Spring 17 Issue 10

INSIDE From roadie to retirement

MCLA’S STUDENT NEWSPAPER April 13, 2017

ESTaBLISHED 1979 Volume 84, Issue 10 SGA PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS

"Not Qualified" to run

Page 4

No student trustee candidate Write-in candidate can still take the position

By Mitchell Chapman @mitchapman Editor-in-Chief

There will be no balloted candidate during this semester’s SGA general election, according to SGA Elections Chair Jessica Lovellette. Several student took out paperwork for the position, but not one turned them in.

“I think it is very important that someone fill this role, as it is our only student voice on the Board of Trustees, and the person in the position is taken very seriously by other administrators, faculty and staff,” current Student Trustee Brianne O’Rourke said. O’Rourke will be running for Class of 2020 President instead of seeking re-election. “This position and all other positions open for SGA can have a write-in candidate. If no one decides to do a write-in campaign, the position will be open for someone to run for in the fall elections.”

A write-in campaign for Student Trustee would be

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PHOTO BY DAN WOHLER — BWN PRODUCER

The unused debate stage in Mark Hopkins Hall. Hours before the first ever live SGA debate was supposed to air, SGA Elections Chair Jessica Lovellette informed The Beacon that two out of the three campaigns running were not qaulified to run. She refused to release any information on the other races until monday night before press deadline.

Giffen-Munoz-Cook only campaign to appear on the ballot

By Jon Hoel and Dan Wohler Co-Managing Editor and BWN Producer Around 3 p.m. on April 6, The Beacon and BWN were informed by senior Jessica Amanda Lovellette, the SGA Parliamentarian and Chair of the Elections Committee, that two of the three tickets for SGA President were not eligible to run for their positions due to a failure to “meet the minimum qualification requirements for these positions.”

There are a number of reasons an SGA candidate can be ineligible for running, according to the SGA bylaws. The candidate’s tickets were notified by Amanda Schuler that they did

not meet one/any of the following four requirements: “Run as one ticket on the ballot consisting of a President, Executive Vice President, and Coordinating Vice President.”

“Nomination form completed.”

“Not be officers of any SGA recognized club or organization for the 2017-2018 academic year.”

“All candidates must have a minimum of a 2.75 cumulative GPA.” Because only one candidate’s ticket remained, The Beacon was forced to cancel our planned live-stream of the debate between the candidates.

“I’m disappointed that it fell through at the last minute,” said junior Sam Kniskern, BWN Executive Producer,

who was assisting in the production of the debate. “We had been working on putting this together for almost two weeks and students seemed really interested in it.”

We can confirm that Samantha Giffen’s ticket (Giffen-Muñoz-Cook) is the only remaining ticket running for president. Both the Wright and Allen tickets were disqualified.

“We knew the requirements and checked the by-laws,” Wright said of the disqualification. “Obviously I’m very disappointed as I put a lot of time and money—my own money—into the campaign.”

Lovellette announced all of the requirements for each SGA position at an SGA

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Meet the rest of the SGA candidates

By Mitchell Chapman @mitchapman Editor-in-Chief Next Tuesday and Wednesday, every position in SGA is up for election. As The Beacon goes to press at approximately 3:00 p.m. Wednes-

day, this was the last chance available for candidates to be featured in the print paper before elections.

SGA Elections Chair and Parliamentarian Jessica Lovellette released the final confirmed candidate list at SGA Monday night, providing The Beacon with the full text of that list at 12:04 a.m. Tuesday night before deadline. Candidates were given

Many Positions Available!

until 11:59 p.m. Tuesday night to respond to The Beacon‘s request for inquiry.

The Beacon attempted to contact Lovellette in advance of Monday, but she refused to provide information on the candidates and the verification process. Nomination papers were due Tuesday, April 4.

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TONIGHT: JANE SWIFT

Former Mass.

Gov. to speak at Church Street

By Mitchell Chapman @mitchapman Editor-in-Chief Though the Trump presidency is still young, it has already had ramifications on the political and socioeconomic landscape of the nation and those around it. Tonight at 7 p.m. in the Church Street Center Auditorium, former Massachusetts Governor Jane Swift will talk about this presidency and its ramifications in this semester’s public policy lecture, titled “The Trump PresiSwift dency.”

Swift served as Governor from 2001 to 2003, and

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Langston to retire

By Meghan Cook Special to The Beacon

White, peeling bookshelves, half-filled with paperbacks, line the cramped office. The floor is littered with piles of paper and boxes of books.

“Forty years of mess,” chuckles

APPLY NOW

David Langston.

He hurries to clear box containing a jumble of more books, revealing a chair as if from thin air. The office is filled to the brim with decades of work, notes and memories—a salute to the career of the memorable, and now retiring, Professor David Langston

Be the change you want to see in the newsroom!

To The Beacon! Applications are outside The Beacon Office, Mark Hopkins Room 111! Applications are due by Thursday, April 20 at 6:00 p.m.

LANGSTON, Page 3

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CAMPUS NEWS

April 13, 2017

MONDAY NIGHT SGA

SGA President Williams launches election investigation Inquiry will look into SGA’s adherence to own by-laws over the last 10 years

By Nick Tardive @Nick_Tardive Senior News Editor Following claims from within SGA that prior student government elections had failed to properly check a vice presidential candidate’s GPA – declaring them eligible when they were meant to be ineligible – SGA President Tim Williams announced that he contacted Academic Affairs in order to have them properly investigate the student government’s adherence to its own constitution

and by-laws.

Williams said that the investigation would check back as far as the 20062007 academic year in order to properly ensure a thorough investigation.

“We have to make sure that this is a fair student government.” Williams said–a process which starts when SGA is properly crafting rules and following those rules.

Senator Jake Vitali voiced displeasure during a lengthy discussion on GPA requirements for SGA elec-

tions – not with the requirements themselves, but with the length of the process that went into checking and verifying candidate eligibility.

“Kaitlin [Wright] had her papers in three[sic] weeks ago,” Vitali, a Wright supporter, said, “Hours after nomination papers were made public. We didn’t hear anything back until hours before the debate.”

The Beacon/Beacon Web News debate scheduled for April 7 was cancelled the day of, when both the

SGA lowers GPA requirement to serve Will not apply to this election

By Nick Tardive @Nick_Tardive Senior News Editor

A motion introduced by Senator A.J Cote was aimed at amending SGA’s constitution, which required students running for SGA to have a minimum GPA of 2.3, and students running for SGA executive board to have a minimum GPA of 2.75. The motion passed with overwhelming support, with nine votes in favor, zero against and two abstentions.

Now the amendment to the constitution will be reviewed by the Constitution Committee. Recommendations will then be sent to the E-board and eventually the Senate, which would have to pass the amendment again with a minimum two-thirds of SGA needed to pass. The new GPA for SGA executive board members would 2.0, while the regular required GPA would remain 2.3.

“We all go to school here,” ShepherdEdwards said. “We know how hard it is to sit on E-boards, be student leaders. I don’t think we should be defined by our GPA’s. If you only need a 2.0 to graduate, I don’t see why you need a higher GPA than that to be a voice for students on campus.”

The change came after two tickets for president in the upcoming election – Senator LaJuan Allen’s and junior Kaitlin Wright’s – were declared ineligible to run shortly prior to a scheduled primary debate between them and Coordinating Vice President Sam Giffen.

Allen and Senator Adazae ShepherdEdwards argued that a lowering of the GPA requirement to be a member of student government would bring about a more inclusive process. The 2.75 requirement to sit upon E-board, they claimed, discouraged many from even considering a run – including minority groups on campus who

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When asked about the lengthy verification process, which exceeded the previous three elections, in which an official candidate list was provided to The Beacon by the end of the day, Lovellette responded: “As Chair of Elections committee I would like to personal announce the candidacies to our organization first. When Tim Williams was chair of elections committee he had his own ways of doing so and may have done things differently then myself.”

Fact check: Lovellette did release the presidential candidate information to The Beacon at Thursday at 3 p.m., but refused to release any more information before Monday’s SGA meeting.

The Beacon received word from sev-

Senate At-Large Andrew Baillargeon (Brief featured in last week’s Beacon).

Brandon Valdes Valdes did not respond to The

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Celia Norcross, the Director of Student Affairs, was at the SGA meeting on Monday night and voiced her support for the investigation. However, she made a point to remind the student representative body to not simply push blame or responsibility for the issue onto administrators.

“You all as students made the rules.” Norcross pointed out, explaining that students had set the rules as they were to prove it was possible to both put academics first and have time for other responsibilities, while still succeeding.

SGA LGBTQIA+ FORUM

already struggle to have their voice heard on a majority straight, white campus.

SGA is known for having problems sparking involvement within the organization, whether it be running for a position or constituents not knowing who their student representative is. Allen, ShepherdEdwards and Cote all argued that this was because students might feel disenchanted with the system – whether it’s because they cannot run themselves and feel left out, or because they do not feel as though their voice is being heard within student government.

Lowering the GPA requirement would encourage more people to run, and make elections more balanced and fair.

“What type of democracy is that, when people don’t have the ability to vote for who they want?” Allen inquired.

Allen went on to rationalize that some students with lower GPA’s might be given incentive and revitalized by their experience on SGA – to raise their GPA’s despite the added stress of being a student senator.

Others, such as Senator Jacob Vitali, said that school should come first in the equation – and a higher GPA can be used as an indicator for prioritization of school work above all else. However, the motion did pass without a single no vote.

Vitali agreed that, at the very least, SGA’s procedure for checking candidate eligibility was flawed and needed to be changed.

“Kaitlin had her papers in three[sic] weeks ago,” Vitali pointed out. “Hours after nomination papers were made public.

We didn’t hear anything back until hours before the debate.”

President Tim Williams made clear that, though he believed GPA requirements should be kept the same, that he was willing to look into the way SGA checks and verifies candidate eligibility.

eral SGA candidates who wish to remain anonymous that they received confirmation on their candidacies before Monday night.

At Monday’s SGA meeting, Lovellette cited her ways of releasing campaign information as something she “learned in business classes.”

The Beacon is committed to offering every candidate running for office a minimum of a brief in the print paper.

Below are the candidate briefs The Beacon received before the 24-hour deadline.

Wright and LaJuan Allen campaigns were declared ineligible to run for student government president.

Williams and Parliamentarian Jessica Lovellette explained, however, that the issue of GPA requirements was out of their hands. SGA cannot check other students’ GPA’s, as that is private information unavailable to them.

“Which is why I recommended Academic Affairs handle the investigation,” Williams explained.

Senator LaJuan Allen at one point mentioned that the “staff had dropped the ball on this one.”

Agression against LGBTQIA+ community “Ignorance, not malice”

By Nick Tardive @Nick_Tardive Senior News Editor Members of the Queer Student Union (QSU) and Trans Affinity Group (TAG) addressed SGA on Monday in order to tackle their marginalization on campus. They discussed professors misgendering and “outing” trans students by using that student’s given name, and the availability and quality of gender neutral bathrooms on campus.

There seemed to be a consensus that most hate on MCLA’s campus was borne out of a lack of understanding of the plights members of the LGBTQIA+ community go through on a daily basis.

“A lot of it does not come from a place of malice, but a place of ignorance,” said junior Dirk Correia. Group members explained that several professors on campus were disrespectful to their gender identity in numerous ways: laughing at a students’ assertion of their identity, and repeatedly calling a student their assigned gender or given name despite being told multiple times not to. One professor even purportedly was unwilling to accept they/them pronouns for being “grammatically incorrect” and forced a student to re-write a paper.

“This kind of disrespect impedes a student’s desire to go to class, even more than professors know,” QSU Vice President Victoria Rodriguez explained to SGA. However, SGA’s visitors stipulated that just because malice was not the outright intent does not mean that being misgendered is acceptable.

Members of QSU and TAG made it clear that they thought Safe Zone Workshops were an important part of teaching cisgender-or people living on the binary-the proper nomenclature for members of the LGBTQIA+

community, as well as a level of respect and awareness that might not have been shared prior to one’s attendance in the workshop.

People in the gallery and members of SGA alike thought that faculty and staff should also be a part of the training–and that maybe the Safe Zone Workshop training should be mandatory for them (and students) like the alcohol and drug safety training is.

“Even tenured professors are guilty of misusing someone’s pronouns,” Rodriguez said.

“And I think encouraging it more adequately for professors to take part in these…would really help us out.”

Freshman Senator Jacob Vitali voiced his solidarity with members of the LGBTQIA+ community on campus, stating that he thought Safe Zone workshops should possibly be worked into First Year Experience courses, and made more prevalent in a student’s freshmen year in order to build that understanding from a young age.

Senator Adazae Shepherd-Edwards also voiced her solidarity, offering both reassuring words and her utmost resilience in making sure that MCLA becomes a more inclusive community by the time her run on SGA is over.

“I want to apologize that you go through these things on a regular basis,” ShepherdEdwards said. “But don’t be afraid or feel like someone else is going to penalize you for your experience, because that’s what they want you to think. You need to fight for what you know you deserve.”

Co-President of QSU, E.D Bibbins, pointed out that trans students–and members of the LGBTQIA+ community as a whole– can’t effect the change that they wish to all by themselves.

“It’s very hard to make changes,” Bibbins admitted. “Trans people are a very small subset, and we need your support.”

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CAMPUS NEWS

QSU: "An open space"

By Hannah Snell Staff Writer Queer Student Union (QSU), which has recently seen an 18 percent budget increase, has added on a third major event this semester, in addition to bringing back two club favorites.

“Basically we make a space for queer people to be queer and be comfortably queer,” Co-President E.D. Bibbins said, summarizing the club.

The first major event the QSU organized this semester was its Drag Dance on March 24. The punk show-themed dance drew in roughly 50 students, including a few prospective students who attended an admissions overnight.

“Apparently it’s been the most successful one we’ve had in years,” said Victoria Rodriguez, vice president of QSU. Rodriguez explained that the difference between attendance at the event last year and this year was clear, partially due to increased visibility and advertising of the event and changes to the organization and planning.

Although the Drag Dance has been QSU tradition, this was the first year in which QSU collaborated with WJJW, the campus radio station. Station Manager and President Emma Monahan and fellow station DJ Luke O’Brien discjockeyed for the event, playing a variety of both classic and contemporary punk music, as well as a variety of other genres. Some of the E-board member favorites included music by All Time Low, Panic at the Disco, Lady Gaga, David Bowie and even Smash Mouth.

For Fiscal Year 2018 (FY 18), the QSU received approximately an 18 percent increase to its budget. In addition to the club’s increased influence on campus, the QSU needed the additional funds to be able to host both the Drag Dance and this year’s Sextival. Traditionally, Sexti-

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Beacon‘s inquiry in time for the print deadline.

Connor Ogborn Have you had any prior leadership experience?

I have had a lot of leadership throughout high school and even here in my first year at MCLA. I was the President of my class for three years in Ogborn high school and held a leadership role in almost every club l participated in. Here at MCLA, I co-coordinate a program called College Cadets and will be looking at holding many E-Board positions in the future.

These experiences have equipped me to hold a position in SGA, and I feel I am ready to take on that challenge.

LANGSTON From Page 1

Leaning back easily in his chair and adjusting his glasses, he appears at home among his acquired possessions.

“I only have until May 31 before they kick me out,” he says, both exLangston asperated and amused.

Langston is memorable for more than just catching his student’s attention with a strategically chosen swear word; he is a passionate warrior for critical thinking. While he

val has been hosted by Students Taking Action for Gender Equality (STAGE), however, STAGE became inactive as of this year.

Sextival is expected to take place on April 30 from noon to 4 p.m. The event will center around topics such as sex education, safe sex and sex-positivity that correlate to this year’s “nature” theme.

Sextival will be a collaborative effort between a diverse range of campus clubs, such as Writer’s Guild, Film Club, The Allegrettos, ALANA and many more.

Yesterday, the College recognized a Day of Silence (although the national day is recognized on April 21), in which students who chose to participate refrained from speaking for an entire day to show solidarity for the LGBTQIA+ community.

“You realize a lot, it’s emotional, it’s difficult, but at the same time you realize more about yourself when you go to speak,” Bibbins said. “There’s also a feeling of solidarity, like you’re not speaking, your friends aren’t speaking and it’s just this quiet, introspective time.”

Co-President Falyn Elhard, while acknowledging the emotional aspects of the experience, noted that the practice can also be an empowering one.

“It’s kind of reclaiming it. . .you’re choosing this for yourself and you’re surrounded by people like you, or who may not be like you, also participating,” they said.

On Saturday, MCLA will host the Fourth Annual LGBTQIA+ Live Out Loud Community Conference at 9 a.m. in Murdock 218. At the conference, the QSU will give a presentation, “The Erased Voices in Queer History.” “[The presentation] is about people who you didn’t know were queer either because you never learned about them or or because they never told you they were queer because they assumed hetWhat do you want to accomplish in office?

There is a lot I would like to accomplish in office. One thing I would love to see is the bettering of relationships.

I think we could improve our relationships between MCLA and the community, SGA and the clubs on campus, and also just the relationship between the staff, faculty, and public safety and the students. With these improvements, I think we can totally change the environment and atmosphere not only of MCLA, but of North Adams.

Why should people vote for you?

I feel that I am a candidate that could push for the change that the students on campus want. This would be my first time serving on SGA, and I think I bring a new perspective to the group that could be very beneficial to seeing improvements that could be made on our campus. I want to make the voices of the MCLA community heard.

Celine Manigbas Manigbas did not respond to The Beacon‘s inquiry in time for the print deadline.

“hates to leave,” he is leaving behind an important legacy. He says the most important thing to instill in students in any major is critical thinking.

“Teaching students not what to think, but how to think,” he explains.

This skill is what the majority of students in higher education and the workforce are lacking in function and understanding, according to the Journal of Scholarship and Teaching and Learning. Critical thinking is overlooked in most elementary and high school education.

Yet, Langston’s first experience as a high school teacher in the Upward Bound program, while still a junior in his undergraduate years, included the practice of critical thinking. He states it was one of his best experiences, being given the chance to

erosexuality,” Bibbins explained.

The club will wrap up its busy semester with “Barbequeer,” an outdoor picnic preceding the week of final exams.

The event will include a community barbecue and activities such as tie-dye t-shirts.

“We have food and just chill, it’s like a reprieve before the onslaught of finals,” Elhard said.

Each QSU meeting begins with a check-in where members state their name, preferred pronouns and share one lowlight and one highlight of their week. The discussion during the meeting varies from week to week depending on the interests of members and topical events. For example, after a holiday when members go home for the weekend, members might recollect on what went well and what was difficult with family members.

While most topics that members wish to talk about are fair game, the club makes an effort balance out negative topics with positive ones, and to steer away from national politics when necessary.

“Sometimes as humans we like to highlight negatives or differences instead, but the positives are what help us realize that not everything in life is horrible,” Secretary Hunter Schrade said.

“Even if it’s just ‘I got out of bed’. . .those things may seem hard in a time like this, but those are the things that sometimes you have to congratulate yourself on because they were hard, but you did it.”

The QSU meets on Mondays at 8 p.m. in the IGE office, which is room 321 of the Amsler Campus Center.

“Anytime the office is open, no matter who’s here, you’re welcome to come in, you can hang out or if you have a problem and need to talk to someone, you can do that,” Elhard said. “It’s an open space.”

Devon Kelleher Have you had any prior leadership experience?

This year I became co-president (alongside Kolumbia Cook) of American Sign Language Club.

It’s been a lot of fun and I really enKelleher joy working with the club and all of our e-board members! Holding this position inspired me to get even more involved on campus, and is one of the reasons I decided to run.

What do you want to accomplish in office?

While in office I would focus my attention around students needs and their voices. Right now there are a number of issues on campus that students are concerned about, ranging all the way from diversity on campus to the food in the cafe. I think these issues need attention immediately and I would do my best to

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teach kids the necessity of critical thinking and how to understand rather than “spit facts back out.”

Critical thinking has taken the front seat in Langston’s teaching career. In every course he taught it is really all the same course, he states, each one about the cultural tensions in our society, so he teaches methods of analysis to best understand these tensions and problems.

“I object to busy work,” he says.

While he is nothing but serious in his passion for how to teach students, he also knows how to keep students engaged and excited about his lessons and himself.

“Professor Langston is a funny, outgoing and passionate teacher,” says sophomore Hunter Woodbury, a student in Langston’s Introduction to Literature. “His love for his profes-

April 13, 2017

GREEN LIVING SEMINAR

3

EATING the invaders

By Mitchell Chapman @mitchapman Editor-in-Chief Invasive species can cause havoc in local ecosystems, and there often is not a readily available way to get rid of them. So why not eat them?

Next Thursday at 7 p.m. in CSI 121, Ecologist Joe Roman will present the last installment in the Green Living Seminar Lecture Series “Recipe for Success: Can Eating Invasives Help Reduce Their Spread?” featuring special guest Chef Greg Roach, who has prepared food samples made from local invasive species.

On the menu: Wild Boar Meatballs – Asian BBQ Style, Wakame, Seaweed Salad, Lionfish Tempura, Asian Carp and Cabbage mini tacos, Python Pho. According to the lecture series coordinator, Professor Daniel Shustack, Roach will prepare enough samples for 50 people, but if more attend, the food will be shared by all.

Roman is is a conservation biologist, author, and researcher at the Gund Institute for Ecological Economics at the University of Vermont and the Editor-in-Chief of “Eat the Invaders: Fighting Invasive Species, One Bite at a Time,” an online publication dedicated to tackling invasive species through consumption.

“Invasive species are estimated to cause the United States tens of billions of dollars in environmental and economic damage each year,” the paper “Review of harvest incentives to control invasive species” published on “Eat the Invaders” cites. “Management of these non-native species is necessary to protect native species, ecosystems, economic values and human health; however, effective prevention, containment, and control activities often require financial resources and time that are not always available. Recently, incentive programs designed to promote harvest of invasive species populations as a management tool have received significant attention.”

Chef Roach is the current Executive Chef at the Buxton School in Williamstown. Previously, he served as the Executive Chef & Prepared Foods Manager at Wild Oats for eight years.

“After years of wondering what the heck I was doing milling from kitchen to kitchen amongst a cult of egotistical jerks, I figured out a simple truth about myself,” Roach wrote in the now-defunct Greylock Independent. “I cook to make people happy.”

Tonight’s seminar

The Management of Invasive Species of Cape Cod National Seashore. hosted by Nita Tallent, National Park Service, Cape Cod National Seashore.

7:00 p.m., CSI 121

QUALIFIED From Page 1

meeting a few weeks ago, where members of both disqualified tickets were present, and so were informed of the requirements ahead of time.

All requirements are checked only after nomination papers are due. These papers were due on April 4, and, according to Lovellette, they began to check all nomi-

sion and students really shows in his style of teaching.”

According to Langston, he has taught classes from introduction classes with freshman to senior seminars and has been given the opportunity to see students grow as writers, which he says has been incredible. He shuffles a few papers and a blue bound book aside, and an ancient sticky note flutters to the floor from the cover of a book,exclaiming “loose pages may fall out, be careful!” before landing face down on the threadbare carpet.

“I took [Professor Langston’s] Inventing Modernism course and enjoyed his energy and passion about the subject,” says junior Emma Monahan. “He was always engaging the class and making us laugh, and was so helpful with whatever kind of

nation papers for every single SGA position on April 4 in the late afternoon.

The Beacon is investigating to find out exactly why the decision to deny eligibility to two of the three campaigns was made so late and what parties are responsible for this. If you have any information regarding the developing story of the controversy surrounding the SGA presidential election, please contact us at beacon@mcla.edu.

questions we had.”

Langston plans to finally get some rest in his retirement, at least for the first six months. After that he says he will continue to work on, and hopefully finish and publish, three or four articles, one he has been working on for ten years. He also expressed interest in continuing to come back and teach a course once in a while if the English Department needed him to.

“I don’t want to step aside from teaching altogether,” he said.

Langston leaves MCLA with a full career and a multitude of students influenced by his teachings who will miss his enthusiasm in the classroom.

“The advice I would give any aspiring teacher is to always listen before you talk, hear what a student has to say first.”

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April 13, 2017

CAMPUS NEWS

Aramark forum on meal plan concerns

More modified plans to come

By Reagan Smith Staff Writer Kevin Kebea, Director of Category Management for ARAMARK, presented a slideshow detailing meal plan basics and several survey results from the ARAMARK Management Team in an open forum with the Dining Committee on Tuesday night in the Centennial room. All students were welcome to voice their opinions and any thoughts they might have had regarding MCLA’s meal plan policy.

According to Kebea, only 60 percent of MCLA students’ meal plan swipes are used, compared to 98.6 percent of students’ declining balance. Because of this, administration is collaborating with ARAMARK to give students more options with their meal plans.

Vice President Cathy Holbrook and John Kozik, MCLA ARAMARK Food Services Director, attended the forum.

“Is there any way to implement a meal plan for commuters?” senior Kelsey Alfonso asked. “I know a lot of commuters wish they could eat here, and I’ve used a lot of my guest swipes on my commuter friends.”

Alfonso added that she knows some commuters who pay to eat in the Centennial room with their credit cards.

Kebea, Holbrook and Kozik all said a small meal plan for commuter and part-time students is something the school would be happy to look into. Kozik especially sounded optimistic about the idea.

“Any feedback is good feedback,” Kobea commented on the Beacon’s recent ARAMARK poll. “I’ll take feedback any way I can get it.

Our goal is to make this a dining hall you want to eat in.”

Students might soon be able to choose a lesser or modified meal plan as soon as their second semester freshman year, according to Kobea. He also noted that ARAMARK and administration have looked into changing the foundation of meal plans from paying for a certain number of swipes, to paying for a plan based on the number of times a day each student visits the Centennial room. This would be considered an “All-Access Plan.”

The majority of 65 survey takers ranked their experience at ARAMARK at MCLA a 5.1 out of 7, according to an ARAMARK survey.

To further improve this rank, Kebea said, ARAMARK plans to host more events in the market place, have more “themed dinners” and continue hosting student cook-offs.

Kozik also announced a “Build Your Own Burrito” pop-up event that will take place in the marketplace before the end of the semester.

Any student opinions or concerns can be submitted to the Student Government Association (SGA), or the Food Committee through SGA.

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tackle them and listen to anything the students have to say regarding these problems.

Why should people vote for you?

I believe in my ability to make a positive impact on this campus, I have gotten tremendous results with ASL this past year and I look forward to being able to bring more change to campus this fall!

Fabby Street Have you had any prior leadership experience?

I have plenty of leadership experi-

TRUSTEE From Page 1

subject to the same election process as any other write-in; A write-in candidate needs at least 20 votes plus whatever it takes to win to get the position. A writein candidate would still have to

SWIFT

From Page 1 was in office for through the aftermath of the World Trade Center terror attacks on 9/11. As such, her governorship took many securityrelated stances, coalescing in her testifying in favor of Homeland Security, leading a group of 45 governors urging Congress to create the department.

“Acting Gov. Jane Swift has had her finest hour during this crisis,” “The Boston Herald” wrote at the time.

“She has been steady, stable, calm-

From roadie to retirement

By Brianna Lamb Special to The Beacon

“Okay, this one’s a true story. Can’t make this one up,” Andrew “Andy” Hoar said.

He set the scene. The equipment for the show needed to be unloaded.

Giant speakers and lights littered the floor of a small gymnasium.Power needed to be supplied to all of this, and the only way to do it was to hotwire the panel while it was on.

And Andy was the man to do it.

Rubber gloves and oversized rubber boots were necessities for the job, as well as an allen wrench wrapped in electrical tape.

“So you’re sticking your wrench into that panel and it’s going bzzzz, and you’re thinking, this is really stupid,” Andy recalled. “Your best friend is standing next to you with a baseball bat and a broomstick so if you electrocute yourself, he can push you away. And I did that more than once!

And I’m still here.”

With the sound of moving wooden flats and props acting as white noise, Andy retold story after story of his past experiences, before he made his way to MCLA 35 years ago.

Andy Hoar has been a prominent part of MCLA’s theatre department, as well as club involvement, since 1982.

He gave an update on the information found on his FPA biography on the MCLA website. It only counted 50 productions he had been a part of at MCLA over the past 35 years.

Andy shook his head.

“Well, it’s close to 100 now,” he said.

Theatre Production Designer and Technical Director are his official titles, but he prefers to think of his job as more than just that. He credits the students he works with as a driving

PHOTO BY BRIANNA LAMB

Andy Hoar, in his office. force in his time here at MCLA. Andy’s Visitors Student after student, as well as some faculty, came to greet Andy in the theatre and to ask him questions.

Some inquired about the set, part of which would be balanced on top of seats in the audience.

“We get asked to do some pretty strange things,” Andy said, regarding this particular set piece, and remembering some set requests from the past.

One of Andy’s visitors was Jeremy Winchester, a theatre professor, new this year to MCLA.In an email correspondence, Professor Winchester spoke kindly of Andy, thanking him for passing on the knowledge he had amassed over his years at MCLA. “He has made this first year not just possible, but enjoyable,” said Winchester.

Adazae Sheperd-Edwards Sheperd-Edwards did not respond to The Beacon‘s inquiry in time for the print deadline.

Some of Andy’s guests just wanted to see how he was doing since they had not seen him in a while. Every student got a smile and a friendly greeting when Andy saw them.

Bryanna Bradley, a senior and a member of Dance Co., is a regular visitor.

“My favorite moments are the ones hanging out in Venable with him,” Bradley said. “Andy is so caring and gentle – fearsome and soft.”

From the Beginning MCLA, however, was not where Andy got his start. He started to chuckle as he saw the biographical resume of his past experiences, one of which included acting as a roadie for the band “Boston”. He was eager to share his stories.

As a senior theatre student in college, Andy interned at Colby-Sawyer

HOAR, Page 11

ence under my belt. I have been copresident’s of three different clubs when I was in high school and had the great opportunity to take many leadership based trips to difStreet ferent places on how to become a better leader.

What do you want to accomplish in office?

I want to accomplish whatever I possibly can while I’m in office.

I want every students voice to be heard on this campus and I have no

problem speaking up against injustices or if anyone doesn’t either like something being done or even not feeling safe on campus. I want to be the voice of the people.

Why should people vote for you?

People should vote for me because I know I will be a great senator once again and I have now had experience in the club and know it ins and outs. I want to make everyone feel like they’re being heard and what they have to say matters and will be brought forth and dealt with. Regardless of how big or small the issue is I want this campus to be as great as it can be.

Greek Seat

Resident Seat Sarah Groux Have you had any prior leadership experience?

My name is Sarah Groux and I am currently a freshman majoring in political science. I am interested in serving the student body through the Resident Seat position. While I

meet all of the qualifications a balloted candidate would for student trustee, which include the ability to attend all regular Board of Trustee meetings, among other meetings, and maintain at least a 2.75 cumulative GPA. “This will not be immediately impactful to our student body, as I attend the last meeting in May

as the Student Trustee,” O’Rourke said. “The next meeting that the next Trustee would attend would probably be the Trustee Retreat that is typically held in the fall.”

If a Student Trustee is not elected by next Wednesday, when the SGA general elections conclude, the position will be up for election in the

fall. According to the General Laws pertaining to the Board of Trustees of the Commonwealth’s community colleges and state universities, public colleges in Massachusetts must have 11 members on the Board of Trustees, one being an elected undergraduate student to act on behalf of the interests of the

student body.

“I am extremely hopeful for a write-in candidate this semester as it will make the transition for them much easier,” O’Rourke said. “I will be here next semester to assist anyone who takes over the position.

I hope anyone interested will contact me ASAP.”

ing, decisive.”

During her time as governor, Swift became known as a working mother, giving birth to two girls during her years in office. In addition, she remains to be the only female governor of Massachusetts, and was the youngest female acting governor in United States history, a governorship that began when President George W. Bush appointed then-Governor Paul Cellucci the United States Ambassador to Canada.

And for a time, she lived in the Berkshires.

“Imagine being Jane Swift, longtime overachiever in the far-flung

Berkshires, whose bruising experience on Beacon Hill is now the stuff of legends” The Boston Globe wrote in 2007, when she was living in Williamstown. “Alternately viewed as the victim of the merciless Boston media, a symbol of the failed promise of feminism, or an accidental leader who stumbled bullheadedly to her political demise, she is, nonetheless, an alumna of the governor’s office at 42 years old. She is nowhere near finished.”

The Berkshires is a familiar sight for Swift. In 1990, she was elected to be Massachusetts’ lieutenant governor, serving Berkshire, Hampshire,

Franklin and Hampden county from 1991 to 1996. During her time as lieutenant governor, she was instrumental in the Education Reform Act of 1993, which created the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS).

“We will be pleased to hear from one of our own this spring, as North Adams native Jane Swift speaks about the unprecedented Trump Presidency from her political and personal perspectives as a Republican and our former governor,” John DeRosa, administrator of the Ruth Proud Charitable Trust, which is funding the lecture, said in a state-

ment. “I encourage the public to attend this event, which is sure to be most informative as we learn what we might expect from President Donald J. Trump and his administration during his tenure in the White House.”

Since leaving elected office, Swift has worked in the private sector as a consultant and executive in education technology, as well as serving on corporate and non-profit boards, teaching and lecturing on topics pertaining to women and leadership, and supporting philanthropies that address issues of importance to women and girls.

Trevor Wheelock Wheelock did not respond to The Beacon‘s inquiry in time for the print deadline.

had experience with student government in high school, this will be my first time running for SGA at MCLA. When I heard about the Resident Seat position, I got excited about the possibility of representing those who live on campus What do you want to accomplish in office?

I am having a wonderful time living in Hoosac Hall this year; however, I certainly have thoughts about how we can work to improve residential life here at MCLA. While I have my own thoughts, I am most passionate about hearing the thoughts of all students living on campus.

Why should people vote for you?

CANDIDATES, Page 11

FEATURES

THREAPY PET

Cat provides support for her owner's anxiety

By Sophia Player Special to the Beacon The cat sits calmly on the bed, careful yet cautious, warm yet well aware, allowing very few to pet her and sticking closely by her owner’s side. She blends seamlessly with the darkness below her owner’s bed, a perfect pitch black color except for her stark white whiskers, reminiscent of a wizard’s beard.

This cat’s magic, however, resides in her ability to bring down her shuddery, panic-stricken owner from the verge of tears to a more relaxed state with just the presence of her body.

Like a pillow, she offers up a warm tummy to rest their head on, and the steady thumping of her slow-beating heart can bring anyone back from the brink of self-destruction.

These furry little companions, also known as Emotional Support Animals (ESAs), provide a multitude of therapeutic advantages for their owners.

This is the case for Amber Tart, an MCLA student and owner of an Emotional Support Animal, a black cat named Diamond.

Diamond is an older cat and grandmother, whose stretched and relaxed poise provides a calm yet inviting atmosphere for Amber.

Despite her age, she’s quite friendly and loves to be touched and pet by people she approves of.

She also takes on a peculiar fondness towards women over men. She’s a smart cat.

Therapeutic benefits ESAs provide many real health benefits including lowered blood pressure, reduced stress levels, reduced feelings of loneliness, increased opportunities for exercise, increased opportunities for socialization, and a multitude of other advantages, both physical and mental, according to the Center for Service Dogs.

Owners of these animals are also given many privileges that typical pet owners are not.

ESAs are allowed to travel in the main cabin of airplanes, as well as other forms of public transportation, with approval from a doctor, according to the US Service for Animals.

They are also allowed in the workplace and schools under very specific terms and conditions.

Diamond falls under a more specific category of ESA known as ‘assistance animals’, which are not the same as service animals. This means they are not trained for a specific task like a seeing eye dog.

Many ESAs are simply domestic animals that the owner may have already owned. Most domestic animals can be approved to be an ESA as long as they are reasonably trained. This includes being toilet trained, generally quiet, and not posing a threat to tenants/ workers, according to Center for Service Dogs.

ESAs and MCLA As of 2013, MCLA is required to comply with Fair Housing Act, which allows Emotional Support Animals into dormitories and residence halls on all public university campuses.

However, the process is lengthy and has taken up to three months for students to complete on campus.

PHOTO BY DOMONIQUE ACKLEY

Ganondorf and Princess Zelda pose together in Boston.

Anime Club visits 14th boston anime conference PHOTOS BY SOPHIA PLAYER

Top, Amber holds Diamond. Below, Diamond relaxes on he r bed.

“It’s so tedious,” says Amber, stroking Diamond gently.

The process first requires paperwork to be obtained by the Residence Director and needs to be filled out with the student’s therapist.

The student must also have had the therapist for at least two years so they can attest that the animal will actually help them.

The paperwork must then be submitted to RPS, and a meeting must be scheduled with Assistant Director of CSSE/Disability Resource staffer Katie Sutton so she can approve or deny a request based on the animal and the student’s disability.

Following the submission of the paperwork, another meeting must be scheduled with Residence Director Dianne Manning to explain the rules and requirements for keeping the animal to make sure the “student is aware of their responsibilities.”

On top of the rules for keeping the pet, the animal must also be up to date on their shots and be cleared by a vet for the animal’s own health and safety.

If the owner of the pet plans on living in a single room, then RPS must make sure the size and condition of the room is humane enough to keep the pet healthy and safe.

She explains that, “if its [the pet’s] role is to calm anxiety, the animal can’t have anxiety.”

Manning then emails every student on the pet owners’ floor to see if anyone is allergic or just generally disapproves of the animal. With the floor’s approval, the student is finally allowed to bring their animal home.

Any damage to property caused by the animal including scratch/ claw marks, bite marks, and other destruction also must be paid for out of pocket by the owner.

However, when Amber is in the room and the door is closed, Diamond is allowed to roam as she pleases.

“She sleeps with me every night here,” says Amber, stroking her gently between the ears.

ESAs also help with other se-

vere mental health disorders including depression, autism, Asperger’s, PTSD/ other psychotic disorders, as well as anxiety disorders like separation anxiety that a student may be feeling as they leave for college, according to The Official ESA Registration of America.

“Whenever I’m mid panic attack, she lays right on my chest and just purrs,” says Amber. “It’s like she knows.”

Amber suffers from depression, anxiety, and panic disorders, as well as heart complications caused by her panic disorders.

“She never stops purring, she’s like a little engine,” says Amber fondly. She says the purring is like white noise at night that helps her fall asleep.

It’s a stressful environment at home for both Amber and Diamond, but on campus, in the safety of their room, the two find comfort in each other.

Amber strokes her gently along the crease of her spine and down the length of her tail, repeating this action continuously.

Diamond lays comfortably outstretched on her bed the same way a human would while taking a nap.

Her eyes close slowly and tiredly with every calm stroke; her purrs give off soft vibrations through the bed and up her owner’s arm.

“She’s my baby,” says Amber.

By Ron Leja rl2670@mcla.edu Deputy Features and A&E Editor

There are few subcultures that are so accepted, yet just as misunderstood, as that of the anime fandom. At its core, anime is a stylized form of animation that derives from Japan. Characters are often drawn with comically large eyes, perfectly spiked hair, and flawless physiques, reminiscent of what one may expect to find in American comic books.

Unlike standard cartoons, anime is often geared toward older audiences, which is where most stigmas concerning it derive.

Anime could notably be described as cartoons for adults.

The shows tend to focus on mature themes, and the stories being presented often stretch across multiple episodes, each building off of the other. In many ways, anime is no different than your typical TV series. However, despite having spawned a widely popular culture in the states, the fandom is still often depicted as being outside the social norm.

Recently, the MCLA Anime Club joined fans across the northeast at Anime Boston, an annual convention that celebrates their love of the culture.

Anime Boston is currently the eighth-largest anime fan convention in the country, and has grown extensively since it first was held in 2003. The convention features a number of events that are staples of the Anime culture, including but not limited to: cosplay, fan made music videos, anime-inspired video games, and live action role play.

“We really enjoyed ourselves,” club member Andrew Pietrykowski recalled. “I was able to meet some of my favorite voice actors like Johnny Young Bosch, Brina Palencia, and Chris Sabat and I cosplayed as Kurapika from the anime “Hunter x Hunter.”

For some, the satisfaction of having simply accomplished their goal of making it to Anime

Boston was enough to make the trip worthwhile.

“As much as people may not believe me, my favorite part of the trip was stepping out of the van in front of our hotel,” club member Bethany Fontana exclaimed. “There’s a lot of planning involved for a trip like this, and we ran in to our fair share of problems along the way, from acquiring con badges to setting up hotel bookings. It was just a huge relief that after everything, all the stress and troubles, we finally made it.”

The trip marked a first for the club, and only helps to compliment the idea that anime continues to gain fans as time goes on.

It also stands as a shining example of what some of the smaller, less recognized clubs on campus are capable of should they put forth the effort to raise money.

The Anime club was established nearly ten years ago, and has always been a relatively small, tight-knit group.

“The club has had trouble in the past finding its place,” club member Fontana explained. “But seeing how the club has grown over the years, and continues to thrive despite not being the most popular club on campus, the trip became something that we really wanted to strive towards. I’m glad we were able to accomplish our goal.”

Preparation for the trip involved a fair amount of fundraising. The club took it upon themselves to hold a number of small events such as a raffle and several bake sales. While the club’s goal was always to raise money for the convention, they also hope that in doing so, they may help to better establish themselves on both the MCLA campus and throughout the North Adams community.

Anime may not be to everyone’s liking, but the culture is most definitely here to stay. By putting their best foot forward and making themselves known, the anime club has taken the first step towards potentially bettering their status on campus.

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT Chalk Mural to Bring Campus Community Together

By Emma Monahan A&E Writer

By April 22, MCLA will have a brand new mural on campus, and it’s all thanks to Kayla LaVoice and Kaitlin Short.

“I fought really hard for this one,” Short said. “I feel like it’s something that we really need on campus and I conveyed ver y strongly to Kayla that I needed her help, and it worked.”

A campus art mural, part of a ser vice project for the Ser vice Leadership capstone, is something that Short did not think possible at first.

“With ever ything that’s been going on in the countr y and on campus, I just think this is the time where ever ybody that wants to participate can, and not only that but we can find a way to bring people together,” Short continued.

LaVoice explained how the beginning of the process was a lot of “what ifs.” With the help of MCLA staff members like Celia Norcross, Michael Obasohan and Nate Gutmann, their support

was what helped them figure ever ything out on how to make this mural happen.

An open forum took place on March 23 and a student sur vey was also handed out to hear feedback from the campus community.

“It was a small group that showed up to the forum,” Short explained. “But they were all ver y enthusiastic about the project, so tie as ver y helpful. It was a lot of feedback and that’s where we got our ideas for the mural.”

Those ideas include diversity, the classic MCLA gates, inclusion of North Adams--“We thought about putting the upside down trees from [MASS] MoCA,” Short said--and local nature.

According to LaVoice, student Halie Smith is being utilized as an art consultant.

“She went to the open forum, looked at the sur vey results, and put together three different mural drawings. In order to get more people involved once those ideas are approved, we’re going to table and have people vote, also send out a sur vey,” LaVoice said.

As of last week, LaVoice and Short received approval

for the project. Voting on the mural design will take place on Fri., April 14 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., Tues. April 18 from 12:30 p.m. to 3 p.m., and Wed. April 19 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Sur vey’s will also be posted on MCLA class pages, and an email will be sent out to faculty and staff.

Another hope that LaVoice and Short have is that the mural will not only inspire students today, but also future students.

“We think that it’ll show that MCLA trusts its students, appreciates its community. We think it’ll also help bring people together because art is so unbiased and it’s something that ever yone talks about when it happens,” LaVoice said.

“We really hope that in the future years, that if it fades or gets washed away, somebody might come along and say, ‘Well, Kait and Kayla did this four years ago, we should do another one,’” Short said.

“We want it to be something that not only brings the community together now, but also in the future,” LaVoice said.

LaVoice and Short are hoping to paint the mural on Earth Day, April 22.

DRAWINGS BY HALIE SMITH There are two different proposed designs and places for the mural, each featuring the Trailblazer mascot.

figment returning soon

By Ron Leja Deputy Features and A&E Editor FIGMENT, a celebration of participatory and interactive artwork, is preparing to launch its second North Adams-held event on Saturday, April 29, at Windsor Lake. The non-profit event is open to the general public, and grants the community an opportunity to better involve themselves in a number of artistic mediums, brought to them by local artists both prolific and up-and-coming.

Originating on Governors Island in the New York Harbor area in 2007, FIGMENT events have grown in popularity in recent years. FIGMENT aims to bring the local art scene in to a more accessible, approachable realm by allowing event goers to participate in several handson art projects together. Past projects include: A community mural coordinated by the Common Folk Artist Collective, a painting with bubbles project, a glow-in-the-dark paint tent and many more.

The event also showcases several live performances by local theater troupes and musical acts, as well as a number of games, workshops and interactive art exhibits. Poetry seminars, meditation circles, and even a “licking booth,” the equivalent of a kissing booth

PHOTO BY JARRED CLAPP

Last year's FIGMENT was a joyous outpouring of artistic expression and good vibes. featuring dog’s in place of humans, were present at the 2016 event. Last year’s FIGMENT: North Adams event featured forty-one different projects, helping to create a fun-filled day of creative exploration, self-expression and good vibes.

Krystal Henriquez, a recent MCLA graduate and the current producer of FIGMENT: North Adams, brought the event to life in 2016. While taking part in a “Grants and Fundraising” class taught by Dr. Lisa Donavan, she

was asked to select a project that she was passionate about, and to submit a grant with hopes of turning the dream in to a reality.

“After contacting the executive producer of FIGMENT, I was given the opportunity to shadow the producer of Figment: Boston as an intern back in 2015,” Henriquez recalled. “I just fell in love with the community. FIGMENT is very welcoming, and the vibes it produces really help to connect the dots between people, to help form relationships and bet-

ter our sense of community.”

Henriquez currently works alongside several other prospective MCLA students who share her vision of helping FIGMENT: North Adams to become an annual occurrence.

Most of the projects, as well as the turnout, is the result of MCLA students who take interest in North Adams’ developing art community. Several campus clubs, student artists and MCLA alumni partake in the event, helping to bolster its

impressive roster.

While nothing has been set in stone, Henriquez believes that her degree is bound to take her elsewhere, to bigger and better projects. As such, she is doing what she can to prep her team to coordinate future FIGMENT events, as this may be her last year as lead coordinator. Henriquez made mention of the amount of work and planning that hosting the event requires, and as such, the team is currently looking to push FIGMENT: North Adams towards a bi-annual structure.

“We currently have three interns who help set the wheels in motion, but we are always looking for volunteers,” Henriquez mentioned. “We’re also fairly lenient in regard to project proposals. While the deadline for projects is April 14, we will still accept projects walking in to the event. Anyone can volunteer, and it’s a nice way to interact with both our local artists and members of our community.”

FIGMENT: North Adams is completely free and open to the general public. Live music will kick off at 3 p.m. and is expected to last until 10 p.m., and projects will continue throughout the day. If anything, FIGMENT: North Adams is a nice way to spend a day at the lake, connect with your community, and indulge the artist in all of us.

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

April 13, 2017

Yo r i c k c l u b c o n t i n u e s a n c i e n t t r a d i t i o n

By Mary Kate Lynch Special to the Beacon

Dismissal of a politician who ends up inciting a popular movement, redefining a national identity and a leader who surrounds himself with dangerous allies?

No, this is not a description of the Trump era, it is the basis for Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar, a historical play set in ancient Rome.

At a Yorick rehearsal on March 27, actors in Church Street Center’s Social Hall rehearsed, whispering about “will and testament” with far-off piano music floating in. Accompanied by frantic pacing and wringing hands, players read lines with others or sat crisscross on the ground with scripts in their laps as the rows of fluorescent lights bounced off the marbled black and white tile.

“Hey guys,” a voice called out. “Can you start warming up please?”

The three-hour rehearsal began with exercises working on pronunciation and stretching. As the actors lay on the ground in a semicircle, the off-stage talent conferred around the table, darting in and out of the room.

Not many students would choose to study the Bard in their college classroom. Yorick’s dedication to presenting an original Shakespearean play each semester

attempts to combat this disinterest.

Yor-what?

“You’re dead, so you don’t care,” director Alycia Skerry said as she stole a script from Caesar (played by Luke O’Brien). Skerry played Mark Antony, and is the secretary of Yorick, whose name comes from the man whose skull Hamlet holds in one of Shakespeare’s most-known works.

According to the club’s mission statement, Yorick is MCLA’s only Shakespeare group, and takes pride in putting on shows that bring Shakespearean content to the campus. Founded in 2004 by Tom Coppola, the club has since thrived, offering Shakespeare-themed activities like banquets and an annual Bard Bash, along with plays each semester.

A lot of preparation goes into these performances. The groundwork for this spring production began when Skerry’s proposal was voted for in December, with auditions following in late January.

One way that the group publicized their upcoming performance was through a promotional video on social media, giving audiences a preview for the drama in store for the final show. Other preparations for the show included a stage combat workshop led by Fine and Performing Arts Professor, Laura Standley.

As the few female characters in the play would have been performed by men in Shakespeare’s time, the women-dominated cast flipped the script with the all-male senate played mostly by women.

This mirrored Skerry’s interpretation—instead of the original ancient Roman context, this adaptation was set in contemporary times.

Students Skipping Shakespeare “School children can no more avoid his plays than a trip to the dentist, both of which are supposed to be good for them, although stressful in different ways,” said Douglas Bruster, professor at The University of Texas, in an article about a decline in the Bard’s popularity during the Digital Age. A growing trend to make Shakespeare more accessible has shaped modern discussion, from SparkNotes translations to modern film adaptations to OMG Shakespeare stories told through texts and emojis.

“To see the original in its absolutely unchanged form, you require a kind of Shakespearian scholarship,” said screenwriter Julian Fellowes to BBC News.

The unchanged form Fellowes refers to probably doesn’t include the brutal stabbing of Caesar filled with giggles and screams as the actors vocalized their blocking.

“If he’s already dead, please don’t stab his dead body,” Skerry said over the laughter.

This year, Skerry wanted to appeal to reluctant audiences through live performances by showing how people can have fun with the original language. This can only happen if the actors understand the language.

“First, we met to read through almost the entire script. After three or four lines, we translated to modern English,” said Carrie Zuttermeister in the role of Portia, giving Skerry credit for knowing the play’s language so well. “Some of them were really easy, but others were harder.”

With a concentration in writing, Ally Thienel is not required to study Shakespeare but chose to take the class with Professor Denhard this semester to fulfill an upper level course requirement.

“There are aspects that are timeless and we can learn from, but it can be tough to get through it,” Thienel said. One of the reasons she chose to take the course was to expand her knowledge of genres to help with her writing.

Still Relevant Brianna Lamb, Yorick’s Public Relations Chair, was the Assistant Stage Manager for this production.

Her experience with Yorick has had a significant effect on her col-

7

lege career, giving her the opportunity to try different things in an environment where she feels comfortable.

“I help the cast with their lines as well as letting them know cues during the show and answering any other cast related questions that may pop up,” Lamb said.

“I’ve become more outgoing since I joined in my freshman year,” Lamb said, adding that past and present members of Yorick feel like family to her. “This extends to stuff outside of Yorick as well. An example would be that I’m presenting at the URC this year, which I feel I would have been too scared to do otherwise.”

According to a study published in 2012 by Patricia Enciso at Ohio State University, the popular assumption that Shakespeare is becoming less relevant to younger generations has negative consequences for students. The analysis shows that having been exposed to Shakespeare correlates with positive attitudes and understanding toward his work.

Lamb read out lines at rehearsal, but with eleven days before the opening night, Assistant Director and Yorick Treasurer Maggie Kase urged the cast to lose their dependency on the script.

“Stuff will happen during the show and you just have to keep going because it is what it is,” she said.

A R C A ’ S AVA N T E - G A R D E C O N F E S S I O N A L I S M

By Chris Riemer A&E Editor

You might not have heard of Alejandro Ghersi, but you’ve likely heard him: the Venezuelan producer is responsible for some of the most inventive, experimental electronic music over the last five years; his ingenuity spread across albums like Björk’s “Vulnicura,” Frank Ocean’s “Endless,” FKA Twigs’ “LP1” and Kanye West’s “Yeezus.”

However, with an increasingly impressive track record, Ghersi’s work on his own albums is finally beginning to receive the attention it deserves. As a teenager, he began releasing synthpop music (a far cry from his current work) under the name Nuuro, which was discarded at some point during or just after Ghersi’s time at the Clive Davis Institute for Recorded Music at New York University.

DJ sets like Shayne Oliver’s at GHE20G0TH1K at the turn of the decade were the catalysts, and the New York City club scene was the incubator for an entirely new impulse in his music: darker, more abstract, and more nakedly emotional than anything he’d previously done.

Since taking on the name Arca, Ghersi has amassed a significant catalog of oth-

erworldly, dissonant, totally idiosyncratic club and ambient music over the last six years.

2016’s shifting, unsettling “Entrañas” EP was my favorite release that year, and it hinted at a possible new direction for Arca with its heavy emphasis on Ghersi’s vocals. Especially its closing track “Sin Rumbo,” which has one of the most haunting endings of anything I’ve heard—howling falsetto, hollow, wintry synthesizers, the final lines “pero camino/aún camino,” and the crackling and popping of fireworks.

On his brand new self-titled album, Ghersi included another version of “Sin Rumbo”—tailored to fit into the middle of a track listing rather than the end, it eschews the explosive outro and instead swells darkly into silence. It’s a rare down-tempo moment on an album that bursts with energy, powered by Ghersi’s passionate vocal delivery in his native Spanish.

The album was preceded by an unusual number of singles and music videos, which both increased anticipation and let some of the air out of the actual release date, since the promotional songs were some of the best on the record.

“Anoche” and “Reverie,” released almost a month ago, were each accompanied by disturbing and polarizing

videos. Both videos appeared to be single long shots of Ghersi, dressed in elaborate costume,

dancing and singing mournfully on sets replete with death and violent sexual metaphor.

Lyrically, the songs differ in phrasing, but not in tone.

“Anoche” struggles with a relationship, the details of which are ambiguous: it might be imaginary, but it causes Ghersi real pain. He uses the phrase “dejaste trizas,” which loosely translates to “you left me in shreds.”

In its lyrics and music, “Reverie” references the classic Venezuelan folk song “Caballo Viejo,” a cheerful but emotional ballad of a horse who seems old and worn-out but is merely suffering from a lack of emotional and romantic excitement.

Listen to the two next to each other (it’s easier to hear in Roberto Torres’ version) and “Reverie” could be described as an abstract, lengthened cover of the song from the ‘80s. In Ghersi’s hands, it is an unrestrained eruption of pain and despair. During the last section, he repeats “Amame otra vez/si te atreves” (love me again/if you dare) as his deteriorating voice tumbles over itself.

Taken on individual bases, the weakest songs are those without vocals, like “Castration” and “Urchin,” which is interesting, considering the bulk of the criticism Ghersi received during the lead-up to the album’s release was from

fans upset with his switch from sample-heavy abstract glitch house music to avant-garde heavily electronic ballads or whatever—it’s never been as clear to me how useless genre terms are at defining music than with Arca.

If these instrumental songs feel like links or emotional junctures between the heavy sentimentality of the lyrical tracks on the album, it’s my opinion that they’re meant to do so. Whether you like it or not, the Arca responsible for the largely instrumental journeys “Xen” (2014) and “Mutant” (2015) is on another route entirely now. Where in his past discography could’ve existed a track like “Desafío,” which is practically a pop song (albeit a pretty unconventional one)?

Ghersi has always had unusual sensibilities about how club music functions and live performance should look, and he has always pushed sexual and gender barriers in his music. The statements on “Arca” are more direct, more disturbing, and closer to the heart than ever before. On his previous albums, Ghersi held listeners to more demanding standards of sonic taste, now he merely asks them to listen and understand. I hope they do so.

SPORTS

Trailblazers split series in MASCAC opener

By Brady Gerow @MCLABeaconSport Sports Editor The MCLA Baseball team walked away with one win over the Framingham State Rams in the team’s Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) opener, taking the first game 12-10 over the Rams but dropping the second of the double-header 10-0.

The Trailblazers came out of the gates hot in the first game, recording two runs in the first inning on two hits. The Rams began sloppily on defense and committed an error that led to the first run for the Blazers, as well as putting the next runner in scoring position.

The Rams made up for it when they recorded five of their own runs in the bottom half of the first inning off of five walks and one hit on MCLA sophomore Schuyler Robinson, who started the game on the mound. The Blazers struggled with pitching despite the eventual win. The pitching staff committed 14 walks on the day between four

PHOTO FROM FRAMINGHAM STATE ATHLETICS Framingham senior Ryan Wardwell at bat in the teams double header against MCLA. Wardwell went 6-7 with four RBI's, four runs, and two walks in the double header. different pitchers. The Blazers’ pitchers also let up two home runs in the game but came out on top thanks to a solid offensive effort.

Despite being down three runs

at the end of the first inning, the Blazers came back and recorded three runs in the second inning and six in the third, all the while keeping the Rams scoreless.

Men’s Tennis goes 1-1 over weekend; Bests Lyndon State but falls to Thomas College

By Joseph Carew jc2824@mcla.edu Co-Managing Editor The Men’s Tennis team beat the Lyndon State Hornets but lost to the Thomas College Terriers to go 1-1 last weekend. This victory and loss put the Trailblazers fifth in the North Atlantic Conference (NAC) with a 1-2 overall and NAC record.

MCLA v. Hornets April 8 The Hornets hosted the Blazers on Saturday only to see the match quickly get out of reach. The Blazers took a 2-1 lead after the doubles matches and ran the table in the singles matches to finish the contest with a victory of 8-1.

The duo of junior Aaron Goldsmith and senior Robert Wabshinak took their match 8-4 while sophomore Robert Gair and junior Jared Freeman achieved an 8-1 win to finish off the doubles matches. Michael Sigsbury and Dylan Cherko of Lyndon State got the only win on the day for their team.

Lyndon State dropped the six singles matches to find itself without a win in three conference games and with just one win in nine contests overall.

The Men’s Tennis team continued its now-three year winning streak (3-0) against Lyndon State with this win. Last season saw the Blazers edge the Hornets 7-2 and the year before saw another victory by the score of 6-3.

MCLA v. Terriers April 9 MCLA’s match-up against the conference-leading the Thomas College Terriers proved to be just as lopsided but this time for the Blazers. The Terriers

PHOTO FROM MCLA ATHLETICS Junior Jared Freeman sends back a ball in the teams 9-0 loss to Thomas College on Sunday. hosted the Blazers and came up with a 9-0 victory.

Goldsmith and Wabshinak fell to freshman Ryan Chasse and junior Zachary Disch 8-3 in the first doubles match and were followed by two 8-0 victories for the Terries. Down 3-0 to one of the hotter teams in the league (entering the match with five straight wins, four of which were shutouts), proved too much for the Blazers.

Freeman managed to get four points in the final match of the day but no other Blazer was able to get more than one in any of their contests. The Terriers took all six singles matches and extended their winning streak to six.

The Terriers have now edged the Blazers five years in a row, a streak that goes back to the 2012-13 season.

The Blazers had put enough points on the board to secure the win despite the Rams placing another four runs on the board in the last four innings of play. The

Blazers recorded one run in that four inning span but still walked away victorious.

The Blazers struggled to get much going in the second game, where the Rams stayed consistent and put up another ten-run game.

The bottom half of the fifth inning was where the Rams really turned it up. Emmanuel Powers started the inning with a soloshot to put the Rams up 5-0 over the Blazers. Powers recorded a two run home-run in the second inning of the game.

Powers’ homer was accompanied by a double from Matthew Brockett and a pair of walks by MCLA junior Liam Nolan, who was on the mound.

The six runs in the fifth inning for the Rams would cap all scoring in the game and give the final score of 10-0 in favor of the Rams.

With the split, the Rams are now 12-10 on the year and 2-1 in the league, while the Trailblazers are now 5-7 on the season and 1-1 in the MASCAC. MCLA is back in action today in a non-conference home game against Southern Vermont College at 3:30 p.m.

MCLA Softball continues to struggle

By Brady Gerow @MCLABeaconSport Sports Editor In a crushing double-header this past weekend, the MCLA Softball team lost both games against the Framingham State Rams, 10-2 and 7-6. The losses place the Trailblazers at 0-16 for the year.

The second game of the series proved to be a solid showing for both teams as opposed to the first. The Blazers led 6-4 heading into the bottom of the sixth inning, but the Rams rallied to earn two runs to tie the game up at six. Framingham junior Bridget McGrail grounded out to score the first run, and an overthrow by the Blazers allowed the tying run to cross the plate.

The Blazers were unable to get anything done at the plate in the seventh inning where they were retired in order. Rams junior Anna Dziok led off the inning with a single and was pushed to second on a base-hit by sophomore Kayla Finacchiaro. Freshman Kristen Dick was placed as a pinch runner

for Dziok, and Dick crossed the plate as the deciding run on a walk-off single by junior Megan Downing to end the second game with a score of 7-6 in favor of the Rams.

Senior Kylie Boyle paced the Rams at the plate in game one, going 4-for-4 with two doubles and three RBIs. While Downing chipped in with three hits including a double and three RBIs, while Dziok added a pair of hits, two RBIs and three runs scored.

The Blazers got all of their production from freshman Erika Quackenbush, who accounted for both of the Blazers’ runs with a two-run homer that drove in sophomore Kaitlyn Berghela who also added a pair of hits and a run scored in the loss.

Now 0-16 and 0-2 in the MASCAC, the Blazers will be back in action on Friday, April 14, when they travel to Fitchburg State in search of their first win of the season. The Rams, now 16-6 overall and 4-0 in the conference, will travel to Westfield State to play a pair of games on Friday as well.

PHOTO FROM FRAMINGHAM STATE ATHLETICS Framingham senior Kylie Boyle in a ready stance on defense. Framingham walked away with a pair of victories over MCLA this past weekend.

SPORTS

Women’s Lacrosse falls to Fitchburg in home opener

By Joseph Carew jc2824@mcla.edu Co-Managing Editor

The Lacrosse team saw their second conference game slip out of their hands due to overwhelming offense. In a game against Fitchburg State, MCLA lost 15-4 last Saturday. The team now stands 3-5 overall with a 0-2 record in the MASCAC. The Fitchburg State Falcons get back to .500 with the win and stand fifth in the MASCAC with a 5-5 overall record and 1-1 record in the conference.

MCLA’s home opener started on the back foot as Fitchburg senior Andrea Comeau ripped a shot into the back of the net just 32 seconds into the game. From there the Falcons kept the pressure on, notching five more goals 12 minutes into the half.

The Blazers stopped the bleeding for the next five minutes and play slowed down as the defenses were tested.

Sophomore Beatrice Lechler got MCLA on the scoreboard with a goal assisted by freshman Kim Granito with a little less than 14 minutes left. With momentum on their side the Lacrosse team kept up the pressure, but were just unable to find the back of the net.

Fitchburg made them pay for this

PHOTO FROM MCLA ATHLETICS Sophomore Beatrice Lechler netted two goals in the team's 15-4 loss to Fitchburg State. lack of finish and in the last seven minutes of the half they padded their lead with three more goals to make it 9-1 at half time. The Falcon who started the scoring in the game, Comeau, continued to play well,

netting a hat-trick in the first 30 minutes.

The Blazers struggled to keep the Falcons at bay and six more unanswered goals sealed the fate of the home team. At 15-1 the score was out of reach with ten minutes on the clock. Lechler managed another goal for MCLA and Junior Mackenzie Cutler scored two in the dying moments to end the game 15-4.

Cutler and sophomore Beatrice Lechler each scored two goals in the game, but proved to be the only offense MCLA could muster.

League Perspective: As of April 9 Bridgewater State holds the top spot in the league, having gone 6-6 overall and 2-0 in the MASCAC. Just behind them lay Westfield State, 6-3 and 1-0 and Salem State, 2-6 and 1-0.

Cutler’s effort places her in first place in goals (24) and tied for first in points (30) on the team with Granito.

Cutler is also fifth in the MASCAC for goals.

Fitchburg is 3-0 lifetime against the Blazers. Last year’s contest resulted in a 19-1 loss for MCLA and the year before saw a match 19-7 in favor of the Falcons.

How to work the trade market in Fantasy sports Fantasy basketball leagues one just for the sake of doing are soon to crown their league it. Going against this rule is a champions, fantasy great way to get conned baseball has just into taking a deal you kicked off, and never should have fantasy football considered. drafts are on the Rule 2: View trading horizon. I took a as an alternate action moment last week The trade market has Andrew everything one could to talk about fantasy Baillargeon need. There is bound baseball advice, but this article will be a to be some team in the The Call bit more inclusive. league that can fulfill Talking about the a need on your roster, trade market, this is an area and if you’re lucky enough, where new fantasy players the price could be something will always struggle in. It’s like of yours that was already learning how to ride a bike, and expendable to begin with. the intricacies of the fantasy However, this is not always the trade market are learned in case. This rule really stands a similar way. Thankfully, a out in the longer seasons good portion of fantasy trading of basketball and baseball, lines up with common sense, because these sports tend to so without further ado, let’s have more instances where address some of the “Rules” young, typically un-owned that coincide with the trade talent can really catch on fire market. in their respective sport. For Rule 1: Know how to say no this reason, the first place Trading in fantasy can you should look to try and be fun in its own right. You fill a need is free agency. It is have the power of a real GM not only cheaper to acquire for a moment, and in some talent via free agency than the ways, it can feel like you are trade market, but a watchful actually deciding the destiny eye on free agency could end of your players as a real GM up picking up a diamond in would. Playing God is fun but the rough in a player that was remember that your decisions outright more valuable than can easily have consequences. the player you wanted to trade These might be good ones and for. This isn’t always the case, so they might be bad, but it is trading should be viewed as an important that you assess the alternative. trade you have been offered Rule 3: Assess the leverage before clicking the accept you have with a potential button. On one hand, if the trade partner trade very clearly benefits you By far and away the most to accept, accept it. On the important rule in fantasy is other, while blockbuster trades quite simple in practice. A may be fun to be a part of, you team that has the one seed should never ever join in on and just clinched a playoff

berth will likely have little incentive to pull the trigger on a blockbuster, roster shaking, deal. However, a player whose team is on the bubble of a playoff berth might feel the need to get a spark on their team to push them over the edge. A smart fantasy player will attempt to take advantage of a good situation and avoid a situation where they get tricked into “buying high.” Another example of leverage coming into play typically comes when another team approaches you with a trade offer. This will usually be done when the opposing party has a position of need that your player will fill.

By coming to you with a trade, you have established a mild degree of leverage without even doing anything. It is important to use this leverage wisely; do not instantly attempt to rob the opposing team in a counter offer, or they will go elsewhere for a trade. Instead, identify a player or two on the opposing team that you want, and if you can afford to do it, dangle the player they want over their head. If the trade you counter with is reasonable and involves this player, your leverage may allow the trade to be accepted.

Rule 4: Go after the most competitive teams in your league This kind of plays off of Rule three a bit, but goes more in depth on the type of teams to target for a trade. As previously mentioned, the top seed in your league will likely have little incentive to get involved in a blockbuster trade. The same can be said about a team

that has been eliminated from playoff contention and is merely playing for pride. The teams that are duking it out for a playoff berth, division title, or a higher seed in general are the types of teams who are susceptible to falling into a blockbuster deal. Take advantage of this by trying to siphon away players from these teams that you may need for your own playoff aspirations.

As previously mentioned, temper your leverage with these teams by not trying to pull highway robbery on them.

The trade market in fantasy usually remains consistent year in year out. While player names change on a yearly basis, the concept of the market itself remains the same. The only way you’ll learn how to effectively utilize it is through trial and error. Using the above rules, and common sense, try to engage in a trade in your league when the situation calls upon it. Through this, you will learn how to effectively trade in fantasy sports!

Andrew Baillargeon is the host of The Call, a weekly program broadcasted by WJJW. Tune in on Sundays from 7-10 p.m..

Listeners can also tune in via 91.1 FM WJJW or our website, hyyp://www.mcla.edu/Student_ Life/studentmedia/wjjw/.

April 13, 2017

SCORE BOARD

MCLA Women’s Lacrosse MCLA (11),Southern Vermont College (12) Natalie Caney (MCLA) 4 Goals, 2 Ast, 8 SOG, 11 GB

Lauren Nesshoever (SVC) 6 Goals, 9 Shots, 9 SOG

MCLA Softball MCLA (1), Salem St. (4) Erika Quackenbush (MCLA) 1-3, 1 RBI

Chloe Manouso (Salem) 3-4, 1 RBI, 1 Run

MCLA Baseball MCLA (7), Southern Vermont College (5) Bill Pulasky (MCLA) 2-5, 1 Run, 2 RBI

Zack Stacey (SVC) 2-2, 2 Run, 2 BB

NBA Boston Celtics (114), Brooklyn Nets (105) Isaiah Thomas (Bos) 27 Pts, 4 Reb, 3 Ast

Jeremy Lin (Nets) 26 Pts, 12 Reb, 4 Ast

MLB

Clevland Indians (2), Chicago White Sox (1)

Francisco Lindor (Cle)

1-2, 1 RBI, 2 Run, 2 BB

Todd Frazier (Chi) 2-4, 1 RBI, 1 Run

MLB New York Mets (14), Philadelphia Phillies (4) Yoenis Cespedes (NY) 4-6, 3 HR, 5 RBI, 3 Run

Want a guest column? Contact Mitchell Chapman on Office 365.

9

Cesar Hernandez (PHI) 2-5, 2B, 1 Run

OPINION

CAMPUS COMMENT

“What has been your favorite event to attend this semester?” “ I went to the Dance Co. event at MASS MoCA last week. My friend is in it and they all did great!”

Alex Stewart Junior

“Usually what I do is either listen to music or watch Netflix. It depends on the type of day it is.”

Lyna Benanter, Junior

“My favorite event this year was the MCLA Dance Company Spring 2017 performance.”

Michael Rooney Senior

“I think my favorite was the Sam Gomez Race!”

Shannon Esposito Junior

PHOTOS BY EMILY GABERT, TRAMEL GRIFFITH AND RON LEJA

EDITORIAL

SGA needs to face the mirror

The importance of having a virtuous student government In the wake of the SGA controversy, there’s certainly been a lot of discussion of transparency. Why did it take so long for the candidacies to be disqualified, and why did the confirmation process for this election exceed that of the previous three SGA elections?

The truth, we might never know. It might just be a change in administration— SGA Parliamentarian Jessica Lovelette is the chair of the election committee, and she has a different process than her predecessor, current SGA President Tim Williams.

But that does not excuse the fact that one week, which is approximately the time that SGA candidates this year have between being confirmed and the actual election, is not enough time for the campus to get to know them, especially considering that every position is up for grabs.

For candidates in tight races, it is campaign suicide not to get their names out there before the confirmation process.

However, this puts the SGA at a huge risk of broadcasting campaigns that feature candidates that aren’t actually allowed to run because of their bylaws, such as the now defunct Allen-Luckett-Cook and Wright-Godbout-Nieves presidential tickets.

This also leaves almost no time for campus outlets, like WJJW, The Beacon, or other SGA Clubs such as Debate Club, to provide resources traditional candidates get, such as debates, interviews, and other events in conjunction with the election.

In fact candidates in the general election were given 24 hours’ notice to get their responses in for their briefs in this very paper, as the finalized list of candidates was released Tuesday morning before print.

“SGA has a tough road ahead of them, even as club budgets increase and club involvement is expected to follow. A dysfunctional SGA would have far-reaching effects on its affiliated clubs who will share an SGA-allocated budget of about $250K next year.”

SGA needs to take a hard look at their student participation and their numbers, and seriously consider updating their bylaws to meet their current needs.

When there are nine empty SGA seats, student government does not have the liberty to pick and choose who is qualified to even have a chance of running for office.

At the end of the day, student government is not responsible for the grades of its senators, and if the campus elects candidates that can’t fulfill the roles of their jobs or leave the institution due to academic reasons, the blame ultimately falls on the campus. Ineffective members of SGA can always be voted out of office.

During this spring’s special election, every candidate who ran got elected. There needs to be more competition in SGA, as well as more focus on retention. Every election cycle, new people run for Class Council, mostly because the incumbent chose not to seek re-election.

It’s very unlikely that the president of your graduating class will remain so throughout all four years of college at MCLA. SGA needs bodies badly.

Though it is better than previous years, SGA is still in risk of jeopardizing its own key functions.

This election cycle even lacks a Student Trustee Candidate-- the one student vote on the most powerful entity on

A look at the 2017 Pulitzer Prize list

Weary from the throes of sickness, I For National/International Reporting, curled up in the fetal position Unsurprisingly the two mamto watch the announcements moth Journalism dynasties, of the Pulitzer Prize winners The New York Times and The for 2017—it always takes place Washington Post took the in late spring, typically April crown. So much for the “failor May, at least since 1990. ing” New York Times, I guess, I know what you’re thinkwho incidentally reported ing: “But Jon, isn’t the Pulitzer 30% increases in stock value Prize just a liberal circle-jerk since the election. Eat your bubble and isn’t part of the heart out Donald.

Jon Hoel problem with our current There are plenty of other political climate the sort of categories (21 total) and you Fishin’ With obsessive self-congratulacan see them all in detail at Jon tory award show cycles and Pulitzer.org, but I’d like to praise?” focus on some of the more Okay…but…shut up. It’s imliterary awards for the reportant, very important to give credit mainder of my rant. to the excellent work going on right The big award of course is Fiction, now in writing. and the winner this year was “The UnThe New York Daily News/ProPublica derground Railroad” by Colson Whitetook the award in the category of Pubhead. Whitehead’s novel has been unilic Service for “…uncovering, primarversally praised, President Obama and ily through the work of reporter Sarah Oprah both called it one of their favorRyley, widespread abuse of eviction ite books of 2016, and it won a National rules by the police to oust hundreds of Book Award. I have not read it, so I people, most of them poor minorities.” can’t comment, but I am disappointed

that finalist Adam Haslett didn’t win.

His novel “Imagine Me Gone” was a gripping, shattering depiction of loss and grief in a gruff Faulknerian prose.

It kind of sucks, because Haslett lost out on the National Book Award also to Whitehead. But I’m sure they’re both great books, let’s move on.

For Poetry, Tyehimba Jess’s “Olio” took the prize. Jess is a rare poet, who has allegiances in both the world of academic intellectual poetry circles as well as the sports-esque often churlish slam poetry. This was a little bit of a surprise—I think a lot of people were anticipating Adrienne Rich’s posthumous work, “Collected Poems: 19502012” which would have been a big way to solidify the legacy of the late poet.

Rich, incidentally, famously declined the National Medal of Arts, to protest then-Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich’s attempts to end the National Endowment for the Arts. Yes my friends, the GOP was just as insidiously anti-culture/anti-intellectual in 1997 as they are now, what a shocker. Anyway,

campus; a voting body that selected James Birge as the current President of MCLA and, years ago, voted to arm campus police.

SGA has a tough road ahead of them, even as club budgets increase and club involvement is expected to follow.

A dysfunctional SGA would have far-reaching effects on its affiliated clubs, who will share an SGA-allocated budget of about $250K next year.

One easy way to start fixing this is to revamp how election are done. SGA should allocate more time between final confirmation and when the actual elections happen, so candidates have a reasonable window of time to campaign as confirmed candidates.

A bigger window of time would also allow campus media to better cover each individual campaign, which would allow the campus to digest each candidate’s campaign better.

Elections need to be transparent.

When there is trouble confirming candidates, that information should not be withheld and any and all delays should be explained for.

If confirmation takes longer than previous election cycles, the day of election must also always be pushed back to accommodate for the delay.

Giving candidates less time to campaign put everyone in the campus community at a disservice.

I wouldn’t doubt the jury who decided for this category—the poetry chair was Jane Hirshfield, a really delightful poet in her own right.

E. Jason Wambsgans a photographer who works for the Chicago Tribune won the Pulitzer for best Feature Photography, for his achingly touching portrait of a recovering 10-year-old boy and his mother after a shooting in Chicago.

While Wambsgans’ photography is stunning, it is also worth noting that both of the other finalists for this category’s subject matter was definitely more important of recognition: the Flint Michigan Water Crisis. In case you’re wondering, yes, they still don’t have clean water.

Part of what makes the Pulitzers’ enjoyable is who you don’t know. I had never read “The Sympathizer” by Viet Thanh Nguyen until it won the Pulitzer last year. Now, I love it and have eagerly purchased all three of his books. His latest, “The Immigrants” is one of the best so far this year. Maybe these awards don’t mean the world to everyone…but, it’s okay to enjoy things.

CAMPUS NEWS

11

April 13, 2017

15th annual URC next Thursday MCLA will hold its 15th Annual Undergraduate Research Conference (URC) on Thursday, April 20, from 8:45 a.m. to 5 p.m. More than 125 students will offer 104 presentations during the all-day conference.

This event, which showcases research projects in a variety of disciplines, is free and open to the public.

Paper presentations and special sessions will take place in Bowman Hall, and posters will be displayed and presented in the Venable Hall Gymnasium. Special art exhibits will be displayed throughout the day in the Bowman Gallery and Murdock Hall room 208.

The conference also will feature an Armory Art Exhibit in the Bowman Art Gallery, and there will be art exhibits in Bowman Hall, in the second- and third-floor corridors. In addition, the Philosophy Mini Conference will take place in Murdock Hall, room 218.

According to Dr. Justin Golub, URC chair, undergraduate research has grown to become an integral part of the MCLA experience. Students have opportunities to conduct research across the curriculum.

“Students may find themselves involved in a project with a faculty member in their major, but also have the opportunity to conduct research for a course that piques their interest,

and becomes a semester or year-long passion,” Golub said. “Research is a great experience for students; it fosters their curiosity and interests, and helps them become critical thinkers. The opportunity to present their research allows students to shine, and showcase their skills.”

This year’s keynote speaker will be Kaitlin Hallet ’10, a program manager at Fidelity Investments in Boston, who majored in English and secondary education at MCLA. She will speak on “How to Prepare for a Career in Finance by Going to School to Teach English” at 12:30 p.m. in the Amsler Campus Center gymnasium.

As an undergraduate, Hallet participated in the URC twice, presenting one paper in 2009 and three in 2010. She also gave presentations based on several of those papers at a state-wide undergraduate research conference.

Through these experiences, Hallet learned that she loves presenting to large groups: “Whenever I got the opportunity to enrich others by doing so, I would take it,” she said. However, her biggest takeaway was how much she enjoyed “working alongside really smart people with so many varied interests – there’s nothing like a conference atmosphere.” After several jobs following her MCLA graduation, in 2011 Hallet began work as an administrative assistant at MIT’s Sloan School of Management. This role quickly

expanded into the financial realm when she took over the management of 15 individual and four group accounts, in addition to approving faculty and staff purchases and student timesheets.

After two years at MIT, she accepted a training coordinator position at Fidelity Investments.

Now, as a program manager, Hallet oversees highly visible and complex programmatic courses, and works with a team that focuses on building and sustaining a positive environment for Fidelity’s current and future leaders through advanced management training programs and initiatives.

MCLA, Hallet said, was the best choice for her.

“MCLA is for people who want to really dive into their education, who are passionate about taking part in their classes,” she said. “There are a lot of amazing, artsy people there, and the faculty and staff are all incredibly supportive and encouraging.”

The conference is part of the College’s Undergraduate Research Program, which emphasizes individual opportunities for student work with faculty. For more information, including descriptions of all projects and presentations, go to www.mcla.edu/urc.

CANDIDATES

inquiry in time for the print deadline.

office?

From Page 4

If I am lucky enough to get your votes I will make sure to be an active listener and represent your opinions to the best of my ability.

Class of 2019 President Kaitlyn Berghela Berghela did not respond to The Beacon‘s inquiry in time for the print deadline.

Class 2020 Rep. Jacob Vitali (Brief featured in last week’s Beacon)

Class of 2019 Treasurer Robert Gair Gair did not respond to The Beacon‘s inquiry in time for the print deadline.

Class of 2018 Rep. Yahya Abanoz Abanoz did not respond to The Beacon‘s inquiry in time for the print deadline.

Class of 2019 Secretary Danielle Nolan Nolan did not respond to The Beacon‘s inquiry in time for the print deadline.

Class Councils Class of 2020 President Jacob Vitali (Brief featured in last week’s Beacon).

Class of 2018 President Shannon Esposito Have you had any prior leadership experience?

Yes, I am currently the Class of 2018 President, SGA Executive Vice President and have been Secretary of the Class of 2018 before as well.

What do you want to accomplish in

Class of 2020 Vice President Alexter Shand Shand did not respond to The Beacon‘s

HOAR

From Page 4 College, becoming a hired employee the next year.

“It was being there in the right place at the right time,” Andy said. “Then they realized why they did it as interns – because they couldn’t afford to pay me full time!” He started to laugh.

Being an electrician and a roadie for several bands was an opportunity Andy had every year he was in college. At a small school in the middle of New Hampshire, he got the chance to work with “Boston” on their first tour because he was part of the concert group for the school.

According to Andy, understaffed small tours like “Boston’s” were often impressed at the work he and others were doing, asking them to help out for a few weeks at a time. Then the college students would head back to college and catch up on anything they may have missed.

“It sounds awesome, and it’s not,” he said, with an evident smile on his face.

Andy recalls show after show in which something went awry, but with each story, his smile remained.

Adventures on the Road In the early hours of the morning, still smelling like the night before, Andy and the other members of the crew set up for the show – stage, sound and lighting – breaking the equipment down after the show the

I want to help build class unity, open up more discussions on inclusiveness within my class, and help fundraise for senior days.

Why should people Esposito vote for you?

I have great experience and will do my best to make senior year our best one yet!

Brianne O’Rourke (See brief in last week’s Beacon).

Class of 2018 Vice President Samantha Giffen (Also running for SGA President. See separate campaign feature).

Class of 2018 Secretary Mackenzie Cutler Cutler did not respond to The Beacon‘s inquiry in time for the print deadline.

same day, getting in the truck, with Family his ear and his insight,” Professor barely sleeping and ready to do it After recalling the many years Jeremy Winchester said. “His all again the next day. of memories and mishaps that contributions to MCLA Theatre “But I can honestly say that I happened to him, Andy talked are far too numerous to count, toured with ‘Boston’! It was cool. fondly of the students he has and I wish him a rich and relaxThere were a bunch of things that come to know, as well as his re- ing retirement.” came through,” Andy said, cred- tirement.

Andy mentioned that he still iting his technical director in col“It’s a double-edged sword. 35 sees graduated parts of this famlege for giving him opportunities years is a long time. My hands ily every now and then at alumni such as these. don’t work quite as well as they meetings. He has been to their Andy’s adventure stories, how- used to. But it’s the students that weddings. He is even the godfaever, were far from finished.

I work with. They’ve been part of ther to one of his student’s chilDuring one show, Andy stood my life for so long,” Andy said. dren. He has stories for all of on the lighting rig, kicking and And others can see this connec- them. And even though some pushing people back as they tion and dedication as well. that come up to visit are now 50, tried to make their way up the “He cares deeply about the stu- he still happily refers to them as scaffolding. dents and the quality of their time his kids.

Steadying the precarious and here. He is quick to lend them “They’re my family.” touchy spotlight while trying to shake off the hands of the people below ended in temporary disaster. The main spotlight went out and it was Beautiful apartment available from up to Andy to re-light it, July for summer or longer rent. all while still fending off Only a 3-minute walk to campus. concert-goers who were Quiet location. clawing at his ankles.

Andy laughed. “This See it now for Summer or next year was a lot of fun! Let me tell you!”

• updated kitchen and bath Mishaps even occurred $750/ during FPA shows, as • dishwasher, fridge, gas stove Andy recalls one incident month • off-street parking for 2-3 cars during a performance of (for one year • free laundry in building “Macbeth”. The wire to a Lease - other cable snapped as an actor terms available) • cable available was propelling down• tenants pay heat, water, electricity ward. The second night, after Andy had tightened Special incentive if the bolts, the actor asked, Email ross@irismanagementllc.com “Is it all set now?” Andy you mention you saw or call or text (908) 766-7677 responded, “Do you trust it in the Beacon! me? Well, you don’t really have a choice now!”

References and credit check (or co-signers) and first and last

Nice 3BR Apartment Near MCLA

Keeping in Touch

month’s rent and security deposit are required.

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Jenifer Augur

This past Saturday at 2pm Dance Company performed their last show of the season at Mass MoCA. The show ended with a memorial for Melissa McHenry and a senior dance.

Flannel Dan performed a warm blend of indie folk and americana music at Downtown Sound.

Photos By Domonique Ackley, Ron Leja and Tramel Griffith

Sebastiรกn Conrad entertained the audience with his mixture of of indie pop and ukulele punk.

The Rosie Porter Band opened their set with The Beatles and ended with a glimpse of their original haunting music that left everyone in awe.

Julius Ceaser presented by Yorick took a modern spin on the classic Shakespeare play that many were not expecting.

A Taste Of What is To Come...