Volume 93/Issue viii
THE
October 28th, 2019
ANCHOR
Rhode Island College’s Independent Student Newspaper Since 1928
Student mail engulfed in “Wildfire” Alison Darmetko Anchor Staff
informed about major events on campus, citing crime and “major events” specifically. The first email, which greet-
tion. It also looks like another version of the alert system employed by various colleges to keep students in the
Rhode Island College students have received emails that they might not always be particularly inclined to read or engage with. On a daily basis, students receive emails from various departments campus-wide, such as the Office of College Communications, pertaining to what is happening on campus. However, since the start of the month, students have been receiving emails from a new source called “Wildfire.” The emails from addresses, “ric@wildfireappalerts. com” and “ric@wfcampusalerts.com,” contain the same message, encouraging students to join the “Wildfire App.” This is a service claiming that their primary focus is to keep RIC students
ed students back from the summer, appears similar to other emails that have been sent out by RIC administra-
loop. The email even offers an example of an alert a student would receive through the system, though it is the
Campus News
same alert in both emails. The current emergency alert system that is being used by RIC campus police is called the Rave Communication System. The Office of College Communication also sends out emergency information to students through a text system called RICAlerts, which students can sign up for in their MyRIC account. The final line of the email, right above an option to opt out of further emails, reads, “Wildfire is not affiliated with Rhode Island College.” If the company is not actually affiliated with Rhode Island College, then why are students receiving emails citing the app’s helpfulness for RIC students? The Anchor reached out to both Campus Police and the Office of College Communications regarding the emails and Wildfire. Both groups said they were not
connected to the company. Upon searching for information on the company online, the app is advertised as a general school alert system that students can use to be kept in the loop by their administrators to avoid any crises on campus. When checking the app store, the app is similar to other social media platforms where users can place comments or alerts to warn others about various events occurring in that vicinity, with a focus in the marketing material for colleges. RIC students have received phishing emails in the past, as the student body had recently received phishing emails advertising a shopping service and excellent job opportunities. Students are advised to not open the links in the email, and instead report the emails to the I.T. Help desk at helpdesk@ric.edu.
Providence passes city-wide ban of plastic bags
Graphic Courtesy of Wired
Rhode Island News Sean Richer Asst. News Editor As of last Tuesday, the City of Providence passed a legislation banning retail establishments from using single-use plastic bags. In their stead, recyclable paper bags may be used, if they are made from at least
40% recycled material. Bags for certain products are exempt from this law, however. These include produce, meat, and frozen foods. The penalty for not complying with the ordinance will result in a warning, followed by fines of up to $100 for any future violations. According to Clean Water Action R.I., 60 tons of plastic bag material is retrieved from
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Rhode Island waters each year. This has the potential to create many issues for the native marine life, including asphyxiation, and poisoning from the decomposing toxins left behind. Several large business chains including CVS and Stop and Shop have expressed their willingness to make the change to biodegradable paper bags. Other small businesses have expressed concern over this change, mainly due to cost. Luis Reyes, the owner of Reyes Liquor, told WPRI that he had already bought $6,000 worth of plastic bags for the year. “It has cost me a lot” he said, “And I was only recently aware
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that this ban was happening.” The state has said that exemptions can be made in order for businesses to deplete their stock of plastic bags, so long as an application is submitted. According to Patricia Sorracas, a city spokesperson for Providence, says four
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businesses have submitted such applications. On the other side of the spectrum, President Sanchez expressed his support for the new law saying, “Reducing the amount of single use plastic bags is one of the simplest and most effective things we can do to protect our environment… I applaud every effort to make the city around us greener. Rhode Island College has switched to many recyclable paper products over the years, including paper straws, cups and food containers.” We may be seeing a lot more paper in place of plastic not only on campus, but in the community around us as well.
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