[The Stute] January 30, 2026 (Issue 14, Volume CXXIII)

yep....still here

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🙆 We write Stevens history HOBOKEN, NJ | JANUARY 30, 2026

VOLUME CXXIII No. 14

NEW STUTE EVERY FRIDAY • EST. 1904

Decreased graduate enrollment and the FY26 budget BY TASHA KHOSLA, HEAD COPY EDITOR

transportation, improving public education, complete government transparency, and working closely with small businesses, senior citizens, and all members of the public. Mayor Jabbour hopes that Hoboken can re-

In an email sent to Stevens faculty and staff, President Nairman Farvardin provided an update on the 2026 fiscal year budget. According to the email, graduate enrollment has declined “due largely to visa issues for international students,” and since Spring 2026, graduate enrollment has been below the school’s budget target, the university has implemented an additional layoff of 19 staff members. This action highlights the impact of graduate enrollment on the university’s operating budget, particularly international enrollment, “which has had a sustained impact on our revenues.” In May 2025, The New York Times listed Stevens first on a list of schools with the most international full-time graduate students in Fall 2023. For Stevens, this figure was a sizable 88%, underscoring the

SEE MAYORAL PAGE 2

SEE BUDGET PAGE 2

PHOTO COURTESY OF JERRY LORE

Stevens hosts Hoboken’s 40th mayoral inauguration BY ISABELLA FAMA, CONTRIBUTOR Stevens Institute of Technology proudly hosted the mayoral inauguration of Emily B. Jabbour, warmly welcoming her with a historical celebration. Mayor Jabbour is not only the 40th mayor of the city, but

she is also the second woman to serve, making this a huge milestone for Hoboken and a monumental moment for Stevens. Mayor Jabbour has been a Hoboken resident since 2008 and has also been extremely involved with the city’s community, serving the public prior to

stepping into the mayor’s office. Hoboken’s official site highlights her previous experience: starting off as a Presidential Management Fellow, then serving as a Performance Officer in the Office of Planning, Research, and Evaluation, serving two terms as an atlarge Councilwoman, and

working for nearly two decades in the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. Mayor Jabbour understands the importance of professional experience and the need for connections within the community. Her policies highlight public safety, reliable

eXtensible Business Reporting Language US joins Stevens’ CRAFT BY NIHIRA PATHAK, STAFF WRITER

PHOTO COURTESY OF STEVENS.EDU

Stevens tops ranking for NJ graduate earnings BY FIONA SHI, BUSINESS MANAGER New federal earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education demonstrates that a Stevens degree provides a strong return on investment (ROI). The data, which displays median salaries of graduates four years after completing their degree, places Stevens at number one among all institutions in New Jersey and 32nd nationally out of nearly 5,000 colleges. With a reported median salary of $111,977, Stevens ranks in the top 1% of schools nationwide, standing alongside the country’s most selective universities. The data is available for download on the Federal Student Aid website. The federal analysis also highlights Stevens’ significant impact on upward eco-

nomic mobility. The data shows that Pell Grant recipients at Stevens achieve median earnings closely aligned with the overall graduate median, placing the university among a select group of schools that provide both high earnings and accessibility. “These results reflect our unwavering commitment to preparing students not just for their first job, but for lifelong career success,” said President Nariman Farvardin. “At Stevens, we combine rigorous academics with real-world experience through co-ops, internships, and industry partnerships, and these outcomes show that approach works.” The findings reinforce Stevens’ consistent recognition for ROI. The uni-

SEE RANK PAGE 2

NEWS (2-3)

SCIENCE (6)

FEATURE (4)

PULSE (10)

Stevens hosts Hoboken’s 40th mayoral inaguration Learn about the Emily Jabbour’s mayoral inauguration that took place in Debaun Auditorium! Growing Into The New Year Discover ways to get back into the rhythm of the school year and what the E-board did during winter break!

Bovine braininess? Cellphone radiation study? Tylenol ≠ Autism? Read about what’s going on in the world of science. Read answers from the Stevens community to our weekly Roving Reporter, plus solve our weekly puzzle and sudoku.

XBRL (eXtensible Business Reporting Language) US has joined the Center for Research toward Advancing Financial Technologies (CRAFT) as an affiliate partner to increase the efficiency and accuracy of financial information fed to large language mod-

els (LLMs). XBRL is the global open standard for digital business reporting. The language transforms human-written financial documents into machine-readable structured data by assigning digital tags to financial and business information. XBRL uses taxonomies defined by regulators to catego-

rize and structure data. The standard is mandated by multiple organizations, including the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC). XBRL improves readability and searchability while reducing human error when dig-

itizing financial records. CRAFT is an Industry University Cooperative Research organization, funded by the National Science Foundation. Co-founded by Stevens Institute of Technology and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, CRAFT aims to bridge the gap between traditional fi-

SEE XBRL PAGE 3

LOCAL NEWS ICE activity in Minnesota raises questions about New Jersey’s immigration BY JEYLAN JUBRAN, OPINION COLUMNIST In early January, the nation’s attention turned to Minnesota after a fatal incident involving a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent in Minneapolis sparked widespread debate about federal immigration enforcement practices. The case, part of a large-scale operation in Minnesota aimed at detaining individuals without lawful status, has intensified calls for clearer limits on immigration enforcement across the country.

Back in New Jersey, state legislators moved swiftly in response to concerns raised by immigrant advocates, community members, and national attention on enforcement actions. In Trenton, lawmakers passed three bills aimed at strengthening protections for immigrant communities and limiting cooperation between local agencies and federal immigration authorities. What the New Jersey Bills Would Do The legislative package passed by both chambers includes: • The Safe Communities

Act, which directs the New Jersey Attorney General to develop statewide policies governing how “sensitive locations”— such as schools, hospitals, courthouses, and places of worship—interact with federal immigration enforcement. The goal is to ensure these public spaces remain accessible and welcoming to all residents, regardless of immigration status. • A Privacy Protection Act, designed to limit the collection and sharing of personal information by state and local entities

that could be used to aid federal enforcement, and to protect confidentiality for those seeking public services. • A bill to codify the Immigrant Trust Directive, a policy originally issued in 2018 that distinguishes between state or local law enforcement and federal immigration agents, restricting voluntary assistance to ICE. Supporters of the bills say they would help build trust between immigrant communities and local au-

SEE ICE PAGE 3

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News MAYORAL

Masthead Volume CXXIII No. 14

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

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

Operations Board

HEAD PHOTOGRAPHER.......ISABELLE VILLANUEVA ‘26 ARCHIVES LIASON....................................ISABELLA ZIV ‘25 DELIVERY BOY.........................................JONATHAN LAI ‘28 ASSIS. LAYOUT EDITOR........................KAILEY SUPAN ‘29 ASSIS. LAYOUT EDITOR...........................SHREYA ROY ‘27 ASSIS. LAYOUT EDITOR..................BRADY SANSOTTA ‘29

Staff & Contributors Isabella Fama Jeylan Jubran Disha Gohil Sean Palermo Misayo Idowu Anna Dabrowski Vedhesh A. Kamaraj

Charles Beall Tanya Avadia Madison Heller Abigail Thomas Tanya Zanes Isabella Villaneuva Dominic Souza

Christopher Kalish Wesley Yu Sydney Leung Jerry Lore

Contact Us

GENERAL.........................................EBOARD@THESTUTE.COM EDITOR-IN-CHIEF.........................EDITOR@THESTUTE.COM ADVERTISING.............................BUSINESS@THESTUTE.COM OFFICE.................................UNIVERSITY CENTER ROOM 216B

Corrections NOTICE A MISTAKE? Email us at eboard@thestute.com.

Disclaimer

All opinions and editorials reflect the views of their respective author(s). No Part of The Stute may be reproduced in any form, in whole or in part, without the written consent of the Editor-in-Chief. Cited references of The Stute are permitted.

Policy on Letters to the Editor

All members of the Stevens community are able to submit a Letter to the Editor to be published in The Stute. Letters must refer either to a piece published in The Stute or to The Stute in general and must be between 400 – 800 words in length. Submit letters to editor@thestute.com with your name and title (when applicable) or using our Google form. For writers who wish to write a Letter to the Editor anonymously, please see our policy on anonymity. The Editorial Board reserves the right to choose whether or not to publish a submitted Letter to the Editor based on a majority rule vote, and additionally reserves the right to edit letters for clarity or request authors to revise. Provided that the author approves the final version, The Stute reserves the right to edit letters according to our copy editing procedures, defined in our policies.

main a place for history to continue to thrive, progress to be made, and the city to remain a safe place to work, live, and begin a family. The recent Governor-elect, Mikie Sherrill, conducted the ceremonial oath, while also inducting Councilman Joe Quintero, Councilman Steve Firestone, and Councilwoman Caitlin Layson. All members of the Hoboken community gathered to witness this milestone in Stevens’ DeBaun Auditorium. Stevens serves as an immense piece of Hoboken’s history, making it an honor to host this inauguration. “Inspired by humanity, powered by technology” is the university’s motto, reflecting the commitment to innovation in not simply academic and educational settings, but for everyone. Mayor Jabbour’s own policies align with these ideals, emphasizing the meaning of collaboration and interaction amongst residents, embracing technological advances and innovations, and addressing the social and civic needs of the public. In a statement provided to The Stute, Mayor Jabbour shared the importance and how meaningful it was to be inaugurated at Stevens, “Being sworn in last week was one of the most meaningful moments of my life, and having it take place at DeBaun Auditorium made it even more special. Stevens Institute of Technology is a founding cornerstone of Hoboken and a place where innovation, cu-

BUDGET

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 school’s dependence on international enrollment at the graduate level. However, in Fall 2024, this percentage was 58%. The consequences of the university’s dependence on international enrollment were demonstrated in the university’s 2025 layoffs. In 2025, following the Trump Administration’s execu-

RANK

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 versity currently ranks No. 9 on U.S. News & World Report’s list of “Colleges With the Best Return on Investment” and No. 12 on The Princeton Review’s “Top 20 Best

riosity, and community come together. Standing on that stage, I honestly felt the weight of that responsibility as well as the energy and optimism that your campus embodies. As mayor, I look forward to working side by side with Stevens to build an even stronger partnership that serves our entire community.” Not only has leadership in Hoboken faced a new transition, but it has served as a reminder

that even though a new chapter has begun, we must carry the past with us into the future. History is engraved into the streets of the city, the people who have built the community over generations remain, and innovations continue to shape the way that Hoboken continuously grows. Mayor Jabbour’s inauguration reflects the balance of keeping the city’s legacy a priority while embracing the future.

PHOTO COURTESY OF FACEBOOK

tive orders affecting higher education—specifically targeting international enrollment—Stevens laid off 45 employees, citing, “Like many institutions across the country that have adjusted expenses to address revenue shortfalls resulting from changes in federal policies—including in international student enrollment and research funding—Stevens is navigating these challenging conditions.” As international graduate enrollment declines, Stevens

continues to adapt. President Farvardin’s email noted “accelerating efforts to increase efficiency and effectiveness” by integrating technology and AI-enabled tools to “streamline operations and better support our academic mission, student support services, and administrative function.” Nonetheless, the decrease in international graduate student enrollment had clear consequences on the university’s budget, and further impacts remain to be seen.

Career Placement” list. The federal data also aligns with Stevens’ own career reports. The Class of 2024 Career Outcomes Report showed that 96.8% of graduates were either employed, with an average starting salary of $84,800, or continuing their education within six months of graduation. With this recognition serving

as a benchmark, the university continues to focus on its strategic initiatives. Programs like The Stevens Investment, which will provide full tuition coverage for qualifying students whose families earn under $75,000 annually, aim to ensure that this proven return on investment is accessible to all.

Policy on Op-Eds

All members of the Stevens community are able to submit a standalone opinion piece (otherwise known as an Op-Ed) to be published in The Stute. Op-Eds must be between 400 – 800 words, but longer submissions will be considered on a case-by-case basis. To submit an OpEd please email eboard@thestute.com with your name and title (when applicable) or using our Google form (tinyurl.com/submit-t0-stute). For writers who wish to write an Op-Ed anonymously, please see our policy on anonymity. The Editorial Board reserves the right to choose whether or not to publish a submitted Op-Ed based on a majority rule vote, and additionally reserves the right to edit Op-Eds for clarity or request authors to revise. Provided that the author approves the final version, The Stute reserves the right to edit Op-Eds according to our copy editing procedures, defined in our policies.

PHOTO COURTESY OF STEVENS.EDU

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Friday, January 30

News XBRL

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 nance and fintech by developing research and policies to ensure the efficacy and safety of entities transitioning into the industry. The program brings academics and industry professionals together to “secure our financial data, create and test more equitable trading platforms, [and] inform financial regulations.” Along with collaborative fintech research, CRAFT builds tools for risk management and stress testing to further address the challenges in the financial sector. LLMs use XBRL’s data to provide users with information and financial analysis. With CRAFT, XBRL will help auditing companies improve the efficiency, quality, and accuracy of research, particularly within decentralized finance (DeFi). De-

centralized finance is a noncustodial ecosystem in which there is no intermediary, enabling peer-to-peer lending. However, DeFi comes with a high financial risk, including theft, volatility, and potential loss of investment. Looking forward, with LLMs’ exponential growth in the financial sector, the accuracy of data fed through software becomes increasingly important. The data AI systems are based on are directly linked to the reliability and ethical use of said systems. Standardized and regulator-backed data like XBRL decreases the chances of biased, misleading, or hallucinatory data outputs. AI systems will be grounded in consistent and reliable information and policies. Ultimately, the partnership will expand the role of financial data and algorithms, increasing the reliability and transparency of preexisting systems across traditional and decentralized markets.

PHOTO COURTESY OF STEVENS.EDU

ICE

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 thorities, encouraging people to report crime and access necessary services without fear. They also argue that clear rules can protect due process and civil liberties. However, critics raised concerns that limiting cooperation with federal authorities could hinder public safety and coordination on serious criminal cases. Debates during legislative sessions reflected these differing views, with opponents warning of potential legal conflicts. Awaiting the Governor’s Decision The package had reached the desk of outgoing Governor Phil Murphy and was reviewed by Tuesday last week. One piece of the package, the Safe Communities Act, was signed into law, instructing the attorney general to create enforceable policies around sensitive locations. However, two other bills, the Privacy Protection Act and the measure to codify the Immigrant Trust Directive, were not signed and instead lapsed without becoming law due to the timing of the legislative session. Under New Jersey’s constitution, legislation not signed within the final days of a session does not take effect. Governor Murphy said he declined to sign those bills because of concerns the language could unintentionally jeopardize federal funding or invite renewed legal challenges at a time when the existing Immigrant Trust Directive remains in effect as an administrative policy. What’s Next? Advocates for immigrant rights criticized the decision to let the full package lapse, calling on the incoming administration and Legislature to revisit these measures. As ICE enforcement continues in Minnesota and nationally, supporters say clearer statutory protections created by formal legislation, rather than executive directives or temporary policies, are essential for immigrant communities in New Jersey. For now, New Jersey will implement the protections under the Safe Communities Act, but lawmakers and activists are watching closely to see if more comprehensive protections will be restored in the months ahead.

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Feature

BACK TO SCHOOL How to adjust back into college mode

Starting the year are a freshman wondering about with purpose (even if you BY JOSEPHINE CHOONG, Stay healthy housing, attend an information SECRETARY While winter break may be session about housing in the towgone, the winter blues are here to ers. If you are looking for outside don’t have it all figured out)

Coming back from winter break can be difficult to adjust to. Maybe you want to be at home sipping on hot chocolate instead of doing homework. Or perhaps you are still suffering from jet lag and readjusting to the time zones. Whatever the case, it’s back-toschool time. Get ready for a fresh start with new opportunities! Here are some tips and tricks to get back into the rhythm. Set clear goals Establish both short-term and long-term goals to keep yourself motivated. You could first reflect on your previous semester’s highs and lows. What went well? What could have gone better? What should be your focus this semester? Then, create achievable and realistic goals, like attending more office hours or having a more consistent sleep schedule. To not feel overwhelmed, you should start with small, manageable tasks before working on long-term goals. Just remember, building strong routines takes time, so don’t panic if you aren’t immediately on top of it.

stay. The shorter and darker winter days can lead to low moods, low motivation, and fatigue. Remember to take care of yourself through staying active, eating a balanced diet, being hydrated, and getting enough sleep. Because of the lack of sunlight, it’s crucial to soak up any sun you can. Go outside more or sit near sunlit windows for one or two hours. Being in the sunlight helps increase melatonin production and vitamin D, which can result in a better emotional state.

Find new opportunities As the saying goes, new year, new you! A new semester means more opportunities to discover! Make an effort to check out DuckLink and try something you haven’t tried before, or find a new club to expand your social circle. (You should totally come to The Stute GBMs, I promise they are loads of fun. Pick up an article or two, I’m enjoying writing this one.) Go to one of the many study abroad events to research which countries to study in and potential providers. If you

Explore Hoboken Even with the snow piling up and the frosty wind, Hoboken is buzzing with plenty to do. Take a walk around places you haven’t been in before. Try out a restaurant that you have been eyeing since last semester. Check out The Hoboken Girl for fun activities and events scattered around Hoboken. They have a frequently updated calendar with activities ranging from yoga, comedy clubs, rock shows, photo popups, and more. Another source is HobokenNow! with their website of featured events like bingo, trivia, nature programs, dance parties, and art houses.

housing, start exploring places to rent in Hoboken or Jersey City. Another option is Hudson Dorms, which is run by Stevens graduates.

Reconnect with friends Before college starts to get too intense, you should go hang out with your friends. Share stories about winter break, go grab a drink, or just enjoy each other’s company. Some fun winter-themed activities include creating the best hot chocolate, having winter picnics, going on snow-covered hikes, or bundling up together to watch movies. Having a strong support system can improve your emotional well-being and make college seem a little less challenging. Wherever your year takes you, make it an unforgettable one! There are only so many semesters left in college to enjoy, so make each semester more memorable than the last. You survived last semester, I know that you can survive (and thrive) for this one!

PHOTO COURTESY OFUNTAPPEDCITIES.COM

BY JEYLAN JUBRAN, OPINION COLUMNIST The start of a new year and a new semester comes with a strange kind of pressure. New planners. New goals. New routines. Everyone seems ready to “lock in,” reinvent themselves, or suddenly become the most productive version of themselves. And if you’re not feeling that way? It can feel like you’re already behind. But starting your year with purpose doesn’t mean having a perfectly color-coded plan or knowing exactly where you’ll be by May. The purpose isn’t a fiveyear roadmap. It’s not a single goal, title, or GPA. The purpose is quieter than that. It’s intentionality. It’s choosing how you move through your days, even when things feel overwhelming or uncertain. For some people, purpose looks like ambition — landing an internship, leading an organization, or chasing a long-term dream. For others, it looks like survival: showing up to class, taking care of your health, or getting through a tough week without burning out. Both are valid. Both matter. A purpose-driven start doesn’t require a dramatic reset. Sometimes it’s as simple as asking yourself one honest question: What do I need this semester to feel okay? Not impressive. Not productive. Just okay. Maybe the answer is structure. Maybe it’s rest. Maybe it’s saying no more often, or finally saying yes to something you’ve been putting off. Purpose doesn’t always push you forward — it can also slow you down.

One of the biggest myths about college is that every semester needs to be better than the last. In reality, growth isn’t linear. Some semesters are about momentum. Others are about reflection. Others are about rebuilding after a hard season. Purpose changes depending on where you are, and that’s not failure, that’s awareness. Starting the year with purpose also means letting go of comparison. It’s easy to measure your progress against everyone else’s highlights: LinkedIn announcements, leadership roles, packed schedules. But your purpose doesn’t need an audience. It just needs to be yours. If you’re someone who loves goals, try setting values instead of resolutions. What do you want to prioritize: curiosity, balance, consistency, kindness to yourself? Let those guide your decisions when things get busy and motivation fades. When your semester starts to blur together (and it will), values are often easier to return to than rigid plans. And if you’re reading this feeling unsure, exhausted, or unmotivated — take that as information, not a flaw. You don’t need to have everything figured out in January. Or February. Or even by graduation. Starting with purpose doesn’t mean knowing the destination. It means choosing to move forward with intention, even if the next step is small. So as the semester begins, give yourself permission to define purpose on your own terms. Let it be flexible. Let it evolve. Let it be enough. Sometimes, starting your year with purpose simply means deciding to show up and trusting that clarity will follow.

FIONA SHI “spent the whole break in china and ate some of the best food i’ve ever had”

JOSEPHINE CHOONG “Went to the Met, saw some cool exhibits, ate spicy curry.”

STUTE WINTER BREAK DEBRIEF

EILIYAH SAROWAR “I studied abroad in Spain, and visited Rome!”

JIYA JAISINGHANI “Baking Puzzles and Fam”

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PHOTO COURTESY OF STEVENSDUCKS.COM SHOT BY SID ROCHLANI

Sports

Men’s Volleyball season opens with dominant back-to-back wins BY MISAYO IDOWU, SPORTS WRITER On January 16, before most of us got to campus, the Men’s Volleyball team started off their season with a tri-match against Saint Joseph’s Long Island and Drew. The tri-match took place at Stevens in our beloved Canavan Arena. The home crowd was not disappointed as the Ducks secured back-to-back wins to start the season strong. The opening match was the Stevens Ducks against the Golden Eagles of Saint Joseph’s Long Island. The Ducks hit the ground running as the first point of the match went to junior Alex Olcott. This good form continued into the rest of the first set as Stevens soon found themselves 10-5 up after a

service ace by senior Phillip Bone. The Ducks closed out the opening set with a 25-16 win. The second set started much closer than the first. The teams were going blow for blow as they traded points. However, Stevens had the edge with a series of one or two-point leads. The Ducks started to pull away, and with a kill from sophomore Nick Schmidt, they were 10-6 up. They held their lead to the end of the set as junior Ryan Schmid delivered the final blow to end the second set 25-16, the same score as the first. The final set began with the Golden Eagles taking their first lead of the match as they went 3-2 up. However, Stevens then proceeded to take the next six points, leaving them with a five-point cushion. The Ducks only widened

the lead from there by capitalizing on errors and getting crucial kills, including a service ace from senior Tyler Hoke. Stevens won 25-11, taking both the set and the match. The second match was against the Rangers of Drew. In the opening set, the teams started off evenly matched. Neither team was able to get a multipoint lead, and the set went on to be tied at 8-8. But suddenly, the Ducks showed their class and built a six-point lead, taking the score to 14-8. The Ducks then comfortably rounded out the set 25-16. Crucially, the team managed to get a whopping five aces in one set, more than they got in the entire match against Saint Joseph’s Long Island. Stevens started the second set on the back foot as they conceded the first two points. They then

impressively took the next six, alleviating any worries the crowd might have had. Among the scorers was sophomore Bennett Heydorn, who got two service aces. Sophomore Joshua Levandoske and graduate student Julius Stiemer scored considerable points as the Ducks won 25-18. The final set of the day was dominated by the Ducks as they started with a 6-1 lead. They then held at least a four-point lead for the entire set. They impressively took 17 of the last 25 points and ended the set and match 25-12. Throughout the day, Stevens impressed and showed discipline. They won all six sets of the day comfortably. This was an amazing start to the season, and we should all be excited to watch them continue to make us proud.

Wrestling takes two individual titles and second at MAC Championships BY CAMRYN WINANT, SPORTS EDITOR On January 17, Stevens wrestling competed at the 2026 Middle Atlantic Conference Championships hosted by Messiah University. Going up against nine other schools ( including Messiah, Misericordia, Alvernia, Arcadia, Albright, York, Eastern University, Delaware Valley, and King’s), the Ducks placed second overall with 129.5 points, right behind Messiah with 140 points. The day ended with five topthree finishers and eight top-five finishers for the Ducks. Graduate student Cole Handlovic and senior Nico Diaz both walked away with conference championship wins. At 149 pounds, Handlovic dominated the weight class with wins against Albright and Messiah, and a loss against Eastern. This drove him right to the finals, where he faced an 18-3 win against Misericordia. Diaz (141) also finished first in his weight class, coming out with three wins before taking the title in the finals at 12-6 against Eastern.

Alongside Handlovic and Diaz, junior Ian Flanagan (174) started the day with four victories in two rounds, alongside a 7-6 loss, which led him to the third-place match. There, Flanagan got three takedowns with an 11-9 decision win. Sophomore Tyler Roe (165) started the day with two wins, the first one with a pin in 2:47 and the second with a 9-7 decision win against Alvernia. Roe fell in the semifinals, won a 7-2 decision, and then fell again in the third-place match. First-years Terrence Thomas (197) and Charles Piccione (125) were the last of the Ducks. Thomas got two wins, two losses, and then three first-period takedowns in the fifth-place match. Piccione started his day with a loss, but then landed three straight wins in the consolation draw. After losing the match to be put in the third-place match, he instead went to the fifth-place match, where he got a 4-1 decision win. The Ducks will compete again in an away match at Ithaca, NY, against Nassau Community College on January 31 at noon.

ON DECK IN SPORTS FRI, JAN 30 MEN’S VOLLEYBALL Juniata College Union, NJ 7 p.m.

SAT, JAN 31 WOMEN’S AND MEN’S TRACK AND FIELD Alvernia PLEX Shootout Reading, PA 9 a.m. WOMEN’S AND MEN’S FENCING Eric Sollee Invitational Waltham, MA 9 a.m. WRESTLING Nassau Community College Ithaca, NY 12 p.m. WOMEN’S BASKETBALL Arcadia University Glenside, PA 1 p.m. WRESTLING Ithaca Colllege Ithaca, NY 1:30 p.m. MEN’S VOLLEYBALL Lasell College Union, NJ 2 p.m. MEN’S BASKETBALL Arcadia University Glenside, PA 3 p.m. MEN’S VOLLEYBALL Kean University Union, NJ 4 p.m.

WED, FEB 4 WOMEN’S BASKETBALL King’s College Hoboken, NJ 7 p.m. MEN’S BASKETBALL King’s College Wilkes-Barre, PA 7 p.m.

THU, FEB 5 MEN’S VOLLEYBALL Carthage College Hoboken, NJ 4 p.m. PHOTO COURTESY OF STEVENSDUCKS.COM

STEVENS SCOREBOARD DATE

WED, JAN 21 THU, JAN 22 SAT, JAN 24

TEAM

MEN'S BASKETBALL WOMEN'S BASKETBALL WRESTLING MEN'S AND WOMEN'S TRACK AND FIELD WRESTLING MEN'S AND WOMEN'S TRACK AND FIELD MEN'S SWIMMING WOMEN'S SWIMMING MEN'S BASKETBALL WOMEN'S BASKETBALL WRESTLING

OPPONENT

LOCATION

SCORE

DELAWARE VALLEY UNIVERSITY DELAWARE VALLEY UNIVERSITY NJCU SEAMUS MCELLIGOTT INVITATIONAL

AWAY HOME HOME AWAY

W (75-66) W (64-49) W (38-8) COMPLETE

KEN OBER INVITATIONAL HOUNDS INDOOR CLASSIC

AWAY AWAY

4TH COMPLETE

URSINUS COLLEGE URSINUS COLLEGE FDU-FLORHAM FDU-FLORHAM NEW YORK UNIVERSITY

AWAY AWAY AWAY AWAY AWAY

W (170-90) W (145-116) W (76-56) W (72-55) L (76-56)

Friday, January 30

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Science

PHOTO COURTESY OF SCIENCENEWS.ORG

US Health Department to reinvestigate the effects of cellphone radiation

This tool-using cow defies expectations for bovine braininess BY DISHA GOHIL, SCIENCE WRITER Cows like to have their backs scratched, and for that, they rub themselves against trees, fences, and bristle posts that farmers put up. In some cases, people will scratch the cows for them. However, Veronika takes a different approach. Veronika, a 13-year-old Swiss Brown cow in southern Austria, is able to use tools to scratch her back. She does this by picking up sticks, rakes, or brushes, putting them in her mouth, and using them to reach and scratch different parts of her body. As well as this, when she is given a rake brush, she is able to use either side of the brush to scratch herself, depending on which area of her body she is targeting. Veronika was not trained to do this, which makes her the first observed cow to practice “embodied tooling,” which is using a tool on her body.

To see Veronika for themselves, Alice Auersperg and Antonio Osuna-Mascaro from the University of Veterinary Medicine traveled to Nötsch. There, they met Veronika’s owner, Witgar Wiegele, who keeps her as a pet. Wiegele noticed that when Veronika was around 4 years old, she sometimes picked up sticks. “I was naturally amazed,” Wiegele said. “She enjoys being petted, and conversations. She recognizes my and my mother’s voices from afar and hurries over, calling out to greet us.” To understand this behavior, Auersperg and Osuna-Mascaro conducted a series of trials, which involved placing a deck in front of Veronika in a random orientation. After around 70 trials, they noticed how Veronika positioned the stick in her mouth before securing it in her teeth. They also noticed that Veronika used different parts of the same tool for different purposes. She used the bristled end

of the brush to forcefully scratch her upper body, while she used the smooth end to more gently rub the sensitive skin on her udder and belly flap. The researchers said that this was a potential sign of higher cognition and that this discovery suggests we underestimate the cognitive ability of cattle. “Veronika does not belong to one of those exotic species that we would normally look for tool use in,” Auersperg said. Cows are “this livestock species that’s been domesticated for 10,000 years. They are everywhere around us. We just assume they must be stupid because of them being a livestock animal.” Adding on, “we have no proof whatsoever that cows are stupid animals. To have the capacity for this behavior go unobserved may have something to do with the way these animals are kept around us”. Perhaps, by giving cows the freedom to explore, we could see more of them using tools like Veronika.

Gold-Standard study finds no evidence linking Tylenol to autism BY RIYANA PHADKE, SCIENCE EDITOR In September of 2025, President Donald Trump and Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. declared that women should avoid Tylenol during pregnancy due to a link between the drug and autism. At the time, the connection was not supplemented with scientific evidence. Now, researchers have followed up with a very thorough analysis stating otherwise. A review, published on January 16, 2026, in the medical journal The Lancet Obstetrics, Gynaecology, & Women’s Health, found no link between pregnant women taking acetaminophen (the active ingredient in Tylenol) and their children having autism, ADHD, or intellectual disability. “After this declaration, there were a lot of mothers who actually were scared to take [Tylenol] paracetamol,” said Dr. Francesco D’Antonio, one of the paper’s authors and a professor of fetal medicine at the University of Chieti in Italy. “The day after this declaration, actually, we had a massive increase in phone calls and emails from women.” The main finding in the report is that acetaminophen is safe during pregnancy and remains the first line of treatment for women with a fever or pain. The Lancet referred to the paper as the “gold-standard evidence review,” a description that echoes language used by Kennedy when he said the National Institute of Health would deliver “unbiased, depoliticized, gold standard scientific research and academic freedom” in its investigation of autism causes. Researchers who were not involved in the new paper are showing tremendous support for the

findings. “I don’t think there’s a better way to analyze the data than this Lancet paper does,” said David Mandell, a psychiatry professor at the University of Pennsylvania. A team of seven researchers from the U.K., Italy, and Sweden reviewed existing research to determine whether using Tylenol (acetaminophen) during pregnancy is linked to neurodevelopmental disorders. They first narrowed thousands of studies down to 43 by excluding those that lacked proper comparison groups, relied on self-reported data, or did not account for mothers’ health histories and medication use. Only studies based on medical records or clinician-reviewed questionnaires were included. The researchers then evaluated the quality of these studies, removing those with weak designs or unclear outcomes. Finally, they closely examined the two strongest studies, which compared siblings exposed to Tylenol in the womb with unexposed siblings, effectively controlling for genetic and environmental factors. All three analytical approaches reached the same conclusion: There is no evidence that Tylenol use during pregnancy is associated with autism, ADHD, or intellectual disability. Some people are not as im-

pressed by the findings. Health and Human Services (HHS) officials criticized the new analysis, saying it does not settle the question of whether Tylenol use during pregnancy is linked to autism. An HHS spokesperson argued that the researchers biased their results by excluding certain evidence and designing the study in a way that favored finding no association. The department pointed to concerns raised by some experts, including Dr. Andrea Baccarelli of Harvard, whose 2023 review reported an association between prenatal Tylenol use and autism and was cited by the Trump administration as evidence of risk. However, researchers involved in the new analysis pushed back, saying Baccarelli’s review and similar smaller studies likely failed to adequately control for confounding factors. They also noted that Baccarelli’s review examined far fewer studies than the new analysis, with one expert calling the earlier search process “sloppy.” Autism researchers say the issue is settled. Alycia Halladay of the Autism Science Foundation stated that there has never been a link between acetaminophen and autism and that continuing to debate it only misleads families and unfairly places blame on mothers, diverting attention from researching the real causes of autism.

PHOTO COURTESY OF TYLENOL.COM

BY SEAN PALERMO, SCIENCE WRITER On January 15, 2026, a spokesperson for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced that the department will be launching a study to reinvestigate cellphone radiation and its potential adverse health effects. Under the “Make America Healthy Again” (MAHA) movement, these studies have been sparked due to Robert F. Kennedy Jr’s (RFK Jr.) claims that cellphone radiation is linked to neurological damage and cancer, as well as a vocal group of scientists similarly claiming there is a need for additional precautionary measures. Today, 98% of Americans (about 331 million people) own a mobile phone — making it no surprise that, according to a professor emeritus at the department of bioengineering at the University of Pennsylvania, Kenneth Foster (who has studied cell phone health risks), “people have been arguing about health effects of RF radiation from cell phones for decades.” While previous research on the matter has been done over the years, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has since taken down old webpages that claimed cellphones were not dangerous. One of these now removed webpages stated how “the weight of scientific evidence has not linked exposure to radio frequency energy from cellphone use with any health problems.” As HHS spokesman Andrew Nixon puts it, these takedowns were done while the department studies electromagnetic radiation on health to “identify gaps in knowledge.” Over the years, RFK Jr. has expressed concerns about the potential health risks associated with cell phones — in 2020 having successfully petitioned a federal court to force the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to look over its wireless-radiation rules. As an environmental lawyer, he has represented plaintiffs who have sued telecom companies by alleging their brain tumors were actually caused by cellphones. Additionally, as chairman of the

Children’s Health Defense, he filed and funded lawsuits concerned with 5G infrastructure — including an unsuccessful case that alleged a cellphone tower caused a man in Idaho heart problems. In 2023, Kennedy would make the claim to podcaster Joe Rogan that “our children are swimming around in a toxic soup” and that “the Wi-Fi radiation is a lot worse than people think it is.” However, the official webpages of agencies such as the FDA, FCC, and U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention themselves still state that there is currently no credible evidence linking health problems to cellphone radiation. Additionally, the National Cancer Institute (under the National Institutes of Health) insists that “evidence to date suggests that cellphone use does not cause brain or other kinds of cancer in humans.” Furthermore, large past epidemiological studies have shown no link between cellphone use and cancer — cancer epidemiologist and professor at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Elizabeth Platz, claiming that cellphones don’t emit the kind of radiation that causes cancer. With that said, in 2011, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), which is part of the World Health Organization, noted how radiofrequency waves are “possibly carcinogenic to humans” but without an identified causal link. On top of this, a handful of studies using lab rats have suggested that exposure to RF radiation may be linked with cancer, but it is currently unclear whether these results would similarly apply to humans, as current studies on humans have been inconsistent and limited in scope and efficacy. As a result, groups such as the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) believe further research is warranted before making concrete claims. So while some scientists have been alarmed that cell phones pose potential health risks such as cancer, quality research promised by the upcoming study is necessary to come to firm conclusions.

PHOTO COURTESY OF HSPH.HARVARD.EDU

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Friday, January 30

7

Opinion THE STUTE EDITORIAL

Wow…back already? Welcome back, Stuters! Happy first (and second) week of classes! I hope you are well rested and ready to begin the semester. I must admit I am not, but I am slowly getting back into the routine of things. The beginning of the semester is the best time for our newspaper. Each Stute member comes in with wide eyes and eager smiles. We are all mostly well-rested and excited to write, copy edit, photograph, or layout. As Editor-in-Chief, I have received an excessive number of Slack messages and emails from those within and outside of the organization. Just in this past week alone, I have received separate messages from twenty people in the organization with ideas/concerns for the upcoming semester. I have also had about five people

outside of the organization reach out to find a way to get involved. Yes, it is a lot to handle, but almost every time it brings a smile to my face. This is the point in the semester when the best ideas are born. These next few weeks, The Stute will host its first Alumni Gala, co-hosted with the Student Government Association (SGA). We have a Copy Editing Mixer, a Valentine’s Day Bouquet Making Event, and of course, Elections. I am wildly excited for all of our events and to get our current Stute staff acquainted with our vast alumni network. Besides our events, we are actively trying to design and release another set of merchandise available for purchase. We recognized how excited the Stute Staff was with the original idea, and thought we would offer the

opportunity again. Our comic artists will be designing the back of the merchandise, and I cannot wait to see what they come up with. Beyond those updates, The Stute is doing well and has doubled its numbers since this time last year. I am so proud of us and the work and passion we all continue to have for this organization. If you have not signed up for the Alumni Gala and you are a current Stute member or Alumni, please reach out, and I will provide you with the RSVP link. But if you are just a reader, I hope you enjoy some of our hard-hitting articles this week and enjoy the puzzle in the back! All love and good luck with the semester, Stuters! There is so much to come!

MIND OF A FRESHMAN

BY CLAIRE DEANS ‘29 I never thought that I would be rushing a sorority… and yet I am. If there is anything I have learned since being here at Stevens, it’s that not everything is as you would expect. Going to a STEM school, I was warned that it might be dull, boring, and mundane. Yet I’ve found the opposite to be true. At Stevens, I’ve found that everyone is so beautifully different, and I am always so excited to hear about any niche interests people here have. When people are passionate about something, they discuss it in a way that simply amazes you. Suddenly, you’re exposed to a whole new way of thinking that you never realized before. This is what happened to me. Just like many others, I believed the mainstream ideas about sororities. I assumed the worst of them, but after hearing my sister’s story, it all changed for me. By her senior year of high school, she was ready for a change. I recall my mom being worried about how she would adjust to col-

Jiya Jaisinghani ‘27

Editor-in-Chief

PHOTO COURTESY OF EVAN O’DONNELL

SENIORITIS

Sorority girls

lege and praying that she would be happy there. She had a really hard time adjusting. She felt really out of place and lonely when she recalled an Instagram message she had received during the summer. It was an invite to begin attending events for sororities. She decided to give it a shot despite not being what you would typically think of as a “sorority girl.” Now, three years later, she is the president of her sorority, and she could not be happier. Seeing the home and purpose that it gave her was really inspiring. Her overall demeanor changed. Every time you would look at her, she would be beaming. This led to my family urging me to do the very same. At first I was skeptical — I never fit the mold of the stereotypical sorority girl. I was nervous that I wouldn’t be liked, or that I would feel pressured, but I haven’t. I rushed during the formal recruitment process, and while the three days of talking to people for hours was exhausting, it was also really rewarding. The first official day was Round Robin, where I spoke to several people from each of the five sororities. Afterwards I quite literally collapsed into my bed from exhaustion, but each day got easier. With each day, the only difference was just getting into deeper conversations with the people that you liked from earlier on in the process. I was most antsy during the

P.S. The Stute made it to Tokyo, Japan!

Campus characters preference round, where you meet with the last two organizations on a deeper level. It was more nervous anticipation than anything else. I just wanted to know what was to come the next day, which was Bid Day, or the day that you meet with the sorority you are best matched with. In the end, I felt at home with the sorority I joined. Through this process, I’ve met and connected with a ton of people from across campus. So much so that it gave me faces to recognize on my first day of classes, people that I can call to study, work out a problem, or even just to hang out and talk. It’s already given me opportunities to meet people outside of my major and interests. It definitely was not what I anticipated, and I am so grateful for it. I cannot wait to become an official member and volunteer with friends for a cause that we all believe in. The community is really positive and from what I’ve heard and seen it really brings people out of their shells. It helps develop people skills and introduces you to new kinds of empathy as you offer your time and care for others. If there is one thing to leave this article with, it’s that not everything is what it may seem. In my experience, it’s well worth giving everything a chance because then you will find where you were truly meant to be.

It’s here, semester eight (insert cliche here). The final countdown, the last chapter of a book convoluted with intersecting plot lines, characters, and people. Four months until the faces that grace my day-today are not so familiar. One of my favorite, or not so favorite, things about Stevens is the concept of a “campus character.” Stevens has over 4,000 undergraduate students, and yet gossip spreads as quickly as in high school. I like to think that around 1,000 Stevens students are actually “relevant,” meaning that they are involved in a campus club or sport in some way. The other 3,000 students, well, they are probably locked in their off-campus apartments or dorm rooms on Discord playing video games or commuting home to Morristown, NJ every weekend. This phenomenon results in the 1,000 “relevant” students having an incredibly high amount of visibility. I always like to say to prospective students that at Stevens, if you want to be

tries to the realistic fruit ice creams, which I can personally vouch for. Almost every weekend, I stop by Teso Life in Newport, Jersey City, and grab a few Aiko fruit ice creams. Like the pastries, they feature a thick chocolate shell airbrushed to look like real fruit. I have tried every flavor, and my favorites are the peach and mango ones. While the ice creams have a more subtle fruit flavor, the pastries deliver a richer fruit taste, likely because they use actual fruit fillings rather than fruit blended into cream. While I am a huge fan of these fruit ice creams, I cannot say the same about Dubai chocolate. I tried to like it, but something about the overly decadent pistachio filling makes it feel too rich after just one bite.

Dubai chocolate is everywhere, from classic chocolate bars to strawberry cups popping up at places like Nuts Factory in Hoboken. My sister missed the Dubai chocolate milkshake at Shake Shack, so when we saw the Dubai chocolate hot chocolate at Paris Baguette, I had to get it for her. This drink features pistachio blended into hot chocolate, with kunafa bits adding a crunchy contrast. Still, I’m not a fan. One hot chocolate I do want to try, though, is Glace’s viral hot chocolate. Toasted marshmallow is piped around the rim of the cup, with a scoop of whipped cream plopped on top of the rich chocolate. Glace’s menu nails the aesthetics with a ‘50s retro theme, and the items themselves are incredibly Insta-worthy. They

BY ANNA DABROWSKI ‘26

involved, you will be able to do so due to the number of organizations and various leadership positions associated with each of them. The negative drawback, or positive perk depending on how you look at it, is the concept of “campus characters.” The term “campus character” refers to an individual who has a character trait or persona that makes them “known” to the more general public. Most likely, you have never spoken to your “campus character.” You may not even know their name or anything about them outside of one specific defining trait or action. Some of my favorite campus characters include “cowboy yo-yo man” and “sunglasses guy.” Cowboy yo-yo guy spent a lot of my freshman year strolling around campus wearing tall boots that resembled cowboy boots, although I am unsure if they actually were, as they had a unique design. He roamed Pierce dining hall while yo-yoing his yo-yo up and down, as carefree as a 7th grader who just left their school assembly where a man comes and

does some yo-yo tricks and then sells you a $20 yo-yo. Unfortunately, I came back to campus junior year to learn that yo yo guy lost the cowboy boots and stopped yo-yoing; it was a true tragedy. “Sunglasses guy” just wears his sunglasses everywhere; inside or outside, summer or winter, he always has these sunglasses on. Rumor has it that if he takes off his sunglasses and looks at your eyes directly, you will be hypnotized and also start wearing sunglasses in non-weather-appropriate settings. The concept of a “campus character” and all of the nuances that come with it will be one of the many things I will miss about Stevens. There is a certain joy in bringing up one of your campus characters to a friend, and learning that they, too, in fact, know who you are talking about and have also internally given them a descriptive nickname. One day, we will all be 40, and after a long, grueling day at a corporate job, we will wonder, “Hey, whatever happened to cowboy yo-yo man.”

PHOTO COURTESY OF DEPOSITPHOTOS

FOODIE FINDS

Insta’s plate

BY PRISHA VAGVALA ‘28 Hello fellow foodies! While I love writing about fine dining, what really excites me are social media food trends. As much as I try not to be a sucker for my algorithm, how am I supposed not to obsess over those realistic fruit desserts in LA that everyone’s been trying or Glace New York’s Loewe hot chocolate? Some of you may have never

heard of these, so let me introduce you to the world of food trends. As for the viral fruit pastries we have been seeing, these ultra-realistic desserts are actually called trompe l’œil pastries. The mango pastry resembles a giant mango down to the color and shape. Once you take a bite, though, you are met with a soft, delicate filling inside. The best part of these desserts is the contrast between the crunchy, crackling outer shell and the rich, decadent interior. The shell is usually made from a thin chocolate coating, while the inside consists of mousse, cake, or custard, often paired with fruit fillings. These viral desserts can be found at Salswee in New York. Many have compared these realistic fruit pas-

have been taking over social media with their creative collaborations. My favorite was with FunnyFaceBakery, where they made a gluten-free chocolate chip cookie topped with a swirl of brown butter vanilla soft serve in the cutest minimalistic tray. Speaking of butter, how strange does salted butter and ice cream sound? It sounds bizarre, but it has become the internet’s latest obsession. The viral trend is soft serve dipped in butter and topped with generous amounts of sea salt. We have all seen chocolate-dipped soft serves, but butter takes it to the next level. I have tried butter pecan ice cream, and there is something about butter and ice cream that is warm and gooey in the best possible

way. You can find French butter-dipped ice cream at Papadamour NYC. Another innovative niche food find was the sushi pushpop, which can be found at Suka Sushi. It comes with a tube of soy sauce that doubles as a wand to push the sushi up and pop it in your mouth. Some complaints I’ve heard are that, for the price, the sushi was just okay and the pieces were too big to fully enjoy. I’m running out of words, but a few other food trends worth mentioning are the Baskin-Robbins 27 ice cream cube cake (only available in Korea), Japanese stuffed cream sandwiches, and salt bread. I’ll also end this article by saying I think we should bring back the galaxy and rainbow-themed foods from 2016!

Friday, January 30

8

Opinion BOOK OF THE WEEK

A review of The Thursday Mystery Club

BY MADISON HELLER ‘27 The start of the spring semester is for me a time of mixed feelings. I am sad to say goodbye to my family, and overjoyed to see my friends. I delight in the structure and content of my classes, but at the same time, greatly miss the sheer level of freedom that occurs from four blissful weeks of doing nothing. And

by nothing, I mean reading an abundant amount of new books. I, like any good bookworm, received a veritable mountain of books as part of my Christmas presents. I had just finished watching Wake Up Dead Man, as well as the frankly underrated Netflix original The Residence, and requested nearly exclusively mystery novels. There were many brilliant options that I could recommend, but given the icy temperatures and my growing cabin fever, I would feel remiss to recommend anything but The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman for this first chilly week of the Semester. The Thursday Murder Club is about a group of retirees in a senior living community who meet on Thursdays

to discuss and try to solve cold cases as a fun group activity to keep their minds active and relationships maintained. That is, until the murder of one of the two owners of their retirement community drives the group to seriously attempt to solve the crime to avoid being pushed out of their homes. The Thursday Murder Club exists in opposition to the most common trope of the mystery genre, the solo genius detective. No doubt there is plenty of enjoyment found in the Sherlock Holmes, Hercule Poirots, and Benoit Blancs of the mystery genre, but after a while, they can be a boring archetype to continuously follow. The four-person group of amateur detectives, all with leading roles, can-

GIRL(ISH) TALK

What I saw during my recent trip to India

BY TANYA AVADIA ‘26 Happy New Year, and with new years, there is often this sentiment to rebrand and create a “new me.” I was originally going to write this issue’s column on the fun of creating vision boards, browsing through Pinterest, and manifesting the absolute best for 2026, but my recent trip to India gave me another idea. My mom and I visited the motherland during winter break, and aside from the usual of going home and spending time with family, we also embarked on a short trip to a neighboring state called Rajasthan. Like every place in India, Rajasthan too has a deep history and unique cultures. It is affiliated with several powerful kingdoms that have left their mark on Indian history. Most of the trip involved going to old palaces, forts, and

temples. Additionally, Rajasthan is renowned for its artisan work and craftsmanship, especially with regard to fashion, textiles, sculptures, paintings, and more. This, of course, meant that we frequented a lot of local shops and marveled at the beauty of it all. One shop that really struck a chord with me was right outside of this fortress within the city of Jaisalmer. It was a one-stop shop for anything fashion-related, and we spent quite a lot of time here looking through it all. One of the shop owners who was showing us pieces with various local designs also shared the story of the store. It was a co-operatively owned business where 30% was owned by him and his family, and the other 70% was distributed across all of the women in nearby villages. Primarily artisans, these women weaved the fabrics, implemented the embroidery, designed the patterns and more. It was quite astonishing to hear about. In India, there’s so much creativity and good quality fashion, but very rarely do you get to hear about the people responsible for creating them. These women are working from their villages, creating art using techniques perfect-

ed over centuries, so that the world can enjoy their designs with little to no credit. It really warmed my heart that at this particular shop, not only were they accredited for their creations, but they even had a buy-in to the establishment itself and the profits. On our way out, we even got to talk to a few women artisans who were partners of the shop. It was intriguing to see the work they were doing, and even now, I cannot imagine how many hours must be spent creating one piece by hand. While I’m sure their work is taxing, it provides for them and their families. It gives them the opportunity and agency to work straight from their homes and get a piece of the pie. In an era of fast fashion where many people in India and other parts of the world work long hard hours in facilities with no infrastructure for very little pay, it is refreshing to see a more ethical and sustainable model where the world can continue to reap the benefits of these artisans’ talent and the artisans are appreciated and properly compensated for their work. Of course, it’s not all sunshine and rainbows, but seeing and hearing about this made me want to discuss it and, more importantly, celebrate it.

not help but remind me of the Scooby-Doo gang. And even with four main leads, the book does not neglect to build up the supporting cast. What results is a story with a rich setting where every twist and turn feels both gripping and grounded. The Thursday Murder Club excels in being both a good story and a good mystery, which are entirely separate. What makes me love a mystery is the tension that is created between the author, text, and reader, which results in a metaphorical battle of dominance. In a good mystery, no party should overwhelmingly win; rather, it must be a near total draw. If the author wins and the answer to the puzzle remains a total secret till the

end, then the story suffers for it, and readers feel cheated. If the text becomes more concerned with its character drama, then the author has failed at their job, and the reader becomes disinterested in the mystery. And if the audience too easily solves the mystery, then the book loses its intrigue and instead becomes something to slog through — the story and author fail. The Thursday Murder Club expertly maintains this balanced tension to create a mystery that is engaging in its story, possible to be solved, and yet not obvious, and all with a warm and inviting atmosphere. The reader feels as though they are part of the club. I truly enjoyed reading this book over my winter

break. And as our semester opens with a freezing start, if your time is spent indoors regardless, I recommend giving The Thursday Murder Club a read if you enjoy mysteries or just want to give the genre a chance.

PHOTO COURTESY OF AMAZON

ON SHUFFLE

New year, new me, new music

BY ABIGAIL THOMAS ‘26 New Year, New Me, New Music. 2026, what will you bring? Hopefully some good music. 2025 had a lot of amazing hits. Between the pop girlies hot-potato-ing the top charts, indie rock having its moment (duhhhh), and some R&B drops that took the world by storm, 2025 was the year of experiments and excellence. I’m happy to be turning this new leaf into 2025 and leaving all of the pain of the past, well, in the past. So here’s to new music and a new year! Let’s take a quick glance back into 2025 to highlight some of my favorite releases, without dwelling on the past. Let’s leave the dread and heartbreak in 2025. Either you were sitting in silence all of 2025, or you heard Sabrina Carpenter hold the world of music in the palm of her hand. She dropped her album Man’s Best Friend, which

definitely turned heads and sparked skepticism. Just based on the album cover itself, Carpenter was trying to grab everyone’s attention. I could get into all the reasons the album cover is genius and feminist in its own way, but I will refrain. One of the best tracks on this album is the first song, “Man Child.” What a tune! Full of painfully relatable lyrics, country-ish musicality, and catchy hooks, this song is an absolute banger. If you’re in the dating pool right now, I think this song might hit home (especially at Stevens)! I have always been a wannabe indie darling for as long as I can remember. The 2016 trend is happening right now, and let me tell you, 12-year-old me was prematurely listening to The 1975, blasting Radiohead, and playing Glass Animals on repeat. I think this desire to be a cool Tumblr girl has manifested itself in my adult music taste. I recently picked up on the new Finn Wolfhard album, Happy Birthday. If the name sounds familiar, it’s because Finn is also a very famous actor who starred in Netflix’s Stranger Things. The 23-year-old dropped an indie rock album in 2025 that is everything we wannabe Tumblr-turned-Pinterest

girls need. I think everyone should listen to the single “Objection!” off of this album. Just fun, indie rock vibes partnered with deeper meaning lyrics. I’d also like to use this platform to say how much of a Finn Wolfhard fan I’ve been. Again, since I was 12 years old and watched Stranger Things for the first time, I instantly fell in love. I am a fangirl at heart. Finally, I have to say 2025 truly held space for R&B music. With Bruno Mars introducing the new year with his new album, I think 2026 will beget some more great songs. Dijon is an artist I think had a really big moment in 2025. He’s a unique artist who explores R&B’s place in folk, pop, and experimental music. A popular song of his is the 2021 single “The Dress.” In 2025, he dropped the album, Baby, which really brought the bangers. Dijon is one of those artists whom everyone has heard of, a cool couple of people love his songs, but everyone knows he’s amazing. Well, that’s it from me folks. I wonder if you guys listened to these songs in 2025? I hope 2026 brings good vibes, all the love, and amazing new music! Say goodbye to 2025 and hello to the new year!

ARTIST SPOTLIGHT

Architecture as a Living Form and Place for Life

BY ITAI GELLER ‘26 Over winter break, I spent a few weeks in Wisconsin for a short internship in the Upper Peninsula. Despite the distance, my family and I drove a couple hours south to Milwaukee to see what the city had to offer. To top off what was a surprisingly pleasant visit, we took a trip to the Milwaukee Art Museum. This small yet balanced museum with a unique selection of exhibits —featuring both renowned artists and less represented genres—is definitely best recognized for its architecture. Despite its oddly familiar motif, this museum sets itself apart from the

industrial skyline of Milwaukee with its biomorphic elements and neo-futurist design. Its winged roof and oblong spaceship-like body descend upon Lake Michigan. On the inside, the building’s large windows bathe the galleries in natural light, exposing lesser known aspects and angles of pieces lining its exhibitions. It’s a magnificent work of architecture that breathes the space into life, both literally and physically. At noon, the building’s wings—referred to as the Burke Brise Soleil—will actually “flap.” This display of kinetics complemented our visit well, serving as a reminder that art is fluid and knows little bounds. At first, I couldn’t quite pin where I’d seen the design before, but then it hit me: New York City. A similar winged building in Manhattan’s Financial District serves as the transportation hub for the World Trade Center. The Oculus, which many Stevens students have

likely visited, replaced the original PATH rail system destroyed during the events of September 11, 2001. An interesting feature of the Oculus is that it was intentionally designed to align with the sun each September 11, during the interval between the first plane’s impact and the collapse of the second tower. During this time, the building’s central skylight generates two parallel columns of light through the wedge at its center—a symbol of the Twin Towers—visible on the main floor. The designs for both The Oculus and Milwaukee Art Museum were delivered by famous Spanish-Swiss architect Santiago Calatrava. Calatrava is an engineer turned architect who creates designs that effectively harmonize nature, community, and practicality. The fusion of these aspects results in expansive, well-lit spaces that both invoke grandeur and increase functionality — this is exactly what sets architecture apart from other

art forms. While traditional artistic genres often work in two-dimensional mediums and are mostly emotionally driven, architecture is three-dimensional, functional, and emotional. Unlike your standard oil painting, an architectural design envelopes the viewer, allowing them to interact directly with a space. Take the Guggenheim for example, which was designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, widely regarded as the greatest American architect of all time. The inner spiral structure complements the space, evoking the sensation of discovery from the minute a visitor enters the building. The skylight above casts in light, suggesting expansiveness and bathing each consecutive coil in shadow. The shadow intensifies the appeal of each floor, giving museum-goers a sense of wonder as they ascend the spiral to each exhibit. This example also emphasizes the vastness of the considerations an architect must

take into account when designing. Architects also play a direct role in the emotional appeal of a space as it enhances functionality. A hypothetical example: An architect designs a building meant to serve as a central market in a city by the ocean. To create this landmark, the architect may design the exterior to resemble waves and create an inner layout that infuses nautical themes. This design is emotionally

relatable to the people of the city, and thus they frequent the market because it is a place of comfort and community. While this concept may seem far-fetched, Calatrava intentionally chose the Burke Brise Soleil’s winged design to reflect Lake Michigan’s culture of motion. This resonates more effectively with the residents of the city, making it a recognizable landmark and cultural symbol.

PHOTO COURTESY OF MILWAUKEE ART MUSEUM

Friday, January 30

9

Opinion FOR MATH’S SAKE

Stability in mathematics and beyond

BY CHARLES BEALL B.S. ‘23 & PHD STUDENT As we begin a new semester following a hopefully restful winter break, I have been thinking about the various concepts of stability, a term often used in mathematics and invoked to describe many aspects of life more generally. With this more meditative column, I hope to challenge some notions of what it means to be “stable,” and argue for a

reflection on promoting stability in unstable times. I think it helps to start with definitions of mathematical stability. In one meaning, stability refers to the relationship between the solution to a problem, and the additional input parameters of that problem. For example, we may want to study an equation y = f(x): let’s say we know some values of x, and the function f. In this simple example, we can apply f(x) to obtain y. However, there may be additional flexibility in how we choose values of x — this flexibility is what we call problem parameters, or problem data. Stability in this setting is the idea that, for small changes in the problem parameters, changes in y should also be reasonably small. Alternatively, one could

speak of the stability of mathematical algorithms. Let’s start again with the notation y = f(x), but this time, x represents inputs to a computer program, f represents the algorithm, and y represents the output. Again, we could imagine tweaking the inputs x slightly: for the algorithm f to be stable, these slight tweaks should result in only slight differences in the output y. I admit that this all seems very abstract, but I think the power of this stability concept is its generality. We could imagine any equation or algorithm, and study whether or not it is stable. Going beyond the mathematical binary, in life we use the words “stable” and “unstable” to describe many situations, and additionally assign levels of stability. Situations could

become more stable or devolve into instability over time. There is some analogy with the mathematical definition—stable situations may better absorb or adapt to perturbations to the status quo—but in life, stability has a decidedly more general and flexible notion. Let me now be very concrete. The United States currently faces deep questions of its stability: the aggressive and deadly incursions of ICE to cities across the country, or the military in Latin America, matched with insensitive, dangerous, and erroneous rhetoric from the Trump Administration and its allies, has stoked a national and global foment. This country has not been immune to such moments, as some may suggest — the Civil Rights Movement, the Progressive Era, Recon-

struction, and the Civil War, all occurred within the 250 years of the USA, a nation formed through revolutionary bloodshed and turmoil. So in that sense, have we ever been a stable country? I would argue yes in many respects, but no in many others. This answer, while perhaps unsatisfactory, I think should give us immense hope: we are not consigned to a state of permanent instability, and can focus on specific issues we are passionate about to improve multiple aspects of the situation at once. We may not ever reach the ideal of stability, either, but this is also not a terrible thing in my view. One person’s stability may very well be another’s injustice, and countries need to evolve as new challenges arise. A strategy of hope amid uncer-

tainty, perseverance amid intransigence, and creativity amid instability yields novel approaches and paradigms that can bring about continued prosperity, if only we are courageous enough to see it through. But as a final thought, I think we all are — the bravery of those protesting in Minneapolis, Portland, even across the Hudson River in New York, is present in all of us, waiting to showcase itself in the pursuit of a more stable world. This pursuit is a long, messy, nonlinear, and, yes, unstable one; but the difficulty of subjects like mathematics or political affairs makes them all the more worthwhile to pursue, and the results we develop in the face of such difficulty are a true testament to human ingenuity and courage. Per aspera ad astra.

THE THINKING FRAME

FROM CUBICLES TO CAMPUS

The first week shock: when your Dune: A messiah built on fear konnens. Even when the ture of brutality. Arrakis, on co-op isn’t what you expected control of the planet chang- the other hand, is a beaming

BY JEYLAN JUBRAN ‘27 Happy holidays, happy new year, and I hope you’re all having a restful break. Most of campus is coming back from a lifestyle of waking up at 12 p.m., rotating between pajamas, coffee, and absolutely nothing, to suddenly cooking, cleaning, doing laundry, and remembering how to function as a human again — and it’s only the first week of classes. But for a few of you who just started your spring rotations (heyyy cuties), I just want to say: I’m really proud of you. The first week of your coop feels like it sets the tone for everything that comes after. You walk in excited, a little nervous, and riding that “new year, new me” energy. You swear this is the semester you’ll wake up early every day, maybe hit the gym before or after work, and still come home productive. That is not what the first week is. Sure, the first day or two are kind of fun. You’re getting onboarded, picking up your new work laptop, clicking around folders you don’t understand yet, and pretending you know what half the acronyms mean. You might even go home and poke around a little more, just to feel prepared. Give it a week. By then, you’re getting home too exhausted to even think about cooking dinner.

That’s usually when it hits you — you have a little money now, and getting food on the way home suddenly feels very justified. You start off packing your lunches, telling yourself you’ll save money. You talk to everyone at first, or you keep your head down and observe — either way, you’re trying your hardest to figure out how you fit into this new environment. After that first week or two, things start to click. You begin to understand how this co-op is actually going to go and what’s expected of you — not just to excel, but sometimes just to survive. And if you’re reading this thinking, “That’s not how my co-op feels at all,” please know that’s okay too. Not every first week looks the same. Some people love it immediately. Some people feel completely lost. Some people feel fine on the outside and overwhelmed on the inside. If this doesn’t resonate with you at all, honestly — email me. I want to know. I want to hear what your experience has been like, because there is no single “right” way to start a co-

PHOTO COURTESY OF JEYLAN JUBRAN

op. What no one really tells you is that the adjustment period is real. You’re not lazy for being tired. You’re not unmotivated for coming home and doing absolutely nothing. You’re learning a new routine, a new environment, and a new version of yourself all at once. That takes energy, even if the work itself doesn’t feel hard yet. And here’s the part I wish someone had told me sooner: you’re allowed to fight for yourself. If something feels off, you’re allowed to ask questions. If you’re not learning what you hoped to learn, you’re allowed to speak up. If the experience isn’t what you expected, that doesn’t mean you failed — it just means you’re paying attention. You don’t have to love your co-op on day one. You don’t have to have it all figured out by week two. What matters is that you show up, you learn what you can, and you advocate for the experience you deserve. You’ve got this. Even on days when it doesn’t feel like it.

BY VEDHESH ANANDHAN KAMARAJ ‘28 Regarded as the one of the greatest, most influential science fiction novels, the Dune series has been celebrated for its world-building complemented by complex political, religious, and ecological themes. Deemed too intricate and complex to adapt into movies, many filmmakers have struggled to film and keep true to the original text. In 2021, Denis Villeneuve delivered what is now widely regarded as the most successful and faithful adaptation of Dune to date. Dune follows Paul Atreides, a young prince born into privilege but burdened with expectations from his family. From the beginning, Paul is torn between who he wants to be and who others believe he should be. His visions show him futures of war, violence and religious extremism committed in his name. Paul fears this greatness and runs away from it unlike most cinematic heroes. This tension between destiny and choice becomes the central theme for the film. Arrakis, the desert planet at the heart of the film, serves as a powerful metaphor for colonial exploitation and imperialism. The planet’s most valuable source in the universe—spice—fuels interstellar travel and controls the economy, but the people of Arrakis, the Fremen, live in poverty and hardship, taken advantage of by their overlords known as the Har-

COMIC CORNER BY TANYA ZANES

es between the Houses, the suffering of the Fremen persists. Villeneuve presents Arrakis not as a land to be saved, but as a land being used, echoing real-world history of imperialism and resource exploitation. Throughout the movie, Paul is shadowed by the Bene Gesserit, an order that has spent generations manipulating bloodlines, religions, and cultures to engineer political control. They plant the myths and stories among the oppressed people, so that when Paul arrives, he is seen as a divine figure, the Messiah there to save them from oppression. The Fremen’s acceptance of Paul wasn’t organic, but the result of calculated engineering of the Bene Gesserit for their own agenda. It makes the audience think and confront an uncomfortable truth: belief can be manufactured and weaponized faith. The visual and sound language is a major driving force in this film. Hans Zimmer’s score evokes a sense of unease and inevitability. The music is not heroic. It is alien, overwhelming, and unheard of in other movies. The thunderous percussion and chanting voices mirror the weight of Paul’s upcoming conflicts and the unexplainable events that unravel around him. The film uses silence during the space scenes to create a sense of scale and realism in the void of space. It reminds the audience of how small humans are against the scale of the universe. Visually, Dune immerses the audience through striking landscapes and contrast in color. Villeneuve depicts Giedi Prime, the Harkonnen’s home planet, in black and white under a “black sun,” symbolizing their ruthlessness and strong na-

planet of shifting sand dunes symbolizing its hostile and untameable environment, forcing constant adaptation for survival. The colossal sandworms serve as the ultimate symbol of power of the planet and the Fremen’s relationship with it. They are both the protectors of spice and a force of destruction to be reckoned with. Paul’s constant visions of a holy war suggest that well-intentioned governance can lead to catastrophic consequences. Destiny, or rather manipulated destiny, is not celebrated but criticized. Paul quickly becomes a representation of how easily hope and faith can transform into obsession and fanaticism. Dune makes it clear that Paul’s presence on the desert planet will have lasting effects on the universe. What begins as the arrival of a Messiah turns into the slow rise of something far more dangerous. In a world desperate for freedom and salvation, the belief of a chosen one can be destructive as it is comforting. True salvation does not come from prophecy, but from the collective responsibility and courage to question destiny and those who claim power over it.

PHOTO COURTESY OF IMDB

Friday, January 30

10

Campus Pulse

Ankita Bhat ‘26

Naidelyn De La Rosa S. ‘28

Max Samarin ‘29

“In: drawing everyday Outs: Sleeping in, being late to class, and not going to the library.”

“In: Hot Honey on the pizza The Brick Out: Diarrhea from the pizza at The Brick”

“In: aesthetic dry yogurt bowl Out: runny, wet yogurt bowls with squishy fruit”

ROVING REPORTER By Isabelle Villanueva

Nicole Bustamante Rivera ‘29

“What are your ins and outs of 2026?”

Grant DiBiase ‘29

Mollie Good ‘26

“Out: self-doubt In: confidence”

Alvaro Izquierdo ‘28

“In: bringing a positive mindset Out: having a negative mindset”

Andrea Manzanares ‘29

“In: being productive Out: stupidity”

“In: eating healthy Out: eating unhealthy”

“Out: procrastinating In: locking in”

Puzzle Page

Chris Kalish Kings Tour

Mini Crossword Across: 1. Walks with difficulty 6. Addressing athletes Pacheco (NFL), Thomas (NBA), or Kiner-Falefa (MLB), informally 7. School of economics concerned with cumulative economies 8. More uncovered 9. Contempt

Down: 1. Arms and legs 2. Addressing physicist Newton, informally 3. School of economics concerned with individual decisions 4. One who trims edges 5. To have been removed of wool, as a sheep

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.

Chain Reaction

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?

Each of the six clues on the right leads to a two-word phrase or compound word. Insert each answer into two of the boxes on the right. At the end, you will have an interlocking chain of six phrases.

Bronco

Patriot

Seahawk

Andouille

Frankfurter Salami

Beat

Black

Ram

S

R

A

U

M

P

M

R

E

E

Clues: 1-2. A thin, crumbly Scottish cookie 2-3. An edible container for soup 3-4. A short, uniform hair style 4-5. Intense and ruthless 5-6. A tablet of medicine for coughs and sore windpipes

Bratwurst

Puzzle #1 Shadow

Y

Oscar Nominated Film [5-7]

*Puzzle instructions by Stephen Pachucki

Hidden Links

T

Puzzle #1

Mail

S____ B____ B___ C__ T_____ L______

*Puzzle instructions by Stephen Pachucki

*Puzzle instructions by Stephen Pachucki

Sudoku Section Difficulty: Easy

4

5

1

3

7

1

1 8

8

5

7

9

1

4

2

5

6 3

Difficulty: Hard

5

1

2 8

4

7

7 4

9 2

1

6

7

2

3

5

Fill in the puzzle so that every row across, every column down and

1

5 2 6

8

9

8 3 4 2

5

4

9

9

1 7

2

4

9

1

6

7

5

8

7 8

Fill in the puzzle so that every row across, every column down and

4