November 13, 2020

TH E G ATEP O ST Framingham State’s award-winning independent student newspaper since 1932

Volume 89 • Issue 9

S

November 13, 2020

sta helping students get from

FSUgatepost.com

to B

Donald Halsing / THE GATEPOST

(From left) Juniors Efrain Vega and Eli Pare, along with sophomore Danny Nguyen, sit behind the Student Transportation Center desk in the McCarthy Center Nov. 12.

University strengthens ties to Framingham

By Leighah Beausoleil News Editor

Due to COVID-19, FSU and the City of Framingham are redoubling efforts to improve communication and increase collaboration, according to both FSU administrators and City officials.

The City of Framingham is in the “yellow zone” for COVID-19 as of Nov. 11 and considered a high-risk area, according to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health.

Yellow means the City has fewer than or equal to 10 average daily incidences of COVID-19 per 100,000 people or a fewer than or equal to a

4% positive rate of COVID-19, according to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health.

The City of Framingham currently has 23.1 average daily incidences of COVID-19 per 100,000 people with a 3.24% positivity rate, according to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health.

Yvonne Spicer, mayor of the City of Framingham, said Framingham is seeing high numbers again “largely due to gatherings.”

She said the City has “outreach workers who are moving throughout our community handing out masks, hand sanitizer, giving information in multiple languages - Spanish, Portu-

guese, and English - and we’re trying to do everything to keep our community informed - provide resources wherever possible to help them protect themselves.”

Spicer added the City is “very fortunate” to have FSU. “We are in this together, and we are a partnership.

Our young people who are attending Framingham State are an integral part of our community.”

She said she believes it is “critically important that our young people understand” gatherings lead to rises in COVID-19 cases.

“You’re not only protecting your-

See COMMUNITY page 6

From competition to COVID Cheer team eager to get back on the mat

By Ashley Wall Editor-in-Chief College cheerleaders spend their entire career dreaming of stepping onto the Nationals competition mat.

From the moment they arrive in Daytona, Florida, until the final award is announced, cheerleaders stand united with their teammates, praying they will nail their routines and earn the coveted first-place trophy.

However, before they can put their uniforms on and tighten their cheer bows, cheerleaders must put their

all into practices, giving blood and sweat to perfect their 2-minute and 30-second routines.

For seniors Amber Hamilton and Stephanie Fernandes, their dream of winning first place was cut short when the COVID-19 pandemic halted their practices and forced the coed team to withdraw from the spring 2020 competition.

Looking back on their last practice before the pandemic struck, Hamilton said, “Our coaches weren’t really telling us anything about what was going on. We knew that we probably weren’t going to get to go [to Nationals], but a lot of other teams around

the country were still going.”

Hamilton added she was “completely devastated” when she learned the University was not allowing the team to compete at Nationals.

Fernandes and Hamilton were given no choice but to watch as their hard-earned moment - a moment they had worked toward since freshman year - slipped out of reach.

Instead of attending the competition, the team was left in Framingham, forced to be onlookers rather than competitors.

See CHEERLEADING page 12

News VETERANS pg. 8 SEAL OF PREVENTION pg. 8

Opinions

STOP ABLEISM pg. 9 ALLERGIES pg. 10

Sports

Gatepost Archives CHEERLEADING pg. 12

Arts & Features SWIACKI CHILDREN’S LITERATURE pg. 13 BORAT SUBSEQUENT MOVIEFILM pg. 14

INSIDE: OP/ED 9 • SPORTS 12 • ARTS & FEATURES 13

NEWS

2 | NOVEMBER 13, 2020

Editorial Board

Gatepost Interview Rongbing Liu

Editor-in-Chief Ashley Wall Associate Editors Donald Halsing Cara McCarthy News Editor Leighah Beausoleil Interim Asst. News Editors Dan Fuentes Ashlyn Kelly Arts & Features Editors Brennan Atkins Robert Johnson Jr. Asst. Arts & Features Editor Jared Graf Opinions Editor McKenzie Ward Design Editor Kathleen Moore Photos Editor Caroline Gordon Interim Asst. Sports Editor Danielle Achin Staff Writers Maia Almeida Patrick Brady Steven Bonini Haley Hadge Branden LaCroix Caroline Lanni Johan Perez Abigail Petrucci Emily Rosenberg Lydia Staber Advisor Dr. Desmond McCarthy Asst. Advisor Elizabeth Banks

Professor of Finance

By Caroline Gordon Editorial Staff What is your role at FSU? I joined FSU last year. This is my second year here. I just graduated from ss oston so this is y fi st o . am a tenure-track assistant professor. I te h fin n e o ses.

What made you interested in teaching at Framingham State?

Framingham State is near Boston, which is convenient. Everyone is friendly here and I like the small community.

The faculty members enjoy their work here a lot. The students are hardworking and very mature. I enjoy the work here.

The system here is similar to UMass Boston, as they are both state schools, so it has been an easy transition. I also like Framingham’s neighborhoods. It is a very active community and students find inte nshi s o e this e .

What made you interested in studying education? ein o esso is the fin t et the goal, of the Ph.D. education. The ultimate goal with a Ph.D. is to go to a university and teach. All of the training we get during a Ph.D. study is how to be a professor and how to give the knowledge you learn to your students. Personally, I enjoy being a professor. I like to teach students what I learned in school.

It’s important for me to share my struggles and experience in this area to help st dents find thei inte ests.

What is your favorite part about working with students?

I enjoy discussing questions with students. he fi st ti e they st t to e n they have so many questions in their minds. Those questions are enlightening to me. I love how curious students are. The questions initiate very valuable discussions. Many of my explanations and teachings are based on students’ questions. That is the best part of being a professor. Framingham State students are so down to earth. Many of them are working while earning their degree, so their questions are more practical and down to earth. Many of the subjects I teach in the textbooks are far from daily life, but the students here always relate what we learn to their jobs and daily lives. That is very impressive. I used to teach at Northeastern - compared to those students, the students here are better at relating school lessons to real life. I especially like working with the freshmen because their questions are intriguing to me. I feel proud when students come out of my classroom and say

Courtesy of Framingham State they e e inte ested in fin n e. eetin with new students every semester is an enjoyable process for me.

How has COVID-19 impacted your classes?

The bad thing is we can’t meet in person. Many things are better if they are experienced in person. In person, I can see reactions from students. I can tell who is understanding the topics. Being on ine es it di fi t to t h st dents’ reactions. But there are also positives. I think students feel more relaxed taking classes on Zoom. Also, they have quicker access to the internet. They can raise more interesting questions based on what they discovered online. Also, I feel like students are more active when taking online classes. Overall, they seem to be raising more questions online than they did in person.

What are some of your hobbies?

Reading, I love a good book. I enjoy reading a lot. I also like skiing. There are so many good places to ski near Boston.

What has been your most memorable moment at FSU? I had a student who was initially a chemistry major. After he took one of my classes, he changed his major to fin n e. he s e t s o ete y different from chemistry. I was really happy to know he made the decision be-

cause of just one class he took with me.

He was really interested in the class, and this made me so happy. He is taking another course with me this semester. This is my fondest memory so far at Framingham State.

What are your goals for your time at FSU? Right now, I am on a tenure track, so to be tenured here. I want to teach students and attract more students to the s e t. t s not on y o t fin n e o st dents fin n e is e e nt to e eryone. I want to train students how to manage their money. My ultimate goal is to raise every student’s awareness about their money issues.

What advice do you have for FSU students?

Start thinking about your career planning as soon as possible - the earlier, the better. I encourage students to read more books. Read all types of books, either related to their major or books related to other topics. I also want to encourage students to learn more based on their interests outside of the classroom. Always ask faculty members good questions.

CONNECT WITH CAROLINE GORDON cgordon4@student.framingham.edu

olice ogs 100 State Street McCarthy Center Room 410 Framingham, MA 01701-9101 Phone: (508) 626-4605 Fax: (508) 626-4097 gatepost@framingham.edu @TheGatepost | FSUgatepost.com

Sunday, Nov. 8 20:18 Alarm (Fire/Smoke) Crocker Hall False Alarm

Wednesday, Nov. 11 15:04 Noise Complaint Maynard Lot Unfounded

Wednesday, Nov. 11 19:56 FSU Tip Linsley Hall Turned Over to Residence Life

Thursday, Nov. 12 11:02 Medical Larned Hall Transport to Hospital

S

NEWS

NOVEMBER 13, 2020 | 3

discusses an ieties over increased

By Branden LaCroix Staff Writer An increase in COVID-19 cases and allegations of students not following pandemic protocols were among the issues discussed by SGA during its latest Zoom meeting Nov. 10.

During open forum, several members of SGA raised concerns about allegations of students seen not wearing masks and attending parties.

Vice President Abigail Salvucci said, “I’ve noticed an uptick in parties both on- and off-campus, and I’m upset with how [administrators] have responded to it.

“If you’re on campus, you noticed the uptick in positive and isolation cases on campus last week, and it’s kind of bonkers that nothing’s been done just because they’re off-campus parties.”

President Olivia Beverlie said she discussed students attending parties off campus with Dean of Students Meg Nowak Borrego.

Beverlie said, “I think it’s still a really big issue - especially when COVID is spread so easily, and it’s resident students going to these parties. They’ve been bringing it back to their respective dorms and that is dangerous for all of us.”

Senator Eryca Carrier said, “I’ve noticed some of the people that were

Weather

involved at these parties are student employees.

“That is a particular concern, and I think that is an area that Residence Life or the University may have jurisdiction over,” she added.

Beverlie motioned to add a discussion to the agenda regarding the possibility of canceling in-person classes following Thanksgiving break.

She said, “A lot of universities are canceling in-person classes after Thanksgiving.

“It’s too late to change this semester like that, but it is not too late to possibly cancel in-person classes or at least, highly recommend it,” she added.

Salvucci is also an administrative resident assistant for Miles Bibb Hall, and oversees Linsley Hall, the designated isolation building for students who test positive for COVID-19.

She said, “I’ve had to talk to people in Linsley who are in quarantine because they were breaking the rules.

“I don’t think students get that they are putting my life directly at risk,” she added.

“Right now, we are looking at hitting max capacity [in Linsley Hall] within the next week, and that is 39 students.”

Salvucci said canceling in-person classes following Thanksgiving would “alleviate the stress on student worke s ho e de in fi sth nd ith the

students who are positive and who are quarantining.”

Senator Emily Rosenberg said, “One of my personal concerns is that I know a lot of other people who are living here because they have at-home situations where they believe that their academic situation would go down if they went home.”

But she added that students are “getting too comfortable with the situation here,” and suggested “we [the University] could try and educate people more on what COVID is actually about.”

SGA also discussed a resolution to get FSU to recognize Indigenous Peoples’ Day in place of Columbus Day. Student Trustee McKenzie Ward proposed the resolution, which was unanimously approved.

Ward said, “Columbus should not e o ified. e is es onsi e o the genocide of thousands and thousands of Native people, and he should no longer be seen in our history as someone who deserves a holiday.”

The resolution states the change to Indigenous Peoples’ Day will be “to celebrate and honor Native American peoples and to commemorate Native American history and culture.”

Ward said the University will send out a survey to all students asking whether to change the holiday or keep

-

cases

it as is.

SGA swore in a new senator, freshman Emily Rosenberg, during the meeting.

Beverlie said, “She’s really motivated to be here, and I think she offers a unique perspective because she will be the second freshman senator we have here.”

Beverlie also discussed a program that would provide supplies such as s fi te s o the s s h nd sanitizer, and stress balls, that would be handed out in “care packages” to students on campus.

She also discussed a potential “stamp program,” in which students can mail letters to family members for the holidays.

“We ordered a lot of stamps, thinking we were going to be able to use some for absentee ballots,” she said.

“But unfortunately, we were not able to do that in time.”

[Editor’s Note: McKenzie Ward is Opinions Editor for The Gatepost. Emily Rosenberg is a Staff Writer for The Gatepost.]

CONNECT WITH BRANDEN LACROIX blacroix@student.framingham.edu

Sunday night Nov. 15 70% chance of showers. Mostly cloudy.

Low near 40. S winds around 10 mph.

Monday night Nov. 16 Mostly clear. Low near 30. W winds around 10 mph.

Forecast provided by the National Weather Service www.weather.gov Tuesday night Nov. 17 Wednesday night Nov. 18 Partly cloudy. Low near Mostly clear. Low near 25.

25. W winds around 5 NW winds around 5 mph. mph.

Monday Nov. 16 30% chance of showers. Sunny. High near 50. W winds around 10 mph.

Tuesday Nov. 17 Mostly sunny. High near 45. W winds around 10 mph.

Wednesday Nov. 18 Sunny. High near 40.

NW winds around 10 mph.

Thursday Nov. 19 Mostly sunny. High near 40. W winds around 5 mph.

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

NEWS

4 | NOVEMBER 13, 2020

COVID-19 by the numbers November 13, 2020

By Donald Halsing Associate Editor

By Leighah Beausoleil News Editor

By Kathleen Moore Design Editor The rate of new COVID-19 cases has tripled since Nov. 5 in the United States, and doubled worldwide, based on data from various sources taken Nov. 12.

Over 4.6 million new COVID-19 infections were reported worldwide in the past week. The number of cases increased by 6% this week, more than double the 3% increase last week.

The number of infections in the United States increased by 7.1% since No . si nifi nt in e se o the 4.0% increase last week.

Deaths from COVID-19 in Massachusetts climbed above 10,000 this week.

Framingham State University administered 863 tests within the past week, and 3,728 tests within the past 30 days, according to the COVID-19 data page on the FSU website.

In his weekly update email, FSU President F. Javier Cevallos said 91 individuals - primarily from Miles Bibb Hall - were tested Nov. 6 after “identifying a few positive individuals from that week’s regular testing.” None of those individuals tested positive.

Three positive tests were returned in the past week, according to the page.

The 7-day negative test rate is 99.65%.

Two individuals are isolated on campus, and four are isolated off campus.

Twenty-two people are quarantined on campus, and 19 are quarantined off campus.

A total of 3,685 negative, and 10 positive results, were returned in the past 30 days. The 30-day negative test rate is 99.73%.

This week, approximately 4.1% of Framingham residents tested positive

for COVID-19. There were 125 new infections, 76 new recoveries, and seven new deaths reported since Nov. 5.

The number of people infected increased by 42, or 1.6%, since last week.

Just over 52% of those who contracted the virus remain infected. Almost 45% have recovered and approximately 2.9% have died.

The overall death rate from COVID-19 in Framingham is just over 0.2%.

Approximately 2.5% of Massachusetts residents tested positive for COVID-19. There were 16,016 new infections - double last week’s number - 4,592 new recoveries, and 348 new deaths since Nov. 5.

The number of people infected increased by 11,076, or 7.0%, since last week. This rate is nearly triple last week’s increase of 4,102, or 2.7%.

Over 55% of those who contracted the virus remain infected. Just under 42% have recovered, and about 3.2% have died.

The overall death rate from

COVID-19 in Massachusetts is 0.15%.

Over 3.1% of United States residents tested positive for COVID-19. There were 898,136 new infections, 218,346 new recoveries, and 7,653 new deaths since Nov. 5.

The number of people infected grew by 672,137, or 7.1%, since last week.

This rate is almost double last week’s increase of 358,343, or 4.0%.

Slightly over 71% of those who contracted the virus remain infected.

About 27% of the population has recovered, and about 1.7% has died.

The overall death rate from COVID-19 in the United States is 0.07%.

Globally, around 0.7% of the population has tested positive for COVID-19.

There were 4,658,163 new infections, 1,709,628 new recoveries, and 58,818 new deaths since Nov. 5.

The number of people infected grew by 2,889,717, or 6.0%, since last week.

This rate is more than double last week’s increase of 1,340,793, or 3.0%.

Of those who contracted the virus,

60% remain infected. Recoveries are approximately 39%, and approximately 1.5% have died.

The overall death rate from COVID-19 globally is 0.02%.

Data sources: Framingham State University City of Framingham Massachusetts population: United States Census Bureau – QuickFacts Massachusetts US and World population: United States Census Bureau – US and World Population Clock MA data: WCVB, MA DPH US data: CDC, New York Times Recovery data: Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Center World data: WHO, Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Center *Calculations for new infections, recoveries, deaths, and infected population size change are made using both data from this week and last week’s data published in The Gatepost.

Kathleen Moore / THE GATEPOST

Framingham

Kathleen Moore / THE GATEPOST

@TheGatepost | FSUgatepost.com

Massachusetts

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NOVEMBER 13, 2020 | 5

Kathleen Moore / THE GATEPOST

United States

Kathleen Moore / THE GATEPOST

orld

Kathleen Moore / THE GATEPOST CONNECT WITH DONALD HALSING dhalsing@student.framingham.edu

CONNECT WITH LEIGHAH BEAUSOLEIL lbeausoleil@student.framingham.edu

CONNECT WITH KATHLEEN MOORE kmoore8@student.framingham.edu

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6 | NOVEMBER 13, 2020

Community

continued from page 1 self, but perhaps you’re saving somebody else’s life,” Spicer added.

According to the Framingham State website, FSU has had nine students test positive for COVID-19 in the past two weeks after four weeks of having only one positive case.

FSU President F. Javier Cevallos said the University is working directly with the City in two ways - through the Health Center and the Framingham State University Police Department (FSUPD).

Brad Medeiros, chief of FSUPD, said the University Police and the Framingham Police Department have an “excellent working relationship” that started in 1996.

He said the departments worked together to develop this relationship and wanted officers on both sides to “know each other on a first-name basis.”

Medeiros added the Framingham Police Department is large in comparison to the 17 officers in the FSUPD. In order to achieve this relationship, officers from both departments attend an annual program together involving training for CPR, mental-health wellness - how to respond to autism calls - defensive tactics, and active-shooter scenarios on campus.

He said the FSUPD also has access to the City’s detective division to bring in expertise on a variety of situations such as sexual assault cases.

Medeiros said concerning the pandemic, the FSUPD learned all of the Framingham Police Department’s COVID-19 safety restrictions and guidelines such as how to respond to certain medical calls or gatherings should FSUPD officers be called to assist off campus.

Medical calls protocol had to change for the FSUPD, and now it mirrors that of the City Police’s protocol because of COVID-19, according to Medeiros. When a medical call is made, the phone operator will ask a series of questions that will determine the police’s plan of action.

He said the circumstances of the situation, such as whether it is an emergency, will determine if the police will put on personal protective equipment or if the fire department will be called.

He said in terms of off-campus gatherings, if City Police are called to respond to a gathering they believe involves FSU students, University Police will be called and the situation will be resolved through the University’s Code of Conduct.

Medeiros added the City Police are also partnered with the Framingham Board of Health. When a gathering occurs, officers will write up their observations in a report. If it is determined the gathering is a COVID-19 violation, they will submit this report to the Framingham Board of Health.

The street address of the gathering will be given to the Framingham Board of Health, but not the names of those in attendance, according to Medeiros.

He said the Framingham Board

@TheGatepost | FSUgatepost.com

NEWS

of Health will then follow up on the report and determine whether a fine should be issued.

Medeiros added calls about FSU student gatherings so far this year have “resulted in immediate compliance” once City Police arrived.

He said once the City of Framingham selects a new chief of police, he hopes to sit down with them “and review how things have been done in the past” to ensure a “positive, effective working relationship that not only benefits the University, but the

major” and hopes the students are “keeping it to a crowd of five.”

In an email, Vernon Street resident Henry Field said he and other Vernon Street residents have had problems in recent years with student housing regarding partying, trash, and “property neglect.”

He said University Police are often called, “but previously, they have taken the position that off campus is for City Police, not FSU police, even though only their students are involved.

“We want you here. We want everyone to have the best time possible.”

-Richelle Harrod, Church Street resident City also.”

[Editor’s Note: Lester Baker was appointed the new City of Framingham chief of police Nov. 5, according to the City’s website.]

Cevallos said the University holds a meeting with FSU administrators and City of Framingham residents who live in the surrounding area twice a year - once a semester.

These neighbors can raise any concerns they may have regarding the University and its students, according to Cevallos.

Medeiros said FSUPD officers and City Police officers attend these meetings, and if needed, the jurisdiction of these concerns is determined there.

Cevallos said Ann McDonald, chief of staff, general counsel, and secretary to the Board of Trustees, coordinates the meetings. The neighbors receive informational emails as well as the University’s Campus Currents in case they want to participate in any on-campus events.

According to Cevallos, this semester’s meeting was held Sept. 21, and there were no complaints or concerns.

He said the “biggest concern” the neighbors had last year was how noisy the McCarthy Center air conditioning unit was, so the University held “three or four meetings about that particular issue,” which has now been resolved.

Some City residents near FSU said they had concerns regarding students in their neighborhoods.

A Vernon Street resident, who identified herself as Ilene, said she noticed “some noisy nights” coming from off-campus student housing located on her street.

She said the events were “nothing

“This seems counterproductive, since students are more likely to be responsive to FSU authorities, who can terminate their tenure at the college or otherwise directly affect their pursuits,” Field added. “The City Police can only arrest, which leaves a criminal record, and they are reluctant to create this.”

Field said, “The administration should tell the FSU Police Department to respond to any such problems along Vernon Street, as well as other near-campus areas with 100% student renters.”

Medeiros responded in an email.

He said in the past Vernon Street resident concerns were addressed and resolved.

Medeiros said, “If there is a situation that currently exists that is causing a problem in the Vernon Street neighborhood involving University students, the University Police, Office of Code of Conduct, will always assist the Framingham Police with trying to resolve the situation within legal guidelines.

“Ultimately the Vernon Street area is primarily the jurisdiction of the City of Framingham Police,” he added. “We will assist whenever we are called.”

Many residents said they were largely unconcerned about the risk of the FSU student body spreading COVID-19 to them.

Church Street resident Susi Leeming said she hasn’t had any issues with students.

“I feel the students are really respectful,” Leeming said. She added when she does see students walking around, they are wearing masks.

Heather Gray, also a Church Street resident, said she has lived there for three years and has had no issues

with partying in the area, “and that hasn’t changed this year.”

Regarding students who walk past her home on State Street, Ashley Walch said, “As far as masks go, I’ve never seen anyone not wearing masks.”

She added, “It’s been quieter than last fall,” and she is “happy to be neighbors with the school and the students.”

In an email, Richelle Harrod, a Church Street resident for the past 17 years, said she and her family have been “so impressed with the efforts everyone is making to have a safe year.

“We want you here,” she added.

“We want everyone to have the best time possible.”

Ilene Hofrenning, director of health services, said the Health Center works “closely with the Board of Health.”

Hofrenning said last spring, when students were sent home, the Health Center wasn’t busy, so “two of us volunteered to do case investigation and contact tracing for the City of Framingham because their cases were surging.”

She said as a result, the Health Center’s relationship with the Framingham Board of Health has “strengthened,” and Health Center staff became familiar with the process of case investigation, contact tracing, what questions to ask, and the best instructions, information, and resources to provide.

“Plus, it gave us access to MAVEN, which is the Stanford Massachusetts Virologic Epidemiologic Network,” Hofrenning added. “All COVID testing is in that network.”

She said the Health Center set up a system with the Framingham Board of Health regarding how the University should handle any cases that may arise during the academic year.

Through the system, the University is informed of anyone who tests positive off campus who may be on campus or whose contacts are.

“I feel lucky that we have great people to work with who are really collaborative, helpful, and open to us working with them, and also assisting us as we need it,” she added.

Hofrenning said students who live in off-campus housing do not get tested unless they are on campus for class, organizations, or sports.

Students in off-campus housing who are in isolation or quarantine are included in the data provided each week by the University, according to Hofrenning.

In instances when students are quarantined in off-campus housing, the University will follow up to ensure they have any essentials such as food and toiletries, she said.

Hofrenning added students can contact Kay Kastner, coordinator of student support initiatives, should they need further assistance.

Salem End Road resident Alyssa Cafarelli, a junior early education and psychology major, said she

See COMMUNITY page 7

Community continued from page 6 and her roommates had a four-week quarantine in which they were tested five times, and each time, another roommate tested positive - restarting their quarantine.

Cafarelli said, “The quarantine kept getting extended and mentally, that was one of the hardest things I had to go through.”

Four of her six roommates tested positive, she said. The tests were administered on campus outside the Health Center.

Cafarelli said despite COVID-19 being a “very low time” in her life, she is thankful she could become closer to her best friend, Jackie Hill, and is also grateful for Laura Rusk, one of FSU’s athletic trainers, who contacted her daily to check in.

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One of Cafarelli’s roommates, Jessica Morgan, a senior criminology major, said the Health Center informed them “who had tested positive and that it would be best if we went home instead of staying in the apartment together.”

She added, “They asked us if we were OK. No, we were not.

“We were dealing with a lot, and that was the last I had heard from Framingham. We felt like they left us high and dry,” Morgan said. “However, I am an athlete, so the athletic department did seem to care about us more.

“This whole experience was mentally taxing,” she added. “COVID is real, and it is scary. All I could hope for was that I didn’t pass it along to my family. I was relieved to find out I didn’t.”

NOVEMBER 13, 2020 | 7

Morgan said as an off-campus student, she is “outcasted,” and the University treats on-campus students as though they are “more important than us.

“Just because we are off-campus does not mean that COVID is less likely to impact us,” she added.

“The University did not help us at all when it came to basic needs,” Morgan said.

Worcester Road resident Rachel Spivey, a junior political science major, said the University did not provide them with information soon enough.

She said some people had already signed their apartment leases, only to find out how few in-person classes were being held.

Spivey added she and her friends did not know what the testing proto-

Careers in Journalism and Related Fields A Forum with Recent FSU Alumni

November 17 at 7:00 p.m. on Zoom!

Contact Dr. McCarthy at dmccarthy@framingham.edu for the Zoom link!

col was going to be, and did not know if they were going to be tested. She said this was not clear until almost “a month and a half” into the semester.

She added it would have been more efficient “if they had held a Zoom meeting or something and said, ‘If you’re an off-campus student who’s living in the Framingham area, come to this informational event. We’re going to be talking about what it means for you to be a commuter student who’s living in the area’ - stuff like that.”

Spivey said she and her friends were unsure if they should get an apartment, and a meeting such as the one she described might have influenced her decision.

CONNECT WITH LEIGHAH BEAUSOLEIL lbeausoleil@student.framingham.edu

Featured Speakers Spencer Buell, Class of 2013

Senior Staff Writer, Boston Magazine

Lauren Campbell, Class of 2015

Content Producer, NESN

Lindsay Chase, Class of 2011

Digital Content Editor, TechTarget

Cesareo Contreras, Class of 2018

Reporter, The Metrowest Daily News

Alexandra Gomes, Class of 2017

Digital Media Specialist, MCR Labs

Bailey Morrison, Class of 2019

Journals Publishing Assistant, Wiley Publishing

Moderator: Dr. Desmond McCarthy

English Department

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ramingham State named a top college in

By Dan Fuentes Interim Asst. News Editor Framingham State has been named a top university for veteran students by College Factual, according to its Nov. 6 press release.

The press release states FSU is in the top 10% of colleges in the U.S. for veterans to attend, based on a number of factors, including affordability, population, resources, and satisfaction.

The University is also ranked 8th in the state of Massachusetts for veteran colleges, according to the same press release.

FSU has 241 military-connected students, according to Coordinator of Veteran and Military Student Programs, Leanna Lynch.

Jovan Rivera, a veteran student, appreciates Framingham’s size because “you don’t just become a number - you actually become a student.”

He added, “When you’re going straight into college straight out of high school, I feel like you’re kind of used to being around a lot of people.

But then coming out of the military, it’s just, going back to college was kind of scary.”

Lynch explained the number of military-connected dependent children and spouses is expanding. They are e to t e d nt e o he o fi e nd the enefits in din the s ivors and dependents educational assistance program (DEA).

The DEA program is available for

S

dependents of veterans who are permanently and totally disabled.

Massachusetts also hosts a number o s non ofit ete n o ni tions. It is also the only state to boast a veteran agent in every city and town.

Veterans Services offers information on a number of grants and scholarships for veterans and family, assistance with

that way. Leanna has always taken care of the paperwork.”

He added, “The best resource that we have is actually having staff that cares, and I think Leanna is that person - like, she’s honestly incredible.”

Veterans Services also employs a number of veteran students in workstudy positions, which allows veteran

“When you’re going straight out of high school, I feel like you’re kind of used to being around a lot of people. But then coming out of the military, it’s just, going back to college was kind of scary.”

-Jovan Rivera, a veteran student enefits i y eso es nd o e.

Lynch said, “The program we have at the school is very good and we’re just going to continue to build upon it.”

Rivera said, “I’ve heard horror stories of students in other schools not being able to get paid on time or anything like that … but we’ve never felt

students to help other veterans transition to college easier.

Lynch, who is also an alumna of FSU, helped create the Veterans Center.

The Veterans Center is a space for veterans to be together, study, and socialize, to help with the transition from service to the civilian sector.

receives Seal of revention for use of

By Ashlyn Kelly Interim Asst. News Editor Framingham State University has received a Campus Prevention Network (CPN) Seal of Prevention from EVERFI, an educational software developer that provides learning modules for FSU, according to a University press release Nov. 2.

The University joins 15% of colleges in the United States that have been recognized by EVERFI. According to the EVERFI website, the CPN Seal of Prevention is given to colleges and universities that show dedication to digital programs that help create a safer environment on campus for students. The criteria are determined by EVERFI experts. his is the fi st ye the se is eing awarded, according to the EVERFI press release.

Joy LaGrutta, coordinator of alcohol & drug education and prevention, said, “The Campus Prevention Network seal acknowledges that FSU is using the best resources possible to educate our students about alcohol and drug safety and prevention.”

“The online module has been proven to be one of the most effective ways to educate students because research shows that prevention education is most effective when students engage with the material, and can adapt the learning to their particular experience,” said LaGrutta.

She added using online modules allows FSU to provide alcohol and drug education to freshmen before they are even on campus.

Summer is an optimal time to assign the modules because students can

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t e the o se e e t on the te ial, discuss these topics with family, and feel prepared as they enter their freshman year,” said LaGrutta.

“I also think that the modules teach students some skills regarding safety.

For example, if you choose to drink, how can you do it safely with less

into my head by other schools.

“I think most students do it just to get it done,” said Viera. “It did have some interesting information there ... but I don’t think it’s really changing anyone’s decisions or behavior.”

She added, “Perhaps make it more interactive with other students and get

“The Campus Prevention Network seal acknowleges that FSU is using the best resources possible to educate our students about alcohol and drug saftey and prevention.”

-Joy LaGrutta, coordinator for alcohol and drug safety and prevention risks?” asked LaGrutta. “This type of skills and responsibility training is really important.”

While it is possible students have received this type of training before, it is important to continue this education as students’ behavior changes over time, she added.

Junior English major Nicole Viera said, “It was more of a chore to do them [the EVERFI modules] than something I actually wanted to do. I had to set aside a few hours for it, which I frankly thought was ridiculously long. Most of what they taught me were things that I’d already known and had been drilled

to listen to them. I think it’s better to talk to people than to watch videos and take quizzes for a long time.”

Junior Political Science major Rachel Spivey said, “I’m not sure there is necessarily a way to improve the modes t thin th t findin y to make it more engaging would be the key to a higher success rate in teaching whatever the module focuses on.”

Meeghan Bresnahan, a sophomore history major, said, “While they [the EVERFI modules] may not have stopped students from certain things, I think they helped students get a sense of what our community is like and the

S for veterans Tamika Young, a veteran and student worker, said, “What Leanna did was she went to the dean of students … and said, ‘Hey we need a place for just veterans.’ A year later, we had a whole room.”

Young added, “I really appreciate them hiring Leanna, and before her, Jackie [Wolf], because they’re both veterans, so they get the needs that we are seeking.”

Both Rivera and Young believe that FSU is doing a good job assisting veterans, but needs to keep working to improve even more.

Young hopes what the University can do going forward is meet with veteran students and “ask us collectively what they could do for us.”

She would also like to see the Career ente o ide ssist n e s e ifi to veterans given that they have had jobs already.

“We’re trying our best to hear what the students need, and address that,” Lynch said. “One of the biggest things is just simply being there to help them navigate everything, being there when they’re having a bad day - to be a sounding board so they can go to class and concentrate.”

“It’s exciting to know that I am a part of this institution, and helping fellow veterans and their dependents.

“I feel very lucky,” Lynch said.

CONNECT WITH DAN FUENTES dfuentes@student.framingham.edu

modules consequences of certain actions.”

She added that she enjoyed the modules, but believes the wording of some questions could be changed to be more clear.

Junior Fashion Design and Retailing major Samantha Collette said, “I think the EVERFI modules are helpful in providing a base-level education on important topics that will be prevalent in college life. Like any assignment in college, you’ll get out of it what you put into it, so I think the students that really care about their college experience get something out of it.

“The one thing that I think needs major improvement is trigger warnings,” Colette said. “The sexual assault module can be extremely triggering, and I don’t think it is fair for victims of sexual assault and trauma to have to go through that without warnings and considerations for the emotional toll that it creates.”

LaGrutta said the work done around substance misuse prevention at FSU is always changing to address current trends in society and on campus.

“It is my hope and intention that FSU will continue to follow the trends and behaviors of our students and be able to provide education that is accurate, timely, honest, and meaningful,” she added.

“Each student is unique,” said LaGrutta. “The goal of prevention education is to help provide skills and knowledge to empower students to make good choices as they face numerous situations in college and in their life after college.”

CONNECT WITH ASHLYN KELLY akelly8@student.framingham.edu

OP/ED

O P / ED THE GATEPOST EDITORIAL

Stop enabling ableism We live in a world built for able-bodied people, where disabilities are not seen as “normal” and where those with disabilities are seen as inherently less capable and less valuable to society.

Ableism at its core is the oppression of and discrimintion against individuals with disabilities, especially if their mental or physical conditions do not meet mainstream perceptions.

Regardless of whether this treatment is intentional or not, the fact that it exists speaks to the under-addressed judgement that plagues the world - the judgement of people with disabilities.

Whether this hate is rooted in personal ableism or systemic ableism, neither is an excuse for the behavior that ensues from feeling superior.

Ableism can be found in our language, our laws, and simply: our actions.

Our world is built for able-bodied people, which makes it more difficult for those with visible and invisible disabilities to function in it.

While October was National Disability Employment Awareness Month, according to the U.S. Department of Labor - it is not enough to combat the impact ableism has on people with disabilities.

Rather than spending the time educating themselves on ableism and disabilities, many people expect those with disabilities to adapt to the “standard” way of life.

Instead, we need to be involving ourselves in conversations about ableism because by staying silent and uneducated, we are part of the problem.

It wasn’t until 1990 that the United States government passed the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which prohibits discrimination based on disability.

However, the passing of a law is not going to eliminate ableism.

Education can.

Ableism is not a new concept, and our society has been discriminating against those with disabilities long before 1990, and has continued to do so even after the bill was passed.

We can pass a bill, but it takes a lot more than a law to change people’s perceptions.

Even our outgoing President, Donald J. Trump, who has a history of mocking individuals with disabilities - has not been held accountable for his insensitive remarks toward those with disabilities.

From mocking reporter Serge Kovaleski, who is diagnosed with arthrogryposis, to calling President-elect Joe Biden “sleepy Joe” and “slow Joe,” due to his lifelong stutter, Trump has shined a spotlight on one of the worst traits a person can possess: ignorance.

As awful as it is to admit - Trump’s comments are not far off from those many think are OK. Biden, for example, has been accused of having dementia not just by Trump, but by Americans across the country because he sometimes finds it necessary to rephrase a sentence because of his speech impediment.

Calling anyone derogatory words whether it be falsely accusing them of having a disorder, or calling them “psycho,” as Trump has done to so many - is unfortunately still too common.

It shouldn’t be.

Making statements such as “You’re r******* ,” “You’re being bipolar,” or “You don’t look disabled,” demeans those who are living with these disorders.

These statements should not be used as “edgy” slurs.

A person is not defined by a word, or their disorder, and our society needs to stop and think about the negative impact words can have on a person.

Those with disabilities are the same as those without. If you wouldn’t call your able-bodied friends, classmates, and family members by a hateful term, what makes it OK to call out someone with a disability?

We need to address the ableism ingrained into the fabric of our society. We need to call out people who perpetuate this problem, and explain why their words and actions are harmful.

Our country needs an attitude adjustment about ableism.

As human beings, we should be taking the steps necessary to create a world we can coexist without fear of judgement.

It is not the job of people living with disabilities to educate able-bodied people. Individuals must hold themselves and those close to them accountable for their biases against disabled people.

It starts at home.

It starts with our parents.

It starts with our friends.

It starts with you.

NOVEMBER 13, 2020 | 9

Bannon and friends tantrum

By James Barraford Staff Writer On Nov. 6, former political strategist to President Donald Trump, Steve Bannon, posted a video from his online show, “War Room: Pandemic.” He envisioned the political assassination of Dr. Anthony Fauci and FBI Director Christopher A. Wray.

“I’d actually like to go back to the old time of Tudor England. I’d put the heads on pikes, right? I’d put them at the two corners of the White House as a warning to federal bureaucrats: You either get with the program or you’re gone.”

Twitter has since banned his account. His lawyer, William Burke, has also dropped him as a client. The high-profile Republican lawyer was representing Bannon after he was indicted on conspiracy wire fraud and conspiracy money laundering charges.

While I tend to find Twitter inhibitive of free speech, unless it passes the “woke” test, I applaud their decisive actions in shutting down violent and hateful rhetoric. Language like this has no place within civil society.

Now that the results have shown the American public favored President-elect Joseph Biden over Trump, it is time for Bannon to accept that elections have consequences.

The people have spoken.

On Nov. 5, Donald Trump Jr. called for his father to go to “total war” if the outcome of the election was not in his favor.

They seem to believe that in order to save the country, it must be destroyed.

Bannon oddly invokes Tudor England’s violent methods for dealing with politically difficult figures.

Perhaps Bannon needs to be reminded that the United States of America was formed when Colonists revolted against British royalty.

Does Bannon care that the man he helped to become the president is actively destroying the country?

Does it bother him that Trump could not condemn the Proud Boys, a far-right group?

“Proud Boys, stand back and stand by,” Trump said at the first presidential debate.

Does it bother Bannon that the man he helped become President of the United States promoted xenophobia - “China Virus” - instead of placing blame solely on President Xi Jinping and the Communist Party of China?

Does it bother him that Trump outsourced his brand of clothing to be manufactured in China?

Trump’s economic nationalism gets a little wobbly when he wants to pay less.

Does it bother Bannon that the man he helped become the 45th President of the United States responded to sexual assault allegations from E. Jean Carroll by saying, “No. 1, she’s not my type. No. 2, it never happened. It never happened, OK?” Clearly, neither of them has their priorities straight, which is why the American people chose Biden.

The people have voted, and they do not want the United States to be Steve Bannon’s war room.

The democratic process has worked. We the people want a president and not a king.

Have an opinion?

Feel free to email it to: gatepost@framingham.edu Opinions should be about 750 words.

Anyone can submit.

We look forward to hearing from you!

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

10 | NOVEMBER 13, 2020

OP/ED

Why we can’t unfriend people for their political views

By Emily Rosenberg Staff Writer I get it.

We all have those family members or friends who we’d rather slap in the face than listen to talking about politics.

I spent the last three months blowing up my Facebook with pro-Biden material for my Fox News-watching relatives, and all they have to give me are angry faces and sarcastic comments.

But, as tempting as it is to cut our ties with those with whom we do not agree, we simply cannot, and it is more complicated than keeping our spot at the Thanksgiving table.

Many leftists and liberals are willing to pack their bags and leave relationships claiming a vote for Donald Trump, no matter your reasoning, was a vote for homophobia, sexism, white supremacy, ableism, xenophobia, and more bigotry. As if refusing to speak to them will magically show them how that is bad.

Except, Joe Biden didn’t win by a landslide. Almost half of the country, including a surprisingly large percentage of minorities, voted for

Trump. To many, he appealed to their insecurities about the economy, unemployment, and foreign affairs, and maybe it was easy to look past how he is bigoted because so were a lot of presidents prior to him. Anyone can see that America did not start being racist when Donald Trump took office.

However, it did become divided.

Even as Joe Biden took the stage in Wilmington, Delaware as the new President-Elect and promised to listen to all Americans, not just those who voted for him, Trump supporters still raged on Twitter about how the election was rigged.

As if the 2016 election didn’t ruin enough relationships, the 2020 election cycle has probably broken a record for the number of people blocked, unfriended, publicly shamed, and disowned.

However, unfriending people for their political views just opens the path for their hatred to grow stronger.

You’re not going to change anything in them by cutting them off. More than likely, they’ll put a big fat Trump sign on their lawn to spite you.

Rather, we need to have an open dialogue with each other. Talk to each other. Ask why we voted how we did.

Try to see it from one another’s perspective.

Ask those we don’t agree with what their goals are for themselves, their peers, and their nation. Show them that their goals are not too different from ours. In the end, we all want success and happiness, right?

This creates a space for people to learn and grow from one another.

People are much more likely to stray from their close-minded ways when you are willing to listen and understand.

If we want to create an environment in the future where people are so uncomfortable with bigotry that figures like Donald Trump don’t have a chance at winning, we need to listen to the other half of the country that was OK with voting for him and stop seeing them in only one light.

These conversations are vital.

America is not as simple as racist people and those who are not. Bigotry is deeply woven into all of our insti-

tutions, and while it takes courage to confront those who are more blatant about it, it is going to take the effort of everyone to achieve equality.

That means listening to your friends who disagree with you.

We’ll never get the widespread support and acceptance we need to show our minority friends that they matter in politics if we don’t build bridges.

We do not have time to bicker.

Only in a unified America will we be a land where everyone is proud to stand for their flag.

Don’t make this my last meal

By Lydia Staber Staff Writer This year, allergy awareness month will be during the month of May. There are many conventions and educational tools that are presented by the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America during this month in regard to allergy awareness.

Here is my story on why you should educate yourself on allergies, and most importantly, life-threatening allergies.

At the beginning of 2020, I had never had an allergic reaction in 20 years.

This was due to an insane amount of education, preparation, and diligence.

Having a life-threatening allergy is so much more than simply “avoiding said food.”

One evening, my family and I went out to eat at the Devin’s Grill. As a preface, I had eaten there before. I told the waitress I was allergic to peanuts and nuts, which I always do. I asked if I could eat what I wanted to order, and she said that it would be safe, and so I ate it.

When I got home, I experienced hives for the first time. Allergies are sporadic like that - you never know what kind of attack you will experience. It could be an anaphylactic attack, simple hives, or all of the above.

After that day of thankfully only getting hives, I refused to eat out at a restaurant for a month.

At the end of that month, I told myself that I was being ridiculous.

I went out to eat and had my first panic attack. I had never been a person with anxiety before, so this was most certainly new. After that day, I have had a panic attack at every restaurant I have been to, even ones that I have eaten at before.

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A month after that, surprisingly, I had my first anaphylaxis episode. This episode happened seven hours after I ate any sort of food. I woke up at 5 in the morning and I honestly thought that I was dying.

I laid on the floor and cried out for my boyfriend to come and help me, but it was one of those nightmare moments where no sound came from my voice. He did hear my commotion and found me, and injected me with my EpiPen. That was honestly the worst night of my life.

After that night, the panic attacks would come in a rush at random hours during the day. These panic attacks would bring hives.

Can you imagine the irony of a panic attack bringing hives to someone who has a fear of getting hives and having an allergic attack?

That is the real killer. I would get hives while having a panic attack, and then feel as if I was going into anaphylactic shock because my throat would close during an anaphylactic episode.

I could not breathe - the same sensation of a panic attack.

In anaphylaxis, though, your throat never opens back up. You die.

These past months, I have been able to simmer down my panicky feelings, which have made the hives completely go away, which in part, made the panic subside.

All of my allergy attacks have been a third party’s doing. It is so much more than “avoiding peanuts and nuts.”

I remember, when I was a kid, people would call me “dramatic” or “un-

grateful” when I would turn down a cookie they made for me, or an invitation to go out to get Chinese, simply because I was allergic. A mean girl in high school even joked to people about feeding me a nut to “see what happens” How high-school can that sentence get?

But, all of that is trivial in comparison to the lotions, the hand soaps in restaurants, and the shampoos with Shea Butter in hotels.

The waiters who promise to wash their hands, but get too busy between meals and forget.

What about the airlines that serve peanuts as snacks while I am on board?

What about the loaf of bread sitting on your counter that “doesn’t have any nuts in it.” Read the label.

It will, almost guaranteed, say “manufactured in a facility that also processes tree-nuts,” or “processed with peanuts.”

What about your dog that eats Blue Buffalo, and then licks my face?

Or the peanut oil used at Burger King and McDonald’s?

Or, the oven you used to bake a loaf of bread that contains nuts, and then the cookies you bake me for my 18th birthday in that same oven because you mean well?

I still have panic attacks every time I eat out somewhere new.

Those who know me, and even those who know me extremely well, will probably find this all so surprising.

Because I never talk about it, I play it off with a laugh and a “Oh, no thanks! I just ate.”

It is entirely embarrassing to admit that I am scared of food, but I am.

Food terrifies me.

It is not me being dramatic, rude, or wanting sympathy.

I am trying to keep myself alive.

This is why people, restaurants, servers, schools, hotels, everything and everyone, have to be more informed on the dangers of food allergies.

According to the Food Allergy Research and Education, each year in the U.S., 200,000 people require emergency medical care for allergic reactions to food.”

Anaphylaxis is a deadly occurrence.

It should never be taken lightly.

Here are some great links to go to! https://www.foodallergy.org/resources/facts-and-statistics https:// acaai.org/allergies/types/food-allergy https://www.fda.gov/food/buy-storeserve-safe-food/what-you-needknow-about-food-allergies

OP/ED

NOVEMBER 13, 2020 | 11

Campus Conversations

What more do you think FSU could do to support people with disabilities?

By Donald Halsing, Associate Editor

“I feel like they don’t really advertise what they do enough for people to understand what they could improve upon. I think that if they clarify what they do offer, that is a way that they could improve it.”

-Charity Marino, sophomore

“I don’t know, really. I don’t really see them doing much now. They have CASA and everything, but that’s all I’ve seen - I haven’t really noticed much other than that.”

-Kyle Bolger, sophomore

“Have the ability to have more accessibility to the dorm buildings.

Pierce and Horace Mann aren’t really accessible for anyone who needs wheelchairs or need assistance walking because there are no elevators.”

-Catherine Henry, sophomore

“They could do more inclusive activities, like more sports or something like that for them, because our sports aren’t really inclusive for people with disabilities.”

-Krista Hoegen, junior

“Especially right now, during the pandemic, I think on-site support would be helpful. I have dyslexia, so I have a learning disability. Instead of Zoom meetings and online things, it might be easier - at least during this time - to have at least one person on campus to help.”

-Meggan Law, freshman

“There’s no elevators or anything in Horace Mann and Pierce, so that is a big hindrance for many people.”

-Emily Atherton, sophomore

Op/Ed submissions reflect the opinions of their authors only and do not necessarily reflect those of The Gatepost or its staff.

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

12 | NOVEMBER 13, 2020

THE GATEPOST

SP O RTS Cheerleading Continued from page 1 From August to April, the FSU cheerleaders train hard in the hope of earning an invitation to Nationals.

From long practices in the Athletic Center gym to cheering at football games, the team has a tight bond with one another - a bond that no pandemic can take away.

Hamilton said, “Even off the mat, we tend to push each other to keep our acde i o s. n the t e definite y have a close bond. So, it [their bond] just helps us in every aspect of our lives.”

Fernandes added, “I want to do good [at competition] not only for myself, but for my teammates because I have a bond with them. I don’t want to let them down. Off the mat, it is the same thing.

“We motivate each other. We would keep each other in-line and in-check so that we could be the best for ourselves and for each other. So, I think we kind of all just pushed each other to work hard and make things happen,” she added.

This season, the team has fallen behind as the University has yet to assign practice time to them.

While other fall sports have been allowed to hold socially distanced practices during the week, the cheerleading team has been left in the dark by the University.

Hamilton said the team’s coaches reached out to the Athletic Department to get a practice slot.

A month later, the team is still waiting to receive paperwork required to hold practice.

With time running out, both cheerleaders have their eyes set on attending the 2021 Nationals.

This goal, however, is quickly slipping out of reach as the team must attend a National Cheerleaders Association (NCA) nd o ith n o fi i N t iner in order to earn an invitation to Nationals.

Hamilton said, “It’s hard for us at Fram-

FSU cheerleading team | Courtesy of Danielle Achin ingham to look on Instagram and see other cheerleading teams that are getting to practice right now. It just kind of feels like we’re falling behind.”

She added cheerleaders around the country are currently able to participate in the sport, but at a limited capacity.

She said, “We haven’t met together as a team once, never mind go to [NCA] camp together. I do hope we get to go [to Nationals]. With all of our hard work last season, we are at a level where we could do half a season and still be competitive.”

Fernandes said attending Nationals as seniors would “be a great way to go out, especially because we had such an upsetting exit to last season, after everything we kind of worked for.

“So, hopefully we get that chance, but we’ll just have to take it day by day,” she added.

As the two seniors anxiously wait to see if they will be allowed to practice and

FSU cheerleading team during a football game | Courtesy of Danielle Achin

@TheGatepost | FSUgatepost.com

o ete d in thei fin o e i te se son they oth e e t on thei st o years on the team.

Hamilton said, “I do try to be a leader on this team - which I’m not normally very good at. I tend to sit back and let the group work things out. This is my fourth year on the mat and the coaches do look at me as a leader for the team.

“So, I’ve had to step up and learn that skill that I didn’t really have going into this. I am probably most proud of my growth in leadership skills through this experience,” she added.

Hamilton, a Weymouth native and biology major, began all-star cheerleading when she was 8 years old.

She said, “I started because my best friend and my cousin started doing it. So then, I obviously was like, ‘I want to do what they’re doing,’ and my mother act y s id no o si onths nti fin y persuaded her to let me do it.”

From then on, Hamilton stuck with the sport.

Likewise, Fernandes, an international business major from Taunton, began cheerleading in middle school.

She said, “I tried out for my middle school team and I didn’t make it. That kind of got me into all-star cheer because I really wanted to make the team.”

Now, Hamilton and Fernandes are only a few months away from graduating college and are looking forward to staying close to the sport. e n ndes s id definite y ho e to incorporate cheerleading [into my future], whether that means opening a gym or maybe coaching - we’ll see what happens with that. definite y oin to et y e estate license this upcoming spring and then hopefully start with that and kind of get my foot in the door for other business opportunities,” Fernandes added.

After graduation, Hamilton said, “I want to go to a 16-month nursing program and turn my bachelor’s in science to he o o s ien e in n sin . defi-

nitely want to work in a hospital setting or a medical setting.”

She added, “I’m still an all-star cheerleader and I want to continue doing that team for at least a couple more years. I’m also coaching, so I want to keep coaching.”

With the spring semester quickly approaching, Fernandes and Hamilton ree ted on the e y they ho e to e e behind for their underclassman teammates.

Fernandes said, “We really had this way of changing the team’s mindset. I think the legacy that is going to be left behind is a legacy of triumph. We overcame so much and it brought everyone together. I feel like that’s going to continue. I don’t think that’s going to be forgotten.”

She added, “I can’t believe how fast it went and how things have changed. … e yone sho d definite y e the est of it while they can, and hopefully, everything with this virus will be going away soon.” i ton s id on t ose the fi ht.

Framingham State has the skill level to win the national championship and every year, something so small sets us back.

“I don’t want to see this team, once we’re gone, start heading downhill and not caring anymore, because we are such a talented program and everybody just needs to think of that,” she added. i ton s id definite y nt to e e e y o fi htin o so te y e erything you do because you only get four years and it goes by so fast. Looking back, now I’m like, ‘If only I had done this differently,’ and you don’t want to feel that way.

“You want to put every ounce of your being into the four years you’re there. I hope people see that’s what I’ve done in my four years and I hope everybody in ye s to o e ts th t s e fi ht in ecause we are a very good program.”

[Interim Asst. Sports Editor, Danielle Achin, is a member of the cheerleading team.]

CONNECT WITH ASHLEY WALL awall1@student.framingham.edu

ARTS & FEATURES

NOVEMBER 13, 2020 | 13

ARTS & FEATURES

Talking code and the alphabet - the Swiacki Children’s Literature Festival goes virtual

By Robert Johnson Jr. Arts & Features Editor

At this year’s Swiacki Children’s Literature Festival, the McCarthy Center was not a mecca for all things children’s literature, due to the COVID-19 pandemic blocking off the potential for large, in-person gatherings.

Instead, that honor was given to a Zoom link in which many members of Framingham State’s community, as well as other spectators, gathered to hear presentations Nov. 5 from Cathie Mercier, as well as the two featured speakers, Joseph Bruchac and Melissa Sweet.

This year’s iteration also served as the 35th anniversary of the festival, which was held in honor of Tomie deo the esti s fi st e e est who died earlier this year in March.

Mercier, a professor at Simmons University who is chair of the children’s literature department, hosted her annual lecture as part of the Pat Keogh Memorial Lecture, “What’s New in Children’s Literature?” at the 4:30 p.m. timeslot.

The presentation, similar to those in past years, discussed the advancements and strides made in the industry in the year since her last presentation, while also recommending some of her favorite titles.

“I am deeply honored to be invited back after being with you, last year,” Mercier said.

She continued, “‘Last year.’ Remember that? This festival was on a dismal, cold, rainy November afternoon and evening. And, yet, we were warm in our bookish comforts, and we were warm together, gathered in one place. Without masks, without gloves, and without vats of hand sanitizer.

“This afternoon, we meet virtually, surrounded by the uncanny ordinaryness of COVID-19, by the daily hazards of racism, and by the unimaginable disruptions that threaten to unhinge our very democracy. … We gather here today in the indefatigable belief that literature, and especially literature for young people, has the capacity to affect change - has the obligation to affect change. Has the opportunity to affect change,” she said.

“We gather here today to celebrate with each other, in this community, the knowledge that good books make for good people.”

Mercier began to delve into specifics, regarding the realm of children’s and young adult literature.

“With over 5,000 books published for children and young adults, but with closed warehouses and expert distribution of e-titles for preview, and closed libraries and bookstores, 2020 has also meant decreased access to new titles,” she said.

In her presentation, Mercier recommended books such as Rita Hubbard and Oge Mora’s “The Oldest Student,” Duncan Tonatiuh’s “Feathered Serpent and the Five Suns,” Reimena Yee’s “Séance Tea Party,” and Carson Ellis’ “In the Half Room.”

Later on in the evening, Bruchac and Sweet spoke to the audience, as part of the Mary Burns Memorial Lecture.

While it was plagued by connection iss es t fi st dien es e e en ossed in what each creator had to say about their works and their creative processes, as well as their life stories.

Bruchac focused on one book, “Code Talker: A Novel About the Navajo Marines of World War Two,” during his talk, but he also spent a large part of his time talking about his life and upbringing.

“I should point out that as a storyteller and a writer, I always try to make sure that whatever I share does two important things: First of all, it should be entertaining, because, then, people will pay attention and remember,” Bruchac said.

He added, “But secondly, it should contain within it a useful lesson.

Something that will be worth having heard, or read, a story.”

Speaking of stories, he shared one with the audience: “I want to tell you a story that, I think, may mean something to those of you who are trying to write, who aspire to write. You see,

“We gather here today in the indefatigable belief that literature, and especially literature for young people, has the capacity to affect change - has the obligation to affect change. Has the opportunity to affect change.”

- Cathie Mercier, professor at Simmons University The lecture was introduced by F. Javier Cevallos, president of FSU, and Ellen Zimmerman, interim provost/ vice president of academic affairs. “[The Children’s Literature Festival] is truly one of the great academic events of the year - we look [forward] to it every year with anticipation, because it is such a wonderful, wonderful event,” Cevallos said.

Zimmerman said, “I want to end my welcome to you all with this following acknowledgement: We would like to acknowledge that the land on which we live, work, learn, and commune is the original homelands of the Nipmuc Tribal Nations. We acknowledge the painful history of genocide and forced removal from this territory.

“We honor and respect the many diverse, indigenous peoples still connected to this land on which we gather,” she said.

After a brief introduction by Lisa Eck, professor and chair of the English department, Bruchac, an author of over 170 books for children and adults, took the “stage.”

there will always be people who will tell you that what you want to do, you cannot do.”

He spoke of his experiences at Cornell University as a wildlife conservation major and a varsity heavyweight wrestler for the school.

“I had a mind and I had ideas I wanted to share, and, because of that, I decided to take a course in creative writing,” Bruchac said. “My professor was a man named David Ray, and David took one look at me when I walked into the room - I had matte burns, I h d i o e e h d e y sho t haircut, and I was pretty muscular carrying a gym bag, and he immediately said, ‘This is the creative writing class - I think you’re in the wrong place.’”

He continued, “I said, ‘No, this is it.

This is the course I want to take.’”

Bruchac described his struggles in the course, noting how after he turned in his fi st ssi n ent y to e it apart,” as well as the second and third assignments, prompting Ray to inform Bruchac that he “could drop this course.

“But I did not give up. I continued writing. … I ended up getting an ‘A’ in that course,” he said.

After that, Ray and Bruchac became close, personal friends.

Later, Bruchac talked to the audience about the Navajo Code Talkers Association, as well as facts regarding his novel, “Code Talkers.” This is also paired with experiences - both serious and hilarious - from his career, such as attending a dinner at the Library of Congress during the George W. Bush administration.

Sweet, the second featured speaker at the festival and illustrator of over 100 children’s books, came in after Bruchac. She provided the audience “an overview of her process and what she thinks about picture books,” with a concentration on biographies.

“For me as an artist, you have the opportunity to get these great manuscripts, or write a manuscript, that [searches] for who these people are, what they did in their lives, and how to bring it, visually, to the page - what was hard for them? All those small det is nt to find o t e e ythin Sweet said.

“Of course, in a children’s picture book, we don’t have room to do everything, so we synthesize, and I think that’s the challenge and that’s, really, the fun for me,” she said.

From there, she talked about her upbringing as an artist in New Jersey, the toys she played with as a kid that helped her develop as an artist, as well as how she got her discipline, which she notes is “nine-tenths of the artist.”

“Before I got published, I kept busy taking classes,” she said. “And I learned calligraphy and hand-lettering. I knew I wanted to learn it, I thought it would be interesting, and maybe something I could use in my art.”

In her presentation, she delved into the process of creating some of her latest books, namely “Alphamaniacs: Builders of 26 Wonders of the Word” alongside Paul Fleischman and her own book, “Some Writer! The Story of E.B. White.”

“The slowness is important to me, working slowly and meticulously,” said Sweet of the process behind making the cover of “Alphamaniacs.”

Sweet closed her presentation with a quote from E.B. White: “All that I ever hoped to say in books, is that I o ed the o d. ess yo n find it in there, if you dig around.”

CONNECT WITH ROBERT JOHNSON JR. rjohnson10@student.framingham.edu

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14 | NOVEBER 13, 2020

ARTS & FEATURES

‘Borat Subsequent Moviefilm’ - very nice!

By Brennan Atkins

Arts & Features Editor Fourteen years ago, Sasha Baron Cohen played the infamous role of Borat Sagdiyev, cementing forever ridiculous catch phrases such as “My Name-a-Borat,” and “very nice!” into the American pop-culture vocabulary.

In 2020, Cohen showed the strategy sed o e tin the fi st o t fi worked well, and in some cases, works even better now. he fi st fi s e o ni ed o its o ent y sty e o fi in blurring the lines of what was scripted, and what were genuine reactions from concerned people. Cohen plays a vile over-exaggeration of a Middle Eastern man, and while this sounds terrible, his aim is to bring out the worst in people around him to truly highlight certain problems in America. he fi is no st n e to is sexism, pedophilia, and every other terrible thing present in America - except Donald Trump.

Until now.

By placing Borat in today’s insanely political climate, Cohen is able to get away with all sorts of bits that o dn t e ossi e in the fi st fi .

All of the aforementioned issues are still present in America, if not worse, nd o t se ent o iefi

serves as evidence refuting any claims of major progress made over 14 years. he ot o the fi isn t h t makes it great - in fact, the story is more of glue holding together individual, hilarious bits.

In a ridiculous, brief overview - the fi st o t fi ss h e t disappointment to the nation that Borat was sentenced to the Gulag for life.

Fourteen years later, the country’s premier lets him free with a simple mission in mind - deliver Kazakh Minister of Culture, Johnny the Monkey, to President Donald Trump in the last-ditch attempt to get on America’s good side.

However, the plan goes awfully awry when Johnny doesn’t survive the trip to America, and Borat’s daughter, Tutar, sneaked on the plane in order to see the “great” nation of America.

Tutar, played by Maria Bakalova, was an absolutely phenomenal casting choice. Her energy as an excited foreigner venturing out into an unknown world clashes comedically with her lack of American social awareness.

Unfortunately, Cohen never gets close to President Trump throughout this fi the s e o hi h nnot be said for Mike Pence or Rudy Guiliani - and this may be largely due to the t th t ohen s fi ed de ecating in front of the Trump Tower in

the

st fi . t s h d to s y hethe this fi is particularly funnier than its predecessor, but it’s certainly more clever.

There are so many jokes that depend on massive build up - and seeing it executed perfectly is inherently satisfying.

As mentioned before, Cohen puts on this character to bring the worst out of Americans - people unaware th t they e ein fi ed i s y the most abhorrent things to Borat, just because they feel as if his intellect can be taken advantage of.

For instance, there’s a scene where Borat is staying with a group of friends who are seemingly more conservative.

They make outrageous claims about how Democrats are more dangerous than the current COVID-19 pandemic.

Hearing someone actually say that, with a completely straight face, is both horribly sad and outrageously humorous.

Borat, from a technical standpoint, is jaw-droppingly amazing - many of these cameras and microphones had to be hidden, as Borat no longer has a e son to h e fi e onst nt y following him around.

There were scenes in which I was left unconvinced that the random people did not know they were being fi ed on y to te find o t th t it

was completely unknown to the person until they had to sign for paperwork.

While this cinematography is in a simple, mostly medium shot view, this sort of camera work is impressive.

There are two sides to the “Borat: se ent o iefi oin on one side, it’s funny to step back and look at our problems with a satirical mindset, but more importantly, how terrible of a place it is for anyone other than a white man.

ADMIT ONE

Grade: A

A somewhat disturbing, hilarious, look at 2020.

ADMIT ONE

CONNECT WITH BRENNAN ATKINS batkins@student.framingham.edu

‘Hades’ is a godly triumph in the roguelike genre

By Brennan Atkins

Arts & Features Editor Roguelikes have been on the upand-up since the days of Edmund McMillen and Florian Himsl’s “The Binding of Isaac” in 2011, and, as such, there have been many attempts to replicate the success and feel of that on ent en e definin hit.

With that in mind, not every roguelike succeeds in doing this, but very few do - for instance, one of my favorite interpretations of the genre comes from Motion Twin’s “Dead Cells” from 2017. A beautifully animated, Metroidvania-inspired romp that houses a wealth of content that keeps me coming back for more.

I mention “Dead Cells” because the same can almost be said for Veewo Games’ “Neon Abyss,” a 2020-released twin-stick run-and-gun platformer roguelike published by Team17 that, much like “Dead Cells,” surprised me by how fun it was.

In it, you are sent on a mission by Hades - as in, the Greek god of the unde o d to de e t fi e n e s who also happen to be Greek mythological gods. To do this, you would need to jump into a pit - the titular Neon yss to fi ht th o h oo s of enemies and, ultimately, defeat the target.

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Sure, the premise might sound daunting, but fear not - this mission is not impossible.

You start out playing as Wade, a member of the Grim Squad who possesses a basic kit of items - three hit points, a key, and a grenade. However, you are not limited to playing as him - you can also choose to be Anna, who has four hit points, a key, but no grenades. Thankfully, there are many characters beyond them that you can unlock for later use.

But, when I say “later use,” I do mean later use. Unlocking the other characters - Matt, Lucas, R-6, and so on - takes a long time to do, not to mention a ridiculous number of runs through the abyss. hen yo fi st st t yin the game, things might seem a bit slow - after all, you did get thrown down into the pit after taking a shot of some mysterious, godly liquid with Hades, so it is to be expected - but that is because you’re still getting used to how “Neon Abyss” does things.

As you progress through the rooms, you encounter enemies of varying health values - green enemies are the easiest to kill, orange ones are slightly harder, and the red ones take a little more effort to eliminate. Some of the enemies in later runs don’t even follow this coloring convention, appear-

ing clear in most instances - a nice touch! hese ene ies i fi e o e ti es at you, but, thankfully, the patterns are easy to dodge, if you’re experienced with bullet hell games or similar roguelikes.

However, in engaging with these enemies, it should be noted that you should not let them corner you - apparently, should that happen, you are rendered unable to attack until they get killed or they kill you. That is probably a bug, but it is a frustrating one that drains you of your health and/or shields quickly in moments where you don’t want that happening.

The bosses are also unique, in the sense that they are “gods” of modern concepts. For example, Tik and Tok are the “Gods of Mobile Videos,” and Block and Chain are the “Gods of Bittercoin.” It should be noted that yo don t fi ht oth o the t the same time, but, rather, they are palette-swapped variants of each other.

Sure, these are clever, especially with the names, but it does get a little onotono s to fi ht the s e enemies with little variation, after a bit.

This doesn’t even begin to get into the pet system the game has, in which you collect eggs that may or may not hatch into assistants that can help you in your quest, which is pretty cool.

“Neon Abyss” knows how to make you feel powerful, but in it making you into this murder machine, Veewo Games kind of takes the challenge y o yo . he n e fi hts take seconds with the right character build, and, after a while, you learn how to dispose of them while taking minimal damage of your own.

That, and it takes a bit of elbow grease - again, the same case with unlocking characters on the skill tree to add some variety to the game.

However, in spite of its faults, which come from being a new game, I still love passing the time with “Neon Abyss,” and I am only excited for what comes next … if anything is added at all.

Grade: A+ Supergiant must’ve had the Midas touch developing this one.

CONNECT WITH BRENNAN ATKINS batkins@student.framingham.edu

ARTS & FEATURES

NOVEMBER 13, 2020 | 15

Shedding light on the shadows of Łódź

By Caroline Gordon Editorial Staff Studio art professor Leslie Starobin gave a presentation Nov. 10 via Zoom about the effects of the Holocaust on families.

She discussed her video project, oo in in the h do s o d which was inspired by a family trip to Poland in 2019.

Their trip marked the 75th anniversary of their relatives’ deportation to Auschwitz.

Throughout their journey, her son filmed videos and her daughter painted, while Starobin took photos of historical places.

Starobin asked, “How can we understand the effects of the Holocaust without the survivors alive to tell their stories?”

She said the second generation acts as a gatekeeper, with the responsibility of sharing the information with future generations.

Starobin said she hopes her film “helps examine remembrance from a multigenerational perspective.”

She discussed the historical background of her project.

“Our story is about a family of texti e o e s in d the thi d est city in Poland today,” said Starobin. io to o d d oland’s second largest city - had a

population of 233,000 Jewish people.

Today, a little over 300 Jewish people reside there.

“Until recently, the Jewish cemete y in d s the est i center in Europe,” said Starobin.

She said there was a huge open field of unmarked graves of people who perished in the ghetto.

On Sept. 8, 1939, the German army entered the city - Starobin recited from a journal by David Sherakoviak, a survivor.

“A synagogue has been harmed, another synagogue is reportedly on fire. There is something sick about the Germans,” wrote Sherakoviak.

Starobin said her film will show where the synagogue stood.

“When German Nazis attacked it [the synagogue], they attacked all Jewish people’s property,” she said.

Starobin said when her father-inlaw reminisced about his childhood - he never mentioned the synagogue.

“He [her father-in-law] chose to point out, on the map, where he played soccer and the address in d he e he e she s id.

After her father-in-law pointed out these locations on the map, Starobin created still-life montages, using her in-laws’ letters and photographs for a project she called, “The Last Address.”

Months after German occupation

ACROSS 1. 8.5” x 14” paper size 6. Idle of Monty Python 10. Pasture sound 13. Came to light 14. Jubilant cry at a roulette table 16. App with #tbt pics 17. Not yet finished 18. Tear into, as a gift 20. “Superman” journalist Lane 21. “I told you so!”

22. UFO navigators 24. TV monitor?

27. Slender and tall 30. Popular cookie 32. “My Pregnant Husband” network 34. Opening words 36. “Well, obviously!”

37. Tokyo-based watchmaker 39. More achy 40. Hairy, tailless animal 41. It balances a debit 42. March composer whose name’s last three

o d the N is en ed he ther-in-law’s street to “Adolf Hitler’s Street,” forbidding Jewish people. t o in s id in d e ish edestrians were forced to wear a yellow armband with the Star of David and the word “yud” which is German for “Jew.” She added, “Before the Germans created ghettos to seal the Jews, 75,000 Jews, including my father-ined d .

Starobin discussed her mother-inlaw Tola’s journey from her home to the ghetto.

“They were sealed off from the outside world,” she said.

Ten years ago, Starobin began interviewing Dorka, Tola’s sister - also a Holocaust survivor.

“Tonight’s presentation and film would not be made possible without Dorka’s commitment to preserving her wartime experiences for future generations,” said Starobin.

In 2017, a typed copy of Dorka’s diary was found in the Jewish Institute in Warsaw.

Starobin read from Dorka’s diary: “I am the only one from my class still here, possibly by accident, or saved by a miracle. They all fell victims in Auschwitz. I don’t have anyone to confess my heavy heart in moments of despair.”

letters are apt 43. Airport scanning org.

44. The things over there 45. Insect that eats termites 46. Jacob’s brother 48. A Swiss Army knife has many 49. Circle or square 51. Pay-___-view 53. Nest egg choice 56. Many profs’ degrees 58. Very concerned 61. Places for movie accessories 65. Ran leisurely 66. Manitoba lies on its southwestern shore 67. Heartbeat 68. Number that’s also a pronoun 69. Indian bread 70. Equine ride DOWN 1. Wild animals’ hideouts 2. Bert’s buddy 3. *Absolute fact (see letters 10 to 5) 4. Concerning 5. Big jump 6. CPR pro 7. Make muddy 8. Smitten 9. *Pets with multicolored coats (9 to 6) 10. Spam generator 11. “Rumble in the Jungle” boxer 12. Key near the space bar 14. “This ___ my day!”

15. Dermatologist’s concern 19. “A rat!”

23. Adds horsepower to, and a hint to the starred answers’ hidden words 25. *”Child’s play!” (8 to 5) 26. Toilet paper layers 28. Greek god of war 29. *”Julie & Julia” director (6 to 4) 31. Perlman of “Cheers” 33. Pigeon coop

Starobin recited another quote o o n d the e s bakery near us every day. Tola went at noon to buy fresh bread. Why did Tola go and not me? Tola was fair with blue eyes - she did not look exactly Jewish.”

Starobin said she included excerpts from Dorka’s diary in her film.

“In Poland, as I framed the scenes in my viewfinder, the voices of the individuals who experienced these places and events firsthand, were forefront in my mind,” she said.

Starobin said she “juxtaposed distinct accounts from Dorka compiled 70 years apart, alluding to how age and memory influence the acts of remembrance.”

She continued, “By presenting both Dorka’s and my mother-in-law’s stories, relaying the same events, I also want to call attention to how their singular viewpoints have shaped the story in transmission of memory.”

Starobin’s artworks have been displayed at the Danforth as well as several museums - including The Harvard Art Museums and the Rose Art Museum at Brandeis University.

CONNECT WITH CAROLINE GORDON cgordon@student.framingham.edu

34. Rae of “The Photograph” 35. Common lunchtimes 36. Items in a spreadsheet 38. Tennis great Arthur 47. Arizona city known for its red rocks 48. One may end with .org 50. Programs on iPhones 52. “Child’s play!”

54. Actress Witherspoon 55. Threw into the mix Puzzle solutions are now 57. Japanese noodle 59. Hannibal and his elephants exclusively online. crossed them 60. 12-0 baseball victory, say 61. Vietnam’s national dish 62. Snag in a stocking 63. Praiseful poem 64. “I’m a ___ of my word”

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PHOTOS

MA Ballot Question 1: Right to Repair Approved

Yes: 75% No: 25%

MA U.S. Senate Elect

MA Ballot Question 2: Ranked-choice voting

Democratic Sen. Edward Markey wins re-election with 65.8% of the votes

Rejected No: 54.9% Yes: 45.1%

Election Results As of Nov. 12, the Associated Press has called the presidential race.

Former Vice President and Democrat Joe Biden wins the election with 290 electoral votes - 50.9% of the vote.

President and Republican Donald Trump lost the election with 217 electoral votes - 47.5% of the vote U.S. Senate Seats: 48 Democrats, 50 Republicans, 2 seats remaining U.S. House Seats: 218 Democrats, 202 Republicans, 15 seats remaining *This data was accurate at the time of publication. Results of the 2020 election are continiously changing as the final ballots are counted.

Data taken from The New York Times and the Associated Press.

Spread by Ashley Wall/ THE GATEPOST

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