Someone destroyed the igloo :(
We write Stevens history HOBOKEN, NJ | FEBRUARY 6, 2025
VOLUME CXXIII No. 15
ENJOY THE SNOW FOLKS!
The student newspaper of Stevens Institute of Technology, and creator of Attila the Duck. www.thestute.com TikTok @thestute Instagram @thestute facebook.com/stevensthestute NEW STUTE EVERY FRIDAY • EST. 1904
Stevens set to establish School of Computing BY TANYA AVADIA, OUTREACH CHAIR The Stevens Board of Trustees has approved the establishment of the Stevens School of Computing, which will serve as the basis of computing and AI education. As announced by President Nariman Farvardin and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost Jianmin Qu in a campus-wide email, the target date to open the School of Computing is Fall 2026. The creation of this school comes as a response to the ever-changing nature of the technology landscape, which impacts a wide variety of industries. In conjunction with Stevens’ mission of
preparing students to live and work in a world of rapid technological enhancement, President Farvardin and Senior Vice President and Provost Qu share that the creation of this school is one step in the right direction. Computing is currently the university’s largest academic discipline, with over a quarter of enrolled students pursuing degrees within this field. Given the interest and the projected demand for these subjects on both an undergraduate and graduate level, the creation of a new school allows for the leadership, infrastructure, and resources necessary to deliver value in terms of education and resources.
The new School of Computing will also facilitate interdisciplinary opportunities and new program offerings. Students will have the ability to pursue “Computing + X” programs that combine their interest in the computing field with other disciplines in partnership with the other schools at Stevens. Additionally, there will be an expansion of program and degree offerings in areas such as computer science, AI, cybersecurity, and data science. This is beneficial to students and faculty alike. For students, it creates access to additional faculty,
SEE COMPUTING PAGE 2
Igor Pikovski awarded $1.3 million grant for graviton detection BY JOSEPHINE CHOONG, SECRETARY
ISABELLA VILLANUEVA FOR THE STUTE
The two pillars of modern physics, quantum theory and Einstein’s theory of general relativity, seem incompatible with each other. For those pillars to align, gravity would have to obey quantum physics and be mediated by particles known as gravitons. However, not a single graviton was ever detected, making the problem of quantum gravity remain theoretical. Yet
Igor Pikovski, physicist and assistant professor, demonstrated that graviton detection is possible and with it, introduced an entirely new perspective for quantum technology. To support his research and collaboration with Yale University, Pikovski has been awarded a highly competitive $1.3 million grant from the W. M. Keck Foundation, the first in Stevens’ history. The W. M. Keck Foundation was established in 1954 by William Myron Keck, founder of The Superior Oil
Company. Keck envisioned a foundation that “would provide far-reaching benefits for humanity.” Throughout the years, the organization supported pioneering discoveries in science, engineering, and medical research that laid the groundwork for new scientific discoveries and innovative technologies. President Nariman Farvardin stated that Pikovski’s recognition is a proud moment for Stevens.
SEE PIKOVSKI PAGE 2
LOCAL NEWS The theater production process often begins with Realities of Hoboken’s harsh “Code Blue” weather
Third SDS Tech Talk BY BRYAN MAHONEY, STAFF WRITER On January 28-, 2026 at 9 p.m. in the Edwin A. Stevens (EAS) Hall, the Stevens Dramatic Society (SDS) held their third official Tech Talk where they discussed the technical aspect of theater and how those who wanted to participate could get involved with different departments. To give a brief history, SDS was founded in 1910 by student theater lovers. SDS had distinguished itself early on for making pioneering advances in technical theater, including sound and lighting techniques that were used on Broadway. The sound system for the first 3D movie was also developed by SDS. The Stevens Dramatic Society is a vibrant student organization that offers two major productions each year, a play and a musical, along with various other social and performance events. The DeBaun Performing Arts Center (PAC) serves as the venue for their shows and events. Recent works include Into the Woods, The Addams Family, Little Women, Radium Girls, and The Prom. Their show last fall semester was And Then There Were None, and their upcoming show this spring semester will be Grease. NEWS (2-3)
Stevens set to establish School of Compuuting Learn more about the School of Computing that Stevens is introducting and how it will be AI based! FEATURE (4)
Snowed In! Discover ways that Stevens students have been enjoying the snow and their virtual days!
designing blueprints for the stage, which will serve as the master technical plan for the rest of the show. The design produced in a CAD software program, or by hand, will include multiple different pieces to create precise 2D and 3D plates that turn initial artistic ideas into physical properties, including the floor plans and different section views that will be utilized. These blueprints will help guide the building phase of the production, where the blueprints will be brought into reality. “Flats” (walls) and “platforms” (floors), used in conjunction with other props, will then be built and set up according to the blueprint plans to bring the scene to life. The construction requires modularity and safety, in order for the scenery to be structurally sound while also light enough for the stage crew to move around. Other important parts of the stage production include circuitry and light programming, where light “cues” are programmed to dictate the intensity, color, and position of lights in order to create the desired visual effect and transitions for each specific scene. Audio engineering is another important part of production, where
SEE SDS PAGE 2 SCIENCE (6)
NASA dark matter? Greenland? Breath and bacteria? Read about what’s going on in the world of science. PULSE (10)
Read answers from the Stevens community to our weekly Roving Reporter, plus solve our weekly puzzle and sudoku.
BY ISABELLA FAMA, CONTRIBUTOR It’s hard to enjoy these harsh, below-freezing temperatures that seem to never end recently. It’s inevitable at some point that everyone has to face it, but most of us have ways we can deal with it: turning the heat up and grabbing some extra blankets when we’re cold, or quickly grabbing medicine if we’re sick from the pharmacy. This, unfortunately, is not the reality for everyone. A “Code Blue” is a weather alert implemented when
temperatures reach freezing or below. This is put into place to protect those who are most vulnerable in these states. The homeless community and those at higher risk for health complications face the biggest risks in these conditions. New Jersey is facing a very evident housing crisis, and although initiatives are being implemented to address this, Hudson County’s homeless population increased by 24% in the last year, according to The Waterfront Project. Hoboken alone has almost 900
homeless individuals, but there is no single factor that contributes to this reality. The cost of housing is increasing too quickly for people to catch up. There is an extreme shortage of affordable housing, and construction times don’t line up with population growth or the growing need. New Jersey is one of the most expensive states to live in, along with it’s extreme homeless population, many residents aren’t able to live comfortably. The major racial disparities that exist in wealth make it harder for families, specif-
ically minorities, to afford stable housing. These factors, along with many more, have forced residents to feel insecure and vulnerable, which only becomes heightened in winter weather that can be life-threatening for some. Everyone is at risk for common frostbite, hypothermia, and even respiratory complications, but seniors are most at risk during a Code Blue. Especially those struggling with pre-existing chronic illness
SEE BLUE PAGE 3
NATIONAL NEWS Alex Pretti killed by Border Patrol in Minnesota ICE protest BY ARACELY CANDELARIA, STAFF WRITER Alex Pretti was a 37-year-old ICU nurse at the Minneapolis Veterans Affairs (VA) Health Care System, who was fatally shot by a Border Patrol officer on Saturday morning, January 24, 2026, because he was filming a CBP offi-
cer during an ICE protest. A federal officer shoved a bystander across the street as Pretti was attempting to help the person. The situation proceeded to escalate, and an officer shouted that Pretti had a gun—a licensed gun that he was legally allowed to possess in an open carry state. Video evidence showed that the weapon was removed from his waist be-
fore shots were fired. Pretti was then attacked by an agent who pepper-sprayed him seconds before being shot 10 times. He was pronounced dead at 9:32 a.m. The Trump administration responded to the killing of Alex Pretti with unsupported evidence that conflicted with the video footage. The administration justified federal law
enforcement agent actions, claiming Pretti assaulted officers at the scene and threatened to harm law enforcement. “What the videos depict is that this guy did not walk up to anybody from CBP in a threatening manner,” said former acting DHS undersecretary for intelligence John Cohen, a
SEE ICE PAGE 3
Friday, February 6
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News Masthead Volume CXXIII No. 15 Executive Board
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF.............................JIYA JAISINGHANI ‘27 BUSINESS MANAGER.....................................FIONA SHI ‘27 MANAGING EDITOR.................................TIANNA SPITZ ‘27 LAYOUT EDITOR...............................EILIYAH SAROWAR ‘28 OUTREACH CHAIR..................................TANYA AVADIA ‘25 DIGITAL MANAGER..........................CHARMY KOTADIA ‘27 SECRETARY.....................................JOSEPHINE CHOONG ‘28
Editorial Board
NEWS EDITOR.......................................... CLAIRE DEANS ‘29 SCIENCE EDITOR..................................RIYANA PHADKE ‘27 OPINION EDITOR.........................................ITAI GELLER ‘26 SPORTS EDITOR..................................CAMRYN WINANT ‘28 FEATURES EDITOR ...........................PRISHA VAGVALA ‘28 HEAD COPYEDITOR..............................TASHA KHOSLA ‘25
COMPUTING
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 new courses, intriguing research opportunities, and the ability to intertwine their computing education with other fields. For faculty across all schools, this enables joint appointments and research partnerships. With regard to funding, the budget for the existing Department of Computer Science will be transferred to the School of Computing. Additional expenses incurred for this establishment will be provided for through philanthropic sup-
port. According to the email sent out by President Farvardin and Senior Vice President and Senior Vice President and Provost Qu, the university has secured “more than $36 million in gifts, including endowed scholarships for undergraduate and graduate students, endowed professorships, and support for new faculty hiring.” In terms of strategic priorities, this initiative strengthens some of the key goals listed in Stevens 2032: Inspired by Humanity, Powered by Technology strategic plan. This decision will continue to position Stevens for success and uphold its competitive positioning. Given the launch date of Fall
2026, there is a lot of groundwork that is required. Senior Vice President and Provost Qu will be leading the search for the Inaugural Dean of the School of Computing. Secondly, there will be a lot of effort in the recruitment of faculty, especially for high-demand areas such as AI, machine learning, cybersecurity, data science, and more. Existing computing programs, including faculty, will be shifted to the new school, and there will be no change in the degrees and academic progress of current students. Updates will be shared as progress is made, and FAQs for this initiative are available online.
Operations Board
HEAD PHOTOGRAPHER.......ISABELLE VILLANUEVA ‘26 ARCHIVES LIASON....................................ISABELLA ZIV ‘25 DELIVERY BOY.........................................JONATHAN LAI ‘28 ASST. LAYOUT EDITOR.........................KAILEY SUPAN ‘29 ASST. LAYOUT EDITOR.............................SHREYA ROY ‘27 ASST. LAYOUT EDITOR....................BRADY SANSOTTA ‘29 ASST. BUSINESS MANAGER...JOSHUA BODENSTEIN ‘29
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PIKOVSKI
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 “This is our first Keck award,” Farvardin explained, “and it reflects what we aspire to as a university — world-class faculty creating knowledge that transforms our understanding of the world.” Pikovski’s journey with Stevens began in 2018, after he completed a postdoctoral fellowship at the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics. Since then, he has been named a Stevens Presidential Fellow in 2023, received the National Science Foundation’s (NSF) CAREER award in 2023, and dubbed a Branco Weiss Fellow in 2016. His area of expertise is quantum information and technologies, particularly focusing on how gravity shows itself in the quantum realm. Graviton detection is one instance and is an active line of research funded by the Kent grant. Pikovski’s team also explored the quantum nature of time, sensing, and networking to improve these technologies and introduce new cases. In general, their projects revealed quantum mechanics at large scale to find new capacities. Notably, Pikovski and his team
published an article demonstrating their research that graviton detection was possible in Nature Communications in 2024. It introduced a new perspective by combining two major experimental advances. The first is the detection of gravitational waves, which are ripples in time and space from collisions of black holes or neutron stars. If gravity obeys quantum physics, gravitational waves would be “vast collections of gravitons acting in concert” and appear indistinguishable from classical waves. The second advance is in quantum engineering as physicists have learnt to measure massive systems in genuine quantum states. In the laboratory of Jack Harris, professor at Yale University, a groundbreaking experiment was conducted that measured the “individual vibrational quanta of superfluid helium weighing over a nanogram.” Pikovski realized that if the two advances were combined, it’s possible to detect a single graviton as a gravitational wave could transfer a graviton into a massive quantum system. Pikovski and Harris teamed up to explore this line of thinking with the world’s first experiment to explicitly detect gravitons. The Kent grant enables them to develop a
superfluid-helium resonator on the centimeter scale to bypass the issue that gravitons hardly interact with matter. Pikovski noted that it’s the first grant in history specifically for gravitation detection, and he was thrilled that there is seed funding available for the new line of research. While it’s still in its early days, Pikovski is excited for the research and discoveries ahead. The grant will support researching gravitational detection in greater detail by developing the detector blueprint, mapping out scientific opportunities, and better understanding what can be learned from detecting gravitons. It essentially mimics the study of photons, particles of light, and applies it to gravitons. Pikovski stressed that the research is highly accessible to students, especially undergraduates. While research on quantum gravity is typically pure mathematics, he emphasizes the experiments instead. “The difficulty is not the math, we just use standard quantum physics, but rather creativity,” Pikovski remarked. “It is always highly rewarding to work with students on this, who bring curiosity and an open mind!”
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SDS
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tinyurl.com/stutesubmit
the theater’s speakers are “tuned” to the room’s specific acoustics to
create better sound quality. Costumes and makeup also require technical development, where costumes must be developed for durability and speed, while being easily swappable. Simultaneously, makeup also re-
quires technical considerations, ensuring that theatrical makeup products won’t be affected by lighting and using contouring to highlight an actor’s facial expressions even from the back row of seating.
Friday, February 6
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News BLUE
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 and those who can’t receive proper medical attention, due to unstable housing or proper insurance coverage. Routine things, such as shoveling snow, can lead to health emergencies; if you see an elderly citizen struggling, lend them a hand. Small acts of kindness go a long way, but there are also many other actions to be taken that make bigger differences. The city’s implementations of emergency responses become crucial, especially during a Code Blue. Drop-in centers are open and take as many residents as possible to offer relief, local warming centers extend their hours, and outreach teams are often out in the community checking on individuals and distributing necessities. NJ 211, the Statewide Homeless Hotline, has shared a complete list of warming centers
in every New Jersey county that are operating during Code Blue. Hudson County’s Code Blue is expected to be lifted February 7th, giving relief to many residents, but those who don’t have the luxury of staying warm will more than likely continue to have a very long and cold winter. This isn’t just a weather alert, it’s a reminder that this crisis can no longer be ignored. It is also a call to action for ordinary residents to spread awareness. Here are things that you can do: checking on your neighbors, especially those who are elderly and live alone, sharing and spreading information about alerts and warming centers, donating essentials for winter, and supporting shelters and non-profit organizations. The Hoboken Homeless Shelter and The Waterfront Project rely mainly on the help of volunteers and supporters. Compassion doesn’t require much time or energy, but it does require the desire for change.
SUPERBOWL STEVENS DINING PRESENTS
SUNDAY
WatchParty GET READY FOR FOOTBALL! JOIN US AT PIERCE DINING HALL TO CHEER ON THE NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS AS THEY PLAY AGAINST THE SEATTLE SEAHAWKS. WEAR YOUR TEAM COLORS TO SHOW YOUR SPIRIT! SPECIAL STATIONS, GAME DAY CLASSICS, BIG SCREEN VIEWING, AND SO MUCH MORE! SUNDAY
FEB 8TH
NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS VERSUS
STARTING AT
6:00PM February 8, 2026
SEATTLE SEAHAWKS Pierce Dining Hall
PIERCE DINING HALL
Starting at 6:00PM
Love at First Slice February 1- February 14 Eat your heart out with this Valentines Day Pizza Special! Get yours while you can. Pizza's can be ordered with the Pierce Dining Hall Cashier. These Pizzas are only available for pick up between the hours of 12:00-7:00.
3 Meal Swipes **Limit 2 pizza's per customer**
ISABELLA VILLANUEVA FOR THE STUTE
ICE
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 police trainer and ABC News contributor. Cohen also mentioned Pretti was “brandishing” a gun. White House Deputy Chief of Staff, Stephen Miller, referred to Pretti as “an assassin” who “tried to murder federal agents,” and “looks like,” Pretti “wanted to do maximum damage and massacre law enforcement.” In a public statement released to the Associated Press, Pretti’s parents responded to the administration’s claims, stating they are “reprehensible and disgust-
ing.” Many of his colleagues and friends spoke on his behalf, claiming that he is remembered as a kind, warm-hearted person with a great attitude. Alongside making several donations through the Democratic fundraising platform ActBlue, he served others in the ICU, working as an intensive-care nurse serving in a VA facility, providing care for the critically ill. The president of the Minnesota Organization of Registered Nurses, Cami Peterson-DeVries, wrote that the nursing community was grieving. “This message is not about politics,” she wrote, “It is about mourning a life taken too soon and honoring the calling we all share.”
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Feature
SNOWED IN! BY SEAN PALERMO, STAFF WRITER On Monday, January 26, and Tuesday, January 27, Stevens Institute of Technology held classes virtually through the video call-hosting platform, Zoom, following a great deal of snowfall. While virtual learning has become more prominent over time, its popularization by necessity during the COVID-19 pandemic has rendered the now old assumption of the need for a snow day in particularly bad weather as a largely obsolete way of thinking. In fact, students in New York City were instructed through virtual learning on that Monday as well — the buggy experience not only left a bad taste in the mouths of students and parents but was indicative of the future of what would otherwise be off-days. This new said future comes after an agreement with the United Federation of Teachers mandating virtual learning in such circumstances to meet the 180-day requirement in the area. However, is this new solution that has brought a wide-scale shift in schooling truly preferable when compared to its older alternative? A popular term used to shed light on the common drawbacks of virtual learning is “Zoom fatigue,” which describes the phenomenon where those who work remotely experience the side effect of exhaustion and irritability derived from days of video conferencing. While this observation is somewhat subjective, head of the Institute of Neural Engineering at Austria’s Graz University of Technology, Gernot Müller-Putz, sought concrete, neurophysiological evidence of cognitive overload during long, virtual meetings that could explain these effects. In order
to collect such data, he, along with his colleagues, conducted a study involving 35 students who would take part in two 50-minute classes: one performed in person and the other virtually. The tools at the team’s disposal were both in-class questionnaires from students on how they felt during instruction and electrocardiograms (ECGs) and electroencephalograms (EKGs) hooked up to students to measure their heart rate and brain activity, respectively. Through particularly the ECGs and EKGs, Müller-Putz and his colleagues found that heart-rate and brain wave readings indicated exhaustion and difficulty focusing only 15 minutes into the online class — a capture of said “Zoom fatigue.” Having acquired this newfound data, Müller-Putz rationalized these results through several factors, explaining how aspects such as lag make it difficult for the brain to rely on body language or eye contact to help with interpreting conversation and the tendency to become self-conscious with one’s own image presented to them by Zoom and similar apps. These findings supporting the legitimacy of “Zoom fatigue” are, in fact, further substantiated by active scientific research conducted in 2021, useful for not only understanding the limitations of the medium of learning but, perhaps more importantly, methods for countering such limitations. This research emphasized how our brains use rewards from tasks, even simple ones such as simply walking in between classes, as ways to increase alertness, energy, and motivation principles in reducing fatigue, such tasks being noticeably absent from the medium of the non-phys-
ical virtual learning. In addition to Müller-Putz and his team’s findings of newfound difficulties relying on body language or eye contact in interpreting conversation, these studies found that non-verbal cues are easier to pick up on than in online video calls: a factor necessitating greater work to socialize and, therefore, greater fatigue. Yet with all of its imperfections, is virtual learning the best that can be done given the less-than-ideal circumstances? To investigate this, Joshua Goodman, a professor at Boston University, examined data concerning weather, attendance, and test scores in Massachusetts available from the years 2003 to 2010. By comparing the data of test scores of years with more and less snow, Goodman found that years of heavy snow (some days receiving more than 10 inches) resulting in greater snow days off had no effect on math scores while they lowered in years of moderate (4-10 inches) snow — a result of some schools remaining open in poor conditions and negatively impacting students unable to attend. Goodman would go on to say that “snow days, maybe surprisingly, are less disruptive than other forms of lost instructional time,” that “coordinating everyone being absent at once is actually easier to deal with than the messiness of other kinds of lost instructional time.” Additionally, with greater absences in virtual learning, such as only 400,000 of 500,000 New York City students appearing virtually on January 26, which may therefore disrupt learning potential and scores, the question must be raised whether, simply because technology has enabled this new mode of learning, it is truly the most fitting response.
Super Bowl 2026: The rematch episode (explained for people who don’t watch football on purpose) BY JEYLAN JUBRAN, OPINION COLUMNIST If you don’t know football, that’s okay. You’re actually the target audience for this Super Bowl (and this article). Here’s the deal: Super Bowl 2026 is being hyped as a rematch, which in football terms means “didn’t we already fight about this?” Yes. Yes, we did. And now people are desperate to fight about it again. The Super Bowl is the final boss of the NFL season. Two teams. One game. Millions of people who suddenly claim they “knew ball all along.” Also, snacks, which are arguably the most important part. So what does “rematch” actually mean? It means these two teams have met on the Super Bowl stage before. One of them won. The other one has been emotionally unwell ever since. You’ve probably heard the phrases: “That ref call was suspicious.” “If we had 30 more seconds…” “We were literally one play away.” “I’m still mad, and it’s been YEARS.” That’s the energy. Those sentences live rent-free in the losing fanbase’s vocabulary. Now, you might be wondering who this diva of a team matchup is. And the honest answer is: we don’t officially know yet. The Super Bowl is always played after the season, so anyone confidently naming teams right now is lying to you with their chest. That said, football fans are already spiraling, and one of the most talked-about dream (or nightmare) scenarios is a Patriots vs. Seahawks rematch. Yes, that game. The 2015 Super Bowl. The one that still causes arguments at family gatherings. The one that launched a thousand “worst decision ever” debates. Is it confirmed? Absolutely not. Is it being manifested aggressively? Without a doubt.
This is why people are being dramatic. Football fans never move on. In every rematch narrative, the roles are clear: One team says, “We already beat you. Get over it.” The other says, “That win doesn’t count, and history owes us justice.” It’s not just about winning. It’s about rewriting the group chat narrative. You don’t need to know playbooks or stats to enjoy this. Here’s the simplified vibe: Team A: “We already proved ourselves. We’re chill. Definitely not stressed.” Team B: “We have been waiting for this moment. We think about it daily.” Every highlight from the last Super Bowl gets replayed like evidence in court. Every interview sounds calm, but it means violence. This is elite, petty, professionally produced entertainment. You can fully fake it by nodding and saying things like: “Defense wins championships.” “Momentum matters.” “Yeah, coaching adjustments.”
And if anything goes wrong? Blame the refs. Always valid. And honestly? Even with all this drama, there’s only one confirmed reason I’ll be watching. Bad Bunny. Yes, football is happening. Yes, the rivalry is intense. But Benito performing at the Super Bowl means I will be seated, snacks secured, volume up, and suddenly very invested in a sport I pretend not to understand. At that point, the teams are background noise. I’m here for vibes, visuals, and a performance that will absolutely overshadow everything else. No matter who wins the game, one fanbase gets peace, the other starts planning the next rematch immediately, Twitter becomes unusable, and someone will call it “the greatest Super Bowl of all time” within 90 seconds. So no, you don’t need to understand football to enjoy Super Bowl 2026. You just need to understand this: it’s not a game. It’s unfinished beef on national television — plus Bad Bunny. Choose your side. Or don’t. Just bring snacks.
PHOTO COURTESY OF BLEACHERREPORT.COM
PRISHA VAGVALA FOR THE STUTE
SNOW DAY OFF OR ZOOM DAY?
Snow day olympics: Stevens edition BY PRISHA VAGVALA, FEATURES EDITOR As heaps of snow engulfed Hoboken, walking down Wittpenn Walk suddenly felt like being transported onto an ice skating rink, using sneakers instead of skates on a slippery slope. Although the day off was reminiscent of the good old Zoom days and staying at home, that did not stop Stevens students from venturing outside into a little bit of… okay, more like 10 plus inches of snow. What started as a snow day quickly turned into the Stevens Snow Olympics. We make it over to Schaeffer Lawn for our competitive skiing and snowboarding slope. Who can glide gleefully across the slanted, powdery snow the fastest? We see students gearing up to embrace the snowy slope, making their way down, face-planting into the soft, cushioning pillow of snow, or successfully coming to a stop at the end of the lawn. And why stop at Schaeffer when our wonderful campus sits on a hill with a pretty steep slope? After all the hard work we put into walking up to Howe every morning, I think it’s worthwhile to take advantage of this hill and turn it into a sledding slope. As a commuter, I have no idea why people have sleds in their dorms, but it worked out perfectly for this occasion, where people got on their bellies on their sleds and made their way down from Howe to Babbio or UCC. Unfortunately, I missed out on that fun, but what a perfect way to make use of the icy hill. Next, we have Stevens students’ specialty, making igloos! Igloos are a labor of love and time, and how someone makes the lovely, tall igloo that sits next to the Torch Bearer statue every year (I’ve only been here for two years), I will never know. Given that the snowstorm
gave us powdery snow, we know it took true grit to stand in the cold for that long and compact powdery ice with freezing hands to make a perfect igloo. So, to whoever made that igloo, just know that your igloo is being well appreciated. Students stop to take pictures by it, and the sheer height of that thing is impressive. Now, I would like to introduce you to our favorite made-up sport: biking through the snow. The snow never stopped students from trying it. I have no idea how it works, but balancing a bike on a slippery, thick surface must have been a struggle, yet these bikers persevered while holding sleds in their hands. They made it to their destination, I hope, and back to campus in impressive timing. Next, let’s bring it over to frat/ sorority row, where frat brothers and sorority sisters were having a snowball fight with each other. Who will land the most snowballs? And also, how did they even form a snowball in the first place with this non-sticky snow? Who knows? All I know is that a bunch of snowballs were launched and successfully hit their targets. I’m sure those trees made great covers and firing positions for the snowballs. If a snowball fight is not your thing, I’m sure Stevens students had plenty of fun making tiny snowmen. Given the amount of snow we have on campus, it would be perfect for a who-can-make-the-bestsnowman competition. I made a snowman using a bucket of water to hold the snow together. Unfortunately, she has melted at this point, but the process of making her was both arduous and fun. No matter how you enjoy the snow or what your favorite winter sport is, bundle up, and most importantly, have so much fun.
February movies to watch: upcoming releases BY JEYLAN JUBRAN, OPINION COLUMNIST February 2026 is surprisingly stacked with films that span thrillers, family movies, romance, adaptations, and cult-interest releases. So whether you’re into drama, action, or something weird and wild, there’s a pick for you. One of the buzziest films this month is Wuthering Heights — a bold new adaptation of the classic gothic romance starring Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi, hitting theaters around Valentine’s Day weekend. It’s already sparked conversation for its dramatic visuals and intense chemistry. Also coming out on February 13 is Crime 101, a sleek heist thriller featuring a stacked cast like Chris Hemsworth, Mark Ruffalo, and Halle Berry — perfect if you want something tense and stylish. If you’re looking for lighter fare (or something to watch with younger siblings), GOAT arrives the same day — an animated sports comedy about a goat with big dreams in a ridiculous high-intensity animal sport. Another choice for early February is With Love, a Tamil romantic comedy that lands on February 6, and brings charming vibes and cultural flair to the season.
For a mix of genres throughout the month, check out: • Good Luck, Have Fun, Don’t Die — a sci-fi comedy adventure with a bizarre premise and memorable cast. • Cold Storage — a sci-fi thriller starring Liam Neeson and Joe Keery involving a dangerous micro-organism. • The Sheep Detectives — a quirky comedy fantasy with Hugh Jackman and Emma Thompson, releasing toward the end of the month. • Scream 7 — for horror fans, the next chapter of the Ghostface saga arrives on February 27. And if you’re into global cinema, films like The Loved One (a Filipino romantic drama) and Vadh 2 (a compelling Hindi crime thriller) are also set for February releases, adding international flavor to the lineup. Even streaming platforms are joining the fun: while this list focuses on theatrical releases, February also brings major OTT hits and season drops that shape how people talk about movies and shows online. Whether you want a rom-com for Valentine’s weekend, a thriller that makes you jump, or a goofy animated night with friends, February 2026 has something to watch.
Friday, February 6
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PHOTO COURTESY OF STEVENSDUCKS.COM SHOT BY JOESIMON.PHOTOGRAPHY
Sports
Men’s and Women’s Basketball go up against Arcadia in MAC Freedom play BY CAMRYN WINANT, SPORTS EDITOR On Saturday, December 31, the Men’s and Women’s Basketball teams went up against Arcadia University in Middle Atlantic Conference Freedom action. The women’s team left with a 84-60 loss, and the men’s team with a win at 82-79. The women’s team performed first with their game at 1 p.m. The Ducks outscored the Knights in the second half of their game, 8460, but still faced a loss by the end of it. The first half of the game left the Ducks struggling, with points being put up by seniors Dorothy Loffredo, Audrey Kehoe, Leyla Castro, and Olivia Schubiger, and sophomore Katherine Bogutsky. Despite early layups from Loffredo and Kehoe, the Knights held the Ducks scoreless for 6:49 in the first quarter, managing to
score 20 points. Schubiger was able to get some points for the Ducks, but Arcadia responded swiftly with 15 straight points. The second half opened with Bogutsky scoring, Stevens going on a 10-3 scoring run. Both teams traded baskets, with Schubiger scoring six points and Loffredo managing to cut Arcadia’s lead to 21 points ahead at 66-45. More scoring from Loffredo and Schubiger cut the deficit to 19, but they were not able to pull through with a win. By the end of the game, Schubiger had recorded her third 20-point game of the season, with 22 points matching her career high. Bogutsky came in with 10 points, and Loffredo collected seven rebounds, which tied first-year Maya Abramson for the team lead. The men’s team followed with their game at 3 p.m. The action in the first half opened up quickly,
with the teams trading baskets to tie them at eight. The Ducks then followed with a 7-0 point run, shortly followed by a three-minute run with a scoreless Arcadia. Points in the first half were put up by juniors Kyle Maddison, Tommy Scholl, Harmehar Chhabra, and Anthony Loscalzo. A three-pointer was put up by the Knights, but the Ducks didn’t let that slow them down, coming back with a 9-1 point run to give them a double-digit lead. Both teams consistently put up points, but Maddison ended the first half with a layup, sending them into halftime with a leading score of 48-34. The Ducks dominated when the second half started, scoring eight out of the 11 points, with shots from Scholl and Maddison. Senior Brendan Coughlan gave the Ducks their greatest lead of 22 points, but Arcadia was quick
The Stevens fencing teams battled hard at the Eric Sollee Invitational on Saturday, January 31, 2026, at Brandeis University. After a strong performance, the men’s team fell to Boston College, Brandeis, MIT, NJIT, and NYU. The women’s team faced similar difficulties, falling to Boston College, Brandeis, MIT, Brown University, Wellesley College, and Tufts University. The men’s team’s closest bout was in the end, where the Ducks were pushed out 14-13 by NYU. Stevens won both foil and epee but lost the advantage in sabre (7-2). Senior Aden Vishnevsky went a perfect 3-0 in foil, while second-year Ricardo Pires finished 2-1. Third-year Riley Parker went 3-0 in epee. Second-year Chinli Ong collected two victories in sabre. The epees also won against
MIT, going 6-3. The first-years had a strong showing here, with Skanda Krishnan going 3-0 and Donovan Aggelar posting 2-1. The epees also came out on top against the Brandeis “B” team. The women’s team had some great individual bouts, but ultimately fell to their opponents. Against Boston College, thirdyear Sasha Crain went 2-1 in sabre. The Ducks posted their closest result of the day against Wellesley College, with both foil and sabre finishing 4-5. Second-year Ashlyn Leung went a perfect 3-0, while Craine added a win for sabre. Foil and epee both went 3-6 against MIT. Craine led the sabre squad with two wins, while Leung added a third win for the Sabres against the Beavers. The Ducks will host their only home tournament of the season on Sunday, February 8, welcoming the MACFA Round Robin Group “B” to Canvas Arena and Walker Gym.
FRI, FEB 6 MEN’S VOLLEYBALL Springfield College Springfield, MA 6 p.m. WRESTLING TCNJ Ewing, NJ 6 p.m.
SAT, FEB 7 MEN’S VOLLEYBALL
to leave the Ducks scoreless after that, going on a 15-0 point run. Throughout the rest of the second half, there were points put up by senior Matt Leming, Loscalzo, Scholl, Coughlan, and Maddison. With the game almost over, Arcadia was able to get its score up, cutting the deficit to four with a score of 71-67. The Ducks were able to regrow their lead slightly, but the Knights fought back hard with the game ending at a final score of 82-79. Scholl ended the game with 25 points put up, all five of Stevens’ starters finished with double-digit scores, and the Ducks recorded a season high of 10 steals— four of them from Loscalzo. The men’s and women’s basketball teams will be seen again hosting Misericordia University on February 7, with the women’s team at 1 p.m. and the men’s team at 3 p.m.
Stevens’ Fencing begin the new year at the Eric Sollee Invitational BY RIYANA PHADKE, SCIENCE EDITOR
ON DECK IN SPORTS
Opponent TBD Springfield, MA TBD WOMEN’S AND MEN’S BASKETBALL Misericordia University Hoboken, NJ 1 p.m. WOMEN’S AND MEN’S TRACK AND FIELD Big Apple Invitational Staten Island, NY 3 p.m.
SUN, FEB 8 MEN’S FENCING MACFA Round Robin Group “B” Hoboken, NJ 10 a.m. WOMEN’S FENCING Stevens Invitational Hoboken, NJ 11 a.m.
TUE, FEB 10 MEN’S VOLLEYBALL NYU Hoboken, NJ 7 p.m.
WED, FEB 11 WOMEN’S BASKETBALL Delaware Valley University Doylestown, PA 6 p.m. MEN’S BASKETBALL Delaware Valley University Doylestown, PA 7 p.m.
THU, FEB 12 WOMEN’S AND MEN’S SWIMMING MAC Championships York, PA 5:30 p.m. PHOTO COURTESY OF STEVENSDUCKS.COM SHOT BY CARLISLE STOCKTON
STEVENS SCOREBOARD DATE
WED, JAN 28
FRI, JAN 30
SAT, JAN 31
TEAM
MEN'S BASKETBALL WOMEN'S BASKETBALL MEN'S VOLLEYBALL MEN'S AND WOMEN'S TRACK AND FIELD MEN'S VOLLEYBALL MEN'S AND WOMEN'S TRACK AND FIELD WOMEN'S FENCING MEN'S FENCING WRESTLING WOMEN'S BASKETBALL MEN'S VOLLEYBALL MEN'S BASKETBALL MEN'S VOLLEYBALL
OPPONENT
LOCATION
SCORE
LEBANON VALLEY COLLEGE LEBANON VALLEY COLLEGE NEW PALTZ 27TH ANNUAL BISON CHALLENGE AND MULTI
HOME AWAY AWAY AWAY
W (71-70) L (50-63) W (3-0) COMPLETE
JUNIATA COLLEGE ALVERNIA PLEX SHOOTOUT
AWAY AWAY
W (3-2) COMPLETE
ERIC SOLLEE INVITATIONAL ERIC SOLLEE INVITATIONAL ITHACA COLLEGE ARCADIA UNIVERSITY LASELL COLLEGE ARCADIA UNIVERSITY KEAN UNIVERSITY
AWAY AWAY AWAY AWAY AWAY AWAY AWAY
6 LOSSES 6 LOSSES L (15-24) L (60-84) W (3-1) W (82-79) W (3-1)
Friday, February 6
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Science As Greenland melts, global interests heat up BY NIHIRA PATHAK, STAFF WRITER Since 2019, the United States, along with other superpower nations have expressed its interest in laying claim to Greenland, with President Trump saying he is “seeking immediate negotiations to once again discuss the acquisition of Greenland by the United States.” Greenland is a key geopolitical interest to multiple leaders due to the lack of international protection and the resources hidden beneath its surface. Greenland, unlike Antarctica, is not protected by an international treaty. Some of the minerals found in Greenland include graphite, lithium, zinc, and rare-earth minerals — all of which are critical to developing clean energy technologies, a rapidly growing sector. If obtained, these vital minerals help innovations in the clean energy industry, offering a significant competitive advantage over entities that do not have access to the components. For most of its history, the minerals have been difficult to mine because of the ice covering. Over the past 29 years, however, Greenland has been rapidly losing its ice sheet, expediting access to the
minerals. As the ice sheet is predicted to continue decreasing, access to the minerals also becomes much easier, an essential motivator to acquire the entire country. That said, melting ice leads to greater ecological concerns like rising sea levels. Since 1993, global sea levels have risen four inches and will continue to rise. Higher sea levels endanger coastal communities, lead to severe flooding during storms and high tides, and disrupt oceanic circulation patterns, affecting weather patterns throughout the hemispheres. The ocean starts absorbing more of the sun’s energy when ice sheets melt, warming up the ocean and exacerbating the issue. Many countries see Greenland’s ecological damage as an opportunity to create new trade routes. The route, coined the “Polar Silk Road” by China, is a shipping corridor that passes through Russia’s northern coast and is only open for a few months of the year. The path significantly reduces the distance between Europe and Asia while also reducing dependence on traditional and politically vulnerable shipping paths like the Suez Canal. Increased shipping through this area, though, poses large ecological risks as well.
Ships emit fuel containing black carbon, which accelerates global warming. Extraction of minerals and Greenland’s vast oil resources, as it stands, seems somewhat implausible. The logistics involved in truly mining and obtaining the resources follow difficult logistics, with Lukas Slothuus, a researcher at the University of Sussex, saying, “there is almost no road infrastructure in Greenland and limited deep-water ports for large tankers and container ships,” complicating exporting minerals. Though Greenland has gained media attention in recent years, it has always been unique for scientific research. The largely Inuit population has been living around the edge of the icy land for a millennium. This has lent itself to physical isolation and genomic changes unseen elsewhere. The population has experienced a population bottleneck, resulting in extremely unique genetic variants. Greenland sits at the intersection of scientific research, geopolitical interests, and the climate crisis. While many world powers and companies frame Greenland as a commodity to be acquired, there are significant ecological concerns to be aware of.
Exhaled chemicals reveal children’s microbiome health BY RIYANA PHADKE, SCIENCE EDITOR Tiny traces of chemicals in the breath are beginning to reveal big secrets about the gut. New research suggests that by “sniffing” these molecules, clinicians may someday diagnose microbiome-related diseases quickly and non-invasively, especially in children. The human gut hosts trillions of microbes that help digest food, train the immune system, and influence metabolism. Disturbances in this microbial ecosystem have been linked to obesity and asthma, demonstrating the need for tools that can track microbiome health in real time. Traditional methods rely on stool sequencing, which is accurate but slow, making it hard to use for routine or frequent monitoring. Researchers are now turning to the breath as a faster, more practical window into gut health. As gut microbes break down components of our diet that human enzymes cannot handle, they release volatile organic compounds (VOCs). These VOCs enter the bloodstream and are exhaled, creating a chemical “fingerprint” of the microbial community. The Washington University team explains that these microbe-derived compounds are “excreted from the body through exhaled breath,” and that their patterns can reveal which microbes are living in the intestines. In a recent study from Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis and Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, scientists analyzed breath and stool samples from 27 healthy children aged 6 to 12. Their goal was to match specific VOCs in the breath to the microbes identified in stool samples. They found that VOCs measured in breath closely matched compounds known to be produced by the microbes in the gut, confirming that breath can serve as a useful proxy for the intestinal microbiome. In other words, the compounds in the children’s breath “matched the compounds known to be produced by the very microbes present in their stool.” To further test this link, the researchers turned to mice raised
without any gut microbes, then colonized them with defined sets of bacteria. In these germ-free animals, breath VOC profiles again reflected which microbes had been introduced, reinforcing the idea that gut-resident bacteria shape the “breath volatilome” across species. The team also explored how breath analysis might help in specific diseases. Pediatric asthma has been associated with an increased intestinal abundance of the bacterium Eubacterium siraeum. By comparing breath and stool samples from healthy children and children with asthma, the researchers showed that breath profiles could predict the abundance of E. siraeum in children with asthma. This suggests that breath-based tests might detect early microbiome shifts that influence respiratory conditions, potentially before symptoms worsen. Clinicians see particular promise in pediatrics and neonatal care. As senior author Andrew L. Kau, MD, PhD, notes, “Rapid assessment of the gut microbiome’s health could significantly enhance clinical care, especially for young children.” He adds that “early detection could lead to prompt interventions for conditions like allergies and serious bacterial infections in preterm infants,” highlighting how a simple breath test could guide earlier, more targeted treatment. Because breath collection is painless and non-invasive, it is especially attractive for vulnerable populations who may not tolerate frequent blood draws or invasive sampling. For example, routine screening in premature infants might reveal microbiome disruptions that precede dangerous infections, allowing clinicians to intervene sooner. The findings, reported in Cell Metabolism in January 2026, lay the groundwork for developing clinical-grade breath diagnostics for microbiome-related disease. Building on earlier breath-based tests for infectious agents, future devices might allow patients to simply breathe into a handheld instrument that reports on gut health and flags risky bacterial patterns, ultimately allowing physicians to tailor prevention and treatment.
The hidden impact of air pollution on the teenage brain PHOTO COURTESY OF NYTIMES.COM
James Webb Space Telescope probes dark matter’s influence on the universe BY ATREYEE HALDER, SCIENCE WRITER Amazingly, science has recently unraveled a secret of “dark matter,” a mysterious, invisible substance making up most of the universe. Using data from NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), scientists have made one of the most detailed, high-resolution maps of dark matter ever produced. The study was published in the journal Nature Astronomy last Monday, on January 26. Although dark matter does not make itself visible, it plays a very important role in giving galaxies in our universe extra mass, as theorized by scientists. This generates extra gravity needed to keep galaxies intact. If dark matter did not exist, these galaxies would have torn themselves apart long ago; they are rotating with such speed that the gravity generated by their observable matter could not possibly hold them together. “This is the largest dark matter map we’ve made with Webb, and it’s twice as sharp as any dark matter map made by other observatories,” said Diana Scognamiglio, lead author of the paper and an astrophysicist at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern California. “Previously, we were
looking at a blurry picture of dark matter. Now we’re seeing the invisible scaffolding of the universe in stunning detail, thanks to Webb’s incredible resolution.” Found in the constellation Sextans, the area covered by the map is a section of sky about 2.5 times larger than the full Moon. The JWST peered at this region for a total of about 255 hours and identified nearly 800,000 galaxies, some of which were detected for the first time. Scognamiglio and her colleagues then looked for dark matter by observing how its mass curves space itself, which in turn bends the light traveling to Earth from distant galaxies. When observed by researchers, it’s as if the light of those galaxies has passed through a warped windowpane! The map illustrates the degree of overlap between dark matter and regular matter. The findings indicate that dark matter interacts with the universe through gravity, clearer than ever before. “Wherever we see a big cluster of thousands of galaxies, we also see an equally massive amount of dark matter in the same place. And when we see a thin string of regular matter connecting two of those clusters, we see a string of dark matter as well,” said Richard Massey, an astrophysicist at Durham Univer-
sity in the United Kingdom and a coauthor of the new study. “It’s not just that they have the same shapes. This map shows us that dark matter and regular matter have always been in the same place. They grew up together.” According to the paper’s authors, the JWST’s observations confirm that this close alignment cannot be a coincidence but, rather, is due to dark matter’s gravity pulling regular matter toward it. The map demonstrates that dark matter and ordinary matter always co-existed and evolved together throughout cosmic history. Dark matter determined the large-scale distribution of galaxies in the universe. Additionally, by prompting galaxy and star formation to begin earlier than they would have otherwise, dark matter’s influence also played a role in creating the conditions for complex planets to eventually form. “This map provides stronger evidence that without dark matter, we might not have the elements in our galaxy that allowed life to appear,” said NASA’s JPL (Jet Propulsion Laboratory) astrophysicist Jason Rhodes. “Dark matter is not something we encounter in our everyday life on Earth, or even in our solar system, but it has definitely influenced us.”
BY DISHA GOHIL, SCIENCE WRITER Outdoor air pollution is a combination of dangerous chemicals and gases stemming from various sources, such as wildfires and volcanic activity, to traffic and factories. This causes harmful pollutants to circulate in the air, such as particulate matter (PM), ground-level ozone (O3), and nitrogen dioxide (NO2). A recent study published in Environmental Research suggests that the inhalation of such pollutants may alter the physical development of the brain among adolescents. Previous research has established the connection between poor air quality and respiratory and cardiovascular diseases. However, there is growing concern about how these pollutants affect the central nervous system. Pollutants like fine particulate matter are small enough to penetrate into the lungs, where they can enter the bloodstream and possibly cross the protective barrier that shields the brain. Once in the brain, they could disrupt the function of neurons. However, adolescents may be more susceptible to this issue as “their bodies are still developing, and they tend to breathe in more air relative to their body weight than adults do”. “What we’re discovering is that chronic exposure to common, low-level air pollutants may act like a slow, subtle pressure on the developing brain,” said Calvin Jara, M.D., resident in otolaryngology/ head and neck surgeries in the OHSU School of Medicine, and lead author of the study. “It may
not cause symptoms right away, but over time it appears capable of nudging brain development off its typical course, with potential consequences for developmental trajectories and outcomes across the life course.” To understand the effects on adolescents, around 11,000 participants (ages 9 and 10) were recruited for the study. Researchers used the addresses of the participants to determine their exposure to certain air pollutants. Throughout the course of four years, these participants underwent MRI scans so that researchers could measure cortical thickness across various regions of their brains. The data showed that higher exposure to particulate matter and nitrogen dioxide was associated with faster cortical thinning. Also, they found that the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain were most affected, which are parts of the brain key in executive functions and social cues, respectively. Researchers warn that these effects can negatively affect a child’s well-being in that such changes in their brain structure can lead to impaired attention and behavioral concerns. “Environmental factors have a huge impact on how healthy children can be, and ultimately how healthy they’ll be over their lifetime,” said Bonnie Nagel, Ph.D., OHSU’s Interim Chief Research Officer, and the study’s co-author. “This work adds to the growing body of evidence that pollution is not just an environmental issue; it’s a significant and growing health issue, especially for our youngest and most vulnerable.”
Friday, February 6
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Opinion THE STUTE EDITORIAL
NINETEEN
For someone who is quite vocal about their aversion to writing, I have written a lot more than I could have ever dreamed. This will be my 19th editorial. N I N E T E E N… It is a lot, to me. We have writers in The Stute who have written triple what I have accomplished. But it makes me wonder, will I continue this? Will I keep counting? My term ends in March. My position is more complicated than others; you have to serve on the executive board (e-board) for at least a year before you are eligible for Editor-in-Chief. And keep in mind, there are very few EICs that have done a double term. Besides my own struggle of how I would like my senior year at Stevens to look, I have had many
Stuters worry about running in our annual elections. Why? When I ran for Layout Editor (two years ago ), I was running against my mentor, who taught me Adobe Indesign and another fellow assistant who had the same experience I did. I considered both of those people to be more qualified! Yes, I was worried about stepping on people’s toes, especially the girl who spent hours teaching me. Guess what? I spoke with them, and they encouraged me to run against them. My mentor was so excited to see me run and make my own way in The Stute. To my current Stuters, this is the way of our newspaper! Don’t run in fear of stepping on someone’s toes. No position belongs to someone. We lift each other up, and we encourage each other! All in good com-
😳
petition! It’s opportunities like these that change our college experience. Had my mentor not encouraged me to run against her, I would not have! I would not have been the Layout Editor and fallen more in love with Adobe InDesign. I would not have been able to become Editor-in-Chief and write 19 editorials. Stuters, do not think you are taking an opportunity from someone else, encourage each other, and run for what you want to. And if you are really worried about stepping on each other’s toes, be honest! Have a conversation! Do not take an opportunity away from yourself because you are trying to “give” it to another person. That is not how elections work, and that is not how we elect the “best” e-board we can.
MIND OF A FRESHMAN
BY ROBERT JACK DIETRICH ‘29 Only a few weeks ago, the Stevens population returned for the spring semester. While most came back this semester to continue in their given program, many freshmen— myself included—came back to start a new program as in the past month, we switched our majors. Now, while we have already experienced what it is like to be a student at Stevens, we are going into this semester partially blind and unaware as to what our new program looks like. Some changes are simple, like switching your specific type of engineering. Some are more major, like the handful of people transferring into the School of Business. But, for me at least, the transition is the most serious change of pace I have ever experienced as I switched from a Computer Science major to Music and Technology. Thus, my second first semester. I had already planned to minor in music tech when
ROBERT JACK DIETRICH FOR THE STUTE
Jiya Jaisinghani ‘27
Editor-in-Chief
SENIORITIS
The second first semester I came to Stevens. However, as I moved further into the program, I felt myself becoming less engaged and losing enthusiasm for my given plan of study. For one, the CS program is so incredibly dense that I wouldn’t be able to reasonably take any music-related classes until my third or fourth semester. Furthermore, I wasn’t engaging with the classes as much as I thought I would. I know that they were all introductory courses, but still, if I wasn’t enjoying the foundations of my major, what suggests I’ll like the nitty-gritty of it? Honestly, what convinced me the most to change majors was the CS 101 class. It consisted of a weekly lecture where we would hear from people in the industry about what they were doing. Week after week, a lecturer would come into our Zoom meeting and talk about how they were using AI in their field and how AI was affecting their work. Now, giving credit where credit is due, using AI to predict life-threatening illnesses is a very noble cause, but it is not for me, nor is using AI to forecast potential financial trends or enhance the user experience. Not a single one of these classes interested me because I want to do something creative with my degree. AI cannot be creative, full stop.
I am unsure if I will run for Editor-in-Chief again. I love it. Time will tell, and the stress of the elections will force me to make a decision soon. To my e-board, please run against me if you want to. Ask me anything and everything, and I would be honored to teach you all that I know. And if you are thinking of not running because of someone else, think again — that is not the atmosphere we want to create here. Anyone and everyone is welcome to try for a position. Don’t sell yourself short. I wonder how long I will have to continue to write these editorials. Will my last one be in March 2026 or 2027? Goodbye, my 19th editorial. I have no idea what the 20th will be about. Time reveals all. Till next time, Stuters!
Strangers
So, over break, I did the ‘ole switcheroo on my study plan. I would now be a music tech major with a comp sci minor. I worked with an academic advisor to gut and switch my schedule to be more music-focused. Being that I was starting the program in the spring, I was doing a few classes out of order as the prereqs were only available in the fall. Regardless, my schedule was now mostly humanities and music-related courses. The thing is, while I was returning to the same school I left, my experience in these first few weeks has been completely different. It has felt like my second first semester. I am meeting all the new department heads and deans of schools. My classmates are now completely different (minus my one CS class), and I am starting to forge new relationships with people within my discipline. In many ways, this semester is no different than the last. I still live in the same dorm with the same roommates. I still eat dinner with the same people in the same dining hall. But, I am experiencing this school for the first time as a humanities major, and all that department has to offer. So to anyone else who has switched majors, good luck, have fun, and welcome to Stevens (again)!
BY ABBY THOMAS ‘26 I think Taylor Swift says it best: “Please don’t ever become a stranger whose laugh I could recognize anywhere.” Even though I’m not exactly sure who she is talking about, whenever I hear this lyric, I can’t help but relate, especially as I slowly approach the end of my time in college. I think about all of the people I’ve met, all of the people I’ve loved, and all of the people I’ve simply interacted with. I may not know every single person’s laugh or the specific way they take their coffee, but there are a select few that I could probably write a biography about. Their highpitched wheeze followed by guaranteed tears. A black coffee, hot. My friends and I always joke about how interesting our early friendships and relationships were when we first entered college. These jokes make the sour situations a little sweeter with space to reminisce and dive deep into the nostalgia. I find the concept of strangers so odd. Like how can we be the bestest of friends all freshman year and talk every single day, but now we just walk past each other going up the Babbio stairs like nothing ever happened. Or how could we spend an entire night talking and laughing and spending time with each other, and then a few weeks later we slightly wave and pretend like we don’t know each other? And sure, this could pertain to romantic relation-
COMIC CORNER BY BROOKE NAGURKA
ships and exes of course (sigh), but more so, I find the concept of strangers to be more influential when talking about friendships that are no longer. When you’re a freshman, they really just throw you into the fire with no means of extinguishing it. You move into a new place, different from the room you’ve known all your life, and are expected to be best friends with the random person in the other bed. You go to orientation and clash with everyone in your year, trying to see what friendships stick. You go do crazy sidequests that consequently trauma-bond you, for lack of better words. My point is: all of these experiences are shared with the most random people. It’s only a matter of who you bump into first that will decide your friendships for the first couple weeks of school. You go through the rest of college intentionally meeting your people through Greek life, athletics, organizations, and other activities, seeking out like-minded friends. You jump into new, curated friend groups, and it’s the people who share some of the most formative moments with you who are suddenly strangers. So strange. And then, of course, there are the relationships we experience throughout college. The first “serious” college boyfriends and the
weekend dinner dates, friendships that never let you buy your own coffee, and all those in-between situations. However unsubstantial and fleeting these interactions can be, these relationships can seriously rewire things in our brains. Like, take an ex, for example. They know everything about you down to your deepest fears, and that one thing you told them that nobody else in the world knows. And I know how you like to spend your Sundays and exactly where you got that scar on your knee when you were six. Even though we don’t talk, we still know each other more than most people probably ever will. And I may or may not be talking about specific people in my life, I could be making these stories up just to juice up this paper and have you all thinking “who is she talking about?” for all you know. Alas, I’m no better than the next person. I too don’t typically reach out and try to rekindle with those I’ve shared moments, months, and all the in-between with. I sit with the dissonance and hypocrisy – I like it like that sometimes. It’s contradictory and blissful! Strangers are a weird concept, especially in an environment like Stevens, where we all kind of know each other. I guess not everyone will be in our lives forever. I wonder if we are all just strangers.
PHOTO COURTESY OF BRITANNICA
Friday, February 6
8
Opinion BOOK OF THE WEEK
A trippy stay with The Hour of the Star
BY CHRISTINA THOMAS ‘26 The Hour of the Star by Clarice Lispector is a short novella following our narrator, Rodrigo, as he tries to tell a story about a poor woman named Macabea. Macabea, according to Rodrigo, is an unassuming, bland, and boring woman
whom he cannot help but tell the story about, despite how dreadful he finds her to be. This novel is a work of translated fiction, and it takes place in Brazil, where it was written. Through Rodrigo, we follow Macabea’s life story and witness how she is treated throughout it. The story is narrated in first person, but the actual story being told is in third person. Lispector is masterful at exploring perspectives — the narrator speaks directly to us, the audience, but his words do not match the events occurring in Macabea’s life. Rodrigo’s misconceptions and unreliability are revealed as we look into Macabea’s life as a poor
and underprivileged woman living in Brazil in the late 1900s. This novel has an interesting use of narration and perspective, making the experience incredibly distinctive. The content of the actual story involves Macabea, but the point or theme of the story is told through Rodrigo’s perspective in his narration. He believes himself to be the only person to tell this story correctly, which informs a lot of the narrative choices he makes throughout the text. This is a story about poverty, class, and misogyny told through the perspective of someone who believes that he is higher than all of them, which
UNDERGROUND WORLD OF FASHION
Chanel and Dior…idk
BY GAVIN RUBY ‘27 Chanel and Dior have finally shown their couture shows, and I have mixed feelings about the houses. I have fought tooth and nail defending Matthieu Blazy since he started his time at Chanel because it felt like the old Chanel clientele, that were very commercially driven by Virginie Viard, which was not clicking with the minimalism that Blazy was infusing into his pieces. His clothes are very Bottega-esque and very true to going back to the basics and looking into the house codes that haven’t been touched in a very long time. I feel about Blazy the same way I feel about Dior under Jonathan Anderson as the creative director. I really have a deep admiration for Anderson because as a creative, he is super talented and is able to create just about anything out of nothing and let it be avant-garde. His time at his own namesake brand and Loewe worked because it is supposed to be camp, but Dior, especially after Maria Grazia Chiuri, is not camp. Even though the clothes haven’t been clicking for me personally, I have been defending this man and his decisions because they are so far detached from what we are used to. Both Blazy and Anderson went straight into their respective houses
and flipped them upside down. This course of action is different than at places like Gucci and Balenciaga, where creative directors opted for slow transitions. On their own, these two creatives are amazing, but I can’t help but feel let down by the different decisions that they have made. Starting with Dior, this couture collection is probably the most enjoyable show that I have seen. For his first couture collection, Anderson really created a fantasy that felt true to him and the house, which I feel like is needed for his seasonal ready-to-wear (RTW) collections that feels like a disconnect between Dior and Jonathan Anderson. Whereas Anderson created a fantasy like other couture shows, Blazy’s Chanel struggled — this felt like what I critiqued Viard for during her time at the
company: falling flat and mostly boring designs. Yes, I can agree with the sentiment that these are meant to be worn for a wide variety of ages. But I was still missing a lot of the fantasy. How many more tweed suits or trompe l’oeil using silk do I need to see? From a structural standpoint, these are beautifully made pieces, and it is insane how they were made, but I just felt like the designs fell flat. I’m tired of seeing twopiece suits! Give me a dress that feels like art. Schiaparelli and Robert Wun create a vision that Chanel can do and change, and I want to see that again. Overall, I still trust the work that Blazy and Anderson will contribute to their respective houses, and hope that they continue to bring new perspectives in collections to come.
makes it more interesting. It creates a more complex look into these topics as you are being told a story through someone who does not understand what they are saying. It creates a very meta and direct way of storytelling that works extremely well. The novel is short but certainly packs a punch. It is provocative and fascinating despite featuring only a few characters and pages to work with. This novel is worth exploring topical themes through a “fresh” or different perspective. Even though it was written nearly 50 years ago, it is still extremely relevant and engaging to read.
While I think this novel is compelling, thought-provoking, and completely worth your time, the stylistic prose can be a little difficult to understand if you are not familiar with creative prose. There is also the added attribute that it is a translated work, so the translation can feel a little funky if the translator valued accuracy over flow. The style does work extremely well considering the story, but it can be jarring for the reader when beginning the novel. However, you quickly become used to the style, and I do not find it to be a turn-off to inexperienced readers. Despite this, or even because of it, I do
think this novella is worth reading, especially if you are in the mood for a short but impactful read that will keep you interested and entertained.
PHOTO COURTESY OF AMAZON
ON SHUFFLE
Falling in love with music
BY VIKTOR PALMER ‘28 I can say with full confidence now that I am truly in love with the concept of music. It has changed my life. From being in a band or listening to it, learning about it, or being involved around it, it has molded me into a better version of myself. I truly believe that our connection to music can feel like a connection to people. If we treat music as if it was a real person, it leads us to a deeper understanding of the content of the music, and a better understanding of who we are. I don’t mean this in a parasocial way, I mean really listen to music like it is someone you love and you will fall in love with it. There are emotions we never want to acknowledge or think about, and music allows us to find comfort within our minds as we can hold onto a note and hang onto it until it reaches the end of the song. For me, sorting through harmonies in my head is a type of pattern that brings me immense comfort. Trying to follow along with a rhythm or a new melodic line is so relieving to me. I am the type of person to hear a resolution at the end of a phrase and feel immense comfort from it. Music for me is visual; it comes in a form of patterns, shapes, and colors. Sometimes it
PHOTO COURTESY OF VOGUE
forces me to experience or lose all emotion. Getting to know music is like putting in the time to get to know a real person. If you really start to fall in love with music, start listening to it and appreciate all of its qualities. You’ll notice yourself missing it when it’s gone and suddenly remembering it years after. Some of my first memories are rooted in the music that was on as they happened; some of my memories I only remembered because of a song. Music to me is like the relationship on TV that you always see or the first love you never forget. Music has given me bonds I wouldn’t have been able to acknowledge without its presence. Some of the most important moments of my life even have their own soundtracks. Music has given me an introverted way to build connections with people. I have fallen in and out of love through music. I have lost family, grown, and made new family through music. And while music isn’t necessarily a direct player in this, the way that music lives through memory is truly special. I can listen to songs I fell in love with and feel all of those emotions like they are still all there. Music has given me vivid memories, internal peace, and a connection to so many more people. It has taught me how to love. In order to truly listen to
music, you have to sit down and acknowledge that it is like it is a living, breathing person. There are certain details that you only realize once you really get interested in the whole listening thing, and that sounds funny but in reality there will be a day where studying music transforms itself into something magical. The depth of music becomes more known to us the more we deeply fall in love with it. There are certain melodies that give me butterflies and give me a drive to want to make everything around me better — music is contagious in this way. It is truly the one thing in my life that will never stop fascinating me. I always feel so privileged to be in the position I’m in, studying music and getting to talk about it. It’s like cheesing over a crush for me. I just want to acknowledge how much it means to me, but words will never really cut it. My music-loving friends, band mates, and collaborators have taught me how to love myself from the perspective of the art we produce or love together. The world means so much more to me because of the existence of music. It has taught me how to feel love, how to send love, and most importantly, how to LET myself be loved; and I will love it until I can’t anymore. Till death do us part, music.
PHOTO COURTESY OF PIANOEMPORIUM.COM
BEYOND THE PLATE
Commuter lunch
BY DISHA RANA ‘29 My lunch is never warm by the time I eat it. By noon, it has absorbed the rhythm of the commute: the shaking of the train, the rush of staircases, the pressure of moving with purpose. It is packed early in
the morning, sealed tightly, and chosen for survival rather than indulgence. A commuter lunch is not meant to be savored. It is meant to last. I eat in places not designed for eating — on platform benches, in quiet library corners, on the steps outside academic buildings where no one lingers for long. My backpack stays on one shoulder. One eye stays on the time. Lunch is something I do between, never fully inside the day. While others gather around tables and wait in lines, I calculate minutes until the next train, the next class,
the next obligation. My lunch fits into my bag the same way my life fits into the margins of a campus schedule. There is something lonely about a commuter lunch, but there is also something intentional. Every meal is planned with foresight: food that won’t spill, won’t spoil, won’t slow me down. Repetition becomes comfort. The same container, the same routine, the same quiet moment of nourishment before moving again. No one sees the effort behind it — the early mornings, the mental math, the discipline required to keep
going without pause. A commuter lunch is invisible labor, packed into plastic. Sometimes I notice the contrast most when I pass the dining hall. Laughter spills out through open doors. Conversations stretch without urgency. Plates are refilled, time is unmeasured. I don’t resent it, but I don’t belong to it either. My lunch has already been accounted for. I have already chosen movement over rest, efficiency over comfort. The difference is subtle, but it is defining. Food, I’ve learned, reflects where we are in life.
For some, lunch is a break. For me, it is momentum. It fuels not just my body, but my ambition. It reminds me why I commute in the first place: to build something beyond convenience, to claim independence through persistence. Every packed meal is a quiet promise to myself that this effort means something, even when no one is watching. There are days when the food tastes flat, when exhaustion dulls hunger, and when I wish I could sit without checking the time. But even then, my commuter lunch does its
job. It carries me forward. It teaches me resilience in small, ordinary ways. It proves that nourishment does not always come with comfort, and that growth often happens in transit. Beyond the plate, my lunch tells the story of becoming. Of living between destinations. Of choosing a future that requires movement, sacrifice, and patience. One day, I may eat without rushing. One day, lunch might be warm. But for now, my commuter lunch reminds me that I am going somewhere — and that is enough.
Friday, February 6
9
Opinion THE THINKING FRAME
Schindler’s List: On saving one more
BY VEDHESH ANANDHAN KAMARAJ ‘28 World War II and the Holocaust stand among the darkest times in human history, and portraying them in film is extremely difficult while ensuring sensitivity and historical accuracy. Steven Spielberg’s Schindler’s List is one of the films that achieves this balance with exceptional success. The film is often remembered and seen as a film of suffering and death. But its true power lies in how it finds humanity within the horrors of the Holocaust. Rather than only focusing on mass tragedy, the film tells the story of moral awakening. Through Oskar
Schindler, an unlikely and flawed hero, the film shows how one man’s choices can stand against a machine of cruelty and terror. The film opens with Schindler arriving at Krakow as a businessman eager to build relations and profit from the war. He enjoys fine clothes, good food and Nazi connections to build his business. At first, his factory was not a refuge but a business built on cheap Jewish labor. By presenting Schindler as selfish and business-minded, his transformation towards the end of the film feels more meaningful and inspirational. Schindler does not begin as a saint but becomes one through witnessing unbearable losses. Spielberg purposefully chose to shoot the film in black and white to evoke a feeling of gritty realism and timelessness, reflecting the somber history of the Holocaust. His artistic choice emphasizes the duality of good versus evil, simultaneously avoiding the “beautification” of the events which a color
film could have implied. Amid the forcible evacuation of the Krakow ghetto, Schindler, atop a hill, sees a little girl in a red coat. All around her chaos and terror unfolds while the Nazi soldiers storm houses and separate families. She wanders through the carnage, a single point of color and innocence wading through the gray and heartless world. This becomes Schindler’s point of awakening. He witnesses innocence being destroyed and feels that he must do something about it. Later in the film, the little girl in the red coat appears again among the dead. From this moment on, Schindler can no longer remain as a bystander. After his revelation, Schindler plans to transform his factory into a sanctuary. He plans to make a list of any Jewish people he remembers and buy them from Amon Göth, the commandant of the Krakow-Plaszow concentration camp. Each name of his list is a life saved, not just a statistic. The iconic line, “The list is life,” captures the
emotional core of the film. In a time and place where lists and names were reduced to numbers, Schindler restores their humanity and individuality. The most devastating moment of the film comes at the end, when Schindler breaks down, realizing that he could have saved just some more people by selling some more of his things. He starts pointing out that he could have sold his car or his Nazi pin, which could have gotten some more people out of
the camps. The line, “I could have got one more,” truly shows the transformation of Schindler from a shrewd businessman to a saviour of many generations. Schindler’s List does not offer comfort, but it does offer hope. It doesn’t say that evil can fully be defeated. Instead, it insists that compassion and gestures large and small can go a long way. The last images of the film portray real survivors visiting Schindler’s tomb and laying stones on it, linking history
and memory together. In essence, Schindler’s List is about the moment a human being chooses to view his fellow man as human rather than as a number, a name instead of an amount of money. Spielberg has created a film that simultaneously mourns the past and challenges the present. The film presents an important but quiet question: When we are confronted with the suffering of the innocent, will we turn away, or will we take action?
PHOTO COURTESY OF IMDB
HER STEVENS
Low-energy ways to maintain friendships in the cold months BY BREONA PIZZUTA ‘27 Winter in college hits differently. The days are shorter, the weather is colder, and suddenly even the idea of leaving your dorm feels exhausting. While fall semester is full of being outdoors, club meetings, and packed social calendars, winter often brings a collective urge to hibernate. Honestly — that’s normal. Just because your energy is lower doesn’t mean your friendships have to disappear until spring. Enter soft socializing. A gentler, low-pressure way to stay connected without draining your already-limited battery. Instead of forcing big plans or high-energy outings, soft socializing focuses on com-
fort, consistency, and intention. Why do winter friendships feel harder? During the colder months, many college students experience a drop in motivation and social energy. Between academic stress, internship applications, and seasonal sadness, it’s easy to cancel plans or isolate without realizing it. The problem isn’t that we don’t care; it’s that traditional “going out” friendships don’t always fit the season we’re in. Soft socializing reminds us that connection doesn’t have to be loud or exhausting to be meaningful. Sometimes, the strongest friendships are built during quiet moments. One of the easiest ways to stay connected in winter is a coffee walk. It’s simple: grab
a warm drink and take a short walk around campus. There’s no pressure to sit for hours, dress up, or plan ahead. Coffee walks work because they combine movement, fresh air, and conversation. Three things that are surprisingly good for mental health. Even a 15-minute walk between classes can turn into a meaningful check-in. Plus, having something warm in your hands instantly makes the cold feel more manageable. Winter is peak academic stress season, which makes study dates a low-effort way to spend time together. Whether you’re working on separate assignments or just sitting in the same space with laptops open, studying together offers companionship without requiring
THE BIG QUESTIONS OF EVERYDAY
The game of resolutions
BY MILAGROS CARBAJAL ‘28 A new year is here, and with it comes everyone’s favorite list: New Year’s resolutions. My friends and I have a habit of looking through past years’ lists and laughing at our naively optimistic expectations. Looking through New Year’s resolutions offers insight into how people expect change to happen. As I grow older, and maybe wiser (I hope), I’ve gotten more skillful at making resolutions and more aware of the patterns that differentiate the ones that get checked off and the ones that end up as repeat offenders. These types of resolutions are the ones that resurface year after year, taunting us from their position at the top of our lists, and yet, remain unfinished, or worse, we somehow end up further from where we started the year before. So what’s missing? Is there a method we
can implement to finally gain the upper hand? For me, the answer has a lot to do with how we think about change. I can’t count the number of times I’ve decided it was time for a rebrand after a sudden burst of energy. Deciding enough was enough and changing every bad habit in the book, downloading Pinterest pictures of my new life, and making new playlists to support me through the journey ahead. Unfortunately, these ambitious plans usually end up being less of a transformation and more of a oneweek boot camp. Motivation, willpower, and yes, even Pinterest boards can make a difference in shaping our goals. But the important part is making goals that are actually feasible — the weekly, even daily commitments we take on are where the real change manifests. We can see this kind of commitment in Carrie Soto Is Back, my first read of the new year. The novel follows a professional tennis player who comes out of retirement in an attempt to reclaim her title as the best female tennis player in the world. While Carrie is a nuanced character who struggles in different areas of her life, the way she built her game reminded me
of what it actually takes to master a discipline. Carrie doesn’t practice endlessly for a few scattered weeks without direction. She shows up every day, refining a single shot at a time. Even something as small as adjusting the height of her jump requires studying fitness, analyzing her opponent, practicing in matches, and only then bringing it into professional play until it becomes instinctive. These small adjustments—studying, repetition, patience— eventually lead to fluency. But they take time. Resolutions are really just habits we’re trying to develop. The key to accomplishing them isn’t becoming a new person overnight, but committing to becoming someone slightly better, again and again, over time. Accepting this, even though the method is taxing and a bit less pretty, has allowed me to improve and given me room to make mistakes from time to time. As we go into 2026, I’m choosing to channel my inner Carrie Soto into the skills I’ve set out to develop this year. It may not be perfect or dramatic, but as long as the trajectory keeps moving upward, by 2030, those once-repeated resolutions will have added up to a winning set.
constant conversation. The best part? These hangouts remove the guilt of “I should be doing work.” You’re being productive and social at the same time. Add snacks, background music, or small breaks to talk, and suddenly studying feels less isolating. When energy is low, movie nights are the ultimate soft social option. They require minimal planning and allow everyone to relax without pressure to perform socially. Whether it’s a comfort movie you’ve all seen before or a new show you’re watching together, shared screen time can still foster connection. Movie nights also create space for natural conversation such as commentary, inside jokes, or post-movie discussions that deepen
friendships without forcing vulnerability. Sometimes, just being together is enough. Soft socializing also challenges the idea that being a good friend means always saying “yes” or going all out. In reality, showing up can look like sending a “thinking of you” text, sharing notes, or inviting someone to sit with you in class. Friendship doesn’t have to be constant to be real. Especially in winter, it’s okay to prioritize quality over quantity and allow relationships to change and flow with the season. Women-led spaces and campus organizations, like Her Campus, play a huge role in reminding college women that connection doesn’t disappear when things slow down. Community can exist in quieter, cozi-
er ways and those moments often feel the most authentic. By embracing soft socializing, we give ourselves permission to maintain friendships without burning out. Winter doesn’t have to be lonely, it can be a season of intentional, gentle connection. You don’t need packed calendars or high-energy plans to keep your friendships alive this winter. Coffee walks, study dates, and movie nights prove that connection can be simple, comforting, and sustainable. So this winter, let go of the pressure to socialize the “right” way. Choose softness and warmth. And remember: sometimes the quiet moments are the ones that bring us closest together.
THE LANGUAGE OF FLOWERS
Petunia
BY CLAIRE DEANS ‘29 The Victorian Language of Flowers was used for decades to relay feelings that people had a hard time expressing or were too embarrassed to share. Each flower has its own meaning and each color further explains the emotions they arise. The flower we will be looking at today is the Petunia. This flower has five petals that are all fused together to make a vibrant, trumpet-shape. In past folklore, it is said that newlyweds should have petunias in their new home to help them settle into this change of life. In the Victorian Language of Flowers, the Petunia symbolizes anger, disdain, and resentment. My Nanny—my mom’s mom—loved flowers. She had a huge green thumb, and she carefully tended to her flowers in her garden. I remember being little and
running around so excited to water the flowers with the hose. She turned her entire backyard into a gorgeous garden with all the colors you could imagine. I think this is part of why I feel so closely tied to them, because in reality, it’s a connection to her. For my mom, it was petunias in particular that reminded her of my Nanny. They both shared a love for this flower, so much so that it was the main occupant of the garden in front of my house, as well as my Nanny’s. After a long day in the city, my mom and I sat in Grand Central waiting for our train. We bided our time by skimming through my new Language of Flowers book and playing a guessing game with a variety of different flowers. My mom asked what petunia symbolised, and when I flipped to the page, I saw her thinking about it. I read her the description of “Anger; Disdain; I’m not proud; Not as proud as you are; Resentment; Your presence soothes me”, to which her response was nearly spitting out her drink all over the table. She exclaimed that the flower reminded her of her mom, and was stunned that something that brought her so much fondness could mean something so wretched. In the end, we wound up in a puddle of
laughter as we compared deep personal meanings and the more mainstream idea of these topics. Since then, I’ve taken note of some of the things that have secret meanings to me. While petunias mean the stark opposite, they symbolize my family’s tradition of gardening on Mother’s Day, just so that my mom can feel that connection to her mom as she sees the petunias grow. I’m not completely positive of who reads these articles, but it always piques my curiosity. I would like to know if there is any flower that has a special tie for you, or if maybe there’s a meaning of a flower that you would like explored? If so, please email me at cdeans@ stevens.edu. I would love to hear your thoughts!
PHOTO COURTESY OF BOTANICALINTERESTS.COM
Friday, February 6
10
Campus Pulse
Jorge Wellesley ‘28
Dhruv Mittal ‘28
Cynthia Wang ‘27
“Grabbing a sweet little treat and opening my phone to accompany it.”
“I play lots of video games.”
“I don’t procrastinate.”
ROVING REPORTER
By Isabelle Villanueva and Rachel Choi Hasini Gottimukkula ‘29 “Spending money on clothes.”
“What’s your go-to way to procrastinate?”
“Definitely eating my favorite food.”
Tia Hussain ‘28
Zineddine Bacha ‘26
Faisal Hossain ‘26
Anika Banda ‘29
“I drive to Canada.”
“It’s embarrassing, but I doomscroll.”
“I was the passenger princess to Canada.”
Puzzle Page
Dominic Souza Kings Tour
Mini Crossword Across: 1. Spaghetti, Penne, Ravioli 6. Killer Whales 7. Iron Man’s Alias 8. “Bulls” in Spanish 9. Opposite of hard
Down: 1.Vertical beam members of a fence 2.Phonetic nickname for R2-D2 from Star Wars 3. Accessory worn in the winter to stay warm when outside 4. Special set of cards used commonly for fortune-telling 5. Questions
Traverse each square one by one in any of the eight directions (like a king in chess) to spell out the answer. The starting and ending squares are bolded. Every letter will be used exactly once. The clue below the grid designates the lengths of each word.
N
T
O
I
G
N
H
W
S
A
S
T
E
E
R
T Road in Hoboken [10-6] *Puzzle instructions by Stephen Pachucki
Hidden Links
Cryptolist
Inspired by the British game show Only Connect, the goal of this puzzle is to find the hidden connection between four seemingly abstract clues. Each answer will use trivia, wordplay, logic, or some combination thereof. The solution is always more specific than “nouns”, “places”, etc. What do the following have in common?
The following list has been translated using a basic substitution cipher. For example, if E represents T in one word/phrase, it will represent T in all the words/phrases in the list. No letter maps to itself. The list is alphabetized. Hint: start guessing things in the category and see if any of the letter patterns match up.
Leopard
Whale
Tiger
Cow
Jackson
Pierre
Madison
Austin
Oxygen
Iodine
Bromine
Fluorine
*Puzzle instructions by Stephen Pachucki
Fast-Food Chains
SWTHDT LPVH
WGAJVRKAQ
GRVDQ
BJBDZDQ
GFPGL CPK R
NDVAZQ
*Puzzle instructions by Stephen Pachucki
Sudoku Difficulty: Hard
ANSWERS TO LAST WEEK’S PUZZLES CROSSWORD
KINGS TOUR
Marty Supreme CHAIN REACTION Short Bread Bowl
HIDDEN LINKS Bronco, Patriot, Seahawk, Ram → Mascots of NFL teams that played on championship weekend Andouille, Frankfurter, Salami, Bratwurst → Sausages Beat, Black, Shadow, Mail → Words that precede ‘Box”
Cut Throat Lozenge