April 13, 2018

THE GATEPOST Framingham State’s independent student newspaper

Volume 86 • Issue 22

FSUgatepost.com

April 13, 2018

Corey McFeeley / THE GATEPOST

Therapy dogs were brought in as part of “Fresh Check Day,” an event held to promote the importance of mental health.

Swastika drawing found in West Hall

MSCA and BHE reach tentative agreement

By Nadira Wicaksana Asst. News Editor

By Jillian Poland News Editor

“The outline of a swastika” was found drawn on a West Hall window during the evening of April 8, according to a public letter to the University from President F. Javier Cevallos.

A West Hall RA reported the incident after a group of residents brought it to their attention, according to an email sent to all West Hall residents by Area Director David Case. The email was forwarded to The Gatepost by a West Hall resident.

In the email, he wrote the swastika was discovered in the fourth floor study lounge. A community meeting for West Hall residents was held later that evening to give students the opportunity to ask questions and share concerns.

Cevallos wrote in his letter, “On Monday, productive floor and building meetings were

held with members of West Hall to explain what happened; denounce the behavior; seek assistance in determining the person responsible; and review the resources available to students on campus.”

He added, “This discovery is deeply disturbing, especially given the rise in racism and anti-Semitism that has occurred nationally, including on our own campus last semester. As you know, Framingham State condemns all forms of racism, anti-Semitism and bigotry.”

In their statements, both Case and Cevallos stressed that the University supports its students, and it has enlisted the help of FSUPD in an ongoing investigation. They also urged students to come forward if they have any information or knowledge regarding the incident.

FSUPD Sgt. Martin Laughlin said, “We are actively looking into it. We take this matter very

See WEST HALL INCIDENT page 4

News

Opinions

The Massachusetts State College Association (MSCA) and the Board of Higher Education (BHE) reached a tentative collective bargaining agreement (CBA) on April 9 after 283 days without a contract, according to the MSCA website.

The CBA is the set of conditions under which the state college faculty and librarians who comprise the MSCA agree to work. Conditions include benefits, pay and workload, in addition to dozens of smaller details.

Contract bargaining began over a year ago on Jan. 31, 2017. MSCA members have expressed frustration with the pace of the negotiations following the expiration of the previous contract on June 20, 2017.

On July 18, 2017, the MSCA filed a charge of prohibited practice against the BHE with the Massachusetts Department of Labor Re-

Arts & Features

lations. It claimed the BHE, working in conjunction with the State College Council of Presidents (COP), was not acting in good faith by beginning bargaining without authorization from the governor’s office to provide a financial offer, according to a news update

by President C.J. O’Donnell on the MSCA website.

The charge was dismissed in February 2018.

Points of tension during bargaining have included a perceived lack of appropriate pay increases, an increase in the cap on parttime faculty and a push to give administrators tenure.

More recently, in a news update on the MSCA website, O’Donnell said bargaining team members were struggling to come to an agreement on vacation leave time for librarians.

Robert Donohue, MSCA vice president and president of the Framingham State MSCA chapter, said, “We feel really good about

See MSCA page 5

Sports

ELLA KARAT pg. 2

LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT pg. 7

CARDI B REVIEW pg. 12

BASEBALL WINS WITH HOMERUN pg. 16

COLLEGE OF BUSINESS pg. 4

SGA MAKES A DIFFERENCE pg. 8

STUDENT STARTS OWN BUSINESS pg. 11

WOMEN’S LACROSSE pg. 18

INSIDE: OP/ED 7 ARTS & FEATURES 9 SPORTS 14

2 | NEWS

THE GATEPOST

Editorial Board

Gatepost Interview

Editor-in-Chief Cesareo Contreras

Ella Karat Marketing professor

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 Opinions Editor Lizzy Stocks Sports Editor Matt Ferris Asst. Sports Editors Jose Carrasquillo Liam Gambon Richard Tranfaglia Camille McKenzie Photos Editors Allie Gath Amanda Martin Asst. Photos Editor Corey McFeeley Staff Designer Cara McCarthy Staff Writers Brennan Atkins Noah Barnes Mackenzie Berube Thom Duda Tessa Jillson Robert Johnson Colton Madore Nick Murphy Cordelia Stark Allison Wharton Staff Photographers Oscairy Tavarez Michael Upton Staff Illustrator Raysam Donkoh-Halm 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

APRIL 13, 2018

By Mackenzie Berube Staff Writer What is your educational and professional background?

I worked in the marketing field for over 18 years. I worked for some multinationals, big advertising agencies, big corporations - anywhere from European companies like Fiat to American products like Coca-Cola. I have my undergraduate degree, and then I did my master’s at the University of Florida in journalism and mass communications. After that, I got into the field of brand marketing, advertising - the whole nine yards, and that was a lot of fun. I got to travel the world and lived and worked in three continents: America, Europe and Asia. I lived in countries anywhere from Uzbekistan to Georgia to Turkey to Italy. That kind of workload is very challenging, as you can imagine, traveling all the time. So, after I had my child, I kind of slowed down a little bit. I always wanted to teach because when you have so much experience, you want to translate that to teaching. I just didn’t know how to start, because I didn’t have my Ph.D. Framingham was nice enough to actually offer me my first teaching job.

Once I started teaching here, I also started teaching at Salem State and Clark University. The more I taught, the more I loved it. It’s just wonderful to be connected to the younger generation, and at the same time, they learn something from you and you learn something from them.

Why did you pursue marketing as a career?

I love advertising because it’s never the same thing two days in a row. It’s not a boring thing, and I’m very type A and a very creative mind. I just love the challenge. You go to work every day and there’s a new challenge. Although you are going to the same company, things

Corey McFeeley / THE GATEPOST

are always changing - that kept me on my toes for a long time. When you are in marketing and advertising, you always have to think outside the box, and that’s something I love. Even for a simple campaign, like Tide detergent, the creative director would want it in London, but the account person would be in Italy. So, if you want something to happen, you have to go from one place to another. I always had a small suitcase ready to go.

What do you like about working at FSU? I love the fact that it is a small community and it’s almost like you know everyone in your department. The faculty is very nice and caring. It’s a feeling of belongingness and everyone is very supportive. I’ve worked at different places so I can compare them, and this is where I found my voice. I’m doing my Ph.D. at UMass Lowell, which is a big school, so it has its advantages and disadvantages. Different schools have different challenges, and [Framingham State University] has the least in terms of if you want to teach - this is a good place to be.

What do you think is your greatest accomplishment?

It is not a one-time event, but a series of events and a time frame.

I was at the right place at the right time with the right education and right connections. I would call that lucky in some ways. I ended up working for very major corporations early on - I was in my 20s.

My first job gave me a $20 million-dollar budget to spend in the media when I was only 22 years old. Looking back, that’s a lot of money. I started off well, which got me to roll in the right direction and it was a snowball effect after that. This gave me a very strong resume in terms of where I’ve been and who I’ve worked for and what I’ve done. This made me overqualified in my early 30s.

Having been there, done that, actually gives me the confidence to move forward and to teach better because I know what’s important.

Do you have any advice for students?

Build a strong resume early on it will give you the edge and will get you to the next level much quicker. You have to be very proactive. You can’t be behind a phone or computer, trying to meet people - it doesn’t work that way. You have to be social - you need to have connections. Go out there physically. Attend meetings and seminars.

Police Logs Thursday, April 5 11:38 Property Damage McCarthy Center Lot Report Taken

Thursday, April 5 16:33 Suspicious Activity O’Connor Parking Lot Report Taken

Monday, April 9 09:47 Hazard Maynard @ State St. Call Assignment Complete

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

Tuesday, April 10 13:29 RMV Violation Tow Bement Parking Lot Towed to Henry’s

APRIL 13, 2018

THE GATEPOST

NEWS | 3

Who will represent the Rams?

Interviews with the SGA presidential candidates Interviews conducted by Shanleigh Reardon

Ben Carrington In your own words, what is the role of the SGA president?

Firstly, you act as the primary advocate of the student body. Secondly, you are here to look over the Student Activities Trust Fund and make sure that is properly allocated and always looking out for the benefit of our students - making sure that clubs and organizations are also getting the resources that they need and that they’re fully supported by SGA. Also, acting as the chief liaison to the administration, and to the Department of Higher Ed. - like when we do the State House day.

Why do you believe you would be a good SGA president? What made you decide to run for this position?

This is something I’ve been thinking about for a long time now. I’ve been on SGA for - I believe next year will be my third year. I started off as a sophomore - a senator-at-large - and this year, I got the pleasure of serving as parliamentarian, which is an appointed position in which I worked with Robert’s Rules. I think in the past year I’ve been here, I’ve really expanded outside of my role. … I’m going to be holding a diversity and dialogues dinner session next Wednesday. Something I’m really trying to keep cognizant on this campus is keeping these dialogues going about being an inclusive campus and acknowledging diversity, acknowledging the problems we do have, and getting rid of the stigma of brushing it under the carpet by having these discussions and tackling them head on.

What would your main critique be of the current SGA president and what would you do differently?

I have a lot of respect for Kyle. I’ve worked with him for the past two years now and he’s been a really big mentor for me, as he held my position last year and I’m hopefully going for his position this year. One thing I do want to change is I feel that the whole student body isn’t engaged with student government, or they’re not aware of what’s going on in SGA. I also feel that as an organization, internally, there is a bit of a conflict between eBoard and senate and there’s a bit of a disconnect in terms of how we operate. So, next year, something I really want to do is getting on campus and talking with all of our students because these are the people we serve, first and foremost.

Do you believe SGA is representative of FSU’s student body?

I think SGA is representative. I think this year, we’ve definitely worked hard on recruiting, so we’ve gotten different demographics of students on campus that have been hard to reach in the past few years. For example, we pride ourselves on having more commuters involved in senate positions. We’ve also had some veterans serve - that’s another demographic that we don’t see typically getting involved on campus. So, I think it has become more representative as a body in terms of the people we’re serving, but I still think we can do more to engage our students.

What would your main priority be for next year if you were to become SGA president?

Making sure the senate and the eBoard can work as an effective organization as much as we can - making sure we’re as cohesive of a group as we can be. ... Something I really want to do is a strict review of the budget, of how we allocate our funds, making sure that all the clubs are getting funded equally this year, and making sure that we’re getting student input on important capital decisions. For instance, we just funded a pilot program for hand dryers, and in my opinion, that was something that we should have gauged interest from the student body - that’s something we didn’t do. So next year, I want to make sure when we do do something like that, we get a 360, comprehensive idea from the administrators, from the students and from the staff.

Adam Scanlon In your own words, what is the role of the SGA president?

I think the role of SGA president is one that depends on the individual’s point of view. My view has always been that the SGA president should be someone who is a strong leader and who has a strong command of the issues. Someone that can work with basically anyone and can come together on an issue. Someone that people can report concerns to if they have any issues with anything or want to work on a project together. It’s something that I would like to do. I’ve always been someone who can work with other people and can get things done.

Why do you believe you would be a good SGA president? What made you decide to run for this position?

I think I would make a good SGA president because of my track record on getting things done. I’ve served on several governance committees. In meetings, I’m often the one asking the tough questions that need to be asked. I listen to what my fellow senators or people have to say about things, and I’m able to be impartial and critically assess issues. I often will compromise, but I’ve never fallen from my convictions. I think SGA has long been viewed as a group that just hands out money to people, and I’d like to see a culture shift - not just in this one organization, but a culture shift throughout the whole campus.

What would your main critique be of the current SGA president and what would you do differently?

Well, I think it has to do with a lot more than one individual person. I think it has to do with the overall system and culture in place.

What I would like to do is work with other students and administrators to address long-term goals as well as short-term goals. One of the things I pushed for during my tenure on SGA is how much money was in reserves. For a long time, I haven’t been told an answer. But recently, we were successful in getting an answer on that. I would like to work with other students to see if they would like to spend that money on infrastructure or other things they felt were necessary. If you look at this year, we were able to allocate money towards hand dryers - for hygiene purposes - and handicap accessibility, and perhaps there arew more opportunities to do things like this.

Do you believe SGA is representative of FSU’s student body?

I think it’s something that goes beyond an individual person. It’s all about what kind of system and culture there is in place. I’d like to build a culture where no one’s afraid to voice their opinion. Whether it be through a meeting or through an outside party. If you disagree with me, that’s OK. I want you to disagree with me - that’s OK. I don’t want to be someone who herds sheep and tells them what to do. I think organizations are stronger when they have debate and can come to conclusions in a collaborative manner. This is what I’ve basically done my whole life. I’ve been on my town’s school committee for about a year and I often work with the other members to get things done, to make progress. I’ve always been a person that believes strategic planning is necessary, and getting things done on a weekly basis isn’t something that I’ve always abided by or enforced.

What would your main priority be for next year if you were to become SGA president?

I’d like to try to look at a culture shift. Maybe it starts with that financial piece, like I spoke about with the reserves. Maybe it talks about things that don’t cost money. I’ve heard a lot of things on campus - that people want the University to be more inclusive.

I believe that SGA always has to show leadership on this front, and if that’s something that can be done through communication or through events or whatever, that would be great. I’ve seen this year particularly that there’s been a low attendance at events.

I often hear people say, “I wish this school had this, or had this.”

Well, what can we do to make it better, instead of just complaining about it? My view is always to get feedback and work from there.

@TheGatepost | FSUgatepost.com

4 | NEWS

THE GATEPOST

APRIL 13, 2018

West Hall incident Continued from pg. 1

seriously and want to hold whoever did it accountable for their actions.”

Laughlin suggested it might be an “isolated incident” because of the location in which the symbol was found, which contrasts with the locations and nature of the hate crimes last semester.

This is the first incident of this nature that was not publicized through a campus-wide email this academic year. Only West Hall residents received Case’s email regarding the incident.

Case added, “Defacing property with a symbol of hate is an outrageous affront to the members of

our community and not in keeping with our University values. This type of hate incident can invoke a wide range of emotions and some of you may feel vulnerable, hurt and angry at this behavior.”

Millie González, interim chief officer of diversity, inclusion and community engagement, said she was not able to attend the meeting, but wrote a message to West Hall residents echoing Case’s sentiment.

“We must not let the one who perpetrates this violation to erode our tolerant community. This is your home. This symbol of hate is unwelcome. We support each other in our loving communi-

ty through respectful dialogue,” González said.

“It is a shame that an individual would introduce such a hateful symbol near to Holocaust Remembrance Day,” she added. “We are a loving, tolerant community; there is no place for hate on our campus.”

González said she reached out to her contact at the Anti-Defamation League, who will be coming to FSU in the future to give a presentation on “hate symbols.”

She also said she will meet with the Bias Education Response Team (BERT) for further discussion.

Cevallos added BERT and other campus resources like the Coun-

“I think it was a terrible thing. This should be a place where everyone is comfortable. Everyone should feel safe.”

- Tyler Johnson, sophomore and West Hall resident

seling, Health and Wellness Center and the Center for Inclusive Excellence are available should students need them.

Senior and West Hall resident Ashley O’Regan said, “This is a community filled with different diversities and different people of so many different cultures, and just to have this really hateful symbol displayed - especially in a place that’s supposed to be safe for students - is just awful.”

Sophomore and West Hall resident Tyler Johnson said, “I think it was a terrible thing. This should be a place where everyone is comfortable. Everyone should feel safe.”

Representatives of Residence Life could not be reached for comment by print time.

CONNECT WITH NADIRA WICAKSANA nwicaksana@student.framingham.edu

FSU launches new College of Business

By Nadira Wicaksana Asst. News Editor The department of business split from the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences to become the College of Business on March 19, said Susan Dargan, dean of the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences and interim dean of the College of Business.

According to an email Dargan sent on March 21, the College of Business was “formally launched” to give faculty “the opportunity to apply a renewed focus to our business-oriented programs.” The College of Business is divided into three departments - accounting, economics and finance; management and business IT; and marketing.

Dargan said the need arose from the high number of business majors at the University.

She said according to statistics from October 2017, there are between 800 - 900 business majors - originally all enrolled in the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences.

“They were all under one chair. That’s a lot of work for one chair,” Dargan said. “It’s also a wide range of majors - accounting is very different from marketing. The idea was to break out into different departments in a future business college based on majors.”

Dargan added the “departmental configuration” came as

a result of faculty surveys and a review of the structures of different state universities, including Bridgewater State. She said the configuration might change in the future depending on the growth of the college based on numbers of faculty and students.

Dargan said, “There was a plan four or five years ago for five colleges at the University. So, we started off with three - arts and humanities, STEM fields and then social and behavioral sciences. Business was under social and behavioral sciences. Education was going to be the fourth and then business, the fifth.

“We didn’t have the resources to hire a business dean as the

initial plan had kind of laid out.

We did hire an interim education dean, but we really wanted to get the College of Business off the ground.”

Dargan said the University chose to launch the college on March 19 in order to meet deadlines to find a new dean. The timeframe is set by the guidelines of College of Business’s faculty contract.

Dargan added the process to hire a dean for the new college will start in the 2018-19 academic year and will take more than a year. “The idea is to have someone by July 1, 2019,” she said.

She said the hiring process will include open meetings for stu-

Professor Kenneth Grunes lectures to his 400-level strategic marketing class.

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

dents in order to provide them with the opportunity to ask the candidates questions and fill out feedback forms.

Dargan added she anticipates a lot of growth in the College of Business, including a new hospitality major that is under review by the Curriculum Committee.

She said given that the MetroWest area has a lot of tourism but no state university has a full hospitality and tourism major “a hospitality major [at Framingham State] would be a great move.”

CONNECT WITH NADIRA WICAKSANA nwicaksana@student.framingham.edu

Kayllan Olicio / THE GATEPOST

APRIL 13, 2018

THE GATEPOST

NEWS | 5

MSCA

Continued from pg. 1

the approach we took, our tenacity, our trying to pull every rabbit out of the hat to try and get the best possible deal for our members.”

He added, “I’m feeling really comfortable that we got the best deal we possibly could.”

Vincent Pedone, executive director of the COP, said, “The presidents are very happy that we were able to come to an agreement.”

He added, “The presidents recognize that this was a very difficult agreement to reach because the financial parameters - which are not set by the presidents but set by the governor - are not as robust as in years past.”

Currently, the agreement exists in both written and verbal terms between both parties, said Donohue. Next week, both bargaining teams will meet to write up and initial the tentative agreement (TA).

All MSCA members are then given the opportunity to vote on whether to ratify the agreement. The Board of Directors reviews the TA and recommends supporting or rejecting a ratification. Ratification must be supported by a majority vote. Otherwise, the MSCA bargaining team must attempt to renegotiate, said Donohue.

Pedone said the BHE/COP has no such system - the TA is ratified by nature of being negotiated by the bargaining team.

Design by Emily Robinson

The governor and the legislature will also review the TA and decide whether to fund the first year of the agreement.

Donohue said the MSCA and the BHE/COP will be very cooperative in making sure the first year of the CBA is funded by the governor. “At this point in the process, the university presidents don’t want to see it fall apart. The union doesn’t want to see it fall apart. We have a shared interest now in getting the contract funded so that we can have some sort of stability.”

Even after all involved par-

ties ratify the TA, the bargain- tration and Finance. ing teams must still get together He said, “Ideally, what I am and agree on the exact language seeking from the legislature is used in the CBA. Donohue add- full funding of the first year of ed, “That’s another step, and the contract, retroactive to July that can really take a long time. 1, 2017, and to have that includBut that can take place after the ed in the state university budget funding is in the works.” line items for the state’s budget.”

Pedone said because the budgeting deadline for the fiscal year is approaching, he has already been in touch with the chief financial officer at the Department of Higher Education, who is currently creating a funding request. This request will be CONNECT WITH JILLIAN POLAND sent to the secretary of Adminis- jpoland@student.framingham.edu

This summer earn credits toward your degree Undergraduate or Graduate – Online or On Campus Maymester: Session 2: Session 3: Session 4:

May 21– June 8 June 12– July 12 June 18– August 6 July 17– August 15

For a list of courses, and to register:

umassd.edu/summer QUESTIONS? 508.999.9202 online@umassd.edu

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6 | NEWS

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APRIL 13, 2018

APRIL 13, 2018

THE GATEPOST EDITORIAL

Advice for SGA

THE GATEPOST

7 | OP/ED

OP/ED

Next week, students across campus will be voting in the Student Government Association election.

In years past, student turnout for elections has been dismal - only 6.3 percent of the student body voted last year, including graduate students, according to a Gatepost article from April 2017.

We strongly encourage students to participate in the election, as the new SGA senate and eBoard will be representing all students for the upcoming academic year. We I am writing to update the and building meetings were responsible. at The Gatepost traditionally offer advice to the upcomRegardless, we refuse to give community on an incident held with members of West ing SGA eBoard and would like to do so again this year.

While we commend SGA for some of the projects it that occurred in West Hall on Hall to explain what happened, up on our efforts to find the has undertaken in the past year, we hope the upcoming the evening of Sunday, April denounce the behavior, seek person(s) who brought this eBoard works to become more inclusive in its representa- 8, when an RA discovered assistance in determining the hatred into our community tion of the student body - both through membership and the outline of a Swastika on a person responsible and review and hold them accountable.

It is absolutely crucial that window in one of the lounges. the resources available to decision-making.

University Police are actively students on campus. anyone with information There is a perception among students that SGA has These resources include come forward and share it simply become a bank doling out funds for niche events investigating this incident and encourage anyone with University Police, the Center with police by calling 508-626that are poorly attended in relation to their costs.

But SGA is supposed to be much more than that. At it’s information to come forward. for Inclusive Excellence, the 4911.

This discovery is deeply Health and Wellness Center You can do this anonymously best, SGA works as a collective unit of strong advocates for the roughly 5,000 students who attend this University. disturbing, especially given and the Bias Education by using the FSU tip line by texting to 67283, and in the When a senator casts a vote, they cast it not only for the rise in racism and anti- Response Team (BERT).

In addition to our beginning of your message themselves, but for all FSU students - the commuters, the Semitism that has occurred graduate students, the students with limited mobility, the nationally, including on our investigation of this incident, typing “FSUTIP” followed by a students with children waiting for them at home, the vet- own campus last semester. As University Police continue space and then your message. you know, Framingham State to actively investigate the erans and the first-generation students.

Javier Cevallos, To successfully represent those students and all others, condemns all forms of racism, incidents of racism that occurred last semester.

University President SGA’s next eBoard should be championing efforts to get anti-Semitism and bigotry.

Unfortunately, a fingerprint As a community, we more non-traditional students involved in the organization. We believe SGA should increase their recruitment recognize that the University’s analysis performed by the efforts beyond the scope of undergraduate students who success is dependent on how Massachusetts State Police did well we value, engage, and not produce any conclusive live on campus.

SGA senators should make themselves available to include the rich diversity results. An outside agency their peers to learn about the needs of students campus of students, staff, faculty, working on the handprint analysis has also not been wide. The office hours mandated for every senator are not administrators and alumni.

On Monday, productive floor able to determine the parties well publicized enough to be effective. Because senators are the primary participants in open forum, they should be bringing concerns from others to the floor, not just issues of their own.

Open forum is supposed to be a time for all students to discuss concerns. As such, SGA should be held in a space that is more conducive to real discussion. The Alumni Do you think SGA represents the student body well?

Room is set up with just enough chairs for the senators

By Cara McCarthy, Lizzy Stocks and Corey McFeeley and one representative from The Gatepost.

Another way to facilitate an open dialogue among students would be to make the agendas for SGA meetings available to all students before the meetings are held so those who feel strongly regarding an item can attend open forum.

If the intent is for all students to be using “Hooves, Horns, and Headaches” to simply have their concerns read out loud and not discussed with them, SGA senators should be required to use the platform as well.

While allocating SATF money, SGA members should re- “No, I don’t think so ... I feel it “No, I know they bought condoms “I feel that they should ask our main cognizant of the fact that, to many students, the $70 should be more representative of and that’s kind of dumb. I didn’t opinions more. It’s only the ask for those. Same with the hand activity fee per semester is a lot of money. These funds the entire student body. ” opinions of the people in the -Carolyn Deegan, senior dryers.” meetings, not everyone.” should not be spent frivolously simply because there ap-Marina Coppola, senior -Brittany Stout, sophomore pears to be so much of it. Senators should think critically about each funding request, asking pertinent and respectful questions as necessary while keeping in mind what each club has spent previously and what SGA, as a whole, has spent.

SGA members have recently, when allocating money, said it is their role to be the voice for the students and, the argument goes, that means allocating money for what they perceive to be student needs.

But the SATF is not SGA’s voice.

Student funds are not SGA’s voice.

“No. I feel like it’s not up to them “They helped me set up a music “I feel like all they do is divvy up SGA senators should be the voice. to buy hand dryers. We should club, so I think they are doing a money and give out condoms.

According to the SGA constitution, its mission is “to just have them. And we shouldn’t good job.“ The health center already gives advocate on behalf of the student body, to uphold the ide- have to pay for them.” out condoms.”

-Trevor Taylor, freshman -Adam Volpe, senior als of a democratic society, and to foster student growth -Natalie Cooney, freshman through community and leadership opportunities.”

We hope SGA’s next eBoard takes its own constitution Op/Ed submissions reflect the opinions of their authors only to heart.

Letter from the president

Campus Conversations

and do not necessarily reflect those of The Gatepost or its staff.

@TheGatepost | FSUgatepost.com

8 | OP/ED

THE GATEPOST

APRIL 13, 2018

Student Government Association makes a difference

By Kyle Rosa

SGA President Within the mission of the Student Government Association (SGA), it states that members will advocate on behalf of the student body, uphold the ideals of a democratic society and foster student growth through community and leadership opportunities.

SGA meets these requirements every year, but over the recent semesters, these 34 student leaders went above and beyond the mission.

Some of the most impressive achievements that senate accomplished this year are: extending the library’s hours during finals week, providing new furniture and resources for the organizations to utilize within the club rooms, appointing 22 student representatives to multiple governance committees, cosponsoring the “No Room for Hate” campaign to bring unity to campus and brought three new automatic door opening buttons to hightraffic buildings.

As the SGA president, I get to directly work with the eight other Executive Board members and our advisor. These elected members have taken on the duties of their positions and done more than required. Some examples include expanding presidents’ council into a more informative group session, budgeting every club’s expense to keep the Student Activities Trust Fund on track, keeping meetings energized and working with students to make higher education more affordable. Outreach has never been more successful, with

revolutionary new ideas and retention higher than ever before. Numerous student concerns have been resolved and new approaches have been taken to revamp FSU traditions. Finally, the group has worked together every step of the way and given constant support to one another.

A team is only as strong as its weakest member, but fortunately for SGA, the 25 senators who make up the bulk of the organization are some of the most passionate students on campus. Typically, senators fulfill the basic requirements of attending weekly committee meetings, fulfilling office hours and voting at senate meetings. Not only were these requirements met, but they also created their own opportunities to get involved and made the SGA office a more welcoming environment.

Additionally, they have remained open minded when listening to club’s requests and done a phenomenal job at representing the desires of the student body. This is shown during monitored debates, in which individuals clearly communicate their perspectives and persuade others on their stance. This is done in a respectful manner with a goal of voting for what is best for the majority.

What is most impressive is seeing underclassmen senators take of their own initiatives. I am utterly astonished by the “Silver Ribbon” campaign and the “Hate Ends Here” ad-hoc committee. These two initiatives are led by two self-driven freshmen.

The “Silver Ribbon” campaign’s target

audience is student athletes. It is bringing different resources to the athletes regarding the importance of remaining healthy and preventing concussions. Similarly, the “Hate Ends Here” committee has been working with athletics to create a more welcoming environment in the gym while improving the space.

I couldn’t be prouder of all the accomplishments and improvements that SGA has completed this year.

twitter.com / @FSUStudentGov

Enabling white supremacy

By Nadira Wicaksana Editorial Staff

The construction of binaries in our everyday lives in order to better comprehend the problems that plague our society occurs far too often for it not to be human tendency.

We see it everywhere - man vs. woman, baby boomer vs. millennial, black vs. white.

But the reality often is that the underlying social problem is far more nuanced than most people can perceive at first glance.

Many people can understand that a white police officer killing an unarmed black person with impunity points to larger institutional problems. Many people can also understand that white people have constructed a racial hierarchy in which they are at the top.

But what if non-white people - these very people of color who are oppressed by white supremacy - become enablers of white supremacy?

What if, in order to further their own social status, they seek to uphold racial hierarchy by co-opting whiteness and its benefits - at the expense of those who have similar racial experiences to them?

In 2012, neighborhood watchman George Zimmerman shot and killed a Florida highschooler named Trayvon Martin.

He was acquitted the following year.

In 2014, NYPD officer Peter Liang shot and killed a Brooklyn man named Akai Gurley.

While he was convicted of second-degree

manslaughter, he was ultimately acquitted of all charges.

Earlier in 2018, Memphis store clerk Anwar Ghazali shot and killed a teen named Dorian Harris, whom Ghazali thought had been stealing. Harris’ body was found two days later - Ghazali was charged with first-degree murder.

These are just a few instances in which people of color have been the facilitators of white supremacy.

To non-black people of color, it is easy to dismiss institutionalized police violence against black people.

It is also easy to argue that police officers of color, or even citizens, who commit the same actions as their white counterparts, have harsher judgments meted against them.

It doesn’t involve us, we think. We think, we suffer racism, too. We deal with our own problems.

Don’t you remember the Chinese Exclusion Act? Don’t you remember the internment camps?

Aren’t you tired of being told you’re good at math and made fun of for your eyes, food and language?

“Why do you care so much about other people?”

But then, why were there droves of Chinese people coming to support Liang when there was compelling evidence he was guilty?

We have sympathy - empathy, even - for those who look like us. We have compassion

where we think it counts.

The question is - why can we not find it when it comes to people with whom we have little in common?

Or, why is there so much hatred in Asian communities for their black counterparts?

Though we aren’t a monolith, I’m suggesting most people of color believe the only thing that ties us together is experiencing racism.

But the United States, whether one would like to think of it as a multicultural melting pot or a mixed salad, is fraught with tension across all racial groups. But it prizes whiteness above all else - and the closer you get to it, the more rewarded you are.

That also means co-opting everything that whiteness stands for and all its history including institutionalized racism stemming from centuries of chattel slavery of Africans and their descendants, Native American genocide and countless other acts of enacting human suffering.

When we prioritize the status of our own in-groups above the eradication of all white supremacy, we become culpable.

So, let’s not act like people of color are exempt from criticism.

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APRIL 13, 2018

THE GATEPOST

ARTS & FEATURES | 9

ARTS & FEATURES Senior studio art students display portfolio work

Cesareo Contreras / THE GATEPOST

Cesareo Contreras Editor-in-Chief

T

he Mazmanian Gallery this week displayed the portfolio work of 11 senior studio art majors with concentrations in graphic design and illustration.

All the students involved are part of art professor Stephanie Grey’s 400-level graphic design and illustration portfolio class.

As the name of the class would suggest, displayed throughout the gallery are a number of drawings, comic strips and graphic design works highlighting each student’s individual skill-set.

While some decided to focus more on showcasing professional work they created in internships and off-campus jobs, others decided to display pieces from a number of passion projects they’ve been working on.

Tapping into his love of comics and cartoons, Dani Brindisi displayed strips from three of his original comic books, “What a Dame,” “Change?” and “Sam’s Spook.”

Each of Brindisi's comics has a distinct premise. “What a Dame,” for example, tells the story of a group of gang members in the 1920s collecting the debts owed to them by their clients. The star of the show, however, is the group’s incredibly powerful guinea pig, Clyde, who they use to punish the individuals who refuse to pay up.

“If they don’t pay their debts, they give them what’s coming to them,” Brindisi said.

When thinking about his big-

gest influences, Brindisi points to American animator and director Craig McCracken, who created some of Cartoon Network's most widely adored cartoons including “The Powerpuff Girls” and “Foster’s Home for Imaginary Friends.”

“They just have this cartoon-y comedic style to them that I really personally enjoy,” he said.

Brindisi begins his process by first drawing character models in his sketchbook and then writes up plots that interweave each of the characters’ storylines. Once he creates a sketch he particularly enjoys, he scans the page onto his computer.

In his artist statement, Brindisi notes that although it can be challenging to write compelling and relatable plotlines, nothing is more exciting than finally creating a narrative that subverts readers’ expectations in a meaningful way.

“Through my skills of storytelling, I’m hoping to attract crowds who are captivated by the tales I tell,” his artist statement reads.

Placed in the center of the gallery’s back wall, Colin Moran’s five posters not only showcase his deep fascination with flat expressive colors and bold typefaces, but also his collaborative work style.

Working with the co-founders of Trebl, a locally owned athletic web store, Moran created a series of graphics to help promote the new business venture.

Also on display were designs Moran created for a group of his friends who are in the bluesy jazzrock band “Jodie Road.”

In creating all these designs, Moran stuck to his "semi-abstracted style" and created works that although are distinct, feel uniform when arranged together.

In one printed out design, a bright orange backdrop complements an amalgamation of instruments placed within the design’s center. This design, in turn, compliments Moran’s Andy Warhol-esque self-portrait that is made up of a series of flat colors such as pink, green and orange.

“I create art that carries a sense of honest expression, art that aligns with my personal interests of color and shape - a result of my personal touch,” his art statement reads.

At the start of the semester, Shayna Yacyshyn decided to reach out to her friends on Facebook to help her with senior portfolio project.

“I'm starting an art project where I plan to make 50+ tiny cartoons of people in my life,” the post read.

“Comment 3 things you love and 3 words to describe yourself! (This is to help me make your cartoon uniquely you.)”

The post blew up immediately, resulting in 50 comments from friends and loved ones in the span of a few days.

Placed atop the two shelves situated within in her portion of the exhibit are 47 cartoon cutouts representing most of the friends who commented on her Facebook post. Accompanying each piece is a unique fabric Yacyshyn designed.

“Each of my displayed characters

Participants • • • • • • • • • • •

Robert Bradley Dani Brindisi Sarah Ellis Kevin Ferreria Kayla Manning Vee Metzger Colin Moran Erin Shepard Emily Teich Melanie Trivino Shayna Yacyshyn

are based off of people I know accompanied with an object or entity that they are passionate about,” her artist statement reads. “My hope is that viewers are able to see parts of themselves in my characters and feel a sense of connection to the world around them.”

Students’ work will be on display until April 13.

Starting April 23, senior studio art majors with concentrations in ceramics, painting, printmaking and sculpture will showcase their work. Part 1 will run until the April 27 and Part 2 will from April 30 to May 4.

[Editor's note: Shayna Yacyshyn was a member of The Gatepost's editorial board] CONNECT WITH CESAREO CONTRERAS ccontreras@student.framingham.edu

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10 | ARTS & FEATURES

THE GATEPOST

APRIL 13, 2018

ALBUM REVIEW Robert Johnson Jr. Staff Writer Lottie Person is a whole lot of person.

That’s one of the first things a reader will notice in “Snotgirl,” aside from the disgustingly awkward title, by Bryan Lee O’Malley, of “Scott Pilgrim” fame, and Leslie Hung, which follows the adventures of the titular allergy sufferer in her everyday life as a popular fashion blogger in Los Angeles.

“Snotgirl” marks a series of firsts for O’Malley. This is his first series for which he is not the main artist, as well as his first published as a monthly - now, bimonthly - comic by Image Comics. As for Hung, this is her first-ever professional project as an artist, having gained prior notoriety from her posts on Tumblr.

From the first two pages, O’Malley’s humorous writing style from the “Scott Pilgrim” graphic novels immediately shines through, with two women mistaking Lottie as “that girl from ‘Game of Thrones,’” much to Lottie’s disappointment.

This establishes part of the grand façade of Lottie Person - a popular fashion blogger on the internet with a serious lack of real-life social skills.

Past that, the reader gets introduced to Lottie’s motley crew of unique personalities and fashion trends: Misty Sutton (or “Cutegirl”) is Lottie’s second biggest pain in her backside, acting as the token frilly-clothed, Lolita subculture representative. Megan “Meg” Foster (or “Normgirl”) acts (and dresses) as her name implies: “normal” - objective-focused and to the point.

However, a bulk of the story is dedicated to the relationship between Lottie and Caroline (or “Coolgirl”), showcasing Lottie’s efforts to get on Caroline’s good side, as she does everything in her power to become the coolest person she can be in her presence.

Of course, as many of us can relate, this does not go well initially. Trying to make friends is hard, you know?

Another major conflict in Lottie’s life is with Charlene, the biggest pain in her backside and her former assistant. Mentioning more than that would go itnto spoiler territory.

On top of all that, Lottie is also a chronic allergy sufferer, and that is where her not-mentioned-in-thestory nicknamed moniker comes in. As the story progresses, Lottie goes through allergy attacks, and

@TheGatepost | FSUgatepost.com

Cardi brings the party Image Comics

depending on what’s playing out in the storyline, it could be mild or intense, leading to some awkward moments around her band of buddies, especially Caroline.

Lottie takes Congestex as a means of survival - possible death is a factor, after all. The real-life stakes of missing a dose of allergy medicine, as a chronic allergy sufferer, are replicated well in comic book form - a real mark of O’Malley’s storytelling skill.

As for the art style, Hung’s work is incredible from panel to panel, giving the readers a vibrant and stylistically fashionable representation of California. She really shows her work with the clothes that the characters wear in their day-to-day lives, emphasizing what’s currently considered “in” in the fashion world and how it matches up with each character’s personality and aesthetic, especially with Lottie.

Given this is Hung’s first-ever professional job, "Snotgirl" is a blowout success.

“Snotgirl” is a very well made comic with #relatable characters, scenarios and lots of situational humor to keep readers on their toes, and willing to come back for more. Ghost stories, science fiction logic, buddy cop scenarios, “Snotgirl” has something for everyone.

If “Snotgirl” is on your radar, you can collect the first five issues in graphic novel form, with a second volume coming in May.

CONNECT WITH ROBERT JOHNSON JR.

rjohnson10@student.framingham.edu

Atlantic Records

Zach Colten Asst. Arts & Features Editor

bum include “Best Life,” on which Cardi B recruits Chicago artist Chance the Rapper to bless the track. Their flows blend together on the soft, soulful song, and Chance’s hook is nothing short of inspiring, as he reminisces on his wild success singing, “Made a couple M’s with my best friends, and turned all my L’s into lessons.”

On “Like That,” Cardi gets in touch with her Latin roots, sampling Pete Rodriguez’s “I Like It Like That,” and flavoring it with her signature Bronx flair. “Oh, I need the dollars!” she raps, “beat it up like piñatas.” The song also features Puerto Rican rapper Bad Bunny, as well as Colombian reggaeton star J Balvin.

While this project is still fresh and will need time to marinate and flourish as Cardi continues to grow, it is already a strong start for the rapper. As the title suggests, she is not going to run away, or wait for anybody’s approval anymore, but is here to stay, digging her bloody shoes into the neck of the largely male-dominated rap game.

OKURRRRR?!

Whether you are a fan of her music, it is hard not to love Cardi B. That being said, it is also extremely difficult not to be a fan of her music. On “Invasion of Privacy,” her debut album released April 6, the bombastic Bronx rapper demonstrates her lyrical chops.

Having risen from the grimy underground rap scene of her home state of New York, Cardi B always knew she was destined for greatness. On the first track of the album, “Get Up 10,” Cardi asserts she went from “rags to riches, went from WIC to lit,” in reference to the federal aid program for low-income mothers and their children.

The song is the spark of a dynamite project, which includes an assortment of styles from bass-heavy club bangers to sharply contemplative emotional songs.

On “Get Up 10,” Cardi B also states that throughout her rise to fame, all she wanted to do was “chill and make bangers,” and they are in no short supply on Invasion.

Cardi throws them in your face like a handful of cash.

Her most famous single, the already quintuple-platinum “Bodak Yellow,” appears on the album afCardi B is living her ter two its the most bangin’ tracks: “Drip (feat. Migos)” and “Bickenbest life right now and head.” Both songs are “lit,” but the wants you to see it. second is especially so because of its complex sampling and homage to rap history.

Cardi wants to be remembered as a legendary emcee, and paying tribute to rap’s greatest is definitely one way to do that. On “Bickenhead,” Cardi samples Memphis legend Project Pat’s 2001 song “Chicken Head.” The song’s origins are deeply southern, but also rely on artists from across the United States, as Bay Area rapper Too Short provides the bassline, lifted from his song “CussWords.”

CONNECT WITH ZACH COLTEN Other standout songs on the al- zcolten@student.framingham.edu

Grade: A

THE GATEPOST

APRIL 13, 2018

ARTS & FEATURES | 11

Hooked on Shanleigh Reardon Editorial Staff

W

hen Khalima Botus-Foster was 11 years old, she found it difficult to purchase anything that suited her body type and her personal style when she went shopping.

So she did something about it.

After crocheting tops and accessories for herself when she was teenager, Khalima faced another challenge in college: money. Again, she turned to crocheting for the solution. In the fall 2016 semester, she began selling handmade head warmers to friends for $15 to supplement the income she was earning from her retail job.

Then, on June 7, 2017, after a little encouragement from friends, LimaLoops went live on Instagram.

“I didn’t start selling things until finals week junior year in the fall semester. But I didn’t think anything of it - I was just selling head warmers,” said Khalima.

She credits senior Derek Welcome as being the one who pushed her to start advertising her talent on Instagram.

Welcome said, “We lived in North together and would occasionally hang out and see each other. I always caught her crocheting and one day just asked what she was doing.”

He added, “I encouraged her to market herself on social media because she really had something special going on.” Welcome said Khalima was already dedicated and hard-working. If she decided to expand her hobby into a business, he believed she could be successful.

LimaLoops, a business Khalima runs entirely by herself, recently grew large enough that she could quit her retail job and rely on her popular crochet tops, accessories and outfits to pay her bills, while she completes her final semester at FSU. LimaLoops’ inventory of tops, hats, head warmers and baby shoes is con- stantly growing due to sales on Etsy and social media pages such as Instagram and Facebook.

Photo courtesy of Khalima Botus-Foster Khalima showcased her products during M.I.S.S.'s Art After Dark event.

“I just did it to just make money, but then I was like, ‘Wow! People like what I do. Maybe I should get into it,’” said Khalima, while reflecting on her journey as an entrepreneur on a warm day in late February - crocheting the whole time.

Inside her dorm room, a white plastic mannequin sits in front of a tapestry, and a hamper is filled not with dirty laundry, but with yarn.

Khalima said, “I feel like because I’m young, I’m black and I’m a woman, I already have to work my ass off in general.

So, I feel like I have to work my ass off four times more because I have my own

business. I feel like I have to be my best advocate when it comes down to it.”

Khalima creates everything for LimaLoops herself - from her logo to her products.

She said, “I’ve had support from a lot of people, but this is me, myself and I.” As a communication arts major, Khalima has access to the iMac computer lab in the library and has also been able to take classes such as Advertising Techniques and Design for Integrated Media, which focus on brand identity and logo design.

She said having access to those resources helps her create advertisements and

Photos courtesy of Estefania Mangue

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12 | ARTS & FEATURES

branding materials to promote LimaLoops in a professional manner.

Jennifer Dowling, communication arts professor, said Khalima “didn't have a strong visual identity or complete sense of a brand” for LimaLoops when she took Advertising Techniques in the fall 2017 semester.

Dowling said she was hesitant at first when Khalima wanted to use her own company as the topic for her final project because she already had a web presence and logo.

“Khalima is talented and quite versatile with her craft, so I wanted to see where she might go with this,” said Dowling.

She added, “Ultimately, it was a very worthwhile project and it opened my mind to the potential for students to develop an advertising campaign to support their existing company.”

Dowling said the skills students learn in classes such as Advertising Techniques are tangible and transferrable to different fields and positions students may be pursuing.

Khalima has already transferred those skills to her business, as she plays the roles of social media manager, designer and customer service representative to all her clients.

“I don’t ever want to have to report back to anybody. Or have anybody make me feel like I’m any less of a person or at the bottom of the food chain,” she said.

Many LimaLoops customers are FSU students. Senior Clarisol DeJesus purchased a head warmer and said, “[Khalima]’s a very confident and indepen-

Photo courtesy of Estefania Mangue

@TheGatepost | FSUgatepost.com

THE GATEPOST

dent girl. I look up to her for starting her own business and feel privileged to have contributed.”

Welcome, who has purchased pieces as well, said compared to things people may purchase at stores such as T.J. Maxx or the mall, LimaLoops’ “quality is better, creativity is outstanding and it’s for the right price. But most importantly, I’m buying something with a story behind it.”

Senior Monét Nikera Johnson called her experience purchasing from LimaLoops “amazing.

“Khalima’s always nice, so it’s super easy to buy from her. I saw the work she was doing on Instagram, and I just had to have one of her pieces,” said Johnson.

She added, “I buy from black [-owned] businesses whenever I can, and she’s a good person, so she deserves all the business she gets. I’m actually a huge fan of her and the business, so even if I didn’t know her before my purchases, I would still be thrilled with my experience.”

Khalima said communicating with her customers is a key part of her business model. “I don’t want to leave anybody hanging because I don’t like to be left hanging, ever.”

She added playing all roles can sometimes be challenging, as people see her as a friend or classmate and may expect her to give them a good deal or be given special treatment. But as far as LimaLoops, she’s a professional and expects to be treated as such.

“I work in order of who paid me first,” she said.

People sometimes approach

her with pictures of crocheted items they find online. What they don’t know, said Khalima, is how competitive the crochet business can be.

“All those cute patterns you see on Instagram and stuff - it costs money to learn how to make that,” she said.

Other designers don’t share their patterns or give tutorials on how to replicate items. So, it’s often left to people like Khalima to figure out how to make something look a certain way. For people like her, a self-proclaimed “perfectionist,” it can take a while for a piece to turn out just how she, or a client, envisions it. Then, to market the item for purchase, she must be confident she can reproduce it in different sizes and colors.

Khalima said she must check in with herself to make sure she’s not becoming overwhelmed. She deals with the stress by occasionally not accepting LimaLoops orders, so she can catch up on her schoolwork and other project.

She said she doesn’t want LimaLoops to become a task or something she dreads doing. “I love what I do. I really love crocheting, and I don’t ever want to not love it anymore.”

In addition to selling her pieces through Etsy and social media, Khalima has participated in showcases such as RAW Boston and M.I.S.S.’s event Art in the Dark.

RAW Artists is an organization that holds artist showcases in different cities

APRIL 13, 2018

to help promote small businesses and give networking opportunities to artisans like Khalima.

“They’re well-known. They do shows in different cities throughout the world. So, I knew it was a serious thing because I know that a lot of artists would be honored to be part of a show like that,” she said.

As for the future of LimaLoops?

Khalima - and her supporters don’t see anything but growth in LimaLoops’ future, even with graduation coming right around the corner.

Welcome said, “LimaLoops has been successful because of Khalima. As she continues to grow and develop as an owner, it shows through LimaLoops. I don’t hope, but I know - LimaLoops will be nationwide in due time.”

Khalima said, “I definitely see myself doing it full-time in the future because I know that it’s possible. I know that I can make money off of this, and I know that once I’m out of school and once I have more time, my creativity can flow.”

CONNECT WITH SHANLEIGH REARDON

sreardon1@student.framingham.edu

APRIL 13, 2018

THE GATEPOST

ARTS & FEATURES | 13

Equestrian Club presents….

Trail Ride at Stowe Farm Saturday, April 28th from 9 am – 1 pm Check in at 8:30 in McCarthy lobby!

Tickets on Sale Monday, April 9th in the Game Room! $10! Includes transportation, trail ride, and lunch!

NO experience necessary- beginners welcome!

Questions? Equestrian@framingham.edu

Make Your SUMMER Matter!

We are here for YOU

session

May 21-June 8 Classes meet 5 days per week, in Bedford & Lowell and online.

No class meeting on Monday, May 28th.

Call 508-626-4640 or stop by to make an appointment

GET A QUICKStart ON

Located upstairs in the Counseling, Health & Wellness Center at Foster Hall

YOUR EDUCATION THIS SUMMER AT

MIDDLESEX COMMUNITY COLLEGE! KEEP YOUR MOMENTUM GOING:

• College students – Take transferable college courses while you’re home • Adult learners – Get closer to that academic credential

Other Summer Schedule Options DAY SUMMER SESSIONS  May 29 - June 28 or July 9 - August 8 Classes meet 4 days per week, in Bedford & Lowell

ONLINE/EVENING SUMMER SESSIONS e8June 4 - July 31 or June 18 - Aug. 14 Classes meet 2 evenings per week, or online

FREE CONFIDENTIAL SERVICES FOR MATRICULATED STUDENTS

To learn more, call 1-800-818-3434 or visit www.middlesex.mass.edu/summer

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14 | SPORTS

SPORTS Softball wins three of four games to reach .500

By Liam Gambon Asst. Sports Editor On Tuesday, April 10, the Framingham State Rams faced Lesley in a double-header.

In the first game against Lesley, the Rams got on the board first when Dayna Marchant scored on a wild pitch in the first inning.

Lesley scored two runs in the top of the second to take a 2-1 lead over the Rams.

In the bottom of the second inning, the Rams scored three times to take a 4-2 lead. Mycala Moody scored Lauren Salisbury with a single, and designated hitter Kayla Finacchiaro knocked in Moody and Marchant with a single back up the middle.

Framingham stretched their lead in the fourth inning, as Anna Dziok blasted a grand slam to drive in four more runs for the Rams to make it 8-2.

Camille Desrochers wrapped up the blowout victory with a two-run single in the fifth inning that scored Kristen Dick and Salisbury. The final two runs of the game gave Framingham the 10-2 win.

Jessica Pietersen picked up the win for the Rams as she tossed three innings, allowing five hits, two runs but zero earned runs.

FRAMINGHAM STATE 10 LESLEY 2 In the second half of the double-header, the Rams once again got on the scoreboard first off an RBI double by Marchant that scored Dick.

In the fifth inning, Downing knocked in Desrochers with a single. After loading the bases in the same inning, Dziok worked a walk to bring in another run to make it 3-0.

The Rams loaded the bases again in the sixth inning and Marchant and Moody both walked, scoring Grace Caughey and Victoria Ziner. Kayley Reese followed with a single to score Marchant and Kyla Johnson. Dziok finished off the scoring with a single that scored Moody to make the lead 8-0 in the final inning.

Kelsi Gunarathne picked up the win as she pitched three shutout innings, allowing only one hit while striking out two.

The Rams played their next double-header matchup the next day against Babson.

Framingham took a rough 9-1 loss in the first half of the double-header. Their only run came in the fifth inning as Dziok reached base off a fielder’s choice that scored Desrochers.

Framingham struggled with runners on base in the game, leaving nine runners on base throughout.

Jessica Pietersen took the loss as she pitched 3.1 innings, allowing four hits and five runs.

BABSON 9 FRAMINGHAM STATE 1 The Rams had more success in the second game of the doubleheader as they earned a 3-1 victory over Babson.

The first run for the Rams came in the opening inning as Bridget McGrail knocked in Downing off an RBI single through the left side of the infield.

Babson scored once in the third inning to tie the game.

Downing knocked in two runs herself in the fifth inning off a single that scored Marchant and Desrochers, breaking the tie and ultimately giving Framingham the 3-1 victory.

Gunarathne picked up her sixth win of the season as she pitched a complete game, allowing six hits and one run.

With the win, the Rams climb back to .500 on the season at 12-12. They sit atop the MASCAC with a record of 3-1 in the conference.

FRAMINGHAM STATE 3 BABSON 1

CONNECT WITH LIAM GAMBON lgambon1@student.framingham.edu

FRAMINGHAM STATE 8 LESLEY 0

Amanda Martin / THE GATEPOST Lauren Salisbury gets ready to field a ball in the outfield for the Rams.

@TheGatepost | FSUgatepost.com

Amanda Martin / THE GATEPOST Kelsi Gunarathne pitches the ball in a 3-1 win against Babson.

THE GATEPOST

APRIL 13, 2018

Players of the week

SPORTS | 15

MASCAC standings

Softball

1. Fitchburg State 4-0

2. Framingham State 3-1 3. Worcester State 3-1 4. Salem State 3-1

fsurams.com

Nicole Pacheco capped her five goal, one assist game with the game-winning goal with just 45 seconds left against Bridgewater.

5. Westfield State

2-2

6. Bridgwater State 1-3 7. MCLA 0-4

Baseball

1. Mass. Maritime

2. Worcester State

4-0

3-1

3. Salem State 2-2

4. Westfield State 2-2 5. Framingham State fsurams.com

Michael Andrews picked up a win, throwing nine innings, giving up one earned run and striking out five in a 5-4 win against Westfield St.

6. MCLA 1-2-1 7. Fitchburg State 1-2-1

fsurams.com

Anna Dziok went 1-for-2 with a homerun and four RBIs in a 10-2 victory over Lesley.

2-2

Women’s Lacrosse

1. Framingham State

2. Westfield State

2-0

3. Fitchburg State

4. Bridgewater State

5. Worcester State

1-1

2-0

1-1 1-1

6. Salem State 1-1

7. MCLA

0-2

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APRIL 13, 2018

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16 | SPORTS

Baseball splits double header with Westfield to remain fifth in the MASCAC

By Richard Tranfaglia Asst. Sports Editor The Rams split their double-header against Westfield State on April 7.

Framingham lost the first game 8-4.

The Owls struck first in the top of the first inning. Kyle Murphy led off by getting hit by a pitch to get on base. He then stole second before advancing to third on a wild pitch. Anthony Crowley drove him home with a sacrifice fly to center.

In the bottom of the first, Cam Borrelli walked and later scored unearned on a throwing error by the catcher.

John Lippincot homered to center to start the second inning and give the Owls a 2-1 lead. Aaron Clancy followed with a double to center.

Tyler Beach then doubled to left to bring home Clancy. Colin Dunn singled down the left field line to score Beach.

Westfield added two more runs in the third inning. Lippincot doubled to left and then scored on a single by Brett Dooley. Nate Barnes singled to center field to score Dooley after he advanced to third on consecutive wild pitches.

Dunn and Lippincot both singled and scored unearned in the fourth inning to take an 8-1 lead.

The Rams responded in the bottom of the sixth with a two-run homer to left by Jordan Pallazola.

Anthony Venuti scored off a sacrifice fly by Matt Brockett in the seventh to reach the final margin.

Chris Riga only pitched 2.1 innings, allowing seven hits and six runs before giving way to Kyle Hodgson, who finished the game.

John Gegetskas pitched a complete game, allowing six hits and four runs for Westfield.

The Rams won the second game against the Owls 5-4.

Beach got on base after a fielding error by the shortstop. He later scored unearned.

Murphy followed with a double to left and scored on a single by Dunn.

Crowley also got on base on a fielding error by the shortstop. Alex Lafayette followed with a homer to left, driving in two.

Pallazola homered to left to lead off the bottom of the third. Borrelli was up next and walked to get on base. Kyle Pileski followed by getting hit by a pitch, advancing Borrelli to second. Matt Fogarty doubled to right to score Borrelli and Pileski to cut the deficit to one.

Fogarty homered to center in the bottom of the fifth to tie the game.

Pallazola hit a walk-off homerun in the ninth inning to win it for the Rams.

Michael Andrews got the win, pitching a complete game, allowing seven hits and four runs.

Vincenzo Camera went five innings for Westfield, giving up six hits and four runs.

The Rams move to 9-11 on the season.

FRAMINGHAM STATE 5 WESTFIELD STATE 4

CONNECT WITH RICHARD TRANFAGLIA rtranfaglia@student.framingham.edu

WESTFIELD STATE 8 FRAMINGHAM STATE 4

Framingham State’s offensive leaders

Runs

Homeruns

1. Anthony Venuti

17

2. Jordan Pallazola

16

3. Aaron Williams

1. Jordan Pallazola

5

2. Cam Borrelli

4

16

3. Anthony Venuti

4. Matt Fogarty

15

4. 5 players tied

5. Matt Brockett

14

6. Cam Borrelli

13

Stolen Bases

1. Aaron Williams

18

2. Kyle Lippert

5

2

3. Anthony Venuti

3

1

4. Cam Borrelli

1

5. Matt Brockett

1

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

APRIL 13, 2018

THE GATEPOST

SPORTS | 17

Framingham State statistical leaders

Ferr or Foul:

Sho time in LA

By Matt Ferris Sports Editor During the 2018 MLB offseason, there were many big name players looking to sign mega deals, like JD Martinez, Yu Darvish, Jake Arrieta and Eric Hosmer.

But what looks like the best deal so far in the young season is Shohei Ohtani. The Los Angeles Angels inked Ohtani to a sixyear, $200 million contract in December 2017.

Ohtani is a rare baseball talent in that he hits at a high level and pitches at an even higher level.

Baseball hasn’t seen such a versatile two-way player since Babe Ruth.

But right from the start, the Japanese star faced many critics and skeptics. Many said he would never be a successful hitter against MLB pitching. Others beleived MLB hitters would crush his pitching and many saying he would never live up to the hype.

The criticism only intensified during spring training, when Ohtani was less than impressive.

He pitched just 2.2 innings in the spring, and gave up nine hits and eight earned runs.

Batters hit for an average of .529 against him and belted three home runs.

Ohtani featured a very good breaking ball, but a flat fastball that appeared to be very hittable during his spring training starts.

The 23-year old has been the exact opposite during the regular season. Ohtani has been sharp on the mound and even sharper at the plate.

Ohtani has started two games on the mound for the Angels and has been nothing short of spectacular.

So far, Ohtani is 2-0, with a 2.08 ERA and 18 strikeouts in 13 innings.

But Ohtani’s most impressive performance came on April 8, against the Oakland A’s.

Ohtani took a perfect game into the seventh inning before Marcus Siemien hit a single to break it up.

In the near perfect game bid, Ohtani struck out 12 batters and allowed only the one hit in his seven innings of work.

Hitters have an average of under .100 against him so far in the regular season, much different than the .500+ average against him in the spring.

As impressive as he has been on the mound, Ohtani has been arguably better as a hitter.

On most of his off days from the mound, Ohtani plays designated hitter for the Angels and bats eighth in the lineup.

He has been the DH so far in four games for LA and is putting together very impressive numbers.

In 18 at-bats, Ohtani has seven hits, three homeruns, seven RBIs, and is batting .389.

To put his statistics in perspective, Ohtani has numbers comparable to 2017 NL Cy Young winner Clayton Kershaw while pitching, and while batting, his numbers are very similar to 2017 AL MVP runner-up Aaron Judge.

Judge is hitting .340 with 3 HRs and 8 RBIs, and Kershaw has a 1.89 ERA and 19 strikeouts.

If one thing is for sure, Ohtani is the real deal and will be playing in the MLB at a high level for a long time.

Ohtani is well on his way to winning the 2018 AL Rookie of the Year award and is definitely a contender in the 2018 MVP race.

Softball

runs batted in

1. Megan Downing

21

2. Anna Dziok

3. Dayna Marchant

20

4. Kayla Finacchiaro

12

5. Mycala Moody

12

6. Grace Caughey

8

18

Baseball

runs batted in 1. Cam Borrelli

21

2. Jordan Pallazola

17

3. Aaron Williams

16

4. Anthony Venuti

13

5. Matt Fogerty

10

6. Matt Brockett

8

Women’s Lacrosse assists

1. Grace Gamache

32

2. Kimmy Foley

17

3. Nicole Pacheco

4. Morgan Begley

5. Audrey Duhaime

11

5

6. Alissa Marino

7 5

CONNECT WITH MATT FERRIS mferris2@student.framingham.edu

@TheGatepost | FSUgatepost.com

18 | SPORTS

APRIL 13, 2018

THE GATEPOST

Women’s lacrosse edges Bridgewater to extend win streak

By Matt Ferris Sports Editor Framingham State hosted the Bridgewater State Bears on April 7 in a MASCAC game.

The Rams were behind early, as the Bears scored the game’s first three goals in the first 7 minutes of play.

Framingham answered back with two goals of their own to cut the Bears’ lead to one. Audrey Duhaime scored the first and Kimmy Foley added the second on a free position shot to make it 3-2.

The Bears came back with three more unanswered goals to push their lead to 6-2.

But the Rams closed out the half, scoring the last six goals to take an 8-6 lead going into the break.

Framingham had five different goal scorers on the 6-0 scoring run, and all six goals were assisted.

Morgan Begley, Hanna McMahon, Alissa Marino and Foley all had one goal, and Nicole Pacheco scored two goals to put the Rams up 8-6.

Bridgewater responded in the second half, scoring the first two goals to tie the game up at eight.

The Rams came right back with two goals of their own to take a 10-8 lead. Grace Gamache scored the first off a free position shot, and Pacheco added the other goal, her third of the game, off an assist from Gamache.

Again, the Bears answered with two more goals to tie the game up.

Pacheco gave the Rams the lead back with just over 16 minutes left to play, scoring off an assist from Foley to make it 11-10.

Bridgewater scored the next two goals of the game to put themselves in the lead - 12-11.

McMahon tied things up at 12 off a free position shot with just under

13 minutes left in the game.

After nearly 8 minutes of no scoring, Bridgewater scored a goal off a free position shot to take a 13-12 lead with 5 minutes remaining.

Framingham scored two goals to take a 14-13 with 4 minutes left to play.

Marino and Kristen Keenan both scored goals off an assist from Gamache.

With just over a minute left in the game, the Bears knotted things up at 14. Gabby Reinold scored unassisted in what looked like a goal that would surely force overtime.

But with just 45 seconds remaining, Pacheco received a pass from Gamache and fired it into the back of the net to give the Rams a 15-14 victory.

Pacheco led the way for the Rams, scoring five goals, including the game-winner. Gamache led the Rams in assists with six.

In net, Indigo Fox Tree-McGrath made seven stops for the Rams.

The win for the Rams extends their streak to nine games. They are now 10-1 on the season and 2-0 in the MASCAC.

FRAMINGHAM STATE 15 BRIDGEWATER STATE 14

CONNECT WITH MATT FERRIS mferris2@student.framingham.edu

Allie Gath / THE GATEPOST Tess Destino runs upfield for the Rams as she looks to make a pass. The Rams are now 10-1 on the season and 2-0 in the conference.

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APRIL 13, 2018

SPORTS | 19

Agree to Disagree Matt Ferris

Question

Jose Carrasquillo

Yes

Will Odell Beckham Jr. stay with the Giants?

Yes

Miami Heat

Which NBA lower seed will advance to second round?

Utah Jazz

Yes

Will the Patriots trade up in the draft for a QB?

No

Getting Ahead

///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

My Way

Make your summer count!

Register now for 2018 summer classes.

• 5-week, 8-week & 12-week sessions • Morning, afternoon, evening, hybrid and online courses • Over 100 courses offered entirely online • Undergraduate and graduate courses*

*Students may take up to 2 graduate courses before matriculation

Classes start May 21, 2018 Learn more at Framingham.edu/summer or call the Continuing Education Office at 508-626-4603

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20 | PHOTOS

THE GATEPOST

APRIL 13, 2018

FSU’s Got Talent

The Dance Team presented “FSU’s Got Talent” on Thursday April, 12.

Acts included singing, dancing, guitar playing and even magic tricks.

Allie Gath/THE GATEPOST

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