Fall '24 Issue No. 2

The Signal

Vol. LIV, No. 2

https://www.tcnjsignalnews.com/

September 20, 2024

Serving The College of New Jersey since 1885

Bernstein earns $75k salary increase for new year

By Matthew Kaufman Editor-in-Chief

President Michael Bernstein’s base salary has increased by $75,000 to a total of $475,000 for the new academic year, according to his most recent employment contract with the College, but the College will no longer pay for his personal travel expenses.

Under the agreement, Bernstein is also entitled to an annual salary increase (approved by the Board of Trustees), along with an annual bonus. If the Board decides Bernstein “achieved” goals and benchmarks, “exceeded” goals and benchmarks, or had an “extraordinary” performance, Bernstein can earn a bonus of 8%, 11% or 13%, respectively, of his base salary.

The bonus rates are higher than what was offered to former President Kathryn Foster, who stepped down in 2023. According to her final presidential employment contract, she was entitled to bonuses of 5%, 8%, or 10% of her base salary, which was $400,500 for her final year in office.

“Dr. Bernstein’s original salary was for his position as interim president,” Luke Sacks, the College’s head of media relations, told The Signal in an email. “The increase in his new contract is based on a combination of merit and market analysis.”

In response to a question on why the bonus rates have increased, Sacks said, “The contract and all the provisions in it are the result of negotiations between the president and the Board.”

The contract states that Bernstein’s term lasts until June 30, 2028, at which point it would be up for renewal.

Photo by Tristan Weisenbach

Bernstein is entitled to an annual salary increase and an annual bonus.

Foster’s final contract also outlined a Retention Incentive Payment Plan, where for each year she remained as president, $20,000 would be deposited to an escrow account, where it would earn quarterly interest. She would then have been able to withdraw the money after the completion of her contract.

Foster, however, stepped down just before the first payment was set to be made.

Sacks said that Bernstein is being offered a similar incentive, though the details are not outlined in his contract and are instead “consistent with a separate pre-existing executive retention program.”

Also included in the contract, which The Signal obtained through a public records request, is a list of benefits entitled to Bernstein as president.

While the College previously paid for two round-trip flights per month to San Diego for Bernstein during his term as interim president, Sacks confirmed that

the College is no longer paying for the president’s personal travel. The Signal previously reported that the College paid for at least 11 round-trip flights to and from California during Bernstein’s term as interim president.

Though the College will not pay for personal travel, it will still pay for “travel expenses associated with college benefits,” according to the contract, a standard benefit for college presidents.

The College also provides Bernstein with a car and pays for gasoline, tolls, insurance and other maintenance costs. Bernstein will return the car once his term as president ends.

Bernstein will reside in a house owned by the College during his term as president.

The College has allocated up to $20,000 for Bernstein’s moving expenses, along with an additional $20,000 (plus an adjustment for inflation) to be spent in the future when Bernstein moves out of the house.

The contract also details the benefits Bernstein is entitled to once the contract term ends if the Board terminates him “without cause” or if he resigns “for good reason.” Under these criteria, the president would be entitled to a yearlong sabbatical, where he would earn his presidential salary, followed by becoming a professor of history or economics and receiving the salary of a full professor. If he leaves the College within two years of completing the sabbatical, Bernstein would have to pay back the salary he earned during the sabbatical.

If Bernstein chooses not to return as a professor, he could instead “receive a final additional payment in the amount equal to the sum of his last existing base salary,” according to the contract.

If Bernstein is terminated with cause or resigns voluntarily, he would not be entitled to these benefits. But if the Board requests Bernstein’s resignation, the contract stipulates that he is entitled to the benefits and compensation if he was terminated “without cause.”

This is a departure from Foster’s contract, which stated if the Board asked for her resignation, it would be equivalent to a termination with cause, so she would normally not have been entitled to the postpresidency benefits.

Foster being offered these benefits raised questions after her resignation, since under the terms of her contract, she would not have otherwise been able to.

“The Board of Trustees used its discretion to award her the post-agreement benefits to which she would have been entitled had she completed her contractual term,” Sacks told The Signal at the time.

ARC’s new hires embrace structural 2024 Presidential debate: TCNJ students change and promote inclusive practices react to candidates’ performances

By Kate Zydor News Editor

The College’s Accessibility Resource Center, located in Roscoe West Hall Suite 202, has welcomed structural changes following its 2023-24 staffing shortages.

According to its website, ARC “collaborates with students, faculty, staff and guests to advance access within the campus community and to further extend both the mission of The College of New Jersey and the mission of the Division of Inclusive Excellence to persons with disabilities.”

Following the departures of Meghan Sellet, assistant vice president for accessibility resources, and the resignations of Kyla McCool, an accessibility specialist, and Dixita Malatesta, Lions Plus learning specialist, ARC struggled to manage its caseload of 1,300 students. In turn, students and families expressed concern about the rate at which academic accommodations were processed.

“The Accessibility Resource Center is one of the most important resources on TCNJ’s campus, as it is an office

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that allows full access to education for students,” said junior secondary math and special education major Gabriella Gigante.

In response to these challenges, five full-time staff members were hired: Megan Guiry, Kathryn Austin, Claire Giacometti, Allison Larthey and Kartika Kumari. Guiry, Austin and Giacometti were onboarded as accessibility specialists, whereas Larthey and Kumari serve as learning support specialists under the Lion’s Plus Program.

“The AVP role was not filled to get more accessibility specialists who can support the students. The three [new] accessibility specialists filled the role of those two vacant positions,” said Guiry.

Now, this team engages in a collaborative effort to serve roughly 1,500 students who utilize ARC’s services.

“Essentially, one person was managing the whole caseload, and for anyone that would be a lot,” said Larthey.

“Students are grateful that they have a person that they can go to and know that they are there to support them.”

FEATURES

Figure skater student

See ARC page 2 page 4

The Class of 2027 brings in an array of accomplishments to rival those before.

One that stands out is Kendal Plumstead, a U.S. Figure Skating gold medalist.

OPINIONS

By Paige Gould Staff Writer

Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump faced off during the 2024 presidential debate on Sept. 10, engaging in discussions on issues like abortion, immigration, climate change and more.

When given a chance to describe their first impressions of the 2024 presidential debate, students expressed varying viewpoints. John Rendzia, a sophomore political science major and chairman of the TCNJ College Republicans, criticized Harris’ debate skills against a Republican and said, “Trump’s adaptability is praiseworthy.”

Aria Chalileh and Jared Williams are both senior political science majors and co-presidents of the TCNJ Democrats.

When asked about their first impressions on the presidential debate, they noted that they were excited to see a high student turnout during the club’s debate watch party.

“This debate is very good for Harris who is speaking to policy, which matters to people: fantastic debate so far,” Williams said.

Ordinary is okay

page 5

Being extraordinary is what seemingly makes people special, and what gets you recognized. But how realistic is this?

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Faculty Artist Series

The Schools Arts and Communications and Humanities and Social Sciences also hosted a watch party in the Kendall Hall black box theater, where attendees had a chance to learn about productive civil discourse.

The first issue mentioned was the economy. According to Al Jazeera, Harris highlighted her pledge to generate an “opportunity economy,” proposing a $6,000 child tax credit and giving a $50,000 tax deduction to small businesses.

Al Jazeera also reported that Trump replied that inflation is a “disaster” with inflation hovering at 3%. Trump also mentioned his plan on imposing high tariffs to encourage U.S.-based manufacturing.

Abortion was the second issue debated on Tuesday night. According to NPR, Trump falsely claimed Harris supported late-term abortion bans, while Harris emphasized the importance of bodily autonomy.

Chalileh said she found Harris “inspiring,” especially when Harris articulated that she does not want the government to have control over women’s bodies. see DEBATE page 10 page 12

Featuring the talents of the College’s music professors, this series was opened by trumpet professor Alex Bender and pianist Benjamin Pawlak.

SPORTS

page 16

Football defeats F&M

TCNJ’s football team is off to its best start in 13 years after securing a 17-13 win over Franklin and Marshall College.

page 2 The Signal September 20, 2024

Dining Services shares what it’s plating up this academic year

By Raeanne Raccagno Staff Writer

The College’s Dining Services gave an overview of modifications and new plans for this academic year during the Student Government general body meeting on Sept. 11.

Evonne Ryan-Grandell, field marketing specialist, and Nelson Morales, resident district manager, led the dining presentation to start the SG meeting.

“I’ve been a little crazy since the school started with planning all kinds of exciting, cool events for you guys,” said RyanGrandell. The field marketing specialist also talked about the adjustments Dining Services made in multiple dining locations after reading and following student feedback from last year.

One of the biggest feedback items was implementing Italian dishes into Quimby’s Kitchen, whose menu has been updated. Quimby’s Rotisserie has also been converted into Simple Servings, a clean eating station that avoids the nine major food allergens but still offers fish as a protein source. Morales said the food vendor has been “very busy” with students who have all had positive feedback.

“A lot of the students that have allergies will go there and they feel comfortable,” said Morales.

The chefs working at the station are knowledgeable and prepared to answer students’ questions or concerns, according to Morales.

Bamboo Gardens is introducing more protein-filled salads, and smoothies are

offered every other day, rotating every other week. This means one week will be Monday, Wednesday and Friday, and the following week will be Tuesday and Thursday.

Plant-based lovers gained more options across campus with Vegan Loop, increasing plant-based proteins by 30%, and Traditions added three new vegetable appetizers to their menu.

Additional items that have boosted the Traditions menu, like the new mocktails and the Nashville sticky crispy chicken sandwich, are already making an impact on students. Mention of the sandwich received shouts and applause from the general body.

Traditions is offering beef barbacoa soft tacos for two weeks starting on Sept.

16. Ryan-Grandell said there will be different limited-time offers in Traditions throughout the year.

T-Dubs added a new sundae bar, 32 Degrees, with create-your-own or set sundae recipes. Simply To-Go items in T-Dubs have been extended with items requested by students.

In the lower level of T-Dubs on the Travers side, there will be a Just Baked vending machine that offers hot and cold food items, which will be available to students 24/7. Morales said he hopes in the next week or two that it will be installed.

Halal chicken and ground beef are now available at Eick. When a student asked about other initiatives for Halal and Kosher food options, Morales said Rabbi Kivi has been talking with the chefs about other Kosher options.

A new catering service, Square Tomato, has been launched for student organizations. Orders will be placed through the College’s catering website and are for pick-up only. Minimum orders of single items must be 12 pieces and prices range from $1-5 per piece.

A month-long promotional event, Lucky Duck, will be starting in late September where students receive a rubber duck after spending $20 or more at the C-Store. Students then have to complete the tasks provided after scanning the QR code on the duck which will include social media posts.

There will be a winner chosen for the most creative photos featuring your Lucky Duck at the end of each week who will receive a Stanley cup filled with C-Store snacks. After the four weeks are over, there will be a grand prize winner announced at Homecoming, who will win a laptop.

Nicole Piotrowski, the College’s registered dietitian, held the first of monthly tabling events on Sept. 4, offering free samples of a meal plan to students in the C-Store. Students were able to purchase a healthy meal kit from Piotrowski.

“That’s the gist behind the program, creating recipes with items you can purchase [in the C-Store] and make right in your dorm room,” said Ryan-Grandell.

Once a month, there will be Tall Hat Tuesdays which is a fine dining experience in Eickhoff Hall courtesy of 91.3 Wokery.

“This is something you would get in a restaurant and pay a pretty price for,” Morales said.

There will be culinary student

engagement events throughout the year, including the pizza-making workshop that happened on Sept. 13 hosted by the College Union Board and Executive Chef Frank Rette.

The speakers also reported that Dining Services is fully staffed for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic. “​​We have a new diverse team now,” said Morales. “Folks from Korea, China, Latin America, Thailand, just from all over the place, so we’re able to really change up a lot of the menus.”

Morales estimated that 90% of chefs have graduated from Johnson and Wales or the Culinary Institute of America.

Dining staff have also been going through training to become educated on swipes to help confused students.

Dining Services purchased new outside patio furniture for Traditions which started getting installed on Sept. 12.

The 1855 Room has adopted white crock boxes for the soup, similar to Whole Foods, which other dining locations will be enacting over time, according to Morales.

The College will be stepping away from stainless steel and institutional utensils.

Kevin Willis, current director of operations, will be leaving the College on Sept. 19, and Vincent Papp will be replacing him as resident dining general manager.

The best way for students to stay informed about dining services events and updates is by paying attention to “Did You Know?” posters found in dining locations and following their Instagram @ tcnjdining.

ARC / Streamlining student accomodations Dean, professor seek civil discussion at watch party Continued from page 1

ARC’s accessibility specialists work with students who have documented disabilities, providing them with support and access to academic, housing, dining and parking accommodations. A large part of the role of an accessibility specialist is to process student accommodation requests and to determine eligibility in accordance with federal legislation.

“People with disabilities learn in different ways,” said Trevin Daly, a senior who is a part of the College’s Career and Community Studies (CCS) program. “We need to support them in any way we can.”

The CCS program is a four-year college-based certificate program for young adults, ages 18-25, with intellectual disabilities. Per its website, “the program is designed to prepare students for adult life through academic rigor, career discovery/readiness, and peer socialization as part of a diverse community of learners at The College of New Jersey.”

Learning support specialists under the Lion’s Plus Program will act as a separate entity, which is a major change from the last academic year. Together, they manage the fee-based program that supports students beyond legally mandated ADAapproved accommodations.

Once enrolled in this program, students are provided with one-onone meetings that coach them toward accessing all campus resources, managing class assignments, navigating Canvas and creating weekly schedules that aid in time management.

“We are also adding in some workshop time where our students can come and do a deeper dive into some of the tools and strategies that we’ve been finding useful,” said Larthey.

Another major change is how ARC’s accommodations portal, Accommodate, will be utilized. Through Accommodate, students can digitally upload their academic accommodation requests, which will be processed and sent to their professors directly.

“It streamlines how students’ accommodation memos are being distributed to their professors,” said Giacommetti. “Previously, they had to hand-deliver their accommodation memos. Now, it is all being sent digitally through our portal.”

Through Accommodate, students can book proctored exams if their professors cannot administer them themselves. In the past, this has been done through Google Forms submissions.

To ensure both students and professors are aware of this portal’s features, the center has created faculty and exambooking guides. Additionally, the contract students sign to enroll under ARC has been digitized.

The new team also expressed gratitude towards the College’s interim vice president for inclusive excellence, Tacquice Davis. They stated that she has supported ARC in its latest initiatives and ensured all staff members communicate across the different departments.

“Students should feel empowered to use these resources with the addition of more staff,” said Gigante. “Asking for help is one of the most difficult tasks, so having a space that is inclusive for all of TCNJ’s body will ensure support for the students.”

With ARC being fully staffed, the center hopes students will receive more individualized, personal attention to aid in their success at the College and beyond. “[ARC] should not only support students with their accommodations but also help these students search for and secure jobs prior to graduation,” said Daly.

In pursuing these initiatives to promote campus-wide inclusivity, ARC is also continuing to explore new ways to improve its operations.

“We’re in the office where the culture of change is very apparent because when we came in, we came from all different backgrounds,” said Guiry. “We were working together to create what we think would be best for our students and then making those changes.”

By Matthew Kaufman Editor-in-Chief

The School of the Arts and Communication hosted a watch party of the Sept. 10 United States presidential debate between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump, hoping to foster a productive and civil discussion among students, faculty and staff who attended the event in the black box theater in Kendall Hall.

Arts and Communication Dean Pamela Barnett, whose research focuses on nonviolent communication, led the discussion alongside political science professor Sara Morell. The two speakers presented for an hour prior to the debate on how to have civil political discussions, along with the importance of presidential debates.

“As a dean for a school of art and communication, I feel like we have a responsibility to help people communicate well about the issues that divide us, like this presidential election, like the Israel-Hamas war.”

The debate watch party was one of several held on campus. The TCNJ Democrats and the TCNJ College Republicans also hosted their own viewing events.

Barnett encouraged the audience to think about whether they would fear sharing their opinion in a room of others with divided opinions. Some students who spoke up reported that they might fear how others would perceive them or feel like they were being ignored.

Following Barnett’s thought exercises, Morell posed the question: Why do we have presidential debates?

While one debate may not swing large portions of the electorate one way or the other, Morell said, “debates matter because they cause people to pay attention.”

“73 million people watched the 2020 Trump-Biden debate, and 84 million people watched the first Trump-Clinton debate,” Morell said. “So 20 to 25 percent of the entire population of the United States watches this political event.”

Morell also emphasized how hot-button issues presented in a debate can shape political discourse for the rest of the campaign.

“I would argue that debates also matter because they tell you what the election is going

to be about,” the political science professor said.

“They lead to media attention about whether this is going to be an election about immigration or an election about abortion. And how the media frames the election is going to shape who is mobilized to vote.”

The impact of media was evident from the topics addressed by the moderators, as pointed out by Nikos DeGruccio, a senior communications major, who was in the audience.

“I think the moderators hit on topics that are very prevalent in the media right now, which is good because that’s what people are focusing on,” DeGruccio told The Signal. “And I think that they were also good at fact-checking both candidates on things in the moment, as they said things that were out of line.”

Throughout the stream, the audience was relatively calm as the candidates sparred.

Besides a few snickers at certain moments, the group watched the politicians intently and quietly. The crowd also seemed to enjoy the split screen views presented by the stream, laughing mostly at Harris’s reactions to what Trump was saying.

Cathy Zheng serves as a TCNJ voting fellow working for TCNJ Votes!, which co-sponsored the debate watch event, to help increase voter turnout on campus. Zheng, a junior political science major, said events like this one can help get more students engaged with the campaign.

“Data shows that among our population, college-age peers, our voter turnout rates are lower than the national average,” Zheng told The Signal. “We’re really trying to change that.

If we promote these conversations — these honest, civil dialogues — in college settings, then it sets us up for positive habits surrounding civic engagement going forward.”

While many college students may not be in tune with the latest election developments, Thomas O’Neal, a junior political science major in attendance at the event, told The Signal that he thinks students should be aware of what’s happening in the country.

“I think it’s important for us to understand what’s going on so that we can make informed decisions,” O’Neal said, “and so that hopefully one day we can be more civil towards one another.”

September 20, 2024 The Signal page 3

Cop Shop: Mac-n-Please operate vehicles responsibly

By Isabella Darcy News Editor

The Signal and Campus Police work together on a weekly basis to inform the campus community about crime on and around campus. All records given to The Signal are public records and do not contain personal information. Some information provided may be triggering for some students.

Sept. 2: No registration and insurance?

No driving.

While on a routine patrol at approximately 5:27 p.m., a Campus Police officer noticed an unoccupied green Subaru Outback parked on C-Street. Campus Police ran the vehicle’s registration through the National Crime Information Center, which showed that the vehicle’s registration was revoked and that its license plate should be removed.

Campus Police also ran the vehicle’s registration through its Mobile Data Terminal, which showed a revoked status for termination of insurance.

When the owner returned to his vehicle, Campus Police told him that it would be towed for lack of insurance and revoked registration. At approximately 5:50 p.m., Mother’s Recovery arrived at C-Street, removed the vehicle’s license plate and towed it to the yard.

To have the vehicle released, valid registration and insurance must be presented to Campus Police. The owner received three tickets.

Sept. 3: Forcina Fall A student slipped and rolled her ankle while walking down the stairs in Forcina Hall. At approximately 6:55 p.m., the injured students’ friend who was with her on a bench outside of the building called Campus Police and requested assistance.

Upon arrival, Campus Police noticed that the student’s ankle was swollen and asked her if she wanted to go to the hospital for further care. The student said yes, and was transported from the College to Capital Health Regional by Ewing EMS at approximately 7:09 p.m.

Sept. 5: SSB (Super Sensitive Building)

The Social Sciences Building was evacuated due to a fire alarm that activated at approximately 1 p.m. The building was evacuated until Campus Police and Ewing Township Fire Department completed a check of the building and reset the alarm.

A smoke detector on the building’s second floor women’s bathroom caused the alarm to activate, but it is unknown what triggered it.

Sept. 6: Damaged vehicle A student who parked in

Lot 7 noticed s c r a t c h marks on the rear driver’s side bumper of her vehicle at around 6:45 p.m., when she was returning to it.

The student reported the damages to Campus Police, who reviewed camera and video footage of the garage.

Campus Police determined that the scratch marks were already on the vehicle before the student entered the garage, and told the student that she would need to file a New Jersey Self-Reporting Crash Form because the collision did not occur at the College.

Sept. 7: Intoxicated student A student who had been drinking alcohol vomited near the Wolfe Hall dumpster at approximately 1 a.m. A campus security officer saw the student throwing up, and approached him to inquire about his health. The student told the security officer that he had not been feeling well, but was feeling less ill after vomiting.

Within a few minutes, Campus Police and EMS arrived at Wolfe Hall. EMS monitored the students vitals, completed an assessment and concluded that the

student did not need further treatment.

Sept. 8: Mac-n-Please add enough water Burnt macaroni and cheese caused a smoke detector to activate in Allen Hall, which triggered the Ely, Allen, Brewster fire panel at approximately 9:54 p.m.

ABE was not evacuated.

Campus Police, Ewing Township Fire Department and Prospect Heights Volunteer Fire Company responded to the scene. No smoke or fire was present in the room, and the panel was reset.

Sept.

9: K a r a t e chop The arm of Lot 18’s entrance gate came down on top of a

subcontractor’s vehicle when he attempted to enter the garage without swiping in.

The subcontractor was at the College to do work on the garage, and had been instructed to park in it.

When the subcontractor arrived at Lot 18 at approximately 7 a.m., an employee of the College told him that the gate would be open long enough for two vehicles to pass through, and that he should follow the car in front of him. The gate was, in fact, not open long enough for two vehicles to enter.

The top of the subcontractor’s vehicle suffered minor scratches.

Sept. 9: This is why I don’t back in Two vehicles were involved in a crash in Lot 7 at approximately 9:30 a.m. A driver attempted to back into an open parking spot, but ended up hitting and damaging an unoccupied parked vehicle.

The collision caused the parked vehicle’s front driver’s side headlight to break, and some dents and scratches. The

other vehicle suffered some denting and scratches, as well as tear damage to its rear passenger side bumper.

The driver who had attempted to back in reported the collision to Campus Police.

When the owner of the parked vehicle returned to Lot 7, both drivers exchanged information.

Sept. 13: Intoxicated student An intoxicated student was transported to Capital Health Medical Center after being evaluated by both Hopewell and Lions EMS. Earlier in the night, the student consumed half a water bottle worth of vodka. For over 45 minutes, the student was in and out of consciousness in a Travers Hall lounge.

A community advisor in Travers Hall called Campus Police at approximately 12:26 a.m. after finding the student unwell in the lounge. The student vomited multiple times before Campus Police and EMS arrived. Capital Health Paramedics Squad 179-1 later arrived and transported the student to the hospital.

Sept. 15: Illegal room decoration A resident who lives in Brewster Hall witnessed a car run over and damage street signs that were already laying in the middle of the road while visiting Princeton last spring. The student wanted to take the mangled signs with him, so he asked a nearby police officer if he could keep them. The officer did not decline.

The student used the damaged “NO PEDESTRIAN CROSSING” and “USE CROSSWALK” signs as dorm room decoration, until earlier this month.

At approximately 11:23 p.m. on Sept.

15, the Ely, Allen, Brewster fire panel’s alarm was set off by a triggered smoke detector in the Brewster Hall residents’ room. Campus Police and Prospect Heights Volunteer Fire Company responded to the fire alarm, but did not find any signs of smoke or fire. The responders did, however, take note of the street signs.

After being advised to give the signs to Campus Police to avoid criminal liability for public property, the student handed them in. Campus Police has made multiple attempts to find who the signs belong to, but have not yet been successful.

The Shop at TCNJ expands, offers a wider variety of resources to visitors

By Giada Schwam Correspondent

The Shop, an on-campus resource which provides aid to those experiencing food insecurity, is currently in the process of expanding its resources through fundraising and the Hunger-Free Campus Grant Program. This grant program helps colleges get the necessary funding for students to have access to food and hygiene products so they can focus more on their studies.

Visitors can attend The Shop once a week and fill a basket with any items they would like from all the frozen produce, canned goods and hygiene products that The Shop offers.

“I think it’s amazing that The Shop is able to expand its resources and reach more college students with food insecurity,” said Anusree Deevi, a freshman counseling and clinical psychology major. “The Shop’s expansion is such a game changer in the fight against hunger in a college setting.”

Through the Secretary for Higher Education’s office, Nicole Harris, manager of The Shop, and Elizabeth Gallus, associate dean of students, wrote a grant proposal for the next cycle of the HungerFree Campus program for a $75,000 grant.

The grant proposal included paying for student salaries, food replenishment, hygiene products and refurbishing mini pantries around campus. Currently, the

Photo by Brooke Zevon

The Shop is expanding its resources in an effort to provide more aid.

College has mini pantries located in the The products that Mercer Street Friends Dean of Students office and Student Health carries were a crucial part of the grant Services, with plans to open more in the proposal, according to Harris.

Recreation Center and Forcina Hall.

With the grant money, The Shop plans “I think it’s great that TCNJ has The to purchase more canned goods such Shop and even better that it’s getting as various beans, vegetables, tuna and expansions,” said Katherine Morales, a chicken. It also plans to buy more hygiene sophomore psychology major. “Students products like toilet paper, dish detergent, can focus more on their schoolwork and toothbrushes and toothpaste. not have to worry about if they have “We recently finished out a grant, and enough food for them to eat.” with the grant, we were able to purchase a Through its partnership with Mercer commercial refrigerator,” said Harris.

Street Friends, a food bank that supplies Now The Shop can hold more food pantries in Mercer County, The Shop refrigerated and packaged products. The now carries fresh eggs and produce.

Shop purchased more frozen goods, “When we were done with the spring including ground beef, pork, shrimp and semester, we weren’t offering those things turkey bacon from Mercer Street Friends. yet,” said Harris.

The Shop implements expansions using

fundraisers and donations from various outlets. Monetary and food donations, as well as donations from The Shop’s Amazon wishlist and other fundraising significantly help The Shop to purchase more products and expand its inventory.

Soon to be started, The Shop also plans to get frozen meals once a week from the Trenton Area Soup Kitchen, an organization that provides healthy meals and services to those in need around Trenton.

Over the last two years, The Shop’s inventory and traffic has increased. The Shop received 181 visits by 101 visitors in 2023. A household that consists of one or multiple people is considered a visitor. The Shop’s visits increased to 989 visits by 342 visitors in 2024. Just this past summer, The Shop had 264 visits by 107 visitors from June 1 to Sept. 12.

When people advocate for The Shop’s services, it significantly increases visits, according to Harris.

Harris wants to make more students at the College aware of the option that Sodexo, the College’s food service provider, gives students regarding extra Flex Points.

Students who have unused points have the option to purchase items and donate them to The Shop. Last year, over 200 students opted to donate using their unused points, which totaled to around $18,000 in food that would be donated to The Shop.

The Shop’s hours of operation can be found on its Instagram @theshop__tcnj.

Features

Former gold medalist figure skater starts TCNJ journey

Kendal Plumstead at the start of her figure skating career.

By Aimee Bulger Staff Writer Within the impressive set of students at the College, the Class of 2027 transfers brings in an array of accomplishments to rival those before. One that stands out is Kendal Plumstead, a U.S. Figure Skating gold medalist.

Starting at the age of 3, Plumstead, an art education major, has known a life on the ice. Her parents signed her up for the sport young, and after seeing her skill and enthusiasm, she continued skating for 17 years. According to Plumstead, starting the sport that young is rare.

“They saw me on the ice and were like ‘oh she likes it, but she keeps falling and it really hurts her,’ so they strapped this yellow pillow and duck tape around my butt so it wouldn’t hurt when I fell and I just loved it from there,” she recalled.

As Plumstead explains it, figure skating is a skill-based sport, meaning that once you reach the age of 9, you are expected to have

Photo courtesy of Kendal Plumstead

a certain level of skill and build from there.

This means after a certain age, you have to be able to perform certain skills and tricks.

This also means that when competing, all age ranges can compete against each other.

Plumstead has obtained a gold medal from the U.S. Figure Skating Association for her moves in the field. Specifically, this category is a test on being able to perform certain skating skills properly. She also won many competitions throughout her career, and passed her Moves in the Field category, with distinction and honors — another rarity within the sport.

“It’s like the highest honor in figure skating you can get,” Plumstead said.

“It usually takes about six to eight years to complete all the testing for that. So I completed that through Moves in the Field, and I got my first gold medal for that.”

Plumstead also considers her lengthy and successful 17-year career to be an honor itself, as well as being able to start so young with such a strong support system.

She credits her parents for being her

strongest support – her dad for bringing her to practices and both her parents for cheering her on all the way through.

“My dad owns his own business so he was able to take off time and get me to my practices, which were sometimes 4 o’clock in the morning, before school, after school, during school, and I’d get pulled out of school for that and all my teachers would accommodate me because they knew it was a really big deal,” she said.

Spending so much of her time skating, Plumstead reflected on how she did not have a typical school experience.

When asked if the demand of the sport made it difficult to balance school, Plumstead said, “No because it was my whole life because I started from a young age, but yes because I didn’t get to have a social life.”

“Most get to have a playdate after school and hangout with friends; I didn’t have any of that social interaction at all, so it was all just figure skating, figure skating, figure skating.”

Once she got to high school, Plumstead said the balance got much harder, which is when she began to distance from skating.

Plumstead said the 4 a.m. practices, the competitive nature between the skaters, as well as the cliques amongst girls were all difficult to handle at times. However, when she got the chance to perform, all of that melted away.

“Whenever I stepped onto the ice, I felt like I was free,” she said.

Figure skating is a very taxing sport, not only in terms of time demand and mental health, but on the body as well. Around three years ago, she had to stop skating due to injuries in the knee, broken bones, strains, back problems and concussions.

The final injury that forced Plumstead to stop skating was a back injury that left her unable to walk for a few days. Plumstead said these injuries will have an impact on her in the future, however, she has no regrets in terms of her career.

Despite no longer skating herself, Plumstead volunteers as a coach for other figure skaters, teaching them new skills and how to grow as skaters themselves.

She has been coaching for five years and enjoys helping where she can.

Currently, Plumstead is attending the College as an art education major with a theater minor. Her mother is also a teacher.

Being a transfer student, Plumstead expressed how different the College is to her previous school, the key difference being the people. She said while she had a difficult time making friends and finding her place at her previous school, the College has done the opposite for her.

Now in college, Plumstead also admires the newfound freedom that comes along with a typical school experience, especially outside of a rigorous sport.

“Now that I get to college, I’m like, ‘Woah what is this?’ Experiences and friends, I can have those now and it’s a big difference,” Plumstead said.

Currently, Plumstead is in an off campus production as the lead dancer in Beauty and the Beast, at Mercer County Community College’s Kelsey Theater. She said she hopes to continue performing, learning and thriving here at the College.

“It was manageable but difficult,” Plumstead said in regards to her previous career. Sports can be so rewarding, yet so time consuming. Having the drive and dedication to be the best is what sets up success in the future.

International studies major details internship Alumni Adventures: The Jersey with U.S. Department of State Girl’s Guide to the best local spots

By Olivia Consuelo Ramos Correspondent

Hope Margarum, a junior international studies major, worked in an internship program with the U.S. Department of State this past summer. Through this internship, she gained wisdom and experience from her work and her colleagues, Margarum said.

“Being able to intern at the State Department was an amazing opportunity that opened my eyes to different career and postgraduate opportunities,” Margarum said.

Once she started her junior year at the College, she decided to pursue internships related to her major to gain experience. She knew from the beginning that she wanted to work with the U.S. government.

She searched for an internship that allowed college juniors and found one available in the State Department. She applied and was accepted to this position after going through a background check in March.

Margarum was placed in the Student Internship Program at the Bureau of Education and Cultural Affairs located in Washington, D.C. starting on June 17.

Throughout the summer, she had access to many museums and was surrounded by many artifacts of U.S. history. Margarum said she felt very fortunate to be in an area that had so much information about the U.S. “I was working with colleagues who were either civil servants or foreign service officers and a big benefit of my experience was being able to connect and network

with people from a variety of educational and professional backgrounds,” Margarum said.

This bureau uses exchange programs between the U.S. and students from other countries to promote equality. These programs involve students from all around the globe that excel in academics, sports and art in order to instill inclusion and diversity.

She had several tasks at the bureau, including engaging with students from other countries involved in exchange programs, data entry, attending meetings and helping her colleagues that worked full-time for the bureau.

“I was truly exposed to a multitude of cultures and perspectives,” Margarum said. “Some opportunities I had during my internship included volunteering during the NATO Summit this summer, helping with various exchange groups coming from countries like South Korea, Australia [and] Nepal, and being able to sit in various foreign policy briefings.”

Her internship with the State Department ended on Aug. 23. She is now studying abroad in Prague for the fall 2024 semester.

She recalls gaining insight on opportunities in the Czech Republic from coworkers in the State Department that had experience working in the country.

“I’m very excited to see the world now that I spent the summer learning so much more about what the government does to engage us globally,” Margarum said.

She has several plans for future work, such as teaching international studies abroad and returning to the State Department for a fellowship. Margarum plans to apply for another internship this summer.

By Victoria Gladstone Former Editor-in-Chief

She’s documenting New Jersey’s coolest, trendiest things to do — and she’s doing it through her Instagram and TikTok pages. Mackenzie Malpass, who graduated from the College in the spring of 2023, is the creator of the popular social media account @TheJerseyyGirlGuide, with a growing platform of over 14,000 followers.

Malpass, originally from Point Pleasant, runs accounts on both platforms and highlights local restaurants, attractions and activities to her mostly female targeted audience. She shoots all of her own content and works directly with companies to come up with marketing strategies like giveaways or special edition items.

“I definitely like having a very feminine feel to the Instagram, and most of my followers are still women,” said Malpass.

“I do have a few men go to my page, but I just kind of love that like having a space where it’s like, OK, where can we find a girl’s day. Something that you and your friends can count on that always be something there.”

Beginning a little over a year ago, Malpass started her journey as a content creator and “didn’t think [the account] would go anywhere.” But after six months of consistent posting, she saw an influx in followers she hadn’t seen before and began making an income from the account.

In a recent partnership with the Playa Bowls of Howell, Malpass created her signature bowl of the month, titled the “Jersey Girl Bowl,” which will be sold at that location. She described this marketing

opportunity as an “absolute blast” and is excited to come back to her first ever workplace to create content.

While she runs the account on her own, Malpass focuses less on including herself in the content and works toward a “business first perspective,” by featuring businesses in high quality videos with curated aesthetics. She believes her style of content will continue to help business owners reach a new marketing strategy and audience.

Malpass said she found her passion for social media and marketing during her internship with Vineyard Vines in 2022.

Read more on our website!

Photo courtesy of Mackenzie Malpass

Mackenzie Malpass shares New Jersey’s best things to do on social media.

There’s nothing wrong with being ordinary

Photo by Andre Paras

Remember to give yourself grace as a student.

By Lacey Okamura Staff Writer We all have that person in our lives who seems to have it all put together. Not only do they excel academically, making dean’s list every semester and in the top of their class, but they are outgoing and know every person on campus. They are president of multiple organizations, captain of an athletic team, volunteer at the tutoring center and try to solve world hunger on the weekends.

While that last point may have been an exaggeration, we can all think of someone who somewhat fits that description: the person who does anything and everything. These students are who society labels as the “leaders of the next generation.” They are hardworking and outgoing people that take advantage of all the opportunities offered to them.

Social norms lead us to believe that being this ideal student is what we should all strive for. Being extraordinary is what seemingly makes people special, and what gets you rec-

ognized. But how realistic is this?

Logically, it’s impossible for every student to be president of a club or captain of a team.

Not everyone has time for extracurriculars because some work a part-time job to help pay for school. Others may spend hours and hours in the library to keep up with their massive workload as an engineering major. Some students may even be dealing with mental health issues and struggle to get out of bed in the morning.

None of these students should be considered lazy for not being overly involved in campus. They are students trying to survive the next four years and earn a degree. If this makes them “ordinary,” then there’s nothing wrong with being ordinary.

Of course, there’s nothing wrong with being incredibly involved either. If you are the person who matches that description, then you should be extremely proud of yourself. But, it is also 100% acceptable if you don’t fit that description. What makes us special goes beyond having an extensive resume.

We all have intricate, complex lives that carry their own challenges. We all have relationships with others that require attention and love. We all have characteristics and interests that set us apart from others. These are things that make someone special, not just a list of accomplishments.

At the end of the day, all of us are on campus for the same purpose, which is to learn.

Sure, some people may end up turning into those predicted world leaders and enacting change, but most of us will end up working regular 9-to-5 jobs. Remember to give yourself grace as a student. If you are doing the best you can, that is more than enough.

Metal detectors should be in all schools

Gun violence in the U.S. needs to stop.

By Erica Remboske Correspondent In 2024 alone, there have been 45 school shootings in the United States — 45 too many. This data was updated on Sept. 9 and the year is not over yet. According to CNN, there were a total of 82 school shootings in the U.S. in 2023.

According to USA Today’s statistics, “488 people were either killed or injured in a school shooting in the last six years.” This does not include college campuses, where there have been 13 mass shootings since 1966. At least 102 people were killed during these acts of violence.

The most recent school mass shooting occurred on Sept. 4, at Apalachee High School in Winder,

Photo courtesy of Flickr

Georgia. A 14-year-old boy, Colt Gray, carried his gun into the school and opened fire. Although, according to CNN, Gray’s mother called the school to inform them about the threat, the school may not have reacted quick enough. The shooting could have been prevented with the details that the mother provided.

However, Gray would not have been able to enter the school with a weapon if he had passed through a metal detector. Instead, four innocent lives, two being students, were taken that day, and nine others were injured. A quick scan under a metal detector would have prevented this tragedy.

Throughout all of the recent events regarding school shootings

and gun violence, it is evident that the country needs to protect our children. There should not be any type of violence like this in the United States.

A good starting point where the United States can effectively protect its citizens from gun violence aside from enacting comprehensive legislation is to implement metal detectors, even in private schools.

There are obviously more efficient and accurate ways to make schools safer, like enhanced security in every corner of the school, but the starting point would be metal detectors.

Metal detectors may slow students down as they enter the school, but the benefits outweigh the disadvantages. Students would have to remove all metal, including wire-bound notebooks, from their bookbags and walk through the security device.

A local public school district to the College, Ewing Public Schools, was finally able to implement metal detectors in their schools. Before the student reaches the entrance, they are to remove all metal from their book bags. Once the student reaches the school entrance, they must walk through the detector.

However, an issue with metal detectors is that other items, such as water bottles and jewelry, can go off and create a false positive for metal/weapons. Also, students will experience delays getting into the school until the faculty and staff become proficient with using the system.

It is also important to keep in mind that metal detectors do not

reduce the entire threat of school shootings, but they do help with tracking and limiting what comes into the schools.

Gun violence needs to end everywhere, but predominantly, in our schools. While it could potentially raise taxes, protection from crime is crucial. Our children will grow up with even more fear than what they have now if we do not start to take action right away.

There have been far too many deaths and injuries in the past 58 years, which is progressively getting worse each year. Immediate action needs to happen to fix this problem now.

Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

Walk through metal detector.

page 6 The Signal September 20, 2024

New York Fashion Week is shaping the future of fashion

Photo by Parisa Burton

Diesel billboard in Times Square.

By Parisa Burton Opinions Editor

The “Big Four” fashion capitals – New York, London, Milan and Paris – set the tone for upcoming trends by hosting captivating bi-annual fashion weeks every February and September. During these showcases, luxury brands and looming designers from around the world unveil their latest collections to the public in their own bold and eccentric way.

New York Fashion Week 2024 set the stage for the world’s highly anticipated fashion month, hosting a series of shows and special events from Sept. 6 to Sept. 11. However, some of this year’s presentations were more than bold – they epitomized futuristic fashion.

The future of fashion extends past color choices – it embraces diversity and sustainability at the forefront of its values while advancing alongside technological innovations like artificial intelligence.

“Where Technology Meets Fashion” was an immersive experience held in an event venue in Soho, New York, on Sept. 5, the eve of Fashion

Week. This event showcased the collaboration of Samsung Galaxy and Vogue, and featured unique designs by a 2023 Vogue Fashion Fund finalist, Colin LoCascio.

Using Samsung Galaxy’s advanced technology, attendees could self-produce designs through movement and touch, which were illuminated on the wall within seconds. This innovative concept emphasizes the evolving intersection between fashion and technology, and foreshadows where fashion is headed.

“We wanted to leverage my brand’s playful spirit and aesthetic to inspire creativity, embodying Samsung Galaxy AI’s limitless possibilities…,” LoCascio told Vogue.

Aside from technology, sustainability is beginning to dominate the fashion industry as people become increasingly aware of the detrimental impact textile waste has on our planet. According to Earth.org, the clothing industry’s global emissions will likely double by 2030 if no action is taken to reduce clothing waste.

Fortunately, emerging designers like Christian Sirano have introduced eco-friendly fashion alternatives to the prestigious NYFW scene. This is particularly important because influential figures watching the fashion show have the power to sway public opinion and inspire others to champion sustainability.

Sirano is an American fashion designer who has long been revolutionizing the fashion industry by embracing inclusivity in his design choices despite public opinion. In 2010, he dressed actress Christina Hendricks in a strapless peach dress for the Golden Globes. The following day, an unnamed stylist told the New York Times: “You don’t put a big girl in a big

dress. That’s rule number one.”

Sirano believes that at the time, his approach of “putting it in people’s face” by dressing a diverse set of bodies was worth it because he knew that one day people would “come around.”

Sirano recently added another innovation to his collection through a partnership with Circ, a fashion technology company. This corporation collects textile waste and uses chemical processes to separate synthetic fibers from cellulose content to create like-new fibers for brands to use.

He showcased two pieces in NYFW – a trench coat and wide-leg pant set, both made from Circ Lyocell, a fabric incorporating recycled textile waste and resembling silk. This creative decision reinforces his commitment to fashion-forward thinking by demonstrating how eco-friendly fabrics can still embody luxury.

Another standout attribute of NYFW this year was its commitment to welcoming diversity of all kinds, both on the runway, in the audience and among crowds outside. “This was not the contrived kind, when brands will nod to inclusivity by inviting certain guests or casting certain models in their shows,” said Times photographer Simbarashe Cha. “It was more natural…they looked as if they were meant to be there.”

Cha reported that NYFW brought a wide array of cultural heritages, age groups and styles, reminding everyone that New York is a diverse setting where “hip-hop meets pop.” Essentially, there is no single definition of fashion in NYC, as everyone brings their own fresh perspective to the table, often reflecting their unique cultural experiences.

The Runway of Dreams Foundation,

dedicated to increasing visibility for disability inclusion in the fashion and beauty industry, held its 10th anniversary event during NYFW in Brooklyn. Fashion Revolution showcased over 60 models with a range of disabilities and exhibited pieces from leading accessible design companies including Tommy Hilfiger, Victoria’s Secret and Target.

Musical artist Austin Halls, born with Moebius syndrome, modeled for Fashion Revolution and told Pride.com: “Being a queer disabled individual with a facial difference, I have never seen anyone like me represented in the media… I’m showing the world that the future of disabilities is having a seat at, or owning, the table.”

Victoria’s Secret was a sponsor of this event and first partnered with founder Mindy Scheir two years ago, and made its first debut on their runway in Sept. 2023. Victoria’s Secret’s chief diversity officer, Lydia Smith, worked with focus groups to perfect their bra designs before showing them on the runway.

Feedback from models proved the mission a success, many stating it was the first bra they wore in years due to sensory issues. “They really went through the process and then listened,” Scheier said. This year, Victoria’s Secret presented its adaptive activewear and intimates, intentionally designed for varying disability needs.

One thing was clear about NYFW 2024: It surpassed expectations, setting the tone for the future of fashion. It felt like a breath of fresh air to witness an industry once marked by exclusivity now promoting diverse voices and showcasing cutting-edge innovation in technology and sustainability.

Sneex might just be the most confusing fashion innovation yet

Sneex aims to fill a void in comfortable footwear.

By Brinda Patel Staff Writer Not a heel nor a sneaker, the sister brand of Spanx aims to fill a void in comfortable footwear. The internet and wider consumer base, however, is divided on the basis of this new company’s hard launch.

The mission of Sara Blakely, the shoes’ founder, is to create shoes that prioritize comfort with every step taken. The old mantra “beauty is pain” is a lie fed to the female population and has been challenged by the fashion world time and time again.

Blakely wants everyone to run in these heels. She put out a message on her website declaring, “Sneex are my love letter to every woman who has taken her shoes off at a party, who wears flats to work with heels in her bag, who thought her days of wearing heels were over.”

By no means is Sneex a love letter.

Yet, despite this sincere intention, Blakely’s execution falls short. Sneex comes off as more of a fashion faux pas rather than a market breakthrough.

“Consumers are dressing much more casually now,” Blakely said.

Photo courtesy of Flickr

“While sneakers have been embraced as an option, there are many times I put on clothes and still want the height and look of a heel with the vibe of a sneaker. There was an opportunity there.”

Her claim may be reasonable, but it doesn’t justify producing something as unappealing as this shoe. A comfortable heel is one thing, but the overall designs are another. The shoeline doesn’t blend with any range of outfits. Rather than enhancing your wardrobe, this line of footwear might stand out in a way that feels forced or out of place.

The balance between style and comfort is very delicate, and in this case, the design of Sneex – The Blake, The Tepper and The Icon – may not resonate with a broad audience. It remains to be seen whether these shoes will become a fashion staple or merely a passing trend.

Blakely says that these shoes are ideal for a casual top and jeans look.

Her consumer base will most likely be women, especially career-driven women given the high prices. With that said, the everyday woman often prefers a more subtle shoe to pair with leisure wear.

She prefers to not call these standard sneakers or heels, but rather a “Hy-Heel Sneaker.” This nomenclature is a bit excessive.

The price of the shoes range from $395 to $595, with The Icon being the only model priced at $395. Given the high prices of this new invention, it will likely only attract wealthy customers. While a brand name may yield significant profits, comfort shouldn’t come with such a steep price. Regardless of gender or class, no one wants to break the bank to express themselves.

After Blakely launched her gamechanging invention to the world, it was met with nothing but crickets. It was as if she didn’t notice the lack of genuine enthusiasm, as everyone around her, including news presenters, continued to praise it. Meanwhile, prospective customers caught onto this lull and decided to tuck their credit cards away.

The CUT’s editor, Taylor Scarabelli, tracked her own experience wearing these Hy-Heels during New York Fashion Week. Although she received compliments from multiple fashion professionals, she reported that her feet were screaming and swollen as the night progressed, leaving her to question whether the shoes were “worth the squeeze.”

“Sneex may feel the same as any other three-inch heel, but what they lack in comfort and style is what they make up for in drama,” Scarabelli wrote in an attempt to salvage the concept of Sneex.

In theory, the idea of Sneex is an innovative concept as it merges shoe styles in a unique way, but the execution leaves something more to be desired. The design could benefit from more thoughtful choices in colors and materials. A more refined approach might enhance these shoes’ appeal and make them more accessible to a broader audience, aligning better with a diverse range of tastes and needs.

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September 20, 2024 The Signal page 7

The Electoral College should not get the last word

Photo courtesy of Flickr

As a whole, the Electoral College undermines the principle of democracy.

By Brinda Patel Staff Writer Today, we live in an age where unpredictability is the new normal.

This is very much prevalent in the world of politics. Unfortunately, when it comes to who we deem fit to change the trajectory of our country for the better, it’s not up to the popular vote. It’s up to an abysmal system called the Electoral College.

The Electoral College is a body of electors from each political party and state tasked to elect the next president and vice president of the United States. In a twist, this system functions as an exclusive club, where their popular vote pulls the last straw in determining the outcome. Without

a certain amount of Electoral College votes, a candidate’s chances of winning are slim to none. This is where swing states come into play.

To win the presidency, the overall majority is pivotal. However, it all comes down to seven or eight states that continue to vie. Swing states are a handful of states that can shift right or left – blue or red..

This further emphasizes that the margins of popular vote mean nothing. Sure voices are heard, but the decision is never in our hands.

“When Americans cast their ballots, they are actually voting for a slate of electors appointed by their state’s political parties who are pledged to support that party’s candidate,” said Allyson Walker of the New York

Times.

Although each respective party is devoted to their voters, candidates concentrate almost all of their efforts on a few key swing states. As of result, this can lead to campaign promises and policy proposals that specifically cater toward these states’ concerns.

This focus can overshadow the basic needs and interests of voters in other, non-competitive states. Winning an election is already unglamorous and difficult. This raises the question: Why complicate the process further by ignoring the needs of significant populations?

This situation is getting out of hand because the last two Republican presidents – Bush (in 2000) and Trump (in 2016) – won due to the Electoral College. Both times, the candidates did not win the popular vote, but they still ended up in the White House.

There are over 340 million people in the United States, and 331 million are citizens, most of which are eligible voters. Why should the fate of our country be determined by the candidate who secures 270 or more electoral votes? It can result in placing the United States in the hands of an unsuitable leader. Do the opinions of the people no longer matter in this first-world nation?

Even former vice president Al Gore supported the elimination of the Electoral College. In 2000, he was all for the Electoral College because he believed it would tie the states together. It is ironic because

Kpop changes with sounds, members

Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

The key aspect with Korean Pop songs are the artists or groups of people who sing.

By Kelly Kim Correspondent When you shuffle through your radio, you might come across many different genres: country, pop, indie, house and sometimes even K-pop.

Known as Korean Pop, K-pop is a subcategory of one’s regular pop with the speciality of incorporating Korean lyrics, members and distinctive sounds.

However, the definition of what makes music K-pop can be called into question. What it once was and how it was portrayed in the past differs from how it is now. As the world expands into the genre of Kpop, so do its parameters of what exactly makes it unique.

As I have grown up with K-pop, its sound has definitely changed.

From the 2012 hit “Gangnam Style”

by PSY to the 2020 hits of “How You Like That” and “Lovesick Girls” by BLACKPINK, the style and sound

of K-pop has exponentially changed with time. I remember being in the second grade, whispering “Gangnam Style” to myself, afraid my classmates would make fun of a song whose lyrics they didn’t understand.

Next thing I knew, as I entered my sophomore year of high school, K-pop experienced an explosion of appreciation and popularity, with my fellow classmates openly admitting they like the sound — something I could never have imagined.

However, the key aspect with Korean Pop songs are the artists or groups of people who sing them. All were of Korean heritage and sang majority Korean lyrics. However, with the emerging presence of new K-pop idol groups, such as that of XG and KATSEYE, in which many of their members are not of Korean descent, it raises the question: What makes Korean Pop K-pop? Is it the sound or the people who sing the songs?

Personally for me, I believe that each group is responsible for making their own distinctive sound, taking inspiration from both older and newer generations of K-pop groups. For the longest time, I believed K-pop’s uniqueness could be attributed to the members of idol groups. It felt like a stepping stone in an already saturated music genre, allowing Koreans a place to stand-out and be noticed.

With Korean people singing songs with Korean lyrics, it felt monumental at the time that so many people — from strangers on the internet to fellow peers — were recognizing the qualities of K-pop.

This phenomenon opens people up to an appreciation for one of the many aspects of Korean culture.

With Korean pop slowly becoming more mainstream over time, it has now emerged to be recognizable based on its sound and style over the people who sing them. Korean Pop is a mixture of impressive and hard-working members dressed in cohesive and stylish clothes that can either sing, rap, dance, or do all three things extremely well due to the time and effort they put into their training.

Sometimes songs will be exclusively in Korean or English, with a mixture of both, incorporating English words here and there into an otherwise Korean Pop song.

As the craft of Korean pop continues to grow, so will the expectations and guidelines of what constitutes something as Korean Pop – is it the music or the members?

While there can be arguments for both, the intersectionality between the aspects make it nearly impossible to determine what is the more compelling detail, therefore making the definition of Korean pop music interpretative to its audience, the listener.

although he won the popular vote, he still lost the presidency to Bush that year.

However, after seeing the recent political climate and where we are headed as a country, Al Gore took it back. “I think moving to a popular vote system is not without peril, is not without problems, it’s not a simple one choice is all good, the other is all bad,” said Gore, according to New York Magazine. “It’s a balancing act.

But I think the balance has shifted, in my mind at least, and I think that we should go to a popular vote.” At least he was mindful of how he approached this matter and his change of opinion, unlike some other vice presidential candidates today.

As a whole, the Electoral College undermines the principle of democracy. It degrades the values of individuality and perpetuates inequality across the United States.

Hopefully, we can all move into a new chapter in this decade and prioritize a voting system that reflects the true will of Americans. Abolishing the Electoral College guarantees that every citizen’s voice and vote carries equal weight, fostering a more inclusive system.

Adopting the popular vote would not be a controversial decision.

Instead, it could build greater public trust in the country regarding the voting process. As we face new challenges and opportunities, reforming how we vote is essential for a more equitable future. This way, everyone wins.

We stayed up until 3 a.m. to make this.

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Editorials

College students must make their voices heard by voting

Photo courtesy of Flickr

It’s essential for college students to make their voices heard by voting.

By Matthew Kaufman and Isabella Darcy Editor-in-Chief and News Editor The College was awarded a bronze seal earlier this month by the ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge for excellence in student voter engagement in the 2022 midterm election, after achieving a 20-29% voting rate. In 2021, Washington Monthly ranked the College among the best colleges for student voting in the United States.

While these are accomplishments worth celebrating, there is still room for improvement. Students who are eligible to vote should all be doing so.

It’s essential that college students exercise their right to vote in the upcoming election. Voter turnout among college students is significantly less than the national average, according to Pew Research, which means that the views held by younger voters may not be as accurately represented by the politicians who represent them.

You may find politics to be boring or believe that the government cannot help you, but especially at this stage in your life, there is no more important time to be engaged and involved.

Within the next few years, and for some, within the next few months, you’ll be entering the post-graduation world, presumably looking for a job or even a new place to live. Issues that you may not have cared much about before, like the economy, may matter greatly when you gain more independence.

That’s why it’s so important to vote now for the politicians that support your views.

Aside from the presidential race, there are other races for congressional and state representatives, mayors, county executives and more. All of these people will be making decisions that will affect your life, so it’s crucial to vote and make your voice heard.

And especially in smaller, local elections, every vote counts. Close elections in a small town can easily be decided by

dozens or hundreds of votes. And even for national races, if large percentages of the public decide not to come out and vote, the election could be swayed to a candidate who may have lost otherwise.

On campus, there are many organizations and resources dedicated to increasing student voter turnout. TCNJ Votes! provides information on how to vote and why voting matters, along with hosting outreach events on campus. The TCNJ College Democrats and College Republicans also provide opportunities for students to learn more about politics and get involved with campaigns.

To vote in the upcoming election, you must be a U.S. citizen who meets your state’s residency requirements, and be at least 18 years old by Election Day, which is Nov. 5.

There are three ways to vote in N.J.: vote-by-mail, in-person early voting using a polling machine or at your polling place on Election Day. To be eligible, you must be registered to vote by Tuesday, Oct. 15.

If you are an N.J. resident voting by mail, your ballot must be postmarked or placed in a secure ballot drop box by 8 p.m. on Election Day. If you are a N.J. resident voting early inperson, you can do so between Oct. 26 and Nov. 3 at any of your county’s designated locations, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Mondays through Saturdays, and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sundays.

Those who are voting on Election Day in N.J. can do so between 6 a.m. and 8 p.m.

Voting processes vary by state.

Information on how to vote in other states can be found on usa.gov’s website.

Students who live on-campus or are temporarily living in an off-campus house should consider vote-by-mail or absentee voting. The option that is best for you depends on which state your permanent address is in, due to varying processes.

Either way, having more time to vote and not having to travel to polling places on Election Day can make the process more convenient.

Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

Voter turnout among college students is significantly less than the national average.

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DEBATE / TCNJ students react to 2024 presidential debate

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The presidential debate occurred on Sept. 10 at the National Constitution Center.

Continued from page 1 that ‘increases leases for fracking as Vice President.’”

Trump also stated that the overturning of Williams also expressed approval of Roe v Wade allowed for states to decide on Harris’ consistent values, commenting, “I’m abortion policy, and said that there was “no happy to hear her values haven’t changed. reason to sign a [national abortion] ban,” Harris brought up points supporting her according to NPR. advocacy of the global climate crisis.”

On the topic of abortion, Rendzia said, The Jan. 6, 2021 riot at the U.S. Capitol “I’m a man. [Abortion is] not my biggest was another significant aissue. Trump denied concern. Rendzia later followed up on this involvement in the events that happened on statement by saying, “for what it is worth Jan. 6, insisting that all he did was show up though, Donald Trump proposed the best for a speech. Meanwhile, Harris pledged to solution by returning this issue to the states, “turn a page.”. and to the people.”

Chalileh expressed relief that the event was Another focus of the debate was on addressed but also voiced concerns about the Harris’ stance on fracking. The New York potential for similar occurrences, saying, “I’m Times reported that, in 2019, Harris wanted very happy it was addressed — it’s a real fear to ban fracking, but she now says she of mine — and many others — that January supports fracking because her experience in 6th could happen again. It’s disappointing the Biden administration demonstrated that that we have to think about these possibilities, clean energy expansion is feasible without but it is incredibly important that we prioritize prohibiting fracking. the safety of Americans at all costs.”

On the topic of environmental policies, In discussions about the war in Gaza and Williams said, “Harris brought up a bill for the occupied West Bank, Harris defended [fracking] and voted on it. When she needed Israel’s right to self-defense. She pushed for to be the tie–breaker, she casted the vote a hostage deal with Hamas, according to Al

Jazeera. Trump countered by accusing Harris of having a “bias against Israel,” and claimed that the war in Gaza would not have occurred if he were in office.

Chalileh and Williams agreed that this is a sensitive issue for both sides. Israelis and Palestinians are dying, and Harris called for a ceasefire and hostage release.

Regarding the Russia-Ukraine war, Trump said, “this is a war that’s dying to be settled” and he promised to negotiate an end to the war with Ukraine and Russia according to Politico. Politico also reported that Harris countered by saying, “If Donald Trump were president, Putin would be sitting in Kyiv right now.”

Williams said, “She emphasized the unjust war, contrasting sharply with Trump.

Supporting Ukraine is a key foreign policy issue, and she’s showing strong leadership by opposing Putin and sending a message to China regarding Taiwan.”

Discussing U.S. involvement in Ukraine, Rendzia noted that voters, the people he talked to, “are increasingly concerned with cutting financial aid regardless of which side wins the war.”

The debate also discussed race and Trump’s previous comments questioning Harris’ race. During the debate, Trump said that she could “be whatever she wants to be,” according to AP News. Harris, in turn, accused Trump of using race to divide Americans.

Chalileh said, “She addressed the personal attacks, rejecting the use of race to divide voters, emphasizing unity and her capability beyond belittlement.”

On healthcare, Trump called the Affordable Care Act “lousy” and claimed Harris opposed private insurance. Trump

also said that he had “concepts of a plan” as a replacement for the ACA. Harris defended the ACA, maintaining her stance to expand the ACA and negotiate prescription drug prices.

Chalileh said, “Trump dismisses Obamacare and categorizes it as useless, while Harris shares stories of how it has helped millions. Harris emphasized the importance of healthcare options for all, showcasing her values.”

Williams said, “It’s surprising a former president would spread conspiracy theories of this nature. Harris delivered the best debate performance I’ve ever seen, presenting a clear vision and rejecting Trump’s policies.

She rose to the occasion under pressure and performed phenomenally, showing she’ll excel in November despite challenges.”

Rendzia critiqued the debate format, suggesting that the limited timeframe led to rushed and rehearsed responses from both Trump and Harris. He said, “there could have been a stronger appeal from both sides.

Time is a big thing in everything. The limited timeframe of this debate prevented an organic flow of responses.”

Chalileh said, “Trump’s demeanor was not surprising, but Harris had a fantastic debate, highlighting her true strength and leadership.

Her performance highlighted a clear contrast between the candidates. In this election, high voter turnout — especially amongst young adults — are crucial, as the acknowledgement of our values are at stake. It is vital to vote and keep pushing for change.”

John Johansen, a freshman finance major, said, “Kamala Harris’ policies are similar to President Biden’s and she didn’t address past failures. I respect Trump for standing by his policies and keeping his word.”

Where Donald Trump and Kamala Harris stand on key issues

By Gauri Patel Staff Writer

As the 2024 election approaches, American voters are presented with a choice between two distinct visions for the country’s future. Former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris, both the presidential nominees for their parties, offer contrasting policy approaches to the economy, immigration and healthcare that reflect broader ideological divides within the nation.

Economy In the week leading up to the first presidential debate between Trump and Harris, both candidates reinforced their plans for the economy, the issue that U.S. voters say matters the most in this year’s presidential election. According to The Associated Press, Harris discussed her plans to boost small businesses on a campaign stop in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, proposing the expansion of the small business tax credit by increasing the tax deduction for startup expenses from $5,000 to $50,000, hoping to prompt 25 million new small business applications over four years.

“You’re not only leaders in business.

You’re civic leaders,” Harris said, addressing the crowd. “You are part of the glue and the fabric that holds communities together.”

Harris’ campaign focuses on initiatives to strengthen the nation’s middle class. She reinforced her message that large corporations and wealthy Americans should pay their “fair share” in taxes and supports an increase in the corporate tax rate from 21 percent to 28 percent.

Harris also previously announced plans to cut inflation and reduce grocery store prices by cracking down on price gouging by food producer companies, according to The Associated Press.

On the other hand, Trump announced

several economic proposals during an appearance before the business leaders of the Economic Club of New York, including plans to reduce the corporate tax rate from 21% to 15% only for companies that manufacture within the U.S. According to Reuters, Trump also vowed to “issue a national emergency declaration” to increase the domestic energy supply by more easily clearing through bureaucratic approvals for drillings, pipelines and other energy infrastructures. Trump argued that doing so would drastically cut energy prices.

“My plan will cut energy prices in half or more than that within 12 months of taking office,” Trump said during his speech. “It will be an economic revival of our country like no one has ever seen before.”

Trump also unveiled his proposal for the creation of a government efficiency commission tasked with performing a financial audit of the federal government, headed by Tesla and SpaceX head Elon Musk. He said his plan will “rapidly defeat inflation, quickly bring down prices and reignite explosive economic growth.”

Immigration During his speech at the Economic Club of New York, Trump said that he would seek legislation from Congress to prohibit any taxpayer-funded benefits for immigrants who have entered the country illegally. Specifically, he said he would bar migrants from obtaining mortgages in California.

Throughout his campaign, Trump has depicted migrants coming over the southern border as a significant challenge to government services and a grave threat to American jobs.

According to Reuters, he promises to enact the largest deportation operation in the nation’s history if reelected, which would force millions out of the U.S. His stance is centered on strict immigration controls, including closing gaps in the wall along the

U.S.-Mexico border and reinstating tougher policies.

Those policies include the Title 42 policy, a public health order which allowed border authorities to turn away migrants without the chance to claim asylum, or the “Remain in Mexico” policy, which forced non-Mexican asylum-seekers to wait in Mexico for months or sometimes years for their cases to be heard before entering the country.

Harris offers a different vision for immigration. She supports comprehensive immigration reform that provides a pathway to citizenship for undocumented immigrants, especially those brought to the U.S. as children.

Her policies aim to reform the immigration system, such as through a border security bill aimed at increasing funding for border patrol officers and detention facilities.

She has also supported some measures of law enforcement that align with stricter immigration controls, such as turning over juvenile immigrants arrested for crimes to immigration agents.

During a campaign rally in Atlanta, Harris spotlighted her approach to borderrelated crime as California’s attorney general, prosecuting transnational organized crime.

“I went after transnational gangs, drug cartels and human traffickers that came into our country illegally,” she said, according to NPR. “I prosecuted them in case after case, and I won.”

Healthcare During his time as president, Trump sought to dismantle the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare, arguing it was overly expensive and ineffective. His administration made several attempts to repeal it and supported legislation that aimed to reduce its scope. Although his campaign has not proposed an alternative, he vows to renew his fight for replacing the ACA if he is reelected, according to The Associated Press.

Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

The White House.

Trump’s healthcare policies are part of a broader agenda that also includes significant restrictions on abortion. Throughout his time in office, Trump supported measures to limit abortion access, such as restricting federal funds to organizations that provide abortion services. He has also repeatedly taken credit for the overturning of the landmark Roe v. Wade case after nominating three of the Supreme Court justices who voted to overturn it.

Trump previously campaigned on abortion restrictions in 2016 and 2020, but has not taken a clear stance in 2024. According to NPR, Trump expressed that the six-week abortion ban that came into effect in Florida was “too short,” although his campaign clarified that he has not indicated how he would vote on a measure that would amend the state’s constitution to protect abortion rights.

In contrast, Harris supports maintaining and expanding the ACA to increase healthcare access and affordability. She also advocates for protecting reproductive rights, including access to abortion, and supports legislation aimed at safeguarding these rights. Harris also completed a reproductive rights tour earlier this year and was the first vice president to tour an abortion clinic while in office, according to The Associated Press.

September 20, 2024 The Signal page 11

Ukraine gains foothold in war with Russia as weapons determine diplomatic paths forward

Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

The Russian invasion of Ukraine has escalated in the past month.

North. In northeastern Ukraine

By Rajika Chauhan last month, the military advanced Correspondent into Russia and captured over 500 After more than a year ’s square miles.

With the Russian border in the stalemate, the Russian invasion of Ukraine has seen an intensification north manned by mostly young and inexperienced conscripts, the of activity in the past month.

On the eastern front, the Ukrainians were able to capture Russians have been closing in on 100 settlements, according to president, Voldymr Pokrovsk, a key railroad hub for Ukraine’s the Ukrainians. According to the Zelensky, as per the New York New York Times, the Russians Times.

The war faces at this stage an have passed five lines of Ukrainian fortifications since April, with inflection point. Whether there only two still remaining. Should will be continued progress or a they capture the city, it would return to the stalemate of the past deal a damaging blow to Ukrainian year depends on how effective operations, cutting off supplies for the Ukrainians are in maintaining their military into the West. their defenses and how aggressive Given their vulnerability in the Russians are in their continued the East, the Uk rainians appear invasions. to have tried a new strategy Matters of diplomacy in this war by opening a new front on the are now being decided largely on

the basis of weaponry. Russia has so far been resistant to economic sanctions, political and diplomatic pressures that seek to bring it to the negotiating table.

According to the Times, Ukraine and its allies seem to have settled on military strength being the main source of leverage that will bring the war to an end on terms that Ukrainians can accept.

The major tactic for Ukraine’s Western allies has been providing Ukraine with the arms needed to pressure Russia into giving up its siege. At the same time, the United States and other NATO nations have had to stage a careful balancing act, seeking to support Ukraine without provoking Russia into a larger-scale attack on NATO member nations, according to the New York Times.

Through his tenure, President Joe Biden has been resistant to arm Ukraine with long-range missiles that will allow it to strike deep into Russian territory. Ukr ainian allies like the U.S., Britain and France have limited their arms supplies to short-range missiles that target areas near the Russian border, keeping advances at bay without triggering serious retaliation.

But in recent months, Ukraine has achieved several military successes that some a llies believe presents a different path to victory, according to the BBC. The country’s military occupied Russian territory in Kursk in August, in an assault that surprised both Russia and the West.

Ukraine has also been increasing strikes against oil supplies, and neutralized the Russian Black

Sea naval fleet. This succession of military wins has allowed Ukraine’s allies to consider a path to peace where Russia is forced into negotiations in an effort to avoid further losses, giving Ukraine more of a say on peace terms.

“Putin doesn’t believe in any diplomacy; he’s just playing this game,” said Tymofiy Mylovanov, president of the Kyiv School of Economics. “But I think he also wants to see evidence. You know, bring the receipts. So, does Ukraine have the capabilities?”

Britain and France have prepared to sign-off on longrange missiles, although Biden is still waiting to make his decision.

The Times reports that the added strength of these missiles would allow Ukraine to potentially begin to strike ports, oil facilities and even threaten Moscow, a level of pressure which gives the country the best chance of forcing Russia into a retreat.

Biden’s decision will certainly shape the future of this war, as will the outcome of the upcoming Presidential election. Candidates Donald Trump and Kamala Harris hold two starkly different positions on approaches to end the war.

Trump’s vice-presidential pick, Senator JD Vance, outlined his plan to bring the war to an end in an interview last week, suggesting a path where Ukraine cedes occupied territory and promises not to join NATO. Harris has promised to continue Biden’s pro-Ukrainian policies, and would likely follow suit on whatever course Biden sets in the next few months.

Devastating Typhoon Yagi leaves hundreds dead as thousands flee to safety in Vietnam

By Fiona Espinoza-Castro Staff Writer Typhoon Yagi, one of the strongest storms of 2024, struck near Haiphong, Vietnam, on Sept.

7 around 1:45 p.m., according to the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, or IFRC. The typhoon’s intensity was reported to be near that of a category 4 hurricane; no storm has ever hit Vietnam with such force, according to the New York Times.

According to the Times, winds reached up to 127 miles per hour, making it the strongest storm in 30 years. In the first 24 hours, the Center for Disaster Philanthropy, CDP, reported 8.2 to 17 inches of rain. The typhoon triggered flash floods and landslides, caused damage to bridge s and uprooted trees, affecting ma ny areas.

The Times also reported that Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh ordered cities and provinces in northern Vietnam to make storm preparations as Typhoon Yagi approached. The IFRC reported that around 50,000 citizens evacuated their homes. Factories closed on Saturday afternoon, sending 14,000 workers home after the typhoon caused major power outages.

Haiphong and Quang Ninh, key manufacturing hubs and trade cities, were hit the hardest, according to the Times. Vessels in Quang Ninh were swept away with crew members on board, resulting in one sailor ’s death

and the disappearance of several workers. This could impact the global supply chain, as Vietnam ships to Europe, the United States and several other countries, as reported by France24.

Around 9 p.m., the storm’s eye passed through Hanoi, with moderate to heavy rain levels ranging from 1.97-3.94 inches and even 5.91 inches, as the local Government Electronic Newspaper reported. To prevent heavy rains from flooding urban areas and industrial zones, capital officials introduced nine drainage pumping stations with 32 pumps.

Despite weakening by early Sunday morning to a tropical depression, the meteorological agency of Vietnam warned of potential landslides and floods afterward.

The following Wednes day, according to the Times, a landslide occurred in Lao Cai, a mountainous area of Vietnam, with search and rescue teams recovering 22 bodies. A local officer reported it to be the deadliest landslide Typhoon Yagi caused.

Several bridges collapsed, including one near Hanoi, which left eight people missing. CNN recovered video from a car dashcam capturing the moment a bridge collapsed over the Red River in the Phu Tho area. PBS noted that three people were rescued a day before the bridge collapsed; however, they were unable to save 13 others.

The storm led to nearly 190,000 homes being damaged or destroyed by floods, 325 people deceased

Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

Typhoon Yagi, one of the strongest storms of 2024, struck Vietnam. or missing, and around 1.6 million people who were overall affected. Typhoon Yagi’s effects included loss of water supply, power outages, displacement and communication loss, as reported by the IFRC. After the typhoon, the Red Cross Society in Vietnam organized relief items like medicine and food. The IFRC detailed that many Red Cross staff and volunteers helped out cleaning up the debris the typhoon left. Meanwhile, disaster response teams conducted tests throughout the affected areas, offering several victims shelter and psychological first aid.

The typhoon’s effects shed light on a growing concern: the influence of climate change

on natural disasters. Benjamin Horton, director of the Earth Observatory of Singapore, reported that typhoons like Yagi are only getting stronger because of climate change, according to PBS. Warmer ocean waters provide more energy to fuel the storms, increasing the number of casualties.

Typhoons in the area of Vietnam are common, but nowhere near the level of Yagi’s extensive damage.

Recovery efforts are underway, as officials continue to examine the full extent of damage caused by Yagi. The storm’s impact has left thousands of Vietnamese people displaced and devastated vital areas, marking one of the most severe Typhoons in Vietnam’s history.

‘Unsolved Mysteries’: The murder at Kendall Hall

Photo courtesy of IMDb

Sigrid Stevenson is just one of the many unsolved mysteries the show covers in its newest season.

By Lake DiStefano Arts & Entertainment Editor The College was recently featured in a documentary series on Netflix called “Unsolved Mysteries.” The episode, “Murder, Center Stage,” covers the death of Sigrid Stevenson, a music

education major who was found dead on campus in 1977. Filming took place on campus, and many recognizable sites are present in the episode.

Kendall Hall, the site of the murder, is featured most heavily. Shots of the hall highlight the eerie atmosphere the old building can have given its dark

history.

Stevenson was 25 years old when she was found dead on the stage of the auditorium in Kendall Hall. Her body was found near the piano on stage, wrapped in a piano-blanket.

The mystery of the circumstances surrounding her untimely death have been speculated upon for many years now, and the episode makes it a point to compile what is currently known about the case. Interviews throughout the show provide insight from people who have been involved with this case for nearly five decades now.

Some of the individuals who were interviewed include Thomas Kokotajlo, a campus police officer working that night, and Scott Napolitano ‘06, an alum of the college and a former film-student who started compiling information from the case for his senior thesis where he had to make a short film based on a ghost story.

Stevenson had been staying in the hall — sneaking in on some nights and being let in on others — for a few days prior to her death, as she was waiting for classes to resume for the fall term. She had been playing the piano throughout the weekend, which makes the location of her corpse all the more sad and haunting.

Another aspect of the crime which has intrigued many is the lack of evidence present at the scene. There were no footprints or witnesses, and beyond the details surrounding the crime scene itself, the auditorium remained largely untainted.

As the title of the show implies, this is still a cold case, with investigations into a possible culprit remaining unfruitful. According to NJ.com, the case is under investigation by the state Attorney General’s Cold Case Network.

Due to the longevity of the case, there are few leads left for the investigation to mull over, but the filmmakers hope the release of the episode will encourage anyone who might have insight into the case to reconsider and remember any details that may be relevant. They hope to be able to provide some closure as to the specifics of her death some day.

The episode itself offers many possible theories about the crime, since there are still many details about the case that are uncertain.

The case has had many potential suspects, such as police officers and ex-boyfriends — each one having just enough evidence to make discrediting them impossible.

Ultimately, all suspects have some reason or another for why their involvement is improbable, and this pantheon of possible culprits is one of the things which has given the story a sense of folklore.

“Though her murder remains unsolved, she should not be unknown,” the College’s president Michael Bernstein, said in a TCNJ News article.

“Sigrid was an extraordinarily talented member of the college community, we are committed to ensuring she is always remembered as such.”

According to the article, on the anniversary of her murder earlier this month, a bouquet of flowers appeared atop the steps of Kendall Hall. The note attached read: “For Sigrid Stevenson/ The stage is forever your world/Rest in Peace./01/24/1952 – 09/04/1977.”

A piano room in the Music Building will be named in Stevenson’s honor later this fall.

For anyone curious as to more of the specifics surrounding the case, the episode is available to stream now on Netflix.

Trumpet professor opens TCNJ’s 2024 Faculty Artist Series

By Hannah Salgado Staff Writer

Trumpet professor Alex Bender performed at the College’s Mayo Concert Hall on Sept.

13. Joined by pianist Benjamin Pawlak, the two kicked off the 2024 Faculty Artist Series.

The Faculty Artist Series features the talents of the College’s music professors. It serves as inspiration and valuable education for music students, while also being open to the public for entertainment.

Bender is an accomplished musician who has had the pleasure of performing with the American Symphony Orchestra and other ensembles including the New Jersey, Princeton and Springfield orchestras. He has accompanied other artists like John Zorn and Dave Liebman, and has played a variety of genres.

Since 2013, he has been a Broadway performer, playing on the original recordings of shows such as “Side Show,” “Neverland” and “Bandstand.”

The recital featured pieces from four different composers. These included “Rhapsody in Blue” by George Gershwin, “Im Stile Von Albénez” by Rodion Shchedrinn and “River of Time” by David Biedenbender.

The trumpet’s sound was heard throughout the auditorium, with the mute changes adding a unique tone to Bender’s version of the pieces.

Mutes are devices that can alter an instrument’s tone or volume. Trumpet players can switch out these mutes to add more personality to a piece.

Bender and Pawlak’s rendition of “Rhapsody in Blue” featured a unique arrangement that included the trumpet playing

the famous piano solo.

Bender stated that all of the pieces were chosen deliberately for sentimental value.

When asked about his favorite piece, he said he couldn’t choose just one.

“When I program a recital, I spend a lot of time actually thinking about what I want to perform, and why I want to perform those songs,” Bender said. “I hate to answer that I love them all equally, but I have picked them for a very specific reason and I really do love them all equally.”

However, “River of Time” by David Biedenbender had a special connection to Bender. The piece was written by one of his former professors.

During the interview, Bender also gave valuable advice to those looking to pursue a life in music.

“Find the thing in music that drives you, that you are inspired by. Start to ask yourself, ‘what is my purpose?’ or ‘why do I want to do this? What is so special about music that I love that I’d love to share?’ As teachers we are sharers. Our job is to share,” he said.

Bender and Pawlak have been on the road for his final recital tour for around nine days.

They have had the pleasure of being able to perform the concert repertoire at multiple venues, such as Michigan State University and St. Malachy’s Church in New York.

While it isn’t common for there to be multiple recital performances, Bender has enjoyed the experience.

“We’re almost at like nine days together, and it’s been super fun to just get to know each other, love each other more, hate each other a

Photo courtesy of Pamela Barnett

Bender also performed at the music department’s opening meeting last month. little bit, to go through the whole cycle,” Bender said. “It’s been fun.”

Bender will be performing on Sunset Boulevard on Broadway, in the Radio City Rockettes show and in Ragtime at the Minskoff Theatre.

His performance at the College was the beginning of the 2024 Faculty Artist series.

Through this series, students can see their professor’s talent firsthand. It’s enjoyable for non-music majors as well, as you get the opportunity to see fantastic performances.

The next Faculty Artist recital will feature voice Professors Elizabeth Sutton, soprano, and Mark Muliterno, baritone. It is currently scheduled for Nov. 12, 2024.

September 20, 2024 The Signal page 13

‘Brat summer’: A deep dive into the alt summer sensation

By Ashley Ragone Staff Writer

Amidst the sweat and strobe lights of her Boiler Room set in Brooklyn on Feb. 22, Charli XCX debuted the original tracks that would end up shaping the immortal “brat summer.” Even as we move into September, the abrasive chartreuse and pixelated text are inescapable in popular media.

From its underground hyperpop beginnings to its sudden relevancy in the U.S. presidential election, the “brat” legacy is unmatched.

At Charli XCX’s Boiler Room set, she embraced her sixth studio album as a celebration of the “it girl,” joined on stage by Addison Rae and Julia Fox. She further channeled her “messy girl” aesthetic and British rave theme through the unapologetic blend of pulsating beats, bright colors and avantgarde fashion. This intersection of edgy style and dynamic pop sets her apart, even more so as she connects with fans through surprise DJ events alongside The Dare, an upand-coming indie sleaze artist.

Shortly after Boiler Room, the first single “Von dutch” was released on Feb. 29, with the last two singles “360” and “Apple” released on May 10 and Aug. 2, respectively.

Through the “brat” tracklist, she masterfully sets catchy dance beats behind lyrics that explore relationships, self-identity and unconventional self-reflection.

However, TikTok is really to thank for the attention. The social media darling “Apple” reflects on

Photo courtesy of Apple Music

“Brat,” released on June 7, 2024, received critical acclaim and mainstream success this summer. complex familial relationships as well as intergenerational trauma, but is better known for the dance that has garnered over 1.6 million posts on social media.

Kelley Heyer, the creator of the dance, felt the song wasn’t receiving as much love as the other mainstream hits, inspiring her to create a simple dance to boost the attention towards the song. Some notable performances of it include singer Joe Jonas, comedian Stephen Colbert and the entire Team USA Olympic women’s rugby team.

The song “Guess” off the deluxe “brat” album has also received attention for the remix with Billie Eilish, and the popular TikTok trend of people filming themselves strutting to the tune of the song.

“Girl, so confusing,” an anthem for complex female relationships and addressing toxicity in the music industry, was revealed to be about

Lorde and her parallel ascension to fame in the 2010s with Charli. In late June, they officially released a remix to the song featuring a verse from Lorde herself.

The final and most impactful piece of “brat” was the marketing campaign. On May 2, Charli XCX cryptically tweeted an address in Bushwick, Brooklyn, that led a swarm of fans to a location now popularized as the “brat wall.” This wall was used to promote the album, the Lorde remix and deluxe edition.

The wall forever memorialized the music with the message “ok, bye!”

The color choice of the album is also a clear connection to the experimental and unconventional aesthetic employed by Charli XCX. Despite the “brat” green being bright and frankly off-putting, the yellowgreen hue also has deep connections to experimentation and alt styles. In the 1960s, the era of psychedelics

was known for its high saturation of colors, and the 1980s saw popular media like “Green Smile” by artist Keith Haring take advantage of the harsh shade. Charli XCX has called these choices both purposely “antiaesthetic” and rebellious.

Charli XCX’s promotional tactics included changing her other albums’ cover art to mirror the text style of “brat,” and she even reached the political sphere after she tweeted the simple phrase: “kamala IS brat.”

As described by Politico, politicians began attempting to relate to the trend of “over-excited parents hijacking their teenagers’ slang” in an attempt to draw in young voters. Presidential candidate Kamala Harris’ social media profile embraced the assumed endorsement by adopting the notorious shade of green in the banner of the campaign’s X account.

Despite negative attention from some, the memes that have infiltrated her campaign for the presidency have focused the attention of millions of young voters on her campaign. Perhaps “brat” will be the defining voice of the 2024 general election season.

No matter your opinion on her musical stylings, the social impact is undeniable — “brat” is here to stay. Currently, social media is now embracing “brat fall,” styled with a color that can only be described as pumpkin orange, fresh baked cookies and big cable knit sweaters.

If you haven’t gotten enough of the summer season, make sure to see Charli XCX on the road with fellow alternative artist Troye Sivan on their upcoming collaborative tour,

Fans slam Chappell Roan for tour cancellations The Signal

Photo courtesy of Flickr

Chappell Roan is a queer pop artist.

By Chiara Piacentini S t a f f Wr i t e r

Chappell Roan is feeling the heat from her fan base after making the decision to cancel her Paris and Amsterdam concerts and rescheduling her Berlin show for Sept. 23. This came less than a week before her Paris and Amsterdam shows were set to o c c u r.

Roan took to X, formerly known a s Tw i t t e r, t o a n n o u n c e t h a t h e r decision to cancel these shows were “due to scheduling conflicts.”

She goes on to apologize for this turn of events with a promise to return to the stage soon and thanks everyone for their understanding.

Rumors have circulated that the “scheduling conflicts” were i n f a c t R o a n ’s p r e p a r a t i o n f o r h e r

p e r f o r m a n c e a t t h e M T V Vi d e o M u s i c Aw a r d s c e r e m o n y o n S e p t .

11 , s i n c e h e r P a r i s a n d A m s t e r d a m tours would have happened around a week before this event was scheduled to take place.

Fans who booked nonrefundable hotels and means of transportation were not too happy with this outcome. One commenter on X said that she was prioritizing the awards ceremony over her own fans, questioning the truth behind her claim that she “hated fame.”

In an Instagram post released a c o u p l e d a y s l a t e r, R o a n p o s t e d a carousel of selfies that had been taken over the course of her past three months of fame and captioned it, “this s— is awesome.” Some c o m m e n t e r s t o o k o ff e n s e t o t h i s p o s t b e c a u s e s h e d i d n ’t a d d r e s s complaints about the concert cancellations.

Roan has since responded to the backlash by apologizing to her followers on X in which she was “very sorry” about the situation a n d u n d e r s t a n d s t h a t i t ’s h a r d news to take, but that she hopes people will understand her reasons for canceling.

This reply only managed to further anger some of her fans, calling her response “passive aggressive” and others suggesting that this is a sign that she needs a “solid PR person.” One even a rg u e d t h a t t h i s w a s a “ n o n a p o l o g y. ” T h i s i s n ’t t h e f i r s t t i m e R o a n has received unfavorable behavior f r o m f a n s . I n f a c t , i t ’s f a r f r o m i t .

Back in August, Roan revealed in an Instagram post that she

experienced “predatory behavior” from some of her supporters including unwanted touching a n d s t a l k i n g o f h e r f a m i l y ’s whereabouts. In light of this, Roan asked that people respect her boundaries and that her status as a c e l e b r i t y d o e s n ’t m e a n s h e l o s e s her right to privacy as well.

Some celebrities including Katy P e r r y, L a d y G a g a a n d C h a r l i X C X got in touch with Roan, according t o Va r i e t y, t o g i v e t h e i r s u p p o r t a s she has been open about struggling to deal with her quick rise to fame. Folk pop singer Jewel also c a m e f o r w a r d v i a Ti k To k t o r e l a t e similar experiences of stalking from fans.

It took her some time, but she was able to figure out how to establish boundaries with fans and at the same time give us advice we c a n a l l a b i d e b y.

“I learned with time that I could t a l k t o m y f a n s a n d s a y, ‘ Yo u c a n ’t come within six feet of me,’” Jewel said.

Roan herself has started taking measures to distance herself from her fans by asking them over Instagram not to approach her for a photo or hug. Having had uncomfortable experiences with overbearing fans in the past, she has decided to limit fan i n t e r a c t i o n s a l t o g e t h e r. “ I d o n ’t w a n t w h a t e v e r t h e f — you think you’re supposed to to be entitled to whenever you see a c e l e b r i t y, ” s h e s a i d i n a Ti k To k v i d e o . “ I d o n ’t g i v e a f — i f y o u t h i n k i t ’s s e l f i s h o f m e t o s a y n o for a photo or for your time or for a h u g — t h a t ’s n o t n o r m a l , t h a t ’s

Current Tunes

Halsey: Ego Ethel Cain: For Sure Sabrina Carpenter: Taste Blondshell: What’s Fair FINNEAS: Cleats Twenty One Pilots: Oldies Station Hozier: Nobody’s Soldier julie: clairbourne pratice Addison Rae: Diet Pepsi The Dare: I Destroyed Disco Janelane: Killing Time Sons of Leaves: End of the Summer.

page 14 The Signal September 20, 2024

Movie icon James Earl Jones dies: The end of an impactful career

By Brandi Turner Correspondent

James Earl Jones, a critically acclaimed actor best known as the voice of Mufasa and Darth Vader, died on Sept. 9 surrounded by his loved ones, according to CBS News. His exact cause of death remains unknown to the public.

Born on Jan. 17, 1931, in Arkabutla, Mississippi, Jones was raised by his grandparents. During his childhood, Jones struggled with a stutter which limited his ability to communicate until he was roughly 14 years old. He credits his teacher Donald Crouch for recognizing his talent in poetry and e ncouraging him to pursue a career in arts.

After graduating from the University of Michigan and serving in the United States Army during the Korean War, Jones began his path to becoming a professional actor. He studied at the American Theatre Wing in New York City and auditioned for roles in plays at local theaters, all while working as a custodian.

In 1957, Jones made his Broadway debut in “Sunrise at Campobello,” a pla y about Franklin D. Roosevelt and his struggle with polio. Jones played Edward, Roosevelt’s butler. The theater was renamed the James Earl Jones Theatre in September 2022.

Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

Jones was best known for being the voice behind Darth Vader in the “Star Wars” series and Mufasa in Disney’s “The Lion King.”

In 1968, Jones played Jack Jefferson in Howard Sackler ’s play “The Great White Hope” when it was adapted on Broadway.

The play and Jones’ character are based on the African American heavyw eight champion Jack Johnson and his famous fight with the white heavyweight champion

Indie sleaze is back with The Dare’s new album

Photo courtesy of Apple Music

The Dare’s sound is heavily reminiscent of bands such as The Strokes.

By Andre Paras Staff Writer

From being a substitute teacher to recently collaborating with Charli XCX and Billie Eilish on “Guess,” Harrison Patrick Smith, or The Dare, has come a long way in the scene these past few years.

Released in 2022, “Girls,” the debut single for The Dare’s latest record, got the New York City Freakquencies DJ a jump start into the scene, becoming a catalyst and poster child of the new indie sleaze and electroclash movement.

The Dare’s sound is heavily reminiscent of bands such as LCD Soundsystem, Yeah Yeah Yeahs and The Strokes, originating in New York City in the early 2000s. While it may not show in its stream count, “Girls” has caught the attention of many in the industry and artists alike to collaborate, ascending him into the scene.

This record unapologetically wears all of its influences of the subgenre on its sleeve, from the New York-themed album title, the signature white button shirt and black tie combo on its artwork, and of course, through the music. A lot of The Dare’s criticism online stems from the idea of his work being too similar to the artists mentioned prior, but I think it’s safe to say this record and other works this year have proved otherwise.

“Open Up” is a nice tone-setter, imploring

you to get out and feel the music how it was meant to be experienced, on a sweaty neon dance floor. It’s a record that demands loud speakers and a wild party surrounding it as Smith shouts instructions toward the audience like a tour guide to the New York City nightlife: “Just take my hand, I’ll take away the pain / Gonna grab the third rail on a subway train.”

Other singles like “Good Time” and “Perfume” showcase this upfront and direct delivery that’s all part of The Dare’s brand.

The track is full of desire and emotion as he navigates “Good Time’s” catchy hooks, saying, “Touch me, then say you need me.”

“Perfume” is a shouty and proudly flamboyant track that sounds straight out of a stylized Dior ad.

The breakdown at the end of “I Destroyed Disco” feels very much inspired by the PC music subgenre of the new generation, something Smith could branch out with more to make his indie sleaze sound feel less familiar and more unique.

Another thing worth noting is the tracklist and individual tracks. This LP contains 10 tracks, clocking in at 27 minutes long, with the singles all around just two minutes. Keeping it concise, Smith has made the subgenre accessible to the TikTok-aged Gen-Z. Without feeling manufactured, there have been great moments Smith has picked for 15-second snippets to advertise these songs with shorts prior to the release. “All Night” is a great example, a song Smith has been teasing for the past month with an earworm chant of a hook: “LA to New York, New York to LA / I want more than fame, hope you feel the same / All night…”

Every great party eventually comes to an end though, and with the last three tracks, Smith is unafraid of getting vulnerable and showcasing his post-party melancholia, with that same energy he got the audience hyped up with. “Elevation” takes on his drug craving and yearning for someone from a party. This continues into “Movement” and his dissatisfaction chasing this high with his exhausting lifestyle.

Read more on our website!

Jim Jefferies in the 1910s.

He received a Tony award in 1969 for the play and an Oscar nomination in 1970 when the play was adapted into a film.

Amassing over 80 film and television credits in nearly 120 movies and 90 shows, Jones took on notable roles in “Roots,” “The

Atlanta Child Murders,” “Law & Order,” “The Man,” “Sandlot,” “Coming to America” and perhaps most famously as the voice of Darth Vader in “Star Wars” in 1977.

He would continue to be a prominent voice actor in the “Star Wars” trilogy until 2019 in “Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker.”

Although not directly involved with the current Star Wars franchise, Jones granted them permission to use his archived voice coupled with AI technology in current works, such as Disney+’s 2022 show “Obi-Wan Kenobi.”

Other famous voice roles he took on include the voice of Mufasa in Disney’s “The Lion King,” both in the 1994 original and the remake in 2019.

In the span of his 60-year career, he achieved EGOT status, receiving two Primetime Emmy Awards, the Honorary Academy Award, a Grammy Award and three Tony Awards.

Jones joined a legacy of distinguished Black actors who paved the way for more and accurate diversity in Hollywood, alongside trailblazers such as Sidney Poitier, Denzel Washington, Cicely Tyson and many more.

His legacy will undoubtedly continue to live on as he has touched the hearts of many generations with his talent and devotion to his craft.

Kendrick Lamar to headline 2025 Super Bowl halftime show

By Heather Halperin Correspondent

Big as the what? Big as the Super Bowl.

Kendrick Lamar was announced as the headliner for the Super Bowl 2025 halftime show on Sept. 9. The performance will occur on Feb. 9, 2025, in New Orleans at the Caesars Superdome.

Lamar released a video on his Instagram account announcing himself as the Super Bowl halftime headliner.

In the video, Lamar states, “You know there is only one opportunity to win the championship, no round two.”

Being a fan of rap or music in general means you are most likely aware of the recent feud that sparked up between Lamar and rapper Drake. This past year, they have been throwing songs back and forth at each other, waiting to see who would come out on top. Lamar’s song “Not Like Us,” effectively put an end to their feud as it grew in popularity hitting No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100.

The fight appeared to be over, but Lamar’s Super Bowl announcement has reignited it all. Lamar’s announcement has fans speculating that it was a diss toward a post Drake made on a second Instagram account, that NFR Podcast reposted on their Twitter account back in August, stating “We will win game 2.”

Lamar is done with this battle, announcing that he is the champion now. His announcement shut down the speculation of there being another round between Drake and Lamar, possibly putting an end to their feud.

Lamar headlining the halftime show lit the fuse for another disagreement within the rap industry: Does Lamar deserve to be the Super Bowl halftime act over rapper Lil Wayne? Some fans on Twitter have started to argue that Wayne is more deserving of this opportunity, sharing their support for the rapper.

Rap music fans, and even Wayne himself, were expecting him to finally take

Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

Kendrick Lamar will be Super Bowl 2025 halftime performer.

the stage at this year’s Super Bowl. Lil Wayne announced on his Instagram Live, “It hurt a lot,” but he also said, “I blame myself for not being mentally prepared for a letdown, and for just automatically mentally putting myself in that position.”

On the other hand, Lamar’s announcement still came with overwhelming support from fans. Fans have commented on Twitter saying things like “We are so unbelievably back,” and that Lamar is “on the sweetest victory lap of all time.” Lamar will soon be able to add a Super Bowl headliner to his list of achievements.

Lamar is the first Black American rapper to headline the Super Bowl making this even more of a momentous achievement. A handful of his songs promote the message of several kinds of injustices that exist in our world. Having this opportunity gives Lamar the platform to promote his music and the message behind it.

If you don’t want to miss Lamar’s legendary halftime performance, it can be watched during halftime of the Super Bowl on Feb. 9 on Fox or streaming on Fubo.

September 20, 2024 The Signal page 15

Lions Football off to 2-0 start behind 5th year duo

Senior pitcher Jordan Gray in his outing.

The Lions are on a win streak.

By Aidan Mastandrea Sports Editor About 10 months ago, the College’s football team faced off against conference rival Christopher Newport in the final game of the 2023 season. The Lions had the ball at their opponents’ 23-yard line, down by 6 points with a minute to go and a chance to not only win the game, but also clinch a share of the NJAC title.

Senior quarterback Trevor Bopp

Photo courtesy of Elizabeth Gladstone

Photo by Elizabeth Gladstone

threw a late interception and the chances of a title slipped away. After an amazing season and winning four conference games in a row to put them in contention, it was all over in the blink of an eye for the Lions. For some of the players it was their last time stepping on the field with the team, but others had an opportunity to come back and try to avenge that loss.

That is exactly what quarterback Bopp and receiver Malin Jasinski decided to do. The offensive duo is back for their 5th year of eligibility

and have already got the College off to a tremendous start in the 2024 season.

The near triumph from a year ago was the catalyst behind the two coming back to the College.

“Last year’s NJAC loss left us with a strong sense of unfinished business.

Neither of us wanted our final games to end with that sting of disappointment,” said Bopp.

The COVID-19 pandemic struck during the pairs freshman year at the College, moving classes online and canceling the football season in 2020.

The lack of that first season was another factor for both players on wanting to have another year running out onto Lions field.

Both Bopp and Jasinksi have been lighting it up through two games for the College. Bopp has thrown for 586 yards and six touchdowns while rushing for another 102 yards. 291 of Bopps passing yards have gone to Jasinski. The receiver has caught 13 passes in each of the first two games for the Lions. He currently leads the country in receptions.

The connection isn’t just strong on the field for this quarterback and receiver duo. Bopp and Jasinski became great friends during their sophomore year and are now roommates.

“We were both quarterbacks at the time, so we spent a lot of time together on the field,” said Jasinski. “As we started hanging out more outside of football, we became really close and by our junior year, we moved into the same

house, and the rest is history.”

Jasinski played both quarterback and receiver at times during the 2022 season, but in 2023 moved fully to receiver.

He took home Honorable Mention All NJAC honors.

The 2023 season was a special one for Bopp as well. He led the NJAC in passing yards, touchdowns and completions. He broke the school record for passing yards in a single game with 405 against Eastern. Those stats along with the team’s success earned Bopp second team all NJAC honors.

The 2-0 start for the Lions is their best since 2011, but they have aspirations of even more success. They feel that an NJAC championship is within their grasp this season.

“While this has always been our aim, this year feels different, the entire team genuinely believes we can achieve a championship,” said Jasinski.

While Jasinski and Bopp have been as good as any duo in the country thus far, the rest of the offense and defense has been doing their job as well. The Lions will head to Pennsylvania to take on Muhlenburg on Saturday, Sept. 21.

As the season progresses, Jasinski, Bopp and the rest of the Lions will not forget the feeling of defeat from a year ago.

“There was an energy in the air that day, and it’s been fueling our fire ever since, pushing us as we continue to prepare each week for our opponents,” said Bopp.

The Signal Sports Staff’s NFL hot takes post-week 2 Field hockey drops back-to-back ranked games

By Aidan Mastandrea, Joe Caruso and Tyler Morello Sports Editor and Staff Writers Tyler’s take: The Arizona Cardinals win the NFC West The NFC West is wide open for the taking this year with the San Francisco 49ers and Los Angeles Rams being derailed with injuries. Quarterback Kyler Murray is finally back to elite-caliber play with a new and improved offense featuring rookie Marvin Harrison Jr., one of the most highly touted receiving prospects in recent years.

The main problem with this roster is the talent on the defensive side of the ball. The Cardinals gave up the second most points in the league last season, and are expected to need to improve this season in order to play postseason football.

We did, however, just see All-Pro Budda Baker lead this defense against the Rams this past weekend and hold them to ten points. Second-year head coach Jonathan Gannon was hired for his defensive strategies after leading the defensive unit for the Philadelphia Eagles to the Super Bowl in 2023, which should lead to some better days for the Cardinal’s defense this year.

It is completely possible they even find themselves atop the entire NFC

Photo courtesy of Flickr

Justin Herbert on the field.

if they can figure out their growing pains.

Aidan’s take: Chargers make it to AFC Championship So far so good for Jim Harbaugh in the city of Angels. Through two games the Los Angeles Chargers look to have the culture that they were so desperately looking for. Justin Herbert is an all world talent at quarterback, but over the past few seasons he has had to carry too much of the load.

This year, the addition of running back J.K Dobbins and drafting of tackle Joe Alt has bolstered the rushing attack for the Chargers. Herbert is able to manage the game and be special in spurts when needed most.

It may be too far to say that this Chargers team will beat out the backto-back super bowl champion Chiefs to win the AFC West, but with Harbaugh leading the way they will only get better over time. This team will be peaking in January and can make a run at an AFC championship game.

Joe’s take: Raiders grab a playoff spot Antonio Pierce is now entering his first full season as head coach of the Las Vegas Raiders, and after a monster upset in Baltimore last week, this team looks poised to make some noise toward the AFC wildcard.

Seasoned veteran Gardner Minshew provides the Raiders squad with a high floor, and future hall-of-fame wide receiver Davante Adams along with rookie first-rounder Brock Bowers can provide much-needed firepower to this offense.

On the defensive side of the ball, Maxx Crosby has a real shot at bringing home defensive player of the year for Vegas, and with Pierce’s fiery coaching style, the Raiders will play every game close en route to a playoff spot.

Their next game is Saturday, Sept. 21.

By Joe Caruso Staff Writer The 14th-ranked Lions lost consecutive games last week against #22 Bryn Mawr College and #2 Johns Hopkins University, with scores of 2-1 and 4-0, respectively.

It was a tough break for The College, having to play two of the three ranked opponents they face this season in the same week. They also had to travel over 100 miles to Baltimore to face the highly-touted Blue Jays of Johns Hopkins. But first, on Wednesday, Sept. 11, the Lions hosted Bryn Mawr College. The Owls are no slouch themselves, ranked at #22 and surely to rise after this matchup.

Sophomore Isabel Maher got The College started, scoring early in the second quarter to put the Lions ahead 1-0. It was the first goal of the season for Maher, on a rebound from senior Rayhanah Ahmed.

This lead held through halftime, despite pacing the game in shot attempts. Mostly thanks to junior goalkeeper Birgitte Racey, who stopped a career-high 13 shots on goal in the contest. The Lions were unable to generate much offense despite finding the back of the net first.

Bryn Mawr refused to let up. In the third quarter alone, the Owls fired seven shots compared to zero from the Lions. Racey continued to stand on her head holding the shutout into the fourth.

However, two minutes into the final quarter, Owls senior Eva Yacura evened the game up at one goal a piece. The score of 1-1

Photo by Elizabeth Gladstone

held into an extra period.

Despite great chances from the Lions in the early stages of the overtime period, Bryn Mawr took this one on a game-winning goal from junior Noor Werndlij.

This loss was nothing for the College to dwell on, as the Owls had just been seasoned with back-to-back ranked opponents of their own, beating #12 Kean University as well as dropping a tight game in overtime to #17 Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Regardless, they had to prepare to travel to Johns Hopkins to take on the daunting Blue Jays.

Hosting the College, Johns Hopkins is undoubtedly one of the teams to beat in the country, having two major wins over #10 Rowan University and #5 Messiah University heading into this matchup. Not to mention their 21-2 season along with a championship appearance in 2023. Against the Lions, they certainly lived up to the expectations.

It did not take long for the Blue Jays to get on the board, scoring two goals, one of which was with just a second left in the first quarter to catapult themselves ahead 2-0.

It was much of the same for the rest of the game, as Johns Hopkins dominated with 22 shots to just six for the College, and tacked on two more goals to cruise to a 4-0 victory.

Although a tough loss, veteran head coach Sharon Pfluger will continue to get the squad ready to go as they approach New Jersey Athletic Conference play. Their next game action is Saturday, Sept. 21 when they host Messiah University.

TCNJ Football wins tight game against Franklin and Marshall

The Lions defense put together an impressive performance.

By Tyler Morello Staff Writer The College’s football team is off to its best start in 13 years after holding on to a 17-13 win over Franklin and Marshall College. They have not started a season 2-0 since 2011, when they won their first three games and went 7-3 on the year.

The Lions were led once again by fifth-year seniors and team captains Trevor Bopp and Malin Jaskinski, and they were quite unstoppable against the Franklin and Marshall defense. Jasinski racked up 13 receptions, just like how he did in the season opener against Eastern University.

Jasinkski also eclipsed the 100-yard

Photo by Elizabeth Gladstone

mark once again, with 139. He has now put up 26 catches for 291 yards through just the first two games of the year. To put this in perspective, he finished with 36 receptions and 362 receiving yards in nine total games played in the 2023 season.

Bopp initiated another steady offense for the Lions, throwing for 218 yards and two touchdowns with just one interception thrown. He completed 23 of his 34 pass attempts on the day.

Bopp got the Lions out to a lead near the end of the first quarter after punting on their first two drives, as he connected with fellow fifth-year and team captain Thomas Burke for a 7-yard touchdown.

The College got great contributions from their defense all game as they did

not give up a touchdown in the first half, and only gave up one all game. Junior technology education major Bill Westerby led the defense with seven tackles while senior biology major Brandon Kuse commanded the pass rush with 2.5 sacks on the day.

With two possessions after the Lions’ first score, Franklin and Marshall put together a thirteen-play 63-yard drive and eventually settled for a field goal to get on the board and make it 7-3 with around five minutes left in the half.

The Lions came right back and got down all the way to the Diplomat’s 4-yard line after a 45-yard run by senior Jayson Schmidt. Schmidt ended with an incredible 174 rushing yards on the day while adding 17 more yards on the receiving end. Bopp ended up having his next pass unluckily tipped and intercepted.

After forcing a quick 3-and-out, the Lions got themselves right back deep into Diplomat’s territory when Schmidt coughed up the ball for their second turnover in two possessions. Kuse picked up the offense by getting a strip sack as Westerby recovered at the Diplomat’s 40-yardline with 14 seconds left in the half.

Bopp completed a quick 16-yard pass to Jasinski which set up a 41-yard kick for freshman Tim Willever, who calmly knocked down his first career field goal, just sneaking it over the crossbar.

The Diplomats received the ball in the second half and had a six minute drive that led to a 19-yard field goal. They then got the ball right back after forcing a turnover on downs on the Lions and were able to finally punch in their only touchdown

of the game with 3:43 to go in the third quarter.

Despite having what felt like more productive drives at this point in the game, the Lions wind up down 13-10. After the Franklin and Marshall touchdown, Bopp and Schmidt led a 7-play 68-yard drive ending in a 10-yard passing touchdown to junior business management major Ryan Gill, putting the Lions up 17-13 heading into the fourth.

The College played their most complete quarter in the fourth, getting timely stops on defense and displaying fantastic clock management on offense. Junior kinesiology & health sciences major Justin Kurc picked off the Diplomats deep in the College’s territory to stop their surge.

After another turnover on downs, the Lions were put in another tough spot on defense, needing a big stop when it mattered. With the Diplomats getting deep into the Lion’s red zone, junior Jack Young came away with the Lion’s second interception of the game.

The dilemma for the Lions at this point was that there were still over 8 minutes left in the game. They needed to burn as much time as possible, and that is exactly what they did. Completing three straight third down conversions and then completing the game-sealing fourth down. This allowed the Lions to milk over 8 minutes to secure their second win of the young season.

The College will now turn their attention to their next matchup at Muhlenberg College (1-1) on Saturday, Sept. 21 at 1 pm. They will seek their first 3-0 start to a season since 2011.

Women’s soccer triumphs with 2-0 victory against Hood College

Photo by Elizabeth Gladstone

Senior Ava Curtis possesses the ball for the Lions.

By Fiona Espinoza-Castro around the ninth minute, denying senior Correspondent business major Ava Curtis’ shot.

One show-stopping moment was The College’s women’s soccer team in the 17th minute when Ellenberger continued their perfect start to the denied back-to-back shots from the season, with their record standing at Lions. D’Imperio’s shot was saved by 5-0. The Lions beat Hood College 2-0 Ellenberger, and sophomore undeclared on Friday, Sept. 13, showing complete business major Caroline Freer’s shot dominance during both halves, with 34 was saved again. Freer shot off the shots, while the Blazers had zero. rebound, but the keeper protected the The College’s opponent came into net. the match with a record of 1-2-2, setting The Lions kept the pressure up. This the scene for an interesting game. Before proved to be successful when, in the Friday’s game, four consecutive wins 38th minute, sophomore nursing major against Washington and Lee University, Taylor Bielan found the back of the Plattsburgh State, Penn State Harrisburg net, scoring her first goal of the season. and Arcadia University, heightened the Bielan’s goal was an impressive one, as expectations for the Lions. she used her chest to direct the ball into From the first half, it was clear that the back of the net after a chip pass from the Lions were the more dynamic team, junior finance major Raquel Garces. holding possession easily. Within the Bielan nearly had her second goal first few minutes the Lions were testing before halftime, with another shot that the Blazers’ defense as Hood goalkeeper missed the right post. She continued to Brenna Ellenberger made her first save find space in the Hood defense. Although

the Blazers were outmatched in terms of shots and possession, Ellenberger’s efforts in the first half kept them within striking distance heading into the second half. She saved six shots, including attempts from senior business marketing major Victoria D’Imperio, junior communications major Caroline Mascone and senior marketing major Cassidy DiSabato.

As the second half began, the College remained calm and collected, the team chemistry showing in how they played.

“I think the women’s soccer program has one of the best cultures here,” Curtis said. “We care a lot about each other.

We all know we’re each other’s second family. So I hope for that to continue, for the girls to carry on this tradition of accountability, culture, and family, and keep it strong for the future girls, and to win an NJAC and possibly a national championship.”

The Lions continued their momentum, and by the 72nd minute, Curtis launched a powerful strike that left Hood’s substitute goalkeeper, Mya Torres. This upped the score to 2-0 in favor of the Lions.

This goal was just another notch in Curtis’ impeccable career as a Lion.

She has won a multitude of awards, including NJAC Rookie of the Year (2021), 1st Team All-NJAC (2021, 2023), 2nd Team All-NJAC (2022), NJAC Defensive Player of the Week (11/6/23, 9/3/24) and has been awarded many more.

Curtis had another close attempt as the clock ticked toward full-time, but it was saved by Torres. This did not shake Curtis.

“I’ve never played winger before,

so that felt good because I scored,” said Curtis. “I think I did well, but I think that there are always things to improve on as a team. I am happy about the result we got.”

The start for the Lions is great, but with many challenges ahead, the team is not resting on their laurels.

“The team is really good at working hard and putting everything out there,” Curtis said. “Today we got the result we wanted, but this was more of a stepping stone for us to get to where we want to be by the end of the season.”

TCNJ Athletics Schedule Cross Country Friday, Sept. 20, 5:30 p.m Home at Green Lane Football Saturday, Sept. 21, 1 p.m Away at Muhlenburg College Women’s Soccer Saturday, Sept. 21, 1 p.m Away at Stevens Field Hockey Saturday, Sept. 21 1 p.m Home against Messiah University Men’s and Womens Tennis ITA Northeast Regional Sept. 21- 23