Volume 92 • Issue 8
November 3, 2023
FSUgatepost.com
‘Hello ... is Waldo there?’ Alexis Schlesinger / THE GATEPOST (Left) Sean McCormack, dressed up as a sith lord from Star Wars, and Mike Trueswell, dressed up as Waldo, performing at the Suit Jacket Posse’s Halloween show.
All University Meeting focuses on strategic planning and NECHE review By Kaitlin Carman Asst. News Editor By Adam Harrison Asst. News Editor The administration provided updates on enrollment, NECHE, and strategic planning at the All University Meeting on Monday, Oct. 30. President Niemi said, “We’re here because we care that education is a tool to make the world a better place a more just place.” Iris Godes, Dean of Strategic Enrollment Management, said while undergraduate enrollment is “still below where we were last year, the amount of
decline” is decreasing. Godes said undergraduate enrollment is down 5% from the 2022-23 academic year, new student enrollment increased 6%, graduate enrollment increased by 6%, and total University enrollment is down 2% as of Oct. 15. In previous years, the University’s undergraduate enrollment was down 10-11%, “so to be only 5% behind means the curve is on the upswing,” she said. She recognized the efforts of the staff in the audience toward accomplishing this positive change. “I can take credit for none of it,” Godes said, who joined the administration in May 2023. Godes said for FY 24, $260,000 re-
mains for action team requests and those teams have been notified so they can start working on initiatives. She added over the next five years, the University will ultimately spend $18 million toward strategic enrollment initiatives. Godes highlighted the Massachusetts Tuition Equity Law passed on July 1 this year. According to the Massachusetts Department of Higher Education website, the law “carves a pathway to in-state tuition rates and state financial aid for certain non-US citizen students, including undocumented students.” In order to qualify, students must
News PREMIUM SINGLES pg. 3 FAFSA pg 5
Opinions TAKE A CHANCE pg. 6 BENCH pg. 7
Sports
See ALL UNIVERSITY MEETING page 4
Children’s literature, illustration, and the importance of context Swiacki Children’s Literature Festival returns for 37th annual installment By Ryan O’Connell Associate Editor The annual Swiacki Children’s Literature Festival featured a “What’s New In Children’s Literature” presentation and remarks from Nora Chan Nov. 2. The festival also featured illustrator Ekua Holmes and author Dashka Slater. The “What’s New In Children’s Literature” presentation, hosted by Education Professor Laura Hudock and Senior Curriculum Librarian Samantha Westall, showcased their recommended books written for audiences preschool to young adult released in 2023. Hudock and Westall compiled a list of
89 titles - many of which they had physical copies to pass around - and them categorized into the themes “Standouts,” “Wonder,” “Self Love,” “Save Our Planet,” “Community,” “STEM,” “Changemakers,” and “Cultural Specificity.” Hudock and Westall then began with their “Standout” picks, many being picture books. Westall first highlighted “This Book Is Banned,” which she described as a humorous and accessible way to introduce the discussion of censorship to young readers. She continued with “You Are a Story,” described as a depiction of how an
Dylan Pichnarcik / THE GATEPOST
MASCAC pg. 8 individual’s story is always ongoing. Hudock then touched on “This Is a FIELD HOCKEY pg. 9 Story,” which she said was an engaging and colorful book, sure to captivate young readers as they discover the joy of reading. Hudock and Westall recommended other picture books “Something, Someday,” “In the Dark,” and “I Am a Tornado,” which they described as rhythmic, moody, and lovely, respectively. Westall then surmised two young adult books, “Her Radiant Curse” and “Nightbirds,” both fantasy novels about young women facing issues caused by Dylan Pichnarcik / THE GATEPOST their magical powers. TALES OF TRANSPORTATION pg. 10
Arts & Features
See SWIACKI page 12
ROOM REPORT pg. 11
INSIDE: OP/ED 6• SPORTS 8 • ARTS & FEATURES 10