October 16, 2026

Volume 95 • Issue 5

October 16, 2026

FSUgatepost.com

Fierce in Framingham

Alexis Schlesinger / THE GATEPOST

Khandy Khane strikes a pose at the “Drag Brunch for Dinner” on Oct. 15.

SHAPE recognizes Domestic Violence Awareness Month By Heather Luster Staff Writer

Deputy Title IX Coordinator Kianna Bauer said SHAPE is a “resource that provides more October is recognized as resources for students, staff, Domestic Violence Awareness and faculty.” Month, and the University is The resources include the highlighting the on-campus re- “Counseling Center, Health sources and reporting options Center, Campus Ministry, Title for students through the Sexual IX, student conduct or commuHarassment and Assault Pre- nity standards, the police devention and Education (SHAPE) partment, our office (SHAPE), center. and the Dean of Students of-

fice” and off-campus resources, “specifically, ‘Voices Against Violence’ in Framingham, and they have a 24/7 hotline,” Bauer said. Voices Against Violence can be reached at (508) 820-0834. Another outside resource is the National Domestic Violence Hotline - (800) 799-7233. Bauer said Domestic Violence Awareness Month is important

because it “brings awareness to an issue that affects so many people, including college students. “People ages 18-34 generally experience the highest rates of intimate partner violence, and it’s a time to talk about education, prevention, and making sure people know that there are resources and support available 24/7,” she added. See AWARENESS Page 5

Lawmakers speak boldly about banned books By Francisco Omar Fernandez Rodriguez Associate Editor The Education Department and the Henry Whittemore Library held a talk on book bans, “Speak Boldly, Learn Freely: Say No to Self-Censorship,” in the Forum on Oct. 6. Massachusetts State Representative Sean Garballey and Massachusetts Secretary of Education Stephen Zrike Jr. spoke

at the event, sharing what they have done about book banning. The main topic of discussion was the “Freedom to Read” act, recently signed into law. According to Zrike, the law establishes “important protections for access to books in public and school libraries while also creating a fair and transparent process for considering challenges to library material.” Their speeches were followed by a question-and-answer ses-

English Language Programs set to close Dec. 31

By Avery Slavin News Editor

dents who speak English as a second language and students studying on visas. The English Language ProELP extends to the commugrams (ELP) provided by FSU nity as well, offering intermewill be discontinued after Dec. diate and advanced courses in 31, President Nancy Niemi writing, pronunciation, and wrote in an email Sept. 22. business English, These programs assist stuSee ELP Page 4

sion with a panel mostly of professors and students. Garballey introduced himself as chair of the committee of Tourism, Arts, and Cultural Development. One of the bills that has been in the committee for a couple of sessions pertains to the process a book goes through to be removed from a library, he said. He does not like how the process currently works. “The idea that anybody off

the street or a politically motivated group from out of state can just walk into a school library or a municipal library and challenge intellectual conversation, or challenge a book being on a shelf, I found extremely disturbing,” Garballey said. However, he had to be impartial in the matter as chair of the committee, he said. See BOOKS Page 13

INSIDE: OPINION 6 • SPORTS 10 • ART & FEATURES 11

News GPI pg. 2 SGA pg. 3

Sports FIELD HOCKEY pg. 10 WOMEN’S SOCCER pg. 10

Opinion PICHNARCIK pg. 7 THE VERDICT pg. 8

Arts & Features STATE STREET pg. 11 DIVA TALK pg. 14

NEWS

2 | OCTOBER 16, 2026

Gatepost Interview Marissa Hanson

OUR STAFF Editor-in-Chief Dylan Pichnarcik Associate Editors Francisco Omar Fernandez Rodriguez

Antonio Machado Sarah Parron Staff Writer

News Editor Avery Slavin Opinion Editor Alexis Schlesinger Sports Editor Taylor Kimmell Arts & Features Editor Sarah Daponde Photos & Design Editor Onyx Lovely Asst. Photos & Design Editor Christy Howland Illustrations Editor Tobias Cotton-Selman Copy Editor Cole Johnson Staff Illustrators Grace Doyle Abi Little Marcus Falcão Meghan Petrone Susay Toe

Staff Photographers Julien Fernandez Rose Hamilton Meg Dame Advisors Desmond McCarthy Sabrina Grammatic Asst. Advisor Elizabeth Banks Asst. Advisor of Digital Engagement Ben Watanabe

N THE GAT E P

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O

What is your academic and professional background? I actually started my career in the medical field, which is a little bit different. So, I started my career in the medical field as a nurse, and that was during 2020, so not the best time. But I did that for a couple of years. And then [I earned] my associate’s [degree], then got licensed, and then went back to school to finish my bachelor’s at Bridgewater State. I graduated with an economics and digital media degree. I’ve always done creative stuff on the side, so I just kind of leaned into that and was like, might as well. Then I started working for the university and then from Bridgewater, moved to Salem State. I worked in its marketing department doing video production and things like that. Then I moved here in June. I’ve been here for 4 or 5 months. What are some responsibilities that you have in your role? My title is marketing manager. I oversee the social media team, as well as the print services print shop on campus, as well as doing all of the digital and print marketing campaigns for outside, prospective students, alumni, family, things of that nature, just to market the University. Wheth- ater, ballet, sports games, coner that’s online presence, social certs, going out, doing stuff like media, billboards, you know, ra- that. I like arts and crafts, crodio ads, things like that. So basi- chet, and painting. I love hostcally anything marketing kind of ing people to come over and do a paint night or jewelry making falls under this role. and stuff like that. So also kind What would you say is your of in the creative realm of arts and crafts. [My favorite artist of] favorite part of the role? I think how creative it can be. all time is Fleetwood Mac. That’s I think it’s so fun, especially with what I grew up on. They’re the social media. Because that’s like best, and I saw Stevie Nicks a the primary team that I real- couple years ago. … But recently, ly work with. Just the ideas that I saw 5 Seconds of Summer and we can do and however we can I also went down to New York to highlight certain things on cam- see Harry [Styles]. So, that’s what pus or someone has this idea that I’ve been listening to. we can do this profile or this inWhat do you love about FSU terview. I feel like that’s so fun to do and to spotlight people on beyond your job? I was pleasantly surprised campus. So the creativity is really something that I really enjoy. But when I came here, and didn’t yeah, I really like the creativity of really realize how tight-knit of a community it is … coming on it. It’s really fun. campus. I grew up in the generWhat are some of your hob- al area and I didn’t really realize bies or things that you like to that being off Route 9, it is an acdo outside of your job and your tual campus and it’s really, like, New England-y and homey and, career? I love going to concerts, live like, cute. So, I’ve been pleasantentertainment, because I started ly surprised about how nice evall my creative stuff as a concert erybody is in the community and photographer. Whether it’s the- how tight-knit it is and very hom-

Staff Writers Desiree Ambila Jesse Burchill Julien Fernandez Dan Lima Kate Norrish Nathan Piette Izabela Gage Heather Luster Andrea Zereski Louie Ranieri Audrey Rice Cooper Davis Sydney Youde Gracie Wyatt Sarah Parron

@

Marketing Manager

T TH EGATEPOS

100 State Street McCarthy Center Room 410 Framingham, MA 01701-9101 Phone: (508) 626-4605 Fax: (508) 626-4097 gatepost@framingham.edu

Courtesy of Framingham State

ey that it feels. Do you have any advice for FSU students? That’s a good one. … There’s probably two. One, show up, actually go to class, and actually go and do all the activities you want to do, or if you can’t find any that you want to do, start something. Then two would probably be, it’s OK to change your mind or, like, kind of go through the trial and error process. [As] someone who changed my career after being in it for 5 years, you can. You’re still young. You can change your mind. You can change your major. You can change whatever you want to do. I think it’s a good time to do a lot of trial and error and figure out what you like and what you don’t like. You know, that’s kind of what college is about.

CONNECT WITH SARAH PARRON

sparron@student.framingham.edu

Police Logs @T HEGATEPOST

Tuesday, Oct. 13 3:10 Assist Residence Life Miles Bibb Hall

Thursday, Oct. 15 10:14 Medical Emergency Corinne Hall Towers

Thursday, Oct. 15 10:56 Fire Alarm Pierce Hall

Wednesday, Oct. 14 7:06 Medical Emergency Corinne Hall Towers

Thursday, Oct. 15 10:48 K9 Community Outreach Hemenway Hall

Thursday, Oct. 15 2:09 Suspicious Activity West Hall

@TheGatepost | FSUgatepost.com

NEWS

OCTOBER 16, 2026 | 3

SGA sets dates for upcoming activities By Dylan Pichnarcik Editor-in-Chief By Sydney Youde Staff Writer By Audrey Rice Staff Writer SGA announced the funding deadlines for clubs to submit requests for the fall semester at a meeting on Oct. 13. The last day to submit funding requests through SGA is Nov. 15. SGA oversees funding requests from student organizations. Through SGA’s Finance Committee, clubs can obtain funding for events or other club needs. Vice President Nathan Piette also discussed other key funding dates, including the Finance Committee’s last meeting on Nov. 18, at which they will review fall requests. The committee will discuss requests under and over $1,000. There will be additional Finance Committee meetings to discuss requests for the spring on Nov. 18 and Dec. 2. Nov. 30 will be the last day to submit purchase requests to the Office of Student Experience (EXP). EXP approves clubs’ purchase requests through RamLink, a network used to promote and manage club activities. The club representatives were also asked to fill out the Big Budget Grouping form, which is due Nov. 23. Piette emphasized completing them as soon as possible. Each year, SGA hosts “Big Budget,” a meeting at which they approve the budgets of every student organization on campus. It is set for Feb. 9. President Shubham Valand also announced that the Administrators Forum is set for Nov. 17. This was the second meeting of club representatives. SGA requires each club to send a representative to select meetings throughout the year. During the meeting, they held an exercise called “The Floor is Yours,” where large sticky notes were placed around the room with prompts such as “What challenges are your club facing right now?” and “Which University policies need more clarification?” Each class was assigned a respective color of sticky notes and asked to respond. They were given 15 minutes. Once the allotted time was completed, Valand passed the

Gatepost Archives

floor to Publicist Cia Rosado, who announced the Senator of the Week as Desiree Ambila. Senator Ambila is a Junior and a part of the Events Committee. SGA highlights a new senator each week who has “been going above and beyond in participation when it comes to committees or in filming,” according to Rosado. Every senator who receives

Senator of the Week is given a certificate of recognition and a commemorative Polaroid picture taken of them. The recognized senator also receives a “U-Rock” rock. It rocks, according to Piette.

CONNECT WITH DYLAN PICHNARCIK

dpichnarcik@student.framingham.edu

CONNECT WITH AUDREY RICE

[ Editor’s Note: Nathan arice1@student.framingham.edu Piette is a Staff Writer for the Gatepost. ] CONNECT WITH SYDNEY YOUDE

syoude@student.framingham.edu

Weather Saturday, Oct. 17 Mostly cloudy with a high near 50.

Monday, Oct. 19 Mostly sunny with a high near 60.

Sunday, Oct. 18 Sunny with a high near 55.

Tuesday, Oct. 20 Mostly sunny with a high near 60.

Wednesday, Oct. 21 Sunny with a high near 60.

Thursday, Oct. 22 Mostly sunny with a high near 60.

FRAMINGHAM STATE UNIVERSITY’S INDEPENDENT STUDENT NEWSPAPER SINCE 1932 | FSUGATEPOST.COM

NEWS

4 | OCTOBER 16, 2026

ELP

Continued from Page 1

as well as specialized tutoring, according to Framingham State’s website. Niemi stated in the email that the ELP has helped multilingual learners in the MetroWest area learn English for over 30 years. Niemi said when the program started, “There were fewer opportunities to learn English as a second language in the area. Our program was one of the few. It allowed some people the opportunity to learn.” The email, sent to faculty and staff, explained that declining enrollment numbers are the biggest reason the program is closing its doors. Associate Dean of Graduate and Continuing Education Elena Arranz Alonso said the enrollment numbers were “being monitored to ensure we were providing a service that was sizable and had an impact. When enrollment falls to a certain level, we are not having the intended impact on the community.” From 2022 to 2025, the CELP enrollment for evening fall classes declined by 65 percent, and the summer sessions declined by 70.5 percent from 2022 to 2026. Enrollment for the IEP fall and spring sessions declined 57.5 percent between 2024 to 2026. According to Arranz Alonso, ELP offers two options for multilingual learners: the Community English Language Program (CELP) and the Intensive English Program (IEP). The CELP offers English classes on Saturdays and evenings to accommodate work and family obligations.

These classes help adults in the community learn and develop communication skills for employment opportunities and everyday situations. The IEP provides English instruction for individuals who would like to strengthen their English speaking for academic, business, and everyday purposes. International students and community members can enhance their reading, writing, listening and speaking skills through these classes, according to Arranz Alonso. Dan Magazu said the programs “had gotten to a point where they were no longer sustainable. There are other organizations within the community that are set up to serve this population at the moment.” Magazu said other running programs in the area can be found at MassBay, Keefe Tech, Salem State University, Clark University, and the cities of Marlborough and Worcester, as well as the Framingham Public Library. “Some of them are free - ours were not. Our best option was to support these other programs and help these students transfer to them to better serve the community,” Magazu added. Arranz Alonso said with the political climate over the last two years, it has been “difficult for the communities these programs serve, and that is probably another reason why we’re seeing such a decline in enrollment.” She said some people “are afraid of participating in life outside of their small communities, so that might have brought

Gatepost Archives down some client enrollment if folks are scared of going into public spaces even if you’ve tried your best to adapt to this and reassure the community, there’s folks that will always have that fear.” Arranz Alonso said this closure is not to save the University money, but to be able to support other programs and initiatives that have a more sizable impact. “I was an international student. I’m also the product of a program like the ELP. I completed it elsewhere, but I really see myself in the population. I was an immigrant, too, so I think our main goal right now is to ensure our students find a place to land where they feel comfortable and supported by us,” Arranz Alonso said. Niemi said FSU is “acutely aware of the need for multiple languages to serve our community,” and the school’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion is “rock solid.” “Our DEI commitment is deep and multifaceted in fac-

ulty, staff, programs, students, our curriculum, almost every way you can think of in the University. It was just this one particular slice of it wasn’t working for us,” Niemi said. Niemi said, “We can never, as a University community, think that we’ve got it all figured out. The program was born of a time when the community needed some specific instruction in the English language, so we responded to that. Now that we need less of it in that way, what other ways are we responding as good community partners? Are we responding internally with our program’s curriculum, personnel, and all the ways we think of how we use education as a tool for equity?” Niemi said.

CONNECT WITH AVERY SLAVIN

aslavin1@student.framingham.edu

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Meetings in the Paul T. Murphy Room Mondays at 6:30 p.m. and MC 410 Thursdays at 6:30 p.m. Email Gatepost@framingham.edu with questions. @TheGatepost | FSUgatepost.com

NEWS

Awareness Continued from Page 1 SHAPE has a resource library through Sharepoint that provides an easy-access page that serves as a central resource and has “a lot of different text on sexual misconduct, sexual violence in general, and we also have a page that we created called ‘What Happens When You Report,’” Bauer said, which takes students through a stepby-step of what happens when you report to each resource. According to Bauer, this resource page allows students to select the reporting option that

months after leaving is the most high-risk period for intimate partner homicide,” Bauer added. SHAPE provides a zero-judgement, “safe place on campus for students to meet” because there “can be a fear of judgment when reaching out for support,” she said. The SHAPE Sharepoint emphasizes they are dedicated to creating a “campus environment free from all forms of sexual violence and intimate partner violence,” and when “sexual harassment, sexual violence, domestic violence, dating violence, or stalking occur, it deep-

off-campus resources for students, faculty, and staff to ask questions, learn how to get involved, and become aware of available resources on campus. The resources that will be in attendance are the SHAPE team, “Voices Against Violence,” University Police, Student Conduct, SEALS Peer Health Mentors, and the Counseling Center. SHAPE’s Domestic Violence Awareness Resource Fair allows for students, faculty, and staff to see and meet all resources in person. “We feel like it is easier to make a report to somebody or to confide in somebody that you

“We want people to be part of a community that is safe, and that starts with ourselves.” - Kianna Bauer Deputy Title IX Coordinator best meets their needs. This could include texting a provider, speaking over the phone, or requesting assistance from police. “We did that to hopefully make people feel more comfortable and know what to expect to reduce the barriers of reporting,” she added. Bauer said, “There is a stigma around domestic violence and there’s often fear of people asking, ‘Well, why don’t you just leave them?’ “Leaving an abusive relationship can be the most dangerous period [of time]. Fifty-five percent of women are killed by intimate partners after leaving the first year, and the first three

ly wounds our entire community.” Bauer said, “We want people to be part of a community that is safe, and that starts with ourselves.” Domestic Violence Awareness Month allows for education about bystander intervention, warning signs to look for, and to become aware of resources that an individual, or the people around them may need. SHAPE is hosting their third annual Domestic Violence Resource Fair on Wednesday, Oct. 21 from 12:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. in the McCarthy Center Lobby.

OCTOBER 16, 2026 | 5

“We want people to be part of a community that is safe and that starts with ourselves,” she added. The SHAPE program underscores privacy and respect of individual choice. Bauer said they are not going to ask someone to do anything they are not comfortable doing, including forcing someone to leave their partner. “It only goes as far as the person experiencing it wants to go. “It is completely up to them, and we can’t judge when they don’t feel comfortable or safe leaving,” she added. She just hopes that students know that the University truly does care about them. “As somebody who is a part of the University and works for it, I truly care about the students here, and I want to see them in healthy, happy relationships or not relationships. I want them to be OK, and I want them to know that there are people here who care and that support is available,” Bauer said. If you, or anyone you know, is experiencing domestic or intimate partner violence, you can contact on- and off-campus, confidential or non-confidential support through SHAPE, the Dean of Students Office, the Counseling Center, Title IX coordinators, University Police, Campus Ministry, Residence Life staff, the Health Center, the National Domestic Violence Hotline, Voices Against Violence in downtown Framingham, Newton-Wellesley Hospital, Advocates Psychiatric, Fenway Health (LGBTQ+), or Male Survivor.

know and have met, rather than a stranger,” said Bauer. Becoming aware of available resources gives individuals the ability to “know where to turn when someone turns to you for support,” Bauer added. SHAPE highlights the importance of bystander education and learning to be aware of signs for domestic violence and sexual assault. Their motto is, “Know what matters, before it matters.” According to Bauer, if you find yourself as a bystander or you’re in a situation where jokes of domestic, or sexual, violence are occurring, “it is important The resource fair will have to stand up” and “step in if safe CONNECT WITH HEATHER LUSTER representatives from on- and to do so.

hluster1@student.framingham.edu

FRAMINGHAM STATE UNIVERSITY’S INDEPENDENT STUDENT NEWSPAPER SINCE 1932 | FSUGATEPOST.COM

6 | OCTOBER 16, 2026

OPINION THE GATEPOST EDITORIAL

Dear Vice President of Equity and Inclusion …

T

his summer, Jeffrey Coleman, vice president of DiWhile the upper floor of Dwight Hall might be comfortable, no versity, Inclusion, and Community Engagement, one besides other administrators is up there. Students are evstepped down, leaving a hole in the University’s Ex- erywhere on campus - the new vice president should meet them ecutive Staff. where they are. We hope the new vice president will not let a Recently, the University posted the job - rebrand- cushy office serve as a barrier to connecting with them. ed as Vice President of Equity and Inclusion. The new vice president should be intentional in their actions This role comes with a salary of more than $150,000, and the on and off campus. They should amplify and uplift the values and person hired will be a pivotal member of the president’s inner needs of our students. circle during the last two years of the Trump administration. In the past, Framingham State’s vice president of Diversity, This person unmistakably will work to promote diversity, eq- Inclusion, and Community Engagement has embodied what it uity, and inclusion on campus, but The Gatepost Editorial means to be a good ally, community member, and advocate Board questions why removing the for students. word diversity in the job Jeffrey Coleman chamtitle was necessary. pioned many initiaWe know this tives flourishing toadministraday, including tor will be a overseeing champion the manageof promotment of the ing diverUniversity’s sity, equity, Center for and inclusion Inclusive Excelon campus, but lence, along with it’s important that supporting a mural when selecting a honoring the Indigcandidate, Univerenous peoples who sity officials choose once inhabited the someone who repland Framingham resents our comState now occumunity and reflects pies. He also led the our values. charge to develop a The Gatepost EdUniversity-wide land itorial Board hopes acknowledgment. the University’s We, The Gatepost new vice presiEditorial Board, are dent will identify grateful for Coleas a member of an man’s commitment underrepresented to the University and group. wish him well in his Framingham future endeavors. We State is a lively hope that our next community and vice president will has truly become a follow in Coleman’s place where all culfootsteps and share tures are welcome and his passion for ensuring Tobias Cotton-Selman / THE GATEPOST represented. Having an underrepreFSU is an inclusive space. sented voice in the University’s senior Another champion was Millie Gonzalez, administration working in the field of advocacy for those very the former dean of the Henry Whittemore Library, who served as same voices will only support the mission of fostering an educa- Chief Diversity Officer prior to Coleman. As part of her work, the University hosted educational series tion open to everyone. The University also needs someone outspoken in their com- about different cultures - a tradition that continues today and mitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion - not in the sense that should be upheld for years to come. Gonzalez also created open educational resources through the they are simply on a soapbox, but someone who stands with and Whittemore Library, ensuring education was accessible to anyadvocates for students. The next vice president should be open to attending and host- one. The University and the next vice president have a blueprint for ing events on campus, engaging in discourse, and, when neceshow FSU operates in the areas of diversity, equity, and inclusion. sary, defending our community. In the future, these programs should be expanded - we have so many communities represented on campus. It is imperative that their voices at least be offered a platform through which they can speak. This must remain a goal of the University. The next vice president should follow in Coleman’s and Gonzalez’s footsteps by supporting open and accessible education and promoting cultural competency across campus. The new vice president should - above all - listen to the community before they act. Promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion starts with active communication. Working together, hearing others, and challenging ideas will be essential to discourse for our community. There are so many voices at FSU, each one of whom deserves a seat at the table. They are counting on the next vice president to pull out a chair.

Unsigned Editorials reflect the opinion of The Gatepost Editorial Board, signed Op/Eds reflect the opinion of the writer.

The Gatepost welcomes signed letters to the editor sent to gatepost@framingham.edu. All letters are subject to review. @TheGatepost | FSUgatepost.com

OPINION

OCTOBER 16, 2026 | 7

DYLAN PICHNARCIK COMMENTARY

Three years later, I still don’t have an exact answer

“So, what are your plans after graduation?” It’s the age-old question everyone always asks. It starts in high school. Just as you’re headed off to college for the first time. Then, once you arrive, people’s interests change to what you’re studying, how your classes are going, maybe even if you have a partner. But then, just when you’re getting comfortable, you’re forced to decide what’s next. It’s an innocent question - no one means harm when they ask, but if you ask most undergrads on the threshold of completing their degree, they might not have a clear picture. For me, I resort to a halfhearted chuckle, a shrug of the shoulders, and a simple, “Not sure just yet, but I’m figuring it out.” As much as I pretend it’s not true, my time as an undergraduate student is coming to a close, which is scary. Three years ago, I hoped by now I’d have a clear direction, but I find myself at a crossroads. Do I move on from Framingham State and settle into a career? Is graduate school the right option? Perhaps the most frustrating part is that I don’t have a clear answer to either question. I’ve spent the last three years working toward a degree, gaining experience, and trying to prepare myself for the socalled real world. Yet, somehow, the closer I get to graduation, the less certain I feel about what comes next. I’ve felt an unspoken expectation that by the time you reach your senior year, you

Gatepost Archives should know what comes next. You should know what career you want, where you want to live, and what the next chapter of your life is supposed to look like. After all, isn’t that what I was supposed to be working toward over the last three years? Yet, the more I think about this question, the more I think I’m looking for an answer I just wasn’t meant to find. I’ve spent so much time worrying about what comes after graduation that I’ve overlooked what these past three years have already taught me. The point of college was never to leave with every step of my future mapped out. It was to give me the tools to figure things out along the way. Even though these lessons manifested in 10-page literary criticisms, lab reports, and art projects, taking courses at Framingham State allowed me to learn about myself and about others in a nurturing environment.

Framingham State has been a wonderful place to live, work, and learn - that’s the saddest part. I’ve grown to love this community so much, and I’ve been inspired by so many people. I’m sure many students have felt the genuine passion that comes from being a student or employee at FSU and find it hard to leave. I don’t think I am alone in feeling this way. I imagine there are plenty of students at Framingham State who, like me, are excited to graduate but apprehensive about what comes after. We spend so much time anticipating this milestone that we rarely stop to consider how strange it feels to approach the end of something familiar without knowing exactly what will replace it. What I do know is that Framingham State has given me the skills to move forward and be prepared for whatever comes next. When I first arrived at Framingham State, I had my

own expectations of what college would look like. I knew I’d take classes, earn a degree, and hopefully find a career that I loved. What I didn’t anticipate was just how much I’d learn outside the classroom, or how many experiences would challenge me to become a more confident, capable, and independent person. Through my classes, I’ve learned how to think critically, communicate effectively, and approach unfamiliar ideas with an open mind. I’ve learned that growth comes from putting yourself in situations where you aren’t entirely sure what you’re doing. Not every experience has gone according to plan. There have been moments of uncertainty, difficult decisions, and times when I’ve had to learn as I go. But looking back, those are the experiences that have helped me grow the most. In many ways, this is what Framingham State prepared me for. The University has given me opportunities to discover what I’m passionate about, explore what I’m capable of, and learn from the people around me. It has challenged me to step outside my comfort zone and shown me that I can accomplish more than I might have initially thought possible. So, I’m glad I don’t have an answer, but I know I’m ready for anything. Dylan Pichnarcik is the Editorin-Chief of The Gatepost. He is a senior English major. He can be reached at dpichnarcik@ student.framingham.edu

ALEXIS SCHLESINGER COMMENTARY

One, and All who can’t afford it

Sixty-six percent of my student loan debt goes toward paying off my meal plan at Framingham State University. I was on track to graduate debt-free before I had to move on campus partway through my junior year. All resident students at FSU are required to purchase a meal plan, with the cheapest option for residents being the Value plan for $2,435. Commuter students are not required to purchase a meal plan, but have the option to. The lowest price for a commuter meal plan is the 25 Block plan, which gives commuters 25 meal swipes for $280. That comes out to 25 meals at $11.20 each. This year, anyone without a meal plan has to pay $7 for breakfast, and $13.25 for lunch and dinner. These prices are roughly $2 more than what they were my freshman year. Before I had a meal plan, there were days I would skip meals to save money. I would choose whether I would have lunch or dinner because I could only afford one. I would use up all of my friends’ guest swipes. I probably used over 50 each semester on my own. And I’ll never forget - while I was working during early move-in my sophomore year - I went to the dining hall to buy

lunch. I asked to pay with my debit card, and the general manager, Michael Newark, asked me why I didn’t have a meal plan. I told him I couldn’t afford it. He told me the commuter dining plan was “affordable” and suggested I get a job on campus. I was already working four jobs, on top of being a fulltime student in three student organizations. There were still days when I came to school and couldn’t afford a $12 meal because I had bills to pay. There is, of course, free food at the Rams Resource Center. The RRC also provides FSU community members with more than just meals. They also provide clothes, toiletries, bedding, and more to anyone who may need it. But, as one of our greatest resources to help students with food insecurity, the RRC is still largely inaccessible, especially to commuter students. The RRC is located underneath West Hall, the residence building at the end of Maynard Road, next to the “residents-only” parking lot. The hours of the RRC are subject to change every semester. You can find their current hours on their website: w w w.framingham.edu/ campus-life/student-supportresources/rams-resource-

center get any money back for not Fortunately, if none of their using them all. I can’t give current operating hours work them to anybody else. for you, you can schedule a And forget about u s i n g time to pick up what you need by contacting the Dean of Students office by calling (508) 626-4596 or via email at deanofstudents@framingham. edu. The people who run the RRC are incredibly helpful and kind, and do the best they can to support students. However, a relocation is something the University regular should consider. swipes to The McCarthy Center is a help your hub of campus activity, open 24/7, and is welcoming to all Tobias Cotton-Selman / THE GATEPOST individuals on campus. This would be a much more apt friends have a meal. That’s not location for the RRC, rather than allowed either. I’ve asked friends to join underneath a residence hall, which many FSU community me in the dining hall, but the members do not normally have reality is they can only join me if I have guest swipes left, access to. Students who have meal because none of us can afford plans but don’t use all of their the prices. I’ve been that friend. meal swipes each week can help You probably have that out too, but only a little bit. You can donate one meal friend too. Dining hall prices need to swipe per week. My meal plan gets me 19 come down if you want students swipes a week. I spend most to come down there, too. of my time on weekends off Alexis Schlesinger is the campus, and on occasion, have to skip meals due to my work Opinion Editor of The Gatepost. She is a senior communication hours. I would say I use 12-15 swipes arts major. She can be reached at aschlesinger@student. per week on average. But I can’t get any of the framingham.edu swipes I don’t use back. I don’t

FRAMINGHAM STATE UNIVERSITY’S INDEPENDENT NEWSPAPER SINCE 1932 | FSUGATEPOST.COM

OPINION

8 | OCTOBER 16, 2026

SLAVIN AND ZERESKI - THE VERDICT

Re: Email Etiquette Hello, all! We hope this finds you well. We are reaching out regarding the recent lack of etiquette when it comes to sending emails. Since coming back to school and having to regularly use Outlook again, we’ve noticed a lot of little peeves that have bothered us when it comes to emailing in terms of both students and faculty. First, the greeting. This sets the tone for the entire email. For us, we love to let the recipient know we care. “Good morning! Hope your day is off to a great start!” or “Good afternoon! Hope you had a good weekend!” establishes sincerity. When we receive an email with just our names or no greeting at all, it makes us feel like we are in trouble. While you can’t read tone over the computer, it just gives a lackadaisical undertone - like they would rather be doing anything else than communicating with us. Growing up, we were taught to always be professional when sending an email. When did this message fall silent? It seems like as time goes on, the formatting of these emails gets lazier and lazier. Punctuation sometimes stops being a priority, run-on paragraphs become hard to follow, and it looks more like a casual text than a seemingly

professional email. It is not uncommon professors to give out their phone

for

numbers to their students. If t h e y want their message to be in text form, then text. This professionalism has been considered a sign of respect for decades, and its recent absence speaks volumes. Not only has the quality of emails decreased, but the frequency of opening Outlook has as well. Responses have started to take days, or even weeks, sometimes even missing the target completely when a response is finally administered. Students miss group project communications between peers and critical messages from

departments across campus. Most professors expect us to check our email every day for important updates regarding courses. However, it seems they do not always follow the practice they are preaching. While we understand their inbox may be flooded, it only takes a minute to skim a message. Most of the time, when students reach out via email, it means that they are in urgent need of help. As they typically steer clear o f the app altogether, it’s almost a given that the content of their email is seeking clarification. A single response could drastically affect a grade. Higher education is about preparing students for the real world. Isn’t that what is always emphasized? The ways we communicate throughout these years will directly translate to our behaviors in the workplace, whether we believe it or not.

Writing professionally is a critical skill that will translate far beyond the classroom. If we expect to be taken seriously in our careers, we must implement better habits. The total responsibility for this does not just fall on the students, though. We are learning through example. If professors take days to respond and have unprofessional content, we will meet them where they are and adopt these approaches. Faculty must hold themselves to professional standards as well. Email etiquette is a twoway street, and professors and students need to start practicing it. Our Verdict: Ultimately, professionalism starts with accountability, and it’s time for everyone on campus to start taking it. Thank you for your time, Avery and Andrea.

The verdict is a reccurring column written by Avery Slavin, News Editor of The Gatepost, and Andrea Zereski. They can be reached at aslavin1@student. framingham.edu and azereski@ student.framingham.edu

NATHAN PIETTE COMMENTARY I have collected many quotes from Sam Altman. He leads OpenAI, and he leads me to feel many feelings. “I think AI will probably, like - most likely - sort of lead to the end of the world, but in the meantime, there will be great companies created with serious machine learning,” said Altman at Airbnb’s Open Air conference in 2015. Last semester, I made a presentation about organizational changes at OpenAI titled “A Critical Analysis of OpenAI in the Context of Organizational Behavior.” Reviewing it in preparation for this opinion piece meant revisiting leadership conflicts, questions about accountability, and some unsettling statements from Altman. Just then, with my brow furrowed and my hands to the sky, YouTube’s algorithm recommended an interview about how artificial intelligence might actually help humanity. The interview was between Jon Stewart and journalist Josh Tyrangiel, author of “AI for Good.” I expected another conversation about whether computers would save or kill us. Instead, I found a reason to take the space between those possibilities seriously. Tyrangiel described receiving this advice while reporting “You need to imagine the tech without the tech companies.” That distinction stayed with me. I can question the people developing AI while recognizing @TheGatepost | FSUgatepost.com

Reccomended for humanity that the technology could do planning exactly how we get extraordinary things, even over them. superhuman things. A treatment can exist without Supporting medical research it being affordable. An economy does not have to mean giving a can become wealthier without handful of billionaires custody the workers growing with it. of humanity. AI can help make universal Imagine a future where AI health care and broadly shared helps researchers develop prosperity more achievable, treatments for the world’s most but neither arrives without murderous diseases, helps someone in charge of the next doctors recognize problems software update. earlier, and makes medical Someone decides who gets expertise more Tobias Cotton-Selman / THE GATEPOST access, who accessible. r e c e i v e s I m a g i n e profits, and productivity whose interests gains large matter. enough to That is where support short my optimism work weeks is met with and universal uncomfortable benefits. questions. There How much is an privacy are even more we expected ambitious and to surrender? desirable possibility Who controls the beyond that horizon. information these There is a society where systems collect? What survival requires less struggle, happens to national sovereignty disability creates fewer when essential services depend barriers, and people have more on technology controlled by freedom to learn, create, care technology, which is further for others, and participate in controlled by a few gatekeeping their communities exactly as billionaires? they see best. Then there is security, human Call it utopian. Call it a control, and confidence in our big Montessori school in the own judgement. Convincing sky. But if there is a chance at words, images, and voices extracting that reality from a can be manufactured. We’re big data cloud, then we should making it harder to know what try to make that nurturing and information deserves our trust. Whatever we make of forgiving world real. We can only get there by Altman’s apocalyptic remark in cooperating to determine the 2015, our optimism can’t cloud hurdles to our success, and the catastrophic risk that may

be imminent. Fear alone will ensure a miserable future, so I propose finding a slightly more detailed plan. The dystopia is in the details. Tyrangiel’s argument gives optimism a constructive voice. He suggests we have a plan that includes identifying the applications we want, and insists people have a say in how they develop. That means supporting tools to help doctors, teachers, researchers, and people with disabilities. It means demanding privacy protections, meaningful accountability, and economic policies that let the public share in the benefits. We also need elected officials who understand these systems, and they need to prioritize the workers’ voices before they allow the AI market to permanently change the lives of the working class. Let’s all read as much as we can about AI. Let’s read about the record of the midterm candidates on AI. Let’s use our voice now, before it is too late. My YouTube recommendation didn’t resolve the debate. It reminded me that being critical and hopeful can happen in the same conversation. For once, my algorithm recommended hope. Now, let’s do more than like and subscribe. Nathan Piette is a Staff Writer for The Gatepost. He is an international business major. He can be reached at npiette@ student.framingham.edu

OPINION

OCTOBER 16, 2026 | 9

I still think Pluto is a planet

Susay Toe / THE GATEPOST

Campus Conversations

“What is your favorite meal the Dining Commons serves?” By Alexis Schlesinger, Opinion Editor, and Julien Fernandez, Staff Photographer

“I would definitely say - I just had their chicken and dumplings - but also, their butter chicken. It’s just good. I feel like they put a lot of flavor and love into it. ”

“Honestly, chicken nuggets and french fries - that’s just because I’m a really picky eater. But, I also like that they have sweet potatoes as an option because it’s good for you.”

- Mckayla Garcia, sophomore

- Rosilyn Lyden, freshman

“Probably whenever they do the rice with chicken. I just really like the rice meals they do. They’re really good. I’ve been really into rice lately.”

“I think my favorite was when they did soul food - or when they tried to. It didn’t taste completely like it, but I tasted the effort that they put into it.”

- Truman Shulga-Morskaya, sophomore

- Danya Duvert, sophomore

“There were tacos last year that were really good - that’s my favorite. I have a picture of it on my phone because I liked it so much.” - Taylor Brennan, sophomore

“I love when they do the countryfried steak - let’s start there. I’m a big fan of that, when they have the cream gravy … and when they have the mozzarella balls.” - Mack Reed, junior

FRAMINGHAM STATE UNIVERSITY’S INDEPENDENT NEWSPAPER SINCE 1932 | FSUGATEPOST.COM

10 | OCTOBER 16, 2026

SPORTS

Field hockey celebrates five seniors

By Taylor Kimmell Sports Editor

The Framingham State Rams fell 7-2 to the Westfield State Owls in a home conference matchup Oct. 10. This loss drops the team’s conference record to 2-4 and their overall record to 5-9, ranking them fourth of the conference’s six teams. Action started slowly in the first quarter. The first shot of the match came from Westfield at 2:15, and it was blocked. This resulted in a corner for the Owls, but the Rams were able to clear the ball before another shot could be fired off. It took another 5 minutes before WSU could break through for another shot, but it was saved by Rams’ senior Allison Harmuth, as was their next shot a little over a minute later. Eleven minutes in, Westfield attempted to score again, but sophomore goaltender Aubrey Jenkins saved the shot. The Rams went on an offensive drive during the final 15 seconds of the quarter, earning a corner that yielded three shots by Captain Finley Hogan, a junior, the third of which found the back of the net for the first goal of the match. The Owls were quick to match FSU’s pace, scoring to tie the game in the first 3 minutes of the second quarter. WSU earned a penalty corner 10 minutes into the quarter, firing off two shots that were saved by Jenkins, and a third that was not. Westfield found the back of the net again just over 2 minutes later, and the second quarter ended with a score of 3-1, putting the Rams at a deficit. The Owls maintained steady pressure on the Rams’ net during the third quarter, with two corners and three shots in the first 3 minutes. Hogan attempted to score 4 minutes in, but her shot was wide. The following 2 minutes saw three more shots and two more

corners from WSU before Rams’ sophomore Chloe Moynihan broke through the Owls’ defense for two shots, both missing the net. Westfield regained control on offense, earning two corners and four shots, the last of which made it by Jenkins. In the final quarter, the Owls increased their lead significantly. Freshman Sydney Walters scored for the Rams 7 minutes into the final quarter, but Westfield continued to fire off shots, finding the back of the net less than 2 minutes later. In the final 1:30 of the match, Westfield scored twice more. The Rams were unable to overcome WSU’s significant lead, and the match ended 7-2 in favor of the Owls. Harmuth said, “Westfield is always a really hard team to play. I think in my collegiate career, we’ve only beat them a few times. “I think moving forward, we need to recognize our mental game is just as important as our physical game, and we really want to get our focus right before, during, and after the game,” she added. Overshadowing the unfavorable results of the match was the celebratory ceremony preceding the first quarter, during which the field hockey program recognized its five graduating seniors - Marina Cadena, Maddie Bailey, Jillian Meeker, Ashley Malmquist, and Harmouth. Senior Jillian Meeker said her favorite senior day tradition is the tailgate after the game. “I love how we get to celebrate the seniors with our family and friends! “It means a lot for me to have the support. I have given my all to this team for the last four years, so to be celebrated by the people I love most is a great feeling,” she added. Harmuth said, “My favorite part of the senior day traditions is the time we spend in the locker room before the game. … As an underclassman, I loved celebrating the seniors. And as a senior this year, I loved just seeing

Izabela Gage / THE GATEPOST Ashley Malmquist dribbling the ball in win against Lasell on Oct. 7.

everyone being so happy - happy pact I would hope to leave is to altears and celebrating us, and be- ways have fun. There were times ing in such a kind and cute envi- in these last four years where it ronment.” got rough, but I don’t let it bring Harmuth said having her fam- me down, and I always bring the ily and friends there to celebrate fun and energy, so I hope to pass with her was “really special. You that down to the younger memput in a lot of work as a student bers of the team!” athlete for four years, and then On Oct. 13, FSU defeated the to see it all afterwards. … You’ve Fitchburg State Falcons 3-2, implayed in senior games, and proving their conference record you’ve witnessed senior games, to 3-4 and their overall record to but obviously this is your first 6-9. one, so it just says it made me Framingham will travel to Sareally think introspectively,” she lem State University for a conadded. ference matchup against the ViShe said, “It’s just nice to have kings Oct. 17. that celebration. And having my Meeker said, “My personal family support - my family comes goal is definitely just to enjoy from far away - so that was really my final days on the team. I have special too.” truly loved being a part of this Harmuth said she has always team for the last four years, so I hoped to leave a kind impact on hope to really end with a bang. the team. “When I was a fresh- As for the team, I would love to man, I had a senior who was see a MASCAC championship really kind to me, and I always win in my time here.” looked up to her. I always wanted Harmuth said her goal this to be like her. She was the nicest season is to “finish strong and person ever, and so inclusive to have a lot of fun. Get as many everybody. wins as we can before the end of “She never made a huge im- the season. I think we all want pact on the field, and she never the wins really bad and I’m sure got recognized as player of the we’ll get there. week or anything, but she truly was the star senior in my eyes because of her character and Stats sourced from fsurams.com how kind she was, and that’s how and MASCAC.com I always wanted to be when I left Framingham.” CONNECT WITH TAYLOR KIMMELL Meeker said, “I think the im- tkimmell@student.framingham.edu

Women’s soccer struggles against Lesley By Avery Slavin Editorial Staff

the next goal attempt from Lesley, who were keeping the pressure on the Rams. The shot was By Andrew Louis sent wide. Staff Writer Eager to earn their first point, Lesley sent the ball toward sophThe Framingham State Rams omore goalkeeper Amelia Finley, fell to the Lesley University Lynx hoping it would slip by her, but 1-0 in a hard-fought match on Finley stayed strong on defense home turf Oct. 14. and saved the shot. This brings their conference A corner kick from the Lynx record to 3-0-1 and their overall concluded the first half. record to 5-5-1. At the beginning of the second Lesley took their first shot just half, both teams were still held after the clock passed the 3-min- scoreless. ute mark, but it was too high to Junior Beyonce Gray sent the make it inside the net. first shot of the half on net for The ball was sent back and the Rams at 50:24, but it was forth for the next 12 minutes, saved by the Lynx’s goalkeeper, both teams aggressive on offense Taylor Leiker. in an attempt to gain possession. The ball continued to go back The Lynx were able to keep and forth, allowing Finley to get possession long enough to shoot a stop of her own at 51:21. the ball toward the net to break Gray was given a yellow card the Rams’ defense and get a for Framingham, and right after, point on the board, but they were a shot by Lesley was saved once unsuccessful. again by Finley. Another 11 minutes brought Both teams continued to sub-

@TheGatepost | FSUgatepost.com

stitute their players, attempting made the save to secure the 1-0 to get into a rhythm. score for Lesley. The Rams host the Westfield Lesley put Cameron Wedding in the game at 67:19, who broke State Owls for a conference the deadlock a minute later, matchup Oct. 17. scoring the game’s only goal to put Lesley up 1-0. Finley kept the game within reach with another saved shot from the Lynx. As the game closed in on the 80-minute mark, both teams had a total of 10 substitutions. These fresh legs on the field created a fighting chance for the Rams. Senior Tarynn Smith put the Rams on the attack with a shot saved by Leiker. Stats sourced from fsurams.com Sophomore Leiyani Buckner and MASCAC.com forced another save from Leiker, and then took a corner kick at 85:34, but the Rams could not CONNECT WITH AVERY SLAVIN aslavin1@student.framingham.edu convert. Lesley answered when Wedding sent a shot wide. CONNECT WITH ANDREW LOUIS Smith had the final chance of alouis1@student.framingham.edu the game at 89:51, but Leiker

OCTOBER 16, 2026 | 11

ARTS & FEATURES

Full-circle on State Street

How Corinne Hall Towers sparked a romance that led Andy Thompson and Catie Henry back to FSU By Izabela Gage Staff Writer Long before Area Director Andy Thompson was supervising residence halls at Framingham State University, he interviewed Catie Henry as a job candidate while serving as an Administrative Resident Assistant (ARA). They didn’t know their weirdly formal introduction in Corinne Hall Towers would lead to a new relationship, a roughly 1,380-mile move to Missouri, an engagement, and a return to the campus where it all started only three years after graduation. Catie still remembers the moment they met. “I awkwardly introduced myself to him as my legal name, and I made myself cringe. He did it with his legal name, too, so it made me feel a little less awkward about the whole situation,” she said. Andy said, “At the time, I was asked to help with an interview and was just told, ‘This is who the candidate is.’ … We went through the interview and then afterward, the resident director was like, ‘All right, does she seem hireable?’ ‘Yep.’” Once Catie joined the Residence Life team as a Resident Assistant (RA) alongside Andy, maintaining a professional demeanor in front of their peers and residents became priority number one. Andy said, “We intentionally tried not to have it be something that was widely known. … I wouldn’t say it was a concern with us because we made sure it wouldn’t affect the students and the residents in the hall.” Balancing a new relationship with the demands of college life, student leadership, and full-time responsibilities proved challenging during their senior year. Catie was juggling a packed schedule that included full-time student teaching and coaching Framingham High School’s color guard. Meanwhile, Andy was deeply embedded in campus life as president of the Framingham State Activities Board (FSAB), a senator for SGA, and class vice president. Catie said, “I constantly look back on it now and joke that I don’t know how I made it through senior year. It was definitely a lot, but we also knew about each other’s outside obligations.” Having separate commitments turned out to be a blessing in disguise for their relationship. Catie said, “We definitely weren’t together 24/7, which made it so we actually had things to talk about. It wasn’t all Residence Life and RA stuff, but just being us.” Working in Towers meant they racked up plenty of bizarre stories. One particular memory that still makes them laugh was them finding a bathroom stall door in an elevator.

Courtesy of Catie Henry

Despite the late nights and memorable stories, they stood out as exceptional student leaders. They were two of only three members of their RA staff recognized at the end-of-year banquet. Catie won “Creative of the Year” for her unique floor themes and bulletin boards. Andy won “Peer of the Year” for excellently performing duties and going above and beyond for co-workers and residents. As graduation approached, the couple had to figure out what came next. Andy, majoring in hospitality management, began reevaluating his career goals, while Catie, majoring in early childhood education with a minor in child and family studies, was unsure of her next steps. Andy decided to look for higher education job opportunities far outside his New England comfort zone. He said he was focused on “the idea of growth and development as a professional, which involved applying to anywhere that was west of the Mississippi and on.” The moment of truth arrived right after FSAB’s Sandbox, a massive campus event that Andy had spent months organizing. Andy said, “I got a call right at the end of the day. … I was waiting to hear back from my second option, and they informed me I hadn’t been offered a position. So I knew I was going to Missouri State University.” Andy broke the news to Catie that evening. He said, “It was definitely a shock for her.” Catie said, “Moving to Missouri was not a path I thought I was gonna end up on, so it was weird. Andy also never formally asked me to move to Missouri with him. I just did, which was kind of goofy.” Rather than moving down immediately after graduation, Catie said she chose to spend the summer taking a welldeserved break with her family in New York. In October 2023, Catie moved to Missouri, where she met their first dog, Nebula. This was a learning curve for Catie, who had grown up exclusively with cats. Within six months of arriving in Missouri, Catie unexpectedly found herself pulled back into

the world of college campuses, taking a position as an administrative assistant in the Living-Learning Communities Office of Residence Life at Missouri State. To her surprise, she fell head over heels for her work. “It was probably my favorite job I’ve had so far. … Now I’m pursuing a Master’s in Student Affairs in Higher Education. So, apparently, 22-year-old me had no clue what I was talking about.” Andy said working in higher education again together at MSU was a great experience. “For me, I knew that I wanted to do this. It was a great opportunity to learn some new things and work with some incredible people. “For Catie, who would have told you she was never coming back to higher education, it was funny,” he teased. While Missouri provided invaluable professional experience and personal growth, the pull to move home was strong. In November last year, Andy proposed to Catie in Disneyland, and they had serious conversations about returning to New England. Andy kept the engagement ring hidden for eight months before asking. Catie said with a laugh, “It’s the first and only secret he’s ever gotten past me.” With an upcoming wedding, being close to their families became the top priority. Andy said, “It made sense to be near our roots. We love our families - we want to be able to have them nearby. … We had known we wanted to come back to the regional area of New England.” While they explored job opportunities across Connecticut, Rhode Island, New York, and New Hampshire, returning directly to Framingham State carried a unique weight. Andy said, “Coming back to Framingham, it was something that felt right. The goal was to be able to go to Missouri, get some bigger school practice, and then scale it down to a more Framingham-sized school.” As Andy progressed through the hiring process for an Area Director position at FSU, Catie found herself emotionally invested in coming home. “I was beyond manifesting at that

point. I was like, ‘This better happen, because now I’ve got my heart set on going back to Framingham.’” Her manifestation must’ve worked, because Andy was offered the position, and the couple made a stressful trip back to Massachusetts with their dog Mystique and two cats, Alfredo and Hash Brown. Catie said, “We came back right before move-in. So we were unpacking, students were unpacking, and we were trying to acclimate our pets.” Now settled back on campus, the experience of walking around Framingham State feels delightfully surreal for both of them. Catie said, “I’m used to walking around campus on my way to class or walking back to my room after the longest day of my life. Now I’m just taking my dog for a walk and then going back to my apartment. It’s not something that I ever anticipated.” For Andy, stepping into his role as an Area Director helps him support FSU students using the perspective he gained when he was one of them. One campus building stands tall above the rest at the heart of their relationship, though. Catie said, “For us as a couple, I would say Towers means the most. It’s where we met. It’s where everything happened. That’s where he told me we were moving to Missouri.” Andy agreed, “That was a big centerpiece of our relationship.” Looking back at the two RAs who met three-and-ahalf years ago in Towers, both Andy and Catie see a journey defined by trust, growth, and unconditional support. Andy said, “I gave a lot of trust to Catie, and she’s done well with it. She trusted me when I said I’m going to Missouri, and she did it enough to move with me.” Catie said, “I feel like I’ve known him for forever, but I’ve barely known him for half a decade. … He’s my whole rock. I would tell little 22-year-old RA Catie, ‘It’s going to be hard, but he’s going to figure it out, even when the entire freaking world is crumbling around you.’” CONNECT WITH IZABELA GAGE igage@student.framingham.edu

FRAMINGHAM STATE UNIVERSITY'S INDEPENDENT STUDENT NEWSPAPER SINCE 1932 | FSUGATEPOST.COM

ARTS & FEATURES

12 | OCTOBER 16, 2026

‘The Matrix’ bends the rules of sci-fi cinema By Jesse Burchill Staff Writer First hitting theaters in 1999, “The Matrix” is a sci-fi action film starring Keanu Reeves, Carrie-Anne Moss, Laurence Fishburne, and Hugo Weaving. Directed by Lily and Lana Wachowski, the film focuses on the journey of Neo (Reeves), a computer hacker who suspects something is inherently wrong with the world itself and is searching for answers about something called the Matrix, hoping they lie with a man named Morpheus (Fishburne). Morpheus’ agent Trinity

from the film’s very first scene and is just as important to the story as Neo and Morpheus. Her journey to accepting Neo as the One, her determination to save Morpheus, and her dynamics with the rest of the cast make it clear how Moss’ effort in the role put her on the map as an actress. Fishburne as Morpheus is arguably the standout star. Throughout the film, Fishburne changes between a stoic enigma, a trusted leader, and a mentor who believes in Neo wholeheartedly. He knows how terrifying the unplugging process is, and is just as capable as

sition to reality echoes into a creepy dial-up-like tone, and he finds himself in a liquid-filled pod that’s only one of many in an impossibly tall human farm, where he and countless others are being held to power the Machines as batteries. Furthermore, the Agents the Matrix’s enforcer programs who relentlessly hunt down any who come close to learning the truth - are feared by the entire resistance, can hijack the bodies of anyone who’s still trapped in the Matrix, and have killed everyone else who’s directly fought them.

escapees. The movie’s visual effects were awarded an Oscar in 2000, and it is quite obvious how much it deserved the win. From the Sentinels, the Machines’ mechanical hunting squids from hell, to every shot of the real world, to the lobby shootout’s practical effects including actually ripping apart the lobby’s pillars into pieces, to Trinity flying around to land Neo and Morpheus on a roof with a subsequent helicopter crash, everything looks absolutely spectacular. While this film is undeniably a landmark work, it’s not per-

Meghan Petrone / THE GATEPOST

(Moss) finds Neo and takes him to meet Morpheus, who reveals that the world Neo knows is in fact a digital simulation called the Matrix. In the real world, Neo - and the rest of humanity - is enslaved by sentient machines of humanity’s own creation as power sources, and the Matrix was created by the Machines to keep them subservient and unaware. Morpheus tracks down and frees people from the Matrix’s control, using the system’s own rules against it. Neo joins Morpheus and his crew in the real world aboard their ship the Nebuchadnezzar, and finds himself interwoven with a prophecy that predicts a savior called the One is fated to free humanity once and for all from the Machines’ control. This was Keanu Reeves’ breakout role as an actor, and it’s clear why. Reeves sells every beat of Neo’s journey, from confusion at the Matrix’s nature to understandable horror and shock at the truth of the world he wakes up in, to a gradual and calm acceptance of his role in liberating humanity. Reeves vanishes in the character. One could be glad that Will Smith turned down the role, as it’s difficult to imagine Neo as being played by anyone else. Moss as Trinity is a veritable action star in her own right

those on his crew. Weaving as Agent Smith is the film’s primary antagonist, the face of the Matrix’s methods to keep humanity in check. He gives a commanding performance in every scene he has, speaking with a deep, almost unwavering monotone that emphasizes Smith’s inhuman nature even when Smith gets angry with a captured Morpheus. It’s no wonder why he was brought back for the sequels in a larger role. The supporting cast, namely the rest of the Nebuchadnezzar’s crew, all feel like real people as well, even though they get less focus than Morpheus and Trinity, and Tank can easily become a favorite thanks to Marcus Chong’s performance. The traitorous Cypher is also a standout thanks to Joe Pantoliano making him unsettling in a subtle way before the reveal. Switch and Apoc feel like the most underutilized, however. They don’t quite get the same amount of little character moments as the others, and even viewing the film as a one-off, they can feel like they deserved more development. The film’s setting is masterfully designed and presented. It’s arguably a horror movie at times, especially when Neo wakes up in the real world - his scream as he makes the tran-

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As an action movie, “The Matrix” does not disappoint. From Trinity’s introduction where she does the impossible within minutes of the film’s start, to Neo and Trinity going back into the Matrix to rescue Morpheus from Agent Smith, to Trinity crashing the helicopter, to Neo and Smith fighting in the subway, the cinematography and choreography for the film’s fight sequences are astounding throughout. The storytelling never feels subservient to the action - the film manages to strike a balance between the two that feels natural, and the breaks between the action never bore thanks to the writing and progression of the story. The movie explores the concept of humanity developing true artificial intelligence in the early 21st century, leading to a future where the environment is destroyed and much of humanity is enslaved by the very machines they made. The idea of AI being less than benevolent has been explored in other works before, such as “2001: A Space Odyssey” and the “Terminator” movies, but “The Matrix” makes use of the trope in a manner and scope that still feels unparalleled in implementation with the imagery of the human farms and the Machines hunting down

fect. Cypher’s betrayal can feel lacking in development, Trinity and Neo’s romance was hinted at throughout the film but still felt a bit underbaked when it came to fruition, the characters can be rather concerningly ruthless about the lives of the people still hooked into the Matrix, and the ending - where Neo informs the Machines of how he’s going to free the rest of humanity - still bears the weight of humanity’s massively uphill battle in a devastated real world. However, this is one of those movies where the flaws do not detract from the viewing experience in the slightest. It still works very well as a stellar action flick with a unique interpretation of the journey to find one’s true identity in a world constantly trying to stop them and keep them trapped as someone they’re not. In the end, “The Matrix” remains as a classic of the sci-fi, cyberpunk, and action genres, and has left an undeniable influence in the time since.

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Banned Books Continued from Page 1

From a public hearing, the bill received enough support to move forward, he said. The “Freedom to Read” law was passed in July and signed by the governor in August, he added. Garballey said challenges to book selections in libraries are damaging to librarians, who have the academic credentials to decide what books are on the shelves. “These are individuals who are accredited, who are experienced in terms of what goes on the shelf, and we’re going to have someone for ideological reasons come in and try to pull a book off the shelf,” Garballey said. People with unknown credentials who challenge books are mostly acting out of political and ideological motivations, he said. He said 91% of book challenges are from politically motivated out-of-state groups. The new law creates a clear process on how a book is challenged and removed, he said. “The foundation of this bill is grounded on protecting the author and the librarian of those books - to make sure that their judgement is first and foremost in any decision that gets made,” Garballey said. The Mass Freedom to Read Coalition and the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) both supported the bill by organizing thousands of people across the state to involve their lawmakers, he said. “This was a civil rights piece of legislation from the very beginning,” Garballey said. When the bill went to the House of Representatives, every Democrat and most of the Republicans voted yes, and only three voted no, he added. When the bill returned to enactment, two of those Republicans changed their minds to a yes vote, he said. As chair of the committee, his plan was to meet with every lawmaker in order to explain why the bill was important, he said. “I met with both Democrats and Republicans, progressives and conservatives, about why I believe that this bill was so important and why it was so important to do it now,” Garballey said. The discomfort some books can cause is something people need to get comfortable with, he added. Several other states have passed similar laws, but Massachusetts’ is more comprehensive, he said. “I’m really proud of what we’ve accomplished,” Garballey said. Zrike offered his thanks to the librarians and educators. He said he’s seen their important impacts firsthand. Before becoming Secretary of Education, Zrike was the superintendent of Salem Public Schools, and that’s only the most recent school district he’s led. Educators introduce students to experiences and ideas they may have missed otherwise, he said. “At its heart, the ‘Freedom to Read’ is about something fundamental to our educational system - giving young people

the opportunity to learn, explore ideas, ask questions, and ultimately develop the ability to think critically for themselves,” Zrike said. Massachusetts was the first U.S. state to have public education, and now our school system is one of the strongest in the country, he said. Books are crucial to that development, he said. “They can spark curiosity, challenge assumptions, and yes - sometimes, and it’s OK make us feel uncomfortable. That’s something we all have to be comfortable with,” Zrike said. Education shouldn’t be about shielding students from ideas we disagree with, but rather to prepare them to face these ideas thoughtfully and distinguish facts from opinions, he said. Not every parent, student, and educator will agree on what books should be in libraries and schools, but that is to be expected, he said. “The question is how we navigate those disagreements,” Zrike said. A transparent process is needed to allow concerns to be heard without ignoring the judgment of educators and librarians, he said. Educators and librarians should be able to decide if a book goes on the shelf or not “without fear that using their professional judgement and expertise will make them the target of personal or political attacks,” Zrike said. He found it concerning that many librarians and educators, even in Massachusetts, were afraid and anxious because of these issues. He said he could only imagine how people in other parts of the country felt if the fear was already so materialized here. “No professional should feel attacked when they’re doing the job,” Zrike said. When that fear determines what books students are allowed to have access to, they lose out on experiences and opportunities to learn, he said. In terms of the “Freedom to Read” law, Zrike said he likes how it strikes a balance. He wants the voices of community members, especially parents, to be heard without subjecting books to being removed out of fear, he said. “Community members have a voice. Questions can be raised. Concerns can be heard and considered, but through a very thoughtful and deliberate process. It can’t simply be because of political pressure, or the personal beliefs of any one individual,” Zrike said. What is taken into account is educational value and age appropriateness, he said. Books will have to stay on the shelf until the process is finished, he said. Removal would require a vote of the school committee. Educators and librarians are also protected from employment consequences when they select materials with their professional judgment and in good faith, he said. “No one should be losing their job because they’re doing what they have been asked to do,” Zrike said. Literacy is another important component in having the

freedom to read, he said. It is the foundation for “nearly every other educational opportunity,” Zrike said. Students who aren’t literate struggle to find good jobs, manage healthcare, and engage in daily life, he said. It is also important for exercising citizens’ voices in democracy, he said. “Literacy is the foundational element to academic achievement and, more importantly, to opportunity and equity,” Zrike said. He said he wants every Massachusetts student to be able to go into a library and use everything they offer. The panel conversation about book challenges and banning was held shortly after the speeches. There were six panelists: Olivia Santoro, the ACLU’s deputy field director for civic education and mobilization; James Cressey, an education professor; Louis J. Lauer, a curriculum librarian at the Henry Whittemore Library; Stefan Papaioannou, a history professor; Caroline White, an early education student in the class of 2029; and Oak Blum, a family studies student in the class of 2027. Santoro said it isn’t hyperbole to say books save lives. When books are being challenged in schools, it’s usually books that are about or by people of color and LGBTQ+ people, she said. “The ability to see yourself in the curriculum and in the books that you have in school is really important to your understanding of who you are and how you fit into the world,” Santoro said. It’s just as important to see people who are different from you in books, she said. Cressey said as a psychologist and special educator, he believes that diverse literature is a powerful tool in dealing with trauma related to discrimination. White said it is important for students to feel accepted, especially at a young age. “I think books are the window to new opportunities and new perspectives for them to learn,” White said. Lauer said distinguishing self-censoring from just being socially aware is a constant question. It involves checking your gut reaction and comparing it against your own biases, he said. “It’s really important to have that level of self-reflection,” Lauer said. Blum said a good rule to follow is to be conscious of what you say and how it affects other people. Papaioannou said in one sense, simply stopping yourself from saying something is selfcensoring. Being socially aware is about doing what you feel is good for the community, he said. White said the best way to fight censorship when not in a position of power is “just by getting your voice out there. “It’s coming to these kinds of talks, getting educated, figuring out, and diving deeper into those resources that can give you a voice,” White said. Blum said getting other powerless people involved is important.

One person making good points is good, “but 10 people doing the same thing will have that much more of an impact,” Blum said. Santoro said one person does not have to do it alone. “When all of you come together and show up at that school board meeting, or that city hall meeting, or whatever the venue might be, it’s going to be a very powerful message for the people who are making those decisions,” Santoro said. Lauer said that, in his opinion, no books should ever be banned. “I think it’s really important that we have access and that people have freedom to access text, even if we don’t like the text to begin with,” Lauer said. Blum said it’s important to help both kids and adults think about controversial topics in a constructive way. “You can come across some rather upsetting things in books and they can impact you quite negatively, but how you digest that and how you react to that is, at the end of the day, a personal responsibility,” Blum said. It’s up to the individual to develop the ability to handle that responsibility, she added. Cressey said he agreed that no books should be banned, but educators focus on how to use texts to achieve learning objectives. “It’s the role of the teacher, the librarian, the parent, the caregiver,” Cressey said. White said books that “glorify” sexual violence and violence in general need to at least be looked at more closely, as she wouldn’t want students reading them. At the same time, there should be books that still discuss violence as a topic and how it impacts people. Santoro said she believes there’s a level of age appropriateness. “Maybe that book doesn’t belong on the shelf for kindergarten but it belongs on the shelf in middle school,” Santoro said. Papaioannou said it’s always up to whoever is in the position of power. This usually means that marginalized people get left out of the conversation entirely, Papaioannou said.

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‘Believe’ in yourself like Cher By Louie Ranieri Staff Writer On Oct. 19, 1998, the Goddess of Pop released her best-selling song of all time, “Believe.” Cher released this smash hit at nearly 53 years old, becoming the oldest woman to top the Billboard Hot 100 Chart at the time. This song’s production combined electronic sounds, energetic rhythms, and lyrics about overcoming heartbreak. The result was a song that blended emotional storytelling with the excitement of dance music that continues to transcend time. One of the most important elements of “Believe” was its distinctive vocal effect. The song used Auto-Tune, a technology originally designed to correct pitch in recorded singing. However, instead of hiding the effect, the producers made it an obvious part of Cher’s performance. This gave her voice a robotic, futuristic quality that immediately stood out. It was the first song to ever

fully use Auto-Tune! Originally, some people working on the project with Cher wanted to remove the unusual effect. Cher, however, believed it was essential to the song’s identity and insisted that it remain. Her decision proved - and furthermore continues to prove - successful. “Believe” helped popularize the creative use of Auto-Tune and influenced countless musicians who later experimented with electronically altered vocals. The effect became so closely associated w i t h Cher’s hit that it was

song explores the emotional difficulties of a relationship ending and the possibility of moving forward after. Its central question about believing in life after love encourages listeners to consider whether happiness and independence are possible after heartbreak. It turns heartbreak into a reason for individuals to flourish! The combination of emotional lyrics and upbeat dance music helped make the song appealing to a wide audience. Rather than focusing entirely on sadness, “Believe” represents the idea that a person can recover from disappointment, discovering strength within themselves. nicknamed T h r o u g h the “Cher this song, Cher effect.” simply gave Mark Taylor, herself a rebirth. the producer I see this song behind this as a source of song, criticized encouragement Cher’s vocal and hope - a delivery and reminder to told her to never surrender sing it better. or bring yourself Frustrated, Cher down, but to told him, “Well, if Marcus Falcão / THE GATEPOST rise above, and you want it better, to be there for get somebody yourself. else,” and temporarily walked When I listen to this song, out of the session. Imagine if it is a reminder that I am she didn’t go back and record enough for myself. Even if I’m it - the world wouldn’t have not enough for someone else, this iconic song! What an awful that’s their problem, not mine. world it would be. And I’m not talking about Beyond its production and relationships. I don’t do those. commercial success, “Believe” But I’m talking about friends connected with listeners and even family. If anyone through its message. The makes me feel less than what I

am, I carry on and leave them behind. In my eyes, one of the most important things in life is to always be your own cheerleader. Sometimes, there won’t be anyone else there for you but you, and you alone. You must persevere and plow through life in the toughest of times, and if you aren’t pushing for yourself, there is no one pushing at all. These lyrics are what resonate with me the most - “Well, I know that I’ll get through this / ‘Cause I know that I am strong / And I don’t need you anymore / Oh, I don’t need you anymore.” There are a few songs that help me remind myself that I am enough for myself and to do what I want to do. At the end of the day, as long as you are making yourself happy, that is all that matters. Don’t seek approval, approve yourself. Be the one to push yourself to be better than you are today. I have never appeased everyone during certain situations. No matter what I do, one side agrees and the other disagrees, but what really matters is that every decision I made for myself has been beneficial to me. So do what you need to do and don’t let anyone get in the way. So whenever you feel lost or not enough, just remember to “believe” in yourself and what’s meant to be will be. Take it from me and Cher.

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ARTS & FEATURES

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PHOTOS

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Photos by Alexis Schlesinger, Editorial Staff Spread by Photos & Design Editor Onyx Lovely & Asst. Photos & Design Editor Christy Howland

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