Volume 135 No. 9 - Special Edition 2020 Election

Est. 1910

October 29, 2020

Volume 135 No. 9

scstudentmedia.com // @TheSpfldStudent

The final countdown Photo Courtesy of Argus Leader

EDITOR’S NOTE:

Ahead of an election of this magnitude, The Springfield Student staff felt it was neccessary to dedicate an entire edition of our paper towards politcally-driven coverage. In the 135-year history of The Student, this is the first time something like this has been done. We encourage all of our readers to educate themselves, listen and vote. Our normal paper will return next week.

On the Inside

See inside for complete See inside for complete Widespread campus initiatives encourage voting -PAGE 3 See inside for complete See inside for complete An International perspective on the election -PAGE 5 See inside for complete See inside for complete Presidential ties to Alden Street -PAGE 8

October 29, 2020

VOTE

By Jack Margaros @JackMargaros The Springfield Student conducted a survey that garnered 183 responses across the Springfield College community ahead of the upcoming 2020 election. Based on this survey, the campus leans liberal, as 67 percent of people voiced their support for Democratic nominee Joe Biden.

President Donald Trump occupied roughly 14 percent of the vote, and third-party candidate Jo Jorgensen mostly took the rest of the votes.

Mark Cuban was a write-in answer for one response. It will be the first time voting for nearly 80 percent of the responders to the survey. The anonymous, short answer responses asking how you feel ahead of the election varied from one word to several paragraphs.

“This is the most important election of our lifetime but also the most frustrating.”

“The world is burning and the only thing I can cope with is whisky.”

“I feel that many individuals are uneducated on what each candidate is offering as a president, and that a lot of people are swayed by inaccurate media and social media posts.”

“If Trump wins, after I graduate I will be moving to Canada” “I feel like it’s a dumpster fire in a sinking boat that’s stranded in the middle of the desert.”

“People are crazy these days about both sides. I’ve always felt like I

PAGE 2

All graphs courtesy of Jack Margaros/The Student

had a target on my back for being a republican in college. I’m scared of losing friends because of who I choose to vote for. This isn’t fun anymore talking with classmates and faculty around the college.”

“I’m really nervous it will be rigged. I don’t see a positive outcome, either he gets elected again, or he doesn’t but somehow doesn’t leave office and a whole mess ensues. I’m nervous for our underrepresented communities and what it will mean for our country.”

“We are settling no matter who we vote for” “I have voted and stand by my decision regardless of consequences.

Voting is complicated and not what I thought it would be. I did not imagine I would be voting for Biden.”

“Today’s culture, media, and educational system have belittled and disregarded the beliefs of those with opposite views. It’s hard to even

discuss politics with someone without being called a racist or bigot just because of who I support.”

“Our country is so divided. It feels like there is no good outcome” “I feel pretty iffy about it and surprisingly have been leaning towards the independent side of the election.”

“Impending doom regardless of the outcome”

October 29, 2020

By Joe Arruda @joearruda9

I

n this climate, engaging in politics is unavoidable. The voter turnout for college-aged students has been particularly low in elections past, but if Springfield College is a reflection of campuses across the country, that could change this year.

From in person and virtual voter registration and information booths, to educational events and hashtags on social media, voting initiatives on the Springfield College campus are increasing awareness and teaching young people how to register and cast their ballot.

In September, the Men of Excellence club and the Graduate Student Organization teamed up to encourage individuals passing by Campus Union to make a plan to vote. They set up a table with information on important dates, instructions on how to register and how to actually cast your ballot.

“I’ve interviewed some students who led students through the process that this is their first time voting because they’re finally of age to vote, and it’s students to students saying, ‘Here, I’ll lead you - I’ll show you the link, I’ll walk you through the link,’”

VOTE

Go out and vote

Increased awareness and attention on voting has impacted the Springfield campus community in a positive way ahead of the election.

The Men of Excellence club and the Graduate Student Organization teamed up to spread awareness and encourage people to vote outside of the Union earlier this semester.

(Photo Courtesy of Springfield College Marketing & Comm.)

Springfield College Associate Director for Media Relations, Damon Markiewicz, said.

“There has been such a good awareness on our campus (...) Students have done a great job of telling each other and they’ve held each other accountable to get a plan early.”

Having a plan is especially important through the turbulence of the ongoing concern over the Coronavirus and controversy surrounding the legitimacy of mail-in ballots.

Through Springfield College-run social media accounts, the voices of student leaders have been amplified. The school has interviewed several students about the importance of voting and encouraging others to vote, and posted those videos on their YouTube page and the website.

Before Men of Excellence and the Graduate Student Organization set up their table in front of the beloved James Naismith statue, the Office of Multicultural Affairs was already hard at work with the same mission.

PAGE 3

Charisse DelVecchio, a Graduate Assistant in the office, made it her goal to increase awareness on the Springfield campus, so she created the 20/20 Vision campaign.

“20/20 Vision is over a year old now, I started planning the program in the summer of 2019 and all of last year, it happened every other week,” she said. “The purpose was to highlight all of the candidates and their... voting records, their policy ideas, their personal opinions on various issues related to voter interest. Every meeting would be a different topic. There was a racism and reparations topic, an economy and taxes topic, there was an education and higher ed. topic, LGBTQA and women’s rights topic.”

Through her informative workshops, she was able to help students through understanding what each candidate stood for, but her work didn’t stop there.

The 20/20 Vision campaign had its own voter registration booths last semester, and because of the pandemic, they moved virtual as well. When they were able to keep track with everything on paper, the campaign had registered at least 100 people to vote, and likely more.

See Voting Initiatives on Page 12

October 29, 2020

VOTE

PAGE 4

Swing states: why they matter

Winning the swing states is a vital component to securing victory in the election.

By Nora Fitzgerald Contributor

T

here was a lot of discussion about “red states” and “blue states” during the presidential debates. Politicians and political pundits tend to refer to states by how they vote.

Democratic states such as Massachusetts are considered blue states, while Republican states like Alabama are considered red states. Other states are more varied in their political leanings. These states,

known as swing states or battleground states, greatly influence the outcome of any presidential election.

Elections are determined by the electoral vote, and the popular vote (to an extent). Essentially, a candidate needs 270 out of 538 electoral votes in order to become president.

The most competitive states in the 2020 election are Florida, Pennsylvania, Michigan, North Carolina, Arizona and Wisconsin.

These states alone make up 101 of the 270 electoral votes needed for either Donald Trump or Joe

Biden to secure the position. There are other states that will have highly contested results this election, but those six are expected to be most influential on the outcome of the 2020 election.

The competitive states are going to be crucial for either candidate to receive 270 electoral votes. Most states require that its electoral votes go towards whoever won the popular vote in that state. Electors that vote or attempt to vote against the majority are known as “faithless electors.” The 2016 election

set the record number of faithless electors during an election cycle.

In the 2016 election, all six of these states favored Donald Trump. He received 49.1 percent of Florida’s electoral votes, 48.8 percent in Pennsylvania, 47.6 percent in Michigan, 50.5 percent in North Carolina, 49.5 percent in Arizona, and 47.9 percent in Wisconsin (Politico).

Most polling projections favor Biden to win in November. Still, many people are wary of poll numbers since polls in the 2016 election were often

The latest projections from FiveThirtyEight as of Wednesday, Oct. 28. (Graph courtesy of FiveThirtyEight)

inaccurate. However, polls are really the only tool that can be used to anticipate election results. FiveThirtyEight is a website owned

by ABC news that conducts political polls and surveys.

Of the six battleground states, FiveThirtyEight is projecting a Biden win in all of them, but by very slim margins. As of October 26, Biden is leading by 2.4 percentage points in Florida, 5.2 points in Pennsylvania, 8.1 points in Michigan, 2.5 points in North Carolina, 3.0 points in Arizona, and 6.9 points in Wisconsin.

It all comes down to voter turnout. As a final campaign strategy, candidates tend to push their efforts toward gaining support in swing states.

The Trump campaign embarked on a three day trip to three different battleground states- North Carolina, Ohio, Washington - and are scheduled to host rallies in several other swing states. Joe Biden campaigned in his home state of Pennsylvania, while former president Barack Obama campaigned for him in Florida, and is planning on hosting other drive-in events leading up to November 3. With early voter turnout already exceeding previous election years, it’s hard to say what November will bring.

October 29, 2020

VOTE

A different W perspective on the election

PAGE 5

By Collin Atwood @collinatwood17

International students on campus are able to look at the election through a different lense than those born in the country.

Saad Magani is from Casablanca, Morocco and is currently at Springfield College to obtain his MBA. (Photo Courtesy of Saad Magani)

ith election day now less than a week away, it’s fair to say these past few months have been chaotic when it comes to politics. There have been allegations against President Trump’s tax return, Joe Biden’s son being involved with foreign countries and the Presidential debates have not been lacking drama or entertainment.

Everyone has their own perspective on this election and they should, considering the unique characteristics that each candidate brings to the table. American citizens have been sharing their opinion on this election for a while. It is not often that people get to hear how people from other countries view this election.

Springfield College has a fairly diverse campus and many students come from different parts of the world. According to the college’s main website, there are 23 countries being represented by the students of Springfield College.

Saad Magani is a student at Springfield College who is currently earning his MBA degree in the college’s graduate program. Magani is from Casablanca, Morocco and graduated from the National School of Business and

Commerce at Hassan II University. At his university, he majored in business and finance and minored in marketing.

Before coming to Springfield College, Magani came to America to visit some of the country’s major cities such as New York, Miami, Orlando and Washington D.C. Magani’s perspective on this year’s election is not far from what others think. When comparing this election to the previous one in 2016 between Hilary Clinton and Donald Trump, Magani said, “I think this one is more aggressive.”

He is not wrong.

There has been no shortage of insults coming from both sides.

To most, the first Presidential debate was a complete disaster filled with interruptions and obnoxious comments.

There is not really any other way to describe it and Magani agreed.

“Trump is someone who is used to reality shows, so he just wants to speak loudly and quickly,” Magani said.

He used “reality shows” to describe President Trump more than once.

“He doesn’t care about the real political problems, just like a reality show...I think Joe Biden is going to be a See International View on Page 13

October 29, 2020

VOTE

Timely election?

PAGE 6

The status of how quickly votes will be counted and when a winner will be determined remains unclear less than a week from election day.

By Irene Rotondo @irenerrotondo

E

very four years, Americans are accustomed to waking up on the first Wednesday of November to the results of the previous night’s presidential election.

Whether a joyous or heartbreaking occasion, it’s become an absolute tradition to find out the results of the election the day after it happens.

This year’s election is already unlike any other for a multitude of reasons -- the pandemic is still happening, and the two candidates Americans are presented with have both been met with a general disdain from the people.

Now, Americans can’t even be sure that they’ll know the results of this year’s 2020 election by Nov. 4 at all.

But is that really such a bad thing?

According to the official presidential election ballot rules, some states allow for mail-in ballots to have

(Graphic Courtesy of CNN)

a grace period of time, so every legitimized ballot filled out can be properly counted.

Pennsylvania and Wisconsin, two key presidential battleground states, are part of the four states that do not even begin counting and processing their mailin ballots until Election Day. This is all part of each individual state’s guidelines, making these votes legal and completely valid.

In addition, many states accept mail-in ballots that have been received days, even weeks after Election Day is officially over. In Washington State, mail-in ballots received that have been postmarked by Nov. 3 are still valid until Nov. 23 upon arrival, the latest deadline of any state.

Among Washington State’s late deadlines for mail-in ballots, others include California with Nov. 20 deadline, Illinois with Nov. 17 and Utah with Nov. 16. Maryland, Ohio, and Washington, D.C. all share a Nov. 13 date. All mail-in

ballots postmarked by Election Day will be counted, according to each state’s deadlines.

This may seem problematic for the American people; doesn’t everyone want to know who their next president will be as soon as possible, especially in this high-stakes 2020 election?

These seemingly extraneous deadlines will actually allow for a more accurate count of the American people’s vote. More eligible Americans will be able to vote and actually have their vote recorded.

For example, an eligible voter who votes by Nov. 3 by mail may get their vote “lost in the mail”, only for it to finally show up weeks later and way past the voting deadline.

Their vote will then not be counted towards their county and the Popular Vote, and in this extremely bipartisan election, every single vote will matter.

Furthermore, there have already been 66 million

votes (and counting) cast through early voting and mail-in ballots by Americans. These record-shattering numbers predict the highest voter turnout since 1908, when 65.7 percent of eligible voters participated.

That was 150 million voters then, and experts have predicted that the 2020 election will far surpass 150 million votes.

The United States Postal Service has already stated that mail services will be slower due to COVID-19, and with the unprecedentedly high influx of mail-in ballots, the fact that states are allowing mail-in ballots to arrive late will show a higher voter turnout and security in making sure every vote counts.

COVID-19 has also created a large issue for polling stations; health and safety precautions must be adhered to, and understaffing at election booths are a real issue.

Regular poll staff have chosen not to return to their stations this year,

lest they risk catching the deadly illness, despite CDC regulated rules. This is yet another reason why so many have chosen to cast their ballot by mail to reduce risk of contact.

Counting mail-in ballots also takes much more time and resources than counting ballots cast in-person. Envelopes must be opened, names and signatures must be compared with existing records and verified, and the ballots themselves have to then be run through counters-- and that’s not to mention the new COVID-19 supplementary precautions that will undoubtedly take place.

Even though Americans might not know who their next president is the day after Election Day, they can at least take peace of mind knowing that the time it will take to get the results will be used to ensure every eligible vote counts.

VOTE

October 29, 2020

PAGE 7

A first time for everything For many students, this election is the first time they are eligible to vote and the experience has been an eye-opening one.

By Carley Crain @carley_crain12

F

or many Springfield College students, this year’s election will be their first opportunity to ever vote.

Several underclassmen will have the chance to cast their first ever ballot, whether it is at the polls or in the mail.

Historically, young voters have been underrepresented in previous elections compared to other eligible voters.

According to an article from MSN, one out of ten eligible voters in this year’s election are from Generation Z, meaning college students and other young voters are crucial in the outcome of the 2020 presidential election.

At Springfield, various clubs and organizations have teamed up to help students register to vote since the process can be complicated. The Graduate Student Organization (GSO) and Men of Excellence (MOE) held an in-person voter registration event to assist first time voters,

and the Office of Multicultural Affairs (OMA) hosted a virtual style registration event.

GSO and Men of Excellence have also done gift card giveaways for students watching each presidential debate, thus forming the campus wide hashtag #SCVotes.

Numerous sports teams on campus have also encouraged student-athletes to register to vote and many teams are now fully registered, such as women’s tennis, men and women’s track and field, women’s soccer, and more.

Sophomore cross country runner Brenna Lachapelle has already voted early by mail to have her vote count in her hometown of Shrewsbury, Mass. and she was very eager to vote for the first time.

“I say it is important to have your voice be heard and many people think that their voice does not matter because they are only one person, but when so many people have that outlook it adds up and there are so many people who do not vote,” said Lachapelle.

“I think it is exciting to vote for the first time because I can make a difference and this is the first time I get my own say. I also think this year has been crazy with the global pandemic and the Black Lives Matter protests that more people our age will go out and vote.”

Sophomore track athlete Thomas Czerwinski is also voting for the first time and he casted his ballot through

the mail to have his vote count in his home state of New York.

“My voice finally gets to be heard and I get to make an adult decision that I have been waiting for my whole life”, said Czerwinski. “It is important to vote in this year’s election because it really will change the landscape of the country for the next four years and even the next 20 to 25 years.”

Freshman Kate

Bonanno also mailed in her absentee ballot to have her vote count in her home state of Connecticut and was excited to finally have her voice be heard since she recently just turned 18.

“I was excited to vote because it was my first time ever voting in a presidential election because I just turned 18 this year,” said Bonanno.

See First time voters on Page 15

Kate Bonanno mailed in an absentee ballot for her first election. (Photo Courtesy of Kate Bonanno).

October 29, 2020

VOTE

PAGE 8

Taft’s trip to Alden Street William Howard Taft made a trip to Springfield College all the way back in 1913.

By Chris Gionta @Chris_Gionta

W

illiam Howard Taft. People may or may not recognize the name, depending on their knowledge of American history.

He was the 27th President of the United States. Taft was elected in 1908 and served one term, and he remains the last U.S. President to sport facial hair.

But to Springfield College, Taft was not just a one-term president sandwiched between Theodore Roosevelt and Woodrow Wilson. This U.S. president was a key part of the building of the Marsh Memorial at Springfield College.

On October 18, 1913, the Springfield Union put out this statement: “Beginning what future historians will note as a new era in the course of the development of the International Young Men’s Christian Association College, the dedication of the

new library building of the institution yesterday was an occasion for a notable gathering of influential leaders of the Young Men’s Christian Association, representatives of several leading universities, the College alumni, prominent men of this and other cities and Honorable William Howard Taft, former President, and Mrs. Taft.”

The former president was there to dedicate the new library to the college.

It was named after Edward Williams Marsh, who gave over half the funds for the building. But, what was perhaps more memorable than his efforts was the 27th President of the United States showing up to the campus people today know and love.

However, his route there was not the easiest.

This is an excerpt from Springfield College journalism professor, Marty

The headline on the day Taft delivered his dedication address at Springfield. (Photo Courtesy of Springfield College, Archives and Special Collections) Dobrow: “Long before the days of the GPS, Taft got lost.

He had a flat tire. Ultimately, with what he described as a ‘certain dizziness,’ he arrived. He alluded that day to driving a bit faster than speed limits of the day permitted. ‘And today I made 120 miles, but was not arrested,’ said Taft. ‘Whether I should have been I won’t say, for under the Constitution one cannot be compelled to incriminate himself.’”

It was not an easy route to Springfield, but it did not stop the last mustachioed commander-in-chief from delivering an address

that would leave a stamp in Springfield College history for over a century to come.

He had a lot of praise for the YMCA that was involved with the project. He believed that organizations like these were essential for the future of the country.

“The Y.M.C.A. by those who know how. There are so many charities that are managed by those who don’t know how to manage. I hate to reflect on the waste of money in benevolence because of this.

Your secretaries know how to direct the work. They are supported by gifts and general contributions, and in a way it seems to be a

mere charity. But everyone seems himself a guest coming into the Y.M.C.A. The secretaries know how to make the money go, they administer economically.

They understand young men and know how to form a good Christian club. It is because of this feeling I came.”

One could only wonder if Taft would have made the sojourn to Alden Street without Springfield’s connection to the YMCA. No matter the reason, Springfield College is forever grateful to share a moment with such an important historical figure.

October 29, 2020

By Hayden Choate @ChoateHayden

J

une 10, 1956.

Springfield College students had just completed their academic year and the seniors were ready to graduate.

One remaining question was who would be their commencement speaker?

It wound up being Massachusetts Senator, John Fitzgerald Kennedy.

Four years before becoming the 35th President of the United States and seven years before being assassinated, John F. Kennedy gave the commencement speech at Springfield College to the class of 1956.

Kennedy, who is one of the most famous United States Presidents in history, began his speech by explaining how grateful he was to be honored by Springfield College.

“I am proud and grateful for the honor bestowed upon me today by a College justly celebrated even beyond the borders of Massachusetts,” Kennedy said in his speech archived on the JFK library website.

Even though at this particular time in history Kennedy was yet to be elected president, him giving the commencement address was still a big deal.

“It’s pretty impressive for the college to get him,” said Thomas Carty, a History Professor at Springfield College who also published a book about Kennedy in 2004.

Kennedy’s political career really took flight after his address at Springfield, when in the summer of 1956 he was the runner-up

VOTE

JFK gets his degree

Before becoming President, JFK delivered commencement and received an honorary degree from Springfield College in 1956.

Kennedy stands fourth from left in the photo above. (Photo Courtesy of Springfield College, Archives and Special Collections) in selection of Vice President as Estes Kefauver was chosen over Kennedy.

Since Kennedy was a Senator in Massachusetts when he gave his speech, he stressed the importance to “stay in Massachusetts, to have faith Massachusetts,” but he may have known down the road he might take a shot at running for higher office.

“He’s promoting his local constituents but he’s also starting to think about a national audience,” Carty said.

Being the commencement speaker wasn’t the only connection Kennedy had to the college, as they gave him an honorary degree for the commencement, but he was also a part of the board of corporates. This was a trustee level board that is no longer in existence, according to Springfield College archivist Jeff Monseau.

“It was almost like an honorary designation,” Monseau said.

In 1961, John F. Kennedy started the peace corps as part of an executive action after

PAGE 9 just being elected. As the peace corps grew, Springfield College was selected and served as a training site for Peace Corps volunteers in the early 1960s.

With the upcoming election, Kennedy not only has a connection to Springfield College but to one of the candidates in the race.

Although Kennedy was elected President back in 1960, he and a 2020 presidential candidate share something in common.

Joe Biden, the Democratic candidate for president, is a Catholic -- same as Kennedy.

Biden, who was Vice President for eight years, would be just the second Catholic president in United States history. The first since Kennedy, who won his election 60 years ago.

The last presidential candidate who was Catholic was John Kerry, who also gave a commencement speech at Springfield College prior to running for the position of the country leader.

Not having a Catholic president since 1960 and just one other candidate in that time may be an odd statistic, but according to Carty religion and politics can be a very mixed bag.

“It’s really difficult for Catholics because the Catholic church teaching is sometimes a more Democratic teaching and sometimes more aligned with the Republican party,” Carty said.

In addition to Kennedy and Kerry, Springfield College has also had Martin Luther King Jr. and Julius Erving, among several other famous names deliver commencement speeches.

October 29, 2020

VOTE

Casts from the past

PAGE 10

Faculty on campus recall their first time voting in the Presidential election.

By Danny Priest @dpriest3

M

any are touting this Presidential Election as the most important election of all-time. While that statement may have some merit to it given the issues plaguing the country currently, each election is important in its own way.

For the student body on campus, this is likely the first election many of them are casting votes in. For professors and faculty on campus, they’ve done this before.

Tim Allen, a Professor in the Business Department, casted his first vote all the way back in the 1972 election between incumbent Richard Nixon and Democrat George McGovern.

Back then, the overriding issue with the election was the ongoing war in Vietnam. A war that eventually claimed over 280,000 U.S. military members lives.

For young voters like Allen, joining the military wasn’t a choice like it is today. He was eligible to be drafted and sent to fight at any time.

“It was on your mind that we were in this war that nobody thought we should really be in.

We’re stopping communism 4,000 miles from here in this little country,” Allen said.

“That’s what it was about, theoretically. If we stop communism here, this is where it’s got to stop, otherwise it’ll spread here, here, and here. People like myself, there was a draft, it wasn’t a volunteer army. You don’t have to sign up, you can choose to do what you want and not worry about being drafted,” he added.

Allen voted for McGovern in that election, who was considered to be the “peace candidate.”

Of course, he lost to Nixon, but it was not long after that the Watergate scandal came to light and Nixon was out of office anyways.

Daniel Zukergood, a Professor of Education, also voted in the 1972 election. Similar to Allen, his focus at the time was the war going on.

“The Vietnam war was going on and my friends and I were against the war. We were also in the draft lottery. If your birthday

was selected early, you would be drafted and go to war,” Zukergood explained.

“On the day of the lottery, I took a walk in the hills of Oneonta, NY (where I went to Oneonta State College) and vowed that if my number was high, I would still fight to the best of my ability to do whatever it took to end the war.

In fact, I drew number 255, so I was not going to be drafted.”

For Zukergood, the first time he ever voted he felt informed on what was happening. That is a sentiment many students today don’t necessarily share.

“I have noticed that many of my students today are not planning to vote in this election.

One of the reasons they say they are not voting is that they don’t know enough about the issues. Back in 1972, we were very much up on the issues of the 1972 election because our lives depended upon it,” Zukergood said.

“To this day, I continue to be a political junkie and am very aware of the key issues in any

Photo of Tim Allen from high school, before he was able to vote, sporting a hat for Presidential Candidate Hubert Humphrey in the 1968 election. (Photo Courtesy of Tim Allen)

VOTE

October 29, 2020 election. I see one of my roles as a professor is to educate our students on being active and aware citizens who participate fully in our democratic process.”

The 2000 election between George Bush and Al Gore was another popular one on campus.

Paul Thifault, an Associate Professor of English and the Chair of the Literature, Writing and Journalism department, voted via an absentee ballot as he attended college in Boston, but was originally from New York.

Now 20 years later, he credits his mother for his ability to be informed on voting.

“When I cast my vote around Halloween 2000, I knew little and needed my mother’s help to figure out how to secure a ballot, she’s still better than Google for such things. But by Thanksgiving, as the drama played out, all of American youth had gained a working knowledge of complex voting procedures and recount protocols. Even punk bands had names like ‘The Hanging Chads,’” Thifault said.

Professor of Religion Kat Dugan is someone who’s been invested in voting her whole life and that began in 2000.

“I was in college at the time (in 2000) and I remember staying up late, waiting for the counts to come in from Florida. It was such a confusing time,” she said

of the election.

“I’ve always been invested in voting. My mom modeled the importance of voting for me--she never missed an opportunity to vote, from school boards, to town leadership, to national elections. It taught me to be an educated voter and to value that I get to participate in democracy in this way.”

Annie Warchol, the Director of Student Activities and Campus Union, was also influenced by her family to be an active voter.

“My family always made it a point to take us to the polls to vote,” she said. Warchol had intended to vote in 2000, but she was unable to obtain an absentee ballot in time because she was attending college in a state other than her hometown one.

“My understanding of how to vote now is 100 times clearer than when it was my first time to vote. I think partly due to age, but also I think with social media and the press information is all over the place now. When I was growing up, you only heard of MTV Rock the Vote campaign, now I feel like it is everywhere,” Warchol said of how voting awareness has grown.

A few other elections were represented by various staff around campus. Associate Director of Alumni Relations Maria Crawford first voted via absentee ballot

in 1988.

Like others, she’s become more educated with time. “For me, the older I have gotten, the more I realize how important it is to take advantage of our right to vote and play a key role in selecting our leaders who in turn, are instrumental in developing and enforcing policy that in many cases, affect our everyday lives. I take great personal pride in voting whenever the opportunity arises, whether it be for our local school committee or the President of the United States,” she said.

Assistant Professor of History Ian Delahanty voted for the first time in 2004 when George Bush squared off with Massachusetts Senator John Kerry.

“Being from Massachusetts, I was even more interested in this election than others because I was very familiar with Senator Kerry. Like a lot of other college students, I was also strongly opposed to the war in Iraq, especially since I had a couple of close friends serving in the military. Beyond this, I disagreed with many other policies and initiatives of the Bush administration,” Delahanty said.

He urges students that no matter how little or much they may feel they know about the election, voting is still an important right to exercise.

“I am still learning

PAGE 11

A look at the hand-lever voting machines that were used years ago. (Photo Courtesy of WNYC)

and don’t expect that I will ever know all there is to know about elections and voting. I think it’s important to emphasize that ‘I don’t know the issues or candidates’ isn’t an excuse for not voting--there is always the opportunity to learn about the issues and candidates, and there is always room for additional knowledge,” he said.

Another thing about voting in 2020 is that it’s become more convenient.

There are ways to vote now without even leaving the house.

Alice Eaton, a Professor of English, first voted in 1980 in downtown Cleveland and she had to use a hand lever machine

to cast her vote.

“It must have been 75 years old. You push a small lever for all your choices, then a big lever to submit the whole ballot, which I believe was hole-punched by the machine,” she said. “It took some strength to push the big lever, which was at least a foot long, and the machine made a very loud clunk when the lever was pushed all the way.”

While this election presents a lot of uncertainty, one thing that is definite is that voting has become more convenient and it will always be an important part of life in the United States.

October 29, 2020 Voting Initiatives continued from Page 3

“Now that we’re so close to the election, the work is very one-on-one, it’s very individualized.

We’re getting some steady drop in during our virtual booths, but also a lot of people have just kind of been reaching out to me and saying like, ‘Is it too late?’

‘What can I do? How can I get this done?’ And I’m really happy to help that way, because sometimes that’s just a little bit easier when you’re working on a college campus where people are coming from multiple different states and every single state has different rules,” DelVecchio said.

The importance of voting, particularly in this election, has been significantly stressed.

“You have this option,” Markiewicz said.

“You live in a democracy where you have the option to have a say and to have a vote and it’s tied into our constitution. I think any educational institution has the obligation to say it’s your right, you live in a democracy, you have a constitution that allows you to do this.”

Jim Kaishian, President of the Graduate Student Organization, added, “I think it’s our responsibility as young adults to (go vote). People like Representative John Lewis really put their life on the line just for that chance. If you

want to shift the demographics on what our politicians believe matters, vote. If you want to make the world a better place, vote. If you want your voice accounted for, vote. It’s the most patriotic thing you could do.”

Other leaders have expressed that the importance of voting does not just apply to the presidential election. Though it is the one that gets the most coverage and writes the history books, there are others that may lead to actual change in the near future.

“This is the presidential election, but there are other elections - midterm elections and local elections - and some argue that those are even more important because they directly affect you in your everyday life,” said Kris Rhim, student trustee and president of the Men of Excellence club. “Any way we can, we just want to make sure people have their voice heard and know the importance of voting even during a pandemic.”

These groups understand that college students may need a little extra push. Many students feel that their voice doesn’t matter, especially with most students at Springfield coming from states in the Northeast that historically vote one way in the electoral college.

“I think that your generation, this block of people, who for the first time this year are going

VOTE

PAGE 12

(Photos Courtesy of Springfield College Marketing & Comm.)

to be eligible to vote and are going to do it, I think that you’re going to decide this election, and that’s huge (...) This is a movement and there is something kind of bigger that’s inspiring the energy and enthusiasm around getting involved today. There are a lot of events that have been building up to this,” DelVecchio said.

“Politicians see that.

You’re kind of creating a visibility for younger generations that has never happened before. Politicians don’t look to us because they don’t take

us seriously because we don’t vote. This movement, this new energy, is going to change the way I hope candidates engage with young people in the future as well.”

The main goal of initiatives like 20/20 Vision and #SCVotes has been to push students to educate themselves and to fulfill their civic duty in being an active member of society.

Markiewicz, who has been working at Springfield since 2012, has recognized the effects of voting initiatives this year.

“There is definitely much more of an awareness by students to vote this time. I think maybe the couple of weeks going into the election in 2016 it kind of ramped up, but nothing even close to this much awareness,” he said.

“The overall goal of everything we’ve been doing is having a unified campus. No one really cares who you vote for although, quietly, people may - but it’s been more just getting out there and doing it. Being unified to do it.”

October 29, 2020

VOTE

International View continued from Page 5

huge asset for the United States,” Magani added.

Lamiaa Layali is also a student at Springfield College from Casablanca, Morocco. She is earning her MBA and is still working on her undergraduate courses at ENCG Casablanca, the National School of Commerce and Management.

Layali is not as aware as Magani is when it comes to the details in this election, but she did notice something different. Compared to how things are done in Casablanca, Layali believes that the election process in America is a lot more Lamiaa Layali is from Casablanca, Morocco. (Photo Courtesy of Lamiaa Layali) transparent. “We can see them debating and discussing their ideas and sharing them with the whole population,” Layali said.

In America, it seems that most people feel like they should know more and don’t think that the Presidents share enough information. A lot goes on behind the scenes.

Layali sees it differently.

“There is a lot of transparency,” she said.

Layali is not the only one who feels this way either.

Willem Van-Zyl is a senior at Springfield College and he is majoring in physical education and coaching. He is from Johannesburg, South Africa.

His view on this election is very similar to Willem Van-Zyl is from Johannesburg, South Africa. (Photo Courtesy of Willem Van-Zyl) Layali’s. In South Africa,

PAGE 13 political incidents are not as public as they are in America.

“America is more open to express it to everyone which is very weird for me...If something like that happened, I think a country would prefer to keep it in country,” Van-Zyl said.

Maybe America’s politicians are not as secretive as people thought.

“This whole election thing has been like a worldwide newscast to everyone,” Van-Zyl said.

When it comes to the childish ways that were displayed at the first presidential debate, VanZyl has the same view as the rest of America.

“They’re both competing for the highest position in the world currently and they’re arguing and bickering with each other. You see that with middle school kids which is very strange for me.”

There is no doubt that each candidate has been attacking each other at each debate.

“Right now, they’re more focused on bashing the other than stating what they’re standing for and strengthening their arguments, Van-Zyl said.

There are so many different ethnicities and races within this country’s borders. Every single one of them has a different story, opinion and perspective and they all matter. Everyone’s voices deserve to be heard.

October 29, 2020

VOTE

Why this election matters

Every vote counts, especially in an election of this magnitude.

Top: Liv Howley; Bottom: Korey Boyd (Photos courtesy of Liv Howley and Korey Boyd)

PAGE 14

By Cait Kemp @caitlinkemp09

T

he 2020 presidential election feels like it has been an ever-present topic in our lives for the past several months. It has not simply generated a buzz, but something much greater than that.

This year, there is a sense of urgency surrounding the election.

There is a sense that this will be life-changing, more life-changing than any past election that our generation has lived through.

Maybe it’s because our generation is in college now, and it’s the age where these matters start to become more prevalent in our lives, but there is a wave of importance over the entire country, for old and young alike.

Why now? Why is this year, 2020, so urgent? There have been a lot of different situations this past year that have perhaps catapulted the election out of its normal bubble and into every corner of society.

Factors such as Covid-19 and the most recent Black Lives Matter movements both swept the nation, and reached other countries as well.

These matters, along with many other perspectives, have molded the election into what it is. People of all ages are taking to social media to urge Americans to do

their civil duty, to not just vote for the person, but to vote for change that will occur across the nation.

The political landscape feels extra divided this year between the left and the right, and it has created a campaign season that has felt like a war.

This long-lasting battle that America has been fighting for months will be over in a week.

Why does this election matter so much?

“We’re in a space in our society where people say ‘never in a million years would blank happen’...well we’re in that million years right now and I think that requires and takes a level of effort from everyone.

I think we need to take opportunities and basic facets of our society seriously,” said Assistant Professor of Physical Education, Dr. Korey Boyd.

The importance of voting is at an all-time high this election season.

For many, the task at hand is simple.

“Knowing that just because I might be comfortable in this country doesn’t mean everyone is. I’m voting for the weakest link that needs the most help… just because I might have privilege doesn’t mean other people do, and I’m Read the full story on our website at scstudentmedia.com

October 29, 2020

VOTE

PAGE 15

First time voters continued from Page 7

“I think it is a really important part of growing up in this country, so I was excited that I finally had a tiny bit of a say in the future.

“I think it’s especially important to vote this year because of all the things that have happened. Although it is important to vote every year, this year’s events brought up a lot of major, life changing issues. The Black Lives Matter movement stands out to me, but many other things like our economy, environment, COVID outbreak, and even people’s most basic human rights are affected by this year’s election.

I think our future will be more heavily influenced than in past years because both candidates have such different ideas on what direction they want to take our country.

I think after this election our lives will be different forever.”

Sophomore Arianna Vessicchio is currently quarantining for two weeks at home and has been stressed about how she will mail in her vote, but she is very excited to finally vote in her first presidential election.

“It is very stressful voting, especially in quarantine. I hope to figure out how I will get my ballot and send it out without leaving my quarantine housing,” said Vessicchio. “Many of us are in the same

unexpected situation, causing quarantine to be even more stressful during election time.”

“From a very young age I have always enjoyed learning about the different political candidates and forming my own opinions on them.

I always have looked forward to being in the voting age so my opinion would finally matter. It excites me that I will be able to express this through my vote,” she added.

Sophomore Megan McCaffrey is a local resident of West Springfield and will be heading to the polls on election day, unlike most college students.

“Voting gives me the opportunity to voice my own opinion without being judged,” said McCaffrey. “It is my first presidential election and (this) has been something that I have looked forward too for a while.

Voting is honestly an honor and a privilege and as an American, it is my civic responsibility to go out and vote.”

With so much at stake in this year’s presidential election, college students and young voters’ voices are more important than ever.

A single vote is very powerful and will be a deciding factor in choosing the next president of The United States.

Top left: Brenna Lachapelle; Top right: Arianna Vessicchio; Bottom: Thomas Czerwinski (All photos courtesy of Springfield College Athletics)

“

I think it is a really important part of growing up in this country, so I was excited that I finally had a tiny bit of a say in the future,” Kate Bonanno on her first time voting.

October 29, 2020

scstudentmedia.com // @TheSpfldStudent

Volume 135 No. 9

Graphic Courtesy of Jack Margaros