February 9, 2018

THE GATEPOST Framingham State’s independent student newspaper

Volume 86 • Issue 15

FSUgatepost.com

February 9, 2018

Faculty pen letter in response to hate crimes

By Cesareo Contreras Editor-in-Chief Condemning last semester’s six hate crimes, over 240 members of the FSU community have signed a letter to the editor denouncing racism and calling for a more united campus.

The letter, appearing in this week’s issue of The Gatepost, has been signed by 174 faculty members and 68 staff members and administrators, according to English professor Elaine Beilin.

“We really wanted something to communicate with the students, and it seemed like The Gatepost was the best way for us to communicate with as many students as we could,” she said. “A lot of us felt that students should know how faculty and staff felt - how upset and appalled and angry we were by the attacks on our students.”

Responding to the spree of hate crimes Amanda Martin / THE GATEPOST

FSU women’s basketball hosted Westfield State on Feb. 8.

News LATOYA TAVERNIER pg. 2 THE FLU AT FSU pg. 4

Opinions DANGEROUS RHETORIC pg. 8 KNOW WHO TO BLAME pg. 8

Arts & Features CLOVERFIELD PARADOX REVIEW pg. 12 THE SHAPE OF WATER REVIEW pg. 12

Sports

Corey McFeeley MCDANIELS STAYS PUT pg. 15 WOMEN’S BASKETBALL WINS IN BLOWOUT pg. 13

Dining Commons undergoing major renovations Commuter cafeteria downsized

By Shanleigh Reardon News Editor Dunkin’ Donuts will open on campus this fall, replacing the Starbucks in the McCarthy Center, said Ralph Eddy, director of Dining Services.

The change comes as a result of the “overwhelming” support the coffee chain received from students on surveys administered in the spring and fall semesters of 2017, said Eddy.

First-year student Alannah Weaver said she voted for Dunkin’ Donuts on a survey distributed by Dining Services last semester.

“I’m excited. I prefer Dunkin’,” she said.

Junior Cory Caraher said, “I’ve never had Starbucks because there wasn’t one in my hometown. But Dunkin’ Donuts has a lot more options, and so, I think if they have more options here it would be a good thing.”

Sophomore Sara Price said she’s in favor of the Dunkin’ Donuts because the current menu at Starbucks is limited.

“I like the pink drink at Starbucks and they don’t have that here. Dunkin’ also has better hot chocolate,” she said.

In addition to Dunkin’ Donuts’ arrival, the Dining Commons will undergo major renovations during the summer of 2018. The space will receive new furniture, and dining stations will be relocated to the perimeter of the space to accommodate more seating and reduce

See DINING COMMONS page 3

See FACULTY page 5

The phoenix of Framingham J&M Diner rises from the ashes

By Bailey Morrison Editorial Staff It’s 8:15 on a Friday morning. Most college students are still fast asleep or shuffling bleary-eyed to their 8:30 classes wearing pajamas and clutching cups of coffee.

The staff at J&M Diner are also wearing pajamas, but they have been at the restaurant since before 6 a.m., serving coffee and breakfast to hungry customers.

Karen Fiore, co-owner of J&M Diner, said she gets up at four in the morning every day. From then until closing time at 2 p.m., the staff is cooking and serving food and cleaning.

Almost a year after a fire in the Old Path Village Plaza destroyed the original diner, J&M is back in full swing - in a new, bigger location and with an expanded menu.

Big glass windows give a peek of the restaurant from the outside. A purple sign is hanging from the front door. In script lettering, the sign reads on one side: “We are definitely open.” The other: “We are definitely closed.”

According to Karen, after weeks of searching for a new location for their restaurant, the family was growing concerned they wouldn’t be able to find one that would work. She said, “It had to be the perfect marriage of location and parking. Those things are hard to find.”

She wondered briefly if she would need to go back to working at a nail salon and was concerned for the future of her family.

Karen said re-opening the diner was “really hard.”

The insurance company wasn’t “as helpful” as the family needed. Additionally, everything in the old restaurant had been destroyed and needed to be replaced.

See J&M DINER page 10 INSIDE: OP/ED 6 ARTS & FEATURES 9 SPORTS 13

2 | NEWS

THE GATEPOST

Gatepost Interview

Editorial Board

LaToya Tavernier

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 Design Editor Shayna Yacyshyn 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 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 9 2018

Sociology Professor

By Shanleigh Reardon News Editor What is your professional and educational background?

I got a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Columbia University. Then, I got my master’s degree in sociology from Queens College at the City University of New York (CUNY). I got my Ph.D. in sociology with a concentration in Africana studies from the graduate center at the CUNY. I started teaching while I was in graduate school and I really liked it - I didn’t expect not to - but really early, I first taught at City College in New York City. I’ve also taught at Pace University and then I started working here in 2013 and I’ve been here ever since.

What do you like best about working at FSU? I would definitely say the students.

That is one thing that has not really changed, even though I wasn’t quite sure at first when I got here if I was going to like it. Because I had never taught, one, at a school in Massachusetts, even though I’m from here, and two, the student population was very different than what I taught in New York City. It was just different teaching in a predominantly white school, which it was at the time. After I got over the first semester and really got to know who students are, I’ve liked it ever since. I really respect that there’s so many hard-working students here who are definitely working more hours than I do to pay their way through school.

What has been a memorable moment for you here?

It was my social deviance class and we happened to be talking about the stigma of mental illness. One student mentioned one of his best friends from high school was suffering with, I think, bipolar disorder, and he was saying how hard it was for him to transition from high school to col-

Police Logs Friday, February 2 10:28 Disturbance Larned Hall Advised and removed

Shanleigh Reardon

lege because he was trying to figure out his meds and stuff. It just opened up the floodgates in my classroom - and this is a class of maybe 25-30 students - and one by one students were admitting to having issues with mental health and mental illness either through anxiety or depression.

It was just so eye-opening for me.

One, I cried because there was one student who actually started to break down and started crying, and I was like, ‘Oh my God, please don’t let me cry at work,’ and then the floodgates just opened. She started crying - people were just so supportive and we just had a really honest conversation about the stresses and issues students deal with outside of being students. ...

I think, from that class, I’ve realized how important it is to just check in with my students and tell them, “If you need a mental health day, I get it.” Sometimes you just can’t be here because there are other things going on. … I feel like after that, people were more active in class because it was like a new little community. So that was the most memorable moment I’ve had as an educator, just realizing the power of creating safe spaces.

What is your greatest accomplishment?

Getting out of graduate school with my degree. That is for me, personally and professionally, my greatest accomplishment because I was not sure that I was going to make it out.

Since I did go through school without a break, and I really was not quite sure if I was going to be able to finish everything and be healthy - mentally and physically - it took a lot of a toll on me just trying to accomplish that because I was working here, too, when I was finishing. So, teaching and finishing was a huge accomplishment. I literally went and defended my thesis and got in the car - because I went to school in New York - and drove home, woke up early the next day and taught an 8:30 class.

What’s something people would be surprised to know about you?

I’ve lived in different places in the United States and outside in my lifetime. I don’t really talk as much at this age about my cultural background.

My parents are originally from a small island in the Caribbean called Dominica. That’s where I was going back and forth when I was a little child until I was about kindergarten age. A lot of people - even people in my own family - don’t know that I used to live down there with my grandparents because I was there from age two to age five, but my first memories are from down there.

What is your advice for students?

Yes, you’re here for school. It’s definitely your goal to get an education. But do not forget that you are a human being, also. Your school work is important, but it’s not the most important thing. I had to have someone explain that to me when I was in college and in graduate school. It’s funny because it’s something that sounds like common sense, but we get so focused on working or getting your education or being in school that we forget that you’re a person that needs certain things. … Don’t do things because you feel like you have to. … Put yourself first. Make sure that’s good, then start working on your priorities and responsibilities.

Corrections

Saturday, February 3 22:34 Elevator Entrapment Larned Hall Services rendered

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NEWS | 3

Dining Commons Continued from pg. 1 congestion during peak dining hours.

Eddy said this change will help “modify and enhance the traffic flow” in the areas currently occupied by the salad bar and allergy-friendly stations. The changes are expected to be complete before students return in the fall of 2018.

Eddy said the space is due for an update as the most recent major renovations occurred 15 years ago, in 2003. The kitchen’s most recent update occurred in 2005.

“The facility itself has definitely aged, and the University itself has actually grown considerably in that time,” he said. “Enrollment has obviously gone up considerably with the two new residence halls coming online.”

He added, “The complete look and feel of the place will change.”

In addition to updates expected in the student-occupied spaces of the dining commons, the kitchen will be renovated to include equipment that is more efficient in size and energy consumption.

Eddy said, “The kitchen itself still occupies the same footprint it did when the building was built in the `70s.”

According to Jeffery Hershberger, director of university services, the upcoming renovations are projected to cost $2.7 million.

The renovations that were completed prior to this semester cost $330,000. This cost includes the added tables and dining stations in the area previously occupied by the Framingham Food Study and Toasted, said Hershberger.

According to Eddy, 40 seats were lost in the commuter café during the initial renovations to make room for more tables and food stations in the Dining Commons. He said, to make up for that loss, additional seating was added in oth-

Amanda Martin / THE GATEPOST Students in the commuter cafe sit outside of the extended Dining Commons.

er areas traditionally dedicated to commuter students in the McCarthy Center.

“The University has added additional seating locations in the lounge on the third floor, the concourse area that’s outside the art gallery - new furniture’s been provided there - and also in Starbucks. All that furniture has been refreshed as well,” said Eddy.

Sophomore Kevin Guzman said, “I’m a commuter and I hate it.” He added because of the position of the glass wall that divides the commuter and residential cafeterias, the number of electrical outlets accessible from the commuter side has significantly decreased.

Senior Zach Pierce said when a friend of his emailed Dining Ser-

Amanda Martin / THE GATEPOST A glass wall was installed during the fall 2017 semester, dividing the commuter cafe from the Dining Commons.

vices about the reduced outlet access, they directed the student to go upstairs to the student lounge or pay to eat inside of the Dining Commons.

“It’s just creating more of a divide between resident students and commuter students,” said Pierce.

Sophomore Garrett Lien said, as a resident, he didn’t understand the change because he thought the commuter café was already “stuffy” before the size was reduced.

Eddy said the ongoing renovations occurring in the Dining Commons will eliminate some of the seating areas consisting of long rectangular tables with chairs. He said although these are efficient for seating a lot of people, they are not as popular as seating options such as booths.

Junior Rachel Bean said she preferred the new booth seating in the Dining Commons as opposed to the tables against the glass wall.

“It’s kind of like we’re sitting together with the people at the tables on the other side, but we’re separated,” said Bean.

The new area of the Dining Commons includes Magellan’s, a station where students can order omelets in the morning and made-to-order dishes such as noodle bowls during lunch and dinner, and UCook, a hands-on station where students can prepare their own meals.

Eddy called the new UCook station “incredibly popular with students.”

Sophomore Kathyuska Gaitan said, “I try to eat there if I don’t like anything they’re serving at the other stations.” She added the

UCook station offers sauces she enjoys that are not used on other dishes served at stations with premade food.

Senior Marquise Bartley-Browne said the UCook station is a good option, but he would like it to stay open later than 7 p.m.

First-year student Nicolette Rivas said she likes the added space in the Dining Commons, but it would be better if students could enter through one of the glass doors that are currently designated as emergency exits. She also said another conveyor belt for dirty dishes would improve the area because students wouldn’t have to walk all the way to the other side of the cafeteria to deposit their dishes.

Junior Ashley Wight said she likes the UCook station when it doesn’t have a long wait.

“It takes like a half hour because everyone wants to use it,” said Wight.

She added, “The new booths and stuff make it feel less like a cafeteria and more like a casual sit-down place.”

CONNECT WITH SHANLEIGH REARDON sreardon1@student.framingham.edu

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4 | NEWS

THE GATEPOST

FEBRUARY 9, 2018

FSU braces for flu

By Kate Shane Staff Writer The flu began spreading on campus during the last weeks of January, according to Ilene Hofrenning, director of the Health Center.

According to Hofrenning, roughly 20-25 students were experiencing flu-like symptoms by the end of January.

“The flu is very unpredictable.

It’s hard to know. We go day by day.

It can mutate during the season and become more or less severe.

This week has been less - maybe three or four [cases] this week so far. I’m not sure if that’s true for the rest of Massachusetts, too. The flu usually peaks around February,” she said.

She said students are typically sick for four to five days. She suggests students diagnosed with the flu go home.

Hofrenning added it is hard to tell how dangerous the flu will be. Usually a “cluster” of students come down with the flu at a time.

FSU experienced its worst flu outbreak in 2009 with H1N1, or swine flu. Hofrenning said, “We had at least 100 - 150 students sick with the flu. It started in the fall.”

This year, the strain of flu affecting students is H3N2.

“We encourage students to go home if they live here. If they live in Larned Hall or Corinne Hall Towers, the bathroom is down the hall, so we give them masks to use in the bathroom,” she said.

Glenn Cochran, director of Residence Life and associate dean of students, said some students live close enough to head home, but the Health Center will let Residence

Life know if a student has the flu and is not going home.

Cochran said the Health Center instructs students to wear a respiratory mask and isolate themselves if they must remain on campus while sick.

He added students “should stay home for at least 24 hours after their fever is gone without the use of fever-reducing medicine.

“We look at isolation options on a case-by-case basis, but because we generally do not have single rooms with private restrooms, complete isolation is often not an available option,” he said. “Moving sick students to other buildings or floors with community bathrooms can result in exposing more individuals to flu viruses.”

Hofrenning said the Health Center works with Dining Services to provide take-out meals to students who are in isolation. Also, the center will contact the dean’s office to make sure students’ absences will be excused.

Dean of Students Meg Nowak said when an illness lasts more than three days, a student can get a note from a doctor. If the student goes through the Health Center, she will be notified.

The notice will not indicate which type of illness the student has, she said, but regardless, she will contact the appropriate faculty.

“This is an excused absence for students, not permission for them to not do their homework,” Nowak said.

Two students on campus have developed pneumonia, Hofrenning said. “This happens when complications of the flu occur.”

She said this year, the flu vaccine has provided less protection against the virus. It is only about 30 percent effective this year.

“What happened is that the virus mutated. They usually make the vaccine in February before the flu season in the fall, so the flu and the vaccine do not match.

“It does provide some coverage,” she said. Those who received a flu shot should experience milder symptoms if they do come down with the flu.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website, “between the time when the composition of the flu vaccine is recommended and the flu vaccine is delivered, H3N2 viruses are more likely than H1N1 or influenza B viruses to have changed in ways that could impact how well the flu vaccine works.”

The CDC said the flu has a higher risk of causing serious illness or death in older adults, pregnant women, young children and people who have pre-existing medical conditions. The CDC says there are roughly between 9.2 million and 35.6 million illnesses per year due to influenza.

Hofrenning encourages students to get the flu vaccine. The Health Center is no longer providing the vaccine, but it is still available at Walgreens and the local Board of Health. “Technically, FSU students are not residents, but the board understands. Insurance covers it 100 percent because of the Affordable Care Act,” she said.

The vaccine takes about two weeks to be effective, she added.

“We have flu tests in cases where the diagnosis is in question. Just

today, I saw a student who did not have a fever, which is one of the cardinal symptoms of the flu. But I was suspicious for the flu and did a test, which was positive.

“For students who are very sick or dehydrated, we send them to the MetroWest Medical Center Emergency Room for evaluation and IV fluids. We continue to see quite a few students per week with the flu,” she said.

Hofrenning said in order to prevent spreading the flu, students should wash their hands often and cover their mouths when they sneeze or cough.

If a student is experiencing the flu, the Health Center will provide a flu kit. This includes a mask, cough drops and a thermometer.

Senior Lily Packer currently has the flu. She said, “It started and just felt like a cold, but got worse really fast. I’ve been sick for about four days, and it doesn’t feel like it’s ending soon. It’s really exhausting and frustrating that there’s nothing I can do but sleep and stay hydrated.”

Nowak said given that this strain of flu is prevalent throughout Massachusetts, she wants the University to do everything in its power to keep students safe.

“I want students to stay healthy.”

CONNECT WITH KATE SHANE kshane@student.framingham.edu

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SGA funds student trip to see “Black Panther”

By Jillian Poland News Editor Senator Alex Backer introduced a new initiative to end harassment in the FSU gym and weight room at the SGA meeting on Feb. 6.

According to Backer, he and Vice President Jack Capello have been working since October to plan and create an ad hoc committee called Harassment Ends Here.

He said, “Basically, I noticed a problem in the gym. We noticed a lot of harassment had been going on in the gym, like unwanted stares, not really following gym etiquette.”

The pair hopes the committee can approach the issue by bringing in speakers and setting up posters and an informational table in the gym. Capello and Backer would also like to conduct a survey to get an understanding of students’ experiences in the gym.

Backer said Harassment Ends Here will “hopefully” be able to co-sponsor projects with other clubs, such as HerCampus and Brother to Brother (B2B).

There will be an interest meeting Tuesday, Feb. 13 in the 1839

Conference Room from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Also at the meeting, representatives from B2B and SGA requested $1,721.34 for a trip to see the new Marvel film, “Black Panther,” on March 2. The trip will be co-sponsored by B2B, SGA and the Comic Book Club.

One hundred tickets will be available to purchase in the Game Room for $5 each. The ticket cost includes transportation, soda, popcorn and the movie.

B2B President Deron Hines said, “This event is a beautiful thing because I was thinking Black History Month, ‘Black Panther’ and then Comic Book Club - and everything that’s Comic Book Club - I was thinking it would be perfect if we all collab and figure this out to show club unity, especially with the club unity project actually being in place.”

Hines said he hopes the event can give students a way to “get the community atmosphere up off the floor again in light of everything that’s happened.”

SGA approved the request.

Latinos Unidos N’ Acción (LUNA) requested $250 for a Club Olympics

Courtesy of Facebook Senators wore “No room for hate” T-shirts during their meeting on Feb. 6.

event to take place on Feb. 23 in the old gym. Student clubs will create teams of five to six people and compete in events such as tug-ofwar and a three-legged race.

LUNA president Theyana Ruiz Peña said she believes campus clubs don’t have the opportunity to interact very often, so LUNA wanted to host the Campus Olympics to provide a platform for that.

She added, “It’s just going to be a fun experience to get to know one another.”

SGA allocated $210 to LUNA for the Club Olympics after removing

$40 for funding balloons. FSU is a latex-free campus and University funds cannot be used to purchase balloons.

In other news: • Jake Maradian was sworn in as a senator for the Class of 2020.

• Senator Danielle Shaw presented the U-Rock Award to Student Activity Treasurer Sarah Horwitz.

CONNECT WITHJILLIAN POLAND jpoland@student.framingham.edu

Faculty letter Continued from pg. 1

that occurred last semester, the letter states that faculty, staff and administrators will commit themselves to “exclude all forms of discrimination” campus-wide. The letter specifically states that educators will work to foster an inclusive environment in their classrooms, departments and hiring committees.

Although it was signed by many individuals on campus, the letter was written by faculty members and was conceptualized in a faculty-led initiative spearheaded by English professor Kelly Matthews last month.

“I sent an email to all faculty proposing we plan some actions on campus - some visible demonstrations of our opposition to the hate crimes and ways for us to take collective action together,” she said.

In addition to the letter, faculty and staff members have been wearing anti-hate buttons on their shirts for the last few weeks. In the coming months, they are planning an anti-racism teach-in/town hall meeting for students to participate in.

History professor Lissa Bollettino, one of the faculty members planning the meeting, said she is

Allie Gath / THE GATEPOST Faculty members have been wearing pins to show solidarity with students.

“A lot of us felt that students should know how faculty and staff felt - how upset and appalled and angry we were by the attacks on our students.”

- Elaine Beilin, English professor reaching out to students for ideas.

Bollettino said by providing a platform for students to speak out, the faculty is working to “provide support and community for those who are suffering.”

That, according to Bollettino, “might be a more achievable goal than changing the hearts and minds of those who are writing racist things on a flyer. I don’t know if we are ever going to root those people out entirely. What we need to do is to have a secure enough community.”

Sociology professor Elizabeth Whalley said she signed the letter because she believed “it was important for faculty to take a united stand addressing the racist hate crimes on campus.”

Political science professor David Smailes said he signed the letter because “it was a good expression of what our community is all about.”

He said as an educator, it’s his job to follow the ideals expressed in the letter.

“I think everybody bears that responsibility.”

Whalley said she hopes students feel “comforted” by the letter. She said, however, she sees it as more of as “a promise that we’ll take action.

“I don’t think the letter alone is enough, but it’s a good jumping off place for holding ourselves accountable.”

CONNECT WITH CESAREO CONTRERAS

ccontreras@student.framingham.edu

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THE GATEPOST

FEBRUARY 9, 2018

OP/ED

THE GATEPOST EDITORIAL

Letter to the faculty

If you look at page seven of this week’s issue of The Gatepost, you’ll see a full-page letter to the editor with over 240 signatures taking up the bulk of the page.

Some of those names may be familiar to you - your advisor, a former math professor whose class you took freshman year, your expository writing instructor while others, you may never have met.

Collectively, the 242 individuals who penned their names to the letter represent the members of the faculty, staff and administration who have pledged to promote an inclusive FSU community that is free of racially charged hate and division.

While members of different campus constituencies signed it, the letter was spearheaded and written by faculty members. Of the 242 individuals who posted their names, 174 were professors, according to English professor Elaine Beilin.

We at The Gatepost appreciate the intent of the letter and find the campus-wide support heartening. We hope students find comfort in the fact that many FSU professors have pledged to live up to the ideals expressed in the letter.

But a pledge alone isn’t enough to quell the fears of students who feel are unsafe on this campus. The letter is a tremendous first public step that hopefully will act as a springboard for more faculty-led initiatives.

But what must come next is action.

Given this was primarily a faculty-led initiative, we at The Gatepost would like to offer some steps faculty members can implement to, as the letter puts it, “promote a campus climate where diversity flourishes strongly and safely.”

As educators, professors have made it their life’s work to inform and educate the students who attend their classes every semester.

Students go to college to learn and expand their worldview of different cultures and perspectives. But the heinous and targeted attacks that occurred last semester have caused many students to feel unsafe and isolated, especially students of color.

Now is the time for educators to celebrate diversity, and create lesson plans that highlight the important work being done by individuals of various backgrounds.

While many professors have already started to incorporate more cultural representation into their curriculum, it’s paramount more faculty follow suit.

Promoting discussions concerning diversity can be done “strongly and safely” in a climate familiar to both students and professors - the classroom.

Outside the classroom, there have been a number of events during the academic year that have focused on diversity and inclusion. They have almost always been poorly attended. For example, there were only five students - two of whom were Gatepost staff members - at last semester’s Unity Workshop.

One of the biggest problems with the workshop was that there seemed to be little student involvement in the planning process. In the coming months, faculty members are hosting an anti-racism town hall meeting for students. We urge they work with students early on in the planning process so the event is a success. We hope the faculty members who guide the discussion give thought as to how to facilitate an honest dialogue.

Also, professors must keep in mind that when discussions concerning race take place, often, people of color are spotlighted. It is not one person’s job to represent a whole group and, while intentions may be innocent, spotlighting people of color during a discussion about race is hurtful and reductive.

The 242 signatures serve as a reminder to students that the faculty, administrators and staff members are committing themselves to positive change.

This letter is a promise to students - we hope they keep it.

6 | OP/ED

A big button, an even bigger military

By Lizzy Stocks Opinions Editor

The Trump train does not need a Trump parade.

In a White House press briefing earlier this week, U.S. Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis said the Pentagon is “putting together some options” for a military parade proposed by the commander-in-chief himself.

Shocker.

Don’t get me wrong, the U.S. military has paraded through Washington before, but that was during times of celebration after victories in WWII and the 41-day gulf war.

So what is Trump celebrating?

The $20 trillion U.S. national debt that rises daily?

Congress’s failure to reach a bipartisan budget deal and an agreement for DACA? Or maybe it’s his low approval ratings.

One thing’s for sure: Trump is more concerned with stroking his ego than doing his job, which is running the country.

The Washington Post first reported Trump’s proposal on Tuesday, saying his order for this parade was inspired by a similar spectacle he saw in France, celebrating Bastille Day. An event that symbolizes revolution and the

overthrowing of a long-standing monarchy.

Choosing to show off the military for absolutely no reason is not only one of the biggest wastes of Trump’s time. It’s a waste of the taxpayers’ dollars.

And let’s not forget to call this what it really is: undemocratic.

The president is using his power as commander-in-chief to politicize the military and further divide the country, relying on patriotism as his coverup.

Rather than focusing on the issues that truly plague our country - such as healthcare, immigration and the opioid epidemic - the Trump administration cares more about deflection, division and deception.

Trump is willing to sacrifice the well-being of our country in favor of his own personal agenda, claiming it’s for military celebration.

In regards to the parade, U.S. Rep. Adam Smith of Washington state, the top Democrat on the House Armed Services Committee said, “A military parade like this - one that is unduly focused on a single person - is what authoritarian regimes do, not democracies.”

Trump’s parade proposal further proves that his presidency is dependant upon the facade that he is actually doing his job well.

Campus Conversations What do you think faculty should be doing in response to the hate crimes?

By Thom Duda, Madison Rosbach, Lizzy Stocks and Amanda Martin

“I think they should be having “I think faculty should be engaging with their students a lot conversations.”

-Kaila Walters, junior more. ” -Joe Spinazola, senior

“I think they shoud be talking about it, not just the students talking about it.”

-Nicole Lebel, freshman

“Make sure students know that they know and care.”

-Anthony Herman, sophomore

“I think faculty should be more open to have conversations when it comes up and not be afraid to talk about it to individuals.”

-Tyler Hatfield, junior

“Have more discussions. Let people speak their mind.”

-Cole Davis, sophomore

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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OP/ED | 7

Letter to the editor To the Framingham State University Community: Framingham State faculty and staff stand in solidarity with our students in condemning all hate crimes committed on our campus. Further, we commit ourselves to doing everything possible to promote a campus climate where diversity flourishes strongly and safely. Thank you to the many students who have done remarkable work against racism, sexism, and discrimination at FSU and beyond.

Hate exists everywhere in the world, including on our campus. We acknowledge that racism and sexism exist here today, both in individuals and in institutional structures. We denounce all hateful acts targeting members of our community and we commit to resisting strongly, in every way possible, the bigotry that reflects the tide of intolerance now appearing daily in our country.

As educators who work to nurture and sustain a welcoming campus climate that includes all of our students, faculty, and staff, we commit ourselves to opposing racism and sexism and to working to exclude all forms of discrimination from our classrooms, our departments, and our hiring committees; from all the work we do on curriculum; and from all our interactions with our colleagues and our students.

All students come to Framingham State to learn, and they have a right to do so in an environment free of threats, harassment, and discrimination.

We will strive daily to cultivate a campus climate of understanding and mutual respect. We will not be indifferent to racism, sexism, or discrimination that injures every one of us. We affirm the importance of diversity in teaching and learning and we take responsibility for creating a community dedicated to informed and congenial discussions and a celebration of the multiple ways to be human.

Sincerely, Osama Abdelgadir Joseph Acone Shana Adams Joseph Adelman Ayaan Agane Kaan Agartan Richard Allen Beatriz Alvarado Patty Ames Vikky Angelico Sheree Arpin Benjamin Atchison Luce Aubry David N. Baldwin Cynthia Bechtel Richard Beckwitt Elaine Beilin Dwayne Bell Beth Bennett George Bentley Rupal Bhatt Robin Bianchi Lori Bihler Brian Bishop Maria Bollettino Patricia Bossange Demetrios Brellas Arielle Joy Brent Conny Breuning LaDonna Bridges Bart Brinkman Jane Buchanan-Stover Lisa Burke Kate Caffrey Maggie Campbell Obaid Nicole Carey Linnea Carlson David Case Ann Caso Lisa Cassinari Javier Cevallos May Chaar Kim Charneski John Chenier Glenn Cochran Joseph Coelho Brian Coffey Marian Cohen Stacy Cohen Sarah Cole Martha Colwell Emilce Cordeiro Colleen Coyne James Cressey Patricia Crouch Richard Cunningham Brandi Cutler Jane Decatur Jennifer A. DeFronzo

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Jennifer DeLeon Ann Deschamps Kimberly Dexter Sandra Dickie Lucas Dietrich Catherine Dignam Lorianne DiSabato Robert Donohue Danielle Donovan Jennifer Dowling Lisa Eck Shayna Eddy Carey Eggen Mirari Elcoro Natalie Engler April Facchini Vin Ferraro Ethan Feuer Anna Flanagan Larnell Flannagan Jayson Funke Bridgett Galvin Zhenguang Gao Christie Garbarino Jill Gardosik Christian Gentry Donna Gladney Zeynep Gonen Millie González Sohini Goshroy Mary Grassetti Scott Greenberg Christopher Gregory Stephanie Grey Ken Grunes Xavier Guadalupe-Diaz Eric Gustafson Carl Hakansson Jeanne Haley May Hara Michael Harrison Alexander Hartwiger Katie Hebert Deborah Hogan Lorretta M. Holloway Patricia Horvath Jon Huibregtse Jennifer Hyde Valerie Hytholt Robert Johnson, Jr. Haewon Ju Andrew Jung Phil Jutras Claudia Kale Audrey E. Kali David Keil Norman Kelson Cindy L. Kim Joanne Klova Amy Knapp Robin Kolnicki

Kelly Kolodny Andrea Kozol Ellie Krakow Bob Krim Suban Krishnamoorthy Michael Krul Laura Lamontange Denise Lau Lori Lavigne Julie Levandosky Zhe Li Aviva Liebert Phoebe Lin Andrew Lipsky Diane Lowe Patricia Lynne Jana Morgan Mabee Sarah Mabrouk Mary MacDonald Daniel J. Magazu Vinay Mannam Catherine Manwaring Meredith Marchioni Jesse Marcum Robert Martin Susan Massad Kelly Matthews Desmond McCarthy Christopher McCarthy-Latimer Timothy McDonald Deborah McMakin Karen Medin Suzanne Meunier Ishara Mills-Henry Barbara Milot Carla Minchello Bonnie Mitchell Melanie Mitchell Hedda Monaghan Mark Morabito Matthew Moynihan Sarah Mulhall Adelman Susan Mullaney Erastus Ndinguri Virginia Noon Stefanie O’Brien Laura Osterweis Judy Otto Evan Pagliuca Stefan Papaioannou Yumi Park Lynn Parker Satish Penmatsa Evelyn Perry Jordan Peterson Caitlin Cavanaugh Pettigell Michael Pfitzer Sarah Pilkenton Irene Porro Wardell Powell Colleen Previte

Nate Proctor Ellen Rearick Ruth Remington Priscilla Remis Lina Rincón James Rippey Jorge Riveras Jane Rizzitano Susan Romani Aynsley Rosenbaum Luis Rosero Calista Ross Dawn Ross Nicole Rossi Sandra Rothenberg Virginia Rutter Annmarie Samar Patricia Sanchez-Connally Lisa Savini Jennifer Schackner Erika Schneider Pamela Sebor-Cable Rebecca Shearman Bridgette Sheridan John Sherry Ira Silver Amanda Simons David Smailes Stephanie Smith Folashade Solomon Beverly Soriano Jeremy Spencer Claudia Springer Mary-Ann Stadtler-Chester Argy Stamatopoulou Leslie Starobin David Stender Niall Stephens Keri Straka Rachel Sykes Lisa Tarantino Derrick TePaske Patricia Thomas Ben Trapanick Rachel Trousdale Linda Vaden-Goad Brandi Van Roo Everton Vargas Christina Von Seggern Dawn Vreven Shelli Waetzig Paul Welch Beth Whalley Jeffrey White Sam Witt Michael Wong-Russell Paul Yalowitz Michelle Yestrepsky Fei Yu Ellen Zimmerman Julia Zoino-Jeannetti

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8 | OP/ED

By Shanleigh Reardon

FEBRUARY 9, 2018

Know who to blame

Editorial Staff

The six hate crimes committed on campus last semester strained relationships among students, faculty and staff. With students blaming administrators for not resolving the situation quickly enough and administrators clutching to any student demand they could bring to fruition, I believe many of us have lost focus of the persistent problem through all of this.

The person/persons who committed these crimes are still on campus, and the investigation cannot move forward without the input of those in the community who know something and are choosing to stay silent.

As a reporter who covered four of the six hate crimes last semester, as well as the first on-campus rally and the open forum held after the initial incidents, I have had the opportunity to speak one-on-one with students, administrators and an FSUPD representative. During those interviews, I have been exposed to feelings of frustration and helplessness from administrators and officers and expressions of anger and disenfranchisement from students.

Everyone is entitled to respond to these hate crimes in ways they feel are appropriate, but something I cannot help but notice is the responses, no matter who they’re from or how they’re intended to be perceived, are garnering negative attention and creating animosity on this campus during a time when we need to be united. Administrators cannot make up for the complications their roles come with, but their efforts should not be ignored at a time their presence is a necessity.

Students have been offered nothing but cooperation and transparency from the administration since the first reported hate crime. During the open forum, President F. Javier Cevallos stood before hundreds of students and responded sympathetically to every grievance raised.

Even when he was yelled at by angry students who felt he deserved some of the blame, he did not falter and continued to provide a platform for students to speak freely.

At other universities, this hasn’t been the case. Not every university president sends campus-wide announcements, no matter how bad their message may be for the university’s public image. Not every university administration listens to students’ recommendations and puts them into effect as much as possible considering fiscal and logistical limitations.

When students demanded workshops and training sessions, the University provided them.

Even after dismal turnout during the healing service and the bias training workshop, the administrators did not turn their backs on students.

Instead, they planned more events, marched in student-organized rallies and opened their doors for students to speak openly about what they believe should be done in response to these hate crimes.

If hundreds of students are available to line up well in advance for events, such as Bingo, where are they during important events like the Unity Workshop held during the universal free period? When only five students show up to events like these, our campus appears to be even more divided than it did when the hate crimes were committed.

Students should not be using these hate crimes

as opportunities to blame the administration for something they could not have stopped from happening. Students need to start calling attention to casual racism and suspicious behavior they witness in their residence halls and classrooms to promote an atmosphere on campus that doesn’t condone racism and hatefulness.

If and when these perpetrators are caught, our administrators are not going to determine the legal repercussions they face. Administrators and students alike would prefer for these to be treated as hate crimes in the eye of the law and the perpetrators charged to the fullest extent.

However, none of us has any say in how that will play out in court.

What we can do is help bring these people to light so that the legal process can get underway and these people can be removed from our campus. Let us not let these individuals divide us further, but instead, let us come together to achieve our common goal of removing racism from FSU.

Fsurams.com / The Gatepost

Dangerous rhetoric

By Thom Duda Staff Writer

Yet again outside of the White House and that awful business of governing, Trump decided to entertain the notion that the Democrats present during his State of the Union Address were “Un-American” and even treasonous. Yes, there was laughter from those in attendance and I am more certain that many will just say he was joking, that this isn’t something to be upset about.

To those people, I raise the bird and suggest they look at authoritarian regimes throughout history, particularly Stalin’s back in ol’ snowy Stalingrad. Yeah, they had a lot of treason going on there too. Stalin had a great deal of fun cleansing his own forces for not being on board with his cult of personality.

Paul Ryan set the tone in January with his calls for “cleansing” the FBI during the Nunes memo fiasco. Even if this was in regard to the memo and the alleged bias, this is not the sort of language one uses from a position of power lightly.

This is not some backwater little diner or some idiot’s garage filled with dust and moldering rock posters, this is the stage of politics in the United States as a nation and one that has, for years, been on the record as being against tyrants despite actions to the contrary. Still, at home, the notion of ideology and blind loyalty

to a president has never been something that was acceptable.

Freedom - that blistering sense of being able to do what you want, even if it’s incredibly stupid, but not being bound to the beliefs of the commander in chief - hell, we’ve made fun of every president for as a long as we could, and it was never treasonous to do so.

It was expected.

This type of rhetoric, all a joke and light to some, is more than a possible step onto darker roads ahead. The wanton desire for a display of military might on Pennsylvania Avenue by Trump doesn’t help.

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FEBRUARY 9, 2018

THE GATEPOST

ARTS & FEATURES | 9

ARTS & FEATURES Nashoba Valley Chamber Ensemble performs “L’Histoire du Soldat”

By Cameron Grieves Asst. Arts & Features Editor

The Ecumenical Center hosted the Nashoba Valley Chamber Ensemble for the first midday performance of the 2018 spring semester on Monday.

The Ensemble performed “L’Histoire du Soldat,” by Igor Stravinsky, a hundred-year-old work for clarinet, violin, double-bass bassoon, trombone, cornet and percussion.

The piece tells the tale of a Russian soldier named Joseph who trades his fiddle to the devil in exchange for riches only to later discover that the bargain was not as favorable as it originally seemed.

“L’Histoire du Soldat” is a theatrical work conceived by Stravinsky and Swiss writer C. F. Ramuz in 1918 and is based on a Russian folktale called “The Runaway Soldier and the Devil” by Alexander Afanasyev. The tale is a narrative and is meant to be performed in conjunction with a dance routine that could not be replicated in the limited space of the Ecumenical Center.

The tale is meant to be read aloud as well, and each piece of it was interspersed with the ensemble’s own narration of Joseph’s journey.

“The Soldier’s March” begins with Joseph’s return home, pack in tow. He rests by a stream and rummages through his pack for his fiddle, which he begins to play in “Airs by a Stream.” The devil hears Joseph playing and disguises himself in order to approach the soldier and bargain for his fiddle.

Joseph ends up trading the fiddle for a book the devil says will amass him great wealth. The devil promises to teach him how to use the book over the course of three days, but afterwards, Joseph realizes much more time has passed and his old life is gone, his friends and family having given him up for dead.

The violin is the driving force behind this performance. The sense of urgency created by the many layers of percussion and bass build up the violin’s carefully measured and earnest sound.

Part two of the performance tells of Joseph’s struggle to restore his old life and lift the devil’s curse by

beating him in a game of cards and ultimately marrying the daughter of a king. Bitter in his defeat, the devil warns Joseph that if he leaves his new castle home, he will be waiting to take control of him again in “The Devil’s Song.”

The performance ends with “The Triumphal March of the Devil.”

Years later, Joseph chooses to leave his new home to return to visit his mother, but true to his threat, the devil is waiting for him and once again takes control.

The moral of “L’Histoire du Soldat” is clearly laid out in the closing lines of the “Grand Choral.” The narrator cautions the audience, “No one can have it all, it is forbidden. / You must learn to choose between. / One happy thing is every happy thing: / Two, is as if they had never been.”

The tale of the solder Joseph in “L’Histoire du Soldat” is rather morose but the Nashoba Valley Chamber Ensemble performed it with the diligence and vigor that makes this century-old performance feel like the energetic series of the dance numbers it truly is.

The Nashoba Valley Chamber Ensemble performed a piece by Igor Stravinsky.

CONNECT WITH CAMERON GRIEVES

cgrieves@student.framingham.edu

ALBUM REVIEW

Can Anna Burch “Quit the Curse?”

By Cameron Grieves Asst. Arts & Features Editor Some artists burst onto the scene early in their career with solo work that helps define their creative sound and opens up doors to more lucrative work with other musicians. For Michigan artist Anna Burch, however, the path to creative agency in her songwriting has been a long and culminating journey.

Burch has performed in several Michigan bands since she was 18 years old, for over a decade now.

From contributing backing vocals to folk band Frontier Ruckus to co-fronting the more recent project Failed Flowers, her talents have been actively involved in the state’s indie music scene.

Now with her first solo album, “Quit the Curse,” Burch seems poised to prove her voice is worth being heard front and center instead of being relegated to the supporting roles that have previously defined her touring career.

“Quit the Curse” is a deceptively mellow album. The warm and gently submersing instrumentals coupled with Burch’s smooth and lulling vocal harmonies hide lyrics

rife with anxiety, self-doubt, and bitter anecdotes from the artist’s personal life. This is a deeply personal album - the ever-present and dominating pronoun “I” does battle against past lovers, childhood trauma and the artist’s own personal insecurities.

On “2 Cool 2 Care,” Burch laments the indifference and rejection of an ex as she grapples with how best to define what she wants from the relationship.

“Did I freak you out? Oh what’s that about? Tell me. / From what I can see reciprocity is boring, but I’m / tired of unrequited love stories,” Burch sings monotonously, conjuring up feelings of bewilderment, anxiety and denial about a relationship that remains irritatingly elusive and unfixable.

This theme of unattainable connection and deadened romance continues in “Tea-Soaked Letter,” a song that showcases Burch’s consuming desire to be taken seriously, an inability to fake her emotions and a desire for genuine communication.

There is an undercurrent of paranoia that cuts through the slow and sweet riffs of “Quit the Curse.”

Burch looks inward in an effort to

formulate a response to her frustrating personal relationships and projects that dread and feeling of unease onto her interactions with others.

"Asking 4 a Friend” contains some of the most infectious hooks on the album, buoyantly carrying a dark tale of drug use, in which Burch’s perceived disconnection from her friend exposes the fear she has of transparency and vulnerability.

“You’re not sentimental, but I’ve seen you cry / In the hotel room when we’re high / So why do I feel so exposed? / When I’m the one who’s more composed,” Burch sings.

Doom and gloom is not the sole mantra of this album, and the lyrical content of the nine songs swings wildly among the artist’s varied emotions as she struggles to find her identity amidst a sea of solipsistic stories.

“Self-destruction is so played out / So is self-pity and self-doubt / Let’s try to be OK,” Burch sings on “What I Want,” a hopeful and upbeat song that seems to rail against the anxiety pervading previous songs on the album.

It is difficult to define the mood

Polyvinyl Records

conveyed by an album so contradictory. Smooth and sugar-coated, Burch’s even-toned singing voice lulls the listener into a sense of security that her lyrics largely lack.

One thing is for certain, though - Anna Burch has proven she has a lot to say as an artist, in all the messy, constructive lyricism of a newly forming identity.

CONNECT WITH CAMERON GRIEVES

cgrieves@student.framingham.edu

Grade: B+ Smooth vocal harmonies craft a dark and compelling tale of anxiety.

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10 | ARTS & FEATURES

THE GATEPOST

FEBRUARY 9, 2018

Designed by

Mihlan Fiore

Continued from page 1

Karen said the family received an outpouring of support from the community in the form of emails and donations. Customers told the Fiores stories about visiting J&M after proposing to their spouse or after the death of a loved one. “All these things really made me and my husband and my kids go, ‘We have a special thing here. It’s not just about the food. It’s about the relationships you build over the years.’”

Then, the location presented itself - a storefront right on Route 9 - 50 Worcester Road.

A big sign reading “J&M Diner” can be seen right from the highway.

She said the family was initially nervous about the prospect of a Route 9 location with a high rent price, but it didn’t deter them from re-opening.

She said, “It goes to show you that when you put hard work in, things will work out.”

And after eight months of anticipation, the family was finally able to announce the date of the grand opening - Monday, Nov. 27, 2017.

Karen said, “That was the most stressful day of my life. I would rather give birth 10 times than do that day again.”

She said the opening day was full of excitement and emotion. “We had to open. We were going on four months without money coming in and paying rent.”

She said because the family had initially intended on opening first in September, then October, several employees left because they couldn’t be without work for so long.

New employees were hired and trained but Karen said, “There’s no way to prepare for a day like that.”

To everyone at J&M, this was completely unfamiliar territory given the size, the number of tables and how busy it got throughout that day.

The Fiores were stunned by the turnout from the community. “Who knew news people would be coming out? Who knew there would be crowds around the corner opening day?” She said they ended up being short-staffed and her daughter had to help cook meals as the day went on.

According to Karen, the only waitresses during opening day

Bailey Morrison / THE GATEPOST On one wall of the diner is a picture of The Fiore family and manager and "honorary fourth daughter" Libby.

were Karen and her other daughter.

The old diner was one room with counter-top seating and 50 seats.

The new location now has 100 seats and over 22 tables.

“At the other place, you could see everything in front of you.

Here, you can be in one room and not see anything happening. So, how do you communicate without communicating?” she asked.

Karen said the family had to adjust to the new “flow” of the restaurant. “It’s like when you move furniture around in your room and you keep going to where the furniture was before.”

She said part of adjusting to the new space was finding ways to be more efficient. This includes a new program, in which diners give their cellphone numbers and receive a text when a table is ready: “We are almost ready to seat you! Check in with the host to let them know you are here!”

During the weekend, there is always a wait to get a table.

Josh Rumple, a junior at Framingham State, said he visited the diner for the first time after it reopened. He and four friends went on a Friday morning and it took them an hour to get a table, which he said was “annoying. But they can’t control that.”

He said the food was incredible. “The portions are insane. I got a corned beef hash omelet and I swear it was the size of my 3-yearold nephew. Not only was it enormous, it was delicious. It was some of the best corned beef I’ve ever eaten.”

He added the wait staff was “not super attentive, but just enough to get a refill on coffee and that’s all you really need, right?"

While diners wait to be seated, they can leave or spend their time eyeing some of the abundant memorabilia.

At the entrance, a life-sized statue of Betty Boop holds a chalkboard that reads: “Please Wait to be Seated.”

“You feel like everyone here is family and the amazing thing is that the whole Fiore family works here.”

- Mitch Rogers, Natick Resident

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

A framed photo of the Fiore family - Karen, Dave, Juliana, Mihlan, Simone and manager Libby - hangs on one of the lavender walls.

The diner was established in 1998 by Karen and Dave Fiore. The name is a tribute to daughters Juliana and Mihlan. After Simone was born, the counter was dubbed “Simone’s Counter” as it was too late to change the diner’s name.

According to Karen, Dave has been in the restaurant business for “forever,” working jobs from pastry chef to co-owner of the diner. Karen herself is a professional singer and owned her own nail salon.

To the right of the picture is a whiteboard with daily menu specials. That Friday, they were: “S’mores Hot Chocolate Deluxe,” “Loaded Home Fries” and “Chocolate/Strawberry/Caramel Iced Coffee.”

One relic from the old restaurant survived the fire - the sign that used to hang outside J&M Diner. Now, a little worse for wear and singed at the edges, the sign is displayed on a wall.

New memorabilia covers every wall - some sentimental, like a framed T-shirt featuring Betty Boop dressed as Rosie the Riveter given to the Fiores by a customer.

Other décors simply bring humor to the diner - sitting on top of a coffeemaker in front of Simone’s Counter is a cereal box labeled “Colon Blow,” with the tagline “THE

FEBRUARY 9, 2018

THE GATEPOST

ARTS & FEATURES | 11

Designed by Mihlan Fiore

high fiber cereal.”

One sign reads: “Attention. $5 charge for whining and $100 charge for whining about the whining charge.” Another is of a smiling woman clutching a pot of coffee with text below reading: “If you’re not shaking, you need another cup.”

As if customers could forget about the food, pictures of crowd favorites line the walls - everything from piles of hash browns to French toast to J&M's Phantom Gourmet-reviewed eggs benedict.

The popular eggs benedict is poached eggs laid over homemade English muffins, all slathered in tangy, homemade Hollandaise sauce.

FSU senior Andrew Dabney ordered the barbecue omelet and a hot chocolate during his first visit to the diner. He said while the wait was long, the food and service made up for it. He said his hot chocolate was “the most decadent thing, with marshmallow and crushed up candy cane. It looked like it came straight off the Polar Express.”

With a new location came a new expanded menu as well - adding waffles, organic homemade juices and loaded home fries. The loaded home fries are piled with onions, scallions, bacon and topped with melted cheese.

The menu, designed by daughter Mihlan, features a smiling waitress carrying a tray with steaming hot coffee and pancakes. The menu reads: “The Fiore’s J&M Diner. The

Bailey Morrison / THE GATEPOST Diners enjoy their food surrounded by memorabilia and photographs of the dishes at J&M.

way things used to be.”

Mitch Rogers, of Natick, has been a regular at J&M since before the fire. He sat at the counter and ordered coffee and an egg white omelet. Minutes later, he was served a steaming hot cup of local Hogan Bros. coffee in a glass mug.

Rogers said he has been “blown away” by the expanded menu with old favorites that still taste the same. He added the Wicked Sinful French Toast is “absolutely incredible. It’s mouthwatering.”

The dish is a cinnamon Danish, grilled in butter and cinnamon, drizzled with icing by a heavy hand and dusted all over with powdered sugar.

He said, “The new space is amazing. With this diner, every morning is like family. You feel like everyone here is family and the amazing thing is that the whole Fiore family works here.”

He said he was surprised he was able to get a seat as soon as he

Bailey Morrison / THE GATEPOST Diners eating at "Simone's Counter" can watch waitresses in their pajamas rush around the restaurant filling mugs with coffee.

walked in. “This is the first time I’ve been here and there hasn’t been a line.”

Bill Lynch, a Framingham resident, said, “I’m thrilled they reopened. The new space took some getting used to, but I’m thrilled to see they expanded the menu and hired more staff.”

Janet Dygert of Framingham said, “The food is delicious. The staff is amazingly delightful, and the Fiores are a great family.”

David Stewart, of Shrewsbury, said, “The sweet potato hash is the single greatest breakfast ever.” He grabbed a white plastic bag from the empty seat next to him and joked, “And then you can chase it down with a little Southern Comfort,” as he pulled an unopened bottle of whisky from the bag.

Dina and Matt Kobelski know the Fiores through the CrossFit community. Dina said the Fiores are a “great family. This diner isn’t like all the chain restaurants around

here. It’s nice to support a family-owned business.”

Matt added, “We gotta come here for the sweet potato hash, of course.”

Lauren Sheehan was passing through Framingham and decided to bring her friend Damien Bride, whom she had just picked up from the airport, to J&M. She ordered the French toast. He ordered an omelet.

Bride said, “I literally just got off a plane from Annapolis. I’ve never been to J&M, but I was so hungry, and she took me here. It’s delicious, and the diner is beautiful.”

Sheehan lives in Southborough and has known the Fiores her whole life. Back in elementary school, she would sell Girl Scout cookies outside the old storefront. “I’m so excited they re-opened.”

Karen said, “Even if you’re not blood - you’re family here.”

CONNECT WITH BAILEY MORRISON

bmorrison1@student.framingham.edu

Bailey Morrison / THE GATEPOST Pictured above is one of J&M's pancakes and two of their popular omelets - the kielbasa and the pepperjack.

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12 | ARTS & FEATURES

Surprise!

is a letdown

By Andrew Willoughby Arts & Features Editor

of war, the crew tests The Shepard.

Something goes wrong and the dimension the motley crew inhabits begins to occupy the same space as one much darker.

It’s a solid premise. Unfortunately, it doesn’t do much of anything interesting or original.

The film was directed by Julius Onah, a relatively unknown Nigerian-born filmmaker, and stars Gugu Mbatha-Raw (best known for her role in the “San Junipero” episode of “Black Mirror”) as Hamilton and David Oyelowo as Keil.

Onah’s directorial vision is strong and Mbatha-Raw and Oyelowo give solid performances.

It’s refreshing to see a big-budget Hollywood film spearheaded by a set of talented people of color, but ultimately, this isn’t enough to save the film.

To say “The Cloverfield Paradox” wears its influences on its sleeves is an understatement. It’s practically wearing an “Alien” T-shirt with “The Thing” boxers.

One scene in particular is practically a shot-for-shot remake of the chestburster scene from Ridley Scott’s classic.

In addition to the film’s inability

to present original or compelling plot points, its tone is often inconsistent, most jarringly with the character, Mundy - played by Irish comic actor Chris O’Dowd.

There’s nothing inherently wrong with comic relief in a movie like this. In some films - such as last year’s brilliant “Get Out” they make sure the dark tone of a movie doesn’t go too far. However, the film never gets dark enough to warrant a character like Mundy, and most of the time, his wisecracks are poorly timed, often immediately after traumatic events.

And what’s more, they’re just not funny.

“The Cloverfield Paradox” promised answers to such burning questions as "what caused the events of 'Cloverfield' and '10 Cloverfield Lane?'" While the film delivered on this promise, what it delivered more of was obnoxious fanservice.

Sure, the little nod to the omnipresent “Slusho!” was cute, but the news interview of a man predicting that The Shepard would “rip open the membrane of spacetime” and welcome “monsters, demons, beasts from the sea” was a bit too

Strickland’s (Michael Shannon) personality, as he is an arrogant, power-hungry man who only thinks of himself. However, some of the funniest scenes in the movie are focused on him. The facility that Elisa works for has captured a humanoid fish who is seemingly intelligent. Strickland constantly abuses and neglects this creature, which makes Elisa furious. It makes her feel as if she has to do something.

The music and cinematography in this movie are breathtaking. Moments of upbeat music will make you want to get up and start dancing. In contrast, other pieces of the score are slow and dramatic, which really makes those special moments jump out a bit more.

The visuals in this movie are never dull and always pleasing to the eye. They don’t hide the fact that they are inspired by different outlets of art, from old time music to masterful paintings throughout history.

The fishman himself is a combination of CG and practical effects, but you wouldn't even notice due to the fact that they pull off the aquatic look effortlessly. The world they design always looks genuine

and has a true ’60s vibe. From the antique cars, to the facility Elisa works in, the crew did a fantastic job of making this setting pop out.

This movie has the happiest of moments, but is definitely not for the faint of heart, as it tackles racism, sexuality and violence. It’ll make you laugh, cry, smile and think. Del Toro really makes this movie stand out from the rest, just like a fish out of water.

We have to praise Del Toro, as this was a passion project above everything else. This movie did not have a huge budget - roughly $20 million. This wasn't the desired amount, and it must have been very hard to make a movie with such high aspirations and so little money. He said, “Except for taxes and guild dues, my entire salary goes back into the movie - to buy time, sets, whatever - and it did.”

His love and determination paid off, as the film is now nominated for 13 Oscars.

Since 2007, J.J. Abrams and his production team at Bad Robot have made it their mission to make the marketing campaigns for the “Cloverfield” series of films as intriguing as possible.

From the MySpace pages created for all of the main characters of the original film, to the hushed production of its sequel, “10 Cloverfield Lane,” the buildups to the movies have been almost as enjoyable to watch unfold as the films themselves.

Unfortunately, that’s not the case with the franchise’s latest entry.

“The Cloverfield Paradox” was initially announced as “God Particle” in 2012, and after several delays, was released on Netflix immediately after Super Bowl LII last Sunday.

The film follows the diverse international crew of the Cloverfield, a space station equipped with a particle accelerator - dubbed The Shepard - which was launched in an attempt to solve Earth’s energy crisis. As the world is on the brink

By Brennan Atkins & Noah Barnes Staff Writers Guillermo Del Toro comes back at audiences with what could be argued as one of the unique movies of 2017. This is a movie that completely goes against the norms of storytelling, which needs to be praised. “The Shape of Water” uses common themes and premises, but takes them in a different direction entirely. This makes the movie feel like something you may have watched before, but its intriguing storytelling will keep audiences contemplating the true meaning behind the film.

The movie follows Elisa (Sally Hawkins), a mute cleaning lady who works in a high-security government facility during the Cold War. She uses sign language to talk to her coworkers and her best friend Giles (Richard Jenkins).

She’s a lonely woman, but never plays the victim and always finds a way to make the audience smile.

Although she can’t speak, she definitely has a voice, as she is an inspiration and the type of person we should all strive to be.

This contrasts perfectly with

CONNECT WITH BRENNAN ATKINS batkins@student.framingham.edu CONNECT WITH NOAH BARNES nbarnes@student.framingham.edu

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FEBRUARY 9, 2018

on the nose.

Another installment of the “Cloverfield” franchise was announced just days before the release of “The Cloverfield Paradox,” currently titled “Overlord.” It’s scheduled for a release later this year.

The third time wasn't a charm.

Let’s just hope the fourth is.

Grade: CA strong cast and great performances aren’t enough to save this unoriginal “Cloverfield” sequel.

CONNECT WITH ANDREW WILLOUGHBY

awilloughby@student.framingham.edu

Focus Features

Grade: A Music, Cinematography and a cast that are truly off the hook.

13 | SPORTS

THE GATEPOST

FEBRUARY 9, 2018

SPORTS Women’s Basketball cruises past by Salem State

By Liam Gambon Asst. Sports Editor On Saturday, Feb. 3, the Framingham State Rams defeated Salem State in a blowout 82-46 victory.

Framingham dominated Salem State off the bat, outscoring them 37-17 in the first half alone.

Tiphani Harris scored eight in the half to go along with five rebounds. Raegan Mulherin also tallied eight and came away with three steals.

Mary Kate O’Day and Julia Sanborn both scored six in the half, and Lauren Donahue scored five while stealing the ball four times.

Defense played a major role in the first half as Framingham stole the ball from Salem State 10 times, forced 15 turnovers and held Salem State to just 17.9 percent from the field.

Not much changed in the second half as Framingham once again outscored Salem State, this time 45-29.

O’Day led the way with 13 points in the half, while Mulherin followed her up with another eight-point half.

The lopsided Framingham victory was led by O’Day who came away with a game-high 19 points, six rebounds and two steals. Mul-

herin dumped in 16 on the day to go along with four steals. Harris recorded another double-double on the season as she scored 14 points and pulled down a game-high 15 rebounds.

The Rams held Salem State to 26.7 percent shooting from the field and just 10 percent from beyond the 3-point line. They also forced 27 turnovers in what was a stellar defensive showing.

The win improves the Rams to 13-8 on the season and 7-2 in the conference.

With three games left in conference play, the Rams find themselves only a half game back in the MASCAC.

FRAMINGHAM STATE 82 SALEM STATE 46

CONNECT WITH LIAM GAMBON lgambon1@student.framingham.edu

Amanda Martin / THE GATEPOST Mary Kate O’Day drives to the basket for Framingham.

Amanda Martin / THE GATEPOST Raegan Mulherin goes up for a layup for the Rams.

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Players of the week

Hockey suffers another MASCAC loss

By Richard Tranfaglia Asst. Sports Editor

fsurams.com

Tiphani Harris scored 14 points to go along with 15 rebounds in a win over Salem State.

FEBRUARY 9, 2018

THE GATEPOST

14 | SPORTS

The Rams were shut out 6-0 by Worcester State on Feb. 3.

Ryan James got the Lancers on the board in the third minute of play on their first power play of the day.

Five minutes later, Jake Karelas scored on an assist from Cody Weaver.

Ryan Flynn put Worcester up by three a little over midway through the first.

The first period onslaught continued, as Kyle Hayter scored the Lancers’ fourth goal of the period at the 17-minute mark.

The Lancers outshot the Rams 20-6 in the first 18 minutes of the game.

Framingham pulled goalie Adam Calabrese at the end of the first. He was replaced by Nolan Greene.

A quick goal to open up the second period by

Nick Patullo gave the Lancers a 5-0 lead.

Erik Pritchard scored the final goal for Worcester in the first minute of the third period.

The Lancers outshot the Rams 46-18. Tyler Colacchio and Mike Moran each led their team with five shots apiece.

Greene made 24 saves after relieving Calabrese. Cory Lignelli made 18 saves for Worcester.

The Rams fall to 3-15-2 on the season and 2-11 in the MASCAC.

WORCESTER STATE FRAMINGHAM STATE

6 0

CONNECT WITH RICHARD TRANFAGLIA rtranfaglia@student.framingham.edu

fsurams.com

Manny Payton had 23 points while coming down with four rebounds against Salem State.

fsurams.com

Mary Kate O’Day scored 19 points, grabbed six rebounds and dished out two assists in a victory over Salem State.

Amanda Martin / THE GATEPOST Michael Gennello stick handles through the neutral zone for Framingham.

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FEBRUARY 9, 2018

15 | SPORTS

THE GATEPOST

Ferr or Foul: Colts back at square one

Men’s Basketball falls to Salem State

By Matt Ferris Sports Editor For many, it was a foregone conclusion heading into Super Bowl LII that New England Patriots’ coordinators Josh McDaniels and Matt Patricia would be coaching their final game under Bill Belichick.

After a devastating loss in the Super Bowl to the Philadelphia Eagles, Patricia indeed packed up and headed to Detroit to accept the Lions’ head coaching vacancy.

McDaniels, however, did not follow suit. In a shocking turn of events, McDaniels decided to back out of an agreement with the Indianapolis Colts to stay on as the Patriots’ offensive coordinator.

McDaniels even took his agreement as far as hiring assistant coaches, showing just how shocking this move was.

On Tuesday morning, the Patriots made a last-ditch effort to retain McDaniels by sweetening his contract and it worked.

McDaniels’ decisions don’t only affect the Colts’ organization and himself; they also have a huge effect on the assistant coaches whom he lured to Indianapolis to join his staff.

McDaniels basically hung his staff of coaches that he brought to the Colts out to dry. These coaches will most likely be jobless when next season rolls around, as the person Indianapolis decides to go with as their head coach will most likely bring in his own staff.

One thing is for sure - McDaniels has damaged his reputation within the NFL and it would be surprising to see him get a job from anyone but the Patriots for a long time.

Many people in the media have come out and bashed McDaniels’ decision, including one of the most respected NFL coaches of all-time ; Tony Dungy.

He tweeted there was “NO excuse big enough” to justify what McDaniels did and that what he did was “indefensible.”

But the Colts may have dodged a bullet.

McDaniels has had one other stint as a head football coach in his NFL career and quite frankly, he was awful.

McDaniels coached the Denver Broncos for two seasons in 2009 and 2010.

In his two seasons, he went 11-17 before getting fired in 2010 after a 3-9 start.

McDaniels never made the playoffs and drafted horribly as the head man for Denver.

So, while Indianapolis may be back at square one, it could be a blessing in disguise. The Colts will now start over and begin the interview process all over again.

The Colts’ first interview will be with Saints assistant coach and former Dolphins interim head coach, Dan Campbell.

Indianapolis has also requested to interview Buffalo Bills defensive coordinator and former Vikings head coach, Leslie Frazier.

While Campbell doesn’t have much experience as a head coach, only 12 games, Frazier had a 10-win season in Minnesota when he was in charge, bringing his team to the playoffs.

Sure, a successful offensive coordinator like McDaniels may have been nice for Andrew Luck, the Colts’ franchise quarterback, but it’s not the end of the world considering his track history as a head man in the NFL. CONNECT WITH MATT FERRIS mferris2@student.framingham.edu

Corey McFeeley / THE GATEPOST Ben Roache dribbles the ball on offense for the Rams.

By Camille McKenzie Asst. Sports Editor On Saturday, Feb. 3, the Framingham State Rams traveled to the Twohig Gymnasium to take on the Salem State Vikings in a conference game.

This matchup proved to be the Rams’ toughest yet in the MASCAC. At the end of the first half, the Rams were only down 43-32.

But early in the second half, the Vikings began to increase their lead.

The Rams trailed the Vikings by a large gap for the majority of the game.

By the end of the game, the Vikings had defeated the Rams 93-67.

This win improves Salem to 19-3 for the season and 9-0 in the conference.

Five players on Salem reached double figures. Shaquan Murray led in scoring with 16 points for the Vikings. Sean Bryan and Jacob Lindland followed, both earning 13 points.

Alexander Santos and Drew Healey both worked for 12 points each.

Healey also led in rebounds, with eight for the Vikings.

Manny Payton led in scoring for the Rams, finishing with 23 points.

Charles Valbrun followed with 10 points for the team.

Valbrun and Tyri Hampton led in rebounds with eight and seven, respectively.

This loss for Framingham drops their record to 6-16 overall and 2-7 in the MASCAC.

SALEM STATE 93 FRAMINGHAM STATE 67 CONNECT WITH CAMILLE MCKENZIE cmckenzie@student.framingham.edu

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16 | PHOTOS

THE GATEPOST

Campus was covered with a light layer of snow during Wednesday’s storm.

Amanda Martin/ THE GATEPOST

FEBRUARY 8, 2018

There’s sNOw place like FSU

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