[The Stute] December 3, 2021 (Issue 12, CXIX)

LAST ISSUE –of the Fall 2021 semester– See you in 2022!

The Stute

The student newspaper of Stevens Institute of Technology, and creator of Attila the Duck. www.thestute.com Instagram @thestute facebook.com/stevensthestute

We write Stevens history

VOLUME CXIX No. 12

HOBOKEN, NJ | DECEMBER 3, 2021

NEW STUTE EVERY FRIDAY • EST. 1904

FALL 2021 COMES TO A CLOSE Students get festive and celebrate the holidays

2022-2032 STRATEIGIC PLAN Approaches final stages of development

Over 1,000 attendees to EC’s night of events

BY BENJAMIN KNOBLOCH, CONTRIBUTING REPORTER In a virtual town hall held on the afternoon of November 19, Stevens’ Strategic Planning Steering Committee unveiled additional details about the formation process for Stevens’ 20222032 Strategic Plan. The presentation offered a look at the process and timeline for the plan’s development, with a focus on the goals of each of the sub-committees which constitute the Steering Committee.

A recording of the town hall, as well as the slides used in the presentation, were made available to Stevens students on November 30 through the Strategic Plan development intranet page. The page also contains a link to a community survey for the plan open for submission until Wednesday, December 8, a timeline of the planning process, and a list of the members of the Steering Committee, which was previously an-

SEE PLAN PAGE 2

BY ARIANNA GEHAN, CONTRIBUTING REPORTER

ETHAN CHE FOR THE STUTE

University Center Complex slated to open Spring 2022, exact dates still unclear

BY NATALIE TODARO, EDITOR-IN-CHIEF The highly anticipated opening of the University Center Complex (UCC) is coming soon, as most students plan to go on break for the holiday season and will return in late-January 2022.

According to Sara Klein, Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs, “the UCC will be fully operational for the Fall 2022 semester, but we expect to have portions of the facility — including communal spaces like

lounges, the game room, event spaces, and the fitness center — open sooner [...]

We will have a better sense of timing for the opening of communal spaces in January/February of next year.”

Offices including Student Affairs and Undergraduate Student Life are expected to open in late spring 2022, while residential and dining spaces will open for fall 2022. The Stute and Student Government Association offices will also be housed in the towers.

Students selecting housing for the 2022-2023 academic year will have the

UCC as an option to choose from. Costs for students to dorm in the UCC are currently being approved and will be shared with students in December 2021, according to Klein.

The Residential Towers will house approximately 1,000 students, according to Stevens; whether this change to campus housing will result in Stevens Leased Housing (SLH) being terminated is unclear.

Klein stated that SLH is “driven by student demand.

We will lease apartments as students apply for this type of housing. We are hopeful

that more students will be housed on-campus and that there will be less demand for SLH moving forward [...] New first year students will continue to be housed in the current traditional residence halls.”

Klein additionally noted the state of Wittpenn Walk, which “is scheduled to reopen in early April of 2022.

It is our intention that graduating seniors will walk down Wittpenn Walk as is tradition on the last day of spring semester classes.”

On a similar note, the Gate-

98% and 96%, respectively, vaccinated for the virus.

Stevens currently does not provide data regarding the vaccination status of those testing positive. Furthermore, there is no data being provided regarding the reinfection rate of those at Stevens.

The first few weeks of the Fall 2021 semester saw a similar number of new COVID cases each week among students. In October, cases significantly fell until they reached zero, and

then spiked again in recent weeks to as high as 16 and 17 new cases among students. However, fully vaccinated students, faculty, and staff were not required to be tested throughout this semester apart from the randomized testing implemented October 6, 2021.

Therefore, the true rate of COVID-19 cases on Stevens campus is unclear.

Among Stevens employees, only eleven total cases

SEE UCC PAGE 4

–SCIENCE–

Fall 2021 report of COVID-19 cases at Stevens

BY SARA DEUIDICIBUS, SCIENCE WRITER COVID cases at Stevens have spiked considerably in the past few weeks. All positive cases are reported on Stevens’ COVID-19 Dashboard and in weekly updates emailed to the student body and Stevens community.

Currently, only unvaccinated students with exemptions are required to undergo weekly COVID testing,

which happen on Wednesday in Gateway North’s Corcoran Room. However, students are also selected for randomized testing on Wednesdays. On-campus tests have been, and continue to be, conducted by Bergen New Bridge Medical Center (BNBMC) through the Rutgers’ RUCDR SARSCoV-2 saliva testing method. The required tests, if not covered by the individual’s health insurance, are paid for by Stevens. Students who are fully vaccinated

and feel like they have virus symptoms can now get tested upon request.

This article will provide a visual guide for the cases seen on campus so far this semester. The graphs included in this article are solely based on data collected from the Stevens website as well as weekly emails sent out to the Stevens Community. As of the time of this article’s publication, and based on Stevens’ COVID-19 Dashboard, students and employees are

–NEWS–

Check out the results of this week’s Stute poll on Quae:

Student Government Association (SGA) Town Hall on 12/2 – Event report

Each week The Stute will be posting a question on Quae, relevant to the week’s news.

Be sure to vote!

Read the article on thestute.com

S NEWS (2)

SCIENCE (5)

OPINION (8)

Read more about the 2022-2032 Strateigic Plan

Read more about COVID-19 at Stevens Semester report of COVID-19 cases at Stevens

The Stute Editorial Mind of a Freshman Senioritis Second Year Freshman

NEWS (3)

Enterntainment Committee hosts Tree Lighting Annual event hosted by the EC lights up lower campus NEWS (4)

University Center Complex

SEE COVID PAGE 5

The Omicron Varient The new “Varient of Concern” TikTok’s HIV+ community “TikTok was the first place I had ever said ‘I am HIV positive’...

SHOUTOUTS (9)

Read shoutouts to the Stevens community PULSE (10)

Roving Reporter Crossword

On Tuesday, November 30, the Entertainment Committee (EC) hosted the seventh Annual Holiday Tree Lighting, attracting over 1,000 students to one of the most highly attended events ever run by the EC. Even Attila the Duck was spotted walking around and taking pictures with students.

RAFAEL LEE LI FOR THE STUTE

Students started lining up for food over 30 minutes prior to the start of the event. At 7 p.m., attendees checked in and flocked to the festive treats which included gingerbread men, apple cider donuts, challah bread, and hot chocolate. Just outside of Babbio Atrium, there were giveaways including mugs, tree ornaments, seasonal rubber ducks, and Christmas-themed plushies.

The first ever Winter Village hosted cultural and religious organizations, including the Iranian Association at Stevens, Latin American Association, and West Indian Student Organization, to highlight how different student groups are celebrating the holidays.

The Russian Cultural Club allowed students to play a popular Russian card game and Stevens Christian Fellowship (SCF) was discussing why Christmas is celebrated.

A Menorah Lighting took place at 7 p.m. on Walker Lawn to celebrate the third night of Hanukkah.

From 7 to 9 p.m., students gathered around the Babbio Patio West stage to see performances from Stevens’ own Porchlight Band, All Time Snow, Julia Wierzbicki, Classifyde, Tyler Soiferman & Alec Pagano, and Leticia Gonzalez & Caitlin McLaughlin.

SEE EC PAGE 3

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Friday, December 3

News Masthead Volume CXIX No. 12 Executive Board EDITOR-IN-CHIEF......................................................................NATALIE TODARO ‘22 BUSINESS MANAGER................................................................JORDYN RAMELLI ‘23 MANAGING EDITOR....................................................................SANJANA MADHU ‘23 LAYOUT EDITOR.................................................................................KEENAN YATES ‘24 OUTREACH CHAIR................................................................GIANNA CALLEGARI ‘24 DIGITAL MANAGER...........................................................................BEMIN SHAKER ‘23 SECRETARY.........................................................................ZANE THUMMBORST ‘23

Editorial Board NEWS EDITOR...........................................................................TREVOR DAMEIKA ‘23 SCIENCE EDITOR..................................................................RAYNA INDELICATO ‘23 OPINION EDITOR...................................................................ROSHNI REVANKAR ‘22 HEAD COPY EDITOR.............................................................GIANNA CALLEGARI ‘24

Operations Board ASSISTANT BUSINESS MANAGER................................................KATIE BLOOMER‘25 HEAD PHOTOGRAPHER....................................................CAROLINE MONTANA ‘22 SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER........................................................VANESSA HUERTA ‘23 WEBMASTER....................................................................................JOANA FARDAD ‘22

Staff & Contributors Arianna Gehan Benjamin Knobloch Emma Tong Estefania De Caires Grace Miguel Matthew Cunningham

Olof Persson Rafael Lee Li Sara Deuidicibus Stephanie Searing Stephen Pachucki Winston Lee

PLAN

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 nounced via email by President Farvardin. The survey is aimed towards soliciting feedback from the Stevens community on what goals they deem most important for the committee to prioritize in the next 10-year plan.

Members of the Steering Committee include the Chair, Dr. Jianmin Qu (Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs), as well as Cindy Chin (Associate Provost), Sara Klein (Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs), several professors and teaching faculty, and others.

The last 10-year plan, 20122022, titled “The Future. Ours to Create” by Stevens, served as Stevens’ guide that saw large growth in metrics such as student body size, alumni engagement, financial stability, and campus resources. The next plan is intended to maintain this momentum and further improve Stevens’ educational quality and academic prestige over the next decade.

Notable upcoming stages in the process include more town halls with alumni and the Stevens community through January 2022, the finalization of the project’s

major goals, metrics, initiatives in late February 2022, and the completion of the preliminary draft of the plan in late March 2022. Currently, the strategic plan’s final approval by the Board of Trustees is scheduled for June 2022.

Each of the Steering Committee’s sub-committees is responsible for a specialized domain of the comprehensive Strategic Plan, and are named according to the broad goals they would like to see represented in its final form. The sub-committees that were presented during the town hall were Building Internal Community, Innovating Undergraduate Education, Transforming Graduate Education, Empowering Scholarship, Discovery, and Invention, Strengthening Alumni Engagement and Building External Communities, and University Infrastructure.

The Innovating Undergraduate Education committee revealed several tentative goals for Stevens undergraduate education in the next ten years. A revamped curriculum will include a new set of “Stevens Core” classes, which will aim to provide all students with key communication and technology-related skills, and more flexibility in pursuing outcomes like minors and double majors.

Another goal is expanding the number of research opportunities available to undergraduate students. Stevens also aims to “reimagine” the co-op program to be more accommodating to schedules and more available across majors. Goals for the undergraduate community include increasing school pride and improving student interaction and engagement through initiatives like the addition of living-learning communities in residence halls.

The committee members detailed other major focuses of the subcommittees: the development of the community and culture of the university with a focus on diversity, equity, inclusion, and sustainability (DEI+S) initiatives; improving financial resources by increasing alumni contributions, launching a new capital campaign, and establishing further partnerships with external organizations, industry, and government; and upgrading the campus with further technological integration and environmentally-friendly improvements.

The Committee noted that the information presented is subject to change given the ongoing nature of the planning process and the importance of feedback from the Stevens community.

Contact Us GENERAL EMAIL...........................................................EBOARD@THESTUTE.COM EDITOR-IN-CHIEF..........................................................EDITOR@THESTUTE.COM ADVERTISING............................................................BUSINESS@THESTUTE.COM OFFICE................................................................STUDENT CENTER ROOM #302

Corrections 1. Article: Veteran’s Day Interviews – Veteran Kevin Landers ‘14, not Kevin Sanders NOTICE A MISTAKE? Email us at eboard@thestute.com.

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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.

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.

FULL LIST OF POLICIES ON thestute.com

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Friday, December 3

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News EC

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 From 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. the second annual Santa Competition took place where several student organizations competed by having one club representative dress up as Santa, while other members dressed up as elves. Clubs received points for winning different games including limbo, “name that holiday tune,” and a blindfolded marshmallow toss.

Alpha Phi Omega won the title of Stevens’ Santa, along with a pizza party.

Before the lighting, Stevens Choir, Quackapella, and Flocktaves performed in front of the tree. The main event took place at 9:30 p.m. at Walker Patio where students gathered to count down

from 10 and watch the tree light up, accompanied with confetti and fake snow. Afterwards there were performances from The SCF Quartet and Sofia Lopez & Brandt Ryan.

Sophomore EC member Sophie Roper believes that “the event went really well! The people seemed to enjoy themselves and the tree lit up! Thank you to all who came to the event and to everyone who volunteered.” Alex Rubino, the Comedy Chair of EC, mentioned that “An incredible amount of work was done by the Entertainment Committee to make [the tree lighting] happen and it was an honor to be a part of it. Seeing our community come together after nearly two years of being apart is what made this night one that I’ll always be grateful for and will never forget.”

PHOTOS BY OLOF PERSSON AND RAFAEL LEE LI FOR THE STUTE

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Friday, December 3

News UCC

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 house will be reconstructed when the UCC is completely finished, but exact dates are unknown.

It’s unclear when fences and construction crew will be fully cleared from campus. Along with housing, the UCC will additionally offer “fully equipped fitness facilities, private dining and café spaces, multiple lounges, high-tech conference rooms, and auditorium spaces accommodating large community events,” according to Stevens. The north tower will be named in honor of Richard Harries ’58, who made a $17 million donation with his wife Carol.

As the student body of Stevens continues to grow, the UCC will help accommodate rising populations and new classes. As 2022 nears, the “largest construction project in Stevens’ history,” as Stevens notes, will soon become a reality for students to experience.

RENDERINGS PROVIDED BY SARA KLEIN, ASSISTANT VICE PRESIDENT FOR STUDENT AFFAIRS

BRIDGE RENDERING

RESIDENTIAL TOWER LOUNGE RENDERING

CAFE RENDERING

MARKETPLACE RENDERING

LOWER LEVEL RENDERING

MARKETPLACE RENDERING

STUDENT ROOM RENDERING

FITNESS CENTER RENDERING

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Friday, December 3

Science What we know about the Omicron variant

BY RAYNA INDELICATO, SCIENCE EDITOR As the year comes to an end, it is important to take a moment and recognize the victories we have seen in the United States regarding the COVID-19 pandemic. Many schools have returned to (almost) normal operations, vaccines have been rolled out rapidly for almost all age groups, and booster doses are now available. While we have seen much progress, the new variants of COVID-19 are continuing to arise which can be confusing and alarming. In December 2020, the Delta variant was first discovered in India. In March of this year, the Delta variant was found in the U.S. and quickly spread throughout the country. As of August 2021, the Delta variant became the predominant strain in the United States due to its highly transmissible nature. Almost a year later, the new Omicron variant has been found. On November 24, 2021, the first Omicron variant case was identified in South Africa.

On December 1, 2021, to first Omicron variant case in the United States was confirmed in San Francisco, California. The individual who tested positive recently traveled from South Africa and had returned to the US on November 22, 2021. They experienced mild symptoms that have been improving and are currently self-quarantining. All close contacts were notified and have tested negative. The World Health Organization (WHO) designated Omicron as a “Variant of Concern” and many researchers in South Africa and around the world are working to learn more about it.

Unfortunately, not much is known about the Omicron variant. While the Omicron variant has many new mutations, it is unclear what this means in terms of transmissibility and infection.

As the number of cases has risen in the areas affected by this variant, it is unclear whether this is due to the nature of the variant or other factors. Researchers are also trying to learn more

about the severity of Omicron in comparison to the other variants. According to the WHO, “Initial reported infections were among university students—younger individuals who tend to have more mild disease.” While original Omicron variant cases may be mild, this is likely because it has mainly been seen in younger people who tend to have milder symptoms with all variants of COVID-19 thus far. It will take several weeks to have a better understanding of the Omicron variant and its severity.

Another common question is the rate of reinfection.

Reinfection is when someone who has already been infected with COVID-19, the original virus or the Delta variant, is reinfected with the virus or one of its variants. While there is very little data, early evidence suggests the Omicron variant may have a higher reinfection rate than previously seen. There are mutations that may allow for the Omicron variant to avoid one’s antibodies, which may affect reinfection as well as the effectiveness of the vaccine.

The vaccine has so far been effective against the original strain as well as the Delta variant in preventing severe illness. However, antibodies produced by contracting the virus or receiving the vaccine may not fully protect individuals from the Omicron virus, according to scientists studying the mutations.

The WHO and the CDC are committed to sharing the most up-to-date information they have, and researchers around the world are working to learn more about the Omicron variant.

Until then, we can only continue doing what we have been: wearing masks, social distancing, and getting vaccines and/or booster shots when it is available for us.

This is an article regarding COVID-19. The COVID-19 pandemic is changing rapidly every day. This information was last updated on November 30, 2021. For the most recent updates, be sure to check out the CDC website (cdc.gov) and WHO website (who.int).

COVID

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 have been reported so far for the Fall 2021 semester, with a five-week period of no cases starting in mid-October and ending mid-November.

According to the Stevens COVID-19 Dashboard, 8,728 people comprised the Stevens population between August 23 and September 12. After September 12, 9,250 people were considered community members.

Using these numbers, as well as the new case counts per week, the percentage of new cases among the Stevens population each week can be tabulated and visualized. As of the last email sent to the Stevens community, 0.184% of its members have tested positive for COVID. As a whole, Stevens has confirmed 90 new cases of COVID among its population, with 79 cases representing students and the other 11 coming from employees, since August 23, 2021. With the recent increase in cases, we can only hope that the trend will not continue in the final weeks of the semester.

Take notes from TikTok’s HIV+ community

BY MATTHEW CUNNINGHAM, EDITOR EMERITUS “TikTok was the first place I had ever said ‘I am HIV positive’ out loud. I could never say it before,” said Marlon Van Der Mark, who was diagnosed with HIV at 20 years old.

December 1 is World Aids Awareness Day. HIV is a virus that, if left untreated, damages the immune system and can progress to AIDS, which can be fatal. When untreated, HIV can be transmitted sexually or by sharing needles for drugs. Since 1980, the HIV/AIDS pandemic has taken the lives of more than 36 million people, according to the World Health Organization.

Nowadays, HIV is a manageable condition, but too many people are still without treatment, or don’t know their status by simply not getting tested. To increase awareness about HIV and encourage testing, public health creators are taking advantage of TikTok and other social media to reach underrepresented groups, particularly young adults and marginalized communities.

TikTok, a popular shortform video platform founded in September 2016, has been a longtime home for HIV+ creators and organizations. In December 2019, for World Aids Awareness Day, TikTok donated $1 for every video uploaded with the hashtag #MakeItRed, up to $500,000. Since the campaign launched, videos tagged with #MakeItRed have been viewed more than 2.9 billion times in total, according to TikTok. Jennifer Vaughan (@ jennifer.vaughan) is a teacher who was diagnosed with HIV and AIDS in 2016. “I got it from sex from an ex-boyfriend. I didn’t know he had it, and now I have it,” she said in a TikTok. “I was full of shame, disgust, and regret thinking about my life with this new diagnosis.”

Vaughan started making TikToks in March 2020, and today, she has over 160 videos and 84,900 followers.

Vaughan’s videos explore many dimensions of HIV and her life, often touching on deeply personal topics,

including: “Do I disclose [my status] to sexual partners?”

“What happens if I stop taking my HIV medication?”

“AIDS vs. HIV?” In a recent TikTok called “interview with my infector,” Vaughan reconnected with her ex-boyfriend to talk about their HIV statuses (and potentially rekindle a relationship).

Since her diagnosis, Vaughan has found strength in her HIV status. “The greatest news is that this virus is so suppressed that when they test me for it, it looks like I don’t have it,” she said. “It’s called undetectable, which means I cannot transmit the virus sexually.”

According to the CDC, people living with HIV can have normal, healthy lives thanks to advancements in medical treatment. With treatment, people living with the virus cannot transmit the virus sexually to another person.

“I have no shame about my diagnosis nor should anybody else out there who’s diagnosed with HIV,” Vaughan said. “It’s a completely manageable condition today.”

Marcus Muhammad (@ marcusmuhammad7) contracted HIV at birth and is now 28 years old. Muhammad started making TikToks only last month, but he already has over 60 videos and 56,400 followers. Muhammad’s videos are uplifting, focusing on chasing ambition and his relationship with Christianity.

“I was diagnosed with HIV at birth, and the doctor said I wouldn’t live to be an adult,” Muhammad said in a TikTok. “The number one thing I had to have to continue to prosper, to be here today with a wife and children, is faith.”

Muhammad’s mother passed the virus to him at birth, and his mother contracted it from sharing needles for drugs, he said. His mother passed away when he was 2 years old, and he was adopted at 7 months old.

“My biological aunt, who was my mother’s sister, would always tell me that [my mother] hated this disease, that she wanted to be free from it. And [my mother] feared that nobody would ever love her again,” Muhammad said. “And I think that de-

sire for wanting to be healed, for wanting to get rid of this disease, was passed down to me. That’s what’s fueling me.

That’s why I have the passion to not only be free from this disease, but also to help others overcome HIV and other afflictions.”

Jay Hawkridge (@jayhawkridge), who is in his late 20s, was diagnosed with HIV in October 2019.

When he was told the news over the phone in his early 20s, Hawkridge felt like his life was over, and he began abusing drugs. It took several months of reflection, as well as sharing the news to his family and friends, to begin feeling confident with himself, he said.

“After publicly stating my diagnosis, I’ve come to realise that most young people today hide their diagnosis,” Hawkridge said in a November 2020 Dazed Digital article. “This led me to start BPlus, an Instagram page and blog designed to educate anybody wanting to listen to the realities of living with HIV today. Later, it developed into a TikTok account which amassed 250,000 views in

its first week. That might not seem like a lot, but for me it’s a stark reminder that people want to educate themselves on this topic.”

Hawkridge’s TikTok account currently has 137,200 followers and over 600 videos, and his most popular TikToks regularly amass 500,000 views. On Wednesday, SkyTV premiered the first episode of the documentary-series “Positive,” which features Hawkridge’s story as well as the stories of “some of the earliest HIV patients and real-life heroes to tell the tragedies and triumphs of Britain’s 40-year battle with HIV,” said SkyTV. “I live with HIV so confidently that I do not hide anymore,” Hawkridge said.

“I feel no shame for catching it, because all I did was have unprotected sex, and I know I’m not the first person to do that. I used to think of it as bad luck. Now I see it as a rebirth.”

Get tested for HIV! To find the nearest testing center near the university, visit gettested.cdc.gov. As of December 2021, Stevens does not offer HIV testing.

SCREENSHOT FROM @ @JENNIFER.VAUGHAN ON TIKTOK

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Friday, December 3

Opinion THE STUTE EDITORIAL

Reflecting on fall 2021, preparing for 2022 Welcome to my obligatory goodbye for the semester, as The Stute wraps up production and publishes the last issue until 2022. Don’t worry, it’s just a see-you-soon!

Next semester will be an exciting one for The Stute — we’ll be moving into a new office space in the University Center which will hopefully be our permanent home for a while. After a somewhat chaotic semester in terms of figuring out how to print issues again and do in-person production, both logistically and how to handle that stress mentally, next semester should be smoother.

We should also expect new distribution racks around campus next semester which we’re current-

ly working on purchasing and getting approved. While I’ve speculated that print issues of The Stute may soon be obsolete, I guess new distribution racks make it seem like that isn’t the case. Oops.

Amidst the chaos, this semester was objectively one of the best semesters for The Stute from my experience. Based on Google Analytics which tracks thestute.com, there were 90,104 page views on our website from September 3 to November 30, 2021. For reference, the last fall semester with normal campus and Stute operations was 2019, which saw 48,177 page views. I can confidently say that our reach has just about doubled, as the 90,000 mark does not in-

clude this last issue, which should see about 10,000 views alone.

We also saw a huge growth in engagement on our Instagram, in follower count and likes. Social media distribution of news and content has been a priority this semester, and I can only imagine it will continue to be more of a priority going forward. We also put out the third annual Halloween Issue, features on student organizations and entrepreneurship efforts, and a Veteran’s Day feature.

This kind of information and more can be found in our end-ofthe-semester report, appropriately titled, “Semester Report,” that we put out, wait for it, at the end of every semester. Semester reports

are my take on previous alumni newsletters which I transformed to apply to anyone, not just alumni, while a monthly alumni email newsletter became an actual thing separate from semester reports.

While our primary goal is documenting Stevens history, the Semester Report is a way to document Stute history. Within the Report, you will find more analytics, top Instagram posts, staff numbers, pictures from the semester, and more. All alumni newsletters and semester reports, including the newly-published Fall 2021 report, can be downloaded at https://thestute.com/about/.

Happy Holidays from The Stute, and we’ll see you next year!

MIND OF A FRESHMAN

SENIORITIS

Stress, winter, and procrastination, oh my!

Spreading Christmas cheer

BY KATIE BLOOMER ‘25 Winter break is approaching, and all I can think about is finals. The majority of Stevens students seem to have an endless list of tests to prepare for, papers to write, and projects to complete. It seems like the holiday countdown is actually just a reminder that we barely have enough hours in the day to complete our assignments.

I imagine winter break to be a magical time with no assignments dangling over my head. In reality, I will still have some tasks on my to-do list, like creating a resume, cleaning out my email’s inbox, and finishing last-minute Christmas shopping. However, all of these things are still significantly better than the somewhat repetitive homework assignments that are seemingly assigned as often as possible. As you can tell, I am ready for a break — physically, mentally, and emotionally.

Although things might not actually be as bad as they feel, it is easy to understand where the sudden spike of stress is coming from. The cold weather brings seasonal affective disorder, the effects of which can be found on just about every bulletin board in Davis Hall. Unfortunately, being educated on the topic does not dilute its symptoms. Even for those not affected by this disorder, the harsh wind and frigid temperatures can still be upsetting. I miss mindlessly walking across campus while calling my parents and spending late nights sitting at picnic tables finishing up

last minute homework. Can you tell I’m not winter’s biggest fan?

Of course, as these thoughts are flowing onto the paper, I realize how incredibly sad this all sounds.

If you were having a good day before, you are guaranteed to not be anymore once you are done reading this column. Just kidding!

Gentle snowfalls, cozy sweaters, and hot chocolate mostly compensate for the cold weather, and these are the things I need to focus on when thinking about the present.

I am working on embracing the winter and using indoor time more wisely.

Reading, watching movies, and listening to podcasts are things that seem appealing but always get pushed aside during the summer because I would rather be outside taking in the warm sun. Now is the time to take advantage of being inside and do these things.

It’s amazing how procrastination allows me to put off doing most assignments until the last minute and then cram them all in as quickly as possible, but my brain would never allow me to use that extra time spent procrastinating to relax and watch a movie. If I’m not going to be doing work, I might as well enjoy the latest film and some popcorn! In all seriousness, procrastination is something I will be working on reducing before next semester begins. Usually this is the part of the column where I would include some advice or tips that I have found helpful, but I am the last person who should give guidance since I still haven’t fixed my own bad habit of waiting until the last minute.

I hope you do not spend too much time stressing about assignments, find ways to appreciate the cold weather, and watch some movies. If you find the secret to not procrastinating, please let me know!

JOIN THE STUTE!

Tuesday GBMs @ 9:15 PM in the Student Center Room #203 Open to everyone!

BY GRACE MIGUEL ‘22 With Thanksgiving behind us and enough turkey, ham, and stuffing in our bellies to put us in hibernation, it is officially Christmas time! While it is a joyous part of the year, it can also be stressful with finals and projects.

While I was home for Thanksgiving, my family and I put up the Christmas tree and decorations on Black Friday. It’s a tradition and quite honestly brings us closer together. We put 106.7 on the radio to listen to holiday classics as we struggle to find space on the tree for all our ornaments.

We have tons of ornaments that my sister and I made, ornaments older than I am, and a couple new additions we have accumulated over the years. As we were dancing around our living room singing Christmas songs,

our cats swatted at any ornament they could get their paws on. The newest addition to my family, Ash, a grey and pink feisty one year old cat hid under the tree waiting for something to drop.

Performing this family tradition truly reinforced what the holiday season is all about for me. Family.

Before I lived on campus, tree decorating was still fun and games, but I never cherished it as much as I did this year. Being away from home made me closer with my parents and sister. While I love the independence and freedom, there’s comfort in knowing they’ll always be there for me, especially when I need them the most.

The past couple weeks have been quite stressful with classes, projects, and internship hunting.

As I’ve mentioned in previous pieces, I have a type A personality. I like to plan, organize, and know exactly what is being asked of me. Unfortunately, the real world doesn’t work like that.

You never know what questions are going to be asked in interviews, and sometimes, you have no idea what is being asked on exams because professors like to throw cur-

Natalie Todaro ‘22

Editor-in-Chief

veballs, even though they give you a list of topics to study from. I’m usually good at managing my tasks, but it can be overwhelming. Meditating doesn’t always work because my thoughts are running in a million directions, so I need someone to talk to. That’s when I know I can turn to my family.

My father is an engineer and understands how hellish engineering classes can be. When I’m freaking out about classes, I know I can call him and he’ll talk me down. My mother knows me well. When something is wrong, she knows just what to say. My sister. Oh Elise.

She is the bread to my but-

ter. The PB to my J. I don’t know what I’d do without her.

Holiday season can be stressful. But it doesn’t have to be that stressful.

Enjoy time with family and friends. While you’re in Hoboken, go out with your friends. Make memories and go to that restaurant you always wanted to go to, or visit the tree in Rockefeller Center. Your family may behave differently than mine and that’s okay. Whoever your support system is, tell them how much they mean to you.

They will appreciate it.

Happy holidays and see you next semester!

PIGGY ON LEFT AND ASH SEEN ON RIGHT

SECOND-YEAR FRESHMAN

‘Tis the season of waiting

BY GIANNA CALLEGARI ‘24 As the seasons change, the air begins to fill with a crisp coldness that always reminds me of winter. This is the type of air that nips at your skin and turns it red, forcing you to whip out your winter coat and layer up. The sky is overcome by darkness by 6 p.m., and it never fails to catch me by surprise. The sudden change in season always makes me feel tired, and the need for a winter recess is more prevalent now than ever. There’s only a short amount of time before break though — we just have to be patient! Right?

Yeah, that’s not as easy as it may seem.

I’ve always struggled with being patient. Sitting

still has been an impossible feat for me from the moment that I was born. I had the urge to walk when I was just five months old — completely skipping over the crawling stage. My mom tried to hold me as a baby, but my tiny self would always shimmy out of her grasp. All I wanted was to plant my baby feet on the floor and run around, expending all of the pentup, restless energy I had as a baby. By the age of seven months, this is exactly what I accomplished—much to my doctor’s surprise. Nowadays, I have to keep myself busy, or I feel as though I’m wasting precious time. Immediate outcomes and fast responses have become two of my favorite things.

I’m certain that being born and raised in a bustling city, mixed with the traits of an overachiever, is to blame for my impatience; and now, as a sophomore in college, I’m really starting to see the flaws in my restless nature.

Winter recess can’t come fast enough! Thanksgiving break felt like a mean tease—a small taste of what winter recess has to offer.

My brain is now on “break mode” because of it, and I

find myself even more impatient than I was before.

It’s not helping that the cold, dark days are increasing my sluggishness, and that winter break is so blinding in my line of sight. Since this is my first real year of college, this is my first time feeling the desperate need for a month off of school. Every day feels like I’m just…waiting.

That’s really what the Holiday Season is, though, if you think about it. As soon as Thanksgiving is over, there’s just days and weeks of waiting for Christmas; and once Christmas hits, it’s over and the magic is gone.

Then we just wait until next year and, oh my, it’s a nightmare for an impatient person.

Yes, this is the season of “waiting,” yet the wait is, arguably, the most enjoyable part. During the days and weeks leading up to Christmas, there are festive decorations everywhere you turn. Bright lights and ornaments line each house, and stores dress up in their most impressive holiday cheer.

No matter where you go, you will hear the sweet, familiar melodies of holiday songs.

Everyone seems to be filled

with a happy, excited spirit that is brought to life during this time of year. There is, quite frankly, nothing like it.

Even though it is certainly hard to believe in some situations, it is true that the wait is just as valuable as the main event. Patience is a virtue, and the proper attitude is necessary in making the most out of life. There is no way for me to speed up time and magically make winter break start sooner, so there’s nothing I can do but make the most out of the days leading up to it.

Finals are scary and homework is overwhelming, but there’s a lot to learn from, and a lot I will miss out on if I don’t give it my all. After all, if everyone just skipped to Christmas Day, we would lose all of the amazing things that the holiday season has to offer.

As the semester comes to a close, and you find yourself growing more and more in need of a break, I hope that you muster up the patience to enjoy the last few moments we have left on campus. After that, I hope that you have a magical, well-awaited winter break and a Happy Holidays!

Friday, December 3

Features

SHOUTOUT TO YOU!

Read shoutouts from members of the Stevens community to fellow peers!

–Happy Holidays from The Stute–

@kyatertots Shoutout to the G.R.L. girlies (CHLOE, MORGAN, AND SAOIRSE!) for the lit crazy movie semester :)!

Pooja Rajadurai Shoutout to Roshni for always keeping me on track with my articles and checking in on me!

@angbevilacquaa Shout out to aphi girls for my new family !! :)

Julie B. Mains Huge shoutout to the women’s volleyball team, Mac Freedom conference champions and NCAA tournament regional hosts. We are so proud of every single member of the team.

@gianna.callegari Shout out to everyone in The Stute for being such a motivation to me, and for being such wonderful people! I love you all! <3

@gianna.callegari Shout out to all of my girls in aphi!! thank you for being the most welcoming and supportive people, I love you all so much!

@daniel_korzen hi courtney

@_kaiwong_ Em, Julia, and Liz, I love y’all so much and I’m excited to make more memories!

@kris10xx_ Shout out to my roommate Ruchika Sharma for all four years of Stevens from 2010-2014!

@ra_j_eeev Love you keerthana – from rajeev

@sanjanamadhu_ Shout out to the Stute fam! Proud of all the work we put in this semester!

@jordynrr88 I love my E-Board! You guys are the best: Keenan, Natalie, Gianna, Sanjana, Bemin, & Zane.

@bloomer.katie Hey Mom, Dad, Grandma, and Pop! Thank you for reading The Stute every week!

@thestute Shoutout to Gios for giving us pizza each week!

Bonnie Cairns Shout out to Julia Cairns congratulations on making the Womens Soccer NCAA D3 Tournament, The President’s List, and your induction into the Order of Omega Honor Society! Never stop reaching for the stars!”–Love Mom and Dad

Roshni Revankar Shoutout to all the columnists for a stunning semester of creative and engaging content! I am so proud <3 I wish them all a successful end to the Fall semester and hope they keep achieving everything they desire.”

Janet Holmes Shoutout to Patrick Monaco, Assistant Director of Housing Services. Thank you for all your help around campus housing for my son. Your calm, kind and professional manner made all the difference.”

Linda Long Big super duper shout out to Steph Long for having a great fall semester in your Junior year. From proud Mom & Dad.

Leigha Tierney, Jeel Shah, Cosette Lim, Joana Fardad, and Harshal Shah Thank you to Dr. Nuran Kumbaraci and her commitment to Stevens! We hope to see you soon and we appreciate all of your help at Stevens and beyond graduation.

Jill Sciorilli We’re so proud of Marissa Sciorilli for all your hard work as a student-athlete this semester. Love your biggest fans – Dad, Mom & Nicole xo”

The Sciorilli Family Shoutout to the Women’s Soccer team for a great semester!

Love, The Sciorilli Family

Shoutout to Julia Dwight for her amazing gourmet articles! Always making me hungry :)

To Gianna the BEST human in the world and best sister.

Love you!!!” @thestute Shoutout to Professor Horgan for being an amazing mentor!

@cimontana3 Proud of my Caroline! Keep up the great work

@naty.todaro To Mom, Dad, and GiGi for always supporting me and being the biggest Stute fans! I love you <3 – from Nattie

Jen Ramelli Shout out to our daughter Jordyn. We look forward to reading more Girl talk next semester! Best of luck on your finals.

Jesse Kim Shoutout to Sanjana for doing an awesome job with The Stute this semester!

Shoutout to the field hockey team for having an INCREDIBLE season! You made history! <3

Shoutout to my pm prof. Robert Zotti

Shoutout to Nick Smith, Ava Wang, and Tommy Bothwell!

Proud of you Connor!

We LOVE you Julianna!!!

Shoutout to myself for somehow keeping it together when everything was falling apart, and moving forward. I am so proud of myself and who I have become, and will continue being proud of who I will become in the future (a billionaire ofc). — A pep talk for whoever needs it

9

10

Friday, December 3

Campus Pulse

Amna Ahmad ‘23 “Fun, stressful, and weird.”

Victor Mavricos ‘25 “Exciting, challenging, fun.”

Winston Lee ‘25 “New, fun, hectic.”

ROVING REPORTER Saoirse Mooney ‘24

Describe your semester in 3 words.

Emily Franco ‘23

Francisco Tavares ‘25

David Goncalves ‘24

Khushi Patel ‘24

“Computer Science sucks.”

“Hectic and enjoyable.”

LAST WEEK’S CROSSWORD ANSWERS: Across: 1) KOOL 5) BTS 8) IN 10) AHOY 11) BEE 12) SO 13) RIPE 14) CAT 15) TOSS 16) TONE 20) NBC 23) ABOX 24) AD 26) YOU 27) PETE 28) TO 29) COT 30) EYES

Down: 1) KART 2) OHIO 3) OOPS 4) LYES 5) BBC 6) TEA 7) SET 8) IS 9) NO 16) TAPE 17) OBEY 18) NOTE 19) EXES 20) NYC 21) BOO 22) CUT 24) AT 25) DO

“Pain and heartache.”

THIS WEEK’S CROSSWORD ANSWERS:

“Really fucking difficult. ”

“This is the hardest thing I’ve done all day.”