[The Stute] February 2, 2024 (Issue 15, Volume CXXI)

IT’S GROUNDHOG DAYYYY Happy Birthday Phil and Ava

We write Stevens history VOLUME CXXI No. 15

HOBOKEN, NJ | FEBRUARY 2, 2024

EVAN PAPAGEORGE, OPINION EDITOR In a testament to their unwavering commitment to service and community, over 500 students, faculty, and staff of Stevens braved wintry conditions to convene for the university’s third annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service on January 16. Despite the icy grip of the weather, attendees embraced a day marked by profound lectures, captivating performances, and meaningful service activities benefitting 14 local nonprofits and community

MADISON HELLER, CONTRIBUTOR

SEE YELLA PAGE 2 NEWS (2-3)

The unveiling of “The Pond” The SGA initiative to encourage more student spirit at Stevens home games is officially revealed.

FEATURE (4-5)

The SGA BBM Review all the details about allocation of the student activity fund to various organizations and expenses at the big budget meeting from last semester.

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Embracing Dr. King’s legacy: MLK Day of Service inspires community action

From upcharges to outrage: new options at the UCC At the start of the Spring semester, the UCC revealed two new dining options: Happy Appy, an appetizer-themed location, and Yella’s, a rendition of an existing burger joint in Hawthorne, NJ. Both locations have been incredibly popular with students, often having hour-long waits during the lunch and dinner rush.

Students noticed pretty quickly that the more ‘special’ options on the Yella’s menu came with some unexpected changes. From $4 onion rings to $27 chicken wings at the beginning of the semester, to the subsequent removal of both options, the question arises: What went wrong?

Things have changed radically from the start of the semester to now, most likely due to outrage from the parents Facebook group.

The notorious upcharge options from Yella’s are gone, but the opinions from before have lingered. Many parents and students share the opinion that their meal plans, specifically for the first-year students, are ripoffs.

As first-year engineering student Megan Wolters put it, “The upcharge doesn’t make sense, we’re already forced to get Terabyte, and the upcharge is completely manufactured and does not need to be there. […] It’s ridiculous, especially when we’re forced to buy the most expensive meal plan.

Charging us more for food we have already paid for is ridiculous.”

This is not an isolated opinion, as multiple members of the parents Facebook group shared the same belief. Caitlin Carbonne, in response to the same controversy, noted “It’s as if they don’t get enough of our money to actually let students use the meal plan. […]

All meals should be covered completely under a meal swipe.” Dozens of other parent messages in the group echo that sentiment.

This raises the question of accessibility to food for first-year students on campus. As first-years are required to purchase the largest meal plan, the Terabyte, they pay the most for food of any students on campus.

As of 2024, the cost per semester for the Terabyte is $3,850, and comes with 230 GrubHub Dining Dollars, 230 Regular Swipes. After subtracting dining dollars, the cost per meal swipe is $15. If you got a Hamburger, fries, and a Pepsi from Yella’s you would be spending $10.94 in cash or $15 in a meal swipe.

This issue only becomes more obvious when com-

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The unveiling of “The Pond”

BY TANYA AVADIA, BUSINESS MANAGER January 24, 2024 marked a monumental moment for our school spirit with the unveiling of “The Pond.” The Pond refers to the student section in the Canavan Arena denoted by the placement of the large banner. After incurring several setbacks and difficulties in the process, the Student Government Association (SGA) held the ribbon cutting ceremony at 6:30 p.m.

which was followed by the first Men’s Basketball home game of the year. The ribbon cutting ceremony was done

by Becca Los, the Campus Wellness Committee Chair of the SGA, and Alexander Stanczak, the former Vice President of Operations of the SGA. Many students came donning Stevens red in support of the reveal and the game that followed. The Stute had the opportunity to interview Los and Stanczak regarding the work they did to make “The Pond” happen.

ABBY JACOBS FOR THE STUTE

When asked about the thought process behind The Pond, Los explained how it was Matthew Samanoglu, a former Senator on the Campus Wellness Committee who thought it would be a good idea to have something to represent the student section in the Canavan.

This became the starting point of almost a year-long project according to Los. “I found the first email regarding this idea to be February

SEE POND PAGE 2

organizations. This event was partly made possible by a generous $5,000 grant from AmeriCorps, alongside its partners Engage NJ and The Partnership Alliance.

Liliana Delman, the orchestrator of the event and director of Stevens’ Office of Student Culture and Belonging, set the tone for the day with a poignant invocation of King’s timeless declaration: “Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, ‘What are you doing for others?’” She underscored

SEE MLK PAGE 2

Winter storm highlights new emergency protocols DANIEL HOGAN, STAFF WRITER Two weeks ago, Stevens classes went fully remote for a day—for the first time this semester—after a snowstorm was forecasted to cause icy conditions and bring a few inches of snow.

This came after a week of bitterly cold temperatures and scattered snow storms.

Earlier in the same week, Stevens was forced to close all parking lots, with the exception of Babbio Center’s parking lot, due to the icy conditions that were caused by a separate storm on Jan-

uary 16. With all these recent closures, students are wondering if Stevens is being more precautious and diligent about dangerous weather conditions after a belated closure during the Fall semester that left many students having to commute back to their homes in treacherous conditions.

Unlike the switch to remote during the Fall semester, the recent closure came in anticipation of the storm and not during it.

This left students with ample time to make plans to

SEE STORM PAGE 3

Founder’s Day Ball turns fifteen! Who and what you need to know

BY AVA WANG, MANAGING EDITOR A well-loved campus tradition turns fifteen this year: the annual Founder’s Day Ball, set to take place on February 23, 2024 from 7-11 p.m. at the Liberty Science Center in Jersey City. This year’s ball commemorates the founding of the university back in February 15, 1870, which at the time of celebration will be 154 years past.

In 1868, Edwin A Stevens’ $750,000 bequest, alongside his donation of the Stevens family estate, made possible the establishment of the Stevens Institute of Technology,

a vision fulfilled two years after his passing. Over the subsequent decades, Stevens Institute of Technology saw success in cutting-edge research and education in engineering and applied sciences.

Burgeoning student pride and culture ushered in new traditions, including the 2009 debut of the historically student-run Founder’s Day Ball.

Founder’s Day Ball is a joint venture between Student Life and the Entertainment Committee (EC). Sara Wolf, the EC’s Festivities Director, shared with the Stute that Student Life now manages the heavy logistical lifting of the event, including the ven-

ue and financial affairs, while the EC maintains the student vision, encompassing student input, marketing, logo design, and event giveaways.

This year’s venue is a repeat of last year’s: the Liberty Science Center — an interactive science museum that neighbors Hoboken, boasting the largest planetarium in the Western Hemisphere. In years past, attendees of the ball were granted access to roam select first floor exhibits during the cocktail hour — a unique opportunity to experience the exhibits after hours with friends.

Undergraduate students are welcomed to don their

fancy apparel and enjoy an evening of celebration at the museum, complete with cocktail hour, dancing, dinner and giveaways. Tickets went on sale this past Wednesday at 4 p.m. and will continue to be

available for purchase through February 16, 2024. Tickets include admission, transportation from the base of the Babbio Patio stairs, cocktail hour,

SEE FDB PAGE 3

PHOTO COURTESY OF @FOUNDERSDAYBALL ON INSTAGRAM

Cameras in dorm elevators raise safety and privacy concerns EVAN PAPAGEORGE, OPINION EDITOR One responsibility of the administration is the safety of the students and other members of the Stevens community. In their continuing initiative to ensure campus protection, the Office of Residential and Dining Services (RDS) announced the installation of security surveillance cameras in the elevator cars for the dormitory halls.

Using security cameras on campus helps ensure safety and accountability for actions taken within Stevens’ property. Throughout campus, several cameras allow for either

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live monitoring or recording.

Stevens publishes the regulations on the use of cameras in the “Policy on Security Camera Use,” a section of the University Policy Library.

According to the policy regarding camera use, the installation of cameras is the responsibility of campus police or vendors approved by the Office of the General Counsel beforehand. The allowable locations of cameras are limited as well. Cameras can only be outside areas, areas public to the university, or elevator cars. Additionally, the positioning of cameras may not allow them to view any area or through a window to view

any private area — listed as “private offices, spaces dedicated to health and counseling services, residence hall rooms and hallways, locker rooms, and bathrooms.”

The listed reason for installing cameras in the dormitory elevator cars is to deter vandalism or other criminal activities within the elevators. The need for elevator cameras stems from recent incidents like removing overhead lighting from River Terrace Dormitory elevators.

However, while there is an understanding of the need for cameras in the elevators, there are some concerns about privacy due to

the increase in surveillance on campus. The Stute spoke to some current residential students and asked for their opinion on installing these cameras. Some of them expressed an understanding of the need for cameras. Some former River Terrace residents referenced last year’s incident in 604-606 River Terrace, where someone removed the lights. The administration told the entire dormitory population to pay for the damages if the responsible parties did not confess. However, other current residents are concerned with the potential violation of privacy. While the elevators are

not actually in the private areas of the dormitories, many were worried about cameras getting closer to the actual dormitories.

Installing security cameras in the dormitory elevator cars is necessary to ensure the safety and security of the Stevens community.

However, it is also essential to address the students’ concerns regarding privacy. The camera policy will regulate the cameras to ensure their proper use and installation.

As Stevens continues to keep campus safe, the balance of safety and privacy will remain essential to campus improvements.

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Friday, February 2

News Masthead Volume CXXI No. 15 Executive Board EDITOR-IN-CHIEF......................................ISABELLA ZIV ‘25 BUSINESS MANAGER............................TANYA AVADIA ‘26 MANAGING EDITOR.......................................AVA WANG ‘25 LAYOUT EDITOR................................NICOLE GIARDINO ‘25 OUTREACH CHAIR..........................KAYDEN CANNILLA ‘24 DIGITAL MANAGER................................RAFAEL LEE LI ‘25 SECRETARY.............................................CLAIRE HANNAN ‘24 HEAD COPY EDITOR..............................KEENAN YATES ‘24

Editorial Board

NEWS EDITOR.........................................BEN KNOBLOCH ‘25 SCIENCE EDITOR.........................................ERIN MCGEE ‘25 OPINION EDITOR............................EVAN PAPAGEORGE ‘26 SPORTS EDITOR................................RUTHIE MULLISKY ‘26 FEATURES EDITOR................................TASHA KHOSLA ‘25 PULSE EDITOR........................................MIA PETROLINO ‘25

Operations Board HEAD PHOTOGRAPHER......................OLOF PERSSON ‘25 ARCHIVES LIAISON.......................KEVIN CASTNER JR. ‘24

Staff & Contributors Daniel Hogan Madison Heller Arthur Serra Meghana Mamadapur Riyana Phadke Kately Chirurri Sofia Stoeckel Abby Jacobs Justin Lema Tianna Spitz Ethan Kleschinksy

Zoe Hack Charles Beall Itai Geller Anna Dabrowski Advait Dantuluri Liz Sepulveda Stephen Pachucki Josie Strano Jiya Jaisinghani

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

YELLA

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 pared to off-campus food. Let’s take the chicken fingers from Yella’s as a prime example, six cafeteria chicken fingers would cost you $17.95, but if you got 40 chicken nuggets from tried and true McDonalds, it would cost you only $12.20.

As first-year computer science student Santiago Yeomans puts it “I don’t think the quality has gone up enough to justify an upcharge.”

This seems to be the general student consensus, because despite the popularity of Yella’s, its demand is due to necessity rather than desire. As Wolters put it, “the food is so nasty…after Tu Taco or Piccola Italia I would just feel sick after.”

The administration has acted quickly to attempt to resolve this issue, but there is only so much damage control they can do when the food quality and price issues have existed for years. On Janu-

POND

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 24, 2023,” Los stated. When asked why it was called “The Pond,” Los and Stanczak each had their own interpretations. Los liked to think of it as ducks residing in a pond and Stanczak referenced the campus’ proximity to New York City and the Hudson River which is portrayed on the banner claiming how the river can be considered “a pond” for all the students.

In regard to who was a part of this initiative, Los shared how it was a joint effort between the SGA and staff members pertaining to athletics. Russell Rogers, the Assistant Vice President and Director of Athletics and Recreation, Alison Koch, the Athletics Business Manager, and Trevor Clifton, the Athletic Communications Manag-

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

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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.

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MLK

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 the day’s purpose as a collective endeavor to inch closer to King’s vision of a beloved community anchored in love, service, and unwavering commitment to non-violence.

Assistant Vice President of Student Affairs Takeem Dean paid homage to King’s enduring legacy as a beacon for justice, aptly likening him to “a drum major for justice.” The event unfolded with a soul-stirring performance by Lambda Tau Omega Sorority, Inc. members, who showcased a step routine, a tradition deeply rooted in African dance customs, symbolizing unity and solidarity.

The program further highlighted the winners of Stevens’ second annual MLK Oratorical Contest, a platform hosted by Stevens’ Phi Theta Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., which invited students from New Jersey and New York City to offer their interpretations of King’s speeches or present original works inspired by his leg-

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PHOTO COURTESY OF STEVENS.EDU

ary 29, Stevens released an announcement responding to the complaints. Included were a list of changes intended to be implemented immediately, including a partial suspension of upcharges, a menu expansion, and a pledge that wait times would be reduced and quality made more consistent.

Stevens also said that the internal practices of Residential and Dining Services would also be amend-

ed to improve feedback response and quality control.

As of publication, these changes could not be verified and the student and parent response to the improvements gauged. However, these issues aren’t new and the complaints likely won’t disappear soon; As it turns out, it can be challenging to feed a bunch of hungry 18 year-olds cheaply and effectively.

EVAN PAPAGEORGE FOR THE STUTE

er all worked very hard to bring “The Pond” to life. Los brought Stanczak into the picture when difficulties arose.

The original idea was to have a painting but that idea was scrapped and was replaced with creating a banner. Later, working with a graphic designer, the team went through several design iterations after which they brought in Stevens branding to assure that design would follow university standards. The next issue the team ran into was how to hang this. Stanczak explained how things were looking as if the banner wouldn’t be put up at all. Determined, he shared how he, Los, and members of the athletics staff went to Canavan Arena with an engineer to find any sort of way to hang the banner up. Luckily, they were successful. The last bit was waiting for the university’s vendor Signworks to install the banner over the bleachers which

happened on January 22, 2024 and two days before the reveal.

The event had very good turnout. Commenting on the state of school spirit Los stated, “I think it has come a long way since we started sponsoring the game. Sponsoring games helped. People come for the food and free shirts but stay for the game.” Both Los and Stanczak believe that the creation of “The Pond” is a huge step in the right direction in terms of garnering more school spirit.

Sharing her concluding thoughts on this initiative, Los found this project to be “painstakingly gratifying.” Stanczak agreed and wanted to share the following words with the entire student body: “It was a very collaborative effort and as we move forward, the student government remains committed to supporting students and organizing impactful projects that enhance the community.”

acy. The speeches, songs, and poems from winners across various educational levels captivated the audience, amplifying the spirit of King’s message.

Jacob Agbata, a distinguished fourth-year electrical engineering student and prominent leader within Stevens’ Black Student Union (BSU) and Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) chapter, introduced the morning’s keynote speaker, Tylik McMillan. McMillan, a fiery civil rights activist and movement strategist, implored the audience, particularly Stevens students, to embrace discomfort as a catalyst for progress, stressing the imperative of advocating for societal change.

In the aftermath of the enriching breakfast sessions, volunteers dispersed to engage in a myriad of service activities both on and off campus. The impact was palpable, from assembling hygiene kits and writing letters to elders and hospice patients to leading STEAM activities for elementary students and facilitating panel discussions for high schoolers — the community-wide effort extended to clean-

ing, organizing, and refurbishing projects at local shelters, libraries, and community centers, amplifying the ethos of collective responsibility and compassion.

Events concluded in a stirring reception at the UCC’s TechFlex Auditorium, featuring captivating performances by “The Crowned,” a group within the BSU, and a soulful rendition of “Too Beautiful for Words” from The Color Purple by Valentina Vasquez, a second-year music and technology major. Assemblywoman Linda Carter M.S. ‘00, delivering the closing keynote address, underscored the transformative power of individual action in realizing King’s vision of a beloved community, emphasizing the ripple effect of positive influence emanating from grassroots engagement.

As the echoes of King’s timeless message reverberated through the halls of Stevens, attendees departed imbued with a renewed sense of purpose and a commitment to effecting meaningful change in their communities — a testament to the enduring relevance of King’s legacy in shaping a more just and equitable society.

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News

LOCAL NEWS Floating pool coming to the East River

BY MEGHANA MAMADAPUR, STAFF WRITER A “first-of-its-kind” floating pool is coming to New York City in 2025. Mayor Eric Adams and New York Governor Kathy Hochul announced that the city and state will fund a $12 million “+Pool” to sit in the Hudson River. This initiative hopes to expand swimming access and address equity gaps for NY residents.

The city and state announced the +Pool as a water-filtering, portable, floating pool. This pool will be shaped like a plus sign and allow New Yorkers to swim in water right outside the city. While the exact location of the pool is unclear, reports have indicated that it would start somewhere on the Lower East River, but travel to different areas along the water since the pool can “float in waters surrounding New York City.” The

pool will have free entry, but private events can be hosted at a fee.

Mayor Adams addressed, “When we came into office two years ago, we had a mission: Protect public safety, revitalize the economy, and make this city more livable for hardworking New Yorkers. Every day, we are delivering on this vision for New Yorkers, including by investing in our children’s safety with new swimming infrastructure. I’m proud to partner with Governor Hochul to bring +Pool, a unique and innovative swimming pool, to New York City – expanding access to swimming for all New Yorkers.”

The +Pool is scheduled to be tested in the Summer of 2024 and will open next year if all health and safety standards are met. The New York State Department of Health is releasing new guidelines addressing the design of +Pool. The unique pool addresses the frequent and increasing heat waves, provid-

ing New York residents with a new way to cool off. +Pool also falls under the NY SWIMS initiative: the Statewide Investment in Municipal Swimming. This initiative aims to reduce drowning, which is one of the leading causes of death for children ages one to four.

In addition to +Pool, Governor Hochul announced a proposal to build new swimming pools and hire more lifeguards across the state. If this proposal is approved, over $60 million will be administered to build 10 pools in underrepresented communities, with an additional $30 million being allocated to paying for pop-up pools during heat waves. A new recreation center with an indoor pool at Roy Wilkins Park was approved as a $147 million project.

With the new initiatives starting to be implemented, the hope is to bring together New Yorkers in a safer, cooler, and more egalitarian environment.

PHOTO COURTESY OF TRAVELANDLEISURE.COM

STORM

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

PHOTO COURTESY OF JEREMY KRUGMAN

motely the next day. In contrast, the school did not switch to remote operations until about 11 a.m. the day of the September 29 rainstorm, with students attending classes in person prior to 11 a.m. This led to much confusion as some of the professors had already convened for 11 a.m. classes in person and were unsure whether to dismiss students immediately or try to hold class in a hybrid manner. Regardless, the response to the recent bad weather has been spot on, with this good trend hopefully continuing in the future.

Residential students intended to make the most of this quasi-snow day. Some students were seen skiing on campus during the

Tunnels under NYC?

BY ARTHUR SERRA, STAFF WRITER Young members of the Orthodox Jewish movement Chabad were discovered to have been digging a tunnel underneath their New York headquarters in mid-January, resulting in a conflict between members of the movement and police. The discovery and subsequent fallout have prompted greater awareness of the movement, and begs the question: what drove some of its members to take the apparently bizarre action of constructing a secret tunnel beneath a synagogue?

Chabad is an orthodox Hasidic sect of Judaism that was founded in 1775 with the objective of educating and providing humanitarian aid to other Jews. It became a truly world-wide movement under the tenure of Menachem Mendel Schneerson, who rebuilt the movement after the Holocaust until his death in 1994. He has become a controversial figure in Judaism because some of his followers have come to believe that he is the Jewish Messiah.

Those who believed that Schneerson was the Messiah, tend to also believe that he taught that the movement’s headquarters and synagogue in New York at 770

Eastern Parkway needed to be “expanded.” However, since his death, there has been an ongoing legal battle between the local stewards of the synagogue and the leadership of the whole Chabad movement which stops either group from making alterations to 770 Eastern Parkway.

Certain younger members of the Stewards—referred to as the “Gabbaim”—decided to take the expansion into their own hands and began to dig a tunnel underneath Chabad HQ. When the tunnel—which had expanded to be over 60ft long—was discovered the Gabbaim ordered construction trucks to come and fill the tunnel with concrete. Upon hearing of this, several members of the illegal construction crew ran into the tunnels to stop the destruction of the fruits of their labor. After failing to leave voluntarily the police were forced to make nine arrests and escort these young men out of the tunnel.

The tunnel’s construction was disavowed by key members of the movement, including spokesperson Motti Seligson, who described its masterminds as “extremists who broke through the wall to the synagogue, vandalizing the sanctuary, in an effort to preserve their unauthorized access.”

PHOTO COURTESY OF NBC NEWS

school day (which is regrettably against Stevens sledding policy).

However, most opted to stay indoors as temperatures reached a chilling 18 degrees Fahrenheit.

Parts of the campus were left covered with snow and ice, and snow remained on the lawns for several days after the storm before it melted. Thankfully, most of the campus’s walkways were pretreated with salt before the snow came down.

As for the rest of Hoboken, street cleaning was suspended January 15 and 16 due to snowfall. Despite Stevens going virtual on January 19, Hoboken public schools remained open through the week. The city of Hoboken urged residents to remain indoors and to limit unnecessary travel. It also reminded residents to keep sidewalks clear and remove all snow and ice from the sidewalk after the storm was over.

FDB

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 and dinner.

Admission prices begin at $65 for Stevens students and $85 for non-Stevens students under the age of 21, with the option of $10 ticket surcharge for those over the age of 21 who wish to enjoy alcoholic beverages during the cocktail hour and dinner.

Guest tickets must be purchased

by Stevens undergraduates through the ticket portal, and there will be no ticket transfers accepted. Refunds are offered through February 16, 2024. For those interested in attending, be sure to purchase your tickets soon as there is a limited quantity.

Further information can be found on @foundersdayball on Instagram, and you may contact fdb@stevens. edu with any further questions.

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Friday, February 2

Feature: Spring 2024 Budget Meeting Recap Student Activity Fee: $230 Number of Students: 4000 Total Fund: $920,000

SGA Budget Committee: Kevin Pfundstein (VPF), Ethan Kleschinsky (VPSI), Arminder Singh, Aden Vishnevsky, Aidan Robinson, Alberto Jimenez Murillo, Amanda LaFrancios, Angela Jomson, Arthur Serra, Claire Hannan, Collin Shen, Jenna Giesecke, Jenny Chen, Mia Reinert, Octavio Morales, Sebastian Sztolberg, Shane Mitchell, Taki Tanemori, and Vidhur Busannagari

$207.538.30

RSO Allocations Organization

Subcommittee

Before Obj. Cuts After Obj. Cuts

After BBM

Percent Change vs S23

Stevens Dramatic Society

Arts & Music

$34,894.00

$34,894.00

$34,234.00

34%

Stevens Underground Music Awareness Committee

Arts & Music

$11,938.85

$11,938.85

$5,813.81

99%

Audio Engineering Club

Arts & Music

$5,797.22

$5,797.22

$3,096.21

16%

Art Installations Club

Arts & Music

$2,774.00

$2,774.00

$2,174.00

Did not request S23

Stevens A Cappella

Arts & Music

$915.67

$915.67

$915.67

Did not request S23

RGB Photography Club

Arts & Music

$1,723.37

$1,723.37

$836.37

7%

Off Center

Arts & Music

$2,893.36

$2,893.36

$774.40

-32%

Poetry Club

Arts & Music

$556.00

$556.00

$556.00

59%

Stevens TECHnique

Arts & Music

$299.90

$120.00

$120.00

Did not request S23

Ethnic Student Council

Cultural

$60,116.25

$60,116.25

$30,000.00

-9%

Indian Undergraduate Association

Cultural

$11,797.00

$9,364.00

$9,364.00

153%

Chinese Student Association

Cultural

$8,882.94

$8,571.96

$7,967.22

0%

Filipino Association of Stevens Tech

Cultural

$8,644.00

$8,600.00

$7,600.00

7%

Korean Student Association

Cultural

$7,920.00

$7,671.00

$7,571.00

11%

Latin American Association

Cultural

$6,125.00

$5,202.00

$3,500.00

Did not request S23

Japanese Student Association

Cultural

$4,331.99

$4,239.99

$3,191.99

28%

Black Student Union

Cultural

$4,508.60

$3,425.23

$3,120.23

Did not request S23

Slavic Student Association

Cultural

$4,609.96

$4,260.00

$1,350.00

Did not request S23

Middle Eastern Student Association

Cultural

$1,642.92

$1,307.92

$1,283.95

61%

Stevens Irish Association

Cultural

$938.91

$938.91

$938.91

Did not request S23

Stevens Robotics Club

Electronics & Gaming

$7,962.61

$7,962.61

$5,027.94

3%

Computer and Console Game Society

Electronics & Gaming

$6,104.93

$5,216.93

$4,717.93

8%

Stevens Trivia Club

Electronics & Gaming

$2,296.16

$1,400.15

$1,400.15

201%

Stevens Game Development Club

Electronics & Gaming

$1,225.36

$1,220.85

$1,121.53

Did not request S23

Stevens Poker Club

Electronics & Gaming

$1,324.00

$912.00

$912.00

-62%

Stevens Computer Science Club

Electronics & Gaming

$1,495.51

$1,495.51

$895.51

44%

Stevens Esports

Electronics & Gaming

$1,311.84

$1,311.84

$474.84

-51%

Software Engineering Club

Electronics & Gaming

$470.00

$250.00

$318.00

51%

Stevens Chess Club

Electronics & Gaming

$80.00

$80.00

$80.00

Did not request S23

Stevens Cyber Defense Team

Electronics & Gaming

$75.00

$75.00

$75.00

-25%

WCPR - Castle Point Radio

Media

$6,878.31

$6,878.31

$4,850.06

62%

RedShift

Media

$3,498.30

$3,326.30

$3,326.30

416%

The Stute

Media

$1,160.00

$1,160.00

$1,160.00

66%

SITTV Campus Television

Media

$4,250.38

$4,250.38

$591.45

23%

Castle Point Anime Convention

Non-RSO

$7,927.00

$7,927.00

$5,000.00

51%

Alpha Phi Omega

Non-RSO

$1,464.86

$1,464.86

$1,464.86

4%

Phi Beta Lambda

Non-RSO

$848.31

$848.31

$848.31

Did not request S23

Honor Board

Non-RSO

$668.49

$668.49

$668.49

Did not request S23

OXE

Non-RSO

$208.59

$208.59

$-

-

Stevens Society of Automotive Engineers

Professional Societies

$25,926.77

$25,926.77

$25,926.77

Did not request S23

Society of Asian Scientists and Engineers

Professional Societies

$8,567.37

$8,567.37

$8,000.00

106%

Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers

Professional Societies

$6,555.00

$6,555.00

$4,737.24

-35%

American Institute of Chemical Engineers

Professional Societies

$8,586.48

$4,279.78

$4,261.02

155%

National Society of Black Engineers

Professional Societies

$9,400.00

$9,400.00

$4,100.00

62%

Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers

Professional Societies

$3,696.94

$3,440.34

$3,440.34

-24%

American Society of Civil Engineers

Professional Societies

$2,714.99

$2,514.99

$2,309.64

89%

Sustainability, Activism, Volunteering, and Engineering

Professional Societies

$5,453.67

$5,453.67

$2,300.53

Did not request S23

Society of Women Engineers

Professional Societies

$2,862.28

$2,373.45

$2,026.17

78%

Biomedical Engineering Society

Professional Societies

$1,976.43

$1,976.43

$1,976.43

Did not request S23

Society of Physics Students

Professional Societies

$1,844.57

$1,844.57

$1,844.57

-48%

Stevens Women in Computer Science

Professional Societies

$2,930.00

$2,930.00

$1,410.00

-36%

Stevens Women in Business

Professional Societies

$1,614.81

$1,614.81

$1,134.85

278%

Out in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (oSTEM)

Professional Societies

$1,335.82

$1,335.82

$1,035.82

Did not request S23

Association of Latino Professionals for America

Professional Societies

$1,230.80

$1,090.80

$805.08

7%

American Chemical Society

Professional Societies

$785.10

$785.10

$785.10

3%

American Society of Mechanical Engineers

Professional Societies

$453.24

$453.24

$453.24

Did not request S23

American Society of Engineering Management

Professional Societies

$76.96

$76.96

$76.96

Did not request S23

American Nuclear Society

Professional Societies

$2,035.00

$2,035.00

$-

-100%

Stevens Climbing and Mountaineering

Recreation

$6,750.00

$6,750.00

$6,500.00

-10%

Stevens Running Club

Recreation

$1,350.00

$1,350.00

$1,350.00

23%

Badminton Club

Recreation

$1,484.00

$1,484.00

$594.00

3%

Stevens Hillel

Religious & Faith-Based

$2,626.99

$2,214.99

$2,214.99

-19%

Newman Catholic Association

Religious & Faith-Based

$1,696.10

$886.10

$766.10

-49%

Stevens Christian Fellowship

Religious & Faith-Based

$739.51

$602.23

$637.72

-31%

StevensTHON

Service

$3,286.56

$2,695.96

$2,695.96

22%

Habitat for Humanity

Service

$1,513.71

$1,063.71

$1,063.71

-48%

Engineers Without Borders

Service

$944.16

$944.16

$844.16

97%

Blueprint

Service

$774.00

$774.00

$774.00

Did not request S23

Event Planning Committee/SGA Committees

SGA Committees

$1,278.94

$1,278.94

$803.17

Did not request S23

Anime Club

Special Interests

$2,578.25

$2,431.19

$2,431.19

59%

Fashion Association of Marketing and Entrepreneurship

Special Interests

$5,085.00

$4,883.00

$2,085.00

Did not request S23

Stevens Torch Alliance

Special Interests

$346.36

$346.36

$346.36

21%

Commuter Student Union

Special Interests

$328.35

$328.35

$233.92

-40%

Stevens Health Professions Club

Special Interests

$175.00

$175.00

$175.00

133%

Active Minds

Special Interests

$188.67

$188.67

$151.68

Did not request S23

College Democrats of Stevens

Special Interests

$1,837.00

$1,783.00

$0.00

-100%

Archery Club

Starting Orgs

$199.90

$199.90

$199.90

Did not request S23

Club Sports Allocations

$131,748

Sport

%funded by SGA

SGA Funded

Entertainment Committee (16%)

$147,200.00

Festivals (Tech Fest)

$67,500 .00

Bowling

66.57%

$11,866.00

$15,800.00

$51,000.00

60.62%

$17,595.00

The Link (production costs)

Climbing

Leadership/Civic Engagement/Involvement

64.85%

$9,870.00

Student Center Staffing

$23,000.00

The Stute (archiving and printing)

$25,800.00

Baseball Crew

62.66%

$4,825.00

Diversity Programs/Lore-El

$12,500.00

Physical Plant (2%)

$18,400.00

Men's Lacrosse

69.84%

$5,281.00

48.26%

$5,550.00

Greek Life Programs

$12,500.00

Presidential Discretionary

$2,000.00

Men's Soccer

57.81%

$6,292.50

Financial Coordinator

$28,000.00

Campus Improvement Fund

Rollover

Men's Volleyball Powerlifting

67.25%

$12,475.00

Campus Labs

$26,435.00

Sailing

50.40%

$7,172.00

Facilities - Bowling Alley

$15,500.00

Ski and Snowboard

61.44%

$40,590.00

Student Leader Awards Brunch/Dinner

$2,500.00

Ultimate Frisbee

60.23%

$16,297.50

Women's Lacrosse

64.96%

$4,320.00

DuckBill Machines

$2,000.00

Women's Soccer

76.32%

$5,800.00

Class Money (5%)

$46,000.00

Women's Volleyball

63.82%

$7,868.00

Founders Day Ball

$50,000.00

Student Life Line Items

$381,435

SGA Line Items

$164,700

Total

$885,421.30

Surplus

$34,578.70

to be distributed at weekly budget meeting via AFRs

5

Friday, February 2

PHOTO COURTESY OF STEVENSDUCKS.COM

Sports

Men’s Wrestling wins MAC Championship

BY ABBY JACOBS, SPORTS WRITER Men’s Wrestling secured their fourth consecutive Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC) Championship and five individual championships on Saturday, January 20.

The Ducks accumulated 166.5 points, outplacing the other five teams competing for the title, and just eight and a half points in front of runner-up, Alvernia University. Graduate students Akhil Vega, Pasquale Vizzoni, and Stefan Major, senior Joel Martsinovsky, and sophomore Ryan Smith won conference championships in their respective weight classes and were just five of the Ducks’ 13 place-winners during the day. In addition to each of these wrestlers being titled First Team All-MAC, team-

mates junior Blaise Wagner and sophomore Nico Diaz seized second-team all-league and senior Andrew Finateri and junior Harrison Hinojosa received the Third Team All-MAC honor. This MAC victory was both their fourth in a row and the program’s ninth total since being in the Centennial Conference.

2024 had already started strong for the team when they saw a 50-0 win against New Jersey City University (NJCU) on January 5 in their Mental Health Awareness Match. NJCU, already faced with a three forfeit disadvantage in weight classes 197, 285, and 125, lost to two technical falls, three decisions, and two pins by Major and Martsinovsky.

A notable victory in this match was 157, where Smith defeated Jeff Johnson, who is currently a fifth-year captain at NJCU and

ranked second in the Mideast region, 8-7.

At the Budd Whitehill Duals hosted by Lycoming College, the team then took on McDaniel College, Wilkes University, Ithaca College, Washington and Lee University, and the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. Friday, January 12, saw pure success with the Ducks achieving scores of 30-12 (McDaniel College), 2715 (Wilkes University), and 31-9 (Ithaca College). Vega along with Smith, Major, Martsinovsky, Diaz, senior Luke Hoerle, juniors Chris Stathopoulos and Brendan Newbury, and first-year Carmen Cortese all finished day one with only wins on their scoreboards, although Vega and Hoerle were the only ones who wrestled all three matches.

Following their 3-0 record in pool play, the Ducks competed

in the Championship Semifinal against Washington and Lee University first thing on Saturday, January 13. They secured a 31-13 victory with a forfeit, a technical, two decisions, an injury, and a pin by Finateri at 133. At 1:30 p.m., the Ducks began their fight for the tournament win against the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. Despite four decision wins, the Ducks were defeated 26-13, leaving them in second place. This is the second year in a row that the team was defeated

by Wisconsin at this tournament.

Today, Friday, February 2, the Ducks will be taking on Washington and Lee University once again, this time in Lexington, VA, and tomorrow, February 3, they’ll be competing in the Southeast Futures Tournament in Salem, VA, hosted by Roanoke College.

Women’s and Men’s Fencing at the Eric Sollee Invitational

BY SOFIA STOECKEL, CONTRIBUTER Last Saturday, January 27, the Stevens Women’s and Men’s Fencing team competed in the Eric Sollee Invitational hosted at Brandeis University in Massachusetts for their first meet of the semester. They went against both D1 and D3 colleges, including Boston College, Brown, and MIT, showing the diversity in teams in fencing. The team did an amazing job and had good results, even against such tough opponents, and hopefully these results hint at how they’ll do in the future.

The women’s epee team went 26-37, with two wins overall, and their biggest win being against Boston College, with a score of 7-2. The men’s epee team went 30-15 with three wins overall, and their biggest win being against Hunter College, with a score of 8-1. Graduate student Claire McNeill, the women’s epee captain, had 12 wins total, and first-year Grace Hicks had 10 total. These impressive results prove the strength of the women’s epee team. “We did pretty good. Epee had a good amount

of wins. Both other weapons were doing good as well. We came to fence and that’s what we did.” said first-year Riley Parker, a men’s epee fencer,who had the highest number of wins on the men’s team.

The men’s saber team had two wins overall and went 26-19 with their biggest win being 9-0 against Hunter College, and the women’s saber team went 2637 with two wins as well, and, like the men’s saber team, their biggest win being 9-0 against Hunter College. Junior Colin Mahoney had the highest number of wins on the men’s team, with eight wins, and senior Alana Schmitt had the highest number of wins on the women’s team, with 10 wins. The saber fencers worked as hard as they trained and overcame the odds.

The women’s foil team went 17-46 with one win, that being a 6-3 win against Hunter College, and the men’s foil team went 20-25 and had 2 wins with their biggest win being 8-1 against Hunter College as well.

Junior Elizabeth MacDonald had the highest number of wins on the women’s team with seven wins, and sophomore James

Glover had the highest number of wins on the men’s team with five wins. The foil fencers fenced hard through their losses and held the team together.

In total, the women’s team ended up with 69 wins and 120 losses and the men’s team ended up with 76 wins and 59 losses.

Everyone put a lot of effort in and their rewards paid off with their wins. “[It] was a tough day with some D1’s and some of the top D3 teams but we came out with a win and fought hard,” said assistant coach for the women’s team Linda Vollkommer-Lynch.

The women’s team will return

on February 4 for the Stevens Invitational held inside Canavan Arena. The men’s team will also return on February 4 for the MACFA Round Robin Group “B” Meet, also held inside Canavan Arena at Stevens.

ON DECK IN SPORTS FRI, FEB 2 MEN’S VOLLEYBALL No. 11 Carthage College Huntingdon, PA 5 p.m.

WRESTLING Washington and Lee University Lexington, VA 7 p.m.

SAT, FEB 3 WOMEN’S AND MEN’S TRACK AND FIELD PLEX Shootout Reading, PA Time TBA WRESTLING Southeast Futures Tournament Salem, VA 9 a.m.

No. 18 Roanoke College Salem, VA 3 p.m.

MEN’S LACROSSE Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (Exhibition) Troy, NY 12 p.m.

BASEBALL Drew University (Exhibition) Hoboken, NJ 12 p.m.

WOMEN’S LACROSSE Messiah University (Exhibition) Grantham, PA 1 p.m.

WOMEN’S AND MEN’S BASKETBALL Misericordia University Hoboken, NJ 1 p.m./3 p.m.

MEN’S VOLLEYBALL University of Mount Union Huntingdon, PA 1:30 p.m.

No. 12 Juniata College Huntingdon, PA 4 p.m.

SUN, FEB 4 WOMEN’S AND MEN’S FENCING Stevens Invitational Hoboken, NJ 10 a.m.

Men’s Fencing MACFA Round Robin Group “B” Hoboken, NJ Time TBA

WED, FEB 7 WOMEN’S AND MEN’S BASKETBALL DeSales University Center Valley, PA 6 p.m.

Hoboken, NJ 7 p.m.

PHOTO COURTESY OF STEVENSDUCKS.COM (SHOT BY CARLISLE STOCKTON)

STEVENS SCOREBOARD DATE

TEAM

OPPONENT

WED, JAN 24 WED, JAN 24 FRI, JAN 26 SAT, JAN 27

MEN'S BASKETBALL WOMEN'S BASKETBALL WOMEN'S AND MEN'S TRACK AND FIELD WOMEN'S FENCING MEN'S FENCING WOMEN'S BASKETBALL WOMEN'S SWIMMING MEN'S SWIMMING MEN'S VOLLEYBALL MEN'S BASKETBALL MEN'S VOLLEYBALL

DELAWARE VALLEY UNIVERSITY DELAWARE VALLEY UNIVERSITY JOHN THOMAS TERRIER CLASSIC–DAY 1 ERIC SOLLEE INVITATIONAL ERIC SOLLEE INVITATIONAL LEBANON VALLEY COLLEGE URSINUS COLLEGE URSUNUS COLLEGE NO. 12 JUNIATA COLLEGE LEBANON VALLEY COLLEGE LANCASTER BIBLE COLLEGE

LOCATION

HOME AWAY AWAY AWAY AWAY AWAY AWAY AWAY AWAY AWAY AWAY

SCORE

W (69-63) L (61-72) COMPLETED 1 WIN, 6 LOSSES 2 WINS, 3 LOSSES W (55-51) L (108-149) L (124-138) W (3-1) W (66-53) W (3-0)

6

Friday, February 2

Science Brain diseases can be cured by ultrasound and implantation

BY KATELYN CHIURRI, STAFF WRITER Alzheimer’s is a progressive disease that leads to loss of memory and other important functions due to a build-up of plaque in the brain. This plaque is made up of a jumble of misfolded amyloid proteins and blocks communication between brain cells which creates many of the symptoms associated with Alzheimer’s. One drug that is known to reduce this plaque is called Aduhelm, which has antibodies that travel through the bloodstream and into the brain to target the amyloid proteins. An issue with this treatment is that it is very difficult for drugs to pass through the blood-brain barrier, so much of the drug goes to waste.

This is one reason why the drug is so expensive. At $28,000 a year, it’s virtually impossible for the everyday person suffering from Alzheimer’s to use it for treatment.

The blood-brain barrier is not a “shield” that covers the entirety of the skull. Instead, the barrier is at the end of major blood vessels in the brain. The job of the barrier is to prevent large molecules that may be harmful to the brain from getting in while allowing small molecules like glucose and oxygen to get in. So, Aduhelm alone reduces the amount of plaque in the brain, but only by a small amount because most of the antibodies do not get through to the brain. The only way for the antibodies to get in is if the blood-brain barrier is opened. How could this be done without damaging blood vessels and capillaries?

Dr. Ali Rezai, a neurosurgeon at the Rockefeller Neuroscience Institute of West Virginia University has come up with a way to solve this problem. He is leading a study that uses ultrasound to open up the blood-brain barrier to allow the passage of drugs. Funded by

West Virginia University and the Harry T. Mangurian Jr. Foundation for Medical Research in cancer and brain diseases, this study is not testing the functionality of the treatment yet, it is testing the safety of the treatment. Three patients with mild Alzheimer’s have gone through the treatment and have described it as a painless procedure. The treatment begins with an injection of tiny microbubbles of perfluorocarbon gas that are commonly used for ultrasound imaging studies of the heart and liver and are proven to be safe to use as they are cleaned out of the body by the kidneys and liver after the procedures. Next, the patient lies on an MRI table and puts on a specialized helmet. Then, pulses of low-frequency ultrasound waves are focused in an area the size of a pencil. In this study, areas of the brain involved with memory and reasoning were treated first.

The ultrasound creates a wave pattern in the fluid of the blood vessels which causes the microbubbles to expand and contract.

This opens up the blood vessels and the blood-brain barrier and allows the drug to pass through to the brain. Although this treatment is a breakthrough in neuroscience, scientists will need a more efficient way to tackle the plaque caused by Alzheimer’s disease because the plaque is everywhere but the ultrasound can only target the tip of a pencil sized area.

Despite this trial only testing the safety of this method, the patients’ scans showed that the plaque in their brain had reduced by 32%. Since the ultrasound method was focused on one side of the brain, the scientists were able to compare the use of the ultrasound versus the drug alone and it showed that the ultrasound had reduced the plaque about 50% more than the drug alone. There have been no changes in the abilities of

PHOTO COURTESY OF AARP

the patients but this treatment will hopefully slow down the progression of the disease. Also, Dr. Rezai has gained approval from the FDA to try using different frequencies and wavelengths of the ultrasound and different drugs to see if he can reverse the damage already done to some brain cells which would cure Alzheimer’s disease altogether.

Dr. Rezai is leading another study for helping drug addiction through an implant in the brain.

This implant is commonly used to treat Parkinson’s disease by using deep brain stimulation to stop tremors. Dr. Rezai is using this same technology to place the implantation device on the part of the brain responsible for behavioral regulation, anxiety, and cravings which is also known as the reward center. The procedure entails cutting a nickel sized hole into the skull and placing a thin wire con-

nected to four electrodes on the brain. Next, the wire is connected to a device placed below the collarbone that will send impulses to the electrodes. From this safety trial, one patient had a minor relapse, one patient dropped out of the trial, and the other two patients have been drug free since their operations. Dr. Rezai then combined this research with his Alzheimer’s research and thought that instead of highly invasive surgery, the patient could receive this deep brain stimulation from the ultrasound aimed at the reward center of the brain, the nucleus accumbens.

Within this study, 10 out of the 15 patients have remained drug-free since their treatment. Although nothing can be concluded yet about the studies, the ultrasound technology seems to be useful in treating many diseases within the brain.

Since this technology has been

so successful, many neuroscientists have been using it in their own studies to treat a variety of diseases affecting the brain. Dr. Nir Lipsman, a neurosurgeon at the Sunnybrook Research Institute of the University of Toronto has been leading a study that uses ultrasound technology to help treat breast cancer patients that have had the cancer spread to their brain. Dr. Lipsman uses the ultrasound to open up the bloodbrain barrier to deliver a drug called trastuzumab that decreases the size of the tumors. From this research, they have reported that the amount of the drug that passed through the barrier increased four times the amount of not using the ultrasound. This technology is something to keep our eyes on as many success stories about treating brain diseases will be published soon thanks to the work of Dr. Ali Rezai and his team.

Meet Andrés Mansisidor, the new Director of Undergraduate Research

BY RIYANA PHADKE, SCIENCE WRITER

I HOPE TO MAKE IT EASY FOR STUDENTS TO ACCESS RESEARCH OPPORTUNITIES HERE AT STEVENS AND ELSEWHERE THAT ARE HELPFUL TO THEIR CAREER DEVELOPMENT.”

Over the past couple years, Stevens has made huge strides in their research departments, with President Farvardin setting a goal for Stevens to become “a premier, student-centric, technological research university.” The university takes another step with Dr. Andrés Mansisidor, who has joined Stevens as the new Director of Undergraduate Research and PhD Program Application. Mansisidor brings a new perspective with a goal in mind; to support students in their research efforts at Stevens and as they continue forward in their careers.

Dr. Mansisidor began their own career in research after graduating from George Mason University with a degree in Biology. While they were initially following the pre-med track, they quickly realized that they saw themself as an academic and scholar. Upon graduation, Mansisidor applied to a lab at Columbia University, where they studied epigenetics and gene regulation in nematodes, a type of worm. After their time at Columbia, Dr. Mansisidor began their PhD at New York University (NYU) in the biology department where they studied mechanisms of gene expression in the context of DNA repair and genome evolution in yeast. At NYU, Dr. Mansisidor found an incredible community and learning environment, something that they hope to facilitate at Stevens as the Director.

Prior to joining Stevens, Mansisidor completed their postdoctoral studies at Rockefeller University that focused on trying to connect

biophysical properties and folding states of DNA to gene function.

Through this project, they stated, “I accomplished one of my long-life research goals to write a peer-reviewed research article, which gave me a feeling of expertise in the field but also humbled me as there is so many studies out there that make it difficult to completely assess and incorporate all the relevant knowledge into one’s understanding of a problem–science can be really messy sometimes”. While Dr. Mansisidor sometimes works on small aspects of their own research on the weekends; they have shifted their focus to helping students at Stevens feel just as accomplished and excited about pursuing their own research.

Dr. Mansisidor’s main role is to support students in their research efforts. They have begun this process by meeting with students individually, holding group workshops, and meeting with faculty and staff members. They aim to help connect students with research opportunities and help them to write grant or PhD applications.

Mansisidor notes, “Some students would like to know the benefits of a PhD over a masters or vice versa, and since I have both a lot of experience in academia and a lot of friends who have moved to industry, I can give balanced advice on the advantages of each path”.

Dr. Mansisidor has many ideas for working with both undergraduate and graduate students to ensure that they can be best engaged in research opportunities at Stevens. One idea they have is forming a research-related book club, so that students may facilitate conversations regarding topics

they enjoy with faculty members and their peers. They expressed interest in seeking further advice from students, faculty, and staff regarding what would be most beneficial moving forward.

Mansisidor expressed that students should not be discouraged from research if they are not finding opportunities immediately. They encourage students to look into different departments and faculty for more opportunities. Doing paid research through summer programs at external institutions is one way that Mansisidor encourages students to try.

“I hope to make it easy for students to access research opportunities here at Stevens and elsewhere that

are helpful to their career development”, Mansisidor states. They are currently looking into programs at Stevens that could offset the cost of doing research, such as funding from the Provost’s Office, in order to make engaging in research more accessible to students.

If students are interested in meeting with Dr. Andrés Mansisidor, they can reach out to them directly by email at amansisi@ stevens.edu or by filling out the research interests google form by scanning the QR Code below. They will also be promoting research-related events through Ducklink and Instagram. Be sure to stay on the lookout for information if you are interested!

QR CODE FOR THE GOOGLE FORM

INTERESTED IN SCIENCE JOURNALISM?Join our Science writing team!

Reach out to Erin McGee, Science Editor (emcgee@stevens.edu) for more information – No experience necessary to write • thestute.com/category/science –

7

Friday, February 2

Opinion THE STUTE EDITORIAL

Transparency in transition Welcome back to the Spring semester! While the Stevens student body has been on break for the past month, The Stute has been diligently working behind the scenes in preparation for this semester. Extending beyond Winter break, we’ve been focusing on setting ourselves up for the future over the past few months. I know this may sound mysterious, but before delving into the details, I want to clarify the purpose of this article.

As a public-facing organization, it’s important to carefully consider the information we share, including determining what to share, with who, and when. The strategic approach is employed in all sorts of organizations, just as The Stute has, enabling us to navigate situations effectively and eventually be able to respond to questions regarding the matter. I’m now sharing this information because, as an Eboard, we have resolved our situation and I want to provide transparency about what The Stute has been experiencing behind the scenes.

In early November, I received an email from our now former printing company notifying me that they could no longer print The Stute starting in the new year. As the former Head Layout Editor and current Editor-in-Chief, the physical copies of the paper have always meant a lot to me, making this news especially difficult to hear. In response, I thanked them for the heads up, expressed gratitude for their years of service, and asked about the printing specifications I would need to contract a new printer.

Up until this point, I had kept this information to myself. I knew that there was no way to retain this printer, and I just needed to wait until I had all the right information before sharing it with the rest of the Stute leadership. Despite the weight of this secret, I felt a responsibility to maintain composure and keep operations running smoothly as usual. Though it may seem controlling and limiting, it is my responsibility as Editor-in-Chief to ensure the success of the organiza-

tion, and I believe it was right to wait until I had answers rather than sending everyone into panic-mode. A week after receiving the news, I shared the details with The Stute’s 16 person minorboard and asked them to respect the decision to keep that information confidential. As a news outlet and major organization on campus, we didn’t want rumors circulating about The Stute facing issues or worst-case scenario, shutting down.

Choosing not to immediately disclose this information with the public was a big decision, not only to refrain from sharing it with the general public, but also ensuring it did not reach the university or the Student Government Association. This decision aimed to ensure The Stute could maintain as much autonomy and financial independence as possible, avoiding external influence during this crucial time. The Stute generally has a good relationship with both of these entities and while some may have felt disappointed that we didn’t

confide in them or accept their help, we prioritized The Stute’s interest, and I believe they ultimately understand.

I want to take a moment to give a huge shout out and thank you to our business manager, Tanya, who was extremely dedicated and worked from abroad during winter break, handling contracts and forms. Her efforts were instrumental in successfully navigating this transition, and her contributions deserve special recognition.

Fortunately, in terms of the public eye, nothing has changed, and that’s what matters most. You will still be able to pick up your physical copy of The Stute every Friday, as always. Admittedly, I may not have handled this situation perfectly, and in hindsight, I might approach it differently in a similar circumstance. Dealing with information and the decision not to disclose put considerable pressure on myself and the Eboard. However, everything worked out, and I’m proud of how we managed this transition.

Isabella Ziv ‘25

Editor-in-Chief

MIND OF A FRESHMAN

Zooming through the semester

BY JUSTIN LEMA ‘27 Is it just me, or did Zoom not exist until late 2020? This video conferencing platform has risen in popularity as the need for online meetings demands a universal platform.

My first experience with Zoom was in my freshman year of high school when the lock-

down cut away most social ties at my school. This was something novel to me and looking back, I felt comfortable in the online environment. As a student who transitioned from a small middle school to a larger high school, I would be very hesitant to have quick conversations with new people.

I remember that I would primarily talk to one to two people every class I had, from our in-class partner talks to walking in the hallway. Halfway through my freshman year, the world was hit with this global pandemic that grew into a disaster for everyone socially and emotionally. I guess that I did not have enough time to process the sharp transition

that my school took as we were in person for one week and online for the rest of that year.

The communication between my teachers and their administrators at my high school caused a lag in the instruction of online classes, but once all was settled, the Zoom links were then rolled out. Some classes used Google Meets, but across all these online classes, one thing was the same: online learning burnout. If you have ever heard of Zoom burnout, it is a term used to describe the exhaustion of focusing on online classes by staring at a screen for long hours. This could be generalized to all online learning platforms and I have no-

ticed it trend toward a pattern.

From the beginning of a Zoom class, there is always high participation, but as the classes progress, that participation tends to reduce. I will not deny how I have fallen victim to this burnout during the pandemic and how I simply took my classes very lightly.

There were only a few students who kept their cameras on, and it helped with the communication of the class with the teacher. From the student’s perspective, I had no intention of speaking up, but once I was put in the teacher’s perspective, I noticed how stressful the situation was. There was no guarantee of how active the class would participate during

remote instruction, and I have noticed that it still shows up in my current classes.

From the recent snowstorm that forced the campus to switch to Zoom classes, I have never been happy to take my usual classes from the comfort of my bed. There are many positives to this such as the convenience for commuters and the recorded lectures. Not only did I notice this during that snowstorm but also throughout my first few weeks into the spring semester. There is a greater application of Zoom calls in most of my classes from discrete structures to physics, while this was not readily available in my fall semester classes. On

the positive side, this resolves many issues by allowing students to attend the lectures both in person or online, depending on the circumstances.

As I reflect on this Zoom platform, it makes me realize how much it has become a recurring tool in my schedule even after we have returned to an in-person environment. I would not be surprised to continue to see Zoom throughout my college years and beyond because it happened to be a friend at the right place and time. Without the help of Zoom, I believe that we may have lost learning and most importantly staying connected with friends.

responsibilities to other people.

If a person identified you as a close contact, you’d all be shipped off to Castle Point Hall to quarantine for a full 14 days, a nerve-wracking process.

If you listed a name that you didn’t infect, you needlessly socially isolated them for two weeks. If you leave someone out, the close contact list grows longer. It’s embarrassing to be irresponsible with your health, and so easy to say you’re fine when you’re not. There’s a level of obliviousness and a feeling that it can’t be that bad, I’m probably just tired. Informing your close contacts is responsible, but it’s also your personal medical information, and in no other capacity are you required to tell someone about that.

Getting a close contact email was alarming and confusing, you wished you could know

exactly who and when you had contact with this person so you could inform your own circle.

At the time, it felt like we ran campus, and when everyone returned in my sophomore year, it was shocking again to see the bustle of people in between classes. At 4000 undergrads, it can feel small constantly seeing the same people in your classes, but there are still people that I’m meeting that have been here the whole time. My entire college experience has been influenced by the pandemic, yet it’s easy to forget that it’s not over. In so many ways, we feel post-pandemic, but these health risks and anxieties are still present.

If you feel like you can power through an illness, consider not just your commitments but how you’re impacting others by showing up sick.

SENIORITIS

Behind closed doors: quarantine reflections

BY KAYDEN CANNILLA ‘24 It was this time three years ago that we were coming back from winter break in my first year at Stevens. Our spring break week was stacked on the end of winter break to prevent unnecessary travel. I started my eighth semester off with a bout of coronavirus, and I’ve had a lot of time in isolation to reflect on how Stevens and the rest of the world have changed since it started. I forgot the

stress of quarantine, having to change plans last minute, reschedule or cancel meetings, and figure out what can be done from home. You’re focused on protecting people going forward and hope everyone you previously interacted with isn’t sick.

In the Fall of 2020, it was just the first years on campus, and in the Spring, seniors were allowed to return. I didn’t grasp the scale of senior design projects then, but now I cannot fathom trying to coordinate it fully virtually. There were no upperclassmen on campus to show us the ropes, give advice, or help us learn about our classes and majors. It was one shock of independence to move away from home and again to carve our own paths on campus. Dining staff, RAs, and the occasional campus police were the most authority I interacted

with in freshman year. Those dining hall staff were benevolent gods: Pierce was take-out only, but you could select as much as you wanted from each station. The containers were giant and plastic, load-bearing: if I ordered just chicken and fries, they loaded that thing up with like five chicken breasts.

The protocol in freshman year was strict; it often felt like Stevens was overly careful or that some rules could be skirted. Masking was required at all times in all spaces except your own room. There were people I met that I didn’t know what they looked like for months, and the first time I saw them without the mask, I had to readjust because I had created a different mental image of them. There were tents and tables set up outside Palmer and Babbio to encourage socialization outside. Only you and your

roommate were allowed inside your room, and if you were caught breaking this rule, you were sent off campus for a two week suspension. When it got colder, and the only option was to socialize indoors, we had the chance to explore the academic buildings and our choice of study areas or lounges. It was a small community; just around 500 first-years lived on campus, and it felt like we were pioneers of hybrid learning.

Every Wednesday, we went to the Pond Lot, or in colder months, Canavan, to spit in a tube and find out if we had COVID. Every Tuesday, the numbers were released, and it was always a source of gossip: the rates were low, but did I interact with them? I did find it useful to have someone else responsible for contact tracing.

The last thing you want to do is think about while sick is your

COMIC CORNER

BY JOSIE STRANO

8

Friday, February 2

Opinion BOOK OF THE WEEK

FOR MATH’S SAKE

BY TIANNA SPITZ ‘27 Japanese novelist Haruki Murakami is prolific in the art of intimate narration and a cast of dreamy, almost off-beat characters on the cusp of adulthood. Kafka on the Shore represents Murakmi’s most well-known novels for its ability to transport the reader to an otherwise mundane lifestyle of a bookish 15-year-old boy named Kafka Tamura made metaphysical as he embarks on a journey to escape his cursed fate. Based on the Greek prototype of the myth of Oedipus, Kafka’s journey represents the modern odyssey that questions the influence of predetermination as Kafka’s narrative becomes intertwined with Satoru Nakata, a fading World War II veteran who has the ability to communicate with cats at the expense of his sanity.

Murakami alludes to various literature references from Greek tragedy to Japanese legends in which Kafka is introduced as a reserved, hardened middle schoolaged boy who is physically and mentally trained to run away from his estranged father in search of his missing mother and sister. Along his metaphysical journey, mimicking a Greek epic, Kafka grapples with the inner conflict of escaping his oedipal fate in which running away

brings him to a magical library in the Japanese city of Takamatsu, resembling the fever-dream quality of a Studio Ghibli movie. Murakami’s prose remains lyrical and contributes to the elusive uncanny nature of Murakami’s world-building, and it’s through magical obstacles and abilities that philosophical elements are weighed.

Kafka begins his journey with inner turmoil in the days leading up to his escape, turning over the concept of fate, “And once the storm is over, you won’t remember how you made it through, how you managed to survive. You won’t even be sure whether the storm is really over. But one thing is certain. When you come out of the storm, you won’t be the same person who walked in.

That’s what this storm’s all about.” Kafka on the Shore reads like a jazz composition that begins with two dynamic melodies that become chaotic as layers of harmony and beats create a dipping ensemble. The narrative for both foiling protagonists alternates between each chapter until they collide at the hands of cat whisperers, librarians, a forest of ageless soldiers, and skies that rain down fish.

While Western novels and authors, in general, underutilize the genre of magic realism unless it’s strictly fantasy, Murakami almost exclusively writes in the style of magic realism with the exception of one novel, Norwegian Wood, in which his preference for the surreal is a refreshing journey that challenges the reader to picture the impossible within the mundane. Murakmi’s juxtaposition of the abstract reality—spirits and the sub-

AI: an applied mathematics perspective

PHOTO COURTESY OF AMAZON

Kafka on the Shore: A modern mythology of fate

In the last week of Fall 2023 classes, I attended a workshop-style conference titled “Mathematical Opportunities in Digital Twins,” abbreviated MATH-DT, and co-organized by my PhD advisor, Professor Kathrin Smetana. The conference brought together people from many backgrounds in academia and industry, seeking to share perspectives and identify challenges in utilizing this concept of a “digital twin” in scientific, engineering, medical, and civil applications.

What many of the speakers made clear in their talks at the conference was that the term “digital twin” still doesn’t really have a general definition, an initial challenge in a mathematical context — an ill-posed definition in math quickly leads to confusion and contradiction. Despite this, the consensus (at least at the conference) was that a digital twin is a computer model of a physical counterpart in the real world—a bridge constructed over a river, say, or a medical patient, or a set of cars in traffic on city roads—which allow for a continuous feedback loop between it and the human

user.

This is still a little vague, as you might say, “what do I mean by continuous feedback loop?” The idea here is that the human user inputs new data they receive from the physical system – stresses on parts of the bridge collected by sensors, a new checkup with the patient, or a car accident at a certain intersection – which the digital twin is able to interpret, update the model accordingly, and provide suggestions to the user about what to make of that new data. The suggestion could be: “this part of the bridge may be starting to wear down – do some construction on it,” or “this patient’s cancer is in remission, start to dial back the chemo treatment.”

Again, the consensus is that some AI or machine learning capability in the digital twin does the interpreting and suggesting.

But of course, for these AI models to make accurate suggestions, they need first to be trained on several bytes of data. The challenge discussed at MATH-DT is that for many applications – the healthcare and traffic ones specifically – there still isn’t enough data that’s collected in order to successfully train the AI, or in the case of the bridge, more data collection is often cost-prohibitive (those sensors ain’t cheap!).

This struck me as a fascinating problem. After all, humans produced 120 zettabytes of data (or 12 with 22 zeros after it) in 2023, and we’re expected to produce 181 zettabytes (or a ~150% increase) in 2024! However, much of this may not be applicable

to the digital twin model at hand. Meanwhile, humans have rapidly enhanced AI’s ability to mimic human-created data – which we often think of as silly at best and harmful at worst.

But in the digital twin context, such mimicking might be essential. If AI’s can produce new data that mimics real-life bridges, medical images, or traffic accidents, with an authenticity close to the real-life counterparts, we may still have an effective digital twin model for such applications.

Moreover, I think in such settings, we’d see practitioners care more about the negative effects of AI, which we’ve seen with a lot of deepfakes recently, for instance. Engineering firms, hospitals (in the US, at least), and medical companies want to make money, but unlike AI companies right now, they are much more tied to government regulations on public safety. As a result, a best practices framework for AI in the digital twin context may lead to a more general consensus on how to effectively regulate AI, or at least do a better job of flagging harmful or false content generated by it.

As with any powerful new technology, it’s crucial to strike a balance between working to advance it and working to reduce the harm it can cause to people and the Earth. AI is having a heyday on the advancing side, but digital twins may provide one route to not only better understand the math behind machine learning, but swing the technological pendulum back in a safer direction.

bal pointed to the second man as the true owner of the mango tree.

But one of the most important events in Birbal’s life occurred on a rainy day, when the rain was so hard that it sounded like bones being shattered.

A man in a robe came to Birbal’s house, asking for food and shelter. Birbal, being generous, decided to let the man in and treat him to a dinner that was freshly cooked. The man asked, “What kind of curry is that?” Birbal said, “I’ll answer in a riddle: What kind of curry never goes rotten? Never-rotten korma!” The man laughed at Birbal’s joke as he started

to eat dinner. As he ate, the man said, “This curry is amazing! It smells as divine as a jasmine flower, the most beautiful flower in the world!” Birbal said, “I disagree, I believe cotton is the most beautiful flower in the world, as we need it to make the clothes we use to stay warm.” The man was amazed at Birbal’s wise answer.

The next morning, when the sun was shining again, Birbal and the man went towards the road. “Can you tell me which of these roads can travel to Agra?” asked the man. “None of these roads can travel to Agra, as you need feet to travel, so how can a road

travel without any feet?”

The man laughed at this answer as Birbal pointed to the correct road that goes to Agra. “I really enjoyed your company, you should visit me sometime.” The man tossed a ring to Birbal, and Birbal just realized that he met with King Akbar.

When Birbal went to the palace, he met up with a guard, whoshowed him a ring to get inside. The guard, angry that the king was being nice to a commoner, told Birbal that whatever reward King Akbar was going to give him would ultimately belong to the guard, and if Birbal tried to get out of this,

he would go to jail. Birbal shivered as he went towards King Akbar, but he thought up a plan. When King Akbar asked what Birbal would like as a reward, Birbal answered, “50 sour mangoes.” King Akbar gave Birbal the 50 sour mangoes, and Birbal headed out. Birbal gave the guard the mangoes, which the guard immediately gobbled up. When King Akbar heard the guard moaning over a stomach ache and found out what had happened, the guard was fired immediately. The king rewarded Birbal for his kindness and wit by allowing him to become a minister in his palace.

conscious—within existential narration dismantles the Western world of fiction to introduce an absurd nature and serves as the inspiration behind “Kafka’’ as an homage to the existentialist writer Franz Kafka. Meditating on the notion of “being lost”, as Kafka abandons his identity in an attempt to escape his fate, Murakami introduces a psychological application of the soul in which a broken soul is a wandering body leading to what it takes to restore oneself.

Gaining huge popularity in Western audiences, catering to the edgier coming-ofage, Murakmi’s work faces the conflict of translation while preserving the rhythmic prose and simple poeticism that casts a distinct riddle-like quality over every piece of dialogue. Murakami even urges the readers to indulge and reread Kafka on the Shore to mine for easter eggs and various allusions, as the entire book is structured like a whimsical puzzle with a circular ending.

While Kafka on the Shore was whimsical, it remained rooted within philosophy and motif that introduces the reader to unconventional understandings of psychology and predetermination.

BY CHARLES BEALL B.S. ‘23 & PHD STUDENT

OFF THE PRESS

A classic Indian folktale

BY OFF CENTER -SatireToday, at Off The Press, we decided to get a little multicultural and dive into underrated folktales from other countries. And here is one of the most famous folktales from India!

Once upon a time, during the Mughal Empire, there lived a little man in a small village known as Birbal. (Birbal’s the name of the man, not the village) Birbal was widely known throughout the village for his rapid-fire wit, which he used to solve any problem imaginable. One time, a lady asked Birbal to find out which of her friends

stole her valuable diamond ring. Birbal stated that the person who stole the diamond ring was the person who had straw in their hair.

Now, none of the friends had straws in their hair, so when one person reached into their hair to feel the straw, Birbal pointed to them as the thief. Another time, Birbal met two men who were arguing over which one of them owned a nearby mango tree. Birbal suggested cutting the tree in half and splitting the resources equally. The first man agreed to this, while the second man lamented about the time and effort they put into growing that mango tree. With that, Bir-

DEAR CLAIRE AND ETHAN...

Q: How do I know if I should go to the Stevens Health Center or CityMD?

BY CLAIRE HANNAN ‘24 I felt that this question was appropriate since both me and Ethan were sick recently so we both have some fresh experience feeling under the weather. It can be difficult when you’re not feeling well to make a good decision about where to

go to help yourself feel better.

Over the past three and a half years at Stevens, I’ve had to go to all of the various ERs and urgent cares multiple times, and there are definitely a few things I wish I had known while choosing which treatment option to go with. First, I want everyone to know that the Stevens Health Center can handle nearly any problem that you will deal with as a student. They can prescribe medications, perform tests for many diseases and infections, and do most things that urgent care can do. If you’re sick or have a minor injury, I would recommend the Student Health Center as your first stop. However, if you think you need an

X-ray, CityMD is the way to go.

Additionally, I’ve heard that the Student Health Center isn’t great with concussions or more severe injuries, so I would go to CityMD or (if you’re a varsity athlete) the athletic trainers.

If you think you have a severe concussion or injury, definitely go directly to Hoboken University Medical Center (the ER).

Neither the Health Center nor CityMd have an ultrasound or CT scan machine, so if you have severe abdominal pain that you think might be something like appendicitis, you should go to the ER. Another thing to know is that you can take a Stevens Shuttle to the ER at any time of day, so definitely utilize that if you can.

BY ETHAN KLESCHINSKY ‘24 I feel as if I may be able to share some good insight as I was recently ill and spent a lot of my time in my room being cranky and sad. When I get sick, I first tend to gauge how poorly I feel on a quantifiable

scale. Perhaps rating the sickness from 1 to 10 or that scale from a smiley to frowny face you get at the doctor’s office. Typically, if I feel around a five, or the straight face, I will try to spend some time in and get some good rest, but the cogs must continue to turn, and I must persevere. However, when the scale starts to tread into frowny-face territory, I will take some Advil™ and spend my day in my room trying to get some rest. If I feel a little worse, I will try to find and take some medicine for however I am feeling. At the upper echelon of this scale, there is

typically a red face that is crying, only then, and only then, will I consider the possibility of medical intervention. This typically looks like a call to the Stevens Health Center asking them what I should do, and about 80% of the time, I opt not to take their advice. Frequently, when ill, I spend so much time contemplating what to do about it that by the time I finally decide, I feel better.

My best advice for handling yourself when you feel sick is to do what you want. As long as you aren’t feeling like a red crying face, you will probably be fine!

9

Friday, February 2

Opinion EXPLORING: A STUDENT’S GUIDE TO NEW YORK CITY

Hamilton Customs House and Museum of the American Indian: A culture and historical beacon grandeur of Beaux-Arts architecture and encapsulates the rich tapestry of American history and indigenous heritage.

Designed by renowned architect Cass Gilbert and completed in 1907, the Alexander Hamilton Customs House is a testament to the Gilded Age opulence and governmental authority of its time.

Its imposing facade, adorned with intricate sculptures and neoclassical details, commands attention amidst the modern skyline of New York City, a symbol of permanence amidst the ever-changing urban landscape.

However, beyond its architectural splendor lies a deeper narrative — the Customs House’s pivotal role in shap-

BY EVAN PAPAGEORGE ‘26 In the heart of Lower Manhattan stands a beacon of history and culture, the Alexander Hamilton Customs House, an architectural masterpiece that serves as the cornerstone for the Museum of the American Indian. This iconic structure embodies the

ing the economic fortunes of the burgeoning American nation. Named after Alexander Hamilton, the nation’s first Secretary of the Treasury, the building served as a crucial hub for trade and commerce, overseeing the flow of goods and revenue through the bustling port of New York.

Its significance in facilitating trade links with distant shores cemented New York City’s status as a global economic powerhouse, laying the groundwork for its future as a cultural melting pot.

Today, the Alexander Hamilton Customs House continues to captivate visitors with its grandeur, but its primary function has evolved into a cultural hub housing

the Museum of the American Indian. This transition from a bastion of commerce to a repository of indigenous heritage underscores the evolving narrative of American identity — one that acknowledges the complex history of colonization and celebrates the resilience of indigenous peoples.

Upon entering the museum, visitors face a treasure trove of artifacts, artworks, and interactive exhibits that offer a glimpse into the diverse cultures and traditions of Native American tribes across the Americas. From intricately woven textiles to ceremonial regalia, each artifact tells a story of survival, adaptation, and resistance in the

face of centuries of adversity.

In addition to its permanent exhibitions, the Museum of the American Indian hosts diverse programming, including lectures, workshops, and cultural performances that give visitors a deeper understanding of indigenous history and contemporary issues. Through these educational initiatives, the museum serves as a platform for dialogue and reconciliation, fostering greater appreciation and respect for Native American cultures and perspectives.

The museum’s commitment to community engagement extends beyond its walls through outreach programs that empower indigenous

communities and promote cultural exchange. From collaborating with tribal elders to partnering with local schools, the museum strives to ensure that Native American voices are heard and respected in the ongoing dialogue about identity, heritage, and belonging in America.

Admission to the museum and building is free, making it an excellent destination for students who might not have much spare money. It is also just a few minutes from the World Trade Center PATH station in the Oculus. A center of historical significance and a hub of culture, it is a mustsee for anyone looking for a fun excursion to both have fun and learn!

ARTIST SPOTLIGHT

Outside the Viewfinder: An Observation of the Pitfall of Still Life Painting

When I was younger, I used to take fine art classes in which I would learn how to use oil paints, water colors, charcoal, and clay. While I have ultimately forgotten how to use most of these fine art mediums, there are some that I have purposefully removed from the crevices of my mind.

Growing up (and to this day), I absolutely despised using oil paint. While this is many artists’ preferred choice of medium, I have to say that I find oil paint extremely unwieldy, messy, and unsaturated. One of the artistic genres I most commonly was tasked with applying oil paints to in my

background and the perfectly white tablecloth, I don’t appreciate flowers and fruits any more or any less than I did before looking at Monet’s painting. Regardless of the mundane subject matter, as the audience, I should be able to look at a piece and be able to look past the artificial perspective. I acknowledge Monet’s intense dedication to completing this piece likely created in the artist a deeper appreciation for the mundane objects on the table, but I feel like this work and still life paintings, in general, do the viewers no favors.

In 1972, the Japanese film photographer Daido Moriyama set out on a road trip across Japan — capturing a variety of candid black and white photographs, many of which are blurry, grainy, out of frame, or lack perspective. This collection would be known as “A Hunter,” his most famous photo book to date. While these photos seem about as skillful as accidentally taking a picture

Often, I’ve been told that I am a plethora of (mostly useless) information when it comes to some (sometimes useful) things. It’s also been requested of me to share such things in an article, so here we are! For the start of this semester, rather than school-focused tips, I am going to be giving you some fun lifestyle “hacks” that will maybe be useful for life after college as well.

The first one is one that my mom had to, unfortunately, remind me of after I sunk in a pile of mud on campus in my relatively new white sneakers. And that is, most pairs of sneakers (and some other shoes) are able to be safely washed in the washing machine! Definitely look up if there is any specific way to wash your brand of shoe, but no more getting rid of that old pair of Converse because they look too old—one spin in the washing machine may be able to totally revive them!

artwork if an artificial scene is locked into a perspective.

Even if the subjects of a painting are inanimate, an unattached perspective offers far more room for interpretation.

Some genres such as pop art, effectively use this technique, taking everyday objects and framing them in a unique manner which allows viewers to explore the thematic message of the piece. Regardless, I think that every artist should take a page out of Moriyama’s book: “Without perspective, there isn’t always nothing.”

Stanley red flags

Random hacks

BY ZOE HACK ‘24

est object being the subject’s dress. As the subject runs into the alley, it is difficult to tell if they are male or female.

Regardless of the ambiguity of the subject and location, the photo is organic and fully animated. As a result of Moriyama’s frantic photography, the image is completely up to interpretation. Is the subject running towards the darkness or away from the photographer? The subject is wearing a dress, a symbol of affluence and prosperity; why are they barefoot in a neglected alleyway full of trash? What lies ahead in the darkness of the alleyway? As a viewer, Moriyama’s detachment and lack of perspective allow me to question the subject matter and form my own conclusions about what is being displayed.

Having discussed Moriyama’s medium and style, I believe that the greatest pitfall of still life painting is its fixed perspective. While this works in some artistic genres, I believe it is difficult for an audience to truly interact with an

THAT’S A RED FLAG!

LIFESTYLE HACKS

Okay, so this next one is probably the most random one that I have, but also one that people find most shocking and useful. Its roots come from me being a swimmer at a young age and needing to get the sharpie on my hands from swim meets off within a day so when I was at school, I didn’t get accused of cheating (let’s be so real I don’t think any third grader would have some kind of elaborate encryption of test answers written on their hand, but I digress). If you spray sunscreen onto Sharpie or other permanent marker that you have on your skin, it will wipe right off instantly! Honestly, it could probably also make a really cool party trick. (But don’t spray sunscreen inside my mommy says that’s not allowed).

One that I often forget about but is so insanely useful is this: if you have a fresh deodorant stain on your shirt/dress/whatever you just pulled on over your head and got deodorant on, you can rub it with a dryer sheet! I think it’s some kind of combination of the texture of the dryer sheet and the friction that somehow lifts the stain right off and doesn’t leave any residue. I haven’t tried it, but it’s very possible that this would work for other dry stains.

Next is a hack that I thought I quite literally invented as a

of the inside of your pocket with your smartphone, they speak to the unique nature of Moriyama’s style. Rather than intensely focusing on his subjects when shooting, Moriyama’s approach is detached and unemotional. He never even looks down the viewfinder of his film camera, which means that until the film is developed, Moriyama has no idea what he has captured. While this process does not produce the sharpest results, the images do the audience justice. Their ridiculous framing, negative space, and unique subjects make for an enjoyable observation of post-war Japan.

Most importantly, the viewers are given an opportunity to individually interpret what is captured. A great photo to reference would be Kariudo, an image from “A Hunter,” which depicts a subject wearing a summer dress scrambling down an alley lined with trash and corrugated steel. The black and white photo is very dark, the light-

PHOTO COURTESY OF MORIYAMADAIDO.COM

BY ITAI GELLER ‘26

amateur art classes was still lifes, the practice of imitating a perplexing concoction of seemingly unrelated objects.

By nature, still life painting requires artists to concentrate intently on the display which they are attempting to transpose onto their canvas.

The artist typically arranges these ordinary possessions in a unique composition, which allows them to experiment with lighting, texture, and perspective. Although this provides an excellent opportunity for the artist to reflect on their creative process, I believe it detracts from what is being communicated to the audience.

The artist’s investment in the framing of both perspective and object arrangement makes it difficult for viewers to make their own conclusions about what is being communicated. Take, for example, a still life such as “Flowers and Fruits” by Claude Monet.

While the intense saturation of the flowers and fruits contrasts well with the monotone

child, only to find that it’s relatively commonplace. However, I’ve still come across many people who are unaware of it so I figured I would share it here! If you have old, stubborn dry-erase marker stains on a whiteboard, you don’t have to bother with dousing the board in that chemically cleaner. If you use another dry erase marker to write over the old marks, you’ll then be able to easily just wipe away both old and new marks.

This next one I really haven’t started doing until pretty recently. But basically, I had been noticing that every time I would crack an egg on the side rim of any bowl, there would be the tiniest little shell pieces that would always end up inside the bowl, and I would have to go fishing to get them out. So, I have started cracking eggs on the table next to the bowl (either on a napkin or a plate) and have not had to deal with an eggshell since!

Hate dealing with mosquito bites? You can make a paste of baking soda and water to slap onto fresh mosquito bites to draw out some of the venom which won’t cause them to itch as much! This method can also be used for bee stings and other insect bites.

I hope that these fun random tips and tricks are able to help you at some point, or at least entertain you for a bit, until next time.

BY ANNA DABROWSKI ‘26 To Stanley or to Owala, that is the question. In a never-ending riptide of consumerism, one is faced with a difficult choice: will I cave in and buy the water bottle that is trendy this month? As a Stanley-hold-offer myself, I was skeptical of the bulky water vessel. And I should have listened to my gut because, to be honest, it was a waste of money. Without further ado, here are water bottle red flags to remember for your next fast-water-bottle trend purchase.

Is it potty-trained? If you haven’t seen this trend on TikTok, you may be confused. To summarize it, the filmer approaches various people and asks them what type of water bottle they are holding. Then they ask if it’s “potty trained” and the owner has to tip the water bottle upside down to see if it leaks a lot. Spoiler alert: the Stanley Cup is NOT potty trained

at all. Additionally, its large design with a more narrow base makes it a prime candidate to be toppled over. Just this morning, I knocked it over before class onto a desk, and it leaked a gallon of water in 0.00003 seconds. I tried to clean the water up, but there were no paper towels in the bathroom (sorry to the kid who sat there, but you should’ve realized there was a puddle).

Personally, if a water bottle does not have a straw, I think it’s a red flag, but it’s also a red flag if it has a straw. What is this nonsense reasoning, you may ask? Well, I personally need a straw to encourage myself to drinkity-drink water, and without it, my water bottle is just a fun accessory I am carrying around for no reason. However, when water bottles have straws you have to be super careful about cleaning them frequently because they get kind of gross really fast. Additionally, if the water bottle has an exposed straw (ahem, Stanley), then you run the risk of consuming the musk from your computer science class because the straw is touching the air!

I bought a cute flower straw cover because of this problem for my Stanley, but I’m still unsatisfied overall.

Finally, can you throw the bottle into a bag and not worry about destroying your

2,000-dollar laptop? For the Stanley, this is a big red X. There is literally no convenient way to transport a Stanley without just holding it, but if you are holding it, then your hands aren’t free to break your fall when you slip on the icy stairs behind the DeBaun athletics field. Maybe the cupholder-friendly design makes sense in a place where people actually drive, but Stevens students can’t afford the $300 a month necessary to park a car in Hoboken. We need a water bottle for the city college student, by the city college student!

Also, just a more general Red Flag, people who buy ten Stanley cups or other trendy water bottles. It’s a reusable water bottle! You are supposed to save the earth’s resources by only having a few and reusing them! Why do you need that many? Who are you trying to impress? Even I, unsatisfied with my Stanley, can not be convinced to buy a different water bottle at the moment. I don’t care how amazing an Owala is, I need to put some serious use into my Stanley before I can justify another financial investment.

In conclusion, always verify that the water bottle you want to buy is potty trained, has a non-exposed straw, and can be tossed in a bag at any moment. Happy hydrating!

10

Friday, February 2

Campus Pulse

Angie Ruiz ‘26

Bennett Woods ‘26

Spurthi Setty ’26

“What even was my New Year’s resolution?”

“Not very well

😞”

“I guess I should stop spending so much money on gacha games.”

ROVING REPORTER

By Rafael Lee Li and Mia Petrolino

“I’m too lazy to do it. Going down three floors to the gym is too hard.”

“How’s your New Year’s resolution going?”

“No resolutions was my resolution.”

Daileen Peña ‘24

Evan Cheng ‘25

Ruthie Mullisky ‘26

“It’s going.”

“Good. I started mewing.”

Oh man. Not going good.”

Aaren Patel ‘25

Moises Quiteno ‘25

Hidden Links

Crossword by Jack Scherban ACROSS ͳǤ ͶǤ ̵ ̶ ̶ǡ

͹Ǥ ͺǤ

ǡ

ͻǤ Ǧ ǫ

DOWN ͳǤ

ʹǤ

͵Ǥ Ǧ ǡ ͷǤ

͸Ǥ ̵ ̶ ̶ǡ

Birthday Dinner

Only Connectǡ Ǥ ǡ ǡ ǡ Ǥ “nouns”. “places”, etc. What do the following have in common?

ͻ

Ͷ

ͷ

ͳ ǡ ǡ

ͳǤ ͓͹Ǥ ʹǤ Ǥ ͵Ǥ There is exactly one seat between Emilie and Hilda. There’s some tension there, but we’re not discussing that. ͶǤ Ǧ Ǥ ͷǤ ͓ͳ ͓ʹǡ Ǥ ͸Ǥ Brian always refuses to sit in seat #8. He’s superstitious about the number 8. ͹Ǥ Ǥ ͺǤ hours. Charlotte’s starting to get annoyed.

Ǧ Ǥ

ͳǦͺ Ǥ

Ǥ ǡ the person you’re sitting across from is the person you’re looking at when you face ȋͳƬ͸ǡ ͹ƬͶǡ ȌǤ ǡ ǫ

Puzzle #1

Puzzle #1

Difficulty: Very Hard

Difficulty: Normal

7 9

8

4 8

1 8 8

4

3 5

2

9

6

3

5

6

9

4

3

9 6

1

2

8

Fill in the puzzle so that every row across, every column down and every 9 by 9 box contains the numbers 1 to 9.

Sudoku

5

6

8

4

Sudoku

3

7

7

9 7

2

8 5

5

2

9 3

2

4

2

6

3 9

1 1

3

3 4

Fill in the puzzle so that every row across, every column down and every 9 by 9 box contains the numbers 1 to 9.