[The Stute] February 3, 2023 (Issue 15, Volume CXX)

Groundhog sees shadow

BY ISABELLA ZIV, LAYOUT EDITOR

The groundhog has spoken: six more weeks of winter!

Every February 2 on Groundhog Day, Punxsutawney Phil of Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania emerges from his hole to predict the fate of our next few weeks. The legend says if the groundhog sees its shadow, there will be six more weeks of winter and if not, spring is coming early.

On Thursday morning

Phil saw his shadow, predicting six more weeks of Winter. This prediction was communicated in “Groundhogese” to Phil’s “inner circle” who are in charge of caring for him and planning the Groundhog Day festivities in Punxsutawney.

According to The Punxsutawney Groundhog Club, the tradition has been running since 1886 with the same groundhog for 135 years, a seemingly impossible lifespan.

Phil even has some local rivals, including Staten Island Chuck from the Staten Island Zoo, who did not see his shadow and predicted an early spring.

Staten Island Chuck has had an 80% accuracy rate

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International programs’ fair and new website

BY EVAN PAPAGEORGE, STAFF WRITER

One office that helps Stevens students learn around the world is the Office of International Programs. On January 25, the department hosted the Study Abroad Fair in the Babbio Atrium. Several companies and organizations that send students abroad to study presented

StevensOnline graduate program ranks best in NJ

BY ADVAIT DANTULURI, STAFF WRITER

In the most recent 2022 Best Online Programs ranking of “U.S. News and World Report,” three Stevens schools were recognized: the Charles V. Schaefer School of Engineering and Science (SES), the School of Systems and Enterprises (SSE), and the School of Business. Stevens was placed nationally in seven online graduate education categories and has claimed the number one program in New Jersey in three of those categories, marking the seventh year in a row that Stevens’ online program MBA (Master of Business Administration) has ranked number one in New Jersey.

The rankings for all of the seven programs were: Best Online Graduate Engineering Specialties for Industrial (Systems) Engineering, No. 7 (No.1 in New Jersey), Best Online Graduate Engineering Specialties for Engineer/ing Management, No. 9 (No. 1 in New Jersey), Best Online Graduate Engineering, No. 25 (No. 1 in New Jersey), Best Online Graduate Computer Information Technology, No. 8 (No. 1 in New Jersey), Best

Inaugural CAL Associate Dean of Undergrad Studies

BY ANNA DABROWSKI OPINION COLUMNIST

Online MBA - Business Analytics Specialty, No. 19 (No. 1 in New Jersey), Best Online Graduate Business (nonMBA), No. 28 (No. 2 in New Jersey), and Best Online MBA, No. 42 (No. 1 in New Jersey).

Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Jianmin Qu said, “As a leading provider of technology-infused graduate education, we are dedicated to providing our online students with top-flight programs and a rich learning experience. These prestigious rankings confirm the value of our innovative online learning technologies and pedagogies and our dedication to meeting the needs of today’s students no matter which learning modalities they choose.”

Senior Vice Provost for Graduate Education Dr. Constantin Chassapis said, “I am particularly proud that three of our programs are ranked in the top 10 of their respective categories as we continue to pursue our goal to deliver world class education to our online students. This distinction validates our plans to grow our online offerings to provide students a competitive advantage as

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to students interested in learning outside the country. A representative of The Stute attended the fair and spoke with Susan Rachouh, Director of International Programs.

The fair was on Wednesday, January 25, in the Babbio Atrium. Many different programs around the world presented options for students interested in spending either a winter session, semester, or summer at an

international institution

while still receiving credit here at Stevens. Some, like the Institute for the International Education of Students, are non-profits that host students at different universities. Others, like the Queen Mary University of London, are specific schools or exchange programs. The fair also included student volunteers who work for the international programs office or

poses challenges for academic integrity

BY EVAN PAPAGEORGE, STAFF WRITER

ChatGPT, the powerful artificial intelligence program that has gone viral in recent months for its ability to emulate human writing, has prompted concerns about its potential for abuse among students. ChatGPT is an interactive artificial intelligence and machine learning program that allows users to communicate directly with a computer running the powerful natural language syntax. OpenAI, the company that runs and owns ChatGPT, is a leader in machine learning and has produced many other power intelligence programs in the past. ChatGPT, released in November 2022, follows the success of OpenAI’s GPT-3. The program takes inputs from a user in their natural language and can produce accurate and specific text responses and make computer code. However, with the power of a synthetical study of the entire Internet, students have begun to take advantage of ChatGPT responses, which are undetectable by traditional plagiarism and anti-cheating software.

In the history of academ-

ic integrity, there have often been developments in technology that require the educational systems to adapt and evolve to combat ways to cheat. When smartphones entered the market, there was a consideration of how to prevent students from using them to cheat. With the advent of ChatGPT and other more advanced systems like Chegg, Photomath, and other machine-learning academic aid programs, academic integrity must reform again.

ChatGPT is uniquely challenging for professors and schools for two reasons: it is easy to use and hard to trace. The program is simple and takes only a quick Internet search, an email, and a login. From there, the user can ask the program any question, from simple prompts like “What is the weather today?” to much more complex ones, like “Write a C++ program to track daily activity in 500 lines of code.” With only a few words, it is possible to do entire projects for the user.

Worsening the challenge schools face with ChatGPT is how difficult it is to detect the presence of ChatGPT

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have studied abroad during their time here at Stevens. Full-time staff members of international programs were present and available for questions and assistance.

Rachouh, the event organizer, was proud to host such an event. She emphasized the importance of the fair in spreading information quickly since the of-

The College of Arts and Letters (CAL) department has a new Associate Dean of Undergraduate Studies, Professor Jennifer McBryan. Professor McBryan has a Ph.D. in comparative literature from Rutgers University set her up for an “interdisciplinary career path in the humanities.” In graduate school, she received extensive training in the art of teaching writing and specifically teaching the shift that first-year students experience when transitioning from high school to college. The focus in writing switches from receiving knowledge in high school to producing knowledge in college. McBryan believes that her generalist background has been integral in “showing students how to be interested in a wide range of things.”

Her career at Stevens began in the Writing and Communications Center, and she later served as the director of SEE CAL PAGE 2

Stevens earns“Great Place To Work” certificate

BY ADVAIT DANTULURI, STAFF WRITER

Many students have had positive learning experiences at Stevens, but is it a great place to work? According to Patch, Stevens Institute of Technology has been certified by “Great Place to Work,” the global authority on workplace culture, employee experience, and leadership behaviors proven to deliver market-leading revenue, employee retention, and increased innovation. The organization is recognized worldwide by employees and employers alike and is the global benchmark for identifying and recognizing outstanding employee experience. And it’s not something that comes easy — according to Sarah Lewis-Kulin, Vice President of Global Recognition at Great Place to Work, “It’s the only official recognition determined by employees’ real-time reports of their company culture. Earning this designation means that Stevens Institute of Technology is one of the best companies to work for in the country.”

Patch says that Stevens is a university on the rise. Its community of more than 1,000 faculty and staff work together to create a learning environment where

students are inspired and equipped to solve some of our world’s most challenging problems.

According to the “Great Place to Work,” 75% of employees at Stevens Institute of Technology say it is a great place to work compared to 57% of employees at a typical U.S.-based company. Of those employees, 87% of them said people here are given a lot of responsibility, 84% of them said that they’re proud to tell others they work here, 83% said that when they look at what we accomplish, they feel a sense of pride, 81% said that they are able to take time off from work when they think it’s necessary, and 81% said they feel good about the ways we contribute to the community.

According to President Farvardin, “We owe our continued success to Stevens’ dedicated faculty and staff, who earned this incredible recognition with their voices and excellent service. Continuing to strengthen our university culture is a high priority of our new strategic plan, and I am confident we will continue to make progress in the coming years.”

Sheraine Gilliam, Vice President and Chief Human

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PHOTO COURTESY OF @STEVENSDUCKS ON INSTAGRAM

Masthead Volume CXX No. 15

Executive Board

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF..............................SANJANA MADHU ‘23

BUSINESS MANAGER.......................JORDYN RAMELLI ‘23

MANAGING EDITOR............................. KEENAN YATES ‘24

LAYOUT EDITOR.........................................ISABELLA ZIV ‘24

OUTREACH CHAIR KATIE BLOOMER ‘25

DIGITAL MANAGER...............................BEMIN SHAKER ‘23

SECRETARY......................................ZANE THUMMBORST ‘23

Editorial Board

NEWS EDITOR.............................................OZ AGUINAGA ‘23

NEWS EDITOR.........................................BEN KNOBLOCH ‘25

FEATURE EDITOR..................................TASHA KHOSLA ‘25

SCIENCE EDITOR.........................................ERIN MCGEE ‘25

OPINION EDITOR.................................CLAIRE HANNAN ‘24

SPORTS EDITOR........................................CHRISTA RUIZ ‘25

HEAD COPY EDITOR.....................GIANNA CALLEGARI ‘24

ASSIS. COPY EDITOR ISABELLA HAMM ‘25

ASSIS. LAYOUT EDITOR................NICOLE GIARDINO ‘25

Operations Board

HEAD PHOTOGRAPHER......................OLOF PERSSON ‘25

ASSISTANT BUS. MANAGER..........AVA BUONCUORE ‘25

SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER............VANESSA HUERTA ‘23

Staff & Contributors

Advait Dantuluri

Anaïs Bouchatta

Anna Dabrowski

Ava Wang

Charles Beall

Christa Ruiz

Ethan Kleschinsky

Evan Papageorge

Josephina Strano

Julia Wierzbicki

Contact Us

Corrections

Disclaimer

Marisa Powers

Matthew Brantl

Kayden Cannilla

Kyle Slendorn

Rachel Abraham

Ruthie Mullisky

Tasha Khosla

Trevor Dameika

Victoria Yashchuk

FAIR

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fice is small and has limited staff. Rachouh continued, “a study abroad fair raises the profile of our programs and the office.” By attending the fair, Rachouh hoped they could “answer questions about the programs, cities, and countries to help [students] get a feel for where they might

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thus far.

Interestingly, Phil has more often been wrong in his prediction than right, with a less than 50% accuracy. So while he predicted six more weeks of winter, maybe we should plan for an early spring instead.

CAL

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the CAL 103 and CAL 105 programs for nearly ten years. Directing this program is no easy task, as every first-year student takes part in the CAL 103/105 progression. McBryan facilitated staffing the program for over 1,000 students and consistently scrutinized the reading materials to ensure they are diverse and up-to-date. The CAL 103/105 progression helps bridge the gap between high school and college writing and teaches students the fundamentals of writing, communication, and inquiry. Her experience in this integral role taught her about the specific needs of Stevens students and how to address these needs throughout the program.

Professor McBryan’s main goal

GRAD

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like to go.”

At the study abroad fair, international programs also launched their new, updated website. In the past, the office’s website was slated to be updated, and with the Stevens rebranding, these past few months provided a great opportunity. Rachouh explained, “the new website is a much more user-friendly system for our students to both explore programs as well as to apply for programs.

[...] It’s intuitive and designed for

ease of access.”

The study abroad program is a great opportunity for Stevens students to explore the world, learn more, and make memories that will last a lifetime. The office of international programs recommends all interested students check out their new website, reach out directly to the office to ask questions, or attend one of their information sessions, held weekly at 3 p.m. on Wednesdays in Babbio 321.

NOTICE

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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.

they focus on advancing their careers.”

Matthew Menture, a Stevens graduate of the engineering management program, said, “The flexibility of online learning allowed me to work full-time and get my master’s at the same time, and my professors were able to think out-

CHATGPT

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use. The functionality of ChatGPT is a synthesis program. When the user prompts the program, it analyzes the terms and syntax of the prompt and searches and compares the input to the entirety of its database (the entire Internet), and puts together a response that best represents all of the information on the Internet. Because the program does not copy a single source or even ten sources, it does not

is to continue supporting the goals of Dean Kellan Thomas, the Dean of the College of Arts and Letters. She plans to continue supporting his vision for the development of the CAL department, and over time, develop her own sense of what she could innovate in the department. McBryan said “in the early phases I think it’s really important to listen and learn and to throw my energy into the current needs of the team.”

Overall, Professor McBryan feels very honored and humbled to be taking on this new role and to “play a new kind of part in helping CAL faculty and students succeed.”

In her interview with Stevens, she stated, “The humanities, social sciences, and arts introduce a frame of mind in which students never look at the world and assume what it is. We’re changing the way students see the world.”

side of the stereotypical classroom to provide my peers and myself with a quality, well-rounded education that was offered completely online. My employer saw the potential of my advanced education, and I wouldn’t be in the position I’m in today without my master’s degree.”

The online program helps many Stevens students. 96% of graduate students seeking jobs—including online and traditional students— secure employment within three

trigger plagiarism software. Students can ask for code, equations, essays, or even visual art and musical creations — all with no signs of plagiarism or cheating.

With such a challenge, schools and professors are beginning to adapt to the new program. Some professors allow it as an outside source while some individually distinguish fair uses of the tool from academic violations, while others are trying to convince students that using ChatGPT is more harmful than good. However, some schools are encouraging professors to integrate ChatGPT into

months of graduation with an average salary of $86,918 and an average sign-on bonus of $14,368. The number of students enrolled in online master’s programs university-wide in Fall 2021 was 54% higher than that of Fall 2020: the business school increased by 31%, SSE by 45% and SES by an astounding 101% (SES saw online students making up 9% of its graduate population in 2021, up from 3% in 2020), further showing the value of StevensOnline.

their assignments. An article from the University of Pennsylvania addressing faculty and staff recommends asking students to “consider designing assignments that ask students to engage with AI tools and AI-generated materials.”

ChatGPT is sure to play a significant role in the development of education shortly. Already, professors at Stevens are beginning to research its application. Although it is traditionally thought of as immoral to use outside help for assignments, perhaps ChatGPT will offer a new tool for the students of tomorrow.

WORK

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Resources officer at Stevens, said “These are exciting times at Stevens. There is an undeniable familial feeling that draws you into the culture here. Everyone is committed to excellence in citizenship

and performance, which makes Stevens a ‘Great Place to Work.’ I am excited to work with this community and build on the momentum, focus on areas of opportunity and continue to let the world know just how amazing Stevens is.”

Having a safe workplace is important, as it is important to make employees feel valued, included, and safe. With Stevens Institute

of Technology being ranked as a “Great Place to Work,” it really shows how much effort Stevens is willing to put in order to create a safe working environment. We really need to give everyone at Stevens full respect in order to make them feel valued and loved, so be sure to thank your professors, teaching assistants, and everyone that works at Stevens.

PHOTO COURTESY OF STEVENS.EDU

AMERICAN HEART MONTH

Keys to a heart-healthy new year

BY KAYDEN CANNILLA, OPINION COLUMNIST

The most common New Year’s resolutions for 18 to 25-year-olds are to lose weight (31%), improve diet (33%), and improve fitness (49%). These aspirations for better physical health are only beaten by the goal of improving mental health (50%).

Concrete markers and resources for actualizing your goal are key to following through on resolutions. College students may be especially interested in adjusting their diet and fitness because of the notorious “Freshman 15.” This expression is more of an exaggeration, as Rutgers found that 75% of college freshmen gained an average of seven pounds. College weight gain is due to a variety of factors: decreased physical activity, making the most of your meal plan, social drinking, and too little sleep, which are all common tendencies of students. While body mass index (BMI) is not the only important factor in overall health, it is a significant predictor for heart failure, with a

five-point increase in BMI corresponding to a 32% increase in the risk of heart failure.

Diet is a much more significant factor in weight loss and overall fitness than an impressive exercise plan. While weight loss ultimately comes down to calories in minus calories out, the more difficult part is picking satisfying foods to maintain a caloric deficit. It’s best to start by estimating how many calories you need for homeostasis. Counting calories is not always feasible, especially with pre-portioned campus meals, but being mindful of how many servings you eat in a day and the approximate macronutrients you consume can give valuable insight into where your diet is lacking. The printed serving size can also be misleading because a serving size is based on “the amount of food people typically consume, rather than how much they should consume… [Based on] nationwide surveys of the amounts of foods Americans eat, the serving size for soda has changed from 8 ounces to 12 ounces.” The ratio of macronutrients will determine how full and

How to: maintain a healthy heart

BY EVAN PAPAGEORGE, OPINION COLUMNIST

One of the most vital parts of the human body is the heart. The heart pumps blood, oxygen, nutrients, and waste around the body. The heartbeat is a sign of life and is one of the only constant functions of the body that does not require thought. However, the heart is also susceptible to damage and harm. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, heart disease is the top cause of death among American adults. Since the heart is so vulnerable yet essential, keeping your heart healthy can lead to a long healthy life. Here are some tips on maintaining a healthy heart.

The most recommended way to keep a healthy heart is to move and stay active. Whether it be intense workouts, running a marathon or playing a sport, moderate activity like a jog, or easy exercise like a walk, all activities will have long-term benefits. When the body is active, the heart pumps more blood faster to aid muscles throughout the body by supplying oxygen and nutrients while taking away waste like lactic acid. Medically, this improves blood pressure. Poor blood pressure

can be a sign of a disease of the heart. Most experts agree that standing up periodically during extended times of rest and about 150 minutes of moderate exercise or 75 minutes of intense activity a week is best for improving blood pressure and reducing the amount of work the heart needs to do when resting.

Another option recommended by experts is to maintain frequent health check-ups. Whether it be checking weight, heart rate, blood pressure, or other vital signs, monitoring possible issues and checking in with health professionals can uncover early warning signs of diseases like heart disease or poor blood pressure. Additionally, adapting diet and exercise routines allows for quick response to signs of possible heart issues.

Another efficient way of maintaining a healthy heart is by monitoring food and other substances. Eating healthy is one of the best ways of doing this. Limiting processed and high-fat foods while eating more natural foods with healthy fats and low sugar will increase heart health. Reducing alcohol, drug consumption, smoking, and extreme stress will boost heart health. Protection against dangerous substances and situations will reduce resting heart conditions. One recom-

mendation from the Journal of the American Heart Association shows that being in nature reduces stress, improving heart health.

While a healthy heart is possible through regular activity, getting enough sleep is equally as important. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends around seven hours a night for average adults. When asleep, the body rebuilds damaged cells from the day and restarts systems on an organismal and cellular level. Sleep deprivation can cause high blood pressure, Type II diabetes, and other heart diseases.

At Stevens, part of the physical health program offers many resources that allow students to keep their hearts healthy. The Stevens Campus Recreation offers gyms, sports courts and fields, and classes to stay active. Stevens Office of Residential and Dining Services and their dietitian offer services from diet planning, food substitutions, and a healthy habits course that students can attend to learn more about and structure their healthy lifestyle.

Heart health is of the utmost importance. These tips can help keep you and your heart in good condition. See a medical professional to learn more about maintaining a healthy heart.

Mythbusters: Does alcohol help heart health?

BY ASWIN AGUINAGA, NEWS EDITOR

This article was originally published on April 8, 2022

You may have heard that red wine is good for your heart due to the levels of resveratrol, a compound found in red grapes that is thought to act as an antioxidant in the body. New research published in Jama Network Open by Kiran J. Biddinger et al. challenges the idea that light alcohol consumption decreases risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). In the study published, the team of researchers found that alcohol consumption at any level of intake was linked with a higher risk of CVD. Controversy continues to surround the association between alcohol intake and CVD, which remains the leading global cause of death.

The current theory suggests that light drinkers have the lowest risk for heart disease, followed by those who abstain from drinking and finally heavy drinkers. However, the new study suggests that previous studies have confounded this result, implying that there are other factors that might account for lower risk of CVD among light drinkers. For example, light drinkers are believed to have healthier lifestyles and better socioeconomic status, allowing them the ability to have the occasional drink without significant damage to their health. Just a few of these lifestyle factors (exercise, vegetable consumption, and non-smoking) may considerably reduce the risk of heart disease.

In an attempt to address the complex link between alcohol and CVD, the team of researchers conducted a study applying Mendelian randomization, which examines genetic variants

satisfied you’ll feel from a meal; if your meal is mostly protein, you will feel more full than an equivalent amount of calories in carbs. For a heart-healthy diet, increase the number of fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and low-fat proteins, and decrease salt, saturated, and trans fats. The timing of your meals can also make controlling your diet easier. Northwestern Medicine suggests spacing out meals evenly to avoid overeating, putting 4 to 5 hours between meals. Often, we skip breakfast because we aren’t hungry, though this trains your body “not to send hunger signals at that time because they have long been ignored. Your body needs energy in the morning, so fuel it accordingly.” There are other options for timing your meals around your classes, a recent fad being Intermittent Fasting, though the best diet is the one that you’ll stick to. If you find yourself hungry while fasting and going for a snack, this will not be sustainable for weight loss or overall health. It’s also important to time your meals around exercise. Eating less than two

hours before a workout, especially a high-intensity workout, may cause nausea and indigestion. Fasted training is an option, but it’s important to eat protein and carbs soon after your workout to refuel.

Aerobic exercise, also known as cardio, is the best workout for improving your heart health. These workouts focus on endurance and breathing control, aerobic meaning “with oxygen,” and include activities like walking, biking, swimming, dancing, and yoga. Cardio is recommended 30 minutes per day, five to seven times per week, which can seem unattainable for many college students. Any amount of daily exercise will be beneficial to your health, and people trying to implement workouts into their routine should choose activities that they find interesting and enjoyable. The only way you will see progress is if you maintain your exercise somewhat regularly, and the easiest way to do it is to actually enjoy working out and eating healthy. Easier said than done.

to assess whether the causal relationship between exposure and outcome are consistent. Better phrased, they studied the human genetic data at various levels of alcohol consumption and analyzed the relationship to CVD. This allows the researchers to study heart disease regardless of any lifestyle habits.

When the researchers evaluated their findings, they found that individuals with genetic variants that predict higher alcohol consumption were in fact more likely to have hypertension and coronary artery disease. Furthermore, they found that the relationship between alcohol consumption and CVD is exponential. Low alcohol consumption increases risk of CVD, though minimal, and the risk only increases at higher levels of alcohol consumption.

One of the researchers, Krishna G. Aragam MD, said, “The findings affirm that alcohol in -

take should not be recommended to improve cardiovascular health; rather, that reducing alcohol intake will likely reduce cardiovascular risk in all individuals, albeit to different extents based on one’s current level of consumption.” Cutting back on consumption will decrease risk at all levels, although moderate and heavy drinkers may benefit from it the most.

Ultimately, any observed cardioprotective effects of light to moderate alcohol consumption may be attributed to lifestyle factors. According to new genetic techniques and analyses, the causal relationship between alcohol intake and cardiovascular disease is exponential, which means that the risk for developing CVD only grows with higher levels of consumption. If there is any physical benefit to light drinking, it is far outweighed by the benefit of abstaining altogether.

WHILE A HEALTHY HEART IS POSSIBLE THROUGH REGULAR ACTIVITY, GETTING ENOUGH SLEEP IS EQUALLY AS IMPORTANT

IF THERE IS ANY PHYSICAL BENEFIT TO LIGHT DRINKING, IT IS FAR A BY THE BENEFIT OF ABSTAINING ALTOGETHER.

Subway stations near rivers found to have the worst air quality

BY EVAN PAPAGEORGE, OPINION COLUMNIST

At Stevens, particular characteristics make the campus and surrounding area what it is. Castle Point, Lackawanna, and the Hudson River are some examples. However, this unique collection of entities near the campus offers some disadvantages too. A recent New York University (NYU) study could show issues for Hoboken’s beloved Lackawanna station. NYU Langone Health and NYU Grossman School of Medicine released a study on December 30, 2022, which studied the correlation and possible causation of pollution levels in subway stations near city rivers. With the importance of Lackawanna, a riverside station, the results of this study will hopefully enact quick changes to protect the health of those

who use the PATH system and other subways that use river-tunnel stations. The origins of this study come from another NYU research project that examined the pollution levels of subway stations in The Metropolitan Transit Authority system. Although no causes were determined in that study, it was clear that something was affecting the air quality levels of stations across New York City. With the knowledge of that study, David Luglio, MS—a doctoral student at NYU Grossman School of Medicine—began work on a study that would uncover any correlations that led to causal relations in subway stations and their air quality levels. What they found was not what they expected: stations adjacent to river tunnels saw much higher levels of dangerous pollutants and lower air quality. In the

stations near river tunnels, “they found that stations neighboring river tunnels had 80% to 130% higher concentrations of potentially dangerous particles in the air compared with stations only two or three stops further away from rivers,” according to an article on the study by Science Daily.

Luglio and the rest of the NYU team describe the phenomenon as the ‘river-tunnel effect.’ This strange occurrence is because of reduced airflow and circulation in tunnels underwater. While most tunnels underground can have a lot of ventilation, enough to keep the air clean, tunnels under rivers cannot have air shafts underwater, so the only circulation can come from systems on either side of the water. Waste and debris from the train systems, like iron and carbon particulates, build up on the ground and in the air of

New research demonstrates ability to detect clinical depression through automated speech analysis

BY AVA WANG, CONTRIBUTING REPORTER

Mental illness is a disease that packs two punches: first symptoms, then stigma. The stigma surrounding mental health — especially men’s mental health — only contributes to the struggles of those already suffering, and at its extreme culminates in 700,000 individuals lost to suicide each year.

Within mental health diagnoses, depression and anxiety are among the most common. Depression is a worldwide epidemic regularly overlooked due to the ‘invisible’ nature of its diagnosis and compacted by societal pressure to sweep it under the rug. The World Health Organization estimates 3.8% of the total population struggles with the chronic illness, totaling 280 million individuals worldwide. For reference, in the first two weeks of 2022, around 3.37% of New Jersey residents were considered active cases of COVID-19, which was profound enough to delay Stevens students’ return to campus for the Spring 2022 semester.

Raising awareness towards the significance of the number of individuals struggling, development of earlier detection methods, and advancements in the ease of access to treatment all progress efforts to curb the ongoing mental health crisis.

In December 2022, BMC Psychiatry published a groundbreaking study in early detection methodology. Alexandra König and colleagues were able to pre -

dict if an individual had clinically significant levels of depression — with 93% accuracy — from a two minute speech analysis.

Until this publication, prior art for speech analysis and depression primarily focused on the comparison of patients already diagnosed with a major depressive disorder versus that of their healthy counterparts. The work put forth by the French National Institute for Research in Computer Science and Automation’s

König is unique in that it brings knowledge from prior models and applies it to a non-clinical setting. König and colleagues successfully developed an analytical program capable of detecting early and sensitive markers of clinical depression in individuals with no previous clinical diagnoses.

It’s been widely understood that patients with depression may present with more monotonous speech, less expressive rhythm and intonation, and utilize more words between pauses. Clinicians and practicing psychologists have been analyzing the speech of their clients for years. It is unsurprising, however; that this subjective form of evaluation, whether conscious or unconscious, is often unreliable and hard for a clinician to quantify. It takes years of professional experience to train the ear to these subtle differences. König’s team’s 93% successful identification rate defined the length of a pause to be a mere 10 milliseconds.

Computational analysis of speech in depression-prone patients presents a significantly

more objective pathway to diagnosis and treatment. The ones and zeros dialect of computers translates beautifully into temporal measurements and is very conducive to reading between the lines with less of an emphasis on the very human desire to understand and empathize with semantics. The study’s evaluation was rooted primarily in the number of words participants utilized between pauses in speech. Additional acoustic and segmental features such as pitch, speed of speech, and length of speaking segments also informed the prediction.

While a computer may excel at quick detection, its ability to develop individualized treatment plans crafted to the patient’s unique struggles falls a bit flat, and is best left to a practicing psychologist. A program such as König’s is perhaps most effectively used as a tool to screen individuals, and minimize the time clinicians spend screening. Non-clinical detection methods shorten the agonizing wait for counseling by maximizing the time clinicians can spend practicing. Quick, emotionally non-invasive, early detection methods such as this study’s analytical model provide the promise of a future where individuals struggling with depression spend less time facing their health struggles alone.

Until early screening methods such as König’s become more mainstream, I urge you to work on becoming part of the change to destigmatize mental health.

the tunnels. When a train comes through, it pushes all the stagnant air into the stations adjacent to the river tunnels, like Lackawanna. Luglio and the NYU team wanted to test their ‘river-tunnel effect’ more closely. They focused on the B-Line of the New York City Subway system. The B-Line crosses the East River via a bridge, not a tunnel. The stations adjacent to the bridge (which are underground) had significantly less pollution than stations next to river tunnels. The stations next to the bridge had less pollution than stations nowhere near rivers, what Luglio phrases as ‘the river-tunnel effect.’ From the specific testing of the B-Line, NYU determined that river tunnels caused the stations adjacent to those tunnels to have significantly higher rates of air pollution.

Using this data, the NYU team hopes to increase the air quality of stations adjacent to river tunnels and other stations around New York and other cities. Another author of the NYU study, Terry Gordon, Ph.D., commented, “Now that our results have identified key contributors to poor air quality in New York City’s underground subway stations, we have a better idea of where to improve conditions in the most contaminated areas of the transit system [...] Increasing ventilation and scrubbing the tunnel walls and floors to remove continually recycling debris may make stations safer for riders and transit workers.” It can be hoped that this study and others will work to make the transit system safer and healthier, like the historic Lackawanna station that so many Stevens students use.

Men’s and women’s swimming compete in Messiah quad meet

BY RUTHIE MULLISKY, SPORTS WRITER

On Saturday, January 21, the men’s and women’s swimming teams traveled to Messiah University in Mechanicsburg, PA to compete in a quad meet against the Stevenson University, York College of Pennsylvania, and Messiah University teams. The Ducks proved to be top contenders, as both teams won multiple matches throughout the meet. The men’s team finished with a 3-0 record and the women’s team finished with a 2-1 record, falling only to Messiah.

The men’s team finished with four first-place finishes. Sophomore Liam Rodgers won the 400yard individual medley with a time of 4:25.88, a race that moved him into sixth place on the Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC) leaderboard for this event. Sophomore Edward Platonov won the

200-yard butterfly, and graduate student Ali Kolenovic won the 200-yard backstroke. Additionally, first-year William Stibor, sophomore Cade Cermak, Kolenovic, and Platonov made up the 400yard freestyle relay team that took first place.

In addition to these impressive first-place performances, the Ducks also secured four second-place finishes. First-years

Leo Timmermann and Lukas Mikulenas, sophomore Jack Martinek, and Stibor made up the second-place team in the 200yard medley relay with a time of 1:39.39. In the 100-yard freestyle, Stibor took second place with 49.15 seconds, and Cermak finished in third with 49.15 seconds. Sophomore Ryan Ward and Platonov finished with times of 4:59.48 and 4:59.93 respectively, winning second and third in the 500-yard freestyle. Finally, Mi-

kulenas took second with a time of 2:15.82 in the 200-yard breaststroke while junior Phong Tran followed close behind in third with a time of 2:19.02.

The women’s team also had their share of victories at the meet. Sophomore Sophie Patz took first in the 400-yard individual medley with a time of 4:56.31, securing her second place ranking on the MAC leaderboard. First-year Natalia Brunetti won the 200-yard butterfly with a time of 2:16.50, and this time moved her into a third place ranking in the conference. In the 200-yard backstroke, Sophomore Kai Wong finished in a time of 2:15.49, to secure a first place finish.

The Ducks also put up three second-place finishes in addition to their wins. In the 200-yard backstroke, sophomore Melissa Misurelli finished with a time of 2:17.27, just behind Wong. First-

year Gabrielle Sokolik finished second in the 50-yard freestyle in a time of 26.46 seconds. The 200-yard medley relay team, consisting of Wong, first-year Adriana Bertolotti, Brunetti, and Sokolik finished at a time of 1:53.72, only 0.27 seconds behind first place.

After such a successful day of swimming, head coach Adam Schneider commented on the men’s team, noting that they “faced some really great talent and [he] was extremely happy how they responded to being down early.” For the women’s team, he mentioned that “the women swam fantastic, with great swims from Sophie Patz, Melissa Misurelli, and Kai Wong narrowing the gap between us and Messiah, while also building a lead over York.”

Both teams will have their next swim meets on February 9 to open the MAC Championships in York, PA.

Wrestling wins MAC Championship, five individual titles won

BY CHRISTA RUIZ, SPORTS EDITOR

On January 21, No. 5 Stevens Institute of Technology wrestling won its third straight Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC) Championship with five wrestlers winning individual championships at the M&T Bank Field House. Saturday’s match-ups marked the 76th MAC Wrestling Championship dating back to the first championship in 1936. The 2019 and 2021 championships were both canceled due to Winter Storm Harper and COVID-19, respectively.

Seniors Kyle Slendorn, Hunter Gutierrez, Frank Medina, firstyear Jason Smith, and junior Stefan Major won individual titles. The five first-place finishes bring Stevens’ individual titles to 15 in the span of three years. The individual conference championship is the third for Slendorn, second for Major, and first for Gutierrez, Smith, and Medina.

To earn all-conference honors, a wrestler must place top three in their weight class. The Ducks had five conference champions, each of whom was named to the

First Team All-MAC. Junior Luke Hoerle, senior Pasquale Vizzoni, first-year Ryan Smith, and sophomore Harrison Hinojosa all achieved second-place finishes and were named to the Second Team All-MAC. Senior James Snyder placed third and received Third Team All-MAC recognition. The Ducks had the most First Team All-MAC honorees of all conference schools, as well as four Second Team All-MAC selections.

Slendorn, the top seed at 141, earned three consecutive pins and captured the championship with a 16-6 victory over the bracket’s second seed. His four victories brought his season record to 19-2.

At 149, Gutierrez was also the top seed in his weight class. He defeated Vizzoni in the championship with a shutout of 9-0 to win the title via major decision. His eight pins and three major decisions gave him a 16-3 record for the year.

Major, the top seed at 174, secured the championship bout with an 8-1 margin. His four wins gave him a total of 13 for the season, marking his third year with over 10 victories.

At 184, Medina was ranked second in his bracket. He won the championship match against top-seeded Isaac Kassis of Alvernia, bringing his win total to 17. Smith battled through his bracket, beginning with an 18-3 tech fall over Messiah’s Jared Butler in the opening round. In the championship match, he faced off against teammate Ryan Smith, who was the top seed in the field. In the extra period, Jason Smith scored a takedown to push the score to 7-5 and earn his first conference championship. Stevens earned 152 points

to win the eight-team competition. The Ducks have claimed the MAC’s team title each year since they joined in the 2019-20 season, and have now secured the conference championship for eight consecutive seasons. The remaining top five finishers were Alvernia with 138 points, Messiah with 97.5, Wilkes with 97, and Delaware Valley with 92.5. With this result, Stevens is tied with nine other teams in MAC history for the most team championships, with three each. Congratulations to the Ducks on another exceptional performance.

STEVENS SCOREBOARD

VOLLEYBALL vs Dre University (Scrimmage) Hoboken, NJ 2 p.m.

BASEBALL vs Averett University Hoboken, NJ 3 p.m.

WRESTLING MACFA Round Robin Group “B” Hoboken, NJ Time TBD

WOMEN’S FENCING

MEN’S FENCING Stevens Invitational Hoboken, NJ Time TBD

WED, FEB 8 vs Arcadia University Hoboken, NJ 6 p.m.

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

MEN’S BASKETBALL vs Arcadia University Hoboken, NJ 8 p.m.

THU, FEB 9 MAC Championships–Day 1 York, PA 9 a.m.

MEN’S SWIMMING

WOMEN’S SWIMMING

MAC Championships–Day 1 York, PA 9 a.m.

PHOTO COURTESY OF STEVENSDUCKS.COM

PHOTO COURTESY OF STEVENSDUCKS.COM (SHOT BY MIKE MCLAUGHLIN)

The gripes of being in a student organization

small business, without the stress of making a profit. But sometimes, the surrounding aspects of Stevens make our operation a bit more difficult.

Sanjana Madhu ‘23 Editor-in-Chief

Being involved in student organizations is one of the most rewarding aspects of being a Stevens student. It gives us an opportunity to invest our time and energy into something bigger, gives us chances at practicing soft skills, and encourages us to form communities within Stevens and make friends. The Stute, for example, operates similarly to a

To preface, The Stute, as you may know, is a completely student-run organization, and we depend heavily on the administration to convey information and add context to occurrences across campus. The first issue I want about is the network of responses from administrators is not a direct one. Nearly all responses given by administrators to The Stute during interviews or email inquiries are reviewed and revised by Sara Klein, Vice President for Student Affairs. While there is nothing inherently wrong about this pipeline, The Stute feels that it can sometimes take away from the interview. Writers reach out to administrators because they want to know the administrator’s perspective about a specific topic, not Stevens’ perspective. And yes, while the administrators do represent Stevens as an organization, their input serves as an outlet for students to understand the various positions held by the people who oversee our institution. Additionally, the revision of responses also sometimes removes student impact from a story. And reaching out to student workers directly, especially those under federal work-study, for their input can sometimes put them at risk of losing their jobs. In all, the integrity of administrative re -

sponses and the effects of student work has been watered-down for some time now. It’s quite upsetting to see students not being credited for their work and seeing the guarded responses from administrators as they are closely supervised (and, quite frankly, babysat) by upper administration.

Speaking of students not being credited for their work, I want to revisit the topic of compensating those who work for student organizations. As previously written by the current Managing Editor of The Stute, Keenan Yates, in her Letter to the Editor “The case for compensating student leaders,” (which I implore you to all read) Yates mentions, “Given that [...] organizations require an extensive commitment from those in higher-level leadership positions, it makes sense that students would ask for financial compensation for their work.” Students in administrative, governmental, and media-based organizations put countless hours of work into their projects, initiatives, and goals. When you really think about it, it’s quite miraculous that organizations like the SGA, WCPR, and The Link (just to name a few), can accomplish so much with the collaboration of students, the exchange of ideas, and commitment to initiatives, all atop our part-time jobs, hours of school work, etc. Furthermore, student leaders are required to attend training during their term

called leadership paths. In practice, leadership paths are great, as they prepare us for different administrative and social scenarios we may face as a leader. On the other hand, the program is dysfunctional and confusing to navigate; sessions are sometimes canceled, attendance is low, and the meetings are repetitive. For these sessions to have a real impact on student organizations, they need to be better structured. At the end of the day, the effort of student leaders and the work they produce is marketed by Stevens as a selling point for attending this institution. And if these leadership roles require serious training, then maybe they warrant some compensation as well. Finally, there’s the matter of the University Center Complex. As I’ve lightly mentioned in previous editorials, The Stute’s office in the UCC is far too small.

Compared to our previous office in what is now the Martha Bayard Stevens Hall, where The Stute had a large office with three closets, space for five desktop computers accompanied by desks and chairs, a large printer, whiteboards, a small conference table, and a bookable conference room right across our office, our space in the UCC can’t compare. While we are still extremely grateful to have office space, it barely provides us with enough space to have small meetings, let alone weekly meetings with our 20-person minor board or seven-person

SENIORITIS STEM students, appreciate your humanities!

courses I needed to take and wondering what a humanity course was exactly. Then, humanities turned into arguably the most valuable classes among all majors.

math/science courses.

BY TREVOR DAMEIKA ‘22

When I was a first-year student, I was so excited to begin my biomedical engineering curriculum at Stevens. The idea of planning my own schedule and taking many medically specialized courses excited me. I remember looking at what

If you are a first-year, you most likely don’t have the opportunity to pick them just yet; whereas, the rest of the undergrads do. Most undergrads fight for the ones that they hear are “easy” or don’t require tests. I’ve done it. I picked a course just because I heard that my friend had an easy time. That’s what most STEM students want in a humanities course, a lessened workload course that brings peace to a time of onslaughts from complicated and stressful

MIND OF A FRESHMAN Finding fulfillment

ence course as a humanities major was nauseating, regardless of how highly rated my professor was. I planned on taking four hours each day to study for all my classes and stay ahead of homework assignments.

Students sometimes receive this desired “relaxed course,” but most students get heavy courses that (to them) mean nothing to their major. However, these courses might not be what they seem. Although the workload may be taxing, it can become a utopia for students exhausted from the constant equations and critical thinking.

Instead of taking the class your friend of a friend of a friend said was easy without any exams, you should choose the course that you are actually or even minorly interested in. This will expand your daily experience. Each STEM student

has almost daily lectures about code or mechanics of objects, but occasional lectures about history or philosophical questions can help relax the mind.

I’ve taken multiple humanities that feel like a whole new world. After spending hours day and night agonizing over the latest math challenge or report, I’ve experienced different escapes, such as ethical dilemmas and screenwriting. Each one of them I was half interested in each when registering, but in each class, I saw the need to “relax” with one of these courses.

I took a science writing course that explored various ethical challenges of

had made a mistake.

BY RACHEL ABRAHAM ‘26

Before I got to college, I had extreme anxiety about time management. Every friend, teacher, or TikTok user made it clear that managing your time wisely was crucial to success in college. I bought three different agendas, a whiteboard, and two online calendar apps to ensure I would stay on top of my game. I made the infamous Google spreadsheet with every assignment due that semester. Despite all the planning, I still felt unprepared for what my professors would throw at me. The thought of taking a computer sci -

I wanted to avoid parties at all costs and prioritize self-care. I wasn’t sure how I would do it, but I knew it had to be done. The truth is I have so much free time in college that I don’t know what to do with myself. At first, it made me panic; maybe it was just because I was a philosophy major, and all I ever really did was think. I wrote several essays for my required courses, but I enjoyed them. I even wrote a paper about wigs and the technology behind them. This was mainly influenced by the Elijah Woods interview question, “do you wear wigs?” Surprisingly enough, my professor actually gave me an A. I was so shocked; I thought he

At a certain point, I considered doing a second major because I have always been adjusted to being stressed. It’s all I’ve known, and I wasn’t sure who I was without it. But for the first time in my life, I wasn’t. And I had to fill up my time with something, anything. I spent a concerning amount of time completing word searches, sudoku, and playing 2048. I doodled all over my notes and filled my journals to the brim. I made a skincare routine that has now become crucial to my peace. I even hand-drew the winter decorations for my RA’s hall. Regardless of what I did, I still felt unfulfilled.

The Freshman 15 was one of the many things I had to conquer during my free time. I didn’t realize how much Peirce dining hall pizza slices would add up. Luckily, I hadn’t gained the whole 15 pounds and spent the

entire winter break trying to work it all off. Now I’ve been more conscious of my eating habits and spending more time at the UCC fitness center. Gym rats have a point; I do feel a lot better. But the truth is I hate exercise and prefer to spend most of my time on the treadmill listening to music and making up scenarios. Although maladaptive daydreaming is generally frowned upon, at least I know exactly how I’d react when I’m proposed to. Or if I won a Nobel prize. Or the world cup. Will these things ever happen? Probably not. But it sure does get me hyped up enough for the Stairmaster. Shoutout to Chief Keef, Three 6 Mafia, and the Wu-Tang Clan for keeping my spirits high. Honorable mention to Friedrich Nietzche for the existential questions that keep me awake until 4:00 a.m. You keep me fulfilled.

E-board. And while the shared layout space with The Link was theoretically a smart touch, in reality, it makes the office even more cramped than it already is.

I wish that student organizations were involved in the conversation about the structure of our offices; for what was supposed to be a student-centric building, the spaces allocated for student organizations in the UCC were not nearly enough. Furthermore, the lack of conference spaces in the UCC is just as upsetting.

Overall, The Stute is certainly not some for-profit organization with the intent of slandering, but we do believe in speaking up for student organizations and bringing light to what we think can be changed at Stevens. To bring everything to perspective, there are still many aspects of Stevens student org culture that I am proud of. The monetary resources, the help from liaisons in planning events like Stute Weekend, the mentorship from our advisor Professor John Horgan, and the hours of effort put in by each Stute staff member gives us the foundation and support we need to consistently churn out issues every week. I don’t expect things to magically change overnight; it takes months of student input, debate, and planning to implement such changes. Despite this, students should not be afraid to communicate and advocate for what they believe in (something that Stevens students do well).

the modern day and it challenged my ability to explore the news. Simultaneously, I could explore topics, such as artificial intelligence (AI) takeover or the future with the effect of climate change. Each topic or discussion left my mind to relax from the nitty-gritty STEM ideals.

Additionally, I took a course that was labeled “Special Topics in Literature.” I thought I was going to get an experience with lots of reading/book study. However, the professor provided a warning over the summer that the course was transitioning into a screenwriting course, and we could drop it if that’s not what we wanted. I was mi-

norly enticed by the idea of screenwriting, and I ended up thrilled and enjoyed the course as the professor provided the students the freedom to create their own short scripts. It was an enormous respite from the organic chemistry that I stressed and struggled with 24/7. These humanity courses are meant to pique your interest, not just be an easy way out. They help provide a new way of thinking in a time when STEM can be the only thing on your mind. So, as you continue your Stevens journey, follow your passions and the opportunities in front of you.

SUSTAINABILITY From cow milk to alternative milk and back

BY KATIE BLOOMER ‘25

I spend most of my time practicing small, individual changes toward being more sustainable. Most of these involve classic swaps like shampoo bars, bamboo toothbrushes, and reusable water bottles. By making these changes, I am reducing my own use of plastic and encouraging those around me to do the same. Some people argue that individual changes don’t make a dent in the problem and aren’t worth trying. Although I agree that societal change is needed, I still think that my own actions are making a difference. In fact, I know they are. I see it every week when my trash fills at a slower rate than it used to. It is clear that I am sending less to the landfill. Even if I won’t single-handedly change the world with my swaps, you can’t convince me that it isn’t at least a step in the right direction.

In order to change the world, we need a complete shift through industrial and widespread change. For example, this could be achieved if Colgate decided to make all of their toothbrushes out of

compostable material. Many people are dedicated to Colgate and would not abandon their preferred brand even if this change was made. As a result, thousands of people would make the switch to a less wasteful toothbrush option. Unfortunately, it is not often that large companies make these sorts of drastic changes. They already have a big audience and don’t want to risk losing even some of them, even if it could have a massive positive impact on the environment. Instead of making a company-wide change, most business leaders see an opportunity for profit and create eco-friendly product lines. Although these products are technically a step in the right direction, they are made with the intention of making more money and appealing to a wider audience rather than for moral reasons. By purchasing from these lines, you are supporting the company which is overall doing more harm than good. Instead, purchase from small businesses or completely low-waste companies which actually care about the environment.

How can we break this cycle? Big companies need to start caring about their impacts. Unfortunately, this often will cost them more money. As consumers, we need to demand change! This can involve boycotting, writing letters or emails, or educating others about the problems with particular companies. People tend to think that it’s impossible to

FOR MATH’S SAKE

documents

get a big enough movement to create change, but that has been proven to be false.

A year ago, there was a TikTok trend where people were switching from cow milk to alternative milks after hearing about how poorly cows are treated. Following this shift, alternative milks became more prevalent in grocery stores. Although this is just an observation and it could be argued that this had nothing to do with TikTok, an increase in demand would logically lead to the increased prevalence of alternative milks. More recently, a lot of TikToks have been going viral for discussing the problems with alternative milks, mainly the additives and lack of nutrients. Suddenly it is “trendy” to drink cow milk again. Everyone seems to have forgotten about the reasons they stopped drinking cow milk in the first place. Instead of running, we need to demand change both for the dairy industry and alternative milk companies. Cows should not be put through processes like repeated artificial insemination and excessive milkings. If these conditions can’t be sustained due to the amount of milk humans consume, then we need to cut back on our consumption. Alternative milks should be held to higher standards and not have additives or unnecessary added sugars. Instead of running towards the lesser of two evils, we need to fight to make all options reasonable and leave the choice of preference to the consumer.

Math mistakes galore: a (semi-)review of Humble Pi

BY CHARLES BEALL ‘22

My girlfriend got me a copy of Matt Parker’s Humble Pi: When Math Goes Wrong in the Real World as a Christmas gift. I am a huge fan of books about math, and a huge fan of Matt Parker. He is also known for his YouTube channel “Stand-up Maths” (Parker is Australian, so he pluralizes the subject), where he presents interesting math with loads of humor and funny stories. You may doubt someone’s ability to make math amusing, but he truly is hilarious — for a good laugh, I strongly recommend watching some of his content!

The book’s title gives a good sense of its contents: Parker has compiled a repository of mistakes people have made in various areas of math over the years, from the earliest instances of civilization in Mesopotamia to the modern day. True to the theme, Parker intentionally includes a few math mistakes of his own in the book, and introduces other funny faux pas, like the page numbers counting down instead of up.

Through its plethora of examples, the book shows

not only how math mistakes can have huge consequences, but moreover, just how prevalent math is in the world. For instance, in 2038, many microprocessors (which allow a computer’s or device’s CPU to work) will stop working, due to the way they keep track of time. Computers will likely all have 64-bit processors by then, which avoids this issue, but several other devices, like TVs and thermostats, have 32-bit microprocessors, which will succumb to the “Y2K38” bug if not updated by then.

There is another chapter dedicated to engineering mistakes, which are particularly important to highlight for the Stevens population. Engineering is a difficult profession because, sometimes, seemingly small things, like the frequency of footsteps while walking across a bridge, the roundness of boosters on a space shuttle, or even the way doors open, can be missed. Such misses led to the closing of the Millenium Bridge in London after it swayed too much, the Challenger explosion, and an event at an England theater where hundreds of children died due to a lack of safe exit doors. I haven’t finished the book yet, but the first of the main takeaways I have so far applies to people who are applying math to solve real-world problems, like engineers, financial consultants, and politicians. It is always important to check the math and be sure of its

BY TASHA KHOLSA ‘25 BY MARISA POWERS ‘23

Introduction

In November 2022, classified documents from the Obama-Biden administration were found at the Penn Biden Center. In January 2023, more classified documents were found at the Center. There were more documents found at his home in Wilmington, Delaware later in January. Some of the documents were from his tenure in the Senate from 1973 to 2009.

Campus Conservative,

Marisa Powers

Biden said that he has “no regrets” when asked about why his administration did not disclose the discovered classified documents to the public sooner. However, in my view, he should have some regrets. They waited 68 days after the midterm elections to inform the public, after it was leaked on January 9. It is also important to note that Biden’s other properties were not immediately searched after the first documents were found. The reason for this is that they did not think they would find any other documents, which turned out not to be true, as they found some in the garage of his Wilmington home.

In my view, I do not think his administration should have waited to inform the public, especially since “the administration was already probing former Republican President Donald Trump’s handling of highly sensitive classified documents that he retained at his Florida resort.” His lawyers also should not have been the ones to go through the documents, as they did not have clearance. I think it is also important to ask why the documents from his tenure in the Senate are just being discovered now.

While Biden may have “no regrets,” I do not think he and his administration are handling the situation with as much seriousness as it deserves.

Campus Liberal,

them. Moreover, a big concern is the nature of these classified documents and how easily accessible they have been. This poses the question: do there need to be more procedures set in place to avoid classified documents going missing?

FBI director Christopher Wray commented on the situation, “People need to be conscious of the rules regarding classified information and appropriate handling. Those rules are there for a reason.” Evidently, those rules are not being strictly followed.

In a press briefing, White House National Security Council strategic communications coordinator John Kirby mentioned, “We all know what the rules are. We follow the rules. And the procedures exist for a reason. And they’ve been developed over many, many years as the nature of classified material has changed, now down – to now include electronic capability. And so, we’re working at that.”

correctness before building something, running functions on Excel, or approving funding for a project. I know that oftentimes we are in a rush to get things done and can miss even easy fixes to a mistake, but making sure everything math-wise is accounted for pushes us toward a better, safer world. Many companies already have employees with extensive math backgrounds to do such things, and I hope that more and more have these positions to prevent catastrophes or errors from occurring.

The other important message is for mathematicians: we need to do the best job possible in advancing mathematics to relevant fields, and teaching that math effectively to our students. When the math is certain, there is much less room for error, because we know how to check if something is wrong. Research allows for uncertain areas of math to become certain, and many mathematicians, pure and applied, are working hard to study such new frontiers.

Moreover, good math teachers try their hardest to give enough background in the subject for going into any line of work. The more such teachers we have, the more math is understood and appreciated by the general workforce and general public, allowing more people to check work before any mistake leads to horrible consequences. As a result, I encourage everyone to read Humble Pi, for math’s and humanity’s sake.

While Biden said he has no regrets, the public has issues with how he responded to the situation. A poll from ABC News reported that 64% of Americans believe that Biden acted inappropriately in how he handled the classified documents.

BY OFF CENTER

Hey everyone, not sure if this is the right place to ask, but my mom just told me to put a notice in the newspaper hoping someone would see it and volunteer. The entire Off the Press staff is going on a five day sabbatical to Tuvalu this week but we can’t take our office cat, Nico, with us so we’re going to need someone to watch him. Don’t worry, this will not impact our rigorous journalism, and there will still be a relevant, thoroughly researched, 600 word journalistic masterpiece next week.

Nico is a six year old tabby cat who’s up to date on vaccines and doesn’t take any medications. He does have a bit of a wobble because his brain is all funky, but he’s still spry and loves to chase things around the office. Just make sure he doesn’t crash into any table legs because sometimes he gets enough momentum that they just break, and then papers will go everywhere. We wouldn’t want you to mistake them for common raspberries because he doesn’t like them and will scratch you if you

Tasha Khosla While the Biden Administration has been making a clear effort to work with the Department of Justice (DOJ) and address the situation, the discovery of these classified documents is definitely concerning. A poll from NBC News found that 67% of Americans are, “equally concerned about the discovery of classified documents found at Biden’s and Trump’s homes, even though the current president and ex-president handled their situations in different ways.” Even though both presidents handled being discovered with classified documents very differently, the reality is that these events do not reflect well on either of

The White House needs to be more transparent about what is being done in order to avoid classified material going missing and not being found until much later. By simply having “no regrets,” Biden has jeopardized the integrity of his administration. The only way to assuage the concerns of the American public is to address the bigger issue head-on and place more measures to prevent this situation from happening so frequently.

Conclusion

Both sides agree that the Biden Administration is not properly handling the situation. The “no regrets” approach seems hollow and does not address the bigger picture. In the end, the Biden Administration should not have waited 10 weeks to tell the public and there needs to be a better procedure for keeping track of these documents.

put those in his bowl. We won’t be able to be in contact with you at all during the week so you’ll have to do it yourself.

Another cute quirk with Nico is that his great-grandfather was a dragon from Montenegro, but not a cool giant one. The dragon was pretty much the same size as Nico and did a lot of hissing, but had weird scales, wings, and talons. Anyway, the point is that he might just start speaking in odd mythical languages, but it just means that his great-grandfather’s spirit is passing by and briefly possessing him to make sure he remembers where he came from.

Nico is venomous and will protect our office at all costs. A little love bite could lead to a bad case of Despotellis.

All right, we won’t hide from it anymore. At some point, you’ll have to clean his litter box. This is a little more involved than your average cat. While Nico is descended from a dragon, he’s also more closely descended from a ukulele-playing rabbit (all his other ancestors are conventional cats) so he really likes making mu -

sic. The problem is that he only plays the ukulele in his litter box and he’s very bad at it on account of the fact that he is a cat. So you’ll need earplugs and you’ll have to steal his ukulele while he is in between songs. If he starts trying to sing along, even the earplugs won’t save you, so you’ll have to get 3M PELTOR Optime 105 HP Earmuffs to survive. After that, it’s just scooping like normal. We think you’ll find that Nico is very affectionate and shares our passion for good journalism. He often curls up on our office couch and you’ll see a few singe marks where a little bit of fire came out of his nose while he slept. He is his great-grandfather’s great-grandson after all. Nico loves pets and will want to sit on your lap and purr. Let us know if you’re interested because, by the time this article is published, we will be at the airport so hopefully you turned right to the Off the Press article when you pick up the newspaper. We pay $3 per day because our accountant runs a tight ship and there’s never extra money for anything.

THE CONVERSATION Biden’s classified

MUSIC TO MY EARS

Music City in 26 hours

BY KAYDEN CANNILLA ‘24

Walking down the busy nightlife street of Broadway, you can expect to be pulled into a variety of bars by rousing performers trying to make it in a busy city. 900 miles away from the Big Apple, Broadway, Nashville, Tennessee is a thriving mu-

SPOILER ALERT

sic scene that I was lucky enough to visit for roughly 26 hours, and you can bet I made the most of it. Every restaurant, bar, and coffee shop had a stage for live music with performing hopefuls. Within my first few hours, I saw a guy shredding on a double bass like it was a guitar, swinging around this 20 pound instrument and playing it behind his back. I visited the famous Tootsie’s briefly, which had three floors each with at least one bar and stage. In the 15 minutes I was there, I heard “Sweet Home, Alabama” twice. I missed out on the many party buses that fill the streets (as I was with my parents), but I cannot em-

phasize enough how many bachelorette parties there were. Every place we walked into there were at least two groups of eight women each trying to test Nashville’s public drunkenness limit.

I visited two museums — the Country Music Hall of Fame and the Johnny Cash Museum. I am a big museum guy but I did not recognize enough of the names from CMHoF, so the Johnny Cash Museum was enjoyable for a former country music hater.

I saw Elvis’ 1960 gold-plated Cadillac, painted with diamond dust and fish scales and many of Nudie Cohn’s famous designer suits. Taylor Swift made the largest-ever individual donation

to the Country Music Hall of Fame to establish the Taylor Swift Education Center. The $4 million donation went towards three classrooms and a music education program.

Behind the futuristic sliding glass doors were three classrooms for the music education program, along with artifacts from Taylor’s career, like her bedazzled guitar or the typewriter from “All Too Well: The Short Film.”

At night was “Opry at the Ryman” with a Dolly Parton themed variety show where a variety of artists played covers and dedicated songs to her for her birthday. The Ryman is an acoustically and historically rich churchturned-concert hall, and

sitting in the pews I finally felt at peace being in a room full of people who appreciated Dolly Parton for the saint she is. I’m not sure if a country music hater would be converted by this experience, but I can’t recommend it enough. I signed her birthday card, a stranger kindly

took my photo with a cardboard cutout of her, and she recorded a video that they played in the auditorium. I was not able to make it to Dollywood, Dolly Parton’s personal theme park, on this trip; this will require a special pilgrimage.

A sequel 13 years in the making: Avatar: The Way of Water

I was unsure about how I would like the new Avatar

BY JULIA WIERZBICKI ‘23

To be entirely honest,

Although I appreciated the beauty of the first movie, I felt like they focused entirely too much on the politics of the story and should’ve spent more time discovering the world of Pandora. Luckily, it seems like the higher-ups read my mind, for that’s exactly what the Way of Water was all about.

There’s not much plot

BOOK OF THE WEEK

in the second Avatar – it mainly revolves around Jake Sulley and his family trying to fit in with another civilization (the Metkyina Clan) while trying to escape the Colonel, who wants to kill Sulley once and for all. After that simple story is established, there are several elongated scenes fully focused on exploring the world and bringing the sights and sounds of Pandora to the audience. While

the first Avatar spent most of its time in the forest, this movie had the characters exploring the underwater world of Pandora. This opened up a whole new world for the audience to see and immerse themselves in. And honestly, that’s the only way these movies can be watched. If you’re here for the story or groundbreaking acting, you’re not going to find it. The acting is pretty solid,

My Dark Vanessa, by Kate Elizabeth Russell

especially considering they were working with barely any set/costumes, but the story is very shallow. This is due to the fact that this movie is world-based rather than plot-based, which is why it seems so simple in comparison to other films out there. That being said, it’s clear how much time the writers and producers spent on the world of Pandora. Every detail is thought out and it makes

the film infinitely rewatchable as the viewer searches to find every detail. Although it’s not the most ground-breaking film plot-wise, as long as audiences understand the type of movie they’re going to see, they’re not going to be disappointed. I’m excited to see where the world of Pandora transports us next and how the producers continue to expand the genre of world-based storytelling.

BY VICTORIA YASHCHUK ‘26

When I picked My Dark Vanessa, by Kate Elizabeth Russell off of the shelf, I never expected it to be so unbelievably dark and disturbing. Russell writes a story about a girl, Vanessa Wye, who experiences such trauma and is so detached from reality that it makes you question your own reality and all the people in it.

15-year-old Vanessa Wye, an intelligent, creative, young, and mature soul, is pressured into having an

affair with her 42-year-old American Lit teacher, Mr. Jacob Strane. The novel introduces the reader to Vanessa as a high-schooler attending a prestigious academy, going through the inevitable heartbreak of a ruined friendship, trying to find her place within society and with herself. While on the journey of finding her sense of self, and also beginning her sophomore year of high school, Vanessa begins receiving a certain kind of attention from Strane — him touching her by the shoulder and knee, giving her explicit books and sexual poems to read, receiving compliments about her appearance that are obviously inappropriate for a teacher to make. The persistence of Strane’s actions intrigued and manipulated Vanessa, causing her to believe that their involvement is, quoting Vanessa, “fate.”

What makes the book even more grievous is the way it’s structured, as each chapter alternates between the early 2000s and 2017 — 2000 being the year their involvement started and 2017 being the current year in the book. This novel holds parallel universes, as the reader is acquainted with 15-year-old and 30-year-old Vanessa at the same exact time, looking at the world through her eyes. Reading the chapters, one after the other shows Vanessa’s painful journey to realizing the severity of the abuse and grooming she went through. Vanessa’s detachment from reality, truly believing that she was Strane’s perfection, does not completely mitigate in her adult years, no matter how hard she tries to move on and shed the pain burdening her soul. Vanessa still keeps in contact with

Strane, and he continues to burden her.

More than 15 years after Vanessa’s involvement in high school, another former student of Strane’s, Taylor Birch, publicly accuses Strane of sexual abuse, at the height of the #MeToo movement. Taylor reaches out to Vanessa to share her story, as well as Janine Bailey — a journalist, writing about the accusations made against Strane. At this moment, the meaning of “fate” completely changes for Vanessa, unraveling the burdens she kept inside herself, driving her and Strane both towards the “fate” they deserve — obviously, in different directions.

Reading My Dark Vanessa opened my eyes in such a way I never thought possible. No individual should be a victim of such abuse and grooming. The book just so happens to make the read-

Comic Corner

er question every encounter they have ever had, question the intentions of everyone

they know, and realize that trauma is, unfortunately, a partner for life.

PHOTO COURTESY OF KAYDEN CANNILLA

PHOTO COURTESY OF AMAZON.COM

DEAR CLAIRE AND ETHAN...

Q: Should I get my first credit card?

BY CLAIRE HANNAN ‘24

It’s great that you’re thinking about taking a big financial step toward adulthood! Credit cards are very powerful tools that can do a lot for you, but before you get one, it’s important that you understand what credit is and the potential dan-

gers and benefits of opening a line of credit. While it might seem scary, financial literacy is important for growing your independence, and a shockingly low number of people, only 4 of 7 Americans, understand financial concepts. Learning about credit cards and money is a great first step toward setting yourself up for success. Reading The Stute’s biweekly column “Advice for broke college students,’’ by Hima Thummala could also help put you in the right direction to achieve financial literacy. Because I’m not a financial expert, I would advise you to do your own research. Some highlights that I’ve learned from getting my own cred-

THE DOODLING DUCK

Birthday revelations

it card is don’t put too many charges on each month, pay off your bill in full every time you get it, and don’t treat your credit like free money. The biggest issue that people face when using credit cards is that they treat their credit as a way to spend now and pay later. This mindset, along with not understanding its consequences, can lead to high interest-rate debt that can follow you and drain your credit score for years. However, you should also understand how to build your credit score and how it can benefit your life. If you understand all of this and feel confident, I would say go ahead and get your first credit card!

BY ETHAN KLESCHINSKY ‘24

This sounds like a question for Chase Bank; I am no expert in financial literacy, but I can make some assumptions and help you out. I’m going to assume that you have no idea what you’re doing if you expect

Claire and me to sort out your financial crisis. Since you seem to lack a grasp on your financial situation I would have to recommend not getting a credit card. However, if you are going to get one anyway I would have to recommend not being broke or else you might plunge yourself into debt. Since you probably have no money, your journey to finding a credit card will be more difficult. There have to be millions of different credit cards that have a lower risk of ruining your life, so I advise doing your research and taking time before making a decision. I knew a guy that got a credit

card and ended up in prison after a couple of months so I would be careful. His criminal history is more closely related to his intent to distribute than his credit card issues, but the idea of being careful still stands. If I have learned anything from giving advice, it is that I can only help you so much. Make decisions for yourself and live with the consequences. I have no desire to get tangled up in your personal problems after you read what I have to say. If you actually wanted to take my advice, I would tell you to not get a credit card and deal exclusively with cash. Good luck!

BY ANAÏS BOUCHATTA ‘26

I found myself questioning a lot of things over break. It’s quite easy for me to get distracted and hyper-fixate and re-realize how big the world is. When I was in high school I did not see the world half of the way I do now. I was an upbeat-art-focused kid in high school and dreaded anything that did not let me explore and be creative. Any sort of project got me excited and tests never failed to do

SPORTS MATTER

the opposite. As I welcomed my nineteenth year on this planet, I had never felt so conflicted and confused. I never want to rush myself purposefully, but as an art major, I find myself needing to plan ahead. I packed my things getting ready to go back to my second semester and I noticed how different everything felt. It was like a secret was out and it made me experience this January in a different way. It was getting to me. It made me want a Linkedin.

Aging is a scary thing, but it happens and I find it funny how dramatic I will sound to my older self. January is already forced to be the month of change and bettering yourself so it’s a double whammy for being my birthday month too. For now, this sandwich of changes makes my life feel as if it’s at the part of the

Why sports matter

BY KYLE SLENDORN

On October 9, 2022, I had to seriously question why I watch sports. It started with a cup of tea at 9 a.m. watching my newly adopted soccer team, West Ham United. After going down 1- 0 they scored three straight goals on their way to winning. So far so good. As the day went on the stakes of the games got bigger. Next up were my Dolphins. Versing their division rival New York Jets. Missing their starting quarterback I had low expectations for the Fins. However, the game was still close going into the fourth quarter. After a Dolphins missed field goal that would have put them in lead, the Jets pulled away scoring 21 points in seven minutes. That loss

hurt me, but the biggest game was still to come. The Mets were in a playoff elimination game, the winner moves on. I had high hopes. Those hopes were crushed when they lost 6-0, managing to get only one hit in the whole game. That game ended at 10:11 p.m. Season over for the Mets. That loss hurt the most. My week was ruined.

Why do I waste so much time watching pointless sports when I could be spending my time doing something productive?

Well … because for me and millions around the globe, sports matter. A sports team that represents a city or country becomes a sense of pride for its supporters. They fall in love with the players and stick with their team through good times and bad. Spend

tape that feels like a slowmo ah-ha zoom-out-on-mein-third-person moment but with a completely different cast and everything’s in different colors. Being a kid is like a world revolving around you, meanwhile, its taste is made up of crayons, play dough, and bubbles. Now it’s a windy Hudson, breakfast sandwich, and reminding myself to not let myself dehydrate throughout the day. The drama film is back on and I am feeling like ignoring all the noticeable differences. It feels like a video game that has a list of things to do to win and all of the things are question marks. Turning nineteen feels like a rush of wanting to be up and going all the time, but I am the only one giving myself less room to be excited. Maybe being a couch potato is easier, and I miss my bed because of the

mental exhaustion all this thinking has let out, but at the same time, I catch myself wanting to say yes to everything and being everywhere all at once. Being back I realized I just have to focus on saying yes to things I want to and that’s one step forward.

Respectfully, I just turned a different age and as much as the world makes it a scary thing to show signs of getting older, I am realizing how much time with yourself is important. And this is all that makes up adulthood. Without letting myself feel everything I would not have made more than half of my art pieces. Holding back is to blame and time waits for no one. Getting older is a funny thing in general, but as an artist I find myself wanting to make the most of things. Why should this be any different?

HISTORY OF THE DUCKS Edwin A. Stevens Hall: An institute of learning

America. A British-born emigrant to the United States, he was a purveyor of Gothic and Italian architectural styles. With a resumé including renovations on the esteemed New York Trinity Church and as the founder and president of the American Institute of Architects, Upjohn embodied the engineering spirit of Edwin Stevens.

BY EVAN PAPAGEORGE ‘26

their hard-earned money on jerseys and tickets to games. Sports can unite. It can connect people from all different walks of life. Strangers can have a lengthy conversation about sports without ever knowing each other’s names. For families, it is often a right of passage. Parents taking their kids to the game or watching it on TV together becomes a way for them to bond. Bonding through sports is an integral part of many families staying together. I grew up in a family watching football every Sunday, going to Mets games in the summer, and taking trips to Miami to see the Dolphins. No matter what is going on we can talk sports. As a kid watching sports, you don’t realize how essential sports are to your life till you’re older.

October 10, 2022, was the first day of wrestling practice here at Stevens. I had a great day of practice to start my final season, and it made living with the brutal losses of the Dolphins and Mets much easier. It reinforced why I follow sports. The ups and downs of following a team mimic real life; it teaches us to get knocked down and get back up. As a Mets fan, I have been knocked down a lot. But next season I’ll be back at Citi Field rooting for the orange and blue.

So, do sports matter?

In the grand scheme of things, probably not. Still, many devote so much to their team and to the sport as it gives them something to look forward to. It has become the lingua franca of the world. Maybe that is why it matters so much.

The Stevens family first came to America in 1699 with the arrival of John Stevens Sr. from England when he was 17 years old. For the following 170 years, the Stevens family made a name for itself as the premier engineering and technological powerhouse of land and sea transportation, as well as helping lead New Jersey through the American Revolutionary War: “America’s first family of inventors.” Edwin Augustus Stevens—born July 28, 1795—was a prominent engineer and inventor who believed in developing technology and engineering. When he died in 1868, he willed most of his estate to his family. However, Edwin Stevens set aside money and land to continue his quest for furthering technology. He called it an “institution of learning,” or what we now know as Stevens Institute of Technology.

Following her husband’s death, Martha Bayard Stevens executed his will. She worked to establish a school that would honor her late husband’s passion for engineering and technology: one that offered a rigorous curriculum of engineering, science, and the development of future technologies. In his will, Edwin Stevens left money for the construction of a building to house the school. The architect chosen to design such a structure to commemorate the Stevens family and their legacy of engineering education was Richard Upjohn. Upjohn (1802-1878) was one of the most renowned architects in

Named after its benefactor, Edwin A. Stevens Hall is a five-story, 80,000-squarefoot hall in the high Victorian Gothic style adorned with heavy-stone masonry, brickwork, pointed arches, and intricately carved sculptures and ornaments. Construction on the original building finished in 1870, except for the East Wing, which would be completed a few years later in 1872. The center wing of the building, a large lecture hall, was transformed into a gymnasium in 1878. It functioned as such until 1881 when the space became a workshop to house machinery. In 1902, a new building, Carnegie Laboratory–named after Stevens benefactor Andrew Carnegie—was built to be the workshop. At that point, the main wing became an auditorium. The DeBaun auditorium is still used as a performing arts center, with renovations to keep it updated with current technologies.

The building remained a cornerstone of the university throughout the 20th and 21st centuries. The 125th anniversary of the school saw the addition of a 40-foot spire, currently the logo of Stevens. In 1991, the building was designated as a city landmark by the Hoboken Historic Preservation Committee and included on the New Jersey Register of Historic Places. Additionally, on February 4, 1994, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places. Today, the building represents the school and embodies the legacy of the Stevens family’s innovation in technology and engineering.

Tejal

“Depends on if my boyfriend asks me to be his valentine…”

ROVING REPORTER

By Rafael Lee Li

“What are your plans for Valentine’s Day?”

The Applebirds and the Applebee’s

Stephen

In honor of Off Center’s next improv show, The Applebirds and the Applebee’s, this puzzle is themed around apples and birds. Rearrange the sixteen groups of letters below in order to create words/phrases that relate to either APPLES or BIRDS. Proper nouns are allowed. When you’re done, read down the shaded letters to reveal a thematic phrase. And don’t forget to come see Off Center’s show in Bissinger (4th floor Howe) on Feb. 3rd @ 9PM or Feb. 4th @ 3PM!

FGHILT AGHIMNNRSTY BDEIRSU

CDEIR

AEEGL

ACDDDKLNOU

Alvin Radonic ‘24 “File my taxes.”

Sophia Miskiewicz ‘23 “Astrophysics homework <3.”

Nico Cruz ‘26 “Make some pink frosted cookies to give to friends.”

Sam Weckesser ‘23 “I have rehearsal. Sorry Rob.”

Dhiman ‘26

Dennis 24+1 “Just like Will Geisel said last year — ‘sad and alone.’ *For legal reasons I have a girlfriend.”

Hannah Goldschmidt ‘25 “Probably spend some time with my boyfriend but also spend some time with my roommates.

Mehrab Syed ‘23 “Netflix and chill by myself.”