February 16, 2018

THE GATEPOST Framingham State’s independent student newspaper

Volume 86 • Issue 16

FSUgatepost.com

February 16, 2018

Corey McFeeley / THE GATEPOST

Project Resilience was held in honor of Black History Month in DPAC on Feb. 9.

SGA cuts SUAB funding for large performer

By Jillian Poland News Editor

SGA allocated a combined $195,812.75 to three student organizations during the first session of its annual budget meeting on Feb. 9.

Representatives from the Dance Team, The Gatepost and the Student Union Activities Board (SUAB) presented their Fiscal Year (FY) 2019 budgets for approval during the five-hour

meeting. During the second session on Feb. 16, representatives from WDJM, the Hilltop Players and SGA itself will present their new budgets.

This is the first time in recent years SGA has divided the meeting into separate sessions.

SUAB initially requested an overall budget of $203,155, a 58 percent increase from its FY ‘18 budget.

SUAB President Kayleigh MacMaster said in regards to the increase, “Basically, the bottom

line is, we are the programming board. We are the only programming board at this school and our job is to plan events. How are we going to plan events if we don’t have the budget that satisfies that?”

The organization was allocated $139,655, an 8.6 percent increase from the FY ’18 budget, after cuts were made to various line items.

The largest cut was $55,000 for its end-of-the-year large performer. Senators were concerned

about the lack of concrete details regarding the performer and the potential venue.

Senator Marquis Sims said, “I’m wondering if SUAB would be OK if we were to allocate $0 and they were to come back like they did last year, because I feel like there’s a lot of questions that you can’t tell us right now, and so, there’s a lot of things up in the air. We don’t know what’s going to happen. So, I feel like it

See BUDGET page 3

FSU students, Framingham police injured in head-on collision

By Shanleigh Reardon News Editor A vehicle carrying three FSU students collided with the truck of a Framingham police officer on Brook Street on Feb. 8.

The off-duty officer was en route to break up a house party, which was attended by approximately 200 adults, including FSU students.

News GATEPOST INTERVIEW pg. 2 SGA pg. 4

According to The MetroWest Daily News, the officer, whose identity has not been released, and the driver of the other car were airlifted to UMass Medical Center in Worcester. The other two students involved in the collision were taken to local hospitals with less serious injuries. The identities of all three students have also not been released.

The officer reportedly suffered

Opinions

severe injuries, but no specific injuries have been confirmed.

Former FSU student Keith Worthy rented the Brook Street property on Airbnb for the evening to host his 21st birthday party.

“Things got a little out of hand.

More people showed up than I expected,” Worthy told Christina Hager, a reporter for CBS Boston, following his arraignment on Friday, Feb. 9.

Arts & Features

Worthy was arrested on charges of assault and battery of a police officer, being the keeper of an unruly house and resisting arrest.

Devante Santiago, 23, of Hyde Park, Massachusetts, was arrested for disorderly conduct. Santiago is not currently, nor has ever been, enrolled at FSU. Santiago was arrested after

See CAR CRASH page 4

Sports

DANGEROUS RHETORIC pg. 8

THE JUST ICE-LEAGUE pg. 10

WOMENS BASKETBALL WINS pg. 13

KNOW WHO TO BLAME pg. 8

FALL OUT BOY pg. 12

HOCKEY LOSES TO WESTFIELD pg. 14

INSIDE: OP/ED 6 ARTS & FEATURES 8 SPORTS 13

2 | NEWS

THE GATEPOST

Gatepost Interview

Editorial Board

Jack Capello

Editor-in-Chief Cesareo Contreras Associate Editors Bailey Morrison Kayllan Olicio News Editors Jillian Poland Shanleigh Reardon Asst. News Editor Nadira Wicaksana Arts & Features Editor Andrew Willoughby Asst. Arts & Features Editors Zach Colten Cameron Grieves Tessa Jillson Allison Wharton Sports Editors Jose Carrasquillo Matt Ferris Asst. Sports Editors Liam Gambon Richard Tranfaglia Camille McKenzie Photos Editors Allie Gath Amanda Martin Asst. Photos Editors Corey McFeeley Madison Rosbach Opinions Editor Lizzy Stocks Staff Writers Brennan Atkins Noah Barnes Stephanie Bennett Mackenzie Berube Aaliyah Colon Thom Duda Christina Fazio Dan Flahive Caitlin Frias Thomas Maye Nick Murphy Kate Shane Staff Photographers Oscairy Tavarez Samantha Cruz Staff Illustrator Raysam Donkoh-Halm Staff Designer Cara McCarthy Advisor Dr. Desmond McCarthy Assistant 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

FEBRUARY 16, 2018

Student Government Association Vice President

By Cesareo Contreras Editor-in-Chief Where did you grow up and why did you decide to attend FSU? I grew up in Waltham, Massachusetts. That’s around 20 to 25 minutes away. What led me to FSU is that my sister went here. When I applied, she was a junior, and then when I was a freshman, she was a senior here. After high school, I took a gap year just to seek out personal goals - volunteer opportunities and just experience traveling and stuff like that. So, when I graduated high school, college wasn’t the first thought on my mind. I knew I wanted to go back for an education, but I just didn’t know what I wanted to do with it. That’s why the gap year was kind of the time to do that. My mother has traumatic brain injury, so she has to be - not monitored or anything - but just checked in on all the time. So, I really needed somewhere that was local and just cheap, since I’m obviously going to be paying for most of the upfront costs other than what FAFSA pays for. ... I was just looking for a place that I could go home if I had to, [and] I would have on-campus support. ... Framingham State showed me there was a support system here.

What are the responsibilities of the SGA Vice President?

I mainly work with constitutions of clubs. I’m the liaison between SGA and clubs and organizations. That basically means that I’m here to make sure that all clubs are running smoothly, that everything is being operated as what their constitution reflects and that they are being given all the resources that they need. I put on President’s Council, which meets four times a semester.

Usually, they only meet twice, but I was trying to be a little ambitious with it.

And that’s just where we can have time to sit together and talk about what we can do to continue to build a community on campus. And so, as the SGA vice president, my job is to create a forum where people can come together and start to build a platform for clubs to really get a good foot off on campus.

What’s your favorite part about being on SGA? I think being where I am now, my

so I would probably be the ideal president of the club.’ ... I love to craft because it’s a stress reliever for me. It just reminds me of home and my sister. It’s very comforting. ... It really ties in with my vice president role because I’m like, ‘OK, I have all these problems as a club president. I’m going to try and fix them for you, because I understand firsthand.’ I think that’s an experience other vice presidents of SGA didn’t have.

What are your plans after graduation?

Cesareo Contreras My major is geography with a confavorite thing about SGA is seeing centration in urban regional planning. how people can have fun within a forAnd so, I like to plan things. ... Over mal situation. You really see that in the summer, I took an internship with our meetings. You can’t speak to each the town of Lincoln in their conserother and you can’t talk out of turn. vation department, and I was outside But somehow, people still find that 24/7 doing conservational efforts. And fun and still find ways to make it fun.

I learned that I loved it, but I didn’t love I think that just shows human nature. the manual labor of it. I work with my … I just love, from my perspective right hands, but I realized that wasn’t allownow, watching someone who has been ing me to advocate on behalf of people on SGA since the beginning of the sebecause I was just a bottom-line workmester, since the beginning of the year, er, which as an intern, you are. ... I see just grow as a student leader and really myself moving on to an internship at see them break out of their shell. At the a planning department of a city. I’ve beginning, you’re always like, ‘Why are been looking at several planning deyou on SGA? Why are you here? You partments across Massachusetts, like don’t seem like you’re very passionate.’ the Boston Planning agency. ... I want ... But then, seeing them get comfortto make sure that people who are not able with everything and being able to overly welcomed and who don’t feel speak out for themselves and on behalf like they are overtly part of a communiof other students, it’s really worthwhile ty - I want them to feel a part of someto see that transformation happening thing, because there was a time in my in front of your own eyes. life when I didn’t feel like I was a part of a community. ... I want to be the person Can you talk about your involvethat welcomes them into something. ment with the Craft Club?

Oh, yes! It makes me happy. Out What advice do you have for your of all the things I’m a part of on this peers? campus, it’s my favorite one. So, I’m Never be afraid to question anythe president of Craft Club. And that thing. And never be afraid to speak out, was because when my sister was here, because there is always an answer to ... she was the president of Craft Club. everything. To relate it back to Fram... I found it to be very fun and I eningham State University, I hear a lot of joyed it. There were some crazy people people complain and moan, and they on Craft Club my freshman year, and don’t really do anything about it. They there continues to be some really great don’t know there are such simple solucharacters. ... My heart just goes out to tions to their problems. I just want them them, because they’ve shaped me in to go to someone and tell them that. I so many ways. ... When we got to last want them to know they have resourcyear, a whole new eBoard was needed, es on campus and how to use them. ... since everyone was graduating. I beDon’t be afraid to be that person. Make lieve I was treasurer at the time. So, I sure that you are being heard and alwas like, ‘You know what, I know what ways include people. ... You might be a club president needs to do. I know the that person who helped someone, and resources the club needs to go through, it could change their entire life. because I’ve been on SGA for so long,

Police Logs Thursday, Feb 8 10:04 Salem End Road Parking Lot Unfounded

Friday, February 9 Suspicious package 11:17 FSU Police Dept.

Checks OK

Monday, February 12 10:12 Motor Vehicle Accident Larned Hall Report taken

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

Tuesday, February 13 22:06 Harassment FSU Police Dept.

Advised

FEBRUARY 16, 2018

THE GATEPOST

NEWS | 3

Budget Continued from pg. 1 would be appropriate for you to come back with more information so that we would be able to better allocate the money.”

MacMaster said the large performer is intended to be a surprise for students, so SUAB is unable to provide too many details. “That’s just typically how it’s done.”

SGA passed a motion to allocate $0 to the large performer line item, with 15 senators for, six against and one abstaining.

MacMaster explained the organization had taken a different approach to its budget for FY ‘19 than in previous years.

FSU organization budgets are arranged as a series of line items - specific costs that contribute to the organization’s overall budget. Some broad line items within this overall budget are bolded - including events, such as Sandbox, or categories, such as “office supplies.” These bolded line items are then broken down into more specific line items relating to that particular event or category.

For example, for FY ’18, SUAB created a bolded line item for Bingo Night. This was further divided into a line item called “Prizes,” which was $6,400, and one called “Supplies,” which was $200. These two line items contributed to a Bingo Night total line item of $6,600.

Money allocated to a specific line item needs to be spent for that purpose. For Bingo Night, $6,400 had to be spent solely on prizes, and $200 had to be spent solely on supplies. Larger events or categories can be broken down into as many as five or six line items.

MacMaster said this rigidity hindered SUAB’s creativity when it came to planning events. “We think that is a little ridiculous, and it’s just not right. So, we’re looking to still spend the same amount but just not have it broken down.”

By structuring its budget this way, SUAB is able to spend money given for events such as Bingo and Sandbox in whatever way the group sees fit. “We know what we’re doing,” MacMaster said repeatedly. “You just have to trust us - nothing will work without a little faith.”

SGA also cut $6,500 in requested funding for Sandbox for FY ’19, leaving a total of $20,000.

Senators were concerned about the cost-effectiveness of using coach buses for in-state trips.

Coach buses can cost hundreds of dollars more than traditional

Jillian Poland / THE GATEPOST SGA senators spent five hours reviewing student organization budgets.

school buses, said Social Events Coordinator Hailey Small. SUAB was planning to use coach buses as shuttles for the Semi-Formal and for smaller, in-state bus trips.

MacMaster said, “We’ve really started to make the bus rides themselves part of the experience. … We want to have this reputation on campus. Our goal next year is to definitely be, like, looked at as highly as SGA is, and we figured that if we just look more professional and have these buses, people will like it more.”

Also at the meeting, The Gatepost requested and received $41,372.50 for its FY ’19 budget, an 8.9 percent decrease from its FY ’18 budget.

The budget change was the result of a $6,000 decrease in projected printing costs. According to Editor-in-Chief Cesareo Contreras, the previous editorial board had expected it would be changing printing presses for FY ’18 and anticipated a cost increase. However, The Gatepost no longer plans to switch printing presses.

There was some contention among senators about allocating The Gatepost $1,600 for postage.

Associate Editor Kayllan Olicio introduced the line item by explaining postage is used to send print copies of the paper to the University’s extended network, including alumni, Framingham Mayor Yvonne Spicer and Chris Walsh and Karen Spilka, who represent Framingham at the State House.

Postage is also used to send copies of issues containing obituaries to the deceased person’s family, said Olicio.

“We had a record number of obituaries we had to write for

this year over the summer,” added Olicio. “We actually came up against a little issue with that, I know, because postage was not allocated last year to us. So, we actually even considered spending our own money to get that postage.”

Olicio said SILD helped The Gatepost resolve the issue by reallocating money within its budget, but the editors hope getting the funding added to the overall budget will prevent this from happening in the future.

Student Trustee Karl Bryan asked if The Gatepost has received any feedback from the families and community members who receive the issues.

SGA Secretary Bridget Green said, “I can actually speak to that.

I sit on the Alumni Board and all of them actually bring it to every meeting and they discuss it for a good portion of time. They actually very appreciate getting The Gatepost sent to them and they give feedback, and a lot of alumni give money based on what they see in Gatepost.”

Senator Adam Scanlon made a motion to amend the allocation to $800. The motion was seconded by Senator Seth Signa.

Scanlon said, “So, I did the math. If 23 people pay the $70 activity fee and they ask you, ‘What is our money being spent on?’ and we tell them, ‘Well, we’re sending things to people that don’t go here,’ how does that really benefit them?”

The motion failed with three senators for, 21 senators opposed and one senator abstaining from the vote. The Gatepost was allocated the full $1,600.

The Dance Team requested and received $14,785.25 for FY ’19, a 54 percent increase from FY ’18.

The majority of this budget increase will be allocated to provide more programs at dance shows and to offer new bus trips sponsored by the club.

One new event is a Dance Field Trip that would be open to all students. Though still in the planning stages, Treasurer Samantha Benoit said the trip would include going into Boston to see a dance show or convention, perhaps the Alvin Ailey Company. SGA allocated $2,987.50 for this trip.

Benoit said the Dance Team has decided to stop hiring an outside dance team to put on a special performance during their shows.

“We feel like it’s kind of ridiculous spending $800 [each semester] for an outside performer when we can just ask local dance teams and even the Afro-Caribbean Dance Group here, hopefully. We might ask LUNA this year, as well,” she said.

Benoit hoped the money could be reallocated in the Dance Team budget, with $1,000 going toward the new Boston trip and $600 going toward Fusion costumes.

CONNECT WITH JILLIAN POLAND jpoland@student.framingham.edu

@TheGatepost | FSUgatepost.com

4 | NEWS

THE GATEPOST

FEBRUARY 16, 2018

Car Crash attempting to incite the crowd against the officers who were trying to break up the party. Multiple fights broke out among party-goers. One person who was trying to help officers break up the crowd had a bottle broken over their head and had to be protected from other guests by police, reported The MetroWest Daily News.

Thirty officers from Framingham, FSUPD, Natick, Ashland, Southborough, Sudbury, Sherborn, Wayland and the Massachusetts State Police were called to break up the party.

FSUPD Sgt. Martin Laughlin said his department was contacted at around 11:40 p.m. on Feb. 8 to send officers for aid.

In a statement to the media, President F. Javier Cevallos said, “No neighborhood should have to deal with that level of disruption.

Framingham State is fortunate to be located in a wonderful community and we strive to be good neighbors. We handle instances

very seriously where we come up short of achieving this goal.”

He added the University will determine if and what student conduct actions should be taken after the Framingham Police Department concludes its investigation.

Although the party was hosted off campus, students who attended are still punishable under the student code of conduct, which states, “Failure to exercise reasonable care for property. This includes, but is not limited to, damage or attempted damage, destruction, and/or defacement of University property, or the property of any person.”

The handbook states students who are in violation of any student conduct codes are punishable by “maximum sanction of Expulsion or any lesser sanction authorized by this Code.”

Additionally, the dean of students may determine if the code of conduct should be extended

to off-campus events based on if a situation “significantly breaches the peace and/or causes social disorder” or is “detrimental to the educational mission and/or interests of the University.”

Pam Richardson, a city councilor who represents district 2, sent a “Letter to the Editor” to the Framingham Source on Saturday, Feb. 10. The letter, “Party on Brook Street should never happen in our community,” suggested Airbnb regulations should be put in place by the city to prevent incidents like these from occurring. Richardson said she has reached out to Dennis Giombetti, city council president, to see what can be done to change short-term rental laws in Framingham.

On Feb. 14, The MetroWest Daily News reported Richardson has started an ad hoc committee to work on these changes.

Boston city councilors are also currently discussing stricter regulations for short-term

rental programs such as Airbnb.

Other cities, including Worcester, already have regulations in place requiring property owners to have a business license to list their property on a site like Airbnb and limit Airbnb properties to commercially zoned areas.

Cevallos said, “I applaud [the city council] for taking a proactive approach in response to a growing trend of homes being rented simply to host parties. The University will offer its support to any recommended measures put in place to address these concerns.”

CONNECT WITH SHANLEIGH REARDON sreardon1@student.framingham.edu

SGA orders 2,000 customized Ram condoms

By Mackenzie Berube Staff Writer

Senator Isaac Vu questioned the Wi-Fi strength in DPAC at the SGA meeting on Feb. 13.

Vu brought up the issue because he had trouble connecting to the network while he was at the gym.

Senator Olivia Beverlie said she’d had a similar experience. “I have a class in DPAC that heavily requires us to have Wi-Fi access.

We had to change classrooms, so, it’s affected a lot of us.”

Also during open forum, Social Events Coordinator Hailey Small said the resident student guest policy is too restrictive.

“It should be increased,” said Small, who added many residents wanted to sign in more guests than the current policy allows.

Students are allowed to sign in three guests at a time.

During the Secretary’s Report, Bridget Green spoke on behalf of Student Trustee Karl Bryan. She said the Board of Trustees is currently in talks to rename North Hall after Mary Miles Bibb, the first African-American woman to graduate from FSU. The proponents of the name change need to get a petition signed in order to rename the building.

Green added SGA has been coordinating with the Health Center to plan a co-sponsored campaign in response to the increase in STIs among FSU students. An order was placed for 2,000 customized Ram condoms to be given out

During the announcements portion of the meeting, Senator Adam Scanlon audibly booed Senator Seth Signa and made a thumbs-down gesture when Signa told the senate he supported Senator Elizabeth Warren and encouraged other senators to volunteer in her re-election campaign.

Signa responded, saying, “Shut up, Adam.”

Vice President Jack Capello lead a “RAMintine’s Day” activity for all the senators, during which he asked them all to write something they were passionate about, something they loved and someone they loved on heart-shaped pieces of paper. These will be hung in the SGA office.

In other news: Oscairy Tavarez / THE GATEPOST • New senators Allie Flood President Kyle Rosa swore in two new senators at the meeting. and Olivia Rothwell were sworn in by Rosa. at tables hosted by SGA and the March, which is also Women’s • The U-Rock was passed Health Center in multiple loca- History Month and M.I.S.S. Week, from Class and Club Treasurwhich is very important. Our er Molly Fennessey to Senator tions on campus.

Also at the meeting, members foundation is for women of color Kirsten Hoey. of M.I.S.S. requested an extra to have a safe, empowered space $1,056.50 for their carnival event, and to create friendships and siswhich will take place on March terhood.”

According to the funding re23. The extra funding will go toward 50 pullover hoodies the club quest submitted by M.I.S.S., will be handing out during their some carnival activities include event. Members believe the hood- an “adrenaline rush obstacle ies will encourage higher student course,” a mechanical bull and a giant Connect Four. turnout.

Tanaja Jordan, M.I.S.S. treaSenator Adam Scanlon questioned the carnival’s purpose, surer, said more than 100 people asking how it would “continue attended last year’s event and the to build networks [and] friend- club anticipates a similar turnout this year. The event will be held in ships?”

M.I.S.S. President Amari Veale the new gym, which will be able to CONNECT WITH MACKENZIE BERUBE said, “The carnival will be in accomodate the crowd. mberube@student.framingham.edu

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5 | NEWS

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FEBRUARY 16, 2018

In Memory of Patrick Cuff

By Jillian Poland News Editor Patrick Cuff, a former Framingham State University basketball player, died on Feb. 2, 2018.

He was 27.

According to an obituary released by the Ginley-Crowley funeral home, Cuff died “after a hard-fought struggle with addiction. His life and character were not defined by the disease, but rather by his actions and loving spirit.”

Cuff graduated from Medway High School in 2008. In 2015, he graduated from FSU with a degree in business administration. During his time at FSU, Cuff left a deep impression as a both a ferocious player on the basketball court and a kind and generous friend off the court.

Brittany Murphy, an FSU graduate who was in a relationship with Cuff for over three years, referred to him as “a gentle giant.” She recalled a time when a homeless veteran asked Cuff for money on the street. Cuff instead took the veteran to lunch and talked with him for hours.

“He was just an all-around good person,” she said. “His smile just lit up the room. He was so caring and protective and just made everyone around him always feel safe.”

Marketing professor Michael Harrison said Cuff was also an attentive, diligent and hardworking student. Cuff applied this same work ethic to basketball.

Harrison said, “I remember watching him in a game where he was elbowed in the mouth.

He didn’t even flinch, but kept playing strong.

He had to come out of the game because he was bleeding from the hit. The athletic trainers stopped the bleeding, and he went right back in the game and mixed it up under the boards and just kept playing hard.”

Ben Roache, Cuff’s former teammate, said he and the other players admired Cuff’s tenacity.

“He was so aggressive and tough on the court.

Off the court, it was the opposite.”

He added, “If something was going wrong, like on the team, he knew what was right and he tried to figure out what was going wrong to try and turn things around.”

Peter Mugar, FSU head basketball coach during Cuff’s senior year, said Cuff’s fighting spirit earned the respect of all his teammates.

“We talk about being a team of givers, not a team of takers and, you know, Pat was a giver.”

Mugar recalled an early season game where the team was tied with just a second and a half left on the clock. “I immediately thought about trying to get the ball into Pat’s hands because, you know, you trust winners in those situations, and that’s the kind of player I thought Pat was.

And he had a game-winning shot at the buzzer that I won’t forget.”

Harrison added, “He was a kind man with a big heart. … His loss is a tragedy and there are a lot of people who are going to miss him.”

In the obituary, the family asked for donations to be made to The Herren Project in lieu of flowers. The Herren Project is an organization created by former Celtics player Chris Herren to educate people on the dangers of substance

abuse and to help those suffering from addiction find treatment.

Cuff is survived by his parents, Jim and Michelle Cuff, his brother, Calvin and his sisters, Alexa, Emily and Anita.

The family could not be reached for comment.

Legacy.com

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FEBRUARY 16, 2018

THE GATEPOST EDITORIAL

Thoughts and prayers can’t fix this

Many high schoolers woke up on Valentine’s Day hoping to receive heart-shaped chocolates or singing Valentines from their crushes. For students at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, it was the day when 17 students and faculty members were killed by a gunman.

After the shooting, President Donald Trump said in a press briefing he will be visiting Parkland, Florida to “help secure our schools, and tackle the difficult issue of mental health.”

Mass shootings aren’t just about mental health or school safety protocols. The discussion must also address gun control.

Thus far, Trump has been silent on the issue of gun control.

And he shouldn’t be.

In 2018 alone, there have been 30 mass shootings in the United States according to the Gun Violence Archive.

And it’s only February.

In recent years, many of the perpetrators of these heinous mass shootings have used automatic weapons with the purpose of killing as many people as they could. These automatic guns have caused so many fatalities. There is no reason for an individual to own and operate a military-style automatic weapon such as the AR-15 used by the shooter in Parkland.

Automatic weapons are designed for warfare.

This individual was able to legally obtain an AR15 with ease. The New York Times reported that in Florida, it is easier to buy an automatic gun than it is to purchase a handgun, which requires a three-day waiting period.

Additionally, you must be 21 to buy a handgun, while semi-automatic weapons can be purchased legally at 18.

The perpetrator of the shooting was 19. He was able to purchase an automatic weapon, magazines and ammunition, even though his social media presence and personal history had put him on the radar of the FBI twice, CNN reported.

His actions at his former school were troubling enough to expell him.

Despite all these warning signs, he was able to buy an automatic weapon over a year ago.

Some on Capitol Hill seem to think there should be a grace period before discussions of gun control begin after a mass shooting. In an interview on Fox News, Texas senator Ted Cruz said, “The reaction of Democrats to any tragedy is to try to politicize it.”

Given there have been 30 mass shootings in the last 47 days, we don’t have time for a grace period before discussing the gun violence problem in America. The shocking statistics concerning gun violence should be evidence enough the problem here isn’t just mental health or school safety protocols.

It’s time for members of Congress to prevent citizens from purchasing automatic weapons and modifiers.

It’s time for legislators to acknowledge the only way to prevent tragedy is through gun control legislation.

It’s time for citizens to acknowledge their 2nd amendment rights aren’t being threatened by the removal of automatic weapons from the market.

It’s time for everyone to realize that until there is change, the number of mass shootings will continue to rise and the shooting this week will no longer hold the title as one of the deadliest mass shootings in modern history.

6 | OP/ED

OP/ED

[Editor’s Note: Dry Campus is a bi-weekly satirical comic strip

by Staff Illustrator Raysom Donkoh-Halm. Dry campus takes place on the most dry, depressing and draining campus in the world. We will follow Eric, Stuart and Sabina on their subpar misadventures.]

Campus Conversations Do you think America has a gun violence problem?

By Kayllan Olicio, Lizzy Stocks and Allie Gath

“Yes. Too many people in America “Clearly, there’s a problem. We’re have access and it’s not necessary supposed to be safe in school, but I guess not. ” for self-defense. ” -Christina Lambropoulos, -Isaac Vu, sophomore

senior

“I’m all for people having protection, but no one needs an assault rifle.”

-Michael Tucci, sophomore

“Yes. There’s a problem when there isn’t an extensive evaluation to get a gun.”

-Seleah Sterling, junior

“I think we do. I think we need to agree upon which guns we can use.”

-Lorenzo Fernandes, sophomore

“Absolutely. There’s probably a lot of things influencing it. It’s hard to tackle.”

-Ryan Buchanan, junior

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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7 | OP/ED

FEBRUARY 16, 2018

Airbnb respectful

By Nadira Wicaksana Editorial Staff

After a destructive night of mayhem at a property listed on Airbnb, it is understandable the residents of Framingham are now even angrier with - or even warier of - University students.

As an out-of-state transfer student, it was a shock to me to learn the residents of this town-turned-city harbor some disdain for FSU students. I wondered what the reasons might have been, but they became clear after the night of the party.

To say the students in attendance were beyond disrespectful and inappropriate doesn’t even come close. The owner of the house, who has always been willing to rent to students - a rarity in itself - will probably never rent to us again.

At the same time, none of this is new to me.

For almost 20 years, I lived next to a university about eight times bigger than FSU, so I understand how disruptive college students even in relatively small numbers - can be.

The problem is the noisy minority can sometimes overpower the majority who just keep to themselves and mind their own business.

But the solution is not to outright ban Airbnb, as Detroit did (whether they’ll actually enforce the ban), and go back to the traditional hotel or motel room model.

Some may not know the minimum age is 21 to book a room in a hotel. I was 20 at the time of my transfer student orientation, having traveled alone to Framingham the day before. My only

option for an overnight stay was Airbnb, as the surrounding motels and hotels would not allow me to book a room and stay in it by myself.

Airbnb is an extra source of income for residents, not only the MetroWest and Boston, where rent is constantly increasing and people are struggling to make it month-to-month.

These properties are the moneymakers for many good, hard-working people who deserve the inherent respect of any honest transaction.

Airbnb has its problems like any other service, and the concerns about safety and accessibility

brought up by neighbors in Airbnb-adjacent units are fair. But for many university-age people like myself, it’s not only usually the cheapest choice, it’s also often one of the only viable options for short-term vacationing and overnight stays.

It should not fall onto the shoulders of responsible students who require simple accommodations, or property owners who need to make a living, to bear the brunt of irresponsible students who just want to party.

One more time

By Thom Duda

Staff Writer

Seventeen.

We now have 17 more lives lost to a gunwielding assailant and, once again, we see the debate for gun control bubbling up to the surface with just as much vitriol as the last time this happened and the time before that.

Tomi Lahren, a conservative talking head online, of course chimed in with this: “Can the Left let the families grieve for even 24 hours before they push their anti-gun and anti-gunowner agenda? My goodness. This isn’t about a gun it’s about another lunatic. #FloridaShooting.”

My goodness, indeed - combine this with the blithering bile from lawmakers like Paul Ryan and Ted Cruz saying that we don’t need “knee-jerk” reactions or politicization of the incident respectively, and we have a fullblown case of insanity.

Seventeen. We have 17 people dead, and these are some of the responses we’re seeing.

Is there some magical threshold of bodies that has been established that no one is sharing with the rest of us? Have we not met that quota yet to address a serious problem we’re having in our country?

The creature who took these lives - no,

I will not name nor give them the credit of human monikers - is being reported as someone who had a history of violent behavior, of threatening students, of allegedly commenting, “I’m going to be a professional school shooter,” on a YouTube video.

They had a history of mental health issues and yet were able to purchase the firearms that took these kids’ lives. They had an assault rifle. They allegedly had connections with a white supremacist group in Florida.

All of this and yet it is too soon to be politicizing the incident and talking about gun control. Yet, it’s not too soon to use everyone’s favorite catchphrase, “thoughts and prayers,” while taking donations from the NRA. It’s not too soon to start preaching that any talk of legislation means any and all gun owners are having their 2nd amendment rights infringed upon.

It’s not too soon to say one’s ability to own a gun is more important than another human life.

Ironic that the 2nd amendment was all about protecting yourself and your folk, but is largely being clung to while murderers are taking our citizens’ lives.

Well, this entire situation has offered an addition to the vernacular.

If you ever need to say something for when you want to appear mournful without doing anything to actually solve a serious problem, just repeat after me and several of our representatives in Congress: Thoughts and prayers.

@TheGatepost | FSUgatepost.com

8 | ARTS & FEATURES

THE GATEPOST

FEBRUARY 16, 2018

ARTS & FEATURES Project Resilience

“We are unapologetically black.”

Left to right: FSU students Bithja Legrand, Christine Nwafour, and Saharra Shaker perform a silent skit about hair.

By Tessa Jillson Asst. Arts & Features Editor

W

ith wounds still fresh from recent hate crimes, freshman Carlos Barbosa, sophomore Keener Anum-Sowah and The Center for Inclusive Excellence showcased a number of multi-talented performers on Feb. 9 in DPAC to celebrate Black History Month.

The event, "Project Resilience," was created and designed by Barbosa and Anum-Sowah in under two weeks. Barbosa said it felt as if they had just started rehearsing when the night of the show arrived.

Performances included FSU’s Afro-Caribbean Dance group, Bridgewater State University Dance Troupe D’Afrique, silent skits, spoken word poetry and a fashion show.

President F. Javier Cevallos said, “This is a student-driven event. … I am just really happy by the way it’s going and there are so many people here. … They put in a lot of energy.”

Close to 400 students showed up to the event.

Barbosa, one of the targets of the hate crimes, formed the name Project Resilience as a way to inspire others to never back down and keep fighting. “I just wanted to send that message to the Framingham community,” he said.

Black Student Union (BSU) President Destinee Morris shared a reflection about the recent hate crimes, as the crowd chanted: “BSU we stand.”

She said, “The incidents that happened last semester on campus weren't just a BSU problem, but it was a community problem. So everyone check in on their friends, stick together and show support be-

cause you don't know what individuals can be going through.”

The show began with a silent skit featuring Barbosa and his friends.

The group of friends were seated around a table playing Uno and drinking from red solo cups, until two white police officers banged on the door, entered and broke up the “party.” Although Barbosa and his friends weren't resisting, the officers used excessive force. One of the friends was even tackled to the ground, while another was unjustly handcuffed.

Barbosa subsequently took center stage, while his friends and the officers froze behind him.

“Oh, here we go,” he began. “This is my people’s reality. Some may be skeptical, asking, ‘How?’ I’ll teach you about our society. This is how it goes. It be like, ‘Freeze! Don't move or else I’ll shoot!’”

The monologue continued as Barbosa addressed the social issues that persist in the black community, specifically mass incarceration and the racist persecution of black men.

He said, “Mass incarceration is the seed in our fruitful nation, as the criminal justice system is its hydration. We’re swimming in murky waters that have no filtration. The truth - bullets ringing from a white cop are rambling. Just another tune in our national anthem.”

Heads hanging low and hands behind their back, the Afro-Caribbean dance group dragged their feet onto the stage to Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech.

The group had been practicing every day for the past two weeks. As the group performed a routine set to “Freedom” by Beyoncé and “Finesse (remix)" by Bruno Mars and Cardi B, the crowd’s volume amplified.

Junior Cam Raia said, “I like the Afro-Caribbean dance group as opposed to the regular dance team, because the regular dance team sometimes has very lyrical choreography and it’s always country music or something. And I'm like, ‘You guys are doing this well, but it doesn't make me go, like, ‘OHHH!’’ And I wanna go, like, ‘OHHH!’” Afro-Caribbean dance group member and sophomore Birica Pierre-Louis said the show “demonstrated the talents of the black people on campus to show that we are still united and we are still together.

Despite everything that has happened, you know we can do something positive out of it all.”

Anum-Sowah invited Bridgewater State University Dance Troupe D’Afrique dancers Stacy Appiah and Sierre Payne to the Project Resilience event. The duo danced in heels to Beyoncé’s “Formation” and “Freedom.”

Anum-Sowah then led a fashion walk to the song “Ghana Bounce” by Ajebutter22.

“To be accepted, refuse to be rejected, we are here to stay. Not here to go or here to disappear, but here to grow. .. Chapters to a never ending story, we create room for generations to walk and demand territory.

We are unapologetically black,” she said.

FSU sociology professor Lina Rincón read two of her poems, both of which were motivated by the hate crimes.

Rincón said her poem “Segregation” was motivated by something she saw happening in her classroom. In her poem, she recalled a time when she wrote the word ‘segregation’ on the board and a student asked if “things are getting better.

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

Corey McFeeley / THE GATEPOST

“Quite the opposite,” Rincón said. “Lack of contact is what we’re talking about / Segregation is that separation / That long lasting physical separation / When you all at this table never talk to you all at these other tables.”

Her other poem, “Band Aid,” was prompted by what she was “seeing and feeling” with her students. The poem describes living in constant fear and compares this life to living with an open wound that never seems to heal.

At the end of the show, Barbosa asked the crowd to help him with his final monologue. He asked the audience to respond with the word “black” each time he gestured toward them.

Barbosa directed his focus on black oppression and empowerment. “Be the one entity fighting for equity, turning the twisted penalty into a legacy,” he said. The audience responded, “Black.” Barbosa said, “Beautiful. Unconstitutional. Black.

The usual indisputable, power that’s immovable. Black.”

He stood in silence as recordings of news clips reporting social injustice and discrimination echoed off the walls behind him. Performers and student leaders slowly surfaced one-by-one onto the stage. Despite their stoic nature, they radiated emotion.

Anum-Sowah said, “I see our school unified and that’s what I’ve always wanted to see. … If you need a shoulder or hand, we’re sisters and brothers. We are white, black, brown, yellow. We’re all together.”

CONNECT WITH TESSA JILLSON

tjillson@student.framingham.edu

FEBRUARY 16, 2018

THE GATEPOST

ARTS & FEATURES | 9

FILM REVIEW

"Mudbound" sticks to your heart person wants a better life and no matter how hard they try, they will always be trapped by stereotypes and prejudice.

Their monotone voices, paired with southern drawls, are heavy with unrecognizable sadness.

Netflix has consistently provided a platform for original, drama-filled content that is dynamic and thought-provoking. The company has distributed fantastic TV shows and movies that have created buzz and drawn attention - "Mudbound "deserves the same.

It is a film everyone needs to see.

Netflix

Grade: A A dark film about family dynamics.

ADMIT ONE

Everyone knows by now that Netflix has been streaming original content on its platform for a while.

However, it seems Netflix had yet to show its full potential when it comes to the drama genre - until "Mudbound."

The film tells the story of two families - one black, the Jacksons, and one white, the McAllans, during World War II. The McAllans own a farm and the Jacksons work and live there.

This brings up the question of land and property. One aspect of the American dream is that owning land is something to strive for. The Jackson family wants to accomplish this. The patriarch, Hap, is very determined to work as hard as possible in order to buy his family some land.

However, a leg injury prevents him from working, and his wife Florence decides to become the McAllans' nanny in order to help her husband achieve his dream.

The families are also connected through war. Jamie McAllan, the uncle of the family, is sent to the U.S. Air Force, and Ronsel Jackson,

Hap’s oldest son, operates a tank.

The two survive the war, but upon arriving home, both exhibit symptoms of PTSD. The two bond over their conditions and begin to hang out - something that Pappy McAllan, a fervent racist, hates.

Pappy believes the Jacksons should be property - which relates back the overarching theme of ownorship.

The movie employs a dark, earthy color palette, which complements the themes of land and property.

The cinematography is breathtakingly authentic to the story and cinematographer Rachel Morrison deserves her Oscar nomination. She is the first woman to be nominated in that category.

The matriarch of the McAllan family, Laura, believes that she is in a loveless marriage and stuck on the farm. Florence feels she is stuck with taking care of the McAllans.

Ronsel feels defined by his race.

It is as if every character is stuck in the mud or stuck to the property.

The film’s narrative voice shifts among Laura, her husband Henry, Florence and Hap every few minutes, giving the audience the opportunity to hear their thoughts. Each

ADMIT ONE

By Allison Wharton Asst. Arts & Features Editor

CONNECT WITH ALLISON WHARTON

awharton@student.framingham.edu

@TheGatepost | FSUgatepost.com

10 | ARTS & FEATURES

THE GATEPOST

FEBRUARY 16, 2018

The Just-ice League How the snow crew keeps FSU safe

Amanda Martin / THE GATEPOST

The snow crew uses plow trucks and Bobcats to keep the roads and sidewalks clear.

By Jillian Poland Editorial Staff It’s Christmas morning. People across the state are holed up in their houses drinking hot cocoa and appreciating the first white Christmas Framingham has seen since 2009.

But the snow crew at Framingham State has already been out in the storm for hours, plowing, shoveling and snowblowing. The wind rips across the exposed hill of the campus and snow mixes with sleet and ice, creating dangerously slick conditions.

It’s no winter wonderland.

The campus may be empty, but the walkways and roads need to be clear in case of an emergency in any of the buildings.

It’s difficult work, but Brad Mellen, a grounds foreman who has worked at FSU for over 30 years, said it’s just a way of life. “It’s bred into us. We’ve been doing this for so many years. I think I speak for a lot of the people when I say, if we’re home and it’s snowing and we haven’t been contacted by the school, we don’t feel right.”

As soon as it looks like a storm is coming, Patricia Whitney, assistant vice president of facilities, and Danny Giard, director of facilities operations, begin planning.

They watch the news closely and discuss the best way to respond whether that includes putting the snow crew on call or asking them to come to campus.

Whitney said they aren’t the decision makers when it comes to declaring a snow day, but they keep in close contact with Dale Hamel, executive vice president, and offer advice on how to proceed.

She said, “Lots of times when [the storms] go through the night, Danny and Brad are here and at, you know, four in the morning people are talking: ‘How is the campus looking? How is cleanup going?

Can you keep up? Can we have everything ready for commuters?’”

The University maintains a 15-person snow crew that is comprised mostly of grounds workers, according to Whitney. Building maintainers are tasked with keeping residence hall doors and entryways clear of snow and ice. University trades workers - including carpenters, electricians, mechanics and painters - who would typically be responding to maintenance requests or doing other work, will jump in to help out when necessary.

Giard said there’s always about eight to 10 workers out in the storm

with sweepers and snowblowers to keep sidewalks open for students. Typically, six pickup trucks equipped with snowplows will be clearing the roads the whole time.

Whitney added, “Manpower cleans steps,” so crew members also handle the strenuous task of shoveling stairways across campus.

Giard said Joe Bairos, head custodian and 11-year employee of the University, will sometimes gather maintainers who have volunteered for snow cleanup and “take them around” with shovels and snowblowers. “And as you can see, Joe’s no kid,” he added. “So those are worries for us, because our crew is getting a little older.”

Not including labor costs, the University spent $50,000 in 2017 for salt, sand, ice melt, fuel and contracted plowing for the large commuter parking lots, according

to Whitney. As of early January, the University has already spent $30,000 and, since last week’s storm required the crew to use a large amount of salt, sand and ice melt, this year’s cost is expected to be at least as high as last year’s.

Whitney and Giard agree that every storm requires a different approach based on its length and particular conditions such as temperature, type of precipitation, rate of accumulation and how heavy and wet the snow is.

The storm last Wednesday which granted students a much-appreciated snow day - presented a particularly difficult challenge for the snow crew because of the changing precipitation and fluctuating temperatures, said Whitney.

The crew put down salt, sand and ice melt after plowing, but it all washed away when it started to rain. When temperatures dropped, the rain froze, requiring the crew to lay down another layer of salt, ice melt and sand. Then, after that ice melted - due to the salt or warming temperatures - the water started to freeze again and the process had to be repeated. This cycle continued throughout the day as temperatures fluctuated.

“It was a very difficult day,” Whitney said. “Even though most campus employees could go home when the campus closed at 12:30, the Facilities snow crew worked late into the night, then came back early the next morning to have things ready for classes.”

The snow crew is no stranger to long days or late nights in the cold.

Mark Doray, a boiler room worker and plowman who’s been at FSU Amanda Martin / THE GATEPOST for 21 years, said, “It’s very difficult to be up and driving for 24 to 36 The snow crew worked all day and into the night during the last snowstorm.

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FEBRUARY 16, 2018

THE GATEPOST

There are no shortcuts when it comes to cleaning stairways - crews must shovel them clear during the storm.

hours, but sometimes, we do have storms that big.”

He said there have been times when he’s simply put his plow truck in park and laid down on the seat to rest for 10 or 15 minutes before going back to work.

“I recall one time when I was parked on the other side of Larned … [Giard] called me on the radio because he saw the truck, but he didn’t see me. He didn’t know if I had a heart attack. He called to wake me up because he thought that I dropped dead in the truck. I said, ‘No, I just couldn’t keep my eyes open,’” Doray added with a laugh.

During long, overnight storms, supervisors try to give the crew a chance to “rack down” for a few hours of sleep, said Giard. There’s no designated place for them, so crew members will often sleep in the workspaces in the warehouse at the Union Avenue Parking Lot. He said, “You can’t work 24 hours straight. It’s not safe for everyone to work those kinds of hours with people behind plow trucks, and there’s a lot of people who are just out in the elements for, you know, 16, 17 hours straight … so they have to be able to lay down and recharge the battery.”

However, Giard said there have been storms so severe that resting just wasn’t an option. Once, they tried to let everyone get a little sleep while Mellen stayed awake working a plow to keep everything open. “Within an hour, he called and said, ‘We’ve got to get everybody back. We can’t keep up with it.’”

Mellen said their ability to keep up with a storm depends on the inches per hour and how long they’ve all been working. “It’s kind of a combination of, ‘When are you getting tired? When do you go eat?’

If we all go eat, the snow is building up. So, it’s a combination of factors.”

According to Whitney, sometimes, the snow crew is called to

campus ahead of the storm, but other times they’re just put “on call,” which means they cannot drink alcohol or travel too far from Framingham in case they are needed to respond.

She said the crew was on call for the Super Bowl this year because a storm was forecast, although none materialized.

Snow crew workers have to become accustomed to being on call during all sorts of holidays and family and sporting events. A few years ago, the snow crew was called in to clean the campus on every holiday from Halloween to Presidents' Day. “And I think even April 1 that

ter toward the back-access roads because he mistakenly thought it had the same 8-foot drop as the front side of the building. The drop was actually around 30 feet.

“He landed on the railing then into the snowbank. Then, he bounced out onto the road,” Mellen said.

“And so, when I was plowing, I came up the access road and he landed just off to the side of my truck. And this was like 2 in the morning. So, you can imagine - at 2 in the morning - the fun they were having.”

The roof of the center is now pitched.

Back when the dining hall pro-

“It's the people that are out in the elements that I think we need to remember. It's very, very tough work..."

- Danny Giard, director of facilities operations year,” added Mellen.

Mellen lives close by, for which Giard and Whitney are grateful. If it’s off-hours and campus police receive a call saying it’s a little icy outside the McCarthy Center, Mellen is the one who responds.

Whitney said, “It’s 6 o’clock at night and he’s eating dinner with his family, but if he gets the call, he gets up, comes over here and salts it. That’s what they do.”

Not everyone has such an easy commute - Doray lives 40 miles away. “If you get called in in the middle of the night in a raging snowstorm, it’s a challenge, but we always seem to make it here.”

But sometimes, it’s students that pose the greatest challenge.

Mellen said one night, years ago, a student jumped off the roof of the Arthur M. Doyle Technology Cen-

vided trays, students would take them and use them to sled down the hill by Corinne Hall Towers.

Mellen said, “Now they use trash bags.”

Doray said that type of activity can be scary for plow drivers, who may not be able to see students coming down the hill. Students should never assume any plow truck drivers can see them in a storm or that the driver has the ability to stop the truck if they do, he emphasized.

All the supervisors agree they wished students were more consciuos of the fact that crews are out in the storm doing cleanup with heavy machinery.

Doray said cars have probably been hit in the past, “but hitting people hasn’t happened so far and we like it that way.”

ARTS & FEATURES | 11

Jillian Poland / THE GATEPOST

Whitney hopes students will keep this same advice in mind when driving on campus, especially since many crew members work close to roads in order to clear sidewalks.

Mellen also recommends students keep a shovel and a small bucket of sand in their cars throughout the winter in case they ever get stuck in the school parking lots or elsewhere. If students are ever stuck without a shovel, however, the crew tries to leave some in all the tram shelters at the parking lots.

Snow cleanup is tough work, said Giard, and everyone on the crew does their fair share. It is a joint effort between snow crew, tradespeople, maintainers and other FSU employees.

When Giard first started working at FSU, he was tasked with shoveling. “So, I know how those guys are when they’re out on the snowblowers and the snow shovels and the wind is blowing,” he said. “It’s the people that are out in the elements that I think we need to remember.

It’s very, very tough work, and it takes the whole team to get it all done, from deciding how you’re going to fight the storm to the final cleanup and then finishing sweeping before you go home.”

Mellen said, “You can never get it 100 percent. So, when we leave here, we’re really tired and we’ve shoveled and ice melted the best that we can, and we feel as though we’ve left it in pretty decent condition for the employees and the students the next day.

“So, if there happens to be a little patch of ice here and there, we’ll get it when we come in in the morning.”

He joked the snow crew wouldn’t mind “if [students] would all like to volunteer!”

CONNECT WITH JILLIAN POLAND

jpoland@student.framingham.edu

@TheGatepost | FSUgatepost.com

12 | ARTS & FEATURES

The Pawgress Report:

Cocoa on a cold day

By Nick Murphy Staff Writer

Introducing Cocoa, senior Jackie Salvas’ heartwarming hound.

One day during her seventh grade winter break, Salvas was walking home from her grandmother’s house, when she noticed paw prints leading up her walkway to the front door.

As she entered the kitchen, she saw him.

The dog was incredibly malnourished, and he shied away from those who approached him, regardless of their intention.

The rescue pup was quickly named Cocoa for his warm mocha-colored pattern.

While Salvas’ mom had adopted Cocoa for her brother initially, he quickly became the “family pet,” said Salvas.

Due to malnutrition, Cocoa struggled with eating and would often get sick after a meal. To help him adjust, Salvas’ mom would cook Cocoa some scrambled hamburger and rice, which he had an easier time keeping down.

"He gradually started to gain weight, but he would still just follow my mom around everywhere,” Salvas said.

As the Salvases spent more time with Cocoa, more signs of his previous abuse became apparent. “He was afraid of other dogs and he didn’t even like to go outside in the daytime. … Anytime we’d give him a treat, he would take it and hide it or bring it to his bed to eat,” Salvas said.

However, as time passed, Cocoa warmed up to his new family.

He started to enjoy going outside at night and he developed a new pastime - chasing any bunnies he found in the neighborhood.

As he’s aged, Cocoa has completely broken free from his shell. “He’s become so much bolder, especially when it comes to begging for food,” said Salvas.

After years of practice, Cocoa has perfected his method of coaxing food out of people. He’ll start with a subtle nose poke and gradually work his entire face onto your lap. He’s just making sure that you know that if you can’t finish your meal, he gladly will.

Apart from his mooching tactics, Cocoa is also the choreographer behind his signature “happy dance.”

After relieving himself outside, Cocoa will dart from room to room, zipping, slipping and sliding to his heart’s content. He then ends his routine by digging wildly at his favorite spot on the couch before enthusiastically burying his face in blanketed bliss.

Despite a challenging past, Cocoa has found a loving home and thanks to the support of those around him, his relationship with his family went from distant to inseparable.

“One time after I had surgery, Cocoa sat with me the entire time I was home. When I had to get up, he would follow and comfort me. … He’s a loving hound and despite a rough patch in his life, he became a real part of the family,” said Salvas.

While Cocoa’s face has begun to grey, he remains the same sweet dog the Salvas family has come to know.

Cocoa has come a long way from being the skinny and shaky mistreated pup he once was. And, he is now the chubby, content and dearly loved hound who fully embraced his second chance.

Nothing warms up a cold winter’s day like Cocoa.

CONNECT WITH NICK MURPHY nmurphy5@student.framingham.edu

THE GATEPOST

FEBRUARY 16, 2018

ALBUM REVIEW

"Mania":

an experiment of adrenaline

By Zach Colten Asst. Arts and Feature Editor The dictionary definition of the word “mania” is an “excessive excitement or enthusiasm; craze.”

On their album of the same name, punk rock tour-de-force Fall Out Boy uses that definition as a diving board, doing a graceful swan dive into a deep pool of adrenaline-fueled punk.

What bassist Pete Wentz described in a Rolling Stone article as “a hard restart that clears the cache and erases the hard drive,” “Mania” indeed thrusts the band forward at warp speed into new territory, while still managing to carry along certain trademarks of their sound that diehard F.O.B. fans will appreciate.

The first track, “Young and Menace,” originally written by the band’s front man Patrick Stump in 2016, opens on a somber, reflective note: “We’ve gone way too fast for way too long / We were never supposed to make it half this far.”

However, this is just about the most calm you will experience during the four-piece punk prodigies’ fast-paced, 35-minute project.

The first drop of the song gives you a taste of Fall Out Boy’s palette-cleanser album - a modernized vision of punk rock music blending raw, complex lyrics, stadium-ready rock hooks and guitar riffs, and mind-melting EDM drops fit for any music festival involving alien balloons and glow sticks.

The moods on the album fluctuate song to song. Several tracks are more upbeat and vocally-led like “Wilson (Expensive Mistakes),” where Stump sings, “I was gonna say somethin’ that would solve all our problems / but then I got drunk and I forgot what I was talkin’ about,” and “Sunshine Riptide,” a pulsing, summery anthem blending the band’s signature punk with a welcome breakdown of Jamaican dancehall music.

Other songs are more melancholic, yet even these reveal silver linings through the lyrics, always supported by meticulous instrumentation. On “Heaven’s Gate,” Stump delivers a powerful vocal performance, pleading for his listeners to “give me a boost over heaven’s gate.”

Stump, the band’s lead singer, is known for his impressive vocal range, and continues to push it to new heights. “Champion,” “Church” and “The Last of the Real Ones,” find the singer exploring different areas of both his vocal capabilities and his emotional expression. From celebration, to reminiscence, to worship, Stump controls his voice with demanding precision and seemingly effortless delivery.

The rest of the band continues to func-

Island Records

tion as a well-oiled machine.

It is easy to see F.O.B. pressing forward into new territory for the next 10 years and onwards, given their well-established legacy in American musical culture, and consistent ability to lead the vanguard - crafting new sounds and continually pushing boundaries.

This album reflects a renewal of the band’s confidence and drive, but also has definite moments of honest contemplation of hanging up the towel, with the band reflecting on all of its past accomplishments.

While personally, I believe Fall Out Boy has already made a permanent mark on music, there is absolutely no reason for them to slow down now, and it appears they don’t intend to.

Listen to this album to remind yourself why you’ve loved Fall Out Boy since 2007 (be honest), and, much like the band’s concept for “Mania,” cleanse the palette of your judgments and open your mind to the next, manic wave of punk rock.

Grade: A "The Last of the Real Ones" provide another instant classic.

CONNECT WITH ZACH COLTEN zcolten@student.framingham.edu

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13 | SPORTS

THE GATEPOST

FEBRUARY 16, 2018

SPORTS Women’s basketball victorious

By Liam Gambon Asst. Sports Editor On Thursday Feb. 8, the Rams hosted Westfield State in a high scoring 93-80 loss.

Framingham held the lead to start the game as they were up 21-20 at the end of the first quarter. Tiphani Harris contributed 10 points to the quarter to go along with three rebounds. Raegan Mulherin put up six points in the quarter.

The two teams were tied at halftime 41-41. Mary Kate O’Day led the way with 12 points.

Framingham won the third quarter, outscoring Westfield State 2522 to take the 66-63 lead before the final quarter. Harris pitched in six points, while O’Day and Emily Velozo both scored five.

In the fourth, Westfield outscored Framingham 30-14 to secure the win. O’Day led the Rams with five points in the quarter. Westfield shot 60 percent from the field in the quarter to Framingham’s 40 percent.

Despite the loss the Rams had the two top scorers of the game, O’Day scored a game-high 25 points, and Harris scored 21. Harris also pulled down 12 rebounds to record yet another double-double on the season.

The loss drops the Rams to 13-9 on the season and 7-3 in the MASCAC.

WESTFIELD STATE 93 FRAMINGHAM STATE 80

Framingham’s next game was again at home, this time against Bridgewater State.

The Rams held the advantage at the end of the first quarter up 23-17, thanks to O’Day and Harris who both scored six.

Both teams shot poorly in the second quarter, but Bridgewater outscored Framingham 14-6 to take a 31-29 lead before the half.

The Rams took back the lead and stretched it in the third by outscoring Bridgewater 23-14. Harris put up 10 points in the quarter while O’Day and Lauren Donahue also added five points each.

Framingham held onto the lead throughout the fourth and secured the victory with an 18-12 advantage. O’Day, Harris and Julia Sanborn were the main contributors to the 70-57 win. O’Day led the team with 18 points and 12 rebounds. Harris followed her with 16 points and eight rebounds, and Sanborn came away with 11 points and four rebounds.

The win moves the Rams to 14-9 on the season and 8-3 in the league.

FRAMINGHAM STATE 70 BRIDGEWATER STATE 57

CONNECT WITH LIAM GAMBON lgambon1@student.framingham.edu

Amanda Martin / THE GATEPOST Raegan Mulherin pulls up for a jump shot against Westfield State.

@TheGatepost | FSUgatepost.com

FEBRUARY 16, 2018

THE GATEPOST

14 | SPORTS

Players of the week

Hockey drops a pair of MASCAC games

By Richard Tranfaglia Asst. Sports Editor

fsurams.com

Mary Kate O’Day scored 18 points with 12 rebounds to secure a double-double in a win against Bridgewater State.

The Rams fell to Westfield State on Feb. 8 by a score of 4-2.

Jeremy Young scored the first goal of the game in the ninth minute on a power play for Westfield.

Four minutes later, F.X. Girard made it a twogoal game scoring off the feed from Nik Passero for the Owls.

The Rams’ Jake McKinnon scored at the 10:36 mark in the second period on Framingham’s only power play of the night.

Down by one in the third period, Ryan Paul tied the game for the Rams in the fifth minute.

Just a minute later, the Owls regained the lead off a wrist shot from Daniel Backstrom.

Aaron Clancy added an insurance goal about three minutes later to seal the win.

The Owls outshot the Rams 42-23. Tyler Colacchio led the Rams with six shots, while Backstrom led the Owls with six as well.

Greg Harney made 38 saves in the loss and Kameron Limburg made 21 saves for Westfield.

The Rams move to 3-16-2 on the season and 2-12 in the MASCAC.

WESTFIELD STATE FRAMINGHAM STATE

4 2

Framingham lost to Fitchburg State 10-2 on Feb. 10.

Paul got the Rams on the board first in the

eighth minute of the opening period.

The Falcons then scored four unanswered goals by Nick DiNicola, Evan Byrnes, DiNicola again and Brandon Ecklund.

About midway through the second period, Jake McKinnon scored the Rams’ second goal on a power play opportunity.

Two late goals in the second by Sascha Figi and Ricky Kramer made it a 6-2 game heading into the third.

Fitchburg’s juggernaut offense continued in the third period, scoring four more goals.

Figi got his second of the day just a minute into the period.

Corey Hayashi beat Adam Calabrese blocker side for their second goal of the period.

Patrick Germain got a short-handed goal at the 14:48 mark before putting the final nail in the coffin, scoring again in the 19th minute.

The Falcons outshot the Rams 39-37. Paul led with six shots for the Rams, while DiNicola led the Falcons with five.

Calabrese made 21 saves in the loss and Brian McGrath made 31 saves for Fitchburg.

The Rams fall to 3-17-2 on the season and 2-13 in the league.

FITCHBURG STATE FRAMINGHAM STATE

10 2

CONNECT WITH RICHARD TRANFAGLIA rtranfaglia@student.framingham.edu

fsurams.com

Raegan Mulherin had 15 points to go along with four rebounds, two assists and two steals against Westfield State.

fsurams.com

Tiphani Harris had a double-double with 21 points to go along with 12 rebounds against Westfield State.

Corey McFeeley / THE GATEPOST Jake McKinnon fires a slap shot on net for the Rams against Westfield State.

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

FEBRUARY 16, 2018

Ferr or Foul:

NHL players out of the Olympics

By Matt Ferris Sports Editor On Wednesday morning the U.S. men’s hockey team took the ice in PyeongChang in their first game of the 2018 Olympics.

Only the normal household names like Patrick Kane, Zach Parise and Phil Kessel for America were not there.

Thanks to the National Hockey League, none of the NHL players from any country are partaking in the 2018 games.

The NHL, unlike past years, is not taking a break in the season to allow players to compete in the Olympics. Instead, the NHL will be playing right through its season, eliminating all the world’s best from the Olympics.

Many other countries will send professional players from their domestic leagues to represent them.

The U.S. will follow suit and send a mix of college athletes, AHL players and other Americans who play overseas.

The NHL’s decision to hold its players out of the Olympics is already having a huge effect on the U.S. team as they lost their opener 3-2 in overtime to Slovenia.

However, aside from significantly weakening the national team, the NHL could be affecting themselves with this decision.

The NHL is already a league that is hurting for ratings. The NHL is by far the least viewed sport on television among the four major sports. On top of that, it also makes the least amount of money of all four major sports.

By not letting its players go to the Olympics, the NHL is giving up a lot of good exposure that the league would otherwise not get.

The NHL made this decision because a majority of the owners were not in favor of the two week break.

On top of that, the IOC, who usually pays for the players’ expenses during the Olympics, announced it would not be covering the costs for the 2018 games.

But still, exposure could have done the NHL a lot of good.

Just ask the MLB how valuable exposure is.

In 2017, the World Baseball Classic took place just before the MLB regular season began.

A significant number of people tuned into the WBC as it had a number of close, good games.

This could have really helped the MLB, as teams like the Yankees, Indians, Brewers and Twins saw huge improvements in ratings from 2016 to 2017.

If the NHL were really serious about changing its culture and bringing in more loyal viewers, the Olympics would have been a perfect stepping stone.

But by pulling their players out of the 2018 games, the NHL sure missed the mark and could regret this move for some time to come.

THE GATEPOST

15 | SPORTS

Men’s basketball blown out by Westfield State

By Camille McKenzie Asst. Sports Editor On Thursday, Feb. 8, the Framingham State Rams hosted the Westfield State Owls in a MASCAC matchup.

The Rams kept the score close in the first 10 minutes, taking the lead three times and staying within range of the Owls, but eventually Westfield began to pull away from Framingham.

With five seconds left in the first, Westfield’s Allister Williams made a 3-pointer to put the Owls up 39-23.

The Owls continued to distance themselves throughout the second half and ended up beating the Rams 81-50.

This win for Westfield boosts their overall record to 10-12 and 4-5 in the conference.

Three Owls players reached double digits. Moody Bey led in scoring with 17 points. Marcus Collins and Williams followed, both scoring 16 points.

Collins led in rebounds for the Owls, grabbing 11 for the team.

Benjamin Roache and Manny Payton led in scoring for the Rams with 13 and 11, respectively.

Cameren McCloud-Thomas and Lorenzo Fernandes led in rebounds for the Rams, both earning five.

This loss for the Rams drops their overall record to 6-17 and 2-8 in the MASCAC.

WESTFIELD STATE 81 FRAMINGHAM STATE 50

CONNECT WITH CAMILLE MCKENZIE cmckenzie@student.framingham.edu

CONNECT WITH MATT FERRIS mferris2@student.framingham.edu

@TheGatepost | FSUgatepost.com

16 | PHOTOS

THE GATEPOST

FEBRUARY 16, 2018

On Feb. 9, sophomore Keenor AnumSowah and freshman Carlos Barbosa, along with the Center for Inclusive Excellence, presented a multi-talented showcase of black empowerment entitled “Project Resilience.” The performance included sentiments of “culture, love, and solidarity.”

Corey McFeeley/THE GATEPOST

PROJECT RESILIENCE

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