The Hofstra Chronicle September 17, 2019

The Hofstra

HEMPSTEAD, NY Volume 85 Issue 2

Chronicle

Tuesday

September 17, 2019

Keeping the Hofstra community informed since 1935

‘With you, for you’ SGA is more than politics Features

By Drashti Mehta FEATUR E S E D I TO R

“I had it in my head that I wanted to run for president, so I asked Kaylor to meet up with me at this one booth in Au Bon Pain that’s now our booth, and over chocolate croissants, I asked her to be my running mate,” said junior public rela-

tions major and President of the Student Government Association (SGA) Kathryn Harley. “I knew that she was perfect for the job. She’s very smart and capable, I love her ideas, I knew that we worked well together and that we could do great things.”

Harley and her vice president,

sociology major Kaylor Dimes, mean every word of their campaign slogan, “With you, for you,” as they begin their new roles as president and vice president of SGA. However, they both have distinctly unique journeys to SGA, which adds significantly to their dynamic.

SEE A6

News

Hofstra brings Italian-American culture to Long Island

op-ed

Hofstra University responds to “Anti-Semitism is alive and well at Hofstra” The following statement is a response to the op-ed, “AntiSemitism is alive and well at Hofstra,” published on Tuesday, Sept. 10.

We have read Ms. Abelman’s Op-Ed in the Hofstra Chronicle with tremendous concern.

Hofstra University condemns anti-semitism and is committed to ensuring that our campus

promotes diversity, inclusion and freedom from all forms of discrimination. We will thoroughly investigate the claims made in the Chronicle editorial and take all appropriate steps to protect and further the rights of all campus members to be free from discrimination. Hate of any kind has no place at Hofstra and it will not be tolerated.

Sports

Volleyball welcomes top talent to Invitational

By Anthony Roberts

A SSISTA NT SPO RTS ED ITO R

Adam Flash / The Hofstra Chronicle Italian flags were hung in the trees, inviting attendees to the Italian Festival on the south side of campus.

SEE A4

With a conference championship comes great responsibility and the opportunity to face off against some of the best. This weekend, teams from across the country will travel to the David S. Mack Physical Education Building to square off against the Hofstra volleyball team at the 2019 Hofstra Invitational.

No. 10-ranked University of Oregon, Duke University, St.

A&E

Lizzo is ‘Good as Hell’

By Eleni Kothesakis

ARTS & E N T E RTA I N M E NT E DI TOR

Before 2019, the name Lizzo was unknown to most people, but now Lizzo is synonymous with body positivity, playing the flute and being “the baddest bitch.” In 12 months, Lizzo has established herself as a force to be reckoned with in the pop,

hip-hop and rap genres, respectively.

While it may seem that Lizzo quickly rose to fame with her eight award nominations, a performance at Coachella and the beginning of her “Cuz I Love You Too” tour all happening this year, her career has been almost a decade in the making. continued on B2

John’s University and Hofstra University will all collide in an exciting weekend of incredible volleyball.

“We are lucky to be able to host [the] tournament,” said Hofstra head coach Emily Mansur. “Our biggest goal is to of course win everything that we play, but I think the goal is to compete and hold our own against the top.”

Making a nearly 3,000-mile journey to the invitational are the Oregon Ducks from the Pacific Athletic Conference 12 (PAC 12). Ranked No. 10 in the nation, the Ducks will be the second top-10 team the Pride faces this season along with Pennsylvania State University.

Hofstra and Oregon both saw the same fate in the 2018 NCAA Tournament as they were both swept by the University of Nebraska, Hofstra in the first round and Oregon in the Elite Eight.

Courtesy of Hofstra Athletics Laura Masciullo leads the team with 158 kills on the season.

Continued ON A18

A2•September 17, 2019

203 Student Center hofstrachronicle@gmail.com

Editor-in-Chief Taylor Rose Clarke Managing Editor Jillian Leavey Business Manager Robert Kinnaird News Editor Melanie Haid Assistant News Editors Annemarie LePard Robert Traverso A&E Editors Victoria Bell Eleni Kothesakis A&E Assistant Editor Jacob Huller Sports Editors Christopher Detwiler Felipe Fontes Assistant Sports Editors David Lazar Anthony Roberts Features Editors Rachel Bowman Drashti Mehta Assistant Features Editors Betty Araya Audra Nemirow Op-Ed Editors James Factora Amanda Romeo Assistant Op-Ed Editors Sarah Emily Baum Visvajit Sriramrajan Copy Chiefs Mia Thompson Gab Varano Assistant Copy Chief Odessa Stork Multimedia Editor Robert Kinnaird

Assistant Multimedia Editors

Adam Flash Talha Siddiqui

Social Media Manager Eddie Fitz Social Media Assistant Jack Brown The Chronicle is published every Tuesday during the academic year by the students of Hofstra University. The Chronicle is located in Room 203 Student Center, 200 Hofstra University, Hempstead, N.Y. 11549. Advertising and subscription rates may be obtained by calling (516) 463-6921.

The Chronicle reserves the right to reject any submission, in accordance with our written policies. All advertising which may be considered fraudulent, misleading, libelous or offensive to the University community, The Chronicle or its advertisers may be refused. The products and opinions expressed within advertisement are not endorsed by The Chronicle or its staff.

NEWS

The Chronicle

Community launches relief efforts in wake of Hurricane Dorian

By Taylor Rose Clarke E DI TOR- I N- CHI E F

Students, faculty and various members of the Hofstra community are rallying together to provide supplies and support to the Bahamian victims of Hurricane Dorian.

In light of the devastation, the Office of Student Advocacy and Prevention Awareness has been working with the consulate general of the Bahamas to collect essential toiletries, non-perishable food, flashlights, batteries and other supplies. Bins are located in the Sondra and David S. Mack Student Center in the hallway behind Starbucks.

“We are working with the consulate general in the Bahamas to ensure supplies will be delivered to those persons and communities that need it most,” said Zaibis Muñoz, assistant dean of students and director of Student Advocacy and Prevention Awareness.

“Through some research, I was able to get in contact with the New York City U.S. Bahamian Consulate Office to establish a connection and gather information about the collection efforts.”

Other organizations are also getting involved on campus by gathering supplies and spreading the word to encourage student participation. “This was a very important issue to me, especially since I have family in the Islands,” said Ahjané Forbes, a junior journalism major. Forbes

serves as president of Hofstra’s Collegiate Women of Color, which organized their own drive called Backpacks for the Bahamas at the suggestion of

Imani Thompson. “When the University noticed we were being an #huworldchanger, they told us about their drive, started

by Student Affairs, and the opportunity to combine resources,” Forbes said.

“I have family in Nassau, Freeport and Long Island/ Thompson Bay, Bahamas, and thankfully they’re all safe, but in other parts they aren’t doing as well at all,” Thompson, a junior public advocacy major, said.

“As soon as I saw that the hurricane was hitting the Islands,

I knew that it would take years to even somewhat recover.

We’re directing donations to the Thompson Family Foundation, which is run by Klay,

encourages students looking to get involved to simply keep the conversation going so “it doesn’t become yesterday’s news.”

While the donation drive is just one step, the University is currently working to expand volunteer efforts throughout the academic year.

“We are focusing our efforts on collecting as many items as possible during the month of September, but the collection box in the Student Center will remain throughout the year,” Muñoz said.

Muñoz wants students to understand that the area is still in great danger. “Hurricane season is not over until Nov. 15. The Bahamas areas that were devastated will continue to have storms through the remainder of the Taylor Rose Clarke / The Hofstra Chronicle season that can impact the relief efforts,” Muñoz said.

“Seeing reports about the damage and devastation can be overwhelming, but volunteering Mychal and Mychel Thompson and participating in relief efforts and based in the Bahamas; the is a great way to have impact.

Bahamas Consulate, and other Students can and do make a diforganizations the people in the ference.”

Bahamas have requested donaMuñoz added that many tions to be directed to,” Thomplocations are also looking for son said. volunteers to sort and package Hurricane Dorian, labeled donations to be shipped to the a Category 5 storm, hit the Bahamas. “Volunteering your Bahamas in early September, time is a low-cost, big-impact leaving at least 50 people dead way to provide support to those and thousands homeless. The in need and if any students are death toll from the slow-moving interested in doing that, our ofstorm is expected to rise as time fice can help connect them with passes. organizations working on the Aside from donating, Muñoz relief effort.”

NEWS

The Chronicle

September 17, 2019 A3

Hofstra remembers the 18th anniversary of the attacks on 9/11

Brandon Anderson / The Hofstra Chronicle As names were called, roses were placed on the memorial wreath to commemorate those in the Hofstra community that passed away 18 years ago.

By Joe Tyrie SPEC I A L TO T H E C H R O NI CL E

On Wednesday, Sept. 11, members of the Hofstra community gathered on the Labyrinth in front of C.V. Starr Hall in memoriam of family members and Hofstra alumni that passed away on September 11, 2001.

Hofstra University President Stuart Rabinowitz began the ceremony by emphasizing the importance of remembering these tragedies and never forgetting those who lost their lives as a result.

Student Government Association Vice President Kaylor Dimes introduced Kareem Penton, who read off the names of 26 Hofstra alumni who passed away in the 9/11 attacks, two of whom were on the Board of Trustees, along with one victim who was a student at the time.

Members of the audience put roses corresponding to each name on a commemorative wreath next to the Phoenix sculpture by Berliner Hall.

Rabinowitz was also cognizant of the relation between the nearly 20-year time period since the event, and the relation that students have to it. “The fact that many of our undergraduate students weren’t even born [yet] on that day is all the more reason to have these ceremonies,” Rabinowitz said.

While many Hofstra students do not personally remember what happened on that day, it

was made clear that the event still has a ripple effect on people across the nation as they continue to learn about its impact.

nately, I think it’s made us more divided,” said senior political science major Alex Dersh. “It really should have done the op-

posite; maybe in the immediate aftermath it united us, but nowadays, things have just become so toxic ... I think part of that could

“Maybe the immediate aftermath united us, but nowadays things have just become so toxic ... I think part of that could be traced back to the anger and the trauma of 9/11.”

“I was only 1 [year old], but my father, being a firefighter in Westchester County, ended up going down there later on for cleanup,” said sophomore journalism major Will Wiegelman. “Growing up, I saw him go to a lot of funerals, and it took me a long time to realize why.”

“Being from Chicago, it was always something that we read in the history books and took moments of silence for, but coming to New York and seeing the impact and how much it means to people ... it’s not just page 368 in the history book, now it’s a moment in history that I live in and I see other people living through,” said sophomore public relations major Max Sacco. “I think it definitely brought everyone together.”

Some students noted the societal ramifications of the terrorist attacks. “Unfortu-

be traced to the anger and the trauma of 9/11.”

In the long-term aftermath of the event, the kinds of impacts that will be reverberated through the nation are yet to be seen.

Despite that confrontation looming over the American public, those in attendance that do remember the event are glad that its significance is being passed down.

“I feel very fortunate to organize this event ... It’s a beautiful day where we just get to remember the 27 lives lost in our community, as well as the many thousands of lives that were lost throughout. It’s always great to see students who might not have been alive or might not have been old enough to realize what was going on, come to pay their respects,” said Associate Director for the Office of Student Leadership and Engagement Denise Boneta.

“We need to make sure we keep this kind of memory alive for people younger than me and people coming up into the undergraduate program,” Wiegelman added.

“This will never, ever stop,” Rabinowitz said. “Even in our darkest hours, we can choose hope.”

Brandon Anderson / The Hofstra Chronicle President Stuart Rabinowitz addressed the crowd at the start of the ceremony, acknowledging that students are slowly becoming too young to remember the events of 9/11.

A4•September 17, 2019

IEI hosts screening for Latinx Heritage Month “I thought it would be nice to

By Alanna Boland

[show] something that brought in all these different aspects.”

On Tuesday, Sept. 10, the Of“As a Latinx person, it’s refice of Intercultural Engagement ally affirming to watch parents and Inclusion (IEI) presented a love their kids regardless of screening of the film “El Canto how long it took to get there,” del Colibri” in Axinn Library. said Kaylean Saravia, a senior The film, which was shown in psychology major.

Spanish with English subtitles, Saravia was referring to is a documentary exploring the instances in the film where some intersection between LGBTQ of the fathers admitted that in issues and Latin American the past, they were not always culture. supportive of their children’s IEI decided to show the film identities. By the end of the in September to start the series movie, however, the fathers all of lectures and events for Latinx said they had learned to support Heritage Month, which is the their children and accept them period from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15. for who they are.

In the film, immigrant Latino “I feel like this [movie] had a fathers discussed their reactions good message to send out, but when their LGBTQ children it’s not always a realistic one – I came out to them and how it has think you have to be careful affected their current relationabout that,” said Alana Reyes, ships with them. Many of the a senior English major. “At the fathers said they were initially end of the day, everybody wants disappointed when their children their parents to accept them, came out but somebecause they times, that were afraid “It’s really affirming to day doesn’t they would watch parents love their come. It be subjected kids, regardless of how just always to discrimime nation or long it took to get there.” frustrates when people violence as are like, part of the ‘Yeah, it’ll be all rainbows and LGBTQ community. sunshine.’ Sometimes you don’t Many of their children, who get that.” were also interviewed in this Saravia and Reyes were two documentary, said they were reof the five students who atluctant to come out for the same tended the event, in a room that reasons – but also because they could seat 40. IEI still plans feared their families would not on holding film screenings for accept them. Others struggled other culturally-themed heritage with their own acceptance of months in the future. their sexualities and said that “We’ll think about locations,” they used to suffer from depresMcCleskey said. “If we’re going sion and suicidal thoughts. to have really small groups, it Sarah McCleskey, the head of might be better to do it someResource and Collection Serwhere more intimate than this vices for Axinn Library, noted room.” these feelings of loneliness and “We wanted to see if a film unhappiness. “I thought it was screening format would be sad that was a common theme something students are interand I think it’s probably good ested in since we’ve never for us to be reminded that you really done it,” said Amanda never know what someone else Del Gaudio, the assistant direcis going through.” tor of LGBTQ+ Advocacy and One of McCleskey’s jobs is Awareness within the IEI office. to curate film collections for the Del Gaudio helped organize the library. When IEI asked her to screening. recommend a film for Latinx “This is our first one so we month, she chose this one. hope that this becomes a larger “The Spanish language, series where we can do it every religion, family – there’s a month and ... properly advertise lot of content in it and it’s so it so we get more students.” simply done,” McCleskey said.

STAFF W R I T E R

NEWS

The Chronicle

Not your average street fair: Festival embraces tradition and culture

By Annemarie LePard and Greg DeLapi A SSISTA N T N EWS ED ITO R / SPEC IA L TO TH E C H R O N ICLE

Hofstra University celebrated “Italy’s culture and culinary influence on America” by hosting

Italians and Italian Americans and draw membership to their organizations. “[The Italian Festival] allows us to portray a positive image of ourselves as Italian Americans,” said Eleanor Jobbagy,

Adam Flash / The Hofstra Chronicle Attendees of the 27th annual Italian Festival gather underneath the tent to listen to performers and a live band.

state alone. OSIA is dedicated to promoting Italian culture, traditions, language, the legacy of their Italian ancestors and their contributions to the U.S. and the world. It is also a charitable organization.

“We support Alzheimer’s and autism,” Jobbagy said. “We also have a gift of sight program where we donate guide dogs to wounded veterans.”

Peggy Petrosino and Carol Grassi, both members of different lodges within OSIA, are first-time Italian Festival-goers at Hofstra.

Grassi said the festival is a perfect size with a little bit of everything: “a little bit of the zeppoles, a little bit of the shopping.”

From the simplicity of the parking situation to the quality of the entertainment, Petrosino and Grassi said the Italian Festival was just enough to “entertain you on a Sunday afternoon.”

Petrosino and Grassi arrived at the festival when Italian musical artist Vanessa Racci was taking the stage. “You can hear the music from anywhere,” Grassi saidw. “It is nice because it was a little warm under the tent, especially on a beautiful day like today, and you can just walk around and hear the music without actually having to sit there.”

Petrosino and Grassi are both eager to return next year, with Grassi saying, “It is even better than a street fair.”

its 27th Annual Italian Festival co-chair for the Commission of on the south campus on Sunday, Social Justice for the Order of Sept. 15.

Sons and Daughters of Italy in The Italian Experience FestiAmerica (OSIA), a sponsor of val, emceed by host of “Sabato Hofstra’s Italian Festival and Italiano” on WRHU-FM and the liaison between OSIA and President of the Association Hofstra. “People often don’t of Italian American Educators portray us in such a positive Cavaliere Josephine Maietta, is light, so this event allows us to a popular tradition that features show them the good works that an itinerary full of crafts, live we do.” entertainment, children’s activiOSIA is a national organities and food. zation with over 60 lodges “It is kind of rare to find an throughout New York state event like this [on Long Island], from Long Island to Buffalo and the fact that Hofstra hosts and over 8,500 members in the [an Italian Festival] is awesome,” said junior bioengineering major Francesca Filiberti, president of the Hofstra Cultural Italian-American Organization (CIAO). “I am really happy that [CIAO] gets to be part of it and that we get to meet other Italians, or people who are just interested in the culture.”

CIAO contributed to the festival by running a bocce game and pumpkin painting stand.

Not only is the Italian Festival a lighthearted event, but it allows nonprofit comAdam Flash / The Hofstra Chronicle munity groups on Long Island Authentic singers and performers gathered at Hofstra’s Italian Festival with to spread information about traditional music styles as well as opera.

NEWS

The Chronicle

September 17, 2019 A5

Hofstra Votes continues civic engagement campaign as Election Day nears

By Rob Traverso

at the event for Hofstra Votes.

Junior journalism major Anthony Genuaodo said the voter With the 2020 election just a services table reminded him little over 13 months away, Hofthat he will be living away from stra Votes, the civic engagement home, at Hofstra, on Election campaign created last year, has Day – so he decided to apply begun working to ensure that for an absentee ballot. “I’m just Hofstra students will be ready to doing my duties as an American cast their ballots. citizen to vote,” Genuaodo said, On Tuesday, Sept. 10, in the adding that Hofstra Votes’ efStudent Center Atrium in the forts to prepare students to vote Sondra and David S. Mack Stuin 2020 is a positive step for dent Center, Hofstra Votes held democracy. an Information and Registration By the end of Tuesday’s Tabling event that provided event, volunteers had provided on-site voter services for Hofvoter services (either registrastra students.Volunteers tion, verification of prior helped students register to registration, applicavote, check if they were “The power is there; it’s all for the tion for absentee ballots already registered, apply taking. People just need to register or location of polling for absentee ballots and places) for 211 students, to vote. ” locate their polling places.

Schuster said. She also “It’s really twofold,” noted that the 18- to-35said Karla Schuster, assisyear-old demographic is tant vice president for Univerthem [how to vote] in advance,” already a formidable voting bloc sity Relations, about the event.

Haygood said. and has the potential to have a “First of all, to get people to He also noted that Board of major impact on the 2020 elecregister to vote, and to encourElections staff members at the tion as long as turnout is high. age students to vote ... Secondevent informed students of a “The power is there; it’s all arily, it’s about getting people recent change to New York’s for the taking. People just need thinking about the election ... voting laws: that, for the first to register to vote,” Schuster thinking about voting; thinking year ever, the State will allow said. about what it means to be enearly voting beginning nine days Leading up to the 2020 elecgaged in the political process,” prior to the election (from Oct. tion, Hofstra Votes will offer Schuster said. “It’s educational.” 26 to Nov. 3). voting services for Hofstra stuStaff from the Nassau County “I wasn’t going to vote, but dents on seven more occasions: Board of Elections were also now that I’m here talking to on Sept. 24, which is National on hand and worked alongside people, understanding why Voter Registration Day, Sept.

Hofstra Votes volunteers. They they’re voting and others are 25, Oct. 2, Oct. 16, Oct. 23, assisted students registering to voting, I see the importance of Oct. 24 (during the Theodore vote in New York State as well it now; I understand it,” said Ty- Roosevelt conference being held as those applying for absentee rone Harmon, a Hofstra alumat Hofstra) and Oct. 29. ballots, and also helped “educate nus who worked as a volunteer ASSISTA N T N E W S E D I TO R

people on how to use electronic voting machines” by providing hands-on demonstrations, said Abraham Haygood, Democratic campaign finance director and voter outreach and education demonstrator.

“It doesn’t matter how old you are. Whether you’re 18 or 94, when it’s your first time registering to vote it’s always something new and it can be a little confusing and scary. So that’s the purpose of why we have our Voter Outreach Department ... we go out and we’re there to assist people and show

Robert Kinnaird / The Hofstra Chronicle

Public Safety Briefs On Sept. 10 at 1:15 a.m., a custodian in C.V. Starr Hall reported to PS that an unknown person or persons removed the signs from both the men’s and women’s restrooms on the third floor. A search for the person or persons responsible was conducted, but was inconclusive. A work order was filed to replace the signs.

Key NCPD – Nassau County Police Department

On Sept. 12 at 7:15 p.m., a Hofstra student stated that while walking back to Nassau Hall from Dutch Treats, a male in an unidentified vehicle approached the student and asked her name. The student replied, “I don’t know,” and continued walking. The male then got back into his car and left the area. The student reported the incident to PS because she felt this was suspicious. PS conducted a search for the vehicle, which proved negative. The student declined to file a police report or receive counseling. No further action is being taken at this time.

Compiled by Elizabeth Turley

sdfjs;dlfjk;sldkfj;aldfjk Robert Traverso / The Hofstra Chronicle Carley Weinstein and other faculty members of the Hofstra Votes campaign help students register to vote for the 2020 presidential elections and other local elections.

A6 • September 17, 2019

features

The Chronicle

From chocolate croissants to cabinet meetings politics. They seek to make the SGA one that is student-centered so that the changes that come to campus are the direct result of student opinions and feedback.

“I want every student on campus to feel comfortable approaching SGA because that really is what we’re here for. We want to hear their ideas and represent them to the best of our ability. We want people to know where the SGA office is because there is always somebody in here willing to speak Photo Courtesy of Hofstra University with them and listen to them,” Harley said.

Kaylor Dimes and Kathryn Harley welcoming the class of 2023 at the Welcome Week convocation ceremony.

“We want people to know that there are senate meetings on campus dining provider. behind it but about seeing HofsThursdays at 6:30 p.m. in the “Compass and Student tra and wanting to make change Student Center so that people Affairs genuinely do take into happen and wanting to come out can see what SGA is working account what we say and the of Hofstra with a perspective on and [so we can] speak with information that we relay from you wouldn’t have necessarily the entire senate body. If people students. So, the more students gotten if you just went to your want to listen in, see what we’re talk to us and participate the classes every day.” doing, we invite students to join more we can accomplish in “I was absolutely terrified us in every step of the process terms of creating a space that coming in as a freshman. I was and we really want hands-on in- everyone wants,” Harley said. anxious and worried about how volvement from them. We want “They actively seek out student I’d fit into this university, so I new people as senopinions. That’s what has been really do think that by joining ators and associates so amazing about partnering SGA I was able to establish so we can represent with them; they really want myself and create a commuas many people as what students want, they want nity,” Harley said. “Not only possible.” to make changes that students the friends that I made in my Harley and Dimes want, they want to hear sturesidence hall because they’re are actively seeking dents’ feedback and they’re so great, but also branching out and to not only get more open to it.” understanding that I’ve become students to join SGA “SGA often gets a lot of friends with people that I don’t by becoming senate connections to administrators think I would have encountered members, but also but there are so many people otherwise. I feel like SGA has increase the amount of on campus that have voices and made Hofstra feel like more of interaction that occurs things that they want to convey a home. I think SGA is really an among the students to administrators, so Kathryn opportunity to better understand and administrators on and I want to make sure that Hofstra.” campus. Every student other student leaders also get to The SGA office is located in and/or student organi- sit at the table and also see the Room 243 of the Student Center. zation, regardless of changes that they want to see,” SGA is currently looking to add whether they are SGA Dimes said. students as associates. Please recognized or not, is “I think SGA is a good place email sga_vicepresident@pride. invited to attend any to start to find your footing. I hofstra.edu for more informasenate meeting. On think that if you’re looking for a tion.

Thursday, Nov. 7, community where you can both Compass Dining will develop as an individual and be attending senate professionally, SGA is a great Photo Courtesy of Hofstra University in search of feedback place to start,” Dimes said. “It’s on how to a better not necessarily about the politics Kaylor Dimes (left) and Kathryn Harley (center) at the ribbon cutting

CONTINUED FROM A1 “I actually came in my first semester at Hofstra, I really wanted to establish a community for myself, but I wasn’t really sure how to do that,” Harley said. “I had done SGA in high school and had really loved it and loved representing others. I thought it would be really cool to continue that into college. I went to info sessions and ended up falling in love with it.”

“I wasn’t involved in anything like this in high school or middle school. I wasn’t even a part of SGA my freshman year of college,” Dimes said. “I saw Deandra running for VP, she was getting the packet signed in one of the classes we had together, and I thought, ‘Oh, that’s kind of cool’ and she said, ‘Next semester we’re having elections, you should come to an info session.’ The day I was supposed to go to the info session, I wasn’t going to go and Deandra saw me and was like, ‘I think you should come,’ so I went and actually fell in love with the fact that SGA has such a big role in how things happen on campus, and so I kept coming back, and here I am.”

“I think that for the first year that I was at Hofstra, I was just sort of roaming around trying to find something that clicked and so by the time that I leave this position, to the best of my ability, try to help people who also feel the same and also feel like they haven’t connected to the campus and help people find their home on campus,” Dimes said.

For Harley, the impact of getting involved with SGA goes far beyond professional growth and life lessons.

“The personal development has been insane; I am a completely different person than I was last semester. I wouldn’t speak in front of crowds, I was afraid to approach people I didn’t know, and now I love talking to people and listening to their stories and learning their points of view. I think both personally and professionally, this has been an irreplaceable experience,” Harley said.

Harley and Dimes’ main goal this academic year is to ensure that students are aware that SGA is first and foremost a resource where they can voice their concerns and ideas, rather than purely being a place of

ceremony for the new Student Center.

features

The Chronicle

September 17, 2019 •A7

Humans of SGA

By. Daniel Cody

S P E C I A L TO T H E CHRONI CL E

Alexa Osner

“I connect with people, and I’ve done that more in SGA than anywhere else. I can relate and empathize with everyone, and I want to show that to all students. I made a family [with the people] here. In the past, I could tell that incoming freshmen felt comfortable around me. As a leader, I want to continue the same … leadership of empathy.”- Alexa Osner, Student Services Chair

“I’m kind of the money guy. I handle the main club budgets for the semester. I got into appropriations because I’m a finance major; it was just something I was drawn to. We fund activities that the students want. It’s very gratifying – being able to say that I helped out. However, I noticed last year, students didn’t really understand how the budget and allocation process worked. It was really opaque. I want to expand on transparency as much as possible, to [help the students] know more about how SGA works.” - Nick Cote, Appropriations Chair

Rosaria Reilly

Nick Cote

“Each year my roles in student government have been very different. I’ve always been one to be very busy, and I’m involved in everything. I might not have the loudest or strongest voice, but I have a nuanced way of leading groups. I never fully expected to be in this position, but I found my passion for leadership. I want to be sure that SGA’s voice is being heard more, and that we’re more recognizable around campus.”

- Rosaria Reilly, Public Relations

“Seeing events happen is the most effective part of my position. Recently, I sent out all of the campus vouchers, and my friend said to me, ‘You are now the resource you claim to be.’ That is what I am proud of, and it is what I want the most. The most tangible thing that I want to do is create transparency with the students; [to] show them what they’re spending their money on. I want the students to understand the value of their tuition.”

- Rhea Bathija, Comptroller

Maddie Merinuk

“My job is to take concise minutes at cabinet and senate meetings and handle internal communication between SGA members or other clubs. I’ve always been really good at organization, being accommodating and personable – which you need in this position. Within the hour, I’m on it. In the future, I want more secretaries to have a voice. I want to see this position be more vocal. I would like to see myself get into the action a little more; have a voice. I want to set an example for secretaries in coming years.” - Maddie Merinuk, Secretary

“I’m super personable, which is really good for this position. I meet with clubs and work on the problems that they need resolved. There was no organization in this department before, and it was almost shut down. However, I knew it could do a lot, which is why I ran for it. I am here to make sure [there are] organized avenues for students with specific interests and to make sure that they’re not going to be hindered or stopped by someone else.” - Joey Alameda, Club Relations Chair

Zain Farooqui

Joey Alameda

“I’m the rules chair – laws, policies, constitutions, all that fun stuff. I know my purpose here is to study, but I don’t think I could’ve just studied. I enjoy advocacy as a whole, [and] making the world a better place. Any decision I make goes toward bettering a situation for my peers. I feel a sense of cooperation when I see my language help people. My goal here is that no club has a question about the grey areas of policy.” - Zain Farooqui, Rules Chair

“This is the most rewarding thing in my life. I’ve been in SGA for about three years, and I worked hard to get to a chair position. I’m a multifunctional leader, and I learned how to delegate to a different degree. Back in high school, I had zero school spirit. I missed the pumped-up energy of Friday nights, and I’m here to bring that to people.” - Donia Firooz, Student Services Chair

Gab Varano / The Hofstra Chronicle

Rhea Bathija

Donia Firooz Photos Courtesy of Daniel Cody

A8 • September 17, 2019

features

M a n o n t h e U n i s pa n What is your favorite part of the newly-renovated Student Center?

B y Alanna Boland

The Chronicle

Overheard @ Hofstra In LHSC:

“Take a Chronicle! I took four.”

S TAF F WR ITER

In Axinn: “Is this where the books are at?”

In Calkins: “Tonight I’m going online and buying more self tanner. I can’t sustain this lifestyle looking ugly.”

“My favorite part about the renovations is that it actually looks more appealing when you walk into the Student Center. Before, it didn’t look as welcoming but now when you walk in, it’s more open and you can actually see everything the student center has to offer.”

– Gabriel Stellato, senior

In Breslin Hall: “There’s always one ingredient that’s off, you know. No one has perfected the garlic knot.”

In LHSC: “Sorry we got disconnected on the phone, I really wanted to hear your dog sing.”

In the Student Center: “I ate a gummy worm earlier and I already feel like a fat ass.”

“The fact that I can get a caramel cloud macchiato at Starbucks is a good thing. I think it’s, like, a fullservice Starbucks now because I couldn’t get them there before.”

– Irini Tsounakas, junior

In Dutch Treats: “You boys don’t understand the struggle. Bras suck.”

In Vander Poel: “I would totally quit my job to own a Chick-Fil-A franchise.”

In Bits ’n’ Bytes: “Bits pasta is better than Student Center pasta.”

“I like how nice and modern it looks, especially with the new, bright colors – they really make it feel a more welcoming environment. But I really wish that there were more single-person, two-person or smaller tables in the back area.”

– Emma Sample, senior Alanna Boland / The Hofstra Chronicle

“I love Student Center pasta, that’s a bold statement. I love to get lost in the pasta sauce.”

Robert Kinnaird / The Hofstra Chronicle

features

The Chronicle

September 17, 2019 •A9

Multifaceted Morosoff moves up in LHSC B y Alanna Boland S TAF F WR ITER

Associate professor of journalism, media studies and public relations Jeffrey Morosoff has been in communications for over three decades, but now he is taking on a new role. This past summer, it was announced that Morosoff would be the chair of the department of journalism, media studies and public relations at Hofstra’s Lawrence Herbert School of Communication.

“As chair of the department, you’re overseeing all department activities,” Morosoff said.

“My role is to kind of direct traffic – to make sure students are getting the courses they need, that they are moving through the process of earning their degree, that they are getting the proper advisement, that they have a good number of options as they pursue their interests [and] making sure they are getting their internships.”

Administratively, his new role involves “making sure that faculty are getting the course assignments that they would like to teach and ... are best at teaching, making sure ... our schedule

B y Gab Varano

is manageable for both students and faculty and then interacting with administration so that we are achieving the goals that the dean and the university set forward.”

One of the things Morosoff said he is most looking forward to in his new role is getting to work with the dean of the School of Communication, Mark Lukasiewicz and spearheading new initiatives.

“I think he’s a terrific dean.

He’s got a lot of vision and energy and I hope to team with him to move our program into the 2020s.”

“One of the things we are undertaking already is that we are going to spend this semester thoroughly reviewing the curriculum for all three tracks (journalism, media studies and public relations) and taking steps to enhance what we’re doing right, getting rid of what we think can be eliminated from the program and looking forward to how we can better prepare our students for the next decade,” Morosoff said. “An analysis and enhancement of our curriculum – that’s going to be a major goal of mine over the next few months [and] we could start [possibly] introducing a few new courses [or]

enhancing the existing courses that we have.”

Morosoff plans to communicate with faculty, students and alumni from the department and take their input into consideration when altering courses.

“In addition to meeting with the professionals, we also plan to talk to students and recent graduates – for example, when we talk to a recent graduate we’ll say, ‘Okay, you’ve been in the workplace for three years.

How well do you think Hofstra prepared you?’”

In order to increase faculty awareness of the best ways to accommodate students, Morosoff said he planned “field trips” for some of the professors in the department.

“One of the things we’re doing in October [is] taking field trips into New York City with the faculty. The PR [public relations] professors are going to meet with different agency people, then the journalism faculty will meet with different journalists,” he said. “The idea is to talk to professionals so that we can get a first-hand view of what they’re looking for in terms of new employees’ skill sets, abilities and what they see as the future of our different

industries so that we can match the curriculum to anticipate what’s ahead.”

Morosoff has been teaching at Hofstra for years.“I started in 2010, so this is my ninth year as an employee of Hofstra. I’ve taught mostly PR [and] I’ve taught a couple of media studies courses.”

Morosoff has also worked at the New York Institute of Technology (NYIT) and Nassau Community College. He earned a bachelor’s and master’s in communication arts from NYIT and although he eventually became a public relations professor, he started out his career as a journalist.

“Some of the greatest PR people were former journalists – there’s so much of a correlation between the two fields,” Morosoff said. “I think the skillset is primarily the same, you’re just attacking the issue from a different point of view. Journalists are reporting the news – but telling it very objectively. PR people are advocates for their clients, but the storytelling skills that they bring to their jobs are quite similar.”

Prior to beginning his career in public relations and academia, Morosoff was temporari-

ly a DJ and reporter.

“I was a radio DJ at a little AM radio station here on Long Island, WGLI – they went out of business probably 20 years ago. They were in Babylon and I started as a DJ there and played oldies,” he said. “I was there for about three years and then transitioned to becoming a traffic reporter. I did that for a very short period of time and then I transitioned into being a news reporter for WBLI – an FM station on Long Island. But then I kind of stumbled along the PR field.”

Morosoff said he got his first public relations job through pure “dumb luck.” In 1983, he bumped into a former colleague of his who, at the time, worked for Cablevision (now known as Optimum). She offered him a job doing public relations for the company and according to Morosoff, he “jumped into PR and never looked back.”

“I’m a huge believer in networking and I push my students to network as much as they can – because yes, it is what you know and yes, it is who you know,” Morosoff said. “I think you have to have that combination to be successful.”

@GabGrabsGrub: Stuffed Peppers

C O P Y C HIEF

Ingredients:

Vegetarian Option

Gab Varano / The Hofstra Chronicle

Chop it like it’s hot! It’s peak pepper season, so here’s a home recipe (shout out to my mom) to eat all of the super fresh veggies while we still can, making them even better by adding loads of cheese.

Who could ask for anything more?

2 sweet bell peppers – red, yellow, orange variety – washed, dried, seeded and cut in half 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped 1 small zucchini, chopped 2 small cloves garlic, finely chopped 1/4 cup fresh flat leaf parsley and basil, chopped 1/4 cup grated parmigiano-reggiano cheese 1/4 cup sharp provolone cheese, diced 1/4 cup mozzarella cheese, diced 1/2 cup tomato sauce 1/4 cup breadcrumbs 1/2 cup cooked rice (white, Jasmine or brown), allow to cool to room temperature Olive oil, enough to coat the bottom of the skillet, plus four tablespoons to coat the bottom of the glass baking pan Salt and black pepper to taste

With Meat Follow recipe above and add 1/4 lb. cooked ground beef or ground pork sausage. Allow meat to cool to room temperature before adding to rice mixture. Meat can also be cooked ahead of time and refrigerated.

Instructions:

1. Heat olive oil in a medium sized skillet.

2. Add onions and zucchini. Sauté for approximately 10 minutes over medium heat. Stir frequently.

3. Add garlic. Stir well. Season with salt and pepper. Cook an additional 3-4 minutes over medium heat. Stir frequently.

4. Remove mixture from heat and set aside to cool.

5. Place rice into a large mixing bowl, add diced cheeses and grated cheese. Mix thoroughly.

6. Add grated cheese, salt and pepper to taste. Mix well.

7. If using meat, add to rice mixture and stir to incorporate.

8. Add cooled onion, garlic and zucchini mixture to rice. Mix well.

9. Add chopped parsley and basil and mix evenly.

10. Preheat oven to 400 F. 11. Coat the bottom of a glass pan with olive oil. Glass pan should comfortably fit the 4 pepper halves.

12. Fill the pepper halves with the rice and vegetable mixture and place in the glass pan.

13. Sprinkle stuffed pepper tops with breadcrumbs, and top with tomato sauce before placing in oven.

14. Bake covered with foil for about 20 minutes, then uncovered for approximately 20 minutes until peppers are softened yet still firm.

15. Notes: Don’t ever use KRAFT brand long-life, on-theshelf cheese. Buy the real thing, please – my mom insists.

Hofstra University welcomes the Long Island

Italian Festival Adam Flash / The Hofstra Chronicle

A man scoops gelato for Dolce & Gelato, a local caterer focusing on the Italian dessert.

Adam Flash / The Hofstra Chronicle The Long Island Mandolin and Guitar Orchestra performs.

Robert Kinnaird / The Hofstra Chronicle A singer performs classic songs in both original Italian and English.

Brandon Anderson / The Hofstra Chronicle A woman does body paint for children at the Festival.

Robert Kinnaird / The Hofstra Chronicle A woman shows a purse to a potential costumer.

Adam Flash / The Hofstra Chronicle Attendees sit and enjoy the festivities, food and culture.

Adam Flash / The Hofstra Chronicle Customers getting Italian ice from a local vendor at the event.

Adam Flash / The Hofstra Chronicle A soloist performs with the Long Island Mandolin and Guitar Orchestra.

Adam Flash / The Hofstra Chronicle Audience members watch many Italian performers throughout the festival.

Adam Flash / The Hofstra Chronicle A vendor selling jewelry to customers.

Spread by Robert Kinnaird, Adam Flash and Talha Saddiqui

Arts and Entertainment

VOL. 85 ISSUE 2

Self-love and a flute: How Lizzo rose to fame B3

Courtesy of Rolling Stone

B2•September 17, 2019

A&E

The Chronicle

Self-love and a flute: How Lizzo rose to fame her album “Cuz I Love You” on April 19 of this year.

Lizzo introduced the album in the best way possible: by releasing what is now one of her most well-known songs, “Juice.” The upbeat tempo, which is reminiscent of ’70s disco, is accompanied by lyrics to match. She Courtesy of Hollywood Reporter preaches about how she’s Lizzo’s 2019 album ‘Cuz I Love You’ is cur- “the baddest bitch,” and she rently nominated for Album of the Year at can’t help it because she the People’s Choice Awards. was “born like this, don’t Continued from A1 even gotta try.”

At the beginning of her career, While her music presents Lizzo performed with various an entertaining perspective on groups before releasing her first self-love, that exact concept is album, “Lizzobangers,” in 2013. something that many people It received mild acclaim and it struggle with in today’s sociwasn’t until the release of her ety. Many people find self-care EP “Coconut Oil” in 2016 that and having love and respect for Lizzo started to receive some yourself to be selfish acts, but clout. The reason for this new Lizzo embraces them. “Juice” is recognition might be because just one in a long list of Lizzo’s earlier that year, she signed songs that promotes the message with Atlantic Records. Known that self-love is important and for representing artists such as shouldn’t be stigmatized.

Bruno Mars, Cardi B and Ed When “Cuz I Love You” Sheeran, Atlantic Records is dropped this year, not only were one of the leading record labels we blessed with “Juice,” but also in the music industry. With the hits like “Boys,” “Tempo” and combined forces of the label’s the re-release of “Truth Hurts.” power and Lizzo’s infectious While Lizzo has arguably bops, it was inevitable that she produced bops, and bops only, would one day reach the status “Truth Hurts” is one of the songs that she has attained. that catapulted her into fame.

Her popularity has grown exThe iconic line “I just took a ponentially since the release of DNA test, turns out I’m 100%

that bitch,” has become frequently used throughout social media. It has also been No. 1 on Billboard’s Hot 100 for the past two weeks. This song focuses on bouncing back after a failed relationship, and it’s shown as empowering rather than sad.

It’s a stark contrast to most popular songs on the radio now that focus on negative attitudes towards others, rather than promoting a positive attitude toward yourself.

The popularity of her music can be partially attributed to the constant confidence that each of her songs exudes, regardless of the subject matter. This is most likely why her song “Good as Hell,” which was featured on her 2016 album “Coconut Oil,” became popular over two years later. Now more than ever, we crave music that will uplift and distract us from our depressing environment; so Lizzo’s music, regardless of whether it is from her recent album or one of her older ones, is a perfect outlet to get people feeling “good as hell” again.

The uplifting nature of Lizzo’s music is only half of what makes her a breakout artist this year; the other half is her ability to perform a show unlike any other.

If you have never heard Lizzo’s music before, there are two key

identifiers that people can recognize her from: her unabashed love of her body and her frequent use of the flute within her performances.

Her body positivity can be seen in her lyrics and the nude album cover for “Cuz I Love You” and her use of the flute is truly out of the ordinary. Before going on to produce her now successful albums and EPs, Lizzo received a degree in classical flute performance. Now, she uses that skill as a way to enhance her music and set her apart – she even plays it during live performances while twerking to the tempo.

Lizzo is everything but the kitchen sink. She is versatile and brings more to the table than most musical acts out there today. Her climb to the top was not an immediate one, but it was a deserving one. Lizzo soared to new heights in this past year alone, and it will be exciting to see how she grows as an artist and performer in the years to come. As a singer, rapper and flutist who is topping the charts, Lizzo continues to prove that she is, without a doubt, “100% that bitch.”

Cover: Lizzo

New movie ‘Hustlers’ empowers the female grind

By Victoria Bell

ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR

Based on true events, “Hustlers” tells the story of a group of strippers who make a living scamming the rich men of Wall Street. The film focuses on leads Ramona and Destiny, two dancers who form a friendship through the sex work industry.

Set in New York City, the movie delves into the true meaning of “the hustle.”

Writer and director Lorene Scafaria took inspiration from a famous New York Magazine article by Jessica Pressler.

Scafaria made it her goal to portray these women in a light that isn’t often seen in today’s society: human. She wanted to create an epic story about them, making sure they were viewed as powerful beings. Scafaria even shot the movie likes a sports flick and compared the women to

athletes. In a sit-down interview working the pole was second nawith Variety, Keke Palmer, who ture to her. Interestingly enough, plays Mercedes in the movie, ap- Lopez admitted it was one of the plauded the cinematic direction hardest things she’s ever done. of the film.

However, the blood, sweat and The stotears may ryline stars soon be Jennifer worth it, Lopez as with the the searumors of soned vetthe actress’s eran of the first-ever strip club Oscar nomicircuit. The nation in the 50-yearworks for Courtesy of Hollywood Reporter old made her perforit her goal These ‘Hustlers’ received a 90% rating on mance in the Rotten Tomatoes. to put on film. a show for her audience – and a Fellow musician Cardi B is good one, at that. In preparation another celebrity who knows a for this role, the A-list celebrity thing or two about the hustle. trained for months with aerialist A former stripper herself, Cardi Johanna Sapakie, who specialB now makes her way to the izes in pole dancing. Bruises and big screen in her motion picall, the two worked side by side ture debut. In an interview with toward delivering a believable Entertainment Tonight, Cardi B performance from J- Lo, as if reveals she had been offered a

lead role, however, due to her busy schedule, she was bumped down to a supporting character.

Regardless, the 26-year-old rapper and actress knew she couldn’t pass up this opportunity. She felt that she could shed a light on what it’s really like working in a New York strip club.

Aside from the two Bronx natives, other prominent members of this diverse cast include Constance Wu (Destiny) and Lili Reinhart (Annabelle), as well as cameos from singers Lizzo and Usher.

“Hustlers” is a dramatic comedy that reels in top celebrities and explores themes of friendship, societal expectations and greed. The R-rated flick is out in theaters now, and with rave reviews and a possible Oscar in its future, “Hustlers” is sure to give the audience their money’s worth.

Quick Hits

Courtesy of TVLine

The 21st season of “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” is set to premiere Sept.

26, making it the longestrunning scripted TV drama.

Courtesy of IMDB

Streaming platform Disney+ will include Disney’s collection of cartoons and Disney Channel Original Movies.

Courtesy of Duluth News Tribune

Eddie Money, known for his songs “Two Tickets to Paradise” and “Take Me Home Tonight” died Sept. 13 due surgery complications.

Courtesy of US Weekly

Actress Felicity Huffman was sentenced to 14 days in prison following her involvement in the college admisions cheating scandal.

Courtesy of People

After winning an Emmy for “Crazy Ex-Girlfriend,” star Rachel Bloom announced that she is pregnant.

A&E

The Chronicle

September 17, 2019•B3

Spider-Man caught in web between Sony and Disney

Courtesy of Collider Although the third installment of the most recent franchise has yet to be announced, the role of Spider-Man will continue to be played by Tom Holland.

By Robert Kinnaird MULTIMEDIA EDITOR

Spider-Man is in unique creative and legal positions in Hollywood. As a character, he has had four different actors, writers, directors and distinct styles depict him since the turn of the century – and that’s just for film adaptations of Peter Parker. Add the other characters from “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse” into the equation and we have seen more versions of SpiderMan than any other hero.

Until recently, Spider-Man was

shared by two movie studios, each with different levels of control over the character. Sony had acquired the rights to Spider-Man for $10 million from a then nearbroke Marvel Studios before they began the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) in the mid-2000s.

When Marvel Studios released its first MCU film, “Iron Man,” it incited an industry distinction. Essentially, anything solely produced by Marvel Studios is within the MCU. This decision formed a division between Marvel movies, a general term for movies that use Marvel charac-

ters, and Marvel Studios movies, which are movies made by the studio itself that exist within the MCU. Meanwhile, Fox had acquired Marvel properties the Fantastic Four and the X-Men. This wasn’t too complicated back when Marvel Studios stuck to stories that stayed far away from characters they didn’t own.

Fox made movies that felt different by sticking with mutants and a few mediocre “Fantastic Four” movies and all the while, Sony focused on “The Amazing Spider-Man,” played by Andrew Garfield.

After Disney purchased Marvel in its entirety (Marvel Studios, Marvel Animation, Marvel Comics and Marvel Television) in 2009, the MCU had a lot more industry power behind it.

After a few years, Disney and Sony struck a deal that would give Disney the rights to reboot Spider-Man. This new version, played by Tom Holland, would be the first and only iteration of Spider-Man in the MCU. This deal would give Sony the bulk of the box office money while Disney earned merchandising profits.

The MCU “Spider-Man” mov-

ies are two of the three highestgrossing “Spider-Man” movies of all time, with Sam Raimi’s “Spider-Man 3” coming in about $10 million higher than Holland’s “Spider-Man: Homecoming” and $100 million less than “Spider-Man: Far From Home.”

Sony also recently found success with “Venom,” a movie that’s surpassed both of the Garfield “Amazing Spider-Man” movies at the box office and focuses on one of the web slinger’s main villains. When negotiations came back up for the MCU deal, things became more complicated.

Sony wanted control of their character back, stating on Twitter that they felt like Disney was hurting the series by taking Kevin Feige, the man often credited with starting the MCU, out of the position of lead producer for future Spider-Man movies in the MCU. Disney wanted more of the box office winnings that Spidey was bringing in – the Hollywood Reporter estimating between 30 and 50%.

Some fans are claiming that Sony was wrong not to accept what Disney was doing with the franchise, claiming that Disney does all the hard work on the

franchise while Sony gets the money, while others criticized Disney for highballing their demand of the box office winnings in a way they knew Sony couldn’t accept. Others are simply happy that Sony is standing up to Disney, which, after buying Fox, holds a massive portion of Hollywood in their control, and now controls even more Marvel properties by acquiring The Fantastic Four and The X-Men (both of which were announced as eventual members of the MCU at the most recent Comic-Con).

Some are just upset because a leak had shown that Disney had plans to make “Secret Wars,” an incredibly popular comic arc, into a movie in the future with Spider-Man as the lead.

Sony has no plans to take Tom Holland out of the role of SpiderMan, but as of now the character is no longer in the MCU. Sony is moving forward with plans to make a sequel to “Venom,” which many fans expect to feature the wall-crawler. Holland has stated, “All I know is that I’m going to continue playing Spider-Man and having the time of my life.”

‘IT Chapter Two’: Pennywise returns for terrifying sequel

By Anthony Roberts ASSISTANT SPORTS EDITOR

Two years ago, audiences were left shaken by the sheer terror of Pennywise the Dancing Clown in the 2017 adaptation of Stephen King’s “IT.” However, that was only the beginning of Pennywise’s reign of horror, as he returned to theaters once again for the sequel, “IT Chapter Two.” For the entirety of the nearly three-hour movie, the audience is left on the edge of their seats, as multiple scares creep up unexpectedly. Pennywise is more terrifying than before. Actor Bill Skarsgård allowed the evil clown’s persona to completely take control of him for the role, making the cast terrified of him both on and off the set. Skarsgård’s clown is used sparingly throughout the film; however, we see the entity of IT taking on other forms, making each en-

counter much more frightening.

From this point on, spoilers and scares will ensue, so read at your own risk. We left off with the Losers Club defeating Pennywise and taking a blood oath to return to Derry, Maine, if he ever returned. We then go forward 27 years and see that Mike (Isaiah Mustafa) was the only one to stay in that town and is also the only one to remember his childhood encounters with Pennywise. The rest of the Losers Club moved far from Derry to live successful careers: Bill (James McAvoy) is a successful writer, Richie (Bill Hader) is a stand-up comedian, Stan (Andy Bean) is an accountant, Eddie (James Ransone) is a risk evaluator and Ben (Jay Ryan) is a real estate agent. They all receive calls from Mike urging them to return. None of them have any idea why, but all sense fear taking them over.

Bev (Jessica Chastain) is the

only one who moved away and still can remember the fears that haunted her childhood, as she has nightmares showing the group’s deaths. Once they all meet back in Derry, they discover that Stan killed himself and Bev tells them about her nightmares. No one knows why they feel on edge being back in Derry until Bev mutters the word that sends pure shivers down their spines: “Pennywise.”

What follows is a series of relentless, horror-filled events that leave the audience shaking as Pennywise haunts the adult members of the Losers Club one by one. They know that they must defeat Pennywise this time, or else they will all be dead by the time he returns 27 years later. After Pennywise snatches the life of another kid in front of Bill, he chases the clown, ending up at the haunted house Pennywise calls home. The gang soon catches up and travels back

through the sewers to Pennyterrific casting, the two-part film wise’s final resting place. After series brings justice to King’s an intense battle, the audience is original novel. tricked into believing that PenOnly time will tell if Skarsnywise had been defeated, until gård will ever return to the big Eddie is suddenly killed at the screen as Pennywise, but one hands of the demented clown. thing is for certain: Pennywise The remaining characters finally was able to not only bring fear end up cornering the clown, to those in Derry, but to those in making him so weak that they audiences across America. grab Pennywise’s heart from his chest and squeeze the life out of it. As a result, Pennywise dissolves into the air and the places he called home come crashing down. The remaining members of the Losers Club rejoice at the demise of Pennywise and leave Derry to return to their lives.

Skarsgård’s Pennywise is sure to go down Courtesy of Gamespot as one of the most The sequel made over $91 million in its openterrifying villains in ing weekend, doubling that in the weeks cinematic history. With since.

The Chronicle A&E Brockhampton makes comeback with ‘Ginger’

B4•September 17, 2019

By Jovani Ledesma

SPECIAL TO THE CHRONICLE

After a hiatus of one year, the internet’s greatest boyband Brockhampton is back with their new full-length album “Ginger.” This comes after the release of their last album, “Iridescence,” which came out at a very volatile point in the band’s career, following the resignation of former member Ameer Vann. This controversy threw off their release schedules and caused albums to be scrapped.

Due to this, “Iridescence” was completely rushed and didn’t have the same feeling as the “Saturation” trilogy that came before it.

There was no consistency in the album’s structure and all the main hits felt undercut by the outside distractions.

However, “Ginger” feels complete and thought out. Compared to past albums, “Ginger” is a culmination of the band’s feelings about the Vann situation. The lyrics convey a story about the group’s conflicted feeelings toward their former bandmate. They sound like they are depressed that they had to force Vann out of the band but are also shocked and disappointed at why they had to do it. They took all of their negative emotions and threw them into

such a great album. time hearing him at all. The beat board give the track a unique feel This record is about being lost, to this track comes up a bit later and, combined with the vocals an outcast and alone. You feel this in “If You Pray Right,” and acts as from Kevin, Dom, Merlyn, Matt from the very beginning startsort of a teaser to it. and Joba, making for the best ing with the opening track, “No The next track, “St. Percy,” “banger” in the album. A balHalo.” The gentle beat, combined is probably the most aggressive lad from Bearface ends the song with an acoustic guitar playing in song on the album. It features a beautifully. the background and bittersweet grimy bassline and lyrics that give Now to the most “feels track” lead vocals from Deb in any album so far: Nevers, makes for a “Dearly Departed.” This beautiful melody with track deals with the Vann great messages intended situation directly. There to resonate with those is a slow, melancholic suffering from depresbeat hanging over all of it sion or in a bad place as each main member of in life.

Brockhampton lays down The next track, some of their most per“Sugar,” is reminissonal bars on how they cent of early-2000s felt about Vann. I could R&B, along with a go on about all of them, slow, calming chorus but there is one that needs and beat. This track in Courtesy of Genius major attention: Dom’s particular stands out ending verse. It discusses On the Billboard charts, ‘Ginger’ peaked at No. 3. from Brockhampton, as how Vann set up one of it shows how good they Dom’s friends to be robbed can be while being honest in their me goosebumps. Dom’s flow and (which was actually confessed by music. “BOY BYE,” the third grit, with Bearface’s sassy bridge Vann). It ends with Dom yelltrack on the album, is a muchand ending with Merlyn’s outro ing and slamming the door to the needed reprieve from the tracks (which could probably shake studio, ending the song on a very before it. It still deals with the an entire venue with its ballistic dark note. overall dark tone of the album, outbursts), are the highlights of The next track, “I Been Born while being plucky and could the song, but are held down by the Again,” was the first single to be considered the first “banger.” performances on the album. be released for this album and The interlude “Heaven Belongs Now we get to the meat of the the song that personally got me To You” features none other than album with “If You Pray Right,” invested into Brockhampton Slowthai. Slowthai’s vocals have which was teased earlier. The again. It is nothing special when astounded me, as this was my first brass instrumentals and keycompared to the rest of the album

and has some weird moments, like giving Joba a distorted, deep voice during his verse.

Things start going blue once more with the track “Big Boy,” which features freakish autotuned verses and a chorus with a distorted, depressed, deep voice, akin to the previous track.

The album stays sad with the second to last track, “Love Me For Life,” but felt unfinished.

Kevin and Joba’s style felt tedious in this track and I would say this is the least likable track on the album. The final track, “Victor Roberts,” features the addition of a new vocalist of the same name.

His style feels unique, just like the other vocalists, and his performance on this track makes the listener hope to God that he stays with the band. The track, ending with Bearface’s and Ryan Beatty’s angelic vocals, leads us out the dark pit of depression the album dug into, on a high and positive note.

I love this album, as it shows how their last album was a fluke and that they are bouncing back from the drop-off. Rating albums on a scale from one to 10, I feel that this album deserves a high eight. Hopefully you will listen and enjoy this album as much as I have.

Sponsors and vendors had booths set up along the convention floor, giving out free samples, makeovers and more. Some sponsors of RuPaul’s DragCon NYC included Wet n Wild, Chaz Dean’s Wen and Pop Beauty.

There was also a wide variety of booths containing makeup, wigs, glitter and jewelry for purchase, all elements that create the ideal drag look. To kick off the first day of the convention, Trixie Mattel did an exclusive performance for VIP ticket holders on the TikTok main stage where she covered RuPaul’s hit song “Kitty Girl” and Nicki Minaj’s “Anaconda.”

In addition to performances and meet and greets, attendees could attend panels sponsored

by Audible which featured the queens, Broadway actors, comedians and more. On Friday there was a “Disney on Broadway” panel featuring Broadway stars Alyssa Fox, Bradley Gibson,

panelists West, Pandora Boxx, Matteo Lane and Nicky Paris.

Attendees also had the chance to take over the main stage by participating in the Cosplay For Your Life competition, where competitors were asked to create the best drag queen cosplay.

RuPaul made an appearance when he hosted “RuTalks” with fashion icon Diane von Furstenberg and comedian Whoopi Goldberg.

During the weekend, RuPaul made two major announcements about DragCon U.K., which will be taking place in London in 2020, and the debut of “RuPaul’s Drag Race Live,” which is coming to the Flamingo Hotel in Las Vegas in January 2020.

The show is set to be produced

by World of Wonder and Voss Events, directed by RuPaul and Jamal Sims. Tickets for RuPaul’s DragCon U.K. are now available online and the series is set to premiere in the U.S. on Oct. 3.

RuPaul’s DragCon NYC brings thousands of attendees

Courtesy of Teen Vogue DragCon NYC began in 2017, an outgrowth of RuPaul’s success with DragCon LA, first held in 2015.

By Casey Clark STAFF WRITER

Thousands of people wearing bright colors and glitter could be seen from blocks away waiting to get inside of the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in New York City. RuPaul’s DragCon NYC took place Sept. 6-8, 2019, and brought together drag enthusiasts from all over the world. The three-day event featured over 150

of the world’s top drag queens, many of whom appeared on “RuPaul’s Drag Race.”

Some of the queens in attendance included Nina West, Brooke Lynn Hytes, Shuga Cain, Scarlet Envy, Ongina, Acid Betty, Trinity The Tuck, Vanessa Vanjie Mateo and Gia Gunn. The queens had booths set up around the convention center, where fans could purchase merchandise in exchange for a meet and greet.

Noah J. Ricketts and Michael James Scott. The panel discussed wigs, costumes and cosmetics in Broadway’s “Aladdin,” “Frozen” and “The Lion King.”

The convention was open to all ages and had a kids zone where children were free to play and participate in Drag Queen Story Hour, with appearances by Paradise, Miz Jade, Cholula Lemon, Annie Manildoo, Bella Noche and Ona Lousie. On Saturday morning, attendees gathered along the pink carpet to watch queens strut down the runway and showcase their looks on the Queens Mainstage Walk. Mattel was spotted riding down the pink carpet on a coin-operated mechanical lipstick promoting Trixie Cosmetics.

One of the Saturday panels was hosted by “Mean Girls” star Daniel Franzese, who brought his stand-up showcase “Danny Franzese and the House of Glen Coco” to life alongside guest

A 12 •September 17, 2019

op-ed

The Chronicle

Make Hofstra host the debate again

By Leo Brine

Hofstra University recently announced that it would not be applying to host a presidential debate as it has done in the past. This is a terrible decision and I am infuriated that the University has decided to do this. And the fact that they haven’t explained their reasoning is disrespectful to every student at our university.

For starters, this choice makes no sense, especially when we recall that Hofstra has been pouring countless amounts of time, effort and money into its Hofstra Votes campaign that President Rabinowitz launched last year. If the University wants students to be involved in the democratic process, why not bring that process to the students in the form of a presidential debate?

Having the future leader of the free world at this school will do more for its cause than any amount of tabling or photos of Kate and Willie Pride in starsand-stripes basketball jerseys could. Hofstra has done it for three consecutive elections, after all. Keep the ball rolling.

But instead, it’s doing what

every basic Tinder bro does – it’s launching a podcast.

Not to mention that the debates are one of the only reasons people outside of the tri-state area know of Hofstra.

I transferred to Hofstra because my high school friend, Sophie, posted a picture on Instagram of her working at the debate.

Prior to that, I had never heard of the place. But seeing that post sold me on Hofstra being the place where I could launch my future as a journalist; what an opportunity to be present for one of the most important events in our democracy! Truly a once in a lifetime event, that now won’t be experienced again.

All who watched the 2016 debate between Hillary Clinton and President Donald Trump saw the beginning of the end of a year-and-a-half long, divisive, corrosive and destructive process that greatly altered our country and the students at the University had a front row seat.

They got to watch Jill Stein get escorted off campus after trying to “Ocean’s 8” her way onto the stage. That’s incredible.

But now it’s gone, and no one

knows why. The University’s statement to The Chronicle was brief: “We chose not to apply this cycle,” said Karla Schuster, the assistant vice president for University Relations. That was it. The whole statement. They just weren’t feeling it this time.

Why the University is so inclined on keeping its students in the dark on this massive decision is beyond me. It has suspicious vibes and will lead to speculation and unfound conclusions: University admissions rates are down again, the school just finished constructing another face lift to the Student Center and have more plans for further development of the south side of campus and to top it all off, they just finished renovating the $35 million Frank G. Zarb School of Business. According to The Chronicle, each debate costs the University roughly $5 million to put on. Maybe the University wants to invest its assets internally into its academic (and cosmetic) offerings. That’s great, but it should be communicated. We go here. We pay for this. We should be allowed to know

what it is we’re paying for and why. Sure, we won’t agree on most things, but we will at least feel respected in knowing why decisions are being made.

I must admit that some of my frustrations with this decision are selfish. On the day I returned to Hofstra from my home state of Washington, I was lying in my dorm room bed and noticed a painful lump above my right clavicle. About a month later I was diagnosed with stage IV Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. Two weeks later, I flew back home to start chemotherapy. Unfortunately for me, Hofstra’s tuition refund deadline is February 23; students can only get 25% of tuition refunded unless they apply earlier, and I was diagnosed on the 26th. I left school with 38% of the semester complete, 100% of my tuition gone, no partial credits and a lot of cancer, and I would now be graduating in the spring of 2021 rather than the spring of 2020.

The silver lining here was that I would at least get to see and cover what will no doubt be one the most impactful events in American electoral history. An

event that would cover massive topics such as climate change, income equality, socialism, domestic terrorism and whatever the hell is happening to our relationships with Iran, North Korea, Afghanistan and Russia; perhaps they’ll bring up those concentration camps (if there’s time, Lester Holt can mention how likely it is that we’re going to get shot by a classmate or coworker now), and decide the fate of the Democratic and Republican parties as they head into the 2020s.

That silver lining is now gone, replaced by a big Starbucks. They sure don’t have those where I’m from (which is, again, Washington. More specifically, Seattle).

Leo is a junior journalism major who’s torn between writing about fashion and things that actually matter. He is a 5’9” Gemini.

Hofstra made the right decision on the debate

By Miranda Pino

Last week it was announced that Hofstra did not submit a bid to host the 2020 presidential debate. Hofstra has held the presidential debate for the last three election cycles; it is what the University has come to be known for. But what if we could be known for something else? What if Hofstra became the first university to pay New York state minimum wage by 2020?

Or what if Hofstra invested in a larger and more eco-friendly recycling program? What if Hofstra put in a commuter parking garage or extended the hours of the night shuttle?

Maybe Hofstra could be the school that eliminates all forms of hazing or addresses Title IX issues head on as opposed to

damage control.

These are all possibilities, but the reality is that the needs of the Hofstra student body are not being met. Hofstra claims to be listening to our concerns but every time a student brings up an issue that is more than slightly challenging, it is dismissed or redirected in a way that leaves you scratching your head, wondering what just happened. The powers that be have made it look like they are listening, but have only selected the easiest requests to address. It is great that we have a gazebo next to the Student Center and a full-service Starbucks, but what if the University also addressed bias and discrimination on campus?

Hofstra should use the time and resources it would

have devoted to the 2020 presidential debate to listening to and meeting the needs of students. The Jefferson Has Gotta Go! campaign has been asking for a tip line where students can report discriminatory behaviors and mandatory cultural competency training for faculty for two years.

I will concede that Hofstra has made some changes to accommodate our needs, but only after persistent, drawnout and often painful advocacy from students. Hofstra relies on its concerned students to find ways to patch a problem within the cracked bureaucratic infrastructure, but there is only so much a student advisory board can do if the University administration is not willing to

listen to its recommendations.

Sure, it is disappointing that our university decided against submitting a bid, but there is so much more Hofstra can do to prevent the constant disappointment the collective student body feels when one of the highest-ranking members of the University’s overarching administration dodges accountability at a “town hall” meeting meant to hear and address the concerns of students.

So, Hofstra students, faculty and administrators, do not let this opportunity to start a larger conversation pass. The debate is fun and exciting, but there are so many more important things that we as a school need to address. The debate is one day every four years, but

the average student attends college for three to five years.

The needs of the student body should take precedence. The presidential debate is a symbol of change; two candidates discussing what they see as positive changes for the United States. Let’s make Hofstra a symbol of positive change, whether we hold the debate or not.

Miranda Pino is the president of the Hofstra Democrats and a public policy/public service and history major.

op-ed

The Chronicle

September 17, 2019 A 13

The The views and opinions expressed in the Editorial section are those of the authors of the articles.

They are not an endorsement of the views of The Chronicle or its staff. The Chronicle does not discriminate based on the opinions of the authors.

The Chronicle reserves the right to not publish any piece that does not meet our editorial standards.

Women’s sports need to be taken seriously

By Mia Thompson

Last week, a Division I field hockey game was called off in double overtime. Administrators employed at Kent State University, which was hosting a neutral-site matchup between Temple University and the University of Maine, informed both visiting programs’ coaching staffs that they would have to leave the field, despite there being a remaining overtime period. The game was officially ruled a no contest. The reason?

So that Kent State could use its field hockey stadium, which is adjacent to the football stadium, to shoot off fireworks prior to the football game.

“Well ... that’s a new one,” tweeted the University of Maine field hockey account in response. Senior captain of

the Maine team Riley Field elaborated in a reply, saying that the “fireworks were not meant to go off until 12 [p.m.] and it was 10:45 [a.m.] when we ended our first overtime.”

It’s no secret that women in sports have had to fight to be taken seriously ever since women were allowed to play sports. One in eight men think they could score a point against 23-time Grand Slam singles winner and all-around record breaker Serena Williams, according to a poll from YouGov. It goes beyond just questioning their ability, too – female athletes are constantly rebuked on everything, from their uniforms to their demeanor to their looks in competition. Anything that would be a ridiculous critique to pose against a male athlete becomes a sticking point

against female athletes and another argument against them occupying their rightful space in the world of sports.

As a former Division I athlete with a stellar one-year record of sitting on the bench, I can personally attest to how much work it takes to pursue a collegiate athletic career.

Balancing a 20-hour practice week – complete with scheduling your classes around 6 a.m. lifts and 2 p.m. practices and frequent travel – is incredibly difficult. That’s without even taking into account the physical toll that four lifts a week takes on your body and the various athletics-related commitments you and your team are obligated to attend, on top of trying to keep your grades up. It’s hard work that takes a ton of commitment.

Putting your whole life into your sport only to still not have people take it seriously is incredibly frustrating. The way people tend to treat female sports teams and athletes makes it even more important that the institutions that are set up to advocate for them do so.

Kent State Athletic Director Joel Nielsen later apologized, acknowledging that the University’s decision was incorrect. “I realize that my statement does not undo the negative impact on the student-athletes, coaches, staff and fans who deserved to see their teams compete in a full contest,” he added.

The outpouring of support for both the Temple and Maine teams is heartwarming; the fact that it needs to take place at all is deeply disheartening.

The fact that it takes hours

of prolonged public shaming online in order for a college athletic director to realize he should have prioritized an inprogress women’s contest over pre-game fireworks for a men’s game is honestly embarrassing. How can we ever expect women’s sports to ever be treated with the respect they deserve when not even the people whose job it is to run the programs do so?

Mia Thompson is a television studies and production major and copy chief of The Hofstra Chronicle.

Hofstra lost more than just a class when it took away Punjabi

By Visvajit Sriramrajan Fifteen years ago this month, Hofstra University adopted Punjabi as a foreign language option for students. The language was chosen by faculty who highlighted the importance of the language in the South Asian sphere, citing the university’s Sikh Studies chair which the Religion department had just established. However, dwindling enrollment led to the eventual termination of the course.

One-and-a-half decades later, though, examination of the short-lived curriculum illuminates a disconnect between collegiate language learners and foreign languages outside the Romance and Germanic language families.

Currently, the university offers foreign language credit

for Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Italian, Russian and Spanish classes, which aim not only to teach these languages themselves but also to expose students to variegated patterns of cultural thought. The reality, however, is a bit different.

The 2019 edition of Ethnologue, a global referential language publication, sheds light on this divide. It states that Italian, for example, is the 22nd most spoken language in the world, with approximately 64.8 million speakers.

Italian, for instance, is undoubtedly a beautiful language; in fact, I myself have studied it. However, languages such as Hindi or Bengali, the fourth and fifth most spoken languages in the world with 341 million and 228 million speakers respectively, have no academic represen-

tation at Hofstra.

Many such examples exist, and cast into question the university’s prioritization of global awareness beyond the Western world. I’m sure members of the faculty have valid reasons for choosing or discontinuing certain programs over others, but these departmental choices warrant debate nonetheless.

The number of Punjabi speakers on campus has grown in the past few years, as has the number of speakers of other languages. Statistics pertaining to languages spoken at Hofstra are not publicly accessible. However, walking through campus, one is likely to hear a number of tongues, from the colorful dialects of Spanish and Cantonese to Japanese, Malayalam, Georgian, Bengali and more. Some of these linguistic identities are

represented socially through student organizations and oncampus events, but very few are represented in academia, an upsetting fact considering the linkage between languages and ideas.

Foreign languages have played a significant role in my own life. English was my second language, after Tamil.

I took it upon myself to learn other languages in the following years, and the beauty of relationships between words, sounds and contexts fascinated me enough to motivate me to pursue a linguistics major. An important takeaway from my journey has been the magnificent potential of languages to convey not just meaning, but entire philosophies. From the nuances of particular phrasings to the lexical lattice of concepts

and beliefs, a language captures the essence of a population’s cognitive outlook. It isn’t just a medium of communication; it’s a lot more.

Our strength, not just as a campus community but also as a nation, lies in our diversity.

Such diversity often manifests through linguistic heterogeneity, and encompasses how rich humanity truly is. Going forward, Hofstra must capitalize on this richness through meaningful, globalized curricula that remind students how vast our world truly is.

Visvajit Sriramrajan is a student from the Chicago area double majoring in journalism and linguistics.

Got hot takes? We want ’em.

Email us huchronicle.op.ed@gmail.com

A 14 •September 17, 2019

op-ed

It’s not about electability, it’s about respectability

By Robert Kinnaird

The 2020 Democratic primaries have been plagued by one word: electability.

Joe Biden leads the pack in “electability” among 2020 Democratic presidential candidates in every major poll, but what he wants doesn’t reflect what the American people want. Biden is half-invested in fighting climate change despite the fact that 56% of American adults think protecting the environment should be a priority, according to the Pew Research Center. Biden doesn’t see single-payer health care as a viable policy option even though the Kaiser Family Foundation found that more Americans are for single-payer health care than are against it. So why do people say he is more “electable?”

Easy. He is a straight, white, cisgender man with inoffensive centrist policies.

Electability is coded language to make our country’s fear of minorities and distrust of women more acceptable to talk about. It takes the burden off of the individual, so they don’t have to say that they don’t feel comfortable with a woman in

the White House. Instead, they say, “America isn’t ready for it.”

Moreover, people won’t have to say they can’t see themselves voting for a black candidate; they can just say, “A black candidate can’t beat Trump.

America is just too racist.”

People will talk at length about what is considered electable, but the common thread is always mild-mannered, older white men who don’t push for anything left-of-center. The definition of “electable” almost always leaves out people of color and women and is often weaponized against them. The problem with this narrative of electability is that it shifts the blame from one’s own prejudice toward minorities and universalizes it as an American problem, with Middle Americans — those in the country’s heartland, usually thought to be middle class, white and Christian — being the scapegoat for these politicians’ supposed lack of electability.

When people talk about who Americans are “ready for,” they are usually talking about Middle Americans. Middle Americans are the Americans who are painted as unwilling to vote for non-white or non-male

candidates, who are resistant to change and who make up a frustrated white middle class.

Trump dominated Middle America in the 2016 election, and this caused many to fall deeper into the narrative of the racist Midwest. However, while prejudice does exist in these areas, it also exists across this country. Bigotry is not unique to the American heartland.

Almost 700 counties voted for Barack Obama twice across America, and a third of those backed Donald Trump in 2016.

Similarly, Obama’s 2012 opponent Mitt Romney only won in the Midwest by 12 percentage points, whereas in 2016, Trump led the region by 29 points. The problem isn’t that Middle America can’t get on board with a Democrat unless we hand them an old white man with a recognizable name; it’s that we need a candidate who will meet these Americans where they are and talk to them honestly about what progressive policy can do. They aren’t stupid racists who will vote blindly for Trump again, but they’re not going to vote for candidates that ignore them either. They’re not going to vote for a calm, old man because he

isn’t Trump; they’re going to vote for the people who talk to them about the issues that affect them. Americans everywhere are interested in single-payer health care. Americans everywhere have concerns about climate change. So, let’s give them a candidate who cares enough to talk about these issues.

It’s time to be more honest about who Americans are willing to vote for. It’s time to stop giving Middle America over to Trump without a fight. It’s time to recognize that black candidates ARE electable, that women ARE electable, and that we’re not going to change this “coastal elite” image of the Democratic Party if we don’t give up our old notions of electability and show the country what young, diverse and progressive candidates can do for them.

The Chronicle

Quick Hits A New York Times investigation found new evidence this week surrounding Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh’s history with sexual violence against women.

Teen activist Greta Thunberg will be leading the Youth Climate Strike in New York City this Friday, Sept.

20, to demand global action.

Robert Kinnaird is a junior majoring in global studies and journalism.

Conflict of Interest

General Motors factories were shut down when its union workers launched one of the largest strikes in the country in decades this past Monday.

Apple announced its iPhone 11 Pro earlier this week, which will be released on September 20.

Comic by Amanda Romeo

“That must be why Hofstra pulled out of the debate...”

Purdue Pharma, makers of the deadly opioid Oxycotin, filed for bankruptcy this past Monday following a $10 billion lawsuit settlement.

SPORTS

The Chronicle

September 17, 2019 A15

Pride Performer of the Week: Hofstra Fall Sports

Men’s soccer earns first CAA win over Charleston

By Justin Joseph STAFF W R I T E R

Final Hofstra

3

Charleston

0

The Hofstra Pride men’s soccer team secured its first win in Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) play with a 3-0 win against the College of Charleston on Saturday, Sept. 14, at Patriots Point.

Most of the opening half was a defensive slugfest with both teams struggling to generate any offense.

Pride senior Adam Savill broke the game open when he netted the first goal for the team in the 41st minute of play off a penalty kick, his first since 2016 and the third of his career.

The game picked up for the Pride late in the second half, as freshman Frederik Rieper netted a goal in the 71st minute, followed by junior Petter Soelberg scoring just six minutes later.

Up 3-0, Hofstra’s hottest player this season, graduate student Alex Ashton, came up big with two key saves down the stretch to keep the Pride in the lead.

Ashton had three saves in the game, resulting in his 17th career shutout and third of this season. Ashton now moves into third place in shutouts in all of Pride history.

The Pride controlled their offense and outshot Charleston in

total shots, 20-10, and shots on goal, 7-3. Charleston seemed to be more aggressive, outnumbering Hofstra in fouls, 19-16.

Rieper leads the team in goals this season with three, while Soelberg is not far behind with two goals of his own.

The Pride now moves to 3-2 on the season and 1-1 in CAA competition, while Charleston falls to 1-3-1 and 0-1 in CAA play. Hofstra is now 4-1-2 all time against Charleston.

The Pride hosts Stony Brook University on Wednesday, Sept.

18, at the Hofstra University Soccer Stadium at 7 p.m.

Correction Box: Last week, the back cover incorrectly featured Jordan Littleboy instead of Miri Taylor, the player mentioned in the caption.

Photo Courtesy of Hofstra Athletics

Ashton recorded his 17th career shutout on Saturday against Charleston.

A16• September 17, 2019

The Chronicle

SPORTS

Van der Vegt adjusting quickly in goal for Pride

By Tino Pattigno

SPEC IA L TO T H E C H R O N I CL E

The Hofstra Pride field hockey team secured its first victory of the season on Wednesday, Sept. 11, notching their first win under new head coach Courtney Veinotte. It was also the first win for freshman goalie, Merlijn van der Vegt.

The win would not have been possible without van der Vegt’s strong performance in goal for the Pride.

“It was great,” van der Vegt said. “I felt it coming because we played good against Vermont even though we lost 1-0. I knew if we kept this up, [we] were going to get a win.”

“When the first goal [went] in after six minutes from Currie, I’m like this is it; now it’s going to be good,” van der Vegt added.

“In my head I’m thinking – if nothing goes in now, we win.

If I just don’t let any balls go in, we’re winning. It was great – a real good team vibe and I hope we get another one again Monday.”

It’s no surprise that a win feels this good for van der Vegt and the Pride, as she has had five or more saves in every game dating back to her first start. As a freshman, it is impressive to see her dominate in the goal for Hofstra thus far.

“It feels great, but it’s not all me,” van der Vegt said. “My communication with my defense is really good, so they help me to get in the right spots. [Cecelia DeSimone] is helping me with things like if I don’t know a certain word for stuff, so that is good because my teammates are helping me with everything. I’m just glad I can do my part, that’s why I’m here.”

Communication in any sport is always important, and even more so in van der Vegt’s case.

Being from the Netherlands, it is one of the many adjustments she needed to make while living here in America.

“I think one big difference between my home in the Netherlands and here in America, is that in America we have roommates and get to live on campus,” van der Vegt said, “while in the Netherlands you live in a house with other students as well but you

don’t live on campus where everything else is. Also, we have clubs in the Netherlands where you play sports, [but] those aren’t with the universities.

Here it is combined and I really think that is the greatest thing ever, and probably the biggest difference.”

There are many things that factored into van der Vegt’s decision to come to Hofstra and play for the Pride. She understands the importance of having a good environment to

events with them is really fun.”

Aside from her love for field hockey, van der Vegt loves to root for some of the other Hofstra Pride sports teams when she can.

“Women’s soccer is really fun to watch, and I love to see volleyball. I am also really excited to go to a wrestling match because we did not have that in the Netherlands.”

As with any college freshman, transitioning to a different style of life can be hard. This is true

“ Every time I’m on the field ...

I am just locked in and ready to help my team win.”

play in as well as how beneficial the connection is between her as a first-year player and Coach Veinotte, who is also in her first year as head coach for the Pride.

“First off, I always thought I didn’t want to go to New York,” van der Vegt said.

“But I eventually ended up here because I really liked the coaches here, and I really thought the program was getting good people in. [It was] creating an opportunity to go to the next level next year. I really like that there is a new head coach this year, so I can help her in molding the team, and have a little bit more influence than I would if there was a coach who’s been there for like 10 years. In the end, I really enjoyed the campus too, and even though I didn’t want to be in New York, Hofstra was so great that I knew it was worth it.”

As for her experience here at Hofstra, on a personal level, it has definitely been an enjoyable one.

“I love hanging out with my team, they are all really great.

The seniors and upperclassmen have all taken really good care of us freshmen, and we really got accepted into the squad so I think hanging out with the team and going to other [sporting]

especially for van der Vegt who is 3,646 miles away from home.

“One thing that I laugh about with my teammates is the cheese here in America,” van der Vegt said. “Every time I get cheese here, I say it tastes like melted plastic, so that’s one of the things I miss – the good Dutch cheese,” she said.

“But of course, I really miss my friends and family. That’s kind of tough, but overall the homesickness is less than I expected. Everyone is so welcoming here and you are so involved with your team, whether its going to classes, or training and stuff, you don’t really have time to get homesick, so that’s good.”

Off the field, van der Vegt is a psychology major and admitted that balancing school and field hockey is not easy.

“The tough part is sometimes we do have to miss classes, and that’s hard because then you’re not off to a good start with your teachers,” van der Vegt said.

“But all of the teachers here are really nice and understanding.

The workload is rough because after practice we have to be in the library – sometimes really late – but it’s part of it. It’s just a balance, I think.

“It really keeps me on my toes and mentally helps me to

keep things separate, between school and sport. Every time I’m on the field, I don’t think about classes or deadlines I am just locked in and ready to help my team win. When I’m on the field, it’s only the field.”

Van der Vegt’s on-the-field mentality is something she learned from various coaches and mentors during her time in the Netherlands. She is now bringing those values with her to Hofstra and it has definitely been something that has helped her to continue the early success.

“I need to always keep my head in the game, when I am at my best, I just don’t think,” van der Vegt said. “If I go [in] thinking about balls and things that need to be done, I won’t be successful, so I know I need to trust my instincts, coach my defense and it’s going to be great.”

“One thing that I always remember is that one of my old coaches said to me, ‘Don’t think, trust your instincts,’ and every time I do that, I know I can do my best to help the team win,” she said.

The Hofstra field hockey team is excited to watch van der Vegt grow and continue to help the Pride be successful both in the

short term and the long term.

“Some of my goals for this season are getting better with the team and learning from [DeSimone],” van der Vegt said. “I think [we] can learn a lot from each other since we have a different playing styles ... and I need to keep coaching my defense because it’s getting there, but it can be better. [There are] just some technical things that we can all learn from each other to become better, as a team.”

Merlijn’s love for the game and teammates drives her to push herself to want to be better every single day, to keep earning respect and contributing to the team’s success. If she keeps the pace she is at right now, van der Vegt will not have a problem achieving the goals she sets out for herself and the team.

“Long term, I would love to get as many shutouts as possible,” van der Vegt said.

“I want to get us through the Colonial Athletic Association championships, and then final 16 – as high as we can get. I want to be starting goalie and I know that if I don’t do well, I’m off. That’s it. So, that keeps us all working hard and I just want to continue to be successful and do well for my team.”

Photo Courtesy of Hofstra Athletics In the last three games for the Pride, van der Vegt has 22 saves.

SPORTS

The Chronicle

September 17, 2019 A17

Shepherd’s goal leads women’s soccer past Columbia

By DJ Lopes STAFF W R I T E R

Fina l Hofstra

1

Columbia

0

In a very physical game, the Hofstra women’s soccer team held on to defeat the Columbia University Lions 1-0 at home on Sunday, Sept. 15. Lucy Shepherd recorded the lone goal, and Skylar Kuzmich earned the second shutout of her young career.

Aggressive gameplay was on display early and often, as there were multiple turnovers from each side early in the game.

It got even more physical as Hofstra got into Columbia’s penalty area. Columbia pressed on them, essentially doubleteaming every attacker on the Pride.

This led to plenty of sloppy play from Hofstra. They weren’t able to get a solid look at the goal, as they couldn’t connect

on many passes in Columbia’s penalty box. Even when they could get a shot, it was a weak one that was easily corralled by the Lions’ goalkeeper.

The physicality of the game caused issues for the Pride in more ways than one, as the Pride went through some injury trouble. Early in the game, freshman defender Marlene Fries went down with an apparent knee injury and needed help getting off the field. Additionally, sophomore forward Krista Agostinello was subbed out with an apparent shoulder injury. Hofstra head coach Simon Riddiough was not able to provide an update on either player at the time.

“Hopefully they’ll both be back for next week, but we’ve got to check with the doctor tomorrow and see what they say, and see how the knee and shoulder recover,” Riddiough said.

Fortunately for the Pride, substitutes Megan Fisher and Lily Stavisky came into the game and held their own, helping out a struggling starting unit for the Pride.

“The effort was there, I’ll give them credit. They worked hard.

But again, we have to go back to the drawing board,” Riddiough said.

The Pride got its first substantial scoring opportunity with 40 minutes left in the second half. Miri Taylor took a shot that deflected to Lucy Porter, who nearly put the ball in if not for a nice diving stop by freshman goalkeeper Liz Matei. Porter got the ball back and put up another shot, but it hit off the top of the goalpost and was reigned in by the Lions.

The Pride had two more close calls, one from Shepherd and a missed header on their lone corner of the game. Eventually, they finally connected on their first and only goal with 16 minutes left. Porter found Shepherd cutting to the center of the pitch before Shepherd found the back of the net, giving the Pride the goal they needed.

The rest of the game came and went, but not without some late drama. With three minutes remaining, the Lions seemed to drive in the equalizer on a

corner kick. Fortunately for the Pride, Columbia was caught offside, nullifying the goal and maintaining the lead for Hofstra.

The Lions couldn’t get another shot on target for the remainder of the game, solidifying the shutout for Kuzmich.

With the offense struggling for much of the game, the Pride defense stepped up, having one of their best games of the season. The Lions only got four shots on the Pride defense, the third time this season that the Pride held their opponent to under five shots. Riddiough was especially impressed with the

performance of freshman Anja Suttner, who has continued her impressive freshman season.

“She was an absolute monster,” Riddiough said.

“She’s a tremendous little player, and I think she showed some maturity under a lot of pressure. [She] guided us to that win, to be honest.”

This was Hofstra’s ninth consecutive win against Columbia – their in-state rival.

The Pride will look to extend their winning streak to four games this Friday, Sept. 20, on the road against the University of Pennsylvania.

Adam Flash / The Hofstra Chronicle Lucy Porter’s assist put her at a CAA-high 18 points on the season.

HOFSTRA ATHLETIC CALENDAR HOME

T U E SD AY

W EDNESDAY

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

SATU R D AY

SU N D AY

AWAY

9/17

9/18

9/19

9/20

9 /2 1

9 /2 2

M E N’S S OC CE R

STONY BROOK

ELON – 7 P. M .

– 7 P.M.

W OM E N’S S OC CE R

PENN – 6 P. M .

VO L L E YBALL

HOFSTRA I NVI TAT I O N A L

FIE L D H OCKE Y

BRYANT

BRO W N

– 4 P.M .

– 1 P. M .

A18• September 17, 2019

The Chronicle

SPORTS

Mansur looks forward to challenge at Hofstra Invitational CONTINUED FROM A1 After falling to 2-3 on the season, the Ducks will be on the road Tuesday, Sept. 17, against Princeton University as they look to snap a three-match losing streak – all of which were losses to top teams. Following Princeton, the Ducks will make a short trip over to Hofstra where they will face St. John’s on Thursday, Sept. 19, and Duke and Hofstra on Friday, Sept. 20.

“Oregon right now is top 10 in the country,” Mansur said.

“Being able to have a good competitive match is really what our goal is.”

Representing the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC), the Duke Blue Devils are entering the invitational at a 5-5 mark on the season and riding a threematch losing streak. Along with Oregon and Hofstra, Duke made the NCAA Tournament a season ago but was swept by Loyola Marymount University in the first round.

“Duke is a great team and a great school,” Mansur said.

“That’s one we are going to go in looking to steal a win out of the tournament.”

Duke will face Oregon on Friday, and then end with St. John’s and Hofstra on Saturday.

Duke will be looking to bounce back over the .500 mark at the invitational and build momentum before heading into ACC play the following week.

St. John’s will head back to Hempstead for the second straight week to compete against Oregon and Duke. St. John’s was the only team of the four to not qualify for the NCAA Tournament after being knocked out of the Big East Tournament by Marquette University. The Red Storm did qualify for the NIVC Tournament but was knocked out in the first round by the College of Charleston.

Following the five-set loss to the Pride, St. John’s traveled to Florida for the Home2Suites Tallahassee Seminole Invitational, taking the opening two matches against Stony Brook University and Florida A&M University before falling to Florida State University. The Red Storm enter the invitational

HOFSTRA INVITATIONAL

BRACKETOLOGY

2018 NCAA TOURNAMENT RESULTS

DUKE

16-10 LOST ROUND ONE VS LOYOLA MARYMOUNT 0-3

OREGON

23-11

LOST ELITE EIGHT VS NEBRASKA 0-3

at 6-5 winning six of their last eight matches.

Arguably the hottest team coming into the invitational happens to be the host team, Hofstra. After going 25-8 last season and being crowned champions of the Colonial Athletic Associa-

vite with a 7-3 record and a fivematch win streak. The Pride has seen their share of top-ranked opponents as they opened the season with then-ranked No. 6 Penn State. The Pride will take another crack at a top 10 team on Friday when they face

HOFSTRA

25-8

CAA CHAMPIONS LOST ROUND ONE VS NEBRASKA 0-3

ST JOHN'S

23-12

LOST ROUND ONE (NIVC) VS CHARLESTON 1-3

can. It can be a great match and the best team will win that day,” Mansur said. “I think [Duke] is more comparable to the [very] top of our conference so I’m looking forward to the match.”

The Hofstra Invitational kicks off Thursday night at 7

“I’m looking for us to play better volleyball and to continue to improve as a team ...”

tion (CAA), Hofstra saw their NCAA Tournament experience end short after being swept by runner-up of the tournament, Nebraska.

“This weekend is about us being ready for the CAA,” Mansur said. “It is two great teams that play the highest level everyday but we need to focus on the things we need for us as a team, thinking of the week ahead because that’s when business starts.”

The Pride rolls into their in-

Oregon.

“It has to be about Hofstra, they have their strengths and we’re not going to change that,” Mansur said. “There’s a big tempo difference compared to last week so we need to keep guiding the ladies to play high and go back to the mindset of when we played Penn State.”

The Pride ends the invitational Saturday night against the Duke Blue Devils.

“Anything can happen if we play the best volleyball that we

p.m. as St. John’s takes on No. 10 Oregon. Friday’s schedule consists of Duke and Oregon at 1 p.m. followed by Oregon and Hofstra at 7 p.m. To close out

the invitational, St. John’s will take on Duke at 12 p.m., with the closing match being Duke and Hofstra at 7 p.m.

The Pride is looking forward to the challenge this weekend as they prepare for the CAA and potentially the NCAA Tournament this season.

“I’m looking for us to play better volleyball and to continue to improve as a team with new student-athletes taking lead and new people embracing play of this level so when we win our conference and get to the NCAA first round we are more prepared for a team like Nebraska,” Mansur said. “This has been our goal the whole time, being exposed to the best volleyball in the country that we can so when we make the first round we are not shocked by the level.”

Back Cover:

Courtney Veinotte earns first career win as field hockey head coach

SPORTS

The Chronicle

September 17, 2019 A19

Alex Masai running toward Olympic dreams

By Adam Flash

ASSISTA N T M U LT I M E D I A E DI TOR

Senior Alex Masai transferred to Hofstra University in January 2018 and in one cross country season, he broke the 8K school record, became Hofstra’s first ever Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) conference champion and was named the CAA Men’s Cross Country Runner of the Year. This season, he aims to be among the nation’s top 10 runners.

Born in Eldoret, Kenya, Masai started running in high school, following in the footsteps of his older brother and sister, both of whom run professionally.

“They represent Kenya at the Olympics and World Championships, so I thought it was the right thing to do to follow their path,” Masai said.

Despite running in high school and even being named Athlete of the Year in 2013, it was not until two years later that Masai got serious about his running, starting his collegiate career at Monroe College

in New Rochelle, New York.

While there, Masai claimed a regional title, broke the 8K school record and led his team to a 14th-place finish at the 2017 National Junior College Athletic Association meet.

However, in January 2018 he transferred to Hofstra to pursue his degree in criminology, and once again dominated at running. In his first season, Masai broke another 8K school record with a time of 24:00.7 and claimed Hofstra’s first ever CAA championship. In his second season with the Pride, he aims to prove himself on the national level.

“The ultimate goal for this cross country season is to be All-American. Probably top 10 at nationals,” Masai said.

He began his season on the right foot, already defending his title at the Stony Brook University Wolfie Invitational on Sept.

7, posting an 8,000-meter time of 24:23 to win by 14 seconds against Monroe College freshman Geoffrey Bwalley.

“I had a good summer. I’m healthy and trained well so I ex-

Photo Courtesy of Hofstra Athletics In 2018, Masai became Hofstra’s first cross country CAA champion.

pected to just to go in and finish as best as I can,” Masai said. “I felt nice; what I’ve been doing just paid off.”

Throughout the season, Masai’s goals – and his daily reminders of them to himself – are what drive him to get to where he wants to be.

“You want to be better than yesterday. I’m trying to be better every day,” he said.

And with training comes confidence, as the pressure of matching last season’s success does not seem to affect him this year.

“Of course there’s that pressure, but you take that pressure away when you prepare well,” Masai explained. “If the preparation is good, the pressure will be reduced.”

Masai’s ability to train at elevation gives him an advantage over his competition. Eldoret, Kenya, his home and summer training location, sits at about 2,500 meters (8,200 feet) above sea level while Hempstead sits at just a few meters above sea level.

“Coming from the high-altitude levels to the low-altitude levels helps me,” he said.

Altitude training is a common tactic among runners and athletes in general. At altitude, the air is thinner and requires more oxygen per breath to breathe. If an athlete becomes comfortable training at altitude, competing closer to sea level will in turn be easier as they can control their breathing more and not need as much air to do so.

However, once arriving in New York, Masai sticks to a weekly training schedule that has proven successful so far: a track workout on Tuesday, followed by on and off days of hard and easy runs throughout the week, with a tempo run on Thursday and long run on Sunday.

While Masai works hard to train physically, he says he does not do anything to prepare mentally.

“I don’t really have a custom of doing that. Just making sure I get enough sleep, eat well, drink water. Those are things I do.”

Photo Courtesy of Hofstra Athletics Alex Masai won the Stony Brook Invitational for the second year.

Like many athletes, Masai looks up to the professionals.

However, in his unique case, his role model is his own brother Moses Masai, who placed fourth in the 10,000-meter run at the 2008 Beijing Olympics and 12th in London in 2012.

“He was unable to win medals in the Olympics, but he did in the World Championships, so I just want to pick up from where he left off,” Masai said.

“At least get a medal for him and perform well at the highest level possible.”

Masai’s older sister, Linet Masai, also runs professionally and her achievements include placing third in the 10,000-meter at the Beijing Olympics and fourth in the 5,000-meter at the IAAF World Championships in Stuttgart, Germany the same year.

Like his siblings, Masai says his favorite races are the 5,000-meter and 10,000-meter and his favorite aspect of the sport is simply competing.

When the cross country season ends, the senior and his teammates will turn to track and field, as Hofstra begins its first NCAA Division I indoor track season, and second outdoor

season. Masai says he is looking forward to track being back.

“If I qualify, I get to represent my school and myself at the highest level at nationals,” Masai said. “I just want to train hard coming from cross country, adding that speed into indoor [track season], get fast times, qualify for regionals and probably go to nationals.”

Last outdoor track season, Masai placed 22nd at the NCAA Division I East Preliminary Qualifying meet and broke Hofstra’s 10K school record, with a time of 29:39.36. In 2018, he claimed the Penn Relays College Championship 5K title.

After his time with the Pride is over, Masai has his sights set on running for the Kenyan national team.

“My goal is to just represent my country at the highest level possible. The Olympics and World Championships are the perfect spot for that,” he said.

The Hofstra Chronicle

Sports

September 17, 2019

Stick With It

Field Hockey head coach Courtney Veinotte picks up her first two wins as leader of the Pride.

Photo Courtesy of Hofstra Athletics