December 13, 2019

THE GATEPOST Framingham State’s award-winning independent student newspaper since 1932

Volume 88 • Issue 12

FSUgatepost.com

December 13, 2019

FSU total enrollment declines 2%

By Jared Graf Asst. Arts & Features Editor

Ashley Wall / THE GATEPOST Students enjoyed a late-night meal to celebrate the end of the semester during Moonlight Breakfast Dec. 12.

News

SGA passes changes to its bylaws, restructures funding process

By Soren Colstrup Staff Writer

Courtesy of Framingham State STC BUDGET INCREASE pg. 6 STC pg. 9

Opinions SANDWICH IDENTIFICATION pg. 12 PROMISE IN A BOTTLE pg. 14

Arts & Features SALLY HEMINGS pg. 16 “TITANS” REVIEW pg. 18

Sports

Kathleen Moore / THE GATEPOST HOCKEY pg. 19 THAYER’S THOUGHTS pg. 20

SGA members discussed changes to their bylaws, which would recategorize student-run organizations into five groups based on campus involvement, size, and other factors, during their Dec. 11 meeting.

President Matty Bennet and Vice President Abby Salvucci provided details of the changes that would be made to the SGA bylaws.

Bennet said, “What we are presenting today is a grouping system, which will remove titles like clubs or organizations. Each group will now be known as a student organization from here on out.”

Salvucci explained, “Our reason for the change is that it will fight the issue of overspending. We’ve had to dip into reserves and reach out to other offices for aid, which can be embarrassing for us if we can’t budget our own money.

“This grouping will help us because we no longer put ourselves in a situation where we are more likely to overspend. This grouping will help [organizations] receive an allocated amount at the beginning of the year, so they have to be responsible with their own funds - instead

of us,” she said.

According to Salvucci, one goal of the new “data-driven” grouping system is to limit bias. “It is no longer SGA’s job to decide who can and cannot have money,” she added.

She said, “We now have over 50 clubs on campus, which means if we do not change our funding process, it will cause a lot of mayhem,” she said.

According to the SGA constitution, a “Group One organization” provides a service to the University and has high visibility on campus. It must also be financially supported by student fees and have a reliance on the University for physical space and/or professional staff devoted to the group.

It must also must be consistently active on campus. Organizations affected by the change include The Gatepost, SUAB, WDJM, and SGA. An organization meets the criteria for Group Two if it has high visibility on campus and hosts high-risk events. Group Two organizations will plan and execute “multiple” large-scale events, day and overnight trips, and work with organizations to collaborate and host events.

They are normally funded in the

See SGA page 3

Total enrollment for the fall 2019 semester is 5,456 students, down 2% since fall 2018, when 5,565 students were enrolled.

Of the total enrollment, 3,857 of those students are undergraduates. This number is down by 2.03% since last fall, when the University enrolled 3,937 undergraduates, according to data provided Dec. 9 by Dean of Enrollment Management Jeremy Spencer.

Fall 2019 marks the fourth year FSU has used the Common Application, an online admission application form that allows students to apply to more than 800 colleges and universities.

Spencer said that in 2016, FSU was one of the first regional public universities in the state to join the Common Application. This was done in an effort to increase enrollment and because the Common Application was viewed as “more access-oriented.”

Although freshman enrollment dropped more than 100 students from 2015 to 2016, Spencer does not attribute this to the use of the Common Application.

“The enrollment decline wasn’t because of the Common Application. …

We got more exposure and the number of underrepresented students each year has gone up in our entering student population,” said Spencer.

The Common Application, which was developed and is managed by a non-profit organization, allows more students to engage with FSU who normally wouldn’t.

Before adopting the Common Application, Spencer said universities employed a “holistic review process.” This process required prospective students to submit an essay, letters of recommendation, high school grades, and SAT or ACT test scores to the colleges in which they were interested.

“The organization changed its mission statement in 2015 to be more inclusive, and to be able to welcome members who had more of a commitment to access and being able to advance higher education,” Spencer said.

“That aligned with our goals - the strategic goals of inclusive excellence to be able to be more forward-thinking about how we can reach out to underrepresented students,” he added.

Lorretta Holloway, vice president for enrollment and student development, also defended the Common Application, saying she doesn’t believe it contributed to the enrollment decline, either.

“The problem with the Common App is that it made our yield look a bit skewed,” she said.

The Common Application boosted the number of applications the University received, and in return, increased the number of students accepted. Upon implementing the Common

See ENROLLMENT page 4

INSIDE: OP/ED 11 • ARTS & FEATURES 16 • SPORTS 19

NEWS

2 | DECEMBER 13, 2019

Editorial Board

Gatepost Interview

Editor-in-Chief Nadira Wicaksana Associate Editors Cara McCarthy Ashley Wall

Suzanne Wright

Christa McAuliffe Center science education coordinator

News Editor Donald Halsing

By Caroline Gordon Editorial Staff

Interim News Editor Evan Lee

What is your job at FSU? Right now, it’s a part-time job. I am the informal science education coordinator here at the Christa McAuliffe Center.

Asst. News Editor Leighah Beausoleil Arts & Features Editors Brennan Atkins Robert Johnson Jr. Asst. Arts & Features Editor Jared Graf Entertainment Correspondent Noah Barnes Fashion Correspondent Caeley Whalen Opinions Editor Thomas Maye Sports Editors Liam Gambon Sara Senesac Asst. Sports Editor Carlos Silva Design Editor Kathleen Moore Asst. Photos Editor Caroline Gordon Copy Editor Lauren Paolini Staff Writers Mackenzie Berube Patrick Brady Kaitlin Burch Soren Colstrup Kaitlyn Cullen Rylee Holmes Dia Kilgore Mitchell Leonard Abigail Petrucci Alain Puma Abigail Saggio Lizzy Stocks Dylan Thayer McKenzie Ward Staff Copy Editor Jordan Bacci Staff Photographer Amanda Garny Advisor Dr. Desmond McCarthy Asst. Advisor Elizabeth Banks Administrative Assistant Gwenyth Swain 100 State Street McCarthy Center Room 410 Framingham, MA 01701-9101 Phone: (508) 626-4605 Fax: (508) 626-4097 gatepost@framingham.edu

@TheGatepost | FSUgatepost.com

Where did you work prior to FSU? I recently graduated from Framingham State University. I was a history major and I just graduated in May 2019.

I’ve only ever interned with the McAuliffe Center. I interned there during my undergraduate career - first as NASA’s Universe of Learning intern, and then, I joined the Moon Landing in Context project. I did spend some time volunteering for the John Fitzgerald Kennedy National Historic Site - which is his birthplace in Brookline - over this past summer as well.

What is the most interesting aspect of your job?

I think the most interesting aspect of my job is that I get to work with STEM professionals, as well as school groups from all over the state. Also, I’ve done some awesome things, like talk to astronauts during a downlink that we had a few years ago. A downlink is essentially just a livestreaming kind of video chat/ video conference where you get to ask them questions in real time and get their answers. It is called a downlink because they are obviously up in space and we are down on earth. I have been part of two downlinks now. It’s not that often that you get to speak with astronauts on board the International Space Station. FSU is a Smithsonian affiliate, so as somebody who has studied Newseum studies, having the connections to the Smithsonian is invaluable.

What is the most challenging aspect of your job?

That’s a good question. I would say the most challenging aspect of my job is coordinating big projects like Science on State Street, which happens every April, or STEM Week, which happens every October, and coordinating the different activities and school groups that come by to do activities - like I mentioned with those STEM professionals. It’s a lot of communicating and scheduling, almost like an event planner. You must take under all those different organizational aspects - also lots of emails.

What do you think is the importance of educating people about space?

I think understanding space and having a perspective of space looking down on earth helps one understand Earth

tunities. One that is sticking out is I was an Irish Studies minor, I got to go on a 10-day study abroad trip with Dr. Kelly Matthews from the English department.

We spent some time in Derry and Dublin. Then, I took her Irish Literature class. Our class helped her with bringing the American Conference for Irish Studies when she was hosting it in Boston. I was an intern on that project. It gave me a good insight into organizing an academic conference.

Caroline Gordon / THE GATEPOST a lot better. If you think about things from a space perspective, Earth doesn’t have any boundaries between people or countries. We all inhabit the same place.

I think it’s really important for sharing different perspectives and a shared humanity, but also helps us understand how our world works a lot better.

How has the McAuliffe Center changed since your time interning there as an undergrad?

We have added new projects - bigger projects. For example, we just concluded The Moon Landing in Context project, which was an 18-month project that I worked on. This one-day symposium on Friday was called, “Sustainable Space, Sustainable Earth, From Ideas to Action.” It had experts in the fields of space technology, bioethics, and global education. It was super interdisciplinary. I think getting involved with projects that are much larger than FSU, getting involved with the Smithsonian and other institutions, we are constantly striving to make larger impacts.

What made you interested in working for FSU? Like I mentioned, I spent my undergraduate career here. As somebody who graduated from FSU - and I also spent time interning here - I definitely knew I wanted to stay. FSU is somewhere I feel very comfortable working, and I love being part of the campus community. I still get to work with professors I had as an undergraduate, and some students, too, that I still know from my time here.

I really love being part of the campus community. Working at the McAuliffe Center is a great transition as a job coming out of undergrad as a young professional.

As you are an FSU graduate, what was your most memorable FSU moment?

I was part of a lot of awesome oppor-

What made you interested in studying history during your time at FSU? I was passionate about history and visiting museums since eight grade. I actually did attend a vocational technical high school where I studied business. I was always passionate about volunteering and non-profits. I didn’t know if I wanted to go down the path of non-profit business. I decided after high school that I did not want to pursue a business degree straight up. The next best thing was going with my passion, which was history. By studying history and museum studies, I still get to work for non-profits, but in a way where I get to spread my interests.

How has FSU changed since you were a freshman?

In a lot of ways, it has changed for the better. We are reaching out as we acquire more centers on campus, more initiatives that bring together different disciplines. In some ways, kids are less likely to get involved on campus, so that’s disappointing. I would like to see more students get involved.

What are your future and professional goals?

To work in museum education. I am passionate about learning that is outside of the classroom. I love teaching, but not in a way where it’s in front of the classroom. I love learning that takes place outside of the classroom, so people can see examples of what they are learning about - whether it is history or science.

What advice do you have for FSU students?

Follow your passions. Study what you love and what you want to do in life, which might not always be the most practical-seeming or the easiest major, but challenge yourself and really enjoy it. Get involved, join clubs, attend campus events, and make connections with fellow peers and professors.

CONNECT WITH CAROLINE GORDON cgordon4@student.framingham.edu

Police Logs Tuesday, December 10 12:44 Police Information May Hall Advised

Tuesday, December 10 16:51 Parking Complaint South University Ave. Citation Issued

Wednesday, December 11 11:15 Elevator Entrapment Larned Hall Referral Filed

Wednesday, December 11 12:41 Medical Horace Mann Hall Transport to Counseling Center

NEWS

DECEMBER 13, 2019 | 3

SGA Continued from page 1 range of $10,000-30,000 in previous academic years. Organizations affected by the change include Dance Team, Hilltop Players, Black Student Union, Ski and Snowboard Club, M.I.S.S., and Brother2Brother.

Organizations meet the criteria for Group Three if they are moderately visible on campus and have moderate-risk events. Their events may require some event or travel staff and must plan and execute a limited number of events each semester.

Group Three organizations were funded in the range of $2,500-10,000 in previous academic years, but funding is not the only criterion for determining placement in groups Three and Four.

An organization meets the criteria for Group Four if it has lower visibility on campus and hosts low-risk events. No travel or event staff are required, since only a few events are planned and executed each year on campus. They will be funded in the range of $1-2,500.

Organizations meet the criteria for Group Five if they are newly reactivated or formed groups and formation or reactivation occurred after “organization placement and allocations.” Group Five organizations must have low-risk activities and host limited-to-no planned events.

Group Five organizations are funded solely from the SATF Unallocated budget due to the lack of funds in their Class and Club accounts.

The changes to the bylaws were proposed and discussed.

Kathleen Moore / THE GATEPOST SGA President Matty Bennet (left) and Vice President Abby Salvucci introduced SGA’s new bylaws.

Senate motioned to accept the proposed changes to the bylaws, which passed.

Additionally, Senate also heard six funding requests.

Art Club President Nick Carlson presented a previously tabled request for funding for a club trip to The Armory Show in New York City.

Carlson said, “The request of funding would cover busing, a two-night stay in a hotel, and show tickets all day on Saturday.”

SGA passed a motion to allocate $5,794.79, which will cover everything from the initial request, except the show tickets.

The Gatepost requested funding for their annual College Media Association trip, which will take place March 11-14.

Kathleen Moore / THE GATEPOST Senator Jake Maradian (left) discussed the lack of snow shovels in the parking lots after last week’s snow days.

Weather

Sunday night Partly cloudy, low near 25. W winds around 10 mph.

Monday night 50% chance of snow in the evening. Mostly cloudy, low near 25. W winds around 5 mph.

Monday Sunny, high near 35. W winds around 10 mph.

Tuesday 50% chance of snow, sleet, and rain. Mostly cloudy, high near 35. N winds around 5 mph.

Editor-in-Chief of The Gatepost, Nadira Wicaksana, said, “The request for $7,866 from the travel and conference budget would help pay for the trip, but we will fund the rest of the trip with our own budget.”

SGA allocated the full amount to The Gatepost.

The Wildlife Club requested $1,509.79 for its annual wildlife conference.

Wildlife Club President Gabriella Suazo said, “The funding will help pay for the trip. There will be various workshops that teach skills that we will use in the field if we become wildlife professionals.”

SGA allocated the full amount to Wildlife Club.

Fashion Club requested $2,250 for their annual bus trip to New York City during New York Fashion Week.

Fashion Club Vice Treasured Kara Swanson said, “It’s open to all students. We purposely planned it around Fashion Week because we thought it would be a good time for anyone who is interested in fashion.

“This year, we will be charging $10 per ticket, and we will be taking one bus to save costs,” she said.

SGA allocated the full amount to Fashion Club.

Anime Club requested $2,890 for their annual trip to Anime Boston.

Anime Club President Kyle Bunker said, “There are a lot of different things to do, but typically, we will learn about Japanese culture and talk to industry experts.”

SGA allocated the full amount to Anime Club.

Pride Alliance requested $2,250 for a trip to a transgender-friendly event in Boston.

Pride Alliance President Madison

Bruno said, “The convention will have artist vendors and panels for transgendered individuals and their allies.”

SGA allocated the full amount to Pride Alliance.

During open forum, Student Trustee Olivia Beverlie said, “I know a number of the commuters were frustrated with how school was delayed and then cancelled after they had already driven to campus. It puts a lot of people in danger by being on the roads when you shouldn’t be.”

SGA members also discussed the lack of shovels in parking lots for students to use during the previous week’s snow days.

Senator Jake Maradian said, “It’d be really great to see some more shovels in the lots before we have another snowstorm. One shovel for each lot seems a bit low to me, considering the number of cars.”

Bennet ended the meeting with a detailed and heartfelt acknowledgment of the hard work of SGA this semester.

He said, “I want to say how incredibly proud I am of all of you. We have worked so hard, and all of you have done an amazing job this semester by exceeding my expectations for what I thought SGA could do.

“I could not be more proud to be leading such a great room of leaders,” he said. “Thank you.”

[Editor’s note: Members of The Gatepost presented at the meeting.

Nadira Wicaksana is Editor-in-Chief of The Gatepost.]

CONNECT WITH SOREN COLSTRUP scolstrup@student.framingham.edu

Forecast provided by the National Weather Service www.weather.gov Wednesday night Tuesday night Partly cloudy, low near Mostly cloudy, low 15. W winds around 10 near 25. NW winds mph. around 5 mph.

Wednesday Mostly sunny, high near 35. W winds around 5 mph.

Thursday Mostly sunny, high near 28. W winds around 10 mph.

FRAMINGHAM STATE UNIVERSITY’S INDEPENDENT STUDENT NEWSPAPER SINCE 1932 | FSUGATEPOST.COM

4 | DECEMBER 13, 2019

Enrollment

Continued from page 1

Application, FSU saw a 25.46% increase in applications from the previous year.

In a Dec. 15, 2017 article published in The Gatepost, Executive Vice President Dale Hamel said the drop in first-year class size from fall 2015 to fall 2016 was, in fact, partially due to the transition to the Common Application.

“There are some external forces and internal responses. The first time [FSU used] the Common App, we saw a significant increase in the number of applications that we received, and I don’t think we knew well which of those increases were high probability [to accept an offer of admission] and which were applications to us as a ‘safety school,’” Hamel said.

“It made the enrollment funnel more difficult to ascertain what percentage of those applications would actually turn into acceptances. …

We’re getting much more applications from less committed students,” he added.

Although the University’s acceptance rate has increased by 9.43% since 2016, both Spencer and Holloway claim selectivity has not changed.

Spencer said use of the Common Application made it easier for students and families to apply to colleges because it created one centralized location for students to upload anything college-related, and it also gave them the option to include their SAT and ACT scores.

Holloway said, “Applying to college is stressful enough for a family as it is, so we don’t want to complicate and discourage them with the process.”

Sophomore Ryan Sistrand said, “The Common App is very easy. I like how I could just fill out one application for all the schools I applied to.”

He also said he came here because FSU was “close and cheap.”

Senior Jacob Mixon said, “I think switching to the Common App was an important thing for the school to do. It made applying much easier.”

Sophomore Jared McShane said using the Common Application was “pretty easy,” and he didn’t encounter any difficulties while applying.

Holloway said, “Anything - from my book - that makes it easier for people to apply should be done.”

She went on to discuss the enrollment data team she put together, which focuses on enrollment research and historical analysis of retention. The team, made up of FSU faculty and staff, helps the University understand enrollment trends.

Stressing the importance of an enrollment data team composed of University faculty and staff, Holloway said, “Why pay a whole bunch of people outside when you’ve got people here that you know have your best interest in mind? They know us - they know our students.”

According to Holloway, FSU uses data compiled by the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Educa-

@TheGatepost | FSUgatepost.com

NEWS

tion (WICHE) to make projections by monitoring declining high school enrollment and demographic changes.

Although current WICHE data predicts a decline in high school graduates over time, Holloway said the number of high school graduates in Massachusetts “isn’t necessarily falling,” but for the most part, enrollment has been down at surrounding state schools since 2009.

She also said declining enrollment at “feeder schools,” or community colleges from which graduates are likely to transfer to higher-level institutions, impacts the University’s enrollment as well.

“The majority of community colleges are struggling,” Holloway said.

Shayna Eddy, associate dean and director of undergraduate admissions, said she is working closely with the assistant vice president and director of admissions from MassBay to start targeting the MetroWest area and launch a “Next Stop College Series.”

This “series” would give students tips for taking a campus tour and understanding financial aid, as well as provide extra resources to families.

Holloway also discussed another partnership with MassBay, which

ty prospective freshmen submitted applications, and 4,425 of them were accepted - an acceptance rate of 74.24%. This was a 0.93% increase over fall 2018. Of the accepted applicants, 877 submitted deposits and 776 matriculated.

There were 767 students in the incoming freshman class of fall 2018.

In fall 2017, there were 764. In fall 2016, there were 749. In fall 2015, there were 855. And in fall 2014, there were 808.

For fall 2019, the University received 943 transfer applications and accepted 628, resulting in a 66.6% acceptance rate, up 7.44% from the previous year. Of those accepted, 380 matriculated. This was an increase of 10 transfer students over fall 2018.

The University’s enrollment goal of 784 first-year students was not met, but the goal of 340 transfers was surpassed.

Holloway believes enrollment is declining because students are “fearful” of debt and question whether higher education is worth the investment when trades, or even two-year degrees, are lucrative.

According to the Department of Higher Education’s website, undergraduate tuition and fees at FSU for

“It just looks like you’re declining, even if everything’s the same.”

-Lorretta Holloway, vice president of enrollment and student development allows some of their students to live on FSU’s campus and gives them the “college experience,” in the hope they’ll want to transfer.

In the past, the University was able to make up for the loss of first-year students with its transfers. According to Holloway, this is more difficult to do now because of the decline in enrollment at community colleges.

“I think people are really thinking about whether or not [college] is something that’s for everyone,” she said. “Part of the reason is because it’s so expensive.”

Senior Sean Mulhall said, “I feel like classes have gotten smaller a bit.”

He chose FSU because of its location. “The location was really convenient, the classes they offered were interesting, … and it was cheap too,” Mulhall said.

Senior Josh Peck said, “Oh yeah, I’ve noticed big changes - massive!

Literally like 50% [fewer students] in my classes sometimes.”

He believes this has to do with increasing tuition expenses. “If you always follow the money, it never lies,” he said.

This fall, Framingham State enrolled 776 first-year students, according to data provided Dec. 9 by Spencer.

This was an increase of nine firstyear students over fall 2018.

Five-thousand nine-hundred six-

the current fiscal year total $11,100 - which is 7% of the state’s median household income.

Furthermore, the average amount accumulated in loans for students seeking bachelor’s degrees was $19,481 in 2017. Both these numbers are comparable to other state universities, including Fitchburg, Salem, and Bridgewater states.

Spencer said, “There’s a lot of things that we’re doing to respond to the competition. … Other institutions are [providing financial aid], and some institutions are quite frankly doing it better than we are because they’re more heavily resourced, they’ve been at this longer, they have a larger admissions staff, [and] they have a much more aggressive financial aid budget to be able to do things on.

“So, we’re doing the best we can leveraging the resources we have on campus,” he added.

Spencer said the University is focusing on how its financial aid formulas can better align with students’ needs. To do this, FSU is planning to take part in an external review of financial aid packaging analysis with the Education Advisory Board (EAB) a financial aid optimization program - next fall.

The EAB looks at the University’s formulas and can help determine ways to better distribute financial aid and whether that aid is able to main-

tain and increase enrollment.

Eddy said she believes the EAB is a tool that will allow the University to strategically look at its applicants and financial aid data in order to make “good, focused decisions” in the future.

By being able to determine the probability of prospective students enrolling at FSU, the University will have a much better idea of where it should be focusing its money and resources, she said.

Spencer said, “Massachusetts is a higher education-rich state, so there’s lots of competition within Massachusetts to be able to understand.”

Increased competition from UMass campuses, as well as fellow state and private universities, plays a part in the enrollment trends, he said.

Competition is “stiff in the marketplace” among regional public four-year institutions, UMass campuses, and private schools outside the region because “Massachusetts and New England students are very desirable to institutions that are not based in [the region],” said Spencer.

“A lot of the private institutions are leveraging their financial aid a lot more aggressively than they have in the past,” he added.

This means although an institution may cost more than FSU, it might not be more expensive in the end because of that school’s financial aid package.

“The surrounding states are also having challenges with enrollment,” Spencer said. “We get about 96% of our students from Massachusetts, so we’re really competing from Massachusetts.”

Bridgewater, Fitchburg, Salem, Westfield, and Worcester states are viewed as FSU’s competition among the comprehensive state universities. “Every one of them has had a high-water mark and an overall decline over the decade,” said Spencer.

Both Spencer and Holloway blame a few years early in the decade for distorting how people view enrollment.

In fall 2011, 924 first-year students were enrolled at the University - an increase of more than 200 over fall 2010. In 2012, the number of first-year students dropped to 826. In 2013, there were 809 first-year students enrolled.

Fall 2012 marked the high point for transfer students with 475. Fall 2014 marked the high point for enrollment of undergraduate students with 4,609.

Since 2016, the number of firstyear students enrolled has been relatively stable.

Spencer attributed the “high-water mark” to a “stark increase” in first-year and transfer students. He said the “only thing” to which he can attribute that success to is “a more aggressive recruitment strategy.

“Our primary understanding is that increase came out of the result of aggressive recruitment tactics that worked early on - tactics that weren’t employed in previous years,” he said.

“We developed more of an enroll-

NEWS

Courtesy of the Massachusetts Department of Higher Education ment funnel recruitment strategy, we employed a senior search for the first time, and we had dramatic success in growing the freshman population the first year, and really, the transfer population the second year,” said Spencer in regards to fall 2011 and 2012’s increased enrollment.

He added the same year FSU saw a spike in first-year enrollment, the University purchased roughly 20,000 high school seniors’ names through the SAT and communicated “heavily” with them. “That usually isn’t successful … but it just happened to work that year. It was great,” Spencer said.

“From this particular year when we had this dramatic success, we’ve been administering, at minimum, the same strategies, but employing additional strategies - and we’re finding it increasingly difficult to be able to enroll the class which we did [in 2011],” Spencer added.

Holloway also believes the University’s enrollment numbers are “misrepresented … unless you go back and look at our enrollment over time.”

According to Holloway, enrollment statistics for the last decade are skewed because of fall 2011’s increase in first-year students, and because they’re “based on high-point versus overall [numbers].”

She pointed to fall 2009’s undergraduate enrollment of 3,847 students and compared it to fall 2019’s undergraduate enrollment of 3,857

students, citing a slight increase since then. “It’s like, ‘Yeah, we dropped from our 2014 high point,’ but if you look at our 10-year plan, we’re 10 students up.

“It just looks like you’re declining, even if everything’s the same,” She added.

According to Holloway, every student enrolled at the University adds at least $10,000 to FSU’s budget.

Since total enrollment is down more than 100 students since last year, this has resulted in a monetary loss of more than $1 million from the University’s budget.

This loss generally results in smaller office budgets and deferred nonessential maintenance, according to Holloway and Eddy.

Eddy said, “The economy is good right now, so when the economy’s decent, people aren’t going back to school.”

Regarding the decline in enrollment, Eddy added, “I think it really does go back to the fact that we had those blip years that really kind of just skewed our enrollment.

“We did a lot of marketing those couple years … and I think we were just very, very fortunate,” she said.

Spencer said, “There is credence to the fact that enrollment has decreased 16.3% from the high-water mark - it’s erroneous to say that from the very beginning of the decade to the end that we saw the steady decrease.

“We’ve just had difficulty being able to get to that particular place of 924, and it’s not for lack of effort,” he added.

According to Spencer, the University was recently able to get a Slate CRM, a communication resource manager program that sends out personalized messages to prospective students in an attempt to make recruiting strategies more relevant and aggressive.

With the CRM, the University can license more names each year and develop a multi-year contact campaign with these high school students.

In addition to the Slate CRM, Director of Marketing Averil Capers discussed other recruitment strategies and advertisements the University uses.

She said digital or online marketing is the University’s main recruitment tool, and the most effective way to advertise outside the MetroWest region. This includes advertisements on platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, Pandora, and YouTube.

Geo-fencing is used by the University to target certain areas of interest, so students in those areas see FSU’s advertisements, according to Capers.

In terms of “traditional” advertising, the University has signs in local sports arenas, as well as on all 20 of the MetroWest Regional Transit Authority’s buses. “You want to make

DECEMBER 13, 2019 | 5 sure that the folks in Framingham and surrounding communities don’t forget about Framingham State University … so I think it’s a good way to remind people in the area that we’re here,” said Capers.

Eddy credits her team of counselors with doing a good job of recruiting students beyond the MetroWest area. Her staff divides the state into “territories,” which means her counselors have been traveling to the same spots for a few years.

“It’s really about building up those relationships,” Eddy said. “If you’re going to make an investment at a university, you want to make sure that you know the people - that you feel comfortable with them.”

Capers added, “We’re pretty much out there at all times,” describing how cable television and radio stations such as Kiss 108 and AMP 103.3 are used to broadcast the University’s message.

In October, AMP 103.3 used FSU as an educational sponsor at a high school football promotion, which allowed the University to hand out novelty items - such as pens and cowbells - to those in attendance.

“I think it’s important because we’ve developed a brand and a look, so when you’re out there and see one of our advertisements, we want it to resonate that it’s Framingham State,” said Capers.

“You’re out there, you’re wanting to build brand awareness, but also, we want to bring prospective students to the website,” Capers added, saying FSU’s website is “its biggest marketing tool.”

Data from the University’s website between September and October of this year indicated a 21.75% increase in users over that same time last year. Capers said this jump in website traffic could be attributed to cable television advertisements that ran during that time.

Some of the most effective ways to recruit transfer students include posters and electronic signs in community colleges, advertisements in college newspapers, and social media ads.

Capers said the University plans to advertise on a billboard in an unnamed location this coming spring to advertise FSU’s graduate program.

“We try to get the word out so people know about Framingham State - remember it,” she said.

According to Capers, the beginning of the summer is used to develop a marketing plan, while mid-September through December are peak months for advertising to first-year students for next fall semester. January, February, and March are prime months to advertise to transfer students.

“I’ve been here now for 20 years, and we’re doing more marketing than ever,” Eddy said.

According to Spencer, retention, persistence, and graduation rates are critical to the entire enrollment process.

“We pay a lot of attention to this,” he said. “It’s not like we’re throwing darts in the dark and trying to make this work.”

CONNECT WITH JARED GRAF jgraf@student.framingham.edu

FRAMINGHAM STATE UNIVERSITY’S INDEPENDENT STUDENT NEWSPAPER SINCE 1932 | FSUGATEPOST.COM

NEWS

6 | DECEMBER 13, 2019

FSU’s comprehensive student costs increase 4.3% over last year University maintains a balanced budget for FY20

By Evan Lee Interim News Editor

By Abigail Petrucci Staff Writer Student tuition and fees for Fiscal Year 2020 (FY20) have increased by $580, or 5.5%, from last year, according to Executive Vice President Dale Hamel.

Additionally, for resident students, the weighted average cost of rent has increased by $280, about 3.3%, and board has increased by $115, about 3.1%, he added.

In total, the aggregate annual increase in cost for students this year is $975, or 4.3%, which adds up to a comprehensive cost of $23,705, compared to $22,730 last year, he explained.

Hamel said student enrollment rates are “one factor of many” that were considered during the development of the University’s FY20 budget.

“With lower enrollment, the institution needed to assume reduced revenues in the development of the FY20 budget,” he said.

“Budget development is an iterative process that takes into account multiple factors, including determining expenditures, and then trying to identify revenues necessary to address projected costs,” he added.

The developed FY20 budget is a balanced one, according to Hamel.

This was achieved through “necessary cuts” to ensure total expenditures would not exceed total revenue.

He explained, “FY20 operations expenditure reductions were identified in order to balance the budget,” which included a $1 million cut to the College Operating Budget’s ex-

penditures.

The College Operating Budget for FY20 stands at $124.3 million and pays for many of the University’s day-to-day expenses.

The largest portion of that budget pays for faculty and staff salaries and benefits, which includes pension and insurance among other expenses.

This all amounts to $70.9 million, or 57% of this budget’s expenditures for FY20, according to Hamel.

Other expenses covered by this

students and $8.5 million from Division of Graduate and Continuing Education students.

State revenue comes from state appropriations - $31.3 million, state authorized retained tuition - $850 thousand, and state funded fringe benefits - $11.9 million.

Other sources of revenue include the line items “Gifts, Commissions, Grants and Contracts, Investment Income,” according to Hamel.

The current $124.3 million oper-

“You’ve got a smaller pie with a lot of pressure from different players in this industry to try to get those same number of declining students.”

-Dale Hamel, executive vice president budget are the University’s utility fees, which include electricity and gas - two of the biggest utility bills - as well as water and sewer, Hamel said.

Additional expenses include financial aid, debt service, and IT he added.

Hamel said the College Operating Budget is funded from student costs, the state, and other sources of revenue.

Student revenue includes that from net student tuition and fees, which provide $33.3 million from day

Student Costs Tuition and Fees Increase over prior year % Increase Rent (weighted avg.)

Increase over prior year % Increase Board Increase over prior year % Increase Comprehensive Costs Aggregate Annual $ Increase Aggregate Annual % Increase

ations budget is part of the greater $168 million “All Funds” budget for FY20, which also includes $6.7 million for capital expenditures and $42 million for financial aid, he said.

Hamel added that the capital expenditures and financial aid categories are not mutually exclusive to the College Operating Budget.

“In the capital expenditures category under ‘college funding’ - that is, from Operations - you will see $1,053,000. And in the Financial Aid Expenditures category under ‘university grants/waivers’ - also from Oper-

ations - you will see $3,774,000,” he explained.

“These college operations expenditures - that are also captured in the capital and [financial aid] sections - need to be backed out of the ‘All Funds’ total so that they are not double counted,” he added.

In terms of the next academic year’s student costs, Hamel said preliminary discussions with the Board of Trustees identified a smaller comprehensive increase of 2.5%, which is a “preliminary figure being utilized at this stage of the budget development process.”

He added, “We’re going to work really hard to try to stay within that as we develop the [FY21] budget over the spring semester.”

Sophomore Brandon Trueswell said he thought the increase in cost for FY20 was reasonable, saying, “Inflation goes up about 2% every year, so 4.3% seems like an accurate adjustment.”

He added, “It’s probably just a makeup for the downcurve of enrollment.”

Senior finance major Tess Marchioni said she thought the increase in FY20 was “ridiculous.”

She said, “I have seen a lot of students being affected by these changes. With enrollment going down as well, it is obvious that many students are unable to afford state college.”

[Editor’s Note: Asst. Arts and Features Editor Jared Graf contributed to this article.]

CONNECT WITH EVAN LEE elee5@student.framingham.edu CONNECT WITH ABIGAIL PETRUCCI apetrucci1@student.framingham.edu

FY 2019 $10,520

$8,540

$3,670

$22.730

FY 2020 $11,100 $580 5.5% $8,820 $280 3.3% $3,785 $115 3.1% $23,705 $975 4.3%

Graphic by Evan Lee and Kathleen Moore Information courtesy of Framingham State University

@TheGatepost | FSUgatepost.com

NEWS

CLUB MEETING TIMES

Monday Aspiring Health Professionals, 1:30 pm, HA 534 Education Club, 1:30 pm, Club Room 1, MC 413 English Club, 1:30 pm, MA 112A Nutrition Club, 1:30 pm, 1st and 3rd Mon, HH 111 Wildlife, 1:30 pm, HA 325 Catholic Student Group, 1:30 pm, EC101 Food Science Club, 1:30 pm, HH 227 Gatepost, 6:30 pm, MC 410 Dance Team, 6:30 pm, Aerobics Room 207/208 MISS, 7:00 pm, O’Connor CIE Tuesday Math Club, 11:30 am, HA 430 WDJM, 4:30 pm, MC Paul T. Murphy 520 LUNA, 5:00 pm, OC 220 ASL, 6:30 pm, MC Paul T. Murphy 520 Pride Alliance, 6:00 pm, Club Room 1, MC 413 Hilltop Players, 6:30 pm, HA 136 Black Student Union, 7:00 pm, O’Connor CIE SGA, 7:30 pm, MC Alumni Room Wednesday Student Veterans’ Association, 11:00 am, HA 352

DECEMBER 13, 2019 | 7

CLUB MEETING TIMES Wednesday (cont’d) History Club, 1:30 pm, MA 111B Christian Fellowship, 6:30 pm, Ecumenical Center SUAB, 6:30 pm, 2nd and 4th Wed, MC Paul T. Murphy 520 Fashion Club, 7:00 pm , HH 218 African Student Association, 7:00 pm, North Hall Commons Young Democrats Association, 7:00 pm, MC Paul T. Murphy 520 Students of Caribbean Ancestry, 7:30 pm, O’Connor CIE Comic Book Club, 7:30 pm, Club Room 1, MC 413 Thursday IGNITE, 1:30 pm, O’Connor CIE Gatepost, 6:30 pm, MC 410 African Caribbean Dance Group, 7:30 pm, AF 207/208 African Student Association, 7:00 pm, North Hall Commons Brother to Brother, 7:30 pm, O’Connor CIE Marketing Club, 7:00 pm, HH 101 Friday African Caribbean Dance Group, 7:30 pm, AF 207/208 Gaming Club, 12:30 pm, Club Room 1, MC 413 Sunday Symphonic Band, 6:00 pm, DPAC

FRAMINGHAM STATE UNIVERSITY’S INDEPENDENT STUDENT NEWSPAPER SINCE 1932 | FSUGATEPOST.COM

NEWS

8 | DECEMBER 13, 2019

Student participation in CHOICE Internship program on the rise Students see value, but many wait too long before undertaking internships

By Alain Puma Staff Writer FSU’s paid internship program, CHOICE (Community and Hometown Organizations Internships and Cooperative Education), has been awarding students paid internships since the spring 2013 semester.

Over the last few years, there has been an upward trend with regard to participation in CHOICE. Participation has been increasing since 2017, with the total number of internships undertaken by students rising from 62 that year to 79 the following year.

In fact, based on fall participation rates from 2017 and 2018, participation for the 2019 year is on track to surpass those two previous years, with 31 internships undertaken this fall alone.

According to Internship Coordinator Jill Gardosik, CHOICE provides an opportunity for students to get real-world job experience while simultaneously earning an income.

In order to participate in CHOICE, students must meet eligibility requirements set by the state - including holding at least a 2.75 GPA. For the 2018-19 academic year, the state allocated $110,393, according to Gardosik. Each student who undertakes an internship is able to earn up to $4,800 based on the number of hours the student works at the internship and the amount of their financial aid package.

She said CHOICE was implemented at FSU after the state determined stu-

dents were essentially disregarding unpaid internships, and ultimately, the benefits that came with them.

“The Commonwealth noticed an alarming trend of students only applying to paid internship positions.

As a result, they were missing out on excellent opportunities to build skills, create a professional network, and be

“I’d only take an unpaid internship if it had to do with [a non-profit that does] volunteer work,” she added.

Senior Joanis Nieves, a working parent of two, said, “I probably would not do an internship unless it was paid. People have responsibilities outside of school, especially if you are an older student. Denying student

“I don’t think I would have been able to do it if it was unpaid because it would take up time I could be using to work for money.”

-Rylee Holmes, senior mentored by well-educated, highly skilled and accomplished people,” she said.

Like students across the state, FSU students greatly value paid internships.

Sophomore Courtney Schleyer said, “I would be way more likely to accept an internship if it was paid.”

Freshman Dannie Messias said, “I’d be more likely to take a paid internship [than an unpaid one], to be honest - especially because you’re going to be working and juggling schoolwork.

workers some sort of income is a bit disrespectful.”

Gardosik said she strives to process every student application the day it is submitted.

According to Gardosik, FSU dedicates the resources to administer CHOICE because the goal is to give students the best chance to thrive and develop professionally.

“We want to see all students be successful - polish skills they already have, gain skills they didn’t have - all of which will make them prepared to enter a career or graduate school, depending on their choice. That is really important to the University,” said Gardosik.

“Also, while it is not traditional, we also hope to see the internship lead to a full-time position [within the company the student interned at],” she

said, “Paid internships are very important for students from a professional standpoint. But it also can help them pay for [expenses such as] gas, parking, and work attire.”

Senior Rylee Holmes, who undertook a paid internship at Genesis Counseling - an internship that was funded by CHOICE - believes the economic benefits provided by CHOICE can help students dedicate more time to their studies and other commitments.

“The fact that it is paid has taken the pressure off of having to add more hours at my job so that I am better able to focus on classes and the internships,” said Holmes.

“I don’t think I would have been able to do it if it was unpaid because it would take up time I could be using to work for money,” she added.

Although students seemingly recognize the benefits of accepting an internship, very few of them undertake internships this time of year, Gardosik said.

“I have 31 students enrolled in internships for fall 2019,” she said.

“It is about the same number of students from last year - usually our fall numbers tend to be lower,” she added.

In fact, most students Gardosik has worked with wait too long before they undertake an internship.

“Sadly, a lot of students will wait until the second semester of their senior year to participate in an internship, and that is never in their best interest,” she said.

Gardosik hopes more students will begin to take advantage of the opportunities CHOICE provides as she has seen how much students who accept more than one internship benefit from the experience.

“Some students will participate in

“People have responsibilities outside of school, especially if you are an older student. Denying student workers some sort of income is a bit disrespectful.”

-Joanis Nieves, senior

Access application via myFramingham

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said.

Much like Gardosik and the support staff at Career Services and Employer Relations, the students themselves say they recognize the benefits accepting an internship can have on their professional and academic growth and development.

Freshman Bryan Beltre said, “These internships prepare you for the future and the career that you want to pursue.”

Graduate student Felicia Oglesby

the fall and they’ll have such a good experience, they’ll go look for another internship for spring semester or the following year,” she said.

She added, “Kudos to those who take advantage of multiple internships.”

[Editor’s note: Rylee Holmes is a staff writer for The Gatepost.]

CONNECT WITH ALAIN PUMA apuma@student.framingham.edu

NEWS

Students find improvement in RamTram service over past year

By Kaitlin Burch Staff Writer Many students interviewed by The Gatepost agree the RamTram has been more punctual this year compared to past years.

Coordinator of Transportation Services Kim Galvani said she wants the FSU community to know the Student Transportation Center (STC) is working to provide the best possible service to students and staff.

According to Galvani, STC leases its vehicles for $60,000 from the MetroWest Regional Transit Authority (MWRTA), “which is great because it includes a service fee, so mechanical issues and things like that [are covered].” She said FSU’s total transportation budget for fiscal year 2020 is $534,390, but this is not exclusively for STC. As far as big-ticket items go, the budget includes $78,858 for vehicle fuel, $8,500 for general health and safety services, and $2,000 for vehicle maintenance and repairs - though STC is requesting $12,000 for maintenance and repairs for FY20.

The transportation budget also includes staff salaries in addition to office supplies, clothing, and food, which are not all specific to STC. The RamTram staff consists of 35 student drivers and two full-time drivers - Tracy Baker during the day and Sheryl Jacob for second shift. Galvani said, “The biggest challenge is staffing, especially in the beginning of the semester.”

Galvani added, “This year was particularly difficult because we were very short-staffed at the beginning of the semester, but we’re fully staffed now - minus a few open shifts.”

She said, “It has made a big difference in wait times for students.”

Galvani explained the hiring process is “quite lengthy,” so getting students prepared earlier rather than later is ideal. She said she tries to start recruiting for upcoming fall semesters during the spring, so she can have some kind of idea what the staff will look like in the fall and avoid scrambling to get drivers.

Galvani stressed the importance of safety when it comes to driving for STC. She holds monthly safety meetings and also said the driver hiring process “includes a DOT [Department of Transportation] physical, a drug [test], a background check on their driving, and then, of course, training.”

She said all drivers are also “subject to random drug tests,” and ensured all drivers passed.

“At the beginning of a shift, the [drivers] have to do a pre-trip” due to DOT regulations, said Galvani. “They have to walk around that shuttle and make sure that it’s safe to drive.”

She said it can add an extra five minutes to wait times, but it is mandatory as drivers are just trying to ensure the safety of all riders.

According to Galvani, one of the challenges she faces with a mostly student staff is students are only allowed to work 20 hours a week on campus. STC operates 521 hours a

week and 20 hours a day.

Galvani said she balances hours based on “ridership.” Drivers take tallies of the number of people they’re picking up at each stop. STC then uses these tallies to identify lower rider times when fewer trams are needed.

Galvani said, “Sometimes, we’ll get requests for extra shuttles.” For example, she said recently, a professor needed to get students to Juniper Hill School for the Blocks Preschool Program and the RamTram provided that transportation.

“When the Danforth art classes were [first] held across the street, we had to shuttle students there,” she added. With that, scheduling routes needed to be adjusted.

Galvani explained if there is a shuttle taking students somewhere off campus by request, that takes a parking lot’s tram off its loop. She added there have been “a lot” of requests for extra commuter rail runs.

STC is also trying out a new way to get in touch with riders.

Galvani said, “We’re trying to do a big social media blast.” She said staff members will be able to post updates regarding the RamTram schedule. For example, if there are delays due to flat tires or construction students can be informed via social media.

She added, “On the FSUgo app, we have a shuttle concern form that you can fill out and it’ll come to us and we can address the form.”

The shuttle concern form has been available to students, but it was previously only avalible at the STC desk.

Now that it is online, it is more convenient for students to express their concerns, according to Galvani.

Junior Austin Sylvester said, “[The] RamTram is reliable. I feel it’s always pulling up to either Bement or the lots as I get there. I haven’t had any problems being late.”

Freshman Isabella Kondi said, “I think the RamTram is reliable when going to parking lots, but not really with all the other locations it accesses. The RamTram doesn’t go to the train station as often as it goes to the mall or Shoppers World.”

Kondi said she knows professors and students who use the train to get to school, so more trams to that location would be helpful.

Junior Kerri Morse said she believes the RamTram is sometimes convenient. Morse said as a commuter, it’s helpful on rainy or snowy days so she doesn’t have to walk up the hill every day.

However, she added, “It’s more of an issue in the mornings when a lot of people are getting on. People pile in, and it’s kind of scary riding on it with way too many people. I feel in the mornings, it needs to definitely come more frequently for the commuters.”

Sophomore Meghan Croteau said in regards to the parking lot tram, “It sometimes doesn’t show up every 15 minutes, so that’s kind of annoying when I need it to go to my car for work.”

However, Croteau said she “loved” the tracking feature on the FSUgo app.

Croteau also raised safety con-

cerns. She said it was “annoying” there is only one shuttle stop and it’s located at the edge of campus. “Sometimes, I’m walking by myself, so that scares me at night a little bit.”

Junior Marissa Dias said she believes the RamTram is reliable “to get from point A to point B.” Despite this, she added, “I don’t believe it runs on time, and it’s not reliable if you need to be somewhere at a certain time. I use the tram to get to and from my car a few times per week, and I have had to wait upwards of half an hour just to get back to campus even when I call the desk.”

Dias expressed concern for how “packed” the trams get and agreed there should be more trams running on the same loop.

Sophomore Sarah Burke said, “Three days out of the week, I work at 7 a.m. at an elementary school in Ashland, so I need to leave campus around 6 a.m. When I get [to the shuttle stop] I am usually waiting 10 minutes.

“Though, there have been times when I have gotten there and it hasn’t come until 6:30, and it’s annoying because I only have so much time to get to work.”

Sophomore Chester MacAskill said in regards to the FSUgo app tracking feature, “There’s just no need for it. I would hope that it’s constantly going, so there’s no need for me to consis-

DECEMBER 13, 2019 | 9

tently check it.”

Junior Alivia Pimental said, “I don’t like [the tracking feature] because it’s never accurate when I go on it.” She said STC should work on monitoring the app to make sure it’s always accurate.

Junior Madison Trundley said, “I use [the FSUgo app tracking feature] whenever I go to work. I like to use it to schedule my timing.” She suggested STC should send notifications on the app for when they are switching drivers, so students are aware they’ll have to wait a longer time when they go to get picked up.

Sophomore Jared Carey said he believes the RamTram is reliable and “super convenient for students.” He added he “never ran into any problems with it” and expressed interest in STC’s social media blast, saying he believes it will be “very helpful.”

Galvani said STC is working on improvements.

She added, “We want to provide the best service. I have a fantastic staff.

I’m so thankful and grateful for the students I have.”

CONNECT WITH KAITLIN BURCH kburch@student.framingham.edu

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10 | DECEMBER 13, 2019

NEWS

Framingham State English department implements first-year common reading

By Rylee Holmes Staff Writer During the fall 2019 semester, firstyear students shared the common experience of reading and discussing James Baldwin’s “Stranger in the Village” in their first-year writing classes.

Desmond McCarthy, chair of the English department, said he has wanted to “resuscitate the idea of a common reading for some time.”

Initially, the first-year common reading program meant all incoming freshmen were encouraged to read the same work of fiction or nonfiction over the summer. “Then, ideally, a number of their general education classes for their first semester would involve some element of that reading,” said McCarthy.

He explained the previous University-wide common reading program had been discontinued. “The problem with this program and why it was discontinued was that it’s very hard to interrupt the flow of your class and incorporate an entire novel or an entire work of nonfiction.

“For example, within the English department, within our first-year writing program, we had many instructors who would want to incorporate a common reading in some way, but they ended up having to assign two weeks for people to read it and by the time you do that, it really interrupts the flow of your class,” McCarthy said.

McCarthy added book-length readings were a challenge with the previous common reading selections.

He said with longer novels, most students were not reading the books over the summer, which defeated the purpose of the common reading program.

This semester, the English department launched its first-year common reading program with James Baldwin’s essay, “Stranger in the Village.”

“What I wanted to do was have a shorter reading and make it possible to incorporate it into our freshman writing classes,” said McCarthy.

He said after consulting with his colleagues, the Baldwin essay was chosen.

McCarthy said, “[James Baldwin] is one of the most important African American writers of fiction and nonfiction in the twentieth century. He is one of the most important writers about white privilege and the impact of racism, and all of the dualities, contradictions, and shortcomings of the American experience.”

He said the benefits of teaching the essay are “two-fold.” He identified one reason as wanting a “common intellectual experience” for all freshmen and to do so with a manageable text. “James Baldwin’s essay is fairly short, but quite complex,” he said.

McCarthy added another reason for selecting “Stranger in the Village” was to “engage in an anti-racism project as a department.

“We are very concerned about some of the incidents that have happened on campus in the last few years, and we are very cognizant that we are

@TheGatepost | FSUgatepost.com

privileged to be teaching a much more diverse student body than we enrolled as recently as five years ago.”

McCarthy said most of his colleagues are teaching “Stranger in the Village” this semester, and that feedback has indicated a “profound experience” for professors and students alike.

Among these colleagues is English professor Lorianne DiSabato, who has taught the essay in her Introduction to College Writing course this semester.

DiSabato said she was both “excited” and “a little bit intimidated” when “Stranger in the Village” was chosen as the English Department’s common reading.

“I couldn’t initially think of a way to fit it in with what we’re talking about in [Introduction to College Writing]. In my particular section of Intro, we focus on [readings concerning] challenges facing college students, so “Stranger in the Village” wasn’t initially, immediately seeming to mesh with that,” she said.

Before teaching “Stranger in the Village,” DiSabato said the class had

in and you’re an outsider, but you’re from a place of power, that’s very different than if you’re an outsider from a place of vulnerability.”

Speaking on the relevance of the essay to the FSU community, DiSabato said, “[The essay] gave us an ‘in’ to talk about the different forms that racism takes. … I was very explicit … in saying why we were talking about in [this essay].” She said one of the reasons for reading this essay was because of the hate crimes that have happened on campus in recent years.

DiSabato said she felt it was “good” to have students talk to one another about a challenging topic in a “comfortable and respectful way.”

English professor Joseph Opiela has also taught “Stranger in the Village” this semester. He said it has been a “rich teaching experience.”

He said, “[The essay’s] central themes of difference and assimilation are as relevant to students today as when Baldwin wrote [the essay].

“It provides a lot of opportunities for class discussion,” he added.

Opiela said each student in his class picked a passage and comment-

“We are very cognizant that we are privileged to be teaching a much more diverse student body than we enrolled as recently as five years ago.”

-Desmond McCarthy, English department chair

already read “four or five different essays.” She said students would read the essay, write Blackboard blog entries about their own reactions, and read one another’s posts before discussing it as a class.

“So, what ended up happening was that [format] really worked well for the James Baldwin [essay], because again, we had already set the parameters of, ‘You’re going to be reading people’s reactions to an essay and here’s the kind of respectful response techniques we use in this class,’” she said.

DiSabato added it was interesting to see which parts of the essay resonated with students. “Everyone could kind of relate to the whole idea of being a newcomer somewhere … and as first-year students, you feel like newcomers - but not everyone is a stranger in the village in the way that Baldwin is.”

DiSabato explained Baldwin “talks about how it’s different if you’re a stranger as the only person of color and everyone is white. … If you walk

ed on the meaning of their selection.

“We talked about how as firstyear students in college, they’re also ‘strangers in the village,’” he said.

He added it’s “important for students to have opportunities to discuss the essay’s themes of difference and assimilation. It’s valuable to do that openly, and without bias, as part of one’s college education.”

Opiela identified the topics and themes of “Stranger in the Village” as “difficult subject matters to engage in,” but added these conversations need to be held to show racism is a “major social problem.”

He added, “Framingham State prides itself on being welcoming and inclusive to students of all backgrounds, and the essay explores how America, because of its uniqueness and history, can and must do the same for all its citizens.”

English professor Patricia Horvath said she taught “Stranger in the Village” at the same time she taught “I am Not Your Negro,” Raoul Peck’s biographical film about Baldwin.

“The essay and film consider a number of ideas that we grappled with, including intentional versus inadvertent racism, what it means to be ‘on display,’ and representations of African Americans in American cinema,” she said.

Horvath added her class talked about the idea of being a “witness.”

She said they discussed “what Baldwin witnessed as an African American in a remote Swiss village, what the villagers witnessed in seeing him, and the ways in which the reader/viewer becomes a witness to Baldwin’s experience.”

Some first-year students found it interesting to have class discussions about racism in the context of Baldwin’s essay.

Freshman Matheus Harris said, “Talking about it in class, we touched a lot on the topic of racism. … It’s not just the racism in the U.S. at the time, but also in other countries.”

Freshman Yana Trubetskaya said her class had already been discussing racism leading up to the reading of Baldwin’s essay.

She said her class discussed the contrast between racism in Switzerland and America.

“In America, we have a whole history with slavery, segregation, [and] racism. … But, in Switzerland in that village … [Baldwin] always felt like an outlier because they had never seen a Black man before. … They were just really oblivious to the other people that existed in this world.”

She also said her class had been discussing the “American Dream” and they used “Stranger in the Village” to guide them in understanding racism.

The common reading has led some students to research Baldwin even further.

Freshman Austin Riffelmacher researched James Baldwin in his Expository Writing class and found his work was “worth a delve deeper.

“My general understanding was that he was a well-respected African American writer. What I soon discovered was that he was one of the most important Black voices throughout the 20th century. Contrary to my belief that Baldwin was primarily a novelist, I found that he was a playwright, essayist, and critic” as well, he said.

He added, “What James Baldwin’s life and work reveals to me is a vastly fascinating and complex weight for one writer to carry. To be a Black, gay man in those times was a struggle in and of itself, but to write openly and honestly about both is both audacious and honorable.”

Riffelmacher said, “I am truly astonished by his life and career and have developed a connection that will last beyond the semester.”

[Editor’s note: Desmond McCarthy is advisor to The Gatepost.]

CONNECT WITH RYLEE HOLMES rholmes1@student.framingham.edu

DECEMBER 13, 2019 | 11

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OP/ED

OP/ED

THE GATEPOST EDITORIAL

The administration’s decisions make snow sense Last week, FSU students - who hail from all over Massachusetts, the rest of New England, and across the nation - came back from Thanksgiving break to find their Monday schedules were delayed for only one hour in response to detrimental snow conditions and subsequently poor roads.

While other universities, such as UMass Lowell, announced their decisions to close on Monday and did so ahead of time the previous Sunday evening, FSU hesitated to give its students, faculty, and staff the final verdict.

The community received the official notice around 6 a.m. that very day, which does not give students who take 8:30 a.m. courses - much less the professors who teach them - enough time to plan.

Additionally, Monday afternoon labs and evening classes were canceled during the middle of the day, for some inexplicable reason.

That night, the FSU community suffered whiplash as it was told at 9 p.m. the following school day would start at 12:30 p.m. - only to receive another notice around 1 p.m. on Tuesday that nonchalantly contradicted their original notice, ultimately canceling all classes before 4:30 p.m.

Cue our collective confusion and annoyance at the University giving us more mixed signals than a Tinder match that gives us stilted, bare-minimum conversation one day and aggressively texts us the next.

We’d like to be frank: what on Earth was the University administration thinking?

Was there someone who stood outside with a ruler measuring the snow to determine whether it was an appropriate amount for students to trudge through? Or perhaps someone spinning around to act as a human barometer to test just how strong the winds were?

This administration made clear mistakes - ones that inconvenienced, and even endangered the community it serves.

Students and other members of the FSU community do not have the luxury of dawdling and waiting around only to be plagued with regret and second thoughts the way the administration seemed to be able to do.

If this is a glimpse into how we as students will be given notices about inclement weather in the upcoming spring semester, it is a worrisome one.

We’re bound to see increased delays and closures in response to even worse nor’easters and road conditions. It is all the more imperative for the FSU community to be given more practical, precise, and timely notices regarding inclement weather.

Additionally, the majority of the FSU community lives off campus. They desperately depend on prompt, clear, and consistent decisions in order to plan their commutes.

And regardless of where they reside - whether it be five minutes away or 50 - students, faculty, and staff alike may not have the luxury of waiting until the very last minute to decide what to do.

It’s beyond annoying and frustrating to commute to campus only for the student to find class has been canceled at the last minute by the University, or for the professor to find seven of 20 students have shown up for the day.

It’s not fair to any of us to keep holding out for several extra hours to confirm the chance classes could possibly happen. If higher-ups were perhaps trying to save face by preserving as much class time as possible so as not to resort to a cancellation, last week was not the time.

A confirmed snow day is not an inherent sign of slacking off on the part of the University - as a matter of fact, the flip-flop between official times of delay gives a worse impression to the greater Framingham community and the rest of the state than just outright canceling for both days.

The snow days would have allowed everyone to catch up on work or rest even a little, which is especially needed during this extremely busy time of year - thereby allowing students to perform better academically.

A snow day is not just a waste of time - and they keep students safe.

While public schools in the area and nearby universities gave clear indications by canceling that they prioritize their employees’ and students’ safety above losing a day or two of work or school, respectively, members of the FSU community who have to drive to campus might have interpreted the University’s hesitation to mean it was OK if our tires slid around a little - as long as we made it to our 12:30s.

Going forward, we call upon University administration to be as clear in their instructions as the ice we slipped on last Tuesday.

Have an opinion?

Feel free to email it to: gatepost@framingham.edu Opinions should be approximately 500 words.

Anyone can submit.

We look forward to hearing from you! @TheGatepost | FSUgatepost.com

GATEPOST

Guidance

Sandwiches: a field guide to identification

By Ashley Wall Associate Editor

By Donald Halsing Editorial Staff

It is commonly said, “You are what you eat,” but doing so is impossible if you don’t know what you’re eating.

Among the hotly contested debates of our time is, “What constitutes a sandwich?”

Even state and federal legislators disagree on what exactly a “sandwich” is. Governments must define the composition of a sandwich for taxation purposes.

For example, the state of California categorizes hot dogs as sandwiches. This is congruent with Merriam-Webster dictionary’s definition, which is “two or more slices of bread or a split roll having a filling in between.”

The dictionary also defines “one slice of bread covered with food” as a sandwich. This definition is more commonly referred to as the “open-faced sandwich.”

An open-faced sandwich is - in our opinion - not a sandwich. A sandwich must be between two similar things.

Our own state of Massachusetts does not define a burrito as a sandwich. This stems from a 2006 case in the Worcester Superior Court, which found sandwiches do not “commonly” include burritos, tacos, and quesadillas.

In contrast, the state of New York recognizes just about everything served on or in a bread-like product as a sandwich. The state issued a tax bulletin saying sandwiches can be made “on bread, on bagels, on rolls, in pitas, in wraps, or otherwise, and regardless of the filling or number of layers.

“A sandwich can be as simple as a buttered bagel or roll, or as elaborate as a six-foot, toasted submarine sandwich,” the bulletin reads.

We believe that definition is too broad.

We think open-faced sandwiches should be separately classified from regular sandwiches - a buttered bagel is simply not a sandwich! Such a claim is outrageous!

Just because a foodstuff involves bread does not mean it is a sandwich. Would you consider a salad with croutons a sandwich?

No, of course not!

The USDA says, “A sandwich is a meat or poultry filling between two slices of bread, a bun, or a biscuit.” We agree: meat between

two slices of bread is definitely a sandwich.

The USDA also uses the term “sandwich-like product” to distinguish fajitas, hamburgers, and hot dogs from sandwiches. While “sandwich-like” is a step in the right direction, we think certain foods need their own distinct categories.

To form our own definition, we’ve thought long and hard about the current classifications offered by dictionaries and delegations.

A sandwich, as the two of us define it, is meat and/or dairy products, or spreads derived from nuts and/or fruits, between two separate slices of bread or breadlike products, and may also include condiments and vegetables.

An exception to this definition is made for our readers with dietary restrictions: vegan and vegetarian sandwiches may include meat, dairy, or bread substitutes.

A hot dog is not a sandwich because it does not have two seperate pieces of bread. However, a burger is also not a sandwich because it falls under its own category.

A peanut butter and jelly sandwich is, of course, a sandwich because it contains spreads derived from both nuts and fruits. A PopTart, however, is not a sandwich because its bread-like product encases the entire pastry.

An Oreo is a not a sandwich, although it is categorizing a “cookie sandwich.” Oreos have two distinct pieces made of cookie, which is made from dough. Bread is leavened, which means it uses yeast as an agent to rise, unlike dough, which does not.

This definition also includes ice cream sandwiches because they contain a dairy product between two bread-like products.

And of course, a grilled cheese is a sandwich for the same reason.

So, the next time all you hot dog lovers go to reach for your beloved buns, remember they are not sandwiches.

[Editor’s Note: Gatepost Guidance is a bi-weekly column.

The opinions of the authors do not reflect the opinions of the entire Gatepost staff.]

OP/ED

DECEMBER 13, 2019 | 13

I’m not Santa-mental about it

By Nadira Wicaksana Editor-in-Chief In kindergarten, when December rolled around, I came in to find the classroom decked wall-to-wall in red and green, the stench of gingerbread permeating the air. I asked what was going on, and my teacher looked at me incredulously.

In first grade, we were told to write letters to Santa Claus asking what we wanted for Christmas. I wrote I wanted cookies, which I remembered associating with Santa because we kept getting told not to forget to put out a plate for him the night before Christmas.

In second grade, I painted an ornament to hang on the non-existent Christmas tree I had at home - I accidentally dropped and broke it.

And so on.

Having grown up Muslim, I always felt very alienated by the classroom holiday activities in which we were made to participate without any alternatives. I mean, sure - I enjoy some hot eggnog and listening to “All I Want For Christmas is You” as much as the next person, but it means very little to me.

Jewish and Muslim kids in particular have felt this alienation for as long as we can remember. We’re only now starting to get some cultural - and corporate - recognition for our holidays, but we will always be religious minorities as long as we’re in this country.

To those who say, “Christmas isn’t even a religious holiday anymore,” I say, “We are not at the cultural point in time where Christmas activities are completely divorced from their moreor-less religious origins.”

And yes, yes - we’ve all gotten the spiel that Christmas has pagan roots, that Jesus wasn’t actually born on Dec. 25 - we’ve heard it all before.

Regardless of our backgrounds, we have all been exposed to Christianity in this overwhelmingly Christian country, founded on Christian beliefs, having Christian roots. It’s embedded into this nation’s fabric, regardless of the extent of our individual levels of religiosity.

Most of my friends who grew up in households that practiced Christianity to some degree do not expressly observe religious practices anymore, such as going to church, saying grace, or memorizing Bible verses. (That’s what Christians do, right? I was just guessing.)

But they still carry with them the nostalgia of going Christmas caroling, opening presents next to a highly decorated tree, or making the fruitcake no one eats.

Before you say, “My family doesn’t do any of that!” just to be a contrarian, consider this: if you are not part of a

religious minority, you have never felt like an outsider on that front during this time of year.

When I first started working at Starbucks three years ago, people took up arms online and in my cafe about the fact we started the holiday season off with green cups instead of red ones.

This, unbeknownst to me, apparently alluded to a Muslim holiday takeover, since green is a traditional Islamic color.

Even though right-wing religious fundamentalists who spew nonsense about the War on Christmas that’s killed as many as the Bowling Green massacre aren’t universally touted as voices of reason, many of them still have high stakes in this country and its education systems.

Framingham State is where many educators have gotten their starts, and where many continue to learn and grow. This University was founded as a teaching school and continues to carry on that proud legacy.

That’s why it’s all the more important to reiterate this: not all of your students will be eagerly participating in Christmas-themed activities or understand them right away.

Now, I’m not waging my own War on Christmas and telling all present and future teachers to nix all Christ-

mas-related activities - although, I might be tempted to do so if I have to hear “Santa Baby” one more time - but at least provide alternatives and plan to make some non-denominational winter crafts.

It’s not bending to some kind of evil secularism or pandering to a politically correct agenda - it’s called being considerate.

Teachers who aren’t appreciative and considerate of the diversity within their classrooms will leave a bad taste in their students’ mouths and will not be remembered very kindly.

Sure, children will enjoy anything hands-on, interactive, and edible. But they will actually learn from new, affirming, and inclusive experiences.

From the ashes of disaster

By Evan Lee Editorial Staff

Certainty is an ironic idea.

Because aside from time moving forward, the only thing that’s truly certain in life is the fact that life is a truly uncertain experience.

No matter how perfect our plans may seem, or how hard we work to succeed in our goals, the chance of failure will always linger - ready to set fire to our efforts and reduce our plans to ash.

It doesn’t matter who or what was responsible for the disasters left in failure’s wake, nor does it matter how great or trivial the mistakes were that set them off - the burns we endure as a result are always difficult to heal from.

The ashes of disaster can haunt us for weeks, months, or even years as they keep us awake at night, thinking about what could have been done differently to avoid them.

What choices could have been made instead, and what doors they would have opened.

Where we could have gone, and what we could have been.

It’s a dilemma I think many face in one way or another, whenever hindsight gets the better of us.

I know I’ve spent plenty of nights staring at the ceiling, stuck thinking about the opportunities I’ve missed out on because I failed to take them while I had the chance.

And how maybe if I had just been more focused on the goals I had set for myself years ago, if I had just tried harder, they could have all been accomplished by now, rather than weighing me down with the regret that I just wasn’t good enough to achieve them.

But hindering ourselves through hindsight and being stuck in the past where yesterday’s failures cloud our vision for tomorrow’s potential is no way to live life.

Because the only thing that’s truly certain in life, aside from its truly uncertain experiences, is the fact that time moves forward.

And no matter how long we think about the ways we’d change our pasts if we could, or how much better off we think we’d be if we just had a chance to restart, time will never turn back.

We can only follow time forward.

Yet, that’s not to say we can simply escape our failures by running away from them.

Since, “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it,” as the philosopher George Santayana wrote.

Mistakes can’t be masked over, and failures can’t be forgotten.

While time will certainly move us away from them, the ashes of their disasters will just keep holding us down until we’re finally able to overcome them.

Hindsight can be helpful in that way, allowing us to recognize what went wrong and why - a crucial step in learning from mistakes so they’re never made again.

But the challenge of looking back is to not let ourselves be haunted by the question of, “What if?”

Rather, we have to accept the past for what it was and ask ourselves, “What now?”

There’s a lyric from my favorite

childhood movie I often look to whenever I find myself depressed over past mistakes and failures.

It’s from a silly old musical - “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang” - but I still find it inspirational when they sing, “From the ashes of disaster grow the roses of success.”

Because maybe the best decisions weren’t made in the past, and maybe the doors we originally wanted to enter were closed off because of them.

But for every door that closes, another one opens. Time relies on that to keep moving forward.

Maybe failure forced us into doors we weren’t so happy to enter, and maybe they were difficult to go through, but on the other side came experiences we never would have had otherwise.

Lessons we never would have learned, places we never would have gone, friends we never would have met - all giving us the opportunity to be who we are today and become better tomorrow.

So, maybe life’s uncertainties aren’t so bad as we make them out to be.

And maybe we never really failed to begin with.

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14 | DECEMBER 13, 2019

OP/ED

Taking up space with pride

By Lizzy Stocks Staff Writer During my first three years of college, I confidently strolled through campus wearing my heart on my sleeve and my hat backwards on my head and if you looked closely enough at my cap, you would’ve spotted a rainbow pin.

Two Septembers ago, I was passing through the crowded dining hall with a spring in my step when my feet were trampled by another student clearly not paying attention to his surroundings.

I reacted instinctively, saying, “Hey, watch where you’re going,” and I continued into the annex to find a lunch table.

Rather than leave it at that, the stranger who stepped on my feet followed me to my chosen table and said he didn’t intend to step on me, but that didn’t mean I had “to be such a f***ing bitch” about it.

I responded just as colorfully, telling him, “You can go f**k yourself.”

He responded by pouring 28 ounces of water from his Gatorade bottle all over me.

In a jam-packed cafeteria, a complete stranger felt it was appropriate to dump his water on me simply because I defended my personal space.

In a room full of my peers, classmates, and even friends - not one person said one word.

I was surrounded, yet completely alone.

I could hardly gather my thoughts, but I mopped up my soggy belongings and headed to Campus Police to report the incident. The officers were helpful and worked diligently to identify the stranger - whose face was no longer unfamiliar to me as I began to search for it in every man I passed on campus.

Though he was identified and reprimanded, the advice I received from faculty, administrators, and even family members - was not so helpful.

I was advised not to speak up the

way I did because a man’s reaction to my words of self-defense is unpredictable and could result in violence.

I can’t deny that’s a fair piece of advice, but what I cannot stand for is the notion that women must tiptoe through their own existences so as not to inconvenience men.

Sadly, that advice easily rolled off the tips of the tongues of just about everyone I discussed the situation with - as if it’s not just as easy, dare I say easier, to tell men not to react violently to women defending themselves.

After the incident, I was not just humiliated - I was truly frightened.

If a stranger is bold enough to aggressively confront me in a crowded room - what else is he capable of? How far is he willing to go? Who else might target me in similar situations?

While my thoughts consumed me, I consumed little-to-no food because I hardly stepped foot in the dining hall for the rest of the fall semester.

My stroll was no longer confident as I avoided various people and places on campus. I felt as if I had been thrust back into the claustrophobic confines of my closet - afraid to take up any more space.

My dear mentor and advisor Desmond McCarthy provided the empowering advice I so desperately needed.

His remarkable words: “You deserve to take up space in this world. If somebody disrupts your personal space, you are allowed to tell them, ‘Hey, watch where you’re going,’ and you shouldn’t have to fear the results.”

I finally sought therapeutic treatment and began taking medication for my anxiety and depression.

Desmond’s advice served as a reminder that though this incident unfortunately defined much of my fourth year of college, it did not have to define me as an individual.

I may only take up 5 feet 2 inches of space - but now, I do it with pride.

cork open on the bottle to try and reach its contents (we actually had to break the bottle in the end to get it open). …

A lot of emotions poured over me after I read the letters. Although I did not know Cindy personally, my heart goes out to all of you,” she wrote.

Sydney said she was saving the notes to return them to the ocean on the “symbolic day” of New Year’s Eve. She ended the email, “This bottle inspired me, for I think it is a beautiful idea to let go, and also treasure life. Happy New Year’s to you all, and thank you for allowing me to experience this.”

Later that evening, she sent photos of her and her mother returning the messages in a new bottle with the label “Cindy 12/31/2017.”

It was incredibly inspiring to know that one year later, my mother was still transforming the lives of others.

Before her passing, Cindy Stocks was an adored server at Tiny’s Restaurant in Ayer for more than three decades. It’s clear she touched the hearts of many as the owners closed the restaurant for a day to host a townwide celebration of her life. Since then, a large photo of her hangs on the dining room wall and patrons ask about her to this day.

I lost a piece of myself almost four years ago, but one year later, I vowed to honor that loss in a message in a bottle tossed out to sea.

Floating against the ocean tides, or maybe glistening in the sand on your favorite beach, there just might be a bottle containing the pledge, “Mom, I promise I will never forget the sound of your voice, your echoing laughter, your wonderful stories, or the incredible way you loved me.

“I promise I will never forget your selfless acts of altruism and how you

truly touched the hearts of those who barely knew you.

“I promise I will always let my sweet memories of you continuously inspire and motivate me to be a better person, and commit acts for the goodness of others.

“I promise I will treat others with the respect and dignity you exuded, and to always stand up for myself and others in the face of injustice. …

I promise I will continue to love you endlessly and carry you with me in every step I take.”

Three years ago, I privately vowed to honor my mother’s legacy as I thought my message in a bottle would go unread.

I’m now unbottling my promises as a public commitment to the values my mother spent so many years instilling in me.

A promise in a bottle

By Lizzy Stocks Staff Writer I was 19 years old when I watched my mother die.

She was only 56.

I had the rest of my life ahead of me and I thought she did, too.

She thought she had one more year on her side, at the very least.

But little did we know, 10 days in hospice home care was all it would take before my four older siblings and I were gathered by her side, her hands in ours, whispering, “It’s OK to let go.”

My mother was hospitalized frequently when I was a senior in high school. She suffered from asthma, emphysema, COPD, and in the end - lung cancer.

A guidance counselor suggested I live at home and attend classes at a local community college to spend more time with her. However, when I was accepted by FSU, my mom didn’t want me to miss out on the full college experience and encouraged me to live on campus.

As I left for move-in day, she stood on our front porch waving “goodbye” unable to go any further because her oxygen tank often anchored her to the confines of smoke-stained walls.

She later told me she cried as my brother’s car drifted out of the driveway, hauling away the last 18 years of

@TheGatepost | FSUgatepost.com

her life.

I often wonder if she reluctantly whispered to herself, “It’s OK to let go,” as I eagerly took off.

For the past three years, I have tried to channel my sorrow into motivation - something I’d seen my mother do numerous times throughout the years as a chronically ill single parent surviving on hope and a server’s salary.

The first anniversary of her passing was an extraordinarily warm day in February. Typically, it’s not the time of year for a perfect beach day, but a few of my siblings gathered at her place of solace, Salisbury Beach, to cast a glass bottle containing messages from loved ones out to sea.

On the following New Year’s Eve, and coincidentally, my mom’s birthday, my eldest sister awoke to an email from Sydney, a recent high school graduate from Boca Raton, Florida.

Sydney said she and friends were celebrating their graduation at Sag Harbor in the Hamptons when she was walking along the shore by herself, imagining what her life would be like after graduating. She said she was thinking about how she had changed and hoped to change when she saw something glimmering in the sand.

“Before [I] knew it, I was prying the

OP/ED

Strive for a 5

DECEMBER 13, 2019 | 15

By McKenzie Ward Staff Writer

During my four years in high school, I took five Advanced Placement (AP) classes. Advanced Placement is a program run by College Board, a non-profit organization that allows high school students to take college courses at their school. Students can earn college credit, but only if they receive a score their university considers passing.

Yes, by taking five AP classes, I am a semester and a half ahead compared to other freshmen. However, I strongly believe AP classes are one of the largest scams perpetrated on young, impressionable American highschool students.

According to College Board, AP classes are similar to university courses and help prepare students for classes when they go to college.

They don’t.

AP classes, although extremely difficult and exceedingly stressful, are nothing like college courses. Teachers spend most of the course instructing students how to write document-based essays in condensed amounts of time, which will help them prepare for the AP exam, but not for college.

AP writing does not allow students to use a text to emphasize their own beliefs or interests. College classes demand critical thinking, while AP

courses focus on delivering information, rather than understanding it.

In college courses, your ability to receive credit for the course is not dependent on one single exam, but on a series of quizzes, homework, projects, and tests. AP classes focus more on teaching to a standardized test rather than teaching the material.

Teachers are forced to educate students how to study for the format of the questions and the writing rather than the actual material.

This is not the fault of the teachers but of College Board, which structures AP courses to be systematic rather than exciting and interesting for students.

Classes in high school are meant to offer a chance for students to explore different topics and interests - not for teaching them how to take a test.

Some students can strive in the classroom all year, but when it comes to the exam, they fall short and fail to receive a score their universities deem transferable. Some universities may only accept the highest score - a perfect 5.

In 2019, only 11.7% of the more than 100,000 students who took AP European History received a 5 on the exam in May, according to College Board.

So, what is a better alternative to AP classes that allow students to graduate university earlier?

Dual enrollment classes.

Dual enrollment classes allow high school students to take classes at a local community college, or even in their high school, and can potentially earn the student college credit if their university accepts it.

Unlike AP courses, dual enrollment classes do not have one singular exam students have to depend on to receive credit. Dual enrollment guarantees a student credit if they pass the class and their university accepts the transfer credit.

With AP courses, students have to rely on one single test to determine if

their credit will transfer. Not only do dual enrollment courses provide college credit, they also provide students with a GPA and transcript.

It is not the fault of teachers that AP courses and exams are flawed. However, we need to be talking more about the flaws of the system because currently, students are not being prepared for college, but they are being prepared for an exam.

We should not be pretending the courses are perfect, because they are far from it.

Our education system needs serious revisions when it comes to standardized testing and AP courses need to be at the top of that list.

Campus Conversations What’s the furthest you’ve traveled for winter break and why?

By Amanda Garny and Caroline Gordon

“I went to Orlando, Florida with the FSU basketball team for a tournament.

It was very fun - the weather was wonderful. We went to Universal Studios and stayed there for New Year’s Eve. ”

-Mallory Defeo, senior

“I went to Florida when I was eight years old ... for two or three weeks. It was a while ago, but it was fun. We went to Disney with my cousins - it was a family trip.”

-Madison Brown, sophomore

“I went to Kentucky to visit my family.

I was born in Kentucky, and it was nice to see family there. My aunt and I went horse riding - my aunt owns a horse farm. It’s a pretty boring state - there’s nothing.”

“The furthest I’ve traveled for winter break is to my mom’s house in Lowell.

All the family gathered together, ate food, and watched sports. It’s a tradition to go to my mom’s house and hang out as a family.”

-Tyson Rainno, freshman

-Hannah Bates, senior

“I went to Miami. It was cool. I went to the Strip - it was lit. There was some bomb Spanish food. The hotel was all right, but it had a pool on the rooftop.”

-Jay Christian, freshman

“I went to Costa Rica in 2015 ... with my family. I swam, went to a rainforest, and went on a zipline. That experience was a little nerve-wracking, but a little fun.”

-Jacob Knight, freshman

Op/Ed submissions reflect the opinions of their authors only and do not necessarily reflect those of The Gatepost or its staff.

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16 | DECEMBER 13, 2019

ARTS & FEATURES

ARTS & FEATURES

Chet’la Sebree revisits the legacy of Sally Hemings

By Lauren Paolini Editorial Staff

Chet’la Sebree invited FSU students and staff into the mind of Sally Hemings through poetry in the Heineman Ecumenical Center, Nov. 21.

The author shared poems from her book, “Mistress,” in which she embodies the voice of Sally Hemings, a woman enslaved by Thomas Jefferson who bore at least five children by him, only four of whom survived.

Sebree is an assistant professor and director of the Stadler Center for Poetry & Literary Arts at Bucknell University.

She began her talk with some background information about Sally Hemings. She explained the only written records from anyone who was close to Hemings and Jefferson about their relationship is from their son, Madison Hemings. Sebree said these accounts were initially discredited because people did not want to taint the image of Thomas Jefferson.

Hemings was born in 1773 to Elizabeth Betty Hemings and John Wayles.

Elizabeth was an enslaved woman of mixed race, and Wayles was also the father of Martha Jefferson. Sebree explained that Sally Hemings and Martha Jefferson were half-sisters.

Following Martha Jefferson’s death, Hemings became the ladies’ maid to Jefferson’s daughters. She also spent time serving the Jefferson family in France, where her relations with Thomas Jefferson started.

Sebree said Madison Hemings’ memoirs explained how Sally wanted to stay in France to petition for her freedom when Jefferson was preparing to return to America.

To entice Hemings to return to the U.S., Jefferson offered her special privileges and promised all her children would be freed at the age of 21.

“When I took to this project, I knew little about Hemings and knew there was little that I could learn because there are no records of her in history from her voice,” Sebree said.

She added the sources that did mention Hemings were most often written by men. In addition to Hemings and Jefferson’s relationship, Sebree drew inspiration from Thomas Jefferson’s negative opinion of enslaved people and the sexualizing of women’s bodies, specifically those of Black women. All of the poems have a date attached to them, and a timeline is included at the back of “Mistress.”

The first poem Sebree read from “Mistress” was “Ab Ovo,” - which translates from Latin to “in the beginning.” Sebree uses Eve as the focus, taking a Biblical perspective on women’s bodies and sexualities.

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“Eve, bite taken, travels her center line. Rosalinda, flowering her power.

She is not ashamed of her nakedness.

This, she will not pass on. … We know nothing of her daughter, except her name means ‘beautiful blue,’ that she knew two brothers before the flood.”

“Paper Epithets” is a poem that uses phrases from news articles that described Hemings, Sebree said.

“Copper-colored Sally, I’m an industrious and orderly creature, house keeper, somewhere between mahogany and greasy yellow, I am not the sage of Monticello,” Sebree read.

“His soot-foot bride-to-neverbe Mrs. Sarah Jefferson, only black wench, negro wench, wench Sally, never the woman that I am.”

Sebree introduced her next poems by explaining to the audience, “I always think about that first baby that Sally Hemings had that would have been born presumably in early 1790 after she returned to the United States. In Madison Hemings’ memoir, he says, ‘She gave birth to a child. It

this little mountain.”

Sebree explained Monticello is Italian for “little mountain.”

The author went on to discuss the internal conflict she had while deciding to write from Hemings’ perspective.

“I think it is violent to inhabit the voice of someone in history who has been robbed of one,” Sebree said. “I still grapple with it now, but my hope is that I’m doing more good than harm.”

Sebree said she ultimately had to accept Hemings’ story is complicated.

When Hemings left Monticello, she took an inkwell, a shoe buckle, and a pair of Thomas Jefferson’s glasses, which were passed down in the Hemings family for generations, Sebree said.

“This complicates the narrative for me [of people] who believe that a man who owns a woman and has sex with her is inherently a rapist. He owned her body to which she did not have rights, so she could not give consent,”

“I think it is violent to inhabit the voice of someone in hisotry who has been robbed of one. I still grapple with it now, but my hope is that I’m doing more good than harm.””

- Chet’la Sebree, Author lived but a short time.’”

This quote from Madison Hemings is the epigraph of Sebree’s poem, “Boy of my Body.”

“Hand of my mother to hold while I thunder, whiskey wet breath to dull me from breaking after water escapes.

My body a hinge unhinging, a glass spider-webbing, until boy of my body calls for me, hungering, twine to tie off, scissors to sever.”

Sebree told the audience she thought a good deal about Hemings’ first child whom she lost, and what she gave up for her children to be granted freedom with no prospect of her own. The loss of Hemings’ first child was the subject of Sebree’s next poem, “Sunrise at Monticello.”

“The cold keeps the smell away, your cold ashen body, ten fingers and toes in their right place, stuff shrivel and harden. Your little lips, purple pursed, eyelids the soft velvet of curtains, the lack of wilt in your chest betrays the look of rest. I would give away linen and pearl, scented solve and all the things of this world for your coo cries to startle me awake tonight. … At dawn you’ll become all I’ve ever wanted, a baby born to leave

Sebree explained.

“What does that mean for generations to pass down these items? What does it mean for some of Hemings’ descendants to propagate a story filled with some kind of love or affection? It meant that I needed to let the story be complicated in these poems as well.”

Sebree spent time at Monticello on a fellowship, which helped her envision the conditions Hemings lived in.

“I needed to know how she spent her days. I needed to know the stillness of the space. I needed to know the horror,” Sebree said.

In her poem, “Paris, A Retrospective,” Sebree writes of Hemings’ and Jefferson’s first sexual encounter, and toys with the questions of desire and consent.

“Was it me or Isabelle you saw spread on the bed? … I’m embarrassed by my opening, bare, blush, a blossom. … Or maybe I didn’t open, but burst, a fracture that still aches in cold,” Sebree read.

Sebree discussed how she did not want to overstep in writing from Hemings’ perspective since she does not know her actual thoughts and emotions.

“I imagine that Hemings, like many women, look[ed] back at her sexual experience at times with confusion, hurt, and frustration. I wanted to allow her to occupy space that far too many women still occupy. And it was in some of this work I realized that I, too, was part of the collection insomuch as I, too, was a Black woman in my own history, trying to figure out what it meant to be a Black woman occupying the world that in so many ways is violent toward me,” she said.

During her fellowship at Monticello, Sebree was asked the question, “Why Sally?”

She said, “I didn’t really realize this until I was working at Monticello. …

I said something to the effect of, ‘I’m trying to save her - I’m trying to save me.’”

Sebree said she researched and wrote about Sally Hemings for five years before she felt ready to write in her voice.

Toward the end of “Mistress,” Sebree said she felt she needed to show Hemings’ identity as a person and her perspective of herself - not just a woman enslaved by Jefferson.

Sebree’s poem, “Dusky Sally,” explores how Hemings may have seen herself.

“In star-latticed sky, I hear my niece’s cries, feel my mother’s hand on my fire-warm face, smell the lavender she used in her vase. … On nights like this, I miss spring’s morning kiss and dew droplets, the laughter of my sons as they play fiddle in the pavilion,” she continued, “pain is a slow blossom - a heat that eats from within.”

Sebree said her favorite aspect of poetry is that it helps her process.

“I feel like I don’t fully understand the world until I’ve started writing. …

I write poetry because I feel like in so many ways, I can get down to the root of language and articulate something I couldn’t do in prose,” she said.

The final poem Sebree read was “Contemplating ‘Mistress,’ Sally in 2017.”

“Others took the liberty - made me Dusky Sally of drawings and songs.

None of them to ever know me: girl, child, woman, mother; confused, scared, alone bone to bone with the only man I’d ever known. … I would become reconstructed versions of someone I don’t know. … Because a sliver of pigment kindled his ardent, because I let a child make a decision for this extraordinary privilege.”

Sebree said Sally Hemings died in 1835 in Charlottesville, Virginia, but the location of her grave is unknown.

CONNECT WITH LAUREN PAOLINI lpaolini@student.framingham.edu

ARTS & FEATURES

DECEMBER 13, 2019 | 17

VALENTINE tells all in ‘Introspection’

By Robert Johnson Jr. Arts & Features Editor Electronic music, at least for me these days, tends to be a mixed bag either the music sounds “soulless” or “generic,” or there’s a lot of repetition that has me asking, “So, when’s the beat going to drop?” for minutes on end.

This past decade has seen many ups and downs when it comes to the genre and its numerous sub-genres, but one album manages to go above and beyond to deliver good music that gets you thinking deeply about life.

VALENTINE’s “Introspection,” the second self-produced masterpiece from the Portland, Oregon-based electronic artist, is a journey into her mind and how it operates. Each track is an emotional trip into the producer’s thoughts, allowing the listener to follow her on a journey of self-realization and bouts of guilt and anxiety.

The opening song, “Learn to Fly,” is a soft, gentle opening that pulls the listener in, with comforting vocals and production that almost feels dreamlike, in a way.

“This song’s lyrics were written by my mom after I told her in a single breath that I had ended a long-term relationship and that I was coming

out as [a] transgender female,” wrote VALENTINE in a Feb. 14 Facebook post.

“Run So Fast” is a hard-hitting, funky bop that acts as the perfect follow-up to “Learn to Fly,” with a fantastic breakdown section that’s reminiscent of something you can pop-and-lock to.

Following that comes the best song on the album, “Disorganization,” which is a track I could probably write an entire essay on alone. It has so much going for it, from the opening notes and the rapid-fire wordplay, to the percussion in the middle parts, and the vocal sections at the end.

“Papers flyin’ all around I do not chase them / Doctors gave me Adderall I did not take them / I’m missing messages, whole passages / How am I so bad at this? / I cannot believe I fell so far behind,” VALENTINE raps in a panicked, yet convincing manner.

Songs such as, “Learn to Fly” and “Disorganization” showcase how truly great VALENTINE’s singing efforts are - even when they are put under effects, she still sounds like a dream.

It also helps that her lyrical content flows quite nicely when it matters.

However, this is not a one-woman show - VALENTINE invited a bevy of guests to appear on her album - individuals such as summet, patches, and

underscores provide raps and additional vocals to make what is already a fantastic album even sweeter.

One of the songs that benefits from having a guest is the sixth track, “Gold Tooth Grin,” in which VALENTINE and Travis Bickle describe the process of pickpocketing from a store for survival purposes.

VALENTINE and Bickle repeat a mantra-like statement in the closing seconds, “Ain’t no faceless corporation / Gon’ need our cooperation / No money in my account / Gotta bounce / Gotta bounce.”

“Introspection” is not a long project, but it doesn’t have to be. With only 19 minutes of poetic content throughout 10 songs, it’s the longest 19 minutes I’ve ever experienced with an album. But, unlike the negative connotations that statement carries, this is a good thing.

I wanted more after it was all said and done.

Next time you go on a short drive, or a walk around your neighborhood, step into the mind of VALENTINE, if only for a little while.

I cannot recommend it enough.

If you want to learn more about VALENTINE, visit her website at whoisvalentine.com. Her music is available on most streaming services.

FROMTHEHEART

Grade: A+ You can definitely say this album...comes FROMTHEHEART in every way.

MENU

CONNECT WITH ROBERT JOHNSON JR. rjohnson10@student.framingham.edu

VRAM: The Black Friday Wars What worked and what didn’t

By Robert Johnson Jr. Arts & Features Editor Ah, yes, Black Friday.

The day after Thanksgiving when every person under the sun - at least those with a disposable income - goes out to shop for the best deals on just about everything.

And I do mean “everything.”

I am taking a break from playing “Forza Horizon 4” to tell you about which game companies had the best offerings and which ones absolutely flopped. It’s like the “Fashion Police,” but for Black Friday video game shopping.

For starters, let’s get the real stinkers out of the way - Nintendo did not do too hot. Most retail chains were told to sell their current flagship game console - the Nintendo Switch -

for $299 and some change. And that’s just for the console on its own.

On top of that, some of those same retailers even sold the older version of the Switch, the one with shorter battery life, less RAM, and less, well, everything!

Don’t even get me started on Kohl’s and how they sold it for $319 - at least you get a carrying case and a charging dock for your Joycons, which makes it much more worthwhile than just the console alone.

Thankfully, Switch games were actually on sale for once! What a nice surprise!

As for the “winners,” Sony and Microsoft traded blows by selling their slimline consoles - the PlayStation 4 “Slim” and the Xbox One S, respectively - for a nice $199, both carrying some nice caveats along with pur-

“Don’t even get me started on Kohl’s and how they sold it for $319 - at least you get a carrying case and a charging dock for your Joycons, which makes it much more worthwhile than just the console alone.”

- Robert Johnson Jr.

chasing them.

Sony sold their PS4s with games that are “Only on PlayStation,” such as “Horizon: Zero Dawn” Complete Edition, 2018’s “God of War,” and the PlayStation 3-era darling, “The Last of Us: Remastered.”

Microsoft, always one to not be outdone, gave gamers a greater degree of choice, providing buyers a chance to get a bundle with September’s trash fire, “NBA 2K20,” or one that included the recently released “Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order.”

These bundles were also sweetened by the fact you get one month of Xbox Live Gold and Xbox Game Pass with them.

Of course, that’s not even getting into their higher-end offerings found in the PS4 Pro and the Xbox One X. While Sony and Microsoft lowered the price down so your wallet can take a less staggering hit in the $299 to $349 price range, Microsoft provided the same bundles, but with a stronger system and THREE months of Xbox Live Gold/Game Pass.

If you’re more of a fan of digital gaming, all three electronic console storefronts - Nintendo eShop, the PlayStation Store, and the Microsoft Store - had many awesome deals.

Steam, being the rulers of these types of sales, had their Autumn Sale, so PC gamers did not feel left out.

While I failed to take advantage of that Autumn Sale, as well as the PlayStation Store’s bevy of content, I did manage to get “Guacamelee 2: Complete” for about $6 via the Microsoft Store.

Now, as for who won this year’s spectacle, I have to go with Microsoft, despite my upbringing as a “PlayStation kid.” While both companies had many of their physical games on sale en masse for cheap, Microsoft just brought it to the people this year.

That said, if you need me, I’ll be playing the mess out of “Forza Horizon 4” until next year.

CONNECT WITH ROBERT JOHNSON JR. rjohnson10@student.framingham.edu

FRAMINGHAM STATE UNIVERSITY'S INDEPENDENT STUDENT NEWSPAPER SINCE 1932 | FSUGATEPOST.COM

ARTS & FEATURES

18 | DECEMBER 13, 2019

Not quite the ‘Titans’ you remember

“Titans” is the gritty reimagining of the beloved comic and television series, “Teen Titans,” and stars Brenton Thwaites as Dick Grayson (Robin), Teagan Croft as Raven, Ryan Potter as Beast Boy, Anna Diop as Starfire, Minka Kelly as Dove, Alan Ritchson as Hawk, Conor Leslie as Wonder Girl, and Curran Walters as Jason Todd (also Robin).

Season one of “Titans” was met with mixed reactions from both fans and critics - a lot of promises that were made were never fulfilled, the production was a mess, and the original season finale was completely scrapped.

Some fans found enjoyment in seeing their favorite heroes on screen for the first time in live action, and others loved seeing writers taking a more “realistic” approach to these characters.

For us, it represented the “rock bottom” for superhero content.

An uninspired story, unmotivated acting, and no focus on a single character are only some of the things season one did wrong.

The list could go on for days.

ACROSS 1. Man on the Sistine Chapel ceiling 5. Litter critters 9. “Scram!”

13. Candy whose center is caramel 14. “The Diary of ___ Nin” 16. Lighten up?

17. *Taking a turn for the worse 19. “Chocolat” actress Lena 20. Instrument with stops 21. Good earth 23. “Go Set a Watchman” author Harper 24. *Searching far and wide 28. ‘90s music storage choice 31. Hang ten, say 32. Flat refiller 33. Tuition-paying aid 36. Merry-go-round, e.g.

38. *Elusive spring 43. Hollywood sidewalk sight 44. Senor’s enthusiastic yes 45. It may be run in a bar 46. Rapunzel had a lot of it

@TheGatepost | FSUgatepost.com

the lighting stays consistent between er series on the DC streaming service, scenes, usually a gray or blue filter, also has lackluster CGI at times, but even when the two scenes are com- the writers are aware it doesn’t look pletely different in mood. amazing, and plan accordingly.

There’s one instance in which SuWe haven’t even mentioned the perboy is seeing the world for the season’s antagonist, Deathstroke very first time. It should be a scene (played by Esai Morales), or newcomof warmth and happiness, especially ers to the series, such as Rose Wilwith the inclusion of the song “Lovely son (played by Chelsea Zhang), Bruce Day” by Bill Withers.

Wayne (played by Ian Glenn), and JerInstead, the infamous gray filter icho (played by Chella Man). But how is implemented, and the scene ulti- can we, when the show treats them as mately comes off as awkward, as the afterthoughts? visuals are not matching the sounds The show seems to boil down to a whatsoever. couple of interesting concepts that It feels like an editing mistake. never get elaborated upon. The writThe whole show is an editing mis- ers will plant a seed of an interesting take. narrative or a compelling character Action has been a staple of comic change, but when you go to the next books in both literature and film, and episode, it never gets brought back up. when done well, can make for some of “Titans” season two somehow the most memorable moments in the found a way to dig even further below genre. “rock bottom.”

Yet, “Titans” makes watching each action scene a chore. The audience has to keep track of what’s happening between what feels like 30 cuts in 10 seconds. The choreography is slow and awkward, which only worsens the look.

Some character representations are heavily reliant on CGI in order to showcase their powers. Television CONNECT WITH BRENNAN ATKINS CGI isn’t always on the level of “Game batkins@student.framingham.edu of Thrones,” but “Titans” has no idea when to use it. “Doom Patrol,” anoth- CONNECT WITH NOAH BARNES nbarnes@student.framingham.edu

48. “Sounds about right” 51. *Colorful fish 55. B&B kin 56. Falco of “Nurse Jackie” 57. It may be over Shift 61. Unfairly distort 63. Tricks of the trade, or what the starred answers contain?

66. Programming conditional 67. “Whoa, ___” 68. Where to catch “Deadliest Catch” 69. Doctor’s order 70. Hill’s counterpart 71. Minimum-range tide DOWN 1. 2012 film set in Iran 2. Word after “revolving” or “trap” 3. Sacha Baron Cohen persona 4. Second-smallest country 5. Faux ___ 6. Crazy Eights cousin 7. St. ___ Girl beer 8. Delay the release of 9. Hub near SJC 10. Black Ops video game franchise 11. French farewell 12. Palindromic principle 15. Catches flies 18. Be a busy beaver?

22. Name that rhymes with “Tori” 25. Actress Ward 26. Number after deux 27. Gusto 28 . Half-___ latte 29. God, in Guadalajara 30. Seemingly factual quality, informally 34. Egocentric “Wheel of Fortune” buy?

35. Polite denial 37. Pilots’ announcements, briefly 39. Bread with saag paneer 40. “Survivor” team 41. Classic dog name

Grade: F

Irredeemable.

42.“Silicon Valley” carrier 47. He thought of “The Thinker” 49. Brought to court 50. When many duels occurred 51. Part of a staircase 52. Important joint for a runner 53. ___ and dined 54. Car at a Supercharger Puzzle solutions are now station exclusively online.

58. Song 59. “At Last” singer James 60. “Let me know,” on invites 62. Like a fresh coat 64. “___ the President’s Men” 65. Bill promoting science?

ADMIT ONE

By Noah Barnes Entertainment Correspondent

Due to these complaints, “Titans” season two strived to be different and alienate itself from season one.

It is indeed different, but in all the wrong ways.

This season’s all about Dick, his abandonment of his “Robin” alter-ego, and his journey toward redemption. This path leads him to becoming a new hero outside of Batman’s shadow.

But he never redeems himself, so why should we care?

The writers behind “Titans” have no clue what to do with their characters - a plotline will seemingly disappear into nowhere, or they’ll flip their personality for the sake of a scene.

Starfire, one of the prominent members of the “Teen Titans” has yet to do anything except occasionally attack people - not even bad guys most of the time.

Yes, “Titans” has an extremely odd fascination with violence against police - most episodes seem to include some sort of violence against them but it’s never met with consequences, almost as if they just skipped over it.

Not only does this have nothing to do with the show’s themes, but it also devalues them. How can we see any of these people as heroes when they blew up multiple cop cars a few episodes ago?

The show’s visuals are appalling -

ADMIT ONE

By Brennan Atkins Arts & Features Editor

SPORTS

DECEMBER 13, 2019 | 19

SPORTS Ice Hockey continues its early struggle

By Sara Senesac Sports Editor The Rams Ice Hockey team fell to 0-7 this season after back-to-back losses against Salem State and Franklin Pierce University.

Framingham traveled to take on the Salem State Vikings for a conference matchup Nov. 23.

There wasn’t much action until 16 minutes into the first period, when Salem’s Matt Yianacopolus scored with a slap shot and put the Vikings up by one.

Salem scored again about halfway through the second period, securing a 2-0 lead heading into the third.

The Rams had multiple shots on goal throughout the second, but impressive saves by Salem’s Sean Cleary kept them off the board.

About two minutes into the third, the Vikings were awarded a power play on which they capitalized and put an additional goal up, leaving the Rams to trail by three.

Heading into the 6th minute, junior Soren Colstrup finally found the net, securing the Rams’ only goal for the game, avoiding a shutout.

Colstrup said, “Jack Pierson gave me a really nice pass to score our only goal in the third period. I think it changed the pace of the game when we scored, but we just ran out of time for a comeback.”

Salem made one more goal in the third to end the game with a 4-1 victory over the Rams. Though the Rams lost by three, both teams were tied with 30 shots on net for the match.

This loss brings the Rams to 0-5 in the MASCAC this season.

SALEM STATE FRAMINGHAM STATE

Framingham hosted the Franklin Pierce Ravens for a nonconference game Nov. 26.

The first period appeared to be evenly matched for both teams, with neither being able to score nor outplay the other.

Just 20 seconds into the following period, the Ravens scored their first goal of the game when Alex Lester snatched the puck after a Rams turnover.

FPU scored an additional goal halfway through the second to put them up 2-0.

The Rams found their momentum and responded a short 40 seconds later when junior Matt Siegel sent the puck right between the legs of Garret Stenberg.

About seven minutes later, the Ravens were awarded a power play, during which Ryan Gorbett snuck one in right before the end of the second. This left the Rams trailing 3-1.

The remainder of the game was stagnant, with FPU’s final goal coming in at the end of the third period as a result of the Rams pulling goalie Greg Harney in the last few minutes.

Colstrup said, “Everyone on the team is upset about the record right now, but we’re keeping things positive as we move toward break over finals week.”

The Rams travel to Stonehill College for some nonconference action Dec. 7.

[Editor’s Note: Soren Colstrup is a staff writer for The Gatepost.]

4 1

FRANKLIN PIERCE FRAMINGHAM STATE

4 1

CONNECT WITH SARA SENESAC ssenesac@student.framingham.edu

SCOREBOARD GO RAMS!

Sport Name Women’s Basketball

Opponent Vs. Becker

Date 12/3

Men’s Basketball

@ Pine Manor

12/4

Women’s Basketball

@ Regis

12/5

Men’s Ice Hockey

@ Westfield St.

12/5

Score Framingham St. 78 Becker 36 Pine Manor 79 Framingham St. 78 Framingham St. 82 Regis 53 Westfield St. 2 Framingham St. 0 Graphic by Kathleen Moore

@TheGatepost | FSUgatepost.com

20 | DECEMBER 13, 2019

SPORTS

Thayer’s Thoughts: NFL Playoff Preview

By Dylan Thayer Staff Writer After a crazy 14th week of the NFL season, it is clear there are many teams ready to battle in what will be one of the most entertaining NFL Playoffs in recent memory. Baltimore, San Francisco, New England, New Orleans, Kansas City, Seattle, Houston, Buffalo, and Minnesota have shown all season they are capable of making it deep into the playoffs. The Tennessee Titans and the Los Angeles Rams have also made runs of their own of late and find themselves right on the postseason bubble.

To start things off, any comparisons between Lamar Jackson and Michael Vick have to stop. Michael Vick’s famous 2004 season on the Falcons is not even close to as amazing as what Jackson has been doing all season.

Vick threw for 2,313 yards with 14 touchdowns and 12 interceptions and ran for 902 yards and three touchdowns, while leading his team to 11 wins.

Jackson has 2,677 yards through the air, along with 28 passing touchdowns and only six interceptions, while also being ninth in the league in rushing yards with 1,017 and seven touchdowns, to go along with an 11-2 this season so far.

Lamar Jackson is different from any quarterback ever seen in the NFL before, and part of that is due to such a great system by Ravens coach John Harbaugh that is focused on running the ball. The Ravens are by far the scariest team in the NFL post-Week 15, pacing the league at 11-2 with wins over other top title contenders, such as San Francisco, New England, and Seattle.

The Patriots are right behind the Ravens in the AFC at 10-3, but look destined to finish as at least the second seed. New England has suffered three losses in their last five games to other top AFC contenders in Kansas City, Houston, and Baltimore. The offense has looked stagnant at times, but you can never count out Tom Brady and Bill Belichick - especially in the regular season.

Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs are starting to find their rhythm sitting at 9-4 and at the top of the AFC West. After a big 23-16 victory over the Patriots this week, the Chiefs look as if they are ready to go far into the postseason.

Josh Allen has the Buffalo Bills right there at the top of the AFC at 9-4, one game behind the Patriots in the AFC East. The team plays smash mouth football, running the ball down other teams’ throats and dominating on the defensive side of the ball.

They proved they’re real contenders on the national stage after a win against Dallas on Thanksgiving, and then keeping it close with Baltimore up until the end.

Deshaun Watson and the Houston Texans are a real contender in the AFC South at 8-5. Watson has once again shown this season he is an MVP-caliber quarterback. The Texans won against both Kansas City and New England, and look poised to host a home playoff game in January.

Ryan Tannehill has looked like a completely different player since being named the Titans’ signal caller going, 6-1 in his seven games at the helm. The

team also has an elite defense that can put any opponent in tough situations.

Currently tied at sixth in the AFC and in the second wild card spot with the Steelers, the Titans look certain to overtake the Duck Hodges-led Steelers.

The NFC is currently led by the young, dominant 49ers with starting quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo, who is proving he is worth his contract so far. The team’s offense is dynamic - they have many young receivers, such as rising star Deebo Samuel, George Kittle, and Emmanuel Sanders, in what is an elite passing attack.

Raheem Mostert, Tevin Coleman, and Matt Breida also lead a great rushing attack, with notable performances to date from all three backs. Coming off a last-second 48-45 win in what was probably the game of the year against the Saints, the 49ers look like the team to beat in the NFC. The New Orleans Saints are once again first in the NFC South with a firstround bye in sight. After strong play by backup Teddy Bridgewater, who went 5-0 while future hall of famer Drew Brees nursed a thumb injury, the Saints look ready to compete for the Super Bowl in Miami. Even though they lost against San Francisco, they were in the game until the very last second, and an NFC Championship rematch looks likely.

Russell Wilson looked like the league MVP up until Week 10, but he has the Seahawks one game behind San Francisco in the division and could potentially overtake the conference’s top seed if they finish tied or with a better record.

You can never count out Wilson, and with a loaded receiving corps with speedy Tyler Lockett, second-round rookie D.K. Metcalf, and Josh Gordon, who has not yet gotten involved in the offense - the Seahawks can beat anybody in the league and are dangerous heading toward the postseason.

The Green Bay Packers are a new team this season after signing Matt LaFleur to be the head coach in the offseason. Under LaFleur, the Pack is 10-3 and in first place in the NFC North with Minnesota right on their tails.

Aaron Rodgers has looked aged at times and again faces the underwhelming receiving play that has hindered his success before. Aaron Jones has been everything they could have asked for this season, proving he is an elite running back.

The Packers could make a run this postseason.

Jason Garrett, somehow, is still coaching in the NFL in the year 2019, even though his team is 6-7. The Cowboys have severely underperformed this season, despite having arguably the best team on paper in the league.

A playoff run does not seem likely, but is possible given the immense wealth of talent on the roster led by Dak Prescott in a contract year.

Kirk Cousins and the Minnesota Vikings find themselves as the last team in the potential NFC playoff bracket at 9-4. They are only a game back in the division and could take over at any moment.

The team is once again led by a solid defense and above-average offensive play. Kirk Cousins can be average or worse at times, but when he rises to the occasion, the Vikings can beat anyone.

The Mike Zimmer-led team looks to get back to the NFC Championship after a bitter loss against the Eagles in 2018.

CONNECT WITH DYLAN THAYER dthayer@student.framingham.edu

FRAMINGHAM STATE UNIVERSITY’S INDEPENDENT STUDENT NEWSPAPER SINCE 1932 | FSUGATEPOST.COM

SPORTS

DECEMBER 13, 2019 | 21

Men’s Basketball Women’s Basketball loses to Pine Manor wins in blowout College thanks to against Becker last-second basket

By Liam Gambon Sports Editor

By Carlos Silva Asst. Sports Editor

The Rams Women’s Basketball team took on the Becker Hawks at home Dec. 3.

The game opened up with both teams slow to start, as the score was only 5-4 Becker four minutes into the first quarter.

The Hawks stretched their lead to 7-4 before giving it up to the Rams as Framingham went on a 7-0 run to end the quarter. At the start of the run, Camille Desrochers scored a three to give the Rams their first lead of the game.

The Framingham scoring run bled into the second quarter as they outscored Becker 11-0 at the start and took a 22-7 lead.

Following the run, the Rams poured in more points, heading into halftime with a 32-15 lead.

Led by seven points and a 3-for-3 shooting line from Emily Velozo, Framingham scored 31 points in the third quarter to Becker’s 12, stretching their lead to 63-27.

The Rams wrapped up the game, scoring 15 points in the final quarter - six from Sophia Church - to take the game 78-36.

Katty Haidul led Framingham with a game-high 15 points and a game-high 13 rebounds.

Desrochers came off the bench just like Haidul, dropping in 12 points on 4-for-6 shooting from three. She also got back on defense with two steals and a block.

Framingham is now 5-1 on the season.

Framingham took on the Pine Manor Gators in an out-of-conference game Dec. 4.

The Rams started off hot with a 6-0 run to open the game.

Pine Manor quickly came back and took the lead on a three-point shot

by Jalen Bruce.

The game went back and forth during the first half. Framingham went on a run that led to their largest lead of the game, 33-24, on a Gordon Anderson mid-range jumper with 6:55 on the clock in the first quarter.

The Gators were able to pull the game back within one, but thanks to a Jalen Williams three-pointer, the Rams once again went on a 6-0 run to close the half, taking a 40-33 lead.

Pine Manor took over the game to start the second half with their biggest run, making the score 66-52 with 10:04 on the clock.

The Rams once again fought back and brought the lead within one after a Dominique Jenkins-Maxwell basket from inside the paint.

Tajahn Joyner put the Rams back in the lead after scoring a basket and a free throw with 1:16 remaining on the clock.

The Gators responded right away with a three-point shot by Bruce to put Pine Manor up by one within the final minute.

Jamel Hamans then increased the lead to three. The Rams were only able to respond with a quick layup by Tyri Hampton before it was too late.

Pine Manor won with a final score of 79-78.

Hampton finished with a team-high 17 points and seven rebounds.

Maxwell also hit double figures with 10 points off the bench, three assists, two steals, and two blocks.

The Rams are now 1-8 on the season.

FRAMINGHAM STATE BECKER COLLEGE

78 36

PINE MANOR

FRAMINGHAM STATE

Katty Haidul returns down the court to play defense.

Courtesy of fsurams.com

Tyri Hampton jogs down the court between play.

CONNECT WITH LIAM GAMBON lgambon1@student.framingham.edu

79 7 8

Courtesy of fsurams.com

CONNECT WITH CARLOS SILVA csilva14@student.framingham.edu

@TheGatepost | FSUgatepost.com

SPORTS

22 | DECEMBER 13, 2019

Best players of the week

fsurams.com

Tyri Hampton had 17 points and seven rebounds in Framingham’s game against Pine Manor College.

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fsurams.com

Katty Haidul had 15 points and 13 rebounds in Framingham’s 78-36 win over Becker College.

fsurams.com

Greg Harney had 42 saves in Framingham’s game against Franklin Pierce University.

SPORTS

DECEMBER 13, 2019 | 23

RAMS CROSS COUNTRY FALL 2019 HIGHLIGHTS

Photos courtesy of FSU Cross Country Spread by Kathleen Moore/THE GATEPOST [Editor’s Note: Kathleen Moore is a member of the Women’s Cross Country team.]

@TheGatepost | FSUgatepost.com

24 | DECEMBER 13, 2019

PHOTOS

Walking in a Framingham State wonderland

Photographs by Donald Halsing/THE GATEPOST Spread by Ashley Wall/THE GATEPOST

FRAMINGHAM STATE UNIVERSITY’S INDEPENDENT STUDENT NEWSPAPER SINCE 1932 | FSUGATEPOST.COM