WOOF ISSUE 25

WOOF ISSUE 25 // FALL 2018

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WOOF MAGAZINE PRESIDENT

Adrianna Yozzi

EDITORS-IN-CHIEF

Alexander Pickering & Cayley Ross

CREATIVE DIRECTORS

Meredith Fisher & Xochitl Lozano

MARKETING & SOCIAL MEDIA DIRECTORS Jasmine Chan & Cheyenne Tang

ONLINE EDITORS

Julia Horneck & Orla Levens

SECTION EDITORS

Fernanda Hurtado, Kaline Langley, Lucy Murrey, Candace Reyes

HEAD COPY EDITOR Sam Rose

COPY EDITORS

Kate Coiro, Sydne Garcia, Christina Philippides

WRITERS

Sofia Ciprian, Taylor Driscoll, Hannah Gallagher, Sophie Harris, Orla Levens, Krissy Kilgallen, Daana Masumi, Adriana Neimeyer, Malathi Reddy, Nanako Tokuo, Hannah Wong

DESIGNERS

Kate Coiro, Emily Cullitan, Diana Steelman

PHOTOGRAPHERS

Hannah Gallagher, Justine Newman, Nadia Naeem Cover Photography by Hannah Gallager

CONTENTS FRONT

LIFESTYLE

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Biking in Boston

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Finding Inner Peace: The Kouk Sun Do Way

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Best Celiac-Friendly Eats on Campus

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Our Role in Sustainable Fashion

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LightView Apartments

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Fernanda’s Declassified Plant Survival Guide

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8 Dorm-Friendly Self Care Tips

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Underrated Spots on Campus

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Your Ultimate Podcast Guide

MEDIA & CULTURE

FOCUS

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The Problem with Kanye

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Major Divide

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Quick Guide to Tinder

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The Truth About Coop

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Street Art Adds a Pop of Color to Boston

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Northeastern to Bridge Campus Divide

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The Rise of Asian American Casts

WE’RE NORTHEASTERN’S STUDENT-RUN LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE. LIKE WHAT YOU SEE? EMAIL US • NUWOOF@GMAIL.COM

VISIT OUR SITE • WOOF-MAG.COM

LETTER FROM THE EDITORS Hi Reader, Thank you for picking up our magazine. A lot of hard work from writers, designers, photographers, and editors went into it, so we appreciate you reading this while you’re waiting for your paper at the printer. We are Northeastern’s only lifestyle magazine. What exactly is a lifestyle magazine, you ask? Who knows.

This semester, we wanted to bring Woof to a new level, one that represents the talent of the people working on it. You’ll see a new cover style and logo, higher-quality design, and more articulate writing. We also wanted to remain faithful to the people who have contributed to Woof in the past, keeping our predecessors in mind. As Editors-in-Chief, we have thoughtfully curated this issue from content written throughout the Fall 2018 semester.

And boy, are our arms tired.

Part of bringing Woof Magazine into a new era involves focusing on our online presence in the age of information and Instagram. We have prioritized producing regular content for our website, woof-mag.com, and also redesigning it. Huge shoutout to Julia and Orla, our online editors, for the site’s facelift — it was long overdue.

This process was a necessity, as we know print has its foot out the door already, though we all love our glossy magazines.

Throughout the peaks and valleys of the semester we grew as an organization, though growth doesn’t come without growing pains. But with every missed deadline, last-minute change, and scramble to reach word count, we pulled it off — you can see the result for yourself.

Wow! You’re still here? That’s dedication. Most of all, we want to thank you, the reader, especially if you’re not either of our mothers.

So thanks for reading, Dad.

Your Editors-in-Chief, Cayley Ross & Alexander Pickering

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2018 FALL PHOTO CONTEST WINNER

BY FERNANDA HURTADO

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BIKING IN BOSTON WRITTEN BY JOEY KRAMER

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make it easier to cycle in the street and even parking their cars in the new bike lanes. “[Some] drivers are not paying attention at all. I see a lot of people on their phones,” said Donowitz.

No amount of bike-friendly signage can protect cyclists from irresponsible drivers, so these improvements will likely take time to change attitudes about the safety of riding a bicycle in Boston. In the meantime, cyclists in Boston can take certain precautions to make themselves safer on the road, although they aren’t always effective.

“I do arm signals for left, right, and when I’m slowing down. Other than that I just try to make myself visible and make eye contact with drivers. Sometimes that’s all I can do,” said Ian Anderson, a fourth-year computer science and design major. “My biggest fear is getting doored. I feel safest when the bike lane doesn’t have cars right next to it that can open their door and kill me.”

Geralyn Moore, a third-year electrical engineering major, recently had that fear realized.

“A couple weeks ago I got doored. It was terrifying.

This guy was on his phone and wasn’t paying attention when he opened the door—it was not fun. I went over my handlebars, but I’m okay,” she said.

Moore said that she takes many precautions while riding, including wearing a helmet and blinking lights.

Unfortunately, these aren’t always enough to prevent an accident.

Although Boston is becoming increasingly bike-friendly, it is clear that safety is very much on the minds of students who commute to work and school via bicycle but it doesn’t, and shouldn’t, deter us from riding every day.

As biking becomes a more popular and recognized means of transportation, I, like most, believe that drivers and infrastructure will have to adapt for the road to be a safer place for all. As for how long that will take, it’s unclear — but we’re on the right path.

I started riding my bike to school in the third grade.

Since I learned how to ride, it has been my preferred mode of transportation. Naturally, when I moved off campus this year, I began riding my bike to campus every day and when I was on co-op I did the same.

I’ve never thought twice about it. Cycling is good for the mind, body, and environment, and can be cheaper than taking the T or a ride-sharing service. It’s a no-brainer.

When I tell people that I ride my bike to campus every day, the response is one of concern — that what I’m doing is incredibly dangerous.

The City of Boston, however, has a solution. It has slowly been making the bicycle an easier, safer, and more convenient method of transportation by adding protected bike lanes on major roads (most notably on Columbus Ave near ISEC) and initiating the new Blue Bikes program, an improved and expanded version of the Hubway bike system.

Blue Bikes is a public bike share program with more than 200 stations across Boston, including several on and around the Northeastern campus (behind Stetson East and in front of International Village). According to its website, the City of Boston hopes to eliminate all fatal and serious crashes between cyclists and drivers by 2030. They report that between 2007 and 2012, emergency medical technicians responded to 1,700 such accidents.

Although the initiative is a reasonable one, some Northeastern students have voiced that the network is not connected enough .

“I can’t always ride on streets with designated bike paths without significantly increasing my travel time. It’s not always worth it,” said Alec Donowitz, a third-year civil engineering major who commutes every day from Roxbury. “I see them making a lot of [effort] to make it better, but I would say generally, it’s not super safe.”

According to Donowitz, drivers are not adapting well to the changes — they’re ignoring new rules that

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Best CeliacFriendly Eats on Campus WRITTEN BY ORLA LEVENS

Having a serious food allergy makes the act of eating onerous and unenjoyable — and having to navigate college with it is immensely difficult. For those who have celiac disease or a gluten intolerance, grabbing a bite with friends is especially frustrating.

Celiac disease is a genetic, autoimmune condition that causes the stomach to become damaged and inflamed upon the consumption of gluten, for which there is no cure. Although it sounds trivial, the consequences of cross-contamination when cooking are dire, which makes eating out a complete mindfield.

While Northeastern and its surrounding businesses can have limited options, there are some locations that offer safe meals for us gluten-free (GF) folks!

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Dining Halls Northeastern’s dining halls offer some, but extremely limited, options for students with Celiac or gluten intolerances. Each of the three dining halls has a designated toaster for gluten-free products to avoid cross-contamination, along with an array of glutenfree bread, bagels, and sometimes English muffins.

There are also prepackaged gluten-free cookies and brownies available, either next to the toaster in Stetson West or upon request at the dessert kiosk in Stetson East and International Village. However, the brownies are pretty dismal and the cookies are only slightly better. The soft serve ice cream machines in each dining hall are safe, though.

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Stetson West doesn’t have many devoted celiacfriendly or even regular gluten-free options beyond the toaster selection; the stir-fry station can be subject to cross-contamination. Stetson East is a little better; they have an “avoiding gluten” kiosk by the salad bar. International Village is probably your best bet, as they have a designated kitchen and kiosk, Zone 7, for students who suffer from common allergies including gluten. Both Zone 7 and the Stetson East “avoiding gluten” station offer a meal option that includes some kind of meat (usually chicken), vegetables, and either rice or occasionally potatoes. There isn’t much variety; seeing some more alternatives like gluten-free pasta would be nice.

Avoid the trattoria stations. Usually, there are gluten-free foods that are cross-contaminated. However, a hidden safe bet is the Charbroil stations at International Village and Stetson east. You can get grilled chicken, a burger patty, or a hot dog, which are the only things cooked on the grill for the most part and are kept separate from the buns. Despite the small selection, Northeastern’s website offers the dining hall menus. It is convenient to look at the menus ahead of time to save time and meal swipes.

Supermarkets There are a few supermarkets on and around campus where you can purchase gluten-free food and snacks using dining dollars. There are plenty of options at generic supermarkets for people with gluten allergies. Star Market has two locations that accept dining dollars, and they have an array of gluten-free options.

Both Wollaston’s on campus also have options if you are craving a late-night snack.

The two supermarkets around campus that best cater to the GF/celiac diet are Whole Foods (15 Westland Ave.) and Trader Joe’s (899 Boylston St.). The nearest TJ’s is about a 15-minute walk from campus and accessible easily by the T or by bus. While they do not accept dining dollars, they offer plenty of things to eat that are suitable for dorm life, ranging from quick snacks to microwavable meals. I really like their microwavable GF mac and cheese and their mini beef tacos, which are safe to eat. Whole Foods is significantly closer to campus and accepts dining dollars, selling a plethora of health-conscious goodies like donut holes or Tate’s cookies.

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B.Good B.Good, stationed inside the Marino Center, focuses on farm-to-table food and provides a wide range of options for those with issues with gluten. They have a wide range of salads, but the best part is that they offer gluten-free burger buns. Their fries are also free of cross-contamination because they are baked. Like most places, they have some wheat ingredients, but it is a mindful chain for people with allergies.

Tatte The newly opened Tatte Bakery, also located within Marino, has a long gluten-free menu with some decent options. Most sandwiches on their menu can be substituted with gluten-free bread, and they have a lot of gluten-friendly dessert options as well. You can find an excellent gluten-free brownie here if the ones from the dining halls leave you disappointed. Since it is a bakery that uses regular flour, be aware of the possibility of cross-contamination.

Chipotle Although it’s quite a walk away from campus and does not accept dining dollars, Chipotle (the nearest at 533 Boylston St. in the Fenway area) is one of the best fast food options for people with celiac disease or gluten intolerances. The only thing that contains gluten on their menu is the burrito, so there are plenty of options, from bowls to tacos. In addition, the ordering process is quick, easy, and practically painless. The employees are very good with allergies and will happily change their gloves for you upon request to avoid cross-contamination. The quality of food and allergy awareness are considerably better than the very similar Qdoba on campus, so the walk is definitely worth it.

It is definitely difficult to adhere to a strict diet in a college setting, but with these options on and around campus, life does get a little bit easier!

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LightView Apartments: Northeastern’s Newest Residence WRITTEN BY CHRISTINA PHILIPPIDES Towering above the passers-by of Columbus Avenue is Northeastern University’s newest addition to student housing. The LightView apartments, located across the street from the Badger and Rosen Squashbusters Center, are slated to open in August 2019. The 20-story, 825-bed residence hall will be available exclusively to third-year students and above.

Although still under construction, LightView is raising the bar for student housing. The state-of-theart apartment complex will feature 24-hour concierge service, a cafe, a spacious gym, a game center, multiple study spots for both group and individual work, and even a 90s-inspired room with record players and vinyl. Students will also have access to free wifi and free printing. The building’s interior design will be modern and adorned with contemporary decor.

The apartments appear to be as impressive as the rest of the building. Each apartment option— regardless of what the student selects—will have a living space surrounded with floor-to-ceiling windows, a kitchen with stainless steel appliances and granite countertops, a dining space, bedrooms with generous closets, and in some cases, private bathrooms. The apartments will also come furnished with leather sectional sofas, barstools, TV stands, dressers, and full-sized beds.

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The apartments come with a hefty price tag.

The “economy” or “standard” options that students typically observe in Northeastern housing are unfortunately not offered. Even the “enhanced” rates of West Village and Davenport are considerably cheaper than LightView. To compare West Village and LightView with one another, a private bedroom in West Village is approximately $6,960 per semester—which translates to $1,160 a month—whereas LightView can be upwards of $1,589 per month. However, there is no broker’s fee, which is a fee most students need to consider when leasing their off-campus apartments.

Even though leasing an apartment through LightView is binding, students can break their leases without a fee if they need to go on co-op.

LightView is approved Northeastern housing, not owned and/or operated by Northeastern. This means that LightView will not be part of Northeastern’s oncampus housing lottery. Instead, American Campus Communities, or ACC, will manage the building upon opening. ACC, one of the nation’s largest student housing developer, has developed similar projects across the country. This will be their first project in Boston.

On September 8, members of the Northeastern community were invited to a topping-off ceremony

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featuring live music, Amelia’s Taqueria catering, and a $10,000 scholarship giveaway. Students could tour an apartment model located within the LightView office building. Some students even had the opportunity to sign leases.

“It was cool to finally see what has become of the LightView construction,” said Grant Denmark, a thirdyear cell and molecular biology major who attended the event. “I definitely think the event was a good opportunity to learn more about the apartments.”

Northeastern’s decision to partner with LightView arose from the need for more student housing.

Many students are calling the Lightview apartments “a necessary addition” to Northeastern’s infamous housing crisis. Students continue to be housed in the Midtown Hotel regardless of promises made to increase availability for on-campus housing. Last semester, Northeastern housing claimed that they would not offer the Midtown Hotel as an option in the future, but as many as 80 students continue to live there. Furthermore, many transfer students face similar housing situations. Because they are not guaranteed on-campus housing, transfer students usually resort to off-campus options, some of which are so far away that commuting on the T is unavoidable. As a result, many transfer students feel isolated and out-of-touch with the rest of the student body.

Because of their proximity to campus, the new apartments will allocate more options for students to live on-campus. Students will no longer have to commute 45 minutes on the T from the Commonwealth residence building and no longer have to occupy rooms in the Midtown Hotel; they can have more of an on-campus presence.

However, Pippa White, a second-year English major, has other feelings towards LightView. Lightview’s high housing rates are often at the center of debate, some arguing that the apartments’ price tags are not worth it. Although she agrees that LightView’s convenient location to campus will allow many students to feel connected to Northeastern, she claims that the price tag is a huge trade-off, even for off-campus housing.

“I think the new dorms do nothing to deter me from living off campus next year. Living off campus is just a way more affordable option especially considering you can end up paying half the price of what we now pay for on-campus housing,” said Pippa.

LightView will not only benefit the students at

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Northeastern but also Boston as a whole. According to a Northeastern news article, the new residence hall will allow more families to live in the Roxbury, Mission Hill, Fenway, and South End neighborhoods, where rent is typically expensive. Because many students occupy residence in these areas, rent prices rise, thus precluding affordable housing for others. Boston’s efforts to pull students back to campus are ongoing.

The city plans to create 18,500 new undergraduate student beds by 2030. This would reduce the number of students living off-campus in Boston by 50 percent.

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WRITTEN BY SOFIA CIPRIAN // PHOTOS BY MEREDITH FISHER

“Me-time” is extremely underrated.

The party culture at colleges, including Northeastern, makes us think that we should be going out and doing something exciting every night of the weekend. But taking a night for yourself to relax and have some personal time is crucial and is a great destresser. To start, put your phone away so that you don’t see any Snapchat stories and feel FOMO. Aside from that, use the night as a chance to treat yourself: face masks, Netflix, bake cookies or order in some dessert, and anything else that makes you feel pampered. It’s the perfect chance to recover from a long and stressful week, while not spending money on Ubers by going out.

This is an absolute game changer.

First of all, diffusers are even more worthwhile in college dorms because when you are living in such small shared spaces the scents from the essential oils spread throughout your whole dorm. You can buy as many essential oils as you want and can combine them for different purposes or scents. Personally, before bed, I use lavender and eucalyptus because those are the most calming, but during the day I use a fall mix to make my room match the season. Another plus is that they’re not too expensive, you can find lots of options on Amazon ranging from $15 to $30. All these oils have benefits for your mind and body that can help calm you and make your room feel cozier during stressful evenings.

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This is a time-sensitive one because once it gets too cold, being outside more than necessary becomes unbearable. But, on sunny days try to spend as much time outside as possible and get your Vitamin D fill.

Whether you choose to study, eat lunch or go on a run, appreciating the Boston scenery is always a good calmer. Running outside is especially beneficial because you can exercise and let off steam, while also getting fresh air and getting to know Boston better.

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Just because we are in college and have roommates, does not mean that daily meditation is not feasible.

Thankfully, there are tons of free apps that you can easily download that offer daily meditation sessions and most of them have super quick sessions you can do in the morning before class. Just plug some headphones in and sit in your room with no distractions and give yourself a calm and clearheaded morning. Some good apps to try are “Breathe” or “Calm.”

If you aren’t into meditating, try mindful breathing. One way is 4,7,8 breathing, which means breathe in for 4 seconds, hold the breath for 7 seconds and then breathe out for 8 seconds. Mindful breathing is also a good way to start your day off in a relaxed way.

At least 1 hour per day without your phone is a super easy goal.

If you don’t have the willpower yourself, download an app called “Flora,” where you set a timer for an amount of time without checking your phone. The catch is you can set a dollar amount as a consequence, so if you check your phone during that time that amount of money will be taken out of your bank account! You can use the app without the money component as well. Regardless, giving yourself at least one hour per day without a phone full of constant reminders, text messages, obligations and phone calls can help you to unplug for a little bit and can be better served to spend time with friends or for personal downtime.

Reading is another great way to unplug and let go of the day-today stresses. In particular, positivity books or self-help books are super popular lately and can be more helpful in calming you down during a very busy week. #Girlboss is a super motivating book that talks about the law of attraction and manifesting for your future, both great ideas to learn about and maybe start implementing into your daily routine. Another great book is You are a Badass, a selfhelp book full of stories and advice about creating a life and identity that you love. Any book you can find is a great start, but motivating books can help to cheer up your mood and offer some guidance on making your semester the best it can be.

Being in college gives us so many opportunities to find communities and spaces that feel like home to us, so we should definitely not be letting them go to waste. A lot of the time it seems like we just join clubs that will look good on our resumes, but with so many different clubs on campus, try to get involved in something new and more relaxing that interests you. Whether that means something you know you already love or a club you heard is interesting but never had the guts to try, just do what you can to find more communities that calm you and support you.

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This goes along with the idea of “metime,” but hobbies are something that should be integrated into our weekly schedules! It may be hard to find the time, especially during midterm season, but finding time to do the things we love can make stressful weeks seem less dreary and will give you something to look forward to. Some good places to start: painting, drawing, baking, cooking, exercising. Find something that calms you down or distracts you. This can also be a great activity to take part in with a group of friends; maybe make it a weekend tradition.

Self-care is important. Knowing your limits and giving yourself well deserved breaks is something that we, as college students, could all use a little more practice doing. So, for the rest of the semester, give yourself some breaks and make it a priority to schedule time for yourself and eventually a stressful week might not seem as bad because you’ll have easy ways to calm down and something to look forward to. Even if you don’t follow all of these tips, just make sure to take care of yourself during this busy fall season.

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Your Ultimate

PODCAST GUIDE

WRITTEN BY SOPHIE HARRIS Listening to podcasts is a great way to start, end or break up your day by filling your mind with information or clearing your head and focusing on someone else’s story for a little bit. With the immense variety of podcasts available for free, especially on iPhones, there is likely a podcast out there for you. Whether you are searching for the news, stories or celebrity gossip, we have got you covered.

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The News

Stories

Listening to various news podcasts is a great way to start your day and get information whilst still being able to do other things like eating your breakfast or commuting to work or classes. “The Daily” by the New York Times is a 20-minute podcast that comes out Monday through Friday. It is hosted by political journalist Michael Barbaro; each episode usually covers one current news topic. Another great podcast for getting the news is “The Global News Podcast” created by the BBC. This podcast comes out every day of the week, is usually around 30 minutes long, and is hosted by Alex Ritson. Similar to “The Daily”, it usually covers one topic in detail and then fills in with a couple short stories at the end. A final option for a great news podcast to listen to is called “Today, Explained”. This podcast is also usually around 20 minutes and covers relevant news topics. All three of these podcasts are great, and it really comes down to personal preference on which one you choose to listen to for your daily dose of current events.

“This American Life” is a great hour long podcast that is always a true story, a great choice for those times when you just want to sit back and let your own worries fade away to the sound of someone else’s voice.

The podcast covers a range of different topics from people’s breakups to people switched at birth. Another binge-worthy, story-based podcast is “Serial”, which is actually made by the creators of “This American Life”, however, it is different because the listener follows one story, a true crime story, over the course of one whole season. “Serial” is also narrated largely in part by Sarah Koenig, an American journalist. Each week you can tune in to listen to the next chapter.

Motivation Sometimes you just need a little motivation or someone to inspire you. There are podcasts for that too!

One example is “Lead to Win with Michael Hyatt”.

Hyatt gives advice on his motivational podcast which comes from his years of experience as a CEO of Thomas Nelson Publishers and as a motivational speaker. He shares stories on how to organize your life and become a more successful leader. Another great option is the “Mindvalley Podcast”. This podcast features teachers and thoughtful leaders such as Cameron Herold, Sarah Prout and Ben Greenfield.

They all discuss ideas in the realm of personal growth for the body, mind, spirit, and work.

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Celebrities Pure entertainment given to you by celebrities may be exactly what you are looking for. In that case, a fun podcast to check out is “Pretty Big Deal” with Ashley Graham. The supermodel and body activist invites different guests on each podcast, where they discuss things like culture, beauty, and business. Funny and lighthearted, this is a really enjoyable podcast to check out. Anna Faris’ podcast titled “Anna Faris is Unqualified” is another celebrity podcast option. Her podcast is advice-oriented (despite the name), and she gives us a new and fresh take on life’s problems.

Hopefully, these podcasts are a good starting base for you and your podcast journey. There are so many options and it almost feels as if there is an unlimited variety of podcasts to listen to, you just have to find what works for you!

MEDIA & CULTURE

The Problem with Kanye WRITTEN BY HANNAH WONG

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MEDIA & CULTURE Eight years ago, Kanye West released “POWER.” The single made Time Magazine’s list of top ten songs for 2010. Critics celebrated it as “classic Kanye”--dark, cocky, and bold. Despite his 2008 controversy with Taylor Swift at MTV’s Video Music Awards, West was thriving in the eyes of his fans and the general public and was a force to be reckoned with.

Fast forward to 2018, less than a decade later, and Kanye is still a force to be reckoned with, but a much different kind. He is the Trump-supporting, MAGA hat-donning kind. The kind that supports alleged abusers in their careers (he collaborated with 6ix9ine and XXXtentacion, two breakout rappers accused of sexual crimes and domestic assault, respectively).

The kind that believes slavery is a choice.

Anyone who follows West’s Twitter, listens to his controversial album, or watched him dance in a Perrier sparkling water costume during Saturday Night Live is likely asking, “What happened?”

The artist has never been one to conform, whether that be in terms of his genre, style, or creative process.

We’re talking about the man who repeatedly refers to himself as God and who passed off biker shorts as high fashion. His standards and choices tend to make observers do a double-take when compared to those of his celebrity contemporaries.

In the past, the public has been willing to pass these quirks off as the workings of an artist. The public saw West as edgy and as a standout in a genre where lyrics are the same and rappers cast a similar shadow. We dismissed and even defended his oddities; he is, after all, a creative. It’s his job to put thoughts and ideas into the sphere that weren’t there before.

Some have even equated West’s antics with those of a visionary. In an interview earlier this year, Chance the Rapper expressed that West “thinks about himself like 300 years in the future...and figures himself as trying to create a bigger blip on the long timeline.” In the mind of Chance, West’s behavior wasn’t erratic but revolutionary, implictive of some greater perspective that we can’t currently understand.

But the shenanigans of the past year are strange even for West. Once lauded for his commentary on institutions (take lyrics like, “Face it, Jerome get more time than Brandon/ And at the airport they check all through my bag/ And tell me that it’s random,” for example) and his defense of his race, he now finds himself with a reputation that will likely last longer than any of his bizarre and fleeting phases: the bad guy. He transitioned from saying that “George Bush doesn’t care about black people” to stating that slavery was a choice and the results could very well be devastating for his career.

West has alienated himself from nearly every sector of the public: the white Taylor Swift supporters;

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the minorities facing more fear and marginalization than ever in the aftermath of Trump’s election; the victims of sexual assault who resent the problematic Soundcloud hypebeasts currently en Vogue; even the would-be fans counting on their favorite rapper to focus on music production rather than cultural pot-stirring. With all these people turning away from West, who is left to support his career as a rapper?

Soon, not only will the public be deaf to his ranting but they will be deaf to his music as well.

Maybe a celebrity of a lower caliber could fly under the radar with behaviors like West’s. Maybe a lesser-known artist could cause similar controversy and still keep a grip on their fame and fanbase. But West is high-profile. Much like our Commander-in-Chief, West is easy to dislike because he is extremely public with his opinions and quick to bash anyone who disagrees with them. With over 28 million followers on Twitter and an undeniable presence in pop culture (due in part to his links with the Kardashian family), he is a distinctly visible target for commentary- and both celebrities and non-celebrities alike have been firing away as of late.

Comedian Pete Davidson performed a sketch about West’s political ramblings on SNL’s Weekend Update. Actor Chris Evans heavily criticized the rapper on Twitter while singer Lana Del Rey called Kanye a narcissist with “delusions of grandeur” on Instagram.

They join a long line of figures who have either negatively addressed West’s actions or unfollowed him on social media over the past year, including Stephen Colbert, Kobe Bryant, Snoop Dogg, Kevin Hart, and John Legend. Even Chance the Rapper, though he is currently working on a musical project with West called Good Ass Job, recently conceded that, “we have to work with Kanye on doing a good ass job on himself. And just like understanding the mechanics of everything that he may not understand.”

These are stars that people idolize and with Hollywood making West out as the villain, it is all the more easy for the general public to do the same.

The Kanye West following is shrinking. Fewer and fewer people see him as the man who revolutionized rap in the early 2000’s while more and more see him as a misguided or even mentally unsound individual abusing his platform to gain attention. There’s a Kanye problem, and if the rapper doesn’t make some serious shifts in his perspective and behavior soon, he risks destroying the musical legacy he has built for over a decade.

Or, in the words of Pete Davidson: make Kanye 2006 again.

COVER STORY

STREET ART ADDS A POP OF COLOR TO BOSTON WRITTEN AND PHOTOGRAPHED BY HANNAH GALLAGHER

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COVER STORY

A dinosaur marching through Behrakis, a mosaic adding a pop of color to the otherwise dreary Columbus garage, an optical illusion above the infamous Punter’s Pub. All these murals and more are popping up around Northeastern, making our days a little brighter and the campus even more beautiful. Boston is known for its classic brick neighborhoods and cobblestone streets but in a recent movement, artists are adding new dimensions to Boston’s classical look.

Whether it’s something humorous, deep and meaningful, or just a simple design, street art has an important place in our lives and creates a new beauty in the cement jungle we live in. Art is a way for a city or community to express how they feel about current social and political issues which is easy to feel strongly about in today’s world.

You don’t have to go far from your dorm to find some gorgeous artwork. It’s easy to see while walking around. The newest piece is an illusion of tunnels across from West Village painted by French street artist Astro. President Aoun continues to surprise us with his Public Art Initiative and the unique designs that cover the campus.

“It’s like sculpture, but not,” Astro said. “It’s a way of drawing attention to a space that people would normally just pass right by.” This interesting illusion shows Astro’s distinct style and gives another international aspect to Northeastern’s global focused campus.

Another addition to this ever-growing art collection is the bright mural created by Silvia Chavez Lopez, which can be seen painted on the 300-foot wall between Ruggles and Ryder Hall. As a Latina immigrant, Lopez wanted to include the surrounding neigh-

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borhoods when painting this gorgeous mural so she worked with community art leaders from Northeastern’s area and together, they created a design to stand out on campus. Chavez said that the mural, which is called “999 Cranes,” “explores the intellectual and emotional narratives of joy, struggle, acceptance, and assimilation, as well as the change and growth that affects daily life.” Northeastern has established itself as a haven for international students and those of all different backgrounds, so this mural fits well in the environment the university strives to create.

The collection of other art around campus continues to evolve and create a reputation for Northeastern as a bright spot in Boston. Roxbury, one of four neighborhoods touching Northeastern’s campus, has embraced the new street art trend, using it as a way to to express history, oppression, and struggle as a historically oppressed, predominantly African-American community.

One great example is the Roxbury Love piece which commemorates Nelson Mandela’s visit to the city in 1990. It is a great political piece that shows the African-American community’s connection to the icon and the respect that the people of this area have for someone who fights for their rights. Art is a meaningful, emotion-prodding part of our everyday lives and should be noticed, especially on Northeastern’s special, art-filled campus. Wandering around will lead you to pieces of art you would never find otherwise and make the city even more exciting. Other neighborhoods like the North End, Beacon Hill, and Back Bay all have their own style and add another layer to the great city we live in.

MEDIA & CULTURE

QUICK GUIDE TO TINDER WRITTEN BY DAANA MASUMI // ILLUSTRATIONS BY EMILY CULLITAN

Tinder is currently one of the leading dating apps with an estimated 50 million users. It allows users to create new connections with the community around them that would’ve been impossible otherwise. Tinder is empowering but can also be frightening if not used correctly. Wondering where to begin? This guide will not only make sure you use Tinder to your benefit, but will also help you stay safe while doing so.

Tinder is unique because you can choose whom you want to interact with. You can increase your chances for finding your ideal partner by narrowing your preferences for their gender, age range, distance from your location, etc. Tinder is simple to navigate. You swipe right if you like a person’s profile and vice versa.

If two people swipe right on each other then they will match. Once you’re matched with someone, you can directly message and get to know them. Messaging your matches will increase your likelihood of going on dates and hanging out. If you realize that you’re not interested after you matched with them, fear not, because there is always the option of removing them from your match list.

Profile is key: your picture and biography are important because that’s all other users see before making a snap judgement to swipe right or left. You can add up to 10 photos on your profile and choose the order that they’re displayed in. The first picture should be a high-quality picture of you that captures what you really look like. Photos with friends should be limited to a couple because peoples are going to have a hard time determining which one is you.

Your bio can make or break the swipe. A bad bio can turn people off and make them change their mind

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MEDIA & CULTURE

A good bio might look like...

“First thing I’m going to notice about you is your eyes and smile, just saying.”

“My name is (name), I love meeting new people and I’m a huge fan of...”

A bad bio might look like...

“Hi, I’m smart, rich and funny.”

to swipe left instantly. There have been situations where someone is about to swipe right based on pictures, but a quick glance at the bio made them change their mind. A good bio is cute and quirky with a touch of humor. If you don’t know what to write, it’s okay to keep your bio blank.

Your bio should show through examples instead of tell. There are some extra features on Tinder including the “super like” and upgrading to Tinder Plus and Tinder Gold. Users get one “super like” daily, which they get to use on someone they are highly interested in.

That person will see that you have “super liked” them, bringing more attention to your profile and making it more likely for them to swipe right.

With Tinder Plus at $9.99 a month, you can rewind to your previous swipe, get five daily “super likes,” and swipe on users in overseas locations. Tinder Gold is $14.99 a month and includes all the Tinder Plus features with the perk of being able to see who liked you. With this feature, your pending matches are basically being brought to you on a platter.

Tinder may almost feel like a game at times, but people have started long-term relationships and marriages after meeting on the app. It is important to keep in mind that you are interacting

with real people which can come with possible dangers. Although Tinder is mostly safe, with the majority of users possessing similar, non-harmful intentions, there are still a number of catfishers and stalkers.

Don’t give out personal information right away; Giving away personal information to the wrong people can compromise your safety. Check their social media and/or video call them to ensure that they are someone you want to encounter before taking the leap to meet them in real life. Unfortunately, there have been one or two Tinder murders in the past, so always think twice about your actions and be alert with who you are interacting with. Check out some of the stories here.

Making the jump from the cyber world to the real world can be a slippery slope. If used cautiously, Tinder is a great way to meet people around you and expand your network. It’s a great confidence booster.

Just follow the tips above and get to swiping.

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LIFESTYLE

WRITTEN BY TAYLOR DRISCOLL // PHOTOS BY MEREDITH FISHER Kouk Sun Do, a form of Korean yoga that promotes physical and mental fitness, is a practice Professor Marc Meyer introduced to Northeastern this year. Meyer believes that Konk Sun Do is more peaceful than Asian martial arts. “It is seeing what Asian martial art is like without seeing an aggressive form of that culture, not Tae Kwon Do but Kouk Sun Do,” said Meyer.

After all the hype, I decided to give Konk Sun Do a try. I attended a class that focused just on the meditation portion, Haeng Gong. I felt an intense relaxation that calmed me — an uncommon experience as a third year student in college. Meyer emphasized the importance of a clear mind in the process of meditation. Focusing solely on breathing, especially breathing from your core, is essential. “It’s controlled breathing, meditative breathing, inner peace; setting aside all the business of the world and really getting back to yourself,” said Meyer. “Getting back to an unbusy mind.”

The class was broken into four main parts. The introductory part to the course gave a historical background on Kouk Sun Do and why Meyer decided to bring these practices to Northeastern. The initial

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warm-up part was light stretching and exercise, and the meditation part was followed by a spiritual dance that honed in on the powers we can find within ourselves.

“You are one with the Universe.” said Meyers.

Kouk Sun Do is centered on the idea that we can be fully connected to our world in a peaceful manner and when we leave this meditation, we bring these ideas about unity and peace into our real world to share with others. “There is very much of a spiritual side to [Kouk Sun Do], which is your connection to the universe,” said Meyer about the mediation aspect, “it is very relevant to religious and non-religious people.”

The meditations that come from Kouk Sun Do can be simple or complex in nature. The art of breathing really comes into play when meditating. In this class, we focused on two ways of breathing: head breathing and core breathing. For head breathing, we focused on our mind and the way the air flowed through our nostrils and out through our mouths — even placing our hands on our foreheads to mimic the breathing pattern. For core breathing, we focused on how the diaphragm moved up and down and how the core inflated and deflated with the flow of the air. Both ways were calming, but core breathing took energy to really change the way one thinks about breathing.

Not only does Kouk Sun Do have properties that help with mental and physical relaxation and meditation, but it also has many health benefits as well.

During the class, we focused our attention to different pressure points that help relieve different organs and parts of the body from physical distress. For instance, a pressure point in the middle of your foot may help with relieving your kidneys from any uncomfort. Meyer says that it works in a way similar to acupuncture by using these different pressure points to help with the health and soundness of your body.

The form of Kouk Sun Do other students and I were introduced to is not the traditional practice that can be

LIFESTYLE

found in Korea; Meyer was actually asked to modify this traditional practice for Western Culture. “The Korean culture of Kouk Sun Do is lights off; [you] follow the black belt instructor and sort of get [the hang of] it over time,” said Meyer. “This instruction is different: Lights on, broken down step-by-step, with talk[ing] and interact[ion]. In a way, [we] learn together.”

As part of the introduction to Northeastern, Meyer has parted from the traditional ways of Kouk Sun Do to give a class that has more meaning to Western culture and younger people. “You usually learn sets of 25 all leading to different degrees with different types of belts,” said Meyers. “We decided to break them up into sets of 10 and teach them step-by-step and explain what is going on in each posture, what the breathing

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is like, what the emphasis is on the body.” Meyer also changed the music from being solely traditional Korean music to incorporating more contemporary genres and styles to make the physical part of Kouk Sun Do more energizing. Finally, Meyer instructs in a more indepth way than traditional instructors would. He wants this to be an encouraging and open session where everyone will learn together.

Although the session was an hour and a half long, Meyer encouraged all of the students to come back for another session to gain more knowledge about the powers of Kouk Sun Do. “We are not [necessarily] thinking of touching thousands of people, but hundreds of people deeply,” said Meyer. “[We want to] give them something they will enjoy the rest of their lives.”

LIFESTYLE

Designing For Change:

Our Role in Sustainable Fashion WRITTEN BY KRISSY KILGALLEN // PHOTOS BY MEREDITH FISHER

The guilt that follows most arduous shopping sprees is typically unrelated to mounting concerns about climate change. It’s not until we feel the impact spending has on our wallets that we may take a minute to rethink our habits.

As consumers in the leading capitalist country in the world, we are constantly being convinced by a need to shop. Whether it be for the holidays, a new season, or just a bad day, shopping is nothing short of an addiction — one that is fed by our invasive and persistent markets. Sure, one day of splurging is not ecoterrorism, but the way our consumer culture and the fashion industry has been designed is.

Why is it that when we think of the waste we produce, we only think of our wrappers from lunch?

Everything we buy as consumers will one day end up as trash if not carefully disposed or thoughtfully taken care of — including our

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clothing. Further, the problem doesn’t just lie in how we dispose of our clothing but is ingrained in the process from which clothes are made in the first place. A new buzzword trending in the fashion industry is “eco-fashion,” coined by its philosophy of reducing the negative human impact on the earth and attempts to adopt practices that can be used indefinitely.

We rarely think about how our consumer behavior also plays a role in this movement; we can actually be a catalyst for the kinds of sustainable efforts necessary for large corporations and textile manufacturers. Although drastic changes are required in order to induce a real change in the market, we can all start small by adopting sustainable choices and habits in our everyday lives.

One habit that may be the most difficult to break is the mindless shopping we do without knowing

LIFESTYLE the source of the material or the conditions under which the product was made. Each fabric and process has different pros and cons in regards to the toxicity of the dyes, the overproduction and subsequent short lifespan of cheap materials, and how the materials actually break down in the environment after we are done using them. However, trying to find clothes in the right color and the right size is hard enough, let alone trying to check the tiny labels on the inner sleeve that share the actual materials from which the item is made. Thus, the bigger concern to address before this type of widespread reform can occur is our regular overconsumption of large sums of clothing from cheap, mass-produced, online textile companies. These companies are using and selling excess amounts of fabrics like rayon viscose, a derivative of an endangered species, the wicker tree. The tree is being depleted in the most species-diverse part of the world, the tropical rainforest. This plays into the classic phrase, “reduce, reuse, and recycle.”

Reducing our consumption is the first and easiest step any consumer can make when trying to have a more sustainable and eco-friendly wardrobe. Boycotting is simply not an option because, well, we need clothes — but just a simple reduction in our spending and a conscious effort to support companies who adopt sustainable practices, such as H&M, Nike, Levi’s, and Adidas, can help to push corporations to make the big changes needed.

Recycling old fabric is also an easy way to combat mass production of clothes, and is easier than most people think. The blue bins and large cans we see around campus don’t necessarily accept fabric but, if your clothing happens to be 100% cotton, then you can drop them right in the compost bins located in the dining halls. We often forget cotton is a plant and is biodegradable, so although surrounding lunch-goers may offer you some confused looks, go ahead and drop those t-shirts in. There also are many recycling locators available online for clothes that are too ratty and old to reuse. I suggest compiling a bin of excess clothes once a quarter.

Reusing and repurposing your old clothes or sharing with friends

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is another great way to practice sustainable clothing habits. Getting together with friends and hosting a big clothing swap is a fun, costfree way to satisfy your shopping fix without shoving another hundred dollars down the drain. You can also counteract your most recent spree by putting up some old clothes for resale, or simply by donating clothes that will be better used elsewhere. Thrift stores are a great place to start when deciding if your clothes are worth trying to sell or possibly reuse.

There are plenty of more effective, but more limiting ways to adopt sustainable practices in our wardrobes; but, if we think creatively about ways we can realistically put our old clothing to use, that can be enough to make a significant difference in the way our society operates. Instead of constantly throwing away the old and consuming the new, we should begin to think about how we can revamp the old, use it for something new, and support companies that are already taking steps towards creating lasting reform.

LIFESTYLE

declassified

WRITTEN BY FERNANDA HURTADO // PHOTOS BY MEREDITH FISHER #Plantgoals is a popularly sought after aesthetic when it comes to interior design, as it can make any home insta-worthy — even our very own Stetson dorms.

Beyond visual decorations, owning indoor plants can also have physical and mental benefits.

According to HGTV.com, the official Home and Garden TV blog, owning plants can help reduce stress, create a feeling of well-being, improve air quality, absorb background noise, and help you focus better. If that is not enough to sway you, plants can also create a

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much-needed escape when the weather is particularly unpleasant.

I get it — not everyone has a green thumb or the time to take care of a plant. Surprisingly, there are many factors that need to be taken into account before choosing to buy a plant, such as the amount of available light and how much maintenance it requires.

Luckily for you, I’ve thought of these things so you don’t have to.

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Low-light and low maintenance: Philodendrons, Pothos, and ZZ plants are great options for college students who want leafy greenery without too much responsibility. These plants tend to thrive in areas of your home that are darker for the most part of the day; for example, on shelves, on desks away from the windows, or on elevated stands in the corner.

Low-light, high maintenance: With their iconic spores and frilly leaves, Ferns will beautify any dark corner or side table. They require more care and attention, but are worth the hassle when flourishing.

Signs of an unhappy Fern are crinkly, wilted leaves and rot damage — both correlate to how the plant is being watered. Rot damage is a result of over watering and can lead to molding in the roots of your plant. This isn’t exclusive to Ferns so be wary of overwatering with any plants. Ferns thrive in humidity, so spritz the leaves of your Fern with a spray bottle every other day or use the plant to decorate your bathroom where the steam from your shower can give it all kinds of humid feels.

Medium-light, medium maintenance: Monstera, Chinese Money Plants, and Money Trees are unique additions to your apartment decor that don’t require excessive maintenance. They only need watering once a week or when their soil feels completely dry. These beauties are sure to make your home the popular hang out spot, but contrary to their name, money does not grow on these trees.

High-light, low maintenance: Any plant in the Succulent and Cacti families is an obvious choice for a dorm plant, for their desert origins allow them to survive with little-to-no water. Both Aloe Vera and Snake Plants offer greenery with added benefits: Aloe plants produce harvestable aloe vera gel and Snake Plants purify toxins in the air.

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The best places to shop for plants within a student budget are Central Square Florist in Cambridge and Mahoney’s Garden in Allston. Both offer a wide variety of affordable and attractive plants. Niche in the South End and Fern on Massachusetts Avenue are closer to campus but their price tag is much steeper.

Sturdy pots and soil can be bought for a low price at Economy True Value, the hardware store on Massachusetts Avenue; remember, soil is a plant’s food, so repotting a plant can also be a defining factor for a plant’s survival. Another key to your plant’s survival is how much you water it. A good rule of thumb when watering is to wait until the soil is no longer damp from its last watering, as too much water can lead to root rot. Remember, an unhappy plant makes for an unhappy home.

Like people, each plant differs in how much attention it requires — some are needier than others. So, find a plant with qualities that best align with your commitment-level and schedule. Also, figure out what kind of light your dorm or apartment has to offer your potential plant. With this list you will be able to find the perfect plant that suits your space and style so you, too, can bask in the glory of your own indoor jungle.

LIFESTYLE

Underrated Spots on Campus WRITTEN BY MALATHI REDDY // PHOTOS BY JUSTINE NEWMAN

Are you in a rut of hitting up the same old places on campus? Time to try something new — Northeastern is full of overlooked treasures. Whether you’re looking for a quiet place to study or somewhere to grab a bite with friends, this list has everything you need to explore the hidden gems on and around campus.

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LIFESTYLE

To Study: Law library — When Snell is too packed and you need more space to focus, head to the Law Library, open to all Northeastern students regardless of major.

Afterhours — Music venue by night, but coffee shop by day. The Afterhours club is a cozy café right inside Curry Student Center where you can finish up an assignment and fuel up with caffeine in between classes.

Koi Pond and Curry Sculpture Yard — If you ever need a space to find some zen before grinding out a paper, the koi pond right outside the Curry Student Center is the best place to go. The gentle, rushing water will stimulate your brain flow and the beautiful art pieces may help draw some inspiration.

To Eat: Stetson West Dining Hall — Ah, the dining hall we all tend to overlook: Stetson West. Next time you’re craving some Asian flavors, give stwest a shot for some freshly made stir fry!

Café Crossing — When you still have meal swipes left at the end of the week and the Outtakes line is out the door, head to Café Crossing, where you can get one of their signature sandwiches, salad, or grain bowls, or make your own! You can use up to three meal swipes per day.

Gyroscope — To satisfy all your Mediterranean cravings, head to Gyroscope on Huntington Ave. for a scrumptious pita wrap filled with all your favorite fillings. If you’re in a rush, grab take-out. Don’t want to leave your dorm? Order delivery.

Sprout — If you’re attempting a healthier lifestyle, try a salad from Sprout on Huntington Ave. Sprout uses only fresh and locally sourced food, so you can eat healthy while supporting Massachusetts farmers.

Boston Shawarma — Boston Shawarma has remained an incredible, quality fast food option through the years. Known for its shawarma, this restaurant is a great alternative to Amelia’s when their line is trailing out the door.

Kung Fu Tea — Bubble tea is all the rage, and this restaurant is here to satiate all your boba needs. Grab a cup on your way to the Prudential Center or enjoy a relaxing evening of hanging out with friends in the adorably decorated restaurant.

To Hang Out: Back Bay Fens — Fall is the perfect time to explore the outdoors or work in a quick workout as the leaves change colors and the air is crisp. The Back Bay Fens has many walking trails for casual exercise as well as fields and courts for some healthy competition with friends.

Museum of Fine Arts — This museum is home to a wide collection of

Pho Basil — This Vietnamese/Thai restaurant on Mass Ave. is the perfect, cheap place to grab a delicious bowl of pho and unwind with friends after a long week of classes.

Mumbai Spice — Enjoy a wide variety of classic Indian dishes that are sure to put a smile on your face.

Not willing to brave a winter chill to trek to Mass Ave.? They can deliver right to your door.

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beautiful exhibits — notably, from Sept. 22 to Jan. 6, the MFA will feature a Winnie the Pooh exhibit. Not only is the MFA free to all Northeastern students, but it is a fun place to explore and get lost within.

Speare front yard — While the weather is still nice, take a breather between classes and relax at Speare Hall’s front yard. Owners often bring their dogs by to play fetch, and nothing is sure to lift your spirits faster than watching a fluffy dog run around.

To Photograph: Northeastern’s campus is absolutely stunning, and much of that beauty is attributed to the public art and stunning architecture of the buildings here. If you’re ever feeling the need for a photoshoot or want to up your Instagram game, here are some locations that make the perfect backdrop: “Ars et Scientia” mural on Meserve Hall, “100 Years of Solitude” mural on the ramp to Columbus Parking Garage, “999 Cranes” mural on Ruggles Station wall next to Ryder Hall, “A World Of Innocent Discovery” mural on Behrakis Health Sciences Center, “In Person” mural in lobby of Ryder Hall, Latino Cultural Center mural, ISEC spiral staircase

FOCUS

MAJOR DIVIDE WRITTEN BY HANNAH WONG // PHOTOS BY NADIA NAEEM

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FOCUS Northeastern has eight colleges and more than 175 majors. Students are encouraged to pioneer their own academic path, to find the subject they are passionate about, and to support their peers in this process.

Northeastern fosters an environment of collaboration and mutual understanding in education.

On paper, printed in prospective student packets and posted on Northeastern webpages, these things are true. Northeastern is set up to be a school where every interest is embraced and where every pursuit is respected.

But when it comes to majors and colleges, students face a very different reality than the one they were sold as incoming freshmen. An undeniable divide exists: the split between STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) and liberal arts majors.

The archetypes are well-known. Engineers, doctors, coders, and the like have their nose buried in research and their eyes on a stable and lucrative career. Those pursuing more creative paths, meanwhile, are so stuck in the romanticism and idealism of their fields they fail to notice they’re spiraling toward a jobless future.

These descriptions are generic and dated. They are egregious stereotypes that discredit aspects of both types of students. Yet they still pervade Northeastern, as well as many universities, workplaces, and other institutions across the country.

I saw the divide firsthand when I arrived on campus this fall. My roommate and I navigated our way through the circuit of first-year mixers and interactions with our new classmates. Inevitably, their first questions would tend to be, “What’s your name?” and “What are you studying?”

For my roommate, the interaction was seamless.

She’d answer with “chemical engineering,” receive an amiable nod, and just like that, she was accepted. She was in.

But my answer garnered a different reaction.

When I said “communication studies,” I got a strange look that I couldn’t place. Was it confusion? Was it pity?

Was it mild disinterest?

Enrollment in the College of Arts, Media, and Design (CAMD) is dwarfed by the enrollment numbers of the College of Engineering or the College of Computer and Information Science. Statistically speaking, one is more likely to encounter an engineer on this campus than a Game Design major or Journalism major. So unfamiliarity with my field of study — or any of the liberal arts — isn’t unwarranted.

There is, however, a difference between unfamiliarity and hostility. In the days following those first on-campus interactions, I experienced a lot of the latter.

It is now a normal part of my day to have peers tease, patronize, or downright harass me about my

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chosen major. They tell me the time and money I’m putting toward a degree is going to waste. They tell me my curriculum is simplistic, that my contribution to society will be insignificant. The stereotypes I thought were obsolete in 2018 follow me to the majority of exchanges I have, especially being in the Honors Program, where CAMD students are few and far between.

My art-oriented contemporaries and I aren’t guiltless when it comes to perpetuation of this cultural barrier. I know I still harbor a few generalizations about STEM majors. I have to admit, I was surprised to find that one of my hallmates enjoyed baking just as much as he enjoyed Discrete Structures. I have to double-check myself before assuming that dedicated math majors can’t also be musicians and artists.

So why is no one talking about this divide? In a university with open dialogues about gender, race, ethnicity, religion, and all the forces that shape our perception of one another, why is no one pointing out the

“Why is no one pointing out the rift that exists in the space between Snell Engineering and Ryder Hall?” rift that exists in the space between Snell Engineering and Ryder Hall? It’s a problem that can be fixed much more easily than those like racial or gender stereotyping. Awareness about the inherent value of every major, whether it be STEM, liberal arts or somewhere in the middle, is very close to being common sense.

In a society where careers anchored in math and science reap higher salaries and more respect than ones anchored in the humanities, in a landscape that devalues creative pursuit, our school could be the one to stand up and stand out. It could be as simple as programming events that encourage interaction between majors. It could be as impactful as tackling the income gap between engineering or computer science co-ops and co-ops in media production or journalism.

Northeastern markets itself as a university that values diversity of interest and diversity of talent. It’s supposed to be a community of students that use their differences as strengths, that aspire to innovate, and that revolutionize as a united front.

Let’s make that a reality. Let’s not be a house divided.

FOCUS

THE

TRUTH ABOUT COOP WRITTEN BY ADRIANA NEIMEYER // PHOTOS BY JUSTINE NEWMAN

The most notable part of being a student at Northeastern is the co-op program. In the midst of the co-op experience, whether writing applications, interviewing, or working — you might feel overwhelmed by it all. It’s important to remember that through the highs and lows of the co-op process, thousands of people at Northeastern have successfully completed and loved the co-op experience. Students and professors were anonymously interviewed about their honest thoughts and had a lot to say about the benefits and downfalls of co-op. I gathered the best tips and tricks I’ve heard about preparing for all the aspects of the co-op search.

The most important piece of advice: relax and trust the process.

TIPS AND TRICKS FOR YOUR CO-OP SEARCH Research the company you’re applying or interviewing for. Further, social media says a lot about company culture; be sure to follow the company on LinkedIn and/or any of their other social media platforms.

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Though it may seem unimportant at first, I was told that a company who had a lot of applicants made their final decision based off of the one person who was following their company on LinkedIn. For even better preparation, make a list of good questions to ask your interviewers and remember to take deep breaths throughout the interview if you’re very nervous.

Keep a record of all the jobs you’ve applied to and the status of each application. It helps to keep track of everything, not just to stay organized but also to see how much progress you’ve made in the search for the job you really want. You also might also consider making a list of five dream jobs to give yourself a goal. If you’re still feeling overwhelmed, remember that the Northeastern co-op advisers are on campus to help you. Be sure to lean on your adviser for support, guidance, or just someone to talk to about how you’re feeling about the process.

Self-care is extremely important during your coop search, as this can be a stressful time for many

FOCUS

students. It seems obvious, but getting a good night’s rest before an interview is always a way to better prepare yourself and calm your nerves. It’s the little things that can go a long way. For example, have a breath mint a few minutes before the interview.

Essential oils are the best way to beat stress naturally.

The perfect aromatherapy co-op starter kit would include a diffuser along with lavender and peppermint essential oils. The night before your interview, plug in the diffuser and add a few drops of lavender oil.

Lavender has calming properties which can improve your sleep, sharpen concentration, and ease anxiety.

On the day of your interview, if you have time beforehand you should diffuse your peppermint oil. If you don’t have time to diffuse the oil, you can put a drop of peppermint oil under your nose before your interview. Just like lavender, peppermint oil can help ease anxiety and sharpen concentration but won’t make you drowsy. Lastly, drink plenty of water; it is especially important to stay hydrated in the days leading up to and the day of your interview.

ANONYMOUS STUDENTS’ THOUGHTS ABOUT CO-OP “Co-op is a great system to have in place because it allows students to go pursue jobs in whatever field they’re interested in. However, to really extract the value of co-op, students need to be hungry for opportunity and use prior work experience to leverage getting the best possible jobs they can. The general jobs available on NUCareers don’t pay that well and aren’t that beneficial for your career.”

“The reason I came to Northeastern was for the co-op program but honestly it’s not all it’s been cracked up to be in my experience. Granted, I haven’t been on coop yet but it’s just a lot more work than I imagined it to be andhaving to search for jobs while in classes is extremely overwhelming.”

“I feel like I’m in a constant battle between classes or co-op applications and interviews. It’s been really hard to find a balance.”

“I love co-op so much, [but] it does make coming back to campus and taking classes a lot harder because you just get so used to the 9 to 5 workday. It’s amazing how much free time you have when you’re in classes.”

“If you talk with your advisers only when it’s required to meet with them it won’t feel like you’re getting that much help. It’s really helpful if you meet with your co-op adviser as much as you can throughout your search.”

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Based off these student accounts, the vast majority of students can agree that the co-op program sets Northeastern apart from other schools and offers them unique experiences. However, co-op isn’t always rainbows and butterflies. It is supposed to expose you to the workforce and educate you on your desired line of work. After all, it is experiential learning, so don’t be afraid to do something new and learn from all the things you like or even dislike while on co-op.

ANONYMOUS PROFESSORS’ THOUGHTS ABOUT CO-OP “Students have to go to interviews, meet with co-op advisers, and we kind of lose them [as the year continues] …. Their heads are out [of] the classroom. They might have to travel to places to search for housing and miss class. Then, they leave for six months and they’re out of the classroom so they’re distanced from us. Then when they come back, they’re rusty ... when they’re asked to sit and read copious amounts of information. Professors have to cope with these things and figure out how to understand [these]things.”

“In general, the co-op experience seems very positive, but the one issue is when they transition back to school. They seem to really struggle when they’re in class. I think there should be some sort of support system in place to help students transition since working and going to classes are very different.”

“By [and] large, students have wonderful things to say about co-op and I know it’s a major reason students choose Northeastern. One minor drawback is that students are frequently missing classes for interviews.

However, it’s a small downside to what seems like a great opportunity.”

The majority of professors would agree that coop is a valuable opportunity for students. However, it seems there was a general consensus that co-op tends to interfere with academics. If you find yourself overwhelmed by the co-op search, interviews, adviser meetings, and other responsibilities which may draw your attention away from classes — talk with your professors and your co-op adviser to find a healthy balance between the two.

Finding the perfect co-op can sometimes feel like a never-ending battle, but you are never alone.

Talk with your advisers, professors, friends, and family about everything you’re going through. Co-op doesn’t have to be stressful, if you don’t want it to be!

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Northeastern to Bridge the WRITTEN BY LUCY MURREY // PHOTOS BY NADIA NAEEM

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Not many universities can say that a public transit system is a truly integral part of their campus. Yet, as any Northeastern student knows, Ruggles MBTA station is the official (unofficial) unifying passageway between NU’s Fenway and Roxbury sections of campus — that and the Columbus garage, a building that acts more regularly as a storied, mazing walkway than it does a parking lot. Though traversing the T station on the way to class certainly demonstrates a kind of sought-after urban integration, the reality of its sights and smells is hard to romanticize.

“I really like how we have a condensed campus,” said second year health science and business major Amanda Hynes. “It feels like a campus within a city, which is why I came here instead of somewhere like BU.” That being said, Hynes pointed out that “it is kind of hard to get over to the [Columbus] side of campus.”

Hynes’ perspective is widely held among Northeastern students. Though Northeastern may have a more well-defined campus than some of its neighboring schools, here, “like everywhere else in the world, there’s room for improvement,” noted Travis Flynn, a fifth year economics student.

Well, Huskies, there’s good news. The dramatic events of Sunday, Oct. 14 have brought us a couple of (hundred) steps closer to a cohesive campus and away from our awkward commutes. Northeastern’s new 132-foot-long pedestrian walkway is set to bridge the gap between the Fenway and Roxbury parts of campus.

Early that Sunday morning, students, staff, and construction workers alike spectated the dramatic landing of a 242,000-pound stretch of orange steel above the five MBTA tracks that once divided Northeastern’s campus. Viewers, like fourth year civil engineering and economics major Michael Tormey, watched in awe as one of the largest cranes on the East Coast conducted an aerial dance of hoisting, hovering, and hemming the largest section of the bridge to bring together either side of campus.

“I knew I had to come out to see [the installation], being a construction nerd who’s casually followed this project that’s been going on throughout my entire time at Northeastern,” said Tormey. “There were so many more people than I expected there to be for an event like watching a steel bridge get dropped into place at 1 a.m. on a Saturday night.”

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This long-awaited development will ultimately bring a tangible cohesion to NU’s urban campus that currently sprawls between two neighborhoods and multiple rail lines.

“Right now, it’s a weird divide,” said Flynn. “There are so many things on [the Huntington] side of campus that the ‘Ruggles split’ makes [the separation] so obvious — it’s polarizing.”

Like its continued installment, the bridge itself was no simple feat.

“When I first saw the mockups of the bridge design, I was a little skeptical that it would fit into campus or that it would even be nice looking,” Tormey said.

“But, after understanding all of the thought and engineering that went into this incredible structure and seeing it in person, physically lifted into place, I can now appreciate how impressive this bridge is.”

An asymmetric construction made to emulate organic movement, like the flow of a stream, the bridge displays thoughtful, artistic, and conceptual architecture. Although this winding, weathering steel structure may appear effortless, its construction is actually the result of specific constraints imposed by rail authorities.

“It’s really hard, in an urban environment, to have that kind of freedom” necessary to make the structural changes that students want to see, Flynn said. According to Bob Shaeffner of Payette, the principal firm to imagine the ISEC bridge, structural engineers had to navigate a number of logistical factors while also demonstrating respect to overall aesthetic quality, pedestrian experience, and preferred views.

“I see this bridge project as yet another example of Northeastern shaping and reshaping its space,” Tormey noted. “I also think, from a larger perspective, these train tracks physically separate two neighborhoods of Boston…the more we connect them, the better.”

While a sight in itself, the bridge’s fanned walls will allow for some impressive glimpses of the city.

Bridging the divide between two hearts of campus, transforming the relationship between Fenway and Roxbury, Northeastern is better integrating the student body as well as itself within the landscape of Boston.

And, with the Prudential shining in the distance and the T rumbling below your feet, it’s fair to expect that this bridge will be a pretty quintessentially ‘Boston’ experience — well, minus the Dunkin’.

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THE RISE OF

ASIAN AMERICAN CASTS WRITTEN BY NANAKO TOKUO

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Diversity and representation in the media has become a popular topic — every new movie that Hollywood produces seems to be examined, investigated, and picked apart for its chosen cast. The summer of 2018 gifted movies that generated a lot of online buzz for their inclusive casts, such as the three rom-coms: “Set It Up,” “Crazy Rich Asians,” and “To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before.” Although only one of the movies was made for the big screen (“Crazy Rich Asians”), the other two still reached a wide audience through Netflix with its ever-growing popularity.

Many celebrated the rather sudden outburst of positive Asian American characters in the movies appropriately played by Asian American actors. But what prompted these movies to be made, and do they deserve the praise they received?

Hollywood and many other sources of media have been criticized for their lack of diversity and representation for a very long time, but their invincibility meant they could ignore the frustration. The most impactful shift in recent memory is the disastrous 2015 Oscars nominees list (all 20 nominees in acting categories were white), which provoked the #OscarsSoWhite outrage and subsequent damage to Hollywood’s power and reputation. Although Hollywood and the Oscars have visibly tried to amend their lack of diversity since then, movies produced after the outrage seem to be created out of apology and hopes to appease an audience, rather than a genuine desire to tell the stories of minorities.

But what kind of stories should we want to tell?

Where should Asian American representation begin in Hollywood movies?

“Set It Up” and “To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before” both featured female Asian characters, but their Asian identities were not the main focus of the movies. Lucy Liu’s character, Kirsten, in “Set It Up” is a strong, successful, motivated boss, whose Asian background is never discussed. Lana Condor’s character, Lara Jean, in “To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before” is also not defined by her mixed Korean-American background: those who anticipated a platform for discussion of teenagers with mixed backgrounds were disappointed by the complete absence of their struggles. The only nod to Lara Jean’s Asian background was mention of an Asian actor in a movie she watches along with the Korean yogurt drink her sister loves. Thus, both characters could be from different

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backgrounds and the plot of the movies would not change. Some might see this as positive representation — Asian Americans being portrayed as any other kind of American rather than an odd, exotic stereotype — but this representation is not sufficient.

Perhaps representation and diverse casts should focus on films that aim to celebrate differences that arise from not being a part of the majority-being a minority- before normalizing the existence of these differences. The film “The Joy Luck Club” from 1993 centers around four Chinese mother-daughter relationships that are complicated and strained at times due to clashing cultural values and beliefs. The story is packed with Asian culture and taking away the characters’ Asian backgrounds would decimate most of the story.

“Crazy Rich Asians” seems to hit the sweet spot between the two ends of the spectrum by normalizing Asian Americans as well as highlighting their differences and the struggles they face. The movie had an opening weekend profit of $26.5 million and holds a current worldwide gross of $165.7 million, placing it as sixth place for top-grossing romantic comedies (boxofficemojo). This extreme success prompted the signing of numerous new movies featuring Asian casts slated to open next year: a “Crazy Rich Asians” sequel, Disney’s live action “Mulan,” and “Always Be My Maybe” (another romantic comedy) along with many others. With the population of Asian Americans steadily growing (the U.S. Asian population grew by 72% between 2000 and 2015 (pewresearch.org), it is no wonder that producers are scrambling to create films with Asian American casts — what better way to make money than to pander to a growing audience hungry for characters like them, actors and celebrities to love, and stories to relate to?

The recent Asian American representation has delighted many, with great performances by Lucy Liu, Constance Wu, and Lana Condor, along with numerous other Asian American actors. However, we must remain critical of the movies and media that Hollywood and other streaming services produce. As exciting and thrilling as long-awaited representation is, the three rom-coms discussed are rom-coms after all: movies designed to be light-hearted with a focus on a single relationship. Let’s not be lulled into satisfaction simply by seeing more people on screen that look like us.

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