Volume 135 No. 12

The Springfield Student Est. 1910

February 11, 2021

Volume 135 No. 12

scstudentmedia.com // @TheSpfldStudent

The Golden Nugget Junior class President Ari Susi was approved to house an emotional support animal on campus

Photo Courtesy of Ari Susi

On the Inside Updates on the spring initiatives of the Black Student Union and a reflection on their work in the fall

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The Humanics in Action club is hosting its annual Kindness Campaign, which will include in-person service events

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In-Person Classes

February 11, 2021

Back at it

PAGE 2

As the rest of campus returned last weekend, so did in-person classes with restrictions and safety protocols.

By Brady Cote bcote2@springfield.edu

A

s Springfield College welcomes its full student population back onto campus, in-person classes are right around the corner.

Starting this week: Monday, Feb. 8, students will be transitioning from learning in their dormitories and making their way safely to their respective classrooms.

A number of classes will remain fully remote, but some students may now have the opportunity to attend at least a portion of classes in person.

These past two weeks, students were expected to begin their semester online over zoom, an application that has become quite familiar within the past year.

After patiently waiting the appropriate fourteen-day period after arrival on campus, it was announced that in-person classes would soon take effect.

Students on campus are looking for even the slightest bit of normalcy in their college lives, as it seems that all are being stripped of basic human interaction.

Rece Gobel, a sopho-

more on campus, expressed his feelings, thoughts and level of comfortability on returning to the classroom.

“I’m excited that we’re starting in person,’’ Gobel stated. “I feel as easy as the online classes are, you definitely get more out of it when you’re in person.”

Alongside his excitement was an underlying layer of concern regarding the rest of the student population arriving on campus.

“I think we should maybe have gone at least another week online,” Gobel said. “It makes no sense that we all came back, went two weeks virtually, but then they’re coming back and within 2-3 days, we’re back to in-person classes.”

As much as students want to be back in the classroom, a lot are uneasy and worried about their safety, especially due to the number of cases that have been recorded thus far.

“I definitely don’t feel comfortable about it because it’s just very unpredictable,” said sophomore Julia Florek. “There need to be less people in the room, every class should be split up if it has more than 12 people or so, depending on the classroom size itself.

They should just do half

Photo Courtesy of Jack Margaros/The Student

online and half in person.”

Out of the 1,753 COVID-19 tests administered, there have already been 16 positive cases between Jan. 30 through Feb. 4, resulting in a 0.913 percent positivity rate on campus.

Similar to the students, professors are faced with the same complications that the pandemic has brought about. They were forced to teach remotely and now are challenged with the commencement of in-person classes. To ensure the safety of their students, professors are going to

great lengths to make sure that these in-person classes can continue successfully.

“In the mac lab, we have sixteen computers under normal protocol and we have now removed every other one leaving eight,” said professor Kyle Belanger. “My goal is to get the number of students in our classroom below that eight.”

Not only is Belanger taking the preventative safety measures, but he also understands the importance of the students’ comfortability.

“If there is one thing

that the pandemic has taught me, at large, it’s that we have to respect every person’s individual level of comfort, and that is not something that I take lightly.”

Resembling the students’ excitement to escape the zoom classes, professors are also very excited to teach in the classroom.

“I’m really looking forward to this coming week,” said professor Laura Dubowski. “I tried to make all of my classes face-toSee In-Person on Page 5

February 11, 2021

COVID-19 Updates

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Checking in with Christine Johnston

By Irene Rotondo @irenerrotondo

A

s the entirety of the undergraduate student population finally trickles back into the safety and confines of the Springfield College campus, the ever-present worry of catching the deadly coronavirus still sticks at the back of the community’s minds.

However, it’s important to know that this semester, the administration and their facilities are much more

prepared to tackle any problems COVID-19 may offer the campus.

Christine Johnston, Assistant Director of Campus Recreation, Alcohol & Other Drug Education and Health Promotion at Springfield College, says that the 26 current positive cases should not be a cause for concern.

“I think we’re in a better spot to take care of students this semester,” said Johnston.

“Unfortunately, a lot of those 26 have been students that live off campus, and therefore, they’re still counted in our data

and are definitely still part of our Springfield College community; however, they don’t put the same pressure on the housing situation that we have in terms of housing our isolation students.

“And we’re doing great, in terms of contact. Those 26 people have done an amazing job at really trying to keep a small bubble, and so it’s not necessarily the number of cases we have, but the number of contacts that everybody has that can become a problem.

Anybody can test positive, but I really just want to commend

our students that have been doing such a great job at keeping a small bubble.”

As for anything else students can do to ensure their own safety and a successful, full-term and on-campus semester, Johnston wants to drive home the message of small groups. By only hanging out and spending time with the same people, every day, students will lessen the chance for a mass outbreak that could potentially end their time on-campus.

February 11, 2021

Kindness Campaign

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“A good opportunity to brighten people’s days” The Humanics in Action club is hosting its annual Kindess Campaign starting in March.

By Carley Crain @carley_crain12

T

hroughout the month of March, the Humanics in Action Club is hosting their annual Kindness Campaign which will include free daily kindness challenges, as well as in-person service events.

The Kindness Campaign started in collaboration with the Rachel’s Challenge club, which encourages others to dream big, choose positive influences, speak with kindness and to start their own chain reaction.

The Kindness Campaign was inspired by Rachel Joy Scott, who was the first person killed in the Columbine shooting.

Her peers remembered her as always being kind, and the impact her simple acts of kindness had on their lives.

Her idea for a chain reaction of kindness sparked the idea for the Kindness campaign at Springfield College and goes hand-in-hand with the Humanics philosophy.

The annual campaign, hosted by the Humanics in Action Club, will feature in-person service events for Springfield College students. (Photo Courtesy of the Humanics in Action Club).

The Kindness Campaign is an event that the Humanics in Action club wants to change into a monthly tradition on campus, rather than just a week-long event. This year is the first time the Kindness Campaign is a month long, instead of a week.

With most activities being virtual these days, the club came up with creative ways to still host the campaign this year despite a global pandemic.

Usually the campaign involves a buddy system and pairing students up to encourage spreading kindness, but with the

threat of COVID-19, club members thought it would be more beneficial to come up with activities that can be completed anywhere, even if students are not living on campus. For students who are living on campus this semester, in person activities are available.

“Everyone can get involved at some level. You can choose to do a random act of kindness and follow the schedule every single day or not every day,” said executive board member Danielle Purinton. “It is really up to you the commitment you want to make to the campaign.

It gets people thinking about how they can be kind all the time, not just during the month.”

For the entire month of March, everyday there is a different act of kindness that members of the Springfield College community can participate in.

All of these activities are free and COVID-safe.

The campaign kicks off on March 1, with the first act of kindness being to ask a friend to do an activity together on campus.

This can be anything such as grabbing Cheney together, watching a movie, working out together at the gym, doing homework in the Union, or grabbing Starbucks and more.

The campaign continues with similar and simple activities, such as complimenting a strang-

February 11, 2021

er, contacting a family member or a friend who is in quarantine, promoting something you are passionate about, holding the door for the person behind you, sending a message to an elderly person, writing a thank you note to a healthcare worker, and more.

“I think this campaign will just bring our college more together and really solidify who we are as people,” said Purinton.

“Right now is kind of a sad and lonely time for people with Zoom classes and wearing a mask all the time where you can’t see everybody’s smiling faces. This campaign is a good opportunity to brighten people’s days,” said club member Sam Malloy.

The Kindness Campaign is also involving other clubs and organizations on campus. Different clubs will be hosting table events or sponsoring an entire day of kindness.

The Physical Therapy

Club will be sponsoring March 8, where they are encouraging all students to move their body and to educate someone about desk ergonomics. The Art Club is sponsoring March 10, the NSSLHA is sponsoring March 11, the Health Science Club is sponsoring March 13, and the Vagina Monologues is sponsoring March 16.

The festivities continue into the month of March with the Y club sponsoring March 20, the Black Student Union sponsoring March 22, and the Physical Therapy Organization hosting a table event on March 23 where they will be encouraging students to complete a series of different physical activities.

Other table events include PASO on March 25 during community hours, and the Health Science Club will be hosting a table event on March 30 at 12:00 p.m.

The Kindness Campaign is also hosting

In-Person continued from Page 2

attend class in person vs online.

Having classes in person is a crucial aspect of college, not only for educational purposes, but socially as well. Since the start of this horrid pandemic, it has become very hard to meet new people.

It was a culture shock that everyone has adjusted to.

“I’m really excited to

face last semester.”

Eager to return to the classroom, Professor Dubowski is making sure that it is going to be a safe environment for her students.

All of her classes will be e-engaged + meaning that it is up to the students if they feel comfortable to

Kindness Campaign

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The Humanics in Action Club hosted ‘Humanics at Home’ events to encourage students to serve in their local communities. (Photo Courtesy of Springfield College)

Sip and Serve events throughout the month of March, which provides an opportunity for students to engage in community service hands-on and in person that will benefit the Springfield community.

Sip and Serve events are every Sunday in the

Union at 6:30 p.m., with a different service project every week for students to participate in. For the month of March, the different service projects include: appreciation bags for faculty and staff, kindness rocks, cup cozies, and hygiene packets for healthcare workers.

To keep up to date for the Kindness Campaign’s daily events and activities, follow @sc_humanicsinactionclub on Instagram and look out for posters around campus with the daily kindness challenges.

meet new people, I feel like COVID isolates you and who you’re around. I’m excited to make new connections with my peers and professors,” said Freshmen Hannah Hibbert.

“I genuinely enjoy going to class and I think a lot about what you get out of going to in-person classes is that relationship and mutual understanding

of who you are as a professor and who you are as a student.”

With in-person classes resuming shortly, it will give students the opportunity to socialize and build relationships with their peers. It is up to both the students and professors to ensure that the safety of the in-person classes will continue, ultimately restor-

ing a sense of normalcy to the Springfield College campus.

February 11, 2021

Graduation

PAGE 6

Priest: Graduation won’t be normal, and that’s okay

By Danny Priest @dpriest3

will be okay. If I get the hen the chance to have a small news came graduation with just those in my Communicaout last tions/Sports Journalism week that traditional major, great. If not, we’ll commencement ceremobe all right. nies scheduled for May As a matter of fact, would not be taking I think a small ceremoplace, I wasn’t caught ny with just your peers off guard. in your major would Pretty much everyone be pretty cool and a bit knew this was coming. more personal than a COVID is far worse now regular graduation. I’ll than it was months ago digress for now, as we’ll when the class of 2020 see what happens in was unable to have any regards to that moving sort of graduation at all. forward While it’s disheartenGetting back to caning, I’d encourage those cellation of the traditionreading this column to al thing, I felt bad for my think beyond me, a memparents--and for all the ber of the class of 2021. parents and guardians Please, don’t feel bad connected to members of for me. I promise you I

W

the class of 2021.

Watching your child walk across the stage is something parents look forward to for so long believe me my mom has told me - and it’s truly a shame that they are losing that traditional graduation moment.

It’s not fair, it’s not right, but it is the world we live in right now.

Still, in times like these, I like to think people like myself have it all right in regards to the college experience.

Being a senior, I’ve got friends on campus. I have people I trust, I live in an apartment style setting and I can manage a COVID college life-

style all right. Is this an ideal way to spend your final year of college?

Absolutely not.

But, in a situation such as this one, you have to find the positives where you can. It definitely could be worse.

The fact that we are even on campus is a win in itself.

I look at people in other situations in comparison to me, and it seems really hard.

The class of 2024 in particular is a class I feel for. I mean, what a way to start off your college experience.

Springfield College as it exists right now is not the Springfield College I

know. Not even close.

Last year, I joined the other newspaper editors on a trip to California for a journalism conference at the tail end of February into the beginning of March.

We really beat the buzzer with that one.

People in the airport had on masks, San Francisco was in a state of emergency when we were there and back home in Massachusetts the BioGen conference was becoming the first super spreader of COVID in the United States.

Almost immediately after we returned, life shut down. Looking back now, I can say with

February 11, 2021

complete certainty that was my last “normal” week I’d experience as a college student.

It was the last time I saw campus as what it normally is - a place filled with energy, with people who want to socialize and a community that loves to spend time with one another.

So, I may not get to have a graduation, but at least I once knew what this campus was like. I had the real Springfield College experience for two-and-half years.

These freshmen won’t have that experience from the jump and I feel for them. Half the campus is closed, they’re lucky if they have a few in person classes and making new friends will be extremely difficult.

Going to class and coming back to your eight-by-ten room every night can be difficult.

I can only imagine the added struggle of doing that now with the way campus functions.

That sort of issue goes on and on and hits every age group. For high school seniors, they are losing out on a number of things from proms and graduations, to senior nights and proper college visits.

For middle schoolers and below, Zoom is definitely not a proper way to get an education.

Graduation

PAGE 7

Graduates from the Class of 2019, the last class to hold a traditional commencement ceremony, with Springfield College President Mary-Beth Cooper. (Photo Courtesy of Springfield College)

As a 21-year old college senior, I have a difficult time paying attention to Zoom - I can only imagine how difficult that is for them.

Not to mention that teachers too - this situation certainly is a monumental challenge for them. If you haven’t already, thank your professors because I am sure spending the days teaching to black Zoom boxes is not the optimal way to perform your

profession.

As much as we as students don’t enjoy the virtual experience, it’s probably harder and more difficult for educators at Springfield College and across the country.

The bottom line is this.

I’m not going to be bitter that our graduation isn’t happening.

We might even get mini graduations, which could be cool, who knows.

Coronavirus sucks, but there are far worse things out there than not getting to have a formal graduation ceremony.

The near 500,000 deaths COVID is responsible for would back this claim.

Plain and simple, this virus has affected people of all ages in very different and real ways and that situation remains ongoing.

For all the damage it has done and the ways it

has inflicted some form of inconvenience on people of all ages, I don’t want to sit here and feel bad that graduation was cancelled.

We’ll carry on, just like everyone else has too. On top of that, do yourself a favor and try to find the positives in whatever situation you’re in. Even if that feels impossible, it’s worth it.

February 11, 2021

It doesn’t have to be so ruff Nugget provides comfort and happiness during a time it is needed most.

Nugget provides emotional support for Ari Susi, although Susi says sometimes the roles are reversed. (Photo Courtesy of Ari Susi)

Service Animals

PAGE 8

By Cait Kemp @caitlinkemp09

Going off to college means saying many goodbyes to friends, family and other loved ones. The hardest goodbyes can often be to the family pets, who are there for people whenever they are feeling down or need a little extra support.

However, the sound of a collar jingling can be heard as one walks through the door of LC 106, where they are greeted by none other than Nugget.

No, Nugget is not a stowaway that was snuck onto campus.

Rather, he is a certified emotional support dog for Springfield College junior, Ari Susi.

Susi got Nugget last spring during quarantine because she felt the lack of what an animal can bring to someone emotionally.

“At the beginning of the pandemic, I really wanted a puppy because my dog had died last summer, and I was like ‘Mom, we’re going to be home for a while, can we please get a dog.’

She finally cracked when we met him,” said Susi.

Nugget was not intended to be an emotional support dog when Susi decided to get him, but she learned about emotional support animals and thought it would be beneficial to certify him as one for her.

“So, I have really bad anxiety and depression and he helps a lot with that… because obviously with COVID everything was kind of, like dark and bad so he made everything feel a little bit better,” she said.

Initially, it was not the plan to bring Nugget to school, but Susi quickly realized that the option would be something that could help not just her, but Nugget as well.

Susi said, “Three weeks into school my mom called me and she was like, ‘The dog’s wicked depressed and he’s just not himself at all,’... I got it all approved with the school, (and) everything was so much better.

“That’s the only thing that’s really sucked, is since he is a pandemic puppy, he has super bad separation anxiety from

February 11, 2021

Service Animals

PAGE 9

More about Nugget: Full name: Nugget Corona Susi

Favorite Place on campus:

Breed:

Naismith statue

Cava tzu (Cavalier King

Favorite Pastime:

Charles Spaniel- Shih Tzu

napping Favorite Person

mix) Birthday: Dec 13 2019

(other than Ari):

Sign: Sagittarius

Shannon Lynch

Favorite Toy:

Favorite Team:

squeaky frog

the Posse

Favorite Food: glazed munchkins

Favorite Thing: Calming bones

Nugget is a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel mixed with a Shih Tzu. (Photo Courtesy of Ari Susi)

me, but I think the separation anxiety is mutual and the joke is that I’m his emotional support human at this point,” Susi said.

The process was simple: the school only required a doctor’s note and an application to become approved to have an emotional support animal on campus. Although taking care of a pet can be difficult, she has been able to have a lot of fun with Nugget and share that excitement with others around her.

“It’s been really cool and I think he’s made a lot of people happy, because all of our friends get excited too… I think it helped all of us in ways.”

Susi’s roommates were on board to have the new edition to the suite, and

everyone has enjoyed having a puppy around all the time.

“Nugget’s like the dog I never had.

It’s so exciting walking into the suite to him running to me, especially when I’ve had a bad day or I’m stressed, having him greet me at the door makes everything okay,” said one of Susi’s roommates, Marena DeSimone.

The love and appreciation for Nugget is a common theme among friends and community members on campus.

Another friend, Elizabeth Rinaldi, said, “I’ve never had a pet, but being with Nugget makes me understand the missing piece of my heart that I was missing without a pet. He truly makes all the gray clouds go away.”

“I didn’t think it was going to be that big of a commitment in a way, and it ended up being a lot more work than I thought,” said Susi. “But my roommates have been so awesome and really help me a lot with him, and my friends, and I’m really appreciative of that.”

Nugget has not only brought smiles to the faces of Susi and her group, but also many students on campus. He has become an icon, with a growing Instagram account (@nugget_unleashed) where followers can keep up with his life. He is widely known by Springfield College, and truly is a ray of sunshine for everyone who has been able to meet him.

February 11, 2021

COVID-19 Updates

PAGE 10

‘We’re never satisfied’ After a succesful fall semester, the Black Student Union continues to strive for more tangible change regarding equity on campus

By Jack Margaros @JackMargaros

The newly established Black Student Union (BSU) at Springfield College enjoyed a successful fall semester in its inaugural year.

Collaborating with other student organizations such as Men of Excellence (MOE), Women of Power (WOP) and Student Society for Bridging Diversity (SSBD), the BSU was able to build a lot of momentum towards several initiatives related to anti-racism, diversity and inclusion.

“Our actions lined up perfectly with our expectations,” senior Suraji Omoru, President of the Black Student Union said. “I do have to say our expectations were definitely achieved, but it was with the help of all the other clubs as well, and that took us way past what we expected to happen.”

In wake of the social

Created in the fall semester, the Black Student Union has been an integral part of creating tangible change on campus related to equity. (Photo Courtesy of BSU)

justice protests that occurred last summer, the four clubs organized a March for Action on Alden Street. Students, faculty and administration marched in support of the equal treatment of Black students on campus. It’s something that hadn’t happened on Springfield College’s campus in nearly 50 years.

“The March (for Action) gave me chills,” Omoru said. “All the chants that we were saying and having (the students) chant it right back at us, it’s just something I never thought would’ve happened on Springfield College’s campus.”

The March came shortly after the four diversity groups met

with Springfield College President MaryBeth Cooper with a list of demands back in September: a mandatory, one-credit Anti-Black racism course; to develop an explicit no tolerance policy around hate speech; the hiring of a Black counselor in the counseling center; more funding for the Office of Multi-

cultural Affairs; a method to honor protestors of the later 1960s and 1970s; and lastly, a high-profile speaker for SEAT at the Table.

The demands, if met, were to serve as evidence of tangible change on campus, as opposed to just talk that seemed to lead to a dead end in the past. After an initial disconnect, President Cooper started putting these demands into motion.

Five months later, the College has delivered on all accounts. In November, the Office of General Counsel sent out a statement addressing hate speech.

The Multicultural Fund was created to “support and further engage the campus community on issues of difference and belonging with the hope of enriching the cultural life on campus.”

Deconstructing Racism, SPCO 102, was implemented as the one credit, anti-racism course that started in

February 11, 2021

Politics

PAGE 11 Photo Courtesy of WWD

Suraji Omoru was heavily involved in the March for Action, as well as other initiatives for the Black Student Union. (Photo Courtesy of Joe Arruda/The Student)

the spring of 2021.

Heshima Moja was the keynote speaker that kicked off SEAT at the Table week. Moja has composed music for television stations such as Nickelodeon and PBS, in addition to several films.

Ways to permanently honor the protestors of the 60s and 70s are still being finalized, although a plaque has been brought up as an option. Lastly, Springfield College moved swiftly to hire a Black counselor, as Tiffany Benford occupies the position.

“I applaud the institution for making things move so quickly,” Omoru said. “(Hiring a Black counselor) to me was a goal that I really wanted to accomplish.”

Looking ahead to the spring, Omoru says the BSU is mostly focused on implementing a new plan of financial aid for scholarships, and creating more donor scholarships.

“We feel like Springfield should be a lot more affordable, or at least have the funds available to make it more affordable for students to apply, or even

get on merit.”

Additionally, further steps are being taken to address the relationship between Public Safety and Black students on campus. One of the BSU’s goals in the fall was to create some type of public safety reform.

In December, Springfield announced the Public Safety Diversity Implementation Task Force to identify areas of improvement and suggest actions that will promote equity and safety among the Springfield community.

This semester, Omoru is looking to build

from that momentum.

“We’re pushing more for the Public Safety task force to have actual implementation instead of just talks,” Omoru said. “There was a new Senate bill that was passed that relates to public safety forces and making sure that task forces are having them go through the proper training, having them go through diversity and certain levels of training, so their awareness and cultural humility can be better.”

Omoru said that President Cooper has continued to be outspo-

ken in her support of BSU’s initiatives, and plans to take action.

“We have so much interaction with (MaryBeth Cooper). She’s stepping up and saying we need to address this.”

The Black Student Union is hosting events related to Dialogue Across Differences on February 18, 19 and 25. Otherwise, the push for more scholarships and proper training for Public Safety officers will be the bulk of their work in the spring semester.

February 11, 2021

Off-Campus Housing

PAGE 12

(Photo courtesy of TripSavvy)

Keeping yourself safe in your off-campus home

By Collin Atwood @collinatwood17

T

he feeling of serenity that the Springfield

College campus gives its students and staff causes people to forget the possible danger that surrounds the college.

In 2020, CBS News ranked Springfield at number 34 for most dangerous cities in America.

For most of the student

population, this isn’t something they need to worry about because they live on campus.

According to Springfield College’s main website, 13 percent of students don’t live on campus. This means they either commute from a parent or guradians house, or they live in a nearby off-campus apartment.

Students that live off-campus in their own apartments are most likely living independently for the first time,

so it is important to know the measures that should be taken to ensure everyone’s safety.

When it comes to violent crimes, Sergeant Dan Cotter stated, “We don’t deal with a ton of it on campus or even in the surrounding area off campus.” Cotter has been with Springfield College for four years and spent the previous four at Western New England University.

To prevent violent crimes from happening, Cotter sug-

gests staying away from areas you are unfamiliar with during the night time.

Property crimes are more likely than violent ones in the area. In 2018, Massachusetts had 200.8 cases of burglary and 1263.3 property crime cases per 100,000 residents, according to the FBI Uniform Crime Report.

Despite Springfield’s reputation of being a dangerous place to live, Sergeant Cotter believes that if the precaution-

February 11, 2021

ary measures are taken, then you can make Springfield a great place to live.

“Everybody thinks that it’s extremely dangerous, but really when push comes to shove it really depends on if you’re taking your own personal safety into account,” Cotter said.

Although the numbers seem alarming, Springfield has been heading in the right direction. According to the FBI Uniform Crime Report, the number of property crimes have been steadily decreasing since 2004.

People should still take precautionary

Off-Campus Housing

actions and there are many that Sergeant Cotter would recommend taking to prevent anyone from breaking in. Being in touch with a landlord, installing security systems, locking windows and doors and keeping valuables in a safe space are the most known ways to protect one’s home.

Cotter offers other ways to prevent a crime from happening. “It never hurts to be friendly with your neighbors,” Cotter said.

The more you know your neighbors, the more likely it will be that they look out for

you and your apartment.

He also says that parties are a big reason that items get stolen.

Before the breakout of COVID-19, party related crimes were more common. The main tip for managing theft at parties is to be aware of who is coming in and out of your house.

“Your roommate invited five people, but then those people invite five more and that’s how parties get out of hand,” Cotter said.

Even when someone takes all of the precautionary measures, it is still possible to have someone break in and

steal a valuable item. In these cases, Sergeant Cotter says it’s important for students to have the serial number or models of their items.

“Those are important and a lot of the time students won’t have their serial numbers... It always helps if the students can have as much information for us to protect ourselves beforehand.” Having the serial numbers helps the officers find what was stolen and keeps the burglar from successfully selling the item.

The immediate area around Springfield College is not nearly as

PAGE 13

dangerous as the rest.

The Campus Crime Statistic Report tells us that in 2019 there was only one case of a robbery and four cases of burglary at nearby properties that are not owned by Springfield College. “It doesn’t happen a lot...I’d say we’re good for it, unfortunately, a couple times a year.”

Crimes will happen, but if everyone takes the necessary precautionary measures, the chance of a student being victimized will surely decrease.

February 11, 2021

Sports

PAGE 14

‘True Colors’ on full display Without intercollegiate athletic competitions on campus since March of 2020, student-athletes have had the opportunity to speak up for what they believe in and show who they are beneath ‘The Jersey.’

___ By Joe Arruda ___ @joearruda9

Almost immediately after the Springfield Athletics account posted the first video of the new “True Colors” series on all of its platforms, junior Grace Dzindolet started getting direct messages: “This is awesome!”

“Love you!”

“So proud of you!”

But one stood out more than the others. It read, as she remembered: “You were the first gay person I ever met and you just made me so comfortable and I finally came out like last year.”

The guard on the women’s basketball team was shocked. The message came from a girl who was in seventh grade when Dzindolet coached her as a high schooler.

“It’s just incredible that one video can help so many people feel comfortable with themselves because you don’t really get the chance to do that very often,” she said. “It’s a really special thing to be a part of. I think a lot of people – not only will they enjoy it – but I think they’ll start to feel a little bit better about themselves

‘True Colors’ logo courtesy of Springfield College Athletics

when they see other kids start talking about it more too.”

True Colors is a video series in its infant stage that gives student-athletes in the LGBTQ+ community a platform to share their stories in an effort to create a safe space on campus. The series was inspired by a sequence of initiatives stemming from the Student-Athlete Leadership Team (SALT).

A Diversity, Equity and Inclusion subcommittee was formed within SALT, and three affinity groups were created. One was the BIPOC group, another for international student-athletes, and one for the LGBTQIA+

community.

Dzindolet, co-presidents with Lily Gould – a member of the track and field team, held their first planning meeting which gathered about 30 participants, including members of the LGBTQIA+ community and allies.

“Especially in a community like athletics, it is definitely more stigmatized to come out or even talk about it. Basically we wanted to create a space where we’re all comfortable to come together and support each other,” Gould said. “Physically coming together is the main thing because people are scattered with their coming out experienc-

es – some people aren’t out yet or wherever you are in your story, this is a group where you can come and just like be there. You can come as an ally – actually we had more allies come to the first meeting of it, which was really cool.”

She added, “In high school I would never have thought that I’d be doing something like this, but to kind of be the voice, to be the voice of queer student-athletes is really empowering and not to forget that people are still scared to come out and still scared to say their story. Maybe if I can make the environment out here friendly, make a group for them

– a group for us – that’s everything.”

In that meeting, Steph Lyons, an ally and one of Dzindolet’s teammates, suggested that a great way for people to get involved would be to reimagine the “My Story, My Truth” initiative that the athletics department began in the fall semester.

The department has received national praise for its openness and inclusivity, including the 2020 NCAA Division III and D3SIDA Fall Recognition Award for that video series in Oct. 2020.

Adaeze Alaeze-Dinma, who filled one of the Zoom rectangles at that meeting, has been instrumental in these initiatives through her role in athletic communications, with the My Story, My Truth series focusing on the experiences of student-athletes of color through video interviews that have drawn attention on all social media platforms.

“There might be a lot of people insecure or closeted about their feelings, and I think these videos and people speaking about it more just helps them feel bet-

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February 11, 2021

ter. The ‘My Story, My Truth’ just got a lot of people thinking about what needed to change in the community with Black Lives Matter and stuff like that and so I think the same kind of wave can happen within the LGBTQ community,” Dzindolet said.

“You never really know what people are going through and I think a lot of people grew up in different situations where they weren’t accepted or they weren’t allowed to be who they want to be, and I think watching these videos can really change their mind on who they want to become and who they want to be with. I hope that people begin to feel comfortable with themselves because they should.”

The safe space would not recognize its potential if it weren’t for the support from allies, that can come in the form of teammates, coaches, mentors and even spectators.

“It’s just important to support your friends and your teammates to

“What we’ve been able to do this academic year is really get at the essence of who these students are and I think that’s been really empowering across the board.”

Throughout Black History Month, the department has designated Mondays and Fridays for their “What does it mean to be a Black student-athlete at Springfield?” posts – Mondays being for current student-athletes, and Fridays for alumni in the SC Hall of Fame. On Feb. 23, Springfield will be represented by Shamar Martin and LaToya Franklin in a panel discussion that will involve reflecting and connecting on Division III Black student-athlete experiences. The panel discussion will include representatives from Amherst College and Mount Holyoke, as well as Lamarr Pottinger, the NCAA Associate Director for Leadership Development Springfield’s willingness to highlight its

get their voice heard,” Lyons said.

On the Springfield College campus, student-athletes typically play an integral role as leaders within the community. Making up about 31 percent of the student body, according to the College’s website, one can look around and spot an athlete in just about any building on campus.

This year, their role has evolved. With no intercollegiate sporting events since the campus was deserted in March of 2020 because of the Coronavirus pandemic, everyone – especially the athletic department – has had to adapt and overcome.

Storytelling has had to change. It isn’t just about ‘The Jersey’ anymore, but rather the human behind it.

“It’s really rewarding to see the looks on the student-athlete’s faces when we ask questions that they’ve never been asked before,” the Assistant Athletic Director for Communications, Brian Magoffin, said.

(Pictured left to right: Grace Dzindolet, Steph Lyons and Lily Gould. Photod courtesy of Springfield College Athletics)

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Initiatives from Springfield Athletics can be viewed on Instagram, YouTube, Twitter or Facebook as well as their website: www.springfieldcollegepride.com (Photos courtesy of Springfield Athletics on social media)

student-athletes and engage in challenging conversations is setting a unique example for the community.

“I think it’s incredible.

I don’t think there is another Division III school that gives you so many opportunities as much as Springfield does,” Dzindolet said.

“It means a lot to student-athletes because growing up, you’re literally just an athlete and I feel like that’s something that you just are and there’s nothing else that comes with it.

But then you get here and you’re actually able to make a difference, so I think it’s really awesome.”

The interviews aren’t comfortable, but that’s the point. There will always be that breaking-in stage – like a brand new baseball glove lathered with oil, rolled up and wrapped with rubber bands and slept on underneath a mattress – it’s an uncomfortable night’s sleep, but once the leather has been broken in, it just feels right.

Questions are asked that haven’t been asked before and answers follow that may have never been verbalized. But, in the end, people of different backgrounds, skin tones and identities are able to connect and get comfortable – safely.

SPORTS The Springfield Student

VOL. 135 NO. 12 (Heidi Schuman / @hgshoes_10)

FEBRUARY 11, 2021