The Heights, Feb. 22, 2021

Monday, February 22, 2021

Inside the Lab: Processing COVID-19 Tests at BC Haley Hockin Special Projects Editor

On March 11, 2020, Boston College closed its campus due to COVID-19. During the closure, the University established an on-campus laboratory to test for the virus.

Nearly one year later, students test positive for the virus every day on campus, but the lab that discovers it is far from ordinary.

“From what I understand, a lot of other universities are actually envious of what we have because they don’t have the capacity to test on site and then they’re dependent on other providers,” Andrea Kirmaier, research assistant professor and the acting technical director of the on-campus lab, said. “Some states have turnaround times of days or even weeks, which is really bad for a college-community setting.”

The Boston College Microbiological Laboratory (BCML) processes the BC community’s COVID-19 tests. First certified in September, the lab now has the capacity to process 1,000 to 1,500 test samples daily, according to Welkin Johnson, chair of the biology department and head of the Johnson Lab.

The Testing Process

The BCML, which is housed in the Johnson Lab, uses RT-PCR tests, which detect the presence of the SARSCoV-2 virus with PCR testing instruments normally used to test for the seasonal flu virus, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “[PCR tests are] basically the gold standard for detecting viruses,” Johnson said.

The lab was first certified by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to process tests on BC’s campus in September.

The Broad Institute is the other lab that processes the BC community’s test samples. Before the on-campus lab was certified, the Broad Institute processed all of the BC community’s test samples.

The process for the on-campus lab begins in either the Margot Connell Recreation Center, University Health Services (UHS), or Conte Forum, where community members have their noses swabbed.

The tests are then picked up by graduate student runners, according to Johnson.

“What they do is, three times a day, they go on a run, where they stop at the rec center, at athletics, and at University Health Services and they pick up the tubes with the swabs and transport them back to the lab,” he said.

There are three labs that are a part of the BCML. The first lab is where all the substances required for the PCR are mixed and added to plates, Johnson said.

Later, in another lab, the DNA from the test sample will be added to this mix to create a complete reaction.

Due to contamination issues that could lead to false positives, the patient test samples are never brought into the first lab.

“Meanwhile, in the 2nd lab, a buffer [a solution that is able to neutralize strong acids and bases and resist a pH change] is added to the patient swabs so that any virus present on the swab will diffuse into the buffer,” Johnson said in an email to The Heights.

See Testing, A2

Isolations Hit Critical Level Victor Stefanescu Asst. News Editor

Key Terms BUFFER: a solution that resists changes in pH when acid or alkali is added to it.

PCR: a technique used to “amplify” small segments of DNA. GRAPHIC BY MEEGAN MINAHAN / HEIGHTS EDITOR

Welkin Johnson, chair of the biology department and head of the Johnson Lab, said that while the University is currently not planning to enter into a lockdown, the administration monitors case numbers daily, as well as consults with leadership of other universities in the area, to ensure it is prepared to shut down if it becomes necessary or is mandated by the state.

“Right now, I don’t believe it will be necessary as long as the numbers nationally and on campus keep heading in the right direction,” he said.

Since Feb. 1, 205 undergraduates have tested positive for COVID-19, according to the University’s COVID-19 dashboard. BC also reported a record high of 139 students in isolation on Feb. 17, eclipsing a first semester high of 87 on Nov. 27.

Many students are currently in quarantine after being in close contact with students who tested positive, though BC does not release the number of students in quarantine.

Rumors of a University-wide quarantine circulated after the rise in cases and isolations. A fake email attributed to Executive Vice President and Acting Vice President for Student

MAYOR FULLER METRO

METRO The Heights reviews Black owned establishments—this week, we visited French Press Cafe.

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THIS ISSUE

ARTS: Black Art Groups

See Johnson, A3

FOOD REVIEW

Ruthanne Fuller voices concern over growing COVID-19 cases at Boston College.

INSIDE

Affairs Michael Lochhead and Provost and Dean of Faculties David Quigley, which falsely claimed that the University would go into a two-week quarantine starting last Friday, circulated on social media and in group chats last Thursday.

Lochhead said in an email sent to students on Thursday that the University would not enter into a two-week lockdown on Friday.

“Contrary to rumors and an image of a fraudulent email that has been shared on social media, Boston College is not going into lockdown on Friday,” he wrote.

Johnson, who led the University’s efforts to create a state-certified laboratory to test COVID-19 samples, said that there is likely not a certain threshold of cases that would push BC into a lockdown.

A spike, for example, could lead to a sharp increase in the percentage of positive cases on campus, he said, but that likely wouldn’t lead to a shutdown unless the numbers stayed that high or continued to rise.

“I know there’s not just some magic number,” Johnson said.

In the pre-semester weeks of the fall semester, when the University tested all of its undergraduates for COVID-19 upon their arrival to campus, only nine students tested positive. By comparison, 76 students tested positive during the same pre-semester period in the spring semester, according to BC’s COVID-19 dashboard.

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NEWS: MLK Scholarship

BC art groups use their creative platforms Latifat Odetunde, a junior, is this years recepient to amplify Black students’ stories.............A12 of this year’s award...............................................A3

INDEX

NEWS......................A2 OPINIONS................ A8 Vol. CII, No. 3 © 2021, The Heights, Inc. SPORTS..................... A4 METRO.................... A10 MAGAZINE..................A6 ARTS....................... A12 www.bcheights.com

The Heights

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things to do on campus this week

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There will be a virtual event Tuesday at 4:30 p.m. titled, “Challenging Environmental Racism: Stressful Landscapes, Toxic Exposures, and What One BC Student is Doing About It.” The event will feature a moderated discussion hosted by the Schiller Institute for Integrated Science and Society.

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Monday, February 22, 2021

A panel discussion, “Movement for Black Lives (M4BL) in the Age of COVID-19,” will take place tonight at 6:30 p.m. over Zoom. The discussion will focus on the intersection of the M4BL and the COVID-19 pandemic.

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BC Dining is hosting an event called “MakeYour-Own Ice Cream Bar” on Thursday in Lower from 4:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

NEWS Whistleblower Talks Importance of Dissent BRIEFS Viaene, Torres Explore Justice

By Salina Kumar Heights Staff

During a virtual event on Wednesday over Zoom, Lieselotte Viaene, a social sciences professor at Universidad Carlos III de Madrid, said that to understand that indigenous people think of land as alive, people need to “de-educate from the Western concepts that are so ingrained in our thinking.”

Viaene, alongside Belkis Izquierdo Torres, judge for the Chamber for the Acknowledgement of Truth, Responsibility and the Determination of Facts and Conduct of Colombia’s Special Jurisdiction for Peace, came together to talk about transitional justice.

Transitional justice, according to the International Center for Transitional Justice, addresses systematic violations of human rights in countries after periods of conflict. These violations normally cannot be adequately addressed in the regular justice system.

The Special Jurisdiction for Peace employs transitional justice to reduce armed conflict by recognizing the trauma of victims and working both sides of the conflict to find solutions that do not include long prison sentences, according to the Latin America and Carribean Centre.

As a judge, Torres said she can designate territories as victims of armed conflict if the conflict causes the environment to be impacted. This includes justice for indigenous territories.

Viaene said humans and the environment are interdependent on each other.

Humans are inseparable from the lands they come from and recognizing this relationship is one step toward improving and expanding justice in the world, said Viaene.

Torres said land itself possesses certain rights that should be taken into account when analyzing complex conflicts.

“Within the justice and reparations framework, we must start thinking of the interdependent relationships we have with diverse systems of life that also have the right to live and thrive,” Viaene said.

CSON Lends a Hand Faculty and students in the Connell School of Nursing played an important role in Boston College’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a University release.

Colleen Simonelli, the only nurse on the University’s COVID-19 task force and associate dean for undergraduate programs in CSON, surveyed nurses before the start of the school year and translated their advice on distancing requirements into steps the University could take to keep students safe.

“It was great to have nurses’ voices heard and rewarding to know nurses’ expertise was being valued,” Simonelli said in the release.

CSON graduate students who are registered nurses took part in the University’s mass testing efforts, as well as the school’s faculty.

Nurse practitioner students also acted as support staff for students in isolation housing. Many made telehealth calls to the students, checking in on their physical symptoms and mental well-being, according to the release.

“The BC students had a lot of questions and were also dealing with loneliness and anxiety around what the time in isolation would look like,” Patricia Underwood, a clinical assistant professor in CSON and director of the Family Nurse Practitioner Program, said. “In addition to checking their symptoms, we were able to provide guidance and education.”

The school also collaborated with University Counseling Services in running a support group for students struggling with stress and anxiety. Two CSON graduate students used cognitive behavior therapy to teach undergraduates in the group anxiety management skills.

“BC is a community and we needed to help out,” Simonelli said.

By Erin Shannon Copy Chief

Miles Taylor, a whistleblower within the Trump administration, spoke about the importance of dissent and shared his own experiences Thursday on Zoom.

The event, titled “Why Dissent Matters— Lessons on Leadership Culture from a White House Whistleblower,” was hosted by the Winston Center for Leadership and Ethics.

While within the Trump administration, Taylor said he worked as the chief of staff to the U.S. secretary of homeland security.

In 2018, he published an anonymous oped in The New York Times criticizing the Trump administration. Taylor recounted coming forward as the author and the aftermath of the decision.

“I turn on the television and the president is at a rally in front of thousands of people,” Taylor said. “And he says the words, ‘bad things will happen to Miles Taylor’ and goes on a tirade about me. A dog whistle, of course, to his supporters that they should make bad things happen to me.”

One of the fundamental separations between Taylor and former President Donald Trump, according to Taylor, is their opinions on dissent. To explain his ideas, Taylor referenced former President Theodore Roosevelt, who said it was morally important to speak both pleasant and unpleasant truths about

"The option was to stay on the sidelines and critique this administration with that small bullhorn I had..." the president.

After he submitted the anonymous op-ed, Taylor said Trump tweeted “TREASON?” in reference to him.

“Those seven letters say all you need to know about the man under which I was serving at the time,” Taylor said. “He believed any dissent and any criticism of him was treason. I saw this inherently different.”

Before further explaining his own story, Taylor encouraged listeners to critique his decisions, saying this criticism is what dissent represents.

“I want you guys to listen to these examples—listen to the decisions I made and please question my judgment,” Taylor said. “Because I didn't always make the right calls, but that is the spirit of dissent.

You should question the decisions I’ve made.”

Taylor said that before joining the Trump administration, he worked with former House Speaker Paul Ryan on what he called the “Trump inoculation plan.” According to Taylor, the plan hoped to stop Trump’s election or provide a conservative government plan so the administration would not be governed completely by impulse.

Taylor discussed his difficult decision to join the administration.

“I had no interest in going to serve Donald Trump,” Taylor said. “I revered John Kelly. The opportunity was to come in and be General Kelly's national security adviser. The option was to stay on the sidelines and critique this administration from the outside with what small bullhorn I had at that point in time, or I was convinced by John's team, come in and try to help keep this place in check.”

Taylor said one of the turning points for him while working for the former

"He believed any dissent and any criticism of him was treason. I saw this inherently different[ly]."

president was Trump’s reaction to former Senator John McCain’s death. Taylor said he received a phone call saying that Trump wanted all of the flags that had been lowered to half-staff in McCain’s honor to be raised. Though Trump was talked out of this decision, Taylor said this was a crucial moment for him.

“This was the straw that broke the camel's back,” Taylor said. “A bad man hell-bent on using the powers of his office to dishonor a good leader—it was an example, a microcosm of all the worst things that were happening in the Trump administration.”

Taylor said he left the administration when he realized dissent from the inside was no longer working and decided to write a book titled A Warning under a pseudonym. When he feared Trump was going to win reelection, Taylor said he came forward as the author.

He also said he worked with the largest group of past Trump administration staffers to speak out against his reelection.

When asked about the future of the Republican Party, Taylor questioned a return to the party’s values.

“Where do we go next as a Republican Party?” Taylor said. “How do we get beyond the extremism of Trumpism, and back towards the center, back towards the center-right party that's rational, that believes in the values of free minds, free markets, and free people and not in a cult of personality?”n

An Inside Look At On-Campus Testing at BC

IKRAM ALI / HEIGHTS EDITOR

Testing, from A1 According to Johnson, this part of the process takes the longest because someone needs to manually add the buffer to each testing sample.

The buffer is then transferred to new plates, and put into a machine that extracts any viral nucleic acid present in the buffer, Johnson said.

“The actual extraction is an automated system, we load the sample and then it goes through extraction and clean up automatically and it spits out a plate that has extracted nucleic acid in it,” Kirmaier said.

The majority of the samples will not have anything in them, because all that was extracted during the extraction phase is the viral RNA that contains the SARSCoV-2 virus, Johnson said.

“But … if there was some virus in the nasal swab, then the genetic material will be stuck on the swab,” he said.

This process, according to Johnson, takes approximately 20 minutes. The extracted genetic material is then added to the PCR mix, and the samples are taken to a third lab, where the PCR machine is located.

The plates containing the final reaction

of the PCR mix and the viral nucleic acid is combined with three other plates and loaded into a PCR machine, Johnson said.

The PCR machine amplifies the extracted viral RNA until it reaches a level where the genetic material can be detected, which takes about an hour.

A computer software then analyzes the sample to make a diagnostic call about whether the sample contains the virus.

The on-campus lab sequences for the presence of three genes while processing tests. A positive test result would be the presence of one, two, or three of these genes.

“It’s basically a yes or no test,” Johnson said. “It’s either present or not. We don’t really quantify the virus.”

PCR tests are the most effective, Johnson said, because they can detect a lower virus amount than a rapid test. The lab’s use of PCR tests allows for positive individuals to get into isolation before they would be at the peak of virus levels.

“For the RT-PCR test that we can do, the detection limit is very low, meaning that we can start to detect the virus, even at a low level, at say day two or three,” he said.

“The sooner you can detect somebody the sooner you can prevent further spread of the virus," he said.

IKRAM ALI / HEIGHTS EDITOR

In the last step, the test results are reported to UHS and updated to Medicat, the software that handles student health information. UHS is then responsible for reporting the information to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH), Johnson said.

Compared to the Broad Institute, the way that the BCML processes COVID-19 tests differs in important ways, according to Johnson.

While the Broad Institute can only guarantee that the tests will be processed in under 24 hours, the on-campus lab can process tests in three to five hours, Johnson said.

The Broad Institute is “high throughput” while the BC lab is “rapid turnaround,” he said, meaning that while the Broad Institute has the capacity to process more tests, the on-campus lab can process them with a much faster turnaround time, which is important for BC because earlier detection can help slow the spread of the virus on campus.

The two labs also generally process tests for different groups of students.

“The idea [for the on-campus lab] was to

genes—the ORF1a gene, the S gene, and the N gene—while processing COVID-19 tests.

“The advantage of that is because RNA viruses have a high mutation rate, it’s always theoretically possible that a mutation in a gene could interfere with the ability to detect [the virus],” he said.

The Broad Institute, according to Johnson, only tests for the N gene when processing tests.

Johnson shared an example from November, in which one individual tested positive for two genes through the oncampus lab and not the other.

“They were what we call an ‘N gene drop-out,’” he said. “That’s somebody, for example, that the Broad might have missed but we picked it up because we’ve got at least two other genes that can pick it up.”

This is especially effective now, Johnson said, as the United Kingdom and South African variants of the virus are known to have mutations in the S gene. Since the on-campus lab tests for all three genes, the lab can still pick up the virus in the event that one gene is mutated

IKRAM ALI / HEIGHTS EDITOR

focus on symptomatic and contact tracing but we can also augment surveillance [testing],” Johnson said.

He also said that having an on-campus lab allows BC to test student-athletes before sporting events in which the athletes must provide a negative test in order to be eligible to play.

The Broad Institute, according to Johnson, mostly processes asymptomatic surveillance testing samples, but can change depending on the capabilities of each lab.

Another difference between the Broad Institute and the on-campus lab is that the on-campus lab sequences for three genes, while the Broad Institute sequences for one.

The BCML, Johnson said, independently tests for the presence of three different

and does not show up. This also allows the on-campus lab to track whether the new variants are present and report it to the DPH. The trajectory of the lab this academic year has been a learning experience, Johnson said.

“There was a power outage last semester,” he said. “Suddenly, our computers and stuff didn’t work when the power came back, so we’ve installed uninterrupted power supplies on the major equipment so that won’t happen.”

Kirmaier said she is proud of how well the on-campus lab team came together, even in the face of many regulations and long work days.

“I’m really happy we can make a significant contribution to the BC community now,” she said. n

The Heights

Monday, February 22, 2021

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UGBC Offers Local Food Vouchers

By Amy Palmer Asst. News Editor

ÉAMON LAUGHLIN / HEIGHTS EDITOR

Johnson Applauds BC Testing, Student Efforts Johnson, from A1 Johnson attributed recent trends in cases to a higher baseline reported during the pre-semester weeks. He also said Super Bowl gatherings likely played a role.

“I think one thing is, the semester only started a couple weeks ago,” Johnson said.

“We started at a higher baseline than August … So probably we’re starting with more virus on campus this semester, and then we had Super Bowl Sunday. I’m pretty fairly confident that some of what we’ve seen in the past week is probably fallout from Super Bowl Sunday.”

Generally, Johnson said, the virus is not spreading in academic settings, but rather in unmasked social gatherings, which violate the Eagles Care Pledge.

“As far as we can tell it hasn’t happened in classrooms or locker rooms or offices … it just seems like most of the time it’s because of a party or a gathering where somebody ... is shedding a lot of virus,” Johnson said.

Johnson also noted that although some students are violating social gathering restrictions, it is imperative to recognize and appreciate students that are following the rules.

Philip Landrigan, a biology professor, praised the steps the University has taken to address the recent outbreak in an email to The Heights. He said he expects cases to decrease in the next few weeks as long as BC’s testing, isolating, contact tracing, and disciplinary strategies all continue.

“BC is taking all of the right steps: frequent testing, isolation, contact tracing, and disciplinary action as needed,” he said.

“I expect that these actions will bend the curve downward within the next several weeks.”

The University has administered 59,659 community tests since the start of the spring semester, and conducted 140,535 tests during the fall semester, according to the University’s COVID-19 dashboard.

BC has been administering an average of 1,754.68 community tests per day this semester, compared to a rate of 1,097.93 in the fall.

BC has reported 281 undergraduate cases at the end of the third week of the spring semester, compared to 125 cases at the end of the third week of the fall semester.

Johnson said that the University is testing as many students as is necessary.

“As a matter of fact, in the last week or

two we’ve probably done more tests in one week than we did, say, during one week back in November, but we’re not catching more positives,” he said in an email to The Heights. “It tells us that we’re probably doing as much testing as is necessary.”

Johnson also said that there is more to the University’s COVID-19 strategy than just testing. Contact tracing and the rapidity of testing are also important, he said.

“Testing alone isn’t what works,” Johnson said. “It’s the rapidity of the testing, the contact tracing. Testing is not a cure-all, right? It’s not a panacea to prevent the virus. What testing ... allows you to do is to identify people and try to stop the virus from spreading.”

Johnson said that the longer the pandemic drags on and cases persist at the University, the more likely it becomes that an undergraduate student is hospitalized or dies from the virus.

“Keep in mind the longer this drags on, the more likely it is that an undergraduate will wind up hospitalized or dying,” he said.

“So far, BC’s been lucky.”

Johnson said that efforts among students to uphold social distancing requirements may accelerate the decline of the virus at the University.

“So it’s actually a theoretical fact that if everybody would just stand still for like two weeks, the virus would be gone all over the world,” Johnson said. “Let’s keep remembering that we’re kind of in a battle to end this together, and the more that people comply, the faster it’s going to go away.”

Landrigan agreed that students need to continue wearing masks and social distancing.

“I sympathize that these are very tough times and that they have been going on for far too long,” Landrigan wrote. “But students have to think beyond themselves, truly be men and women for others, and be responsible members of the community.”

The progress made with vaccine distribution during the first few weeks of President Joe Biden’s administration offers hope to BC students and community members, Landrigan said.

“The vaccine is coming,” Landrigan said. “The Biden administration is doing everything in their power to overcome nine months of inaction by their predecessors and to do the right thing. Be patient. Be strong. Be kind.”n

The Undergraduate Government of Boston College is purchasing vouchers for students from local businesses in an effort to boost campus morale, according to Christian Guma, UGBC president.

“This would be a way to make people happy,” Guma, CSOM ’21, said. “...We wanted to find a way to sort of do our part as UGBC to help the students and help the community.”

Starting in November, UGBC has paid for 500 vouchers for White Mountain Creamery, 750 vouchers for Flat Breads, and 1,000 vouchers for Dunkin’, according to Guma. The vouchers were free for students and could be picked up at Robsham Theater on a first-come, first-served basis, according to a UGBC notice.

“One of our goals this year in all of UGBC was to use our funds to benefit the students directly,” Guma said. “That’s something that, you know, wasn’t always the case in years past and we wanted to make that a priority

this year.”

Guma said that he hopes the voucher program can continue after he is gone because it is a great way to invest directly in the student body and local businesses.

Working with these businesses has had a great impact on BC students and the community as a whole, Guma said, especially on the businesses nearby.

“I think we all realize with COVID is that the small businesses .... are part of sort of what makes BC, BC... ” he said.

John Acampora, the owner of Flat Breads, said he has worked there for 29 years and has never seen this much excitement from students before.

“Given the economic environment that we operate in, when the students leave [campus] we’re out of business,” he said. “So the opportunity to serve, you know, at any level is substantial.”

Acampora said he thinks the University should do more in terms of supporting local businesses through programs like this one.

Given the opportunity, Acampora said Flat Breads would continue to provide vouchers

through UGBC. “I think it’s a win win for everybody, you know, and I think, quite frankly, the more BC does stuff like that—that’s a bit more creative and outside the lines—it serves everybody in a very wonderful way,” he said.

Peter Coufos, the owner of White Mountain Creamery, said that his business experienced an increase in sales the week UGBC did the giveaways, with lots of students coming in. Coufos said given the opportunity, White Mountain would provide gift certificates through UGBC again.

“Yeah everything worked out well and, you know, we were happy to do it and just be more, as much connected to BC as possible,” Coufos said.

Guma said that he wanted to highlight the work of everyone involved, particularly Ellen McDonald—manager of ticket operations at Robsham Theater—Robsham Theater staff, Acampora, Coufos, and UGBC as a whole.

“This makes people happy and ... if we can play a small part in that, then, you know, that’s a win in my book,” Guma said. n

Study Reveals Effects of the Trump Admin. on American Public Health

By Julia Landwehr Heights Staff The Trump administration’s policies on health insurance, environmental protections, food security, immigration, reproductive rights, and racial inequality have all negatively impacted the country’s public health, a new report co-authored

by Philip Landrigan, director of Boston College’s Global Observatory on Pollution and Health, found.

“Every one of these policy changes that was initiated by the Trump administration has a negative impact on human health,” Landrigan, BC ’63, said. “Whether it’s cutting back health insurance, whether it’s increasing air pollution, whether it’s pulling back safeguards to keep workers from getting killed on the job—all of them have impacts on health.”

The report, which compared the United States’ life expectancy and death rates by age group to that of other G7 nations, said that in 2018 alone, 461,000 American lives were lost unnecessarily.

More recently, over 40 percent of COVID-19 deaths in the United States also could have been avoided, according to the report, which was titled “Public Policy and Health in the Trump Era” and was published last week in The Lancet.

Landrigan worked with Samantha Fisher, a senior data analyst at the BC Global Observatory on Pollution and Health, and two other scientists to research and report on the specific environmental and occupational hazard rollbacks enacted during Trump’s presidency.

Th e t e a m w r o t e t h a t Tr u m p’s administration removed dozens of different environmental protections and relaxed

Over 40 percent of COVID-19 deaths could have been avoided.

regulations for workers in mining.

“Between 2016 and 2019, the annual nu m b e r o f e nv i ro n m e nt a l l y a n d occupationally related deaths increased by more than 22,000, reversing 15 years of steady progress,” the report said.

Deaths from black lung and silicosis lung disease have increased for workers breathing in rock and coal dust, as well as on-the-job injuries, Landrigan said. He is also concerned about air pollution and fine particulate matter (PM) 2.5. These tiny particles of pollution can also cause lung disease, as well as heart attacks, stroke, diabetes, and more.

“The greenhouse gases that drive climate change and the fine particles that cause air pollution, both arise from the combustion of fossil fuels,” Landrigan said. “So, anything that Biden can do to wean the United States of America off of fossil fuels and accelerate the transition to renewables is going to be a good thing … by slowing the pace of global warming.”

The rising levels of PM 2.5 and other environmental toxins mirror reports found in Landrigan’s work with ocean pollution—he released a study on its negative effects this past December that became the scientific backing for the Monaco Declaration, a document that called upon world leaders and global citizens to combat ocean pollution.

In addition to environmental and occupational hazards that might more traditionally explain declines in public health, the new report also names socioeconomic and racial differences as driving factors behind the U. S. public health issues.

The country’s history of white supremacy has entrenched inequalities in housing, education, policing, and more, all of which affect the health of Americans of color, the report said.

It also blames Trump’s attempts to dismantle the Affordable Care Act, or Obamacare, for an additional 2.3 million people losing their health insurance, even

before the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Any erosion of health protections in a society, any policy that ties health to wealth, is inevitably going to increase disparities in health in the society, for the simple reason that people who can afford to get decent health care will seek it out and people who cannot afford it will do without,” Landrigan said.

Though the report names Trump and his policies explicitly for denigrating public health, it also goes into detail about the

In 2018 alone, 461,000 American lives were lost unnecessarily. historical and political context of these policies, including the impact of neoliberal politics in the 1970s and 1980s.

The report also suggests a number of steps that its authors feel are necessary for President Joe Biden and his administration to take in the coming months and years to protect the health of Americans.

The rep ort applauds the Biden administration for rejoining the World Health Organization and the Paris Agreement, as well as for investing in social programs and education, reducing the military budget, passing the Green New Deal, and enacting single payer health care.

Landrigan also said that Biden’s biggest focus should be on preventing health crises by championing nutrition reforms, access to reproductive care, and environmental protections. And, because preventative measures won’t solve everything, Landrigan said Biden needs to focus on providing adequate health care access for all.

“The only way you can reduce health disparities in a society is make health care accessible to everybody, with few barriers, and have a reasonable environment so that everybody in society, rich or poor, gets to breathe clean air and drink clean water,” Landrigan said. n

Latifat Odetunde Wins Annual MLK Jr. Scholarship

By Julia Kiersznowski Assoc. News Editor Latifat Odetunde—this year’s recipient of the annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Scholarship—said that she was inspired by the excellence of her Black peers when she attended the scholarship ceremony during her freshman year.

“Seeing all of the scholars, seeing all of the videos and all that they were able to achieve in their two years was just so inspirational,” Odetunde, MCAS ’22, said.

“It literally brought me to tears just to see Black excellence … Seeing the ceremony, it pushed me to say, ‘You know I need to be super involved. I’m capable of doing this.’”

Odetunde will receive up to $19,000 to go toward her senior year tuition, as well as a $1,000 gift certificate to the BC Bookstore. The four other finalists of the scholarship—Grace Assogba and Darnell Fils, both MCAS ’22, Armani Mitchell, Lynch ’22, and Nana Kusi Minkah, CSOM ’22—will receive a $3,000 tuition scholarship and a gift certificate to the Bookstore.

The award is given each year to a junior who has excelled in academics, extracurricular leadership, and community service,

and who has been involved in the African American community at BC and beyond, according to the BC website.

Odetunde joined the Student Admission Program (SAP) her freshman year and became a part of the AHANA Outreach Program. She helped plan that year’s AHANA+ weekend—an annual event in April when high school seniors who have been admitted to BC can join other AHANA+ students in exploring what resources BC has to offer. The event was significant to her because AHANA+ weekend was one of the main reasons she chose BC three years ago, Odetunde said.

“It was a time where I felt like I would have a community if I was to enroll at Boston College, so AHANA weekend was an amazing experience where I was able to see what BC had to offer in terms of extracurriculars or resources available,” she said.

Odetunde said she still talks to many of the former prospective students—who are now sophomores at BC—who she mentored during the event her freshman year.

“It’s been amazing to see them grow,” she said. “Through SAP and the AHANA outreach community, I feel like I’m making an impact through forming connections

and maintaining those connections and being a support and guide to those AHANA students that I found through AHANA weekend and sticking with them.”

Odetunde was also a freshman representative for the Black Student Forum, and her sophomore year joined the Bowman Advocates for Inclusive Culture, where she would help facilitate conversations about social justice in freshman dorms.

“I wanted to encourage students to become active members of their community and just affirm them that they do have power and a voice to make a change,” she said.

Odetunde has also been involved in the AHANA+ community in her position as a council member for 48Hours, a weekend retreat for freshmen hosted by the Office of First Year Experience. She said she had a good experience at 48Hours her freshman year, but realized that she was one of the only Black Muslim women in the space.

Odetunde decided to join the 48Hours council and encourage them to form a collaboration with the Compass Mentoring Program, a BC mentorship program that is geared toward AHANA+ students.

“The way that I saw my role within the

space was finding ways to close the binary or the divide that tends to manifest itself on campus where we use this language of AHANA students versus non-AHANA students, which is just a washed-down way of saying white versus students of color,” Odetunde said. “It’s still perpetuating this idea of a binary of black versus white, leaving anybody who falls in between behind.”

Odetunde has also been active in the Black community outside of BC’s campus.

In the summer of 2020, she conducted a research study on the identity development of Muslim African women, where she interviewed 10 women about how intersectionality plays a role in their lives.

“There’s not a lot of literature on the Black Muslim community as a whole,” Odetunde said. “That lack of visibility and resources made me feel invisible, where I feel like it’s one of the reasons I fell into a depressive state my sophomore year, because I just wasn’t seen in that way. So research was my way of gaining visibility and I think pioneering the conversation of the Black Muslim community here at Boston College.”

Another way Odetunde is combating the lack of visibility for the Black Muslim

community is through creating Black Muslim TV, a platform created to allow Black Muslims to share their voices and experiences and to provide representation.

Odetunde said the MLK Scholarship feels like an affirmation of her genuine passion for her activism. Her sophomore year, Odetunde said she felt she had spread herself too thin in terms of her involvement and activism. Since then, she has concentrated her efforts on where she believes she can have the biggest impact.

“I really had to take a step back to assess,” she said. “What does activism mean to me? What is my purpose and what change do I want to make? … That’s when I talk a lot about the Black Muslim community, because I feel like that is my niche, that is my purpose.” n

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE BAIC

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TRIPLE CROWN The Heights

Monday, February 22, 2021

BIRDBALL’S THREE BRIGHTEST STARS ARE ON THE HUNT FOR A LASTING LEGACY IN WHAT’S LIKELY THEIR LAST SEASON TOGETHER BEFORE HEADING TO THE PROS.

By Ethan Ott

Asst. Sports Editor

As the 2021 NCAA baseball season kicks off this weekend, Boston College baseball seems poised to make a run at the College World Series for the first time since 2016. The Eagles have worked their way to preliminary relevance this season, and if their combined 24-5 blowouts over Charleston Southern in their seasonopening doubleheader is any indication, their momentum will continue to build.

The core of this year’s BC team consists of three juniors: Sal Frelick, Mason Pelio, and Cody Morissette. All three were voted preseason All-Americans this year, and though their sophomore seasons were cut short due to COVID-19, the trio caught the attention of the baseball world during their freshman year when both Frelick and Morissette made the All-ACC Freshman Team. With all three projected to be drafted in the first two rounds of this season’s MLB draft, this is likely BC’s last chance to make it to Omaha backed by its three staple juniors.

Sal Frelick

As a freshman, Frelick led the Eagles in batting average, on-base percentage, slugging percentage, and stolen bases. With

plenty of speed and the ability to get on base, Frelick is the ideal top-of-the-order hitter.

He batted leadoff in the abbreviated 2020 season and has hit second in both of this season’s games. Frelick’s slash line speaks for itself—he led the team in all three categories his freshman year (.367 / .447 / .513)—but arguably more impressive is his tact on the basepaths. Last season, Frelick stole seven bases without being thrown out. During his freshman year, he stole 18 bases on 21 attempts. His speed comes in handy on both sides of the ball, as Frelick plays primarily in center field, covering the most ground of the three outfield positions. Frelick’s talents are not limited to baseball, as he was captain of his high school’s football and hockey teams as well as baseball. During his senior season, Frelick’s football talents received recognition when he was named the Massachusetts Gatorade Player of the Year. Frelick is the highest ranked of BC’s three draft prospects at No. 25.

Mason Pelio

Standing at 6-foot-3, right-handed Pelio is the ace of the BC’s pitching staff.

Pelio received the coveted role of opening day starter this season, allowing just three hits and no runs in the five innings he pitched against Charleston Southern on

Saturday. Originally from San Diego, Calif., Pelio stands at No. 31—No. 13 among RHPs—in the draft prospect rankings.

During his freshman season, Pelio started 13 games and posted a 3.62 earned run average (ERA). He struck out 62 batters and walked 37, finishing the season with a 4-3 win-loss record. The pitcher faced relative struggles in just 22 innings pitched last season for a 4.09 ERA and 1.45 walks and hits per inning. He won one game and lost two, but Pelio seems to be back at the top of his game to open 2021. In high school, Pelio posted a career 1.96 ERA with 16 wins and 144 strikeouts in 121 innings pitched.

At the conclusion of his high school career, Pelio was ranked the No. 364 MLB Draft prospect by Baseball America.

Cody Morissette

Morissette rounds out the list of BC’s top prospects, earning himself a spot at No. 43 on the draft projections. Unlike his other standout classmates, Morissette shined during the beginning of the 2020 season.

In 58 at-bats, the infielder led the team with an astonishing .448 batting average as well as a 1.177 on base plus slugging percentage (OPS). While his freshman season was slightly less phenomenal, Morissette still stood out early in his career. He led the

team in RBIs and doubles with 41 and 20 respectively, and he hit for a .320 average and a .847 OPS. At the conclusion of his first season, he made the All-ACC Freshman Team with Second-Team All-ACC honors and was listed as a Baseball America Freshman All-American. Morissette plays across the infield at second base, shortstop, and third base for the Eagles. A talented overall offensive player with the ability to do some damage between bases, Morrissette

has started this season batting in the threehole—typically reserved for the best overall hitter. At Exeter High School in Exeter, N.H.—the same school that produced BC football tight end Hunter Long— Morissette led his team to back-to-back state championships and was honored as the Division I Player of the Year in 2017.

He hit for a .439 average and a .560 OBP in high school, and he also shined on the mound with a 1.21 ERA and a 19-1 record.

OLIVIA CHARBONNEAU / HEIGHTS EDITOR

Birdball Opens Season With Three-Game Sweep

By Lucas Girardi Heights Staff

Boston College baseball showed up to play in its season-opening doubleheader, and practically every at-bat was fruitful.

BC’s offense put up staggering numbers across the two Boston College 12 games: 24 runs, Charleston Southern 4 four home runs, 25 hits, and sevBoston College 12 en stolen bases Charleston Southern 1 all in just 18 innings. The Eagles last played 11 months ago with a 10-7 win over Holy Cross but weren’t a bit rusty to open the 2021 season.

Supported by strong starting pitching, the offense cruised to two practically faultless victories.

BC (2-0) carried its momentum from a win in the first game of the doubleheader right into the second game, taking advantage of sloppy defense from Charleston Southern (0-2) to take home a 12-1 win.

Buccaneers’ pitcher Krishna Raj gave up two singles, walked two batters, and hit another two batters in just the first inning alone, and the field allowed a steal and an extra run due to a costly overthrow, which allowed the Eagles to jump out to an early 3-0 lead.

From there, BC coasted, adding runs here and there and breaking out for four in the seventh. A dominant performance from starter Emmet Sheehan bolstered

the Eagles’ impressive showing. Sheehan recorded nine strikeouts in his first start of the season while keeping the Buccaneers’ bats almost completely quiet, allowing just two hits and two walks over six innings.

Center fielder Sal Frelick went 3-for-5 with an RBI and two stolen bases, and shortstop Brian Dempsey went 3-for-4 with four RBIs. Sophomore second baseman Luke Gold went 2-for-5 with a double and a triple.

Relief pitcher Joey Walsh gave up one run to the Bucs in the ninth, but the damage was already done, and the victory was sealed for BC. The first game told a very similar story, as the Eagles dominated in their opener in Charleston to start the season off on the right note, running up a 12-4 victory over the Buccaneers. BC bats both started and ended the game quietly, but the Eagles went on a tear after finding their groove and scored at least one run for five consecutive innings, including a five-run sixth inning.

While Charleston pitchers struggled, BC junior right-hander Mason Pelio had a fantastic opening day start for the Eagles, allowing no runs and only three hits over five innings.

The Bucs chipped away at the scoreboard late in the game against relief pitchers Michael Marzonie and Daniel Baruch, but the Eagles’ already large cushion solidified the win for BC.

Right fielder Dante Baldelli hit two of BC’s four home runs in the nine slot, picking up three RBIs and scoring three runs as well. He kicked off the scoring for the Eagles in the third with his first homer of the game, a solo shot.

Third baseman Cody Morissette and catcher Peter Burns each drove out two-run homers as well, both going 2-for-4 in the game.

Starter RJ Petit and the rest of Charleston’s pitching staff struggled to avoid walks in the first game. The Buccaneers’ pitchers walked every BC hitter except for one, racking up an unsettling total of nine walks in the game.

Walks were partly the cause for the Eagles’ five-run sixth inning in which they only notched two singles but had four batters walk. Petit was pulled after giving up five runs, five hits, and three walks over 4.1 innings pitched.

BC right-hander Marzonie could not find his rhythm on the mound in the opener after coming in to relieve Pelio, hitting two batters while also giving up a walk and a hit before being pulled in the bottom of the sixth.

Some standout defensive performances included Burns catching a runner trying to steal second in the sixth inning, and Pelio picking off the first Buccaneer of the game to reach first base in the first inning. n

By Frank Fishman Heights Staff

It was the top of the eighth inning at Shipyard Park in Charleston, S.C. With a 3-2 count and two outs, Boston College baseball first baseman Boston College 10 Jack CunningCharleston Southern 2 ham stood on second base, and designated hitter Joe Vetrano lined up at the plate. Charleston Southern left-hander Hunter McIntosh delivered a pitch, and Vetrano doubled to left center to bring Cunningham in for the Eagles’ 10th run of the game, marking the third straight game they had scored in double digits.

With Sunday’s high-flying offense, BC (3-0) swept the Buccaneers (0-3) in its three-game season-opening road series by a final score of 10-2, bringing the series’ total runs scored to a staggering 34-7 in favor of the Eagles.

BC’s pitching staff features a one-two punch with a pair of juniors in Mason Pelio and Emmet Sheehan, both of whom had strong outings in the Eagles’ opening day doubleheader. Two-way freshman Vetrano, who boasts a low-90s fastball as well as a solid slider and changeup, got the starting nod on Sunday.

Vetrano threw two solid innings on just 30 pitches, giving up just one unearned run on no hits, two strikeouts, and one walk before Alex Stiegler relieved him. Stiegler picked up the win in four innings of shutout relief.

Offensively, Vetrano went 2-for-4 with a single, double, walk, stolen base, and an RBI. He also came in to score in the seventh inning on a bases-loaded walk by Chris Galland.

The game began with a leadoff walk of Galland, followed by center fielder Sal Frelick doubling down the left-field line to drive in Galland and put the Eagles on the board in the top of the first. Frelick later singled up the middle to knock in right fielder Dante Baldelli, kicking off a four-run third inning.

Charleston Southern freshman pitcher Daniel Padysak walked Cunningham with the bases loaded to bring in Galland. Luke Gold’s two-run single into left field to score both Frelick and shortstop Brian Dempsey finished off the third-inning rally.

Sunday’s game featured a total of four defensive errors between the two squads.

The Buccaneers’ first run of the game was unearned, as Charleston Southern shortstop Tyrell Brewer advanced to second base on a throwing error by Vetrano. Brewer scored that inning on a fielder’s choice. Charleston Southern also booted the ball three times, resulting in two unearned runs for BC. Charleston Southern scraped together another run in the bottom of the ninth as the Eagles began to empty out their lineup with substitutes. Dante Blakeney came in to pinch hit and singled up the middle off of BC’s Max Gieg to bring home catcher Christian Maggio for their second run of the ballgame. n

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The Heights

Monday, February 22, 2021

BC Beats Georgia Tech for Second Conference Victory

By Caroline Brown Heights Staff

Coming off back-to-back losses against Pittsburgh and Miami—plus four more losses before a string of postponeGeorgia Tech 43 ments—BosBoston College 49 t o n C o l l e g e women’s basketball looked to bounce back against Georgia Tech. The Yellow Jackets entered the game in third place in the Atlantic Coast Conference. The Eagles, on the other hand, sit 10 spots below Georgia Tech in the conference rankings.

As part of the winter sports season’s Unity Week across the ACC, BC celebrated Black History Month in its final home game of the season.

BC warmed up in shirts reading “Black History is Our History” and honored LaVerne Mosley, BC’s first Black member of the women’s basketball program from 1973-77 and Rita Roach, the program’s first Black scholarship athlete, who played from 1982-86.

Despite the differential in ranking, BC (6-10, 2-10 Atlantic Coast) downed Georgia Tech (13-6, 11-5 Atlantic Coast) for its second ACC win of the year, 49-43.

“It’s almost like when you have something when you’re playing for something bigger than just yourself,” head coach Joanna Bernabei-McNamee said in her postgame press conference. “It kind of makes those wins a little bit more special.”

The game was a defensive battle, as the final score would indicate. Well over halfway through the first quarter, the game was still tied 2-2.

Coming out of the first media timeout with three minutes left in the first, Georgia Tech’s Nerea Hermosa hit two free throws to reopen the scoring. The Eagles responded with consecutive scores from Cameron Swartz and Marnelle Garraud. Despite a last-second half-court shot by Yellow Jacket guard Lotta-Maj Lahtinen, the Eagles held a 9-8 lead after the first quarter of play.

Georgia Tech scored first out of the break and went on a 4-0 run, which Swartz quickly erased with back-toback layups.

Swartz’s effort sparked an 11-0 run midway through the quarter, thanks in large part to tenacious defense and unselfish play from the Eagles.

Leading scorer Taylor Soule capped off the run with an and-one chance. At halftime, the Eagles held a 25-20 lead.

Coming out of the half, the Yellow Jackets quickly cut the five-point deficit and eventually gained the lead just two minutes into the quarter. An 8-0 run for Georgia Tech ensued. A Soule layup broke the almost-four-minute drought for the Eagles.

The Eagles quickly got their stride back as Swartz was fouled while making a deep 3-pointer for a fourpoint play. A late jumper from Kierra Fletcher gave the Yellow Jackets a four-point lead headed into the final quarter of play in Chestnut Hill this

PHOTO COURTESY OF BC ATHLETICS

BC guard Cameron Swartz recorded a team-high 23 points in the Eagles’ second conference win of the season.

season.

A combination of hustle on the court and intensity coming from the coaching staff and the bench made for a wild fourth quarter for the Eagles.

The first points of the quarter came from Jaelyn Batts, who stole the ball and ran down the court for an easy layup.

Swartz, who led the Eagles with 23 points—nearly half the Eagles’ points—tied the game at 41 with just 4:42 left to play.

Following a late timeout, Georgia Tech used the entirety of the 20-second shot clock to come up empty, giving the Eagles the ball back with just over one minute to play. With the shot clock winding down, freshman Ally VanTimmeren was fouled while shooting a layup.

Although she missed the and-one chance, her efforts nonetheless extended BC’s lead to four. After Georgia Tech’s Lorela Cubaj missed a wideopen triple, Swartz was immediately

fouled and made both shots, extending the lead to six with 12 seconds to play and sealing the Eagles’ victory.

Though BC has struggled this season, the ACC Tournament is on the horizon, and as the saying goes, anything can happen in March.

“If there’s ever going to be a year where an underdog can maybe shake things up and make something happen, it could be this year,” Bernabei-McNamee said. “So, that’s what we’re trying to do.” n

Eagles Prevail in Battle of Comm. Ave.

By Maria O’Donnell Heights Staff In 61 meetings, Boston College women’s hockey and Boston University have never entered the third period scoreBoston College 2 less—t hat is, Boston University 0 before Saturday. After 40 long, contentious minutes, it became evident that whoever notched the first goal would win the game, and BC’s Jillian Fey made sure of that fact.

The Eagles were outplayed and outskated during the first two periods, but that didn’t stop Fey in the third. Picking up a rebound, Fey dragged the puck across BU goalie Corinne Schroeder’s net and utilized her backhand to shatter the game’s goalless drought. “[That goal] was huge,” BC head coach Kat ie Crowley sa id i n her postgame press conference. “She has been able to score some big goals for us this year, and that was another one of them. I think you want more than just one line producing, and that was extremely helpful to have her line produce [a goal].”

Fey’s goal was the momentum boost t he E ag les needed, a nd it helped No. 6 BC (14-4) to a 2-0 win

over crosstown rival BU (6-5).

“It was a hardworking play, and we only needed to score once, and then once you score that first one you feel a little more comfortable,” Crowley said.

The Battle of Comm. Ave. began on Oct. 18, 2005 during BU and BC’s first official matchup, and since then the teams have battled a total of 62 times, seven of which were ties.

BC holds the series edge 32-23.

Recently, however, the Eagles have s t r u g g l e d a g a i n s t t he Te r r i e r s , and before Saturday they lost the la st fou r ga mes aga i n st BU. On Friday night, the Eagles suffered a gut-wrenching loss at Kelley Rink despite an early 2-0 lead, snapping t hei r i mpressive n i ne-ga me w i n streak.

Te n s i o n s w e r e h i g h i n Wa l ter Brow n A rena when t he puck dropped on Saturday evening. The teams exchanged a couple of penalties early on, but neither team could crack the other’s defense.

Abigail Levy, last week’s Hockey East Defensive Player of the Week, was a force to be reckoned with in net for the Eagles, knocking away BU’s Grace Parker’s relentless slap shots.

“Abby’s done a great job for us,”

Crowley said. “… She shut that team out. They ’re a potent of fense. …

They’re very, very dangerous, and I thought she did a really nice job especially in the first period where I didn’t think we [played] our best game. … That really helps a team turn around and go the other way and try to score.”

Despite a scoreless first period, t he energet ic Terriers out played the lethargic Eagles, who struggled to connect on their passes. An early second-period Terrier penalty gave the Eagles a chance to change the tide of the game, but they struggled on t he m a n ad v a nt a ge , a nd t he Terriers earned their 27th straight penalty kill.

Minutes later, another 5-on-4 play arose, this time in the Terriers’ favor. Fey went to the box for holding, but after two minutes, the game remained scoreless.

“I thought [the penalty kill] was great,” Crowley said. “It started from the goaltender out. Abby played really well for us and made some huge saves especially on penalty kills.”

The Eagles only had two power plays of their own all game long, compared to BU’s four chances with the man advantage. Even while a man down for nearly six minutes,

the Eagles stayed poised and turned away every attempt. BC combined for 15 blocks compared to BU’s five.

A f t e r a s c ore le s s a nd r at he r uneventful 40 minutes, the Eagles entered t he t h i rd per iod w it h a sense of urgency. Eighteen seconds after Fey’s momentum-shifting goal, forward duo Hannah Bilka and Kelly Browne earned themselves a quick 2-on-1 chance as they split through the Terriers’ desense. Bilka fired a slap shot through Schroeder’s fivehole, securing her team a two-goal advantage.

Bilka’s goal didn’t automatically spell victory for the Eagles, however, as back-to-back penalty calls gave the Terriers a late 5-on-3 advantage.

BU peppered Levy with shots, but the Eagles proved their penalty kill unit was up for the task. Levy finished the night with 35 saves and her second shutout in maroon and gold.

“We haven’t had too many 5-on3s, so to be able to do well in a big game in a situation like that where you are 5-on-3, I thought our players did a great job of keeping them away, limiting their shots, and [finding oppor t u n it ies] to ice t he puck,” Crowley said. “Overall, I thought that’s what it is going to be coming down to through playoffs.” n

BC Fires 59 Shots on Goal in 3-0 Blanking of Maine

By Nick Pulice Heights Staff

After Friday ’s slow start that turned into a victory over Maine, Boston College men’s hockey was deBoston College 3 termined right from the first Maine 0 puck drop to begin Saturday’s game ahead at the outset. The Eagles took control of the game right from the get-go, firing shot after shot on Maine goaltender Victor Ostman, who seemed more like a brick wall than a hockey player.

Despite controlling the pace and play of the first period, the top goal-scoring offense in the Hockey East just could not beat Ostman despite 23 shots on goal through 20 minutes.

Maine looked renewed after the first intermission, but the Eagles finally broke the ice with just under seven minutes remaining in the second frame. Assistant captain Patrick Giles found the loose puck in a net-front scramble and slotted a rebound home to give the Eagles the elusive one-goal advantage they had been hard pressed to find. After finally lighting the lamp late in the second, the No. 1 Eagles

(15-3-1) held onto their momentum and shut out the Black Bears (2-9-1) to complete the weekend sweep with a 3-0 win.

Even though the scoreboard remained unchanged until late in the second period, the game’s physicality was on display right away, as BC head coach Jerry York predicted in Friday’s postgame press conference. Both teams connected on open-ice hits and several post-whistle scrums ensued.

Harrison Roy let his emotions get the best of him, taking a game misconduct boarding penalty shortly after getting hit himself.

The Eagles’ penalty kill continued its stellar play by shutting down Maine’s resulting five-minute power play, even after a tripping call on Nikita Nesterenko gave Maine a 5-on-3 advantage. Spencer Knight had to make several key saves on the long penalty kill to keep the game scoreless.

“I thought our PK and Spencer [Knight] were really solid during that period of time when the game could have flipped,” York said.

Quickly after the power play expired, Giles scored the first and ultimately game-winning goal. Even

though the sophomore line has been racking up the majority of the Eagles’ points as of late, Giles and his fellow captains continue to fulfill their roles for BC, even more so following the season-ending injury for senior winger and assistant captain Logan Hutsko.

“You have to handle frustration to be a good team,” York said. “We had all kinds of opportunities, but that frustration never seemed to set in on us. The leaders on our team really helped us do that.”

The Eagles added some much-needed insurance goals in the latter half of the third period. After officials granted the Eagles a power play, the red-hot Alex Newhook wristed a shot past Ostman from the high slot to double BC’s lead.

The goal was Newhook’s fourth goal of the season on the power play in just his seventh game. Since his reinsertion into the lineup after injury two weeks ago, Newhook has six points in six games, reinvigorating the Eagles’ power play unit that had been struggling mightily prior to his return.

“I think clearly we’re getting better as a power-play unit,” York said.

IKRAM ALI / HEIGHTS EDITOR

Alex Newhook has reinvigorated the Eagles’ power play since his return.

“They’re more cohesive. I really like that unit. Special teams play a huge difference in games.”

Just 33 seconds later, the Eagles lit the lamp again. Colby Ambrosio put home a rebound for his seventh goal of the season to seal the game and give the Eagles the 3-0 lead.

On a second consecutive slow start, the Eagles showed the persistence that has earned them the spot as the No. 1 team in the nation.

The Eagles tallied a season-high 59

shots on goal and ultimately earned a hard-fought victory—their fourth in a row and seventh in their last eight games.

“I thought our effort was outstanding,” York said. “We’re getting contributions from all four of our lines. We had 59 shots on goal tonight. That’s really a result of shooting the puck and getting traffic in front of the net and making good plays. I thought our offense was outstanding tonight.” n

The Heights

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Monday, February 22, 2021 A9

Atinizian and Nakash Utilize Experience and DriveH

By Stephen Bradley Assoc. Magazine Editor

At an online information session for the Student Assembly (SA) of the Undergraduate Government of Boston College, current UGBC executive vice president Kevork Atinizian, CSOM ’22, decided to give the attendees his phone number to answer any lingering questions.

As an incoming freshman, Jordan Nakash, MCAS ’24, was unsure about joining UGBC, but she reached out to him for some more insight. After first developing a virtual friendship, then meeting for the first time at one of this year’s rare in-person gatherings for the Armenian Club, Atinizian and Nakash are now running for UGBC president and executive vice president, respectively.

Growing up in Belmont, Mass., Atinizian is a native of the greater Boston area.

Having several family members born outside of the United States had a significant influence on his interest in politics as a child.

“For me, whenever you have so many family members who are not born in the United States, and they see you, you know, doing well in school, … [they tell you], ‘One day, you’ll be president,’” he said.

After receiving these repeated affirmations, he said, he began to realize that leadership positions were something he could see in his future. Throughout his educational career, he ran for numerous roles in student government.

He first became involved with UGBC when he ran for the senate his freshman

year. After losing in this first attempt, he ran again his sophomore year and became a Class of 2022 senator. Now a junior, he serves as executive vice president alongside current President Christian Guma, CSOM ’21.

Nakash grew up in Kingston, Jamaica, and even from a young age, leadership roles were always on her radar, she said. In high school, she held the highest student disciplinary position, a role she had her eyes set on since elementary school.

Last semester, Nakash won a seat in the SA for the Class of 2024, receiving the most votes in the freshman class, she said.

Nakash has already led several initiatives within UGBC, such as sponsoring the reimplementation of the grocery bus for Montserrat students.

The Atinizian-Nakash team is campaigning on a platform centered around three ideals—execution, transparency, and collaboration.

For Atinizian, execution means utilizing his experiences from his vice presidential term in order to lead effectively during the pandemic. This section also means ensuring that multiple divisions of UGBC are properly working in harmony, he said.

“What I think is very important is ensuring that there’s always a guiding hand in the process,” he said. “So it doesn’t matter, you know, if you’re in ALC, it doesn’t matter if you’re in the Student Life Committee …

We’re here to support you.”

Nakash said that the main catalyst for their push toward transparency was that

VIKRUM SINGH / HEIGHTS EDITOR

Atinizian capitalizes on his VP experience in his campaign with Nakash.

many students don’t know what UGBC actually does. The team hopes to continually communicate the details of its work to the student body by utilizing the UGBC website more often and continuing the weekly update videos, they said.

The last pillar of their platform—collaboration—deals with communicating with and listening to students, organizations, and the administration.

“If UGBC doesn’t do its job on that, then people will see UGBC as this vehicle that isn’t capable for that change,” Atinizian said.

“Under our leadership … I know that it is.”

One of Atinizian and Nakash’s main goals is to increase awareness of student resources. They plan on distributing handbooks containing information on resources for certain student groups, such as first years, LGBTQIA+ students, and first-generation students.

“I think the best way to compile these is really getting students who are a part of that community … to find out all the resources on campus, the best things to know [about] where they can get support, where they can go to for help, the clubs that are available, the retreats, the meetings, everything that they can participate in, and put these in [books] and … having it really just available anywhere for the students,” Nakash said.

In the diversity and inclusion section of their platform, the team advocated for monthly open forums for students to discuss institutional change and facilitating a speaker series about identity and intersectionality.

“In terms of race and injustice … I think that it’s very important in terms of, again, listening, learning, and engaging, not only with those students, but then also ensuring that ultimately the conversation about race and injustice should not [only] be [with] the students that ultimately this affects,” Atinizian said.

Not only must UGBC have conversations with students affected by injustice, Atinizian said, but it also must collaborate with the administration in order to expand these conversations to the broader student body.

Following the racial unrest from this past summer, during his term as executive vice president, Atinizian focused on initiatives about race and injustice, student policies and conduct, the core curriculum, equity and administrative training, and

equity and police training, he said.

Another way Atinizian and Nakash hope to foster a wider sense of inclusion on campus is by diversifying the resources for various religions on campus.

“One thing that I do definitely feel strongly about is … the advocacy for a full time Muslim chaplain as well as a rabbi, because I understand BC is … a Jesuit school,” Nakash said. “But it is also open to all religions, people of all faiths, even atheists … being able to have the chaplain or the rabbi on campus helps to make people who aren’t Catholic also feel at home.”

Caroline Brewster, MCAS ’24, joined the Atinizian-Nakash campaign on their diversity and inclusion team as the Council for Students with Disabilities (CSD) Coordinator because she believes they will make the most change on campus, she said.

“Their platform emphasizes inclusion, transparency and execution,” Brewster said in an email to The Heights. “UGBC, and BC as a whole, needs more of this. Kevork and Jordan’s actions alone this year have proven them to be leaders who follow-through with their promises.”

Their platform also touches upon a recurring issue students have with BC—the creation of an LGBTQIA+ center.

Atinizian said that, during his time as executive vice president, he has been pushing for a full-time LGBTQIA+ staff member.

“I think that having a full-time member there shows to members of the BC community that, ultimately, the queer experience matters and that queer students are supported,” he said.

At the end of last semester, UGBC began planning a case study competition to see how BC could best allocate a section of its budget toward divestment from fossil fuels, which small groups of students would then present to the administration, Nakash said. They plan on bringing this initiative to fruition.

Overall, the team hopes to implement these new initiatives while listening to student voices. To Nakash, the team’s slogan, “Here to listen. Here to learn. Here to lead.,” means leading the BC community by listening to and learning from students’ needs.

This past year, with the first-year experience drastically impacted by COVID-19, Atinizian made an effort to directly listen to the ideas of the freshmen.

“Going to Mac at a random table andB sitting down with the [freshmen] and askingA them, you know, ‘What’s your experience like?’ and they’re talking with you about ...

HOOTs and HOWLs, what’s working, whati isn’t working,” Atinizian said. “At the end ofU the day, you need a student government thatC listens, while at the same time, appropriately( advocating and pushing the administration.y … We’re the team that ultimately will listen.”i Compared to the other three teams,l Brewster said, Atinizian—with an entireh term’s worth of experience—and Nakash— with her fresh ideas as a freshman—areP unlike the rest. u “Kevork’s experience as VP, and Jordan’sm as a 2024 SA Representative, also gives thema the knowledge to best navigate UGBC andi lead this campus,” Brewster said in the email.i “Our ticket is also unique, since Jordan iss also a fellow freshman. This will help givet UGBC a fresh perspective, and allow fora more widespread class representation.b Overall, their kindness, willingness to listen and dedication sets them apart from otherk candidates.” n a

Bracher and Russi Seek Input and Tangible Results

By Anna Lonnquist Magazine Editor

Jack Bracher, MCAS ’22, practically grew up on Boston College’s campus.

Being the son of Courage to Know Director Elizabeth Bracher, he spent every Monday night during the summers from ages seven to 12 hanging out with incoming freshmen and orientation leaders. He and his brother also spent summer days manning a lemonade stand in Newton to raise money for BC’s inaugural Jamaica Magis trip.

“I saw myself in those students who were just entering BC,” Bracher said.

“I was always impressed with how BC students carried themselves. And I really looked up to, you know, all those people I met.”

While BC was embedded in Bracher’s childhood, the Heights was unfamiliar territory for Gianna Russi, MCAS ’22, who did not step foot on campus until freshmen orientation. A Miami, Fla. native, Russi recalled watching YouTube videos about BC to get a sense of campus life. Despite having limited knowledge of the University, the Jesuit values drew her in, and she took what she described as a “shot in the dark” and enrolled.

Both Bracher and Russi, who are running for president and executive vice president, respectively, recalled feeling like outsiders once they got to campus.

Bracher, who had initially been

waitlisted, felt himself questioning whether he truly deserved a spot at BC, he said. Russi, living in an unfamiliar place roughly 1,500 miles from home, often felt lost during her freshman year, which motivated her to want to help students feeling a similar way, she said.

“I know what it’s like to be a student that feels lost,” Russi said. “That’s actually one of the reasons why I’m running … I know what it’s like for students to not feel at home at BC.” The team has a combined total of five years of experience working across five divisions of the Undergraduate Government of Boston College with three leadership positions between the two of them, which Bracher said distinguishes them from other candidates. Their 14 policy areas are all backed by implementation plans, Bracher said.

“If you don’t have depth, I think you’re wasting people’s time,” Bracher said. “We’re not here to waste anyone’s time. We’re not here to mislead students.

We want students to be engaged in the process. We want students to feel like they have solid advocates.”

Bracher became involved in UGBC through the Undergraduate Leadership Academy and Russi joined her sophomore year through the communications division. That year, Russi ended up working for Bracher’s 2020 campaign with Czar Sepe, MCAS ’21.

Although losing in 2020 was

IKRAM ALI / HEIGHTS EDTIOR

Bracher and Russi emphasize institutional knowledge and collaboration.

unfortunate, Bracher said, it also motivated him to work harder.

“Gianna and I were kind of bit with a bug, like we can’t leave now,” he said.

“If our team ran on all this stuff, you know, we can’t just step away—that’d be a disservice to the team, that would be a disservice to the students.”

Russi’s experience working on Bracher’s campaign was one factor that led her to run to be a Student Assembly representative last semester, she said.

The team’s three-pronged platform— “Collaborative, Comprehensive, Compassionate”— defines their approach. As an AHANA+ student who grew up with immigrant grandparents, Russi realizes the urgency of working to make typically marginalized students on campus not feel like outsiders.

“It’s about truly getting into the students’ shoes and, you know, taking it to heart,” Russi said. “I can’t go around my day being fine and dandy, and then knowing that students don’t feel at home here, or students feel unsafe … we don’t take it lightly.”

With unparalleled experience in UGBC, both Bracher and Russi are well aware of the institutional red tape that often inhibits tangible change, they said.

Along with the depth in their platform’s plans of attack on major issues, Bracher also stressed the importance of coalition building.

One major policy platform of theirs, he said, is their environment and sustainability plan.

“One of my biggest frustrations is when people just say, ‘Oh, we’re going to call on the University to divest,’” Bracher said. “There has to be something more than that.”

Their plan aims to centralize environmental advocacy on campus by creating an environmental and sustainability division within UGBC which will pressure the University alongside a broader coalition of environmental groups at BC. Simultaneously, their platform will pursue simple waste reduction initiatives, such as Boston’s Save That Stuff program, which turns waste materials into biofuel.

Also underscoring their platform,

Bracher said, is their prioritization of keeping student voices—particularly those of marginalized student groups—at the center of their work.

They propose elevating AHANA+ Leadership Council (ALC), Council for Students with Disabilities (CSD), and GLBTQ+ Leadership Council (GLC) division heads to be part of UGBC’s Executive Council. Additionally, Bracher disagrees with the policy of the UGBC president choosing the Diversity and Inclusion (DI) director, and instead plans to hold a town hall where DI members will rank-choice vote for who they want to elect, he said.

Adin Henderson, co-chief of staff and MCAS ’21, has seen Bracher and Russi’s commitment to elevating voices through his role as co-president of the Black Student Forum, he said.

“I really appreciate Jack and Gianna’s openness to working and amplifying and using their position on UGBC as almost a megaphone to help kind of signal boost all the activism and advocacy that’s already going,” he said.

More broadly, Bracher and Russi emphasized the necessity of both institutional change and campus culture to make AHANA+ students feel more safe on campus.

Institutionally, especially in light of the recent hate crime on the Multicultural Learning Experience floor, their proposal requests a social worker who can respond to non-medical incidents instead of the Boston College Police Department.

Their platform outlines the creation of an LGBTQ+ community center in Carney Hall where students can feel comfortable alongside other students that resonate with their experiences, Russi said.

Bracher said that while accessibility for disabled students is often neglected, their comprehensive plan makes them stick out the farthest from other teams.

Their plan includes the creation of a terrace leading up to the steps of McElroy Commons and an elevator from College Road side to the top of Fitzpatrick and Gonzaga Hall.

While the team is striving to make institutional changes, every UGBC term

is only one year, Bracher said. In order B to use their limited time efficiently, the L plan will include monthly meetings for the coming summer during which each UGBC division will lay the groundwork h for what they need to accomplish during u the school year, he said. h At the end of the day, although p Bracher and Russi are extremely aware t of the challenges of changing campus e culture and reforming the way UGBC K operates, they are committed to doing everything in their power to create R change at BC, Russi said. s “Jack and I really are ‘yes’ people,” Th Russi said. “I’ve rarely heard the word ‘no’ t come out of Jack’s mouth, and I usually say ‘yes’ to everything … We really go o out of our way to make sure students’ Th voices are heard, because at the end of d the day … that’s not just our job … that’s v our passion, and we want to be there for i students.” n t

The Heights

Monday, February 22, 2021

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eHameed and Henao: Intersectional Advocacy

By Mc Claverie Asst. Magazine Editor

Urwa Hameed, MCAS ’22, is no stranger to the world of the Undergraduate Government of Boston College. Having been a Student Assembly (SA) representative since her sophomore year, Hameed is well-versed in the intricacies of UGBC and recognizes the large responsibility that representatives have to their constituents.

Hameed was born and raised in Pakistan, where she attended school until immigrating to Vernon, Conn. in middle school. With a father from India and a mother from Pakistan, Hameed’s intercultural background played an important role in forming her identity, she said. Growing up, Hameed learned to speak Punjabi, Hindi, Arabic, Urdu, and English because of her diverse background, she said.

When she started at BC, Hameed knew she was going to be in the minority as a woman of color at a predominantly

white institution (PWI), but that did not stop her from wanting to make her mark on BC, she said.

Hameed has been a member of UGBC for two years. As a sophomore, she was elected as one of four senators representing the student body at large.

As a junior, she was elected as a SA representative of the Class of 2022, and she is the SA committee chair on intersectionality and minority rights.

Having spearheaded many initiatives, including co-sponsoring the Upper Campus Accessibility Resolution, Hameed said she understands the amount of work it takes to actually get resolutions passed.

Sarah Henao, MCAS ’22, on the other hand, has never served in UGBC. As a student involved with various service groups including For Boston; Strong Women, Strong Girls; and the BC branch of the You Can Too program, Henao has spent her three years on the Heights connecting with the BC community through service. Despite not serving in UGBC, she was always interested in pushing BC to enact institutional changes to be a more inclusive and intersectional campus, she said.

Henao, who grew up in Long Island, N.Y., also grew up with immigrant parents, with her parents hailing from Colombia.

“I learned how to speak Spanish before I learned how to speak English,” Henao said. “I was also pretty much raised by my grandmother … that was a big part of growing up for me, just living in both worlds like in a Colombian household but also like growing up in America.”

Like Hameed, Henao had to navigate being a woman of color at a PWI. “As a woman of color like coming to PWI you’re like, ‘How do I fit in here? Like what is my place? Will I have a voice, and will it matter?’” Henao said. “I decided, like, regardless of all of those things, that is exactly why my voice does matter. I deserve to take up space. I deserve to have that place in higher education.”

Hameed’s and Henao’s worlds collided when they were introduced by mutual friend Lucas Carroll, the team’s campaign manager and MCAS ’22.

“Urwa and Sarah really just complement each other extremely well,” Carroll said. “They’ve both been really

passionate about making BC a better place since they arrived.”

Hameed and Henao hope to bring their shared experiences as AHANA+ identifying women to transform UGBC into an assembly of activism by running for president and executive vice president, respectively.

Hameed decided to run for UGBC president after struggling to push forward various legislation as a representative.

She recalled feeling frustrated while advocating for divestment and received internal backlash from other representatives for pushing it.

Henao was drawn to the position of executive vice president after realizing it would give her the chance to create institutional change and long-lasting policies that would protect future BC communities, she said.

“I’m ready to serve at an institutional level with an executive position within UGBC because of the intersectional activism that I’ve already done at that personal level. I’ve seen it. I have fought for it, but most importantly I’ve lived it,” Henao said.

The combination of Hameed’s experience working with UGBC and Henao’s background in service work, along with both of their experiences as AHANA+ students, makes their platform unique, Hameed said.

“Sarah … she’s like this North Star I have. She brings a sense of direction and passion and ambition,” Hameed said.

“Then I just have this experience … I know how the administration works … I know how to get these changes done at [an] institutional level.”

Consisting of 14 points, their 12-page campaign platform aims to aid and support minority groups at BC as well as implement other policies such as an environmental and sustainability policy and an AHANA+ policy.

In the wake of the racially motivated incidents that took place on the Xavier Hall Multicultural Learning Experience floor, Hameed and Henao want to implement a zero-tolerance policy to condemn hate crimes on campus, the platform reads.

Hameed and Henao also hope to introduce the Black Excellence Program

under the Student Initiative division of UGBC. This program would provide opportunities for Black freshmen to have a voice in student government and with administration.

“Long-term solutions [like] the Black Excellence Program part of UGBC is part of that because that will spark like the cultural shift because you’re giving more people a seat at a table where their voice[s] can be heard,” Henao said.

They also plan on working toward making BC a more inclusive place for LGBTQ+ students. They aim to implement an LGBTQ+ Living Learning Community, an idea Hameed has already been working on while currently serving on UGBC. They also want to create more gender-neutral bathrooms on campus and provide LGBTQ+ students with the opportunity to choose a name that reflects their gender identity on BC ID cards and the Agora Portal.

Because of her background as a Muslim student attending a Jesuit, Catholic university, Hameed included three religion-specific policies in the platform. The first is to have a permanent chaplain for minority religions such as Islam and Judaism. She understands the need for spiritual guidance during students’ four years at BC. The platform also calls for dietary accommodations for religious observations, as well as for academic accommodations for religious observations, written into each course’s

syllabus.

In their environmental and sustainability policy, Hameed and Henao focus on divestment from fossil fuels.

Hameed and Henao’s first act in office will be regarding divestment, Hameed said. They plan on advocating to have an elected student representative on the Board of Trustees every year who can voice the opinions of the student body.

Their platform also addresses policies regarding mental health, international students, women and gender inclusivity, first-generation students, transfer students, students with disabilities, student-athletes, financial aid, and academics.

Drawing from their experiences being women of color, working on UGBC, and in performing service, Hameed and Henao feel prepared to become the next leaders of UGBC. Their combination of institutional experience and personal experience with advocacy work will get people inspired and motivated to make change happen, Henao said.

“We’re an extremely dynamic duo where we can make all happen,” Henao said. “It doesn’t just stop at inspiration. It’s not just an idea or a dream that stops. We have not only the passion, but we have obviously extensive research and data and concrete plans to make all of those things happen and that’s exactly why we want to be vice president and president of UGBC.” n

IKRAM ALI / HEIGHTS EDITOR

As AHANA+ women, Hameed and Henao tackle intersectional reforms.

Sandusky and Kruft Aim To Prioritize Student Voices

By Maeve Reilly Layout Editor

Though Spencer Sandusky, CSOM ’22, has never been involved in the Undergraduate Government of Boston College, when he saw an email about running for UGBC president, it caught his attention. He opened the email, read over the process of the election, and turned to his roommate, Ryan Kruft, CSOM ’23.

“I looked over to Ryan and said, ‘Hey, Ryan, you know how we were talking about some of the changes we want to make at BC? That seems like a good way to do it. You want to run with me?’” Sandusky said.

Sandusky and Kruft base their platform on a simple goal—listening to students.

Their slogan, “For a Better BC,” reflects a drive to bring students’ needs from the University to fruition. Though neither of them is currently involved with UGBC, they think that an outsider’s perspective can bring fresh

energy—and that starts by speaking to their peers, they explained.

After the two made the decision to run, they began asking students what change they wanted to see from the administration.

Common themes emerged, and their campaign began to take shape.

“We’re talking to students, hearing what they have to say about BC administration’s policies,” Kruft said. “And we’re really gonna try to be their voice and make the change that they’re telling us they want to see in the community.”

While Sandusky and Kruft admire many things about the University, the two believe that BC does not prioritize its students. At the forefront of their campaign, they emphasize that they want to push the school to put its students first. The two said they believe that BC has more interest in making its shareholders happy than fulfilling the needs of the student body.

The team also said that they don’t want this election to end up being a popularity contest, but instead want to ensure that students’ voices are truly heard.

“A lot of times people win elections based on, you know, how popular they are, how good they are at campaigning, rather than actually on the issues that matter,” Sandusky said. “So we want to make sure that, you know, when that inevitably happens, there’s still a way for the student voices regarding the issues to be heard. Because if not that, then why is anyone doing this? What’s the point if the student voice is being heard?”

Sandusky and Kruft have three sections under their broader platform: academics, student resources, and campus life.

Under the academics section, Sandusky and Kruft want to offer credits to students who participate in certain extracurricular activities, specifically ROTC and performing arts groups, building on the referendum already passed by the Student Assembly earlier this school year.

In terms of allocating credits, ROTC students and students in arts groups are the focus of their platform. The time and effort that is put into military science classes or preparing for a performance is enormous, Kruft said. Both Kruft and Sandusky are in the marching band—that’s how they met, they said. For years, members of the marching band and the director have been

pushing, to no avail, for the school to give art credits for their time put in, Kruft said.

The student resources section of their platform includes their intent to push for LGBTQ+ and AHANA+ resource centers, transportation stipends, and request boxes for students to voice concerns to the administration.

For years, BC students have been pushing for an LGBTQ+ center. Though other candidates and campaigns in the past have had similar wishes and have seen no results, Sandusky hopes that through their current conversations with organizations and clubs, they can start to chip away at the administration. Though the two haven’t completely hashed out the specifics of their plan pertaining to an LGBTQ+ center, they said, they want to begin by getting the University to agree to the idea of a center and begin allocating funding towards it, they said.

Another way the two hope to realize their base goal—making the University put the students first—is by implementing physical and virtual request boxes. They want to give students a direct pipeline to the administration’s ears.

“It’s just a matter of saying, ‘This is what the students want, you’ve been inaccessible, you need to make yourselves available,’” Sandusky said.

Within their campus life section, a big ticket item Sandusky and Kruft want to push is breaking ground on a ramp to Upper Campus. They said they give the University and past UGBC teams credit where credit is due for the progress made so far, but believe that they can make further tangible strides.

“We want to get construction started,” Kruft said. “We want to maybe even get it finished by the time we’re out because the headway has been made—those inroads are there, we just need to get that final push to make it done.”

For campus life, the team says they want to provide better housing accommodations for non-binary students and make BC more welcoming to students with disablities, in addition to updating BC’s code of conduct and reforming meal plan policies.

The team will also advocate for a more streamlined housing process for non-binary students, an area in which they think BC is behind the times. They hope to create a housing pool for non-binary students which

they believe will prioritize these students’ needs, and they also plan to push for gender neutral bathrooms on campus. They also want to give transportation stipends to students, especially Montserrat students, and help increase vegan and vegetarian options in the dining halls.

Though their list of desires is long—and some things, like an LGBTQ+ center, are longer term goals that might not be realized during their term—Sandusky and Kruft believe almost all of them can be attained during their tenure, they said.

“We plan to be very vocal, very present thought in the administration’s mind, and we’re going to be in communication with them every single day for as long as we need,” Sandusky said. “ … Because, again, we kept our policies simple for a reason, because we want to get them done.”

Benjamin Hetherington, MCAS ’23, helps run social media for Sandusky and Kruft’s campaign, focusing mainly on Facebook. A typical meeting, he says, consists of prioritizing policies and then brainstorming how to best present them to the student body.

Hetherington knows Sandusky and Kruft through the BC marching band and spoke to their natural ability to lead. He’s not at all surprised they took on the challenge of running, he says, and believes the two of them are extremely hard working.

“Spencer and Ryan are just very understanding and are willing to listen to people’s viewpoints,” he said. “ … No matter where the idea is coming from, they’re going to

take it into consideration. I think that’s a big priority.”

One obstacle the pair has had to overcome is that they aren’t currently involved in UGBC. According to Sandusky, not having inroads to the campaigning networks that UGBC provides has been difficult, as well as not having the same level of campaigning experience that the other candidates do.

But they believe that the work they’ve put in campaigning so far has been successful and that an outsider view would give them an advantage stepping into the roles of president and executive vice president.

“We are not involved with UGBC,” Kruft said. “And therefore, we have a very unique perspective on what needs to be done, how we can get those things done. And I think something that the undergraduate government could use right now is a new fresh perspective on how we can get these goals accomplished.”

When asked why they should represent the student body as UGBC president and executive vice president, Sandusky and Kruft echoed their earlier emphasis on a students first mindset, saying they’re keeping things simple and straightforward to achieve their goals.

“We’re giving it everything we have to make the student voice heard, to get in the faces of the administration, open that dialogue, say this is what needs to happen,” Sandusky said. “And I think just our passion and dedication to making BC a better place is really what sets us apart.” n

VIKRUM SINGH / HEIGHTS EDITOR

Sandusky and Kruft bring fresh energy with a non-UGBC perspective.

The Heights

A8

Monday, February 22, 2021

EDITORIAL

UGBC Should Refocus Efforts, Funding on Student Needs

The Undergraduate Government of Boston College has spent much of the semester cloaked in controversy and unable to deliver for the community its members are elected to serve. UGBC must improve its advocacy for the student body so that its communication with administrators results in tangible action for students. In addition, UGBC should reevaluate its budget to prioritize more funding for projects and initiatives that promote equality and inclusion on campus.

UGBC’s mission is to represent the student body and “amplify the student voices that need it most.” This mission statement, however, is a platitude that often results in hollow promises to connect students’ concerns to the University’s actions.

Similar to the undergraduate governments at other schools, UGBC’s resolutions are not binding, so its promises often fizzle out without the administration ever taking them seriously and enacting any real change.

UGBC’s inefficiency often shows itself in the last step of a project. It hosts general and Student Assembly (SA) meetings where members approve resolutions and make plans, but UGBC struggles to execute its proposed resolutions consistently, often leaving students disappointed in those they elected.

The racially motivated events which took place on the Multicultural Learning Experience floor earlier this month in Xavier Hall exemplify the inefficacy of UGBC resolutions to make changes to campus culture or conduct.

In December 2018, UGBC passed resolutions in response to racist vandalism in Welch Hall.

Yet, despite its best intentions, the recurrence of

racially motivated incidents on campus points to the futility of UGBC’s actions.

The Instagram page @blackatbostoncollege has brought attention to the many students who do not feel comfortable on campus because of the presence of prejudice in BC’s residence halls and classrooms. This issue should have been the focal point for UGBC this year, yet as students and faculty passionately call for continued racial dialogue and more action on the part of the administration, little has been done.

UGBC’s overall budget for the 2020-21 academic year totals $309,344.40. As of Friday, however, UGBC had only spent $72,450.79, much of which went toward promotions such as vouchers to White Mountain Creamery, succulent giveaways on the Quad, and board games for trivia nights. The Campus Activities Board (CAB) split from UGBC in 2013, but UGBC continues to operate in CAB’s shadow, hosting promotions and activities that fulfill the same goals.

Granted, some initiatives may have been stunted by the pandemic, and therefore slowed spending, but UGBC’s budget still remains underused.

UGBC typically sponsors many in-person events, which have been made impossible by social distancing requirements and gathering restrictions. But even after giving up stipend payments and saving money on in-person events, UGBC has failed to fully address the student body’s concerns about racism and COVID-19 with these additional funds. With a budget surplus of $236,893.61, it is clear that UGBC has the resources necessary to make a positive difference on campus that is more impactful than mirroring

CAB activities.

In the past, UGBC has proven that it is capable of bringing useful resources to campus. In 2019, Reed Piercey, former UGBC president, championed Lean On Me, an anonymous student-to-student texting service to provide mental health support through conversation.

The Lean On Me program falls under the Student Initiatives branch of UGBC, and is a strong example of what UGBC can do to improve the student experience.

Last week, UGBC released plans for Winterfest, an in-person, physically distanced event that will be held on Stokes Lawn from Feb. 25 to Feb. 28. The announcement reflects UGBC’s active listening to students’ call for more opportunities to socialize safely. Larger issues that involve the University administration still remain unsolved, however.

Matters regarding race and COVID-19 have demonstrated the glaring need for effective communication between the administration and the student body, heightening the importance of UGBC. Successful mediation led by UGBC will result in the changes that the community is calling for. It must also support the causes it presents to the administration by spending a larger percentage of its budget funding initiatives that reflect the demands of the student body. The success of UGBC is not only judged by its ability to work with the administration, but also by its ability to execute projects and initiatives which make BC a more equitable and just university. The new UGBC administration and SA should be focused on achieving this level of success.

A group of Heights editors who are committed to participating in the consistent writing of editorials comprise the editorial board. Editors who report on topics discussed in editorials are not permitted to participate in the discussion or writing of the editorial.

Members: Owen Fahy, Maddy Romance, Lauren Wittenmyer, Maggie DiPatri, Emma Healy, Grace Mayer, Rachel Phelan, Eric Shea, Maggi Leahy Olivia Franceschini, and Gabriel Wallen.

Week in Photos

Top photos, left to right: Dr. Andrea Kirmaier, the acting technical supervisor of the BCML Bottom photos, left to right: A painting from the Monet exhibit in the Museum of Fine Arts, demonstrating how to read COVID-19 test samples, Friday, Feb. 19, 2021; A student being Saturday, Feb. 20, 2021; A look outside Bapst after snowfall, Sunday, Feb. 14, 2021; A look tested for COVID-19 in the Margot Connell Recreation Center, Thursday, Feb. 18, 2021; at the Basquiat exhibit in the Museum of Fine Arts, Saturday, Feb. 20, 2021; UGBC Students walking across the academic Quad, Wednesday, Feb. 17, 2021. constructed ice skating rinks outside Fish Field House, Saturday, Feb. 20, 2021.

(Ikram Ali / Heights Editor); (Vikrum Singh / Heights Editor); (Molly Bankert / Heights Staff); (Sarah West/ For The Heights); (Stephen Mooney/ For The Heights).

A9

The Heights

Monday, February 22, 2021

Quarantine Kitchen: Baja Fish Tacos

ALEXANDRA MORIN / HEIGHTS STAFF

T h e b e e r- b at te re d f i s h i s b a l a n c e d w i t h a t a n g y b aj a s a u c e .

By Alexandra Morin Heights Staff Within a handmade tortilla, fresh fish coated in a crispy golden batter cozies up to a crunchy cabbage slaw, tangy baja sauce, and a lime wedge—an emblem of Southern California. As a Newport Beach, Calif. native and taco enthusiast myself, it feels wrong that it has taken me this long to release a recipe for fish tacos. While I enjoy working with a variety of the endless possibilities for taco meat, from ahi poke to chicken or even a delicious carne asada, a beer-battered halibut has risen to the top of my list. The taco’s simplicity leaves room for creativity in texture and flavor profile. In this recipe, I stress not only the importance of the freshness of the fish, but also an attention to detail for the items that are often disregarded, such as the texture of the tortilla, the crunch of the slaw, and the essence of a flavorful baja sauce.

While I have beer battered a variety of fish, a moist white fish, such as a halibut, cod, or sculpin is usually ideal. My older brother is an excellent fisherman, so I typically utilize whatever fresh fish he catches when I am at home. The luxury of fresh fish is easier to access when you are living on the coast, but there are plenty of wonderful options available at supermarkets. In this recipe, I will use cod for the purpose of easy access, but feel free to substitute whatever is freshest in your region.

Before I finally get into how to make this dreamy taco, I want to preface that, of course, you can use tortillas from the grocery store, but I seriously encourage anyone to at least attempt to make a homemade tortilla. It makes a world of difference considering it is the vehicle for the fish.

Aside from the flavor benefit, homemade tortillas are surprisingly easy to execute and look uniquely rustic, so why not give it a whirl—or get one of your siblings,

roommates, or friends in the kitchen with you and put them to work! Without further ado, I give you mouth watering fish tacos straight from the West Coast (best coast).

DISH: Beer-Battered Cod Tacos (Yields servings for 6 people—2-3 tacos each) INGREDIENTS: For the fish & batter: 1½ to 2lb fresh cod (cut into 1-inch thick strips) 1 cup all-purpose flour 1 ½ cup beer (I like to use a pale ale) 1-2 teaspoons cracked black pepper 1-2 teaspoons salt Vegetable oil (for frying) For the baja sauce: 1 cup mayonnaise 1 lime juiced (somewhere close to 2 tablespoons) 2 cloves minced garlic 1 - 1 ½ teaspoon of Old Bay Seasoning (seafood seasoning) ½ teaspoon of ground ancho chile pepper ½ teaspoon chopped fresh cilantro Salt (to taste) For the slaw: 1 pound red cabbage (thinly sliced or shredded) 1 lime juiced (add more depending on the flavor) ¼ cup sliced red onion ½ of a jalapeño diced (optional for heat) 3 tablespoons olive oil For the tortillas: 4 cups all-purpose flour 3 teaspoons salt 1 teaspoon baking powder 1 ⅔ - 2 cups of water (look at texture) ¼ cup vegetable oil Optional: I also like to add pico de gallo or salsa fresco as a garnish, as well as freshly chopped cilantro and a lime wedge.

RECIPE: Tortillas Combine all-purpose flour, salt, and baking powder in a large mixing bowl and whisk together.

Slowly add the oil and water, making sure the consistency stays moist but holds together, first mixing with a fork and then using your hands to combine.

Knead for five minutes on a floured surface and shape into a circle.

Using a knife, cut the dough into around 12 to 14 pieces and shape each piece into a ball between your palms. Let the dough rest in the ball shapes for around 15 minutes.

Flour a rolling pin and roll out the dough into thin circles about 6 inches in diameter.

Heat a pan over medium heat and place a tortilla in the center, allowing it to cook for about 45 seconds or until slightly brown. Flip and allow it to cook for no more than 20 more seconds on the other side.

Continue doing this with all of the tortillas, placing them on a plate with a towel over it, into a Ziploc bag (to lock in the heat), or into a warming drawer (if you have one).

If you do not serve these right away, feel

free to reheat them in the microwave for 15 seconds before serving.

RECIPE: Fish + Slaw + Baja Sauce Begin by combining the flour, beer, black pepper, and salt in a large bowl, using a whisk to make sure everything is well combined.

Feel free to add more or less beer depending on the desired thickness for your batter. (And if you are 21 or older, drink the rest of the beer while you cook!)

Let the batter rest for 15-20 minutes, and in the meantime, begin chopping the cabbage, red onion, and jalapeño for the slaw on a large cutting board. Transfer the chopped pieces into a mixing bowl and coat with the juiced lime and olive oil. Set aside or place in the fridge.

Once the slaw is finished, add your fish strips to the batter, making sure to coat them all in the batter. (This is why it is key that you have a large bowl so you can mix everything around without having to worry about the batter spilling all over your countertop!)

Heat a large pan over medium heat with enough vegetable oil for frying and allow the oil to reach 350 degrees fahrenheit.

While the oil is heating, start on the baja sauce.

Mince the two cloves of garlic and finely chop the cilantro.

Then combine the garlic, cilantro, mayonnaise, lime juice, ground ancho chile pepper, and Old Bay Seasoning and taste.

Add salt, pepper, or any other of the listed ingredients, depending on your flavor preference. Set aside for serving.

Once the oil has reached the right temperature, add the coated fish directly to the oil, making sure to not overcrowd the pan (i.e. no more than three to four fish strips at a time), and cook for 2 ½-3 minutes on each side. The fish should be golden brown and moist on the inside.

Transfer the cooked fish onto a plate lined with paper towels to drain the excess oil. Salt immediately.

TIPS FOR SERVING: If you are cooking for a group of people, it is easiest to serve this meal in the form of a taco bar setup.

If you would rather assemble yourself, I recommend taking the tortilla and placing the fish strip directly in the center of the taco, then drizzle the baja sauce, then finally, place the slaw, pico de gallo, and fresh cilantro on top and accent the taco with a lime wedge on the side. Enjoy! n

French Press Innovates With Coffee, Pastries, and More

By Francesca Giangiulio Heights Staff For the month of February The Heights will be highlighting Black-owned restaurants and businesses throughout Boston.

With an urban charm, the French Press Bakery & Cafe in Needham Center looks both chic and delicious. The minimalist furniture, limited decorations, and neutral color palette add a modern flair and energy to the center. Pristinely organized pastries and baked goods line the shelves of the French Press dessert case.

The warm scents of its house-made breads and freshly brewed artisan coffee create the stable and homey, yet simultaneously energized atmosphere that we’d hope to expect at any French-inspired cafe.

But, French Press is not your typical coffee shop. Jay Spencer opened French Press in 2015 with the intention of bringing the “French bistro” to the suburbs of Boston.

In typical “bistro” fashion, French Press serves everything from traditional croissants, macarons, and coffee to fried chicken sandwiches, empanadas, and imported wines.

Spencer—who has degrees in mechanical engineering from Case Western Reserve University, mathematics from the University of Edinburgh, and business administration from the University of Michigan—spent much of his early career traveling the world, which motivated him to find a way to meld the styles of New York City, London, and Paris with affordable eating to create his bistro.

“Having a technical background, you know whether or not something is right, and a French cafe slash patisserie was the right thing to do,” Spencer said.

While traveling in Europe, Spencer

said he would frequently stop at places like French Press, which inspired him to bring that same welcoming, social atmosphere— paired with high-quality food and drinks —to Boston.

“Our goal is to have the highest customer service possible and also have delights that not only look good, but also taste good,” Spencer said.

Spencer said he prides himself on serving food with local and fresh ingredients without trans fats or high-fructose corn syrup and makes everything he can in-house at French Press. When he can’t make a certain ingredient, Spencer said he imports it from the source.

The bistro’s famous chocolate croissants are filled with chocolate that Spencer imports from France. He said he believes in staying true to tradition when it comes to cooking authentic Italian, Spanish, or French cuisines at French Press.

Spencer said that he enjoys exploring new creative flavor combinations with his team and experimenting at French Press by frequently offering specialty desserts or various weekly dinner specials.

French Press has always presented exclusive holiday menus, such as its most recent Valentine’s Day menu featuring a red velvet heart gâteau.

Spencer said that having such a talented and creative team, both in the kitchen and the bakery, has been especially helpful during the pandemic when people aren’t going out as much as they used to.

“We try to do combinations that are interesting and unique to us,” Spencer said.

“Our goal is to put out different items, sometimes weekly or a quick pop-up. We do a wide variety and that’s what keeps people coming back.”

Two of the most recent specials at

French Press were a rose-flavored pastry titled “La Vie en Rose” by Spencer, and a raspberry lychee rose le gâteau macaron for Valentine’s Day. Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, Spencer has been invested in making French Press more technology-focused with changes such as an order-ahead app called French Press Bakery & Cafe with scheduled meal pick-ups.

Spencer has added “Fried Chicken Friday” to the French Press schedule, which he said sells out almost every week, and a donut pop-up every Tuesday featuring a different set of flavors weekly.

French Press has featured over 50 different donut flavors ranging anywhere from the classic Boston cream to more unique options like blueberry cheesecake or red velvet.

“It keeps us relevant,” Spencer said.

“Everybody’s looking forward to what’s coming to the donut store this week, so you have a built-in loyalty base by doing things like that.”

Spencer said that thinking creatively has helped him and the rest of the French Press staff expand the products they offer and broaden their customer base.

Despite having professional training from the French Culinary Institute in New York, Spencer said that his grandmother, who cooked for him throughout his childhood, is still one of his biggest inspirations and reasons why he fell in love with French cuisine.

“She would cook everything from salmon croquettes to her own traditional french fries to chocolate bonbons,” Spencer said.

“I cherish the time I had with her and the things she taught me and the inspiration she gave me to go out and try different things.”

Spencer said he is proud of his “melting

FRANCESCA GIANGIULIO / HEIGHTS STAFF

Fre n c h P re s s C a fe & B a ke r y fe a tu re s a c h i c i n te r i o r d e s i g n . pot” heritage and is grateful for the different perspectives it gives him when creating new dishes.

“Growing up in my household, you’d be able to get different cuisines ranging from Asian to European to American to traditional Black cuisine, so I feel advantaged from being able to have that view and that different flavor profile,” Spencer said.

Spencer said he enjoys being able to put a soul food perspective on traditional French recipes as a way to celebrate his Black culture.

Looking at the future of French Press, Spencer said he wants to add an espresso bar to the bakery space and expand its wholesale business to share its fresh artisan ingredients with members of the Boston community.

For adventurous eaters who are missing travel amid the pandemic, French Press

might just satisfy their cravings. Located at 74 Chapel St. in Needham, Mass., French Press is open Monday through Saturday from 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and Sundays from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought a whole new set of challenges to the already difficult task of owning a restaurant, but Spencer said that the faith he has in his concept and the support of those around him has helped him stay motivated.

“You are the best advocate for whatever you want to do … if you believe in yourself then don’t let anybody put you in a box and tell you you can’t because it’s not something you traditionally do,” Spencer said. “You control your fate. You control your destiny.

If you put in the hard work and you understand what needs to be done to get there, then you can succeed.” n

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The Heights

Monday, February 22, 2021

Fuller Urges State To Strengthen Oversight of BC

By Julia Remick Metro Editor Newton Mayor Ruthanne Fuller has urged the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to strengthen its oversight of Boston College in response to the increasing number of COVID-19 cases on campus.

“While the number of new cases in Newton are moving in the right direction, we’re continuing to see a concerning number of cases at Boston College,” Fuller said in a statement on Thursday.

Members of the BC community living in Newton either on campus or off campus made up 76 of the 208 cases

in Newton—36.5 percent—from Jan. 31 to Feb. 13, according to Fuller.

Fuller did not immediately respond to a request for comment by press time.

Students that reside in Newton, both on Newton campus or in off-campus housing in Newton, and test positive for the virus are accounted for in Newton’s number of positive cases, according to Fuller’s statement.

Newton had 112 new cases from Feb. 11 to Feb. 17, an increase of eight cases from the previous week, according to Fuller.

Fuller said that BC had 143 cases from Feb. 1 to Feb. 14, about half of which were among those living in

Newton.

“We are continuing to urge Boston College officials that their students strictly adhere to public health guidelines and to urge the state to strengthen the oversight,” Fuller said.

Newton reported an average of 16.2 cases per 100,000 residents between Jan. 1 and Feb. 16, compared to Boston’s 30.4 cases per 100,000 residents in the same period.

Michael Lochhead, executive vice president and acting vice president for student affairs, sent an email to students on Thursday denying the rumor that BC was going into lockdown on Friday.

Lochhead also emailed students on

Feb. 9 warning of the possibility that BC would implement further restrictions, including possibly sending students home early for the semester, if the rise in cases continued. The email also said that the University was reaching a “critical stage” with respect to COVID-19.

Students were required to attend mandatory Zoom meetings with reminders of University COVID-19 protocols.

Lochhead said that the uptick in cases and close contacts is particularly evident among members of the freshman class. About 40 percent of the freshman class live on Newton campus, according to BC’s Office of Residential Life.

Fuller’s concern echoes those that

she raised in September. On Sept. 12 Fuller said that she was “gravely concerned” with the recent rise in cases on BC’s campus at the time, following the report that members of BC’s women’s and men’s swimming and diving teams tested positive for COVID-19.

The Commonwealth became involved with BC’s contact tracing program in September. Mass. Governor Charlie Baker said during a press conference in September that the three cities and towns that surround BC— Newton, Brookline, and Brighton— could handle contact tracing across the multiple jurisdictions more effectively than BC’s contract tracing program. n

MFA Extends Showing of ‘Monet and Boston’

By Josie McNeill Asst. Metro Editor

One of the largest collections of Claude Monet paintings is on display at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston (MFA) for the first time since it was originally displayed at this location 25 years ago.

Known for his use of muted palettes and simple brush strokes, Monet’s revered works once again bring a sense of serenity to Boston in Monet and Boston: Lasting Impressions.

Due to popular demand, the Monet and Boston: Lasting Impressions exhibit has been extended until March 28, according to an email to The Heights from Karen Frascona, the MFA’s director of public relations. “‘Monet and Boston’ has completely sold out during the run of the show,” Frascona said in the email.

The exhibit is divided into four sections: Becoming Monet, Monet and Japonisme, Monet’s Normandy, and Monet’s Magic. Each section delves into Monet’s career chronologically, beginning with the caricatures he sketched as a teenager.

The first drawing in the exhibit is titled “Dandy with a Small Cigar” and is drastically different from the landscape paintings Monet is known for. In this caricature, Monet depicts a well-dressed

man holding his top hat and a cigar with wafts of smoke floating in the air. Instead of his usual oil paints, Monet used charcoal and white chalk.

He also signed the sketch as “O. Monet,” referring to his given name Oscar instead of Claude—a name Monet adopted during his time in the military, according to the plaque accompanying the sketch.

In Monet and Japonisme, multiple portraits of Monet’s wife are on display.

For example, Monet painted his wife sewing with a child at her feet in “Camille Monet and a Child in the Artist’s Garden in Argenteuil.”

During his time in Argenteuil, France, Monet developed an interest in gardening, according to the plaque next to the painting. A wall of red and pink flowers is used as a backdrop for the two figures, referencing his newfound hobby.

The variety of brushstrokes used to create both the dress Camille is wearing and the roses in the back draw your eye all over the canvas, not just to the subject of the wife and child. The simple, straight strokes used to create the striped dress contrast nicely with the Impressionist strokes used to paint the flowers.

Those visiting the exhibit will see how Monet progressed as an artist, both through his own art and that of others.

Along with the MFA’s 35 Monet paint-

MOLLY BANKERT / FOR THE HEIGHTS

Monet’s famous landscape paintings are currently on display at the MFA.

MOLLY BANKERT / FOR THE HEIGHTS

Due to high demand, the MFA extended the showing of the ‘Monet and Boston: Lasting Impression.’ ings, works by artists he admired and used for inspiration are also displayed.

Monet drew heavily from Eugène Boudin throughout his career. A fellow Impressionist from France, Boudin’s innovative style of painting landscapes outdoors encouraged Monet to do the same, as stated on a plaque in the exhibit.

Utagawa Hiroshige II’s works also served as inspiration for many of Monet’s paintings. The technique of painting a close-up landscape in combination with a faraway landscape in Hiroshige’s “Chrysanthemums at Somei in Tokyo” is mirrored in Monet’s “Flower Beds at Vétheuil.”

Monet is famous for painting the same location during different seasons or times of day, which is demonstrated in his three paintings all titled “Morning on the Seine, near Giverny.” Although the same landscape is depicted, each painting uses a slightly different palette, giving each version a life of its own.

In each variation of the landscape of the Seine, Monet seamlessly paints the reflection of the surrounding shrubbery

into the Seine River. From across the exhibit, these paintings more closely resemble photographs than oil paintings.

Water is a common motif in a variety of Monet’s paintings, including in his most famous Water Lilies series and “The Water Lily Pond.”

The Monet exhibit serves as a place to relax and recenter yourself as well as learn more about one of the leading painters of the Impressionist movement.

Each beautiful painting is accompanied by a plaque providing context of the work, and an audio tour is available on the MFA app and website.

According to a press release from October 2020, the MFA’s Monet exhibit was originally scheduled to open in April of the same year in order to celebrate the museum’s 150th anniversary. The opening was delayed due to a temporary closing caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Monet and Boston finally opened on Nov. 15 and lasted until the museum temporarily closed for a second time on Dec. 16 as a result of Boston’s reversion

to Phase 2, Step 2 of Massachusetts’ reopening plan.

As of Feb. 3, the Monet exhibit, and the MFA general admission, is open to visitors.

Since its reopening in November, the MFA has been limiting the capacity of people in open galleries in adherence with Massachusetts COVID-19 guidelines.

Time slots for Monet and Boston must be reserved online, according to Frascona’s email to The Heights. Visitors must enter the exhibit during their hour-long time slot but are allowed to remain in the exhibit for as long as they want. Tickets for the exhibit went on sale for March admission on Feb. 16 for members and Feb. 17 for nonmembers, according to the MFA’s website.

Although Monet never visited Boston, his works have always left an impression on its residents. With the revival of some of his most famous paintings in Monet and Boston, Monet’s legacy will impact the City of Boston for another lifetime. n

State Prioritizes Vaccines for Fenway, Natick, Gillette

By Julia Remick Metro Editor Two COVID-19 vaccination sites— the TripAdvisor in Needham and the Boston Sports Club in Newton—are no longer scheduling appointments for the first dose of the vaccine due to the Commonwealth’s limited vaccine supply. Massachusetts is planning to focus on large vaccination sites, such as Fenway Park, Natick Mall, and Gillette Stadium, according to a statement from Mayor Ruthanne Fuller on Thursday.

Mass General Brigham can no longer schedule new first-dose vaccine appointments due to an insufficiency of vaccine doses in the Commonwealth, according to a Mass General Brigham statement on Tuesday. The state will supply enough vaccines to vaccinate patients that have already scheduled first- and second-dose appointments as Mass General Brigham.

At Newton-Wellesley Hospital, a member of Mass General Brigham, vaccine supplies are also limited because the hospital receives vaccines

on a weekly basis from the Commonwealth, according to the hospital’s website.

Newton-Wellesley Hospital is managing the vaccinations on the first floor of the TripAdvisor headquarters in Needham. The site opened and began vaccinating Mass General Brigham and Newton-Wellesley patients on Feb. 3.

Upon opening, the clinic planned to operate seven days a week and to initially vaccinate 630 patients a day, according to a press release from TripAdvisor. The press release stated that the number of vaccinations per day depended on supplies while Newton-Wellesley Hospital planned to expand access.

Beth Israel Lahey Health is not able to schedule any new first-dose appointments or put patients on a waitlist for appointments at this time, according to the Beth Israel Lahey Health website. It had intended to open in mid-February at the Boston Sports Club on Wells Ave., providing vaccinations for Beth Israel patients.

In Newton, the C VS located at

978 Boylston St., Wegmans on 200 Boylston St., and the Mt. Ida campus of the University of Massachusetts Amherst are operating vaccination sites.

Gillette Stadium and Fenway Park are also offering vaccines, according to the Newton government website.

Mass . Governor Charlie Baker announced in a press conference on Wednesday that residents 65 and older, residents with two or more underlying health conditions, and those who live and work in low-income and affordable senior housing are eligible for the vaccine. About one million more people are eligible for the vaccine with this change, according to Fuller. This group is the second to become eligible for the vaccine in Phase 2 of the state’s vaccination plan.

At one of the state’s large vaccination sites, such as Gillette Stadium or Fenway Park, one person who accompanies each patient 75 years or older can be vaccinated, but Beth Israel community-based vaccination centers are not vaccinating those who accompany seniors to their appointments due to

shortages in the state’s supply, according to the Beth Israel website.

Health and Human Services Secretary Marylou Sudders said in the press conference Wednesday that over 50 percent of those 75 and older in Massachusetts have received the first dose of the vaccine.

Massachusetts is expecting to receive 139,000 first doses of the vaccine beginning this coming week, Baker said in the press conference. He said that it will take at least a month for those eligible to get an appointment and receive their first vaccination, which Fuller said is optimistic.

“Over a million people will now be eligible. But if we continue to only get 110,000 first doses of vaccine each week from the feds, it will take a while, at least a month, for everybody to get appointments and get their first vaccination,” Baker said.

The Massachusetts vaccination app ointment website crashe d on Thursday morning following Baker’s announcement of increased eligibility for the vaccine, which led to frustration

among many, according to Fuller.

“Frustration mounted once it was able to be intermittently accessed as the available appointments at four mass vaccination sites in Springfield, Danvers, Natick and Dartmouth were fully booked before noon,” Fuller said.

She said that the Commonwealth has decided not to provide vaccines to local health departments, including Newton. Fuller said she regrets that the Newton Health and Human Services Department will not have vaccine supplies to provide public clinics in Newton.

“I understand the State’s decision is based on the health of everyone in the Commonwealth and creating the most efficient ways to get the greatest number of vaccine doses out as quickly as possible,” Fuller said in the statement.

The city will continue to partner with Holtzman Medical Group to administer vaccines at the Mt. Ida campus of the UMass Amherst. The Newton Senior Center is helping vulnerable elderly residents in booking vaccine appointments at the Mt. Ida Campus. n

The Heights

Monday, February 22, 2021

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Diabolical Lead Terrifies in ‘I Care A Lot’

By Grace McPhee Heights Staff Rosamund Pike isn’t necessarily your run-of-the-mill villain. With her golden blonde bob and sophisticated array of accents, she’s more suited to your classic English rose-type leading lady. Her star-making and Oscar-winning turn as the psychopathic and scorned Amy Dunne in 2014’s Gone Girl, however, begged the long-overdue question: why can’t she be both? Since then, she’s run with this balancing act. In I Care A Lot, Pike exquisitely showcases her ability to both enchant and terrify her audience.

I Care A Lot, written and directed by J Blakeson (also known for Kidnapping

Stella and The 5th Wave), is essentially another vehicle for Pike to be completely and delightfully deranged. The plot follows Pike, a con artist posing as a professional guardian of the state-deemed incapacitated elderly, as she dives to new moral lows and shockingly debased actions. Her character, anti-hero Marla Grayson, becomes tied up with the Russian mob after a guardianship fraud goes awry, and she subsequently fights for her life and livelihood as a career fraudster.

The film opens with an Amy Dunne-esque voiceover, and Grayson coldly lays out the facts of the world (an almost corny attempt at mimicking Gillian Flynn’s script).

According to Grayson, there are only two types of people—you’re either “a lion or a

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‘I CARE A LOT’ J BLAKESON DISTRIBUTED BY NETFLIX RELEASE FEB. 19, 2021 OUR RATING

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lamb”—and Grayson thinks of herself as a “fucking lioness.” Right away, the audience becomes aware of the similarities between Pike’s characters in I Care A Lot and Gone Girl, but however intentional or unintentional the similarities may be, they end up taking away from the quality of the film as a whole.

Pike’s performance, as usual, is perfection. This might actually be the best acting she’s done since Gone Girl, but that’s not where the issues of this film lie. Despite having one of the stronger casts of the year (Peter Dinklage, Dianne Wiest, Eiza González) and a remarkably innovative take on crime, I Care A Lot sets viewers up for a Gone Girl-level plot, but ultimately lets them down with a basic mobster arc that bores. If not for the impeccable acting on Pike’s part, the entire film would probably be another forgettable crime comedy lost to time (see Steven Soderbergh’s The Informant!). Pike’s performance is the one of the main reasons why I Care A Lot works as well as it does, but there’s another star too: style.

For some reason—that probably has to do with Pike’s own acting clout—Marla Grayson is perhaps one of the smoothest, most stylish protagonists on the market.

From tailored pant suits and chic Italian sneakers to classically cool Ray-Bans and a severe microbob, every scene she’s in feels suave and almost pathologically

immaculate—speaking volumes to both her character’s state of mind and general outlook on life.

It’s not even necessarily limited to the way Grayson dresses. Rather, her every move—be it business-related or personal—is characterized by a frightening level of confidence and display of aggression.

These emotions are best displayed when she goes head-to-head in a bidding war with a Russian mob boss over the life of his dearly beloved mother. While the plot isn’t necessarily engrossing, the comedy of the script is at times genius. In a scene where antagonist Roman Lunyov (Dinklage) has Grayson tied to a chair making an elevator pitch for her life, he punches her squarely in the jaw.

Instead of squealing or even crying out, Grayson merely sits back up and looks at him as if he were an old friend or a dueling partner, rolls her eyes, and says, “Jesus Christ, man.” It’s a moment that simultaneously defines the future of her character and reinforces to the audience why they like her so much, while somehow also eliciting humor.

I Care A Lot has legs. It’s got an excellent lead, a good enough script, and a quietly impressive supporting cast, but without Pike as Grayson, it just wouldn’t be the same film. It might not be Gone Girl, but Pike’s solid performance raises the bar for this heist film. n

SG Lewis’ ‘times’ Exudes Summer Vibes

By William Cornelisse For The Heights Freezing temperatures, lack of light, and seasonal depression. February is a tough month for sure.

A time that makes even Massachusetts veterans question why they choose to live in a place with such wild weather.

Although a difficult question, it seems that SG Lewis has come prepared with the answer in his debut album, times, released on Friday.

While Lewis isn’t directly familiar with New England weather, the 26-year-old from Reading, England has certainly seen his fair share of dreary days and knows what it’s like to wait in anticipation of summer.

Lewis rolls all of his previous singles into one electric album and tosses in a handful of new songs on times.

Some of his more popular singles such as “Chemicals,” “Time,” and “Feed the Fire” are included on the album, along with new additions such as “Back to Earth” and “All We Have.” These songs deliver the ultimate summer feeling.

Many of the tracks on the album are similar to those of other electronic artists such as Calvin Harris’ “Summer,” Galantis’ “No Money,” and Major Lazer’s “Lean On.” All of these songs fall

into an upbeat EDM category.

One cannot help but conjure images of late nights and spur of the moment decisions when listening to Lewis’ new album.

This seems to be the exact effect Lewis is trying to impress on his listeners, as the majority of the songs seem to center around feeling carefree. On “Feed the Fire” Lewis sings “One, you gotta have fun / Two, you gotta move / Three, can you do it with me,” inviting listeners to dance along to his album.

We see this youthful energy channeled through a bouncy, electric beat on “Chemicals,” which is about young people blaming their mistakes on the influence of drugs and disregarding responsibilities during the summer.

This album shines in many places, and Lewis’ song introductions are simply phenomenal, doing an excellent job setting up the rest of the song.

This is evident in the first track, “Time,” when he sings “There was harmony in the music / There was harmony in the behavior of the people / And we had a good time.” You know within the first ten seconds exactly what type of song it is going to be.

One thing most artists attempt to do, and often fail at, is produce a quality interlude to their album.

The interlude on times is a welcome exception to this trend with a

well-scripted message of the necessity for harmony in songs, claiming that the harmony is really the heartbeat of a song and proving that people can’t help but get up and dance to good harmonies and groovy beats.

Most importantly though, the interlude provides a good insight into what times is about—an excuse to go dancing and have a good time.

If the album does fall short in one place, it is the lack of new verses within each song.

Each of the separate tracks is different in its own right. But, the same lyrics are repeated several times in each song, and overall, the songs tend to get stale

as they near their ends.

This is all painfully true in the song “Back to Earth,” in which the only lyrics consist solely of a synthesized voice saying, “Falling, falling back to Earth.”

The album conjures memories of spontaneous trips to the beach, midnight 7-Eleven slurpee runs, and leisure in the sun.

It is the perfect album to get together with friends and just have a good time.

Overall, the feel good atmosphere Lewis creates on his debut album times makes one remember that warmer weather and relaxing times are on the way. n

MUSIC

Heights Staff With Nomadland, writer, editor, and director Chloé Zhao has established herself as not only an emerging force in independent, realist cinema, but also as one of the most sentient filmmakers working today. Nominated for four Golden Globes after already taking a victory lap across the film festival circuit, Nomadland is poised to be a front runner for the Academy Awards this March.

The film stars an indomitable Frances McDormand as Fern. For years, Fern and her husband worked at a gypsum plant in Empire, Nev. The audience is told that the plant closed down shortly after the Great Recession and later learns that Fern’s husband has recently died. Still in Empire, Fern has resorted to living in a van built with a bed, a small kitchen, and

very little counter space.

Avoiding the overused film trope of the grieving widow, Fern instead becomes a true “nomad,” setting out on an aimless course by herself to see the American West. Due to financial complications, however, she never actually gets to explore the West. Instead, she picks up a bunch of oddball jobs—from an Amazon warehouse employee to a beet farmer—as she heads West. Because Fern needs to work to support herself, she does not have the time to engage in a truly free, untethered lifestyle. Fern’s attempts to strike a balance between working and engaging with her environment ultimately spark a greater conversation about capitalism and how it has forced Americans to feel like they always need to be productive.

Over the course of the film, Fern bumps into other nomads and hears stories from their lives. At one point, a

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‘NOMADLAND’ CHLOE ZHAO DISTRIBUTED BY HULU RELEASE FEB. 19, 2021 OUR RATING

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KIERAN WILSON

‘STRANGERS’ ZOE BEHRAKIS

Boston College’s own Zoe Behrakis, WCAS ’24, released her third single, “Strangers,” showcasing her bedroom-pop sound.

The Massachusetts native, who is studying psychology at BC, is also a member of the a capella group The Bostonians. After joining the PCG Artist Development Program, she has been working with Grammy-nominated producer Johnny Black and Grammy-nominated mix engineer Mike Piazza.

With the help of Black and Piazza, Behrakis released two songs in 2020 and has returned strongly to the music scene in 2021 with “Strangers.”

On her new track, she pairs airy melodies and synths with a message about moving on, adding a new sound and perspective to her budding discography. The verses and choruses flow smoothly into one another, and while none of the lyrics are particularly flashy, the lines at the end of the chorus tie the whole song together.

Behrakis sings, “You still won’t catch me later / ‘Cause we’re better off as strangers,” firmly putting the relationship behind her. While Behrakis continues to release music, “Strangers” represents a good step into the pop music scene. n

MUSIC VIDEO SHANNON CARMICHAEL

‘QUARTERBACK’ WALLOWS

‘TIMES’ SG LEWIS DISTRIBUTED BY PMR RECORDS RELEASE FEB. 19, 2021 OUR RATING

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Honest Portrait of America in ‘Nomadland’

By Shaun Taxali

SINGLE REVIEW

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fellow nomad tells her that he refuses to say goodbye to people, instead saying “he will see them down the road.” Additionally, Fern never tries to fill the gap her husband left behind by fostering other relationships. Instead, Fern is at peace with her independence.

The plot is loosely structured and the movie does not follow a typical hero’s journey, but rather relies on core emotional energy rooted in the actors’ performances. It is nearly impossible to dislike the strongest moments of the film, and there are several. In one scene, Fern opens up to a fellow nomad as she tells him about her husband, letting her guard down for a moment. Another scene shows Fern reciting a Shakespearean sonnet to a nomad who asks for a cigarette—a recitation that doesn’t come across as pretentious or misplaced, only heartbreaking.

Nomadland is not meant to be incredibly entertaining, more like a portrait of what people in America look like. Zhao relies on non-actors to play many of the supporting characters in the film, each of them plucked from various rural areas along the West Coast—giving an identity to this often-neglected population of America. The realism is poignant in the movie, and by casting everyday people in the film, Zhao blurs the lines of fiction and documentary enough to where the film is also making a firm political point.

Fern’s journey is representative of the prevalent struggle against capitalism to which many working Americans can

relate.

Within the first 15 minutes, Zhao includes an extremely low-angle shot of Fern walking into an Amazon warehouse while employed there. From Fern’s perspective, the warehouse is colossal, alluding not only to the stranglehold American corporations have on the American people, but also how people like Fern can only survive due to this parasitic relationship.

Nomads are presented as pioneers throughout the film, living out of their vehicles and not tethered to one place. They are struggling to survive with what they have, but they also embrace the freedom from not being tied to one place. Near the middle of the film, one nomad tells Fern about her cancer diagnosis and how she refuses to sit in a hospital bed, instead choosing to drive to Alaska to see her favorite natural monuments regardless of how little time she has to live.

As Fern says to a government employee at one point, “I want to work, I like work,” it comes across as meaning something else. For Fern, each place she works gives her the opportunity to learn something new and meet new people.

Overall, however, she is only working to make ends meet.

She may or may not like working, but in a world where one struggles to make ends meet, Fern makes the most out of the options society has given her. Perhaps the best response is to follow Fern, start your engine, and hope you’ll see someone down the road again. n

Releasing the deluxe version of its EP Remote and the music video for “Quarterback” on the same night, Wallows is coasting into the weekend on a high. The deluxe version features three new songs that give the original EP a more dynamic layer: “Another Story,” “On Time,” and “Quarterback.”

“Quarterback” was released earlier this week as a single, with its music video dropping with the rest of the extended EP on Friday. While the song provides a solid foundation for the construction of a fun video, Wallows took the opportunity to showcase themselves rather than the song itself.

A mashup of a ’90s and 2000s aesthetic sets the tone for the music video. Wallows bring back the fisheye lens camera (used in previous music videos like “OK”) and present film quality comparable to those used in early 2000s home movies. Clips of band members Dylan Minnette, Braeden Lemasters, and Cole Preston adorned in suits and smiles are stitched throughout the video.

But, there is no real narrative— you almost forget that this is the music video for “Quarterback” until Preston is shown mumbling the lyrics. Their decision to showcase themselves instead of the song emphasizes the band’s famous playfulness and triviality.

Clips of them brushing their teeth, shaving, and getting their pictures taken by their grandmas aren’t necessarily what come to mind when thinking about the song, which is about the melancholy that follows a summer fling.

But those types of clips do come to mind when you think about Wallows: a band that’s still exploring its sound and having fun while making hit music.

The “Quarterback” music video does a poor job of promoting the song, but it’s successful at promoting the band. n

The Heights

A12

Monday, February 22, 2021

In response to the racial reckoning ringing throughout America, BC art groups use their creative spaces to uplift Black students’ stories.

Grace Mayer

Arts Editor

Kate Canniff

Assoc. Arts Editor

Alicia Kang

Asst. Arts Editor

With dance competitions and a capella showcases canceled across campus due to COVID-19, the only audience that Females Incorporating Sisterhood Through Step (F.I.S.T.S.) had last semester was their phone cameras—and possibly a roommate or two.

Although members filmed their routines separately to send to each other for critique, virtual practices couldn’t replace the exhilarating feeling of commanding Robsham Theater. Now, Amanda Rodriguez, F.I.S.T.S dance captain and MCAS ’22, scrolls through old performance videos, remembering when she used to rhythmically step on stage alongside her teammates.

“I was watching those videos and just like I was remembering how I felt during those exact moments,” Rodriguez said. “And I’m so sad that we can’t perform, because it is an experience that you can’t get anywhere [else].”

The sense of community these creative outlets, like F.I.S.T.S., foster is dimmed by COVID-19 restrictions. As a result, the Boston College arts scene hasn’t been able to demonstrate its usual support for equity and inclusion, through culture showcases, fashion events that celebrate the Black diaspora, and R&B and soul a cappella performances.

But the importance of safe creative spaces was amplified this year by the recent events on the Multicultural Learning Experience (MLE) floor of Xavier Hall. Many senior members of F.I.S.T.S. lived on the MLE floor during their freshman years and were distressed by the violation of this space on campus, Rodriguez said. During a time when nurturing safe spaces is paramount on BC’s campus, students involved in the arts scene have resorted to activism on social media and online meetings to amplify Black students’ voices.

This summer, Black Experience in America Through Song (BEATS) used its Instagram to demand justice for people of color killed by police officers. Emphasizing that merely posting on social media isn’t enough to generate change, BEATS also supplied a list of social justice organizations for its followers to support. Presenting Africa To U (PATU) and Sexual Chocolate released statements following the killing of George Floyd in the summer.

PATU and Sexual Chocolate did not respond to requests for interviews.

Several other arts organizations, including Boston College Irish Dance and Boston College Dance Ensemble, echoed these messages by condemning racism.

Over the summer, the Bostonians and Bollywood-inspired dance group Masti ran fundraisers in support of the Boston Arts and Music Soul Fest and the Massachusetts Bail Fund, respectively. Other arts groups including a cappella groups the Common Tones of Boston College and the Boston College Acoustics, and dance groups UPrising Dance Crew and BC Full Swing also directly addressed the recent incidents on the MLE floor.

Morgan Montgomery, F.I.S.T.S president and CSOM ’21, said that she leaned on the club’s newly appointed social media director Lauryn Cadet, CSON ’22, over the summer to craft statements urging followers to engage in activism. The posts encouraged

students to take care of themselves during the distressing times. After the summer, F.I.S.T.S members were forced to address racism on their own campus, offering themselves as a resource to the community of women who live on the MLE floor.

“All these other programs are designed to be safe spaces,” Montgomery said. “So whenever a space like that is like infiltrated we understand that it’s really important too for [those affected] to recognize that you know their voices are so important, like we still want to hear from them.”

For many of the current F.I.S.T.S. dance members, the MLE floor was home to them during their freshman years. As a space dedicated to supporting women of color, Rodriguez said she, along with the rest of the

BC’s undergraduate student body.

Keeping with the magazine’s evolving ethos, The Stylus’ zine Black Ink will contain a collection of student submissions to magnify campus support for the BLM movement, Daniel Ulanovsky, editor-in-chief of The Stylus and MCAS ’22, said.

“We wanted to create some kind of platform where people can, you know, put those kinds of stories and voices ...”

Ulanovsky said. “We said, ‘Like okay so our platform will be a great way to like force the institution to lift up these voices’.”

This past summer, when news channels were flooded with images of BLM protests

Lawrence, senior event coordinator for BSF and CSOM ’22, said.

Lawrence is working as the liaison between the BSF and Stylus for the project.

BSF is helping to encourage students to submit work by reaching out to various clubs and individual artists on campus.

Lawrence said she hopes that shedding light on Black students’ experiences will help open dialogues about race and racism on BC’s campus.

“I hope that our experiences will just be unapologetic, honest, and very genuine and authentic,” Lawrence said. “And I mean, I think any experience is valid.

So there’s nothing that I’m thinking of that I hope that’s not in there. But of course I hope that what we see is just like the

“There shouldn’t be a time where you feel like your voice isn’t being heard or that your opinion is being undermined.”

- Morgan Montgomery, F.I.S.T.S. president and CSOM ’21 close-knit sisterhood, felt compelled to reach out directly to the freshman women on the MLE floor.

“It affected our group in a multitude of ways, given that our team is predominantly Black young women, [and] given that our team, a lot of us have been on the MLE floor, they’ve been part of that experience,” Rodriguez said. “It was very heartbreaking to hear such racist and sexist actions that were taking place.”

The dance group was founded on three pillars: sisterhood, service, and step. The close-knit community provides a safe space for its members, who are predominantly Black women and underrepresented on campus. As of fall 2019, only 4.5 percent of the BC student population identified as Black or African American, with only 205 Black female students.

The Black Lives Matter (BLM) protests over the summer and the recent vandalism on the MLE floor are incidents not lost on the rest of the arts community at BC. BC’s literary magazine The Stylus, in collaboration with the Black Student Forum (BSF), is taking on a project designed to amplify Black students’ stories. Since its inception in 1882, the biannual publication has historically adapted its format from news reporting to its current encompassment of poetry, prose, and art submitted by

and Instagram feeds were flushed with black squares, The Stylus was brainstorming ideas for Black Ink. During this time, the official BC Instagram account untagged itself from posts on the @blackatbostoncollege page—a decision that frustrated many BC students.

But Ulanovksy said because BC “censored” this account, the Stylus team was prompted to create additional space at BC where these stories could be shared. The @ blackatbostoncollege account is run by an anonymous group of students who share student-submitted stories detailing experiences with racism on BC’s campus.

“It’s frustrating that Black students’ voices aren’t being valued on campus and elevated on campus,” Ulanovsky said. “And especially in this campus climate where it feels like very hostile not just to Black students but also to like minority students in general. It doesn’t feel like there’s a lot of, I guess, open ears like asking for their voices to some degree.”

Ulanovsky reached out to the BSF in early June 2020 with the idea to create an additional publication, separate from The Stylus’ annual fall and spring editions, dedicated to sharing the work of students of color on campus.

“I love the idea because I think like more than ever we need to highlight Black voices especially at BC at this time,” Ellana

truth—that the Black student who submitted is showing their truth, showing their art, showing their talents.”

The forum will be involved in the submission-review process later in the semester. The zine, which is planned for release at the end of the semester, is open for submissions of multiple creative forms— including poetry, short stories, essays, visual art, and multimedia works. This variety of artistic modes offers students the freedom to express the emotional dimension of their experiences and impart an impact on readers, Lawrence said.

While Stylus is able to collect and assemble the works of student artists without relying on in-person meetings, other arts groups on campus have been hit hard by the limits on gatherings during the pandemic.

Due to mask mandates, social distancing, and occupancy restrictions, a capella and dance groups haven’t been able to host live performances or in-person rehearsals.

Milton Lanza, vice president of BEATS and Lynch ’22, said the a capella group has not been able to host any live performances this year.

“Performing on campus has been something for me that has helped me feel a lot more comfortable here on campus,” Lanza said. “I love to sing, which is, you know, part of why I joined an a capella group.

So it’s been difficult to not have that, that same routine.”

In lieu of live performances, BEATS has focused on bonding within the group and promoting activism on social media, specifically in response to the multiple hate crimes that have occurred on campus, Lanza said.

As the only a cappella group on campus dedicated to performances of Black music

by Black artists, Lanza said it is important to have secure, welcoming spaces for minority students where they can be creative without the threat of hate or hostility.

“It’s definitely important for people to have an outlet where they feel they can, you know, be themselves and express themselves in any way that they wish,” Lanza said. “At the basic level, creativity is something that a lot of people can relate to just because there’s no correct form of showing creativity.”

For dance groups on campus, the lack of in-person practices and the absence of connections that dancers form as they prepare for exhilarating performances in front of large audiences has been felt deeply by other groups. Last semester, F.I.S.T.S. had to change how their 16-member team choreographed and practiced.

Since step is a dance style that showcases movement and rhythmic synchronization, F.I.S.T.S. recognized the difficulty of virtual practices when Zoom lags interfered with its choreography rehearsals. Thinking creatively about the technology available, dancers recorded their own steps separately and sent audio and video recordings to their captains to critique.

After working hard last semester to adapt to the difficult circumstances, the team will return to the stage at Robsham in the spring for a recorded performance for the annual BC Arts Festival. But through all these efforts to unite the team and continue creating this year, F.I.S.T.S. worked to sustain a creative environment for women of color on campus.

“There shouldn’t be a time where you feel like your voice isn’t being heard or that your opinion is being undermined because, you know, you have 16 people here who, no matter what are going to be here to listen to what you want to say,” Montgomery said.

Many arts groups not only provide safe spaces for students of color, they also carry on a tradition of showcasing their culture.

For example, the style of movement used in step can be traced to traditional African folk dance.

Preserving its legacy at BC, F.I.S.T.S. works to pay homage to previous dancers by incorporating step sequences created by former team members.

The efforts of these arts organizations to continue sharing their work and shine light on Black students’ experiences in any capacity possible underscores the importance of expanding these creative spaces at a predominantly white institution. For F.I.S.T.S, its art is rooted in the bonds the dancers forge as they share music, create choreography together, and empower Black women on campus.

“This is a space where you get to know other people who have similar experiences with you, similar backgrounds with you,” Rodriguez said. “And then on top of that we get to create something beautiful. For the rest of campus, whether it be a dance, whether it be you know a show, having these spaces for us is something that none of us should take for granted." n GRAPHIC BY MEEGAN MINAHAN / HEIGHTS EDITOR