firefighters assessing the damage from the electrical fire in the Henry
Electrical fire in Whittemore Library results in evacuation
By Dylan Pichnarcik News Editor
The Henry Whittemore Library was evacuated on Wednesday, Oct. 9 after an electrical fire, according to Dan Giard, director of facilities.
The Framingham State University Police Department (FSUPD) was the first to arrive on scene. The Framingham Fire Department (FFD) followed.
According to Giard, the fire was caused by an overheated electrical ballast in a light fixture on the lower mezzanine of the library.
Giard said throughout his tenure, he has not seen a ballast ignite.
The building was closed for approximately one hour, according to Millie
By Raena Hunter Doty Arts & Features Editor
Arts & Ideas hosted Roopika Risam, professor of digital humanities at Dartmouth College, who presented about the importance of integrating digital humanities (DH) into a humanities curriculum Oct. 8.
Bart Brinkman, director of the Center for Digital Humanities at FSU and professor of English, introduced Risam as one of the “leading” figures in the DH field. He said she’s given many public lectures, written over 50 articles and essays, and authored several books about DH in education.
Risam said she wants to share her
Gonzalez, dean of the Henry Whittemore Library.
She said, “We were told to move away from the entrance of the building. Most of us congregated on the benches and near the trees.”
Notification from the University about the fire came via email from Meg Nowak Borrego, vice president for student affairs and dean of students, approximately 20 minutes after the incident.
The email said, “Unfortunately, there was a minor fire in the library today caused by a light fixture. Due to the need to clear smoke from the building, the library will remain closed for approximately the next hour. We apologize for any inconvenience.”
experiences teaching DH with the FSU community, and added most of her strategies for teaching DH were developed at Salem State University, where she became involved with the field.
She said the goal of her talk was to inspire people - both faculty and students - to get involved with DH, and to answer questions about why DH is important in a curriculum.
Risam said, “We are in the midst of yet another one of the unending crises of higher education and the humanities,” and added higher education is also grappling with the question of who belongs in its system.
She added there are a lot of concerns about higher education, including how valuable it is, and because of this, stu-
According to Giard, Facilities will be installing two new light fixtures. Giard added Facilities handled cleanup from the fire and worked to remove the smell of smoke from the building. “The smell has kind of gone away because we brought in 100% outside air and we’ve had it now for 24 hours.”
Most of the damage was sustained by the metal shelving, according to Gonzalez. “Thankfully, the metal shelving was exposed to the fire and not books. In a couple of days, after I get clearance from Facilities, I will be able to assess any smoke damage to the books. We will either replace the books or send them out to be cleaned,” she said.
dents tend to gravitate toward majors with a “self-evident career attached to them, where the name of the department, the name of the major, is the name of the career,” such as education, social work, and nursing.
Risam said in her time as a professor of English at Salem State, she saw enrollment in the English major drop from 300 majors in a single year to 130.
She added this is possibly because of the state of the economy - universities tend to see lower enrollment when the country isn’t in a recession - but that either way, the Northeast is seeing lower enrollment nationally than the rest of the country.
COUNTRY MUSIC pg. 6 BOREALIS pg. 8 Roopika Risam speaks on
Alexis Schlesinger / THE GATEPOST Framingham
Whittemore Library on Oct. 9.
E ditorial Board
Editor-in-Chief
Sophia Harris
Associate Editors
Maddison Behringer
Ryan O’Connell
Copy Editor
Emma Lyons
News Editor
Dylan Pichnarcik
Asst. News Editors
Kaitlin Carman
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Opinions Editor
Izayah Morgan
Sports Editor
Sophia Oppedisano
Asst. Sports Editors
Riley Crowell
Izabela Gage
Arts & Features Editors
Raena Hunter Doty
Francisco Omar Fernandez Rodriguez
Asst. Arts & Features Editors
Owen Glancy
Bella Omar
Photos & Design Editors
Adrien Gobin
Alexis Schlesinger
Asst. Photos & Design Editor
Meghan Spargo
Illustrations Editor
Ben Hurney
Asst. Illustrations Editors
David Abe
Emily Monaco
Staff Writers
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Sarah Daponde
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Bella Grimaldi
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Michael Trueswell
Staff Illustrators
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Advisor
Desmond McCarthy
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Elizabeth Banks
Gatepost Interview Hannah Wilkins NEWS
Coordinator of Starfish Operations and Analytics at CASA
By Sophia Harris Editor-in-Chief
By Bella Grimaldi Staff Writer
What is your academic and professional background?
I graduated from Framingham State in 2015. I got my bachelor’s degree in psychology and minored in neuroscience. I was looking for a job out of college, and I had worked at CASA while I was in my undergrad as an ASPT [academic strategy peer tutor]. They had an opening for a contract position, so I applied, got the job, and was working here part-time for a handful of years. I just started full-time last year. This is my second year full-time working in CASA, and my second year as an assistant coach on the field hockey team.
What is one aspect of your job that is unique?
I think that it’s pretty multifaceted. I coordinate Starfish, but also work in CASA. I get to do a bunch of different things. I can start off my morning answering emails, but then I can be problem-solving some things in the system, and then by the end of the afternoon, I could be working one-on-one with students. I think that’s a pretty unique factor of it.
What is something that students would not know or expect about you?
I suppose it would be that I do woodworking on the weekends. It’s not your typical hobby - not always the easiest one to get into, either, but it’s something I’ve been doing for a few years now, and I love it. I’ve recently done a few nightstands. Right now, I’m working on a bunch of pens. You can make pens on the lathe. So that’s been a big project I’ve been doing, working on Christmas gifts right now.
Correction
What are some of your hobbies? And what do you like to do in your free time?
Woodworking is a big one. I’m also a huge nerd, so I like all of those traditional hobbies, like gaming and video games. I also really enjoy sports. I’ve been following the WNBA, the PWHL, a lot of women’s sports, and sports of all kinds.
What is one unique program offered by CASA?
We’ve got a lot of programs. I don’t know if there are any that are specifically unique, but I think the cool thing is, there’s a little bit for everyone in CASA. A lot of our services are meant for anybody and everybody. Despite the fact that we’re traditionally looked at as the place to go when you need help, really, you can come to CASA anytime - for anything, for questions that you have. We really try to make our space super welcoming.
Adrien Gobin / THE GATEPOST
What advice would you offer to students at Framingham State? I think academically, my advice would be pretty short and sweet - go to class. It’s the baseline to where academic success can start. And if you’re not going to class, it’s very hard to help you outside of that. So that’s your first step there. Outside of academics, I think my advice would be to find something that you really love doing, either through clubs on campus or sports, but just to explore things while you’re here and find something that you really enjoy. It doesn’t have to be academic. In fact, probably better if it’s not.
CONNECT WITH SOPHIA HARRIS sharris9@student.framingham.edu
CONNECT WITH BELLA GRIMALDI igrimaldi@student.framingham.edu
In the Oct. 4 issue of The Gatepost the feature photo caption read “The womans soccer team celebrates a 2-1 win against Salem State.” This is incorrect. The correct caption should read “The womans soccer team celebrates a 2-1 win against Nichols College.”
In the Sept. 27 issue of The Gatepost a student in Campus Conversations was identified as Jaysha Powell, this is incorrect. The students name is Nikayla Martin Jr.
We apologize for the confusion.
Police Logs
Phone:
Monday, Oct. 7 5:39 Faculty/Staff Admit, A-Zone Lot Referral Filed
Tuesday, Oct. 8 5:57
Disturbance, Miles Bibb Hall Services Rendered
Wednesday, Oct. 9 12:07 Alarm, Fire Whittemore Library Report Taken
Wednesday, Oct. 9 1:32
Parking Enforcement, Maple Parking Lot Citation Issued
Executive Vice President Dale Hamel retires after 23 years
By Sophia Harris Editor-in-Chief
By Dylan Pichnarcik News Editor
Executive Vice President Dale Hamel, the longtime chief financial officer (CFO) of Framingham State, who helped steer the institution through a tumultuous era of financial change, is set to retire Oct.16.
After more than 20 years at Framingham State, during which he served five presidents, starting with Helen Heineman, Hamel is leaving the University in a position to “thrive” financially. He said, “I’m pleased that we are in a very strong financial position.”
As a member of the executive staff, Hamel is one of nine administrators who oversee specific departments that keep the daily operations of FSU running efficiently.
Departments such as Facilities & Capital Planning and Transportation report to Hamel.
He has also been heavily involved with the University’s accreditations by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE). FSU has just earned its most recent reaccreditation, a feat he hoped to see before he retired.
Hamel’s leadership played a central role in changing FSU’s landscape. With the addition of two residence halls, West and Miles Bibb, FSU’s footprint stretches all the way to the edge of Route 9 and beyond with the acquisition of the Danforth Art Museum on Vernon Street and the Warren Conference Center, located five miles south of FSU in Ashland.
Hamel said he is proud of the growth of Framingham State’s campus over the years. In 2004, Hamel said FSU only had 50 acres of land; now, it owns more than 138 acres, a 170% increase over his tenure. In terms of square footage, Hamel helped to increase it by 50%. This includes the addition of Hemenway labs, properties on Adams Road, and residence halls.
He said capital planning and working with the state to make arguments for not only operational support but also capital initiatives has been one of the areas he has enjoyed most during his time at Framingham State.
Hamel has been involved in every step of this process, including planning, advocacy, and implementation of capital planning and grant accumulation. Hamel added the University has been “very fortunate” recently to have a strong legislative delegation, including Senate President Karen Spilka, who has been “very receptive to our requests.”
He added he is grateful for a “strong team” to implement those projects, such as the Facilities Department, which has been involved in the planning and then execution of projects over time.
Hamel said over his tenure, he has learned that every year is different. “That’s one of the reasons I stuck with it for so long because it certainly didn’t get boring over those times.”
Aside from the pandemic period, Hamel said every day, he came to work excited for the day ahead. “There were always new challenges and opportunities that you face.”
He said one of his goals is to leave Framingham State “in good shape for the next group of people to move forward.”
He added, “We have a strong group of administrators and engaged faculty. I think one of the things I love about being here is the type of students that we have who are very appreciative of their experiences and then in acknowledging the opportunity that this provides to them.”
Previously, Hamel worked in the private sector of finance. One of the aspects of working at Framingham State, the public sector, is the satisfaction of making a difference for students, he said.
“I think all of us see ourselves as public servants. That’s how I would describe my role here - as being a public servant,” he said.
Hamel said he will continue to work on a “couple of small projects” at Framingham State such as funding for a barn at the Warren Center.
He added he has been working for about 12 years to transfer property use from the Division of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) to Framingham State for a piece of land on the Stearns reservoir. “We’re very close to making that happen. I don’t want to walk away at the very end of that process,” he said.
Hamel said he hopes to ease his way out of FSU. The Massachusetts State College Building Authority’s CFO and executive director positions are vacant. Hamel will now serve temporarily to “help stabilize the organization for a while until both of those positions are filled.”
Hamel said he is excited for Robert Totino, his successor, to bring a “new set of eyes,” to the University’s finances. He added Totino is the “ultimate professional and just overall a nice guy.”
Hamel’s executive assistant, Margaret “Peg” Charbonnier, is also retiring. They have worked together for 24 years.
“She’s just a great human being,” Hamel said. “I’ve really enjoyed, both professionally and personally, being
Aurora Borealis observed at 7 p.m. on Thursday Oct. 10.
Sunday night Oct. 12
Rain. Low around 50. South wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
Monday Oct. 13
Rain likely before 9 a.m. then a chance of showers between 9am and 1pm. Partly sunny. High near 60
able to work with her over the years.”
Charbonnier said working at Framingham State alongside Hamel has been a “wonderful experience,” adding, “I never minded coming to work any day.”
“I have to highlight him,” she said, “because the vision he had for this University has just blossomed.”
Charbonnier said she told Hamel during her interview with him over 20 years ago, “I watched you walk around this campus. Your eyes were wide open.” Charbonnier said she thought that’s what got her the job as Hamel’s executive assistant.
She added, “The time flies, it just flies, always new things. Where else can you work and on your lunch break go and watch an ensemble play?”
Totino said, “The amount of work that Hamel and Charbonnier have accomplished over those multi-decade time frames has just been extraordinary.”
He said he hopes to build on the work of Hamel and Charbonnier to move the institution forward. He said he is very lucky to have two very successful predecessors.
Totino said he understands why Hamel has had such a “well-revered career here because of his characteristics and his persona. … He is a very, very good human being.”
President Nancy Niemi said when she first joined FSU, she relied a lot on Hamel for the depth of his institutional knowledge and his understanding of the Commonwealth. She added he has been an “invaluable partner” in helping her understand state and University finance.
She added Hamel has not only balanced the finances of the University, but has helped find creative ways, whether that be through investments or assets, to help the University thrive.
Linda Vaden-Goad, former provost and vice president of Academic Affairs, who retired in 2019, said Hamel is “just the best of the best,” adding, “He has made a huge difference here and the people can see it reflected everywhere” across campus.
Meg Nowak-Borrego, vice president of Student Affairs and dean of students, said she has enjoyed working with Hamel because he’s very knowledgeable about his area of expertise and someone she could trust.
“He will say it like it is. He will also stand behind his word when he works with students. He will listen to students and work with me to try to come up with a way to fund their ideas and if we can’t do it right away, help me plan for the future or have a strategy for the future,” she said.
Jeffrey Coleman, vice president of Diversity, Inclusion, and Community
Monday night Oct. 13
Partly cloudy, with a low around 40. West wind 5 to 10 mph.
Tuesday Oct. 14
Mostly sunny, with a high near 55. West wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Engagement, said what he appreciates about Hamel is “he’s always able to find a way.
“Whenever we run into a need, and we may not have enough money to address that need, Dale has a way of finding money and makes the budget line up,” Coleman said. “I don’t know how he does it, but he is always able to do it.”
Kim Galvani, coordinator of Transportation Services, said Hamel always wore a smile.
She said she is impressed by Hamel’s involvement in the community. “What I’ve seen from the outside, with all the extracurricular things he does within the community and the University … it has been unbelievable. I feel like he has his hands in every little piece, and it just meshes well together.”
English professor Desmond McCarthy said Hamel has been “one of the most impactful figures in Framingham State’s history.”
He said largely due to Hamel’s “vision and expertise, the physical campus was almost completely renovated and significantly expanded during his tenure.”
McCarthy said Hamel’s “collegiality and his focus on the wellbeing of students are two of the many qualities that make him a model of what the University administrator should be.”
Student Trustee Jeremy McDonald, a senior political science major, said Hamel “has been an amazing core piece of Framingham State during his time here.”
McDonald said “he has transcended his role and title to be an impactful force at Framingham State. I’ve seen him in all kinds of situations. From walking the halls to the Board of Trustees meetings to All University Committee to Student Government meetings, Dale has been there for students and staff alike.”
He said he always enjoys working with Hamel and has appreciated his dedication to students and the Student Government Association.
“It really meant a lot to us as students to have our voice considered by him. I’m thankful for Dale’s years of tireless service to Framingham State, and I’m excited for him. I wish him all the best in his retirement,” McDonald said.
[Editor’s Note: Desmond McCarthy is the advisor for The Gatepost.]
CONNECT WITH SOPHIA HARRIS sharris9@student.framingham.edu
CONNECT WITH DYLAN PICHNARCIK dpichnarcik@student.framingham.edu
Forecast provided by the National Weather Service www.weather.gov
Tuesday night Oct. 14
Mostly clear, with a low around 35. West wind around 5 mph.
Wednesday Oct. 15
Sunny, with a high near 55. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
Wednesday night Oct. 15
Mostly clear, with a low around 35. West wind 1 to 5 mph.
Thursday Oct. 16
Sunny, with a high near 60. Northwest wind around 10 mph.
Library fire
Continued from Page 1
Gonzalez added, “We will need to replace several metal shelves. But we were very lucky that the fire was contained immediately. The fire department, campus police, and Facilities did an amazing job. I truly aappreciate our staff, faculty, students, and community members who were in the building during this occurrence.”
Senior Gabriella Florio, a circulation desk attendant who was working at the time of the fire, said, “At around 12:20 p.m., the fire alarm went off and it was presumed someone had pulled it or the usual vaping in the bathroom. However, once everyone left, the fire department came and announced it was an electrical issue.”
Florio added she was outside of the library for approximately 45 minutes.
Brielle Milton, a freshman, was in a class at the time of the fire. She said,
The Framingham fire department’s vehicles outside the
Library on Oct. 9.
“We went outside. We had like 20 minutes left and she just let us leave.”
Milton added, “It was kind of scary
By Dylan Pichnarcik News Editor
The Framingham State University Police Department (FSUPD) is participating in the Pink Patch Project during the month of October to raise money for the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation.
According to Sgt. Harry Singh, the department has raised $300 through donations from the FSU community and from individuals around the United States. FSUPD’s donation goal is $1,000.
Patches are being sold for $10 and can be paid for online at the Susan G. Komen website.
According to the website, they are the “only organization that addresses breast cancer on multiple fronts such as research, community health, global outreach, and public policy initiatives in order to make the biggest impact against this disease.”
The Susan G. Komen Foundation has invested nearly $3.6 billion in cancer research, according to its website.
To show their support, officers of the FSUPD will be wearing a patch identical to the traditional patch with a pink and black color scheme on their duty uniforms.
This is the seventh year that FSUPD has participated in the Pink Patch Project, a campaign started to raise awareness and donations for breast cancer research. “Participants include several hundred partner agencies throughout the world and includes partners from police, sheriff, fire, EMS, and federal departments worldwide,” according to the Pink Patch Project website.
For the first time, FSUPD is selling patches exclusively online through the Susan G. Komen website. “Folks can just go straight to it with a QR code or just click on the link, and you can actually make donations right on their website. … All donations go straight to them, which is the best part about this charity,” Singh said. In previous years, patches were sold at the University Bookstore as well as through the alumni office.
Singh said this change has been beneficial and he has been able to “keep track of what’s going on. I can control it much better, and I can ad vertise on my own because I run the social media for FSUPD.”
He added, “It gives me a platform to advertise to our community and now also outside of our communi ties.”
According to Singh, this year, he has seen donations from patch collectors from across the United States. To support these donations, FSUPD has added a mailing option for the patches.
because I was dozing off a little bit and it smelled kind of rubbery so I knew it was a real fire.”
Donors can submit a receipt of
their donation to FSUPD and a patch will be mailed to their address, according to Singh.
This option has led to an increase in donations. “Nine days into it, the number is huge,” Singh said.
In addition to collecting donations online, members of the FSUPD hosted tabling events including “Coffee with a Cop,” at which members of the FSU community could purchase a patch and learn more about breast cancer awareness, according to Singh.
Singh said the response from the
Junior Sasha Basova, an ITS student technician, said, “I was working at the information desk when the fire alarm went off. Then in seconds, I saw a fire.” She added, “I left the building almost immediately without any obstacles. … I felt safe upon return. It didn’t seem like a serious fire, and actions were taken immediately.”
Marina Botte, a junior, was attending class when “the fire alarm went off and startled us. It was about 12:00 p.m. The professor said, ‘Well I guess you guys have to leave. We’ll continue tomorrow.’ I was walking with my classmates and trying to cover my ears since I hate loud noises.”
She added, “When I got to the first floor, I could smell a bit of something burning and was a little nervous.”
CONNECT WITH DYLAN PICHNARCIK dpichnarcik@student.framingham.edu
University has been “very positive” and in a single day, FSUPD was able to raise $80.
“They wanted to purchase the patch because it was going to a good cause. But a lot of the stories were, ‘Hey, you know what? My mother went through this,’ and they wanted to come and donate,” Singh said.
Singh said that he takes “great pride in anything that I do here when it comes to community outreach. It doesn’t have to be the Pink Patch Project. I’m also involved in other charity work like the Special Olympics.”
He added, “I’m a big believer in giving back to the community. This is what motivates me to come up with these events every year. It’s because I want to give back.”
Erina Operach, a freshman, is “very excited about it. I’m planning on buying at least ten pins.”
“My mother passed away from breast cancer when I was four, so it’s a very big deal to me,” Operach said.
Paige Rainville, a sophomore, said, “The Pink Patch Project is amazing.” She added, “I just wish that someday, we could start fundraising for other types of cancer like childhood cancer. … I really hope to see something like that soon.”
Ezra Mason, a freshman, said they were not aware that FSUPD was participating in the Pink Patch Project and should “probably be checking the social medias.
”I think that’s really cool they’re supporting people in need,” Mason said.
Kathryn Hansson, a graduate student, said the Pink Patch Project “sounds amazing so I think it’s surprising that I haven’t heard of it because now I’ve been here for five years. I am so happy to hear it.”
Those interested in donating to the Pink Patch Project can visit www. info-komen.org/goto/fsupolice
CONNECT WITH DYLAN PICHNARCIK dpichnarcik@student.framingham.edu
Alexis Schlesinger / THE GATEPOST
Henry Whittemore
Cour tesy of Harry Singh
Emily Monaco / THE GATEPOST
Athletic department replacing outdated equipment in fitness center
By Sophia Oppedisano Editorial Staff
The Framingham State athletic department is updating its equipment this year, including new fitness center amenities.
The department is overseeing a three-phase initiative to replace the equipment in the student fitness center, according to Athletic Director Thomas Kelley. Kelley said the department installed the previous equipment in 2001 when the fitness center first opened.
The department introduced new “self-contained lifting machines” and a few treadmills as part of phase one, Kelley said. These include an assisted pull-up machine, a bicep curl machine, and a chest press machine.
Matrix Fitness, a company that specializes in commercial gym equipment, designed and installed the new machines for the phase one install in July, Kelley said.
According to Carey Eggen, deputy director of athletics, the new equipment cost $67,577.
As far as financing for the remainder of the project, Eggen said, “[The department] will be requesting money through the capital request form for the next phase. I think the goal would be to continue to make improvements as money permits.”
Phase two of the modifications will include new smart treadmills and cardiovascular equipment. The department will add free weights as part of phase three, Kelley said.
The upgrades were approved and voted on by the Board of Trustees and the Budget and Planning Committee.
According to Dale Hamel, coordinator of special projects, office of facilities and capital planning, the fitness center “was a project considered as part of the annual ‘Budget and Planning Committee - Capital Adaptation & Renewal Projects Prioritization’ exercise.
“It turned out to be one of the highest-ranked projects and received FY25 College Operations funding support,” Hamel said.
Kelley said the new equipment already seems to be having an impact,
with more students using the fitness center early on in the semester.
Kelley said during and after the pandemic, traffic to the fitness center drastically declined.
“This semester, it’s been pretty busy up there. It looks like it’s getting back to what it used to be. I think some of the machinery was so outdated and it was broken - it wasn’t conducive to a fitness center,” he said.
Alexa Gibson, a senior, said “My first two years on campus [the equip ment] seemed like a hindrance - not even the machines but the free weights because the dumbbells were missing increments of like 15-35 [pounds] so you had to use lighter weights or jump up 20 pounds. I feel like I nev er even looked at the ma chines because half of them were out of order.
“Some of the machines seem nicer and I like the va riety, but I’ve found that out of the 4 machines I do use, two of them don’t work very well. The leg press machine doesn’t give as much
try to use it,” she added. Senior Av-
“When I committed here, part of the discussion coach and I had was that the equipment was going to get installed, and I got a text when it was finalized. I was very excited about it.
- Reese Perry Sophomore
range of motion as the old one and the pin for the lap bar on the hamstring curl machine always pops out when I
I feel it kind of reminds me who I’m playing for. … I made it to college, I’m a student athlete in college, which is not easy to do so it makes me feel happier,”
Bernardo Steven Espino, a senior, said “It looks new, so it makes me want to use the equipment. When you get new stuff, you want to kind of use it, touch it, play with it. So just walking in, there’s a new atmosphere.”
Espino also said the look of the new machines upgrades the gym from “dull and boring” to a more appealing place where students will enjoy spending their time.
Hannah Nilson, a senior, said she has noticed an increase in the number of students who frequent the fitness center.
“You have to claim [your spot] fast. … I think you really have to find the right time,” she said.
Aili Schiavoni, a junior, has frequented the gym since she was a first year, she said.
“While I love that we have new equipment, there’s definitely a long way to go with the rest of the gym. Some of the benches are wobbly, which makes it difficult to do certain exercises,” she said.
Schiavoni also said she would want to see a new Smith machine, which consists of a barbell attached to two rails and allows for vertical movement, added to the equipment. She is also hopeful the new cardiovascular equipment will arrive soon.
“I personally only use the ellipticals for cardio and know for a fact that you can’t increase the grade of your exercise because of some issues with the machine.
“Despite its flaws, I really like the campus gym and it has most everything I need to get my routine done,” she said.
Barnes who trains as a powerlifter said, “I love the new equipment!”
She said the new equipment is an opportunity for students and student-athletes to explore new workouts and implement new movements into their routines.
Barnes said an improvement for the fitness center could be a new arrangement for the cardiovascular machines.
“I think a lot of students feel uncomfortable to be running or walking and facing towards the gym so close to the new machines,” she said.
Adonis Vashon, a senior on the men’s basketball team, said he did not believe the old equipment interfered with his workouts, but the new equipment “enhances” it.
He said, “I think it improves the look a lot - but it’s only a couple of machines. Maybe [add] more free equipment like the medicine balls, yoga mats, and free weights.”
Emily Riggins, a senior and player for the field hockey team, agreed that further additions could be made.
“I like kickboxing, so I would like to see a hanging bag. That would be pretty cool to incorporate too,” she said.
“I really like it up there now, and
In addition to the current student body, Kelley stated he is hopeful the updated look and feel of the gym will stand out to potential student-athlete recruits.
“Student [athletes] coming out of high school now [ask], ‘What can you show me?’ It’s not about just playing out of [high] school,” Kelley said.
Reese Perry, a junior transfer and member of the women’s basketball team, said, “When I committed here, part of the discussion coach and I had was that the equipment was going to get installed, and I got a text when it was finalized. I was very excited about it.
“It’s another resource for people, especially when there’s limited gym time and not everything is accessible all the time. To have at least one place you can go to move your body is really important for people. ... If you don’t get the cardio your body is used to, it can really affect you. So I think a gym is a great way to get that out,” she added.
Alexis Schlesinger / THE GATEPOST
New treadmills in the athletic center.
Marcus Falcão / THE GATEPOST
THE GATEPOST EDITORIAL
Everyone is safe to come out at FSU
National Coming Out Day, celebrated October 11, is a day celebrating LGBTQ+ people and their identities.
The holiday was first celebrated in 1988, exactly one year after the National March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights on Oct. 11, 1987, according to the Human Rights Campaign (HRC).
In 1996, the HRC created the National Coming Out Project, leading to the “Resource Guide to Coming Out,” which included resources and information on coming out “as transgender, coming out online, coming out in the workplace, and coming out as a parent or to a health care provider,” according to the Cornell University Library.
It is a holiday about self-discovery and having pride in your sexual and gender identity.
For many people in college, this is the first time they gain independence and begin to explore their sexuality and take time to fully understand their identity.
But sometimes with self-discovery, there can also be fear. Telling others about yourself and your orientation is difficult for many people - especially as it is not always accepted.
Self-discovery can be instant for some, but may take years for others - it’s not always like flipping a switch. Sexuality is nuanced, and exists on a spectrum.
National Coming Out Day gives people the space to share who they are - which is important and warrants celebration.
However, there is no need to force yourself to come out if you aren’t ready. It’s important to take your time if it feels necessary and to continue exploring who you are - don’t feel pressured to put yourself into a category if you don’t feel as if you fit there.
Even if you have come out, you don’t need to be held to what you came out as. Identity is fluid - you can change the labels you use to identify yourself as much as you need in order to find a definition, or a set of definitions, that fit you.
And it’s OK if you feel that no category fits your identity. You are still valid no matter how you categorize yourself.
National Coming Out Day serves to celebrate everyone whose identity aligns with LGBTQ+ culture.
While Massachusetts and Framingham State University are liberal areas with outspoken support for LGBTQ+ people, coming out is still not always easy. There are many obstacles for people who want to come out, including. but not limited to, discrimination in the workplace or at home.
The Center for Inclusive Excellence (CIE) offers many resources for students who belong to the LGBTQ+ community. Its website states the CIE provides a “community-building approach to educate and create awareness around issues of gender, sexuality, and identity using inclusive practices that elevate the lives of our students and the greater Framingham community.”
The CIE has resources specifically for LGBTQ+ students, offering ways to be involved through student affinity groups, encouraging awareness as they highlight the lived experiences of LGBTQ+-identifying people, fostering discussion, and building knowledge concerning issues of social and racial justice.
Framingham State also offers support
through the preferred name policy, gender-inclusive restrooms, and counseling specialized in LGBTQ+-community needs.
A student’s preferred name will be used in the University directory, in many communications, on class rosters, and in reporting - except when the use of the legal name is required - according to the CIE’s website. However, whenever reasonably possible, the preferred name will be used. Students who wish to indicate a preferred name can access a form through myFramingham under Quick Links – Personal Information.
Any current students wishing to update an FSU identification card with a preferred name can schedule an appointment with the Student Identification Card Office at idoffice@framingham.edu.
The Framingham State campus provides 35 single-user restrooms across campus that are available for use without regard to gender. The CIE website states, “We believe that the removal of gender designation from these single-user restrooms is a meaningful step forward in our commitment to inclusive excellence in that they will be available to all members of our community but may also provide an added level of comfort for members of the LGBT+ community, parents of young children, and those requiring assistance when using the facilities.”
The FSU Counseling Center welcomes students who identify as LGBTQ+ or who may be questioning or struggling with sexual identity/expression. The Center’s counselors are “committed to providing a welcoming, safe, and supportive space for all LGBT+ students,” according to the website. Some of the best resources a student can utilize are support from their friends and peers. If it is safe for you to do so, tell your friends how you feel and ask them to help support you. And if your friends are struggling with their identities or their paths to self-discovery, ask them what you can do to help or point them in the direction of the CIE staff. We have to be there for each other!
Even if you are not a member of the LGBTQ+ community, you can celebrate National Coming Out Day through your allyship.
You should always help your peers and do your part to help in big and small ways. For example, say something if someone makes a bigoted joke, or engages in other normalized forms of LGBTQ+ discrimination.
Don’t let passing comments slip by - call them out if it is safe to do so.
We have a responsibility as Rams to support and uplift each other. We need to take the time to ensure the spaces we inhabit and create support everyone, regardless of their sexuality or gender. Take time this National Coming Out Day to think about the language you use. Think about whether you are repeating phrases that echo homophobic or transphobic ideas.
To the LGBTQ+ members of our campus community, know that The Gatepost Editorial Board supports you.
We want every individual on campus to be their authentic selves. Even if you do not feel comfortable coming out, don’t hide yourself away.
And if you do want to come out, the FSU community is here to welcome you.
Have an opinion? Feel free to email it to: gatepost@framingham.edu Opinions should be about 500 words. Anyone can submit. We look forward to hearing from you!
The Gatepost Editorial reflects the opinions of the newspaper’s Editorial Board. Signed Op/Eds reflect the opinions of individual writers.
@T heGatepost | FSU gatepost.com
Country - a particularly overhated genre
By Anthony Sims Staff Writer
The unfortunately common opinion, “I hate country music” or “I listen to everything but country,” is said by dismissive crowds. Some may protest “I’ve listened to a few songs, that’s enough.” Sadly, very few people following this mindset ever get past the superficial front it can present.
To some, country music can present as an obnoxious one-dimensional genre designed to pander to the masses. Many have heard the garden variety “critiques” that boil down to a pantomime squawking of “Beer, Trucks, ’Murica” and so on.
While humorous, it is this perception, not the genre, that is one-dimensional. There is so much depth to be found past initial impressions, and it can portray a level of disrespect, even ignorance to mock it on these grounds.
Often, if one hasn’t actually listened to a variety of country music - or any genre for that matter - they’re likely parroting trendy opinions. Judging before listening is unfair to the artist, the genre, and the listeners themselves as it dismisses what could be worth their while.
One might hear “I’ve heard enough from what’s on the radio and the charts,” but this argument is flawed. Popular country music is more and more a terrible representation of the genre.
The songs on these platforms are designed to appeal to the broadest audience possible, which reflects in the material that is played. Country is usually not on the charts, and when it is, it’s normally in its most simple and repetitive form.
Chart-topping music in general always has some instantly perceptible level of appeal, but if one only listens to this variety of music, one’s music taste could be called vapid or dull. That’s not to say that these songs in themselves are dull, merely the inability to listen to more than a minute before final judgment.
If you want to find a good representation of a genre, it requires a moderate amount of both digging and patience. Listen to a song and if you like it, that’s great, keep going - if you don’t like it, still, keep going.
What separates this method from mindlessly listening to trendy music is: one, you are seeking out music based off of what piques your personal interest which gives you full control over your playlists, and two, you stick with the music even if not immediately appealing, allowing yourself time and grace to truly process before making conclusions.
One might then rebut that they’ve heard enough from streaming, but a similar problem exists. Even in this medium, one is algorithmically fed a decreasingly reliable mainstream diet.
If you truly want to know whether you like a genre, that requires seeking it beyond what’s fed to you.
Listen to a whole album and then make your opinion on it, listen to a few more from them and you have an opinion on that artist. Build opinions on a few artists in a genre, and then you have a solid opinion on said genre because you actually know what you’re talking about.
Don’t rely on stereotypes, understand that country is a broad genre with dozens of subgenres. The amount of diversity present in music means that you are bound to find something somewhere that you like.
Even if you don’t, at least you’ll have a real opinion. Even if some country songs are basic, what’s so bad about that?
Take a look at the simplicity that can be found in other genres. If you can accept them but not country, why not? People resonate with simple themes because they’re relatable, and great songs can come from common subjects, regardless of genre.
Music is evolving, and country is no exception. We are in the middle of an indie and alt renaissance - while there are less mega-stars, there are treasure troves of hidden gems and geniuses. Find one that interests you, and play it front to back.
If you’re at all curious and wondering where to start, I recommend Tyler Childers, Colter Wall, Orville Peck, Johnny Cash, The Ghost of Paul Revere, and Billy Strings. Music is about emotion, different genres affect different people in different ways and as long as you’ve actually listened, it’s a valid opinion.
All I ask is please give it a real, honest chance.
Campus Conversations
By Izayah Morgan, Opinions Editor and Alexis Schlesinger, Editorial Staff
“What are your plans for the long weekend?”
“Celebrate the long weekend!”
freshman
“I have a cross country meet, then I’ll go home after.”
- Robert Perruzzi, sophomore
“Visit my family. My baby brother is having his last soccer game.”
-
Chase Forehand, freshman
Marcellus Williams didn’t receive justice
By Izayah Morgan Opinions Editor
On Sept. 24, Marcellus Williams died by lethal injection for a 1998 conviction of killing Lisha Gayle, who was stabbed during a burglary.
I saw multiple news sources questioning this conviction and the evidence presented in this case. Even more so, there was a public outcry for this man to not be executed.
I asked myself, “Why?”
Well, knowing how the justice system has historically treated Black people, it did not strike me as something that has not happened before. The justice system requires systemic changes I’m not so well educated on, so my opinion would not mean as much.
However, I’m not trying to change the justice system with this opinion. Just show the man Marcellus was.
Marcellus Williams was a man who nearly served 24 years in prison - never pleading guilty to the case and standing strong while doing his time. Prison, much like any isolation, changes people’s perspective on life.
He was a devout Muslim, leading his fellow prisoners in prayer, and also wrote quite a bit of poetry as well.
Williams was put to death in spite of the questions from his attorney about jury selection and possible biases they could have had.
These questions were denied.
His clemency petition focused heavily on the fact that the victim’s family (Gayle) wanted Williams’ sentence commuted to life without the possibility of parole.
saying, “No jury or judge has ever found Williams’ innocence claim to be credible.”
My argument is not to proclaim that he is innocent but simply to question why this execution was carried out in
They were not saying that he was innocent, but that he will continue to serve and continue to make amends with what he did. This would have allowed Williams to keep wrestling with what happened, but continue to provide value to his fellow inmates and work toward his relationship with Allah. He was denied.
Missouri Gov. Mike Parsons had the ability to help but made a statement,
the first place. If the family wanted him to spend the rest of his life in jail, why was he killed?
He provided for not just himself, but for his community and Allah. He was in prison because of his murder charge, and deserves the right to keep fighting for his innocence.
As Americans we deserve the right to fight, and Marcellus Williams’ right was taken away from him.
One, “A crime scene covered with forensic evidence contained no link to Mr. Williams.”
Two, “The prosecution’s case against Mr. Williams was based entirely on the unreliable testimony of two incentivized witnesses.”
Three, “Mr. Williams has repeatedly faced imminent execution as he has tried to prove his innocence.”
Four, “Although the victim’s family opposes Mr. Williams’ execution, the Missouri Attorney General has continued to fight to execute him.”
Five, “Incentivized informants are a leading cause of wrongful convictions.”
Six, “Racial bias contributed to Mr. Williams’ wrongful conviction.”
Seven, “Mr. Wiiliams is heavily religious and spends time writing poetry.”
Eight, “You can help stop Mr. Williams’ unjust execution.” Well, unfortunately that’s no longer an option we have. To continue to fight for his innocence was a privilege, and the community I saw form around this situation was beautiful.
In order to stop acts of injustice like this one from happening, we cannot stop talking about it.
Know the man. Know his name. Know his faith.
The Innocence Project took on Williams’ case and lined out eight main points on their website.
Rest in power Marcellus Williams.
“I’m hanging out with my mom.” - Ece Cetinbas, senior
“Get me a cut and come home and chill.”
- Benjamin Haliday, junior
- Elaina Yammine,
“Go home and see my family!”
- Jayda Castillo, freshman
By Emma Lyons Editorial Staff
I used to boast about never getting sick.
I would only get sick once a year in the winter and it would just be a bad cold. I would lose my voice for a couple days and be fine for the rest of the year.
Being sick wasn’t a big deal to me. It wasn’t something that I thought about often - then the pandemic hit.
The pandemic that has continued affecting our lives for four years is something I can never stop thinking about. Any time I feel remotely under the weather, I worry endlessly.
As a senior in high school, a part of my nightly routine was to lie in my bed, stare at the ceiling, and go through any symptom in my body that could be connected to COVID-19.
This continued for months and months, as I stayed at home for the entirety of my senior year of high school.
My high school graduation was one of the worst days of my life. It was plagued with fears of catching COVID-19, I felt isolated from classmates who had forgotten I still went to school with them, and my name was spelled wrong on my diploma.
The worst part of the whole ordeal was my family’s dinner after the ceremony - where I threw up.
The only sick I am is sick of worrying Aurora Borealis Over Framingham State
I don’t know what made me sickmaybe it was the heat of the stuffy gym filled to the brim with people, maybe something was cooked incorrectly in my meal, maybe it was the over whelming talk of my unde fined future.
matter why I was sick.
tered that I was sick.
Me - the person who only gets sick once a year. The one who only gets a bad cold.
of my family who hadn’t seen me in years.
I got sick in front of a whole restaurant filled with people trying to enjoy their night.
and I still can’t stop thinking about it.
I’m now a senior in college who still thinks about my last day in high school every time I eat in public.
ground noise to me - rather than the screaming voice that used to take over my brain.
While this anxiety seems to be something I am stuck with for the rest of my life, I’ve developed
Peppermint gum and ginger tea have beenpanions throughout my college career. -
ti-nausea andety properties, which I cash in the benefits of every time my thoughts turn anxious and my -
As I transitioned from high school to college, every new place I went I would search for the nearest bathroom, the nearest exit, or the nearest trash can in case I threw up again.
The most annoying tool that has helpediety is time. I had to give myself the time to slowly gorants and build up the confidence to handle group dinners.
Though it took forever, I can’t deny that the continual worries about vomiting have become more like back-
However, time has also been my friend. Taking the time to allow myself to feel nauseous and work through the worry ultimately helped me to come to terms with the daily episodes - even though that work took three whole years.
I’ve finally stopped bullying myself when I am nauseous - kicking myself for potentially getting people around me sick or having to cancel trips because I was dry-heaving in parking lots when the nausea got too bad.
Even if I do get sick, I’ve slowly realized it’s not the end of the world. I’ve finally stopped having sob-fests in the car after I throw up anywhere.
I finally understand it’s OK to be sick.
Though it’s not fun, I can’t stop myself from being sick. I wouldn’t be human if I didn’t get sick.
Being sick, or getting sick, has been my biggest worry for the last three years of my life.
But I have finally begun to move on from those worries.
I’m sick of worrying about being sick.
Due to a solar storm, the Northern Lights were visible over Framingham State on Thursday 0ct. 10.
Dan Lima / THE GATEPOST
Travis Plummer / THE GATEPOST Antonio Machado / THE GATEPOST
Maddison Behringer / THE GATEPOST
Maddison Behringer / THE GATEPOST Liv Dunleavy / THE GATEPOST
Alexis Schlesinger/ THE GATEPOST
Spread by Associate Editor Maddison Behringer
Charlotte Fabrizi / THE GATEPOST
Football flies past Falcons in thriller for first win
By Riley Crowell Asst. Sports Editor
The Framingham State Rams defeated the Fitchburg State Falcons 2522 in an exhilarating back-and-forth battle at Bowditch Field Oct. 5.
The victory brings Framingham’s overall record to 1-4 and their conference record to 1-3.
After a slow start, Framingham unveiled some trickery on the first play of their third drive. Sophomore quarterback Tanner Leo threw a backward pass to senior wide receiver EJ Nichols, who flung the ball downfield to sophomore wide receiver Alex Maia for a 44yard completion.
Head Coach Thomas Kelley said they practiced the trick play a lot this week. “We try to make it fun for the guys, and EJ is probably our best allaround athlete, so we try to get him involved as much as we can.”
Nichols is listed as a wide receiver, but started seven games at quarterback for the Rams during the 2023 season, making him a versatile asset for the Framingham offense.
Nichols said, “That was my first position. I’ve been a quarterback since I was 6. … I definitely have it in my back pocket.”
Both defenses showed their prowess in the first quarter. Between the two sides, offensive drives resulted in five punts, an interception, and a turnover on downs.
The first quarter came to a close with the Rams and Falcons deadlocked at 0-0.
On the first drive of the second quarter, an errant Framingham snap flew over the head of Leo, who recovered the ball in the Rams’ endzone, resulting in a safety for Fitchburg.
The Falcons, now leading 2-0, took that momentum and ran with it, putting together a 54-yard drive capped off by a 20-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Rocky Marchitelli to wide receiver Sahir Gomez, extending the Fitchburg lead to 8-0.
Following the touchdown, Marchitelli and Gomez connected on the 2-point conversion, giving the Falcons a 10-0 advantage over the Rams.
After scoreless drives from both teams, the Rams regained possession with 6:07 to play in the second quarter
and wasted no time in finally putting points on the board.
On third down, Leo completed a short pass to Nichols, who masterfully evaded the Fitchburg defense and was left with nothing but open field between him and the endzone.
The 51-yard play between Leo and Nichols resulted in a touchdown for Framingham, cutting the Falcons’ lead to 10-6.
Following the touchdown, Rams’ senior kicker Matt Farley converted the extra point to bring the score to 10-7.
After a scoreless remainder of the half, the score stood at 10-7.
The Rams received the ball to begin the third quarter. Following a penalty-ridden drive on both sides of the ball, a snap was fumbled by Leo and recovered by Fitchburg’s Cameron Monette at the 50-yard line, giving possession back to the Falcons.
Fitchburg did not take advantage of the good field position gifted to them by Framingham and were forced to punt for the sixth time.
Searching for solutions to their offensive woes, the Rams turned to graduate student quarterback Luke Thompson, hoping the experienced left-hander could help lead Framingham to their first win of the season.
Thompson, nicknamed “Mr. Skywalker” by his teammates, is the fourth quarterback Framingham has utilized this season. He previously played at Pomona-Pitzer College in Claremont, California.
Thompson is a newcomer to the program and had only played at non-quarterback positions in prior games.
Thompson was unsure if he would have the opportunity to play against Fitchburg, but stayed prepared. He said, “I was just sitting there ready to go.”
“We had a few complications on offense and coach told me to start taking some snaps, get some throws in, and try to be ready to go,” he added.
Spoiler alert, he was ready to go. In his first drive at quarterback for the Rams, Thompson launched a ball over the heads of the Fitchburg defenders, finding an open Maia for a 61-yard completion, putting the Rams in excellent position to score.
From there, Thompson dropped back to pass and connected with Nichols in the endzone on a perfectly placed throw for a 15-yard completion and Framingham touchdown.
This touchdown gave the Rams a 13-10 lead, which was then extended to 14-10 when Farley converted the extra point with 6:47 to play in the third quarter.
Fitchburg would respond quickly, moving steadily down the field on their following offensive drive and ultimately finding the endzone on a 10-yard rush by running back Matthew Aguirre, putting the Falcons back in front 16-14.
On the extra point attempt, Framingham junior defensive end Kymauny Roland broke through the Falcons’ offensive line in time to throw his arms up and block the kick, keeping the
score at 16-14.
Roland said, “I just wanted to shout out my fellow teammate AP [Arlingcove Paul] - he helped create the gap.”
This was part of a stellar defensive game from Roland, who finished the game with six tackles, a sack, a pass break up, and the aforementioned blocked kick.
Roland’s defensive effort earned him MASCAC Defensive Player of the Week Oct. 7.
Roland said, “It’s a privilege, honestly. I fought through a lot of obstacles and injuries in the beginning of the season that I felt slowed me down. To get back to feeling like myself feels great.”
Framingham’s next drive resulted in a punt, giving possession back to the Falcons. On Fitchburg’s second play of the drive, a pass from Marchitelli was deflected high up into the air, falling perfectly into the arms of Framingham freshman defensive lineman Mitchell Purter for an interception.
The interception placed the Rams at the Fitchburg 14-yard line, in prime position to score as the game entered the fourth quarter.
Although Framingham wouldn’t find the endzone, they would take a 17-16 lead on a 27-yard field goal by Farley with 14:51 to play in the fourth quarter.
The Rams would hold on to their 1-point lead for the next 8 minutes, but fell behind again when Fitchburg capped off a 60-yard drive with an 8-yard touchdown pass from Marchitelli to Gomez, giving the Falcons a 22-17 lead with 6:20 left to play in the game.
Framingham began the following offensive drive at their own 44-yard line. A 1-yard rush, followed by a 10-yard holding penalty and an incomplete pass set the Rams up for a daunting third-and-19 from their own 35-yard line.
On third down, Thompson dropped back to pass and was pressured by three Fitchburg defenders, but quickly got the ball away and delivered a pass with pinpoint accuracy to Maia along the sideline.
Maia broke free from an attempted Fitchburg tackle and sprinted down the field, running past the rest of the Falcons’ defense and into the endzone for a 65-yard touchdown, electrifying the Rams’ crowd and putting Framingham back in front 23-22.
The Rams made use of the multitalented Nichols once again on the 2-point conversion when he completed a pass to sophomore running back Jarvin Simon to boost the Framingham lead to 25-22.
Fitchburg received the ensuing kickoff with 4:51 on the clock.
Following an 18-yard run by Aguirre, a brilliant defensive stand from the Rams set up a fourth-and-4 for the Falcons with the game on the line.
An attempted pass by Marchitelli was batted down by Purter, resulting in a turnover on downs for Fitchburg and giving possession back to Framingham with 2:32 remaining.
The Rams ran for one more first down, then entered victory formation and had Thompson take a knee to run the clock out, securing a 25-22 win for Framingham.
Nichols said, “It feels so good. I’m more excited for the young guys, because we have a lot of freshmen. It’s their first taste of victory in a collegiate game.”
Roland said, “This is exactly what we needed! I wanted these young guys to get a feel of what winning around Framingham is all about.”
Kelley said, “I’m proud of each and every one of the guys that participated.”
Thompson said, “I absolutely think [the win] is going to bring momentum. We have a bye week coming. We have a lot of guys hurt. We’re going to get a lot of guys back.”
“We’re going to be bigger, better, stronger,” he added.
The Rams are back in action when they travel to Westfield State for a MASCAC matchup Oct. 19, following their bye week.
Kelley said, “Next week is a bye week, so it’ll be interesting to see how we handle it, especially since we’re such a young team.”
Roland said the key to carrying over momentum to future games will be staying focused in practice. He said, “Treat every practice like it’s a game day and keep the same intensity.”
Nichols said, “Focus is going to be huge in the two weeks, just taking this momentum and trying to keep it for a longer time than normal, but I think that we can do it.”
“We have a big game against Westfield after the bye week. We’ll be ready, well-rested, and prepared for that,” he added.
Thompson said, “We have half of the season left - let’s go get some more wins.”
Stats sourced from fsurams.com and MASCAC.com
Izabela Gage / THE GATEPOST Alex Maia (left) going up for a catch against Fitchburg State Oct. 5.
Adrien Gobin / THE GATEPOST Framingham and Fitchburg getting set for a snap Oct. 5.
Volleyball snaps losing streak with sweep against Saint Joseph
By Sophia Oppedisano Sports Editor
The Framingham State Rams volleyball team is back in the win column after an action-packed match against the University of Saint Joseph Blue Jays Oct. 9.
The match puts the Rams overall record at 5-12 after losing eight of their last ten games. The Rams’ performance against the Blue Jays indicates they are ready to turn things around.
The Rams defeated the Blue Jays in three straight sets and were led by the young talent on the team’s roster.
The Blue Jays jumped out to an early 3-1 lead in the first set. Sophomore Anneli DiVirgilio stepped up to the back line and silenced the attack.
DiVirgilio’s skill shined as her serves, including two consecutive service aces, helped bring the Rams to an 11-3 lead.
Sophomores Natalie Reynolds and Jamie Moniz were on the attack and tallied six combined kills.
Moniz, DiVirgilio, and junior Captain Stella Bailey all tallied assists on kills before a service error from DiVirgilio ended the Rams’ run.
The Rams and Blue Jays were evenly matched for the remainder of the set. Bailey and Moniz came up with blocks before momentum shifted toward the Blue Jays.
Attack and service errors proved troublesome for both teams before
freshman Sarah Medeiros earned two kills, assisted by Bailey and DiVirgilio, to push the Rams’ lead to 15-12.
The Blue Jays fought back, but the set was ultimately won on a kill from Medeiros, assisted by Bailey, making the final score 25-19.
The start of the second set mirrored the first as the Blue Jays came out to a quick lead of 4-0, tallying two kills and taking advantage of two Framingham attack errors.
The Rams faltered as the set progressed, committing service and attack errors before battling back to tie the Blue Jays 14-14.
Madysen Cedrone, a freshman, and Carly Beaulieu, a junior captain, each earned two service aces and Moniz earned one of her own to support the Rams’ comeback.
The Rams and Blue Jays continued to trade the lead.
Reynolds went up for a kill that just edged over the net to make the score 20-19.
Bailey stepped up to serve and earned a service ace, as she and the Rams’ defense forced the Blue Jays into attack errors.
An unassisted kill from Moniz won the second set for the Rams with a score of 25-21.
Moniz tallied a .500 kill percentage that contributed to her 7-point stat line.
Moniz said she has been focusing on consistency and the team is focused on
keeping control during sets.
The momentum in the third set favored the Rams from the start, as Reynolds notched a kill and a bad set from the Blue Jays put Framingham at a 2-0 lead.
Reynolds scored on another two kills, both assisted by Bailey.
Reynolds’ scoreline boasted 55 total attack attempts with 17 kills. She also tallied five digs and one block assist. She concluded the match with a teamhigh 17.5 points.
The remainder of the third set was dominated by long, tough volleys that displayed both teams’ determination, but the Rams persisted on the attack.
Reynolds and Bailey continued to dominate on kills and assists, while freshman Sabrina Stadelman and sophomore Emma Dobbins came up big in the front with blocks.
Beaulieu came up with her third service ace of the match to make the score 15-7 in favor of the Rams.
The Rams did not let up. A kill by Cedrone, assisted by Bailey, scored the final point to complete the sweep of the Blue Jays with a final score of 2517.
The win leads the Rams into backto-back conference matchups against Westfield State and Mass. Maritime Oct. 11 and Oct. 16, respectively. Their current conference record stands at 0-1.
Moniz said that in order to keep the momentum going, “We just need
to keep building our team, our skills, playing to the best of our ability, and bringing it every day.”
Stats sourced from fsurams.com and MASCAC.com
CONNECT WITH SOPHIA OPPEDISANO soppedisano@student.framingham.edu
Field hockey struggles in shutout against Worcester St.
By Izabela Gage Asst. Sports Editor
By Taylor Kimmell Staff Writer
Field hockey fell to the Worcester State Lancers 2-0 in a conference matchup Oct. 5. Their overall record is now 4-6, and their conference record is 2-2.
The Lancers made the first attempt to score, but it ricocheted off the post. The Rams fought back with two shots by senior Captain Emma Bailey. A minute later, Framingham let up on defense and Worcester found the back of the net.
The next 8 minutes were quiet. Neither team was able to find opportunities on the net.
Mikayla Malmquist, a freshman,
found an opening on net, but it was saved by Worcester’s goaltender Madison Ferrara.
The second quarter ramped up for Framingham and opened with a fast shot by graduate student Captain Angelina Serra, but Worcester’s net remained empty.
Serra made another attempt to tally a point, but Ferrara stopped the ball. Freshman Finley Hogan took a chance on the rebound shot 4 seconds later, but could not get it past the goal line.
The offensive pressure did not stop there. Junior Natalia Roehr hit another shot, but it was blocked.
Worcester netted their second goal of the game 4 minutes later, bringing the score to 2-0.
Framingham returned from the center pass with more determination, with Hogan and Serra both attempting
to bring the Rams’ score up from zero, but both shots missed the net.
Worcester responded with two of their own shots, but were stopped by goaltender Kaitlyn Tello.
The Rams earned another penalty corner 6 seconds later with senior Kaylee Beck coming in hot on offense with another shot on goal that was saved by Ferrara.
Framingham kept control of the game in the third quarter, with sophomore Ashley Malmquist fighting for a goal, but the shot was wide.
Worcester State received a penalty corner 2 minutes later, but failed to tally another point.
The next 3 minutes of the quarter were quiet until Mikayla Malmquist took another shot, which was blocked by the Lancers.
Serra ended the third quarter with a shot on goal that was once again blocked by Worcester.
Both teams returned in the fourth quarter with more energy. The Lancers opened up with two shots on goal that were saved by Tello.
The Rams and the Lancers both tallied four shots before the end of the game, but neither team was able to produce another goal, ending the game 2-0.
Framingham made a lot of offensive advances during the game, none of which resulted in a point. The team took 17 shots on goal and 9 penalty corners.
Hadley said the team has built a great foundation over the first half of the season, and they just need to work toward capitalizing on offensive op-
portunities.
Ashley Malmquist said, in reference to corner penalties, “I feel like we do really well on communicating when it’s going to work or not. … We just need to keep practicing them. Practice makes perfect on those.”
Of the team’s four wins this season, two were achieved during overtime.
Ashley Malmquist noted the team becomes noticeably more goal-oriented during overtime play. “I think that motivates us because we want to win it and give it our all so we don’t have to go into another overtime.”
Julie Hadley, a senior, agreed that playing in overtime boosts the team’s morale and motivates them to come out more aggressively on the offensive end.
“Overtime forces us to just space out and stick to what we know - the fundamentals of the game,” said Hadley.
Serra said the Rams just need to “pick up that intensity at the beginning of the game, in regular time.”
Most recently, the Rams were defeated by the Southern Maine Huskies 4-1 in a non-conference matchup Oct. 8.
The Rams travel to Westfield State University for a conference matchup Oct. 12.
Stats sourced from fsurams.com and MASCAC.com
CONNECT WITH IZABELA GAGE igage@student.framingham.edu
Izabela Gage / THE GATEPOST
Captain Kaylee Beck dribbling during game against Worcester State Oct. 5.
Izabela Gage / THE GATEPOST Anneli DiVirgilio hitting the ball against Univ. Saint Joseph Oct. 9.
Educational Technology Office presents on AI use at FSU ARTS & FEATURES
By Raena Hunter Doty Arts & Features Editor
Instructional Technologist Kevin Kennedy, who works in the Educational Technology Office (ETO), hosted a panel discussion titled “How are FSU Faculty Using GenAI?” Oct. 9.
Kennedy said he gave a different version of the presentation originally to English professors, and the opening slide of the presentation is an artificial intelligence (AI)-generated illustration of “English faculty discussing AI.”
The illustration showed a group of all-white faculty members sitting around a table that had a robot in the center.
Kennedy said, “We kept [the illustration] because I think it demonstrates some of the issues we see when it comes to AI,” namely the literal interpretation of “AI” as represented by the robot and the fact that all the faculty were white.
Rachel Avard, professor of biology, presented the ways in which she has integrated use of AI into her classroom.
“I’ve been trying to incorporate AI into my classroom a lot because I think that it is both helpful to students, but also it is going to quickly grow into a requirement for students to have in the workforce,” Avard said.
She said the first AI assignment she gives to students in her classroom is to write Python code using ChatGPT, an AI model, because coding is increasingly an important skill in the biology field, but many biologists aren’t taught how to code, so if ChatGPT can do it for them, it gives them an edge in the workforce.
Avard added though it can be helpful, it can also generate output that’s incorrect, and students may not always recognize what about the output isn’t working.
“It really, I think, demonstrates to the students how wrong it is, and how quick it is for me to look at the code that ChatGPT made and to say, ‘Nope, that was wrong because it’s missing a comma,’ something that they would have never caught,” she said.
She said this demonstrates to students the errors made possible by using an AI to generate a product, and added often ChatGPT can get the output correct on the second or third try, even with no alterations to the prompt.
Avard said she also encourages students to use AI to generate study guides and practice problems so they can continue learning without giving away any of the work to someone else.
She added the last major way she utilizes AI in her classroom is to discuss bioethical issues with the class. She asks her students to discuss a major bioethical issue with an AI pro-
gram like ChatGPT, taking turns and asking 12-15 questions so ChatGPT can help the students consider the other side of the debate.
“It really gives students this opportunity to learn how to use AI in the right ways and how it doesn’t always fit into our classrooms,” Avard said.
Kennedy presented next. He said he teaches first-year writing classes at Bridgewater State University, where he tries to integrate AI into the writing process.
He said his first step is to ask students to use AI to help generate thesis concepts and ideas for where to go next, then to reflect on how that conversation helped them.
Kennedy said in his Intro to Technical Writing class at Bridgewater State, he has students create a video tutorial for a process they know how to do well and then use an AI program to generate a list of instructions for that process. They then compare and contrast the video and the AI-generated instructions.
He then presented on what some professors who were absent from the presentation are doing with AI in their classrooms.
He said Trinidad Morales, professor of Sociology & Criminology, assigns his students to ask AI programs a series of questions about racism in the U.S. and write journal responses to the questions.
He added Yumi Park Huntington, professor of art history, uses AI programs to generate analysis of different art pieces, and often the AI does well with analyzing Western or Amer-
ican art but struggles to name styles and movements in other parts of the world.
Steve Courchesne, co-coordinator and professor of Education, presented his research on implementing AI to generate lesson plans, conducted with Education Professor Wardell Powell.
He said they started with experimentation in making it design lesson plans for younger elementary-aged children, but have since shifted their efforts to using it for high school lesson plans.
Courchesne displayed a diagram of how he and Powell have used AI to generate lesson plans where the bulk of the work was in the “iterative” steps - “ChatGPT output,” “Reflection,” and “Follow-up question,” which could be repeated until it created a solid output.
He said ChatGPT can generally create a fairly viable lesson plan, “but there’s usually stuff that’s missingdetails that are just not there that you would need.”
Courchesne said one example of this is that ChatGPT might outline a space for group discussion, but it wouldn’t give prompts for questions to ask during this discussion.
“The takeaway I want to share is the idea of iteration and the importance of iteration - the importance of not necessarily just taking the first version you get to any question you asked but thinking about, ‘What is missing? What do I need to add? What do I not trust from this?’” he said.
He added ChatGPT and other AI models can also struggle with “hal-
lucinated” information - information generated by an AI model that can sound authoritative but is generally untrue.
Courchesne said in the attempts to create an elementary school lesson plan, at one point ChatGPT recommended a children’s book about tiger biology, but when fact-checked, the book didn’t actually exist.
He said the line of thinking about how teachers prepare lesson plans with AI can also be applied to how students are expected to interact with AI - the same principles of questioning, fact-checking, and engaging in original research all apply.
Courchesne recommended putting more emphasis on grading how students create their products than on what their final products look like when using AI, which may mean altering how grades are weighted.
To wrap up the presentation, Kennedy gave a few reflective questions to any teachers in the room.
The first question asked teachers to consider what they consider to be ethical uses of AI, which Kennedy said he thinks is “the biggest one.”
To wrap up the presentation, he suggested anyone interested in integrating AI into their pedagogy should consult with ETO on designing assignments and getting feedback on implementation of AI in their courses.
Alexis Schlesinger / THE GATEPOST
Kevin Kennedy at the “How are FSU Faculty Using GenAI?” panel event Oct. 9.
Digital humanities
This lowered enrollment disproportionately affects humanities disciplines, Risam said.
She said students who want a major with a direct link to their careers won’t major in something like English or history unless they want to teach it, but she thinks this is a mistake, because majors in the humanities learn a lot of important skills necessary for any job.
Risam added humanity professors can often shut down conversation about the value of a humanities degree because it’s supposedly obvious.
She said professors think “the value of an English major should be self-evident and prospective students and their families should just understand why an English major can change your life.”
She added that an English major can change someone’s life, but this isn’t always communicated to students very well. Majors in the humanities teach students critical thinking, communication, and analysis skills.
“In our information economy, our students need to be prepared to engage in these vast amounts of texts, a large quantity of data - they need to be able to read it, interpret it, analyze and be skeptical of it, and to write about it,” she said.
Risam added technology is a huge part of this, and not only must students learn how to use it - “they need to learn how to learn how to use technology,” she said.
She said DH has the ability to make the humanities more relevant to the contemporary workforce and engage
students in what they’re doing more.
Risam said she wanted to define DH because many people don’t have a clear definition about what it is. She said her definition is “using digital or computational tools to study literature, history, and culture,” and this can manifest in two different ways - using the tools “in the research itself,” or using the tools as a medium to publish the research.
“Digital humanities is a really useful way for helping our students gain the capacities that are going to be essential to their success as thinkers, as leaders, as workers, as community members, in the 21st century,” she said.
She added DH can prepare students “for jobs that we don’t even know yet,” and said for example, when she was young, she never could have dreamed of becoming a social media content creator, but now that’s a very normal job title.
“If humanists are willing to have these conversations - to talk to students about how to translate the skills and the tools that they learn from a humanities degree for a job interview, on a résumé, in a cover letter - then perhaps there’s a path toward increased interest in the humanities,” Risam said.
She then shifted to talking about examples of DH pedagogy in her classroom, beginning with an analysis of Frederick Douglass’s speech “What, To The Slave, Is The Fourth Of July?” using a software called Voyant.
Voyant created a word cloud of common words in the speech, and Risam said students were “invariably”
understand the power of the technologies we have at our disposal,” she said.
She said her integration of timelines in classes can engage students particularly much, as students tend to love them, and suggested using timeline.js, which is a very user-friendly software allowing students to create relatively sophisticated timelines.
Risam added she’s involved her students in a lot of projects to engage them in the local history of their school, and often encourages them to interact directly with archived material.
She brought up an example of a student timeline project tracing the history of students of color at Salem State and what they wanted from their administration going back to the ’60s, which largely overlapped with what students of color wanted in 2018 when the project was made.
Risam added this had resonance at the school, as the Salem State alliance of Black and Latino students started showing this timeline at events.
surprised by the prominence of the word “God” within the speech, given that it isn’t a speech about religion in the traditional sense.
She said once students saw how much the word “God” was used, they could then question why it might be so prominent, and said she believes Douglass was “tying into this genre of puritanical lamenting sermons, and his use of religious language is part of invoking this tradition.
“The digital tool really reveals a layer of interpretation that [students] may not have paid attention to otherwise,” Risam said.
She said an important part of teaching about and with DH in the classroom is giving students the room to “play around” and allowing students to see what they can discover when they do this. This can also help build confidence, she added.
Risam said contemporary culture has perpetuated “the myth of the digital native” - a person who grew up immersed in technology and therefore doesn’t need explicit instruction in it.
She added the digital native myth is untrue for a number of reasons, including a number of factors that affected how people interacted with technology growing up, but also “just because you use the technology doesn’t mean that you’re a critical user of technology.”
Risam said DH projects can engage students in the technology more critically, especially when their projects center around communities of people from different backgrounds and cultures. “This is a way to help students
She said she doesn’t teach her students to use the software directly and instead cultivates a list of materials and tutorials to help them learn because she wants to assess student learning based on their processes rather than their products. By not teaching students step-by-step tutorials, Risam said she gives students the foundation to learn on their own.
Risam said DH assignments are not just useful for DH classes - they can be integrated into a number of different courses to help engage students.
When giving key takeaways, Risam said it’s often best to start integration of DH into the classroom on a small scale.
“One activity is totally good enough,” she said. “Don’t panic. Don’t stress. It’s far less overwhelming to test the waters with something that’s small.”
She added help is always available and projects can be collaborative. Anyone who’s confused about how to do something or what the next step is can ask a colleague in DH or a DH-related discipline.
Students may also respond to projects better when they’re doing them collaboratively, Risam said. Teachers can assign a part of a larger project to a student to help them get started.
Finally, Risam said it’s very important to assess the process of learning over the end product if a teacher really wants to promote student learning.
She said by encouraging “our students to really engage with us and the complications that come out of internet-based textuality questions of information … we’re really putting our students in the position to demonstrate the value of the humanities.”
Continued from Page 1
Maddison Behringer / THE GATEPOST
Attendees at the Roopika Risam’s speech in the Heineman Ecumenical Center Oct. 8.
ARTS & FEATURES
FSU and Framingham community discuss ‘Prequel’
By Ryan O’Connell Associate Editor
By Sarah Daponde Staff Writer
Weronika Zawora, outreach & student engagement coordinator for the Henry Whittemore Library, led a discussion of the book “Prequel: An American Fight Against Fascism” by Rachel Maddow in the library Oct. 9.
“Prequel: An American Fight Against Fascism” is a non-fiction book detailing an attempted overthrow of the United States government in the late 1930s which promoted antisemitism and worked with an “ultra-right paramilitary movement,” according to Maddow’s website.
Zawora said she had some leading questions for the discussion, and first shared some of her own thoughts on the book.
“I’m going to be very honest, I took some very good history classes in high school and college and I’ve never heard any of this story,” she said.
Zawora asked attendees if they had felt the same way after reading the book. The people in attendance agreed that they had never heard much about this aspect of World War II, but a few did know about some of the topics covered in “Prequel.”
Zawora then drew parallels between excerpts of “Prequel” and modern social media posts, and mentioned how several members of Congress
By Bella Omar Asst. Arts & Features Editor
Since Nancy Niemi was appoint ed president of Framingham State in 2022, she has inspired students not only through her commitment to social and educational equity, but through her incredible campus style. Here is what she has to say on putting togeth er authentic, yet professional outfits.
How would you describe your style?
“Professionally eclectic!”
How has your style evolved?
“We’re surrounded by all the images and messages about how men are supposed to dress profes sionally and how women are supposed to dress profession ally. Then you got direct rules and unwritten rules. I had to navigate all those different messages about what I wanted to look like and what constituted professional, particularly in this role. I don’t want to lose my
were easily manipulated by bribery. She asked attendees how these parallels influence their “thinking of today’s members of Congress.”
One of the attendees said, “If you changed the names and the dates, it could be the same.”
The conversation then shifted toward social media.
Zawora asked the group if they thought social media would have
“And it functioned basically the same way as social media does now. It was unrestrained,” he added.
Millie Gonzalez, dean of the library, said that the comparison was natural to make, but that it’s important to keep it in context.
Stoodt added some publications today act similarly to how Congress did when sending out “not explicitly Nazi materials, but that was in the
made the movement more popular.
Larry Stoodt, a member of the Framingham community, said there already sort of was social media at the time.
“They did have social media - it was Father Coughlin and he had 10 million followers, he was antisemitic, they had Henry Ford publishing massive amounts of antisemitic materials,” he said.
eclectic and a little quirky sense of style but still demonstrate respect
What is your method for putting an outfit
“A friend who is also president in another state said she puts all her outfits together at the beginning of the week and never deviates.
I can’t do that. It’s a creative process every day, and in part, it’s about who am I meeting with and what’s the weather like? But mostly it’s about who I am meeting with. Is it something where I really need to be in a suit - and even my suits are a little offbeat - but is it that I just need to wear a suit and look that part?
It’s really about, ‘What do I want my clothes to say about today?’ I also wear so much black and gold, so it’s fun.”
Walk us through today’s outfit.
“I got this black Quince turtleneck
back then.
He added the industries were very centralized at the time, so major players such as Father Coughlin needed a lot of money to get his message out, whereas today basically anyone can go viral.
The group then discussed how the speed of production has changed over the years, as well as how nowadays there is more of a divide in what sources people choose to get their news from.
Zawora said the book sometimes felt modern with all of the antisemitic conspiratorial groups it mentioned, such as the Silver Shirts and the Christian Front.
“Which sounds a lot like now - we have the Patriot Front,” she said.
Gonzalez said she was surprised to learn from “Prequel” that there was a large number of Americans who were against President Roosevelt, who is today regarded as a good leader.
background. Much like we have now … a lot of our news doesn’t come out and actually tell you what they want you to believe, they just build the argument for it subtly.”
History Professor Stefan Papaioannou said there are many similarities between social media and the radio and film industries in the ’30s, but noted a key difference was not anyone could produce for radio or film
because I’m always cold. I wanted something that kept me comfort able but also was not casual. I prob ably have five different black pants that just rotate depending what occasion. But then the vest - a colleague actually had the same vest - and it is made by Metamorphoza, which has real ly funky clothes. I love this because it is just off-cen ter. I like being off-center, and so I like the angu lar look, and I’m tall enough that I like long looks as well. And then I can wear some thing mono chromatic un derneath. And so you can pay attention to the funkiness of the vest itself. Then my boots are John Flue vog, they’re very com fortable, and I really like his style.”
The discussion also touched on topics such as systemic bias in America, America’s back-and-forth relationship with restricting immigration, and whether the Great Depression impacted how popular antisemitic groups were in America at the time.
CONNECT WITH RYAN O’CONNELL roconnell1@student.framingham.edu
CONNECT WITH SARAH DAPONDE sdaponde@student.framingham.edu
Where do you typically shop? My time is so limited that going
shopping is a real treat right now, and because consignment shopping particularly takes time, I’ve learned that if I need a basic piece, particularly pants, I will go to like J.Crew or something. But I’ve been in Sister Thrift, which is so much fun. And there is DC Consignment. In fact, when they had an event there with the Fashion Club last year, I went and that was fun too. And then there’s one in Wellesley called Élan Fine Consignment.
Who is your style inspi-
“I actually watch a lot of what people are wearing on campus, because I know that there’s so much design around us, and how could I not take advantage of that? I think I’m always paying attention just to see who’s wearing what, but I think I’m probably less influenced by whatever is trendy and more influenced by whatever seems to fit
What is some style advice you
“That people notice. I think people notice more than we think they do. And so don’t lose who you are, but definitely do match your dress for
Ryan O’Connell / THE GATEPOST
History Professor Stefan Papaioannou at the “Prequel“ discussion Oct. 9.
Style with Niemi
‘I Am Still’ - the journey of a global popstar
By Liv Dunleavy Staff Writer
We know him as Jungkook of BTS. We love him as Jungkook of BTS. The world sees him as the golden boy of BTS. But who is Jungkook when he’s not standing center? Who is he when he carves his own path, when he climbs his own way to the top of the charts?
Will people still listen when he calls out? Will ARMY still be there when he’s out on his own?
These are questions Jungkook thought to himself when preparing for his solo debut, as the group have been one by one fulfilling their mandatory military service since 2022. Jungkook was one of the last to leave for his service, thus able to debut his first solo album “Golden” and multiple chart-topping singles.
“JUNGKOOK: I AM STILL” shows a behind-the-scenes look into the blood, sweat, and tears shed to create his solo debut. From interviews with producers and never-before-seen footage of the creative process of his hit discography, the film lets ARMY see a different side of our golden maknae.
A more vulnerable side, one that had the crowd aww-ing and reaching out toward the screen in some sort of self-soothing one-sided air hug. It was an amazing experience to sit in
a theater filled with my favorite people’s favorite people, sing and dance to our heart’s content to “Golden,” and collectively cry at Jungkook being Jungkook.
The film was able to provide ARMY all over the world with the parasocial relationship we’ve been missing from our Jungkookie. It has been a while since we have seen this much footage or heard this much of his voice.
All jokes aside, though, this was a great opportu nity to give ARMY some much needed comfort. The new release of the “I AM STILL: THE PARTY EDITION,” which has multiple more concert performances, has me already planning more movie trips with my friends.
We also got to see the trials and tribulations he faced while putting to gether this massive operation. We have always known Jungkook to be a perfectionist - he is golden after alland tends to be hard on himself when making mistakes or having complications, though I personally feel over time he has grown to be more forgiving with himself.
It touched my heart to see him be more gentle when having a problem or when something comes between him and his performance.
Jungkook came down with an illness during his traveling and promotion schedule, and there were scenes of him worrying if he would get better in time for his performances. He still pushed on, though, delivering insane one-of-akind concerts with a bunny smile through it all. He also faced weather complications during his “Good Morning America” performance, ultimately forcing him to end his set early and leave without performing the full show, though he still gave ARMY a day to
He will always make sure he puts his all in, even when he does not have it himself.
We also saw glimpses into his recording process. I’ve always loved watching Jungkook sing in the booth.
‘143’ - Perry’s last reach for relevancy
By Antonio Machado Staff Writer
After spending seven seasons judging American Idol following the failure of her 2020 album, “Smile,” pop sensation Katy Perry marked her long-awaited return to the music industry with the release of her sixth studio album, “143.”
Perry is often categorized as one of the biggest popstars of the 21st century due to her astounding record-breaking 2009 album “Teenage Dream,” but in reality, her career has been filled with nothing but misfires since her single bull’s-eye, and this album makes that so very apparent.
Perry heard the cries on social media for a renaissance of the early-2000’s pop music sound and thought she was the perfect candidate to answer the call, but she failed to consider the ways in which music has evolved since her peak. “143” is hollow, lacking a real purpose or vulnerability.
The album’s opener and lead single, “WOMAN’S WORLD,” can be single-handedly attributed to a large portion of the record’s failure. Upon its release, it became an immediate internet laughing stock due to its description as a female empowerment anthem, yet lack of any real substance or pointed commentary that would make it apply in the contemporary world.
“Sexy, confident / So intelligent / She is heaven-sent / So soft, so strong,” she sings in an attempt to be uplifting, and it could’ve worked 15 years ago, but this level of substance - or lack thereofhas long since been phased out of the pop world.
The album is never at any point
able to build any momentum. “IM HIS, HE’S MINE” featuring Doechii is almost able to accomplish something interesting with its utilization of a slowed-down sample of Crystal Waters’ “Gypsy Woman (She’s Homeless),” but none of its success can be attributed to Perry, rather Doechii, who delivers the only charismatic performance on the record.
Perry attempts to appeal to the more raunchy nature of modern music with the assistance of 21 Savage and Kim Petras but fails to utilize the
His raw talent is unmatched and you could tell that he impresses everyone every time.
Watching the interviews with the producers gave us insight into just why these songs were picked for his singles and why they went on the album.
The short almost-two-hours blasted through his accomplishments - every down had its complementary up. All this proves that Jungkook was a star born to shine.
It really felt like I was living those short moments there with him - like if I reached out, I could pat him on the shoulder and give him an encouraging, “ARMY’s got you.”
“I should not only like the job or the work that I do,” Jungkook says in the film. “It shouldn’t end there. Others should approve of it, too. That’s how it should be. That way, I’d feel proud.”
Rating:
full potential of these artists. “GIMME GIMME” feels like what a middle-schooler would think is inappropriate lyrical content laid over the most generic EDM beat.
21 Savage delivers an uninspired verse, which perfectly matches the tone of the album.
With the assistance of Kim Petras, Perry makes “GORGEOUS” yet another generic EDM pop track aiming to drive in the theme of female empowerment with an undertone of promiscuity, an utter misuse of Petras’ signature vulgar hyperpop.
Halfway through the album, Perry provides the most personal song on the album thus far, “LIFETIMES,” a proclamation of love to her daughter. Ironically, the first track with real purpose is the one that has the least to say, with Perry delivering variations of the phrase “I’ll love you for life” throughout the entire duration. The
song is essentially a very long chorus over what is vaguely a house beat.
Perhaps the decision to pair with Dr. Luke for 10 out of 11 of the album tracks wasn’t the smartest from Perry, and not just because of his negative optics. The album never leaves the EDM soundscape, every track sounding like it could’ve been released 10 years ago.
However, it’s not just Luke’s missteps as a producer that failed this album. Perry herself sounds uninterested and unhappy in a majority of the tracks. Nearly everything about the record feels uninspired and phonedin.
“143” feels like a record made by a popstar trying to revitalize her dying career by trying to emulate the glory days, and perhaps it would have been successful had she delivered it with the ambition and joy that gave her music its charm. It seems that Perry has landed back where she started, a plastic bag drifting through the wind,
Liv Dunleavy / THE GATEPOST
Ben Hurney / THE GATEPOST
KAITLIN’S KAITLIN’S KOLLECTION KOLLECTION
Puzzles
40. Place for cattle to roam (... rst letter + the last 5 letters)
Athlete’s negotiator
Celeb’s tell-all, e.g.
Wedding on the run
“___ you serious?”
65. Shallot’s cousin
66. “Sailor Moon” cartoon genre
67. ___ Moines
68. Ping-___
69. Feel the same way DOWN
1. Tostada alternative
2. Supply-anddemand subj.
3. Close securely
4. Works done with toy bricks
Hibachi residue
eir smell scares mice 7. Coming up next
Sound from a calf
Court ne
“Calm down!” 11. Roughly
Bone-tired
___-de-sac 17. “It’s ___ a minute!”
Sound of anguish 24. “About the author” blurb 26. “___ it a shame?” 27. Oval or pentagon
28. Tribal carvings o en made with red cedar
Mama’s mama 30. Onrush
Drawing upon
Dropped in the mail
Big night for seniors
“ e First ___” (Christmas carol)
38. Like limes and kumquats
41. “Cross,” “word” or “crossword,” say
42. Edible piece of nger jewelry
43. Rainforest primate
44. Korean soup root
47. Major oil cartel: Abbr.
49. Oral vaccine pioneer
51. Frog’s kid-lit friend
52. Add to the team
54. Online diary
55. Ma ___ (table tennis great)
57. Rapunzel’s pride
58. Tippy-top
59. Butter used in biryani
62. Game with Skip cards
63. (Stop shearing me!)
Puzzle solutions are now exclusively online.
Pride Paint with
Spread by Photos & Design Editor Adrien Gobin
Meghan Spargo / THE GATEPOST
Students showing off their paintings at the LGBTQ+ Paint & Sip event Oct. 9.
Meghan Spargo / THE GATEPOST
Students working on their paintings at the LGBTQ+ Paint & Sip event Oct. 9.
Meghan Spargo / THE GATEPOST
(Left) Taimoor Khan, CIE Diversity Peer Influncer, and Emma Laurie, CIE Program Coordinator, at the LGBTQ+ Paint & Sip event Oct. 9.
Meghan Spargo / THE GATEPOST
Students mingling at the LGBTQ+ Paint & Sip event Oct. 9.