The official newspaper of Stevens Institute of Technology, and creator of Attila the Duck.
help why am i always trapped in this box
TheStute StevenstheStute
Volume CXVIII No. 19
Established 1904
March 26, 2021
Stevens community joins together in STOP ASIAN HATE virtual rally BY THE STUTE
Steven Pinker argues for optimism in conversation with John Horgan BY ROSHNI REVANKAR
Contributing Reporter As the spring semester of 2021 begins, the status of Stevens’ campus is undergoing necessary changes due to COVID-19. In order for students to stay safe and still have a worthwhile college experience, campus services have either been limited to promote community health, or they have been temporarily closed. Areas of campus
such as dining, the library, athletic facilities, and the campus lounge have limited and adjusted hours. With regard to campus dining, all dining locations are operating on adjusted hours which started on February 1, which can be found on their website. They are also offering mobile ordering for pickup and delivery through the Grubhub app. Additionally, in order for students to study at the
Samuel C. Williams Library, they are advised to reserve a spot through the library’s website. The capacity of the number of students in the dining hall and library was explained in an email to The Stute by Sara Klein, Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs. She states, “We are utilizing all spaces on campus at their fullest
On Wednesday, March 24, at 9 p.m., members of the Stevens community joined together virtually in STOP ASIAN HATE: A Virtual Rally & Interactive Dialogue. Initiated after increased violence towards Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community members, including the recent Atlanta shootings, students and faculty members organized the rally to educate the Stevens community about recent events, to provide a safe space to support the AAPI community, and join together in solidarity. cially distanced studying and socializing. As explained in an email to the student body by Marybeth Murphy, Vice President for Enrollment Management and Student Affairs, the room allows for a capacity of 36 people. Along with this, the Babbio tent will be open for outdoor space for student to meet friends and
classmates. It’s heated, too! Both utilities will be open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. Stevens is allowing for small gatherings to be hosted safely when approved by the Director of Student Life, Leo Pedraza. He stated in an email to The Stute that, “At the moment, there is a ten-person limit for on-campus gatherings. Student organization leaders can connect with their Student Life staff liaison to help with planning small events within the COVID-19 guidelines. Outdoor gatherings can have 25 attendees so long as social distancing is maintained and all are wearing masks.” Along with this, many clubs are holding meetings virtually through Zoom to ensure that students can get involved and meet new peo-
Read the full story on thestute.com Photo courtesy of Leo Pedraza
Read the full story on thestute.com
Students organize #STOPASIANHATE fundraiser selling handmade bracelets BY JORDYN RAMELLI Business Manager
Due to racism surrounding COVID-19, hate crimes against the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community have been at an all time high. The Center for the Study of Hate and Extremism found that anti-Asian American hate crimes reported to police rose 149% between 2019 and 2020. It’s important to note that this only includes reported cases, as many incidents go unreported. It’s vital that the Stevens’ community comes together to support the AAPI community, not only now, but always. In light of this, Senior Briana Cheng and Sopho-
more Catherine Cheng have started a #STOPASIANHATE bracelet fundraiser to raise money for the Asian American Legal and Defense Education Fund (AALDEF). In detail, they explained their motives to start their fundraiser, the importance of their cause, and why it means so much to them. Briana explained that her, Catherine, and their friend Emily O’Neill created a successful bracelet fundraiser for Black Lives Matter and Pride month. They were overjoyed with the positive and immense response, so Briana and Catherine decided to start another one. They were excited to create a new fundraiser for a cause close to their hearts. Briana
highlighted that AAPI hate is not new, and they wanted to do their part as Asian Americans to spread awareness. In addition, Briana explained that the AALDEF uses their platform to fight for the equality of the AAPI community. Catherine described more about the specifics of their bracelets’ backgrounds. “We are selling bracelets that we named after meaning and significant symbols of Chinese culture and priced them at lucky numbers in hopes of sharing our culture with the community (which are described in our post on Instagram!) All bracelets are
Techfest 2021 set to feature a plethora of homegrown artists
are advised to reserve a spot through the library’s website. OPINION The capacity of the number Stevens Music Spotlight of students in the dining hall As the spring semester and library was explained of 2021 begins, the status of in an email to The Stute by Stevens’ campus is undergo- Sara Klein, Assistant Vice ing necessary changes due to President for Student AfCOVID-19. In order for stu- fairs. She states, “We are utidents to stay safe and still lizing all spaces on campus have a worthwhile college at their fullest capacity in campus services accordance with state guideRead the full story experience, have either been limited to lines. If the state updates the on thestute.com promote community health, guidelines, we will consider or they have been temporar- making subsequent changes Photo courtesy of Catherine Cheng ily closed. Areas of campus to room occupancy.” such as dining, the library, Athletic and recreation athletic facilities, and the facilities opened on Monday, campus lounge have limited February 1. Facilities will and adjusted hours. only be open to students livWith regard to campus ing on campus and athletes dining, all dining locations in order to keep the comare operating on adjusted munity safe. The operating hours which started on Feb- hours are 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. ruary 1, which can be found Monday through Friday, and on their website. They are 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday also offering mobile order- and Sunday. ing for pickup and delivery Starting February 1, the through the Grubhub app. Read the full story Additionally, in order for students to study at the Samon thestute.com uel C. Williams Library, they
BY TREVOR LA DUE