The Hawks' Herald | March 3, 2022 by Hawks' Herald

www.rwuhawksherald.com Vol. 34, Issue 14 FREE

Masking regulations relaxed for RWU The university now operates under Level Orange procedures

‘Baby with the Bathwater’| PAGE 4

EDA’s Build Back Better Regional Challenge deadline is approaching RWU has until March 15 to submit Phase 2 application Jimmy Sadowski News Editor

Emily Dvareckas/The Hawks’ Herald Students in GHH on Feb. 28 after masking regulations eased up. Students do not need masks in most indoor places.

Jimmy Sadowski News Editor

For the first time since before the pandemic, members of the RWU community can go and get a meal at Upper or Lower Commons without having to wear a mask. “What a great place we have reached now where we can start relaxing masking on campus,” said Vice President of Student Life Dr. John King when addressing the Student Senate on Monday after implementing Level 3 (Orange) COVID Operating Levels that day. The major changes in Level Orange compared to Level 4 (Red) is masking becomes optional in all indoor spaces besides shared transportation, classrooms and labs, counseling and Health Services, the COVID Testing Center, public spaces on the first floor of the library and the Athletic Training Room. Testing procedures stay the same. King said the reason why masking is required in the Athletic Training Room and not the Fitness Center is that when an athlete is being attended to by a trainer, it is a very high close contact situation longer than 15 minutes, and with the university only having three trainers if one got COVID, the university cannot attend to studentathletes as effectively. Now in campus locations that previously required masking the entirety of the pandemic including The Commons, the second and third floors of the library and the majority of areas inside the Recreation Center, masks

are optional. Additionally, masks are optional in individual offices at the discretion of a faculty or staff member or upon request of guests. When discussing the reasoning behind RWU’s updated masking procedures, King referred to the CDC website. According to the website, all five counties in Rhode Island are at medium risk and high risk procedures. Level Red procedures are not as necessary as they were when COVID numbers were higher in the beginning of the semester on campus and in Rhode Island. When developing the new tiered COVID Operating Levels and deciding to go down to Level Orange, King said three levels of guidance were looked at. The first level is the CDC and hospitalizations per 100,000, hospital admissions per 100,000 and cases per 100,000. The next level is the day-to-day numbers the Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) provides and the most immediate level is campus numbers including campus positivity levels, how many symptomatic students Health Services is seeing and what symptoms they have. The University plans to move to Level 2 (Yellow) - Moderate Infection Risk by March 26 where masking becomes at the discretion of what faculty members require for students in classrooms and staff or group leaders may require masking with approval from Student Life or Human Resources. Testing would be bi-weekly for those vaccinated and boosted while those who are vaccine exempt or vaccinated,

but not boosted will test twice weekly. However, clearance testing will be required upon students’ return from Spring Break. Students will need to get two tests between Sunday and Thursday of the week returning. King said at-home tests prior to returning are encouraged. If numbers continue to stay low, the next level will be implemented the following week. If students do not comply with the level of masking their faculty requires, and after being told to mask up to a certain extent and do not, King said it will then become a Student Conduct issue. Masking would be fully optional under the last level, Level Green and testing for those boosted would be optional and when symptomatic and those not boosted or vaccine exempt is to be determined. In regards to if the university will reach Level 1 (Green) - Low Infection Risk this semester, King said, “Whether or not we get to Green this semester, which would be a wonderful place to be, remains to be seen. I think there’s a chance we’ll get there.” Looking forward to the end of the semester, King said “I think we’re going to be all in on Commencement. I’m a little bit nervous at the number of students that will be past their 90 day period if they tested positive. I think our cumulative immunity levels will be lower come late spring, but I think the warm weather and being outside so much rather than inside is going to be a big advantage.”

March 15 marks the deadline for Phase 2 of the U.S. Economic Development Administration’s (EDA) Build Back Regional Challenge in which Roger Williams University is a part of for the State of Rhode Island. The EDA Build Back Better Challenge, according to the EDA website, is a national competition in which grant funding up to $100 Million is provided to different economic regions in the country. The ones selected for Phase 1 submit the best concept proposals and for Phase 2 it is the regions that submit the best full applications for funding. The EDA’s Selection and Review Committee considers funding recommendations based on several factors such as geographic and regional balance, project and industry types and the overall portfolio. In Phase 2, 10-12 regional proposals will be identified to receive between $80-$100 Million toward regional collaborations. The focus for economic and industrial development in Rhode Island is the Blue Economy, which the World Bank defines as “the sustainable use of ocean resources for economic growth, improved livelihoods, and jobs while preserving the health of ocean ecosystems.” RWU has been collaborating with the Rhode Island economic region since August 2021. However, Phase 1 had been going on in various phases for years in the state developing ocean strategies for the region. Chief of Staff Brian Williams said RWU got involved in Phase 1 in August because “the strategies for the region started evolving and connecting to the existing work and distinctive role the only we [RWU] can play in the state on various initiatives.”

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SECTION EDITOR

Jimmy Sadowski jsadowski031@g.rwu.edu

NEWS

DESIGNER

Rachel Dvareckas rdvareckas244@g.rwu.edu

WORLD HAPPENINGS News: On Wednesday, Feb. 23, President of Russia Vladimir Putin said in a televised address Russia would conduct military operations in Ukraine. Russian troops invaded Ukraine on Feb. 24. In response, President of the United States of America Joe Biden announced on Feb. 24 the US would impose sanctions on Russia and said Putin and his country would bear the consequences of the war he chose. As of Sunday, Feb. 27 Russia is trying to capture Ukraine’s Capital Kyiv, but Ukrainian troops have held off Russian forces. The European Union announced on Sunday, Feb. 27 it would finance the purchase and delivery of weapons to Ukraine, and EU airspace is closed to Russian aircraft according to The New York Times. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky agreed to have Ukrainian officials take part in talks with Russia “without preconditions” according to The New York Times. Prior to Zelensky announcing the talks, Putin on TV told his defense minister and top military commander to place Russia’s nuclear forces on high alert due to “aggressive” actions by the West according to The New York Times.

THE GAVEL

Your source for Student Senate news Hi, everyone! This past week, Student Senate was joined by Vice President of Student Life Dr. John King, who discussed COVID-19 policies, masking updates, and the Title VI Review Committee, as well as the Interim Director of Residence Life and Housing and Assistant/Associate Vice President for Student Life, Dr. Dameian Slocum, who introduced himself.

March 3, 2022

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As for the plans RWU has been helping the region develop to try to secure Phase 2 funding, Williams said there are three core concepts that have become more formal, structured initiatives. The first initiative is a “smart bay” concept that involves building out the region with buoys, sensors and cabling to make Narragansett and Mt. Hope Bays a big data project to support environmental efforts and product development. The next initiative is Blue innovation. Williams described it as “making Rhode Island an attractive place for companies to come and develop ideas within blue industry sectors.” The last initiative is education and workforce development that would help ensure a clear pipeline of talent can flow from high school or college to work for students and create internships and research partnerships between higher education and industry. Williams has been involved in the writing of the region’s plans for Phase 2, but he has had help along the way. “Various people at RWU have been involved with me helping meet or provide information into the writing,” said Williams. “The writing is at a very high level, and RWU is one of many organizations involved.” RWU is the only private university helping with the grant development process according to Williams. Going forward beyond Phase 2 Williams said he and RWU President Ioannis Miaoulis have seen that the blue strategy and regional strategy have to be larger than just the EDA

grant process. “Our focus is on aligning RWU with the growing industry sectors around us to create opportunities for faculty research, student research and internships and jobs for our students,” said Williams. “These span wind energy, aquaculture, marine affairs and policy word, non-profits, K12 Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) opportunities, and so much more.” RWU contributes to the Blue Economy in several ways outside of assisting with the grant. The university is the host institution for the Narragansett Bay Estuary Program (NBEP) which provides independent convening, scientific data analysis, and watershed project funding. The RWU School of Law also houses the Marine Affairs Institute and Rhode Island Sea Grant Legal Program. RWU serves as the only law school on the eastern seaboard tied to the sea grant program that can provide applied legal research and analysis on marine law issues to outside professional organizations such as government agencies, nonprofit groups, and private corporations. Additionally, RWU has The Center for Economic and Environmental Development (CEED) which focuses on collaborative marine research, industry support, marine education, public outreach, engagement, and extension. Williams said the Blue Economy is part of RWU’s DNA. “The commitment is really in our DNA as stewards of the bay due to our location, and the passions and academic expertise of our faculty and our students.”

Student Senate also discussed one Open Debate/Discussion topic and voted on six bills - one of which appointed our new Academic Affairs Chair, Matthew Tilly. In addition, we appointed student body members to sit on the Student Senate Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Council, the Student Senate Parking Council, the University Parking Committee, the University Conduct Review Board, and the General Education Curriculum Planning Committee and we look forward to working with each and every one of them. We are still looking for two general senators to join us. If you are interested in being a Student Senator, please email jst.onge618@g.rwu.edu to set up an interview. As always, follow us on Instagram, Tik Tok and Twitter @RWU_ Senate and try to attend our weekly meetings on Mondays at 6:30 p.m. in the Mary Tefft White Center on the first floor of the library. Our meetings are recorded so if you cannot make the meetings, you can watch the recordings on the Senate YouTube page - so make sure to check those out! The gavel is contributed by the Student Senate and does not reflect the views of The Hawks’ Herald

Rachel Dvareckas/The Hawks’ Herald RWU is working towards initiatives to help develop the region. The first initiative is to create a “smart bay” with buoys, sensors and cabling in Narrangansett Bay.

SECTION EDITOR

Amy Martin amartin052@g.rwu.edu

DESIGNER

Emily Dvareckas edvareckas213@g.rwu.edu

FEATURES March 3, 2022

Breaking the bias on International Women’s Day

Courtesy of Hansuan_Fabregas on Pixabay.com International Women’s Day is celebrated annually on March 8. This year’s theme is #Breakthebias.

Amy Martin Features Editor Will you help break the bias? This is the question that is leading 2022’s International Women’s Day. A world where bias and discrimination are replaced with diversity and inclusivity — a true possibility if we collectively #BreakTheBias. Celebrated annually on March 8, International Women’s Day is a global celebration of the achievements of women. Dating back to 1911, more than one million people attended rallies campaigning for women’s rights throughout Europe, officially

marking the first International Women’s Day. It was not until 1975 that the holiday was celebrated for the first time by the United Nations. The General Assembly then adopted a resolution in 1977, proclaiming a United Nations Day for Women’s Rights and International Peace to be observed. The day is also a call to action for gender equality, with this year’s campaign theme being #BreakTheBias. “Whether deliberate or unconscious, bias makes it difficult for women to move ahead,” the official International Women’s Day (IWD) website stated.

“Knowing that bias exists isn’t enough. Action is needed to level the playing field.” IWD encourages others to actively call out gender bias whenever they encounter it. Whether that be in one’s community, workplace, or school, it is essential to speak out against bias. The more people who break the bias, the closer we are to an inclusive world. On top of breaking bias, IWD encourages supporters to strike the IWD 2022 pose — where an individual crosses their arms into an ‘X’ to show solidarity — and share the image on social media using #IWD2022 and #BreakTheBias to encourage others

to stand against bias. Anyone can support International Women’s Day. No one is solely responsible for organizing it as it belongs to all groups collectively. As famous feminist and journalist, Gloria Steinem once said, “The story of women’s struggle for equality belongs to no single feminist, nor to any one organization, but to the collective efforts of all who care about human rights.” Take advantage of the day and do what you can to make a stand against gender bias. There is still much to be achieved, and we can take those steps forward if we work together.

Inspirational women in history

Emily Dvareckas Photo Editor

Mary Shelley

Famous author, whose most well-known work is “Frankenstein” Considered the first science fiction author “Mounseer Nongtongpaw” was her first published poem in 1808, which she wrote as a child

Journalist and civil rights activist during the late 1800s to early 1900s

First transgender person elected to a U.S. State Legislature

Wrote in newspapers about controversial Black issues in the South

Won election that earned her a seat for the 13th district of the Virginia House of Delegates

Helped establish the National Association of Colored Women’s Club

Ida B. Wells

Katie Sowers

First woman coach to go to the Super Bowl when she was the offensive assistant Second woman to work as a coach in the National Football League (NFL) First openly gay coach in the NFL

Won seven awards in journalism during her decade long career in journalism

Danica Roem

SECTION EDITOR

DESIGNER

Nicole Kowalewski Emily Dvareckas nkowalewski683@g.rwu.edu edvareckas213@g.rwu.edu

ARTS & CULTURE March 3, 2022

‘Uncharted’ in the eyes ‘Uncharted’ in the eyes of a video game fan of a Tom Holland fan Grant Soedler Herald Reporter When one thinks of Sony, there are probably many different things that spring to mind. One might immediately associate them with the Spider-Man films, or maybe their extremely hit-ormiss animated movies. For others, it might be their series of Playstation gaming consoles. It is honestly quite impressive the amount of varying media and technology Sony has been able to produce. Recently, however, the company has been making strides to incorporate its film and gaming branches into one. This effort has finally bore fruit with the release of the movie “Uncharted.” The original “Uncharted,” known officially as “Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune,” was an action-adventure video game released for the Playstation 3 in 2007. The game’s story was heavily inspired by films like National Treasure and Indiana Jones, and saw treasure hunter Nathan Drake (voiced by Nolan North), the supposed descendant of the explorer Sir Francis Drake, searching for the lost treasure of El Dorado alongside fiery journalist Elena Fisher and his old, grizzled, cigar-smoking mentor Victor Sullivan. The game was a big hit, selling one million copies in its

first 10 weeks of release, and was followed by multiple sequels. The film “Uncharted” is directly based on these games, creating an ironic loop of inspiration. The film is directed by Ruben Fleischer and stars Tom Holland as Nathan Drake, Mark Wahlberg as Victor Sullivan, and Sophia Ali, Tati Gabrielle and Antonio Banderas in supporting roles. The character of Elena is absent, instead replaced by Chloe Frazer (played by Ali), a character from the second game. The film sees Nate roped into searching for the lost treasure of the Magellan expedition by Sullivan (Sully), who claims that he had been searching for it with Nate’s missing older brother, Sam, whom Nate hopes he may find along the way. The film had a complicated development, known to have been in the works since 2008 and undergoing many huge recasts and script rewrites, including changing directors a number of times. After finally nearing completion and obtaining a release date of December 2020, the film was delayed multiple times due to the pandemic, finally releasing in February 2022.

Soraya Bettencourt Herald Reporter It is no secret that Tom Holland has been taking over movie screens since his hit “Spiderman: Homecoming” entered the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Tom Holland has not only starred in multiple movies for Marvel Studios but has also voiced two animated films and appeared in several other thrillers on Netflix and in theaters. With “Uncharted,” Holland has done it yet again. “Uncharted,” based on the popular video game of the same name, hit theaters on Feb. 18. The question fans of Holland—including myself— are dying to know the answer to is “does this movie live up to the legacy Tom Holland has created for himself?” Meanwhile, fans of the video game are asking “Will the movie do the game justice?” There are skeptics and there are believers. After seeing “Uncharted,” I cannot imagine anyone disliking the movie. “Uncharted” reminds me of the comedy in the newest “Jumanji’’ movie paired with the thrill of “Journey to the Lost Island.” With amazing actors like Tom Holland, Mark Wahlberg and Sophia

Taylor Ali, this movie is not one to miss. I am not able to speak to the movie as a good adaptation of the video game, having never seen or played it; however, the movie as a stand-alone deserves all the media attention it has gotten and

more. For those of you unfamiliar with the premise of the movie, it follows treasure hunter Victor Sullivan (Mark Wahlberg) as he seeks out the help of Nathan Drake (Tom Holland) to discover a fortune lost by explorer Ferdinand Magellan over 500 years ago. Drake takes what he has learned from his youth to aid Sullivan in the search to find the gold before the ruthless antagonist can get to the $5 billion treasure. The story centers around greed and the inability to trust as there are backstabs at each turn. Even the audience does not know who to trust. By the end, you leave the theater feeling enthusiastic about the cliffhanger that leaves audiences with the tease that a second movie is to come. However, make sure to stay for the ending credits. You will be glad you did.

Read the rest of Grant’s review on rwuhawksherald.com

‘Baby with the Bathwater’ review Nicole Kowalewski Arts & Culture Editor

Come one, come all to RWU Theatre’s most recent venture, a zany, absurdist comedy you will not soon forget: Christopher Durang’s “Baby with the Bathwater.” Perhaps the first word that comes to mind when thinking of the play is “bizarre,” quickly followed by “witty” and “darkly satirical.” “Baby” follows the life of a child born to perhaps the worst two parents anyone has ever heard of, both of whom are too wrapped up in their own absurdly selfish, childish concerns to even check the sex of their own infant. The family would be something straight out of a Roald Dahl novel if not for the very serious effects on the poor kid. Looking past the wildly inconsistent abuse and neglect inflicted upon the child– called simply “Baby” and “it” for several years– there is quite a bit of comedy to be found in these characters’ eccentricities. Baby’s

father, for example, spends almost the entire show in his boxers. The play begins in the 1980s as a new mother and father coo over their baby’s bassinet. This picturesque snapshot of domestic life is shattered almost immediately as the couple starts to argue over everything from what to call the baby to whether they should have had it in the first place, emotions seesawing wildly back and forth in a fashion that comes to define the plot’s surreal progression. It is clear from the very beginning that these people are not the nurturing type, in spite of the father’s repeated claims that the “immaturities of [his] youth are in the past.” Eventually, Baby’s parents, still not bothering to learn their child’s sex, take a guess and decide to call the toddler Daisy. Plagued by ceaselessly outlandish (and hilarious) “adults,” Daisy accrues some…unique…coping mechanisms, including pretending that he (the gender identity he finally discovers at the age of 11) is

Emily Dvareckas/The Hawks’ Herald

an inanimate object for hours on end. As the years go by, the dismal state of poor Daisy’s life is revealed through several monologues delivered to the ominously disembodied voice of a psychiatrist, who can no more make sense of Daisy’s struggles than the man himself can. This is a recurring theme throughout the show, where a few well-meaning adults come close to intervening in Daisy’s life but are always thwarted by either their own peculiarities or those of others. Daisy, therefore, remains trapped in an endless cycle of misery and confusion. The play ends in the same way it began as Daisy now has a new baby of his own. However, all is not lost, as it seems that in spite of thirty years of outlandish “parenting,” he might have a slightly better handle on the whole parenthood thing than his parents did.

Unconventional, we learn, does not always have to be harmful. The ending breaks from the line just enough to offer the audience a glimmer of hope in the face of the plot’s darkly humorous satire about what happens when what must be the most selfish, immature and moronic couple in the world attempt to raise a child. This, combined with the way the colorful characters’ flaws constantly cross over into the ridiculous keeps “Baby with the Bathwater” from feeling quite so heavy. To see a group of your talented comedic classmates in an offbeat, absurdly funny satire, catch “Baby with the Bathwater” in the Performing Arts Center March 3 - 5 at 7:30 p.m. Student tickets can be purchased at the door or on rwu.booktix.com for $5.

SECTION EDITOR

Samuel Elwell selwell531@g.rwu.edu

OPINIONS

DESIGNER

Emily Dvareckas edvareckas213@g.rwu.edu

March 3, 2022

Florida’s ‘Don’t Say Gay Bill’ is horrifyingly homophobic

A case for public transportation

Disclaimer: the following article contains information that could be triggering to some people. If you are an LGBTQ+ individual in need of help, feel free to reach The Trevor Project at 212-695-8650. The Trevor Project is an organization dedicated to supporting struggling LGBTQ+ people.

The United States is one of the wealthiest and most developed countries in the world and has been the home of many innovations over the last century. Despite this, the country has definitely fallen behind in some things that the rest of the world excels in, such as public transportation. With a population taking nearly ten billion trips aboard public transit in 2019 and an industry employing over 448,000 people, you would think the U.S. could stand toeto-toe with the likes of Europe and Asia when it comes to public transit systems, however, these regions are vastly superior. France has, in addition to more bus lines and tram systems, the Grand Paris Express which boasts a 127-mile rail network with a projected ridership of two million passengers daily by 2026. In Russia, Moscow is working on 98 more miles of its metro system with the United Kingdom adding 73 more miles to London’s system. In China, rapid transit has increased exponentially since the 2000s while the US has only slightly increased at a steady rate. Clearly, our country has some catching up to do.

Luke Brennan Managing Editor

One step forward, two steps back. This has been a common occurrence in the LGBTQ+ community’s fight for equality. I would argue that the Florida state legislature’s Parental Rights in Education bill (A.K.A. the “Don’t Say Gay Bill”) is at least four steps back. For those that do not know, the “Don’t Say Gay Bill” is legislation that would ban the discussion of certain LGBTQ+ topics in primary school classrooms. Florida’s House of Representatives passed the bill in a 69-47 vote, where it will now move to Florida’s State Senate. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis (R) has already signaled his support for the bill. The bill has received widespread backlash, with its critics calling it harmful to the young Florida LGBTQ+ population by erasing its history from the classroom. The criticism does not end at the Florida state line, however. RWU’s Sexuality and Gender Alliance (SAGA)’s PR Chair and political science major Ash Bartels said in an exclusive interview with the Hawks’ Herald they were “not altogether surprised by a bill like this,” and that “we’ve been seeing bills like this pop up very consistently, especially in areas like Florida.” Bartels was “very shocked” that DeSantis put his support behind the bill, and “considering that he is a potential 2024 presidential candidate, it is not a good sign for the LGBTQ+ community.” Bartels added that the bill means more than what it might look like on the surface. In terms of

how SAGA views the bill, Bartels said there is “a genuine amount of concern from SAGA,” and that the bill “sends a message to the youth of America that it is inappropriate to talk about gender and sexuality…to ban something like [talking about gender and sexuality in school] in an entire state is completely inappropriate.” I, for one, could not agree more. To suggest that discussing gender and/or sexuality in a classroom is “not age-appropriate” is as idiotic as it is harmful. It would also enforce in children’s very young minds that talking about the LGBTQ+ community, and by extension the community itself is wrong. It is during our childhood years that our minds are the most open, and when we should teach them that being LGBTQ+ is okay. Hatred is taught, not born. Knowing that this bill can be very triggering for RWU’s LGBTQ+ population, Bartels said SAGA aims to make the Queer and Trans Resource and Advocacy Center (QTRAC) and SAGA a “safe space for students.” “We do educate them about these things, if they want to talk about it, they are of course more than welcome to talk about it or ask us to talk about it,” said Bartels when asked if SAGA plans to discuss the bill amongst its members. “SAGA is a committed organization dedicated to education. A bill like this goes directly against what SAGA stands for.” Bartels also urged RWU students to educate themselves on the bill and other issues facing the LGBTQ+ community. “To be a good ally is to be an educated ally. To be in the community is to be an educated member of the community,” said Bartels. Bartels also said SAGA will be reaching out to universities in Florida regarding what this means for them at a collegiate level. If you are interested in SAGA, the organization meets on Wednesdays at 6 p.m. in the QTRAC.

Courtesy of Courtesy of CityofStPete on Creative Commons Photo from a Pride Parade in St. Petersburg, FL. Florida’s “Don’t Say Gay” bill has been passed by Florida’s House of Representatives and is moving to Florida’s State Senate.

Sam Elwell Opinions Editor

Last November, the polarizing bipartisan infrastructure bill was signed into law worth $1.2 trillion. $550 billion of this will be dedicated to improving roads, bridges andpublic transit over the next five years with $39 million being dedicated to improving and refurbishing over 29,000 buses, trains and their tracks. Additionally, Amtrak rails will be receiving a $66 billion refurbishment focusing on routes connecting Washington D.C. to Boston, Massachusetts. Some cities across the country are already taking steps to promote public transit. In late 2019, New York City designated 14th street as a dedicated road for buses and trucks with minimal access from other vehicles. The goal here is to reduce the commuting times of passengers while increasing the use of public transit. In Boston, three of the most popular Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) buses are allowing riders to utilize the service for free over the next couple of years in an initiative funded by a multi-milliondollar relief fund the city received from the federal government. Read the rest of the article on rwuhawksherald.com

The importance of aftercare

So, things just got hot and heavy in the bedroom (or wherever, I do not judge), now what? Well, you could high-five your partner and say “good game” and then go to sleep or you could continue the good feelings. Once the deed is done and you both experienced the pleasures of sex, what happens after is important. The first thing that needs to happen after the act is a trip to the bathroom for the vagina-having partner. It may seem like it will ruin the mood but you know what will ruin the mood even more? A urinary tract infection. Once you are back together it is time to cuddle and talk. Talk about how the sex felt for each of you, discuss what parts you really liked and what parts you may not have cared for. Sex is great and the emotions and feelings you get from an orgasm can make you feel out of this world. But, it can change your hormones and after feeling that postorgasm high, you may come crashing down. Your emotions may be out of whack which is why the comfort and reassurance from your partner are so important. A big part of aftercare

is the takeaway, you want to both be able to leave the bed feeling good about the sex and yourself. Aftercare is not just for couples in a serious relationship, it is important for any relationship from friends with benefits to marriage. Sex is intimate, and for many people, it puts them in their most vulnerable state. Making sure you and your partner are both comfortable before, during and after sex is a crucial part of having a healthy sexual relationship. There is no right or wrong way to give aftercare, it all depends on the people involved. You need to let your partner know what you need from them and you need to listen to what they need from you. As with every part of a relationship, communication is key in this situation.

xoxo, Stacy

SECTION EDITOR

Rachel Dvareckas rdvareckas244@g.rwu.edu

DESIGNER

Rachel Dvareckas rdvareckas244@g.rwu.edu

PUZZLES March 3, 2022

Women in history wordsearch

ABIGAIL ADAMS ADA LOVELACE AMELIA EARHART BARBARA WALTERS CLARA BARTON CLEOPATRA COCO CHANEL FRIDA KAHLO GLORIA STEINEM GRACE HOPPER JANE AUSTEN

JANE GOODALL LAVERNE COX MAE JEMISON MALALA YOUSAFZAI MARGARET SANGER NELLIE BLY ROSALIND FRANKLIN SALLY RIDE SERENA WILLIAMS

SECTION EDITOR

EDITOR’S DESK

DESIGNER

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

March 3, 2022

A reflection during Women’s History Month Rachel Dvareckas Editor-in-Chief During this year’s Women’s History Month, I would like to spend some time understanding and recognizing my own privilege and I invite you all to do the same. I am a 22-year-old, overweight, tattooed, mentally ill white woman, someone who would probably not be on the top of the ladder of privilege, yet here I am. I write this editorial as the Editor-in-Chief of the school newspaper and a student leader in the RWU community.

in newspapers, magazines or broadcast stations as men and the same is true in so many different fields, like science, business or tech.

This year’s theme for International Women’s Day is #Breakthebias, a sentiment that needs to be followed everyday. Women are powerful and they are competent and it is about time all women have the opportunity to showcase their talent. This is a month to I have created and been given celebrate women and all that opportunities to succeed and I they have done and it can be am so grateful for all of them, the start of long-term cultural especially because I know that changes. We can create spaces so many other women are not for women from all backgrounds able to be in the same position to succeed. Increased diversity or given the same opportunities. and inclusion is not something There are countless cases of that can be fixed one time, it girls and women who have been needs to be worked on all the overlooked because of their time and it starts by changing gender or their skin color or the way you think. their ethnicity or their religion. I would like to thank some of I have had the honor of working with so many fantastic women the amazing women at RWU on the editorial board of The who have shown me how to be Hawks’ Herald over the past a powerful woman and inspire four years, but our women- me everyday, including Dr. dominated school newspaper Paola Prado, Janine Weisman, is not the same as professional Adrianne Harris and Carol news outlets. Women do not Sacchetti, just to name a few. hold as many positions of power

THE HAWKS’ HERALD The student newspaper of Roger Williams University

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THE HAWKS’ HERALD is a student publication. The views, statements, opinions, depictions, and/or representations (expressions) contained herein are solely those of THE HAWKS’ HERALD and do not, and are not, meant to represent or be attributed to the expressions of Roger Williams University, any trustee, officer, agent, employee, student, or representative of Roger Williams University, and either are such expressions authorized, accepted, or condoned by the university. THE HAWKS’ HERALD is dedicated to providing news to the university in a fair and accurate manner.

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Rachel Dvareckas rdvareckas244@g.rwu.edu

Sam Elwell selwell531@g.rwu.edu

Kristen Dansereau kdansereau387@g.rwu.edu

Andrew Hart ahart360@g.rwu.edu

CORRECTIONS There are no corrections this week.

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

Luke Brennan lbrennan935@g.rwu.edu

Nicole Kowalewski nkowalewski683@g.rwu.edu

Amy Martin amartin052@g.rwu.edu

Adam Zerman azerman020@g.rwu.edu

SPLO ADVISOR Adrianne Harris aharris@g.rwu.edu

PHOTO EDITOR

Chloe Noyes cnoyes899@g.rwu.edu Rachel Dvareckas Emily Dvareckas

REPORTERS Grant Soedler Soraya Bettencourt

SECTION EDITOR

Kristen Dansereau kdansereau387@g.rwu.edu

SECTION MANAGER Andrew Hart ahart360@g.rwu.edu

DESIGNER

Luke Brennan lbrennan935@g.rwu.edu

SPORTS

March 3, 2022

Hawks capture first CCC title Andrew Hart Sports Manager

Championship Saturday made another appearance in Bristol over the weekend as the women’s basketball team squared off against Endicott College for the right to be crowned Commonwealth Coast Conference champions. In front of a raucous crowd, the Hawks capped off their dominant tournament run with a performance that left few skeptics that they were the superior team of the CCC. In the three games required to punch their automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament, the Hawks stifled their opponents, winning their contests by a combined average of 32 points. Their largest victory came in the Quarterfinals of the CCC Tournament when they beat Gordon College by 52 points. At first glance, things looked like they would be trending in a different direction for the Hawks in the championship game, as the Gulls jumped out to a hot start and built a 10-2 lead within the opening minutes of the game. The game would remain a back and

forth battle for the rest of the first quarter and into the second half as the Hawks entered halftime with a sevenpoint advantage. Coming out of the locker room, the Hawks swooped in on their prey, starting off the half with an 8-0 scoring run to push the lead to 15. From there, the Hawks did not look back as they imposed their will on their opponents offensively, picking apart man and zone defense for layups and points from the foul line. The other end of the court was no different, as the Hawks defended the paint, corralled rebounds and forced their opponents into contested midrange jump shots. Sophomore Caroline Ellie led the charge with a game-high 20 points — eight of those coming from the charity stripe. “Caroline is a competitor to the bone. She plays as hard every day regardless of how big the stage is,” said Head Coach Kelly Thompson. “She’s an elitelevel defender and I’m so happy she had a great performance on both ends in the championship.” Thompson, who has roamed the sideline for the Hawks for 12 seasons, is no stranger to the CCC

Championship game. She has reached the big game twice during her tenure in Bristol, only to come up short both times making the result that much sweeter. “It was absolute elation. I was so happy for our current team and staff, but also for all our alumni who helped to build our program,” she said. Among those alumni is Bridget Quilty, a 2017 graduate who is an assistant on Thompson’s staff. She reached the conference championship

game in her freshman season. The Hawks will travel to New York for a matchup against Bates College on March 4. The Bobcats captured the automatic bid for the NCAA Tournament with an upset win over nationally-ranked Amherst College in the NESCAC Tournament championship game. The winner of the game will face the winner of the New York University and Washington and Lee University matchup the following day.

Courtesy of Sydney Goldstein Sophomores Caroline Elie (L) and Katie Galligan (R) hoist the trophy.

A season for all Hawks to remember Kristen Dansereau Sports Editor

Men’s Basketball In the last two games of the season, the Hawks battled back and forth with Western New England, fighting hard to the end. On Feb. 19, the team closed out their regular season with a win over WNE, scoring a total of 74 points to their 66. In their senior night game, the Hawks brought the heat to the court after achieving a comeback and finishing the game with a victory. Mac Annus and Eli Harris scored a total of 30 points combined for RWU. The game secured their spot as a third seed going into the conference playoffs on Feb. 22. The men’s basketball team faced WNE a second time in a row in the Commonwealth Coast Conference Quarterfinals. The first half saw the Hawks leading by eight points over the Golden Bears. In the second half, WNE answered back and took a lead, concluding the game with a victory. The final score ended in a close fourpoint differential, landing at 67-63 in favor of the Golden Bears. Wrestling The wrestling team has been competing exceptionally this 2021-22 season. As they get ready for the NCAA Championships, they have left it all on the mat with recent victories in the tail

end of their season. At the Henry Marsh Invitational, the team placed first over 13 teams on Feb. 12. Some highlights of the tournament were four wrestlers, each of which won their weight class, including Michael Roe-Deters, Tommy Gallagher, Dante Simeti and Luke Wassel. William Ogbebor and Ari Dinerman competed and placed well for the team at the Futures Tournament Hosted by Johnson and Wales University. Overall, the team placed fourth out of 14 teams. Ogbebor placed third in his weight class, defeating opponent Cameron Bailey of JWU. Dinerman defeated opponent Evan Kinney of CSTL, placing him fourth in his weight class. Of the most recent tournaments, RWU competed in the Northeast Regional Championship at Springfield College, placing fifth out of a total of 19 teams. Kyle Kaiser, Travis Arata and Addison Boisvert secured the team’s place in the NCAA Championships. Kaiser placed first in his weight class, sweeping opponent Diego Santiago of New England College. Arata finished second in his class after a feat against Coy Spooner of the United States Coast Guard Academy. Placing third in his class, Boisvert defeats opponent Will Ortman of New York University in double-overtime. Next, the Hawks take on the NCAA

Championship in Cedar Rapids, Iowa on March 11-12. Men’s Swim and Dive The team has had a season to remember and they still have more to go. They placed first in both the GNAC Championships and NEISDA Championships. Over the past three meets, including the two championships and the NYU Invitational, RWU men’s swim and dive athletes have stormed into the spotlight with multiple broken school records. Kirk Shultz — 1,000 Yard Freestyle, 800 Yard Freestyle Relay Bodie Ibrahim — 200 Yard Freestyle Relay, 100 Yard Butterfly, 200 Yard Freestyle, 800 Yard Freestyle Relay, 400 Yard Freestyle Relay Ryan Duryea — 200 Yard Freestyle Relay Vince Tarolli — 400 Yard Freestyle Relay Blake Anderson — 200 Yard Freestyle Relay, 100 Yard Freestyle, 400 Yard Freestyle Relay Seth Sutton — 50 Yard Butterfly, 800 Yard Freestyle Relay, 200 Yard Freestyle Relay, 100 yard IM Riley Williams — 800 Yard Freestyle Relay, 400 Yard IM, 100 Yard Breaststroke, 400 Yard Freestyle Relay The team, along with the women’s team, will compete at the NCAA

Championships in Indianapolis on March 16-19. Women’s Swim and Dive The team placed first out of ten teams in the GNAC Championship as well as placing first against 14 teams at the NEISDA Championships. In the NYU Invitational Ellie Field raced a school record-breaking time of 51.29 seconds, only to beat her own record in the NEISDA Championships by 0.11 seconds in the 100 Yard Freestyle. She and her teammates Noelle Shneider, Gabby Carr, Callie Sullivan, Kate Wieler and Maggie Carroll all competed and broke school records across the three meets, all significant feats for the team as they head into the NCAA Championships. Noelle Shneider — 200 Yard Freestyle Relay, 200 Yard Butterfly, 100 Yard Butterfly, 50 Yard Butterfly Gabby Carr — 800 Yard Freestyle Relay, 200 Yard Freestyle Relay, 400 Yard Freestyle Relay (Matched) Callie Sullivan — 200 Yard Freestyle Relay, 400 Yard Freestyle Relay (Matched) Ellie Field — 800 Yard Freestyle Relay, 200 Yard Freestyle Relay, 100 Yard Freestyle, 200 Yard Freestyle, 400 Yard Freestyle Relay (Matched) Kate Wieler — 800 Yard Freestyle Relay, 400 Yard Freestyle Relay (Matched) Maggie Carroll — 800 Yard Freestyle Relay