Writing SNHU’s Story
VOLUME XXV
ISSUE 3
OCTOBER 24, 2018
PENMENPRESS.COM
SNHU Exceeds Expectations During Re-Accreditation
Derek Smith Staff Writer
Stefan Karlberg Staff Writer During the fall semester of 2018, Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) had a basic re-accreditation done.
Peterson’s Company tells us that, “Schools request to be evaluated and/or have their programs evaluated by an independent accrediting agency. The agency sets its own standards that the school must meet in order to earn their accreditation, and since accrediting agencies vary
in their quality standards, some are considered more prestigious than others. Which one a school pursues depends on what standard of quality the school hopes to achieve and to maintain.” SNHU had their re-accreditation done by the New England
SNHU continues to grow and progress. (image credit: Jaelle Matthieu)
Molly Graves Staff Writer With less than two weeks until SNHU’s first ever Enlightenment event, SNHU student Kafisa Ibrahim ('19) could not be more excited. Ibrahim is the coordinator of the event and was inspired after watching a video on Facebook last year of a family disrespecting Muslim mosques. Ibrahim was outraged and wanted to make a change. With the support and guidance from University Campus President Patricia Lynott, Kayla Page and Michael Reaves, this enormous idea was able to come to life. Through communication and acceptance,
Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC). NEASC describes their accreditation process as, “An effective, holistic, research-based resource for creating effective learning communities… A voluntary, in-depth, self-reflective analysis of one’s own learning community validated by peers in the educational community.” SNHU President Paul LeBlanc describes SNHU’s re-accreditation process as, “A very deep dive look at us… it is also an opportunity for us to step back from the day to day and take a hard look at ourselves because when you do the self-study, what you're really saying to the commissioner is this is our story. This is what we are about. This is another day and the evidence supports that.” President LeBlanc
said that even though the accreditation is due every 10 years, SNHU was ready and willing to go for it two years before it was required. According to President LeBlanc, “we changed so much that [the re-accreditation agency] wanted to reset the clock and come in to do a visit.” After this visit, SNHU will not have to undergo another re-accreditation for 10 years. This is great news for students as well. Achieving the re-accreditation shows that SNHU going above and beyond. According to Kirk D. Kolenbrander, the student vice president of Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), “Looking at this institution from the very highest level, it is clear to us that SNHU is world class. It’s the most private nonprofit
Enlightenment: A Move Toward Inclusion many clubs wanted to join in and support Ibrahim. Diversity Programs, Office of Student Involvement, Student Government Association, Women’s Center, International Student Services, Multicultural Student Union, Muslim Student Association, International Student Affairs, Penmen Press and the Academic Affairs are all of the co-sponsors for this event. Enlightenment will be held on October 26 from 4-6 p.m. in the Upper Dining Hall. Tickets are free and will be available from October 12 until the day of the event. Ibrahim will start the event by giving a welcoming speech and then intro-
ducing special guest, Dr. Mariam Durrani. Durrani is an assistant professor at Hamilton College and has pulled together some research on Muslim communities and transitions. After her presentation, Ibrahim will be showing a PowerPoint she has put together. In this PowerPoint she and nine other students who identify as Muslim will share an instance where they have experienced Islamophobia. Next, she will have all of the attendees get up and enjoy the tabling activities hosted by each of the co-sponsors. Last, they will be served a delicious dinner filled with traditional foods to their religion. Biryani rice will be served with chicken and beef kabobs
and a side caprese salad. They will also be serving dates, which signify good luck, with the option of olive or sesame oil. Ibrahim hopes this
event educates students with real facts about the Muslim religion to help open their mind to differences. She feels as though this event will be beneficial to students
university in the country with 35,000 learners. It serves students in all 50 states and globally. It offers traditional campus base experiences and online education. Its strategic planning and implications are exceptional in scope and effectiveness and it’s continuously shaping our understanding of higher education… SNHU’s new strategic plan 'Unlocking talent and opportunity' for 2018-2023 describes a future institution that relentlessly pursues innovation and service to social justice, working to bridge the gap talent and opportunity.” In the end, SNHU was able to go beyond the expectations of the accreditation agency by showing that their programs are strong and the campus is constantly growing.
because globalization is increasing more and more. Inclusion isd something everyone should keep practicing and this event is another step toward just that.
Kafisa Ibrahim, Englightenment Coordinator. (image credit: Molly Graves)
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editorial tHE PENMEN PRESS STAFF 2018-2019
CO-EDITOR IN CHIEF Nick Klotz nicholas.klotz@snhu.edu CO-EDITOR IN CHIEF Nikki Fain nikki.fain@snhu.edu ONLINE MANAGER Zach Meisel zachary.meisel@snhu.edu BUSINESS MANAGER Sultan Akhter sultan.akhter@snhu.edu COMMUNITY RELATIONS MANAGER Maddie Covino madison.covino@snhu.edu S OCIAL MEDIA MANAGER NOW HIRING: email penmenpress@snhu.edu LEAD COPY EDITOR Nicholas VonSchantz-Ricci nicholas.ricci1@snhu.edu NEWS EDITOR Rosa Valente rosa.valente@snhu.edu OPINION EDITOR NOW HIRING: email penmenpress@snhu.edu RTS & ENERTAINMENT EDITOR A NOW HIRING: email penmenpress@snhu.edu ENMEN ABROAD EDITOR P Rachel Romeo rachel.romeo@snhu.edu SPORTS EDITOR Catherine LaChance catherine.lachance@snhu.edu LAYOUT EDITOR Emma Sheehan emma.sheehan@snhu.edu LEAD VIDEOGRAPHER Jaime Mailloux jaime.mailloux@snhu.edu PHOTOGRAPHY EDITOR Jaelle Matthieu jaelle.matthieu@snhu.edu FACULTY ADVISOR Jon Boroshok j.boroshok@snhu.edu
The Southern New Hampshire University Penmen Press is a news publication produced by Southern New Hampshire University students and funded largely by the Student Government Association of the University. It is our responsibility to inform the SNHU community about events on and around campus. The Penmen Press will print any material found to be factual and in good taste by the editorial staff of the paper. The views published do not necessarily reflect the views of Southern New Hampshire University. The Penmen Press is published biweekly during the academic year and is printed by the Concord Monitor. To contact the newspaper, please email us at penmenpress@snhu.edu.
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Animal Shelter Awareness
A letter to the editor from Alexia Gilardi
I am a Girl Scout Adult Member and I completed my Gold Award on October 10th. The Girl Scout Gold Award is the highest award a Girl Scout can earn. It is typically done in the form of a service project and must provide a sustainable benefit to or beyond the award recipient’s community. I worked with Salem Animal Rescue League (SARL) and a Girl Scout Junior Troop 22200 from Windham, NH to create support for and awareness of the needs of animal shelters, as well as the need for the adoption of pets from them. I donated food and supplies to Salem Animal Rescue League’s non-profit animal shelter, created a sustainability plan with Troop 22200 to ensure that SARL receives annual donations, and informed others of ways to aid animal shelters through community outreach and social media. I believe that by educating the public on the benefits and importance of adoption, the pressing global issues of animal overpopulation and the puppy/kitty mill industry can be addressed. The puppy and kitten mill business is cruel and concerned with profit rather than the well-being of the animals they are breeding and selling. These largescale breeding operations are usually inhumane, with animals contained in uncomfortably small and dirty enclosures that are abused and killed off when deemed “useless”. Many puppies and kittens that come from this industry are troubled with illness, disease, and behavioral issues. This is not only miserable for the animal suffering from these conditions, but poses a risk to purchasers. Pet stores and private sellers can be affiliated with puppy/kitten mills and might not care
about where their animals are coming from as long as they are making money. Not all pet stores and private sellers are bad, so it is important to research the company or individual you are purchasing an animal from to make sure they are puppy/kitty mill free. By refusing to purchase from sellers that get their animals from this cruel business, or by adopting pets from shelters rather than buying, the industry of puppy and kitty mills can be combated through denial of service. Animal overpopulation is caused by a lack of adoption as well as a lack of the spaying/neutering of domestic animals. According to the United States Humane Society, six to eight million cats and dogs enter animal shelters in the United States annually, and only four million of those that are taken in end up being adopted to a new home. Three million shelter cats and dogs are euthanized in the United States yearly. There are obviously significantly more animals entering shelters than there are good homes available for them, and there are still more without a home or a shelter to find refuge in. Shelters have a limited amount of space and resources available to care for animals. When shelters are unable to care for the animals they are fostering, they must euthanize those that have not found a home. The majority of animals that are put down are healthy or have treatable illnesses. The spaying/neutering of domestic pets can help with this issue, but the most effective solution to overpopulation is supporting shelters and adopting. By adopting a pet from a shelter, you’re rescuing an animal in need and giving it a second chance. Animals from shelters tend to be extremely friendly due to
being exposed to so many other animals in the shelter, and just want a new companion to love. Adopting a pet doesn’t just saving the life of one animal- it makes room for another animal to enter the shelter and have a second chance, too. Older and disabled animals don’t get adopted as much as younger or non-disabled animals, but are just as much in need as they are. Older animals are calmer and less likely to make messes in the house, and disabled animals are just as loving as able animals. Most euthanized animals fall into the senior or special-needs category, so it’s especially important to consider adopting from this group. Adoption is not the only way to support animals in need. Volunteering your time at one is an excellent way to give back to your community while helping animals in need. Donating online to the Humane Society, American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), or similar organizations can help animal shelters on a national scale. Reach out to a local animal shelter and see what food or supplies they need. Make sure your domestic pets are spayed and neutered- it’s one of the most humane ways to prevent overpopulation and animal homelessness. If you have a birthday coming up, consider asking family and friends to donate to a shelter instead of giving you birthday presents. One of the most important things you can do to help promote adoption and support for animal shelters is by advocating for them and educating others. By encouraging others to adopt and support shelters, you are raising awareness for underprivileged animals and benefiting your community. Always consider adoption over private purchases!
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news
Dispelling the Myths of Financial Relationships
Amy Sumison Staff Writer
Often times, the first experience people have with money is the tooth fairy, receiving an allowance or even birthday money. These are common interactions that start to determine how people value and understand money. Money is a universal means of motivation, whether it is for getting kids to complete their chores or employees to work harder to receive a bonus. As a result, people may develop negative relationships and habits with money. Here are some common misconceptions about money and ways to change the
relationship from a negative to a positive. Money creates happiness. Money is not a determining factor in happiness, How we feel internally should be the main factor. Often times people will strive to buy a new car or home and think that because we have the money to do so, that is what makes us happy. However, what is really making people happy are the memories that are being created in a home or at the places that can be explored with a car. In order to change the relationship with items as a means for happiness, we must first analyze where our happiness genu-
inely comes from and start to embrace those moments. Money is a scorecard. While money is a motivational factor and can inspire people to work hard and get tasks done, that should not be misinterpreted as money determining one’s selfworth. Self-worth and net-worth are two different things. If someone makes less money than another, that does not mean they are less of a person. What truly matters is internal happiness. Focus solely on personal financial status, promotions and expenses, and ignore what others are doing. Money is shortterm. The idea that money is short-term
November 1st and 11:59pm on November 30th one must write a short novel or novella consisting of 50,000 words. One submits their word count each day to the NaNoWriMo website. At the end of the month one should have a novel done and ready for editing. This month isn’t just for those who want to be a published author. It's for anyone who enjoys writing or even wants to get in the habit of writing more. 50,000 words sounds like a lot to write, and for many it is, but you don’t have to finish the novel in the month if we're being
honest. It is truly all about the experience it gives you and the time you have. NaNoWriMo also runs other projects to help get people in the spirit of writing, such as camp NaNoWriMo, which is a virtual writers retreat, or The Young Writers Project, which is aimed to get kids in K-12 in the spirit of writing. Creative Writing Club will be running write ins throughout the month in the library. If you would like to learn more Creative Writing Club meets 5-6 on Wednesdays in Robert Frost 301.
Creative Writing Club Wants YOU for NaNoWriMo A letter to the editor from River Matis
November means NoShave November, right? Or how about Thanksgiving? For writers, NaNoWriMo comes to mind. For us at the Creative Writing Club, November is a month dedicated to telling your story and getting in the habit of writing. NaNoWriMo or Nano for short, is National Novel Writing Month: a non profit dedicated to helping writers far and wide. The goal of National Novel Writing Month is to finish what you start. Between Midnight
(image credit: Florida Writers Association)
refers to the concept that people never have enough money to accomplish the things they want. However, money is a long-term relationship and should be treated and valued as such. Planning for the future now will help to pay for needs before wants. Get life insurance, health insurance, disability insurance and plan for retirement sooner so that the policies will get paid off sooner with less money and utilize compound interest. Compound interest is a way to let the money do the hard work and multiply in size. Changing these
few negative ideas about money will help alter any negative relationship one may have with it. There are five stages of a healthy relationship with money: earning it, managing it, spending it, saving it and investing it. People who utilize all five stages will be the happiest
with their relationship with money and will ultimately change the relationship from helpless and complicated to stable and secure. Money only has the power that we assign to it. When we stop assigning it control over us, we can truly accomplish financial happiness.
It is important to keep happiness in mind when considering finances. (image credit: Morty Lefkoe)
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news
Alexa Gustavsen Staff Writer The Deborah L. Coffin Women’s Center held its ninth annual Take Back the Night just a few weeks ago, but it was seen with many challenges including the canceling of the march around campus. It left many to wonder if a march will take place at all, but the Women’s Center is already planning an entire other night dedicated to the
Take Back the Night Continues The Fight
fight against sexual assault. On October 20, part two of Take Back the Night will take place. The Women’s Center is working with other organizations around campus to come together and show support for those who have experienced sexual assault and to show it will not be tolerated on this campus. The night will be block party style on the Green Space with lawn
games, food, s’mores and speakers during the event. Students will also be able to make signs before the march, which will occur later in the night. The night is meant to both educate and inform students on how to be an ally, along with supporting both female and male sexual assault survivors. Kristin Morrison, (‘19) a student staff member from the Women’s Center, is an important contributor
in planning the night. When asked what she hopes people take away from the event, Morrison said, “that we believe you when it comes to speaking your truth on sexual assault and we are there to show support”. This is a night for people who want to learn and want to join the fight against sexual assault. It would seem some were forced to be in attendance during the other Take Back The
Night event that took place a few weeks ago. Not everyone was respectful of the meaning behind the event like they should have been. Morrison stated, “We do not want people to show up if they do not care about the event and do not care about sexual assault survivors”. That being said, Morrison and the other staff members from the Women’s Center hope students and faculty decide to show
support and attend the event on October 20. Wear your Take Back the Night shirts, bring your glow sticks and exhibit a positive attitude. It will be a night of fun while also adhering to its informative and supportive nature. The Green Space will become a safe space for open dialogue about sexual assault on college campuses. Hope to see you there!
bit of effort. It’s located in the charming, 4,000 person-strong town of Northwood, about 15 minutes from University of New Hampshire and 40 minutes from SNHU. While trekking out to an obscure town for a burger may seem unreasonable, Umami has served as a destination restaurant for numerous diners who are on the lookout for something different. There really is nowhere else like it in the area. Owner Jesika Belair became interested in farming upon moving to Deerfield eight years ago. This inspired her to open a cooperative (coop) market featuring local products. “Before this was a restaurant, for about four years, it was a local co-op market. We had 47 different farms here and it was all friends we met at the farmers market…I wasn’t making enough money to really keep it going so we decided to flip it, and we turned it into a restaurant,” said Belair. The folks at Umami are not afraid to experiment with bold flavor combinations. Popular
sandwiches include the Ganjang Chick, which features a chicken thigh that is doused in cornstarch, fried Koreanstyle and coated in a sweet and spicy sauce along with pickled daikon and pepper relish and gochujang mayo. The unique frying technique creates an audibly-crisp coating. The ultra original Chicken n’ Dumplings includes that same crispy chicken thigh with smashed pork dumplings, scallion mayo, hot pepper relish and cheese. For something completely over-the top, get the mac burger, which includes everything anyone could want in one package. “The Mac Burger is probably one of the most popular [items]. It’s macaroni and cheese, short rib and a burger, so you get the best of everything,” said Belair. Every burger at Umami starts out as a sphere of Paradis Farm beef that gets smashed as it hits the flat top grill, resulting in a seared crust on each side. Even the French
fries are given special treatment. The potatoes come from The Root Seller in nearby Nottingham, New Hampshire. They are hand-cut and tempura-fried in a mixture of vegetable oil and duck fat, giving them a distinct flavor and satisfying crunch. The fries can be ordered simply with sea salt and pepper or paired with funky sauces. The hot fries include Korean ketchup, sriracha aioli, pickled fresno chilies and Korean red pepper flakes. Fans of curry may prefer the Niji,
which contain curry mayo, scallion mayo and chives. The Asian-fusion eats continue during Sunday Brunch, with options such as Korean-style bulgogi steak and eggs and crispy chicken and waffles with hot honey and a fried egg. Live bluegrass music is a given. Specialty lattes, wine and beer are always available for those looking for a buzz. The menu is not the only unique aspect of Umami. The naturally-rustic atmosphere is derived from the building itself, parts of which
pre-date the Lincoln administration. “The building [was built in] 1804. It was originally a farmhouse,” said Belair. “The timber frame got rebuilt…but all of the ceilings and floorboards were used in here to decorate.” Umami is exemplifying what it means to be a farm to table restaurant without pretension. The environment may be laid-back, but Belair and her team are passionate using New Hampshire products in unique ways. It is a must for any foodie looking for a destination restaurant.
Umami Offers Sustainable, Asian-Inspired Eats
Nicholas VonSchantz-Ricci Lead Copy Editor
The farm to table movement has gained considerable momentum during the past decade. This trend is visible in restaurants across the country, including here in New Hampshire. Consumers are becoming increasingly concerned with where their food was grown, raised and processed, which has resulted in many restauranteurs utilizing New Hampshire’s surprisingly extensive bounty. Although farm-to table restaurants have proliferated, Umami Farm Fresh Café in Northwood, New Hampshire stands out among the rest. Umami specializes in casual, Asianinspired farm-to-table fare in the form of burgers, sandwiches, rice bowls and ramen. The restaurant prides itself on supporting New Hampshire farmers and providing a comfortable, inviting space for the local community. Finding this humble little eatery may take a
Umami offers asian-inspired eats. (image credit: Nicholas VonSchantz-Ricci)
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news
Molly Graves Staff Writer
Veteran Spotlight: Who is Derrick Loughlin?
Derrick Loughlin, President of Student Veterans of America, is just one example of how dedicated veterans can be. He sacrificed five years of his life to the Marine Corps as a radio technician and then dedicated himself to Southern New Hampshire University to become a state police officer. Loughlin is an excellent personification of selfless service. When Loughlin was in high school, a lot of outside forces lead him to join the Marines straight after graduation. His family has a long line of military involvement,
and he wanted to continue that pattern. He was also doing karate during that time and his sensei was a former Marine. Although his sensei did not want him to join, Loughlin felt inspired by him and decided to join the Marines. After his five years of selfless service, Loughlin came home and set his mind on becoming a police officer. He originally planned on going straight to the police academy before realizing it is harder to get hired than he thought. To gain the competitive edge, Loughlin decided to enroll in college. At first he was enrolled online, but he quickly realized that
he wanted to get a taste of campus life and be more involved. Not only is Loughlin the President of Student Veterans of America, but he is also involved in much more on campus. He is currently a Peer Advising Leader (PAL) and a tutor, and he used to be a senator for the Student Government Association. Although he is no longer in the Marines, it is clear to see that he still lives by their values of courage, honor and commitment. It’s safe to say that his sense of brotherhood lives on throughout the entire SNHU veteran community. “It’s a different bond than any other student.”
of prizes available to the winners including scholarships and features in SNHU’s publications. The Annual Fall Fiction Contest is already active and will run until 4 p.m. on Wednesday, October 31. Participants must submit an original work of fiction that is no more than 1,500 words, and the contest is limited to one submission per person. Pieces must be double-spaced, submitted
as a Microsoft Word document and formatted so that the author’s name and contact information is in the top left of the page. First, second and third place winners of the contest will receive a SNHU notebook, and the books “Writing Down the Bones” by Natalie Goldberg and “2018: The Best American Short Stories.” The top three’s short stories will also be featured in the Penmen Review, and they
(image credit: Molly Graves)
Earn big bucks with these scholarship contests
Rosa Valente News Editor
The students of SNHU are fortunate that administration and other departments are constantly looking for ways to reward students for their variety of talents. During the month of October, SNHU will be running two contests: SNHU’s Annual Fall Fiction Contest and the Art Exhibition Contest. Each one has a variety
(image credit: Small Business Trends)
will all receive a scholarship which can be used for an online or on campus bachelor’s or master’s degree. The first place scholarship amount will be $3,000, second place will be $2,000 and third place will be $1,000. Fourth and fifth place will receive a SNHU Notebook and “2018: The Best American Short Stories.” The Art Exhibition Contest will be running until 8 p.m. on Sunday, November 4. This contest consists of five categories: Photography, Print Design, Web Design, Digital Design and 2D Animation, and 3D Modeling and Animation. Participants can submit one piece to each category, and have the opportunity to win in multiple categories. First place finalists from each category will receive a $1,000 SNHU scholarship for an online or on campus bachelor’s or master’s degree. Second place finalists will receive
a $500 SNHU scholarship. All finalists will also gain a contributing membership to the American Institute of Graphic Arts (AIGA) which will allow them to network and find job or internship opportunities in the design community. Both contests are open to all students and members of the general public who wish to participate, and there is no entry fee required to compete. Industry professionals and SNHU faculty members will collaborate on the judging panels to determine the finalists. For the Fiction Contest, judges will be looking for originality, thought process, structure and grammatical correctness. For the Art Exhibition Contest, judges will look for demonstrations of high levels of creativity, originality and execution that demonstrates a sophisticated understanding and application of the medium. The pieces will then
be up for public voting where voters will be asked to consider the same criteria as the judging panels. The judges’ decisions will make up 80 percent of the overall score for each finalist and the voting will make up 20 percent. Both of these contests are exciting and beneficial opportunities for students to show off what they are passionate about and hopefully get rewarded for it. To find out more about each contest, prospective participants should go to https://www.snhu. edu/online-degrees/online-creative-writing-degree-programs/fall-fiction-competition for the Fall Fiction Contest and https://www.snhu.edu/ online-degrees/bachelors/ ba-in-graphic-designand-media-arts/art-showcase for the Art Exhibition Contest. Submissions can be made here: https:// snhu.submittable.com/ submit until the deadlines.
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news
SGA Swears In New VP, Denies Budget Request
Elizabeth Lemieux Staff Writer
The Student Government Association (SGA) met in the Penmen Room on Tuesday, October 9, to swear in a new Vice President and discuss budget requests. The meeting began at 5:06 p.m. with roll call and soon after, the swearing in of the new Vice President. Tyler Provencher ('21), with a hoarse voice, took an oath to office, promising to serve in the interest of the SGA and the interest of SNHU. The SGA moved into the Budget & Finance presentations to discuss several requests from different clubs. First was the Psychology Association. They requested $7,835 to go to the National Federation of Families for Children’s Mental Health Conference. The Senate approved this request.
Angelina Iosso Staff Writer
Next, the Budget & Finance officers presented the Accounting Society’s request. They asked for $9,351.20 to travel to the IMA Leadership Conference. This is where the meeting took a turn. Senator Molly Graves motioned to approve the request and Senator Matthew Rubenstein ('19) seconded this notion. After minimal discussion, the Senate voted on the request and denied it. Being the first budget denial of the semester, some SGA members seemed confused as to what to do from there. This provoked a discussion regarding why they should or shouldn’t have approved the Accounting Society’s request. Senator Aisha Khiyaty ('21) expressed concern for how much money they had already spent this semester. Before approving the Psychology Association’s
trip they had approximately $65,000 left in the budget. “One of the things we have to realize is that we shouldn’t look at money as a problem,” Senator Cameron Kearney said. “We can’t tell them where they can go for a conference and where they can’t go. If their money fits within the budget for how many people are going, then they have reason to go.” There was various criticism on the purpose of the conference. When presented, the main purpose given seemed to be networking. Some senators didn’t understand why the Accounting Society was going to a conference to network when networking is something you can do on your own time for free. “I voted no because there’s nothing in the ‘why’ category that sounds specific to going to the conference,” said Senator Stefan Karlburg
('22). “During the [Budget & Finance] meeting, it was really tough to distinguish it because their mission statement literally had networking in it,” Senator Sultan Akhter ('19) pointed out. “I don’t understand why we’re having the discussion after we already voted,” said Senator Khiyaty. At this point, flaws in the presentation itself were realized. “I think there was a problem with making the PowerPoint. I don’t think they should have put networking in there because I can see why that would change your opinions,” said Senator Kearney. Kearney continued, “They are [also] going for things that they can’t learn here, and yes, they’re going to be networking with people in the field, but there are breakout sessions that they’re a part of and
workshops in which they would practice using the [skills]. And half of the people that are presenting to them actually sit down one-on-one and are able to talk with them. Obviously, It’s a little late to explain that, but now we know we’re going to have to change the slides a little bit.” With that comment, the SGA moved into the next budget request. The Gaming Club re-
face on a day to day basis and teach them how to overcome obstacles. The Deborah L. Coffin's Women's Center will be hosting their second annual Women's Leadership Conference
on Saturday, October 27 at 10 a.m. in the Dining Center Banquet Hall. Check in for the event begins at 9:30 and the conference will go until 2:00 p.m. Students can register for free
on SNHUtickets until October 24. This conference allows attendees to choose between a variety of workshops throughout the day. Participants will have to choose two workshops to attend before lunch, and then there will be two other workshops available to either help them wind down or allow them to network. The workshops to choose from include self-acceptance, communication skills, work balance for the LGBTQ community, leadership, reproductive justice and how Beyonce teaches us about feminism. The event will also feature a keynote speaker, Amma Marfo, who will be sharing insight
on women’s leadership in a workplace environment. This conference is a great opportunity for women to meet leaders and build confidence with their own communication skills. Brooke Gilmore, the director of the Deborah L. Coffin Women’s Center, said that this conference has a good environment that opens up communication that “speaks to a lot of issues that largely aren’t addressed” in everyday life. Gilmore also said that this conference creates an opportunity “to name those issues,” like double standards and discrimination, “and talk about them in
SGA’s Logo. (image credit: SGA) quested $10,710 to go to PAX East and they were approved. The meeting adjourned at 6:44 p.m. after snapping to acknowledge each other. The SGA meeting on October 9 was undeniably eventful. Muchneeded discussions were carried out and they discovered flaws in their method of presentation that are to be remedied in the future.
Upcoming Women’s leadership conference
In a world where women often feel underappreciated, it is important to bring awareness to the challenges they
(image credit: Thinkstock)
a very open and honest way in order for us all to feel like we can be successful.” Although this conference is targeted toward women’s leadership, it’s not just for women. Men can gain insight into how to be a good ally for their female colleagues by gaining a deeper understanding of the issues that women face in the workplace and how they can help combat those issues. This uniquely focused conference is deeply informative to the attendees and creates a great environment to learn how to resist and adapt to the many obstacles that women face in the workplace.
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penmen abroad
Madison Connors Staff Writer Japan offers an inspirational experience for students to study abroad in the city of Fukuoka. According to SNHU Study Abroad, “Seinan Gakuin University (SGU) is one of the top comprehensive universities in Fukuoka, Japan.” This university is unique to the study abroad program as it teaches five courses in English. In 2016, Monocle, a London-based magazine, ranked the city as the 7th most livable place as well as the 14th best city in the world. Part of the reason it’s been ranked as such is due to the city’s incredible safety. It’s also known for its location. Students have become situated in a city that is only a ten minute
Embrace Japanese Culture Abroad
walk from the beach. Many citizens also bike. This provides an easily available method of transportation for students. In addition, there are shopping malls unlike are any in the United States. The massive mall, Canal City, houses a canal that runs through it and often displays various water shows. These shows offer unique themes, such as the Dragon Ball Z one currently taking place, that allows for shoppers to always be entertained. Students can engage in new fashion and become further immersed in the unique culture of Japan. Throughout courses students can expect to endure classes that engage them further in the culture through activities such as reading manga and even watch-
ing anime. Courses such as the Traditional Culture of Japan have students learn how to write Japanese calligraphy. Students can also become exposed to the art of Judo through “Traditional Sports of
Japan.” Many of the professors are informative, while still working to keep their classes fun and engaging. While there is a time difference of 13 hours that may create difficulties and often even
cause homesickness, the experience overall is one of a lifetime. The program at Seinan additionally arranges trips to nearby cities, such as Kyoto, so that students gain an even larger amount of expo-
sure to their surroundings. They work to make sure the students have an easy transition and can become well-adjusted to all that is happening around them as they embark on this new journey.
Fukuoka is one newer study abroad option (image credit: Tour Japan)
Study America with National Student Exchange
Nick Klotz Editor in Chief
Have you ever thought about taking the trolley to class in San Francisco or spending a semester on the beaches of Hawaii? The National Student Exchange (NSE) has welcomed its first group of students to the SNHU campus. The students, one from Vermont and another from Arizona, are the first of the new program at SNHU, and the next group could include you. NSE allows students to spend a portion of their college experience studying at another university. It’s similar to study abroad, but it instead focuses on domestic travel. “We want our students to be more exposed to different cultures and
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Students can study across the United States, like in Colorado, pictured. (image credit: NSE) educational programs,” helps students discover destination,” said Malito. traveling to the University said Laura Malito, direc- which university might “Some students also of Hawaii for a semester. tor of the program. have something to offer wanted to explore an The students currentThe program aims to for them. area they’re thinking of ly at SNHU as part of the help students discover “Some students focus moving to for work or for exchange are loving their and appreciate the re- more on their academ- graduate school” time here, with one degional differences across ic needs while many In the Spring of 2019, ciding they would like to the United States. Malito students choose for the a SNHU student will be transfer here.
Other opportunities exist for universities across the United States. Popular ones include California, New York and Alaska. A student pays the same tuition they do at SNHU and pays the room and board of the destination university. Nearly two hundred partners exist under the program. More information can be found at www. NSE.org. The application is still open, with the deadline for the Spring semester of 2019 being November 1. An opportunity for a full academic year exists as well, with a deadline of February 22, 2019. An info session will be held on Monday, October 29 at 10:00 a.m. in Green Center 116 C. For more information, contact Laura Malito at l.malito@ snhu.edu.
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know your campus crime statistics: clery report 2015-2017 Daniel Hopler Staff Writer
When attending college, it is important to know whether the campus is a safe environment. However, many students are not aware of the resources available to find out. One way to stay informed about campus safety is by looking at the annual Clery Report. Because of the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act, all colleges and universities that participate in federal student aid programs are required to provide information regarding topics such as campus safety, security policies and crime statistics. These statistics
include, but are not limited to, arson, manslaughter, robbery, stalking, drug arrests and rape. The information that is available on the Clery Report is taken from weekly reports of any and all incidents that have been reported on campus. These reports are compiled by SNHU’s Clery Committee; a group made up of representatives from many different areas of SNHU. An important thing to keep in mind when viewing the Clery Report is that the report can only reflect the incidents that have been formally reported. For example, if a student has been sexually assaulted and talks to wellness counseling, but does not wish to file a report, it will
not be included on the Clery Report. Staff try to make students and faculty aware of the Clery Report as well as promote safety on campus. “I meet with the parents, myself and some other colleagues and we talk about these types of things; crime stats on campus, what crime is like, safety at campus, different services and programs that we offer from public safety to help keep the campus safe,” said Jim Winn, associate dean of Student Affairs and director of Public Safety. SNHU staff have also been promoting an app called uSafeUS. This app contains important information about reporting an incident and how to get support both on and off campus.
The Morrissey House, home of Public Safety. (image credit: Public Safety) However, there is always a need for additional discourse about safety on campus. As Brooke Gilmore, director of the Women’s Center, said, “The more we could cre-
ate opportunities to have continuous discussions on what happens, how can I report, how can I help a friend, the better.” All members of the campus community
have the right to access the Clery Report and to know the statistics of what happens on campus. The mandated report can be obtained at https://www. snhu.edu.
reported snhu crime statistics for 2015-2017
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the clery report
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Other clery report statistics: NO INCIDENTS OF HATE CRIMES REPORTED DURING THE 2015-2017 CALENDAR YEARS NO CRIMINAL OFFENSES OF MURDER, NEGLIGENT MANSLAUGHTER, INCEST, STATUTORY RAPE, ROBBERY, OR ARSON DURING THE 2015-2017 CALENDAR YEARs NO ARRESTS FOR WEAPONS DURING THE 2015-2017 CALENDAR YEARs NO OFFENSES OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE DURING THE 2015-2017 CALENDAR YEARs
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arts & entertainment “Venom” has Sharp Teeth but the Movie Lacks a Bite
Kyle Griffin Staff Writer Venom hit the theaters Friday, October 5. Unfortunately, the blockbuster film did not live up to the hype and expectations Venom fans had. Although the movie was ravished in color and life and the dynamic duo of Eddie Brock (Tom Hardy) and Venom (Tom Hardy) was fun to watch, the movie itself lacked a bite. The ultimate downfall was the PG-13 rating. Venom, Carnage and other notorious Symbiotes are well known for their destruction and chaos in the Marvel universe. These creatures would go on to be some of the most ruthless characters in any universe. The PG-13 rating on this movie ruined this aspect of the characters, which many Marvel fans loved. The more violent
and gruesome acts were shown in silhouettes. It’s as if the movie was shot to be an R-rated movie and the scenes we craved for were removed or re-written. Another issue Venom fans had was the misconception of the main villain, Riot (Riz Ahmed). Many thought the main villain was to be Carnage, who is one of Venom’s biggest foes with the exception of Spiderman. Riot was the main villain, but he was only in the movie for a short span of time. The plot was also way too basic for the characters. Things moved so quickly and most of the movie was very predictable. As soon as the Symbiotes reached Earth, the audience was expecting havoc. Unfortunately, there was none and Venom’s weakness was as bad as Superman’s glowing green rock. No, Venom’s weakness was
not a green glowing rock, but it might as well have been. The dialogue was a hit or miss as well. During this serious and dark movie, one liners were spit out at the worst possible times, breaking the tension of the movie. Some of these one liners worked very well, especially during Stan Lee’s cameo in the movie. At 96, the creator of the Marvel Universe is still throwing in some of the best one liners in the Marvel movies. Many others, however, destroyed the integrity of the movie. Among the upsides of Venom was a beautiful concoction of lighting and colors. From street sides to the inside of Carlton Drake’s Lab, the aesthetic was breathtaking. One of the most interesting parts were the quick changes between characters. The quick changes between
(image credit: Sony Pictures) the character and the The downfall of the CGI with the nightlife. symbiote gave the movie occurred during the final Even though the life. Eddie and Carlton fight scene between Riot aesthetics of the movie, Drake (Riz Ahmed) were and Venom. The fight be- including lighting and able to instantly change came confusing as Riot’s color contrast, were some into their viscous alter silver color blended in of the best in 2018, the egos. The CGI in the mov- with the side of a building plot and dialogue of the ie was very well done, but and Venom’s midnight film simply did not come this created another issue. black color blended in together.
“First Man” Flies to the moon Zach Meisel Online Manager With deft performances and truly immersive filmmaking, “First Man” gives important focus to the man behind a crucial moment in history. Despite controversy centered around the planting of the flag, the film shows a great achievement in a close and almost claustrophobic way. Based on the biography by James R. Hansen, “First Man” focuses on Neil Armstrong’s (Ryan Gosling) journey to becoming the first person to set foot on the moon. It follows the struggles many faced and the men who gave their lives in the pursuit of traveling to the moon. Neil was a very reserved man that had trouble expressing and
(image credit: Universal Pictures) sharing his emotions. His the time and why America other pilots and all the wife, Janet (Claire Foy), kept persevering. anxiety that comes with it. has to watch many of her Director Damien Chazelle brings many the friends lose their loved Chazelle (“Whiplash” closest they will ever get to ones and live in fear that and “La La Land”) shows leave Earth’s atmosphere. she could experience the the more intimate moIn terms of cinemasame. All the trials and ments rather than just tography, the film looks advancements that were the broad key points that fantastic. There is a little necessary to land on the occurred. He places the bit of shakiness during moon display how im- audience in the cockpit simple shots, but most of portant the mission was at with Armstrong and the the movement happens
during intense space flight moments. It can seem a little dark at times, but there are moments of light and amazement that overshadows the general bleakness of the film. The final shots of the moon are eerily realistic and deserve to be seen on the big screen. The film does display many of the events as depressing, but given the risks of failure and the failures that do occur, it makes sense that events were portrayed as grimmer than most would expect. Most of the behind the scenes information changes the perception about what was going on. The movie centers on Neil Armstrong’s view of events and experiences rather than the public’s perception. Furthermore, it shows
Neil’s personal drive and the struggle he goes through while dealing with the death of his daughter. Ryan Gosling does a great job of expressing the subtle emotions of a man who struggled to show his. Claire Foy also does an excellent job of showing the descent of anxiety Janet felt as the final mission moved closer and closer. Many characters are shown in a new light and illuminate the people behind the space projects. The acting cements the film in the time period and allows the story to play out naturally without getting too political. Controversy aside, “First Man” stands as a technical achievement in film as well as an intense look back at a man who never wanted to be a hero.
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arts & entertainment Life is Strange 2: Episode 1 Packs An Emotional Punch
Spencer Fennell Staff Writer
Life is Strange 2 shows us just how strange life can be when having to deal with politics, teenagers and the supernatural. This game is a beautiful amalgamation of issues to do with the supernatural as well as the all too natural occurrences of day to day life. In this sequel the player is cast as Sean Diaz, an American citizen of Mexican descent who lives in Seattle with his little brother, Daniel, and his Father, Esteban. This at first made many fans of the series worried because the game was following an entirely different protagonist from that of the first game, but it’s safe to say that the game still retains the feeling of the first, and these new characters are worthy additions. Sean is an artsy and athletic teen who has a tight relationship with his father and brother as well as Lyla, his best friend. The game starts out with typical life scenes to introduce the character to the player, which enables the player to understand what type
Alexa Gustavsen Staff Writer The fourth rendition of “A Star Is Born” is now gracing the big screen. With talented actor Bradley Cooper making his directorial debut and the pop queen Lady Gaga making her film debut, the film was highly anticipated. “A Star Is Born” lives up to the hype, telling a raw and honest love story filled with both passion and tragedy. When Jackson Maine,
of person Sean is right away. The story starts off with Lyla and Sean planning for a party as well as Lyla planning to hook Sean up with his crush, Jenn. This gives the player some time with Lyla and Sean and also allows them to relate to the two teenagers and to show the strong relationship they have. The beginning seamlessly introduces the player to the characters without making them seem foreign. They are made to seem as though you’ve known them forever. Sean also has the typical big brother relationship with Daniel, this relationship being the main one throughout the game. Being an older brother myself, I can say that the developers do a really great job at making the connection between the two feel real as they irritate and annoy each other but still love one another deep down. This relationship is brought to the forefront of the story as everyday life quickly gets flipped on its head. The first conflict occurs as Sean’s next door neighbor begins yelling and threatening Daniel because he spilled his
fake blood on him by accident. Sean steps into action and defends his little brother as the neighbor gets more and more furious and begins the first of many racially fueled arguments. He tells Sean to “go back to his own country” and even calls Daniel a retard. The argument breaks out into a fight and Sean knocks his neighbor down to the ground, paralyzing him accidentally. A police officer comes and sees Sean and Daniel standing over him with the fake blood on his shirt. The officer then pulls his gun on the two and orders them to put their hands behind their heads. This is another point of racial profiling as he is even more frantic and terrified as their father comes out and tries to talk to him. The officer then shoots Esteban and is almost instantly flung backwards by a strange blast. The brothers are then placed into the main point of the game; they have to find out how to survive and help each other through this disaster, with their father being dead and Daniel having to cope with this strange power. This is
where more gameplay occurs as well as you having to make choices that will have an effect on the world and how Daniel may act in the future. The game has a nice pacing to it, with a road trip-esque feel resulting in the player never being in one place for too long. This also provides some down time for the characters to bond and some fast-paced, hectic action that puts quick thinking and decision making into play. The game introduces new game play mechanics such as more availability to choose your story and some smaller games like the new drawing mini game that doesn’t always
a fading rock star with an alcohol problem, meets unknown musical talent Ally, he is instantly in awe of her talent. The two quickly fall for one another and work together musically until Ally’s career takes off. As she develops into her own artist, Jackson’s career and personal life begin to tumble. The film shows the harsh reality of the music industry and living in the public eye. This is now the fourth time this story has been
told, but with each somehow finding a way to rip your heart out just a little bit harder and leaving you crying in your seat a little bit longer. The main plot points remain the same through each movie, but every version has its own specifics that reflect the time period and society of each film. This 2018 film focuses in on the idea of the “pop star” and society’s ideals of what beauty is. The acting and plot of the film are both riv-
eting and captivating, but the real show stopper was the music. Songs include “Shallow”, “Is That Alright” and “I’ll Never Love Again,” which is a powerful and emotional ballad to close out the film. These songs are authentic, heartfelt and have meaning behind them, but when Ally’s career takes off, her identity and sound change. She begins singing more vapid songs such as “Why Did You Do That” and begins to lose herself to the pop world.
work correctly but is a nice addition. There is extensive background content that can be obtained as well, including phone messages, a personal journal and small trinkets and items that can be picked up on the way. Sean almost always has something to comment on as well. Whether it be something important or something minuscule, he always has input, which really makes him seem like an actual person. The game maintains a good balance between the supernatural and natural problems they have to face. There is a sense of magical realism with the powers being only a small part of their
problems. More genuine problems occur as a result of racism, with someone even threatening to call ICE on them at one point. Overall, Life is Strange 2 is shaping up to be a good game with an excellent focus on storytelling while balancing gameplay into a solely narrative game. Hopefully the studio will continue to delve deep into these real world issues involving race and show us more situations that the brothers can get out of. I am excited for more episodes to arise and hopefully they can continue this emotional roller coaster of a story and bring even more tears to my eyes.
(image credit: Dontnod Entertaiment)
“A Star is Born” is an Ambitious Remake
The two characters face their issues both as artists and as a couple, but the undeniable chemistry between Cooper and Gaga is next level. From beginning to end it is almost as though you forgot you were watching actors and not a real life couple going through life together. The way they would look at one another showed the true love and heartbreak they were feeling. The film was fueled by incredible acting, Gaga’s
powerhouse live singing and impeccable debut directing from Cooper. It was emotional and told a real and believable story through and through. There is already Oscar buzz surrounding the film, and it wouldn’t be surprising if we saw it take home more than one award. It will make you smile from ear to ear, dance in your seat, laugh and cry. For those who haven’t seen it yet, bringing tissues is advised.
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arts & entertainment A Near Return to Form for Mario Party
Tim Charvat Staff Writer The Mario Party franchise has been inconsistent in quality ever since the franchise moved away from its roots starting with Mario Party 9 in 2012. At E3 2018, however, there seemed to be a glimmer of hope for the franchise as it was announced that this new entry, Super Mario Party, would return to its roots and feature eighty brand new mini-games and even online functionality. Now that the game has been out, is this a return to form for
(image credit: Nintendo) the Mario Party series or a continuing trend of inconsistent quality? The first aspect of the game that is a bit disappointing is that there is not a pro controller support, but it’s understandable as it seemed that the mini-games were designed with a particular play style in mind. When you boot up the game, you are greeted with a cut scene that sums up the whole reason why all these Mario characters are playing. Next, you get to select your character and difficulty, and then the game really begins. There are four main
modes of gameplay: Party Mode, Partner Party Mode, River Survivor Mode and Sound Stage Mode. Party Mode is the traditional Mario Party, where four players take turns rolling dice on four different maps to collect the most stars by the end of the match while playing one of eighty different mini-games for coins. After playing three matches against the easiest difficulty, it felt as if the game just did not want me to win, as I got second place in all three matches. It is understandable that luck is a crucial part
forced to focus on her health rather than her music. This time was a struggle for Lavigne. She thought she wasn’t going to make it out alive. “One night I thought I was dying, and I had accepted that I was going to die,” Lavigne wrote on her website. “My mom laid with me in bed and held me. I felt like I was drowning.” Lavigne admits that it was this moment when she started to write “Head Above Water.” “It was like I tapped into something. It was a
very spiritual experience. Lyrics flooded through me from that point on,” she wrote. On September 27, her 34th birthday, Lavigne released the music video for her new single. After mere weeks, the video already has over 22 million views. After a month, her song has reached number one on the ITunes worldwide chart, in a total of at least 17 countries, and has reached top 10 in many more. Famous from an early age, Lavigne’s music has
of any game, but with a new mechanic called Allied spaces, where a player can recruit an AI partner that provides one or two additional spaces, the play time feels as if a miracle is needed to win. Partner Party Mode is basically a two versus two alternative to Party Mode, although this mode allows you to roll together and add up your rolls for the same amount of spaces for each team. This mode was very underwhelming. The mini games for two versus two were disappointing because there’s no major difference from regular Party Mode. River Survivor Mode is a more cooperative mode where all players must race down in a river with limited time. More time can be gained by doing well in five exclusive minigames, grabbing clocks scattered throughout the river and reaching specific markers on the map. This was a cool idea, and two of the mini games were enjoyable,
but the problem is that this mode was way too easy. I never felt worried about losing because gaining time wasn’t a challenge in the three times I played this mode. Finally, there is Sound Stage mode where you compete in a musical show and play rhythm-based mini games to gain the most amount of points at the end to win. This mode works the first time you use it, even with three different difficulties, but my skills were truly being challenged, and the timing for most of the mini games was so strict that my timing was often too early. Then there is the online mode, which consists of playing different mini-games that rotate every two hours. This mode is similar to the stage and mode rotation in Splatoon 2. I played one match in this mode, and it was not enjoyable in the slightest. Online connection was lagged, making for all my command inputs feel three seconds behind. To make matters worse, I didn’t get to
finish the game as I got booted from the party due to poor service. Basically, until Nintendo patches the online mode, playing Super Mario Party online is not recommended. Although there are problems with the game, there are also some aspects that are well-executed. Outside of two mini-games, the games were entertaining. Also, when you select your character, each one has their own different dice with their own benefits and consequences for using them, adding a layer of strategy by picking a character that was missing from past entries. I wouldn’t recommend this game for the price due to the modes feeling very similar to each other and a lack of replay value if you are playing this Super Mario Party alone. In short, Super Mario Party was a step in the right direction for the series, but the game needs a better online presence and more single player variety to truly return to glory.
Avril Lavigne Makes a Comeback With Head Above Water
Elizabeth Lemieux Staff Writer
Avril Lavigne is back after a five year break from releasing new music. On September 19, the Canadian punk artist released a ballad titled “Head Above Water.” This new song documents the 34 year old’s personal struggle with Lyme Disease, the very reason for her long break in the first place. She was on tour in 2013 when her health began to diminish. She kept getting worse and was soon
clearly evolved. She’s performed in the pop punk, pop rock, alternative rock, and post-grunge genres throughout her career. While she has other ballads such as “Keep Holding On,” this new one is different. It marks a new beginning for Lavigne, it’s a mark of courage, a symbol of redemption. “I was fresh off not singing [for years],” Avril Lavigne wrote. “I thought my voice would be weak, it ended up being stronger than ever.”
(image credit: BMG)
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arts & entertainment Twenty One Pilots Haven’t Fallen into a “Trench”
Madison Connors Staff Writer
The American alternative rock duo, Twenty One Pilots, released their fifth studio album “Trench” on October 5th. The album is a continuation of the storyline the Ohio pair crafted in their previous record “Blurryface.” Twenty One’ Pilot’s allegory offers an immense appeal to scifi lovers; the setting of their story is a dystopian society that allows for an abundance of metaphors throughout their artfully created mythology. Similar to “Blurryface,” “Trench” tackles themes of demon-conquering and does not shy away from discussing heavy subject
matter such as depression, suicide and overall insecurity. However, this album seems to step beyond mere youthful angst by taking a less in-yourface approach. Their use of metaphor throughout this fantasy CD is poetic and lends way to an overall more mature sound than previous works. While, this plot serves to add layers of depth and complexity, one can ultimately enjoy the 14 tracks without delving into this world. The beauty in this album is that there truly is something that anyone can appreciate from it, no matter on what they are looking for. The opener “Jumpsuit” introduces with a bluesy style like that of Black
Keys and concludes in a heavier metal style. In addition, songs such as “Morph” and “My Blood” deliver R&B hooks and plenty of front man Tyler Joseph’s falsetto which is ultimately comparable to Khalid. Beyond this, there are pieces that address dark and controversial issues that many other music artists may avoid. The song “Neon Gravestones” looks at fame under a microscope and expresses the harm in how the media glorifies celebrities that have passed. One of the last works of the album, “Legend” has Joseph baring his soul to fans. He depicts his struggle to finish this album as his father suffered from
(image credit: Fueled By Ramen) Alzheimer’s disease and of different genres of mu- not believe is possible. no longer recognized his sic all while playing into The conceptual aspect as own son. an overarching story arch. well as touching, existen“Trench” is an am- This could easily have tial lyrics ultimately make bitious project which become a recipe from it worth at least a singular Twenty One Pilots took disaster. However, the listen. Though, I genuineon. Each individual track artists are still capable of ly believe that most peoexpresses its own topic providing flow and a co- ple won’t stop after merely and brings forth aspects hesiveness that one would just one time through.
evident after one listen that Wayne poured his soul into it. A serious and reflective tone permeates the album, and the bawdy humor and braggadocios attitude one comes to expect are kept to a minimum. The CD begins with a message from Wayne’s mother, Jacida. She exclaims her love for her son while clearly trying to fight back tears. It’s poignant, touching and it excites the listener as to what’s coming next. There are numerous noteworthy tracks on the album, the first being “Don’t Cry,” which features the late XXXTentacion. The lyrics are intense and emotional, with Wayne rapping, “If I die young, blame the juice. Bury me in New Orleans. My Tombstone reads ‘Don’t Cry, Stay Tuned.’” XXXtentacion’s sung chorus is haunting and earnest. Sung choruses make multiple appearances
on Tha Carter V. “Dark Side of the Moon” centers around being there for one another amid an apocalypse. Frequent collaborator Nicki Minaj delivers a stunning chorus that serves as a reminder of her vocal talents. Wayne’s delivery is mellow and refreshing. Although the album features many deep tracks, there are bangers as well. “Dedicate” is a boastful track with a fun flow and head-bang-
ing chorus. The bubbly beat and well-executed punchlines on “Start This S**t Off Right,” which features Mack Maine and Ashanti, make for an effective party-anthem. The dominant issue with Tha Carter V is its length. The album spans almost ninety minutes and 23 tracks. Although Wayne does an admirable job of giving each song a unique sound, there are a handful of unremarkable songs that
“Tha Carter V” is a Poignant Reflection on Lil Wayne’s Life
Nicholas VonSchantz-Ricci Lead Copy Editor
Lil Wayne is among the most influential and provocative figures in rap music. Since coming onto the scene at age 15 and releasing his first solo album at age 17, Wayne has been an unstoppable force in the industry. His latest release is a culmination of over twenty years of rap conquest. For Lil Wayne fans, the wait for Tha Carter V was seemingly never-ending. The initial release date for the fifth installment of his “Tha Carter” series was May 5, 2014, but a series of legal issues involving Cash Money Records resulted in the album being continuously pushed back over the next four years. The wait came to an enthusiastic conclusion on September 27; Wayne’s 36th birthday. Tha Carter V had a lot to live up to, and it is
need not be included. Also, Wayne’s grimy voice can become droning after a while. The album’s most intense and groundbreaking song, “Mona Lisa,” is riveting enough to revive any flagging interest. This Kendrick Lamar-assisted track tells the story of a deceptive woman who is setting up her partner for an armed robbery. Wayne and Lamar each provide two distinct nar-
(image credit: newsok.com)
ratives to the story and they are both told with a raw intensity that cannot be understated. The honesty, vulnerability and boldness of Tha Carter V are exemplars of a matured Lil Wayne who wants to learn from his mistakes and move forward. Wayne certainly lost no fans with this record. His genuine reflection regarding his struggles make him seem more relatable than ever.
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Talib Williams Staff Writer Hampton and Windsor Halls underwent a bit of a face-lift over the summer. The recent renovations for these two dorms transformed them completely. Between the new furniture and the installment of themed housing, these two halls have been the talk of the campus at SNHU. In the same way every legend is made, we must first venture back at the halls’ origin stories. Hampton and Windsor’s original decor could be described as sad, depressing and unwelcoming. As for the bedrooms themselves, it was as if the janitor’s closet finally got the extension it needed. Hampton and
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opinion
Renovating Hampton and windsor
Windsor truly needed an upgrade. Now, with the current renovations installed into both Hampton and Windsor, it’s clear that students have been sending out positive feedback whether they are currently living in Hampton or Windsor or they briefly visited the apartments. The first step to the renovations was buying new furniture. We all enjoy buying furniture. We could buy a lamp that matched with the ceiling fan in the bedroom, purchase a rug that had the same decal as the bedroom sheets, we could even buy a new furnished couch just because it reminded you of the same couch you saw in a family photo. It’s
practically human nature to enjoy spending money on stuff, it makes you feel powerful. But you know what’s better than spending money on stuff? Buying stuff without paying a single dime. Now you may ask, ‘How can you buy something without paying?’ Easy: capital money. That’s what SNHU and Residence Life used to buy all the renovations for both Hampton and Windsor. Speaking of students, did you know that the idea for theme housing was brought up by students? Well it’s true, the idea of themed housing was constructed and thought out by students who were very interested in a general theme for housing (wellness, gaming and substance-free
The Common Room renovations. (image credit: Analogue Studio) are the current themed by a specific theme that Residence Life about floors). It’s pretty cool they had an idea about. it. Who knows, maybe how students could So now you know that the next dorm that they come together and give if you or a few of your build will have your ideas to Residence Life friends have a themed theme in it. There’s only and be able to create an housing idea, you could one way to find out, entire floor designed all group up and email right?
“High Hopes” For new music in the student center
Spencer Fennell Staff Writer Troy Robinson Staff Writer
Whenever you set foot into the Student Center here on campus, you can hear music being played over the speakers. It is nice to have this as some background noise when doing work or eating breakfast before your first class can be soothing. But if you spend any long periods of time in there you will realize just how mind-numbingly horrible the playlist they often play is. The playlist or radio station they play is very limited and often times doesn’t offer much variety. The songs that are usually played consist of popular songs that have either just become popular or have been popular for a decent
amount of time. The biggest culprit is Panic! At the Disco’s “High Hopes”. The amount of times this song has been played over the speakers is uncountable. Spending even a mere hour in the Student Center you will almost certainly result in hearing this song at least once. The song itself is quite good, as is most of Panic! At the Disco’s music, but it’s almost as if they want you to despise it. The idea of playing popular music over the speakers to draw in students is completely understandable, but there is a certain point of overplaying that is enough to drive anyone insane. There really needs to be more of a variety of songs played throughout the Student Center though as any-
one who spends most of their time in there will likely go mad as a result of the repetition. They should consider having multiple playlists with popular songs, classic hits and perhaps even throw in some rap and rock and roll. The more variety,
the better, as everyone will at one point be happy with the song choice. Instead of force feeding “High Hopes” to everyone on an hourly basis, people can get more familiar with different genres of music and maybe even discover songs they never knew
about or haven’t heard in years. So whoever is in charge of music in the Student Center should make a couple of playlists of different songs from different genres and switch them around either daily or every couple of hours.
This will allow for more enjoyable songs to be heard and will encourage the growth and development of everyone’s musical library. Let “High Hopes” die out, and don’t ruin anymore great songs by repeatedly jamming them into our ear canals.
“High Hopes” is from Panic’s “Pray for the Wicked” album. (image credit: Fueled by Ramen)
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opinion
MIdterm elections: young people need to step up Elizabeth Lemieux Staff Writer Midterm elections are coming up on November 6 and we all know what that means. You’ll hear several people urging you to “vote, vote, vote” but they don’t really tell you why. The thing is, there are various reasons why young people need to step up. In an effort to persuade you to vote, I’m going to break it down for you. In recent years, voter turnout hasn’t exactly been desirable. According to fairvote.com, about 60% of eligible voters actually voted during presidential election years. Only 40% of eligible voters, however, voted in midterm election years. Both these percentages are less than that of other countries. As I’m sure you’ve heard, the majority of people actually voting are older white men. This is unfortunate, because young eligible voters account for half of the voting population, yet they often choose to deny their civic duty. One excuse I often hear is “My vote doesn’t even count.” This is a
common viewpoint given the electoral college voted against the popular vote in 2016. We cannot, however, let this stop us from making our voices heard. If more young people vote, the electors will be forced to listen to us. As young adults in America, we are being hit the most by the Great Recession. Areas such as college debt forgiveness and healthcare are in danger. This is our future, so why are we just standing by and allowing old, white men to decide it for us? You might not care about politics now, but trust me when I say you will. The divisiveness of the country in this two-party system of ours is chaotic. Young voters, however, might have the ability to change it. 35% of us who are registered to vote are independents. If more of us register and this trend continues, we may be one step closer to fixing the problem. Another excuse I hear often for not voting is “I don’t know any of the candidates’ issues, so I feel like I can’t vote intelligently.” The problem with this excuse is that a person’s
lack of knowledge about a candidate is completely on them. In this world of technology, it is easier than ever to educate yourself on politics and the different nominees. Just take an afternoon to google the issues each candidate cares about and form your own educated opinions. Yes, it’s that easy! Yet another excuse that I’ve heard is “I don’t agree with either presidential candidate, so I don’t see a point in voting.” I’ll let you all in on a little secret: It’s not just the presidential candidate on the ballot. In fact, when it comes to midterms, the president isn’t even on the ballot. This midterm specifically may be the most crucial to the future of the country yet. We will be voting on the very people who make the laws and decide the fate of Supreme Court nominees and such. You may or may not realize it but the government is struggling. Between the scandals, the controversies, the discord among parties and the challenges regarding important laws, there is a
Stop making excuses not to vote. (image credit: SNHU) clear need for change. By To do this, you can visit class all day and you have voting next month, we your town clerk or regis- a bunch of homework can prompt this change. ter at the polling place on to do but let me suggest Another excuse I hear November 6. You must something to you all. all the time is “I can’t vote, present an ID or sign When something importI’m not from here.” an affidavit in order to ant like this comes up, you This excuse is invalid register. A student ID is make time for it. Whether because there are several accepted and proof of res- that means you have to ways you can vote even if idence may be required. get up a little earlier or get your just here for college. Unfortunately, begin- to class a little late, voting First, every state has ning next July, a law to is your civic duty and a way you can vote early suppress college voting should be taken seriously. by mail if you’re already will be put into place. registered there. If this is Given the circumstance, I hope everything I’ve your plan, note that you I urge you to take advan- shared here will be takmight have to sign up tage of the current lenien- en to heart and I once ahead of time to do this. cy and register to vote as again urge you to vote Second, New soon as possible. November 6. Your voice Hampshire allows anyone The last excuse for has more power than who resides here for col- not voting that I hear way you think and throwing lege to vote in elections too often is “I don’t have around excuses only dias long as they register. time.” I get it. You have minishes your force.
More Residential Parking Will Benefit Commuters
Molly Graves Staff Writer
As a commuter, I think we have ample parking. I have never struggled to find a spot in the year and a half that I have been at SNHU. The only thing I can complain about is parking at the Hospitality Center. Most of the commuters lots are out of the way, like behind the library and down at Webster Hall. So, it is quite a hike if you have classes up the hill from Webster.
The parking lot behind Hospitality is now designated as a commuter parking lot, so it eases the pain of walking up a steep hill just a little bit. The only problem? If you drive around the lot, you will see a lot of vehicles that do not have the “C” decal on their windshield. In fact, many of them are resident students who decide to drive to Hospitality and park both behind and in front of the building. It is very rare that a space is open during normal
school hours, and it is quite frustrating that these spots are being filled by vehicles with different decals. While the quantity of parking is not much of an issue, it seems as though all of the ample parking for both residents and commuters is far away from the main cluster of buildings. This specific parking issue stems from everyone feeling as though they have no where to park, so they take any available space.
If SNHU stepped up parking for resident students, then commuter and visitor parking would free up as well. Many people aren’t even finding parking spots. Instead they park alongside the grass on the edge of the Hospitality parking lot. Not only is this a safety issue, but it makes it harder for those parked in the spots to back out. If more parking were to open up, this would help mitigate the parking disaster around the Hospitality Center.
Parking is limited. (image credit:Jaelle Matthieu)
the penmen press
Catherine LaChance Sports Editor There were 10 seconds left in field hockey’s final game of the 2016 season. The score was 2-1, with SNHU behind. Then sophomore Alyssa Scott lunged for the ball in an attempt to level the score and force overtime. She launched her stick forward but couldn’t reach the ball. In the midst of trying to find the ball, she felt severe pain radiating down her left arm. Her shoulder popped out of place. “The buzzer went off and we had just lost that game,” said Scott, who is now a senior. “I was crying and my teammates thought it was because we lost the game, but it was because my shoulder hurt so much.” Scott felt continuous pain after the injury and received an MRI a few weeks after the dislocation. She discovered she had torn her labrum in her left shoulder, which is a piece of fibrocartilage that keeps the ball of the
Nick Klotz Editor in Chief Hurricane Maria crashed through Puerto Rico as a category four storm a year ago with 175 mph winds. It destructed the small island community, a community that SNHU freshman Alexxa Etienne was a part of. Etienne proved she wasn’t one to give up so easily, which is how she earned her spot on the SNHU women’s tennis team. Etienne’s family pushed her onto the court at just four years old. Her sister, who is four years older, started at the same age, so she
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sports
Alyssa Scott: on the road to recovery
joint in place. She was given two options for recovery: surgery or physical therapy. She chose physical therapy as she didn’t want to receive surgery if she didn’t necessarily have to. However, her shoulder continued to slip in and out of place. Midway through the following season, Scott reached for a shot on goal during a match-up against Adelphi and felt a pull in her shoulder. This time, her whole arm went numb. Scott went to see a surgeon a few days later who told her she had rotator cuff damage in addition to a labral tear. Surgery was the only method to full recovery. She underwent surgery in November of 2017 following the end of field hockey season. She was in a sling for eight weeks and was unable to play field hockey for 11 months. “I had trouble even taking a shower,” said Scott. “I would take (my shoulder) out of the sling
and I had no muscle so my arm would just hang there. I had to learn how to do everything on my own again.” The surgery tightened all the muscles and ligaments in her shoulder to prevent the joint from slipping out of place again. She spent the first two months after surgery in physical therapy undergoing stretching practices. Not being able to play field hockey was difficult for Scott as playing is how she releases stress. When she had a bad day before surgery, she would go to the field and take out her frustration. “It was tough going through the most stressful thing I’ve been through and not having the same stress reliever,” she said. To release stress, she instead practiced foot and stick drills. She also picked up running. Scott was officially cleared to play noncontact field hockey in May 2018, but wasn’t cleared to play contact field hockey until a week before preseason
this August. It had been a year since she last played. She described her return to the sport as feeling like “a chicken with my head cut off.” She was excited to play, but was unsure of what she should be doing. Her first game back was the 2018 season opener against Assumption on September 1. She started in center midfield. She and the Penmen ultimately won the battle. “I was so nervous,” she expressed. “I had to fall back on habits developed in preseason." It was a game that she will never forget. To keep herself from future injuries, Scott works with the SNHU trainers before every practice. She uses the arm bike to strengthen her shoulders and rolls out her back and shoulders using rollers. She also goes to TB12 at Patriot’s Place one to two times a week for additional physical therapy. “I have to do more than I think,” Scott said. “A couple weeks ago I
had another scare where a tendon in my shoulder ripped. It’s fine now. But I have to do a lot of extra training. Going to TB12 has been extremely helpful. I do extra back stuff. They do deep tissue massage, and they have me hold a field hockey stick in different positions and do resistance.” Scott didn't play on more than 30% of her season last year. NCAA regulations state that if a player misses more than 70% of an athletic season, he or
she qualifies for another year. Therefore, Scott can play field hockey next year if she choses to do a grad year. “I have another year of eligibility,” said Scott. “I want to be better than I was before so I have to put in more effort than everyone else because I missed a whole year of practice, but I hope to make it up if I chose to do a grad year.” Scott looks to continue her recovery workout routine so she can prevent her body from future injuries.
followed in her sister’s footsteps. “At first I didn’t want to get onto the court – I started crying every time they put me on. Then one day it just happened. My sister’s coach just grabbed me, put a racket in my hand and started to throw balls at me,” said Etienne. At eight years old, Etienne began playing in tournaments that required she and her family to travel around the United States. There weren’t too many tournaments in Puerto Rico so she was chosen several times to represent her home. Her goal later became to get scouted, so it
was a matter of finishing high school and playing in tournaments like she had since she was eight. Then hurricane Maria hit. Her family never could have predicted how destructive the category 4 storm would be. Etienne’s home town of Bayamón was not spared from the disaster. Many buildings were left flattened. Trees and powerlines were grounded. Luckily Etienne’s family only experienced flooding in their home, but the community was left with a challenging recovery. Infrastructure, including gas stations,
were immobilized. “...the lines were so long because [the gas stations] didn’t have any gas,” said Etienne. The school that she attended, a tennis academy, was over an hour away. It just didn’t make sense for her family to bring her there. Given the extreme circumstances, Etienne she had to make a choice. She could stay in Bayamón and take a gap year after high school and the risk not getting recruited, or she could go to Florida for school, giving her the opportunity to study what she wanted to. Taking the advice of her family and of four of her coaches, Etienne
made the move to Florida to attend Florida Virtual School, an online school, while working with a tennis academy. “I’ve always been away from home, it was normal for me, but getting used to not having my parents there was totally different,” said Etienne. The hardship paid off, as Etienne was recruited by SNHU. Etienne is now studying Business Administration. “I love playing here. The team is awesome. I’ve never seen a team get along so well,” Etienne said. She had the same praise to give to the men’s team. With nine matches under her belt and a recent
7-0 win against Franklin Pierce, Etienne has high hopes for the season though she understands there’s still work to be done. The team is hoping to make it to the playoffs. “We’re not out yet, but we’re not really in either,” said Etienne. Etienne says her main goal, however, was to get along well with the other girls, because a team plays better when they get along. Etienne is happy to say she’s found a family in the team. Challenges like hurricane Maria only made Etienne stronger. Her tennis career is in full swing at SNHU and she is thankful to be apart of such a family-oriented team.
Alyssa at her first practice since surgery. (image credit: Alyssa Scott)
Alexxa Etienne: From Puerto Rico to snhu