The 1851 Chronicle
September 2017
News
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new flavor to Lasell News Briefs Chartwells adds Continued from Pg. 1 New Campus Police Chief announced Campus Police Lieutenant Robert Winsor was named the new Chief of Police/Director of Public Safety on September 20. This was announced after a selection process took place involving several staff members. Winsor had previously been involved in law enforcement positions for more than 25 years. He began as a Dispatcher and later served as a Patrol Officer for the Richmond Police Department in Richmond, R.I. He retired from the police force as a Sergeant for the Pawtucket Police Department and soon began to work for the Rhode Island College Campus Police, but left to join Lasell in 2015. He obtained his bachelor’s degree in Administration of Justice from Roger Williams University and his master’s degree in Management from Salve Regina University. He was also a member of the U.S. Air Force stationed in Okinawa, Japan. Winsor was selected after previous Chief Jack Kennedy announced his retirement subsequent to the search for his replacement.
Study Abroad fair displays exotic destinations On Tuesday September 19, the office of International Services hosted a Study Abroad Fair in the Arnow Campus Center. Thirteen representatives attended. Some represented more than one country, which included Switzerland, Italy, England, France, among others. Faculty from around the campus joined. Students had the opportunity to learn about what Lasell has to offer to students traveling. Every booth took questions from students, while offering a slew of brochures and handouts. The Study Abroad Fair is held twice a year, at the beginning of each semester. This is when there is the most excitement about the opportunity; many first-year students are looking into what Lasell has to offer them. Kyle Benedict, Program Assistant for International Services and Student Activities stresses the importance of studying abroad. “Personal growth is probably the biggest [benefit],” he said, along with critical thinking and thinking outside the box. “By studying abroad, students are able to gain independence that they’ve never experienced before.”
Shrek is about to start singing Shrek the Musical is the school’s next musical directed by Professor Lori L’Italien, the director of the school’s Drama Club. Shrek was originally a picture book by William Steig that was published in 1990 before being adapted as a franchise of films, with the first film being released in 2001. L’Italien explained how young the Lasell theatre program is, and how she has managed to establish the club’s presence on campus. “The theatre program is eight years old; for me it is very important that I pick shows where the ensemble is heavily featured.” There are 28 cast members and 59 ensemble roles. “Those members are playing multiple roles,” L’Italien said. The play is based off the first movie but is a little more adult than the movie, according to L’Italien. Her favorite part of the musical is the score, and she said, “It is a really fun show with great music.” L’Italien has made many connections throughout her professional career, and was able to acquire costumes for the play from the Maine State Music Theatre. Shrek the Musical will be running from November 16-19 in Yamawaki Auditorium. COLIN FROMENT, MORGAN VANWICKLER, ARMANDO MACHADO JR.
MACKENZIE DINEEN, MORGAN VANWICKLER, THOMAS BAKER ARTS EDITOR, ART DIRECTOR, 1851 STAFF
PHOTO BY MICHAEL BUENO
Chartwells has a variety of options and is 70 to 80 percent gluten-free at all times.
a half and so the dining services has been a great part of my position as VP of Student Affairs on SGA.” Professor Deidre Donovan said that she is loving the new food service. Donovan has food allergies and would sometimes have to ask for foods to be prepared in the back or request accommodations. Now she is able to eat a hot meal for lunch “without standing out.” “I don’t have to hunt and find food
while worrying about cross-contamination,” Donovan said. She has also noticed a greater variety of meal options compared to Sodexo. Another Lasell staff member, officer John D’Auria, is in favor of Chartwells. He said, “It’s a little bit of a step up,” and noted one of the biggest changes in the quality of the pizza. “I prefer the longer hours, it gives you more time to focus on other prior-
ities,” said junior Kevin Joyce. “I personally love the new dining hall experience; I trust more of the options of fruits and vegetables, [and] there’s a wider variety of healthier food with a friendlier staff,” said junior Katerina DiChiara Since they have only been working with the students and faculty for about a month, Chartwells plans on continuing to make changes, especially ways to add more options. “The team is also working on different ways to utilize the Mongolian grill at F.A.Z.E. 8,” Lestrange said. “This spring when we add a full service deli bar to Valentine Dining, we will be able to add more options, as well as specialty sandwiches that will change daily.” This winter, Chartwells plans to add a sushi bar to the campus center, and revamp the physical appearance and variety of lunch offered at Glow Lounge. “Our menus are flexible to meet the needs of the campus community,” said Lestrange. “If there is something specific students want to see we can add it to our menu cycle.” He welcomes student emails regarding food or experiential questions addressed to him or Quakenbush. They are also open to meeting with students to discuss concerns.
Second Convocation gathers clubs and students COLIN FROMENT news editor
Dozens of student clubs and organizations assembled in the Athletic Center for the 2017 Connected Learning Convocation on September 5 to showcase presentations that demonstrated their club or field to first years. The student presenters each set up their own table complete with posters, videos, and images detailing the various activities each club puts together. The presentations were organized entirely by students who hold leadership positions in their respective organizations. Spencer Kosior, a senior representing the Drama Club, said the event was a way to get more recognition for his club and to explain to others the activities on campus he is passionate about; in the
hopes that other students might share the same feelings one day. “Being given the opportunity to share my experience with students, and possibly get them excited, is a great feeling to have,” said Koisor. “It’s nice to notice everyone’s interests and seeing who would want to be more involved continuing forward in college.” Chelsea Demby is a senior fashion communication major and spoke about Lasell’s notable fashion shows to the students. She felt passionate about presenting at the Convocation because the event was not showcased during her first-year, and wanted first years to have as much information about the various organizations that she wishes she had as a first
year. “I feel great about presenting,” said Demby. “I think it should be something that should be held every year. It’s great to teach [first years] about my experience so they can get a feeling of what it’s like to be in a club.” The first years were pleased with the many opportunities they could sign up for. “From what I see, there is everything from athletics to fun clubs to join,” said Dan Chodos a first-year sport management major. “This event points out how [the school] has so many things to do that students don’t even realize are here.” “Always say yes to an opportunity,” said Kosior. “Convocation is one of those opportunities.”
Changes coming to academics Continued from Pg. 1
SEÁN MCGLONE editor-in-chief
While some students may be concerned that Lasell is no longer accepting new students into their majors, students currently enrolled in these majors as of Fall 2017 will be able to complete their degrees through Spring 2021. “[Students] should feel throughout their experience that the fact that we’re not admitting new students should have no bearing on the quality of their experience, and the quality of their degree, absolutely we’re committed to that,” said Ostrow “The quality of those degrees is strong and will remain as strong as any other degree, right through graduation.” Ostrow says that these majors
were chosen because they do not seem to have great potential in drawing new students. “By closing them we could focus our energies in existing and new degree programs that do have that potential, it was that simple,” said Ostrow. “I still don’t know how this is going to work, nobody does this is work in progress but I’m hopeful that for someone like me I’ll get to go back to doing what I love, which is teach more and I’ll have less responsibilities even if I’m the program director, because they might have a math program director I’ll still will be able to focus more on my kids and that’s why I’m here, to teach students,” said Hatem.
The restructuring will also include the combining of a number of courses that consistently have small numbers. However according to Ostrow this does not mean that the school is going to start having giant classes. The college will also look into the number of required courses for each major to see about giving students more electives. “I think it has the potential to be a very positive thing, I think there’s definitely going to be a rough adjustment period because it’s been the way it’s been for so long and now you’re changing so everyone’s going to be uneasy about what their new roles are and that kind of stuff,” said Sargeant.