Volume 92 • Issue 2
September 22, 2023
FSUgatepost.com
Falling in love with a furry friend Cassie Toth, freshman with Ramsey, the University Police’s K9 comfort dog, Sept. 20.
Trustees provide update on enrollment By Emily Rosenberg Editor-in-Chief The Board of Trustees discussed enrollment strategy and the implementation of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives at their meeting Sept. 20. During the Academic Affairs and Strategic Enrollment Management Committee report, Trustee Nancy Budwig reported a 2% increase in new student - first-year and transfer - enrollment since last year. Budwig noted that while this was not a large increase, it was headed in the right direction and this was “encouraging news.” She added in comparison to recent years when the overall enrollment de-
cline was 10% or 12%, the rate of decline was only 6%, which was a great improvement. Budwig referenced recent activities on campus such as the University welcome picnic and said that without the “synergy” of the community, an increase in new enrollment would not be possible. Chief Enrollment Officer Iris Godes said they are about a month behind on the process of rebranding the marketing strategy. She said the goal is to work on a communication plan that is more personalized, relevant, and “strategic” in the way they interact with prospective students. “Last year was a very hard year with a lot of negativity. This year is another hard year with a lot of positivity,” Godes said.
Trustee Claire Ramsbottom asked about the public response to the rebranding initiative. President Nancy Niemi said the response has been “positive,” adding she has received comments about its boldness, freshness, and how it looks forward. Godes said the admissions staff is “very appreciative” and excited about the rebranding. She said she has heard from the staff that it is much bolder, brighter, “current,” and “active.” “We are on our way,” Godes said. She noted her team’s collaboration with various departments, saying she has worked in the admissions and enrollment business for 35 years and has never seen faculty and staff so eager to
The well-traveled vestibule of the McCarthy Center is packed again as the fall semester picks up, with students rushing in and out of the main doors to get to class. Downstairs in the Dining Commons, commuters and residents alike are staying fed throughout the day, settling around Simple Servings, UCOOK, and in the Annex. A few a day slip downstairs and past the Richard C. Logan Gymnasium, looking for somewhere to play a pickup game.
During these everyday habits, attentive students may notice a few colossal dolls labeled “Brazil,” “Peru,” and “Mexico.” Framingham State University, through the Center for Inclusive Excellence (CIE), recently installed six 12-foot-tall dolls across campus, representing Hispanic countries such as Mexico and Puerto Rico’s culture in celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month. The dolls were installed in a variety of locales on campus - two in the Dining Commons Annex, two outside of the Athletic Center Gymnasium, one in the McCarthy Center Lobby, and one in Hemenway Labs. Hispanic Heritage Month, celebrat-
News SIGMA DELTA PI pg.3 BOARD OF TRUSTEES pg.5
Opinions THE LIGHT OF DJEILA BARBOSA pg. 6 EM’S GEMS pg. 7
Sports
See BOARD OF TRUSTEES page 5
CIE ‘dolls up’ campus for Hispanic Heritage month By Ryan O’Connell Associate Editor
Ryan O’Connell / THE GATEPOST
Adam Levine / THE GATEPOST FOOTBALL pg.8
ed from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15 across the FIELD HOCKEY pg.9 United States, allows for recognition of the unique cultures, histories, and people of Hispanic nations such as Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America, according to a press release from the CIE. Jerome Burke, director of the CIE, said the celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month was spurred by the CIE’s research into more diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) events. Burke said he did a lot of personal research on Hispanic Heritage Month Dylan Pichnarcik / THE GATEPOST prior to the University installing the six dolls. FSUPD’S NEWEST OFFICER pg. 10
Arts & Features
See DOLLS page 11 ELEMENTAL pg.13
INSIDE: OP/ED 6• SPORTS 8• ARTS & FEATURES 10