Fall 2022 Issue 3

2022 Midterm Elections

Competing for a Gridlocked Congress

By Pranav Anthapu | Contributing Writer

The November 2022 midterm elec tions are fewer than two months away, and Democrats and Republicans are both showing a fighting chance at taking over Congress. This election essentially determines if there’s anything else done during the last two years of President Joe Biden’s term. Democrats are trying to campaign on the Dobbs v. Jackson decision and their string of legislative victories this past summer, while Repub licans are trying to show that the Biden administration and the Democrat-con trolled Congress have only intensified inflation and caused a recession.

However, this election is one of the most consequential because of the Jan. 6 investigation controlled by Democrats. If Democrats hold the House, they will most likely continue hearings. Republi cans, on the other hand, promised hear ings into the Department of Justice’s idea to raid Donald Trump’s Mar-A-Lago resort and to investigate Hunter Biden. Similarly, it could provide a preview of the 2024 presidential election through the results of the Senate. This is bound to be one of the tightest midterm elections in history, with a 10-12 seat advantage predicted for Republicans.

Newark is split between the 8th and 10th districts. The 8th district was re drawn in the 2020 redistricting cycle to represent the northern part of Newark and surrounding areas. The 8th dis trict has opened up due to the incum bent Democrat, Albio Sires, retiring. As a result, Democrat Robert Menendez will face housing inspector Republican Marcos Arroyo. The 10th district cov ers a large portion of Newark and the southern suburbs. The 10th district has the incumbent Democrat Donald Payne Jr. running against teacher Republican David Pinckney. Important issues this year include abortion and contraceptive rights, high inflation, a possible reces sion, higher crime rates, and gun con trol.

Historically, the midterm elections are seen as a referendum on the presi dent, and with Biden’s net-negative poll

numbers, most election pundits would expect this election to be a “Red Wave.”

However, this year might be differ ent. With the Democrats’ recent legisla tive wins, the Dobbs v. Jackson decision earlier this year, and falling gas prices, Democrats have pulled two upset vic tories. This includes a special election in Alaska, where Democrat Mary Pelto la won against Republicans Sarah Palin and Nick Begich III. In the second round of ranked-choice voting, she achieved 51.48% of the vote. Peltola will be the first Democrat to represent Alaska in the House of Representatives since 1972, the first-ever native to represent Alaska and the first-ever woman as well. She is also the first Democrat to win a statewide of fice in Alaska since Mark Begich in 2008.

In other house districts, however, including some in New Jersey, a few contests are looking competitive, such as New Jersey’s 7th House District. In cumbent Democrat Tom Malinowski is running for re-election against Repub lican Tom Kean Jr. Other districts seem to generally have incumbents who are deemed “safe” by polling organizations such as the Cook Political Report due to large enough margins to fend off an up set. Regardless, every vote matters.

If you are 17 years old, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of your county for at least 30 days you can regis ter to vote; you must be 18 to vote.

You can register to vote through two ways — with your driver’s license or non-driver state identification, or with the last four digits of your Social Security number.

If you are a college student, you can register with either your parents’ or uni versity’s address. Forms to register are available at elections.nj.gov. You may register online, in-person at a municipal clerk’s office or county commissioner of registration’s office (addresses listed on elections.nj.gov), or by mail postmarked before Oct. 8 to vote this November.

The Voice of NJIT with Magnitude and Direction Since 1924

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Memory of Dr. Herman A . Estrin and Roger Hernande

MONDAY, Sept. 26th

12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.

4:00 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. 12:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.

TUESDAY, Sept. 27th

3:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. 9:15 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.

WEDNESDAY, Sept. 28th

6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.

WEATHER

Monday, Sept. 26th

74ºF | 55°F 15 mph

Wednesday, Sept. 28th

70°F | 49°F 13 mph

Tuesday, Sept. 27th

74°F | 53°F 14 mph

Thursday, Sept. 29th

67ºF | 48°F 10 mph

MEET THE TEAM

ADVISORS

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EXECUTIVE BOARD eboard@njitvector.com

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VECTOR STAFF

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Upcoming Events

Inclusion Poetry Contest

Pre-Dental Society Soap Carving

Sigma Psi Kappa Blood Drive

GSA Social Mixer Energetic Espresso

AIChE x OXE Networking Night

POLICE BLOTTER

9/11/2022

12:40 p.m. Officers took a report for a NJIT student who stated they parked their vehicle on James Street, and when they returned, they found their passenger side window broken. The investigation is currently ongoing.

9/12/2022

11:10 p.m. Officers responded to the area of Sussex Avenue and Hoyt Street for a non-affiliate female throwing clothes all over the street. Officers spoke with the individual, who later picked up the clothing and left the area without incident.

9/13/2022

8:18 a.m. Officers responded to 9 Sussex Ave. on the report of an individual smoking on a porch with which the individual had no affiliation. Upon arrival, the individual was already gone.

12:11 p.m. Officers generated a report for an NJIT professor who stated multiple chairs were stolen from inside 111 Summit St. The investigation is ongoing.

1:57 p.m. Officers generated a theft report for a NJIT student who had their wallet taken from the Warren Street gym. The investigation is ongoing.

9/14/2022

Virtual CTR 235 CTR Atrium CTR Atrium

Layout Assistants Nicolas Arango

Photographers Sean Slusarz Akash Patel Sebastian Lopez Eric Camargo

Honors Hall 5th Floor CTR Atrium

Week of September 18, 2022THE VECTOR 2 w Contributing Writers Paridhi Bhardwaj Ann Ibrahim Pranav Anthapu

4:47 p.m. Officers responded to Honors Hall on a re port of a non-affiliate female inside the building fol lowing students. Officers contacted the female outside the building in front of the Warren Street gym. The fe male refused medical attention and was informed of these buildings being privately owned and to enter again would be defiant trespassing. The woman left without giving any information.

9/15/2022

2:53 a.m. Officers responded to Redwood Hall on the report of a non-affiliate female inside the building try ing to gain access to different rooms. Officers deter mined this was the same individual that was advised not to trespass in NJIT buildings the day before. The individual was placed under arrest and taken to NJIT Police Headquarters for processing.

9/16/2022

12:03 a.m. Officers conducted a pedestrian stop at the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and Bleeker Street intersection after observing a non-affiliate male urinating in public. The individual was given a sum mons and set on his way.

Campus Catalog

Hope De Jesus Third Year Student; Computer Science

By Yukthi Sangoi | Editor-in-Chief

How would you describe your sense of style?

I would describe it as “yassified grandma.” I really like wearing skirts and turtlenecks. I like to wear basics, but I try to dress up in more than just t-shirts and sweats for all occasions. Nothing wrong with sweats! I just like wearing things that I think a grandmother would wear for her “Sunday brunch” except just ev ery day.

Do you have any specific inspirations for how you dress?

I really am inspired by Elle Woods from “Legally Blonde.” Despite the judg ment, she never failed to be proud of how femininely she presented, even in male-dominated fields. I don’t think there’s enough femininity in computer science, so I try to bring that energy in.

How do you think of an outfit to wear for the day? Do you have a process you go through?

I usually dress for comfort or based on what the weather is like. But if I have a big common or final on that day, I make sure I dress extra femininely. I’m trying to channel Elle Woods in that final scene where she absolutely slam-dunks the case she’s working on. So, I figure if I dress like her, maybe I’ll pass the test, and if I don’t pass, at least I look cute. Haven’t failed a common yet, so I’m gonna keep up that strategy!

What's your favorite piece of clothing to wear?

My newest favorite addition to my clothes is my “cookie clips!” I found these clips that I can pin in my hair and they look like those Danish Butter Cook ies. I’m going to be wearing them all the time this semester! So excited. However, my Velcro Nike Strawberry Shoes come in a close second. They’re Velcro so I don’t have to worry about laces. It’s the best!

Photos by Yukthi Sangoi

Do you think there's a connection be tween the way you dress and your mu sical interests?

Whenever I do a concert, the direc tor usually requires us to wear concert black and white. Even though concert attire is very basic, I try my best to add a little “Hope” flair, like a little red bow to accent!

What were some of your first interac tions with music? How did you first get into it?

I’ve been playing classical piano since 2nd grade. Midway through high school, I took up percussion. I took piano les sons with an incredible woman named Dr. Mariam Alunkal all the way through high school. She was actually the one who recommended I apply to NJIT. I really started getting into music after listening to my high school’s marching band. I was stunned at how physicality interlaced with musicality on the field. Particularly, I loved the sound of the ma rimba, and the strength and discipline it takes to produce that warm sound. It sounds dorky but since then, I would watch DCI performances in my high school’s library and literally sob. I’m talking open mouth, ugly crying; this was in public, might I add — not my proud est moment. I was just so moved by the dedication these musicians put into their craft. Since then, I’ve been hooked on music and all things with percussion.

Who are some of your musical inspira tions in your personal life?

In my personal life, I really look up to my friend Oladipo George. He was a ma jor mentor figure in my high school life and the one who taught me four-mallet techniques when I first started getting into it. He was there to push me to be better and help me bandage the blisters on my fingers after practicing so much. Because I decided to pursue computer science, I couldn’t pursue the marching arts. But Oladipo is a student in Temple University and has marched competi

A Feature on the NJIT Community

tively. Even though I play music recre ationally now, I see the work Oladipo puts into his competitions and music composition degree. This motivates me to replicate that passion when I study for my exams.

Who are some of your musical inspira tions outside of your personal bubble?

I really look up to Evelyn Glennie. She’s this extraordinary percussionist who is almost completely deaf. Despite this, she finds different ways to experi ence music. It’s really indescribable — the work she does. I have several musical inspirations besides her. I would love to see Jacob Collier or Gary Burton in con cert. Silk Sonic’s newest album is some thing I’ve had on repeat since it’s re leased. It’s been a while since I’ve heard a groove like Silk Sonic’s on the radio. When I’m on campus, I usually have my headphones blasting Kendrick Lamar or Jack Harlow, so if I look menacing, now you know why. Also, Dua Lipa and

COLLECTIONS

voices from around campus

What are some of your

"rn it's trying to find parking every time I'm on campus"

"I am thinking about midterms actually"

"figuring out how to shower at three am without all too well 10mv"

"Remembering how to read so I can figure out what the syllabi say"

" Driving around the parking lots for an hour while NJIT’s parking app says there are either -58 or 385 spaces available."

"fire drills"

Doja Cat? I would die for those women. They’re unbelievable.

What are some of your favorite parts of being in music ensembles?

By far the best part of being part of music ensembles is the people I get to meet. In each group, all members have an appreciation for music, and it’s nice to have the opportunity to share it with others. I now have an incredible group of friends to share inside jokes with and music recommendations too. The clos est friends I’ve ever had I made through musical ensembles. Like my best friend Ivy Sosing! When I was a high schooler, I was that band kid and would read her sheet music in class. But it turns out that a lot of the people in Pep Band, Jazz Band and Wind Band were also band kids. It’s nice to know despite our differ ences, there’s a small community in NJIT where the dorky band kids can reunite.

"Workload, studying, and figuring out when I can do what I want"

"Getting registered despite 17 different holds on my account"

"I'm sick. So that's the main stress. Just feeling like crap but still having to do my HW. And it ain't Covid so I ain't get a pass."

"Not having cold water for two weeks in my bathroom sink (Maple moment)"

"Keeping my grades up feels stressful"

Snapshots

Let's Get kUNO Each Other

Redwood Hall hosted a night of UNO in the lounge as one of their first dorm events of the fall semester.

3rd Floor Door Decorating Party

Residents of Cypress Hall's third floor gathered last Wednesday to create some artful door decorations for the floor.

Photos by Eric Camargo

Photos by Sean Slusarz

Stepping into 'Harry's House'

Harry Styles finally gives us a fun way to learn physics, singing, “Gravity’s hol din’ me back” in his third album, “Har ry’s House.” Released on May 20, the singer-songwriter’s latest release is mak ing chart history.

The album starts with “Music For a Sushi Restaurant” — this song has for sure been played a million times in a sushi restaurant. It sounds tropical, and the catchy beats justified Styles' decision to have the song at the beginning of the album. I have to acknowledge and ap preciate Styles’ ability to create such a weird, fun song with an absolutely non sense title.

“Late Night Talking” is an upbeat track that seems to be influenced by 80s or 90s pop with a fun dance vibe to it! The song opens with Styles’ signature sound of mixing trumpets with guitars and drums. The lyric “We’ve been doin’ all this late night talkin’ ‘bout anythin’ you want until the morning'' speaks for all long-distance relationships. The rep etition of the line “can’t get you off my mind” is for all Stylers who are obsessed with the song.

The third song, “Grapejuice,” gives nostalgic vibes, like reliving moments with a bottle of wine. It surely gave me the “grape juice blues.” The song is pretty simple with basic drums being played. But the song made Twitter investigate the meaning of 1982, a year mentioned by Styles in the song.

Now comes the popular song replayed on radio stations, Instagram Reels and TikTok videos. “As It Was” became the number one single in the United States for four weeks; no wonder I learned the lyrics so quickly. The song is a sad bop. The beats make you want to scream the lyrics out and dance, but the lyrics re mind you “it's not the same as it was.”

Moving on to the next track, “Day light.” As a Swiftie, there is no way this song gets near Taylor Swift’s “Daylight,” but Harry brought his touch by adding guitar breaks and synthesizers. The song has the most beautiful and poetic lyrics. The metaphor of a bluebird gets me ev ery time. It is pure genius.

“Little Freak,” the sixth song, does an excellent job of transporting the listener to the world of a short-lived relationship. It was love at first listen for me, and I added it to my playlist as soon as I heard it. The song masterfully makes you un derstand and feel the lyrics.

Moving on to “Matilda,” a song filled with simple affirmations such as “You can let it go”, and “You don’t have to go home.” The song is the longest on the album and gives me empathetic vibes, a warm and comforting feeling. I don’t know why, but “Matilda” reminded me of another One Direction member’s mu sic: Niall Horan's “This Town.”

After many heart-breaking and emo tional songs, Styles is back with beats in the song “Cinema.” My mind is hooked

By Paridhi Bhardwaj | Contributing Writer

on the last guitar chords and chorus of the song. I get chills when I listen to the line “I just think you are cool.” The song is fun, and I wish he released a music video for this song.

The ninth track, “Daydreaming,” is meant to be danced to. It’s all about 80s-inspired beats with very few lyr ics. “Living in a daydream” is the most prominent line.

“Keep Driving” is the best song for carpool karaoke with an ocean view. It is the shortest song on the album, and I love the beat drop after he sings, “should we just keep driving?”

The song that shocked me the most was “Satellite.” I thought that this would be slow-paced, but the drums and the perfect pacing of synthesizers surprised me.

“Boyfriends” is a good song and all about the folksy vibes. Fun fact: the gib berish at the beginning of the song was actually the lyric “Feel a fool, you’re back at it again” in reverse. It felt like symbol ism for Stockholm syndrome.

“Love Of My Life” is the perfect track to end the album with. It felt like a sweet and vulnerable love letter to his home in England. I love its simplicity.

“Harry’s House” is Styles' best album yet. All the songs were heartfelt and took listeners on a 42-minute lyrical journey. Thus, I’ll be giving this album 4.5 crabs!

COME FOR THE CLIMBING STAY FOR THE COMMUNITY

Photo from Spotify

'Stranger Things' 4:

We’re Back On Track, Baby

By Aaron Dimaya | Staff Writer

After the utter inconsistency of “Stranger Things” season three, I was re ally looking forward to this new season. Don’t get me wrong; I respect the third season for expanding the world outside of Hawkins. The addition of the mall, the Russians, and the end of the Mind Flayer were all cool. New characters like Robin and Alexei also became favorites. How ever, I found the third season unable to work its magic at times and make classic 80s tropes engaging again. The honestly ridiculous plot and lackluster storytell ing also had me worried the show had “jumped the shark”, or passed its peak. Thankfully, through this fourth season, we can see the Duffer brothers starting to walk back towards what made “Stranger Things” great in the first place.

Story

The plot was definitely not the stron gest part of this season. The main story has arguably not been on par with the characters since maybe season two. However, whereas last season was hard to believe and kind of forgettable, this season sticks much harder. The reason? They simply grounded each of the story arcs better within the world created and the characters that live through it.

My favorite arc throughout has to be that of the Hawkins group. I mean, small-town hysteria, journeys into the Upside-Down, Vecna? More of that in the finale, please. Hopper and Joyce’s escape from Russia probably takes sec ond place, with the whole prison break and Demogorgon at the end. Last place goes to the California group. This isn’t because of Eleven; her arc actually be comes really good by the end. It’s last due to the four driving amigos that the writers did little with, at least until the end. Honorable mention goes to the Hawkins Lab people versus the Army portion, which saved me from despising the aforementioned arc.

Setting

We sure do jump around in this sea son, huh? We have the clearly on-edge and paranoid Hawkins, with new set pieces like Lover’s Lake or the aban doned Creel House. We have the Russian prison/village, putting the cold in Cold War. We have California with its stereo typical 80s west coast vibe and copious amounts of sand. Oh yeah, the classic, red-tinged air and gross tentacle things of the Upside Down too.

This is the most variation in setting we’ve had as “Stranger Things” viewers. I find it really refreshing that after three seasons of mostly staying in Hawkins, we finally venture out to other frontiers. It makes the overarching conflict feel more monumental and world-changing. Granted, the more prominent events still happen within the small Indiana town that’s really been run through the wring er, but it’s still nice to see. Tragically, with the way the final season is shaping up, we may never get this again. A true shame.

Characters

The core of this show, and the reason that most of its fans care about it, is the characters. The Duffer brothers just have a way with making you care for fictional people, especially the side characters. Robin is her usual comedic and ner vous self; you can’t help but root for her. Hopper and Joyce are the best couple in the show, fight me about it. Murray is such a delight: the best parts of Cold War truther and massive nerd. The love triangle among Jonathan, Nancy, and Steve… happens, but at least Nancy and Steve kick enough ass to make up for it. Argyle is a quote machine, and Eddie is Eddie! There’s a reason fas are on their knees begging for him to come back for the final season.

This characterization juice runs a bit dry, however, once we get to the main cast. Max, Lucas, and Dustin all have decent character moments that kept me watching.

Dustin’s relationship with Eddie and Steve is such a treat to watch, and Max

and Lucas’s relationship took a turn I wasn’t expecting. However, the show has a terrible tendency to worm main char acter moments into awkward times. This often dilutes any emotional investment and makes the audience feel like tearing their own eyes out instead of watching the scene fully. I’m looking at you, Will and Mike.

(Also, Mike is one of the least likable characters in the show, and I think this is mostly the writers’ fault. Finn Wolfhard has the ability to be funny and relatable, guys - come on!)

Villains

The villains, though? My gosh, Vec na may just stand out as the best villain we’ve had in this series to date. The Rus sians are fairly imposing, and Jason with his goon squad are serviceable villains early on. But man, they just get blown out of the water standing up to Vecna. His design is part otherworldly gore, much like the Mind Flayer, and part hu manity with a hint of his original face shining through. Vecna's powers are not anything we haven’t seen before, but they’re heightened to new levels with both the visuals given by the show and the motivations behind it. His backstory is somewhat shaky early on, but his time in the Hawkins Lab brought back all the praise from me.

You probably can’t sympathize with him that much, but did you really need to for him to be memorable? He’s a pow erful force, and it doesn’t even seem like he lost by the end of the season. A force closer to us humans fighting against our main cast is just what the show needed. Vecna is a true herald for the new world Hawkins sees itself in by the end.

Even though it was flawed, this sea son was a great step in the right direc tion, setting up the series’ conclusion. I can’t wait. Four out of five crabs!

Photo from Netflix

Photo from Netflix

Horoscopes

ARIES

Feel the love this Thursday. Just don’t lose your temper.

TAURUS

You might feel a little under the weather this week. Take some time to take care of yourself.

GEMINI

Enjoy the autumn season and feel young again. Listen to those nostalgic Spotify playlists.

Even

I know it’s been rough, but you’ll get through it. Take the week to recon nect with loved ones.

Show people your signature charm this week. Trust me, they’ll love you.

CANCER LIBRA CAPRICORN

If it’s been rough, take this time to re claim your power. You got this!

Don’t flash your money around, you never know when you’ll lose it.

VIRGO

It’s time for a new wardrobe. Buy pieces that’ll last awhile, not just based on trends.

It’s okay to feel the need to retreat from social situations and be alone for a week to clear your head.

LEO SCORPIO AQUARIUS

Take a new class or trip and learn something new. Your mind is as ac tive as it could ever be right now. Use the time.

Make the world a better place and stop being judgemental.

SAGITTARIUS PISCES

If you feel like slipping into the dark end this week, just be careful. But just remember that there are people who will comfort you if you reach out.

From Clairvoyant Cancer Conveying the Current Chances