists turn pain into progress page 2 The Signal February 13, 2019
continued from page 1
was no better time to hold the event, given the racial incidents that occurred on campus last semester and the sanctions that Interim Vice President for Student Affairs Sean Stallings announced in a campus-wide email on Feb. 1. Hackley also thought that hearing the experiences of Carr and Rice showed students the reality of life for African-Americans, as well as reasons and methods for change. “No matter what role you are, what ethnicity you are, we all have a job to do in terms of bettering our community and bettering our country,” she said. “I feel like having (Carr, Rice and Kitwana) to … encourage us and help us to understand what that really looks like on … a human level, it meant so, so much.” Kitwana continued the forum by asking Carr and Rice about their recoveries and the actions that they have taken to seek justice. Rice has continued to help other women recover, including Michelle Kenney, the mother of Antwon Rose, who was fatally shot by police in East Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, in June of 2018. “When I went out to Pittsburgh, I … went out to support (Kenney),” Rice said. “I just wanted to be there for her. Sometimes it’s good to have that out-of-town support come in.” Rice said that they support each other as mothers as they continue to give each other strength and love while they recover. Since she joined the movement in its early stages with Sybrina Fulton, the mother of Trayvon Martin, Rice has been able to connect with many people under similar circumstances not just limited to police brutality. There were certain events she attended where the mothers described children who died in
drownings, car accidents and even in the 2012 Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting. “I got a chance to meet different types of moms and understand different types of levels of pain,” Rice said. “We all know we just lost a child.” In terms of educating young people, Rice said she purchased a commercial building last year with the hope of forming a youth center to provide performing arts and political programs. “Basically, in the inner city of Cleveland there’s no afterschool programs,” she said. “I just wanted to give back to my community, back to mothers of children and families … by developing programs to help our youth.” Rice thought it was important for the teachers there to prepare children for playing important roles in their communities, such as becoming a member of a local municipality. “I think it starts with a councilman,” she said. “And it goes to being … a mayor to make changes to … support the people in the community because that’s where it all starts at – with the council.” Rice continued to give back to her community and honor her son by developing the Tamir Rice Foundation. Within the foundation is the current development of the Tamir Rice Afrocentric Cultural Center, where children will be able to participate in various programs surrounding education, culture and art, according to Clevland.com. “It’s a process,” Rice said. “But I’m not going to stop ’til it’s done because this is what Tamir would have wanted.” Jasmine Green, a sophomore finance major, particularly enjoyed what Rice said about the foundation and the programs it had to offer. “I come from an inner city too and we don’t have that many after-school programs that much, so that really resonated with me,” Green said. Rice than spoke to audience
“It’s too late for my son, but the struggle is for the grandchildren, your children, the unborn, because we got to save our generations.”
—Gwen Carr
Mother of Eric Garner
Rice discusses her initiatives to improve the Cleveland community.
members about what her son’s interests were. “He liked the normal things from basketball to football to soccer,” Rice said. “Even at 12 years old, he still played with legos.” Rice said that Tamir also enjoyed video games and shows such as “Clifford the Big Red Dog,” “Scooby-Doo” and “Dragon Ball Z.” “He had a chance to have that real American life,” she said. “From … playing basketball with the big boys, shooting three-pointers, swimming, from helping little kids at his school with their bookbags, tying their shoes … He was the glue that kept the family together.” Naomi Odusanya, a sophomore psychology major, felt that the description of Tamir showed the humanity of the speakers and their children. “I feel like throughout the whole … movement, these people … have become figures and not necessarily a person,” Odusanya said. “So her explaining that to us, it really … humanized (Tamir) and I totally enjoyed it.” Carr described her recovery from the tragedy of Garner’s death as emotional. She said there were mixed feelings surrounding his death, especially because it happened in such a violent manner. She took to her bed the day after Garner’s death and did not want to get up or see anyone. Ultimately, she turned to prayer for help. “I’m a very religious person, so I used to pray a lot,” Carr said. “I prayed to God. It looked like one night, it just seems like he whispered in my ear and asked me, ‘Are you going to lay there and die, like your son, or are going to get up and let people know who he was?’” About one or two days later, Carr decided it was time to join groups and find out what she could do. “It’s too late for my son, but the struggle is for the grandchildren, your children, the unborn, because we got to save our generations,” she said.
In 2016, Carr worked with former presidential candidate Hillary Clinton on her campaign. She and approximately six other members of the Mothers of the Movement traveled to various cities every week. Carr read from her new book, “This Stops Today: Eric Garner’s Mother Seeks Justice After Losing Her Son,” which includes a foreword by Clinton. She read an excerpt from her book that addressed how people are bound to know about the incident due to the video evidence, and that social media would play a vital role in making people aware of the issue. “‘The one consolation was that with this evidence, things had to change. At least this would save other black men and women from this inhumanity,’” she read. Carr explained how the first story that came out about Garner’s death reported that he had a heart attack. “They didn’t know at the time that there was a video,” she said. “Nobody knew.” Carr said that she belongs to various groups that have helped her move toward change, whether that meant calling press conferences or taking a trip to Albany, New York, to see Gov. Andrew Cuomo. “We brought makeshift coffins up to Albany and put them in front of his door,” she said. They asked him, “‘What are you going to do with these bodies?’” Carr said that both she and other mothers wanted an executive order that would put cases such as her son’s in the hands of the state attorney general rather than the local district attorney. In 2015, nearly one year after Garner’s death, Carr and her fellow activists stood behind Cuomo as he signed the executive order. With every small step of change, she still advocates for justice. “Pantaleo should have been fired that same week that he murdered my son,” Carr said. “And now that they know… how involved I am now, they
Meagan McDowell / Staff Photographer
know I have no problem going to Albany face-to-face with the governor, with the senators, with the assembly people, because I want what I want and I’m not going to stop ’til I get what I want.” Carr also noted that there have been many incidents that have not received media coverage. “You’re also the voice of the voiceless, the face of the faceless, because there are many mothers out there that you all don’t know about.” Carr made it clear that she would be persistent in her fight for justice and accountability. “There were at least 12 more officers … involved with my son’s death that day. Some of them filed false reports, some of them pounced on him, some of them didn’t try to de-escalate the situation. I’m going after all their jobs.” At the end of the forum, both women were asked about what students at the College could do to support the organization’s movement on campus. Rice said that people could spread the word and see social media pages of the Tamir Rice Foundation, while Carr told the audience about how to serve as sponsors to help bring mothers together for an event she organizes, where they can unite help others who have experienced similar tragedies. The Garner Way Foundation, according to its website, is dedicated to educating people about combating injustice and racial inequality. “What I do every year is I bring mothers from all around the country so that we can gather together and … voice our problems and maybe one can help another mother with a problem,” Carr said. Kitwana closed the forum with a final request of the audience. “Please educate yourselves on this issue. We cannot let this issue go,” he said. “We cannot live in a country where we let people get killed by the police and nothing happens. This can’t be the end of the story.”
SG holds first meeting of semester February 13, 2019 The Signal page 3
Left: Bsales dicusses the College’s new initiatives and baseline budgets. Right: Cruz speaks to SG about diversity and inclusion.
By Alexandra Shapiro Staff Writer
Student Government welcomed Interim Vice President for the Office of Institutional Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Ivonne Cruz at the beginning of its meeting on Feb. 6. Cruz claimed that the search for a permanent vice president will be happening throughout the spring semester. She also stressed the importance of being cognizant of all groups of people around campus. Cruz mentioned short term initiatives with which she is involved as vice president, including recognizing trends of inclusion at the College and being proactive in addressing future bias issues, which is where the
Bias Response Team will come into play. Cruz said that she is not only working on policy and programming, but she is also trying to change the entire campus culture. Cruz realizes her initiatives are not easy and will take a lot of commitment. Along with her team in the OIDEI, she stated her readiness to set a foundation for a permanent vice president. Members of SG were concerned that Cruz’s new initiatives might replace Title IX. Cruz responded by stating that the current policies of Dean of Students and Title IX Coordinator Jordan Draper will be the same as they were before. The OIDEI will be collaborating with Title IX to ensure the safety of students,
according to Cruz. She also mentioned future plans to further implement training for faculty and staff. SG also welcomed Lauren Bsales, the executive director of the Student Finance Board. Bsales came to the meeting with an update on the SFB budget, stating that since there is a surplus now allocated for the spring semester, clubs and organizations are encouraged to request funds for different events and activities. “There is no written guideline from year to year,” Bsales said. “Baselines on what to use are set from past events and what has been spent in the past.” SG introduced a resolution entitled,
Miguel Gonzalez / Photo Editor
R-S2019-01. This resolution provides support for survivors of sexual violence and includes the current Title IX resolution, which will be discussed more in depth next week. The resolution states, “Be it resolved: (SG) of TCNJ supports survivors of sexual violence and discrimination and seeks to promote policies that provide them with opportunities to seek justice and have access to a safe learning and living community.” SG will vote on the bill at its next meeting on Feb. 13. Two vice president appointments were set for SG. Sophomore marketing major Sam Koch was named vice president of finance and administration, and senior finance and political science double major Justin Brach was named VP of governmental affairs.
Students attend Spring Involvement Fair
College organizations recruit new club members By Ariel Steinsaltz Staff Writer
Students attended the Student Involvement Fair on Feb. 4 in the Brower Student Center from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. to check out the different clubs and student organizations available on campus. The fair featured a variety of student organizations, including Student Government, the NAACP, TCNJ Emergency Medical Services, the Outdoors Club, the Italian Club and the Leadership Development Program. Various fraternities, sororities and club sports also represented themselves at the event. Also in attendance was the Order of the Nose Biting Teacups, the College’s official Harry Potter Club. Sara Davidson, a junior communication studies major and president of the club, promoted her organization to all students at the fair. “(The club is) a place for people who come from all different walks of life and come together for their love of J.K. Rowling’s magical series,” Davidson said. The club also includes activities such as crafting, competitions and fundraising. Its meetings take place on Tuesdays at 8:30 p.m. in the Social Sciences Building Room 225. “It’s basically a big family, at least that’s what we try to do,” Davidson said. “It’s a fun time.” Another club present at the fair was Student United Way, an organization dedicated to participating
in community service throughout the Trenton-Mercer area. Its volunteer activities include dog walking and the PB&J Race, an annual event where several teams compete to make as many peanut butter and jelly sandwiches as possible to donate to the community, according to Chris Masusock, a junior business management major and president of the organization. At another booth, students represented the Planned Parenthood Generation Action, a project of Planned Parenthood Action Plan with a branch at the College. “Our mission is to engage and educate the TCNJ community about sexual health, reproductive rights and Planned Parenthood through meetings, events, service and political activism,” said Alyssa Esposito, a senior English and secondary education dual major and president of PPGA at the College. Students could also visit a martial arts club at the fair, Aikido. “(Aikido) focused more on redirecting your opponents and defeating them before they can hurt you,” said Nicole Stuebben, a secondyear graduate student at the College and an Aikido club member. “One of our senseis is 6 foot 2 and our shortest members are 4 foot 11 and they can flip him.” Also at the fair was the Black Student Union, which promoted both awareness and education of black culture on campus. Stahlhelm Damus, a sophomore chemistry
Aikido is one of the College’s martial arts clubs.
major and secretary of the organization, stated the importance of creating a positive and productive and safe space that allows everyone to de-stress and experience multicultural programming and events. Many fraternities, sororities and other Greek Life groups were also at the fair. “Greek Life has become a very big part of the TCNJ community,” said Sabrina Mazahreh, a junior biology major and vice president of the Inter-Greek Council. “It’s a really important part for some people ... if they feel like they’re missing something in the TCNJ experience.”
In the past, the involvement fair has generally been held on Wednesday afternoons rather than on Monday nights. “We were unable to reserve a space large enough for us during the day, so we picked Monday night,” Assistant Director of Student Affairs Jessica Claar said. “(We) thought it was a great way to kick off the week. The Spring Involvement Fair is really a good way to get a good idea of life on campus.” Dave Conner, the director of Student Involvement, was pleased with the student turnout at the event.
Miguel Gonzalez / Photo Editor
“The number of students who came out after their class got out is really awesome, even more than we had expected,” he said. One of the students who went to the fair was Cassie Oleniacz, a freshman math major. She enjoyed learning about the different ways to get involved on campus. “I thought that the variety of clubs gives TCNJ an inclusive environment,” she said. Nick Cernera, a junior philosophy and math double major, felt positive after attending the fair. “(It was) fun and engaging and I found a number of clubs I’m interested in joining,” he said.
page page44The TheSignal SignalFebruary February13, 13,2019 2019
Students receive tips to help build successful careers
Left: Pingitore discusses the art of the ‘side hustle.’ Right: Students learn how to jump-start successful companies. By Dylan Sapp Correspondent To further its goal of preparing students for life in the public sector, the College’s Entrepreneurship Club, in coordination with sophomore class council and senators of Student Government, organized an event with a guest speaker on Thursday, Feb. 7 at 8:30 p.m. in the Business Building Lounge to highlight the importance of side hustles, or forms of income that supplement a full-time job. The event, titled “How to Make 6065k your first year out of college,” promised that great things were inevitable for
students who were willing to work for their success. TJ Pingitore, the guest speaker, is the founder of Upstart Garden, a community of entrepreneurs located in Red Bank, New Jersey. Upstart Garden helps individuals create successful companies by offering strategic consulting, targeted workshops, speaker panels and other events that help young startups. Students were asked to share examples of side jobs they have been working on throughout college. They shared various experiences—everything from starting apps to creating YouTube channels. The event stressed the importance of
Vital Signs: Debunking sweet-treat myths
constantly being on the lookout for new work opportunities. “Don’t be afraid to work,” Pingitore said. “It’s tiring, but it’s worth it, and what you start to realize quickly is what you don’t want to do.. you need to figure out what you don’t want to do before you know what you do want to do.” Harrison Kelly, a senior business management major and president of the Entrepreneurship Club, spoke highly of Pingitore as a speaker and entrepreneur. “I met TJ through a mutual connection who had graduated from the College, and we got together and he was talking to me about this new business that he was
Miguel Gonzalez / Photo Editor
starting and from there we talked about side hustles and opportunities like that,” Kelly said. “I usually try to set up guest speakers, ideally three to four a month, having one every week consistently. We brought (TJ) in last semester, and then we wanted to bring him back because he did so well.” Dustin Marino, a freshman interactive multimedia major, valued Pingitore’s insight on internships. “I like how he talked about getting started early,” Marino said. “I wasn’t even thinking about internships yet, and it got me thinking; maybe I should start looking at those things.”
LUXURY LIVING CLOSE TO CAMPUS Every detail was considered to create the ultimate off-campus residence. A place where students could complete their studies in a private and secure off campus setting while being only minutes from campus.
Chocolate is low in caffeine, yet high in fat. By Anna Kellaher Columnist According to CandyStore.com, people buy 58 million pounds of chocolate during the week of Valentine’s Day. Whether it’s from a significant other, your parents or yourself, chances are you’ll get a sweet treat this week. There’s a significant number of health claims surrounding chocolate, although the accuracy of those claims are up for debate. It is a myth that chocolate causes acne, according to The Huffington Post. A diet that is high in sugar and fat, such as chocolate, can lead to increased sebum production and inflammation, which can therefore cause acne. However, chocolate itself is not the culprit and, in moderation, won’t make you break out. A second myth is that chocolate is high in caffeine. According to the USDA, 1.55 ounces of milk chocolate – a standard
chocolate bar size – contains 9 milligrams of caffeine. A cup of regular coffee, for reference, contains 95 milligrams. The last myth is that chocolate is said to be good for your heart. This one, however, is partly true. Cocoa beans are high in antioxidants –– vitamins and minerals that fight the effects of free radicals in the body. According to the Cleveland Clinic, free radicals naturally form in the body. However, if they are left unchecked, they can cause damage to your body. One effect of these molecules is the buildup of plaque in the blood vessels, known as heart disease. Antioxidants, such as those found in chocolate, can prevent this from occurring. Pay attention to nutrition labels, because the added ingredients in most chocolate add lots of calories and fat. While you celebrate, remember that everything should be consumed in moderation, especially when it comes to chocolate.
Call 609-357-2029 to see for yourself or visit OFFcampusNJ.com
...............................................
1573 Parkside Avenue at Spruce Street, Ewing Township Leasing Office: 650 Strawberry Street, Trenton, NJ
Pet Friendly
2&3 Bedroom Units BY CAMPUS STUDENT LIVING
February 13, 2019 The Signal page 5
Class / College promotes mental health practices
Miguel Gonzalez / Photo Editor
Left: The weekly meditation will take place in the Spiritual Center. Right: Students can also utilize CAPS as an additional campus resource. continued from page 1 interested in traditional religion,” she said. She has been practicing mindfulness for 30 years. Caton studied at the University of Massachusetts Medical School Center for Mindfulness and trained in Philadelphia to supplement her studies. “We want all students to be (in the course) for themselves,” Caton said. “It is not school, it is not a linear process, but something very different.” The Tuesday-class program will run from Tuesday, Feb. 19 to April 16. To accommodate students’ schedules, the course is divided into three sessions at different times throughout the day. Along with the weekly sessions, the course also includes a silent retreat, circulated around the idea of a silent meditation, on April 6 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. This guided extension of the program provides a different atmosphere to practice the newly learned concepts students will take away from Forest and his expertise. Those interested are encouraged to make the time for 10 to 15 minutes of guided meditation and awareness enhancement activities
each day, following the program’s promotion of instilling a relaxing and calming environment for its constituents. Julia Vietti, a freshman public health major, shared her thoughts on the program. She became interested in what it has to offer as soon as she received the email from the center for mindfulness and compassion announcing its insightful curriculum. “With school and everything that is going on, it is nice to have an outlet,” Vietti said. Aside from individually guided meditations, students may participate in weekly 30-minute drop-in guided meditation sessions on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays at 6:30 p.m. in the Spiritual Center. The program also promotes the circle of compassion student group, which gathers on Monday nights for dinner at 7:00 p.m. to discuss internal and relatable issues prohibiting students from living meaningful lives. Maia Franco, a freshman biology and secondary education dual major, reflected on an anxiety workshop offered through the Counseling and Psychological Services program
which she attended this past fall semester. “Although CAPS is a helpful resource to students on campus, the element of this new program being in the Spiritual Center seems more peaceful, and meditation would allow you to connect with yourself better and relieve anxiety rather than be in an environment learning about anxiety,” she said. Caton explained that the program is universal and free to all students, regardless if they have utilized CAPS resources in the past. Open to all students, backgrounds and beliefs, the course consists of three primary themes –– radical acceptance, mindful habits and mindful communication. Throughout February, students will learn from subject areas in the realm of radical acceptance, including finding strength in solitude, unconscious bias and acceptance of their bodies, thoughts and emotions. In March, participants will learn about recognizing habits and changing them without judgment, as well as creating new habits in a healthy way. The program will conclude in April and focus on mindful communication,
tcnj.edu
highlighting mindfulness within arguments, differences, nonverbal communication and movement. Students will officially finish the course with a picnic on April 29. “My hope is for students to develop a deeper sense of self-acceptance and kindness and awareness of choices,” Caton said. To learn more about this program and its application process, contact mindfulness@tcnj.edu. The application deadline for the program is Feb. 13, with final commitment to the course set for Feb. 25. As a community adviser, sophomore psychology major Chelsea Triano shared how the program could benefit not only her floormates and residents, but the entire college. “Transitioning into college has a lot of weight from academics, being away from home, finding new friends,” Triano said. “Trying to find an effective way of balancing all of these components without feeling lost can be challenging. Seeking help to improve mental health, whether it be to the extent of a licensed professional or by learning to adapt (to) a more positive lifestyle, is necessary for success.”
Driver admits to possession of marijuana By Raquel Sosa-Sanchez Columnist
Police issue summons for man in possession of drugs While conducting parking enforcement at Townhouse South at approximately 12:40 p.m. on Jan. 30, Campus Police observed a Pontiac driving north on the oneway sidewalk. The driver said he was picking up a calculator from a friend. At this time, Campus Police officers observed what they believed to be a marijuana cigarette in an ashtray on the center console. They then asked if it was marijuana and the individual said it was. Campus Police then asked if there was any more marijuana in the vehicle and he said there was a bag on the seat. Campus Police then radioed to dispatch the location and the registration on the vehicle and proceeded to request for backup. The
individual was asked to turn off the vehicle and stay in the car. Campus Police asked for his driver’s license and he stated that it was in his backpack in the trunk. He was then asked for his name and date of birth, which he provided. Another officer arrived and Campus Police proceeded to arrest the individual. Campus Police searched him and retrieved the marijuana cigarette from the individual’s console, as well as a plastic sandwich bag containing that was believed to be marijuana and other drug paraphernalia. They transported the individual and all evidence to Campus Police Headquarters. The individual requested that his car be parked on the side of the road by Campus Police. Campus Police processed the individual and read him his Miranda Rights. Campus Police issued a complaint summons for the individual to appear in court
for a misdemeanor charge of possession of a controlled dangerous substance under 50 grams. He was then released on his own recognizance at approximately 2 p.m. The individual was not a student of the College.
Student reports missing airpods On Jan. 31 at approximately 4:40 p.m., a female student arrived at Campus Police Headquarters to report stolen AirPods. The student stated that she was in a physics class between 9:30 a.m. and 10:50 a.m., then stopped by the chemistry lounge for 10 minutes before going to Roscoe West for tutoring. She stated she stopped by the library cafe for 45 minutes before returning to Cromwell Hall. At approximately 3 p.m., the student realized her AirPods were missing. The student had a
tracking device on her AirPods and the signal led her back to the second floor Physics Lounge area, where she found her tracking device on the ledge of the white boards. The student described her AirPods as being white in a blue silicon case. She stated she received the AirPods last Christmas, and that they were valued at $160. The student was then given a report number and was instructed to contact the College Police Department with any new information.
Police respond to report of unconscious student On Feb. 3 at approximately 12:15 a.m., Campus Police was dispatched to Travers Hall in reference to a report of a female who was unconscious. Upon arrival, Campus Police spoke to
a community adviser who said that a student in one room was intoxicated. Campus Police found the student conscious upon arrival. The student informed the officers that she had consumed several shots of vodka. The student was advised that the TCNJ EMS was coming to her room so that she could be evaluated. EMS then arrived on scene to evaluate the student. After being evaluated, she was asked if she wanted to go to the hospital, to which she stated she did not want to go. She signed a refusal for further medical treatment and was advised to contact Campus Police if her condition worsened. The student was also granted the New Jersey Lifeline Legislation Amnesty Law because her friends contacted a community adviser, who then contacted Campus police. The student was not issued a summons.
page page 66 The The Signal Signal February February 13, 13, 2019 2019
SFB funds Chinese new year, French club
Left: The organization defends its current proposal policies. Right: The board partially sponsors BSU’s fashion show. By Lara Becker Reviews Editor The Student Finance Board fully funded two campus events, partially funded a third and zero funded two events at its meeting on Feb. 6. The NAACP, which presented for its “Unlock the Activist/ Trivia Night” event, did not receive funding because it advertised for the event before it presented its proposal to SFB, which is an action prohibited under SFB’s policies. The Black Student Union presented for its “Who Wants to be Enlightened Game Show” event but was not funded because it
publicized the event before requesting funding. In response to many clubs and organizations promoting their events before requesting funding from SFB, there was much discussion over how to prevent future organizations from being restricted from funding. “It might be a good touch point at the beginning of the semester to remind organizations of (this rule),” said Susie Orecchio, director of administration and operations for student affairs and advisor to SFB. In an effort to ensure more awareness of the rules in place, SFB’s Operations Director Anthony
Raspatello decided to place the page that states these regulations earlier on in the documentation that organizations receive before applying for a funding request. BSU proposed a second event, the “BSU Spring Fashion Show,” which was partially funded $6,889 for DJ New Era, a Snapchat filter and decorations. The board passed a motion, 11-6, to table all of the designers requested for the show and call for explanation as to why the designers were necessary. Anisa Douglas, a junior early
childhood education and psychology dual major, presented for BSU. She explained how the show will involve showcasing the work of emerging black artists both on and off the runway. “It is important for us as an organization to showcase the work black artists are creating to highlight the dynamic identities that black culture embodies,” she said. The Chinese Students Association was fully funded for its eighth annual Chinese new year celebration, “The Year of
Miguel Gonzalez / Photo Editor
the Pig.” SFB voted to suspend bylaws to add a banner to the requested costs, which brought the funding to $3,211. Andus Chan, a sophomore finance and information systems major and president of CSA, noted how this event “will serve to educate, immerse and provide an environment for attendees to experience the rich depth of Chinese culture.” The Student Finance Board fully funded the French Club $300 for its event, “Commemoration of the Armistice of World War I: American First World War and Post- War Memorial.”
Graduate Studies
ENDANGERED ALPHABETS
TCNJ | Leads the Way It’s your move.
Tim Brookes brings the carved texts of endangered alphabets to the TCNJ Library
OPENING TALK:
12 noon, Feb. 20 Library Auditorium
followed by reception and official exhibit opening ON DISPLAY FROM FEBRUARY 20-MARCH 15.
Find out more by visiting www.tcnj.edu/gradstudies Or call 609.771.2300
Sponsored by: School of Arts and Communication, School of Humanities and Social Sciences (English, International Studies, Sociology/Anthropology, World Languages and Cultures), Center for Global Engagement, School of Engineering, and CICC CONTACT: WLC@TCNJ.EDU
February 13, 2019 The Signal Page 7
Nation & W rld
Trump’s organization under fire for campaign violations By James Wright Nation & World Editor Recently, federal prosecutors in New York have requested interviews with executives of The Trump Organization, which signals a growing potential threat to President Donald Trump and those in his realm who are under investigation by the Manhattan U.S. Attorney’s office, according to CNN. Prosecutors in New York have undertaken two investigations of Trump-related entities. The first one examines possible campaign-finance violations by executives within The Trump Organization during the company’s efforts to repay Trump’s former lawyer Michael Cohen for hush-money payments he made to keep women quiet who previously claimed to have had affairs with the president. The second investigation concerns
the Trump inaugural committee and possible financial abuses related to the more than $100 million in donations raised for his inauguration, CNN reported. Those who are involved in discussions regarding the inaugural fund, a nonprofit that organizes festivities for the president’s swearing-in, declined to comment to investigators. Trump’s inaugural fund raised $107 million, which is the most in modern history, according to ABC. Prosecutors have been in contact with Trump’s family business since they have subpoenaed documents from the Trump inaugural committee. Inaugural committees cannot accept foreign donations and must report their donors. If the committee had contributors directly pay vendors without passing the money through the committee, it could go against laws of public disclosure, The
Washington Post reported. At least two former Trump campaign officials have been questioned by prosecutors, with one of those officials being asked about the official coordination between the Trump Organization and the presidential campaign, CNN reports. The subpoena also asks for records about vendors and contractors who worked for the inaugural committee, along with online communications records with an online payment-processing company called Stripe. Stripe was backed by a number of major investors, such as the venture capital firm, founded and managed by Jared Kushner’s brother, Josh Kushner, ABC reported. Despite the investigations circling the president and his family business, the committee has not been formally accused of wrongdoing and the subpoena does not name the head of the inaugural
YouTube
Prosecutors are investigating potential financial infractions.
committee, Tom Barrack, or any other members of the inaugural committee, yet worries persist among political insiders about the numerous investigations of Trump’s operations and business dealings, according to ABC. On Feb. 5, White House press
secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders attributed the president’s legal problems to anti-Trump “‘hysteria.’” She said on CNN that it is coming from people who search for “‘anything to try to create and tie problems to this president,’” The Washington Post reported.
Supreme Court blocks Louisiana abortion bill
Protesters rally against the state law.
YouTube
By Jesse Stiller Staff Writer
On Feb. 1, the Supreme Court of the United States temporarily blocked a Louisiana abortion bill from taking effect, in an effort to buy more time to review the
law and filings related to the case, according to NBC. Justice Samuel Alito, who handled the appeal for the case, said that some filings related to an application for a stay in the case were not completed in a timely manner and needed to be reviewed at a later date. The appeals court was ordered to not hand down any verdict on the case, according to NBC. The Louisiana bill, titled the “Unsafe Abortion Protection Act,” would require a doctor to have admitting and other certain privileges at a hospital within 30 miles of the facility where the abortion will be performed. The state argued that the law is a necessity in order to provide those who wish to have an abortion a higher level of physician competence, according to Fox 31 News. The law, enacted in 2014, has been marred in legal challenges. Although Judge John W. deGravelles of the Federal Court in Baton Rouge struck down the law in 2017, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit in New Orleans reversed the decision in September 2018 and refused to rehear the decision in a 9-to-6 vote in January, according to The New York Times. As reported by CNBC, the Center for Reproductive Rights filed an appeal with the Supreme Court after the September ruling. The organization is representing two
doctors and an abortion clinic in the case. It is arguing that the law is a violation of a patient’s medical rights. Louisiana has clarified the law in a bulletin, outlining that the process is a 45-day verification process for granting admitting privileges. In the meantime, women seeking abortions are being turned away. Vox reported that challengers to the law said that only one doctor in the entire state would be eligible to perform abortions. Challengers are also worried that the ruling with Justices Neil Gorsuch and Brett Kavanaugh would cause a potential undermining to Roe v. Wade. Vox also referenced a similar case in 2016, where a law in Texas required abortion providers to have similar admitting privileges as hospitals. The court found the law medically unnecessary and an “undue burden” on a woman’s right to seek beneficial healthcare. The stay was set to remain in effect until Thursday, Feb. 7, in which the Supreme court granted a temporary stay in the case, according to the New York Times. The ruling was a 5-4 decision with Chief Justice Roberts siding with the left-leaning justices to swing the vote. The stay does not permanently strike the law, and it is likely to be challenged again at the start of the next court term in October.
Former mayor wins presidential election in El Salvador By Daniel Hurley Staff Correspondent
Nayib Bukele, former mayor of El Salvador’s capital of San Salvador, was elected as the country’s president in a landslide victory on Feb. 3, The Guardian reported. With more votes than the two major competing parties combined, Bukele’s victory ended a quarter of a century of two-party dominance in El Salvador. Speaking to a crowd of supporters of Bukele’s Great National Alliance party, the president-elect exclaimed that his election is a victory for the Salvadoran public above anything else, NBC News reported. Running on a platform to end corruption and gang violence, create jobs and crack down on crime, Bukele garnered enough support to surpass the 50 percent threshold to win the election. Making his political debut as mayor of San Salvador in 2012, Bukele was automatically considered to be a potential presidential contender. Despite a large
base of popular support, Bukele’s stark criticism of the leftist Farabundo Marti National Liberation Front party got him expelled from the party, which led to him becoming the unlikely leader of the small, conservative Grand Alliance for National Unity party, according to NBC News. Since 1992, the FMLN and Nationalist Republican Alliance parties dominated Salvadorian politics. However, both parties have been subject to corruption scandals in recent years, providing an opening for the GANA party to position itself as the choice for reformers. Although he has won the election, the question now is whether Bukele will be able to accomplish what he promised his supporters during the election cycle. With his party holding only 10 seats in the Legislative Assembly, which is short of the 43 votes needed to pass any legislation, it is now a priority for Bukele to seek allies. One of his central campaign promises is to establish an international commission
Bukele pledges to fight cronyism and political corruption. to investigate official corruption, according to the Brookings Institution. However, this policy item is unlikely to garner support from the FMLN or ARENA, according to NBC News. Despite the obstacles that might lie ahead for Bukele, his election brings a renewed hope to a country and region
Flickr
that has been plagued by poverty, authoritarian rule and crime. Time will tell whether Bukele is able to institute the reforms necessary to bring the kind of prosperity to El Salvador that he promised. At the moment, though, a historic chapter in Salvadoran political history is being written.
page 8 The Signal February 13, 2019
February 13, 2019 The Signal page 9
Editorial
Students should live life unapologetically
On Thursday, my friend was in the burger line at the Brower Student Center waiting for her lunch. While she was waiting, she felt the hasty rush of someone too close, and before she knew it, the person stepped down on her left foot. Shaken and voice-cracking, my friend uttered a panicked, “Sorry!” When she told me this story, my friend was even confused at herself. Why was her immediate reaction to apologize to someone who stepped on her foot? From that moment on, I began to think about every time we say this word without really needing to. It seems like a tendency we end up brushing off and forgetting about, but I think it’s a part of something much bigger than that. My friends always tell me that I’m too apologetic. Even when I’m not in the wrong, I feel the need to make up for it if I inconvenience someone in even the slightest way. Although I fail to see the issue with it in the moment, they explain to me that allowing this to happen produces a passive energy. The act of apologizing is something we learn to do when we’re in kindergarten. These kinds of niceties were taught to us as a way to be polite and respectful. Although manners are certainly considerate in our everyday lives, this sort of mentality can become problematic when it inhibits the way we think. As a sophomore this year, I’ve been trying to reteach my brain to think more highly of myself. My over-apologetic tendencies seem to stem from a place of low self-esteem, but this year I’ve been determined to change that. Don’t apologize for what makes you whole or what makes you you. It can apply in small instances, but also in times of change or stress. We’re often told to minimize ourselves, to simply be a puzzle piece in this crazy world. You’re not just a puzzle piece –– you are important. You matter. Find the courage within yourself to live life unapologetically, to live without regret and to live without being sorry. — Lara Becker Reviews Editor
Editorial Content Unsigned editorial opinions are those of the Editorial Board, which consists of the Editor-in-Chief, the Managing, News, Features, Arts & Entertainment, Opinions, Photo, Sports, Review and Social Media editors and the Business and Production managers, unless otherwise noted. Opinions expressed in signed editorials and letters to the editor are those of the author and not necessarily those of The Signal.
Achieving self-confidence takes time and practice.
YouTube
Quotes of the Week tcnjsignal.net Email: signal@tcnj.edu Telephone: Production Room (609) 771-2424 Ad Email: signalad@tcnj.edu
Editorial Staff Elizabeth Zakaim Editor-in-Chief zakaime1@tcnj.edu Emmy Liederman Garrett Cecere Managing Editors liedere1@tcnj.edu cecereg1@tcnj.edu Camille Furst Nicole Viviano News Editors furstc1@tcnj.edu viviann1@tcnj.edu Christine Houghton Sports Editor houghtc1@tcnj.edu Jane Bowden Features Editor bowdenj1@tcnj.edu Nicole Zamlout Arts & Entertainment Editor zamloun1@tcnj.edu Isabel Vega Opinions Editor vegai1@tcnj.edu James Wright Nation & World Editor wrighj17@tcnj.edu Lara Becker Reviews Editor beckerl3@tcnj.edu Miguel Gonzalez Photo Editor gonzam23@tcnj.edu Kalli Colacino Production Manager colacik1@tcnj.edu
Mailing Address: The Signal c/o Forcina Hall The College of New Jersey P.O. Box 7718 Ewing, NJ 08628-0718 Muhammad Siddiqui Web Editor siddiqm4@tcnj.edu Lily Firth Alexandra Parado Social Media Editors firthl1@tcnj.edu paradoa1@tcnj.edu Emilie Lounsberry Adviser lounsber@tcnj.edu Derek Falci Business/Ad Manager falcid1@tcnj.edu
“I prayed to God. It looked like one night, it just seems like he whispered in my ear and asked me, ‘Are you going to lay there and die, like your son, or are you going to get up and let the world know who he was?’” — Gwen Carr Mother of Eric Garner
“He put everything into every ounce of music and made us all better people. Jason was such a wholesome person. He had such a passion for music.” — Keith So Freshman music education major
“I’d like to remind anyone who may be struggling with this loss that TCNJ is here for you. Please keep Jenna’s family and friends in your thoughts and prayers and keep in mind that you are not alone” — Sean Stallings Interim Vice President of Student Affairs
page 10 The Signal February 13, 2019
Opinions Reality TV promotes toxic dating culture By Victoria Giardina The pressing ABC television promotions for the hit shows “The Bachelor” and “The Proposal” are ingrained in the minds of viewers. Chris Harrison, the host of “The Bachelor,” repeatedly proclaims that this year will bring “the most dramatic season yet,” and it is unsurprising that people across the nation are glued to their television sets every Monday night at 8 p.m. “The Proposal” is a newer show that launched on June 18, 2018, yet it still keeps audience members on their toes. A male or female ready to find a match is presented with a group of eligible bachelors in hopes of receiving a proposal by the end of the night. Both shows receive a high level of audience engagement, but is it for the right reasons? When considering the backgrounds of these shows, it is undeniable that “The Bachelor” promotes polygamy and “The Proposal” is a competition to find “real love” in an extremely fast-paced fashion. These shows raise an important question –– are these processes representative of the true meaning of love? According to Merriam-Webster, love is defined as “strong affection for another arising out of kinship or personal ties.” This entails a romantic relationship with one other person, which is an institution that is not promulgated on “The Bachelor.” On this season of the riveting, romanceinfused reality show, Colton Underwood, a 27-year-old former football linebacker, is an adored bachelor who is praised for his virginity. The show emphasizes his desire
to wait for the right person, and audience members have been responding positively to his choice. However, while this facet of Underwood’s life has generated some vibrant applause, the show still presents dating in a derogatory fashion. On Underwood’s group dates, he’s seen kissing multiple women and a shocking yet insightful moment in the show’s history occurred in the fifth episode of the current season, when the polygamy was too much for one contestant to handle. Elyse, a 31-yearold makeup artist from Alaska, made the challenging decision to quit the show because she could not stand Underwood dating other women. Even Underwood admitted that he does not fully support the structure of the show and the confusing messages it promotes. While it doesn’t promote polygamy, “The Proposal” offers a different approach to love-at-first-sight by encouraging contestants to get engaged within hours of knowing each other. The man eager to find his “true love” is behind the hidden vault as he is presented with a series of women who enter the stage in a beauty pageant-style way complete with swimsuit portions and onstage Q&As. Slowly, the mystery man narrows down his choices. What is most untraditional about this show is that when there are three individuals remaining, they each solicit public approval from their hopeful lover’s parents. The classic and conservative
Contestants of ‘The Proposal’ are encouraged to rush into engagements. method of a male privately requesting the blessing of marriage from parents is completely disregarded and challenges tradition with competition. Moreover, “The Proposal” also creates a rushed atmosphere for love. Going from just meeting someone to proposing within a single episode diminishes the purpose of “going steady” and learning more about the person. The show’s platform completely neglects such a sacred pillar in one’s personal life. There is even a jeweler backstage to
assist the star of the show in picking out a diamond engagement ring during the quick commercial break. Love is such a special element in one’s life –– as Dr. Seuss once said, “You know you’re in love when you can’t fall asleep because reality is finally better than your dreams.” Instead of through TV, authentic love is found in the reality of the present moment, which is something that takes time and should be cherished between two committed partners.
Drag culture in media fosters acceptance
RuPaul’s show is a staple in the drag world. By Richard Miller “Don’t be a drag just be a queen” — these iconic lyrics
from Lady Gaga’s hit single “Born This Way” hint at the importance of drag in promoting positivity and acceptance. Drag
queens have been a staple in city nightclubs, specifically within the LGBTQ+ community, for decades. However, 2018 was an important year for the community, as these performers burst into mainstream media. This kind of acceptance and appreciation for the art of drag is truly heartwarming to see. A group that was long oppressed and ostracized by mainstream media is now being celebrated and glorified. Drag queens are usually males who dress and accessorize in women’s attire. They often act with exaggerated femininity and dramatize their makeup for dramatic, comedic or satirical effect. The hit reality show, “RuPaul’s Drag Race” has been a favorite amongst the LGBTQ+ community since its inception in 2008. In 2018, the producers made the decision to move the show from the specialty channel Logo TV to basic cable
broadcasting on VH1, whichwas an instant success. The newfound attention for the show brought drag queens to the forefront of pop culture. The host himself, RuPaul Charles, recently received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for his contributions to the television industry, making him the first drag queen to be given this honor. In 2018, the reboot of “American Idol” featured drag queen Ada Vox, who ended up placing in the top 10. “So You Think You Can Dance” featured drag queen Laganja Estranja as a contestant and “Dancing Queen,” a Netflix original reality show, stars Justin Johnson, whose drag name is Alyssa Edwards. “Celebrity Big Brother UK” featured ‘Drag Race’ alum Shane Jenek in its competition. Jenek won the season with 49 percent of the public vote and is now gearing up to compete
in “Dancing with the Stars Australia,” where he will be the first male celebrity to the perform with a male professional dancer in any iteration of the series. Jenek will be dancing as his drag persona, Courtney Act. In an interview, RuPaul mentioned that the growth of drag representation in the media in parallels America’s changing relationship with LGBTQ+ rights and acceptance. “I think the drag queens are able to show them that they don’t have to take beauty and fashion seriously,” he told Vogue in 2018. I think drag culture teaches us an important message — in this serious world, it’s okay to let loose and have fun. Comedy is the root of drag and, in what can sometimes be a depressing world, these “queens” are here to bring light. As RuPaul would say, ‘Shantay you stay’ and I hope we continue to see more representation in the future.
Policies
The Signal is published weekly during the academic year and is financed by the Student Activities Fee (SAF) and advertising revenue. Any student may submit articles to The Signal. Publication of submitted articles is at the discretion of the editors. The letters section is an open forum for opinions. Submissions that announce events or advertise in any way will not be printed. All letters should be sent via email to signal@tcnj.edu. Handwritten letters should be sent to The Signal, c/o The Brower Student Center, The College of New Jersey, PO Box 7718 Ewing, N.J. 08628 or placed in our mailbox in the Student Life Office. Letters must be received by the Friday before publication and should not exceed 500 words. The Signal reserves the right to edit letters for space and clarity. All letters must be signed, with a phone number and address of the author. Requests to withhold the author’s name will be honored only if there is a legitimate reason. All materials submitted become the sole property of The Signal. The editors reserve the right to edit or withhold all articles, letters & photographs. The Signal willingly corrects factual mistakes. If you think we have made an error, please contact The Signal at (609) 771-2424, write to the address listed above or email us at signal@tcnj.edu.
February 13, 2019 The Signal page 11
Students share opinions around campus “Does reality TV affect dating culture?”
Lara Becker / Reviews Editor
Lara Becker / Reviews Editor
Asia Montgomery, a sophomore English and secondary education dual major. “I think it has somewhat of a negative impact, since they have a lot of emphasis on the way women look.”
Mikayla Miller, a sophomore psychology major. “It might reflect what’s already going on in dating culture, like the lack of ability to commit to one person.”
“Does the media accurately depict the LGBTQ+ community?”
Lara Becker / Reviews Editor
Lara Becker / Reviews Editor
John Eder, a junior political science and philosophy double major.
Bobbie Schwartz, a junior elementary education and English dual major. “Everything about gender identity needs to be shown more in the media.”
“The idea is to get people exposed to the growing idea of gender fluidity.”
The Signal’s cartoon of the week ...
Oh Deer!
Local deer population terrorizes students By Tony Peroni and Vinny Cooper Correspondents They’re big, strong but oh so cute! That’s right, I am talking about our local deer, that roam by the dozens around the College’s gorgeous, Georgian-style campus. Since the school was built in the early 1400s, its attending students have long relished gazing at the four-legged creatures while walking to their early classes or getting back from a mixer at an off-campus fraternity. Regardless of their background or major, students have always agreed that seeing deer on campus makes their day more enjoyable.
While the deer we know and love used to be quiet docile creatures, the deer this year have begun to cause utter mayhem on campus. Why these silent, cute beasts have completely changed their attitude is beyond anyone’s knowledge, even that of the almighty STEM major. In contrast to past years, students now tremble at the sight of even a single deer roaming the kind-of-concrete and kind-of-brick campus walkways. While someone who does not attend the College may think this fear is absurd, any student (including the holy STEM major) would confirm that this is a completely rational fear. After all, with the academic year barely 50 percent complete, there have already been more than sixteen emergency calls over these suddenly powerful animals. The first and most extreme deer-related incident happened at the beloved T-dubs five-star cuisine. The regular crowd was eating its usual nightly dose of saturated fat and hazardous cholesterol when all of a sudden... SMASH! CRASH! The entire 50s-styled restaurant was awash with terror. What had just happened!? The answer to that question is something you may not even want to know, and reader discretion is advised. A large, six-point buck was walking peacefully in front of the Towers when some sort of demon overtook his being. The deer leaped down the concrete flight of 13 stairs that lead to the classy underground dining area. Once he was
level with the humans, the deer targeted the curved, glass wall that faces the tennis courts. The deer rammed his large, very pointy antlers into this massive, and did we mention –– glass wall. This ramming of antlers caused the glass to break into very many pieces (also known as shattering). He then returned and began flipping tables while muttering something about the failing economy. The Chip spoke with Janine Kowalski, a freshman history major, who was in T-dubs at the moment of the incident. “I actually had my AirPods in when he broke the glass, so I didn’t really notice that,” she said. “They’re great at canceling out superfluous noise. But when I looked up from my burrito, I just saw this huge deer tripping out. It was definitely something that I would not expect to happen outside of a soap opera. The police officer that was there told us all to evacuate the building, so we walked out of the gaping hole the deer made in the glass wall.” Luckily, nobody was hurt in this chaotic incident. However, this event forever changed the way students will view deer. An email was sent to the entire student body informing them that if they see “literally any deer,” they should contact Campus Police immediately and steer clear of the cervine being.
DISCLAIMER: This is obviously a satirical piece and does not describe a real event.
page 12 The Signal February 13, 2019
February 13, 2019 The Signal page 13
Features
Valentine’s Day, time for introspection By Amani Salahudeen Staff Writer
Imagine this –– it’s Valentine’s Day and you are sitting across from your partner of three years in your favorite five-star restaurant, Traditions, with Marvin Gaye’s “Let’s Get It On” playing softly in the background. They reach across the table to grab your hand, making your heart flutter. You look up, blushing as they begin to whisper sweet nothings to you. Instead you hear, “We need to talk.” According to Psychology Today, couples are more likely to break up in the weeks leading up to and following Valentine’s Day, which causes a flurry of heartbroken singles to wonder where everything went wrong and how to cope. Tiara Falcone, a psychology professor at the College, said that relationships tend to fail due to a lack of communication. “I think that (both romantic and platonic) relationships flourish when the parties openly communicate with each other,” she said. “Share positive feelings with you partner and if there are issues, bring them up. Don’t wait for the situation to get worse.” Shehara Yoosuf, who is earning a doctorate degree in psychology from Immaculata University, added that forgetting to show appreciation for each other can also be a factor in relationship issues.
“Remind yourself why you fell in love with your significant other,” Yoosuf said. “Remember that your partner is the one who makes you forget your troubles and makes you genuinely happy. Make sure the other person knows if you … appreciate them. Plan date nights even when it’s not Valentine’s Day.” Fostering relationships takes effort from both partners, and while romantic comedies tend to portray how easy it can be to fall in love at first sight, experts also agreed that you can fall out of love just as quickly if there isn’t a sense of true companionship and a willingness to stick around even after the initial butterflies fade. “Often, the early stages of falling in love is merely a measure of infatuation with the other person,” Falcone said. “When a relationship is new, infatuation is high. As the newness of the relationship fades, oftentimes the infatuation with the other person fades as well. However, I think that true love - love that develops over time - does not fade as easily, as it is not affected by infatuation.” Yoosuf agreed that this “honeymoon phase” can be misleading in the beginning of a relationship. “It is definitely possible for someone to fall out of love as quickly as you can fall in love,” she said. “It could also be due to the hormones (as the) honeymoon phase is very real. Maybe you hit
it off. Then reality sinks in.” Throughout the semester, the stress of balancing school, work, family commitments and other activities can put a strain on relationship maintenance. However, Falcone believes that not all relationships involving busy schedules are doomed to fail. “I think it is important for couples to spend time together. Life is busy and as a result, our relationships oftentimes take a back seat to other things in our life — our jobs, our children, sports, family commitments,” Falcone said. “I think that the more quality time that couples spend together, the better their relationship will be.” Yoosuf explained that once the honeymoon phase ends, couples start to forget the reason why they got together in the first place. “Oftentimes, couples will have unrealistic expectations and as a result, it gets worse,” Yoosuf said. “Be grateful to your partner and vice versa. It’s important to show one another that you are willing to make it work.” For singles feeling pressured to find a partner for Valentine’s Day, Falcone and Yoosuf agreed that love comes in many forms and that this holiday can still be a day of celebration. “If you’re single and looking for someone, let go of your expectations,” Yoosuf said. “Be open to anything and you might just be
Happy couples practice honest communication. pleasantly surprised.” Yoosuf gave advice for potential lovebirds looking to learn more about romance. “I recommend ‘Love Languages’ by Gary Chapman because it is worth the read and it demonstrates that people have different languages of love,” Yoosuf said. Falcone stressed that although being single on Valentine’s Day can be difficult for some, there is not as much pressure to be in a relationship these days as there was in the past. She said that being single today is more socially acceptable than it used to be since it’s become the norm for young people to establish their careers before searching for love. “I think that for single people, Valentine’s Day means dealing with all of the love and happiness that you see other people sharing, either through gestures, dinners or
Flickr
gifts,” Falcone said. “Many singles might be saddened that they don’t have that in their lives, and others might feel pressure to find that perfect partner.” Although Valentine’s Day is gift-wrapped for couples in love, it is also a holiday where individuals –– whether they’re in a relationship or not –– can practice self-love. “Valentine’s Day is not just a day for couples to share their love. It is a day for everyone to share love,” Falcone said. “Don’t get caught up in the marketing of the day. Make plans with other single friends or do something for yourself.” Whether you’re sharing chocolate with your partner or celebrating the single life with Netflix this Valentine’s Day, take the time to appreciate everyone in your life, including yourself.
Ambassadors showcase College pride
The students look forward to representing the school. By Victoria Giardina News Assistant
Dressed in royal blue and white striped uniforms, riding golf carts during admissions events and bouncing blue and yellow pom-poms to greet accepted students, there is no chance anyone could miss the College’s student ambassadors. This month, the College welcomed 50 new ambassadors from an application pool of approximately 400 students, each of whom are focused on promoting diversity and inclusion on campus. According to the College’s website, the College Ambassador Program is a “service organization supporting the important needs of The College of New Jersey. It consists of students who serve as public relations representatives of the College at officially designated events.”
However, the students in the program aren’t merely campus representatives. They represent the many different faces at the College who encourage students to join the caliber of the College’s students. Angelica Rocco, coordinator of the ambassador program, believes that diversity is a central element of the organization. “While we are selecting candidates, we do ask a number of demographic questions (hometown, home state, home country) and diversity is so much more than those categories –– personalities and majors also factor in,” Rocco said. An extension of the ambassador program is the new Diversity and Inclusion Committee which was established after last semester’s ‘I AM TCNJ’ forum. The committee’s goal is to spread awareness and educate members of the ambassador program on how to embrace diversity in order
to strengthen the program and the College. Kelly Flood, a junior psychology major and an ambassador, explained her involvement on the newfound committee. “I personally decided to join this committee because I think it is so important to be open-minded and accepting of each other,” she said. “It is a personal mission of mine to help others feel more comfortable in their own skin and feel supported and accepted for who they are, not only within the ambassador program, but at TCNJ in general.” The high regard for diversity is valued by many, including Alekhya Madiraju, a freshman biology major and new ambassador. “Of course I want to encourage people to be a part of the TCNJ community, but what specifically encouraged me to apply is the opportunity to work with an incredibly talented and diverse group of individuals,” Madiraju said. “In college, we oftentimes get boxed into groups of friends by major and interests, but (the ambassador program) is the place where I can meet so many people from different backgrounds.” Many other ambassadors, such as London Morse, a junior accounting major and an ambassador, have also found their experience to be rewarding. “I’ve learned so much about all the amazing resources and opportunities TCNJ has to offer, both through training to give tours and getting to know my fellow ambassadors” Morse said. “I have had so much fun showing off our campus and meeting everyone on the ambassador staff.” Because ambassadors have the critical role of showcasing what the College is to prospective students, Rocco elaborated
on why the Diversity and Inclusion Committee is important. “I think it is so important because diversity, equity and inclusion are so important at TCNJ, and it is important that the students are thinking about how it’s best to talk about that with families,” she said. Morse explained the close bond the student ambassadors share. “I think people see how much the current ambassador staff loves their jobs and sees us having so much fun that they think of us as more of a student organization and forget that it is a job that has both responsibilities and a paycheck,” Morse said. Joel Rivera, a junior electrical engineering major, shared why he became an ambassador and later a member of the ambassador training committee. “I felt that my personality is very personable and ‘extra,’ so I go into each of my tours with energy and excitement,” Joel said. “Through the training committee I’m able to give tips and tricks for all our people to be at their ambassa-best.” Ambassadors like Antonio Carollo, a junior accounting major, find their roles to be fulfilling. “Through TCNJ’s devotion to academics, strong sense of community, and openness to join campus organizations, in only two years I have grown to become a hard-working and genuine leader,” Carollo said. “I felt there was no other way to truly give back to my college community and showcase the environment that has greatly supported me since I was a freshman than becoming an ambassador.”
page 14 The Signal February 13, 2019
February 13, 2019 The Signal page 15
: Nov. ’04
Campus Style
College changes sign to promote inclusion
Photo courtesy of the TCNJ Digital Archive
Students rally together to celebrate diversity at the College. Every week, Features Editor Jane Bowden hits the archives and finds old Signals that relate to current College topics and top stories. During the construction of what is now the R. Barbara Gitenstein Library in Nov. of 2004, a freshman at the College noticed that the construction company’s artistic rendition of the new library failed to feature minority students in the piece. After presenting the issue to Dr. Jay Howard, the director of Equity and Diversity at the time, the artist recreated the original graphic, adding two students of color. Since then, the College has continued to promote inclusion and diversity throughout the campus. Last summer, Chanis Brown, freshman open options major in the school of music, walked by the library construction site on campus everyday and noticed the sign that features an artist’s rendition of the new library failed to include any minority students. Last July, Brown brought the problem to the attention of a guest speaker in her Race, Class and Gender course taught by Professor Jan Nielsen. The guest speaker was Dr. Jay Howard, director of Equity and Diversity. After three weeks and considering all options, Howard worked with the office of Campus Planning and the sign was re-rendered to
include several minority students. After being contacted by Howard, project Manager/Architect Joan Fasulo-Harris asked the original artist to make adjustments to the sign that would include minorities. The solution was to recreate a graphic that would fit within the frame and use adhesive to put two minority students in the front of the library, where the space had previously been empty. Howard said the other options the College could have taken included tearing down the sign completely or simply doing nothing. According to Fasulo-Harris, the total cost of the chosen solution was approximately $800. Katrina Wong, president of the Asian American Association at the College was surprised by the incident. “I would be disappointed at the College if I saw the sign over the summer, since the school stressed a lot on inclusion and diversity on campus, yet they would allow such a sign to be posted,” she said. It is common sense to include everyone in signs that represent the entire campus.” However, Wong did give the College some credit, saying, “The College did listen to the students’ responses and changed the sign to include minorities.”
Lions’ Plate
Left: Layered barrettes help keep your hair back from your face. Right: Braided hairstyles offer a casual, yet intricate look. By Danielle Silvia Columnist
Even in this weather, I always have outfits planned that I hope to sport to class, the gym or social events, but I also try to express my style through my hair and makeup. During these cold months spent inside, take advantage of the opportunity to learn new hairstyles and new tips and tricks for makeup. Here are some of my current favorites that’ll be sure to add some style and flare to any of your winter outfits this season. 1. Half-up half-down varieties. I have always been a fan of wearing my hair in a half-ponytail. I think it’s a causal style that you can easily put together but also jazz up for a special occasion when necessary. Typically, I’ll use a clip or a hair-tie to divide my hair into two even layers. At this point, I sometimes leave my hair draping over my shoulders. However, I also enjoy braiding the upper region, especially in the fall and winter months, to add elegance. Curling the top and straightening the bottom is another variation of this hairstyle that I
love. This is a great option for formals or dances because it looks formal and shows off multiple hairstyles. 2. Barrettes. This is a really helpful tip if you’re having a rough hair day. There are so many times when I wake up and feel like my hair is all over the place. What I have found to be easy and flattering is to use barrettes or even bobby pins to clip layers of my hair off to the side. You can try to do a symmetrical look and clip off your hair in even sections off to both sides if that makes you more comfortable. You can also use light amounts of hairspray to keep your hair from flattening or falling. 3. Layered eyeshadow. As someone with sensitive eyes and skin, I realize that makeup can be both a blessing and a burden. Something I find helpful is layering colors without going overboard. For example, if I’m wearing light colors, I’ll mix and match some pastels and start layering with the lightest colors near my eyelashes and going darker as I move up. This gives your eyes a beautiful reflection and is great for any occasion you go to.
Valentine’s Day Cream Puffs
Left: Stuff these festive treats with a creamy filling. Right: Sprinkle powdered sugar on top of the cream puffs for added sweetness. By Shannon Deady Columnist
The season of love is upon us, and whether or not you have a special someone this Valentine’s Day, taking a break from your studies for a sweet treat is a must. I never quite grew out of my love for the holiday and still enjoy spreading love with candies, cards and baked goods.
Although they can’t fit into a shoe-box converted card holder, homemade cream puffs are my chosen treat to share with friends this Galentine’s Day. They are surprisingly easy to make and with the addition of festive sprinkles and a few drops of food dye, they make the cutest surprise holiday treat. Makes: 12 cream puffs
Ingredients: Cream puff -½ cup butter -1 cup water -1 cup sifted flour -4 eggs Cream filling -1 pint heavy cream -2 boxes vanilla pudding mix -2 tablespoons sugar -Red food dye
-Heart-shaped sprinkles Directions: 1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees and prepare a cookie sheet for baking. 2. Bring butter and water to a boil in a medium sized pot on high heat. Once boiling, slowly add flour and stir until mixture is doughy. 3. Remove from heat and add eggs one at a time while stirring quickly. 4. Separate into balls and place on
greased cookie sheet. Bake for 20 minutes or until golden brown and leave to cool for 10 minutes. 5. Whip together heavy cream and sugar to make a whipped cream, and prepare boxes of pudding mix. 6. Fold whipped cream into pudding mix and add red food dye and sprinkles. 7. Use a spoon to open and stuff cooled cream puffs. Enjoy!
page 16 The Signal February 13, 2019
Arts & Entertainment
Performance honors life of student Concert proceeds go to American Heart Association
Left: James Mikula plays a melody on the trumpet. Right: Several a capella groups dedicate their songs to Zujkowski. By Veronica Flesher Correspondent Emotions were high in the Mayo Concert Hall on Sunday, Feb.10 as the Music Students Association put on the Zujkowski American Heart Association Benefit Concert in memory of senior music education major Jason Zujkowski, who died last November. Thirteen different groups performed, including a saxophone quartet, the trumpet ensemble, the clarinet choir, TCNJ Trentones, Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, TCNJ Treblemakers and some individual performers.
“The concert was a celebration of life,” said Dean of the School of Arts and Communication Maurice Hall. Hall emphasized the need for friendship and art as a response to grief times of hardship. The performers, who are music students at the College, wore all black with a small red ribbon pin in support of the American Heart Association, as Zujkowski passed away from a heart condition. The show opened with Zujkowski’s former saxophone quartet playing one of his favorite jazz standards, “Blue Bassa.” A member of the saxophone quartet and freshman music
education major Keith So remembers Zujkowski as a great performer and friend. “He put everything into every ounce of music and made us all better people,” So said. “Jason was such a wholesome person. He had such a passion for music.” The pieces ranged from a 1700s hymn to a Kanye West song. Many of the songs performed were pieces that Zujkowski had enjoyed, such as “Naima” by John Coltrane and “Pictures at an Exhibition” by Modest Mussorgsky. Other pieces performed in the first half included a violin performance and a euphonium.
The first half of the night ended with an emotional performance from the College’s acapella group, The Trentones, who covered “Run to You” by Pentatonix and “Ultralight Beam” by Kanye West. “‘This is a God dream,’” They sang. “‘This is everything.’” The second act opened up with a surprise performance by musicians Michael Ray and Laranah PhippsRay of the outside jazz group, Michael Ray & The Cosmic Krewe. The duo had performed with Zujkowski at his last performance this past fall before he passed away. They performed an original piece with Ray playing the trumpet and
Miguel Gonzalez / Photo Editor
Phipps-Ray scatting and singing. “It’s really special,” Phipps-Ray said of performing at the concert. “It’s a beautiful thing.” As he played his trumpet, PhippsRay sang, “We love you, Jason.” The show came to a powerful end with the all-female acapella group, the TCNJ Treblemakers, performing “Million Reasons” by Lady Gaga. Among the audience members were fellow students, President Kathryn Foster and Zujkowski’s family. All proceeds from the ticket purchases went to the American Heart Association in Zujkowski’s name.
Alumni Jazz Band brings harmony to campus
Miguel Gonzalez / Photo Editor
Students and alumni perform together onstage. By Mae Kristy Calacal Correspondent Before the show even began, the auditorium of Mayo Concert Hall was already teeming with life. The room was filled with bright lights, which accompanied the chatter of eager audience
members waiting for the performance to begin. As more students and community members filed in and took their seats, band members poured onto the stage. When the lights dimmed, the hall was silent and conductor John Anastasio (’69) took the stage. For the rest of the
night, all the performers were in sync with one another. On Saturday, Feb. 9, the Alumni Jazz Band brought music to the College. The opening song, “Skyliner” by Charlie Barnett, featured deep bass chords which complimented the higher pitch of the horn chorus. Anastasio gave a brief introduction before each song. He explained that the title of “East of the Sun (and West of the Moon)” by Brooks Bowman, which was produced in 1934, was inspired by the Norwegian fairy tale of the same name. While he got heads swaying and feet tapping, the conductor garnered some smiles and laughs from the crowd when he gave an overview of the performers, most of whom were alumni from the College. “There’s the breakdown of our personnel tonight,” he said. “Hopefully our personnel does … not break down tonight.” After “Easy to Love” by Sammy Nestico, Anastasio picked up his clarinet for a number by Benny Goodman. He swayed to the rhythm as his fingertips danced over the keys. The members of the band look up to their conductor and drew musical inspiration from each other. Saxophone player Ryan Galik (’18) said that Anastasio
was a musical influence for him, along with fellow saxophone player and John Bachalis (’68). Galik, who was a music education major, recalls playing his saxophone every semester in Kendall Hall at the College. After graduating, he began teaching music at John F. Kennedy Elementary School in Jamesburg, New Jersey. Originally a trombone player, Galik switched to the saxophone in the fifth grade. He admits being intimidated at first, since the saxophone has more keys, but he has loved playing it ever since and loves being able to play a wide array of genres, from jazz to classical music. “It’s cool to explore all these things my instrument can do,” Galik said. Jeff Tamburrino (’88), a member of the alumni association, is a fan of jazz music and a supporter of the music program at the College. He expressed his praise for the band. “I’m impressed with their musicianship, because they’ve only been practicing for a couple of weeks,” he said. The relationships between the band members was not the only apparent connection that night — both students and others from College community gathered to support their friends.
February 13, 2019 The Signal page 17
‘Springs Eternal’ display makes splash This week, WTSR Music Director Brian Marino highlights some of the best new music that the College’s own radio station, 91.3 FM WTSR, puts into its weekly rotation.
Sam Shaw / Staff Photographer
Left: The exhibit features water from different regions. Right: The mural showcases the effects of fracking. By Samantha Franz Correspondent
Although it is needed to sustain life, water is often seen as basic and ordinary — many ignore its subtle beauty, strength and the magnitude of its presence. Last week, the College decided to put this topic on display. Feb. 6 marked the opening of the TCNJ Art Gallery’s newest exhibition, “Springs Eternal: Art, Water, Change,” in the Arts and Interactive Multimeida Building’s Art Gallery. The exhibit featured the curated work of several artists whose projects revolve around water and the change it represents. As part of the opening reception, four artists participated in a panel discussion to discuss the inspiration behind their works. Marguerita Hagan, who was the first visiting artist to present her work, spoke about her sculptures, which are based on the organisms that live along the ocean floor. The idea for these sculptures was conceived by Hagan while she went snorkeling — she was inspired by the collaborative spirit of ocean life and the ability of these organisms to provide for the world around them. “Creating a visual voice for this extraordinary
life is my artistic responsibility,”she said. Hagan stressed that highlighting the damage done to the planet by human intervention and climate change is vital. Her work brings to light the beauty in the unseen and the responsibility humans have to protect that which cannot protect itself. The second artist, Colin Kloecker, is the co-creator of a pop-up called “Water Bar.” Colin and his partner, Shanai Matteson, who started the project in Minneapolis, Minnesota, conceived the idea for Water Bar after asking a simple question—can you drink from the Mississippi River? After a bit of research, they realized that the answer was yes. They then set out to bring their community together around the idea of water. According to printed materials provided at the gallery, patrons at Water Bar are invited to “slow down, really taste water, think about where it comes from and how through it everything is connected.” The pop-up has served as many as 20,000 people in one of its 11-day runs. The final two panelists were artists Bri Barton and Meg Lemieur, the co-creators of a series of illustrations about the natural gas industry and its impact on local communities. The artisits highlighted the importance
that art has in telling stories. Their main work, a large compendium of illustrations called “Water Ways,” is currently on display. The drawing is a visual depiction of stories they collected from mid-Atlantic communities about the effects of fracking. When the two spoke about the creation of this piece, they mentioned how difficult it was to make their illustrations reflect the truth of the stories they were trying to tell. It was very important to the artists to create a beautiful and interesting piece while still representing local communities and staying true to their histories. The art exhibit also includes “Wellspring Portfolio,” a series of 12 original Risograph prints by the Justseeds Artists Cooperative, as well as an audiovisual art piece titled, “Cochayuyo Durvillaea Antarctica” by artist Alexa Horochowski. The exhibition will be on display from February to mid-March. It will feature recurring pop-up Water Bar services, a “Springs Eternal Late Night” and a themed Wind Ensemble performance. Margaret PezallaGranlund, the moderator of the panel and director of the gallery, noted that other events would be added to the series as the topic inspires student work throughout the month.
Grande album promotes self-love
The album encapsulates the artist’s new attitude. By James Mercadante Staff Writer
Just when you thought she was at the peak of her artistic success, Ariana Grande showed off even more new hit content. On Friday, Feb. 8, Grande released her highly-anticipated fifth solo-album, “Thank U, Next,” and may have unveiled her best, most cohesive body of work to date. Back in 2018, Ariana Grande released her album “Sweetener,” was honored as Billboard’s Woman of the Year, got engaged and broke off an engagement— all in the span of five months. Grande’s relationships were scrutinized through every social media platform. Her response to those speculations was to casually
drop a single that reflected and dismissed the value of her past relationships. This song, “Thank U, Next,” became her first No. 1 hit on the Billboard charts. Her whirlwind year soon gave way to the genesis of the Thank U, Next era. Grande’s preceding album comes across as sugarcoating her suffering and private issues, hence the title “Sweetener;” however, with “Thank U, Next,” Grande positions her narrative in a completely bare and vulnerable state. She lets the world know she “can’t fake another smile” and “can’t fake that she’s alright,” as said in her songs, which is a heavy contrast to her previously having, “no tears left to cry.” “Thank U, Next” is composed
of a plethora of R&B soulful tracks that function as ingredients to the ultimate self-love album and one where Grande is hyper aware of who she is and is not looking for anyone’s approval. Even though she seems to be giving the the middle finger to all those fake smiles, she still stays so damn likable. The album begins with the song “Imagine,” where she paints a visual fantasy of an ideal relationship, yet it’s so far out of her reach that she’s forced to, in the song, “imagine a world like that.” This track is an appropriate introduction to the album and her voice ascends sheer excellence by gracing the track with whistle tones that we don’t deserve, yet she serves them anyway. Grande’s voice is one of the most remarkable features about her, but this album accentuates more than just her vocals — it manifests her capacity to formulate authentic and personal lyrics that resonate with her listeners. “Ghostin” possesses the most honest lyrics in Grande’s whole career. The song is a ballad that professes the guilt she feels for not being completely over her ex while being in another relationship. Fans speculate that the song is about mourning the loss of her ex, Mac Miller, who passed away due to a drug overdose last year.
She tells her lover, “Though I wish he were here instead/don’t want that living in your head/He just comes to visit me/when I’m dreaming every now and then.” The lyrics in this piece express Grande’s genuine thought process, which evokes emotional responses from her listeners. The ballad ends with an instrumental of violins and string quartets, which can make you feel as if you’re floating; this simulaties a ghost-like feeling, and reminds you again of Miller. However, Grande presents more fun, catchy songs that can double as petty or witty Instagram captions, such as “Bloodline,” “7 Rings,” “Makeup” and “Break Up With Your Girlfriend, I’m Bored.” These tracks have heavy pop and R&B elements that have memorable melodies and timeless trapstyle beats. Most songs on this album can either break your heart, make you want to dance or leave you feeling empowered. If you need new music to listen to, this is the album for you. Ariana Grande has proved herself as a true artist with this release and it needs recognition. “Thank U, Next” is gentle, raw and healing. It’s catchy and entertaining, it’s united and tenacious, but most importantly, it’s undeniably real.
Band Name: Waxahatchee Album Name: Great Thunder Release Number: 6 Hailing From: Birmingham Genre: Dreamy piano folk Label: Merge Records Waxahatchee’s sixth album comes with only six songs. The first song on the record features a piano line reminiscent to Christina Aguilera’s “You Are Beautiful”; The simple piano lines in all of the songs (except for Slow You Down which has a guitar instead) make this album a quiet and relaxing mix of melodies before going to bed, background music when doing your homework or just sitting outside in the fall. The calmness of Waxhatchee’s album is a perfect fit for your playlist! Must Hear: “Singer’s No Star”, “You Left Me With an Ocean” and “Slow You Down”
Band Name: The Fibs Album Name: The Fibs Release Number: 2 Hailing From: Fort Worth Genre: Psychedelic Garage Rock Label: Team Clermont The album is a trip through your mind. Its ominous overtones takes you through yourself as you become entranced by its psychedelic instrumentals. Each track feels gritty and raw in its own way, yet well produced by the incredibly talented Fibs. Despite the Fibs drawing inspiration from only a few sources, their self titled album seem to have the feeling they could fit comfortably in a David Bowie track. Must Hear: “Stella” and “Tyranny”
page 18 The Signal February 13, 2019
‘Brooklyn Nine-Nine’ continues at new network
Left: The show protrays the life of an NYPD precinct through a satiricial lens. Right: Sandberg’s character adds to the show’s humor. By Brenden Edgeworth Correspondent
First released in 2013, “Brooklyn Nine-Nine” television series details the lives of a quirky group of detectives working for the New York Police Department. It has quickly risen to fame since then, with quoteworthy moments in every episode. However, that achievement was put into jeopardy when Fox was set to cancel the show following its fifth season in May of 2018. After much fan support, NBC picked up the show for a sixth season, which premiered in early January. The shift in networks could have easily paved a bumpy road for the show’s creative process and, therefore, its standard of quality. Thankfully, it seems that the new season of “Brooklyn Nine-Nine” is just as hilarious and fun as it’s ever been. The series manages to stand out from the oversaturated market of comedic shows. It’s got brilliant writing, lovable characters and a genuine sense of chemistry that
ties it all together. The first episode, “Honeymoon,” kicks off with a nearly seamless transition with the two lead characters, Jake Peralta (Andy Samberg) and Amy Santiago (Melissa Fumero), going to Mexico for their honeymoon while simultaneously trying to cheer up their police chief, Captain Raymond Holt (Andre Braugher), who was recently denied a promotion. The interactions between these three, as well as the hilarious antics of the emotionally-reserved Holt, are entertaining the whole way through. They also make me acknowledge how these characters have developed since prior seasons. In the second episode, “Hitchcock and Scully,” audiences get an in-depth look at the veteran detectives that are generally considered to be the “joke characters” of the show. The contrast between their younger and current selves, as well as an event that kickstarts their dramatic change, gives a newfound appreciation for characters that some may have found aggravating. The third episode, “The Tattler,” features Detective
YouTube
Santiago accompanying Peralta and their coworker, Gina Linetti (Chelsea Peretti), to their high school reunion. This episode is meant to set up Piretti’s departure in the next episode, and does an effective job demonstrating the chemistry she shares with Jake. We also get a few great moments with Santiago, as well as a hilarious side story with Captain Holt. The most recent episode, “Four Movements,” shows us the payoff of last week’s episode. Linetti shares a special “Gina Moment” with other characters, and these scenes manage to strike a great balance between the comedic and emotional without ever feeling like it leans too much to either side. Overall, the latest season of “Brooklyn Nine-Nine” has shown nothing but promise and the change in networks hasn’t hindered its quality one bit. It may not be the most emotionally deep and complex show you can find, but there’s no denying that the show is full of quality and humor. The writing is great, the characters are very memorable and it strikes the perfect balance between serious and hilarious. If you haven’t given this show a chance yet, I cannot recommend it enough.
February 13, 2019 The Signal page 19
Sports Indoor Track and Field
Track succeeds at Boston invitational
Left: Zelinski prepares to stick the landing after a jump. Right: Hopkins rounds the corner in the 200-meter race. By Christine Houghton Sports Editor The men’s and women’s track teams traveled to Boston University for the two-day David Hemery Valentine Invitational. This huge meet, with over 90 institutions entered and 3,500 participants, took place from Friday, Feb. 8 until Saturday, Feb. 9. The men had a strong meet. Sophomore Daulton Hopkins took 29th in the 60-meter dash at 7.4 seconds and fellow sophomore Tariq Ali came in at 7.56 in the same race for 37th place. For the 200-meter race, sophomore Anthony Lorenc
locked in 87th place out of 203 runners with a time of 22.26. In the same race, Hopkins took 141st with a time of 23.26, senior Nathan Osterhus placed 168th with a time of 23.66 and Ali crossed the line at 23.80 to take place 174th. In the field, freshman Jaiden Elliot jumped to 19th place with a mark of 13.83 meters in the triple jump and junior Tim Reilly took 30th with a jump of 12.92. Freshman Colin Martin took 40th in the weighted throw putting up a mark of 11.97 meters. The women also had a successful meet. Freshman Nicole Vadon took 17th place in the in the 60-meter dash, crossing the line at 8.15 seconds. In the 800-meter race, senior Kathleen Jaeger placed 44th with a time of 2:14.71
Photos courtesy of the Sports Information Desk
and freshman Ali Uhl took 71st, clocking in at 2:18.78. Running the 400-meter race, junior Sam Gorman placed 52nd with a time of 57.88, sophomore Shannon Lambert took 54th at 57.99 and freshman Megan Gasnick crossed the line at 58.50 for 65th. In the field, junior Christine Woods took 20th in the triple jump with a mark of 10.98 meters and junior Ally Zelinski took 30th with a jump of 10.20 meters. The Lions return to the track Monday, Feb. 18 as they take to the road for the New Jersey Athletic Conference Indoor Championship. They will travel to the Ocean City Athletic Complex in Staten Island, New York to cap off their winter season.
Lions fall twice to NJAC opponents Men’s Basketball
Seniors recieve honor at end of winter season
Left: P.J. Ringel guards a defender as he comes up the court. Right: Byrne passes the ball to a fellow teammate. By Jordan Washington Staff Writer The College suffered two straight losses this past week, one against New Jersey City University on Feb. 6 and the other during an emotional Senior Day against Kean University on Saturday, Feb. 9. In the Lions’ first game against NJCU, which is first in the New Jersey Athletic Conference standings, they found themselves trailing early. The Lions never led during the first half, as they were down by nine at halftime. NJCU shot very well and went on a 14-2 point run early in the second half. It was a rough night of shooting for the Lions, as only two players reached
double figures. Senior guard Joe Montano led the team with 13 points while junior forward Randall Walko chipped in an extra 11. On Saturday, Feb. 9, the team took on Kean University, where seniors Montano, forward Jordan Glover and guard Liam Byrne were honored before the game. The game did not turn out in favor of the College on such a big day. The game was another slow start for the Lions as they were down 19-9 after just nine minutes of play. A big 15-4 scoring run allowed the College to take the lead for a time. Walko scored two big buckets and finished the game with 24 points. From that point on, the teams went
back and forth, with the College taking a two point lead into the intermission. The second half was much like the first, as there were many lead changes with the teams’ scoring going back and forth. However, the College was able to take a late lead when sophomore center Travis Jocelyn scored to put the Lions up by one. Kean hit two late three-pointers that created a sizeable gap, which the Lions were not able to overcome. Kean scored consistently from the free throw line, which helped it hold onto the win. Walko continued to wow, averaging about 20 points a game and just about 6 rebounds per game. He had 11 points
Miguel Gonzalez / Photo Editor
against NJCU and 24 against Kean. Just behind Walko, junior Niall Carpenter is averaging just over 12 points a game this season. Another stand-out player this season is junior Ryan Jensen who is currently averaging 7 rebounds a game. With these losses, the Lions have fallen to 13-11 on the season but stay hopeful for a near future playoff run after next week’s game. As the season comes to a close, the Lions will be back in action tonight at 8 p.m. when they go up against William Paterson University at home. The College hopes to finish the season strong and head into the NJAC conference tournament on a strong note.
Sports
Signal
Lions have eyes on deep playoff run
By Malcolm Luck Staff Writer
In large part due to the Lions’ current six-game winning streak, the women’s basketball team has earned itself a first-round bye in the upcoming New Jersey Athletic Conference tournament. Following last week’s play, the College’s conference record sits at 14-3 on the season, more than two games better than the team in second place, Montclair State University. With only one game remaining in the regular season, the Lions are poised and prepared for a deep playoff run. The Lions began their week on Feb. 6 with a win against the NJAC’s basement dweller, New Jersey City University. After trading buckets with NJCU in the early part of the first quarter, a lay up from sophomore forward Shannon Devitt with 6:10 remaining gave the Lions a lead that they would hold for the rest of the game. Senior guard Sam Famulare drained a three-pointer less than two minutes later to ignite a 12-0 run. After two consecutive Lions’ turnovers, junior forward Jen Byrne drilled a three of her own and laid in two more buckets to
close out the quarter with the College ahead 22-13. A shot from beyond the arc off the fingertips of junior guard Lauren Barlow put her team ahead by 14 with 8:43 remaining in the second quarter. However, a late run from NJCU cut into the Lions’ lead, as last second mid-range jumper beat the buzzer and sent both teams to the locker room with the Lions on top 35-29. The College used the third quarter to extend its lead to as many as 13 points. Devitt scored the first bucket off a fast break jumper to put the Lions ahead by eight. Following an NJCU layup, Famulare sank her fourth of five three-point baskets to extend the Lions’ lead to nine. Free throws from senior guard Kate O’Leary and a bucket in the paint from Devitt tacked on four more points and stretched the lead to 13 with 5:47. By the time the quarter’s buzzer sounded, NJCU had dug a deep 12-point deficit that ultimately led to the program’s 21st consecutive loss against the Lions as the scoreboard’s final tally read 69-54. Senior Day on Saturday, Feb. 9 against Kean University proved to be no match for the
Famulare charges the basket for a layup.
Lions as well. Offensively, the team exploded in the first half, beginning with an early bucket from Devitt to put the game’s first points on the board. Back-to-back threes from senior guard Nicole Shatsky and junior guard Cailey Gibson gave the squad a nine-point lead with 4:03 to play. A lay up from Devitt and a
Photo courtesy of the Sports Information Desk
jump shot from Famulare contributed to the Lions’ ultimate 12-0 point run. Gibson buried another three-pointer for good measure to put the College ahead by 10 at the end of the first quarter. The third quarter yielded similar results. Early points from Byrne and Devitt extended the lead to 15 followed by another three-pointer from Famulare after
a Kean layup. At the half, the seniors found themselves up 20 in their second to last regular season home game. Despite being outscored in the third and fourth quarters, the Lions won by a final score of 73-64. The team’s last regular season game will be held at home tonight at 6:00 p.m. against William Paterson University.
Wrestling
Wrestlers dominate weekend matches
Left: Mirabella holds down an opponent for a pin. Right: Gerstacker hopes to flip his competitor for the win.
By Christine Houghton Sports Editor
The wrestling team went on the road on Friday, Feb. 8 to face Delaware Valley University and host Messiah College in a dual meet the next day. Going up against Delaware Valley, the College added to its winning streak by topping its opponent 47-8. The team started off its match strong with four straight forfeits, which let it take a 24-3 lead. Continuing the match, freshman John Garda, wrestling at 165 pounds, was
Lions Lineup february 13, 2019
I n s i d e
able to pin his opponent early on; 174pound junior Dan Kilroy won with a fall early in his bout as well. Sophomore Dan Surich secured a technical fall at 184 pounds while senior Alex Mirabella, at 197 pounds, finished the match with a pin. Going up against Messiah College, the Lions earned an easy 34-7 win at home, propelling their winning streak to 16 wins since their initial loss back in December. Prior to the match, the team honored their five seniors: JT Beirne, Ryan Budzek, Mark Gerstacker, Kyle McIntyre,
Alex Mirabella and their families, thanking them for their time at the college and wishing them best of luck in the future. Sophomore Jake Giordano won at 133 pounds with a technical fall and sophomore Anthony Rua took a major decision at 144 pounds. Senior Ryan Buzdek had a takedown at 149 pounds while senior JT Bernie also secured a victory at 157 with a takedown. Kilroy earned a major decision and Surich secured the team win with a major decision as well. Mirabella secured a shutout victory
Men’s Basketball page 19
Photos courtesy of the Sports Information Desk
and freshman Steven Giannios finished the night securing a pin and the win at 197 pounds. On the season, Kilroy and sophomore Robert Dinger have 11 pins each a team high for the 2018-19 season. Following close behind is freshman Jon Borgognoni with seven pins, a high for his graduating class during the 201819 season. The Lions resume action on Sunday, Feb. 17 as they look to compete in the Futures Tournament hosted by Muhlenberg College.
Indoor Track and Field page 19