January 31, 2020

Page 1

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

Volume 88 • Issue 13

FSUgatepost.com

January 31, 2020

FSU reports significant web accessibility improvements over past three years By Thomas Maye Opinions Editor

FSU has achieved a nearly 40% improvement in website accessibility for users with disabilities over a three-year period, said Sara Mulkeen, manager of digital communications and interactive media. The changes were made in response to a 2017 complaint by the U.S. Office for Civil Rights regarding issues with the site’s compliance to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), she said. Mulkeen called the changes “a massive undertaking” which required communication across several departments, multiple educational workshops, and the hiring of a contractor who specializes in web accessibility issues. The ADA grants people with disabilities - mental or physical - legal protections against discrimination “in all areas of public life, including jobs, schools, transportation, and all public and private places that are open to the general public,” according to the ADA National Network.

Thomas Maye / THE GATEPOST See ADA COMPATIBILITY page 4 The Health Center and S.E.A.L.S. held a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the opening of the Self-Care Station. See: pg. 3.

Protests shut down Hong Kong schools

News

Students recount their terrifying experiences By Leighah Beausoleil Asst. News Editor When university students in the U.S. were preparing for finals, exams for Hong Kong students Kelvin Li and Chuen Hei Wong were the least of their concerns as demonstrations had closed colleges and canceled classes. “You smell it first,” said Li, recalling his experiences being tear gassed. “Like something spicy but in smoke. “After a few seconds, you can’t breathe and you keep coughing,” he added. “Your eyes feel hot and in pain, and your body is telling you,

you cannot stay anymore.” Wong recalled his experience being tear gassed. “You can’t really breathe and your eyes can hardly open. My skin turned red and felt like it was burning,” he said. “I just feel I will never forget that feeling,” Wong added. “This whole thing will not be solved easily because people like me are not going to forgive the police or the government.” During the summer of 2019, citizens took to the streets of Hong Kong to protest a bill Carrie Lam, chief executive of Hong Kong, was putting

Rams on the Rise By Liam Gambon Sports Editor

The Framingham State women’s basketball team has been consistently successful over the years and especially of late. After making it to the MASCAC Championship last season and falling short of the title, the Rams are dominating this year and are the favorites to win this time around. While sitting at 14-5 overall, the Rams are 6-0 in the MASCAC and own first place in the conference. Backing their record is a six-game winning streak and an 8-1 record at home this year. They also lead the MASCAC in field goal percentage (43.8%), 3-point field

goal percentage (35%), rebounds per game (45%), opponent field goal percentage (35.8%), and are tied for first in assists with 16.1 per game. “Our teams’ success so far this season has been awesome. Toward the beginning of the season, we struggled to find our identity, but we were able to find it come league play which is most important,” senior captain Emily Velozo said. “Our team gels together on the court and I think a big reason for this is because of the connections and memories we make with each other outside of basketball.” Last season’s team led the MASCAC in only two offensive stats, field goal and free throw percentage, showing a massive leap in the Rams’

forth that would allow for extradition to mainland China, according to The New York Times. “Critics are worried the authorities will use [the bill] to send dissidents, activists and others in Hong Kong, including foreign visitors, to face trial in mainland courts, which are controlled by the party,” according to the article. This has aroused fear among Hong Kong citizens that they are already losing the autonomy they were promised in the “one country, two

See HONG KONG page 14

Thomas Maye / THE GATEPOST

SELF-CARE KIOSK pg. 3 SGA pg. 6

Opinions DECISION FATIGUE pg. 7 GRIEF pg. 8

offense. “We are very well rounded this year in terms of personnel,” senior captain Mary Kate O’Day said. “We have scorers, defenders, shooters, drivers, etc. Which has been a huge help this year and a big reason why we have been so successful.” “I think it comes down to us all going to practice every day wanting to work hard and push each other. We are all competitors and just want to win,” sophomore Liana Cunningham said. “Plus, with great leadership from our captains and our coaching staff, we have a really good thing

See RAMS ON THE RISE page 17

Arts & Features TRENDS OF THE ‘10s pgs. 10 & 11 “MANIC” REVIEW pg. 15

Sports HOCKEY pg. 16 KOBE BRYANT TRIBUTE pg. 18

Courtesy of @kobebryant on Instagram

INSIDE: OP/ED 7 • ARTS & FEATURES 10 • SPORTS 16


Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.
January 31, 2020 by The Gatepost - Issuu