The Hawks' Herald | Dec. 2, 2021 by Hawks' Herald

www.rwuhawksherald.com Vol. 34, Issue 10 FREE

Campus shuttle services experience staffing shortages

Gracie Munnie Herald Reporter

Campus shuttle services have seen a decline in staff which has impacted the availability of the shuttles to students over the course of the fall 2021 semester. There have been a variety of reasons for the staffing shortages. “Currently we have some expected drivers that have been either sick, or out on medical leave, as well as one of the drivers that we had left in June, and we have yet to be able to fill that position,” said Manager of Parking and Transportation at Roger Williams University Catherine Tobin. She added, “It’s not just shuttle services that are suffering. I know dining is at a low time, they are having a hard time going ahead and getting applicants in as well.” Interim Director of Public Safety at RWU since September of this year, Mark Porter, said the shortage in shuttle drivers is not just an issue at RWU. “We have been posting, and trying to recruit different professional drivers, but this whole issue, or shortage, is a bigger problem. We are seeing it in the local region, and also nationally, that there’s been a

shortage in qualified shuttle drivers.” As for why these shortages are occurring, Porter said, “People aren’t coming back to the workforce as they once did, and then for the ones that are coming back, they can certainly pick and choose where they are going because you know, the need for drivers is so high that the starting rates have really blossomed.” Porter said when people do return to work following the pandemic, they are looking for higher paying transportation jobs. “I see some of these applicants opting out for a higher paid, higher demand, driving transportation jobs that are out there,” said Porter. Part of Porter’s plan going forward is to return to the full time shuttle service hours of 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. “Our goal for this semester is to return to full service before the end of the semester, and really revamp for the spring semester,” said Porter. “The one thing that we’ve done so far already is we’ve increased the starting pay for our shuttle position.

We’re adding additional per diem, and part time drivers.” Porter said he is looking to use more campus resources to deal with the shuttle issues. “I see us looking more toward utilizing more community based resources and support to help us, whether that is using on campus staff or other on campus organizations we can develop a partnership with.” Until then, however, Tobin is working overtime to put out updated shuttle schedules so that staff and students know what resources are available to them. As for the process in making these schedules, she said, “It’s trying to go ahead and find the best possible solution for the amount of drivers we have, and what can actually work.” Porter described the shortage in shuttle staff as “challenging.” “We are trying to really get ahead of it,” said Porter. “I know it’s challenging, I know it’s very frustrating for some of our students and community members, but it’s a big challenge.”

RWU maintains low COVID-19 positivity rate thus far in fall semester Jimmy Sadowski News Editor

Testing to continue in spring 2022 semester

According to Vice President of Student Life Dr. John King, the Roger Williams University campus community has not exceeded a 0.23% positivity rate for any week this semester to date. “This is a remarkable feat given state and regional COVID cases,” said King. As of Nov. 29, there have been 89 total positives this semester according to COVID Prevention Coordinator Kathleen Yorks. Over 57,000 tests including pooled tests, rapid antigen tests, and individual PCR tests have been administered between Aug. 15 and Nov. 22 which is the last day testing data is available as

of Nov. 29. King said the testing center typically has long lines around 11 a.m. when they open to about 11:45 a.m. He attributed the long lines at this time to two reasons: people with appointments wanting to get their test done early and students who do not have appointments going at that time for the same reason. Junior Luke Strand said he has encountered long lines at the testing center. “Testing has not been too bad honestly,” said Strand. “Everytime I go [to get tested] the line looks kind of long, but it moves pretty quick.” Senior Ian McCallum expressed a similar sentiment. “I guess the one trouble there [at the

testing center] is that the lines can get pretty long, but it [the line] typically moves pretty fast,” said McCallum. The testing center relies on volunteers from every division of the university and about 60 people are volunteering this semester according to King. “It’s worked well,” said King. “They [volunteers] cover for each other when somebody has a conflict … people always step up and cover for someone that needs to go out.” Testing center hours this semester have been 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday. The scheduling system for the testing center had an error the week of Nov. 8 where appointments between 10 a.m. and 11 a.m. could be made. RWU Public

Affairs sent out an email to the RWU community Nov. 9. King said around 150 students were impacted by the error in the scheduling program. King credited testing and indoor masking as the “keys” that have kept the university at a low positivity rate. He said every university in New England should be concerned about post-Thanksgiving because students go home to their friends and families who may not be in a testing environment and they may be interacting with people who are not vaccinated.

See

POSITIVITY RATE

on page 2

SECTION EDITOR

Jimmy Sadowski jsadowski031@g.rwu.edu

NEWS

DESIGNER

Rachel Dvareckas rdvareckas244@g.rwu.edu

Student Hearing Officer selection process announced Applications are due Dec. 2 Jimmy Sadowski News Editor Selected students will now be members of panels hearing cases for incidents involving bias, harassment, interpersonal conflict and other code violations with the exception of Title IX according to a Nov. 27 email to all students from Vice President of Student Life Dr. John King. King said in the email that Student Senate and Student Life have been incorporating feedback from students and collaborating on “returning to the practice of involving trained student hearing officers as members of student conduct panels.” Student Senate said they are excited about this change in the conduct process and acknowledged that “this is an important first step in continuing to improve the Student Conduct System through a comprehensive review process during the spring semester.” In order to be eligible for a student hearing officer position, students must meet the following requirements: A minimum of a 3.0 GPA, an acceptable student conduct history (minor infractions do not rule out candidates,)

full sophomore year standing in credits, have the commitment to to attend necessary training at the start of the spring semester and once trained there will be a signed confidentiality agreement. Current seniors are not eligible for these student hearing officer positions. Interested students can apply to be trained student hearing officers on the Student Senate Hawk Link page or fill out the form on Hawk Link. Applications are due Thursday, Dec. 2 at 5 p.m. After applications have been received, Student Senate will make conditional appointments and forward to Student Life through the Student Conduct & Conflict Resolution Office (SCCR). SCCR will then conduct a disciplinary history check and a brief interview leading to a confirmation of the Senate appointment or a request for additional candidates. Appointees will be required to participate in training in January and February. According to King’s email, the goal is to begin using students as members of panel hearings with an administrator and a faculty member in February 2022.

THE GAVEL

Your source for Student Senate news Hey Hawks, we hope everyone has had an amazing semester and is ready for finals! This past Monday Senate had an open debate topic discussing the current student dining plans and if they are beneficial to the student body and ways they can be reconstructed. In addition, we passed two bills that officially established both the Sustainability and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Councils! Keep your eyes open for details about how to become members of the councils and how to apply to become a Vice-Chair of the council. We have selected our club, student leader, and student senator of the month! Club of the month was awarded to the Women of Color Club. Student Leader of the month is Jared Richardson. Lastly, Senator of the Month was awarded to Luis De Ugarte. Monday, Dec. 6 will be our last meeting of the semester and we will have two guest speakers coming in to chat with us. Vice President of Student Life Dr. John King will be discussing the new student conduct process. Provost Margaret Everett will join us to discuss the general education curriculum and how to incorporate DEI into it, along with the contract process for faculty and implicit bias training for them. As always, follow us on social media @RWU_Senate and come to our weekly meetings on Mondays at 6:30 p.m. in the Mary Tefft White Center. Our meetings are recorded so you can watch the recordings on the Senate YouTube page if you miss them. The gavel is contributed by the Student Senate and does not reflect the views of The Hawks’ Herald

December 2, 2021 POSITIVITY RATE from page 1 “Upon return, it’s going to be crucial for every member of our community to test those first three days back and to keep testing right through,” said King. A common piece of feedback on testing policies King said he’s received are individuals wanting more testing hours. Some individuals want testing hours past 5 p.m. and King said the university cannot do that because they have an arrangement with Salve

Regina University where twice a week RWU drives their tests to Cambridge, Massachusetts, and twice a week Salve does the same for RWU. In regard to testing procedures for next semester King said, “We are having internal discussions with the Reopening Roger Steering Committee and cabinet about our testing plan for next semester. We will continue testing. If the frequency is going to change for any of the populations, we will make that announcement either later this semester or in January.”

Providence Public Library showcases the history of the state with the Rhode Island Collections

Emily Dvareckas/The Hawks’ Herald The Rhode Island Collections are located on the third floor of the Providence Public Library in the Special Collections room.

Rachel Dvarckas Editor-in-Chief PROVIDENCE, R.I.— Rhode Island’s rich history spans hundreds of years. The Providence Public Library’s Rhode Island Collections documents that history from the years right after Roger Williams’ time in the state to the impacts of COVID-19 today. Kate Wells is the curator of the 3,000 square foot collection and is passionate about sharing the knowledge and resources it provides. The collection tells the stories of what has happened and what is happening to the people of Rhode Island, including the current pandemic and documents pertaining to the LGBTQ+ community. Some of these stories are well known, while others have been buried throughout history. “We are partners with the Rhode Island Historical Society on the COVID-19 archive project, which is documenting literally life in Rhode Island in the past two years,” Wells said. “The other thing that is a brand new collecting area for us is The Rhode Island LGBTQ+ community archive, which opened this past summer in June,” Wells said. “We realized there was no library archive in the state that was intentionally collecting that community history, so we worked

with an advisory board and are happy to be hosting that kind of collecting initiative.” The collection and the work of researchers in the past 50 years have shifted to tell the stories of people who never had their stories told before. “Our job has really focused on how do we collect and uncover the stories of people who might otherwise have been marginalized from history,” Wells explained. Wells hopes the collection provides people with the ability to create connections with the past. This ranges from teens figuring out their neighborhood did not always look the way it does now to the history of the treatment of Black and Indigenous people of color in the state. “I think that is the biggest thing, wanting people in our community to see themselves reflected in some way in history,” Wells said. Artists, historians, academics, writers and inquisitive people have used the collection for their own work. Patricia Rubertone, Brown University professor and author of “Native Providence: Memory, Community, and Survivance in the Northeast,” thanked Wells for her assistance in collecting information for her book about the often hidden history of Indigenous people in Providence.

Read the full story at rwuhawksherald.com

SECTION EDITOR

Amy Martin amartin052@g.rwu.edu

FEATURES

DESIGNER

Emily Dvareckas edvareckas213@g.rwu.edu

December 2, 2021

Motivation inside the university

Sami Poutre Herald Reporter

The word “motivation” has many fluctuating ideals. If you were to ask any person’s individual definition of the word, you would be bound to get a different answer every time. The questions of what motivates students to do well in classes, what causes students to have feelings of unmotivation, as well as if and how resources are being utilized are all topics that have relation to each member of Roger Williams University. Not only are first-year students required to juggle new classes and a whole new environment, they also have to balance their extracurricular activities. When asked how her sport affected her studies, first-year and member of the equestrian team, Geniefer Loring,

said, “Riding does put a strain on my studies, especially after practice if I am tired. But I always try to pull through. Sports motivate me more as well, since it is something I love, and if I do not do well in school, I cannot ride.” It is a known phenomenon that motivation can make a steady decline as the year goes on, especially when vacation is just around the corner and dreaded midterm and final exams creep closer. However, Writing Studies professor James Moore believed lack of motivation was not a big issue among his students. Moore stated, “For some students, they go strong throughout the year, but for some they stop coming to class or stop turning in assignments throughout the year.” In terms of upperclassmen, Moore continued, “[T]hey figure out how to do the course and do the work to get a good grade. But if it is the case,

it can be due to personal issues, or if they were to have a job. Some work two to three jobs and cannot keep up — they are just doing too many things at once.” The Tutoring Center, located on the second floor of the library, is a well known program at RWU that gives students the opportunity to work with upperclassmen or teachers that have expertise in the given subject. Director of the Tutoring Center, Karen Bilotti, compared students learning remotely versus in person and how these students still have a strong willingness to learn material. “A lot of students are getting used to coming in and working with someone face to face,” Bilotti said. “When we went remote, we developed an online emailing system for the tutoring center that students like, which is still incredibly popular.”

When asked about the preference between in person and remote teaching, Bilotti said, “Students got used to remote learning, and are still in that mode to a certain extent. Seniors take advantage of it in person frequently because they were here to appreciate it, but sophomores never got to experience that previously.” Motivation has relation to each member of RWU, but it has a subjective meaning to each individual. The misconception that unmotivated students are too lazy is disproved by the fact that many students are juggling responsibilities. Students are utilizing their resources at a consistent rate, as well as participating in extracurricular activities that motivate them to work on their studies. As the school year continues, students should hold onto their own reasons that keep them motivated in troubling times.

Join festive National days to celebrate on Dec. 2 celebrations in Bristol Emily Dvareckas Photo Editor

National Mutt Day

Dec. 2 is a day to celebrate dogs, more specifically mutt dogs. Mutts, or mixed-breeds, are dogs that do not belong to one pure breed and instead are a mixture of multiple breeds. This day is to celebrate the dogs that are a little different but make a family complete. The day can be celebrated by volunteering at a local animal shelter or adopting a mutt dog. Mutts are great companions as they have characteristics from a variety of breeds and each pup is unique. This national day was created in 2005 and has been celebrated on Dec. 2 every year since. It is also celebrated on July 31 of each year.

National Fritter Day

Dec. 2 is also National Fritter Day. Fritters can be considered any ingredient that has been breaded or battered and then fried. Most cultures have a variation of a fritter and they can either be sweet or savory. Tempura, pakora and beignets are all different types of fritters from Japan, India and France, respectively. Fritters are thought to have been around since ancient Roman times, but the first time they were recorded was in 1665. The yearly celebration of fritters did not start until 2012 when a district council in New Zealand began their yearly festival to celebrate fried treats. Celebrate the day by eating fritters, whether they are handmade or from a restaurant. It is a great way to try new cuisines or food from a different country.

Business of Popping Corn Day

Emily Dvareckas/The Hawks’ Herald Anna was adopted in 2019 from a humane society. She is a mutt and will be celebrated on Dec. 2.

Business of Popping Corn Day is celebrated on Dec. 2 to commemorate the invention of the commercial oil popcorn popper, which was invented in 1885. Charles Cretors invented the oil popcorn popper because he did not like any of the peanut roasters that were available on the market. He thought he could make a better one, so he sold all of his possessions and moved to Chicago to start working on his own peanut roaster. The popcorn popper used a steam engine, with the steam being created by a small fire and engine under a broiler. Information from Nationaltoday.com

Amy Martin Features Editor

The holiday season is starting early in Bristol as the community celebrates with a number of exciting events. Join residents in spreading the holly jolly Christmas spirit this December!

“Deck the Doors” Contest Check out these decked-out doors of Bristol residents and businesses alike as they compete for the best decorations. From Dec. 10 to 17, these doors will be judged for three different categories: Best Residential, Best Commercial and People’s Choice. These doors will be covered from top to bottom with garlands and lights, so make sure to see them in all their delights!

be decorated, including Blithewold Mansion, which will be illuminated both nights from 5 to 7 p.m.

Annual Snowflake Raffle

Shopping and dining locally between now and Dec. 19 allows you to earn as many tickets as possible for the chance at one of several cash prizes. A big snowflake can be found at participating businesses, and for more information, visit the Bristol Merchants Association Facebook page. On Sunday, Dec. 19, the winning tickets will be drawn at the bottom of State Street, as well as live on Facebook.

Grand Illumination

On Saturday, Dec. 4, stop by the Burnside Building at 400 Hope Street to see the Grand Illumination. Starting at 5:30 p.m., watch as Santa and Mrs. Claus light Bristol’s Christmas tree together while local school choirs perform in celebration.

Festival Weekend

For their 35th year, the Bristol Christmas Festival Committee is hosting a European-style Christmas market. On Saturday, Dec. 11, and Sunday, Dec. 12, join the community for a number of holiday activities, including ice sculpting, holiday crafts and enjoying warm mulled wine. A number of historical sites will also

Courtesy of Bristol Christmas Festival Every year, the community of Bristol gets together and celebrates the winter holidays early.

SECTION EDITOR

SECTION MANAGER DESIGNER

Emma Bartlett Kayla Ivan ebartlett122@g.rwu.edu kivan850@g.rwu.edu

Emily Dvareckas edvareckas213@g.rwu.edu

ARTS & CULTURE December 2, 2021

The life of ground-breaking fashion icon Virgil Abloh Abloh passed away at age 41 from a rare form of cancer

Adam Zerman Business Manager “Everything I do is for the 17-yearold version of myself.” This was a statement that Virgil Abloh frequently made and lived by; Abloh lived his life looking to pave the way for future generations. Abloh believed that art had the power to inspire upcoming generations. His goal was to open the doors for other Black people who came after him so they would not have to break the barriers that he had to as a Black man, not just in art and fashion, but also in America. Abloh was a fashion icon who founded the brand Off-White, was the artistic director of Louis Vuitton and the creative director of Kanye

West’s creative content company DONDA. Abloh — being so much more than just a fashion designer — was a visionary, creative genius and trailblazer; he was a true generational talent and someone that only comes once in a lifetime. Abloh passed away from a rare form of cancer called Cardiac Angiosarcoma in Chicago on the morning of Sunday, Nov. 28. His battle with cancer lasted two years after being diagnosed in 2019. Abloh chose to keep his illness and treatment private. Since his passing, thousands have flocked to social media to mourn the loss of Abloh, from models who walked his runway shows to many of the different artists and designers he has worked with and more. Even some of the biggest brands in fashion such

as Gucci, Dior and Versace released statements about Abloh’s passing. Abloh also had a large impact on the sports world and the culture within sports. Athletes from different sports would show off Abloh’s clothing and designs before games and at events. Many of those athletes took to social media to share their condolences and thoughts on his passing. However, the sports that Abloh had the biggest effect on were basketball and skateboarding. In fact, before becoming famous, Abloh himself was a skater. Many of his brand’s clothes are streetwear, a highly popular style among skate culture. Off-White quickly became a staple of streetwear and skateboarding culture. He even brought his love for skateboarding to Louis Vuitton

where he incorporated streetwear into his designs and even created an LV skate shoe. As for basketball, growing up outside Chicago in the 80s and 90s, Abloh was a massive Michael Jordan fan. This love for Jordan and basketball could be seen in his clothes and designs, using the number 23 as well as the collaborations he did with Nike and Jordan brands. Moreover, fashion plays a massive role in the culture of the NBA and basketball, leading to a lot of basketball players wearing Abloh’s clothing and shoes both on and off the court.

Read the full story at rwuhawksherald.com

Dancing past COVID-19

RWU Dance Theatre to showcase its first indoor performance since fall 2019

Emma Bartlett Arts & Culture Editor

Passion. Persistence. Perspiration. These are several elements that make up RWU’s Dance Theatre dancers. With a long two years of pandemic obstacles, Dance Theatre will finally return to the Barn’s stage and debut their indoor fall showcase on Dec. 2. This event is typically the company’s capstone performance and consists of dance majors, minors, core concentrations and dance enthusiasts. The semester’s showcase comprises 22 dancers and seven numbers, including four student choreographed pieces by Emery Feagin, Cara Grady, Grace Jaworski, Sarah Loyola and Jordan Roberts. “I feel delighted to watch [the dancers] grow, and to watch them gain confidence in sharing their ideas and visions,” said Cathy Nicoli, Associate Professor of Dance. Nicoli explained how dancers wishing to be choreographers needed to submit a proposal explaining the methodologies behind their plan as well as an artist statement. The selected choreographers would then work one-on-one with Nicoli and the department’s guest artists, where they focused on not only the dances’ conceptual and aesthetic sides, but also how to become a good leader, communicate with dancers and bring

individuals into the conversation of the creative process. This semester’s guest artists include Hollis Bartlett and Nattie Trogdan, two Brooklyn-based choreographers, performers, practitioners and partners, who worked virtually with RWU dancers last spring. “They [Bartlett and Trogdan] taught master classes and the students loved them so much they asked to have them live,” Nicoli said. For the upcoming performance, Bartlett and Trogdan choreographed the opening number, which is a more abstract work. Meanwhile, Dance Theatre’s third guest artist, Ashley Rich, was a season eight finalist on “So You Think You Can Dance” and choreographed the show’s final two pieces which are more accessible to all people in a lyrical way. The performance’s student choreographed dances include an exploration of the pandemic’s impact through themes of longing for home and remembering the past to understand and live in the present. Additionally, other numbers explore the body’s geometric possibilities and themes of identity. While the pandemic has inhibited Dance Theatre’s ability to perform indoors for the past two years, this obstacle has not stopped the company’s dedication to gather and perform. In fact, last year, the

group completed an entirely outdoor installation after discovering that indoor COVID-19 protocols only allowed six dancers on stage at a time. To make do with what they had, the company said goodbye to their indoor space and danced on the tennis courts, Cedar Hall’s fire escapes, behind Global Heritage Hall and many more locations across campus. They learned a lot from their experience outdoors, yet the transition back to an indoor venue has shown a noticeable change in the dancers. “The students are remembering how exciting performance can be,” Nicoli said. Nicoli explained how performance is a communal act, and enclosed spaces allow dancers to feel the audience’s energy, which was lacking in last year’s enormous outdoor space.

Courtesy of RWU Dance Theatre

By being back in the Barn, dancers hope to capture this energy again. It seems that anticipation and enthusiasm are already growing from audience members as 90 tickets have already been sold for the showcase! When looking at her students’ dedication to their craft, Nicoli praised her dancers and their efforts. They have rehearsed at night throughout the semester, making time during the week and sometimes on weekends to solidify their routines. “This is a one-credit class, and they [dancers] put the hours in because they love to dance,” Nicoli said. She made it a point that this is not a simple commitment when becoming a part of the company. “You have to be fully engaged even if you aren’t physically working. None of this has been made by just showing up. Everyone has to bring their 100%.” With less than a week leading up to their showcase, it is safe to say that the RWU community is eagerly awaiting what Dance Theatre has in store. Dance Theatre’s fall showcase runs from Dec. 2 to 5 in the RWU Barn. Thursday through Saturday showings start at 7:30 p.m. and the Sunday viewing begins at 2 p.m. Tickets are $5 for students, $10 for seniors and $15 for the general public — these can be reserved at rwu.booktix. com. Vaccinations and masks are mandatory.

SECTION EDITOR

SECTION MANAGER DESIGNER

Emma Bartlett Kayla Ivan ebartlett122@g.rwu.edu kivan850@g.rwu.edu

Emily Dvareckas edvareckas213@g.rwu.edu

Classic cookie decorating tips

Nicole Kowalewski Herald Reporter

The holiday season is upon us and, as the days grow colder, baked goods are the perfect sugary treat! Many families, especially those with little ones, spend time together concocting the perfect (or at least tasty) dessert for their celebrations, and cookies are often at the top of the list! Here are a few tactful tips for decorating your confections this year. 1. Form an assembly line! Chances are you are baking more than one sheet’s worth of cookies, and dividing roles keeps the production moving. Just make sure you assign someone to keep an eye on the oven! 2. If kids are a part of your baking crew, decorating duty is probably their job of choice. But watch the sprinkles -- those shakers can be a little too effective for their own good. Put tape over half the holes in your sprinkle shakers to control how much comes out at once...and to minimize the clean up later. 3. Want an easy dessert option? Grab a bag of snaps (square-shaped pretzels,) M&Ms, and some Rolos or Hershey’s Kisses for a simple but delicious “cookie.” Stick a Rolo or Kiss on top of each pretzel and soften them in the oven. Once the chocolate is soft -- but not melted-- place an M&M on each and press gently down. 4. Do not forget the cookie cutters! There is no end to the shapes and sizes. From cutters passed down from

grandparents to custom-made shapes (yes, there is a website for that!), you can bake cookies in whatever form your heart desires. If you have them lying around, even clean Play-Doh cookie cutters can work in a pinch. Just remember to use at least one small cookie cutter to get as much as you can out of your dough! 5. Want to get extra creative? Mix and match the cookie cutters you already have! Last year saw the creation of an ingenious new method. If you have a certain small, angel-shaped cookie cutter, cutting the resulting shape in half leaves the cookie looking suspiciously similar to Baby Yoda… 6. Never skimp on the egg wash, cooking spray, or flour! Dough can get surprisingly sticky, and you do not want to pull a snowman-shaped cookie off the pan only to leave its head behind. Flour can get messy, but your cookies will be a lot messier if you do not fully coat your rolling pin and work surface! 7. Perhaps most important is this time-honored rule: whoever does not help bake must clean up. Do not get left alone with the dirty dishes! 8. Last but not least, make sure to eat as many cookies as you can while they are fresh out of the oven. Everyone knows they taste better that way (as long as you do not burn your tongue!). Plus, the more you eat, the fewer cookies you will have to put away when you are finished. Happy baking!

Hot Hits:

Humorous Holiday Hits Scan the QR code to check out our humorous holiday hits playlist on Spotify.

ARTS & CULTURE December 2, 2021

‘Home Sweet Home Alone’: a movie worth skipping Better left at home

Courtesy of Disney+ “Home Sweet Home Alone” is now streaming on Disney+..

Grant Soedler Herald Reporter “Home Sweet Home Alone” is the sixth entry in the “Home Alone” franchise, recently released on Disney Plus. The film stars Archie Yates, Ellie Kemper, Aisling Bea and Rob Delaney, and follows a direct sequel, a third unrelated film, and then two direct-toTV follow-ups. If you think a direct-to-streaming service sequel to an older nostalgic movie would not bode well for the quality of the product, you would be right. “Home Sweet Home Alone” lacks the heart of the original film and is yet another member of the line of uninspired cash-grabs hoping to mooch off its success. “Home Sweet Home Alone” sports one of the most confusingly ridiculous plots of the entire franchise (yes, even more than the terrorists breaking into houses to find a computer chip in an RC car in the third installment). In the latest version, Max Mercer, a young boy, attends an open house with his mom hosted by a couple (Jeff and Pam McKenzie) who are being forced to sell their house as they see no way to keep the payment on it with their current lifestyle. Later, Max is left at home in a completely unrelated incident, and the couple attempts to break into his house to steal back a malformed doll that they believe he stole -- the doll is worth enough money to pay off their house. Due to some convoluted eavesdropping, Max thinks Pam and Jeff are there to kidnap him and sell him to old ladies. Therefore, he gears up to take them down with a series of tricks and traps. Adding to the poor quality is the fact that the movie often repeats beats from the original without putting any effort into making them stand out. For example, when Max gets left behind by his family in this movie, there’s no reason besides that “they forgot.” In the original “Home Alone,” the film spent time showing how Kevin was left behind, such as the whole

family oversleeping and rushing to get out the door and one of the siblings mistaking another kid for him in the headcount, whereas in this version Max falls asleep in the garage and the family just leaves him. Add to this the inconsequential choir scenes at a church, Max knowing how to create elaborate traps with no explanation, him wishing his family would disappear and an irrelevant moral thrown in at the end, it is clear that the movie did not put much effort into differentiating itself from its predecessors. The movie also completely lacks any true antagonists, instead making both sides sympathetic and choosing to revolve the “home invasion” plotline around a misunderstanding. For most of the film, the couple are the true main characters, with Max occasionally getting focus as he quickly gets bored being at home by himself. In fact, since Max is what is keeping the couple from saving their house, he mostly serves as the antagonist of the film, which makes it all the more jarring when after they are brutalized by his traps (Jeff getting a tooth knocked out and Pam being shot full of thumbtacks, among others) and the misunderstanding is finally resolved, the couple just...forgives him. Then the two offer to let Max stay at their house while he waits for his parents to get back. It is super meanspirited as it feels like the movie is punishing the wrong characters without any proper explanation. The biggest crime of the movie may be that it is just not funny. Nearly all the jokes are lame and do not land, most of them consisting of a character doing or seeing something weird and then cutting to another character’s face as they react in a “quirky way.” Not even the slapstick is entertaining, as it feels applied to the wrong characters and that is probably the best way to describe this movie: simply unentertaining. Even if you are a fan of the original “Home Alone,” you should probably skip this one. You will not be missing much.

SECTION EDITOR

Samuel Elwell selwell531@g.rwu.edu

OPINIONS

DESIGNER

Rachel Dvareckas rdvareckas244@g.rwu.edu

The ‘finsta’ phenomenon

Alexa Davignon Herald Reporter

Over the past few years, fake Instagram accounts or “finstas” and private stories on Snapchat have grown exponentially popular. The idea behind finstas and private stories is to allow the owner of the account to have a more private platform, usually only allowing close friends to view their posts. Finstas and private stories were originally created to post funny content, inside jokes and long rants. Over time, however, these finsta accounts and private stories have become less and less private. The attraction of these accounts and stories is to allow the owner of the account to openly be themselves and worry less about the appearance they portray online. While many people do utilize these accounts for the purpose of ignoring social pressure, I have noticed that just as many people use these accounts to control the “real” version of themselves. Finstas and private stories are utilized mostly by members of Generation Z. Given that these people grew up in a technologically advanced society, controlling their appearance is in their nature. These accounts have turned into yet another outlet used by

teenagers and young adults to control the way they are perceived. Whether it be the photo itself or the caption, every angle, word and hashtag has been thoroughly planned out to portray a certain image. These accounts were created with a decent intention but they are becoming more harmful than beneficial. Everyone is guilty of attempting to control the way they are portrayed, but the internet makes it that much easier. When you only watch someone through a screen, you are only seeing what you have been allowed to see. Generation Z has gotten so comfortable hiding behind technology that we are now controlling what is meant to be the “real” us. I am definitely not advocating for canceling finstas and private stories, but I propose that you ask yourself “Why am I posting this?” the next time you are about to tap “post.” I noticed that when I began asking myself this question, my answer usually revolved around maintaining a particular appearance, which was not a good enough answer for me. Eventually, my posts became increasingly sporadic and I learned to care less about controlling how I am perceived and more about allowing people to form their own opinions. After all, why should others’ opinions matter anyway?

Courtesy of Alexander Shatov on Unsplash “Finsta” accounts and private stories are popular among Generation Z.

December 2, 2021

How can you make the most of your winter break and prepare for the spring?

Courtesy of Filip Bunkens via Unsplash As the semester comes to a close, what can you do to stay occupied over break?

Sam Elwell Opinions Editor As the Fall 2021 semester comes to a close, I think it is safe to say we are all anxious to go on a nice, long break. On the other hand, with about a month and a half off from school, what can you do to fill the void when you are separated from your roommates and friends you have been with all semester? Reconnecting with hometown friends is always a great place to start. Find an old restaurant you usually go to or stay home and catch up with what everyone’s been doing. Think of something you can all do together. I know when I am home, my friends and I always have a tabletop or board game we can spend the night on. This is also a great time to connect with family especially if you celebrate any holidays around this time of year. If you celebrate a holiday like Christmas, definitely take the time to decorate and go shopping for gifts for your family and friends. If you are looking for entertainment, check out some current and upcoming movies and see them in the theater. If you’re a fan of biopics, go see Ridley Scott’s “House of Gucci.” If you like animation, Disney’s “Encanto” might be for you. Or, if you are like me and constantly need a comic book fix, you

will definitely want to go see “SpiderMan: No Way Home” which has been my most anticipated film all year. If there are any local festivals or events near you, they are a perfect opportunity to get into the spirit of the season with others. It is also important to take time just for yourself. Whether it be reading a new book, baking some holiday treats or watching your favorite show, I believe it is necessary to have this time for yourself not only on break but during the semester as well. I know you may want to keep away from academics during this time, but I recommend planning out the next semester so you can come back at the end of January prepared to start. Start a digital or paper schedule of a typical week of classes then add on any extracurriculars so you know when you are or are not available throughout the week. I also recommend creating folders for each class on whatever device you do most of your coursework on to have an organized and dedicated space for all assignments. Most importantly when you go on break, just have fun no matter what it is you choose to do. This is the time for you to relax and destress from the past semester and reconnect with the people in your life that you were away from these past few months.

SECTION EDITOR

EDITOR’S DESK

DESIGNER

Rachel Dvareckas Rachel Dvareckas rdvareckas244@g.rwu.edu rdvareckas244@g.rwu.edu

December 2, 2021

Rachel Dvareckas/The Hawks’ Herald Students particpating in The Hawks’ Herald table time on Nov. 18 shared one word to describe this year compared to last year.

THE HAWKS’ HERALD The student newspaper of Roger Williams University

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Luke Brennan lbrennan935@g.rwu.edu

Rachel Dvareckas rdvareckas244@g.rwu.edu

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PHOTOGRAPHERS Rachel Dvareckas Emily Dvareckas

There are no corrections this week.

The Hawks’ Herald · Suite 212, Campus Recreation Center · 1 Old Ferry Road · Bristol, R.I. 02809

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REPORTERS Gracie Munnie Sami Poutre Alexa Davignon Nicole Kowalewski Grant Soedler

SECTION EDITOR

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Kristen Dansereau Andrew Hart kdansereau387@g.rwu.edu ahart360@g.rwu.edu

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Rachel Dvareckas rdvareckas244@g.rwu.edu

Upcoming sports schedules for the rest of the semester

SPORTS

December 2, 2021

On the fly

with Sophie Araneo

Sophie Araneo is on the the RWU women’s basketball team

Men’s basketball — Dec. 4 home at 3 p.m. and Dec. 7 home at 7:30 p.m. — Bring canned goods to both for JAAA Food Drive Women’s basketball — Dec. 4 home at 1 p.m., Dec. 7 home at 5:30 p.m. and Dec. 9 home at 5:30 p.m. — Bring canned goods to all for JAAA Food Drive Wrestling — Dec. 4 home at 10 a.m., Dec. 10 away at Springfield at 6 p.m. and Dec. 11 home at 9:30 a.m. Men’s swimming and diving — Dec. 11 away at Connecticut College at 1 p.m.

Courtesy of RWU Athletics Men’s swimming and diving will hit the pool on Dec. 11 at Connecticut College at 1 p.m.

Courtesy of RWU Athletics

How old are you? 20 Where are you from? Connecticut What is your major/minor? Double major in criminal justice and psychology TV show you will never get bored of? I love Criminal Minds Favorite color? Green If you could have dinner with someone dead or alive who would it be? I’d have dinner with Chris Evans no explanation needed If you could be an animal for a day what would you be and why? I’d probably be a bird for a day to be able to fly What three things would you bring to a deserted island? My own wifi, computer, and an unlimited supply of mac n’ cheese Favorite activity? Probably trying new food places with my friends