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HISTORY

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Friday, October 20, 2017

Staff Writer

Italy • P3

Irish Skittles • P7

Frankie & Ava’s • P10

Associate Director of Student Life Dr. Thea Zunick will be leaving Stevens today to begin a new journey as Director of Student Life at the University of the Sciences in Philadelphia.

Prior to joining Stevens, Dr. Zunick had been working at New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT) within fraternity and sorority life where she met Natalie Waite, who formerly held Zunick’s current position.

“She had just been moved to Graduate Affairs and asked me to come in to do some workshops with the Greeks while they looked to fill the position,” explained Zunick. Given her expertise in programming and leadership development, she felt that it would be a natural progression and thus accepted the offer to work with the Stevens Greek Community. After meeting with Dean Kristie Damell in the fall of 2013, she was given the job description for her current title and officially made Stevens her new home in the

Stevens Athletics speak on student concern regarding athletic trainers Outreach Chair

There has been concern among the student population regarding a head-on collision between two brothers of the Sigma Nu and Kappa Sigma fraternities at an intramural flag football match almost 3 weeks ago.

Sophomore James Potestivo was injured, which led to a premature end to the friendly match. “I was knocked out for a few seconds, and then I was just really dizzy, and there was a lot of blood coming from my head—but I don’t remember all the details because I couldn’t think straight at all.” Potestivo noted that one of his Sigma Nu brothers was there to assist him, handing him paper towels and applying pressure to stop the bleeding. “I was there with him […] for

lete,” said Potestivo. Campus police was called and an ambulance arrived to take Potestivo to the Hoboken University Medical Center, where he received three stitches upon arrival.

The question remains: are the athletic trainers allowed to administer care to non-Stevens athletes?

The Sigma Nu brother who had assisted Potestivo noted that “in years past, there has been a temp trainer on staff for Greek league sports. Either they weren’t there or policy changed,” said the brother, whose name has not been disclosed. “If there was an issue, it would be a lack of a sense of urgency, especially with James’ head injury.”

He went on to explain that Potestivo’s situation was dealt with “calmly and relatively effectively,” but believes that the athletic staff did not have the legal abilities to treat his brother.

division3tennis.com

about a half hour before a female student came over and said that the medical staff [could not] help me because it is not their place since I’m not a varsity ath-

The Stute The official campus newspaper of Stevens Institute of Technology since 1904, and creator of the Stevens mascot, Atilla the Duck.

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Established 1904

Associate Director of Student Life, Thea Zunick, says goodbye to Stevens

by OLIVIA SCHREIBER

by AUDREY DSOUZA

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Potestivo’s overall experience—or lack thereof— with the athletic trainers was discussed at that Sunday evening’s SGA meeting. The minutes indicate

that there was some uncertainty among the members of the Student Government Association regarding athletic trainer policy.

One senator stated, “Emergencies definitely qualify for allowing non-varsity athletes to the trainer,” while another shared their personal experience, “I play rugby off campus and when I get hurt and go the varsity trainers, they never help me. Can someone tell me why?” While one senator suggested that “[the] Athletic Trainers hate doing their job,” another member disagreed, noting that there might be a legality issue and the fact that “we didn’t sign the forms varsity athletes did.”

There was also discussion recorded in the minutes that broached the topic of the Good Samaritan Laws and the overall consensus seemed to be that the issue of athletic trainers being unable to help in a medical emergency needed to be addressed.

Head Athletic Trainer, Tara Donofrio, Director and Assistant Director of Campus Recreation, John Maurizi and Stephanie Garino, as well as Director of Athletics, Russell Rogers were willing to sit down to discuss the issue from their point of view.

“I was on the field during the play,” Assistant Direc-

see ATHLETICS • Page 6

spring of 2014. “It’s pretty unique to be a Greek advisor of STEM-based campuses,” said Zunick. “So it was a match made in heaven.”

As the Associate Director of Student Life, Dr. Zunick was involved in various aspects of the Stevens student experience, including PreOrientation, Freshman Orientation, Freshman Family Weekend, and others. Her most notable role was that of advisor for the Stevens Greek community. “[In the role of] Associate Director, I do more than just Greek Life; however, it took up a lot of my time because our fraternities and sororities are so active,” said Zunick.

“We’re trying to build a premier Greek experience on this campus, which I think we’ve been successful at so far.” She noted that while her experiences in Greek Life were different at NJIT, the “huge shift to working with fraternities and sororities very large in size” provided an “opportunity to use a different skill set.”

Her commitment to the Greek community did not go unnoticed; in her time

Photo courtesy of Order of Omega

at Stevens, Dr. Zunick received recognition multiple times, including the University Partner of the Year awarded by Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity; the Bonnie Wunsch Northeast Greek Leadership Association (NGLA) Volunteer of the Year; the Doctoral Fellowship awarded by the Order of Omega Greek Honors Organization; the Fraternity & Sorority Life Advisor of the Biennium awarded

by Delta Phi Epsilon Sorority; the University Partner of

the Year awarded by Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity; and the Making the Difference Award awarded by Stevens Institute of Technology.

When asked what initiative she oversaw that will continue to leave an impact on Stevens, Dr. Zunick responded without hesitation. “That’s the easiest question to answer, that being the Global Service Initiative: Project Jamaica,” said Zunick. For the past

see ZUNICK• Page 6

President Farvardin gives State of Stevens Address

by ALEX MURTAGH Staff Writer

This past Saturday was freshman family weekend and, along with it, President Farvardin’s State of Stevens Address. The event served as a way for the parents of freshmen to get a better understanding of where their tuition money is going, and how well it’s being used.

The event also allows current Stevens students and alumni to gauge how well the school is doing, and which direction it is heading in.

The event began with opening remarks from the Vice President for Enrollment Management and Student Affairs, Marybeth Murphy.

Ms. Murphy welcomed all of the parents and students to the opening event for the second day of freshman family weekend. She stated, from her experience as a parent, it is always a great time to be on campus because the students get to see their parents that they may not have had the chance to see in a while. From there she began to speak about how “Stevens is a university on the move” and introduced President Farvardin.

President Farvardin walked onto the stage and welcomed everyone

to Stevens. He also began by joking that the auditorium appeared much like his classroom, the majority of people were sitting towards the back. After telling the audience that he welcomes all feed-

Stevens has received.

Most recently, Stevens has been ranked 69th

by U.S. News and World Report college rankings, making it the secondfastest rising school in the rankings. Although

Photo Courtesy of Stevens Institute of Technology

back and telling a couple quick stories, he moved on the reason for gathering everyone together, the state of Stevens.

Farvardin began this by noting the tremendous momentum that Stevens has been making in the roughly seven years he has been president of the university. This began by highlighting the new leadership that has come to Stevens, allowing it to move forward towards the goals of the master plan. This can most notably be seen in the external recognition that

President Farvardin said he is happy about this, he still wants to become the number one fastest rising school in the nation. The second major statistic Farvardin noted was that Stevens has been ranked 10th in Return on Investment among all US colleges, according to PayScale.

The other piece of recognition comes not from another source ranking schools, but an article from Forbes magazine about Stevens becoming

see STATE • Page 6

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Opinion The Stute Editorial

Don’t let responsibilities kill your creativity I don’t really know how the business and humanities programs work here at Stevens, being an engineering major and whatnot, but I imagine it doesn’t always feel like a constant suffocation of your creativity. This is not going to be me complaining about academics, professors, schoolwork, etc. I’ve just been really thinking about my life before all the responsibilities, and it’s almost like I have completely forgotten who I was for the first 18 years of my life. It’s almost as if a lot of what makes me, me, has been systematically wiped out piece by piece after each report, exam, presentation, etc. Is it just me? Is it the curriculum? Maybe a little bit

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All opinions, stories and editorials reflect the views of their respective author(s). The Stute reserves the right to edit all letters and articles submitted for publication for clarity and factual accuracy, or not publish them.

No part of The Stute may be reproduced in any form, in whole or in part, without the written consent of the Editor-inChief. Cited references of The Stute are permitted.

Copyright © 2017 The Stute

Corrections & Clarifications For corrections and clarifications in any of our issues, please email eboard@thestute.com ! + Sports attributed an incorrect picture to the article titled “ Cross Country Sweeps Empire 8 Weekly Awards.” + No article was included with the caption “15 Softball players...” + The article titled “Hoboken re-examines master plan” contained the body of an article on Southwest park, published in Issue 4.

anymore. I would annoy the hell out of my friends with my constant tapping and rolling on every surface I could get my hands (or sticks) on. No one likes to hear a percussionist playing by themselves. Is it the severe lack of time I have now?

I can say for certain that I do not have the same amount of free time as I did years ago. Even now, if I try to partake in anything creative that I enjoy, I always have a small guilty voice in the back of my head telling me I should be studying for that class I’ll never need or writing that whole report in one sitting. That’s not who I wanted to be in high school, and that most certainly isn’t who I want to be in college and the years to come.

To younger students, I want you to never forget your passions outside of academia. Always make some time for yourself, you’re about as ready for that test as you’ll ever be. Go ahead and paint, draw, write a song. Anything. That report will get finished—you have two other members on your team. Don’t let school and work make you lose your creativity because, eventually, it may be too hard to find it again.

Tarik Kdiry Editor-in-Chief

The one about people

Jacobus Hall, 2nd Floor

Disclaimer

of both? One habit that I wish I could have, is the ability to make time for the things I love or used to love. Along with the normal, human-level course load I had before coming to Stevens, I played percussion passionately, particularly the drums. I was in every type of band possible during high school. Even after school, I would look forward to practicing covers on my set at home or playing around with my family’s traditional instruments from back home. If I remember one thing from high school, it’s that I never left my sticks at home.

For some reason, that all seems like a dream to me.

I only recently picked up a pair of sticks and it didn’t feel natural to me

Mind of a Freshman

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Friday, October 20, 2017 • Page 2

by MARY RUANE

Freshman Business and Technology Major

There’s a Maya Angelou quote on the wall at a coffee shop that I frequent.

Usually, I do not pay much attention to quotes because I find that they never exactly fit what I’m thinking. I need something that pinpoints exactly how I feel and think, something I think this Angelou quote does perfectly. It says, “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did,

but people will never forget how you made them feel.”

Now that I’m on my own at college, I feel like this quote is particularly relevant because it makes me more conscious of the way I treat people. We forget why we’re mad at someone or why we do not like them; however, we remember the feeling.

Your own experiences shape the person that you are and the person you become. I believe the current you, and future you, are two different people because until you have been through hell, you will not know what you are made of. Unfortunately, you will probably go through hell more than once in your life, and whether you keep fighting, or throw up your white flag and surrender says a lot about you. People will not care about whether you have changed or not, but will remember the way

it felt the time you looked them in the eyes and told them you hated them, when you were so full of anger that you couldn’t control it.

They might not remember what you said—your exact words, or the situation, but the feeling that tugged at their heart and made their stomach drop? That’s what they’ll remember.

Present you says things and does things that affect people, changes people, and flips their worlds upside down, whether you realize it or not. You do things that future you will regret, things future you will thank you for, and things that will make you into the person you will be in five days, weeks, months, or even years from now.

The problem with thinking about the consequences for the future, when you’re in the current moment, is that you can lose who you

are now when you’re looking out for who you want to become. You forget to cherish the moment, and every moment that passes you by will not come back, so you will not have anything you felt that you remember. We rarely get second chances in life, with both relationships and opportunities that could become something bigger than we know.

What I’m trying to say, is that we can influence people through the way we make them feel, which is something that we should definitely acknowledge changes us and our relationships.

But letting the moments slip away from us because we are scared of hurting someone else, or we’re scared of what will happen is not the right thing to do. Be cautious with how you make others feel, but never sacrifice your happiness for the happiness of someone else.

Senioritis

The Stute: my saving grace friends, and peers to acquire that little piece of paper that was worth thousands upon thousands of dollars.

It’s a BFD, in simpler terms.

I’m starting to take stock of my position here at Stevens, and it always comes back to the newspaper. Let’s throw it back to freshman year when I came in as a chemiby OLIVIA SCHREIBER cal engineering student, Senior ready to take on Design I, Chemical Biology Major Engineering Graphics, and Introduction to ProgramLast week was a blur, as ming without hesitation.

I’m sure it was for many The first few months went of us. Let’s give ourselves by, and I knew this direca small pat on the back. tion was not meant for We did it. Midterms are me. Going to Design class (hopefully) done. We’ve induced fear and intense approached the midpoint feelings of self-doubt. Many of the semester. Boo-yah. might not know this, but I For some of us, the light at even contemplated transthe end of the tunnel might ferring out of the university. have just appeared. For Freshman year was hard. others, like myself, it repre- Almost middle-school-awksents a little more than a bi- ward hard—crazy, right? furcation of the semester— By the second semester, in just over seven months, I knew I had to make a we will be walking across change—either stay at Stea stage in front of family, vens and choose a differ-

ent path or leave Hoboken altogether. If you couldn’t tell, I ended up staying but my saving grace came from an unexpected source: The Stute. I had started to make a name for myself, writing several articles each week, going to events I would have otherwise ignored, and contacting various administrators and professors for a quote or two to substantiate my writing. Digging for stories invigorated me while highlighting the talent, dedication, and service of my fellow Stevens peers served as a humbling experience.

I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention the influence of the Stute e-board at the time who really kept me afloat, particularly Frankie Guarini. While he revolutionized the paper, he also found time to be a great friend.

Those initial bonds solidified my decision to stay at this school. I re-evaluated my goals, let my love of Biology come back to me

(“Baby Come Back” by Vanessa Hudgens comes to mind every time I think of this point in my life) and re-created the college experience I knew I deserved.

I’ll get to the point. Going through the motions— class, homework, study, maybe sleep, repeat—is fine. You and I will probably get to the same endpoint, but campus involvement defines you in many ways in which academics cannot. My involvement in the Stute since freshman year has transformed me and in many ways aided me in my other campus commitments and academic work. So, while you’re looking ahead to the end of the semester—or even the comforts of your own bed during winter break—take another moment to look inwards. Maybe it will remind you why you’re here, just as it reminds me why I chose to stay.

Friday, October 20, 2017 • Page 3

NEW!

by KELLY MCGOWAN

Junior Visual Arts and Technology Major

About one month ago, I arrived in Florence, Italy, anxious and exhausted from over 24 hours of traveling thanks to delayed flights, rescheduled plans, and long layovers. Instead of arriving at 11:00 a.m., my drained and jetlagged body was hauling two suitcases through the bumpy, cobblestoned streets at 7:00 p.m. But I did not let this dull my excitement – I had just arrived in Italy!

This fall semester, I am studying abroad in Flor-

ence. This is my first time ever traveling to Europe. In fact, this is only my second time leaving the United States—I went to Mexico many years ago. I spent the entire summer planning for this semester. I made a Pinterest board full of tips about how to pack for three months, the best places to eat in Florence, things to do around Europe, etcetera. I made a list of all the countries and cities in Europe I wanted to visit. I also taught myself the basics of Italian. A semester abroad is the chance of a lifetime, and I wanted to be ready to make the most out of it.

I chose to study in Italy for a few reasons. The first is because I am half-Italian!

My Nonno (grandfather) grew up in Northern Italy, and I am actually going to be visiting where he grew up later this month! The second reason is, of course, for the food—ravioli, gnocchi, tortellini, pizza, pa-

Study Abroad.

Ciao from Italy!

Photo courtesy of Kelly McGowan

nini, pesto sauce, gelato, tiramisu, and so on; wow, I’m hungry now. A major

Photo courtesy of Kelly McGowan

reason I chose Florence, specifically, was for the art!

Florence is known as the birthplace of the Italian Renaissance. What a privilege to be living and studying in a city with such rich cultural history. I’ve already seen some masterpieces in the Uffizi Gallery, by Botticelli, Raphael, Titian, Leonardo da Vinci, and more. I will be seeing Michelangelo’s David in two weeks when my mom comes to visit me.

I’m also looking forward to visiting the Louvre in Paris and seeing Michelangelo’s frescos in the Sistine Chapel in Vatican City.

Living in Florence has been a dream. Mornings spent strolling the streets of Florence, passing the Duomo on my way to class; nights

spent walking along the Arno River eating gelato. I never thought I could love a city as much as New York, but I think Florence may offer some competition.

Besides Florence, I’ve also visited Cinque Terre and San Gimignano, both located in Italy. Cinque Terre consists of five villages on the sea, and San Gimignano is a town in Tuscany with medieval stone towers. I also went on a wine tour and got to see how wine is made!

I’ve visited two other countries, Croatia and Germany.

In Croatia, I visited the island of Brac and swam in the Adriatic Sea, the most blue and clear waters I’ve ever seen. I also went swimming under a water-

fall! And, fun fact: parts of Game of Thrones were actually filmed in Croatia!

In Germany, I attended Oktoberfest. I even bought a Dirndl, a traditional German dress popularly worn at the fest. It was a really fun experience, attended by people from all over the world.

In Munich, I also visited the Englischer Garten, one of the largest urban parks in the world, even larger than Central Park! I’m excited to be returning to Germany in just a few weeks to visit a friend in Berlin.

I have so many more trips planned for this semester!

I’ll be traveling to Barcelona, Budapest, Amsterdam, Paris, Vienna, Rome, and more. I cannot wait for the experiences yet to come!

Technically Speaking

New to Photography? Check Your Pocket Before Your Wallet

by DAVID HOROWITZ Freshman Cybersecurity Major

Photography is a hard hobby to get into. To get great photos, you have to purchase one of many different camera bodies, with one of many different expensive lenses to produce a winning combo. Plus, you have to get your film developed in a darkroom, which takes time and money.

Luckily, these constraints and barriers to entry are a thing of the past. Certain photo styles and effects are still best suited to an expensive mirrorless camera or DSLR, but the camera already in your pocket is a great gateway into a new hobby.

Smartphone cameras have made great advances over the years. The first iPhone shipped with a whopping 2 megapixels and featured no flash, but today, some Sony phones make their way up to 23

megapixels, and many phones today have 2 or more separate flashes for different lighting conditions. At this point, phone manufacturers even use multiple lenses to create new effects and better photos. This year, Google has launched a new dedicated image processing chip in the Pixel 2, and Apple has dedicated similar processing power for imaging in their A11 CPU. Mobile cameras also have wider apertures to let in more light and allow more natural Bokeh—a Japanese word for the background blur certain camera lenses produce in out-of-focus areas.

The LG V30 is launching soon with a large f/1.6 aperture, for example.

If you are looking to buy a new smartphone and want the camera to be a focus, remember that megapixels are not the most important metric of camera quality. The iPhone 8 and Pixel 2 XL have just 12-megapixel cameras, but easily outperform the Sony XZ premium’s 19-megapixel shooter.

Unfortunately for consumers, there is no magic number that alerts you which cameras are better. Even if you read reviews to find the best smartphone cam-

era, it can be largely subjective. If you are in the market for a new phone and a great camera is important to you, find a blind test that allows you to decide which is your personal favorite.

Another thing to look for is special features. Phones such as the iPhone 8+ and Samsung Galaxy Note 8 allow you to use a secondary lens to zoom in without degrading image quality. To pull this off, they use the second lens for optical zoom, rather than the traditional digital zoom that leads to quality degradation. Another feature to look out for is portrait mode, which is featured on phones such as the iPhone 8+ and Pixel

2. These phones utilize advanced algorithms to blur the background and make the subject pop.

Some phones have unique dual camera setups, like the Huawei Mate 10. It uses its second camera as a higher resolution monochrome sensor, which allows higher contrast and dynamic range for normal pictures, and some incredible black and white shots that require no editing.

Whether you are looking for a new device, or are happy with your current one, phone cameras are a great place to start. One of the hardest parts of photography is snapping an interesting photo. This includes skills such as proper framing, target selec-

Photo courtesy androidpit.com

tion, scene selection, and an eye for what will produce a cool photo. These things can be easily practiced on your smartphone, and practice is needed to become a good photographer. Many find that they never need to upgrade to a “real” camera if they enjoy taking simple photos with minimal tinkering.

Point and shoot cameras are less popular now due to this shift, unless someone is looking to take photos with a long zoom lens and wants simplicity.

Here are three quick tips for someone new to taking serious photos on a smartphone: (#1) Unless you are out of storage, don’t be afraid to take a bunch of shots

and save the best later.

Many people will be very familiar with this concept if they have ever needed to get the perfect selfie for Instagram. Taking lots of shots at varied angles or perspectives will also give valuable practice in framing photos. (#2) Turn on the camera grid. For iPhone users, the setting can be found in Settings -> Photo and Camera -> Grid. For Android users, look for a settings button while your camera app is launched and find the grid option. Due to the inconsistent nature of the Android UI, I cannot give exact instructions. This grid will allow you no more easily center your subject, or even better, follow the rule of thirds, which you should Google if you are interested in learning photography. (#3) Remember that your phone can be turned into landscape mode when taking photos. Landscape mode is great for taking photos of larger scenes that the typical phone orientation does not normally cover. And please, if you take a video, please be a good Samaritan and only take your video in landscape mode. No one wants to watch a video on YouTube with black bars on the sides.

Campus Pulse

Friday, October 20, 2017 • Page 4

Roving Reporter Where do you get your news?

“YouTube. Oh, and also this app called i-citizen”

“Reddit”

“From the Twitter. All word of mouth.”

Aileen Quinn

Sean Roach

Sean Cummings

“I don’t really watch the news anymore, so mostly Snapchat and Facebook articles”

“Wall Street journal. I read it 2 or 3 times a week.”

“Google play news, the articles there”

Rachel Gart

Pete Patrizio

Patrick Catanzaro

Join We meet Tuesdays at 9 p.m. and Thursdays at 6 p.m.

Chime in with ideas, articles, literature, opinions, poetry, and for free pizza!

Polling Pierce

How old is too old to go trick-or-treating?

12.5

10 10 10

7.5

7 7

5 4 4 2.5

2

3

3

3

3

2

2 2

0 12-14

15-17

18-20

21-23

23-25

30-35

40-45

Series 1 meta-chart.com

Strips

Friday, October 20, 2017 • Page 5

News State

Friday, October 20, 2017 • Page 6

Zunick

Continued from front page

Continued from front page

a turnaround university. It is very rare for a university to get recognition in a high profile magazine like Forbes.

Moving on, Farvardin presented some very unfortunate national news. According to a recent study regarding the economic mobility index in the United States, only 50% of people are doing better than their parents. But, there was a bright side to all of this. Out of 71 universities that were placed in a select group because they move the most people up in the mobility index, Stevens was ranked number 1.

With this, Farvardin noted that “We want to build successful futures” and “offer an education second to none.”

As the presentation moved on, Farvardin went through internal statistics such as the increase in undergraduate applications, up 132%, as well as an increase in undergraduate SAT scores, up 80-130 points. Along with entry rates into Stevens, he noted entry rates into the job market which stand at an unheard of 96%, with the other 4% generally doing volunteer work or traveling abroad. The amount of faculty at Stevens has increased, and the operating revenue is up by 73.3 million dollars.

With this, Farvardin moved to discussing key portions of the ten-year plan, specifically infrastructure. Stevens’s IT has been upgraded to a state of the art level, with only one WiFi dead spot, in the middle of the athletic field.

He then moved to discuss all of the upcoming building projects, as well as the recently completed ones. Most notable were the Babbio garage, Gianforte Family Academic Center, and the still under review plans for a new university center and dormitories where Jacobus and Hayden currently sit. The new dormitories are expected to house 800 additional students.

There was then a major discussion about where the school plans to get all of the money required to complete such projects while keeping tuition costs down and gaining new faculty. $150 million is currently being raised by the Power of Stevens campaign, which will allocate $68 million to student scholarships, $48 million for physical infrastructure, and $34 million for faculty recruitment. The campaign is currently above its expected fundraising rates.

Finally, President Farvardin gave some closing remarks, noting that the incoming class of 2021 will greatly benefit from all of this. According to Farvardin, “Stevens is on the rise.”

three years, Dr. Zunick, along with Director of the Global Service Initiative for the Delta Upsilon Fraternity, has led three cohorts of Stevens students to Jamaica to engage in a week-long service project.

In addition to serving in several Jamaican communities, students also partake in an impactful curriculum regarding social justice, global citizenship, and service. “Looking at

State

Continued from front page

tor of Campus Recreation Stephanie Garino explained. “They must have mistaken me for a student, but after we confirmed he was conscious and the injury was not life-threatening we activated our emergency action plan.”

This plan entails notifying campus police who take it from there to arrange an ambulance and file an incident report.

The trainers were notified of the accident that had occurred, but Donofrio offered explanation: “We just happened to be there in the office at the time.

A few minutes later, and we would have left for the day.” She emphasized that because Potestivo’s injury was not deemed a lifethreatening emergency, varsity trainers are not go-

[Stevens’s] mission statement, it was clear that the university aimed to create global citizens,” said Zunick. “Aside from study abroad and individual student organizations’ initiatives, there really wasn’t a commitment from this office to aid in that mission.”

Dr. Zunick took part in a professional version of the Global Service Initiative, and on day two, she “knew this was it.” “To watch three groups of students experience the Global Service Initiative is something that cannot be replaced,” said Zunick. “It has been

one of the most fulfilling things I’ve done in my career here, and I think it will remain pinnacle in my experience within Student Affairs.”

Dr. Zunick will begin her new journey as the Director of Student Life at the University of Sciences in Philadelphia, a position that combines and parallels the responsibilities of both Dean Kristie Damell and Dean Kenneth Nilsen. “I will be supervising several staff members, which I’m excited to do since what I do now informally is mentor up and coming profes-

ing to step in to administer medical care. “We will try to assist in any way possible in case of a [life-threatening] emergency, but [otherwise], this is where campus [recreation] comes in.”

Donofrio explained that she and other athletic trainers in the Office of Sports Medicine were specifically “hired to treat varsity athletes,” and that the regular student population does not sign the liability release forms that NCAA athletes do. Thus, whether a student collides on the field or falls into a pothole on campus, the procedure is the same: call campus police. “Of course we are covered by good Samaritan laws,” Donofrio laughed, “but we have to deem the situation as a life-threatening emergency for the student treat them.”

“No one knows our Emergency action plan,” said John Maurizi, Director of

Campus Recreation, “they just assume we aren’t doing anything. The 30-minute estimate seems a bit inaccurate. You can finish an entire game in 30 minutes.” Donofrio provided additional assurance. “The front desk staff is trained on how to respond to accidents that occur on the field. They notify campus police who file the incident report and then take care of the rest.”

Director of Athletics Russell Rogers emphasized that he would be “glad to talk with anyone in the SGA or student body” regarding the policy on athletic trainers administering medical help to non-varsity athletes, which was emphasized as not a new policy. “These kind of injuries are always going to occur when people play sports. This is why we have the emergency action plan.”

sionals,” said Zunick. She is also looking forward to overseeing different areas that she might have only partnered with during her time at Stevens, such as International Student Services and Residence Life.

“I will be able to continue to grow and learn as a professional as well as rely on the skills I’ve developed,” noted Zunick. “It will be a good challenge.”

As her time on campus comes to an end, Dr. Zunick hopes that students recognize her “love for the Stevens community.”

“It is a bittersweet move for

me,” said Zunick. “It’s exciting to advance your career and move into roles that are more senior, but I will miss the day-to-day contact with these students.” Dr. Zunick maintains that Stevens students will always have a special place in her heart. As she leaves to start the next chapter in her career, Dr. Zunick can only hope that the momentum she has started will continue for current and future students alike: “I can only hope that the next person in this position comes into the role and loves it as much as I do.”

Hoboken re-examines Master Plan

by SARAH HOOGENBOOM Staff Writer

The community of Hoboken gathered this past Tuesday, Oct. 10, for the first of many community outreach meetings hosted by the City of Hoboken. These meetings are part of an effort to give residents a voice in the future of the city and increase involvement in the reexamination of the Hoboken Master Plan. In the State of New Jersey, cities are required to reexamine their Master Plans at least every 10 years to promote new development and better allocate city resources and planning. The City of Hoboken has paired up with BFJ Planning, a consulting firm that provides professional expertise in city planning and urban design, to create an ideal Master Plan and to identify locations of development for Hoboken. Like in many city planning expansions, BFJ sees community outreach, such as brainstorming sessions, is the most vital part in creating plans that reflect the needs of a community and its visions of the future.

The last time the City of Hoboken sat down to reexamine the Master Plan, created in 2004, was in 2010. Some of the major themes in the 2010 reexamination included expanding transportation, developing parks, and promoting economic development. These themes have been the pushing point in creating many aspects that make Hoboken what it is now, such as Pier A and the development of the northwest corner of Hoboken. Although many of these productive ideas came out of the 2010 reexamined Master Plan, they have not kept up with the growing city Hoboken has become or the harsh weather Hoboken has received. To put this into perspective, the reevaluation of 2010 showed hints of economic fear caused by the 2007 recession and residents had not yet felt the destruction that was brought on by Hurricane Sandy. Since then, the Master Plan has not reflected the City of Hoboken’s goals to become more resilient and environmentally-friendly

as well as its desire to evolve economically.

Many of the residents present at the Tuesday meeting have seen the town evolve from a hipster artistic village to a young crowded city, and many of their goals were to maintain the character of Hoboken while also inviting and accommodating charismatic diversity.

The main themes brought on by BFJ representatives included transportation, economic development, passive park development, and the quality of housing. Each theme had a brainstorming group which discussed aspects that Hoboken does well and what can be changed in the reexamination of the Master Plan.

It was found that there was an overwhelming consensus to make Hoboken a more walkable and bike-friendly city. This would mean the implementation of pedestrian crossing countdown clocks, creating more bike lanes, and teaching residents that having a car in Hoboken is not a necessary means of life.

It was also found that many residents see potential in inviting those with different lifestyles, such as diversifying housing choices and creating spaces for businesses for shared workspaces, like WeWork.

What did the Hoboken community say about Stevens? Many attendees of the meeting mentioned that the best park in Hoboken was the Stevens Campus with sloped lawns and large trees, and some voiced ideas of technology-oriented partnerships and business to further expand the economy of Hoboken.

Although community outreach is a vital part of city planning, many attendees pointed out that not enough of the demographics of Hoboken were represented at the Tuesday meeting. BFJ representatives acknowledge this and hope that more meetings and surveys will help reach the whole Hoboken community before the final Master Plan is released in April 2018.

To learn more about the reexamination of the 2004 Master Plan of Hoboken and receive meeting updates, visit www.hobokennj.gov/ masterplan/.

News

Friday, October 20, 2017 • Page 7

Over 320 dead from Somalia truck explosion

by DAVID ROGERS Staff Writer

This past Saturday, Oct. 14, a truck exploded near a hotel in Mogadishu, which happens to be Somalia’s capital and largest city. Initially, it was believed only 20 people died in the explosion, but the official death count rose rapidly as 160 unidentified bodies were found.

The death toll, currently

over 320, continues to rise as more bodies are found under the rubble spread over hundreds of meters in central Mogadishu. At least 180 others were injured in the most lethal attack in the world, in recent years.

Rescue workers believe a definitive death count will be impossible, as the heat generated by the attack makes it hard to find some remains.

The truck is believed to be loaded with at least

350 kg of military-grade explosives. The explosives were hidden under rice, sugar, and other goods to avoid suspicion at vehicle checkpoints.

A local businessman and tribal leader are believed to have vouched for the truck driver. Officials say a Toyota Noah minivan was also involved in the attack, and both vehicles were likely heading to the Mogadishu airport complex, which is also near most embassies and

time.com

a 22,000 troop Amisom, the African Union’s peacekeeping force, base.

Sources close to the Somali government claim the driver accelerated away from a checkpoint before being searched, crashed through a barrier, then exploded.

Somali President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed called for three days of national mourning and nationwide blood donations, to which he gave. Aid from surrounding countries came in following the attack.

Security officials from Somalia believe that alShabaab, a violent Islamist group in the region, was responsible for the attack. Al-Shabaab has not claimed responsibility for the attack, although earlier this year they vowed to increase their attacks after Presidents Trump and Mohamed increased efforts against the group.

Al-Shabaab is known to bomb civilians in Mogadishu and avoid claiming responsibility to

Stevens Irish Association hosts Irish Skittles

by AUDREY DSOUZA Outreach Chair

On October 18, from 1 to 3 PM on Schaefer Lawn, Stevens Irish Association played Irish Skittles. The purpose of the event was to “introduce students to a unique Irish game and get to throw blocks of wood,” said Dylan McDermott, on SIA e-board.

Irish Skittles a traditional Irish game similar to lawn bowling. The Stevens Irish Association hosts Irish Skittles every semester. To play Irish Skittles, one would throw wooden blocks and attempt to knock down numbered blocks of different point values to get the highest score. 82 peoeple attended the event, which was similar to attendance from previous semesters. There was a lot of candy including skittles and drinks.

Stevens Irish Association is one of the newer ethnic organizations on campus. Their goal is to “explore Irish heritage and promote authentic Irish culture on the Stevens Campus and the greater Hoboken area and by doing so foster Irish pride and community,” according to their Facebook page. They hope you will join if you are interested in Irish Culture, learning Gaelic, or having fun, and meet bi-weekly.

vox.com

protect its image among ordinary Somalis. Somali Information Minister Abdirahman Omar Osman said, “It’s a sad day.

This is how merciless and brutal they are, and we have to unite against them.” All security personnel on duty Saturday, save those who successfully stopped the Noah, were relieved from duty.

Officials believe the driver was involved in other attacks in Mogadishu, including a 2012 attack on the Jazeera Hotel that killed 8. “This is the Somali 9/11. The man we arrested has confessed.

He is proud of what he has

done. He says it was for jihad,” one official said.

Investigators are searching for the bomber’s explosive source. One source suggested that the explosives were stolen from Amison.

The bombing provoked international condemnation. Paris shut off the Eiffel Tower lights in acknowledgment, and the US special mission to Somalia promised that the US would rejuvenate its efforts against terrorism in the region. The US has increased drone strikes against al-Shabaab since the late years of the Obama Administration.

Transfer Student Association and Latin American Association throw a fiesta

Photos Courtesy of Dylan McDermott

Photos Courtesy of LAA and TSA

News

Friday, October 20, 2017 • Page 8

Stevens students and alumni attempt to raise money to replace Gianforte donations

by RAMI KAMMOURH Staff Writer

On Oct. 3, in response to the Board of Trustees’s decision to rename the planned academic complex from “Gianforte Academic Center” to “Gianforte Family Academic Center,” a group of current students and alumni launched a GoFundMe campaign titled “Stevens Name Your Price.” The campaign has a fundraising goal of $20,000,001, an amount $1 more than the combined donations made

by Gregory Gianforte to fund the new academic center, so that “the administration may entertain our request to change the name.”

The campaign cites several reasons for the organizers’ desire to not allow Gianforte’s name to be attached to the planned academic building on its “About” section, which notes that Gianforte has done things to their dislike such as “assaulting a journalist, propagating values antithetical to [Stevens] such as scientific creationism and climate change denial, and funding organiza-

tions that promote violent conversion therapy and the denial of fundamental rights for the LGBTQ community.” The organizers go on to say, “The Stevens we know… doesn’t tolerate any of these things, so why should it honor a man who practices them?” If the campaign fails to reach its $20,000,001 goal, all donations will be sent to the Hudson Pride Connections Center, an organization based in Jersey City that advocates for the physical, mental, social, and political well-being of the LGBTQ community.

“This campaign is about highlighting the role that money had to play in the decision of naming the building,” says Natalie Barillaro, a recent Stevens alum involved with the campaign.

“The intention was never to raise [$20,000,000]. Just enough money, and enough donations, to make a point about how seriously people are taking this issue. Money talks louder than words, after all.” When asked how they felt about a recent article published by conservative news website Campus Reform, which seemingly

criticized the campaign for its potential to deter alumni from donating to Stevens, Barillaro cited a line by cartoon character Foghorn Leghorn: “That’s a Joke Son! You missed it!

Flew right by ya!”

“Another reason I started this GoFundMe was to make people laugh,” says Barillaro. “We’re raising money for a good cause and reminding Stevens that they made a pretty poor decision. We might as well have fun along the way.”

An update posted to the campaign’s GoFundMe page features an Adobe Photoshop template which allows users to place an image on a sign positioned above the academic center in the computer-generated render of the design. One of these pictures, created

by Barillaro themself, features the words “Bagels on the Hudson Academic Center.” “People have gotten real creative with it. I love that,” says Barillaro.

As of Oct. 20, 2017, the campaign has raised $1,391. Anyone interested in donating can visit https://www.gofundme. com/name-your-price.

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Self-defense class taught at Stevens

by SARAH HOOGENBOOM Staff Writer

Hosted by the Take Back the Night Planning Committee and the Lore-El Center, Stevens students were introduced to the basics of self-defense this past Wednesday, October 18th during the academic break.

With at least one self-defense class on campus each semester, certified instructor, Ken, was invited for the first time to teach students in the Schafer Ath-

letic Center. The goal of the Self Defense classes was not only to teach people how to defend themselves in different attack scenarios — such as onward or from behind — but also teach attendees to be more comfortable with fighting back. Attendees, who first practiced at a slow pace, were able to use the defense mechanisms at full speed by the end of the class.

Marianna Flemming, the Take Back the Night Committee Chair, explained that the class teaches an

important life skill that women and men should be educated about. Although uncomfortable with the first minutes of the class, many students “slowly become more comfortable with how to use their body to defend themselves” as the class progressed. Flemming also noted that not only the empowerment of the knowledge of how to defend oneself is beneficial for those of any background, but also having the confidence to do so in a time of need is vital.

KSA hosts World Night Market

by NASIR MONTALVO Staff Writer

This past Wednesday, Oct. 18, the Korean Student Association (KSA) held its largest event of the semester: World Night Market. Although the event was hosted by KSA, the Black Student Union, Chinese Student Association, Filipino Association of Student Tech, Indian Undergraduate Association, and Latin American Association also participated in the event.

The clubs were able to turn MPK and Davis lawns into a “street” adorned by colored lights and glow sticks. The main event, however, was the vendors, who served diverse foods such as empanadas, scallion pancakes, and chicken lollipops.

While people cruised through the street, performances took places on Walker Patio.

TECHnique opening the night with an intricate dance routine.

The event provided the opportunity for students to engage with different cultures. “It was really cool having a collaboration of the different cultural clubs and having a taste of each culture,” said Tracy Wong, “street vendor” for CSA.

Residence Life hosts Treat Yo’ Self

by JOSEPH INSALACO Staff Writer

On Wednesday, Oct. 18, The Office of Residence Life hosted “Treat Yo’ Self” in Jacobus Lounge. The event was a way for students to “take some you time in the midst of exams.”

Students from all years showed up to participate and take a break from their midterms.

The most popular activity allowed students to plant their own succulent. Students were able to plant a variety of different plants, and many went home with a new decoration for their dorm. Students were also able to destress and make their own fidget spinner out of zip ties, color, and drink smoothies.

“The event was really fun!” said Brian Ng, a first-year student, “I got to plant my own succulent, I’m going to name him Patrick!”

Stevens Students – WAKE UP!!!

Stevens is naming a building after a man who: • physically assaulted a journalist • who propagates values antithetical to our school, such as scientific creationism and climate change denial • funds organizations that promote violent conversion therapy & denial of fundamental rights for the LGBTQ community

Greg Gianforte is an embarrassment to the school – your voice needs to be heard Learn about Gianforte’s blatant disregard for civil rights and scientific principle on www.IwillNotSitBy.com

b

Support an effort to make a difference Visit: www.gofundme.com/name-your-price

CONTACT 521 Washington St, Hoboken, NJ 07030

Hours of Operation: Monday: 11AM – 9PM Tuesday: 11AM – 9PM Wednesday: 11AM – 9PM Thursday: 11AM – 10PM Friday: 11AM – 10PM Saturday: 11AM - 10PM Sunday: 11AM - 10PM

Duckbills Accepted!

10% off Cash or Credit for Stevens Students!

Opinion Continued

Friday, October 20, 2017 • Page 10

Cuisine Corner

Deli-cious Sandwiches at Frankie & Ava’s

Like

by MARKO most DJAPIC students, my head Junior was recently on the Chemical verge Biology of Major exploding this past week. 4 exams, 4 days, 10 homework assignments, 2 lab reports, AGH! It was enough to make you scream. Whether you handle stress poorly or you’re a liar, midterms week is probably the second most stressful time of the semester. And it only gets worse if the exams start to overlap.

That’s why, after miss-

ing my deadline for this week, I decided enough was enough; nothing chic, nothing hip, just some good old-fashioned, deli-cious food.

My first pick for deli food is 9 times out of 10 Lisa’s (fight me!), but my friend swore by two other places- Vito’s and Frankie and Ava’s, right on 2nd and Washington. While I’ve always wanted to try Vito’s, I couldn’t justify going to a place that was on 8th and right in front of every dorm on campus.

Thus, I got my stuff together and took the hike to downtown Hoboken.

Walking in, I was impressed by how professional the interior was for what I thought was just a deli. All the tables, chairs, and floors were designed to appear like the old wooden items

CONTACT & INFO Frankie & Ava’s 208 Washington St. Hoboken

you might find in a villa on the Apulian coast, tended to by a tired but dedicated set of hands that rejoiced in the simpleness of life. This simple aesthetic gave a very homey feel, and if it were any colder/less sunny out I’d have been forced to revel in it and stay in.

Looking at the menu, I realized Frankie and

Photo courtesy of hmag.com

Ava’s is technically not just a deli, it’s a fullblown Italian eatery.

Calamari, linguini and clams, salads, pizzas, and sandwiches; you name it and take your pick. The massive menu consists of mostly sandwiches, wraps, and paninis, but also has extensive entrée and formal dining options. Despite the choices, however, there was only one thing I was after, and that was their sandwiches and wraps.

I ordered one Nuckols wrap in whole wheat, quickly realized I should probably cover my dinner too, and ordered another Grilled Italian Sausage with fries.

After getting my food in about 10 minutes—the place was empty so I’m hesitant to say they’re always fast—I immediately dug into the Grilled Italian Sausage. Stuffed with mutz, pepper, onion,

Photo courtesy of hmag.com

sausage, and delightfully baked potatoes, the sandwich was exactly what I was looking for; heavy, unapologetic, home-style food that was so heavily carbo-loaded, Michael Phelps probably eats it before his races. While the savory backdrop of the carbs played excellently with the spiced sausage, the Nuckols wrap carried the day for me. A deceptively simple wrap consisting of turkey, mutz, lettuce, and tomato, the Nuckols’s secret lies in the spicy hot pepper mayo spread that slathers the insides and imparts a flavor best described as a kicking, sweeter version of a tangy mayo-based sauce. It starts off slightly salty, but quickly erupts into a sharp peak of heat, before just as rapidly dissipating into a sweet and savory lightness that dances over

Mon. – Wed. 11 a.m. – 12 a.m.

Thurs. - Fri. 11 a.m. - 10 p.m.

Fri. 11 a.m. - 10 p.m.

(201) 683-7890 Food: Service: Location: Price: $ the tones of the mutz and turkey. Both are highly recommended.

My most important advice is to not think of Frankie & Ava’s as a deli, as if you do you’ll misjudge the place. Rather, think of it as an Italian eatery that is nice enough for a casual date with someone you don’t know well enough, but without giving off that vibe. If you’re in the area and curious, Frankie & Ava’s wide menu and welcoming atmosphere will guarantee you have a good first time.

Girl Talk

From Obsession to Acceptance: The Case for Body Neutrality

by NAMANKITA RANA

Junior Engineering Management Major

Am I beautiful?

It’s the silent, insidious question that lurks in so many minds. Society’s beauty standards are well-defined enough that most people believe they already know the answer to that question. And in spite of that knowledge, or perhaps because of it, chasing a perfect face and a perfect body is a national obsession — beauty is a $460 billion industry, and weight loss is another 64 billion. The pressure for perfection is high, and it is inordinately higher for women, with hundreds of ads targeting our faces and bodies every day.

Just as pervasive as the messages telling us to change ourselves to become more beautiful, however, are messages insisting we ought to love ourselves exactly as we are, flaws and all. Don’t get me wrong — I don’t exactly dislike the intent behind that messaging or

have anything against the body positive movement.

Surely, it’s a good thing to keep challenging and expanding society’s conventional views of beauty.

But the mantra of constant self-love, the sort of blanket positivity that the movement promotes, is one that I often find a bit exhausting. Yes, beauty comes in all shapes and sizes, with all sorts of features and shades.

In an ideal world, everyone would be able to ooze self-confidence at any size and shape and look. However, I think it’s unrealistic to expect that bullet-proof confidence of ourselves 100% of the time — and the prescriptive “love your body” rhetoric doesn’t always account for that.

The reality is that most days, I don’t particularly love OR hate what I see in the mirror — I feel strictly neutral about it. And that, admittedly, puts me in a strange place. It begs the question: Do I really have to love my body? Isn’t it enough to just like it?

More importantly, I find that body love keeps the focus on the body.

The times I’m happiest are when I’m not thinking about my body at all. I prefer to be very neutral about it — body neutral, if you will.

As it turns out, I’m not alone in my thinking.

What I’m describing is an idea that’s been percolating among psychologists and body activists: body neutrality. A more moderate approach to selfimage, body neutrality aims for self-acceptance over self-love, attempting to move beyond the reflex to constantly judge our own appearances, positively or negatively.

Where body positivity’s motto might be “love yourself,” body neutrality’s would probably be “underthink it.” In shifting the focus from the body’s appearance, it aims to help neutralize disordered thinking.

And according to Bryan Karazsia, Ph.D., a clinical psychologist at the College of Wooster, it’s that key shift away from the body that makes body neutrality a much more rational concept than body positivity or acceptance. “Neutrality goes a step further to ask an important question: Why all the fuss about the body?” he says. “The sentiment is, ‘Let’s get over bodies already and focus on more important matters.’” That statement may seem flip in the current landscape of body imagery, but it actually represents a fundamental paradigm shift he thinks we’re inching toward.

Body image coach Sarah Vance agrees. As she

puts it, “Right now, body positivity is very bodycentric. We want to get to a place where our worth is outside of our bodies.”

Viewed through that lens, body positive movements do sometimes ring a bit hollow for me. And while I would still shy away from dismissing body positivity altogether, I will say this: why, exactly, do we have to be beautiful to be worthy of attention or praise? Why do we assume women can’t be con-

fident or feel good about themselves if they don’t feel pretty, specifically?

There are so many other things a woman can be — ambitious, intelligent, articulate. Beauty is a nice thing to have, and it’s always something to admire, but it doesn’t mean or impact much else.

It’s certainly an uphill climb, but in accepting body neutrality, there’s the hope that women can reach a point where they feel comfortable in their

own skin, regardless of how attractive they perceive themselves to be.

So as strange as it sounds, my message is this: it’s OK to not find yourself beautiful. It’s OK to be just “body neutral.” Sure, it feels great to love the way you look — but you certainly don’t need to in order to respect and value yourself. At the end of the day, your body is not your greatest accomplishment — you are.

Opinion Continued

Friday, October 20, 2017 • Page 11

The Stute Music Review.

St. Vincent’s “Masseduction”: Quick-Paced, Experimental Pop at its Finest

by CHRISTIAN BONAVITA Freshman Chemical Engineering Major

Annie Clark, better known as St. Vincent, is a multiinstrumentalist and singer whose trademarked brand of experimental pop-rock has been garnering critical acclaim for nearly a decade.

Her 2014, self-titled album won the Grammy Award for Best Alternative Album, which has led to her new release, Masseduction, becoming one of the most highly anticipated albums of late 2017. Despite all of this, though, Masseduction is probably the most talked-about new album

that the average music listener has never heard of.

During the production of Masseduction, Clark worked largely with Jack Antonoff, a producer known most recently for updating Lorde and Taylor Swift to a more poppy, mainstream sound. However, Masseduction sounds just as St. Vincent as ever; it is explorative and curious, sounding both vintage and forwardlooking. Its lyrics cover the topics of “sex, drugs, and sadness,” according to Clark herself, and are at times heavy and dark, much like in previous albums. This is no surprise as Clark recently broke up with model and actress Cara Delevingne—a sad event that hangs over several songs on the album. This all results in a completely immersive experience for listeners; the album clings to your ears through countless twists and turns and remains exciting and unpredictable through the last song.

As always from St. Vincent, the album maintains an ex-

perimental tone throughout.

It seems as if this new project has countless influences, especially from alternative rock and new wave music. In the writing process, Clark describes herself as “one of those people in the machine, where they pump dollar bills into it and they let the wind blow. I feel like a person desperately grabbing for the ideas…trying to hold onto them.” This feeling shines through on Masseduction; the album is stuffed with different emotions and melodies. Emotions on the album range from distraught and longing to playful and upbeat, and most songs have several layers of production that show just how many ideas Clark had for each song.

Masseduction excels most in the atmospheres and textures that Clark conjures up for each song. Known for her guitar playing, Clark bases several songs, like the title track and “Savior,” off guitar riffs, and shows a great ear for vocal and instrumental layering. Her

Photo courtesy of Rolling Stone

arrangements often include brass instruments, violins, and bombastic synths and drums. “Sugarboy,” an album highlight, is absolutely frenetic thanks to the constant transitions between lead vocals, background vocals, guitar riffs, and aggressive synths. Another production highlight is “Fear The Future”, which starts off with a muddy grunge guitar riff, but quickly molds into the electro-pop genre with a cutting synth effect.

Scientific Curmudgeon .

Is Self-Knowledge overrated?

by JOHN HORGAN CAL Professor

An axiom of intellectual traditions east and west is that scrutinizing yourself and humanity in general makes you a better person. That is, nicer, happier, wiser. As Socrates put it 2,400 years ago, “examining myself and others is the greatest good.”

This assumption, which I’ll call the Socratic principle, underpins a wide range of ideologies, from Buddhism, Confucianism and stoicism to psychoanalysis, cognitive behaviorism and evolutionary psychology.

It is also the rationale for psychotherapy, meditation and humanities courses. Self-examination leads to self-knowledge, which makes you more ethical and therefore happier, because being good means being happy, according to Socrates. If the Socratic principle is true, experts on the mind-body problem—which encompasses mind, morality, meaning and other aspects of the human condition-should be especially virtuous and serene, because their knowledge is especially deep. Right?

But scientists and humanities scholars I’ve interviewed for a book on the mind-body problem doubt that claim, at least as it applies to themselves and

others in their fields. Take David Chalmers, a philosopher of consciousness. “I’m not sure how deep an integration there is between what I think about philosophically and the way I live,” Chalmers said. “I’d love to be able to say, ‘Here is how the insights I’ve had about consciousness have transformed my life.’… I’ve basically lived my life the way I want to live it without necessarily being all that reflective at the practical level.”

Philosophers Eric Schwitzgebel and Joshua Rust have found a disconnect between the professional and the personal lives of philosophers specializing in ethics. Schwitzgebel and Rust compared the behavior of ethicists with that of other academics. Behaviors included voting, staying in touch with your mother, meat-eating, organ and blood donation, responsiveness to student emails, charitable giving and talking during someone else’s lecture. Schwitzgebel and Rust conclude in a 2014 paper that ethicists’ behavior is “indistinguishable” from that of other professors.

In a recent essay, Schwitzgebel suggests that many modern philosophers see ethics not as a guide to living but as a set of “abstract problems” with “no bearing on day-to-day life.” If ethicists draw upon their training in their personal lives, they do so to justify ethically dubious actions.

We “excel at rationalization and excuse-making,” Schwitzgebel says.

The major weakness of the Schwitzgebel-Rust research is that it compares ethicists to other academics. I’d like to see comparisons of specialists in the human condition with lay folk like firemen, engi-

neers, bankers and ballet dancers. Just as we should ask whether economists are wealthier than average and physicians healthier, so we should investigate whether mind-body experts—including scientists, mental-health workers and humanities scholars— are happier and nicer.

Such studies might reveal that mind-body experts aren’t especially good at managing their own minds and behavior. They might even be worse, because they were more troubled to begin with. That is a common explanation for the popular belief that psychologists and psychiatrists are “more screwed up than the rest of us,” as Psychology Today once put it.

I suspect that prolonged investigation of mind, morality and the meaning of life helps some experts become kinder and more content, while it makes others more anxious or arrogant. But in most cases expertise does not significantly alter temperament and behavior. If you were a miserable jerk at 20, you will still be one at 40 or 60, in spite of your training in philosophy, psychoanalysis or neuroscience.

If empirical tests falsify the Socratic principle, should humanities professors like me stop telling students that “the unexamined life is not worth living”? Let me pose that question more broadly: if delving deeply into the human condition cannot make us better people, or yield definitive answers, why bother?

John Horgan directs the Center for Science Writings, which is part of the College of Arts & Letters.

This column is adapted from one published on his Scientific American blog, “Cross-check.”

Aside from the production aspects, Masseduction exhibits lyrics that resonate with our generation. Clark excels whether discussing panic and anxiety for the future, or a breakup. One of the simplest lyrics off the album, “New York isn’t New York without you, love,” is made so relatable by Clark’s straightforward, longing delivery. More common on Masseduction are lyrics that are ambiguous; on album opener, “Hang on Me,” Clark

sings, “You and me / We are not for this world.” Is she discussing how she disagrees with social standards like marriage and having children, hinted at by some other lyrics of the song? Or is St. Vincent simply not from this world? It might be the latter; Masseduction is so different, curious, at times weird, and must be on your playlist this week.

Essential Songs: “Hang on Me,” “Masseduction,” “Los Ageless,” “New York”

Stars of Stevens

Strings and things

by MIA HILDEBRANDT

Junior Mechanical Engineering Major

“What amazed me most when I came to Stevens was that there are so many groups on campus and so many different and easy ways to get involved in the different music and performing arts ensembles or to even create your own group,” says Garrett Horwath, a freshman Civil Engineering major.

Originally from Berkeley Heights, New Jersey, Horwath is a cellist in the Stevens Orchestra and is involved in Torch. His other hobbies include singing and theater.

Garrett considers himself a bit of a theater nerd, a true Broadway fan. He claims his favorite performer is Jeremy Jordan, explaining that “[Jordan] is vocal goals and

is adorable in every aspect.

I was so obsessed with him in middle school I ended up seeing him twice in Newsies just so I could see his last show on Broadway.”

Music has been a part of Garrett’s life from an early age.

Originally from Berkeley Heights, New Jersey, Garrett began playing cello in 4th grade. “My older brother plays the violin, and I have family in Europe that plays professionally, so they were a driving force behind me being interested in music.”

He adds, “My grandfather was also a singer, and he would practice his choir music with me at a young age.”

Garrett continued his musical pursuits at Stevens due to the fun he had playing in ensembles growing up.

“One of my favorite pieces I’ve played [is] Schubert’s “Death and the Maiden” even though it is kind of an overdone string ensemble repertoire. I [also] arranged [a] medley from the Pirates of the Caribbean movies last year that I practiced with my string quartet, which was exciting because the whole movie score is very celloheavy [and] fun to play.”

Garrett is also interested

in the world of code. “My favorite class so far at Stevens has been E115 [Intro to Programming] because even though I’ve never coded before or anything, it’s relatively intuitive and important to learn.” He adds, “My professor’s a really cool guy, and explains things well if you need help—in addition to throwing us candy if you ask questions!”

Music and schoolwork can oftentimes be a juggling act.

Garrett admits that whenever he is stuck on a problem, he plays cello to help keep his mind going and “keep [myself] productively distracted from my schoolwork.”

Despite it being midterms season, there is always something quirky happening on campus. Garrett recounts the other day he saw a woman on roller-skates wearing leg warmers being pulled by her dog through campus. “That really put me in a life-loving mood knowing that we’re all here trying to live our best lives no matter how one defines that for themselves!” He adds, “I’m also very happy it is finally fall, so I can break out my flannels and scarves!”

Photo courtesy of Garett Horwath

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Sports

Friday, October 20, 2017 • Page 12

Alvarez nets second player of the week honor

Cortese earns E8 Golfer of the Week honors

ON DECK IN SPORTS

Saturday Stevens Sports Information Stevens Sports Information

SSI - Senior Victoria Alvarez won her second consecutive Empire 8 Player of the Week honor on Monday after collecting a whopping 10 points in two games as the Ducks swept NJAC foes William Paterson and Stockton last week.

Alvarez fueled both comeback wins; against

Stockton, she netted a hat trick that included the overtime game-winner as the Ducks erased a two-goal deficit to top the Ospreys at home on Wednesday.

Then at William Paterson, she scored two goals in the final seven minutes of action as Stevens stunned the Pioneers 3-2.

Alvarez currently leads the Empire 8 with 18 goals and 38 points.

She is ranked No. 6 and No. 8 across all of Division III in those same categories.

The Ducks will be back in action on Tuesday with a trip to Manhattanville College at 7 p.m.

No. 2 TCNJ Slips by No. 16 Women’s Soccer 1-0

SSI - Stevens Institute of Technology men’s golf freshman Vincent Cortese earned Empire 8 Conference Golfer of the Week honors Monday after tying for sixth place at the Revolutionary Collegiate Classic.

The Flagstaff, Arizona native fired an eightover-152 to match junior Jack Doherty’s effort, leading Stevens to a second-place finish.

Cortese began the event with an opening round score of 77. The freshman then improved his play by two strokes Sunday to finish with a 75, matching his career-low single-round score.

“This fall golf season, Vincent has shown qualities usually seen in players considerably older,” head coach

Charles Papendick said.

“He has a short memory, which is one of the most important aspects of playing quality, competitive golf. He has great focus, great temperament and has been a tremendous teammate.

I look forward to seeing Vincent’s development in the future and anticipate watching him help lead our program in the next few years.”

It is Cortese’s first career Golfer of the Week honor and the second for the program this season after Doherty was previously recognized Sept.

9. It is the first time in program history that two different Stevens golfers were honored by the conference in the same season.

Field Hockey Edged by Manhattanville Stevens Sports Information

SSI - Second-ranked and undefeated The College of New Jersey squeaked a 1-0 victory over the No. 16 Stevens Institute of Technology women’s soccer squad in Hoboken on Wednesday night. In front of a raucous crowd, the two ranked sides put on an impressive display during the wellplayed, even, scoreless first half.

Stevens outshot the Lions 8-7 in the first 45, though TCNJ put three shots on goal to the Ducks’ two.

Four minutes into the second half, TCNJ netted the game’s only goal when Stevens goalie Lindsey Mahnken made a great fingertip save on Jessica Goldman’s shot, but Elizabeth Thoresen was able to put in the rebound for the 1-0 lead.

The Lions had the better

run of play in the second period and outshot Stevens 15-1 in the final half. But Mahnken made 10 saves to keep the Ducks in the game for the full 90.

Other notable moments included having a TCNJ goal called back for offside on a corner kick, and one final, remarkable save by Mahnken with nine minutes left when she punched a hard shot just over the crossbar.

Nicole DiPasquale earned the shutout for the Lions. The TCNJ defense ensured she needed to make just two saves all night. They have allowed only two goals in 14 games this season.

“Hats off to the visitors tonight as they made things difficult for us - especially in the second half,” said head coach Jeff Parker.

“We weren’t able to get a

hold of the match and deal with their pressure well enough to create enough chances to come away with points on the night. We’re disappointed - but that’s what happens sometimes when you play the types of teams we schedule. For us to continue moving forward as a program we are going to have nights like this. It’s part of the process.

Just like us regrouping and getting ready to face Utica at their Homecoming on Saturday. We’ll have to refocus in order play better so we can continue to try to reach our potential. That’s what we’re about from day one until the last day of the season.”

The Ducks will head to Utica College this weekend for an Empire 8 matchup with the Pioneers at 5 p.m. on Saturday.

The Stevens Institute of Technology field hockey team fell in a tight 4-3 matchup with Manhattanville College on Tuesday evening.

Cassidy O’Hearn had two goals, Katti Thomasian notched two assists and Stevens outshot their hosts 25-12.

The game went into halftime knotted at one.

Ameerah Thomas scored for the Valients at 9:14 to start things off.

Cassidy O’Hearn answered for the Ducks with a shot through traffic past the Manhattanville goaltender following a pass from Thomasian The halftime shot count was 11-9 in favor of Stevens, meaning the second half totals were 14-3 with the Ducks in front.

The Valients managed to score on all three of

their second-half shots, however. Robin Boot scored 52 seconds into the second period, and Emily Antinozzi doubled the Valient lead at 59:31 Hannah Silvestri countered with her first goal of the season in the 64th minute with an assist from Thomasian The Ducks strained for the equalizer over the final seven minutes, but Antinozzi scored with 30 seconds to go to put the Valients back up two.

O’Hearn netted her second goal of the game at 69:54, but it was too late for a comeback bid In addition to leading the shot count, the Ducks dominated penalty corners 15-6 Stevens will return to Empire 8 action on Saturday at Hartwick College at noon.

EQUESTRIAN USMA Show 9 a.m.

Long Valley, NJ

WOMEN’S @ Hartwick College 11 a.m.

Oneonta, NY

FIELD HOCKEY

@ Hartwick College 12 p.m.

Oneonta, NY

MEN’S SOCCER VS Nazareth College (Senior Day) 1 p.m.

WOMEN’S VOLLEYBALL

VS. St. John Fisher College 1:30 p.m.

Oneonta, NY

WOMEN’S SOCCER

@ Utica College 5 p.m.

Utica, NY

Tuesday WOMEN’S SOCCER

@ Western Connecticut State University 6:30 p.m.

Danbury, CT

Duck Country Scoreboard Stevens

Opponent/Event

Score

Result

@ Franklin and Marshall College VS Round One @ Elmira College @ Drew University @ Drew University VS Union College VS Alfred University VS Nazareth College VS Montclair State VS Round Two

0-0 308 2-0 150.5-49.5 128-71 3-0 4-0

T 2nd W W W W W L

10/17

Soccer M Men's Golf Men's Soccer Men's Swimming Women's Swimming Women's Volleyball Women's Soccer Women's Tennis Women's Volleyball Men's Golf Men's Soccer Field Hockey

10/18

Women's Soccer

Date 10/11 10/14 10/14 10/14 10/14 10/14 10/14 10/14 10/14 10/15 10/17

@ Rutgers-Newark @ Manhattanville College VS The College of New Jersey

4-5 3-1 613 0-2 3-4 0-1

W 2nd L L L

Stevens Sports Information

FOR MORE INFORMATION, HEAD TO: STEVENSDUCKS.COM STEVENSREC.COM