Penmen Press Volume XXIX Issue I

The

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Penmen Press

Writing SNHU’s Story

PRESIDENT LEBLANC’S VISION FOR THE 2022-2023 ACADEMIC YEAR (PG 7) Volume XXIX

SNHU ATHLETICS LOOKS TO 2022-2023 AFTER WINNING PRESIDENTS’ CUP (PG 23) Issue 1

August 29, 2022

SNHU GUIDE TO CAMPUS FUNCTIONS (PG 2) penmenpress.com

MEET THE

STAFF Co-Editor-in-Chief

Co-Editor-in-Chief

Chris Tutt

Taylor Posik

Business Manager

Events Manager

Marketing Manager

Online Manager

NEws Editor

A&E/Opinion Editor

Lifestyle Editor

Sports Editor

Now Hiring!

Now Hiring!

Now Hiring!

Copy Editor

Allison Beaumont

Now Hiring!

Emily Blais

Lillie Nelson

Layout Editor

Christopher Kelly

Ryan Barrett

Adam Dufault

Faculty Adviser Jon Boroshok

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THIS MONTH’S

EVENTS

8/29 Refreshments with CAPE (12pm) Community Karaoke with CAPE and Radio SNHU (7pm) 8/30 Traveling Tuesday Trivia (3:30pm) 8/31 Honors Program Welcome Back Event (3pm) Big Money Bingo (9pm) 9/1 Campus Recreation Welcome Event (1pm) Pot a Plant with Kappa Chi (6pm) Men’s Soccer vs. Georgian Court (7pm) 9/2 Feature Film Friday (8pm) 9/3 Field Hockey vs. Converse (12pm) Men’s Soccer vs. Queens (4pm) Free Money Game Show (7pm) 9/7: Involvement Fair (12pm) Study Abroad/NSE Info Session (5pm) HIMSA Monthly Meeting (7pm) Glow Casino (7pm) Big Money Bingo (9pm) 9/8 Brush Up On Sisterhood (6pm) Field Day with the Fraternities (6pm) Thursday Karaoke (8pm) 9/9 You’re So Golden w/Kappa Chi (6:30pm) On My Block Party (7pm) On My Block Party at the Pub! (8pm) 9/10 Door Sign Decorating with CAPE! (6:30pm) Nerds Unite Monthly Meeting (8pm) 9/11 Mount Uncanoonuc Hike (5pm) 9/12 SNHU’s 90th Birthday Breakfast Muffins (8:30am) Get To Know Our Sisters (Kappa Chi)

(9am) Campus Rec Flag Football League (6pm) Brush Up On Sisterhood (6pm) Field Day with the Fraternities (6pm) SNHUconnect Tour: Navigating Your Virtual Community (7pm) 9/13 Tote Tie-Dye with CAPE! (11am) Campus Rec Intramural Softball League (6pm) Issue Launch Party (6:30pm) Livin’ A Colorful Life w/ Kappa Chi (6:30pm) 9/14 Women’s Soccer vs. Daemen (1pm) Field Hockey vs. Assumption (4pm) Men’s Soccer be. St. Anselm (7pm) Campus Rec Intramural Softball League (6pm) Online Student Tips and Tricks (7pm) Weekly Bingo (8pm) 9/15 Campus Rec Beach Volleyball League (5pm) A “Campfire” Dinner with Phi Delt (5pm) Tie-Dye with Kappa Chi (7pm) Thursday Karaoke (8pm) 9/16 Fall Concert (7:30pm) 9/17: Men’s Soccer vs. LeMoyne (1pm) Women’s Soccer vs. Assumption (4pm) 9/18 Women’s Tennis vs. LeMoyne Indoor Backup (7:30am) Women’s Tennis vs. LeMoyne (1pm) Paranormal Research Club Monthly Meeting (7pm) 9/19 Campus Rec Flag Football League (6pm) Paint Night with CAPE (7pm) 9/20 International Student Transition Grp Mt (1pm) Women’s Tennis vs. New Haven (2pm)

Campus Rec Intramural Softball League (6pm) Field Hockey vs. Franklin Pierce (6pm) Kappa’s Got a Golden Ticket (7pm) HR Management Collegiate Association Monthly Meeting (8pm) 9/21 Dr. Dunbar Constitution Day (12pm) Study Abroad/NSE Info Session (5pm) Campus Rec Intramural Softball League (6pm) SNHU Buddies Carnival Night (6p) Weekly Bingo (8pm) 9/22 Campus Rec Beach Volleyball League (5pm) Thursday Karaoke (8pm) 9/23 Chuckster’s CAPE (3:30pm) Treat Yourself like Gold (7pm) Radio SNHU presents Karaoke (9pm) 9/24 HRMSA & HIMSA Game Night! (8pm) 9/26 Campus Rec Flag Football League 9/27 Campus Rec Intramural Softball League (6pm) Field Hockey vs. Bentley (6pm) Volleyball vs. St. Michael’s (7pm) Book Club Monthly Meeting (7:30pm) 9/28 Women’s Soccer vs. St. Michael’s (6pm) Campus Rec Intramural Softball League (6pm) Weekly Bingo (8pm) 9/29 Campus Rec Beach Volleyball League (5pm) Thursday Karaoke (8pm) 9/30 Field Hockey vs. Pace (6pm) 10/1 Volleyball vs. Southern CT (4pm) Deerfield Fair (5pm)

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LETTERS FROM THE

EDITORS

The Time to Make Campus Feel Like Home is Now The Penmen Press People often grow up aspiring to attend their dream college; the place where they belong. Between watching movies and reading books, people envision themselves in place of the characters living the ‘perfect’ college experience. However, expectations were marred over the past few years.

Despite the setbacks, the SNHU community overcame every obstacle and now has a chance for a fresh start.

As incoming and returning students begin a new school year, the SNHU community must come together to create a home and establish a strong community on campus.

Resident Life For many, part of the college experience involves living in a dorm.

Students fantasize about how they will decorate, who they’ll invite over, and overall, how to make it their own.

Dorms become a sanctuary, a place to study, and a hub; but especially, they become a second home to many during their time away from loved ones.

Living on campus can feel like being in a bubble, cut off from the outside world. However, residents are not limited to campus. Students residing on campus have the freedom to explore places they never have seen.

A good home is made of cherished stories and genuine connections. For residents to make memories with their peers, they need to be provided with

opportunities to go off campus. Local activities help students form bonds and branch out beyond their personal borders.

Life contains a balance of routine and spontaneity. It’s in the moments of breaking free from a typical day where people find inspiration. This can drive a student to excel in their education.

There is more to see beyond the campus boundaries; new adventures await. In the end, the fabric woven by the SNHU community can only grow so long as there are more stories to be told.

Commuter Life Unlike student residents, commuters travel from near and far every day to go to class and return home.

Time management is a balancing act for commuters. By late afternoon, many have returned home or to their off-campus jobs. Between traveling to and from campus, attending classes, completing assignments, and taking care of outside obligations, there is limited time for extracurriculars and campus activities. This can isolate commuters from the rest of the campus population, leading to a college experience seemingly less grandeur than those living on campus.

Participation outside of class is the key to meeting new people, something that commuters don’t always have access to. Additionally, it

helps students discover new interests.

Hosting accessible events and holding organization meetings at universal times can make campus feel more inclusive.

The SNHU campus community is an eclectic group of different backgrounds and stories, but everyone is on the same team: Team Penmen.

The difference-maker in choosing to stay on campus or return home is the desire to be recognized as a member of the SNHU community.

Events College is for experimenting and meeting new people as much as it is for building and refining skills for a chosen career path. Success doesn’t only come with hard work, but equally in times of simply enjoying life. People say, “work hard, play hard,” however; this cannot be fulfilled with all “work” and no “play.”

From BINGO night hosted by CAPE to Radio SNHU’s Karaoke night, there’s an event for everyone to participate in. Activities get students through stressful times, while also helping them create connections with their peers. Campus becomes more enjoyable when students can take a break from being adults and find their inner youth.

SNHU hosts events for entertainment and provides students with educational experiences. The Career Fair is held every semester

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to assist students in their life paths following college. In-person career fairs allow students to develop their professional network, gain experiences, and build connections. Attending such events can help students feel more prepared following their time in college.

While campus has a plethora of opportunities to offer, students have to be willing to take part in them. With normalcy within arm’s reach, hosting more in-person events can help students loosen up, build confidence, and establish a stronger campus community.

Students need the chance to put themselves out there to find their interests and highlight their skills.

Learning and having new experiences don’t only occur in a classroom; there is more to learn out in the world if given the chance.

Campus Offerings People habitually gravitate toward areas that are more popular, such as the Last Chapter Pub. The Pub is where students let loose and meet up with friends between adult responsibilities.

Some other areas on campus are meant for student use, but lack in attendance due to limited offerings.

The fireplace area in the library was once frequented by students; however, the adjoining cafe remained closed after students returned to campus. Now, the space is emptier than years past because students don’t have a reason to visit. To bring more people back to spaces like the library commons, they need to be provided with amenities that make it feel warmer and lived in.

Bringing back the cafe can create a homier environment, as students tend to need breaks between study sessions. These breaks typically involve forms of caffeine, because as all college students know, doing homework requires energy and the ability to remain awake.

Another location on campus that lacked foot traffic is what once was the McIninch Art Gallery located in Robert Frost. As mentioned in a previous Penmen Press article, the new purpose of the space is to reflect SNHU. This decision has the potential to be viable so long as the voices of SNHU contribute. Everyone has a story to tell that can touch others. In order to bring students to the new showcase, highlighting it and demonstrating support can build interest.

Expression of thoughts and emotions evokes inspiration, which can

motivate students in the midst of their studies. Seeing different perspectives across campus can not only benefit in expanding a student’s knowledge, but help them feel closer to their peers.

Conclusion Now is the time for the SNHU community to decide how the school year will proceed. There’s a lot that students have to say. The only way to give their voices meaning is by being willing to listen.

Everything SNHU has to offer to students in the journey to the rest of their lives is with the intention to help them make the most of their time in college. This goal is equally engrained in how everyone works together to make campus life the best it can be.

To many, college is a time for broadening horizons academically and socially. However, college doesn’t last forever. It’s a time for students to try new things, take risks, and live their lives to the fullest.

The world goes on outside of a screen and being on campus is for making memories. More than anything, it’s the SNHU community that can help to make campus feel like a home away from home.

SNHU Stone Wall. (image courtesy: Taylor Posik)

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President LeBlanc’s Vision for the 2022-2023 Academic Year Chris Tutt Co-Editor-in-Chief With a new school year rapidly approaching for the SNHU community, there are many questions regarding how this academic year will run.

Paul LeBlanc, President of SNHU, expresses his optimism about the upcoming school year. However, SNHU has not seen a traditional year since the 2018-2019 academic year.

After multiple years of uncertainty, it is unclear what students should expect.

“We all know that it has been a weird couple of years, and I think our main goal for this coming fall is, how do we get back to some sense of normalcy, asking ourselves ‘what does normalcy look like,’ and what do our students most need from us given what they’ve been through the last couple of years,” said LeBlanc.

“Normal” was once an easy word to define, but over the course of the pandemic, the meaning has been lost.

“I don’t think the standard for us can be ‘pre-COVID,’” said LeBlanc. “I think there is a lot of what life looked like pre-COVID that we’d like to get back to if possible. I would love a whole year without anyone thinking about a mask if they didn’t have to...I also don’t think we can go back to a pre-COVID ‘normal,’ but we can go back to being a healthy community.

Healthy in terms of the pandemic; healthy in terms of our dialogue and our discussion; healthy in terms of our sense of safety; and healthy in terms of being able to take better care of our students.”

While COVID is on the decline, the risk of spread is still relevant.

LeBlanc hopes to learn from the past to better accommodate students who become infected.

“We’re not entirely out of the pandemic. We might argue that we’re

in the endemic stage, which means that people can still be at risk,” said LeBlanc. “We have hospitals around the country that [have] more patients hospitalized with [the] flu than COVID. I think that there is a new awareness of how to take care of people who are more at risk than we might be and we’ll need to stay conscious of what it means to be in a community, which is to remain conscious of what others need from us.”

Mental Health Data over the past two years regarding mental health has gone in a negative direction. LeBlanc looks to keep those in the SNHU community out of that category.

“I really worry about the emotional and mental health of students across the country, and that’s backed up by the research data,” said LeBlanc. “If you’re struggling, tell someone. The students who struggle the most, and worry the most, are the ones that often shut down, and disappear from the community.”

LeBlanc emphasized the need for SNHU to be a safe space for discussion and opposing views.

“I think that if we can go a whole year without once thinking of social distancing and those policies, then I think I would be relieved, and I believe everyone else would be relieved,” said LeBlanc. “I don’t want to be nostalgic about a pre-COVID time, but I would like to get back to a time where we are united, have a stronger sense of community, and a sense of making actual progress.”

College Experience The college experience is individual to every student, and

LeBlanc wants each one to thrive in their endeavors on campus.

“It is very cliché, but like at all colleges, you get out what you put in; so, when I say to be an advocate for yourself, it means seek out those great opportunities and when you need help. Don’t be afraid to ask, don’t wait for someone else to notice,” said LeBlanc.

Like any college, SNHU is unique in the opportunities that it provides its students. However, what differentiates a successful student from the rest is up to the students themselves.

“To be a successful student at SNHU, and I would say this about being a student at any other campus, is to be a proactive advocate for yourself,” said LeBlanc. “We work really hard to offer a broad array of opportunities, supports, and services.

Our most successful students seek those out, take advantage of the offerings, and wring every ounce of value they can out of their SNHU experience.”

In SNHU’s diverse community, there are many perks that students have access to, and LeBlanc yearns for students to use them.

“The ultimate goal, and we have stated this now for some time, is that we want to be a place where any student, in any SNHU program, has seamless access to everything we offer... In a perfect world, you would be able to take from us what you most need, in the best combination possible. We are also trying to find other ways to lower the cost to students,” said LeBlanc.

Education SNHU is widely viewed as an online institute; it is the largest university in America in terms of

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enrollment. While this is beneficial to SNHU’s brand, there are still students who thrive in an in-person environment. LeBlanc assures that in-person learning will remain and continue to grow.

“There are some students who really should never take an online course because they thrive and do their best in the structured, face-toface, environment,” said LeBlanc.

“There is an immediate accountability with face-to-face learning that is useful to many people.”

Education has been shifting for many years. LeBlanc invites that change and looks for SNHU to adapt to the changing world.

“Historically, higher [education] has been one-size-fits-all,” said LeBlanc. “The next generation of learning in America will be much

more student-centered. The reality is if you came to SNHU 20 years ago, and all were Communication majors, your experience would’ve been largely the same... I think the model of the future will be that we are not one-size-fits-all.”

As a leader in education, LeBlanc has the opportunity to converse with like-minded individuals. In fact, his latest travels have proven to him that times are changing.

“It’s interesting, I have been traveling a lot for business,” said LeBlanc. “The observation that I have made in conferences is that people are engaging again in the ways they did pre-Covid... I want to keep all my fingers and toes crossed [so] that we don’t see a dangerous variant. Also, remember that much of the world is lagging behind in vaccines, and when

that’s the case, they become the breeding grounds for new variants. It is in our collective best interest to get vaccines and antivirals out to every part of the planet.”

Conclusion With hopes of a successful school year, LeBlanc’s vision is in line with student success and the SNHU community that grows together.

“With a little bit of luck, people can look forward to feeling like we’re back to the way we used to be. I will observe the following, and these are not ‘buts,’ these are ‘ands,’ and the ‘and’ is that we’re going to have to learn to be with each other again after, for a lot of people, two years of a loss of socialization. We will need to practice patience and kindness.”

SNHU President, Paul LeBlanc, envisions progress for the upcoming school year. (image courtesy: Gil Talbot)

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Applications for the Student Government Association Are Now Open Ryan Barrett Online Manager The Student Government Association (SGA) is an organization that represents the best interest of students on campus. They do this through shared governance, sound fiscal policy, beneficial services, and leadership.

According to the SGA website, “...members take the suggestions, comments, and concerns that are voiced by students like you and make appropriate changes to our campus whenever possible. Whether it is an alteration of judicial policies, an improvement in a residence hall, or providing more environmentallyfriendly takeout options in the Dining Center - all of the changes we have made have been based on what students have spoken up about.”

SGA also runs the on-campus event rewards system known as Penmen Pride. Students can attend events to earn points for prizes at the end of the semester.

“This program enhances school spirit within our student body by implementing incentives for students to attend events. By having your event be a Penmen Pride event, you can look forward to students showing up excited to attend. Penmen Pride is just one of the ways that the Student Government Association builds student community spirit by creating a common goal among all SNHU students - to earn points, and win prizes!” the SGA website stated.

Organizations can register their events for students to earn Penmen Pride points. A list of Penmen Pride events can be found on the calendar on their website.

SGA will be hosting many events this fall, such as their annual

Celebration of Light event held during the holiday season. Additionally, SGA offers co-sponsorships to help other clubs with funding or volunteers for events. Funding for clubs to attend conferences is available as well.

Currently, the Student Government Association has open positions. Elections will be taking place this fall during the fourth week of the semester on September 20, 21, and 22. Applications to run for senate are due no later than Friday,

September 9. Applications can be found on their website: snhusga. org. Meetings will take place every Tuesday at 5:00 pm in the Green Center, room 102A. Students can contact sga@ snhu.edu or visit their office located in the Student Center, room 115, with questions. Announcements and additional information can be found on the following social media: Facebook @snhusga1, Twitter @ snhustudentgov, and Instagram @ snhusga.

Logo of the Student Government Association. (image courtesy: Ryan Barrett)

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School of International Engagement Dissolved and Services Transitioned Taylor Posik Co-Editor-in-Chief SNHU executives made the decision to dissolve the School of International Engagement (SIE) and integrate its services into other campus departments.

“The services embedded in [the School of International Engagement] are not being eliminated,” said Don Brezinski, Executive Vice President on Campus. “It’s more of a functional alignment in where offices can best be served.”

The three areas initially under the School of International Engagement included International Student Services (ISS), Study Abroad, and International Recruitment.

“Putting international students services under the student affairs team...strikes me as culturally and operationally making a lot of sense. The Study Abroad is more... academic..., so we put it under the Learner Engagement and Academic Innovation [department],” said Brezinski. “[For] International Recruitment, they’re recruiting students as an admissions function. We’ve aligned that up with existing marketing and admission functions.”

International Student Services SNHU executives observed correlating services and experiences for international and domestic students and reintegrated International Student Services with Student Affairs.

“The International Student Service specifically fits under Student Affairs because...it will provide a better student experience,” said Heather Lorenz, Vice President for Student Affairs and Campus-Based Initiatives. “I think there’s an opportunity to integrate the international students with the domestic students more seamlessly.”

Optical Practical Training (OPT)

will also continue to be available. OPT is “tracking down their employment, making sure their visas [are] up to date.” Other resources initially offered will also remain available.

“Our goal is to respond to their needs so I can imagine that is how we support them will evolve,” Lorenz said. “I think it will benefit [international students] because [it] will be a more holistic support system.”

SNHU is looking to grow its international population. According to Lorenz, international students were having a difficult time obtaining visas and weren’t able to come to the U.S. “We used to have a lot more students on campus that were international, both graduate and undergraduate,” Lorenz said.

“Our job as a team is to constantly assess what a student needs, pivot, make a change to better support their experience,” Lorenz said.

International students in need of assistance can now contact Student Affairs at studentaffairs@snhu.edu.

Study Abroad The Study Abroad program will still offer the same experiences that it has in the past.

One option students can participate in is the virtual international exchange.

“We started [it] during the pandemic and...we still found creative ways to work with colleges and students and other places to build in some community,” said Lynn MurrayChandler, Assistant Vice President of Learner Engagement and Academic Innovation.

Short-term trips will also be available to students. Faculty-advised trips last within a range of fifteen days to eight weeks. “Our goal is to offer a lot more of them,” Murray-Chandler

said. “As long as we have students who want to go on these trips, then we can keep adding [destinations].”

Students can continue to take part in study away trips, which can last between one semester and a full school year. The study abroad program currently offers over 160 international and domestic locations.

Credits can also be earned during study away. Murray-Chandler recommends that students interested in studying abroad meet with their advisors and determine what courses will go toward their program evaluation.

Short-term trips will offer one extra credit to “students who might not have room in their schedule to take the three-credit course but still want to go on the trip,” Murray-Chandler said.

An applicable scholarship for study abroad is the LeBlanc Finland Travel scholarship. “[President LeBlanc and Pat Finland] have been continually investing in this scholarship fund that allows students to get their airfare paid for on trips,” Murray-Chandler said. The LeBlanc Finland Travel scholarship is applicable to short-term trips as well as study away trips.

Financial aid is also available for study away trips. Students can contact Student Financial Services (sfscampus@snhu.edu) to address their financial needs.

The Study Abroad office is now located in the library, room 222.

Students with additional questions regarding Study Abroad can contact studyabroad@snhu.edu.

International Recruitment International Recruitment became part of admission services to create a cleaner and more accessible structure for student support.

“These two teams were both...

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working with the students together, so they had multiple points of contact, and that was the structure that was really unique to international; it’s not how we’ve traditionally served our domestic students,” said Tim Whittum, Associate Vice President of Campus Admissions.

The restructure occurred to establish a “more robust communication plan.”

“There were some problems with the older structure within International... and the way students were being serviced,” Whittum said.

There has been an increase in admissions from international students,

according to Whittum. Graduate students dominate admissions, but undergraduate student interest continues to rise. “I’m optimistic that the trends that we’re seeing will continue to increase in terms of demand enrollments, country diversity, but I also suspect that we have some continued work internally to really achieve the goals that we set out to achieve,” Whittum said.

“For the fall term...we’re going to fill every available seat in the IT program.

We’re working to...move [students] to a future term,” Whittum said. “We’re

working swiftly to maximize how many students we can bring in and support.”

SNHU is working to expand its range of international students. The goal is to “bring more diverse students with a broader range of cultural values and experiences,” Whittum said.

“I’m excited to see how it evolves,” said Whittum. “I would like to see us continue growth...diversify where students are coming from...find ways to improve the experience for them, and make sure they’re really getting the absolute best degree of service and support possible.”

SNHU Unveils New Logo Chris Tutt Co-Editor-in-Chief On August 11, the SNHU community received an email from SNHU President, Paul LeBlanc, stating that the university will be introducing a new logo. The change was made following a survey that was sent out to the SNHU community in the Fall 2021 semester.

“Our new logo incorporates feedback from students, faculty, staff, and alumni, as well as external research. It reflects the richness of our past to celebrate history and tradition while introducing a modern, forwardthinking look and feel,” said LeBlanc.

In the email, LeBlanc explains the decision and how it will improve the university as a whole. “Since we adopted our current logo, we’ve undergone great change as an

organization, and now it’s time to update our look to match,” said LeBlanc.

This project has been in the works for some time now, resulting in the change of SNHU’s identity.

“Our logo represents who we are, what we stand for, and where we’re headed – a diverse, innovative, mission-driven university dedicated to increasing the amount of equity, opportunity, and hope in the world,” said the university in a message provided by Siobhan Lopez, Assistant Director of Media Relations.

During the logo revamp project, the university invested millions into its in-house “visual identity” change. “Our visual identity work is a multimilliondollar effort spanning the course

of more than four years,” said the university.

“This visual identity was designed by our in-house creative and brand teams in marketing following extensive research and feedback from SNHU students, employees, and alumni to ensure it aligns with the feelings, experiences, and expectations of the SNHU community. We are taking a thoughtful, budget-conscious approach to implementing our new visual ID throughout the next year,” said the university.

Though SNHU changed its main logo, the Penmen insignia will remain for the foreseeable future. “We are proud of our history and have no plans to make any changes to our Penmen logo,” said the university.

New SNHU logo. (image courtesy: SNHU Marketing Team)

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New Date for Senior Trip Causes Concerns For Students Chris Tutt Co-Editor-in-Chief SNHU seniors have the opportunity to celebrate their achievements at the “happiest place on Earth” after years of hard work, dedication, and unexpected global challenges. In the past, the senior class trip occurred after classes wrapped up for the spring semester, however, SNHU moved it up to Spring Break. While this trip is open to all oncampus seniors, there is one group that will be left out.

As a part of the School of Education and the Teacher Certification Program, Education students at SNHU are required to complete a full year of student teaching at a local school. These schools operate on a different schedule than SNHU, meaning student-teachers don’t have the same breaks as other SNHU students.

Amber Dee (‘23), who will be student-teaching this school year, expressed her disappointment in SNHU’s decision to move the trip up.

“I was initially confused because I knew that SNHU had traditionally done the trip in May,” said Dee. “Then I was even more confused when I realized that the trip was not inclusive to Education majors.”

In an email sent to Dee, the Office of Student Involvement stated, “Unfortunately, the Disney trip that we advertised is the only trip that we have for seniors.”

“SNHU is giving Education majors an ultimatum; we either continue our commitment to our education by student-teaching, or we take an unexcused leave from our classrooms and education that we prioritize and spend so much time and resources on,” said Dee. According to the Office of Student Involvement, SNHU’s decision to change the trip was based on cost

and that their hands were tied.

“Airline costs during our usual week are astronomical,” said the Office of Student Involvement. “The trip would cost students more than $2,000; that just isn’t reasonable.

Winter break is too short, and students have other commitments and want to be with family, so it left us with the only other option which would be Spring Break. The option we were presented with was to host the Senior Trip that week or not host it at all.”

The Office of Student Involvement pointed out that Education students not being able to go is disappointing, but that there are always groups that miss out.

“We’ve always had students who are unable to attend for one reason or another: student-athletes, those still away for Study Abroad, internships, those that receive job offers with earlier start dates, etc. No timing is going to be perfect, but this is the best option for the most number of students to be able to attend the trip,” said the Office of Student Involvement.

“Some students choose to plan Spring Break trips so this will hopefully provide them with an alternative option to what they might have been thinking anyways. Our office also has communicated with

the School of Education in order to help their plan for accommodations for student teachers in an effort to support students being able to attend; however, there will unfortunately never be a perfect time to plan the trip for all students,” said the Office of Student Involvement.

Dee noted that her peers share the same dissatisfaction with this decision and that it has affected many within the School of Education.

“At this point, I know of many other Education students that were upset, including myself, because this is a trip where the seniors get together and celebrate our accomplishments and enjoy some time with the people we’ve spent our years at SNHU with, but now this trip eliminates the possibility for Education majors to go [at all],” said Dee. Going forward, Dee has a message for SNHU to reciprocate the idea of being inclusive to all those around them.

“A message I have for the SNHU administration: as educators, we are expected to teach future generations to be inclusive and fair to all their peers, yet the administration feels that it is okay to overlook us as a part of our senior class in such a memorable experience,” said Dee.

Space Mountain at Walt Disney World in Bay Lake, Florida. (image courtesy: Julia Almonte)

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Things to SNHU: Club Events Christopher Kelly Layout Editor With a new semester comes the beginning of many students’ college experiences. Without the familiarity of old friends and family, it can be difficult to adjust to a new environment.

Clubs on campus are a great way to ease the transition into university.

There are plenty of clubs offering different experiences that help students meet others with similar interests.

Most club events are open to everyone regardless of membership status. Some even offer Penmen Pride points to use toward prizes at the end of the semester.

For students who may not be interested in joining clubs, SNHU hosts various out-of-class events for students to attend. There are two campus organizations that host events throughout the year: CAPE and the Student Government Association (SGA).

CAPE handles many memorable

events, such as their annual concerts and Big Money Bingo. This semester, they will be hosting new events like Travel Truth Tuesday and Free Money Game Show.

Traveling Treat Tuesday will offer students the chance to try international sweets and test their knowledge of world trivia for a prize.

Meanwhile, Free Money Game Show will provide students the opportunity to earn up to $100 in cash.

“What I’m really trying to get out of that week is to have students meet other students...that they usually wouldn’t meet and that are maybe a less represented part of the student body like international students or athletic students,” said CAPE President Nick Gannon (‘23).

“I’m [going to] try to facilitate those opportunities to have some fun and get [people] out of their shell for the first week.”

Moreover, SGA is the voice of the student body. According to

President Stephanie Matte (‘23), “We are trying to build up our suggestion system again. We’re really trying to get people, our senators...and our executive board members [in particular], back out into our community and having conversations with folks to have those personal relationships so people don’t feel like they’re filling out an online forum.”

SGA has two events at the beginning of the year. One event is the Sunset Social outside of New Castle Hall on September 20, where people can get food and socialize with a view.

The second event is a collaboration between SGA and CAPE to play “Spiderman: No Way Home” on the Green Space on September 2. Students can also participate in the raffle being hosted afterward.

For more information on upcoming events, check out the SNHU Events Calendar on MySNHU.

CAPE and SGA Offices. (image courtesy: Emily Blais)

14 | A&E and Opinion

A&E & Opinion

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Get Ready to Sing at CAPE and Radio SNHU’s Karaoke Night Taylor Posik Co-Editor-in-Chief SNHU campus organizations CAPE and Radio SNHU are set to co-host the first karaoke night of the school year. It will occur in the Last Chapter Pub (the Pub) on Monday, August 29 at 8pm.

Karaoke night has always been a hit in the SNHU community, according to CAPE President, Nicholas Gaston (‘23). Past events brought a near-full house as everyone went to sing and cheer on their friends.

From pop-rock songs like Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believing” (1981) to show tunes like “You’re the One That I Want” from “Grease” (1978), the song choices are near-limitless.

“Students love to come and

listen to students or participate in the singing, making it an [enjoyable] environment for everyone,” said Gaston. “Students can expect a fun and community-like environment.”

Performing isn’t required, however, all students are encouraged to join the scene. “Students don’t have to come to sing at all; they can just enjoy the Pub and be a spectator if they choose to,” said Gaston.

Students interested in getting up on stage can sign up with the song they choose. They may also elect to fly solo or perform in a group.

“I guess my advice would be to bring some courage and confidence because it is fun to go up and sing.

Maybe the crowd will even start singing along,” said Gaston.

Karaoke night offers students a sense of togetherness as people bond over their favorite tunes. It’s where students can loosen up and go beyond their comfort zones.

“I am hoping with this event, it will be a great way for new students and returning students to grow out of their shells and try something different. To me this event is a great way for students to meet each other and get to know each other through the love of music,” said Gaston.

CAPE will be holding their general member meetings every Monday in The Last Chapter Pub from 6-7 pm starting September 12.

Radio SNHU general meetings will occur Tuesdays at 3:30 in Robert Frost, room 314.

A CAPE and Radio SNHU event last spring. (image courtesy: Jazmyne Concannon)

16 | Lifestyle

Lifestyle

The Penmen Press | 17

Opportunities Offered at the Involvement Fair Adam Dufault Sports Editor SNHU will be holding its biannual Involvement Fair on the Green Space on Wednesday, September 7 from 12 to 3 pm. This event is held every semester and gives students the opportunity to branch out and meet new people, find a sport, club, or an on-campus job.

College is widely known for its academic opportunities and community-building. The Assistant Director of the Office of Student Involvement, Nicole Gregory, discussed the Involvement Fair’s significance in prior years and why students should consider attending.

“Every club and organization, as well as our club sports and some of our campus offices, will have a table at the event where they

can give information about their club, organization, or office,” said Gregory.

In years past, the Involvement Fair has proven to be a beneficial event both academically and socially for students.

“I think the biggest benefit is to get involved. On average, at SNHU…students who get involved have a higher overall GPA than students who are not involved in any way,” said Gregory.

While perusing the approximation of seventy-five tables at the Involvement Fair, students may sign up for as many clubs and organizations as they’d like to keep their options open. However, students are not required to commit

to any specific one.

“I think that some students are like, ‘Oh I don’t want to put my email down because I don’t want to commit,’ [but] you’re not really committing to anything other than getting outreached by the club or organization,” said Gregory.

The Involvement Fair is a significant way to meet new people, get out there, and have the college experience on campus that many students wish for.

“I always recommend students going to the Involvement Fair. I think it’s impossible to know everything that’s going on [around] campus,” said Gregory. “Even if you learn one new thing that day, I think it’s important to know more.”

Fall Student Involvement Fair, 2021. (image courtesy: Taylor Posik)

18 | Lifestyle

Internships Are A Career-Building Investment Jon Boroshok Faculty Adviser As the fall semester begins and students settle into classes, there is still time to find an internship for credit, pay, or if really lucky, both.

Internships have become increasingly important for finding a job after graduation. In today’s competitive job market, having at least one relevant internship is often a requirement to qualify for an entrylevel role. Even sophomore year isn’t too soon to start gaining work experience related to one’s major.

SNHU’s Career and Professional Development Center (CDC) is a great starting point for help with resumes and searching for internships.

Located in the Gustafson Center, the CDC offers appointments, walkin hours, and professional staff experienced in helping students.

The sooner a student begins working with CDC, the more assistance and opportunities they’ll receive.

Another great internship resource for students is the professors in their majors. As students and professors get to know each other through class participation and informal networking during office hours, professors can share their industry knowledge and

contacts with students.

Many professors are more than happy to unofficially mentor and guide students toward their career paths; however, students need to proactively reach out to professors.

Some internships require students to earn academic credit, while others offer a paid role. Market conditions and demand for certain majors often impact whether internships are paid or not.

Location is also a factor; there are more opportunities for students who will travel to Boston than those who limit themselves geographically.

It helps to think of the sacrifice made now as a long-term career investment.

According to Chance Clutter, a Career Advisor in the CDC, internship opportunities are posted on HANDSHAKE, an online job board that posts internship and job opportunities for undergraduate, graduate, and online students. To log into Handshake, go to: http://snhu. joinhandshake.com.

Students can also find and secure internships directly through an organization’s website, job board, or

the student’s own network.

Clutter and his colleague, Tracy Micali, review all SNHU student experiences to ensure they warrant academic credit. They can also help students and prospective employers set up a formal internship.

A typical internship earns three academic credits and requires 150 hours of work time during the semester. These credits usually count as free electives, but other configurations are possible.

Students doing an internship for credit can also enroll in an internship class, so it’s important to start the process before the end of the course add/drop period.

Non-credit paid internships have a more flexible schedule and do not require an internship course. On a resume, there is almost no difference between the two internship formats.

Time is of the essence, as internships are competitive and registration closes soon. For more information, students can reach out to their professors, drop by the SNHU Career and Professional Development Center, or visit the CDC website.

The Gustafson Center. (image courtesy: Chris Tutt)

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SNHU’s “Hidden Gem” on Campus: The Commuter Lounge Taylor Posik Co-Editor-in-Chief The SNHU community is in the midst of a new school year, once again bringing the campus back to life. Students reunite and regular hangouts on campus become lively again throughout the progression of the semester.

The one hangout space that commuter students can call theirs is the commuter lounge located in the Student Center: a place that many call a “hidden gem” on campus.

It offers commuters a quaint and welcoming environment during downtime on campus. From game tournaments to storytelling, the commuter lounge creates comradery and mutual respect between peers.

“The commuter lounge offers a fun, unique, and accepting space for any kind of commuter student at SNHU,” said Commuter Lounge Manager and SNHU alumni, Lucas Frazier (‘22).

“What I enjoy most about the commuter lounge is the people.

Everyone in the lounge knows one another. When you walk in, you are always walking into friends and familiar faces,” Frazier said.

Amenities offered in the lounge include a refrigerator, microwave, and Keurig. In addition, students can utilize the computers, TV, and Nintendo Switch during their visit.

The commuter lounge also has giveaways such as lip balm, first-aid kits, and reusable water bottles.

Flecks of personality found in the commuter lounge are the bulletin board’s “Cheesy Quote of the Week” and wall decorations.

However, it’s the people that make the commuter lounge what it is.

“The atmosphere is very chill.

With each student who comes in, they add their own touch [of energy],” Frazier said. “You never know what will be in store when you enter.”

Every semester, a week is dedicated to all commuters: Commuter Appreciation Week.

Offerings throughout the week include massage sessions, deliveries from Mr. Macs and Puritan, and various art projects.

The commuter lounge also takes part in the annual door decorating contest hosted by SGA during the holiday season. Last year, the commuter lounge had the honor of winning in the category, “Adherence to Theme.”

“As manager, I have seen the commuter lounge grow into an amazing place on campus. All the people and activities make it a truly amazing place. I hope to make the lounge grow not only in people but [in] what it has to offer,” Frazier said.

For many, the commuter lounge is the place to be. It’s where students can work on homework, relax, and make memories.

“I hope that all the commuters of SNHU decide to come check it out and make some more amazing memories in the hidden gem that [is] the commuter lounge.”

The Commuter Lounge, located in the Student Center. (image courtesy: Emily Blais)

20 | Lifestyle

SNHU Guide to Campus Functions Lillian Nelson Lifestyle Editor Being a new student at a new place can be overwhelming, especially when not knowing where things are or how they work.

Below are some helpful places around campus as well as some good things to know for the future.

Campus Safety The Public Safety office is located near the library in the Morrissey House.

Their hours of operation are Monday through Friday from 8am-4:30pm; however, the office is staffed 24/7, year-round.

Located across campus are poles with blue lights. Students that feel unsafe can find the nearest blue light and press the emergency button to receive assistance from Public Safety.

Further, students should make sure to walk in a group when uncertain about their surroundings and to ask for help when needed.

More information about campus safety can be found in the article, “Staying Safe on Campus,” on the Penmen Press website, which goes into depth about SNHUs campus safety.

Students can reach Public Safety at (603) 645-9700, or publicsafety@snhu. edu.

Academic Advising The Green Center located next to the Student Center houses the Academic Advising Office in suite 116.

Students can find their advisor on the dashboard of the MySNHU front page.

Students are required to meet with their advisors at least once every semester. Academic advisor meetings can be used to address any academic or college-life concerns.

Academic Advisor, Kathryn Petto, discussed what students should know about advising.

“A few of the main things an

Academic Advisor can assist you with are; planning courses, course registration, scheduling tutoring, time management and study habits, prepping for tough conversations, and providing guidance in the transition to college life,” said Petto.

“We’re here to support you academically and cheer you on personally. We are here to help you succeed and we genuinely want what is in your best interest,” said Petto.

Students are recommended to make an appointment to connect with their Academic Advisor within the first three to four weeks of the Fall semester.

Shapiro Library The Shapiro Library has three floors, each offering desktop computers, work tables, and seating areas for students to use.

The library has a quiet floor designated for students who need a silent environment, along with a floor for students doing collaborative work or quietly socializing with friends.

Alternatively, students can book a study room for individual or collaborative work. Study rooms are located on the first through the third floor of the library.

To book a study room, students should set a reservation of time and room in advance online at the Shapiro Library page under the study room tab.

For additional questions, contact the front desk at the library.

Students with computer troubles can visit the IT desk located on the first floor. IT can help students with a variety of problems, including WiFi connection, virus removal, and updates to hardware as well as installs and upgrades.

More information about the IT desk can be found on the SNHU library webpage, libanswers.snhu.edu Also on the first floor of the library is the Makerspace, which houses several

rooms with various purposes. Christine Keenan, Innovation Lab Manager, discussed the Makerspace and what is available to students. “[The Makerspace has] an amazing team that is very good at helping to brainstorm and walk you through projects of interest,” said Keenan September is full of events such as Lego Night on September 15, along with “Make Your Own Keychain” on September 17.

Free hours are also available. There is no charge for the Makerspace. Any student can work at any of the tables, try out the 3D printers, or utilize the paint room. The Makerspace is in the process of expanding its paint bar and heat press.

Keenan encourages people to come in and try something new, assuring that someone will always be there to help out.

The Innovation Lab is being turned into a community room with couches, Legos, and a write-on wall. Next to the Innovation Lab is the studio, which hosts a podcast area. It can be used to practice a speech or record a podcast.

Offerings include backdrops and photography tools such as tripods.

Walk-in hours are 10am-6pm on weekdays. For any questions or concerns, reach out to c.keenan1@ snhu.edu or s.saia@snhu.edu.

For students struggling with classes, tutoring is available. Ashley Liadis, Director of the Wolak Learning Center, offers students insight on the option of peer tutoring on campus.

“We offer drop-in tutoring in a variety of courses: one-to-one tutoring by request, and…class-embedded tutors in select classes where peer support will be available in (and out) of class,” said Liadis.

Students can log in to MySNHU and select Campus Academic Support to access assistance and view the complete drop-in tutoring schedule. Tutoring begins on Tuesday,

The Penmen Press | 21

September 6 in the Wolak Learning Center, located on the second floor of the library.

Students with additional questions can contact wolaklearningcenter@ snhu.edu.

Class and Brightspace The academic buildings on campus are as followed: SETA, the Hospitality Center, Robert Frost Hall, Belknap Hall, the Academic Center, Webster Hall, the Engineering Annex, and Madison House. Alternatively, built-in classrooms are located in the Kingston and Monadnock residence halls.

Students have three unexcused absences from class before they can be removed from the course.

Students use Brightspace to access and submit assignments, for which the website is linked on MySNHU. The Pulse app can be downloaded to do so as well. “[My] biggest advice would [be] to not be afraid to ask questions, and [to] go to office hours if you need extra help,” said Penny McNees (‘24).

Student Center Located across from Robert Frost

Hall and next to the Green Center is the Student Center. The Student Center is the home of many campus and organization offices.

Inside is the Bookstore, where students can get their textbooks or purchase school supplies and SNHU merchandise.

The Student Center also has the Penmen Place, which has a café and mini supermarket inside. Students that visit can grab a coffee or select grocery items.

Students can access the mail room immediately inside the Student Center, where they can find their lockers to receive mail.

For leisure, students can visit the Commuter Lounge or The Last Chapter Pub. The Pub offers alcohol for students who are 21 and older, as well as non-alcoholic drinks.

In the back of the Student Center is the Wellness Center, which is available to all students. The Wellness Center is a licensed Health Center in New Hampshire. Offerings include the CARE team and counseling services.

Stress and burnout are expected with new changes, especially during the first year. Help is always available and is confidential for students.

More information about the

Wellness Center is available on the SNHU website under student services.

Dining Dollars and Penmen Cash In the Dining hall and Penmen Place, students can use dining dollars.

Dining dollars come from the selected Meal Plan and cannot be added to.

Penmen Cash is another set amount of money that can be reloaded.

Students can put as much or as little money into their account as they desire, and refill it as needed. Students use Penmen Cash in the Dining Hall or Penmen Place, as well as to pay for laundry services. Laundry cannot be done without it.

Final Thoughts Students new to campus should look to follow a routine that balances school and socialization so work doesn’t pile up. Above are just some of the things that are going to be helpful to have a strong start to freshman year.

Being a freshman can be scary and can be a lot to take in. SNHU staff and faculty are here to help with any questions or concerns.

For additional information, log into my.snhu.edu.

The sign at the south entrance at the Student Center. (image courtesy: Emily Blais)

22 | Sports

Sports

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SNHU Athletics Looks to 2022-2023 After Winning Presidents’ Cup Chris Tutt Co-Editor-in-Chief The 2021-2022 school year was one for the athletic program’s history books. As a whole, SNHU athletes, teams, and coaches earned countless awards that stood out in comparison to rival NE10 schools. Collectively, SNHU had four teams earn NE10 regular season championships, two teams earn NE10 conference championships, multiple teams earn national recognition, and six coaches who earned NE10 Coach of the Year honors.

Success across all sports earned athletics their first Presidents’ Cup in SNHU history. The Presidents’ Cup is a coveted prize in the NE10 that recognizes program success as opposed to individual team success.

“The Presidents’ Cup is presented annually to signify overall athletic excellence in the NE10. It is awarded to the institution that compiles the most cumulative points based on finishes in the regular-season standings from all of its programs competing in league championships,” according to SNHU Athletics.

Anthony Fallacaro, Director of Athletics, noted the importance of this achievement and how it took every team in the program.

“It’s an incredible achievement,” said Fallacaro. “It’s one of those [moments] that is extra meaningful because it [encompasses] the entire program; every single team that we have got points on how well they did this year. It’s that collective effort amongst all the teams, so I think it’s really special.”

SNHU won the Presidents’ Cup with a 10-point lead, despite having less sports than other NE10 schools.

“We don’t have men’s indoor and outdoor track and field, we don’t have men’s and women’s swimming and diving, and we don’t have football;

we’re missing five points that other schools are getting points in. We’re kind of at a disadvantage, so to close it and come in first is just incredible,” said Fallacaro.

SNHU athletics had two league champions, but the overall success in the regular season from all teams gave them the edge in the Cup standings. “[The President’s Cup is based on the] regular season,” said Fallacaro.

“Years ago, we won [around] six NE10 championships, and we came in fifth or sixth place [for the President’s Cup]. Collectively, it’s how well [every team] did during the whole year.”

Compared to other schools, Fallacaro pointed out that it was the preparation and desire to play that gave SNHU the advantage.

“We learned to be flexible and we learned to adapt. Coming out of COVID, it was one of those things where the NCAA gave athletes a year of eligibility back. Many schools had to deal with the roster and knowing that [athletes] could’ve graduated, but the NCAA is giving you a year back.

We dealt with that incredibly well. Our coaches did a great job of managing their rosters, figuring out who wanted to come back,” said Fallacaro.

The extra year of eligibility due to COVID allowed for veteran athletes to return to their teams for one more year.

“Some other schools may not have done it as well. I feel as though most schools lost more kids than we did,” said Fallacaro. “For us, we got a lot of kids that wanted to return, which helped us because it made us more veteran heavy.”

When SNHU athletes lost the opportunity to compete because of COVID, other schools still played.

Fallacaro believes the lost season resulted in athletes coming back with a vengeance.

“When [athletics] were taken away from us, many schools were still playing during COVID. When that happens, you feel that it gets taken away from you. Now, when you get it back, you’re happy to be doing this.”

After a year of many awards and accolades, SNHU looks to repeat that success.

“My [message] to our coaches this year is going to be pretty similar; COVID is still going to be in our world, it may be different, but it’s still going to be there,” said Fallacaro. “...we need to do what we did last year, which was not get caught up in the little things.”

The Presidents’ Cup. (image courtesy: Chris Tutt)

24 | Sports