Issue No. 6 Fall '26

Vol. LV, No. 6

The Signal

https://www.tcnjsignalnews.com/ October 30, 2026

Serving The College of New Jersey since 1885

Bernstein discusses Title IX, campus partnerships and financial status By Alena Bitonti and Ashley Ragone Editor-in-Chief and Managing Editor

President Michael Bernstein sat down for an interview with The Signal on Oct. 28 to discuss Title IX protocols, partnerships with other higher education institutions, the College’s financial status and goals for next term following his recent reappointment. Bernstein began his term as interim president in July 2023 and was named president of the College the following summer. After a unanimous vote at this month’s Board of Trustees meeting, he was reappointed until June 30, 2033. Reflecting on the state of the College at the start of the semester and academic year, Bernstein spoke about the College’s academic distinction and continued high regional standings through his period in office. “Our rankings continue to be very high,” Bernstein said. “[We are] the number one regional institution and the number one public in the Northeast…Obviously, we’re very happy about that.” Here’s what the president had to say: Princeton University cross-registration The College and Princeton University recently established a cross-registration agreement that allows students to enroll in one course at either institution at no additional cost. The partnership officially launched at the beginning of the Fall 2026 semester. “Princeton is making a big vote of confidence in us,” Bernstein said. “We feel honored to be associated with a great, internationally ranked research university like Princeton.” Bernstein attributes a significant part of the

the consortium ensures a positive working relationship for those involved. Currently, private institutions like Rider University and Princeton University are not involved nor have they signed the agreement. “I think this is the first time a county is sort of coming together, saying as a county we’re going to work together in public higher education, so we were kind of excited about that,” Bernstein said.

Photo by Anthony DePrimo

Bernstein was recently reappointed as president. program’s early success to the College’s Army ROTC courses, saying Princeton does not offer equivalent ROTC courses on its campus. He mentioned that its cadets previously had to commute to distant institutions, including Rutgers University. According to Bernstein, approximately a dozen Princeton students are taking ROTC classes at the College this semester, a trend he expects to continue. “It’s pretty clear from what’s happened this semester that Princeton ROTC will remain part of this program forever,” he said. While Princeton students rely on the College for programs like ROTC, nursing, health sciences, business and education, students at the College are gaining access to specialized academic disciplines offered at Princeton, ranging from engineering to niche humanities. When asked if there are any plans to modify or expand the program, Bernstein said that both colleges are taking things step-by-step, but he

expects to see growth on both sides. “Let’s see what happens,” he said. “It’s sort of like when you build a new neighborhood. Rather than put in the sidewalks, just wait and see where the paths are getting worn out in the grass, then you put down the concrete.” Mercer

County Higher Education Consortium Bernstein proudly shared a recent agreement that has been joined by three public higher education institutions of New Jersey, a goal to strengthen relationships between the Mercer County-based schools. Mercer County Community College and Thomas Edison State University join the College in a new partnership launched on Oct. 27, expanding resources to students, facilitating transfers and emphasizing affordability. With Kean University absorbing New Jersey City University and major changes happening across campuses in the state,

Title IX protocol at the College In the wake of sexual assault allegations at Cornell University and several other higher education institutions, Bernstein reinforced knowledge of Title IX protocols in place at the College. “I was well aware of all of our procedures long before the Cornell case broke nationwide, but I asked the Cabinet…last week to meet with our Title IX coordinator Chelsea Jacoby, and our chief of police Tim Grant,” he said. “We all sat around [the conference] table for 45 minutes and just reconfirmed and reacquainted everybody with what our procedures are.” With the protocol in place at the College, there are no separate stages of investigation in the case of a reported assault. Instead, a team is in place to work together and efficiently investigate reports, bringing together the “Title IX team, meaning Chelsea, [campus] police, Chief Grant, the Ewing police…and the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office, they are all around the table together.” Bernstein anecdotally shared not having any allegations against entire fraternity or sorority chapters during his term, but instead individual cases of alcohol use and misconduct. Read more on our website!

Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman visits TCNJ

Photo by Luke Hunter

Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman at the College. By Luke Hunter Staff Writer Bonnie Watson Coleman, U.S. Representative for the 12th district of New Jersey, spoke at campus on Oct. 22. Coleman addressed the audience of students, staff and facility at the College’s R. Barbara Gitenstein Library Auditorium. Coleman’s visit to campus was sponsored by the School of Humanities and Social Sciences and the Women in Learning and Leadership Program. The visit was a discussion moderated by WILL executive board member, Madison Graham.

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Graham began the discussion by asking Coleman how she initially entered politics. Coleman recounted her odyssey of public service in which she started out working for various executive departments for the state of New Jersey. Coleman told the audience she was motivated to first seek elected office when her father retired from his seat in the New Jersey General Assembly. Coleman said “When he died, it was my way of keeping him alive.” Coleman served in the New Jersey General Assembly from 1998 to 2015. Upon the retirement of Representative Rush Holt, Coleman sought and won election to fill his seat in the House of Representatives. Graham continued the conversation by

FEATURES

Haunted Hallway

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The College’s Special Interest Group on Computer Graphics and Interactive Techniques prepares for Haunted Hallway event.

OPINIONS

asking Coleman what was one accomplishment from her career that she was especially proud of. Coleman answered, “What I think I’m proudest of is that people recognize that I was always trying to be truthful. And that if I said this gave you my word, you could count on it.” Coleman stressed to the crowd, “I think that that’s important, moving forward, no matter what you do, just be truthful.” “You, you really do give me hope,” Coleman said when addressing the future of female leaders. “So many of you that I’ve encountered are so decent. You want to do good. You think government has a responsibility to do good. You even think the business has a responsibility to be ethical. And so, I’m inspired by what I have been seeing. You all, this is an amazing generation, and I have a lot of hope for this country because of where you are now, and where you will be.” The speaker then handed the questions over to the audience. One audience member asked Coleman if there were ever any campaign promises that she felt she failed to live up to. “Every piece of legislation that I proposed that I couldn’t get past, for me is a failure,” Coleman responded. “My trying, and people legitimately, knowing that I tried, is my success.” After other questions were asked by audience members, Graham concluded the discussion by asking Congresswoman Coleman one final question. When asked what her advice is for the

AmIOk at TCNJ

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The organization’s resources are unmistakable and critical for students.

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Rocky Horror Show

next generation, she said, “Do what you’re doing. Show up. Make sure that your voices are heard. Be in the spaces of protest and encouragement.” “Hold people accountable, but be counted. Be counted. This government is by and for the people, and there’s nothing, nothing more powerful than the collective of the people,” she added. Audience member, Kat Devita, a sophomore psychology and women’s, gender and sexuality studies double major, said that her biggest take away from Coleman’s visit was, “learning about what we, as college students, can do to make a difference.” Discussion moderator, Madison Graham, a sophomore history major with a women’s, gender, and sexuality studies and prelaw minor, said that her biggest takeaway from her discussion with Coleman was, “as long as you’re honest and have good intentions you can do whatever you put your mind to,” she said. “In our talk, Congresswoman Coleman emphasized the importance of honesty and being pure with your intentions. I took away how supporting the TCNJ community is by then showing up to events, being attentive during the talk, and asking important questions to the Congresswoman during the audience questions portion.” With Congresswoman Coleman set to retire from public life in January, she leaves behind a trailblazing legacy.

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PRISM brings “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” performance to campus from Friday Nite Specials.

SPORTS

Field hockey

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Field hockey secures big 8-0 win and enters NJAC play.

page 2 The Signal October 28, 30, 2026

Cop Shop: Rear end rage, hated hygiene and a letter investigation

Graphic by Sandra Abrantes

By Gloria Vittadello 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. This fall season, Campus Police have been dealing with road rage incidents, the comeback of handwritten letters and of course, fire alarms. Dude, where’s my D Street? On Thursday, Oct. 22, Campus Police were called to Lot 8, to speak with a commuter student who was a victim in a road rage incident. The student reported she was going to Roscoe’s Market, right before midnight,

when a woman in a Chevrolet Impala drove up next to her and said, “I never want to see you here again.” The student, who had her car near the market on D Street, got in her car and made a left turn onto Metzger Driver. It was reported she noticed the suspect vehicle following her car very closely as she drove around campus. She observed the vehicle swerving behind her, while also being dangerously close to her rear end. She eventually made it to the front lots of campus, warning people who were walking about her situation. From the time she left D Street, to being at the front of campus, multiple calls were made to Campus Police reporting the situation. Once the victim was at the front of campus, the suspect car slowed down and turned around. The vehicle was seen exiting campus, turning left onto Pennington Road. No registered person came up when

police scanned her license plate, only a car rental agency. Police are currently investigating the crime in hopes to identify the suspect. Handwritten letters There was a campus-wide email that went out on Oct. 22 at 1:48 p.m. saying that Campus Police received reports of mysterious letters that were distributed to different offices across campus. Trenton Hall was evacuated, and the campus community was asked to contact Campus Police if they came in contact with similar enclosed packages, which were described as “standard white No. 10, business-sized, no return address, and addressed to ‘The College of New Jersey’ in handwriting.” The email also wrote “please do not open these envelopes.” According to Campus Police, they are currently investigating the situation, and have little to report at this time.

Fire alarms In the past two weeks, Campus Police have responded to over 25 alarms across campus. The detectors have been triggered by vaping, perfume, steam from showers and more, predominantly from the townhouses. Detectors hate hygiene Between Oct. 21 and Oct. 25, Campus Police were called across campus for triggered fire alarms. In more cases than usual, they went off because residents were spraying too much perfume, doing their hair and generating steam from showers. In the kitchen Between Oct. 15 and Oct. 23, Campus Police were called around campus for kitchen malfunctions. The reasons included a malfunctioning electric skillet, steam from a dishwasher and burnt toast.

Beyond the Ballot: a campus conversation on issues that matter

Photo courtesy of Kathleen Devita

The panelists discuss topics in the R. Barbara Gitenstein Library Auditorium. By Gloria Vittadello studies and economics major with a minor News Editor in Spanish, came up with the idea. As the programming chair, he brainstormed with the This midterm season, In light of the rest of the executive board to plan the event, coming midterms, the College Democrats which included reaching out to potential hosted its first “Beyond the Ballot: a campus panelists and ensuring the event would be conversation on issues that matter,” in the successful. Barbara Gitenstein Auditorium on Oct. 27. Jacobs said he wanted to create an The event was meant to educate and environment where participants could build promote open conversation with college on one another’s ideas and share personal students on topics such as human rights, experiences, rather than debate opposing immigration, economics, AI and more, viewpoints, thinking it could have been according to their President Andrew LoMonte, counterproductive. a senior political science major. “I think this event was a good opportunity “We initially reached out to a variety of for people to share stories, and to build on different cultural and civic organizations each other’s knowledge, rather than trying on campus,” LoMonte said. “We wanted to compete,” he explained. “This event was to represent a diverse set of experiences, structured as a gradual building of ideas and and the panelists that joined us tonight were we saw throughout the discussion themes organizations that were available.” beginning to emerge.” Nine panelists participated in the The discussion included around an hour of discussion, all representing a different panelist conversation, followed by some time organization on campus; Women in for audience questions and comments. Learning and Leadership, Union Latina, the The College Democrats’ Vice President Environmental Club, the Asian American Brooke Russo, who also sat on the panel, Association and three faculty members were highlighted the audience participation as her on the board. The College Democrats also had favorite part of the event. two representatives as well. “I really enjoyed the audience participation Owen Jacobs, a sophomore international at the end,” Russo said. “I think it’s really nice

to be able to have people feel comfortable, to ask questions and things like that. And I know in the past that’s something that our org[anization] has done a lot of, so I’m happy to see us moving back into the direction of being more community based.” Sean Fudala, a sophomore math major, also said he was encouraged and surprised by the audience’s willingness to contribute their own perspectives, instead of having a “more traditional” question and answer talk. “I loved seeing people in the crowd voicing their opinions after the discussion had occurred, and feeling more empowered and relating it back to their personal lives,” he said. Faculty members also emphasized the importance of creating similar spaces for open discussion. Raquel Sosa, an assistant professor of psychology, spoke about the value of allowing people with different perspectives to express themselves within the classroom. “That’s the only way people who think differently are going to be able to voice their opinions and perhaps change their mind,” Sosa said. Shaun Wiley, the chair of the department of psychology, similarly stressed the importance of personal connection in political conversations. “When we’re talking to somebody, connecting with the person has to be just as important as convincing them,” Wiley said. For Jacobs, the event reflected a broader sense of responsibility to engage with the current political climate. “I feel motivated because I know that a lot of people are discouraged,” Jacobs said, “but I have a sense of optimism. I want a better future. And to me, there’s no other option but to fight for a better future.” The event aligned with the College Democrats’ broader efforts to promote civic engagement on campus. Throughout the semester, the organization has hosted debate

watch parties, organized phone banks and offered canvassing opportunities. LoMonte said he and the rest of the executive board have worked to reach students through general meetings, social media, a mailing list and campus announcements. This event also marked a new approach for the organization, providing a dedicated space for students and faculty to discuss political and social issues together, outside of their usual circles. With the event taking place shortly before the midterm elections, organizers hoped the conversation would encourage students to think critically about the issues and candidates shaping their communities. “I feel like people left this event with a better understanding of the issues we face, but not just issues, also possible solutions,” Jacobs said. “A lot of these solutions aren’t in place yet, but we want to make sure that we’re voting for candidates who are interested in solving problems and not just gaining power.” The College Democrats will continue hosting similar discussions in the future, giving students recurring opportunities to learn about their rights, emerging issues and ways to participate in civic life, Jacobs said. For the organizers, the event was not simply about encouraging students to vote, but also about helping them understand the issues behind their decisions and recognize the value of collective action. As the College Democrats look toward future programming, organizers hope Beyond the Ballot can become a recurring opportunity for students to share experiences, ask questions and find common ground across differences. Editor’s note: Owen Jacobs, a correspondent for The Signal, was not involved in the writing or editing process for this article.

Preparations for AIMM Haunted Hallway are underway

Photo courtesy of Jacob James

Alexis Targum finds decorations online in AIMM U-Lab Room 206 on Oct 8. By Jacob James Correspondent Members of the College’s Arts and Interactive Multimedia department are preparing Siggraph for their biggest event of the year scheduled for Oct 30 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. in the AIMM building. The College’s Special Interest Group on Computer Graphics and Interactive Techniques, or Siggraph for short, is a club for those interested in computer graphics,

animation and interactive multimedia. Occurring in late October every year, Haunted Hallway, formerly known as Haunted House, has become the staple of AIMM’s club Siggraph. This year, the event is occurring on the Friday before Halloween. Like previous years, this year will include a theme which is “Camp Siggraph,” based on summer camps from old slasher films. With Haunted Hallway every year comes other participating clubs with their own activities. This year will include

Game Design Club, Healing Arts Club, Photography Club, the WTSR radio station, CUB ALT and Kappa Pi, the College’s art honors fraternity. “It’s cool to see all the collaborations with different clubs around campus,” said professor Sorraya Brashear-Evans, an alum of the College and member of Siggraph who now serves as a co-advisor. To prepare for the different activities for this event, co-presidents of Siggraph Alexis Targum and Kathryn Javier worked alongside all of the different groups through Google Sheets to share ideas and come up with a plan for each group until they could figure out what could work for each club. After the ideas are set in place, many activities including pumpkin painting, karaoke and a costume contest just to name a few will occur throughout the evening. While not required, “people are encouraged to wear costumes,” said Targum. Siggraph hosts its own fashion show near the end of the night and shows all of the elaborate costumes some of the students have created. And although there is no big prize for the fashion show, it is a way for students to demonstrate their creativity and passion for whatever they are interested in. While preparing for the 2026 event, Siggraph’s co-presidents had to reflect on Haunted Hallway 2025 as another way to prepare as last year was both of their first times organizing this event. “It was a little hectic behind the scenes,” said Javier.

“Last year was one of our biggest,” Targum said. “It was the most people we’ve ever had.” Although last year’s event was quite hectic and had a large turnout of people, both Targum and Javier are more prepared this time around as they have already purchased decorations for this year’s Haunted Hallway and are ready for any amount of people who could potentially come. And while space is limited within the AIMM building, they have made an effort along with all of the participating groups in this year’s event to make sure they can safely make enough space for anyone who could be participating in Haunted Hallway this year. “I really want to accommodate as many people as we can,” said Targum. “Make it as open as we can.” While people can still come and enjoy all of the activities that Haunted Hallway will have this year, volunteers who can assist in the set up and clean up are greatly appreciated. “We would love help with setup, and cleanup, especially,” said Javier. Set up will begin at 4 p.m. on Oct 30, and clean up will take place after the event ends. All volunteers are welcome to assist in setting up, cleaning up or both and can contact Targum, Javier and Brashear-Evans via their email, siggraph@tcnj.edu. “There is something for everybody at Haunted Hallway,” Brashear-Evans said. “It’s a fun celebration night of digital art and spooky things.”

Increased animal sightings prompt reminders on how to interact with them

Photo by Nick Kurti

The fox, dubbed affectionately as “Sherman,” has become a notable figure at the College. By Anna Huddle Correspondent As sightings of deer, foxes and other animals increase at the College, students and professors urge the campus community to maintain respectful distances and safety with wildlife. As midterms approach and students settle into a routine on campus, members of the campus community report an increase in wildlife sightings around the College. While sightings of deer and squirrels have been common in the community, reports of wildlife sightings, including bears and foxes, have become hot topics on campus. Although sightings of these animals are common across New Jersey, the frequency of these interactions and the behavior of some of these animals have sparked concern regarding proper safety practices for both the sake of the animals and students. Curt Elderkin, a biology professor at the College, has seen the increase firsthand.

“I’ve noticed that sightings of white tails has increased, especially in the last five or six years,” Elderkin said. “And then, of course, now we seem to have a fox on campus.” The fox, dubbed affectionately on social media as “Sherman,” has become a notable figure at the College in the fall semester. Elderkin described the tameness of the local wildlife, noting the animals’ complacency with humans. “They don’t seem to have any fear. I mean, there were deer standing in the sidewalk while people were walking by.” he said. “The real thing with urban areas and wildlife is that they’re so shy that any interaction — cars going by, people going by,” Elderkin noted on the difference in the local wildlife’s reaction to urban life than the average animal’s. “Noises, like honkings, sirens. They’ll drop what they’re eating and kind of go to a safe place,” he added. “And so constantly their foraging is interrupted and that has a real negative

effect on them. Campus animals, I have not noticed that. They’re pretty used to it.” Students also have noticed this behavior. “Well, I’m just always shocked,” said Katie Krom, a senior biology major and student in an ecology class at the College. “How much they don’t seem to care that there’s people. Like, I’ll get, you know, five, 10 feet away from a deer and it just does not move. You’d think they’d see people, they’d run away.” Krom pointed out some possible risk factors associated with the increased wildlife sightings. She has witnessed drivers nearly collide with the deer on multiple occasions and noted that the animals regularly go through the trash and litter on campus. Other students also shared her concern. Sophia Brasch, a junior accounting major at the College, recalled an incident earlier this year regarding an injured deer on campus. “It wasn’t back in the corner of a wooded area. It was kind of in, obviously, the middle of campus, but around where students were walking and could see it,” she said. Brasch was concerned about the effects the foot traffic could have on the deer’s strained health. She added, “Just being around humans in that environment, and like, some people could approach it — some people wouldn’t, but it definitely was probably stressed in making its injuries worse on itself.” While Brasch noted the potential harm the urban area could bring to the wildlife, she also emphasized the good that having the wildlife present on campus brings. She hopes the encounters with wildlife will encourage students to take an interest in the environment. Krom also shared a similar belief, noting

that she hopes the interactions will remind students that they are sharing a space and a home with wild animals. Elderkin cautions that students should remember the wild nature of the animals and not interfere with their feeding habits. “You don’t want to feed them,” Elderkin warned. “The good thing is that even though they are on campus, they’re still wild. We’re not taking them in and feeding them — and that’s where the real trouble starts.” As long as the boundaries between wildlife and human life are maintained, the campus seems to be largely in favor of letting the school be as much as a home to the animals as it is to the students. “I think it’s really cool that the campus is a space for them to be comfortable,” Brasch said. “That’s just cool.”

Photo by Brooke Zevon

Sightings of deer have increased on campus.

The resources of AmIOk are a necessary asset at TCNJ

Photo by Ben Weiss

AmIOk provides important resources for students in need of support. By Sarah Tamagny Correspondent AmIOK was denied state funding by New Jersey and closed within a week on Oct. 1. This closure has left an incredibly vulnerable population of students at the College without support and resources that many have come to rely on. What will the College do about it? When I arrived at the College in 2024, my life up until then had been defined by my trauma. I had postponed higher education for years in an attempt to slowly piece my life back together. I had been through years of attempting to dig myself out of the dark place I was forced into, that was only exacerbated through the process of attempting to report what had happened to me. I had no idea how to report a crime, and found myself repeatedly silenced by

the institutions in place that are meant to protect victims. I was thrilled when I found out about the College’s Counseling and Prevention Services and their free counseling. It wasn’t until my intake with them that they were able to refer me to AmIOK. AmIOK has been at the College since 2019, providing trauma based care, information and 24/7 crisis assistance. The program was specifically created for students in Mercer County who have been victims of crimes and traumatic events. Nothing like this had previously been available at the College or in the surrounding areas. A free, confidential counseling service that was catered to victims. When I went to my first meeting with my clinician, I felt supported in a way I had never experienced before. For two years,

I’d go to her with my problems, big and small, and she would support me entirely. I can’t count the number of times I knocked on her door in tears and was met with a smile. After seven years, on Sept. 24, students who use AmIOK received an email informing us that the program’s funding had not been approved for the following grant cycle. AmIOK was to shut down completely on Oct. 1. This meant that with a week’s notice, students were to be left without the resources and support systems that we have come to rely on. I was beyond devastated to receive this email, worried for myself and even more so for the people who might have just found AmIOK, vulnerable and in desperate need of their support. This closure coincided with the increased national attention towards the horrific assault of Jane Doe at Cornell University, bringing up the deep problems with reporting assault and crimes in higher education settings. It has been a profoundly difficult time to be a survivor, a time when AmIOK’s services are crucial. With this closure, the most vulnerable population of students at the College are left wondering: what’s next? Who will stand by us and for us in a system that has so long left us vulnerable and unheard? While the College provides counseling through CAPS and AntiViolence Initiatives, AmIOK had a unique, trauma informed approach to counseling. Unlike AVI, it was also not strictly focused on people who have suffered interpersonal violence,

but anyone who has been a victim of a crime. As one myself, I have long felt underserved by counseling programs in my past. It is crushing to bring your vulnerable experience to a professional who informs you that what you have experienced is out of their scope of care. It is so easy as a survivor of trauma to feel like you are “too much,” and AmIOK carved out a space where that feeling could be erased. With no discredit to the care that CAPS and AVI provides to many students, they are simply not equipped to handle cases in the same vein as AmIOK. Although the funding for AMIOK came through the state government, that does not leave the College without responsibility in this matter. I feel that the College has an obligation to its students, especially those as vulnerable as students who are victims of crimes, to allocate funds to support AmIOK. This resource has been crucial to the health, safety, and academic success of me and many others on campus. Now is the time for the College to show that they care about their students, about victims and pay up. I do not claim to know much about the College’s finances, but I feel that the College must figure out a way to keep AmIOK on our campus. Victims of trauma should not also have to endure the uncertainty of our care being taken away. diverse menu or possibly more people in the kitchen would solve a lot of the problems and put traditions back in good grace within the campus community.

Spirit Halloween has gone downhill Living seasonally isn’t ‘basic,’ it’s ancient By Jadyn Buccilli Staff Writer

With “spooky season” officially underway, adults and children alike prepare for the occasion by shopping for Halloween costumes and scary decorations. Spirit Halloween is the big name when it comes to Halloween shopping, and has gotten so popular that it debuted its spinoff store Spirit Christmas in 2024. I have frequented Spirit Halloween since I was young. The chain’s flagship store is located in my hometown of Egg Harbor Township, so I will say that I am definitely privileged to have grown up with the largest and best of the Spirit stores. Still, I have noticed that the quality of the company has gone down significantly within the last couple of years. To begin, dressing rooms were phased out of the majority of Spirit locations after the COVID-19 pandemic. While I would understand this policy change if it was 2022 or 2023 when the pandemic was only just beginning to go away, it is nearing the end of 2026 and this change seems more permanent. It is hard to tell that a costume will fit correctly by solely looking at the packaging. People who might be one size in one brand could be a completely different one in another, and it is much more convenient to be able to try on clothing before buying it. I know there is a policy where you can return a costume that does not fit, but this is dramatically less convenient for those who don’t live nearby a store. As a college student, it is more convenient to order a cheaper costume off of Amazon or use items I may already

have than it is to buy overpriced items at Spirit without the privilege to even try on what it is I am going to buy. I have been using these two methods more as of late, and it’s simply more convenient since the new dressing room policy. While the dressing room issue has multiple solutions already, the main argument I want to introduce is how the animatronics have gotten significantly less scary. I understand that the store should be targeted towards both children and adults, but I feel like the animatronics should go back to their scarier roots. Look up any animatronic compilation from the early 2010s and you can tell the quality is so much better than it is now. Then, look up the current animatronic situation. While they are not absolutely terrible this year, they are definitely cornier. I am guessing this is to make the store more kid friendly, but at the same time half of it is a glorified Spencer’s. For the record, I adore Spencer’s as a store, and I understand both stores are under the same company. However seeing the same type of merchandise at both stores that is not exactly suited for small children while also toning down on the scary element of the store is definitely a little hypocritical. Additionally, I feel like too many animatronics have been reused over the years. It was practically a relief to see that the obnoxious “Hugz the Clown” has taken a break, but each year without fail I always see the scarecrow and the jumping spider. Both of these animatronics aren’t bad by any means, but I feel like it would be nice to give these icons a break and focus on original ideas. Read more on our website!

Photo by Isabella McHugh

Living seasonally can look like picking pumpkins in the fall in Morris County. By Isabella McHugh Nation & World Editor Human beings are animals despite our efforts to pretend otherwise. We are all wired with instincts that surface in everyday life: We jump when the murderer appears in a scary movie, or our heart races right before a big exam, signaling the body to enter fight-or-flight mode. Sometimes we get these unexplainable “gut feelings” that offer no logical reasoning but often dictate the choices we make day after day. It is no secret that our ancestors wove their lives around the four seasons. Like other animals, we did not separate ourselves from nature but embraced it in everyday life. Many cultures worshipped spiritual beings who they believed resided in the land and creatures that inhabited it. This practice is commonly known today as animism. For ancient groups, regardless of culture and religion, eating seasonally was mandatory to survive. Humans planted crops to be eaten during particular windows;

otherwise they would spoil and die. What once was a way of living has been labeled as “basic.” Today, people are so out of touch with the natural world that it seems frivolous to focus on this more aestheticized lifestyle. However, there are many reasons why these “basic” people love living seasonally, and why you should too. It’s currently autumn in the Northeast; fruits and vegetables such as apples, pears, pumpkins and potatoes are harvested at this time. Nowadays, however, we can go to the grocery store and buy all sorts of fruits and vegetables imported year-round from other climates. Yet, there is a reason pumpkin spice latte cravings peak during the fall season. In the modern day, we no longer need to worry about surviving the cold winters, but we notice patterns tied to the seasons, despite trying to erase our connection to them. Seasonal depression spikes during the fall and winter seasons, according to the American Medical Association. More than once, I’ve received an ad for a light therapy lamp mimicking the sunlight our bodies use to make vitamin D. Nowadays, people still recognize that our connection with nature affects us, but we often spurn this notion rather than embracing what each season brings. I embrace the fall season by watching scary movies, drinking pumpkin spice chais, eating soups, reading autumn-themed books and spending time beneath the fall foliage. The same goes for winter, when I celebrate holidays, I bake winter treats for my family and walk through a snowy wonderland. Read more on our website!

Students should not feel pressured to go out on ‘Halloweekend’

Photo courtesy of Flickr

Halloween is usually a stress reliever after midterm season.

By Tasnim Oyshi Editoralist Halloween is often considered the biggest holiday in college. After a stressful period of studying for midterm exams and writing papers, students look forward to attending the parties and events being held on Halloween and its closest weekend every year. The tradition of the multiple-day celebration is so widespread that it eve n dons the unofficial title of “Halloweekend.” While this is a perfectly acceptable way to enjoy the end of midterms, it can sometimes feel like the only option. As

Halloweekend quickly approaches, many college students are deciding where to go, what costume to wear and who to go out with. Listening to your friends and classmates discuss their party plans might make you feel like you’re missing out if you don’t end up joining them. Thus, it can seem as though going out is the only way to have fun on Halloween. There is also the component of social media, which can further fuel co llege students’ unfortunate fear of missing out. Scrolling on Instagram the day after a party you didn’t go to and seeing the stories everyone posted can often be alienating and make you think

that you were the only person to not be there. The pressure can be even more significant on freshmen, who have just begun their college journey away from home about two months ago. These students are more likely to feel the need to fit in with peer groups around them that may be active in the college party scene. However, if partying isn’t something you want to do on Halloween, or even at any other point of your college career, it’s important to remember that you don’t have to do anything you don’t want to. Going to an event just because you want to be like those around you will only end

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with you not enjoying your night and perhaps even regretting it later. Whether it’s because you don’t really like being in loud, crowded environments or you feel too tired after midterms to pick a costume and go out, no one should feel pressured to party when they would rather spend their time with other activities. Cozying up in bed to watch a horror movie or planning out a relaxing night of pumpkin carving with your friends are also great approaches to the spooky holiday. Celebrating a holiday should never feel like a hassle. After all, students have already spent the last couple of weeks holed up in the library or their room, using their energy to power through midterm season. Halloween should not be something else in your week that you’re dreading. The idea of saying no to activities you don’t want to participate in can also apply to those who actually do end up going out. If you don’t want to dress up or if you feel like going home after half an hour, it is totally okay to do so. Even if Halloween is considered more of a social holiday, you do not have to celebrate it by taking part in activities you think most people are. While the concept of “Halloweekend” makes it seem as though everyone is out partying, there are plenty of college students making the holiday their own. Halloween should be celebrated in whichever way you will enjoy yourself best.

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Upcoming midterm elections spark a battle for Congressional Control

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Voting for the U.S. midterms is ongoing until Nov. 3.

By Emily Lindsey Correspondent Election day for midterms is on Nov. 3, and American voters must decide whether to give Democrats the majority in Congress or maintain Republican control there, as reported by The Guardian. According to NBC News, out of the thirty five Senate seats that are currently up for election, “the Democrats will need a net gain of four seats to win control.” In the House, they will need three more seats, but recent Republican redistricting may hinder that goal. The Guardian noted that the president’s approval rating sits at a mere 32% of Americans, even lower than his rating after the insurrection on Jan. 6, 2021. Analysts are factoring these numbers into the possibility that some Republican voters could flip in these elections.

Georgia In Georgia, incumbent Democrat Jon Ossoff faces off against Republican Mike Collins in a tight Senate race, as reported by NBC News. Collins claimed in a recent debate that “certain ads for Ossoff were paid for by a tech billionaire with ties to the convicted sex offender and disgraced financier [Jeffrey Epstein],” although billionaire Reid Hoffman vehemently denies this connection, according to The Hill. Ossoff fired back: “Mike, who on your team advised you to raise the Epstein files? You voted to cover up the evidence,” referencing Collins’ vote against the release of the Epstein files last summer. President Trump later spoke at a rally in Dalton, Georgia, campaigning for Collins and Jackson while defaming incumbent Ossoff as a “left-wing loser,” according to The Associated Press. “You have to pretend like I’m on the ballot,” the president told attendees. “On election night, Georgia is going to prove that America does not belong to those who hate us.” Meanwhile, Barack Obama announced on X that he will be cohosting a United For Georgia Rally alongside Ossoff and Bottoms on Oct. 28 in Atlanta, supporting “democrats fighting to make your life better.” Maine In the Maine Senate race, Republican

incumbent Susan Collins, who has no relation to Georgia’s Mike Collins, heads off against Democrat Troy Jackson. The most pressing issue for Maine voters is the trade war with Canada. Heightened costs for farms and businesses as a result of tariffs have been wreaking havoc on the local economy, according to The Associated Press. CBS News reported that Collins referenced exemptions to the tariffs that she won for items pertaining to the operations of municipal governments, to which Jackson retorted, “What about everything else? I mean, we can’t eat road salt.” President Trump stepped in, “exempting some exports — including plywood sheets, packing crates and some machinery — from the 50% tariffs he slapped on $20 billion worth of Canadian products over the summer,” in a move that The Associated Press argues will support Senator Collins. These exemptions will take effect on Oct. 30, just three days before election day. Michigan In another state that NBC News denotes as a battleground, Democrat Abdul Al-Sayed faces Republican Mike Rogers in the Senate. Democrat Sean McCann is up against Republican Bill Huizenga in a toss up House race. According to CBS News, “Rogers, who was endorsed by President

Trump, [is] hoping to become the first Republican elected to a Michigan U.S. Senate seat in more than 30 years.” President Trump refers to El-Sayed by his middle name of ‘Mohammad’ as a slight against his muslim faith, and does not believe that El-Sayed embodies American values, according to ABC News. “They think they can point to my name and my faith and distract us from the fact that we can’t afford our gas and we can’t afford our groceries,” El Sayed argued. As reported by The Guardian, Obama said at a Detroit rally that El-Sayed was “fighting for change, real change, that will get money out of politics and put money in your pocket.” Ohio Both Ohio’s Senate and major House race are labelled as toss ups by NBC News; however, Ohio’s gubernatorial election has overshadowed them in terms of national media coverage. According to CBS News, Republican candidate Vivek Ramaswamy recently aired a campaign ad where Democrat Amy Acton’s mother admits, “It’s not easy for a mother to say this, but Amy was a serious problem. She is a liar; she lies about her past.” Democrats and Republicans alike are siding with Acton’s brother in condemning Ramaswamy for foul play. Read more on our website!

Trump administration fails to remove gender-affirming care for federal inmates

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The U.S. Supreme Court blocked an emergency appeal stay request by the Trump administration to deny healthcare for transgender federal convicts. By Emma Alejandro Staff Writer The U.S. Supreme Court exercised its judicial authority by rejecting a policy request from the Trump administration on Oct. 21. The proposed appeal would have allowed the Bureau of Prisons to bar hormone therapy, cosmetics and other medical gender transition operations to those in federal custody, according to NBC News. In the opinion of the ACLU, the policy would have trampled on years of medical progress in prison systems as well as broader public health. According to Politico, the proposal would have also prohibited placing transgender women in women’ s prisons. Even with a conservative leaning bench, the Supreme Court broke from what many observers might have expected with a siding in favor of

maintaining access to gender-affirming care. The New York Times concluded this ruling would enable approximately 1,000 current transgender federal convicts to continue receiving their prescribed medical treatment. From NBC News, senior staff attorney with American Civil Liberties’ LGBTQ & HIV Project Li NowlinSohl, gave a statement, remarking, “The denial of medically necessary health care, including gender-affirming health care, to people in prison is a violation of their fundamental constitutional rights.” According to The Associate Press News, the Court order was issued without attribution to a specific justice, leaving the majority’s votes anonymous, which is a common practice in emergency appeals that conceals the identities of the justices. However, Justices Samuel Alito and Clarence Thomas publicly noted their dissent of the adjudication. They

requested that their specific names be included on the official order document. According to the SCOTUS Blog, the decision to block the policy will remain active to lower court rulings. The policy was announced alongside Trump’s 2025 executive order efforts to roll back transgender rights and perpetuate the administration’s belief of a clear, biological distinction between male and female. The administration has defended its restrictions as part of its broader effort to change federal policies concerning gender identity. White House spokeswoman Allison Schuster commented in response to the ruling, stating that the administration will continue its efforts to “protect countless Americans from these dangerous, lifealtering medical practices.” However, many transgender rights advocates see this ruling as a promising marker of continued judicial protection for transgender individuals. Aditi Shah, staff attorney at the ACLU of the District of Columbia, highlighted the immediate consequences of the ruling for the plaintiffs, according to the ACLU. “The Court was clear: the BOP cannot illegitimately deny people critical health care while the government’s appeal proceeds,” said Shah. “This ruling will prevent serious and irreparable harm to Plaintiffs and the class while we continue to challenge the government’s unlawful efforts to deny medically necessary health care for political reasons.” The Associated Press reported that the Court decision comes amid a series of legal disputes over the Trump

administration’s policies affecting transgender Americans. Although the Supreme Court has allowed some other restrictions on transgender rights to take effect while litigation continues, its refusal to suspend the lower court’s order in this case provides a temporary legal safeguard for transgender people in federal custody. The ruling stems from the case, “Kingdom v. Trump,” a class-action lawsuit about the administration’s restrictions on gender-affirming care in federal custody. The lawsuit was filed in March of 2025 by three transgender individuals incarcerated in federal facilities who argued the policy violated their constitutional rights by denying medically necessary treatment. The plaintiffs are represented by the ACLU, the ACLU of D.C. and the Transgender Law Center. In June of 2026, a federal judge blocked the Bureau of Prisons from enforcing the policy and ordered the agency to continue providing care under its previous guidelines. After the administration unsuccessfully sought to overturn that order in a federal appeals court, it brought its request before the Supreme Court, according to JURIST. For now, the administration is unable to enforce the proposed restrictions while a court injunction remains in place. However, according to the ACLU of D.C., the lawsuit is far from over and is likely to return to the courts in the months ahead. This will leave the long term status of genderaffirming care in federal prisons to future judicial review.

page 8 The Signal October 30, 2026

Representative Ilhan Omar’s home is raided by federal agents

Representative Ilhan Omar speaking at an event. By Emily Lindsey Correspondent The White House’s newest press secretary, Katie Zacharia was appointed on Oct. 9. She led her inaugural press briefing on Oct. 13 and left her role on Oct. 16, marking one of the shortest press secretary tenures in history, according to NBC News. In an interview with The Guardian, Zacharia recalled that the president offered her the job only four days prior to her first briefing, even though her predecessor Karoline Leavitt resigned in August. Still, The White House described her fourteen minute briefing as “commanding,” and asserted that it “served as a strong introduction to her tenure and highlighted the Trump

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Administration’s record of delivering historic successes for the American people.” The Associated Press, conversely, reported that her responses were scant. She took questions from news outlets that have historically supported the president, specifically, The Daily Mail, Fox News and Breitbart; additionally, she failed to answer one of their questions. When “asked by Fox News whether the U.S. has stopped sharing intelligence with Ukraine, she said she would ‘have to get back to you on that,’” according to NBC News. Journalists were nonplussed. However, the real scandal emerged after the briefing. “Trump has referred to Zacharia as an ‘attorney,’” which became problematic because “that title is reserved for those licensed to practice law.”

When journalists attempted to ascertain where she passed the bar exam, as she and the president took questions on the White House’s South Lawn, Zacharia simply responded, “When I was in China.” She was quick to straighten the record, though, because passing the bar in China would make her ineligible to practice law in the United States, and foreign nationals are prohibited from sitting the bar in China. “I assumed the question was, ‘Where were you after law school?’” she explained to The New York Times via phone call. “That’s all I could hear over the sound of Marine One, and wanting to respect protocol, the distance behind the president, kept me from moving closer to hear the question.” Still, The Guardian noted that Zacharia never confirmed that she had passed the bar exam after that misunderstanding. Her LinkedIn profile indicates that she attended Pepperdine University’s Law School in 2011 and that she worked at a law firm in Beijing as an ‘associate’ from 2011-2012. Experts raised concerns that associate positions usually require applicants to pass the bar so that they can give legal advice. However, “The State Bar of California told the Guardian it had no record of Zacharia being licensed in the state under either her married name or her maiden name, Katie Black.” So, how did she get a job as an associate in China? According to CBS News, Zacharia said in a statement that she “practiced international transaction law, with all the appropriate credentials,” but the news outlet was unsure what

credentials she was referring to due to the aforementioned ban on foreign nationals sitting the Chinese bar exam. This ambiguity about her resume led to another conversation with The New York Times, where Zacharia mentioned that Pepperdine’s president “warned not to use the words ‘attorney’ or ‘esquire,’ but that ‘lawyer’ was OK.” Zacharia asserted that she never portrayed herself as having the ability to give legal advice as an attorney. However, Zacharia’s LinkedIn also cites that she served as general counsel for conservative Richard Grenell’s Fix California group, which is a role that fundamentally includes giving legal advice. In direct response, “on Wednesday, the Campaign for Accountability, a liberal nonprofit watchdog, filed a complaint with the State Bar of California, questioning whether she had violated California law in referring to herself as a lawyer without having passed the bar,” according to CBS News. On Friday morning, the president told reporters that he had advised Zacharia to reconsider taking the job on his way to a rally in Georgia, instead suggesting she work for him “in some form, but maybe a more pleasant form.” The proximity of her departure to midterms could affect Republican campaigns, as the president has already explained at a rally in Oklahoma last month that, “we cannot get the word across because of the fake news and because... we’re doing a great job in running the country, but we’re not doing a good job of public relations.”

Pope Leo XIV announces gradual return to Press Secretary Katie Zacharia vacates role papal duties following lung cancer surgery just three days after her first press conference By Luke Hunter Staff Writer Pope Leo XIV led a cheering crowd in prayer from the window of his Vatican residence on the morning of Sunday, Oct. 18. According to ABC News, this marked the pope’s return to his public papal routine following surgery to treat lung cancer. The pope was admitted to Rome’s Gemelli Hospital the previous Tuesday, Oct. 13, to have the lower lobe of his right lung removed. The surgery was carried out after doctors had found a nodule on the pope’s lung. According to NPR News, upon completion of the lower lobe removal procedure, doctors diagnosed the pope with lung adenocarcinoma. Lung adenocarcinoma is the most common form of lung cancer within the United States, accounting for 40% of all lung cancers. While it is unknown if the pope ever had a habit of smoking, cancer does run in his family. The pope’s mother passed away from cancer in 1990, and currently, the pope’s older brother has been hospitalized

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Pope Leo XIV returned to the Vatican on Oct. 19 following surgery.

with a form of cancer in Florida. Pope Leo XIV, 71, resumed his official duties on Oct. 15. Reuters reported that doctors discharged the pope on Oct. 17, after blood tests and body images showed the pope to be healthy enough to leave. Doctors further stated that the pope would be able to perform his normal papal activities independently. According to ABC News, the pope, while addressing his crowd of wellwishers on Oct. 18, said, “Now that I have overcome this delicate phase, as you know, I will gradually resume my activities, always with God’s help and your prayers,” adding, “Thank you again. Thank you all and have a blessed Sunday!” The crowds gathered to see the pope in St. Peter’s Square on Oct. 18 numbered around 15,000 people. While the Vatican has cancelled the pope’s other public events, Reuters reported that Dr. Stefano Margaritora, the pope’s lead surgeon, said that the pope could be fully recovered in time for his upcoming trip to Latin America. The trip would run from Nov. 6 to Nov. 17 and would see the pope visit Uruguay, Argentina and Peru. This trip would be one of the most intense trips made by a pope in decades. Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican’s Secretary of State expressed doubts over the pope’s ability to carry out the trip. Parolin told journalists on Oct. 16, that the pope might need to change the pace of his schedule “according to the condition o​ f his health.” According to Yahoo News, U.S. President Donald Trump, following the pope’s surgery, told reporters, “We just want to wish him our love and our best wishes.” AP News reported that testing on the pope’s removed lung tissue confirmed that the pope is cancer free and that no further treatment is necessary.

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Katie Zacharia stepped into the press briefing room for the first and last time on Oct. 13. By Rebecca St Fleur Correspondent As the U.S. approaches its midterm elections, Department of Homeland Security federal agents raided the Washington D.C. home of Minnesota congresswoman, Ilhan Omar on the morning of Oct. 12. According to The Guardian, DHS agents seized the congresswoman’s phone as well as “issued more than a dozen grand jury subpoenas, including to some of her relatives.” President Trump and other Republicans have been probing Omar’s background for nearly a decade, but this raid is a part of an ongoing criminal investigation. Authorities are investigating whether Omar and her family committed immigration fraud decades ago when she came to the U.S. as a child, with “paperwork completed by her late father,” CBS News reported. The congresswoman’s office released this statement shortly after the raid: “This raid by Trump’s DHS is an outrageous abuse of power and an unprecedented escalation in the weaponization of federal law enforcement to target political enemies.” They spoke about Trump’s relentless target on Omar lasting a decade, and that it escalated into a useless raid right before the mid-terms. A letter from Omar’s lawyers obtained by The Washington Post alleges that investigators

disobeyed instructions about how the search should have been conducted. This allegedly includes not following “provisions requiring investigators to provide Omar’s lawyers with a copy of the warrant and to contact the House Office of General Counsel before carrying out the search.” The investigators, however, deny any wrongdoing. “Our attorneys and law enforcement partners complied with all court orders and legal obligations, as they always do,” a spokesperson for the Justice Department claimed. “Trump has frequently lashed out at Omar, who is a member of a progressive faction of women in Congress collectively known as the ‘squad,’ criticizing her over her liberal positions and saying she should ‘go back’ to where she came from,” reported NBC News. Representative Omar was born in Somalia and became a naturalized U.S. citizen at the age of 17 in 2000. Now in her fourth term, she has served as a congresswoman since January 2019 and has fashioned herself as one of Trump’s most outspoken critics. The midterm elections, which decides control of the House of Representatives and Senate, is a position Omar is pursuing re-election for. Many Democrats have accused the Trump administration of intentionally and maliciously targeting Omar so close to November. Read more on our website!

Shakespeare 70 presents ‘If You Speak Love:’ A compilation of the wordsmith’s timeless work

The cast of “If You Speak Love” takes center stage. By Robyn Seltzer Staff Writer Shakespeare 70 brought its production of “If You Speak Love: an Affair with Shakespeare” to the College from Oct. 14 through Oct. 18. The production consisted of the cast performing various speeches and scenes from many of William Shakespeare’s plays and sonnets, like “All’s Well That Ends Well” and “Henry V.” The College’s very own Don Evans Black Box Theater hosted the event, where students and faculty could easily attend one of the five shows. Ushers greeted audience members as people filed in and selected their seats, which formed a U-shape around the small, layered stage in the center of the room.

Photo courtesy of Jake Burbage

Directed by Kate Augustin, Curt Foxworth and Chris Loos, “If You Speak Love” brought together students and alumni alike from the College to perform timeless scenes from the British wordsmith. The goal of the production was to highlight Shakespeare’s “unmatched gift for expressing the joy, the pain, and the truth about love,” according to the TCNJ Center of the Arts website. Over the course of more than 25 experts, the cast and crew did just that. The performance opened with Shakespeare’s “Sonnet 23,” where a book was passed around between cast members, and an orange backdrop illuminated the theater. Because there was only a small stage and limited set design, the changing color of the screen in the background and the props used were necessary to bring the old texts to life,

adding more emotional elements and physical objects for the audience to go off of. The production continued with an excerpt from “Love’s Labour’s Lost,” where the screen turned blue and the characters gazed at a “three-year study contract” projected onto the screen, which poked fun at many of the ideas that were constant during Shakespeare’s time, like the exclusion of women from important events. The production went on to highlight scenes from notable plays, like “Romeo and Juliet” and “Much Ado About Nothing,” as well as some that are not as well known, such as “Coriolanus” and “The Tempest.” While staying true to the centuries-old readings, the production took many entertaining creative liberties, from including cell phones in many of the scenes to some fourth-wall breaks from the cast. Though the scenes were set in the past,

each cast member donned modern attire, like jeans and sneakers, and costume changes often included adding a scarf or necktie to one’s look. This made the production feel simple in a way that the audience could better connect to, and, paired with the very minimalistic set design, allowed the audience to focus on the proficient acting that the small cast displayed. “I commend Shakespeare 70 for doing something different,” said Lincoln Konkle, long-time Shakespeare fan and English professor at the College. He enjoyed the different interpretations of “Two Gentlemen of Verona,” in which “two actresses are looking on a dating app, and the social media posts were projected onto the screen.” Read more on our website!

Photo courtesy of Jake Burbage

“If You Speak Love” ends with the cast joining each other on stage.

PRISM brings long-time tradition to TCNJ with ‘Rocky Horror’ By Mahnoosh Arsalan and Molly Tursi Staff Writers

The camp horror genre gained a new meaning with the College’s on-stage production of the iconic 1975 horror film “The Rocky Horror Picture Show.” The College’s gender and sexuality alliance PRISM hosted the musical theater company Friday Nite Specials in their performance of the play on Oct. 23, offering a free, thrill-filled show for students. “The Rocky Horror Picture Show,” directed by Jim Sharman, follows a young couple as they get a flat tire in the middle of the woods and seek aid from the first house they can find. Unbeknownst to them, this house belongs to the enigmatic Dr. FrankN-Furter and his eccentric, tightknit posse of characters, treating the couple to a night that will change the trajectory of their lives. Sharman’s film is a berserk and hypnotizing

Photo courtesy of Nick DeCesare

Dr. Frank N’ Furter attacks Eddie in “The Rocky Horror Picture Show.”

tale accompanied by rock music and glamorous makeup, making it one of the most celebrated films in history. The show was put on by the Friday Nite Specials cast of Rocky Horror NJ, a group that tours venues all over New Jersey performing live adaptations of Sharman’s film, adding the College’s Kendall Hall to their roster. When entering the auditorium, students were handed a prop bag filled with various peculiar items such as toilet paper, glow sticks and playing cards, which were seemingly random but turned out to be very useful in the experience. Once students found their seats, producer Ryan Wilson and director Kat Maglione took the stage and welcomed the ecstatic audience. A shadow-cast is an ensemble of actors who enact “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” onstage while the film is projected in the background. The audience is urged to participate in the performance, as they are provided with props and interactive queues during the show. Fans may also call out witty one-liners at opportune moments in the film, and are even brought to the stage for some scenes. “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” has a long and prevailing history of shadow-cast performances, originating from audiences dressing in costumes, throwing props and creating call-backs at midnight screenings of the film in 1976. From there, shadow-cast productions began to emerge in the Rocky Horror fan community and continued to expand over time. While the practice is theatrical, many shadow-casts take on a looser approach to the show to leave room for improvisation and spontaneity. In this fashion, Friday Nite Specials’

production was geared more towards care-free fun than impressive theatrics. “For us, when it’s a space that we don’t know…we usually have an hour and a half to two hours before the show to make every decision…as the director, I gotta make all the blocking calls that I can’t make beforehand… but I always say, once the movie starts, I’m like, whatever happens, happens,” said Maglione, who also portrayed Eddie in the production. Maglione highlighted the ups and downs of putting on such a grand production in such a short amount of time, sometimes even being limited to fifteen minutes of preparation before being rushed on stage. However, under all of this pressure persists a can-do attitude from Maglione, as she describes how “[the show] really is a collaborative labor of love, and I get to do this stupid movie with all of my best friends all the time!” “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” is a classic hit with audiences, as shadow-cast productions allow them to freely interact with the story. First time viewers of the shadow-cast performance are playfully dubbed as “virgins,” and by the end of the show are considered official members of the Rocky Horror community. “I’ve never seen anything Rocky Horror, but I thought the format was cool,” shared Lorenzo Caruso, a junior physics major. “I really enjoyed the movie, but I found myself watching that more than the shadow-cast.” “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” bears a special meaning this Halloween season following the recent passing of Tim Curry, who played Dr. Frank N’ Furter in the 1975 film. “I’m

Photo courtesy of Nick DeCesare

The ensemble cast gathers to read a note from deceased Eddie. actually reading Tim’s memoir right now, ‘Vagabond,’” mentioned Maglione. “He talks about keeping the tradition alive. Like, this is a home for the misfits, or people that don’t fit in. He even talked about how this is gonna live on past him and that it lives through the younger generations.” The film is a pioneering work of queer horror, and has offered audiences a space to connect and share in an experience that celebrates their identity. Shadow-cast productions carry on the significance of “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” to new audiences and movie-fans, keeping its legacy alive in every generation.

page 10 The Signal October 30, 2026

The Battle of the Bands rocks on campus for the third consecutive year By Stephen Martin Correspondent The College Union Board recently announced that the 2026 Fall Concert, scheduled for Nov. 10 at 7:30 p.m., will be headlined by rapper Fetty Wap. The opening act, however, is not predetermined by CUB. CUB Alt presented the third annual Battle of the Bands on Oct. 22. Six bands, consisting of the College’s own students, took the stage to perform, competing for a chance to be the opening act for CUB’s annual Fall Concert. This year’s competing acts were Sin, Andromeda, What’s At Stake, Eventide, Rubber Goose Explosion and Phoenix Valley. Each student who attended the event received one ticket from CUB staff. This ticket was then placed into one of six buckets labeled with each band respectively and counted as the student’s vote. The band with the most votes wins Battle of the Bands, and the coveted opening performance slot. Throughout the night, fans and students swarmed in and out of the Brower Student Center supporting each and every act. Aviv Mosayov, a freshman undeclared arts and communications major, was among the night’s spectators. “I really like music, especially

Photo courtesy of Stephen Martin

The Battle of the Bands winner takes the stage of the Brower Student Center. alternative music and the alternative scene,” Mosayov said. “It’s so fun and just brings me a lot of joy.” While many students voted for friends right after their performances, students like Mosayov waited to see all acts before casting their final vote. She additionally claimed that Rubber Goose Explosion took her vote and acknowledged that the act “just genuinely made me smile.” Local band Moonroof closed the three-hour show with a set of original songs and classic covers. While the band is not from the College and cannot compete for the opening act, the crowd nonetheless broke out

‘1738’ reasons to get excited: Fetty Wap set to headline CUB Fall Concert By Devyn Briones Arts & Entertainment Editor Bringing 2010s hit rap to the College, Fetty Wap has been announced as this year’s Fall Concert headliner. Every fall semester, College Union Board organizes a concert with a surprise celebrity guest, which is announced only a couple of weeks before the concert. The concert is open to all students of the College with a limited amount of guest tickets available. This year, the guest tickets sold out within minutes, and student tickets were sold out only an hour or so after their release. Willie Junior Maxwell II, professionally known as Fetty Wap, is an American rapper and singer from Paterson, New Jersey, creating music of melodic singing and trap music. He gained massive popularity with his debut single “Trap Queen,” which reached No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100, and followed it with back-to-back hits “679” and “My Way,” making him the first male rapper in over a decade to simultaneously hold two top-10 singles on the chart. Also recognized for his popular song “1738” and his missing left eye, the result of childhood congenital glaucoma, he released his self-titled debut album in September 2015, topping the Billboard 200 chart. On Oct. 21, CUB LIVE revealed the artist in the Brower Student Center with an artist reveal party. During this time, the artist was disclosed with a banner drop. Students were able to submit their guesses in the CUB office for a chance to win barricade access to the concert. Additionally, concert merchandise was handed out to attendees. “Even though the fall concert has not happened yet, seeing the excitement of the student body when we did the reveal in the BSC was something really special,” said Jack Beja, one of the LIVE event coordinators who helped plan the event by working with security, managing the pipe and drape setup and even booking the porta potties. Opening for Fetty Wap is this year’s Battle of the Band winners, Eventide, an alterna-

tive rock band made up of students from the College. Doors open at 7:30 p.m., and Eventide will take the stage at blank time. In previous years, students began lining up outside the Recreation Center as early as an hour or two before the doors even opened. “Something that always excites me is when those first few people start lining up outside the Rec Center and it really starts to feel really real that the event is happening,” said Beja. Students who snagged a ticket are able to see Fetty Wap live on Nov. 10 in the Rec Center. Cameras, backpacks, fanny packs, large bags, outside food and beverage, vapes and drug usage are not permitted in the venue. However, CUB does advise that students and guests bring their school ID, personal identification, phone and ticket. Wristlets and wallets are allowed, but they cannot be larger than 6-by-6 inches. “When you know how much behind the scenes goes into fall concert, it’s easy for it to feel more like work than fun, yet every year as the rec center fills up and the lights go down, I’m reminded how truly incredible this night is and how much fun it is to dance and sing with your friends,” said Caileigh Harrigan, another LIVE event coordinator. “Fall concert is all about bringing people together and providing an unforgettable experience—I’m most excited to witness the event I helped put together through the eyes of everyone enjoying it.” Although tickets have already sold out, visit CUB on their Instagram for more information in regards to the concert and other upcoming events.

Photo courtesy of IMDb

Fetty Wap is set to hit the stage at the College on Nov. 10.

into dance as their final song, “Mr. Brightside,” radiated throughout the Student Center. Chiara Sasso, a junior speech pathology major, CUB Alt executive board member and Battle of the Bands event chair, had the honor of announcing Eventide as the official winner and opener for the Fall Concert. “Live music is my everything, so to be a part of it through CUB has genuinely been the best experience of my life,” she said. Sasso has been affiliated with CUB for three years now, noting the sense of community it’s brought to both her and the College. “I’ve been

planning this event since August,” she said. “Just seeing the community come together is amazing and the fact that we’ve been able to do this for three years now and people still show up and support is my favorite thing.” The event winner, Eventide, spoke with The Signal about their victory. Notably, the band is now a twotime champion, having won the first competition two years ago. James Bachman, a senior psychology major and Eventide bandmember, said, “Having won that [two years ago] was ceremonious enough, but to come back and win it again is absolutely surreal. That was probably the most fun I’ve ever had on the stage.” Though Eventide was the fourth band to take the stage, their set left a clear imprint on listeners, enough so to win the whole competition. “We are really grateful to CUB, ever so grateful to TCNJ in general for giving us an opportunity to play music for people, and we just hope to keep live music alive for as long as possible,” Bachman said. The group plans to do justice to Fetty Wap through their opening set, but fans will have to wait and see what they have in store. Tickets are now on sale to watch Eventide’s opening performance for Fetty Wap. Visit CUB’s Instagram for more information.

‘You Can See Everything’: A few truths and a lie

Photo courtesy of IMDb

Nathan Fielder levels with Elizabeth Holmes in “You Can See Everything.” By Molly Tursi Staff Writer Editor’s Note: This piece contains brief spoilers of “You Can See Everything.” In 2014, Elizabeth Holmes was on top of the world. Once named as the youngest female self-made billionaire, Holmes’ extravagant success lent faith to the future of female entrepreneurship. Over a decade later, she stood smack-dab in the middle of an unrelenting controversy, rendering Holmes an inscrutable figure in the scope of white collar crime. Holmes is the founder and former CEO of Silicon Valley biotech company Theranos. In 2013, Holmes claimed that her technology could run a full blood test using only a few droplets of blood, which overhauled the process of laboratory bloodwork. The company fell from grace in October 2015, after Wall Street Journal reporter John Carreyou published his extensive investigation on Theranos’ faulty technology. Though holding to her own innocence, Holmes was convicted of fraud and sentenced to 11 years in prison. The weeks leading up to Holmes’ prison sentence were laid bare by filmmaker Lance Oppenheim and comedian-filmmaker Nathan Fielder in their probing documentary “You Can See Everything.” Believing she could remediate her public image through media transparency, Holmes welcomed Fielder and Oppenheim into the crevices of her personal life. Fielder stayed in the guest bedroom of her California home for 34 days, forging a close relationship with the alleged fraudster and her partner, Billy Evans Beloved for his deadpan schtick and deliberate cringe-comedy shows such as “Nathan For You” and “The Rehearsal,” Fielder’s

selling-point is bringing out one’s inner-fool. So why would Holmes, an accused criminal seeking vindication, choose Fielder? Even Fielder contemplates why Holmes didn’t reach for a scientist or an expert in biotechnology. When he asks Holmes, “Why me?” she admits that her first impression of him was a clip from “Nathan For You,” in which a gas station employee tells Fielder that he drinks his grandson’s pee. Holmes further offers that she likes the way he thinks. While Fielder’s straight-faced approach to interrogation underscores the film with comedy, his attempt to understand Holmes is markedly genuine. Fielder provides Holmes with opportune moments to confess and explain the faults of Theranos, however she insists on her innocence, even going as far to say that she hasn’t told a lie since high school. If Holmes were trying to outsmart Fielder, she failed tremendously. Though Fielder frequently struggles to discern her lies from truths, his conscience keeps him wary of Holmes’ manipulative streak. Fielder’s candor extracts the absurdity of his subject, turning the documentary into an acute study of Holmes’ narcissism. On camera, Holmes is intent on playing the victim. She characterizes herself as a loving mother and partner, perceptively investing a large part of herself into her family and children. But between crying on command, feigning obliviousness and armoring herself with semantics, it is evident where her vulnerability is a ruse. After Holmes is sent to prison, the film shifts its center to Evans, who is revealed to be Holmes’ power of attorney. As Fielder spends more time with Evans, a disparity of power is revealed, leaving audiences to question Holmes’ agency in both her relationship and fiscal arrangements of the documentary. Holmes’ departure brings forth an intriguing sequence of events, as her absence exposes Evans’ own conniving tactics and delusions of grandeur. As Evans begins to tighten his vise on the course of production, Fielder and Oppenheim’s directorial autonomy is oppressed. The thrill of the documentary intensifies, with Fielder jumping through hoops to obtain unmoderated communication with the imprisoned Holmes. Read more on our website!

October 30, 2026, The Signal page 11

No. 7 Lions continue roaring behind seven-game winning streak

The team secured the No. 2 seed and a first round bye. By Edward Johnson Staff Writer The College’s women’s soccer team crushed Ramapo College of New Jersey Oct. 24 in Mahwah, New Jersey and routed Rutgers UniversityCamden at home Wednesday, Oct. 21, earning the number two seed in the New Jersey Athletic Conference. The Lions won their final game at

Photo by Ben Weiss

home against Rutgers-Camden in a tough 3-1 battle, being led by senior Alyssa Alfano and juniors Jenny Ward and Maggie Murphy. All three had goals against the Scarlet Raptors, but it took a while for the College to score, due to the defense Rutgers-Camden displayed throughout the first half. The Lions would eventually get going, scoring 26 minutes into the

Cross Country face top-tier competition at Connecticut College Invitational By Kevin Llumiquinga Staff Writer The College’s men and women’s cross country team faced a challenging field at the Connecticut College Invitational on Saturday, Oct. 17, at Harkness Memorial State Park in Waterford, Connecticut. The Lions faced strong Division III programs, including Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Williams College, Middlebury College and Tufts University. Both teams competed in the blue and white races, with the men competing an eight-kilometer course and the women competing over six kilometers. The men’s team secured the College’s highest placement, finishing 15th out of 26 teams in the blue race. The women’s team placed 21st out of 28 teams in their blue race. The College’s men’s cross country team scored 418 points in the blue race, finishing with an average time of 25:28. Sophomore Joshua Santiago had a strong performance, leading the Lions in 43rd place and posting a time of 24:53. Santiago was the College’s only runner to finish inside the top 50. Junior Phil Pace followed Santiago, placing 66th with a time of 25:10. Following him was freshman Will Nelson, finishing 94th with a time of 25:32, ultimately giving the Lions just three runners inside the top 100. Senior Moksh Patwari finished 152nd with a time of 26:05. Sophomore Simon Bernhardt placed in 155th with a time of 26:07, and junior Will Evart placed 164th with a time of 26:14. In the men’s white race, the College placed 21st out of 33 teams, scoring 560

Cross country starts in Ewing on Oct. 31.

points with an average time of 27:17. Freshman Tyler Hurst led the Lions with an 82nd place, with a time of 26:44. Junior Silas Matteson and freshman Jason Kasoff finished back-to-back, placing 105th and 106th with times of 26:58 and 26:59 respectively. Junior Declan Butler finished 167th with a time of 27:41 On the women’s side of the race, the College placed 21st out of 28 teams in the blue race, ultimately scoring 536 points with an average time of 22:56. The Lions tied Haverford College on points, although Haverford was placed ahead in the final standings. Sophomore Teagan Walker led the Lions with a 70th place finish, posting a time of 22:16. Walker was the College’s only runner to finish inside the top 100. Junior Ella Daly placed 103rd with a time of 22:41. Senior Naesha Gadie finished five places behind Daly, placing her 108th with a time of 22:47.6. Freshman Alexis Smith and junior Ava Biemuller completed the College’s top five. Smith placed 170th with a time of 23:28, while Biemuller placed 172nd with a time of 23:29, just 1.4 seconds behind her teammate. In the women’s White race, the College placed 24th out of 33 teams, ultimately scoring 635 points with an average time of 24:58. Junior Amaya Zorilla led the Lions with a 97th place finish with a time of 24:14. The College’s teams finished outside the top 10 in each race against a competitive field. The Lions will look to wrap their season with a huge performance at the New Jersey Athletic Conference Championship on Saturday, Oct. 31, at the College’s Green Lane Field.

Photo by Ben Weiss

first half with a Murphy goal assisted by junior Lexi Caruso. Rutgers-Camden answered back with a goal of their own with just eight seconds left in the first half, and never got the chance to score again after that. The Lions came out aggressive in the second half, scoring in the first ten minutes, as Alfano put in a goal that would quickly give the women’s team a 2-1 lead. The College would score again 15 minutes later, as Ward finally got a shot through the net on an assist from junior Emily Weidner. Ward made a huge impact on the game with seven shots, as each one of her six shots before that felt like they could have gone in. She was determined to get a goal and she would not be denied on her seventh. The Lions would close out the second half, not allowing another goal, beating the Scarlet Raptors 3-1 and moving on to their first of two games on the road against Ramapo to end their season. Led by junior Isabella Vilic, with the first two goals of her collegiate career, Alfano, Ward and Caruso helped propel the College to a strong

first half against the Roadrunners, and they never looked back. Ward scored the game’s first goal off of an Alfano pass just three minutes into the game. Alfano would then add another goal three minutes later off of a penalty kick as the Lions would take their 2-0 lead into the halftime break after playing great defense. Senior Ellen Williams, who came up with five big saves in the Lions game against the Scarlet Raptors, did not have to attempt a single save as the Lions shut down their offense, not allowing any shots in the game. The Lions are now 12-1-2 this season with one game left against Stockton University. They finished the season undefeated at home with one tie and have bolstered a strong road record of five wins, with one loss and a tie. The College secured a No. 2 ranking in the NJAC after picking up a win against Stockton on Oct. 28. They will get a first round bye and will play their first game Nov. 4 at home. With the postseason coming soon and a potential final season win on the road, the Lions have put themselves in great shape to win another NJAC title this year.

TCNJ Football loses to No. 23 Rowan

The Lions generated just 155 yards of offense. By Tyler Fennell Staff Writer The College faced off in a longawaited game against their rivals at Rowan University on Saturday, Oct. 24. This game would be the No. 23 ranked team’s homecoming game. Rowan has not lost a game since their season opener. Since their six game win streak began, they defeated the No. 12 ranked Salisbury after having three straight shutouts, the last of which being a 79-0 blowout against Vermont State University Castleton. The Lions had their hands full this game given the Profs’ track record this year. Despite the 7-30 loss, the College was able to hold their own in the first half of the game. The game opened with a Rowan rushing touchdown. After the Profs were able to hold the College within their own 20 yard-line, the team was forced to punt on fourth down. A botched snap flew over the head of the punter, flying all the way to the two yard line. The punter elected to kick the ball out of the back of the endzone, denying Rowan a chance to score a touchdown. This resulted in a safety, giving them a 0-9 lead. After an exchange of scoreless drives in the second quarter, sophomore defensive back Brayden Kelly would force a Rowan fumble and recover it for the Lions. This fumble gave the Lions some much needed momentum, leading to a rushing touchdown by freshman wide receiver Grant Lorentzen putting the score at 7-9

Photo by Ben Weiss

going into the second half. While the College was able to contain the Rowan offense for the most part in the first half, this trend would not follow into the second half. The opening drive of the third quarter was a 20-yard Rowan passing touchdown. The following drive by the Lions resulted in a fumble recovered by the Rowan defense and returned for a 65-yard touchdown. The College proceeded to have yet another scoreless drive. Rowan would effectively end the game in the third quarter with a rushing touchdown to end the quarter, giving them a comfortable 23-point lead. After an exchange of scoreless drives in the fourth quarter, the game clock would wind down with a final score of 7-30 and endless cheers from the Rowan homecoming crowd. Despite the special teams blunder and the inability to contain the Rowan offense in the third quarter, there were a few silver linings. The first half was well-played apart from the safety at the start of the game. The odds were in Rowan’s favor going into this game. The environment was not very kind to the Lions, given that this was an away homecoming game against their biggest rival. While Lions fans hoped for a huge underdog upset, the true outcome was far more in line with the expectations everyone had for this game against a topranked opponent. The College returns home with a game against Montclair State on Oct. 31 for Military Appreciation Day.

Field Hockey secures No. 2 seed in New Jersey Athletic Conference

The Lions big win secured them a home game during the playoffs. By Jhett Laurie Sports Editor The Lions took second in the New Jersey Athletic Conference after their final stretch of conference play. Two big wins were undermined by a devastating loss to Rowan University which saw the Lions lose the race for the top seed. The back half of the teams NJAC play kicked off with a home game against State University of New York at New Paltz. The Lions got up on the Hawks early, with senior Codie Sciacca picking up her seventh goal of the season. Efficiency proved to be the method of the day for the Lions, as they scored on their first shot of the game. The sticks fell silent for the remainder

of the first period, as neither team was able to attempt a shot. The momentum of the early goal kept up as the Lions were able to notch two more goals. Senior Jadyn Huff scored her 10th goal of the season on the second shot of the game. Junior Avery Vacca picked up her first assist of the season, just the second of her career. Her appearance on the stats sheet is a nod to the vital contribution she has made to the Lion’s defense this year. Sophomore Lindsey Hoffman then followed up Huff’s goal with one of her own. This would be just the third shot of the game but also their third goal. Graduate Brigitte Racey picked up five saves on the day, and all of them came in the first half. The College attempted just three more

Photo courtesy of Matias Sanchez

shots in the third, before holding off New Paltz for the remainder of the game. The Eagles did manage to sneak one by, but it was not enough to put them up. The Lions sat at 4-0 in the NJAC following the win against New Paltz, but Rowan loomed in their sights. Both teams held an undefeated conference record, and this game would likely determine the top seed in the NJAC. The Lions had a promising break early on, with freshman Avery Gower taking one past the Prof’s goalie to give them a 1-0 lead 10 minutes in. The College hung in there for nearly all of the first half, but Rowan was able to tie it up with less than two minutes remaining. The third period saw the struggle begin

for the Lions. Rowan showed why they were a top ranked team, knocking in two more goals in the third period. A 1-3 deficit seemed to be too much for the Lions, as any offensive attempts were shut down by Rowan. Rowan added another insurance goal in the third, setting what would become the final score at 1-4. With this loss, the Lions’ hopes of a NJAC top seed slipped away. The team had their chance at redemption with senior day occurring against Montclair State on Oct. 24. The Lions would walk away with another home victory and a lasting memory for their seniors. The College was dominant from the getgo, as sophomore Elena Bonfrisco picked up her first career goal. From here, the seniors would take over. Senior Emma McElroy scored her first goal of the season in the second period, and she was followed by junior Nika Eschmann, who was also being honored. Eschmann, alongside senior Ines Sawyer, are exchange students who elected to take part in the Lions season while they are abroad. Their impact has definitely been noticed, as Eschmann sits at second on the team with 19 points. Senior Allie Baker was given her first chance to score this year and she capitalized on it, picking up her first career goal on her first shot of the game. The Lions celebration was capped off with Huff driving in her 11th goal of the year. The Lions capped off their NJAC play against Stockton on Oct. 28, securing their final win in conference play. The team took no time off, picking up where they left off against Montclair State. McGavin gave the Lions an early lead, scoring her second career goal in three minutes. This was McGavin’s first career start. Read more on our website!

Men’s Soccer goes undefeated for first time in program history

Coach Steven DeMatteo has turned the mens program around during his campaign. By Shawn Retta Staff Writer To win or to tie, that is the question. The Lions have been able to pick up at least one point in every game, but more importantly, every conference game this season. This has led them to a very promising spot in the postseason, holding the No. 3 seed in the New Jersey Athletic Conference Tournament. The team finished their last three games with a 2-0-1 record, with back-toback wins against Rutgers University-

Camden and Ramapo College on senior day, and finished the regular season undefeated with a 1-1 tie against Stockton University. “Last week was important for the group and I felt they handled the prep and games well,” stated Head Coach Steven DiMatteo. “We were alert to our situation and the trend in our results and we needed to be sharp and focused going into 2 challenging league games. I felt some things really came together last week in our play, our attacking play started to come out more and we were able to

Photo courtesy of Matias Sanchez

control long stretches of both games with our possession.” On Oct. 21, a chilly night in Camden, senior Chris Meder had one of his best performances of the season. He recorded a goal and an assist for the first time this season, and the fifth time in his career. The standout showing led the Lions to a 3-0 lead and ultimately hanging on to a 3-2 win against Rutgers-Camden. Three days later, Meder, along with the other four seniors, were recognized for their hard work to the program at the team’s senior day, and what a senior day it

was. After a 0-0 half, the team exploded for three goals, the other one being a Ramapo own goal, in the second half en route to a 4-0 win over Ramapo. With the first regular-season undefeated record in program history on the line, the College went against Stockton and fell behind early with the Osprey’s Chriss Krall scoring in the ninth minute. However, similar to the theme of this season, the Lions responded in the 29th minute, with freshman defender Finn McCarthy coming through in the clutch with the first goal of his collegiate career. With the regular season now behind them, the team is looking to make back-to-back NJAC championship appearances. This time they hope to bring the trophy back to Ewing after they were only one goal away last year. However, Coach DiMatteo is enforcing that this week is just as important as any other week. “We still have lots of components that we can improve, and this week training has been and will continue to be consistently business as usual,” Coach DiMatteo said. The team’s first match to the title is against sixth-seeded Ramapo at home on Oct. 31, where they will be looking to use their tricks to get the treat of moving to the NJAC semi-finals. The winner of that game will go on the road to face No. 2-seeded Rowan. The winner of that game heads to the NJAC championship, where they will go against either: No. 5 New Paltz, No. 4 Rutgers-Newark or No. 1 Montclair State.