The Graduation Issue, The Campus, June 2020

Over a Century of Service to CCNY & the Harlem Community

WORD FROM THE VALEDICTORIAN ANS SALUTATORIAN OF THE 2020 GRADUATING CLASS

MADE FOR THIS MOMENT: A SIT DOWN WITH PRESIDENT BOUDREAU

JUNE 2020

FAREWELL 30S

In This Issue

MAGAZINE STAFF

“Word from the Valedictorian and Salutatorian of the 2020 Graduating Class”

Editor-in-Chief: Aspasia Celia Tsampas Managing Editor: Ania Wojas

8-9

News Editor: Eric Bilach Feature Editor: Jana Makki Opinion Editor: Matthew Romano Lifestyle Editor: Sarah Logan Sports Editor: Anu Shetty Copy Editor: Joey Russo Staff Writers: Clark Adomaitis, Jaquelin

Bautista, Jada Gordon, Brahmjot Kaur, Andrew James, Kim Keblish, Nate Izzo

Art Director: Lauren Pires Designers: Justin Gordon, Matthew Duke, Riya Mehta

Business Manager: Raquel Palumbo Distribution Coordinator: Clark Adomaitis Cover Art By: Sophia Scheibeler

ADVERTISE WITH US

NEWS MADE FOR THIS MOMENT: A SIT DOWN WITH PRESIDENT BOUDREAU [4-5] BENNY‘S FOOD PANTRY TO REMAIN OPEN DURING CORONAVIRUS LOCKDOWNS [6]

LIFESTYLE THE RISE OF THE FACE MASK [11]

FAREWELL 30S

FEATURE

INTRODUCTION [14]

VIRTUAL GRADUATION IN THE AGE OF COVID-19 [7]

CLARK ADOMAITIS [16-17]

WORD FROM THE VALEDICTORIAN AND SALUTATORIAN

JADA GORDON [18]

OF THE 2020 GRADUATING CLASS [8-9]

ERIC BILACH [19]

MED STUDENT COPING WITH THE CORONAVIRUS

CHRISCEL HALILI [20]

PANDEMIC [10]

ANU SHETTY [21]

JAQUELINE BAUTISTA [15]

GRADUATING IN A TIME OF UNCERTAINTY [12-13]

Editor’s Note Congratulations, Class of 2020!

You did it! We have finally arrived at the finish line of this strange semester with our final issue of The Campus, dedicated to you, graduates. The journey was certainly filled with ups and downs, and while the future may still hold uncertainty, the accomplishments you have achieved thus far are outstanding. That is why we dedicate this one to you.

Closing up the school year we have an interview with President Boudreau, who gives us the scoop on where the future of City College lies post COVID-19 pandemic. Next, we highlight the wonderful Benny’s Food Bank, which remains open during the pandemic to serve our community. The Campus thanks each and everyone involved with the project that makes this possible.

Towards the middle of the magazine we talk to the graduates. About virtual graduations, coping through the changes, and graduating in uncertainty, we have it all from the hardships to the advice.

CONTACT US North Academic Center 1/119 CCNYCampusnews@gmail.com CCNYCampus.org

The Campus @CCNYCampus @CCNYCampus 2

The Campus would like to give a special shout out to the valedictorian and salutatorian of the 2020 Graduating Class, Sabastian Hajtovic and Isabella Joseph. You can check out our profile on the two exemplary students on pages 8 and 9.

We have the Farewell 30s. A very special segment of the June magazine dedicated to the departing members of The Campus magazine. I would like to thank every one of you who made my transition to Editor in Chief so effortless. The magazine will miss you all so dearly next year but we know you are all off to amazing things!

On the back cover, we honor George Floyd, and the lives of so many others, who was murdered by Minneapolis police. The Campus condemns all acts of police brutality, racism, and bigotry. We stand by the Black Lives Matter movement and all that stands for to ensure safety and freedom for all.

Again, congratulations to the graduates and see you all in the Fall, Stay well,

N

E

W

S

3

C

losing the school year remotely with an unprecedented public health crisis, The Campus sat down, or rather Zoomed, with Vincent Boudreau, President of The City College of New York. While a lot has changed these past few months for the college, President Boudreau was able to offer insights into the future of the institution and the tumultuous next steps for getting City College back on track.

In October, The Campus was able to chat with President Boudreau about some of his initiatives for the 2019-2020 school year. The college had big plans to continue City College’s success for its entire community, but overwhelmingly the focus was on further solidifying independence for the school, but socially and financially. Now, with the COVID-19 pandemic forcing classes online and placing the future of the City College community into question, New York, and subsequently City College, is faced with both a social and financial crisis.

While in some senses everything has changed due to the global pandemic, President Boudreau is equally confident that the long-term goal of independence of City College remains undisturbed, he states, “COVID-19 changed everything but at the same time we continue to execute on the most important task of the moment which is to build our capacity to really flourish in a couple of years.”

That being said, it is impossible to predict the effects these changes are going to have on City College in the imminent future. At the forefront of that is the budget. President Boudreau states, “The kind of adjustments we are going to have to make to deal with the current budget cut is unprecedented in the last 50 years.” Under the governance of the state, President Boudreau expects at minimum a 10% budget cut across the board. However, listening to New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo, the hit can be much deeper without federal assistance from the government.

Applying this to City College’s budget, about 81% of the budget is devoted to the salaries of permanent employees. These are faculty members who are on tenure or on tenuretrack and the long-term staff members with a Certificate of Continuing Employment, which is similar to tenure but for those who are not professors. The other 19% of the budget is for temporary services, such as adjunct professors and “Other Than Personnel Services,” or OTPS, which consists of money for stationery, food for meetings, etc.

According to President Boudreau, where the brunt of these budget cuts hits deepest in the budget is dependent on the state, but there are two options. One is to load cuts on the segment of the population that doesn’t have employment security, which falls into the 19% category of the budget above including adjunct professors and preserve

the employment of those who are fully employed, the 81%. The option would be a plan to preserve full employment and spread the pain of budget cuts across the budget. This would require an act of the state and would include asking people to temporarily reduce their salaries.

Furthermore, CUNY’s eligibility for the CARES Act is already in the pipeline. Allocated from the government to City College with a sum total of about $14 Million, half of that will go to students directly from CUNY. The amount each student receives will depend on financial need and PELL eligibility. A base amount that increases accordingly with need.

While this is a great form of financial relief for many students, the act is not extended toward undocumented students and international students.

The other half of money will be used within City College to help adjust to the exigencies of the college. Some of which will help the college refund Student Activities Fees. The other applications of the money must be proposed and approved by the state. President Boudreau states, “Some will go to enhanced mental health services, some will be for technology that allows us to deliver online education more effectively, some will go toward training faculty, and some of it will again be used for emergency grants to students.”

While the aid directly to students is imminent and already in the works, how the rest of the grant gets allocated to the school is all dependent on the state and how much money it’s expected to collect in sales and income tax.

Boudreau states, “The thing to watch as far as

MADE FOR THIS MOMENT:

a sit down with president boudreau

By Aspasia Celia Tsampas Art By Bridget Petersen 44

N

E

W

S

state budget cuts to City College and CUNY is what the states revenue collection is going to be.” Overall, there is a large hole in the budget and while it would ideal for government aid to fill that hole, it is virtually impossible without extended federal aid. In the end President Boudreau says it is his duty to “prepare the campus to function if we don’t get that federal money at all.”

The way this works is by highlighting the opportunities City College can step up to take advantage of during this unprecedented and uncertain time. Going back to Boudreau’s long-term goal of making City College independent means repositioning the school as a necessary and prominent institution of New York and the pandemic has given the college the opportunity to become just that.

Boudreau states, “The social, economic, and political leadership of Upper Manhattan have now come to the college and said they need the expertise of City College to map out a plan of what it takes to reopen the economy, society, and cultural institutions.”

One of President Boudreau’s favorite initiatives includes City College’s involvement with the commission for the second Harlem Renaissance. Harlem and its neighboring communities have been disproportionately affected and hurt by the COVID-19 pandemic with death rates, the closing of institutions, businesses, and challenges of infrastructure.

This commission is to aid the rebuilding of the Harlem economy and social well-being with more than just reopening up shops. Boudreau states, “We have to think about whatever happens after COVID-19 by building new infrastructure and the new landscape in these neighborhoods that redress past inequalities and eases vulnerabilities [caused] by the pandemic.” The commission would work directly with the expertise of City College, and President Boudreau on the committee, to see how different departments at the school can help this commission and the institutions involved.

President Boudreau states, “What I like about this is I’ve always thought that the college should be this vibrant public resource for solving problems that the citizens of New York have, and most focused on the citizens that live in the neighborhoods where our students largely come from.”

Other opportunities come from the advantages of online learning. With distance learning comes a whole new cohort of people in New York City that City College can now accommodate. When geography and scheduling are more flexible, even more students who work full-time jobs or have other preventive factors in their education can now take advantage of City College’s classes, at affordable prices. Boudreau states, “There are ways in which solving the problem of keeping us safe by going online can also save our budget and in some cases allow us to deliver services more efficiently.”

More efficient services can mean the days of waiting long lines at Financial Aid or Registrar are over. The simple tasks of these services such as Bursar, Financial Aid, Registrar, and Advisement can be done online, saving up more time and space in person for the more complicated issues, Boudreau adds, “If we can deliver those services online and efficiently we can actually be better at efficiently at serving student needs and saving some money.”

Additionally, while there is no way for Boudreau to predict whether students will be back on campus this upcoming fall, as that is a decision that not only depends on the state but the coronavirus curve as well, either way the value proposition around online education will be a factor. Any student who doesn’t feel safe or doesn’t want to come onto campus can complete their full coursework online.

As for the possibilities of classes in the Fall, President Boudreau let The Campus know of all the possibilities the college is concerning when the Governor announces the plan of action, including a hybridization of online and in-person classes, completely online, or any other plan that could go into effect come August. Boudreau states, “The key for us is to be as nimble as we can and for faculty to embrace that online education is going to happen and we have to be better at it in the fall than we were in spring.”

increasing accessibility and comfort for all students remotely.

One problem to solve is the accessibility to internet technology to students. While this past semester over 500 laptops and tablets were given out, the announcement of these services was done through E-Mail, Boudreau adds, “I’m not convinced that we reached everybody so that’s an accessibility issue.”

On the other hand, accessibility increases with online education as learning goes from synchronous to asynchronous. This means students can access classes on a more flexible schedule, such as professors posting lectures that are available for longer periods for students to watch once, twice, and whenever.

While there are ups and downs to online learning, there are still hundreds of questions that City College aims to focus on solving over the course of the Summer to make Fall remote learning seamless for all.

President Boudreau states, “What do you do with students who are not sighted or have trouble hearing? Once you get all that taken care of, what do you do as far as testing is concerned, the kinds of accommodations that take place in that environment? I can’t give you the specific solution but we are now and will continue to make an investment in the training and acquisition technology to solve those problems.”

While no one can predict what the future holds for City College and its community amidst this ongoing global pandemic, the institution is seizing all opportunities for advancement with President Boudreau at the helm.

With a health and economic crisis altering all aspects of life, many uncertainties lie ahead for the City College community, but it’s path to independence as a prominent institution remains intact.

While some transition hiccups from in-person to online classes were expected for such short notice this past semester, President Boudreau is committed to solving those problems and

N

E

W

S

5

Benny’s Food Pantry to Remain Open During Coronavirus Lockdowns

By Sarah Logan

nutritious meals because of lack of money, or going hungry due

On March 13th, Benny’s Food Pantry an-

to lack of access to food.

nounced that it would stay open despite

As the Coronavirus affects

City College’s campus closure caused by

millions around the world,

the COVID-19 pandemic. The pantry, which

many are seeing the effects

is located in the NAC’s Hoffman Lounge,

of decreasing food supply

serves members of the campus communi-

and the increase in food in-

ty by providing students with necessary

security. Mayor Bill de Blasio

food resources. It intends on continuing its

expressed his concern during a

services for the students, staff, and Har-

briefing. “I fear the number is go-

lem community members who are in need.

ing to be around 2 million New Yorkers who are food insecure as this crisis deep-

Benny’s Food Pantry, created through a NYP-

ens,” he said. “That’s a horrifying number.”

IRG and Colin Powell School partnership, was revamped and opened to the public on October

Benny’s Food Pantry is working hard to

nate non-perishable goods for the pantry to

15th, 2019. Stocked with canned and boxed

combat this issue. Their Facebook page urg-

email bennysfoodpantry@ccny.cuny.edu.

foods, the pantry sought this opportunity to

es individuals to visit the pantry if they are

give back to staff and students. “The food pan-

in need. “CCNY food pantry is open for all

Although the pandemic has caused many indi-

try also represents an opportunity for each of

CUNY students and Harlem community,” they

viduals to alter their lifestyles, Benny’s Food

us, to the extent that we are capable, to contrib-

write. Appointments can be made through

Pantry continues to remain functional and

ute to the well-being of the campus communi-

their Facebook Page ccny_bennys_food-

accessible. Thanks to the community mem-

ty,” Vince Boudreau, the President of City Col-

pantry as they continue to stay open from

bers who volunteer their time, give back to

lege, wrote in an update on the CCNY website.

6 6

Monday to Friday from 10 am to 3 pm.

the pantry, and keep it serviceable, members

Before opening again after the campus’

of the CCNY and Harlem community can

In a 2018 survey by Healthy CUNY, an es-

closure, the pantry placed an order of

use this valuable resource. “A food pantry

timated 52,550 undergraduate students at

non-perishable items much larger than they

should be a site for joyful exchange, where

CUNY community and 4-year colleges re-

were previously used to. This measure was

we can both give to, and take from, members

ported that they experienced 2 or more of

to “allow as many visitors to have access

of our community with an equal measure of

the 4 USDA indicators of food insecurity.

to pantry goods as possible,” Dee Dee Mo-

mutual respect and trust,” Boudreau writes.

These include: worrying that they would

zeleski, the Director of Institution Advance-

The pantry is doing just that. On the

run out of food before they could afford to

ment for the Colin Powell School, wrote in

Benny’s Food Bank Facebook page, its

buy more, cutting or skipping meals because

an update on the CCNY website. She urges

members urge the community to “take

of lack of money, unable to eat balanced or

anyone who would like to volunteer or do-

care of yourselves and each other.”

N N

E

E

W W

S

S

Virtual Graduation in the age of

COVID-19.

By Nate Izzo The COVID-19 pandemic has drastically changed the way students all over the world are receiving their education. Since midMarch, students and staff alike have managed to make the switch to online classes and adapt to this new normal. However, for many students, the biggest thing on their minds is not how they are receiving their education, but how they are finishing it off.

With all large gatherings banned, so is this year’s graduation commencement ceremony.

This situation leaves hundreds of students without the traditional capstone of their education, and very little time for staff to organize an alternative. The two most likely options seem to be either having a small commencement for each department online or having this year’s graduates walk with the Class of 2021 next year. With the uncertainty around the whole event, graduating students have mixed feelings about these options, both as a group and individually.

Eva Friedberg, an International Studies and Anthropology major with Jewish and Middle Eastern Studies as minors, spent the rest of her semester outside the city at her parents’ house in Rockland. Friedberg was initially upset by the idea of online graduation but eventually shifted her opinion. “To be honest, as time went on, I adjusted my expectations and welcomed it,” she said. “It’s not what I would have thought I’d be doing, but I’m happy to adapt and adjust to the times.”

Sara Rasmussen, a Chemical Engineering major, stayed in the city for her quarantine.

She feels negatively towards the idea of an online graduation, especially taking into account how the Grove School of Engineering has been handling it. “I like the idea of it being offered, but I don‘t know all the details yet. I don’t know how it’s gonna look,” she commented. “I don’t want something half-assed, and I feel like the one that Grove is putting together is half-assed.”

The necessity of an alternate graduation ceremony in such short notice has no doubt been difficult for each one of the departments at City College. Unfortunately, communication between the departments and their students has been poor, leaving students out of the loop with no concrete commencement plans to look forward to.

“I’m still a bit confused as to how the graduation will be celebrated online in terms of the type of streaming service and schedule,” Friedberg said. “I’ve gotten a few general emails but nothing with specific instructions, at least not for the general graduation.“ Rasmussen had a similar take, saying, “We might be using Zoom, but the parents might also be using it, or watching it live on YouTube. It’s annoying and stressful, and it kind of takes away from the celebration.”

there’s a potential for all of us to be there that we don’t get otherwise. I’d rather wait for that because then I can be with all fifty-some people.”

Friedberg, on the other hand, is content to have an online commencement, celebrate with friends and family, and move on to the rest of her life. “Personally, I’m not interested in a postponed graduation, as I feel like the moment will pass and we will all be moving on with our lives,” she said. “I understand others would enjoy a ceremony next year, but I probably won’t be attending. If a Zoom graduation is the best we can do at the moment, I’m happy to do it.”

While the current pandemic has upended almost all normal parts of our life, it is still important to acknowledge the achievement that is completing a college education. While it is unfortunate and saddening that this year’s graduates, the Class of 2020, will not have the traditional commencement ceremony on the South Lawn, we can still celebrate this simple fact, be it online, delayed, or otherwise: they made it!

Rasmussen’s ideal graduation would be to wait until next year and walk in person with her senior class, which she has grown close to over the years in the Chemical Engineering program. “If we wait until next year to walk,

F E A T U R E

7

Word from the Valedictorian and Salutatorian of the 2020 Graduating Class

By Jaquelin Bautista

vALEDICTORIAN Sebastian Hajovic The Valedictorian, Sabastian Hajtovic, and the Salutatorian, Isabella Joseph, of the class of 2020 took the time to speak with The Campus magazine about their time at The City College of New York (CCNY). Amidst a global pandemic, these students are unable to celebrate their achievements with their peers. Nonetheless, their time at CCNY has been nothing but memorable and there is plenty to look back on and cherish.

Hajtovic is graduating with a degree from the CCNY-based Sophie Davis 8

F E A T U R E

Salutatorian Isabella Joseph

School of Biomedical Education Program with a 4.0 GPA. He is anticipating his MD from the CUNY School of Medicine (CSOM) in the spring of 2023.

Being Valedictorian is not something he planned for, Hajtovic explains, “I was just walking to school and I got the email about being a candidate, some of my friends did, too. I didn’t know anything about the process, but I decided to give it a shot.”

Similarly, Joseph who is a member of The Macaulay Honors College at CCNY is receiving her bachelor of

architecture degree from the Bernard and Anne Spitzer School of Architecture with a minor in anthropology and a GPA of 3.94. It should be noted she is the first salutatorian from the Spitzer School. She recalled, “I remember being in class and getting an email saying I was a candidate. I didn’t know anything about the process.”

This email was followed by a group interview. Due to the circumstances, both students were confined to their homes and participated via a Zoom call.

“It was weird to do it through Zoom,

I haven’t had that many interviews… this was very intimidating… Once I started talking, I wasn’t that nervous.

They were asking questions that made me reflect on my time at CCNY, which was nice considering everything that is going on right now. It was nice to take the time to reflect on my five years,” states Joseph.

However Hajtovic had a different experience, “My interview was towards the end of March, it was the same week that my father got COVID-19, so everything was very fresh. During the interview, I was reflecting on my time at CCNY and the current times. I feel like what we’ve done over the past few years in terms of our leadership and involvement puts into context how important these skills are for being leaders in the future.”

This new reality we are all living in puts

slept over at my friend’s house many times and got on the train at four or five in the morning. My second year I got an apartment with my friends -- it has made my experience significantly better. It’s a nice experience to be on campus studying and then easily be able to get home.”

Joseph, on the other hand, dormed at The Towers at CCNY, “I lived on campus out of necessity, because architecture school is known for having really long nights. You have to be in the studio to do your work, a lot of architecture school is about being there.”

Despite their dedication to their degrees, both found the time to get involved outside of their disciplines. “I felt like for the sake of my own mental health I had to get involved with something that was outside of my major. For me, that was the Collen Powel

graduate. Hajtovic thanks Dr. Holly Atkinson and Dr. Nancy Sohler for their efforts to guide him in his research and in achieving his goals. Joseph is grateful for the guidance she has received from Professors Brad Horn and Shawn Rickenbacker.

College can be extremely stressful, and these two students are no exception to the demands of undergraduate studies.

Hajtovic suggests that all students take the time to find something that helps them get their minds off their responsibilities, even if it is just for a moment.

For him, that is getting on his bike and go for long-distance bike rides -- the longest he has biked in a day was 70 miles. After a big test, he found that this was the best way for him to clear his mind. Joseph suggests that students take the time to practice mindfulness whether that be through journaling or through the use of modern applications.

She suggests downloading the Lumosi-

Congrats, Grads!

the future of these two students into perspective about how they are able to have an impact on the future. “It made me think of public spaces, especially urban places. I live in suburbia but I used to live on campus and you can tell the difference in having adequate open space. People are experiencing the quarantine extremely differently in urban areas.” said Joseph. Hajtovic noted that “If you want to impact populations of people or the health of entire communities, you have to think bigger than becoming a physician. You have to think about public service and politics. So, I’ve struggled about finding a balance between wanting to pursue medicine and having a greater impact.”

Both students were highly involved on campus and note that many of their achievements would not have been possible had they not had the opportunity to dorm or live near campus.

Hajtovic remembers his first year when he was commuting, “... It was brutal. I

Fellowship, a two-year fellowship in leadership and public service,” states Hajtovic. Joseph took it back to her roots and involved herself in things she had always enjoyed; “In high school, I was used to doing so many things.

I played piano and sports and had so many hobbies. But when I started college, architecture was the one thing that defined me. But, I found ways to engage in different things, I was a soccer coach in the south Bronx. It was great to be working with kids. It was rewarding to teach girls about the sport and watch their games and see them grow.”

ty Mind app and the app Mindshift.

Both students have used the people in their lives as resources for their success. Joseph finds that “Your peers become really important to you. They become resources and can teach you more than your professors.” While your peers are a great resource to tap into when you need help, it is important to find someone you look up to guide you through your journey as an under-

The Campus congratulations Sabastian Hajtovic and Isabella Joseph for their successes and wishes them prosperity in their futures and careers.

There were many challenges that both students faced while working towards their undergraduate degree. Joseph came from an immigrant family and faced being in spaces surrounded by people with connections and Ivy League degrees, but she overcame the effects of imposter syndrome by recognizing her excellence. Hajtovic found it difficult to manage his time with his involvement on campus, but above all struggled to balance his dream of practicing medicine and develop solutions for greater communities.

F E A T U R E

9

Guneet Kaur’s Story:

Med Student Coping with The Coronavirus Pandemic

By Kim Keblish

The coronavirus has upended medical education for recently graduated and current students. Med students in their last years are concerned about finishing their clinicals or are wondering if classes will be affected in the coming semesters.

One such example is Guneet Kaur, 24, she is in her second to last year of medical school at NYIT College of Osteopathic Medicine; And one of her biggest concerns is the ability to take her Step 2 USMLE (the United States Medical Licensing Examination). She said, “In order to graduate and for residency programs to accept you, you have to take that test and pass it before September.” Students are worried about the availability of testing seats during the summer if dates to take STEP 2 are canceled, according to Kaur, “a lot of students take it in May, June. July. The May dates have already been canceled.”

Another way medical school students have been affected is by early graduation. Like many med schools at this time, celebrations had to take place online. The inaugural Sophie Davis CUNY School of Medicine Class of 2020 class celebrated a 100 percent match to residency programs over Zoom.

Ugochukwu Akpara, 24, a 2020 CUNY School of Medicine early graduate matched with a residency program in internal medicine at Weill Cornell Medical Center. Waiting to hear back about the start date for residency, Akpara stressed an alternate way med students have been able to work or volunteer without being in immediate danger to coronavirus through telemedicine. Akpara has opted to help in this way.

10 10

F E A T U R E

One of the biggest reasons she decided against in-person response was because of the risk of infection posed on her family. “I live at home right now with my parents so one of my biggest stipulations was that I needed housing.

One of the worst things would be to bring it home. Maybe I signed up for this but my whole family didn‘t to be exposed to COVID,” she said.

In the case of Helena Kennedy, 26, an early med school graduate at NYU Grossman School of Medicine, she was guaranteed dorm housing, but that left other factors for her to consider when debating to enter her residency program early. “It is a time were people working have a high likelihood of burnout or developing things like PTSD,” she said.

Early healthcare workers must consider the negative implications of mental health and a long-term career. Kennedy continued, “To be honest I am nervous about all of this I haven’t come to peace with all of this, but for me what pushed me into the hospital as I thought this was how I could help best.”

Kennedy just entered her residency program at Bellevue Hospital, she left some parting words, “And any decision anyone made, whether to graduate early, start working, or stay home with family and find other ways to volunteer are always grounded in a good place. And they are generally motivated by wanting to help but also considering different factors, I think that all of those decisions were good decisions and admirable none the less.”

The rise of the

FACE MASK

By Andrew James

By Andrew James

W

ith the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the disease has been the face of fear, unemployment, and death. The mask, a safety object now common on the faces of New Yorkers, has become an opportunity for fashion and identity which was thought to be lost.

With the end of stay at home orders near and businesses beginning to open up, face masks, and other coverings, have become synonymous with the new normal society is about

Rather than blend in with a homogenous and generic mask, users are now able to customize their coverings to reflect their personality.

Saheed S. from Brooklyn was spotted wearing a skull mask on his way to work, he said „I feel like this mask makes me stand out. I like skulls and stuff like that, they resemble my favorite characters from Scorpion.“ Various mask vendors also used the pandemic as an opportunity to brand themselves, usually producing the coverings from home. Tatiana Hatcher, owner of namesake Hatchers.inc joined the cause. The Brooklyn fashionista donated masks to local hospitals and organizations, where demand for her designs picked up. “I felt like I wanted to give back in a way”, Hatcher said. She knew some people who worked on the frontlines and wanted to make their lives easier. The masks are made of cot-

to enter. Crucial to the reopening of public places and businesses beg for everyone’s cooperation to wear a face mask, as not only a public health measure but also an act of kindness, easing coronavirus anxieties for anyone you may encounter.

While some New Yorkers are seen with surgical or N95 masks, the most effective mask typically reserved for healthcare workers and others on the front line, a new trend of more stylish face coverings, has risen in popularity.

ton and are machine washable for safe reuse at $20 apiece. While she says that they aren’t substitutes for N95, Hatcher points out “they are a [good] coverage if they cough or sneeze”. Citing CDC regulations, Tatiana feels like these masks could provide independence to those who couldn’t leave the house prior.

Another vendor, Nolle Piggot from Queens, concerned about the mask shortages in hospitals returned to her design roots that she left behind after college. My grandparents had underlying conditions. I decided to reach out on social media to see if anyone needed masks“. After testing out various designs and fabrics on her family, she turned to Instagram (@wallflowuh) with immediate success -her masks sold out quickly, her African style mask being the most popular.

reminder of what‘s going on. It will keep them safe, safe from what‘s going on“ What started as a homegrown and local venture has now risen to national and corporate popularity with multiple big fashion brands throwing their hat into the mask ring. CustomInk, the famed custom swag company, now offers customizable masks. High fashion brands such as Louis Vuitton and Supreme have all come out with their production of face masks as well.

Overall, it seems like the face mask trend is here to stay and maybe key for society to return to a new normal moving forward.

For Noelle, „I don‘t want [the masks] to be a

L I F E S T Y L E

11

Graduating in a time of uncertainty

By Brahmjot Kaur

Congratulations to City College’s graduating class of 2020! You have persevered and completed your final year at CCNY! For that, you should all be proud. There is no doubt that we are living in an unprecedented time. The coronavirus pandemic has created unimaginable stress for people around the world. CUNY students were required to transition to online learning and complete their courses from home, with many expressing difficulty focusing and increased stress during finals. As news outlets headline articles about economic concerns, the “real world” is starting to look a lot scarier. Post-graduation plans are now accompanied by apprehension for many students and some plans have been canceled or postponed.

Susan Aracena, a political science student who graduated this past fall, said her LSAT test date was postponed due to the pandemic. The Law School Admission Council canceled the LSAT testing for this March and introduced the LSAT FLEX, a shorter version of the LSAT. “My test was horrible!” she stated. Technical issues resulted in her losing 20 minutes of her overall test. “I was already delayed on my law school applications but now, I might have to wait a year” Aracena told The Campus. She also said, “I am worried about the job market.

It was already a hard job market pre-COVID and now due to the pandemic, many recent grads like me are in a state of unknown”.

Amna Zaheer, a biomedical engineering student who is graduating this semester, told The Campus she plans to “undergo a crazy amount of job searching”. Zaheer also voiced concerns about the job market, saying, “The pandemic is affecting many companies and as a result affecting many of the graduates. My

12

F E A T U R E

friends and I have noticed that not as many companies are hiring, and even if we do get an interview it is still difficult since we missed out on work experience that could have benefitted us this semester”. While a number of students are nervous about their post-graduation plans, some are not as concerned. Sadia Rahman, a biology student graduating this spring, said the pandemic hasn’t affected her plans too much. “Currently I plan to continue my education with a master’s degree also at City College”. She will eventually pursue her Ph.D., but says, “[the pandemic] definitely set me back in terms of qualifications and experiences…that was a little disheartening” and voiced concerns about “being able to conduct research through my Masters. I want to be able to complete it fully, but it seems like with the pandemic it might be difficult to really do any thesis work”.

competing for unpaid internships with midcareer professionals and people who looked a lot better on paper than I did, let alone paid jobs”. Da Costa also noted that relationships were important while job searching. He explained, “I was raised by working-class folks with no meaningful connections in the white-collar world and I didn‘t know how important it was to have the right internships on your resume until my Junior year in undergrad, which put me at a little bit of a competitive disadvantage”.

Similar to the class of 2020, the graduating classes circa 2008 also faced great uncertainty after graduation. The 2008 Recession was extraordinarily concerning for the graduating classes due to the high unemployment rates and major layoffs in many professions.

Many newly graduated students had taken out loans and needed to quickly adjust their financial plans or defer their loan payments to avoid interest. Ricky Da Costa, a graduate from SUNY Binghamton, completed his final semester in 2010. He also shared similar concerns about his post-graduation plans.

Da Costa also had advice for the class of 2020:

When asked about how the 2008 recession affected his job search, Da Costa said, “There were a lot of grads for a few years post2008 that hit the job market in the aftermath of a major economic downturn that caused massive layoffs across industries. I was

Da Costa was still able to continue in the career path he anticipated post-graduation, and he said, “I didn‘t really end up on the right track until about 2015… If you would have asked me in 2009, I would have expected that I‘d have gotten a lot further down the path by now, but the journey has taught me a lot about myself that was worth learning”.

“Life is not the linear path you are taught to expect, but I think that ends up being a good thing. I am, in many ways, more grateful for my failures than my successes throughout the years and honestly don‘t think I would do a lot different if I could turn back the clock. I would also return to something I hinted at earlier and stress the importance of relationships. I say relationships rather than networking because the superficial stuff doesn‘t amount to much, but genuine human connection based on trust and communication is extremely valuable and can end up being helpful at the most unexpected times. It‘s obviously a bit more challenging since nobody is going to be going to crowded job fairs or networking events for the foreseeable futures but get zoom coffee with your friends, professors you admire, mentors, etc... Having been on the other side

of the hiring equation myself, it can be hard for a resume to stand out among hundreds (or thousands), but a good word from a trusted mutual connection can get a hiring manager to spend 45 seconds on your resume instead of 15 which can be incredibly valuable in a tight job market”. Da Costa ended with words of encouragement saying, “I would just end by saying don‘t be so hard on yourself. Unless you belong to the privileged elite of America, you‘re going to struggle to make sense of the world and that‘s okay… You have your whole life ahead of you and it‘s really never too late to pivot, so keep an open mind and learn to recognize an opportunity when it smacks you in the face!”

Even with the concerns graduates are currently feeling, many are wishing the best one another. Rahman wanted to emphasize, “There have been pandemics before, and great widespread economic turmoil before, and we will always manage to bounce back from it. We can manage to bounce back from this too”. Aracena concluded with the final thoughts saying, “I find it unfortunate that the graduating class of 2020 had to graduate in a particularly auspicious time.

It remarkably altered our final moments as seniors. It has made us stronger as we had to be more competitive to find toilet paper and be more adaptive and flexible when it comes to planning our futures” and Zaheer’s final words embodied what most graduates are feeling towards each other when she said, “I hope all of the graduates this year prosper and do well!”

Remeber, This too shall pass.

Stay safe and once again, congratulations

to the class of 2020!

F E A T U R E

13

13

Class of 2020

FAREWELL 30s 30s FAREWELL Juggling school work and extracurricular activities, these six graduates made the most of their time at City College. They embraced the change, persevered, and served The Campus magazine with ambition and care. In the following pages, each of these graduates is given the opportunity to look back on their time at City College and with the magazine more fully and retrospectively. While they will be truly missed on the staff and on campus next year, their legacy lives on, each of them embodying the best parts of our culture here at the magazine and proudly representing our team.

As part of the longstanding tradition of honoring these graduates, this year, with all its ups and downs, we hope is read with even more care. Now more than ever, it is important to reflect on what these last years at City College means to all of us as we look into an uncertain future. While a fun photoshoot was not possible to hold this year like previous editions, each member of the staff offered more personal memories of themselves that even further showcase their personalities and time at City College.

To the graduates, congratulations once again!

You deserve any and all victories life has to offer you. To the readers, please enjoy the personal narratives from The Campus’ 2020

14

F A R E W E L L 3 0 s

“II AM AM

„

PROUD Jaquelin Bautista Bautista Jaquelin

My name is and I will be the first in my family to graduate from college with a Bachelors’s degree in Advertising and Public Relations with a double minor in Journalism and Latin American and Latino Studies.

I grew up in the suburbs, not entirely knowing WHERE or HOW I fit in, but my time at The City College of New York has not only exposed me to an immense amount of knowledge, but has also given me the tools to develop myself as an individual. While I still feel uncertain about where my future may take me, I am incredibly proud of all of my accomplishments, big or small.

I am proud of the close friendships I have formed. having lived on my own for the first time. listening to my heart and changing my career path. having passed my classes one semester while recovering from a concussion. working a job, having an internship, and taking five classes at a time for a semester. finishing my degree in three semesters. developing my filmmaking and photography skills. my strong public speaking skills. developing new hobbies despite how limited my time is. being a DACA student. finishing my last semester amidst a global pandemic. my GPA (it’s a 3.5). having my own room for the first time. helped pay for the rent for that room. have been published both online and in The Campus Magazine. being a first-generation student.

I hope to always remember my potential. I would not be where I am today if I had not believed in myself.

way, and to take advantage of the opportunities that present themselves.

My dreams are to work with a non-profit organization to promote sustainable practices across various industries. I hope to be able to provide a better future for those to come.

To those who are fighting a battle with themselves, know that the universe has so much to offer and that your pain is temporary.

I hope to one day have my own magazine, that highlights the efforts of local activists and their contributions to their communities.

I am thankful to be graduating with the class of 2020.

I hope to remember that I am the only one standing in my

I celebrate this accomplishment in honor of Douglas Alvarez, a good friend who should have been able to graduate with his friends and accomplish his dream.

J.BAUTISTA

15

When I MC‘d the 2017 Lavender Affair, the closing night of Lavender Spirit Week, I chanted this repeatedly to a crowd of enthusiastic students, staff, friends, and family members.

The energy that those people returned during that chant proved to me that school spirit exists at CCNY. A college where most students are commuters and where sports are Division III, CCNY may come off as a school with little school spirit.

However, the energy at this event is one of the things that motivated me to bring my energy to as many different aspects of CCNY as I could. Living on my own in New York City, I was able to do whatever I wanted, whenever I wanted. I could act in plays, write articles, make music, and chant up and down the hallways of the NAC. I could drink as much coffee as I wanted, eat as much Domino’s Pizza as I wanted, and eat as many chopped cheeses as I wanted.

WHEN II SAY SAY CC, CC, “WHEN YOU SAY SAY NY! NY! YOU „ CC! NY! NY! CC!

T

he chopped cheese is the most popular sandwich at all of the Harlem delis despite it not being on the menu at most of them. The deli culture of Harlem is something that continues to fascinate me. I grew up on Long Island, where delis are one or two per town. However, in Harlem, all of a sudden there were 15 delis in a ten-minute walking distance. Each deli had the same thing! Hot sandwiches, snacks, and drinks. I have studied Harlem’s food profile by reporting for The Campus and my journalism classes. Despite Harlem’s limited availability of affordable and nutritious food, you can still find some phenomenal sandwich-makers and friendly fruit stand employees. Eating at delis with friends was a regular activity and a unique experience for me.

Freshman year I had a magical bond with my suitemates. We were essentially inseparable.

We watched TV every night, ordered Chinese food, and explored the city by going on long walks and long subway rides. We went to jazz clubs, we went to parks, and one time we traveled two hours to a trampoline park deep in Staten Island. Experiencing the city with my friends has given me memories I will cherish forever. It also set the stage for the following year where I pursued extracurricular involve-

16

F A R E W E L L 3 0 s

ment at CCNY to a maximum.

In the fall of sophomore year, I interned with our on-campus student-powered political activist group, the New York Public Interest Research Group. This is a powerhouse of student energy. I am proud of us achieving our goal of registering 1500 students to vote. That semester I was also Vice President of the Towers’ Residence Hall Association. I had a ton of fun hosting events like “Salad Disco” and “Scream Party.” I also hosted a radio show, “Bar Seminar,” on CCNY’s student-run station twice a week, where I analyzed rap lyrics with my friend, Matthew-Rotker Lynn. The high-octane nature of that semester showed me how many extracurricular activities I had time for.

However, doing so much led me to spread myself thin.

In the spring of my sophomore year, I acted in the Theater Department’s musical “Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown.” We elevated “Bar Seminar” to the professor-run radio station on campus, 90.3 FM. We made the show available on podcast platforms. I edited audio for someone else’s podcast. I spearheaded a recycling project in which I worked with the Office of Facilities and Ma-

nagement to get new, intuitive, more colorful recycling bins into more places on campus. I researched affordable and intuitive bins that the school could use. The Office funded the bins and implemented them, and I went to dumpster rooms around campus to check on the garbage bags to see how well the new program was working. I wrote my first two articles for The Campus, one of which involved me eating 15 chopped cheese sandwiches and reviewing all of them based on their taste and affordability. I traveled to San Francisco, Boston, and Maryland, and I released a 29-minute rap album under the moniker „Dritty Pope“.

This explosion of a semester was super epic for me and was thanks to all the energy and friendliness of people at CCNY. However, this intense business included me not taking enough care of my health.

Not taking care of myself is one of the negative aspects of the freedom I experienced.

For the first two and a half years of college, I mostly did not watch what I ate, I did not exercise regularly, I drank 4+ cups of black coffee daily, and I did not care about my appearance.

Honestly, that’s so funny to me now. Thankfully, this led directly to one of the greatest aspects of having freedom: learning how to take care of myself. After over two and a half years of total hedonism, I started exercising

regularly, eating more vegetables, switching from coffee to tea, and just generally having more swagger.

One of the best activities I discovered at CCNY was writing for The Campus. Being a Staff Writer at The Campus allowed me to explore CCNY and Harlem in unique ways.

Writing the article, which included me eating 15 chopped cheese sandwiches, is what motivated me to dedicate my extracurricular time to reporting. Some of my favorite articles involved me drinking out of every water fountain at school, finding cheap and not moldy strawberries from nearby fruit stands, enjoying big halal cart meals, and picking my favorite pizza places near school.

During my time at The Campus, I also picked up the role of Distribution Coordinator. Fulfilling this responsibility included me being on the front lines spreading our newly published magazines to students’ hands, offices, and kiosks around campus. People were happy when they saw me putting the new magazines in the kiosks. Another super important way I enjoyed my freedom at CCNY was making music. Having the freedom of making my schedule and my own dorm space allowed me to be as creative as I wanted with producing beats, rapping, recording, and mixing. I used my laptop and microphone to record songs about American cheese, grocery stores, gout, and mowing lawns.

Difficult moments at CCNY included having too much work to do, bouncing to and from too many administrative offices when trying to do something simple like change a major, and relationship issues. Attending CCNY helped increase my tolerance for nonsense.

I am very proud that I am graduating from CCNY with a major in International Studies and a triple minor in Journalism, Theater, and Economics. I will be studying at the Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism at CUNY in the fall, and my work at The Campus is my foundation for my future. Thank you to my friends throughout my time at CCNY, especially Matthew, Austin, James, Haris, Katie, and Kaitlin. Thanks to this epic staff at The Campus for allowing me to share ideas with the student body! Thank you to my family and the homies from Floral Park.

The hard moments helped me appreciate my supportive family. I could always rely on them to talk on the phone or to go home and visit.

They would help me take my mind off of stressful school stuff. Also, I am very blessed to have stayed close to my childhood friends.

They remain some of the most important people in the world to me. I could always visit their schools for a vacation weekend, and them visiting me in the city are some of my favorite and most rambunctious moments.

Respect and Props to City College from Clark Adomaitis

C.ADOMAITIS

17

„ “EMBRACING THE UNCERTAINTY This farewell is the weirdest one I’ve ever had the pleasure to write. I write this in the midst of finals between writing papers, finishing an internship, and preparing for our virtual graduation due to COVID-19. This last semester was supposed to be the strong starting point for the lives and careers of 2020 seniors postundergraduate. However, if this pandemic has reaffirmed one thing to me, it’s that things don’t happen when you want them to occur.

Life and the events surrounding it happen when they’re supposed to happen.

My experience at The City College of New York has been the college experience I was always searching for. I came to City College as a transfer student in my junior year in 2018 with a major in English Literature and minor in Journalism. I had previously spent two years at the Borough of Manhattan Community College studying Writing and Literature.

However, imagine my bewilderment when I arrived at my first class flushed with nerves.

The NAC building, with its post-modern/ brutalist architecture overwhelmed me, the classes were complex, and I was in the midst of reconsidering my line of work for the future. It all felt too real and I reverted back to feeling like a high school senior who felt had their plans thwarted. I transferred all of my

knowledge, plans, and hope to another level of academia. It’s been a challenging two years academically and personally but an investment that I do not regret.

Being a student in the city, one of the tasks I’ve learned to master is multitasking. Juggling academia, attempting to start a professional career, and making time for a personal life continues to be a daunting task while stepping out of higher education. City College has helped me become better and balanced as a student and person. I would work mornings then come to class at night or vice versa. My professors at City College didn’t take pity, but they were supportive and understanding. My professors challenged me in a different way, built my way of thinking, and enhanced my work ethic. I’ve always been an overachiever and City College helped me reach the standards I had for myself and beyond. Joining The Campus, CCNY’s magazine, also encouraged me to flex my journalistic muscles. The writers, editors, and Editors-in-Chief were ambitious, creative, and knowledgeable. The Campus is the only campus club I’ve been a part of since I’ve arrived at City College.

To be in a club that has helped me grow as a journalist puts my goals into perspective and shows me the value of teamwork.

By Jada Gordon 18

J . G O R D O N

The true power of a student transitioning into life is like a snake shedding its skin. College is the last layer of security for students and we’re diving into a world that is increasingly uncertain. With the world becoming more divisive with each passing political spectacle and COVID-19 practically shutting the world down, issues seem to bog down people who consume media on a daily basis. I, as well as hundreds of other seniors, are feeling a great amount of pressure going into a world that doesn’t seem to have it all together. I still feel like I don’t have all the answers as I should, but nonetheless the real world is around the corner.

As much as I know I have the utilities and resources to go on, a part of me will always question, “What if I’m wrong? What if I’m not as equipped as I think I am?” However, if I knew all the answers to life and success then there would be no excitement in the journey.

As a graduating senior, I’m realizing that it is okay to not be perfect and not to have all the answers. The journey is to discover these answers and build more insight as I go along. City College has educated and prepared me for the journey ahead professionally and personally.

To question and observe every part of life is to build upon it a better foundation to grow.

THANKFUL FOR FOR “THANKFUL „ THE JOURNEY JOURNEY THE

A

ll too often, student organizations and on-campus clubs are dismissed as glorified social groups, devoid of a concrete purpose and unable to produce any significant impact. Moreover, the positions and leadership roles associated with these cooperatives are commonly overlooked, snubbed, and discredited as mere résumé filler by the community at large. I cannot speak for all clubs; however, if my year and a half as a staff writer and news editor has taught me anything, it is that such mendacity does not apply to The Campus magazine.

We, as the collective voice of the City College student body, have been an enduring journalistic force for well over a century.

The Campus’ aim to provide objective, pertinent, and engaging content to our student, staff, and Harlem neighborhood audiences is what initially drew me to the team back in January 2019. The rush of quality and topical story ideas being bounced around our cozy office space during my first meeting was infectious and lead me to penning my first article on Super Bowl LIII shortly afterwards.

In the subsequent fifteen months, I authored an additional eleven articles, ranging from historical (“At the Intersection of ‘Excellence’ and ‘Equity’” alongside opinion editor and good friend Matthew Romano) to contemporary (“2019 USG Election Voter Turnout: What Does it Signify?”), sports (“No Longer Just Ballpark Figures”) to professor spotlights (“From Hibbing to Harlem”), and light-hearted (“Horror Fiction Throughout the Ages”) to grave (“Coronavirus in the Face of Cultural Relativism”).

My joining The Campus was never limited to bolstering my experience or credentials—I

had stories to tell and the magazine provided me with the ultimate platform to convey them.

The article I am proudest of, the aforementioned “Coronavirus in the Face of Cultural Relativism,” explores the anthropological idea of cultural relativism via conflicting global sentiments regarding the 2019 coronavirus outbreak. Writing this 1,400-word behemoth not only allowed me to establish a meaningful connection with my peers about such a pressing topic, but also demonstrated to me (perhaps more than ever) my sheer love and passion for the written word.

Writing is a uniquely pensive medium, one that is, to quote author Drew Perkins, “equal parts process and affection.” Being so naturally reserved, the pen has carried my voice far further than my own mouth ever could. Since

1907, The Campus has served as a conduit for change both on campus and throughout the local community.

Speaking from a personal perspective, that change has managed to trickle down to me as an individual, writer, and thinker. The Campus gave me the opportunity to openly express myself and inform all of you about the subjects I felt were intriguing, relevant, and, most importantly, worth your time. I hope you, my peers, will follow in my footsteps—we all have our own stories to tell, thoughts to present, and wisdom to impart.

At this juncture, I am unsure what lies ahead of me. In these times of great uncertainty, it is best to reflect on positive memories and look forward to the bright potential the future has in store. For me, those positive memories include The Campus and our mission to shape our surroundings one word at a time. No matter where I go, what I become, or what I achieve, I will always have The Campus to thank for affording me the luxury to communicate with all of you about the wild world around us. I also want to thank former editor-in-chief (EIC) Katie Herchenroeder for bringing me aboard almost a year and a half ago, as well as current EIC Celia Tsampas for trusting me with overseeing the magazine’s news content these past two semesters. It has been a tremendous journey and I am grateful to have spent it with all of you.

By Eric Bilach E . B I L A C H

19

Chriscel Chriscel Halili Halili

Where do I even begin? I guess I’ll start by introducing myself. Hi, my name is and this is my last semester at CCNY. I transferred to this school 2 years ago on a whim. After I received my Associate’s Degree at my old community college, I thought I was satisfied but I happened upon the Electronic Design and Multimedia program this university was offering and said to myself “Why the heck not?”. I inquired just for me to find out that I had one week before applications were due. I had seven days to put together a portfolio consisting of about 10 projects (including the department’s requirements). Coming from a programming background, I had to start from scratch and finish all of these within the given time. I remember begging my managers last minute to take me off the schedule the following week and they were nice enough to do it. Finally, it was the last day to hand in everything and I asked my boyfriend to drive me from Queens to Harlem since I was instructed to compile everything in a flash drive which I dropped off in the Compton Goethals Many people have a lot to say about this school. I even saw a Tiktok recently about colleges in New York and they labeled CCNY as ghetto *insert eye roll emoji here* but you know what’s ghetto? Putting your skills and resources to waste. Yes, this school has its flaws and there are a lot of areas that could use some improvement but I believe I made the most of what I could. I used to be a really shy person and I can now confidently say that CCNY helped get out of that mindset. After my first semester, I realized that everyone else is just as afraid of showing their true self so I used that to my advantage. Here’s a life hack; being friends with at least half of your class makes your presentations less scary! Seeing your friends cheer for you is such a good feeling and it creates a safe space for everyone to make connections.

ne kind of just got along whether you’re in line at Cafe One or trying to print something in the EDM lab. We’ve learned to just always give way. It’s still so surreal to me that I am now graduating with an arts degree. Ask any immigrant kid and you’ll know how much our parents would’ve preferred for us to be in the medical field but thanks to my supportive mother, she’s the reason why I even had the choice to study design. When I first

started college, one thing she said that has always stuck with me was “As long as you’re happy.” It’s simple but I held on to that with every choice I made. I just want to take this opportunity to thank God, my family, the friends I’ve made, the professors who believed in me, CCNY for opening doors for me, and of course, The Campus for allowing me to be a part of something that highlights even the smallest wins.

Phew! I got steps 1 and 2 out of the way. Get into the program and make friends. This might sound cliche for many but those were some of the things I was worried about. I’ve always been a new girl. Coming to this country as a high school student wasn’t like the movies.

Man, high school kids in New York could get pretty brutal. I experienced culture shocked but still managed to create my circle. At least in college people are much cooler; they’re more sensitive towards other people’s backgrounds.

One thing that I appreciate the most in CCNY was that diversity didn’t feel forced. Everyo-

HIGHLIGHTING THE THE “HIGHLIGHTING „ SMALL WINS WINS SMALL 20

C . H A L I L I

„

“

HEADACHE, HEARTACHE, HEARTACHE, HEADACHE, & HAPPINESS HAPPINESS & So, it really might just be the graduation goggles speaking, but I truly believe that my time at City College has been one of the best periods of my life so far. Anyone reading this probably won‘t believe it’s me saying this, as I have spent the last four years completely slamming the school to anyone that will pretend like they are listening. But while reflecting on my undergraduate career and the things I have done, I have realized that I owe a lot to this institution and the people in it.

I came to CCNY knowing almost nothing about it, but it had the only requirement I demanded of the college I wanted to start my medical career in: a reputable science program in Manhattan. I was really lucky my freshman year to be dorming at the Towers, where I made friends I would keep for the next 4 years. One of my roommates, Katie Herchenroeder, the previous Editor-in-Chief, introduced me to The Campus and is the reason I started writing for the magazine.

Fall 2016 was a tumultuous year to join college; with the presidential election looming over the semester, I found the worries people had about their futures were more visible in the students at City College, and I was starting to understand that I did not have a firm grasp on how the political system worked in our country, especially with regards to healthcare.

In addition to my biology major, I decided it would be a good idea to pick up a public policy minor to learn how I could change the healthcare system I was unsatisfied with due to its further marginalization for those already disadvantaged by the system.

After my freshman year, I joined the executive board, as the Events Coordinator, for the Medical Roots Project Club on campus. For

the last two years I have been the president of this organization, and our work on and off campus to educate the community of the essential skills and tools they need to maintain their own health is one of the things I am most proud of having accomplished.

Over the last few years, I have also been involved with two research projects; one is conducted at Mount Sinai where we work with pre-diabetic teenagers in East Harlem, and the other is at NYU and has to do with cardiopulmonary function and air quality in hookah and e-cigarette users.

My interest in public health research and eagerness to disseminate the preliminary findings of the e-cigarette study are the reasons my first print issued article was on the 2018 vape flavor ban and how students at CCNY were reacting to the news. Writing that article was a turning point for me, as it made me realize how important communication is with regards to public health.

After the initial article, I continued to write health related articles, as well as some about current political discourse, issues around campus, and our beloved CCNY sports teams (my passion for which is what ultimately led to me becoming this year’s sports editor).

While a good majority of my time at CCNY centered around my school and the ungodly amount of time I spent under the migraine inducing NAC fluorescent lighting, I prefer to frame my time here around my more fond recollections: the countless hours spent listening to new music and plotting schemes in The Campus office, walking through the rotunda during club hours and losing my voice trying to scream my iced chai order to the barista over the always too loud music, and meeting up with pals at Grill on a Thursday night because the week was just that hard and we were dramatic and couldn’t wait any longer.

The last four years of headache, heartbreak, and happiness at CCNY have all brought me to the next part of my life as an MD/ MPH student at SUNY Downstate MedicalCenter in Brooklyn.

Though I do wish I could have had my last memory of CCNY be me walking in a cap and gown across the stage set up on the South Lawn, I truly am grateful for the ones I have, and could not have imagined a better place to spend the last four years of my life.

By Anu Shetty A . S H E T T Y

21

The Fight for JUSTICE A tribute to george floyd How would you describe the protest you attended?

IN A TIME WHEN WE‘VE ALL FELT SO DISTANT FROM EACH OTHER, THE PROTESTS OFFER A NEW HOPE. new york has never felt more like new york. the protests are large and impassioned, displaying diverse people and diverse demands. - Eva Friedberg

CoMMUNITIES JOINING TOGETHER TO DEMAND JUSTIcE. only one protest i attended became violent, incited by police. this is a tactic to arrest peaceful protestors. We stay united FOR ONE CAUSE AND keep the PEACE ADMIST POLICE VIOLENCE. - Daniella Herrera

Minneapolis police murdered George Floyd, a 46-year-old black man on May 25, 2020 in an arrest after he was caught attempting to use a twenty-dollar counterfeit bill. Officer Derek Chauvin held a handcuffed Floyd to the ground, with his knee on his neck, while Floyd repeatedly said “I can’t breathe,” and three other officers stood by complacent. Video footage of the events went viral, sparking outrage in the Black Lives Matter movement and bringing awareness to police brutality in America. Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, it has become impossible to ignore the fact that America was suffering from more than one disease, as racism has killed black citizens for generations. People took the streets immediately in a series of protests that spread not only across the country but around the world. Protestors and supporters of the movement, both in the streets and online, demanded all officers involved were arrested and charged with the murder of Floyd. As the protests got more violent and tensions continued to escalate, supporters of the movement used this time to illuminate the atrocious history of police brutality in the black community.

George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, Sean Reed, and Tony McDade are just a few of the most recent victims of systemic racism in America. The following link/QR Code will take you to an abundance of resources you can use to take action and activate for the cause. Donate if you can, sign petitions, call/email your local representatives, and overall, don’t stop educating yourself and spreading awareness.

Photography by Eric Casarez 22