The Anchor - September 19 2016 by The Anchor

THE VOLUME 90 | ISSUE II

ANCHOR

RHODE ISLAND COLLEGE, MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 19 2016

This is not a drill

LOUISA D’OVIDIO

Editor-in-Chief

parking. It doesn't surprise me that campus police has also let safety from building code standpoint fall

"That's gonna have to change,” said freshman Lexington Forbes, echoing the sentiments of campus

hode Island College has not had a fire drill in a classroom building in over ten years, the Chief of campus police, Frederick Ghio, informed the community last Thursday in an email blast. Students on campus have expressed both concern and anger once informed of this oversight.

"As a student who lived on campus and now commutes, I think it's incredibly irresponsible of campus police to overlook something that is supposedly code. Furthermore, I find that if I compare parking enforcement and something like emphasis on campus safety, emphasis of parking violations is very unequal,” said Rhode Island College senior Nathaniel Banks, "we have more to worry about than

Editor-in-Chief

overnor Gina Raimondo visited Rhode Island College last Thursday for a town hall style forum, where students and members of the community voiced their questions and concerns directly to the Governor. The town hall was hosted by NBC 10 News’ Dan Jaehnig, who usually hosts a segment called ‘Connect to the Capitol’ with the Governor, monthly on NBC 10. This is the first time the segment went “on the road.”

RIC students in the audience asked a number of questions that

Breaking the stigma KRISTY O’CONNOR

Secretary

hode Island College has introduced a new program to combat the misconception that individuals with intellectual disabilities do not attend college.

by the wayside."

Graphic credit to Kayleigh Lahousse

In the resident halls, fire drills are conducted yearly with direction from trained RAs.

"That's surprising. I never knew that," said freshman Michelle McPherson upon learning about the lax safety precautions, she spoke on the fire drills recently conducted in wher residential dorm, "-I'm surprised they didn't do that for all buildings"

police, “It's endangering our safety.”

Campus police and the college’s apparent “fire technician” will be conducting a fire drill Tuesday Sept. 20 in Alger hall, staff, students and faculty will need to evacuate to ‘the field behind C lot,’ the open parking lot between Alger, Whipple & the tennis courts.

Governor and college students come together for town hall LOUISA D’OVIDIO

took the conversation from broad statewide concerns to policy and issues facing students at the college.

Patrick, a RIC Senior, asked about Raimondo’s stance on the new performance-based funding bill which will soon go into effect and stated that he feels what the funding incentivizes “do not correspond with the interests of students,” particularly in regards to nontraditional or part-time students.

Raimondo addressed this concern by claiming that Rhode Island College will not be “punished” for its lower graduation rates under the new bill, but made it clear that “we do want you to graduate.” She described a number of programs, ranging from free bus passes to

improved financial aid, which she sees as being integral to making the most of RIC’s performance-based funding.

During the Q&A, RIC senior Taylor pointed out that Rhode Island is one of 11 states that spends more on incarcerations and prisons than it does on public colleges, and asked how the governor plans to address this.

In response, Raimondo stated that, “pretty much everything we’re doing, from making public schools better, to making college more affordable has been one solution to the problem.”

Governor Raimondo and Jaehnig hope to continue bringing the town halls directly to the community and into the fray of public debate.

When the Sherlock Center received a five year grant, it allowed RIC to introduce a new program with an employment focus. Individuals who are enrolled in this program will receive a certificate of undergraduate studies in college and career attainment (CUSCCA) after two years. Along with the structured classes, students also have the opportunity to take other courses that interest them, and these take place in an integrated classroom. The program places an emphasis on gaining work experience, as well as finding the students internships within the campus and their own community. Allyson Durkin, employment coordinator, and Deb Arenberg, academic mentor coordinator, teach the employment classes, and currently have four students enrolled. Durkin also organizes the on-campus and offcampus internships for students, allowing them to gain experience.

“There is a stigma that students with disabilities do not go to college, and I think it is the best thing for them. A lot of students are motivated to be here and happy and excited and giving them the opportunity to be college students and give them the live they want to live is important,” Durkin said.

Within the introduction to vocational exploration class, students get the opportunity to participate in mock interviews to prepare them for future job interviews. This class is essentially a work readiness class aiming to prepare students to have a job of their own someday. The class also covers resume development and continued on 4

NEWS 3 | A&L 6 | OPINIONS 13 | SPORTS 15 Rhode Island College’s Independent Student Newspaper Since 1928

2 September 19, 2016

Editors EDITOR-IN-CHIEF MANAGING EDITOR BUSINESS MANAGER SECRETARY NEWS EDITOR A&L EDITOR OPINIONS EDITOR SPORTS EDITOR ASST. SPORTS EDITOR PHOTO EDITOR GRAPHICS EDITOR ASST. GRAPHICS EDITOR COPY EDITOR LAYOUT EDITOR ASST. LAYOUT EDITOR ASST. LAYOUT EDITOR ADS MANAGER TECHNOLOGY DIRECTOR ASST. TECH DIRECTOR CIRCULATION MANAGER

Professional Advisor Jim Hummel The Hummel Report

Faculty Advisor

Michelle Brophy-Baermann mbrophy@ric.edu

Staff

Patrick Connolly Sophie Costa Mary Fernandez Ryan Foley Jason Windrow

Editor-in-Chief

(401)456-8790 editorinchief@anchorweb.org

Advertising

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The Anchor is student-run and published weekly during the academic year. Editorial decisions for The Anchor are made by a majority vote of its student editorial board. No form of censorship will be imposed by the college. Any material found to be unsuitable or unacceptable in the board’s opinion will not be published. The views expressed in The Anchor, unless otherwise noted, are those of the individual authors and do not necessarily represent those of The Anchor or of Rhode Island College’s faculty, administration or student body. The Anchor is not funded by and is independent from Rhode Island College. The first copy is free. Each additional copy is $2.25. Newspaper racks on the Rhode Island College campus are the property of The Anchor Newspaper. Only The Anchor Newspaper publication will be permitted on these racks. Any other publication or advertisement that is placed on the racks will be given one (1) warning for violating this policy. After two (2) violations, the business/publication will be billed at the rate of a full page advertisement. Copyright © 2016 The Anchor. All rights reserved.

Legalities:

3 September 19, 2016

news

Homeless in Providence

TAYLOR DAME

News Editor

battle is taking place over the future Providence’s homeless population. The city through the Downtown Improvement District had called together various government agencies, law enforcement bodies, nonprofits, local businesses and religious groups together to discuss Kennedy Plaza and how to improve the area, but nearly a month later, various groups that advocate for the homeless are walking away from the table, claiming that the real agenda was the removal of homeless and poor people from the downtown area

The DID plans call for increased police presence to address issues such as panhandling, congregating and trespassing. They also called for increased surveillance in the area by calling on police to monitor cameras in the Plaza and creating a network of cameras, radios and land lines to enable efficient reporting to Providence Police.

Island Homeless Advocacy Project, Homeless Bill of Rights Defense Group and Direct Action for Rights and Equality announced their opposition to Paolino’s proposals and offered their own vision of a transformed Kennedy Plaza. Their plans called for increased community and economic development and supporting social and human services needs. The homeless advocate groups also spoke out against the criminalization of homelessness.

“Criminalization is not a solution to homelessness,” added Roger Williams University School of Law Professor and Assistant Dean Andrew Horwitz. “It is incredibly cruel to those experiencing homelessness, dehumanizing the individuals and making it harder to connect to advocates and services. It also costs the system more by spending taxpayer dollars on court costs and incarcerations rather than on housing, medical care, and

other long-term solutions.”

The Catholic church is also weighing in with Bishop Thomas Tobin writing in the Providence Journal that he supports the city in their work to stop people from panhandling. “There is nothing dignified about standing on street corners, or venturing into the middle of the street, dressed in dirty, shabby clothes, in all sorts of weather, with a crude cardboard sign, begging passersby for help.” On Thursday Mayor Jorge Elorza announced his plans to increase support and investments to make Providence a “safe and compassionate city.”

The mayor acknowledged the issues the city faces in a press conference in which he was surrounded by community members. “The issues we are addressing today are not unique to Providence. They are complex and multifaceted, but by coming together as community, we have the opportunity to make lasting change.”

On Wednesday, in front of Paolino Properties and other local businesses in Kennedy Plaza, members of the Rhode

Incumbents down

Derrik Trombley Anchor Contributor

rimary Day, Sept. 13, 2016, will forever go down in Rhode Island history as “Progressive Tuesday,” due to the overwhelming and unexpected crushing of the General Assembly incumbents by upstart progressive candidates. Of the eighteen incumbents looking to return to the state house, six were knocked off, including the House Majority Leader John Desimone. Four of the incumbents lost to opponents endorsed by Rhode Island Progressive Democrats, indicating that the progressive wing of the Rhode Island Democratic Party may be gaining steam after the victory of Bernie Sanders in the RI

Presidential Primary earlier this year. The resumes of those who were defeated on Tuesday show that they were the entrenched of the entrenched. John DeSimone and Eileen Naughton had been in office since 1992, Jan Malik had been in since 1996, and Juan Pichardo had held his office for 22 years. This could possibly indicate that the voters were fed up with anyone who was a long-time officeholder. Yet when Katherine Gregg of the Providence Journal asked on twitter “Why are so many incumbents in trouble at the ballot box?” The first response from John Loughlin of WPRO was simply “tolls.” Further responses to the question also included low turnout, which by the Rhode Island

Board of Elections estimate was around eight or nine percent. Others said that the voters were fed up with status quo leadership in Rhode Island as they were at the national level in an election that has seen Donald Trump and Bernie Sanders vaulted to prominence.

Whatever the reason, this shakeup of the political scene in Rhode Island has left one of the state’s most important political offices open. The majority leader of the House of Representatives is arguably the second most powerful government official in Rhode Island after the Speaker. The former majority leader lost his reelection, meaning that the posturing has begun to see

~ continued on 4

Hispanic heritage month SAMANTHA SCETTA

Anchor Editor

rom Sept. 15 to Oct. 15, Rhode Island will be celebrating a history of Latino heritage in the smallest state. Over the years, the diversity rate in Providence has grown massively, and hearing people speaking Spanish or Portuguese is just a part of living in or near the city. So why celebrate? Because of the massive progress the Spanish Community has made over the last fifty years!

A Dominican woman named Josefina Rosario and her husband Tony were the first Dominicans to arrive in Providence in 1959. She opened up the first Latino business in Rhode Island, a market she named Fefa’s Market. Josefina and Tony helped dozens of Dominicans escape tyranny and settle safely in Providence. Quite a few events appealing to all ages and backgrounds will be held over the next month to pay homage to Josefina and the other immigrants that worked hard to build a community in Providence. The first event that kicked off Hispanic Heritage

Month was the unveiling of the first Latino Fotohistorias History Marker on Thursday at the Parkview and Broad Bus Shelter.

Stop by SouthLight, a new theater/performing space in front of Southside Cultural Center of Rhode Island on Sept. 25 for a community festival from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Latino culture events will be showcased throughout the evening, including scenes of “Shakespeare en El Verano” performed in partnership with Trinity Repertory Company, performance by the Rhode Island Black Storytellers and a film viewing by Providence Latin America Film Festival. One might try something different though, like making Ecuadorian figures out of bread paste, creating Mexican foil animals or decorating a musical Chilean rain stick—all in the same month at Knight Memorial. The next month is going to be an exciting time for Latino Culture in Rhode Island. People with all different heritages are welcome to attend any of the events listed above.

Information on these events and more can be found on hispanicheritageri. org.

GreenpartyincludedonRIballot LOUISA D’OVIDIO

Editor-in-Chief

he Green Party candidate, Dr. Jill Stein and her running mate Ajamu Baraka, have officially made it on the ballot in Rhode Island and will be visiting Rhode Island College’s campus on Sept. 23 at 1 p.m. in Sapinsley Hall.

“We invite you to come hear Dr. Stein’s program for people, peace and planet,” says Glen Bennett, Rhode Island’s Stein campaign coordinator. In RI Stein is polling at seven percent, behind the Libertarian Candidate Gary

Johnson who has 15 percent of the vote in RI, according to the Washington Post. Steins platform includes a climate friendly energy plan, a $15 minimum wage economics plan, debt-free higher education and singlepayer healthcare acts and a criminal justice and police reform.

The Stein campaign has 12 collegiette ‘young green chapters’ on campuses across the US, as testament to her grassroots campaigning style. These chapters are started, built and run by college students. For more information on the event visit RIGreens. org.

4 September 19, 2016

Stigma continued

familiarizes students with the career development center and other similar services.

TAYLOR DAME

News Editor

Local ranking state trooper to retire

Lt. Col. Todd Catlow gave his notice that he would be retiring, and that his last day would be Sept. 16. Catlow was the second in command for the Rhode Island State Police. Catlow has served in the State Police for 24 years. Catlow’s retirement announcement comes less than a week after the leader of the State Police, Colonel Steven O’Donnell, announced that he too was retiring. Governor Gina Raimondo has said that Lt. Col. Kevin Barry will serve as the acting superintendent of the State Police until a replacement is hired.

Treasurer of a charity sentenced for stealing money

Robert Lonardo, of Burrillville, was sentenced at the federal court in Providence to six months in prison and two years of probation. The 67-year-old plead guilty to one count of wire fraud in June of this year. According to the US Attorney, Lonardo stole almost $186,000 from a children’s charity that served as treasurer. The Rhode Island Association for Cardiac Children was founded by Lonardo’s mother. Upon her passing, he began withdrawing money from the charity’s bank account

for his own personal use. Prosecutors say that this went on for almost a year and a half.

The charity’s mission was to raise funds for hospital equipment, children’s cardiac treatment and research.

National Trump campaign backs off birther movement

The Trump campaign announced that Donald Trump no longer believes that President Obama was born outside of the United States. Trump has long been one of the loudest and most prominent figures in the birther movement, a group which believes that Obama was not born in the United States, and thus not eligible to be President. Trump acknowledged Friday that “President Barack Obama was born in the United States, period.” The birther movement was what provided Trump with his entry into the Republican Party and conservative politics. Campaign spokesperson Jason Miller said that “In 2011, Mr. Trump was finally able to bring this ugly incident to its conclusion by successfully compelling President Obama to release his birth certificate,”

Miller went on to say that “Mr. Trump did a great service to the president and the country by bringing closure to the issue that Hillary Clinton and her team first raised,” Clinton has said that Trump owes Obama and the American people an apology for his

role in the movement. She called Trump out for his failure to deny the birther theory for as long as he did. “He was asked one more time where was President Obama born and he still wouldn’t say Hawaii. He still wouldn’t say America.” She also said that Trump is feeding into the “worst impulses, the bigotry and bias” of certain people.

Third party candidates denied debate slots

The Commission on Presidential Debates announced Friday that Libertarian Party candidate and former Governor of New Mexico Gary Johnson, and Green Party candidate Dr Jill Stein did not meet all of the criteria necessary to participate in the first debate. The third party vicepresidential candidates also failed to qualify for the October 8th vicepresidential debates.

To be included in a debate a candidate has to be polling at 15% or higher in several national polls. The commission says that Johnson is polling at 8.4% and Stein is at 3.2%. This means that the only participants in the first debate on Sept. 26 will be Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump, who poll at 43% and 40.4% respectively. Johnson says that he wasn’t surprised that he was left out of the debates and that he plans to be included in the next two.

Incumbents continued who will fill the important post. DeSimone, who lost by 17 votes, in one of five candidates who requested a recount, but his loss was confirmed soon afterward.

According to an article written by Ian Donnis of Rhode Island NPR, the prospective candidates to replace Desimone could include Representatives Chris Blazejewski, Cale

Keable, Joseph Shekarchi, Stephen Ucci, and Ken Marshall. However, the next in line to fill the seat of the majority leader is the majority whip, Representative John Edwards. How that battle will play out is unknown at this point, but the pundits believe that the strongest candidate is Joseph Shekarchi. Overall,

it is clear that the primary indicates that this will be a very important general election in Rhode Island.

“We are looking for them to grow as people and find employment they enjoy and they might not have known they liked. We hope that they can make new friends on campus and find whole new community by being a RIC student,” said Durkin.

This program is not a certified transition program yet, which means that any student who is enrolled has to pay their own tuition. The program is working on obtaining its certification for next year, so students can be eligible for financial aid.

Students in the program also have a mentor, which means that there is a oneto-one student-to-instructor ratio. For RIC students who would like to mentor, you can email adurkin@ ric.edu or darenberg@ric. edu for more information. Freshmen are not able to mentor, but sophomores, juniors and seniors are all welcome to participate. The time commitment is at least ten hours a week, and the time must be booked

in two-hour blocks. It is recommended that mentors have a background in education or social work, but members of every major can mentor.

For those interested in applying for the program, you can go to https:// w w w. r i c . e d u / c u s c c a / . Applications for the spring semester are due by Nov. 15, and those applying must have an interview and meet the various requirements such as having reliable transportation and being able to abide by the RIC code of conduct. Students who are accepted get the whole college experience, including the official letter of acceptance. They will also have a meeting with disability services to discuss any accommodations that are needed, and those needs are also communicated to their professors. Durkin hopes that by next semester, they can have over 40 mentors, 10-12 students and continued growth over the next few years. This program is a great step toward helping individuals with intellectual disabilities attend college.

Diversity Week KRISTY O’CONNOR

Secretary Aiming to promote equality and educate people on what diversity signifies, the Unity Center is hosting its annual diversity week from Oct. 3 through Oct. 8. There are a variety of events covering a plethora of topics ranging from LGBT health issues, race, and Deaf culture.

One event taking place is called Promoting Deaf Awareness, and intends to educate others on Deaf culture. This event hopes to help break the stereotypes and misconceptions that people typically hold regarding members of the Deaf community. RIC professor Marie Lynch and Brown Professor of American Sign Language studies will be leading this event. They hope to encourage not only inclusion, understanding for those in the Deaf community.

Another exciting event taking place is El Camino, in which participants will walk around campus for about 30-40 minutes to signify the journey of undocumented Latin American people from their home country to the United States. Along with participating in the walk, those involved will learn about immigration as well as discuss the topic with other people.

These are just a few of the variety of events that people can participate in, as this year’s diversity week is packed full of cultural and educational activities. For a complete list of the events taking place, visit www.ric.edu/unitycenter. All events are free and open to the public, and everyone is encouraged to participate. You never know what you could learn; diversity week holds something for everyone.

5 September 19, 2016

Derrik Trombley Anchor Contributor

Greek life kickoff a smash

o one got “double secret probation” from the new president of RIC this year. During Wednesday’s free period, the jovial Greeks came down from their offices way up in the student union to show themselves off to the people of RIC. Popcorn, Del’s Lemonade, and Tea were served on the quad where students could come and meet the fraternities and sororities at the Greek Life Kickoff Fair. Among the Greek organizations were Fraternities: Phi Mu Delta, Kappa Delta Phi, Kappa

Sigma, and Phi Beta Sigma. Sororities: Alpha Sigma Tau, Delta Phi Epsilon, Theta Phi Alpha, Omega Phi Beta, and Zeta Phi Beta; and also included was a Multicultural Society, Zeta Phi Beta. Beyond the free food and drinks, there were a variety of events. At least, there would have been but for some blood found on the inflatable obstacle course brought in for the event. Instead, for the pivotal activity to draw in students, there was a performance by “Wacky Chad” who did stunts and comedy to entertain a good-

Student government combats racism TAYLOR DAME

News Editor

r. Scott Kane, the a d m i n i s t r a t i o n ’s representative to Student Parliament, updated the body on another incident in which a hateful message towards a certain religion was found graffitied in a bathroom, this time in Whipple. Similar messages have been found by the college in Craig-Lee, the Student Union and the Donovan Dining Center since last semester.

Kane also reported on an incident in the residence halls. A racial slur was found on one of the whiteboards residents hang on their doors. Kane spoke about the culture at the school and how the Rhode Island College community is not immune to what is going on in the outside world. He also said that Student Community Government should be leading on this issue. Representatives brainstormed a few rough ideas on how to respond to these incidents. Some ideas thrown around were spending money on a speaker that students would recognize to address

the college on the topic and having a forum for students to discuss how these incidents impact them. Members were also interested in having a member of the Unity Center come to a parliament meeting to discuss what to do. Also announced was the President/Treasurer meeting on Wednesday the 21st at 12:30 in the Student Union Ballroom. This meeting is mandatory for the presidents and treasurers of clubs so that they can get access to their funding. Those who are unable to make it should contact Treasurer Tom Lima to schedule an appointment to meet. Those interested in joining Student Parliament should visit the SCG office on the fourth floor of the Student Union. The next meeting of parliament is on Wednesday the 21st at 7:15 in SU room 307. Meetings are open to the public and include an open forum in which students can speak to the body about any concerns or comments they have.

sized crowd. In one act, he successfully balanced a student on his shoulders while riding a miniature tricycle, and in another successfully jumped from a unicycle onto a pogo stick then did a flip to land safely and successfully on his feet while getting students laughing at his jokes inbetween.

Another free giveaway that day capitalized on the success of Pokémon Go, as free Pikachu and Poke balls were given away. Thankfully, they had enough for everyone, as one can only imagine the battles that would have taken place

if anyone had missed out on some memorabilia from the beloved franchise.

The purpose of this event, however, was not free stuff and entertainment; this event was about showing off the welcoming and familial atmosphere of Greek Life and trying to get people interested and involved. Jose Rosario, president of both the Student Community Government and the Phi Mu Delta fraternity, was on hand to showcase Greek life. “I want to see engagement, I want to see the students at RIC getting involved in clubs and groups so that they get

the real college experience, rather than feeling as though it is just an extension of their high school life. I want to see them put down roots and leave a legacy that they can be proud of and want to come back to after they graduate and I feel there is no better example of that than in Greek life.” When asked about the culture of Greek life at RIC, President Rosario responded, “I like to think of it as an apple. At first glance it seems rough and tough, but once you’ve taken a bite out of it; it’s sweet and soft and good.”

Crime wave crested Derrik Trombley Anchor Contributor

ccording to Campus Police, a suspect has been apprehended in the campus larceny cases that have been plaguing Rhode Island College. In a startling case first reported in the Anchor, four larcenies in three different buildings on campus had been reported in the first two weeks of the semester. Money and purses had been taken right out of the offices of faculty and staff, putting the college in a state of unease. The crimes were investigated thoroughly, and yet it was a chance encounter that ultimately brought the suspected perpetrator to justice. Fridays usually make for a scarcity of students; everyone is biding their time until the weekend. Professors are usually

catching up on their class loads, grading papers and planning out their future classes. The staff, on the other hand, are making copies, writing emails and generally preparing for the weekend ahead. However, this Friday was different for one Craig-Lee secretary who came upon an odd sight. According to the police report, this secretary (who shall remain anonymous) was having a typical Friday on campus when someone walked by the office. Seeing someone you don’t recognize is common, and thus the secretary thought nothing of it. Later, however, while on a trip to make copies, she heard a strange noise coming from an adjacent office, sounding like drawers opening and closing. The professor was out, not expected to be back until much later, and there wasn’t supposed to be anyone in that office without a professor there. Opening

the door, the secretary found herself standing face to face with the person she had seen earlier. The person professed their innocence, stating that their intent was strictly to meet the professor who normally inhabited the office. The secretary was unconvinced, having known about the recent larcenies on campus and asked the person to sit on the couch while she called campus police.

The suspect was arrested and later confessed to an attempt to burglarize that professor’s office, along with all of the other thefts that had taken place. The suspect was then transferred to the custody of the Providence Police for charges to be arraigned. With that, hopefully the staff and faculty of Craig-Lee will feel safer knowing that the person who committed these crimes is in custody.

Photo courtesy of Slunderlaw.com

6 September 19, 2016

arts and lifestyle

De-stress with exercise

SOPHIE COSTA

Anchor Staff

tress comes and goes depending on what is going on in our lives. As college students, we tend to carry a ton of stress and anxiety around with us and it can be difficult to escape that burden. Using exercise as a coping mechanism towards dealing with stress and anxiety is helpful not only for your physical health but your mental health as well.

self-confidence. Feeling productive after a workout and seeing yourself attain new goals that you didn’t think were possible is a natural high. Working out, even for twenty minutes, sends out the neurotransmitter serotonin, which is responsible for the feeling of serenity and hopefulness. Dopamine

becomes active during activity as well, which is the “feel good” neurotransmitter. This is responsible for feelings of relaxation and euphoria, which will enhance your confidence in and out of the gym.

Feelings of depression are not uncommon when stress is prevalent in our lives.

Being active forces you to be slightly more interactive with those around you even if it’s so much as a wave or a smile. Even taking a short walk is a great getaway from that overwhelming feeling that tends to creep up on us. The best way to de-stress is by clearing your mind of all things that may be worrisome. Many people

swear by yoga because it is best known for creating a calming effect and helping to relieve any feelings of anxiety and pressure. You don’t have to be a professional yogi for this relaxation period to provide you with the time that you need for yourself. In due course, yoga will strengthen your mind, your body and your soul. It is important that you continuously make sure to practice moderation when it comes to exercise. Overdoing it will present the opposite of the desired effect, which will make you feel even more anxious and frazzled. Moderation is key, as a small amount of stress is a good thing, and it in fact keeps us going. However, we all need time just for ourselves to do something that’s completely in our own best interests, and that is exactly where exercise comes into play.

Exercise has been known to lower stress levels and it triggers the discharge of a soothing neurotransmitter called GABA. An additional side effect of GABA is that it essentially builds immunity to stress and helps you tackle demanding situations with less anxiety. Additionally, exercise wildly increases your

Photo courtesy of Buildingmuscle101.com

A road paved with rock: part one

Jonathan Carney Anchor Editor

uring the next few weeks, I’m going to be sharing, little bit by little bit, the songs that first made me love my genre. I will include little anecdotes about when I first heard each song and what step in my journey it was, and where along my post-sixth-grade musical journey it appeared. I will also give a large segment of the complete story here. The first “metal” song I was ever truly exposed to was System of a Down’s “B.Y.O.B.” I make use of quotation marks here because the band refuses to identify themselves as metal, or any genre for that matter. However, the general population considers them to be such. I was first exposed to this song in the seventh grade while attending the Fernwood school in Portland, Oregon—now “Beverly Cleary,” as her books take place on a nearby street. My journey was initiated by an eccentric individual with a mind too old for

a seventh-grader, bloodred glasses and long red hair darker than mine that flowed to his shoulders. He was a member of the small group of three individuals I principally remember gravitating towards in my one year attending school in Portland. Honestly, I’m not sure he was as keen on being friends with me as I was with him. Still, one day at an after-school program, he took me to the computer, went on YouTube and told me he was going to show me something that would get me off of that “country nonsense.” And while it didn’t happen immediately, a year or two would prove he was absolutely right.

The song “B.Y.O.B.” rushes through the intro in an exhilaratingly burst of notes, and Daron’s initial screech is soon followed by Serj’s barking verse. This fast-paced song eventually surprises the listener by slowing down for a seemingly mellow, slower chorus, only to speed up immediately after. Close to the end of the song, one such transition is performed in such a sudden and

unexpected manner as to jolt the listener out of the false sense of security that the calmer chorus created, a tactic SOAD is infamous for. SOAD wrote this hit back in 2005 as a protest against the war in Iraq. While I picked up on the anti-war sentiment, I would not learn the song’s full meaning until much later.

After first watching the

music video, I would queue

it up again and again after school, but for some reason, I was still too lazy to search for more songs like it, or even more songs by the artist. I don’t know why I never looked for more, in spite of my excitement. Perhaps I was afraid that if I found an even better SOAD song, it would make me love that first gem less. Then again, maybe the

opposite would happen, and I would be disappointed by the rest of their material after hearing that first iconic song. Still, this first song touched a part of me. I loved this unsettling, vicious ballad of corruption, a defiant and angst-fueled cry against a powerful external force.

Photo courtesy of Lefthandhorror.com

7 September 19, 2016

arts and lifestyle

Kingsglaive: Final Fantasy XV

Thomas Sack Anchor Contributor

espite a thin plot, Takeshi Nozue’s 2016 film “Kingsglaive: Final Fantasy XV” is an epic experience for all Final Fantasy fans! It is a dark, intense tale of war and betrayal that succeeds at leaving the viewer hungry for Square Enix’s upcoming video game, “Final Fantasy XV.”

“Kingsglaive: Final Fantasy XV” takes place during the events of “Final Fantasy XV” and tells the story of King Regis Lucis Caelum CXIII, Princess Lunafreya Nox Fleuret, and the members of the Kingsglaive. When Regis accepts a false offer of peace from his longtime enemy, the nation of Niflheim, he unwittingly endangers the city Insomnia and the crystal it contains within its walls. Only Nyx Ulric, who must learn to stop dwelling on a grim past and instead look to the future, can save the day. It is safe to say story is not a strong point in “Kingsglaive: Final Fantasy XV.” This is forgivable, however, for three reasons:

Firstly, the film is merely intended to whet one’s appetite for what promises to be a more gratifying story experience in “Final Fantasy XV.” Secondly, its story finds its roots in scraped content from Final Fantasy XV’s opening chapter. Thirdly, Square Enix never tries to astound audiences through plot when it makes films. Rather, it seeks to do so with breathtaking CGI and exhilarating action sequences.

“Kingsglaive: Final Fantasy XV” is pure eyecandy. The film opens by showcasing lifelike computer-animation that is the end result of a lengthy motion-capture process during production. Action sequences become increasingly more electrifying, and while loud explosions or the clanging of swords sometimes drowns important pieces of dialogue out, these scenes are the glue that holds the fantastical and realistic elements together so well. From a writing standpoint, dialogue in “Kingsglaive: Final Fantasy XV” oftentimes feels natural, but it isolates viewers from the characters. It is quite

difficult to find light-hearted moments in a film that only exists to establish the darker elements of Final Fantasy XV’s story.

In terms of voice acting, every character in “Kingsglaive: Final Fantasy XV” sounds believable. Aaron Paul, Lena Headey, and Sean Bean shine as Nyx Ulric, Lunafreya Nox Fleuret, and King Regis, respectively. Fans of the anime series Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood will also enjoy hearing Todd Haberkorn as Luche Lazarus. That said, some vocal performances in “Kingsglaive: Final Fantasy XV” are weaker than others. Liam Mulvey struggles as Libertus Ostium, and Adrian Bouchet’s soft tone does not suit the gruff Titus Drautos. “Kingsglaive: Final Fantasy XV” is a film made specifically for Final Fantasy fans. It offers little to those unfamiliar with the video game series, but it is addictive and easily lends itself to subsequent viewings. One does not need to play “Final Fantasy XV” to enjoy this film!

Sausage Party PATRICK CONNOLLY

Anchor Staff

ausage Party” is a brilliant, raunchy, R-rated parody of the Computer Animated formula for family films. While it’s somewhat underwhelming at first, it goes in a different direction than the advertisements indicate. It’s mostly compensated with repeated viewings, as well as in the film’s final third, when it goes completely and utterly bananas. By the way, I do not apologize for any food puns that will be made in this review.

The meat of the story focuses on Frank (Seth Rogen), who learns that “the Gods,” or humans, are nothing but evil creatures who feed on the talking food they buy at the grocery store. Eventually, he hatches a plot with the other talking food items to make the humans run away and never return. Oh dear, the plot I’ve just described made it sound like it’s a children’s film! It’s anything but that. I’ve seen “Sausage Party” twice now. The first time I

saw it, I was underwhelmed that the film didn’t focus on the food trying to escape from their houses in order to avoid getting eaten. Perhaps it would be less original than the direction they chose instead, but it would have been more focused.

The second time I saw it, I still stood by my original reaction to an extent, but at that point, I was able to appreciate the visual gags and witty dialogue even more.

Any complaint that I had, however, was almost entirely compensated for by the film’s third act, where it goes in a direction that would have made Mel Brooks very proud. I won’t give anything away, but I’ll put it like this: over the next couple of days, I couldn’t look at my food without imagining them walking and talking—not to mention telling me that I’d eaten one of their cousins for dinner. Yes folks, this film is that effective. Oh, and if you need any other reason to see it, Alan Menken composed the opening song for the film. You’re welcome.

I Give “X-Men Apocalypse” Two Out of Three Claws Sara Massa Anchor Contributor

othing brings out my inner dork like superhero ephemera, so naturally, “X-Men Apocalypse” is right up my alley. This film is the third installment of the rebooted X-Men films, following “X-Men First Class” and “X-Men: Days of Future Past.” We see old characters from the first two X-Men movies come back, such as Scott Summers (Tye Sheridan) and Storm (Alexandra Shipp). We also see some fan favorites, such as Mystique (Jennifer Lawrence), Quicksilver (Evan Peters) and Magneto (Michael Fassbender). The basic plot revolves

Photo courtesy of ConsequenceofSound.com around a new villain, En Sabah Nur/Apocalypse (Oscar Isaac), rising after sleeping through several millennia. His goal upon waking is to rid the world of humans so that mutants can reign supreme. Like most films, “Apocalypse” is a mix of good and bad aspects. The main plot of the film is pretty sturdy, but what concerns me is the relative scarcity of Storm in the film. In much of the advertising she features heavily, but the finished product fails to deliver what it implicitly promised. Photo courtesy of Dailysuperhero.com

Another issue is the apparent need to put at

least one scene in the movie where Wolverine (Hugh Jackman) reappears for no reason, only to flee into the wilderness almost instantly. It’s like whoever is in charge of these films doesn’t know how to do a single X-Men film without Hugh Jackman. If I say so myself, Evan Peters was the movie’s MVP. Even though the film still confuses me, I am looking forward to what comes next in the saga of the X-Men.

8 September 19, 2016

EAT! DRINK! Ask your server for a phone charger cable to recharge your phone or tablet while you recharge yourself with great food, and cold drinks!

*Minimum $5 purchase required for use of a phone charger. Phone chargers are for use in store and at main counter only.

YUP!...itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s THAT good! EAT! DRINK!

9 September 19, 2016

10 September 19, 2016

Clancy Smail Anchor Contributor

t’s that time of year again, theatre folk! That’s right kids, it’s The Broadway Christmas, the 30th annual Broadway Flea Market on Sept. 25. This event is sponsored by Broadway Cares Equity Fights Aids (BCEFA) and all the proceeds made go towards that foundation. BCEFA is one of the nation’s leading industry based HIV/AIDS awareness and fundraising organizations. The 29 Broadway flea markets and grand auctions have so far raised over 11.8 million dollars. The Broadway Flea Market happens every year in New York City on the last Sunday in September in Shubert Alley, and for the first time this year it will stretch along West 45th street. If you’ve never heard of the Broadway Flea Market, I’ll give you a little insight into what the day entails. The day begins bright and early at 10 a.m. and

A theatre lover’s dream

lasts until 7 p.m. During this time, there are over 40 tables set up along the streets, all full of Broadway memorabilia, not to mention regular auctions that include some amazing prizes, such as backstage passes, free tickets, rare exclusive props, and a whole host of other things. There are also silent auctions, where you’re free to bid yourself out of house and home, although that isn’t encouraged! If frivolous spending isn’t your bag, then you can hop into the autograph and picture line, where you can take your picture with or get a BCEFA Broadway Flea poster signed by Broadway stars. Some stars they’ve had in the

Jason Windrow Anchor Staff Aries (March 21- April 19) Aries, think deeply about the word “apparatus” this week. Its origins, its history, and its syntactical properties. Use it as much as you can, even if you use it the wrong way. Ignore as many people as you can this week; focus on doing something with a pen and paper. Taurus (April 20May 20) Focus on a project that will bring you happiness and joy for your entire life. This project can be big, small or in the middly-mediumy zone. Maybe set up a joint bank account for you and your partner or design a fashion line for next year’s New York Fashion week. Gemini (May 21June 20) This week, you will experience hardship and disappointment. Unfortunately, every time you get into the car to travel,

you will find that you are stuck behind old white men with personalized license plates and bumper stickers that express where their children went to college and how much of a great dad they are. Cancer (June 21July 22) Cancer, it’s time to watch the all of Anne Hathaway’s filmography this week. From “Princess Diaries” to “Les Mis,” watch all of them, and find a special meaning behind Anne Hathaway. Determine her net worth and importance to our society this week. Leo (July 23-August 22) Leo, say phrases like “hot off the press” and eat a lot of tic tacs this week. These two things have no correlation, but the stars are confident that these two activities combined will culminate in a great week. If you ever feel down this week, drink a cup of water and eat one singular tic tac to feel better. Just one.

past include Chita Rivera, Bebe Neuwirth, Phillipa Soo, Sierra Boggess, Danny Burstein, and many more. You can even catch some stars hanging out at their designated tables! Some of the tables at the 2016 event include Aladdin, Wicked, School of Rock, Waitress, The Color Purple, Dear Evan Hansen, and still more to be announced.

The Broadway Flea Market is a great place to connect with other theatre fans and meet up with some of the coolest people you’ll ever meet. This year will be my fourth time at the Broadway Flea Market. By going to this event, I’ve gotten to meet some of my favorite performers, buy incredible theatre memorabilia, hang out with some of my best

friends, and contribute to a great cause, all while being in “the greatest city in the world.” Hamilton, anyone? If you enjoy the arts, theatre, musicals, charity, or just having a great time in the city, I highly recommend you hop on a train Sept. 25 and head to Shubert Alley.

Horoscopes

Virgo (August 23September 22) It’s your season Virgo, and you have all the power, but you should really try your best to see how your friends are doing. Mercury is in retrograde, and although you may be thriving, those close to you might not be feeling so hot. Cheer them up by buying them balloons and seltzer.

Libra (September 23- October 22) Do something creative this week. Make a sculpture entirely out of your lunch food and hide it somewhere where only you can find it. Drink from the bottom of your water bottle somehow. Create a Rube Goldberg machine.

Scorpio (October 23- November 21) Determine how many (if any) adult humans in your area still use chain wallets. If you uncover a significant number of chainwallet enthusiasts, make posters calling all chain wallet-ers to meet up at

the local Dunkin Donuts. If people end up going, tell them they would be stronger if they linked their chain wallets together to make one big super chain. Sagittarius (November 22 – December 21) Sagittarius, Get mad about the iPhone 7 this week. Throw a bunch of tantrums this week even if they’re about something as simple as your future phone not having a headphone jack. Be impossible, it’s your show and you’re the star, so don’t worry about it.

Capricorn (December 22January 19) Double dip whenever you get a chance this week. Pass your germs to as many people as possible, and don’t cover your mouth when you sneeze or cough. Decorate someone’s life with your personal goobers.

Aquarius (January 20- February 19) Aquarius, you are on a boat this week. The waves rock the boat, and you go up and down. Think about the color yellow this week. Think about wearing fishermen’s plaid and walking with an umbrella just in case it rains. Have a lavender donut and drink milk this week. Pisces (February 19 – March 20) Take a bath this week, and while soaking, make a list of the top ten people you would love to shop with at IKEA. These people can be your best buds, your crushes, or your favorite celebrities. Drink hot tea by yourself, and read your favorite novel again.

Student spotlight: Brendan Cody KRISTY O’CONNOR

Secretary

fter having a freshman year that might not have been the best, most of us would be hesitant to leave our respective comfort zones, but senior Brendan Cody from Cranston, Rhode Island had the opposite reaction.

Using his past experiences to fuel his fire, Cody got involved in numerous associations on campus in hopes to give back and make other people’s experiences better than his. “I learned a lot about myself. Getting involved has built my confidence. It showed me that I do have greater abilities than I initially thought. A lot of people in this world are hard on themselves and focus on their shortcomings more than their accomplishments. Getting involved has taught me to focus more on positives,” he said. Along with studying psychology at Rhode Island College, Cody is a double minor in communications and behavioral neuroscience. Even with this heavy course load, Cody holds numerous leadership positions on campus. After being an active member in the Resident Student Association (RSA) last year, Cody is now the vice president.

“The main goal of RSA is to facilitate communitybuilding and make a difference on the residential

side of campus, as well as reaching out to commuters by planning events and activities,” he said.

Following a similar pattern, Cody is also involved in the National Residence Hall Honorary (NRHH). He is the president of the Anchor Chapter of NRHH and strives to give back to both the RIC community and the greater Providence community. They host events such as blanket making for children’s hospitals and hold fundraisers to generate money for charity. His chapter received the Building Block Award from the region this past year. Cody himself received the Diamond Award, which recognizes four to five individuals nationwide for community involvement.

was able to learn to stand up for himself and grow as a person.

Serving as an RA this year has allowed him to give back to the RIC community and make the same impact on residents that his RAs had on him. “My favorite part is being a support to residents and making connections with them and helping them make connections with each other,” he said.

With his college career down to its last year, Cody hopes to see himself as hall director or resident

director at an institution. In later years, he hopes to use his psychology degree to counsel children and young adults with autism, and help develop methods of therapy that help them express themselves. No matter what Cody does, he will always be advocating for students and helping others reach their potential. Do you know a student, club, staff or faculty who deserves a spotlight? Send details to

secretary@anchorweb.org

ur friends at Turner Classic Movies, Fathom Events and Sony Pictures are at it again by bringing classic films back to the big screen where they belong. This time it’s Stanley Kubrick’s 1964 masterpiece “Dr. Strangelove or: How I learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb.” Sunday, Sept. 18 and Wednesday, Sept. 21 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m., “Dr. Strangelove” will be re-

“Dr. Strangelove” is the story of an insane general who attempts to trigger a path to nuclear holocaust while a war room full of politicians and generals frantically try to stop him (“Gentlemen, you can’t fight in here. This is the War Room!”).

Besides the funny oneliners, there are several wonderful performances by the great character actor

ello fellow Anchormen and Anchorwomen! My name is Jeremy, a fellow super senior here at Rhode Island College. If there is one thing that continually surprises me, even after four years at RIC, it is the indescribable determination of my fellow students. I have met students who have kids, full time jobs, and/or sick relatives but still maintain a 4.0 GPA.

Jeremy Boutin

“I love the diversity and inclusion of student life. RIC as an institution and especially student activities and student life does a lot to make sure that every individual feels included and accepted in the community.”

released at Warwick Showcase Cinemas and Providence Place Cinemas.

Jeremy Boutin & Gianna Rocchio Anchor Contributorz

I’ll see you next week!

Photo courtesy of Brendan Cody

The most terrifying comedy ever made Robert Gagnon Anchor Staff

He said, she said

“He said, she said” is a new advice column at the Anchor that is aimed to help alleviate some unneeded stress. My partner in crime and I are here to accept any and ALL anonymous emails sent to ask@anchorweb.org and answer them with the intentions of making your life less hectic.

If being involved in RSA and NRHH were not enough, Cody also has two on-campus jobs, where he works in the alumni office. He works in the division of advancement and external relations as an in-office student assistant. He also works with the RIC Student Calling Program, where he seeks gifts and donations from RIC alumni.

Because of the Resident Assistants (RAs) that Cody had his freshman year, he

September 19, 2016

George C. Scott and the always versatile improviser Peter Sellers, who took on three separate roles, including the titular doctor himself.

When “Dr. Strangelove” was released back in 1964, it received very mixed and bewildered reviews. However, it did manage to earn four Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture. This cinematic triumph also contains one of the most iconic and enduring images in film history, that of Major Kong

(Slim Pickens) straddling a nuclear warhead like a cowboy riding a horse. The end sequence is quick to follow, that including the classic Vera Lynn tune ‘We’ll Meet Again” punctuating several shots of nuclear explosions.

Over fifty years later, “Dr. Strangelove” is still a beloved classic that has surely stood the test of time. Today, it is widely considered to be one of the finest comedies ever made.

Greetings and salutations, readers! Welcome to The Anchor’s advice column, “He said, she said.” I am that She, but you can call me Gianna. This is my first contribution to the Anchor, and I’m excited for the opportunity. Be sure to send your deep burning question to me and Jeremy at ask@ anchorweb.org. There is nothing too boring or too saucy for us, so ask away! Our goal is to give you some real honesty from a couple different perspectives. Send in those questions and tune in next week for our responses. Thanks!

Gianna Rocchio Submit all questions to ask@anchorweb.org

12 September 19, 2016

Donovan Dining Services

Welo m e Ba ck f r o m D i n i ng Se rvi ces!

Tucker talks nutrition T u c k e r Ta l k s N u t r i t i o n

Welcome all new freshman and transfer students! Welcome back to all of Be mindful of yoursummer! choices andI all new and those returning! I hope elcome you all hadfreshman a wonderful and relaxing when and why you’re eating. Try Welcome know I did, I just wish ittransfer could students! have been a little bit longer!

back to all of those returning! I hope to pay attention those hunger cues; I wanted to introduce all of relaxing those whoif you’re may not knowreaching me. My frequently for you allmyself had a to fantastic, that late night bag of Fritos try summer! I know I did, I just wish it name is Bethany Tucker. I am the registered dietitian on campus. I am ask yourself am I hungry? Or could have been a little longer. located in the Faculty center in Donovan Diningand center. My primary role am I bored or anxious? Is there I am going to dedicate my first few here at RIC is to assist you, the student! I also am something here to support faculty else that can satisfyand me? columns to the freshman 15 and

staff. Whether youmaintaining need advising on food a therapeutic diet, weight a healthy weight.allergies, The loss, weight gain, disordered eating would just likephysical to make sureMaybe you freshman fifteen is a or realyou concern Include activity. for many college students (not are eating as healthy as you can, I am here to help.it’s just a short walk, maybe it’s

only freshman and may be more sometime in the Rec Center (It’s a The staff at Donovan have working extra hard on or less and than myself 15pounds). Thealso busy been beautiful facility) No matter what it schedules, information the decreased on activity getting you the nutritional all oris,atincluding least most the foods some of physical activity due to lack of time, the unlimited will help relieve stress and promote offered in the café and the main dining hall. This is an ongoing progress… food choices at the dining hall, overall health but keep your eyesfrequent open, we hope to it out to you soon! snacking, andhave increased caloric beverages sugary Lastly I would like to invite all including of you to attend the food service advisory coffee drinks, soda, energy drinks, Try to make a balanced meal at committee held once a month. is a tomonthly and alcohol all canThis contribute this themeeting, dining hall.again, Include for someyou lean the students to voice your wants, and opinions what youfruits seeand in weight gain.needs, So you may ask…how protein,on whole grains, do I avoid these unwanted pounds? veggies. When choosing a beverage Donovan. We take these comments into serious consideration. We want you Well here are a few tips: go for something low in calories. to be happy with the food we serve you! Water is always a good choice or maybe some fat milk! Please feel free to stop by or contact me with any questions orlow concerns. Be aware of your daily calorie Source: Academy of Nutrition and intake. Write down your meals, DIetetics snacks and beverages

Do you have questions about nutrition? Contact: Bethaney Tucker RD, LND. Located in the faculty Center, DDC. Phone: 401-4568477 btucker@ric.edu

Food Servise Advisory Meeting Thurs. September 24th Donovan DiningCenter Room 202 Your Feedback and Ideas are welcomed! Sunday: 2:00 PM - 10:00 PM Mon - Thurs: 9:00 AM - 9:00 PM Friday: 9:00 AM - 8:00 PM Saturday: 11:00 AM - 4:00 PM The Quick Mart is located on the second level of the Student Union, next door to Campus Card and across from the Campus Store. The store is a place to go on campus to purchase drinks, snacks, and other amenities.

Donovan Dining Donovan Center Hours

Dining Center Meal Zones (Monday-Friday, 6:30AM-7:30PM): Breakfast:

6:30AM - 10:30AM

Lunch:

10:31AM - 3:30PM

Dinner: 3:31PM- 7:30PM Meal Zones (Saturday-Sunday, 9:00AM-6:00PM): Continental Breakfast:

9:00AM - 10:00AM

Brunch:

10:01AM - 3:00PM

Dinner:

3:31PM - 6:00PM

Monday-Thursday: Friday: Saturday: Sunday:

7:30am-Midnight 7:30am-10:30pm 3:00pm-10:30pm 5:00pm-Midnight

Visit our website! http://www.ricdiningservices.com/

T h e Galley Monday-Thursday: 8 AM - 8 PM Friday: 8 AM - 3 PM Saturday-Sunday: CLOSED The Galley, located in Building 3 on the east campus, serves breakfast foods, a soup of the day, a variety of salads, sandwiches, wraps, café style pizza, fruit, desserts, juices and soft drinks.

13 September 19, 2016

Opinions

On the arbitrary standard of four-year graduation SHANE INMAN

Managing Editor

o you’ve looked through all the loopholes you could find, endured a half-dozen bouts of rescheduling and the classes still aren’t adding up: you aren’t going to graduate in four years. That’s okay though.

The fact of the matter is this simply isn’t true. Whether you’re a non-traditional student working through college and taking classes part-time, decided to switch majors late in the game, or just ended up taking too many of the wrong classes every path to a degree is equally valid.

Ultimately, the traditional four years taken to acquire a degree is arbitrary, a span of time chosen on the

In the face of the new performance-based funding bill, where Rhode Island school’s finances are based on factors such as a timely graduation, the focus on RIC’s low four-year graduation rate has become the focus of even more scrutiny. It’s easy to slip into the mindset that graduating in anything more than four years is somehow inferior to the more traditional method. Photo courtesy of Pintrest.com

basis of rough estimates regarding what constitutes a manageable workload and how much work must ultimately be completed before a degree can be awarded. To get a sense of how unreliable the fouryear estimate really is just think about courses you’ve taken in the past and the wildly different time commitments required for ostensibly equal level classes in different fields of study. Even without taking extracurricular responsibilities into account different degrees demand different amounts of time and attention so how does it make any sense that there should be a single predetermined timespan in which every degree is to be obtained? Education is much more fluid than our

regimented society would like to believe and thus it is perfectly natural for the time spent in an institution of higher education to vary from person to person.

At times, there may also arise the perception that someone who takes longer than four years to get their degree is simply not trying hard enough. In reality, this is almost never the case. Of the “superseniors” I have known just about every single one has been remarkably accomplished and driven, staying in school longer than others not because they are lazy but because their life necessitates attention to other pursuits. There is no basis on which to judge someone who can only afford two classes per semester because they

are paying their own way through school and so there is no reason to be ashamed if you also find yourself in a position of staying longer than you would like or had intended. At the end of the day, how long you stay in college is a product of your goals and circumstances, and no one else should be able to impose their irrelevant ideals on your educational path. Since you’re reading this paper, chances are you’ll be here or have already been here, for longer than four years and there’s absolutely nothing wrong with that. We all have our own struggles to face and we all carve our own channels through life; don’t let anybody ever tell you different.

Fat people are funny too: The Kids? No thank Chris Farley effect you ANGELINA DENOMME

Opinions Editor

ack in the day, Chris Farley ruled the comedy world, taking over SNL at night and appearing in cult classics like “Coneheads” and “Wayne’s World” in theaters. As kids, my older brother and I were only found laughing together when watching Farley jump around with a fake sword on our worn VHS copy of “Beverly Hills Ninja.” Farley’s comedic style wasn’t complex or innovative, but it created a massive fanbase for him in just a short period of time. In his 2009 biography “The Chris Farley Show,” Farley even gave a name to his amusing physical style of comedy: “fatty falls down.”

Farley spent his career being physically and comedically larger than life until he eventually died of an overdose at the age of 33, after a continued effort to seek help for his obesity and drug addiction. Even without experiencing Farley’s movies or sketches, it’s impossible to know the tragedy of his life and not look at contemporary stars who are type-cast similarly with a feeling of dread for

KRISTY O’CONNOR

what their future may hold.

Actors like Jonah Hill or Melissa McCarthy are known for their prowess in the physical comedy sphere, but the second they begin to shed pounds, the blogs start buzzing about whether they’ll still be funny when they’re fit. Would “Superbad” really have raked in the laughs if Jonah Hill wasn’t so obviously the fat contrast to Michael Cera’s own lanky body? How will Melissa McCarthy ever star in a box office smash if she’s not a size 24 when she tries to hop the counter of the fast food joint she’s robbing? These are truly questions that the internet asks when a fat comedian begins to change their body.

Put aside all of the body shaming rhetoric and think about the Farleys of the world this way: are you truly laughing with them or are you just laughing at them? There’s this magnificently fine line between laughing at a comedian’s work and laughing at a comedian’s body. This idea of a physical comedian only being worth their salt if they’re tipping the scales not only reinforces ideas that fat bodies should be laughed at implicitly but

encourages comedians to take on dangerous lifestyle choices because it’s what the fans want.

Being a fan of Hollywood media comes with the responsibility of consuming that media ethically as you would with any other physical good. In this scenario a joke takes the place of the consumed good and the currency used is laughter. By not paying for a poorly constructed joke with laughs individuals have the ability to shape the way the media portrays society. This may seem excessive but in the grand scheme of Farley’s life, maybe the world should have laughed harder at his punchlines than at his gut.

In comedy and in life, laughs have the ability to build people up or tear them down. As fans, it is imperative that we build up the people that we love to see on screen instead of perpetuating the idea that a comedian’s ability to be funny and perform their craft is directly tied to their appearance in a way that is not only converse to societal standards but detrimental to their health.

Secretary

n the society that we live in, we are free to express ourselves and make our own decisions. For this reason, it is completely baffling that women are shamed for not wanting to have children. If you are born with a uterus, you are told it is your sole duty to reproduce. What if having children is not on your radar? What if you made the decision to not have children? According to our society, that decision not to have children gives everyone the right to ridicule you and make you feel bad.

The concept that women need to have children is an archaic and misogynistic value, as men are not shamed if they do not want to have children. Women are told that they will change their mind someday, and that they need children in order to be fulfilled. First of all, if someone makes a decision, they should not be told that they will change their mind; nobody has the right to tell you what you should do with your body. I used to want children, and as I grew older and matured, I realized that that was not something I deemed

necessary anymore. If anything, growing older will only make me want kids less.

Some women who want to bear children are met with the heartbreaking news that it is simply not possible. Imagine eagerly awaiting your fertility appointment, just to have the ground ripped from under you as you realize that you will never be able to carry children. That is already emotionally tolling in and of itself, but then having someone tell you that you need to have children to be fulfilled can be horrific. You never know what someone is going through, and you have no idea the reasoning behind their choice nor should you need one. You should simply keep your opinions to yourself, because that subject does not concern you. Some people make the incredibly tough decision to not have children because they do not want to pass on their preexisting medical conditions. This a selfless and brave decision, because it shows that they would not want to decrease their

~ continued on 14

14 September 19, 2016

Opinions

Kids continued potential child’s quality of life simply because of societal pressures. Some people go through genetic counseling only to find that they are the carrier for a rare genetic disorder. Other women are plagued with anxiety, depression and other mental illnesses and would not want to put a child through that. What are you even fighting for when you shame someone for not wanting kids? Overpopulation? Kids born to a mother who cannot

take care of them? Kids growing up with detached parents? Kids growing up with parents who regret having them? Why would you want someone to be a parent when they do not have the energy, resources, time or the right mindset?

Although there are a number of reasons why women may not want to have children, they truly do not need a reason. They do not need to justify their decision, and they do not need to explain themselves.

It is their body. It is not you who would conceive the child, carry it for nine months, and then raise it for eighteen years. Unless it is your body, your reproductive system, and your life, keep your opinion about child rearing to yourself.

In defense of political correctness

Mary Ellen Fernandez Anchor Staff

he current state of our nation has caused an upheaval of protests, anger and unrest. Our great country has failed to keep its promise of social and political civility, and the American people are fed up. The intolerance and hatred that has engulfed the country is not what one would call great, and among these oppressors are people who lack respect for others.

The term “political correctness” always brings about eye rolls and arguments, however, that is not what the intention behind the words are. The phrase itself comes from the idea of offending an individual or a group of people, and that, to counteract this problem, you must think before you speak. Certain words that were used merely 30 years ago in everyday life are no longer considered appropriate. Behind every word, there is a meaning and a message which may not mean much to you, but it can mean a lot to another person. The professional football team the Washington Redskins are an example of how words can have contrasting meanings among different people. Although you may hear their name and think of Sunday nights watching your favorite team, that’s

not the true origin of the words. The indigenous people of America were formerly recognized as “redskins” during the time of our ancestors coming to America. The term, though ambiguous in its direct origin, was used to describe Native Americans in a negative and disparaging way. The connotation thereof is crude, disgusting and hurtful. If our country believed in respecting other cultures and their history, then a sports team would not bear a clearly derogatory name. Being politically correct goes beyond the definition of avoiding offensiveness and delves deeper into the idea of respect. Respecting the people and cultures that make up this land, and not just blaming people for being too sensitive is an imperative part of society. It is important that we unite as a country and respect each other as humans. The phrase “political correctness”

shouldn’t overshadow the concepts it stands for, but rather allow us to use our words to encourage one another and put an end to hate and intolerance.

Many people believe that political correctness is the cause of closed-minded attitudes towards other’s opinions. Everyone wants to be heard, but nobody wants to listen. Although people have many things to say, that doesn’t mean that everything they share is true. People who disagree with the idea of political correctness expect the same amount of respect that they refuse to give to others. So next time you feel that you are about to say something not politically correct, you may want to take the time to try and understand why you would want to use your words to insult another person or culture.

Photo courtesy of Thecuriousdentist.com

An end to political correctness RYAN FOLEY

Anchor Staff

he First Amendment to the Constitution was one of the greatest gifts our Founding Fathers gave to us as citizens. It allowed us to speak our mind freely without fear of persecution. However, if you look around the country, the freedom guaranteed by the First Amendment is slowly being stripped away and replaced with a new doctrine known as political correctness, which is basically free speech with an asterisk. Nowhere is this clearer than at colleges and universities. In recent years, there has been the creation of safe spaces. Safe spaces are places set up at institutions of higher learning where everyone is supposed to feel respected. While the intention of safe spaces may have been noble, what actually happened was safe spaces were turned into zones where people could escape having to listen to anything that might not be politically correct. And then there are microagressions, which are actions that you are no longer allowed to take for fear that they might offend somebody. It is an embarrassment to the taxpayer that the University of North Carolina is holding a microagression forum. Examples of microagressions at UNC include the phrase “Christmas Vacation” and the extension of an invitation to play golf, an activity which assumes people have the financial resources to play a fairly inaccessible game. Perhaps the people who come up with microagressions should spend more time studying and less time trying to censor people’s

vocabulary. In fact, the political correctness epidemic has gotten so bad that comedians such as Jerry Seinfeld and Chris Rock no longer want to perform at America’s institutions of higher education.

There are some universities that have been brave enough to swim against the cultural tide. The University of Chicago released a letter to its incoming freshmen class saying in part “Our commitment to academic freedom means that we do not support so-called ‘trigger warnings’, we do not cancel invited speakers because their topics might prove controversial, and we do not condone the creation of intellectual ‘safe spaces’, where individuals can retreat from ideas and perspectives at odds with their own.”

At a recent commencement speech, former New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg told the students of the University of Michigan that “one of the most dangerous places on a college campus is a safe space, because it creates the false impression that we can insulate ourselves from those who hold different views. In a democratic society, an open mind is the most valuable asset you can possess.” Bloomberg also went after the idea of microagressions, saying “a microagression is just that: micro.” As millennials frequently self-describe themselves as tolerant and open-minded, they should have no trouble accepting viewpoints that might be slightly different than their own. Remember, if you can’t handle microagressions, there’s no way that you are going to be able to handle the macroagressions that may be thrown at you when you graduate college.

15 September 19, 2016

Opinions

Short shorts and spaghetti straps KRISTY O’CONNOR

Secretary

h i l e walking through the quad wearing my brand new striped romper that I had recently purchased from TJ Maxx, I finally felt confident for the first time in weeks. I passed someone I had known for a few years through classes. He waved at me, and I continued walking. As I neared my destination, I looked down at my phone to see a text that read “You have a boyfriend, put some clothes on.” I was instantly annoyed.

This message was intentionally calling

attention to my insecurities, and it was from the person I had just walked by. Although he was apparently just kidding, anger surged through me, alongside the insecurities flooding my brain, telling me I was a slut for dressing like that. Why does he have the right to tell me what I can and can’t wear? Why was he able to look me up and down and instantly take away my confidence? This wasn’t fair, and it wasn’t right. Shaming women for what they wear has got to stop. This isn’t high school anymore, there are no teachers walking around

with measuring tapes making sure your shorts are one inch from the seam. Your principal isn’t going around doing the two finger test to make sure your tank top straps aren’t too thin. This test, mind you, is only ever only given to women and not to men. It is sexist and disgusting to begin with, so why am I still getting judged for the way I dress? Moreover, why am I being told that it is unfair to my boyfriend? I could wear a trash bag to class, and he would still find me beautiful. Regardless, I do not dress for him. I do not dress for the men or women who look me up and down. I do not dress the way I do to please anyone; I do it for

Sports

Women’s Tennis wins two more against Wentworth and Salem T

Marissa Marsella Anchor Staff

he Anchorwomen have done it again! The Rhode Island College tennis courts erupted in an 8-0 victory over Wentworth College on Thursday, Sept. 8 in a home match. Rhode Island College junior Dayna Reilly and her counterpart, senior Julie Reddy, once again racked up an impressive 8-3 win in No. 1 doubles over Wentworth’s Caitlyn Briggs and Sam Webb. Following the girls’ trail, Rhode Island College sophomore Katherine Braganca and junior Isabella Romeo pulled a 9-7 victory during No. 2 doubles from Wentworth’s Emily Jodoin and Olivia DeLuca. The singles matches shadowed those victories with Dayna Reilly setting the bar, winning a victory over Briggs in the No. 1 spot (6-1, 6-0). Julie Reddy defeated DeLuca during No. 2 singles (6-1, 6-2) while Rhode Island College junior Laura Nastasi (from Smithville, NJ) beat out Jodoin at No. 3 singles (6-3, 6-0).

The girls’ winning streaks have not yet ceased to amaze. During their match against Salem State at their home grounds on Saturday, Sept. 10, the Anchorwomen emerged with a 9-0 win. The season opener for the Vikings came with a shock after the well-prepared RIC side swept the courts with three victorious doubles matches at the start. This head start was achieved by none other than partners Dayna Reilly and Julie Reddy at the No. 1 doubles spot with an 8-4 win, a familiar pairing of Rhode Island College’s Katherine Braganca and Isabella Romeo at No. 2 doubles where the two girls posted an incredible 8-1 victory. Newcomer, freshman Laura Cruso and her partner, Nastasi put out an impressive 8-2 win at the No. 3 doubles spot. Nastasi performed perfectly during the No. 3 singles match against Salem, sweeping her opponent 6-0, 6-0. Braganca also showed off her skills in the No. 4 singles match with a 6-0, 6-1 victory over the Vikings. Romeo proved herself on the court during the No. 5 singles match, winning with

a score of 6-2, 6-2. Rhode Island College freshman, Chevell Burgess celebrated her first collegiate victory of 6-4, 6-3 at No. 6 singles. The Anchorwomen’s next performance will take place at the Rhode Island College tennis courts on Saturday, Sept. 17 against Southern Maine at 1 p.m. Good luck, girls! September 17th against Southern Maine at 1 p.m. Good luck girls!

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myself. I do it because it instills confidence in me and allows me to express myself whichever way I want.

For some people, there are few things in their life that they have control over. They may not be able to control their weight, their relationships or the way life treats them but one thing they can control is the way they dress and their sense of fashion. This is something that each of us have the ability to control and how we decide to do that is completely up to us. We can choose to follow the latest trends in fashion, or we can go our own way and make up our own sense of style. What we clothe our bodies

with is something that is up to us.

What someone wears does not concern you at all. You can look at them and you can formulate a thought, but that is not something they need to hear. My clothing or body is not up for discussion. I will not change my sense of style, I will not burn every article of clothing that shows off my butt or reveals a little cleavage. I will not wear baggy sweatshirts and sweatpants to hide my body unless I feel like it. I will not surrender, and I will not stop. What I wear is entirely up to me, and if I want to wear spaghetti straps and short shorts, so be it.

Winning streak for Women’s Volleyball

Enrique Castaneda-Pineda Anchor Staff

he women’s volleyball team started off on the wrong foot this season. However, they have since come back strong with the past two wins. These two wins were against Mt. Holyoke and Lasell. Though they were not Conference contests, it is a huge confidence booster going into their first Little East Conference contest against the University of Southern Maine.

In the first game against Mt. Holyoke, Jillian Ward and Courtney Lambrese led the team in kills with a total of 14 and 9, respectively. The team went on to start the first game on a strong note, ending it in a 25-20 win. They continued the match by taking control of the momentum by beating Mt. Holyoke 25-15. Despite this, Mt. Holyoke tried to come back but it was too late and they lost the final of match 25-22. The Rhode Island College team overall swept Mt. Holyoke and

then moved on to their next match against Lasell.

Although Lasell seemed to hang on to the hopes of winning a match, they were also swept 3-0, though not by a huge margin. In the first set, the team managed to score 10 kills but lost the game by a score of 25-18. Lasell continued to push on, outmatching RIC in kills, scoring 15 kills compared to RIC’s 13, but it was not enough to take the win. Lasell would lose that set 25-21 and finally RIC sealed the deal by ending the final set 25-19 with a total of 18 kills in the set. Both Ward and Lambrese scored a total of 14 kills each, giving the team a huge offensive edge to take this game. Currently, RIC’s overall record is 3-4, and will be facing the University of Southern Maine and Wheaton College.

16 September 19, 2016

Women’s Soccer team falls to Bridgewater, 1-0 JULIAN BORGES

Sports Editor

hard fought nonconference match up against Bridgewater State resulted in a loss to the Anchorwomen this past Wednesday night. BSU scored the only goal of the game just 5 minutes before the first half was over. The 40th minute saw Bridgewater senior forward Kelsie Mitchell rip a shot from outside the penalty box. Mitchell’s shot hit the edge of the crossbar and ricocheted into the net. The Bears walked off the field at the half with a 16-5 shot advantage over Rhode Island College. The Anchorwomen weren’t yet ready to call it quits. The girls put up a fierce fight in the second half and created several scoring opportunities. With 20 minutes left in the game, freshman forward Madyson Christian’s free kick made its way over to senior midfielder Jaclyn Greenman who attempted her chance

to score the equalizer. However, the wall defending the BSU goal blocked the shot and Greenman failed to score. Sophomores defender Nicole Grammas and forward Eleni Grammas also took shots on net shortly following Christian’s free kick. However, Bridgewater State junior goalkeeper Lauren DeSousa blocked both attempts on net and sealed the victory for BSU.

RIC freshman goalkeeper Amber-Marie Francois (Warwick, RI) had nine saves in the defeat to the Bears while DeSousa made seven saves to make it a shutout for Bridgewater.

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Men’s Soccer soars past Regis, Bridgewater in same week JULIAN BORGES

Sports Editor

he Men’s Soccer team managed to get their second and third victories this week with wins over Regis College and Bridgewater State. Just 18 minutes into their match against Regis, Rhode Island College scored their first goal of the match when junior defender Elimane Seye ripped the ball in. Senior forward Kevin Arboleda headed the ball to Saye after his classmate, senior midfielder Thomas Wampler, sent Arboleda the ball to the far post following a free kick. A minute later, a cross from junior forward Komla Dogbey allowed his classmate, forward Steven Cardoso, to blast the ball into the net whilst in the penalty box—doubling the Anchormen’s lead.

In the 32nd minute, Dogbey assisted once again. The forward passed the ball to sophomore midfielder Dennis Vasquez who beat the goalie for a shot in the corner. The Anchormen

walked off the field after the first half with a 3-0 lead over Regis.

When RIC returned, they wasted no time. Four minutes into the second half, the Anchormen scored again when senior defender Evan Rosa assisted junior midfielder Ty Catunto who scored the fourth goal of the game. Regis managed to avoid a shutout and put themselves on the board. In the 51st minute, just two minutes after RIC’s fourth goal of the match, junior forward Jefferson Lormier and senior forward Dillon Lanctot (Somersworth, NH) drove the ball up the field and passed it to senior forward Don Gomez who pushed through the RIC defense to score Regis’ only goal of the game.

Seye, who scored the first goal of the competition, scored the last goal in the match after a corner kick and passes from Vasquez and Dogbey allowed him to secure his brace and the victory for the Anchormen. Senior goalkeepers Chris Moura and Alexander LaBreche (two saves each)

combined for four saves in the win for the Anchormen. Senior Manny Santiago also managed four saves in the Regis defeat. As for the Bridgewater match, the Anchormen were victorious again. The first half saw little scoring chances and both teams walked off the field without points on the board. RIC left the first half with a slight 6-4 shot advantage over BSU.

It wasn’t until the second half when the Anchormen scored the only goal of the game. The referee blew the whistle for a foul against the Bears. Senior midfielder Dan Monteiro took the penalty kick and ripped a low shot past the BSU keeper in the 56th minute. This was the second shutout of the season for senior goalie Chris Moura who made a total of five saves. The goalkeeper for the Bears, Nate Morgado, made two saves and let up the goal that sealed the victory for the Anchormen.

Conor McCluskey; RIC alumnus & new cross country coach JULIAN BORGES

Sports Editor

Conor McCluskey is an alumnus of Rhode Island College. He graduated just two years ago in 2014 with a degree in secondary education with a concentration in history. He teaches the subject full time at Lincoln High School. He was also recently hired as a part time coach of the men’s cross country team here at RIC. “I’m living close by so that obviously helps because I’m local still,” McCluskey joked. “But really after the position became open, they asked me if I would be interested and they offered it to me right away.” McCluskey isn’t one to brag. When asked about the records he had broken during his time as a student, McCluskey had this to say,“I

did have my own individual successes which I just feel adds to my own background knowledge of the sport.” The coach modestly turned the attention over to the team he was a part of during his tenure as a student. “What it really boils down to, I think, is that we won the first ever conference championship for the outdoor track team while I was here. I captained that team. I captained outdoor and indoor track so I’m looking forward to using the leadership skills I’ve built as a player and applying it to the program and the three players we have.” Those three players happen to be Helder Gomes, Jeffrey Garson and Jonathan Carney. McCluskey couldn’t stop gushing about them, either. “Helder has a lot of potential. He’s never run a full season before. This is

really my first time to shape an athlete so I’m excited to work with him. Jeff is our hardest worker. He’s here every day and works nonstop. Never misses a beat, never misses practice. He’s on top of everything and works harder and harder every day to improve and he’s always here on time. John Carney is our veteran and the most experienced. We’re building on what he had last year going into this year.”

When asked what his goal for this season was, McCluskey had this to say: “My goal is to build on the players that we have right now and adding successes to the three guys that we have right here.” McCluskey finds coming back to college as a coach a little odd, but he’s up to the challenge. “When I came here I was one of

so many guys who were all successful in their own right. We built on what we had already come to [this school] with. Looking back, I’m trying to see what we did right and how our coaches influenced us to succeed. It is weird to be on the other side of the aisle, you know? To be watching [my players] do the same things.”

teenagers and young adults. I find it fun to be around other people who enjoy running just as much as I do.”

Good luck to the cross country team on their upcoming season. Go Anchormen!

“I like working with

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