[The Stute] September 3, 2021 (Issue 1, CXIX)

Surfing trip to Washington, anybody?

The Stute We write Stevens history

VOLUME CXVII No. 1

HOBOKEN, NJ | SEPTEMBER 3, 2021

The student newspaper of Stevens Institute of Technology, and creator of Attila the Duck. www.thestute.com Instagram @thestute facebook.com/stevensthtestute NEW STUTE EVERY FRIDAY • EST. 1904

WELCOME BACK, STEVENS! CAMPUS LIFE RESUMES AMIDST CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC

HURRICANE IDA RAVAGES THROUGH HOBOKEN; CLASSES GO REMOTE FOR ONE DAY

CAROLINE MONTANA FOR THE STUTE

Students return to campus; smoke-free policy now in effect

BY AIDAN HABERMAN Contributing Reporter After over a year of limited on campus operations during the COVID-19 pandemic, campus is reopening in full for the fall 2021 semester. The class of 2025 joins Stevens as the largest freshman class in history at

1,147 students. Stevens has outlined policies and procedures to ensure the health and wellness of students and faculty, while simultaneously issuing a new smoke-free campus policy, validating several years of student efforts for the policy.

Return to campus plans: In an email sent to The

Sophomores make up for lost time in ReOrientation

BY KENDELL MULDROW AND SIMERJEET MUDHAR Freshman orientation is often thought of as the first opportunity for incoming students to connect with their school by walking on campus and meeting new people. For the Class of 2024, this process was disrupted last year by the sudden onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and the following quarantine which prevented students from visiting campus.

Stevens held a virtual orientation last year to introduce students to Stevens, but planned an additional in-person orientation for

this year. The three-day “ReOrientation” program started on August 27 to introduce the Class of 2024 to Stevens in a way that the virtual orientation didn’t.

Sara Klein, Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs, described last year’s pandemic-influenced freshman orientation as a hybrid environment with virtual sessions throughout the summer and in-person sessions sprinkled in throughout August. Klein elaborated that the goal for these virtual events was to facilitate student connections, whilst providing students with a list of resources available to them at Stevens.

SEE SOPH PAGE 2

FIRST AND SECOND YEAR STUDENTS PARTICIPATED IN FLOCK PARTY 2021 ON PALMER LAWN, LEARNING ABOUT STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS TO GET INVOLVED IN. PHOTOS BY AIDAN HABERMAN FOR THE STUTE

Stute by Associate Provost Cindy Chin and Vice Provost David Zeng, Stevens administration is “planning for a full return to campus and [does] not plan to offer hybrid or online courses.”

All students were required to submit evidence of their COVID-19 vaccination by August 16, 2021, while employees had to submit their

proof by August 1 to be able to return to campus this fall.

Stevens is currently accepting all COVID-19 vaccines approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration or the World Health Organization.

As detailed in the Stevens application for vaccine ex-

SEE CAMPUS PAGE 2

Over 1,000 donors contribute to Stevens Day of Giving

BY KATIE BLOOMER Contributing Reporter From April 21-22, 2021, donors contributed to Stevens Day of Giving which resulted in over $575,000 in donations. Raising awareness about the achievements of Stevens students within the School of Engineering & Science, the two-day event included participation from over 1,000 members of the Stevens community.

Alumni, students, parents, friends, faculty, and staff were brought together with the common goal of supporting Stevens students.

According to Sarah Wells, Director of Impact

Giving, the event surpassed the goal of 300 donors with more than 1,000 donors contributing to the 1,100 gifts received. Furthermore, Frank Semcer ’65, Tom Corcoran ’67, and Lisa Mascolo ’82, members of the Board of Trustees, matched Day of Giving donations up to $150,000. These donations in total translated to over $575,000 in support of various causes pertaining to Stevens students.

Donors were able to direct their gifts towards a specific section of Stevens, ranging from supporting research and student scholarships to aiding the Stevens

SEE GIVE PAGE 3

STEVENS DAY OF GIVING RAISED MONEY TO SUPPORT STUDENT RESEARCH AND SCHOLARSHIPS. PHOTO COURTESY OF STEVENS.EDU.

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE NEW YORK TIMES

BY TREVOR DAMEIKA News Editor On August 29, 2021, Hurricane Ida touched down in Lousiana as a category 2 hurricane. It left most of the New Orleans area without power and with wind gusts sustained around 150 mph.

Afterward, it made its way up through several states, including Tennessee and Pennsylvania, to arrive in New Jersey. Causing several reported tornados near the Hoboken area, the storm came through the region and caused Stevens to push all classes and administrative offices to work remotely on Thursday, September 2.

The storm landed in Hoboken approximately around 6 p.m. causing torrential rain and wind for many hours. Many school and club events, including Wittpenn Walk and the New Student Convocation, were postponed due to the storm’s expected totals. Some students, faculty, and staff were stranded on campus until the storm eased. The storm took a toll on Stevens buildings as well; Babbio Garage experienced heavy flooding as well as some campus dorm buildings.

Meanwhile, in other Hoboken regions, residents dealt with various issues, such as flooding and power outages. Upper and more

elevated Hoboken regions drained into the less elevated areas in Hoboken, causing severe and sometimes waist-high flooding. This prevented Stevens from having detrimental flooding to the areas around campus, but residents further into the center of Hoboken, such as on Adams Street, experienced this type of chaotic flooding.

Late Wednesday night, Hoboken issued a state of emergency, and non-essential travel out of Hoboken was restricted for a limited time. Roadways were blocked off and streets were flooded. Furthermore, sirens continued Wednesday night into Thursday. Hoboken received a total of 4.92 inches of rainfall.

On Thursday at 2 p.m., Hoboken Mayor Ravi Bhalla addressed residents in a press conference to speak about the effects of Hurricane Ida and the city’s recovery plan. Bhalla mentioned that the Hoboken Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) was activated, and call centers in City Hall were providing assistants calling for help. Due to the recent influx in extreme weather conditions, the Mayor urged the federal government to provide a disaster declaration for Hoboken to allow Hoboken to receive extra funding for emergency response.

PHOTO COURTESY OF NEWS12NJ INSTAGRAM

NEWS (2)

GIANFORTE FAMILY HALL (4-5)

OPINION (8-11)

Read more about campus life and ReOrientation The class of 2025 moves into Stevens and participates in an in-person Orientation.

Students call for the renaming of Gianforte Family Hall Read about student organizations pledging to boycott the building, and if renaming is possible or not.

The Stute Editorial Mind of a Freshman Senioritis Second-Year Freshman Lifestyle HACKs Scientific Curmudgeon Off The Press Passion for Fashion

NEWS (3)

Ben Mirtchouk ‘21 wins first place in coding competition Mirtchouk took place $10,000 along with the first place prize.

Read on page 3.

WELCOME TO STEVES (6-7)

New to Stevens? Read meet the Student government, learn about meal plans, and getting involved.

PULSE (12)

Roving Reporter Crossword

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Friday, September 3

News The Stute Staff Volume CXIX No. 1 Executive Board EDITOR-IN-CHIEF......................................................................NATALIE TODARO ‘22 BUSINESS MANAGER................................................................JORDYN RAMELLI ‘23 MANAGING EDITOR....................................................................SANJANA MADHU ‘23 LAYOUT EDITOR.................................................................................KEENAN YATES ‘24 OUTREACH CHAIR................................................................GIANNA CALLEGARI ‘24 DIGITAL MANAGER...........................................................................BEMIN SHAKER ‘23 SECRETARY.........................................................................ZANE THUMMBORST ‘23

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

Operations Board HEAD PHOTOGRAPHER....................................................CAROLINE MONTANA ‘22 SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER........................................................VANESSA HUERTA ‘23 WEBMASTER....................................................................................JOANA FARDAD ‘22

Staff & Contributors Aidan Haberman Aleksander Dimoski Andrew Kinney Arminder Singh Emma Tong Kendell Muldrow Simerjeet Mudhar John Figueras John Horgan Julia Dwight Julia Wierzbicki

Kaiden Goz Katie Bloomer Matthew Brantl Melissa Kosar Zoe Hack

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

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

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

Policy on Letters to the Editor All members of the Stevens community are able to submit a Letter to the Editor to be published in The Stute. Letters must refer either to a piece published in The Stute or to The Stute in general and must be between 400 – 800 words in length. Submit letters to editor@thestute.com with your name and title (when applicable) or using our Google form. For writers who wish to write a Letter to the Editor anonymously, please see our policy on anonymity.

The Editorial Board reserves the right to choose whether or not to publish a submitted Letter to the Editor based on a majority rule vote, and additionally reserves the right to edit letters for clarity or request authors to revise. Provided that the author approves the final version, The Stute reserves the right to edit letters according to our copy editing procedures, defined in our policies.

Policy on Op-Eds All members of the Stevens community are able to submit a standalone opinion piece (otherwise known as an Op-Ed) to be published in The Stute. Op-Eds must be between 400 – 800 words, but longer submissions will be considered on a case-by-case basis. To submit an OpEd please email eboard@thestute.com with your name and title (when applicable) or using our Google form (tinyurl.com/submit-t0-stute). For writers who wish to write an Op-Ed anonymously, please see our policy on anonymity.

The Editorial Board reserves the right to choose whether or not to publish a submitted Op-Ed based on a majority rule vote, and additionally reserves the right to edit Op-Eds for clarity or request authors to revise.

Provided that the author approves the final version, The Stute reserves the right to edit Op-Eds according to our copy editing procedures, defined in our policies.

FULL LIST OF POLICIES ON thestute.com

CAMPUS

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 emption, members of the Stevens community may be exempt from vaccination due to medical reasons, disabilities, and religious grounds.

Stevens stated that “limited exemptions” will be granted, and all information on an individual level is being kept confidential. Students exempt from the vaccine are also required to get tested for COVID-19 weekly on-campus, beginning the week of August 30.

Over the summer, Stevens only encouraged community members to wear masks indoors while on campus, in accordance with guidance from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) at that time. However, on August 18 an email was sent to all students from Louis Mayer, CFO, Vice President for Finance, and Treasurer Warren Petty, Vice President for Human Resources, explaining that “all faculty, staff, students, contractors, vendors, and visitors are required to wear face masks in all indoor, public campus spaces regardless of vaccination status,” effective immediately.

Students exempt from the COVID-19 vaccine who are traveling on public transportation are encouraged to remain cautious, wear a mask during travel, and follow all

SOPH

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 portion of the freshmen cohort who were unable to study on campus, resorting to virtual learning. But those studying on campus were also affected by hybrid class environments and COVID-19 campus regulations. Due to students’ unconventional start to the freshman experience, administration wanted the former freshmen to get a fresh introduction to campus and student life.

It was Klein’s hope that “our second-year students will meet new friends, find and connect with a student organization, and learn about the wellness resources and support services that are available to help them throughout their Stevens ex-

state and local guidelines. Students exempt from vaccination must self monitor for COVID-19 symptoms after traveling and get tested if they develop any symptoms. Unvaccinated and partially vaccinated students traveling internationally or traveling within the United States by public transportation must self quarantine for seven days after arrival on campus.

As the pandemic continues to evolve, Chin and Zeng explained that both students and parents have raised questions about returning to campus. Information and COVID-19 updates are being made available on the Stevens website and additionally commented they “are also monitoring the evolving COVID-19 situation with federal, state, and local guidance and we will make adjustments as necessary to help keep our community safe and healthy.”

Smoke-Free Campus Policy On August 1, 2021, Stevens implemented a smoke-free campus policy. Bob Maffia, Vice President for Facilities and Campus Operations, stated in an email to students and faculty regarding the policy, “this is part of a broader institutional effort to advance a campus culture of wellness, sustainability and respect.” The policy prohibits the use of smoking substances such as tobacco and marijuana, vapes,

and any other form of electronic delivery. Students and staff who violate this policy will face disciplinary action, and visitors will be escorted off campus or after their first offense.

Efforts from the Student Government Association (SGA) to implement this policy have been ongoing for several years, after concerns over student health, secondhand smoke, campus appearance, and university reputation were voiced. In 2017, the SGA formed a subcommittee to encourage a smoke-free campus. Students then argued that even the original smoking policy, which prohibited smoking within 25 feet of any building, was not being enforced on campus.

Later that year, the SGA approved a proclamation that “recommended that the administration create a policy which would ban the use of tobacco products in all buildings, residence halls, balconies, patios, walkways, vestibules, and more.”

With the mentioned COVID-19 policies and health guidelines, in addition to the newly smoke-free campus, administration is aiming to make Stevens healthier and safer. After over a year of online and hybrid classes, Chin and Zeng remark, “Students are excited about returning to campus and the university is eager to welcome them back.”

perience.” To achieve this goal, the ReOrientation featured activities that were not possible in a virtual setting, such as the NYC Street Fair and the Flock Party.

For incoming sophomores, the ReOrientation was meant to reinvigorate students who may have been disconcerted from the previous year’s events. The opportunity to attend the ReOrientation was seen as a chance for sophomores to get back what they missed out on their freshman year. This year’s virtual orientation was thoroughly planned, including games where students would interact with their peers for 90 seconds at a time.

Additionally, there was a series of “meetup-by-area” events where students coming to Stevens from nearby areas could interact.

One student who wished to remain anonymous explained to The Stute their hope for a more interactive orientation experience, stating, “I did feel like I missed out on some things because even though I know they [Stevens administration] tried their best for the [virtual] orientation, it wasn’t engaging enough and I felt that maybe orientation would be better if it was in person… I appreciate that Stevens is giving sophomores another opportunity to get a better orientation experience.”

While the Class of 2024 was given a virtual orientation last year, ReOrientation provided an engaging in-person experience. Even as second-year students, many sophomores are experiencing Stevens life for the first time, participating in ReOrientation and beyond.

STUDENTS PERFORMED AT FLOCK PARTY WHILE FIRST AND SECOND YEARS MET STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS. PHOTOS BY AIDAN HABERMAN FOR THE STUTE

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Friday, September 3

News Freshman engineering students participate in a contest in Entrepreneurial Thinking course

BY KAIDEN GOZ AND EMMA TONG At the end of every spring semester, students taking the course Introduction to Entrepreneurial Thinking, MGT-103, participate in a contest. This contest requires groups of students to create a video to market a product within 14 weeks. The videos serve as a final project for the class. Last year, faculty, students, and alumni were presented with the opportunity to choose a winner from the top 6 contenders.

This contest encourages students to use the skills they learned in class to actively solve potential consumer problems. The winning team received a cash prize of $1,200. $800 was given for second place and $400 for third place.

Led by Professor Peter Koen, Associate Professor at the School of Business, Introduction to Entrepreneurial Thinking is a course required for engineering majors.

Over the semester, Koen and his fellow professors teach Stevens students the value of understand-

ing and meeting customers’ needs.

Koen is also a researcher and consultant on corporate innovation. During an interview with The Stute, Koen referenced that MGT103 teaches engineering students “how to solve problems,” and the skill of “how to think like an entrepreneur.” Furthermore, the course provides students with valuable experience on how to create solutions that satisfy customers and consumers in the corporate world and beyond.

Entrepreneurial thinking, as introduced in the course syllabus, is defined as “the process for determining a unique solution to a problem which delights the customer.” The following is the process taught in MGT-103 and is involved in entrepreneurial thinking: • Defining the problem • Meeting with the customer • Outlining the customer’s desires for the solution • Creating a product • Showing the product to the customer • Making iterations to the product

This process ensures that there is clear communication between the customer and the provider.

Students who take this course develop the critical thinking and communication skills that allow them to effectively evaluate and cater to consumer needs. Koen said that this “methodology helps create solutions” while avoiding potential misinterpretations. This addresses a common mistake in which the providers solve the perceived problem versus the actual problem. This model of communication with customers increases efficiency and reduces the need for modifications.

Entrepreneurial thinking is not only important for business majors. Koen stated that the lessons from this course are applicable across many industries. They can be used to “solve problems at Stevens” or in more interpersonal situations; the key is to clearly define the parameters of the problem and what is required from the solution. As this course is for engineering majors, it provides students with insight on how to work with customers and employers to

create the right product to solve any problem.

The student’s final project is a group video submission marketing for a potential issue consumers may face. These videos include an engaging opening, usually from the customer’s perspective. For example, Battery Boys, the winning submission, (which can be seen here along with other projects) present a problem, the disconnection of a controller due to lack of battery; a solution, their product, a battery that connects onto the controller; and then the customer’s satisfaction.

Six videos were chosen as finalists in the Spring of 2021, and then the top video was voted on by the Stevens Community. This resulted in the winners, in order, being Battery Boys, Plant Mama, and Instafit.

Overall, this course and competition help students successfully communicate and solve problems for their customers.

For more information on corporate entrepreneurship and Koen’s research, click here to visit Koen’s website.

Changes in personnel Former Student Life Advisor, Danielle Maxson, resigned over the summer of 2021. She took on a new position as the Assistant Director for Leadership and Involvement at Marymount Manhattan College, according to LinkedIn. Former Assistant Director of Fraternity and Sorority Life, Malcolm McDaniel, resigned as of August 27.

Former Vice President for Enrollment Management and Student Affairs, Marybeth Murphey resigned and finished her term on June 30.

Former Office of Student Life Financial Assistant, Lillian Tejada, resigned over the Summer of 2021.

Former Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, Christophe Pierre, resigned and ended his term on August 31. He was appointed the Jess H. Davis Endowed Chair in Mechanical Engineering for the next five years.

Former Stevens Police Captain, Tom Maggi, retired over the summer of 2021.

Former Director of Student Health Services, Maggie Cunning, retired as of June 30.

Ben Mirtchouk ’21 wins first place and $10,000 at the largest programming competition in history

BY ARMINDER SINGH AND JOHN FIGUERAS Ben Mirtchouk, a recent graduate from the Stevens undergraduate computer science program and currently pursuing Stevens graduate school, won first place in TCS CodeVita held from February 2021 until March 2021, a coding competition that Guinness World Records has deemed the “world’s largest computer programming competition.”

In doing so, Mirtchouk has made history by being the first U.S. winner of the competition.

Tata Consultancy Services started the CodeVita competition in 2012 as a means to spread awareness about coding, and the contest has only grown in popularity ever since. The questions, according to the Tata Consultancy Services website page describing the history of the contest, range from algorithmic problems to real world application challenges. These challenges have to be solved under a time limit as part of the challenge and the top three finalists are given $10,000, $7,000, and $3,000 respectively depending on their placement.

Mirtchouk was introduced to the competition through Handshake, a website aiming to help college students find jobs and other career opportunities. Mirtchouk felt quite prepared given his history of competitive coding going as far back as 8th grade but still kept his expectations in check.

During the first round of the competition, Mirtchouk didn’t expect to

GIVE

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 Rises Relief Fund. A list of initiatives can be found here.

During the COVID-19 crisis, the Stevens Rises Relief Fund has been providing aid to Stevens students who are experiencing hardships. This campaign was one of the key initiatives that donors could contribute to during the Stevens Day of Giving. In respect to the effort being made, Wells commented, “All contributions to the Stevens Rises Relief Fund have helped students who struggle to afford housing, transportation, basic needs, required resources for remote learning, or who are facing other unforeseen personal financial difficulties.” The fund provides Impact Grants when traditional financial aid is not an option. This is especially relevant as the pandemic has impacted students who previously would not have qualified

advance. In an email to The Stute, Mirtchouk explained having “little chance of making it to the top levels, [he] entered Round 1 with very little stress and low expectations.”

When Mirtchouk found out he was advancing to the second round, despite finishing in the “middle of the pack,” he believed that he could potentially advance to the world finals in the top 25. During the second round, Mirtchouk described he went through technical difficulties and didn’t read some of the prob-

lems carefully enough. Despite the rocky round, he got 7th place, securing him a spot in the world finals. The final round consisted of 10 questions with varying point values, from 30 to 200. Noticing that it was going to be impossible to answer every question, Mirtchouk ultimately ended up answering 5 questions, with their point values adding up to 630, which was enough to just barely win first place ahead of two other university students from ETH Zürich in Switzerland and the Uni-

versity of New South Wales in Australia.

Mirtchouk noted that his victory came as a welcome surprise to him and his family. He went into the competition not expecting to win and not looking at the prize money. Mirtchouk explained that winning the competition gave him the chance to reconnect with members of his extended family “to congratulate [him] and this provided a fantastic opportunity to catch up with all of them.” He even befriended a

competitor, and is “very grateful to the competition for providing a chance to make such global connections.” Mirtchouk stated that he appreciated the opportunity to problem solve during the competition and does not plan on stopping his ventures into competitive coding. He explained, “More than the prospect of monetary prizes or brief Facebook fame, I enjoy these competitions because of my passion for programming and solving tough problems.”

BEN MIRTCHOUK ’21 IS THE FIRST U.S. WINNER OF THE TCS CODEVITA COMPETITION. PHOTO COURTESY OF STEVENS.EDU.

for aid. Donations are continually accepted by the Stevens Rises Relief Fund.

Donations made during Stevens Day of Giving helped reach the larger goal of The Power of Stevens campaign. As an ongoing eightyear effort, The Power of Stevens campaign is dedicated to “enabling student success, promoting faculty excellence and creating a vibrant campus.” Donations to the campaign have been used to fund newly established scholarships, additional classrooms, and leadership positions. Additionally, donations have supported the ongoing construction of the University Center Complex. Wells referenced that due to an influx of support during the Stevens Day of Giving, overall donations have officially exceeded administration’s goal of $200 million, finishing with $200.6 million in donations.

After success with this year’s Stevens Day of Giving, plans are already underway for next year.

603 Washington Street, Hoboken NJ 07030

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Friday, September 3

Features

STUDENTS CALL FOR THE RENAMING OF GIANFORTE FAMILY HALL ANOTHER PUSH TO MAKE CHANGE

BY ROSHNI REVANKAR Opinion Editor

This article was originally published on thestute.com on June 15, 2021.

This summer, students are again pushing for Gianforte Family Hall (GFH) to be renamed.

Also known as the Gateway Academic Center, GFH was named in 2017 after Montana Governor Greg Gianforte ‘83 due to sizable donations he made to Stevens.

Students immediately voiced concerns similar to current criticism.

Currently, student efforts are ranging from an ongoing petition to eventually writing a proclamation directed towards administration.

On May 17, Nasir Montalvo ‘21 created a petition on change.org “asking Stevens Institute of Technology to remove Greg Gianforte’s name from Gianforte Family Hall.” As of June 12, the petition has over 1,150 signatures.

In an interview with The Stute, Montalvo explained his motivation behind starting the petition.

They stated, “I found out he [Gianforte] passed the anti-trans sports ban – a ban that was heavy on my radar since it was spread nationwide.” After learning about the ban, and other recent bills including ones that limit abortion rights, Montalvo “felt the Gianforte issue wasn’t properly resolved when I was a student […] Now that I’m an alum and don’t have the same barriers I did before, I want to make sure this doesn’t go unanswered once again.”

Montalvo additionally expressed that “administration has used the excuse over and over again that there is one proper channel to make change – the SGA. Despite this, many proclamations we’ve sent before have gone unanswered or denied. The impact of this proclamation must re-evaluate that channel […] Stevens’ approach to diversity only extends to recruitment. Meaning once underrepresented populations get here, there are no resources for them. For LGBT students, that means signing a purple ‘Coming Out’ door in October and asking for your university to acknowledge your rights two months later at a protest.”

Following Montalvo’s petition, the Stevens for Solidarity GroupMe chat became active with others wanting to get involved.

On May 30, a meeting to discuss initiatives was organized by SGA President and Vice President of Operations, Liana Meyer ‘23 and Julieann Murphy ‘23, respectively, along with current Chairperson of the Diversity and Inclusion Committee (DNI) Vivian Touch ‘23.

Initiatives discussed during the meeting included a goal of 2,000 signatures on the petition, seeking support and aid from the wider Hoboken community, curating a list of alumni who pledge not to donate to Stevens until the issue is resolved, and creating a pledge for student organizations to boycott GFH until it is renamed. The ultimate goal is to then write a proclamation to administration sometime around September 2021; this will be the second written proposal attempt regarding the renaming of GFH after one was written in 2019 prior to the #WeWillNotSITBy campus protest.

Touch explained to The Stute that DNI’s involvement in the initiatives taken during this summer are very similar to last summer’s Stevens for Solidarity efforts.

She noted that they’re working on having a “streamlined and efficient process” for the current initiatives to allow students to get involved depending on their interests. Additionally, she expressed to current and incoming students that “while students from marginalized identities may not historically be heard at the institutional level of this university there are students and organizations on campus who are there to uplift, support, and empower them!”

Within the SGA, Meyer and Murphy are actively working on writing the planned proclamation to ensure Stevens “acts on its promise to be an inclusive, stigma-free environment.” Referring to the first foundational pillar of Stevens’ mission on student centricity, Meyer and Murphy emphasized their hope for the proclamation to be “one change that will reduce the harm that is inflicted on LGBTQ+ and other marginalized students, while not negatively impacting any students, staff, or faculty on campus.”

Touch additionally emphasized that she hopes this protest will empower incoming students by serving “as a paradigm for future social justice initiatives no matter how grand or small,” reinforcing

student centricity at Stevens by not being afraid “to make waves and challenge ideas and issues that are deemed problematic.”

Montalvo expects the current efforts to represent a change in how

administration addresses student concerns in the future, and to be a potential gateway to other initiatives, such as “free STD/STI testing, [and] an expansion of our mental health services.”

NATALIE TODARO FOR THE STUTE

Student organizations pledge to boycott Gianforte Family Hall for all club affairs

BY NATALIE TODARO Editor-in-Chief

This article was originally published on thestute. com on June 23, 2021.

As a part of this summer’s student-led activism pushing for the renaming of Gianforte Family Hall, student organizations are uniting together and taking a pledge to boycott the building.

The pledge consists of a Google form, and reads as the following: “[Organization Name] pledges not to use Gianforte Family Hall until Stevens Administration addresses Gianforte’s values, explicitly states their incongruence with our campus’ values AND, ultimately, renames the building.”

The commitment attached to taking the pledge is to refrain from using the building “for any meetings, events, or any other organizational affairs.” Additionally, names of all participating student organizations will be included in a proclamation to administration, “compiled with other data & research around the renaming.” The proclamation is said to be written over the summer and sent in September 2021.

The following are excerpts of responses from student organizations on

why they signed the pledge.

A list of others can be found on thestute.com.

1. Black Student Union “As an organization and community, we all come from different backgrounds and are affected by different intersections. We embrace everyone that comes through and signing this pledge reinforces the idea that no one should ever be marginalized and unsafe because of who they are, especially in the face of any discriminatory laws and actions. To see our campus involved with Greg Gianforte is not only a great disappointment, but a disrespect to students and staff who are members of the same communities that have been negatively affected in Montana. We want to see this issue addressed, properly resolved, and anything less will not be accepted.” – Micah Elias, President of Black Student Union 2. Ethnic Student Council “As an organization devoted to the promotion and celebration of cultural diversity among the student body, the values of Greg Gianforte go directly against our own values on top of Stevens’ values as a whole.” – The Ethnic Student Council 3. Japanese Student Association “We believe that Greg Gian-

forte’s actions are fundamentally at odds with our values here at JSA and the wider Stevens community. By continuing to keep the building under the Gianforte name, it will ensure irreparable damage to the student body, especially the LGBTQ community, which he continues to target through legislation.” – The Japanese Student Association 4. Off Center “Greg Gianforte’s actions and decisions do not represent our organization’s values or those of Stevens students. We pride ourselves on creating an open and inclusive community, and call upon Stevens administration not to condone discriminatory policies and beliefs.” – Off Center 5. Student Government Association “We signed the pledge because we feel that as representatives of the student body it is our job to advocate for students and to amplify their voices in order to enact positive change on campus.

In signing this pledge alongside so many other student organizations, we send a strong message to administration that it is more than just a handful of students looking for change.” – The SGA Cabinet 6. Torch Alliance “We, the Torch Alliance, signed this pledge because we

feel that, as the Gianforte name represents someone whose actions directly oppose the values we hold as an organization, we would be betraying our community if we supported naming a building after them. With this pledge, we hope Stevens revisits the issue and decides to stand by

its values and its students.” – The E-board of Torch 7. West Indian Student Organization (WISO) “Gianforte’s beliefs go against what WISO stands for.” – Arif Amzad, President of WISO Continued on thestute.com POWER.STEVENS.EDU

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Friday, September 3

Features Can Stevens actually rename Gianforte Family Hall? It’s complicated.

BY NATALIE TODARO Editor-in-Chief

This article was originally published on thestute.com on June 22, 2021.

This summer, students are again advocating for Stevens to rename Gianforte Family Hall (GFH) through a change.org petition and other initiatives happening primarily through social media. Citing “harmful legislation […] which include an anti-transgender sports ban and limitations on abortion rights” that Montana Governor Greg Gianforte ‘83 has passed during his time in office, students believe the building name does not align with Stevens’ values even amidst Gianforte’s donations.

But is renaming the building even possible?

Also known as the Gateway Academic Center, GFH was officially named in 2017 after initial plans to name the building Gianforte Academic Center faced criticism.

At the time, students organized a

change.org petition titled “Explanation behind the naming of ‘Gianforte Academic Center,’” citing concerns about “the implications of accepting a donation from Greg Gianforte and naming a building after him when he has acted antithetically to the Stevens strategic plan and mission statement.”

President Nariman Farvardin responded to student concerns in an email, explaining that Gianforte “never made any request of the University to promote specific political, religious, or other positions associated with this gift […]

His gift to Stevens does not come with a political agenda.”

Following this email, Gianforte pled guilty to a misdemeanor assault which triggered an increase in student concerns; President Farvardin appointed a Committee to Consider the Naming of the Gianforte Academic Center as a response. It was this committee that came to the decision of changing the name from Gianforte Academic Center to Gianforte Family Hall, to recognize “others in the

Gianforte family including: Susan Gianforte […] and Mr. Gianforte’s mother Dale and father Frank Gianforte ‘58 […] Mr. and Mrs. Gianforte have agreed to this change in the name of the academic center.”

According to an email sent by President Farvardin, the work of the committee additionally found that “The Gianforte gift imposed no requirements or restrictions on Stevens’ programs or operations.

The only agreement Stevens has made in accepting these gifts is to devote the funds to the building of an academic center and to provide naming recognition.” With this in mind, it would seem that the naming of the building is final if there was an agreement between Stevens and Gianforte. The extent of this agreement and whether or not it was contractual is unclear.

However, the same email includes details given by the Board of Trustees, stating “the Gianfortes have asked nothing of the University other than that their funds be used to construct the academic center. Their gifts come with

no restrictions or requirements which call into question Stevens’ policies or values.” Whether the naming of the building specifically was attached to Gianforte’s donations is unclear.

Stevens additionally has a gift acceptance policy, which was discussed in the Stevens for Solidarity GroupMe chat among students involved in summer initiatives.

The policy states that “Stevens reserves the right to consider whether removal of the name would be in the best interests of Stevens. Any decision to rename a building, facility, program or other asset will be made by the Board of Trustees on recommendation of the President.” In addition, it states that gift officers who consider the acceptance of gifts should consider “The historic and current reputation of the prospective donor,” which may be relevant to Gianforte, as well as “core values of the university and the ways in which the gift and any name attached to a supported facility, program or asset will further such values” among other

things.

Following and interpreting the gift acceptance policy, it would seem that renaming GFH is possible. However, agreements made between Gianforte and Stevens that have not been made known to students may make the feasibility more complex than currently known.

After reaching out to Beth McGrath, Vice President for University Relations, The Stute received an exclusive response from Thania Benios, Director of Public Relations, which is found in its entirety below.

Notably, administration has explained that “Legal agreements with donors frequently have associated naming requirements. This is the case with the Gianforte gift.”

What exactly the legal agreement consisted of between Stevens and Gianforte is unclear. The response ends with “there is no indication that it [the renaming] will be revisited,” not completely eliminating the possibility but making it unlikely.

Who is Greg Gianforte, and what is he doing in office?

BY SANJANA MADHU

Managing Editor This article was originally published on thestute.com on June 22, 2021.

In recent weeks, many Stevens students have turned to social media platforms to call for Stevens to rename Gianforte Family Hall (GFH). The uproar of student voices is credited to recent legislative actions of Greg Gianforte, Governor of Montana and donor of a $20 million gift to Stevens— of which $10 million was used to fund GFH. Gianforte graduated from Stevens in 1983 with a B.E. in Electrical Engineering and M.S. in Computer Science. While at Stevens, Gianforte was involved with many Stevens organizations such as Delta Tau Delta Fraternity, Tau Beta Pi Engineering Honor Society, and the Stevens Entrepreneurs Club. Upon graduation, Gianforte became a young alumni trustee on the Board of Trustees as well as a member of the Edwin A. Stevens Society.

In 1995, Gianforte and his

wife, Susan Gianforte, founded RightNow Technologies, which was later sold to Oracle for $1.8 billion, allowing the Gianfortes to shift their focus and found the Gianforte Family Foundation.

While the Gianforte family’s philanthropic efforts aim to “support organizations that equip people to improve their lives in a sustainable way,” Stevens students believe that Gianforte’s backing of “anti-transgender sports ban and limitations on abortion rights,” as the newly elected Governor of Montana is inexcusable, and warrants the renaming of GFH. Some recent news about Gianforte includes: • Donated portion of salary to a facility treating substance abuse • Signing a bill that bans sanctuary cities in Montana • “Republican Gov. Greg Gianforte has signed a bill into law that aims to protect religious freedom. Opponents say the policy will harm LGBTQ people.” Link to source online.

• Signed three bills restricting abortion access • Disbursed $14 million in federal funds from the American Res-

cue Plan Act to 34 towns and cities across Montana • “Ended extended unemployment benefits in accommodation with the coronavirus pandemic as worker shortages surge nationwide.” Link to source online.

• “Gov. Greg Gianforte signed a bill Friday requiring a person to have gender reassignment surgery before changing the sex marker on their birth certificate, despite outcry from opponents who say it targets already marginalized transgender people in Montana.” Link to source online.

• “Gov. Greg Gianforte signed a bill Friday banning transgender athletes from participating in school and university sports according to the gender with which they identify.” Link to source online.

• “Signed off on the Montana Legislature’s final plan for implementing recreational marijuana in the state.” Link to source online.

In following our ethics code, The Stute reached out to Governor Gianforte to provide him the option of commenting or contesting criticism leveled against him and is awaiting a reply.

PHOTO COURTESY OF JUSTIN FRANZ FOR FLATHEAD BEACON

6

Friday, September 3

Welcome to Stevens MEET THE STUDENT GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION: President, Vice President of Operations, and the Cabinet

BY GIANNA CALLEGARI and KEENAN YATES The following is a combination of two articles originally published on thestute.com on March 29, 2021, along with information added in September 2021.

Liana Meyer is a 2/4 Mechanical Engineering Major at Stevens. She joined the SGA during her first semester of her freshman year, which was the fall of 2019. Since then, she has taken many leadership initiatives: in the spring of 2020, Meyer was appointed as the Campus Wellness Chair for the SGA, a position that she will be stepping down from upon her Presidency. “I do a lot of initiatives with Mental Wellbeing, as well as physical,” said Meyer, about her role as Campus Wellness Chair.

Aside from her involvement in the Student Government, Meyer is on the Varsity Track & Field team, involved in the Society of Women Engineers (SWE), and she is also a Pinnacle Scholar.

She expressed that “As President, you’re the main pass of communication between administration, the Student Body, and the Cabinet. […] It’s really just making sure that the student voices are being heard by admin and that they understand how we feel about everything that is going on on campus.” For Meyer, becoming President of the SGA was always something she had in mind, even when she first joined the organization as a freshman. “When I joined in freshman year,

I thought at some point throughout college I would try to run for President and try to take on a bigger role within the organization.”

Julieann Murphy is a 2/4 Mechanical Engineering Major. She joined the SGA in the beginning of last fall. Her main involvement within the organization, thus far, has been working on the restructure, which she said has been her “focus these past months.” She has also worked with Meyer on Campus Wellness. Murphy is on the Women’s Lacrosse Team at Stevens and she is largely involved with the Diversity and Inclusion Committee (DNI) as the current Accessibility Advocate.

Murphy explained that “The VPO is the liaison between the Senate and the administration. […] I’ll know more about what students are doing so we’ll be able to connect that with admin.” She explained she believes she is qualified for the role of VPO “because I really care about under-represented communities on campus and giving them a voice. […] I think that’s really important and that’s why I’ve been involved with DNI.” Yiding Yang Yiding Yang is a 2/4 Mechanical Engineering Major. Yang joined the organization as a senator in the fall of 2020 where he worked extensively with other members, to get students more time on E126 Mechanics of Solids quizzes. When it comes to what he plans to do as VPAA going forward, Yang’s goal is reflective of that of the SGA as a whole. He explained that, with respect to “the SGA’s overarching goal of

increasing transparency,” his objective as VPAA is to focus on how Academic Concern Forms and complaints are reviewed, and to “ensure that each complaint receives a response.” Yang additionally reiterated that the intention of the SGA is to “reconnect student voices to the administration and close the gap between the SGA and the overall student body” to create more cohesion between the SGA and the student body it represents.

Gabriella Poska Gabriella Poska is a 3/5 Biomedical Engineering Major. Poska has been a part of the SGA since fall of 2020 when she was elected Secretary while SGA Presidential Cabinet vacancies were being filled in the wake of resignations of multiple officers within the SGA. VPSI is the second position she has held within the SGA, and Poska explains that her overarching goal as VPSI is for more students and student organizations to support other students and student organizations.

She plans to accomplish this in a number of ways, namely to work with the VPF “on a lot of the initiatives she has thought of such as larger subcommittee events.”

Poska elaborates further on this idea by stating that “Whether orgs are supporting other orgs by co-hosting events, attending events, or even just promoting events, I want to develop that culture and that will start from myself as VPSI, and subcommittee heads (CSI) and expand through the orgs. Additionally, I want to encourage Diversity and Inclusion within orgs and I plan to work closely with

Meal plans explained

BY ANDREW KINNEY ‘21 This article was originally published on thestute.com on February 21, 2020.

On February 14, a completely new set of meal plans was announced to current and future residents of Stevens Housing.

There are four different plans. In order from most expansive to least, they are: Tera Bite , Giga Bite, Mega Bite, and Kilo Bite.

Meal swipes are now separated into three categories: premium, regular, and snack. Premium meal swipes will replace WSW and will be redeemable whenever the participating restaurants are open, rather than just on Wednesdays, but each plan only has a set amount of premium swipes. In the past, the

number of WSW swipes was only limited by the number of Wednesdays in a semester, around 16 when including finals, so the Terra Bite and Giga Bite plans will include more total Washington Street meals than the old plans.

Regular swipes will essentially be what the existing swipes are now, getting students into Pierce for lunch or dinner, or redeeming for a meal at Colonel John’s or other retail dining outlets on campus. Snack swipes will be for smaller items such as pastries or drinks, and will also allow entry to Pierce, but only for breakfast. According to Trina Ballantyne, Dean of Residential & Dining Services, “snack swipes can include a pastry with a beverage, a yogurt and a piece of fruit, and a variety of additional grab and go items.”Here is the break-

DNI to see that happen.”

Victoria Agaliotis Victoria Agaliotis is a 3/4 Chemical Engineering major. Agaliotis was re-appointed as the Vice President of Finance, serving two terms in the position.

As VPF, she handles all club finances and budgeting.

Describing her position, Agaliotis explained that “The biggest responsibility of the vpf is reviewing and approving budgets for different orgs. I am the chair of the budget committee so I work with them to review any requests we get and make the appropriate approvals on the backend in DuckLink. I work with orgs to help make their budgets, make purchases, as well as answer any questions they have. I also work with administration to figure out budgets for line items (for example student center staffing, bowling alley, etc.) as well as other issues that arise that the cabinet of the sga is working on.”

Rachel Pinho Rachel Pinho is a 2/4 Biomedical Engineering Major. This position is the first Pinho has held within the organization, and she explained that she is “very excited to see what the SGA will accomplish this year.”

Pinho has taken her new position with a can-do attitude, stating that she will be “taking on initiatives that need more assistance as necessary” within the organization. In the future, Pinho’s objective as Secretary is to “improve engagement and communication not only within the SGA but also in between the SGA and the student body” which has become a recurring topic within the organization.

Liana Myer

Julieann Murphy

President

Vice President of Operations (VPO)

Yiding Yang

Gabrielle Poska

Victoria Agaliotis

Rachel Pinho

Vice President of Academic Affairs (VPAA)

Vice President of Student Interests (VPSI)

Vice President of Finance (VPF)

Secretary

READ MORE on thestute.com about the SGA thestute.com/category/news/sga/

HEALTH & WELLNESS

THINGS TO KNOW

down of the different plans, their prices, and exactly how many swipes of each type they will include: TERA BITE: 25 Premium Swipes, 230 Regular Swipes, 100 Snack Swipes, 8 Guest Meals $3,530 per semester GIGA BITE: 20 Premium Swipes, 160 Regular Swipes, 70 Snack Swipes, 5 Guest Meals $2,650 per semester MEGA BITE: 15 Premium Swipes, 70 Regular Swipes, 45 Snack Swipes, 3 Guest Meals $1,600 per semester KILO BITE: 10 Premium Swipes, 20 Regular Swipes, 10 Snack Swipes, 1 Guest Meal $550 per semester Continued on thestute.com

STEVENS DINING WORKERS AT AN OUTDOOR FOOD EVENT. PHOTO COURTESY OF @STEVENSDINING ON INSTAGRAM

BY THE STUTE Stevens has many health and wellness groups to help students feel safe on campus. Members of the Stevens community can visit Student Health Services, Student Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS), Disability Services, Office of Wellness Education, and the Quiet Space within the Student Wellness Center.

Student Health Services is located in the Student Wellness Center and their hours of operation are Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Counseling & Psychological Services (CAPS) is located in the Student Wellness Center and their hours of operation are Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and they are also available 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. by

appointment. CAPS offers teletherapy and extended evening hours to all students living on campus or within the NJ/NY area. For Stevens students who currently reside outside of NJ/ NY we now offer nationwide teletherapy access through Uwill. To get help, call CAPS at 201-216-5177 to set up a 30 minute screening appointment.

If you are worried about another student, submit a CARE report through the online portal to share your concern. The portal can be found on the CAPS website on stevens.edu, and after submitted the CARE Team who will follow up with the person in need.

The Quiet Space recently opened on August 30, 2021, and it will stay open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

This is a space for quiet

prayer and meditation for all members of the Stevens community. All are welcome in this space.

Important Contacts: Campus Police (general): 201-216-5105 Campus Police (emergencies): 201-216-3911 Student Health Services (non-emergencies): 201216-5678 Office of Disability Services: 201-216-3748 Stevens Counseling & Psychological Services: 201216-5177 Stevens Main Contact: 201-216-5000 State of NJ COVID-19 Hotline (General COVID-19 Questions): 2-1-1 State of NJ COVID-19 Hotline (Medical COVID-19 Questions): 1-800-9621253 National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 800-273-8255

THE QUIET SPACE OPENED ON AUGUST 30, 2021. PHOTO BY CAROLINE MONTANA FOR THE STUTE

7

Friday, September 3

Welcome to Stevens GETTING INVOLVED:

GETTING INVOLVED:

GETTING INVOLVED:

ATHLETICS

CLUBS

GREEK LIFE

BY THE STUTE

BY THE STUTE

There are two tiers of athletics offered at Stevens: club sports and varsity sports. While many students are recruited to varsity teams, there is also an opportunity for students to try out for the team once they arrive on campus.

To join a varsity team, students must first contact the coach of the sport they are interested in.

They will then be required to gain medical clearance and complete a National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) clearance process.

Varsity sports generally have a larger time commitment than club sports. All members of the team are required to attend practices and competitions, and absences normally require a coach’s approval. Many varsity sports also conduct strength and conditioning sessions throughout the year.

Many varsity sports travel on a regular basis, which may also include overnight trips. While the time commitment for a varsity sport may be large, students who participate are exempt from some Stevens physical education requirements. The following sports are the varsity sports offered by Stevens: Men’s Sports: baseball, basketball, cross country, golf, fencing, lacrosse, soccer, swimming, tennis, track & field, volleyball, wrestling Women’s Sports: basketball, cross country, fencing, field hockey, lacrosse, soccer, softball, swimming, tennis, track & field, volleyball Stevens also offers many club sports and intramural sports, which all undergraduate students can join regardless of their skill level. These sports offer opportunities for students to continue their athletic interests or try something new. Club and intramural sports allow students to be exempt from some physical education requirements.

Club and intramural sports require less of a time commitment than varsity sports. Students should still expect a decent level of commitment and attend practices and competitions as often as possible. Some sports also require travelling and overnight trips to compete.

For more information on how to get involved in a club sport, contact John Maurizi, Director of Campus Recreation, at jmaurizi@ stevens.edu. Students can also look for team representatives at recruitment events. The following are club and intramural sports offered by Stevens: Club Sports: baseball, bowling, climbing, crew, ice hockey, men’s and women’s lacrosse, sailing, ski and snowboard, men’s and women’s soccer, ultimate frisbee, men’s and women’s volleyball Intramural sports: flag football, dodgeball, 1v1 tennis, indoor soccer, 3v3 basketball

Stevens offers over 160 student-run extracurricular clubs, called Recognized Student Organizations (RSOs). These clubs allow students to explore different interests, meet new people, and leave an impact on the university.

RSO meetings and events are free and open to all undergraduate students. There are also non-RSOs, which are clubs still being put through an application process.

A good way to find all of the clubs at Stevens is on DuckLink, a web page that lists almost all RSO and non-RSOs at Stevens.

DuckLink allows students to see the executive board (e-board) of the organization, find an email address contact, and find upcoming meetings and events that the RSO will be hosting.

Stevens has clubs in different areas including culture, professional societies, media, special interests, club sports, arts and music, recreation, electronics and gaming, service, religious and faith-based, and more. Students that want to start their own club can do so after their first semester with the New Organization Pro-

cess (NOP) Interest Period at the start of every semester, which is announced by the Student Government Association (SGA) Vice President of Student Interests (VPSI). After a meeting with the VPSI and a staff member from the Office of Undergraduate Student Life, a new organization may be approved.

Students define their own extracurricular experience at Stevens. They can be as involved as they’d like to be; students can run to hold a leadership position on an e-board or just swing by occasional meetings. Being involved in a club and running for an e-board position can provide students with great leadership experience outside of the classroom. Additionally, it can improve communication skills, teamwork skills, leadership skills, ability to plan events, and ability to manage time. RSOs also give students the opportunity to leave an impact on something they are passionate about. There is no limit to how many club meetings and events students can attend, so students are given the freedom to explore all of their interests and be exposed to as many new opportunities as possible.

TOP: CHINESE STUDENT ASSOCIATION (CSA) | MIDDLE: ENTERTAINMENT COMMITTEE (EC) | BOTTOM: STEVENS DRAMATIC SOCIETY (SDS)

BY THE STUTE With 37% of the total undergraduate population participating in a fraternity or sorority, Greek life at Stevens has proven itself to be one of the most prevalent extracurricular activities on campus. With 10 fraternities, 5 sororities, and 6 cultural Greek organizations, there are a variety of organizations where prospective new members may be able to find their new brothers or sisters.

While freshmen must wait until their spring semester before they can begin the process of joining a fraternity or sorority, members of Greek organizations may find the benefits of new friendships, networking connections, leadership opportunities, and the chance to get involved in philanthropy and service.

For women at Stevens, there is the option to join a sorority. Sorority recruitment is a formal process that takes place a few days before the spring semester begins.

Potential new members (PNMs) are broken into groups and go through the recruitment events together. Recently, The Stute reported on sororities pushing for inclusivity by including trans women and nonbinary students.

For men at Stevens that would like to join a fraternity, there is a different process to join an organization. Throughout the fall semester and the beginning of the spring semester, fraternities hold events that anybody may attend, such as dodgeball tournaments, wing eating contests, or backyard barbecues. Prospective members can go to events to get to know the brothers of fraternities they are interested in joining. After a prospective fraternity member has gotten to know the brothers of the

fraternity well enough, the brothers of the organization will vote on who they would like to extend bids to.

Exceptions to these processes are Cultural Greek Organizations.

These are organizations that center their experiences on sharing a common culture. For freshmen who are considering joining a Greek organization this spring, it may be overwhelming to assess how joining an organization will affect your college experience.

While joining a Greek organization may provide a place to forge new friendships and develop connections to upperclassmen, the significant increase in responsibilities so soon into college may make some apprehensive. While joining a Greek organization is an added responsibility where your brothers or sisters will be counting on you to follow through in order to help the organization run as smoothly as possible, the experience of being in a Greek organization is a unique chance to make lifelong friendships and connections you may have otherwise not have had.

Interfraternity Conference (IFC) Organizations: Alpha Sigma Phi, Beta Theta Pi, Chi Phi, Chi Psi (The Lodge), Delta Tau Delta, Kappa Sigma, Phi Sigma Kappa, Sigma Nu, Sigma Phi Epsilon, Theta Xi Panhellenic Council (Panhel) Organizations: Alpha Phi, Delta Phi Epsilon, Phi Sigma Sigma, Sigma Delta Tau, Theta Phi Alpha Cultural Greek Council (CGC) Organizations: Lambda Upsilon Lambda Fraternity, Nu Alpha Phi Fraternity, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Omega Phi Beta Sorority, Sigma Psi Zeta Sorority, Lambda Tau Omega Sorority

TOP: SIGMA DELTA TAU | BOTTOM: OMEGA PHI BETA SORORITY

PHOTOS COURTESY OF @STEVENSDUCKS ON INSTAGRAM

Advice from former freshmen on adjusting to your first year

BY GIANNA CALLEGARI and KEENAN YATES ––––– OPINION ––––– With every new beginning comes a wave of uncertainty and confusion, and starting college is most definitely no exception!

It’s hard to know what to expect from something you’ve never experienced before. Luckily, there are tons of people who have gotten past the extremes of freshman year and are willing to lend a helping hand, including us! Keep reading for some basic tips on how to survive the challenges that arise with being a college freshman.

Whenever you feel yourself starting to slip and struggle, take a deep breath and understand that you’re not the only one that is having a hard time! Courses at Stevens

can be quite demanding and can evoke anxiety, which is extremely hard to adjust to. Everyone has their own journey of finding their way that is often quite tumultuous, but struggling is often a sign of growth. Our advice is to maintain an unwavering sense of confidence in yourself and your ability to achieve great things. A confident mindset is often the key ingredient to success. You can do it!

A more exciting aspect about being a college freshman is that there are so many new opportunities presented to you. Even though the seemingly endless number of options might seem slightly overwhelming, it’s truly a wonderful thing. Our advice is to try everything out and keep an open mind. It is super important to put yourself out there in any way that you’re comfortable with. Stevens

offers so many opportunities to get involved, whether it be through clubs or school events, and our advice would be to go for anything that interests you! You never know what you might end up enjoying.

College is a completely new experience and environment, so don’t be surprised if you run into a bit of the good ol’ homesickness when you first move in. Personally, we never thought it would be something we would have to deal with because we were so excited to finally be here, and yet we found ourselves seriously missing home when we initially moved. When it comes to homesickness, the cure is twofold: go out and meet people and just give it time. It’s not something you’re going to get over right away, but is something that will gradually alleviate as you meet new people, make new friends,

and explore Hoboken.

On a more practical note, be prepared for all four seasons here.

Rain and snow is a guarantee, so be sure to have a sturdy umbrella, good rain and snow boots, and thick socks so that your walk to class is enjoyable or at the least bearable, even in inclement weather.

Perhaps the most important piece of advice to keep in mind is that, no matter what you’re going through, there is always someone you can reach out to that will lend a helping hand. Whether it’s a member of the Stevens faculty or a classmate, there is always someone that will guide you in the right direction. Even though it might feel like it at times, you are not alone. Make the best of every situation and have a great freshman year!

8

Friday, September 3

Opinion THE STUTE EDITORIAL

Testing, testing…is this thing on?

Hello there! Welcome, or welcome back, to Stevens! It’s been a long time since I’ve seen campus, my friends, and my words in a print issue of The Stute. The last time I was even in The Stute’s office was when I was the Layout Editor, which is just crazy to think about.

I was also a sophomore then, and now I’m entering my final year.

I visited the Stute office this past summer for the first time in over a year, and it was like entering a time machine. Old issues sprawled out on tables, messages and announcements written on whiteboards, items left from past Editors, and a lot more. It was weird, exciting, sad, and motivating at the same time.

Some of you reading this may be holding a physical issue of The Stute for the first time, or just learning that Stevens has a newspaper. You may even find a March 6, 2020 issue of The Stute around campus – the last issue that was printed before the pandemic began affecting Stevens. Pick it up; it’s a historical document!

At The Stute, some things have changed since March 6 and other things have not. One thing we never stopped doing was documenting Stevens history: between March 2020 and May 2021, we published 531 entries on thestute.com.

Of those 531, here are a few in particular to catch you up on over a year’s worth of news: construction on the University Center has skyrocketed; a new Student Government President and Cabinet are in place after many ups and downs; the new Workday Student system launched; students remain close through virtual means and call for the renaming of a campus building; TechFest happened with guests including Colin Jost and Pete Davidson. (Sidenote: if you’re reading this in print, know that you can click through some hyperlinks on the website to find these articles!)

The amazing thing about this is that all this history was documented by students who were already struggling as the pandemic changed the production process of

The Stute, so much of their daily lives, their mental health, their living situations, and so much more.

It would be a shame to not recognize the students who helped make those 531 entries possible.

Thank you to Audrey Dsouza, who was finishing up her term as Editor-in-Chief when the pandemic hit Stevens. Thank you to her fellow Executive Board (e-board) members at the time: Mark Krupinski, Matthew Cunningham, and Andrew Kinney.

Thank you to Matthew Cunningham, who started his term as Editor-in-Chief after an e-board election that was cast over Zoom, and trained new e-board members through a screen. Matthew saw The Stute through our phase of trying to publish daily in April 2020, through a summer of covering student activism and protest, through a website redesign, and so much more. Thank you to his fellow e-board members at the time who served their entire term in a virtual setting: Aleksandar Dimoski, Trevor Dameika, Grace Miguel,

Leigha Tierney, Andrew Kinney, and Bemin Shaker.

Thank you to students serving in positions on the Minor Board and staff members who continued to work and write despite the circumstances; who were eager to document what was happening around us. The e-board is just a handful of people, and it cannot function without the support of the staff. Thank you to Professor John Horgan who provided his expertise and advice countless times to us, during the pandemic and before.

Join me in welcoming the newest e-board to The Stute who have all committed to taking on a role in the midst of uncertainty: Sanjana Madhu, Jordyn Ramelli, Gianna Callegari, Keenan Yates, Bemin Shaker, and Zane ThummBorst.

There are so many more people to thank who have inspired me and enabled me to be in the position I am in today. I hope this semester will make you fall in love all over again with print newspapers, in-person learning, Hoboken bagels, and much more. Enjoy it!

MIND OF A FRESHMAN

SENIORITIS

Fun or frustration: The summer before freshman year

First years again

BY KATIE BLOOMER ‘25 As a rising freshman, I was prepared to receive questions regarding my major, school choice, and future career aspirations. My answers were fairly standard and consistent when asked about these topics. However, there was one question that did not result in an easy response: “Are you excited or nervous about college?”

I was initially confronted with this question in the beginning of summer. At the time, it was too early to feel emotional about college. I simply responded by saying “It doesn’t feel real,” or “reality has not sunken in yet.”

These answers satisfied the majority of inquirers and I could easily transition to a less personal topic. Usually I would resort to a dull remark about the delightfully clear sky. Of course, if the clouds were particularly dreary that day, I could pull out a bland comment

regarding the disappointing weather. Any discussion had to be more pleasant than sharing my feelings.

Unfortunately, months passed and people began looking for a more extensive response to this question.

It was always the first thing that adults asked at social gatherings. I guess it seems like an easy ice breaker. Little did they know, college was the topic I dreaded the most. One day I decided to make it a personal challenge to provide a different answer each time. When asked “Are you excited or nervous about college?” I instantly chose a random response.

Some days this resulted in a drawn out story about my extreme worries pertaining to college life. Other times, I talked about the excitement of increased independence and opportunities. Was I lying by providing these arbitrary responses? Not entirely. My varied responses reflected the complex feelings that I could not seem to sort out.

In my experience, college alumni frequently reflect on the homesickness that plagues the freshman dorms during the first week, personal favorite meals eaten in the dining hall, and the making of lifelong friendships. It seems that the stressful and

confusing weeks leading up to freshman year are forgotten in the blur that is the college experience. Although it initially feels frustrating to have these struggles pushed aside, it is also a source of hope. This lack of remembrance indicates that college only gets better from here and our future memories will be filled with (mostly) positive experiences.

So, how can I deal with the stress that I am currently experiencing and make the most of the limited summer that is left? I have tried a variety of relaxation techniques including knitting, long walks, and punching a pillow. Unfortunately, none of them are entirely effective.

I recently decided that the only remedy to the freshman jitters is to fully embrace the journey while also acknowledging the difficulties that inevitably will arise throughout the process.

This cliche is fueling me as I try to find a real answer to the dreaded question about feelings and college. Soon I would like to confidently reply, “I am thrilled to be attending college soon!”

If you take away one thing from this column, let it be that preparing for college should never include punching a pillow in frustration.

BY ALEKSANDAR DIMOSKI ‘22 A lot has happened since the pandemic started way back in March. Our academic and social lives were drastically impacted by our return home, considering how most of us spent the last year and a half stewing in our rooms. I know that it’ll be difficult to adjust to being on campus again, but at the same time, it can be a great experience if we want it to be.

So much has changed since I was last taking classes on campus. Shuffled e-board positions, classes passed, friendships made and lost. I can say definitively that I am not the same person I was when the pandemic started and changed everything. The idea of needing to get out of my room and walk to a classroom to actually pay attention to my professor is almost surreal. It kinda feels disingenuous to

Natalie Todaro ‘22

be writing this column; in my heart, I’m a freshman again, wondering ‘What will school be like?’ During sophomore year, I was able to find a balance between work, clubs, friends, etc., but I’m not sure if I want the same things anymore.

Ongoing uncertainty about school policies and the status of different COVID-19 strains makes the return to campus even more stressful. It’s unclear whether another strain could force everyone to return home for a second time, throwing a wrench in the plans of anyone who actually wants to go to college in-person. Of course, it wouldn’t be anyone’s fault if this were to happen, but it would be a travesty all the same.

Yet despite all this, the biggest problem with this stressful return isn’t the inevitable challenges that we’ll face, but instead the worry associated with it.

The best thing that we can do is to prepare for anything that might happen, and then simply let it be.

We can gain nothing by agonizing over how we’re going to be spending our time except additional stress, so I’d advise everyone to relax as best you can. Our professors, friends, and school administrators are all feeling the same thing we are,

Editor-in-Chief

and as long as we are understanding of them, they will be understanding of us.

Laying my fears aside, I have nothing but excitement and optimism for this upcoming semester.

There’s going to be plenty of fun things to do on campus, and I can’t wait to involve myself again. From Greek life to clubs to chatting with a professor after a class is over, there’s a lot to be gained from being in person again, and I plan on taking advantage of all of it.

There’s a certain empathetic quality of conversation that you miss out on when talking to people on Zoom, over the phone, or texting, and it’ll be great to finally get that back.

If I had to pick one word to define my hopes for the fall, it’d be recovery. We need to make up for all the time that we’ve lost. I hope that any moment spent not paying attention in Zoom University, or any time we would have joined a club or made a friend that was lost can be made up now. No doubt it’s going to be a crazy, chaotic mess, with thousands of bored students craving attention from one another, but that’s part of the fun of being on campus anyways. As long as we’re careful and don’t go jumping in any rivers, I think we’ll all have a great time.

SECOND-YEAR FRESHMAN

Hello, hello Hoboken!

BY KEENAN YATES ‘24 Being a second-year freshman is a lot like online dating. You’ve hypothetically “met” the school already, and decided this is the one based on the limited information you were given. You had all your classes and conversations online. You met all your friends online. And when you finally get there in person to do it all again,

for real this time, it’s a whole lot of “wait… what?” and record scratch noises. So yeah, here we are, back at it again for a second take. No more dress rehearsal; this is the real deal. And by “real deal,” I mean I’ll actually have to get out of bed and walk more than three feet to get to my classes.

Maybe it’s a feeling that I’ve gotten used to, but being a second-year freshman kind of gives you the impression that you’re being unintentionally overlooked.

There are the first-year freshmen, who have really never seen the place; then there are the sophomores who were in person last year.

And then there’s us: people who have taken tests online, studied with strangers, and

have a 25% complete transcript, but still can’t navigate campus or tell you where the nearest restroom is.

I’m sure we’ve missed out on a lot. On one hand, we never got that first-year dorm experience of living in close proximity to equally lost peers. Rather, it’s straight into adulthood and apartment living or, for commuters, extensive transportation. But at the same time, it’s an opportunity nonetheless for us to make memories this year. Maybe that’s by doing something as simple as cooking our first meal away from home. Or experiencing the feeling of getting a care package delivered with all of our favorite things. Or, coming up with a definitive answer to the

age old question, “what is the best bagel shop in Hoboken?” Either way, it’s official: we are big kids now. We had to do a lot of growing up on our own to prepare ourselves for this moment, and now we’ve finally arrived.

But the credits are far from rolling. There are at least three years left for each of us second-years before we’ve actually completed our college experience at Stevens to close another chapter of our lives. Three years sounds like a lot, and even writing it I’m kind of skeptical. However, seeing how fast freshman year went by makes me realize that time is fleeting. Who knows how the next three years will go?

Who knows who we’ll meet, who we will help, and who

will help us? Just like how the Disney Channel Original Movie High School Musical begins, this is the “start of something new,” and hopefully something great.

Coming here was a big move and way more intimidating than I should care to admit. But a friend of mine once told me that all I had to do was give it a chance and that one line made all the difference in my experience of being so far away from home. And so to all you fellow second-year freshmen, all I urge you to do is give it a chance. Change is inevitable, there’s no questioning that aspect. So give it a chance, roll with it, and maybe pick up a bagel on your way in.

I’m sure it’ll be the first of many.

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

NO EXPERIENCE NECESSARY

9

Friday, September 3

Opinion LIFESTYLE HACKS

SCIENTIFIC CURMUDGEON

Step up your studying: Study and organization tips to kickstart your semester

Now that our longest war is over, let’s try to end all wars

BY ZOE HACK ‘24 My room at home is a mess. There are clothes all over the floor along with an array of random stuff ranging from first grade schoolwork to books I bought years ago and have still yet to read.

However, contrary to my disorganized room I believe I have some killer organization skills when it comes to academics.

Maybe I am more organized at school rather than at home just by the sheer fact of not having as much stuff with me, but I like to think that it’s because I’m pretty much the ultimate study geek. I have always loved school — I don’t know if it’s the structured days or the social aspect, but I love being at school and learning.

My junior year of high school is when I decided I wanted to pursue a major in math. That year, some switch was flipped in my brain and I produced the most gorgeous notes for my statistics and calculus classes. But I also predicted burnout — there was no possible way I would be able to keep up these neat notes and outlines, but here I am, a sophomore in college, and, well, I’ll let you judge for yourself…

Okay but enough about me and my obsession with my own notes. Here are some ways to kickstart your school year and start off strong.

1. Find a planner that works for you Personally, I have three separate planners each with a specific purpose. This is definitely overkill, but who knows, maybe my antics will help you out. First, I have an hourly planner, so I can easily visualize how I am spending my time, whether it be in classes, club meetings, or creating a sustainable workout schedule. I use Good-

Notes on my 8th gen iPad for this planner, which yes, costs money, but I find great use for the iPad and Apple Pencil in other ways (I will get to this). My second planner is an academic planner: I use a Five Star brand one. In this planner, I keep track of my assignments when they are first assigned and when they are due. I use the weekly feature to plan out what studying or work I am going to do each day, and the monthly page to track due dates, all while using specific colors for each course. My third planner is totally unnecessary, but I love it. I mainly use it for social events or keeping track of work or doctor’s appointments (which yes, I also have blocked off on my hourly calendar). This planner is pretty much for a mental health check in, giving me a therapeutic coloring page to work on every week — it reminds me to take some time to focus on wellness, and eliminates the stress of having to decide what to color.

2. Be smart with time spent studying My number one studying habit is rewriting my notes after class. Yep, that’s it. No Quizlet, no memorization tricks, no excessive rereading, just copying down what I already have. When I take notes in class, they’re definitely not the neatest. I write fast and sometimes ugly, typically on graph paper with a solid mechanical pencil.

Whether it be rewriting your notes in pencil again, with pen and highlighters, or on the iPad (my main use for GoodNotes), copying down your notes again after class with streamlined formatting helps you assess your understanding, and will make it easier to review in the future.

In the hour that it takes me to reformat my lecture notes, I am not only creating neater notes but also solidifying my understanding of the topic.

3. Your notes are YOURS In my high school AP Biology class, my teacher tried to dictate the way that we took notes, and if we did less than adequate on an assignment, he would blame it on not using his note taking

technique. His technique absolutely did not work for me at all, and I spent so much time struggling before finally switching to taking notes my own way. Honestly, for each of my classes, I take notes a little differently. For PEP 111 and 112, writing directly on a copy of the lecture slides is what made me most successful. For MA 222, I outlined the textbook before class and added additional notes in the margins during lecture. Your preferred study method may take some trial and error, so don’t be afraid to try different techniques until you find personal success.

4. Food is your Fuel I know sometimes it can be difficult, but please don’t forget to eat! Try planning times for meals to ensure your body is getting what it needs to be productive this semester. Fruits and veggies are both filling and brain food. A balanced meal is important to both physical and mental health, so make sure to have some protein, carbs, and healthy fat at each meal and snack. But most importantly, make sure to stay hydrated! Hydration starts the day before, so always have a water bottle in hand for success!

TOP: MY COLORING BOOK PLANNER | MIDDLE: MY GOODNOTES HOURLY PLANNER | BOTTOM: SOME NOTES FROM MA-221

OFF THE PRESS

Campus Move

BY OFF CENTER —SATIRE— In a move that the administration says will provide increased access to NYC for students looking for jobs, internships, and networking opportunities, Stevens has announced that they are digging up and reconstructing the entire campus in Central Park in Manhattan. Stevens has long touted its proximity to the city as a key benefit for students looking to jumpstart their careers, although we at Off The Press were surprised to learn of this significant development, given its potential to disrupt classes, and more importantly, the inconvenience it will cause the crews that install and remove the rented flowers that are planted at the start of semesters. “How are we supposed to keep them in an elegant circle around the Torch Bearers statue when boats are creating all these waves in the water, and also the statue isn’t even there because it’s being moved

separately?” inquired one disgruntled flower manager.

“Interstate commerce laws prevent us from transporting fertilizer across state lines with the flowers, so there’s no way we’ll be able to keep them standing tall and bright on the long, arduous journey to their new homes,” the head landscaper told us. Upon hearing of this predicament, Off the Press launched an investigation into flower biology, fertilizer production, and trade law, but were unable to come up with a workable solution in time because our only typewriter broke when we tried to connect it to the Internet.

The announcement caused distress among incoming first-year students, and especially in the parents’ Facebook group, where the surge in activity briefly crashed all of Facebook.

Once the crash was over, one concerned parent of an incoming freshman posted, “Just heard Stevens is moving the entire campus to New York. Does anyone

know if this will affect financial aid or if we’ll see any changes to the laptop program?” The post got 92 likes and 74 comments, but all of them just said they were also wondering the same thing.

E-mails and morse code transcripts obtained by Off The Press via the Freedom of Information Act reveal that Stevens considered moving the campus while classes were fully online, but determined that in accordance with the Stevens motto, they wanted to add some adversity for students to go through on their way to the stars. “Don’t worry, we’ll supply all the aspera you need so you can just focus on the astra,” a high-ranking administration official told our reporter, “and you can quote me on that.” This reference to the Stevens motto helps explain some decisions made over the last 18 months, including using Zoom for all online classes, instead of letting all the professors make Discord servers.

Off The Press inquired about how some specific buildings were going to be transferred. We were able to confirm the Gatehouse would be fully reconstructed at its original location before being shipped in one place to the new campus.

The Howe Center will be carefully lowered down to the water where President Farvardin will windsurf across the river, using the 14 floors as a sail. A petition to have him use the 14 floor section as a diving board, and do an epic cannonball, has reached 7,000 signatures.

The ambitious project is sure to add to the visibility of Stevens and is an early contender for US World and News Report’s Top 100 Most Questionable University Decisions. As part of our contract with the school and despite any previous criticism of the administration, Off The Press now must legally inform you that we are in full support of this ambitious project. See you in New York!

BY JOHN HORGAN

CAL PROFESSOR Most of my students here at Stevens were born after the U.S. war in Afghanistan was already under way. President Joe Biden finally said, Enough! Well before the disastrous evacuation, pundits were hammering Biden’s decision. They said the U.S. withdrawal will hurt Afghan women, even though, as journalist Robert Wright notes, U.S.-occupied Afghanistan is already “among the worst places in the world to be a woman.” Others claim the U.S. concession of defeat will make it harder to win support for future military interventions. I certainly hope so.

Biden, who supported the invasion of Afghanistan, can’t call the war a mistake, but I can. The Costs of War Project at Brown University estimates that the war, which often spilled over into Pakistan, has killed between 238,000 and 241,000 people, more than 71,000 of whom were civilians. Many more civilians have succumbed to “disease, loss of access to food, water, infrastructure, and/or other indirect consequences of the war.” The U.S. has lost more than 6,200 troops and contractors, and it has spent $2.3 trillion on the war.

And what did the war accomplish? Together with the invasion of Iraq, the Afghan war eroded global sympathy for the U.S. after the 9/11 attacks and destroyed its moral credibility. Rather than eliminating Muslim terrorism, the U.S. exacerbated it by slaughtering thousands of Muslim civilians.

Good might still come from this horror-show if it gets us talking about how we can end all wars between nations. The goal of this conversation would be to create a massive, bipartisan peace movement consisting of Democrats and Republicans, liberals and conservatives, people of faith and non-believers. We would all be united in recognizing that world peace, far from being a utopian pipe dream, is a practical as well as moral necessity.

As scholars like Steven Pinker have noted, the world is already becoming less warlike. Estimates of war-related deaths vary depending on how you define war and count casualties. But most estimates agree that annual war-related deaths over the past two decades are much lower–by roughly two orders of magnitude—than in the blood-soaked first half of the 20th century. This dramatic decline should make us confident that we can end war between nations once and for all.

We should also take heart from research by scholars like anthropologist Douglas P. Fry. In January, he and eight colleagues published a study in Nature on how “societies within peace systems avoid war and build positive

intergroup relationships.”

The authors identify numerous so-called “peace systems,” defined as “clusters of neighboring societies that do not make war with each other.” Peace systems show that, contrary to what many people believe, war is far from inevitable.

Often, peace systems emerge from long periods of fighting. Examples include the coalition of Native American tribes known as the Iroquois confederacy; the Nordic nations of northern Europe, which have not waged war against each other for over two centuries; the cantons of Switzerland and kingdoms of Italy, which unified into their respective nations in the 19th century; and the European Union. And let’s not forget the states of the United States, which haven’t used lethal force against each other since 1865.

Fry’s group identifies several factors that distinguish peaceful from non-peaceful systems. The most statistically significant factor is a shared commitment to “non-warring norms and values,” which can make war within the system “inconceivable.” Italics added. As Fry’s group points out, if Colorado and Kansas become embroiled in a dispute over water rights, they “meet in the courtroom rather than on the battlefield.”

Fry’s findings corroborate a conclusion I reached while writing my book The End of War: the major cause of war is war itself. To get rid of war, we don’t have to do anything dramatic, like eradicating capitalism, forming a global socialist government or deleting “warrior genes” from our DNA. We just need to renounce militarism as a solution to our disputes.

To move beyond militarism, nations need to figure out how to shrink their armies and arsenals in a way that ensures mutual security and builds trust. The U.S., which accounts for 39 percent of global military expenditures, must lead the way. The U.S. could show good faith by pledging to cut its defense budget in half by, say, 2030.

If the Biden administration took this step today, its budget would still exceed those of China and Russia combined by a healthy margin.

Noting that former adversaries often became allies in response to a shared threat, Fry and his colleagues point out that all nations face the perils of pandemics and climate change. Responding in concert to these threats might help countries cultivate “the type of unity, cooperation, and peaceful practices that are the hallmark of peace systems.” Once nations no longer fear each other, they will have more resources to devote to health care, education, green energy and other urgent needs, making civil unrest less likely. Just as war begets war, peace begets peace.

I like asking my students, Can we end war? Actually, that’s the wrong question.

The right question is: How do we end war? Ending war should be a moral imperative, as much as ending slavery or the subjugation of women.

Let’s start talking about how to do it now.

10

Friday, September 3

Arts & Culture PASSION FOR FASHION

Hoboken small business boutiques to support now and forever

BY MELISSA KOSAR ‘22 Now more than ever, it is important to consumers to be conscious about their shopping habits and which brands and stores they purchase from. Since the pandemic struck the world and changed the supply chain industry as well as the accessibility of goods and services to the market, consumers have adjusted their previous spending habits and decisions, oftentimes to support their local communities. In Hoboken, there is a particularly strong sense of community. When lockdown measures hit small businesses the most, the people of tight-knit communities took it upon themselves to help save these businesses from permanent shutdowns. Shopping local and supporting small businesses is more important today than it has ever been before. Today, while we still navigate through an uncer-

tain world post-lockdown with threats of new variants on the rise, it remains important to shop local and support small businesses. When it comes to the fashion industry, this is no different. Without support from local communities, many of these businesses may not have made it through the recent strenuous times. So which fashion small businesses in Hoboken should you focus your spending habits on instead of Shein, Forever 21, and Zara? Here, I have compiled a list of trendy small business boutiques in Hoboken for humanitarian fashionistas to check out.

First and foremost is a boutique with a very special COVID-19 story. Brooke + Bel, which is just over a year old in Hoboken, sits between Washington and Hudson Streets on Fourth Street. Brooke + Bel was set to open to the public on the exact same day that the COVID-19 lockdown measures went into effect. This series of unfortunate events for the small business owners forced their grand opening to be pushed to June of 2020. Amidst navigating these uncertain and difficult times, the owners remained fearless. Their shop brings a trendy and chic style to the

Hoboken market that they particularly felt was missing before their emergence.

With a strong knowledge of their inventory, the employees here are committed to giving each and every customer that walks through their doors a tailored shopping experience. Just steps from campus on the south end, this fashion boutique has all the perfect pieces you need in your closet this semester. The boutique carries a variety of brands from Love Shack Fancy to RE/ DONE to WeWoreWhat. Be sure to check them out or visit their website!

Next up is a boutique just a short walk from campus as well, on Fifth and Washington Street known as aXd. This shop is a branch of another boutique in Hoboken known as Alba. Where Alba is more for a post-college, working individual, aXd is specifically geared towards young adults and college students. Their shop advertises that everything for sale is all under $100.

This is atypical for a small business boutique, which is what makes it unique and stands out for college students shopping on a budget. While Alba has a total of four locations in the New Jersey area, aXd has one other location in addition to

its Hoboken flagship store.

Just from browsing around on their website, you can tell the difference of target audiences between their Alba brand and their aXd brand.

In Hoboken, Alba is located on Seventh and Washington Street. Check these out and see which brand matches your style.

One other boutique in Hoboken that has more than just trendy clothing and chic accessories is Dune + Salt located at 1200 Hudson Street. They opened up just back in 2019 and faced a long closure due to the pandemic; however, the shop is back up and running and ready for business.

This boutique’s mission is to keep the retail market alive and provide the community with locally sourced sustainable goods from brands that are giving back to the community. Dune + Salt offers minimalistic and beachy vibes. The owners have two other locations in addition to their Hoboken spot: one in Sea Girt, NJ and the other in Bay Head, NJ. They mention on their website that their brand is all about coastal vibes, ethically sourced sustainable goods that are mostly made in America, and their branch emphasizes brands that are giving back to the

community. They have curated collections of both women’s and men’s pieces as well as a home line they title “Bungalow.” Beachy vibes for sure, but who can’t get behind a small business fashion boutique with such awareness for quality and customer satisfaction? This boutique should definitely be on your retail therapy list, check it out!

Finally, another perfectly chic and perfectly conscious boutique to browse through in Hoboken is MARGO, located on 11th and Washington Street. This trendy boho style boutique is hyper-focused on sustainability and giving artisans a chance to tell their stories through their pieces. MARGO sources their pieces from artisans all over the world and the best part, everything is handmade. The founders of this stylish boutique are committed to their mission of ethically and sustainably sourced goods. In addition to clothing, they sell accessories, home goods, and even beauty and self care products; check it out under their “Apothecary” section on their website. While they are like other traditional boutiques and have pricey options, it is important to remember as a consumer that seeking ethical and

sustainable products can come at a higher price, but for many, it is a price worth paying. Be sure to stop in or schedule a private shopping experience, which you can learn more about on their website.

As we navigate through this new world we are living in, the fashion industry is changing along with it.

As consumers, it is important for us to be conscious of which side of the change we are on. While yes, it may be easier and cheaper to spend $100+ on Shein for a handful of clothes that may last us a year or so, it is oftentimes more sustainable and ethical to use that money for one pair of really good shoes from a local designer at a small business boutique around the corner from our apartments. Those shoes will probably outlast everything from Shein, tenfold.

Be conscious of where you shop, what you wear, and where you choose to spend your money. With a little bit of research you might realize the clothes you’re wearing don’t align with your views or standards of ethics. Now that you have this simple list of neighborhood boutiques and a little bit about their backgrounds, do with it what you will! Happy small business shopping!

SPOILER ALERT

THE COLLEGE GOURMET

Old: Not Shyamalan’s best

Beyond vanilla bean: Sampling trendsetting ice cream

BY JULIA WIERZBICKI ‘23 M. Night Shyamalan is known for making thrillers with a twist — it’s pretty much all he has done in recent years.

Contrary to the fact that he’s been making movies for years, I only recently got introduced to him through his movie Split. I understood some criticisms of it due to the subject matter, but overall I thought it was a well-made film with some interesting cinematography. I had high hopes for his most recent film Old, but after it was almost universally panned, I was unsure if I even wanted to go see it. In the end, though, I was pleasantly surprised. So if you’re ready to age about five years in the time it takes to read this article, let’s dive into Old. The main plot is that a group of people (adults and children) are trapped on an island where they age extremely rapidly. I believe they mention towards the end of the film that an entire lifetime would take a little under a day to complete. The concept as a whole was interesting, but where the film struggled most was the script. One of the first lines of the film was a mother saying to her daughter, “I can’t wait to hear what you sing like when you’re older.” So from the very beginning, they were really shoving the idea of time and age into the audience’s faces. In my opinion, the theme would’ve been much better received if it was done a little more subtly. Likewise, some of the dialogue written for the children seemed haphazardly thrown together, creating a confusion for the audience about the timeline of when the children had been raised.

The issues with the writ-

ing continued throughout the film, particularly during some major plot points. For example, even though the idea of escaping through the rocks surrounding the beach was brought up several times, it was never actually pursued.

And I thought that would be the first thing they would try.

Additionally, the way that the final two children ended up escaping was by swimming through a randomly placed coral reef which was never explained during the film. There are countless more instances of inconsistencies, plot holes, and just confusing scenes that really dragged the story down.

There were also a few strange aspects of the film, and I wasn’t sure if they were supposed to be funny, unnerving, or both. For example, one of the people trapped on the beach was a rapper named “Mid-Size Sedan.” And every time someone said the name super seriously on-screen, my friends and I couldn’t help but laugh. I’m not entirely sure his character was supposed to be comic relief, but it just sort of happened that way.

Additionally, over the course

of the film, two of the children around the age of six or seven, age up until they’re in their teens. Then, not five minutes later, some stuff happens offscreen and the girl becomes pregnant. This is supposed to be this big shock and turns into them trying to help the girl as she gives birth but the audience is still disturbed by the fact that two people with the mentality of six-year-olds completed the action that led to a baby. It didn’t add anything to the film and was just plain weird. So there were definitely a few scenes in the film that were, in my opinion, gratuitous.

Even though I had quite a few gripes with it, I’ll admit that Old was an enjoyable film. It was an interesting concept that, although not extremely well-written, kept the audience engaged throughout the majority of the film. It had some laughs, some cringey moments, and a few scenes that were generally really captivating. Overall, I don’t think it was one of Shyamalan’s best, but I do believe it’s a good addition to his collection of thrillers.

PHOTO COURTESY OF REDDIT

BY JULIA DWIGHT ‘22 Just as seemingly every food is getting a major Instagrammable update, the humble ice cream pint has attracted everything from big celebrities to major national brands. Most recently, Van Leeuwen partnered with Kraft to create macaroni and cheese ice cream, a culinary majesty/monstrosity. The opinions of the online food community were split, my own included. With inventive and controversial lavors popping up, I asked myself, what makes ice cream a newfound vessel for some Jimmy Neutron-esque culinary experiments?

I began with research (and by research, I mean eating as much ice cream as I could fit in my insulated shopping bag). When I went home for the summer, my sister had just returned from a trip out west. She came bearing gifts in the form of ultra-silky ice cream from Tillamook, a creamery known for its excellent treatment of their dairy cows. If there’s ever a food where you can “taste the love,” it’s this one. Their simple flavors, including the delicious Oregon Strawberry, shine without the bells and whistles of some more meme-worthy competitors. They got me thinking: surely, with a creamy and delicious base, some of these wackier addins–like powdered cheese– may just work.

I moved on to a recent Trader Joe’s favorite, the Cold Brew Coffee and Boba Coconut Non-Dairy Dessert.

This was a prime example of interesting mix-ins in ice cream, especially for bubble tea lovers like myself. While the world is no stranger to solid mix-ins cookie dough, I was a little concerned that the texture of the boba wouldn’t hold up long-term in a commercial freezer.

However, I was pleasantly surprised. The tapioca pearls retained their chewiness and combined well with the creamy coconut milk ice cream.

It was time to dive a little deeper with an unusual ice cream favorite of my own. Nicholas Creamery, a frozen dessert venture by a well-known local chef, has yet to disappoint me. They’re known for using a variety of seasonal ingredients, so I decided to try Jersey Sweet Corn. While vegetables may not feel like a natural dessert pairing, this was one that shined: it tasted just like buttery cornbread. Savory ice cream has my stamp of approval.

However, this was child’s play compared to some other options out there. The creamery Salt & Straw hawks savory flavors like Arbequina Olive Oil and Pear and Blue Cheese. While they haven’t expanded to the East Coast just yet, all these and more are available in their online store. However, like any food writer worth their (sea) salt, I already have more than one pint in my fridge and will be postponing a sampling to a later date. My college-sized food budget is safe for now.

At this point, I had tried and enjoyed three ice creams beyond the standard Turkey Hill. While I eagerly anticipate my chance to try Dolly Parton’s ice cream, I’m still not ready to subject my tastebuds to the dinner-meets-dessert that is Kraft ice cream. However, I’m no cheese hater: that Pear and Blue Cheese ice cream is already on my grocery list. If I’m feeling more adventurous, I’ll let you know.

PHOTO COURTESY OF JENI’S SPENDID ICE CREAMS

11

Friday, September 3

Arts & Culture BOOK OF THE WEEK

TECHNICALLY SPEAKING

Let’s talk about tech regulation: Three major ethical concerns

BY SANJANA MADHU ‘23 The summer close marked the end of my very first technology internship, in which I was finally able to get industry experience and work on engaging projects. This first look into the corporate technology world was absolutely eye-opening. In fact, I could write many columns about the specific projects I worked on, and what I’ve learned so far from working in the tech industry. But in an effort to leave internship experiences up to your interpretation, I’ve decided to take a different route and talk about ethical issues facing technology, which I was inspired to write about due to the large emphasis on ethical innovation in the company I worked for and other companies across the country.

In a world that revolves

entirely around technology, it’s important to think about the implications of our technology, and how its reinvention can affect people in the future. This foresight can come in many forms. Whether it be brainstorming how tech can affect different demographics including nonmarginalized and marginalized people, or researching the effects of a start-up acquisition by a technology behemoth, all topics about the implications of technology are cast under a net of ethical concerns of technology.

There are countless ethical concerns that are important to address, but the three most imminent concerns are: the integration of artificial intelligence into society, the severe misuse of consumer data, and the monopolization of technology. These three topics fall into very different categories of technology; artificial intelligence relates to innovative technology, data misuse falls under consumer’s interaction with technology, and monopolies relate to business and antitrust issues with technology. Often, the lines between these issues often overlap because of the interconnectedness of technology. The

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goal of these next columns will be to explore these topics in-depth and provide high-level overviews of these problems.

Companies and researchers have spent an enormous amount of time (and money) analyzing these issues to try and come up with feasible solutions. And yet, these topics are still pressing issues with seemingly unsolvable dilemmas. Essentially, the sustainability of these issues boils down to two reasons: misinformation and unaccountability.

While it’s hard to believe that many people are misinformed about technology because of its noticeable global prevalence, these people are ignorant of its societal effects. More importantly, many people are ignorant of technology’s effects on themselves. This ignorance is what enables large technology companies to often take advantage of consumers, collect customer data, and use that data to their own interests. Additionally, regular consumers are quick to back innovation without thinking about its effects. But on the flip side, it’s hard to blame consumers for willingly accepting technology without

being a cynic. It’s difficult to refuse the convenience provided by tech companies, for seemingly small prices like privacy.

The other issue lies in tech companies not taking responsibility for their actions. They are quick to find loopholes and are often unthreatened by legal fees and battles. In all honesty, who can blame them? Their goal is to produce scalable innovation as fast as possible, and this often requires dancing around regulatory practices. In sum, their intentions are (relatively) good, but the path they follow to get there can raise questions.

However, in recent years, many regulatory organizations and academic groups have taken notice of these common practices: Congress has recently become more cognizant of anticompetitive practices by technology firms, the government has enforced more stringent data regulation rules, and ethical concerns surrounding artificial intelligence are being studied by researchers. While the journey of technology regulation is an uphill battle, the trajectory of supervision has been trending in a positive direction.

The book you buy because you’re judging it by its cover: A Gentleman in Moscow

BY KEENAN YATES ‘24

Meme corner

No shame in it, I 100% walked past this book in a Barnes & Noble, stopped, turned around, and picked it up because of the aesthetic cover. Though I’m not saying you should always judge a book by its cover, I am saying that in this case, the book has an eye-catching cover and a great story.

A Gentleman in Moscow sweeps the reader back into 1922 Russia to witness Count Alexander Rostov’s transition from a well-traveled aristocrat to a permanent guest of the Metropol Hotel, where he has been

sentenced to house arrest for life. Initially, being locked away seems to dampen the spirits of this gentleman who has never known a world with boundaries. He goes from a suite to a servant’s quarters, to a view of Moscow to a view of, well, dust. And yet the Count finds an unforgettable new world within the walls he is confined to, one filled with adventure, humor, and hope. This captivating book is one that anyone can relate to following quarantine and the previous year’s events; it’s a beautiful portrait of life’s ups and downs, twists and turns, and the fragility of life as we know it.

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Friday, September 3

Campus Pulse

Ryan Camburn ‘25 “No.”

Faraz Pathan ‘23

“I’m taking two gym classes right now and then I have two left so I’m on the grind.”

Sanya Mann ‘25 “I don’t think so, no”

ROVING REPORTER Ellie Yang ‘24

“Do you have enough gym credits to graduate?”

Dylan Woodward ‘24

“Yeah but I’m on the fencing team so I don’t have to take PE”

Anthony Mitri ‘24 “I haven’t taken one yet”

“We don’t have PE courses”

Noza Bahridinova ‘25 “I wasn’t informed yet”

Crossword Numbers

Sudoku

Gianangelo Dichio ‘24

“No I haven’t done any gym classes! I was looking for one this semester but there weren’t any in session.”