September 25, 2020

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

Volume 89 • Issue 2

FSUgatepost.com

September 25, 2020

Board of Trustees holds first hybrid meeting of academic year Members discuss enrollment, COVID-19 and anti-racism initiatives

Donald Halsing / THE GATEPOST

Sam the Ram is a role model for the FSU community, donning a mask in Crocker Grove Sept. 17.

By Leighah Beausoleil News Editor Framingham State’s Board of Trustees held its first meeting in a hybrid format with only seven members in person and the remaining on Zoom Sept. 23.

The trustees discussed how the University holds community members accountable when they fail to follow COVID-19 safety guidelines, as well as new anti-racism strategies and workshops, and updates on enrollment and alumni relations.

During her in-person report, Student Trustee McKenzie Ward discussed student concerns with on- and off-campus gatherings, community

members not adhering to COVID-19 safety guidelines, and the University’s response to these incidents.

Ward said, “A lot of students feel the school is putting too much pressure on students to hold others accountable.”

She said a student reported to her they were told by a staff member to approach large student gatherings and take the names of the students, “which they felt was not OK because that’s putting them into a dangerous position.”

“We do understand this is new territory for the administrators, and we understand the struggles they are going through with planning, but we also are scared about safety on cam-

pus, of students getting sick, and possibly passing away,” Ward added.

On Zoom, Meg Nowak Borrego, dean of students, said, “We do ask students to hold each other accountable.”

Nowak Borrego said if a student is able to identify others who are not following the COVID-19 safety guidelines, and are not comfortable confronting the students themselves, then the student should report it.

“We absolutely do follow up if we receive information from anybody,” she added.

She discussed how students who

After transitioning to online learning for the second half of the Spring 2020 semester, Framingham State implemented a campus-wide COVID-19 testing program for those attending school in person this fall.

The decision came after the Commonwealth of Massachusetts required all institutions in the state to come up with reopening plans, according to President F. Javier Cevallos.

In accordance with an initial 10day onboarding period, residents, commuters, faculty, and staff were required to be tested prior to the start of classes.

Residents are required to be tested bi-weekly and commuters will be part of a random selection every week.

According to an email sent out by Cevallos, 790 students are living on campus. Of those, 738 students are from Massachusetts and 37 are from lower-risk states. Those who came from higher risk states were required to produce a negative test within 72 hours of arriving in Massachusetts per the travel restrictions outlined

by Gov. Charlie Baker earlier in the summer.

As of Sept. 24, Framingham State University has administered 3,231 tests. Of those tests, 18 have been positive, 3,191 have been negative, and 22 have been invalid/inconclusive, according to the Framingham State website.

SGA pg. 3 OBITUARY pg. 8

Opinions

See BOARD OF TRUSTEES page 5

Framingham State conducting ongoing COVID-19 testing

By Cara McCarthy Associate Editor

News

On the most recent testing date, Sept. 22, 518 people were tested 512 tests were negative, one test was positive, and five were invalid or inconclusive.

Currently, the seven-day positive rate is 0.19%, while the 30-day positive rate is 0.56%.

Testing is taking place in the new gym throughout the semester so long as campus remains open.

After answering a self-assessment, community members enter the new gym and conduct their own test.

The test being administered by the University is a Polymerase Chain Reaction test (PCR), which is “sort of the gold standard,” according to the Director of Health Services, Ilene

See TESTING page 4

DEMOCRACY OVER HYPOCRISY pg. 9 MY MENDED RELATIONSHIPS pg. 9

Sports

Caroline Gordon/ THE GATEPOST FIELD HOCKEY SISTERS pg. 11

Arts & Features FROMTHEHEART REVIEW pg. 14 ALUMNI THROUGH THE DECADES pg. 15

INSIDE: OP/ED 9 • SPORTS 11 • ARTS & FEATURES 12

NEWS

2 | SEPTEMBER 25, 2020

Editorial Board

Gatepost Interview

Editor-in-Chief Ashley Wall

Kimberly Arditte Hall

Associate Editors Donald Halsing Cara McCarthy News Editors Leighah Beausoleil 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 Asst. Photos Editor Amanda Garny Staff Writers Danielle Achin Patrick Brady Kaitlin Burch Daniel Fuentes Haley Hadge Ashlyn Kelly Caroline Lanni Johan Perez Lydia Staber Advisor Dr. Desmond McCarthy Asst. Advisor Elizabeth Banks

Professor of Psychology

By Caroline Gordon Photos Editor

What is your role at FSU and what does your job entail?

My title is assistant professor in the department of psychology and philosophy. In my role, I teach a few different courses, Abnormal Psychology, Research Methods I and II, and this semester, I am teaching a RAMS 101 first-year seminar on the mental health of American college students. I am a clinical psychologist, so most of my courses that I teach are mental-health focused. In addition to teaching, I also advise students and do some research as well.

What does your research include?

My research lab at FSU is called The Research and Emotion Cognition in Psychopathology Laboratory. RECAP is the abbreviation for it. The work that we do looks at cognitive and emotional factors that produce mood and anxiety disorders, particularly in women.

What is your educational and professional background?

I did my undergrad degree at a small liberal arts college called Lafayette College in Easton, Pennsylvania. Then, I got my master’s of science and Ph.D. degrees at the University of Miami in Miami, Florida. My Ph.D. is in clinical psychology. After I graduated and did my degree and moved back to the Northeast, I started working at the veterans’ hospital in Boston. I was there first doing clinical work so primarily seeing patients with mood, anxiety, and trauma-related mental health diagnoses. Then I completed my postdoctoral fellowship in women’s mental health in the National Center for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder.

What makes you interested in studying women’s mental health?

The reason I became interested in women’s mental health is because I have always been interested in studying mental health conditions. These mental health disorders disproportionately affect women. I became interested in how some of the variables I was looking at - cognitive and emotional risk factors might play a role in the discrepancies we were seeing in terms of women being at greater risk for developing certain mental health conditions and having more difficulty once they had developed them.

What is your favorite part about working with students?

I really love teaching and being in the classroom and taking the work that I have done for so many years and giv-

Courtesy of Framingham State ing that information to students. I like to help students understand what it is like to have a mental health condition while thinking about the ways we can help people with mental health conditions.I would also say I really love having the opportunity to work with students in a one-on-one capacity to be able to talk through ideas about their career plans.

I like watching students find their own paths to whatever career they ultimately want.

How has COVID-19 impacted your job?

Pretty much in every way. Obviously, being in a classroom looks very different.

The spring was a surprise to everyone and so we all had to ad ust and be flexible. Luckily, I feel like my students rose to the occasion in terms of figuring out how to navigate remote learning on such short notice. The first-year seminar I am teaching has been interesting - being able to work with first-year students who are adjusting to life at FSU, but also life at FSU in this strange time.

Why did you come to Framingham State?

It was a long-term goal of mine to move back to working in the psychology department as a psychology profes-

sor, teaching and continuing to do my research while working with students. I was excited about FSU because it fit a lot of characteristics of a school I was looking for. I wanted to work primarily with undergraduate students and FSU has predominantly undergraduate students. Being in an environment where the faculty are really dedicated to the undergraduates is something that is special and important to me.

What advice do you have for FSU students?

Balance and enjoying life in college, while thinking about the future. I think sometimes things can get out of balance where people are not preparing for the future at all and kind of just enjoying college. Or vice versa, students can miss out on all the amazing things a school like Framingham State has to offer other than academics. Also, know there’s a lot of resources available to you.

CONNECT WITH CAROLINE GORDON cgordon4@student.framingham.edu

Police Logs 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

Monday, Sept. 21 15:45 Suspicious Activity Whittemore Library Advised

Monday, Sept. 21 22:20 Alarm (Fire/Smoke) Horace Mann Hall False Alarm

Tuesday, Sept. 22 13:47 Medical McCarthy Center Transported to Hospital

Wednesday. Sept. 23 22:10 Suspicious Activity Adams RD Parking Lot Checks OK

NEWS

SEPTEMBER 25, 2020 | 3

SGA meets virtually to swear in new senators

Issue raised about University Police mask procedures

By Ashley Wall Editor-in-Chief SGA swore in five senators during their bi-weekly meeting Sept. 22.

President Olivia Beverlie conducted the swearing in of new senator Eryca Carrier, and returning senators Samuel Houle, Matt O’Sullivan, Destiny Phaire, and Emma Sullivan.

Beverlie said, “I’m really excited tonight because we will be swearing in five senators, which is pretty awesome.

Considering we’re not meeting in person, we’re still able to get new senators.

“I’m really happy and I think we’re shaping up to be a great senate this year,” she added.

Beverlie said, “Everyone except for Eryca was on SGA last year, so, Eryca is kind of the newbie this year, but we’re all going to do our best to kind of help guide her along and show her the ropes.

“I’ve had a lot of conversations with Eryca about SGA, so I think she’s a great fit,” she said.

During the Open Forum, Carrier brought up issues surrounding

COVID-19 rule enforcement by campus police.

Carrier said, “I have a really big issue with the way that [campus police] is not wearing masks and still approaching students - it’s not acceptable behavior.”

Carrier said she has recorded dates and times of instances when she has watched campus police approach students and cars without masks on. She added she has seen campus police coming in and out of their offices without masks on.

“I don’t think it’s fit to tell students that they need to do something if the people that are meant to enforce aren’t doing it either,” she said.

“I think that needs to be addressed and handled because it sets a really poor example for the rest of the student body if the people that are supposed to enforce rules don’t actually follow them themselves.”

Beverlie said Carrier brought up a “great” point during Open Forum. “I’m really excited to have her as an addition to senate this year.”

Student Activities Treasurer Ewnie

Fedna discussed the updated role of Finance Committee (FinCom) for the fall semester.

Fedna said she plans to meet with active student organizations to get their events and budget plans for this semester and the year as a whole.

Fedna plans to give student organizations two options during the week to meet with FinCom: Tuesday from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. and Thursday from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.

She said, “The plan is to start next Tuesday. I have about three weeks [where meeting dates will be offered], just given that some organizations may or may not sign up within the first week or may need time to get their stuff together.”

SGA Organization Advisor and SILD Director Sara Gallegos spoke to SGA about their role at FSU. She said, “You have legitimate power conferred upon you by the state and FSU. This allows you to participate in institutional decision-making on behalf of student interests. You sit on certain committees. Some of them are

voting seats. Some of them are not. You are voicing your opinion to represent all of the students’ opinions.”

Gallegos said, “One of the most disheartening parts with the power you have is your work is going to go unnoticed. ...You’re the ones who are fighting the good fight.”

Beverlie added, “A lot of times we feel like we’re doing so much because we are, and it doesn’t get noticed, but just know that your work doesn’t go unnoticed by the rest of us here. And that should be all that matters at the end of the day, as long as we’re making a change on campus and doing our best effort.”

There was no “U-Rock” awarded.

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Weather

Sunday night Sept. 27 Mostly cloudy, low near 65. S winds around 5mph.

Monday night Sept. 28 40% chance of showers, mostly cloudy, low near 60. S winds around 5 mph.

Forecast provided by the National Weather Service www.weather.gov Tuesday night Sept. 29 Wednesday night Sept. 30 50% chance of showPartly cloudy, low near 50. ers, mostly cloudy, SW winds around 10 mph. low near 60. S winds around 10 mph.

Monday Sept. 28 40% chance of showers, mostly cloudy, high near 75. S winds around 10 mph.

Tuesday Sept. 29 40% chance of showers, partly sunny, high near 75. S winds around 10 mph.

Wednesday Sept. 30 50% chance of showers, partly sunny, high near 70. S winds around 10 mph.

Thursday Oct. 1 Mostly sunny, high near 70. SW winds around 10 mph.

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4 | SEPTEMBER 25, 2020

NEWS

Testing continued from page 1 Hofrenning.

The tests are being distributed by the Broad Institute at a reduced rate for the University, according to Cevallos.

“The [COVID] testing companies were asking for about $100-$250 per test, while Broad is at $25,” Cevallos said.

Executive Vice President Dale Hamel said the University received $255,000 from the state to pay for the tests. Any additional funds will be taken from the Health Services budget, but will be replenished by the COVID Expenses Reserve.

While the vast majority of COVID-19 tests take place in the new gym on Tuesdays, anyone who is experiencing symptoms can request a test from the health center, according to Cevallos.

“We bought 7,000 tests, I believe, from them [Broad Institute]. And,

school email that I provided when I registered for testing,” the student said. “My response to that was to get tested the following week because I thought I had provided the wrong contact info. But, when I went to the check-in desk in the gym, they read me my exact email address.

“I am still unsure why my first test results were never sent to me, and I was never provided an explanation.”

Since then, the student has been receiving their weekly results.

According to Hofrenning, “If it was anybody who had symptoms, we would repeat it right away. But for screening, we could just have them come back the next week.”

Another student who also requested anonymity received an invalid result and was retested on the next possible date.

“Overall, my experience has been good. No one was rude, and I’ve had good interactions with many. Q-tips in the nose always feel strange,” the

dining hall workers not covering their noses with their masks.

“This is a virus that is spread through the respiratory tract, and the nose is a part of that, too,” she added.

“I do still think that FSU, compared to other universities, has done a great job of keeping us safe.”

Senior English major Erin Cook said, “Despite the issues that have piled up for this semester, I think that Framingham is doing a really good job of testing.

“I think their process is really quick and easy. Accessing results, not only for yourself but overall campus results, is simple. Sure, it’s not a fun Tuesday activity, but it’s over quickly and I am glad I have the assurance that my roommates and I are healthy,” Cook added.

Resident and commuter students, faculty, and staff are all required to be tested in order to be on campus.

Dean of Students Meg Nowak Borrego said, “Following the onboard-

contacts are defined as anyone who has been within six feet of a person with COVID-19 for more than 15 minutes.

“The names and contact information will be given to our Contact Tracing Team, who will reach out to them, evaluate their health status, and assist them into quarantine for 14 days since last contact,” she added.

In addition to students, faculty and staff will also be required to isolate at home for a minimum of 10 days if they were in contact with someone who tested positive, according to Nowak Borrego.

On top of following regular testing procedures, the University and the state have also put several rules in place in order for people to be on campus this semester.

According to an order from Gov. Baker, all students in Massachusetts are required to receive the flu vaccine. This includes higher education

“This is a virus that is spread through the respiratory tract, and the nose is a part of that too. I do still think that FSU, compared to other universities, has done a great job of keeping us safe.”

- Gabby Cochrane, Associate Dean of Academic Success and Director of CASA we’re doing testing Tuesday mornings for anybody who is asymptomatic,” Cevallos said. “If anybody has symptoms, we can do tests immediately.”

The University’s contract with the Broad Institute also requires the institute to have results back within 24 hours, according to Cevallos.

Hofrenning said the tests from the Broad Institute have approximately a 99% sensitivity and specificity rate, “which means you would get low false negatives and low false positives.

“Any test can have false negatives and false positives depending on how good the specimen is, how good their procedures are in the lab, and lots of different things,” Hofrenning added.

“They [The Broad Institute] said to expect 2% to 5% of your tests to be either invalid or couldn’t be processed - and, it’s normal for that to happen. You don’t get enough material on there, or sometimes, there could be too much mucus, or nasal discharge that can affect the result,” Hofrenning said.

One student, who was granted anonymity, said their test results the first week of classes were lost and as a result, they never got their results for that week.

“Health Services claimed that my results should have made it to my

@TheGatepost | FSUgatepost.com

student said. “They sent me an email saying my test was invalid, so I had to go get retested on the next date they did testing.”

Earlier in the semester, 10 tests conducted on Sept. 8 came back positive, signaling a cluster originating from West Hall.

Hofrenning said, “We were able to identify that cluster right away. That person gave me all their close contacts. There were nine close contacts, eight of whom were positive, and we were able to identify, test, and quarantine them within four hours.”

Cevallos said, “We immediately tested every resident of West Hall on Friday afternoon, and thankfully, they all came back negative.”

Several students expressed their confidence in the University’s testing system.

Senior biology major Gabby Cochrane said, “I think that, so far, the University has done a pretty good job. The fact that we had a small outbreak and they took action so quickly was very comforting.”

She added, “However, I feel like there are many ways the University could improve. I, and many other students, have seen people walking around without masks and it seems as if they are not being reprimanded.”

Cochrane also said she has seen

ing testing required of all students attending classes on campus, all commuters are placed in a random sample process and are expected to test when contacted. A new random sample group is identified each week.

She added if students do not test when they are required to, they will be called by the dean of students.

Consequently, if students do not follow proper testing procedures, they face being removed from their residence halls and barred from campus until they provide a negative result, according to Nowak Borrego.

If a student is unable to quarantine at home, Linsley Hall has been reserved as a quarantine space. The University has also made a certain number of rooms in every other residence hall quarantine rooms in the event Linsley Hall fills up, according to Cevallos.

Along with testing protocols, the University is contact tracing any student who tests positive for COVID-19.

“An FSU Contact Tracing Team is being formed. This team will receive in-person and on-line training on contact tracing,” Nowak Borrego said.

“During case investigation, those who have tested positive will be asked about close contacts,” she added.

According to Nowak Borrego, close

students.

Hofrenning said one of the most important steps the community can take is get their flu vaccine.

She said, “We don’t want to have a flu epidemic and then a COVID pandemic at the same time.

“A flu vaccine is required for all college students. So, we are having a flu vaccine week and in fact, during two of the testing days, we’re going to have the flu vaccine at the same time,” Hofrenning added.

During these days, the flu vaccine will be available in the old gym, while COVID tests will continue being conducted in the new gym.

When asked if planning for the spring semester has begun, Cevallos said, “Planning for the spring is currently underway. It’s too early to say what the spring semester will look like.”

CONNECT WITH CARA MCCARTHY cmccarthy8@student.framingham.edu

Board of Trustees continued from page 1 did not adhere to the testing policies in place for residents were asked to leave the residence halls until they were ready to comply and received a negative COVID-19 test result.

The University is working with the Framingham City Police Department when it comes to off-campus housing that the University Police cannot see to, Nowak Borrego said.

She said there had been a report of loud music at a residence off campus, but after further investigation, it was found the gathering was of eight students, though only two were guests.

“There was another kind of larger reported party that wasn’t a party that we could tell - at the Sheraton,” Nowak Borrego added. “Students were all talking about a big party at the Sheraton.”

She said the University reached out to the management of the Sheraton Hotel in Framingham, and they said some people were in the parking lot and were told to “disperse,” and they did.

Had students been having a party there, the Sheraton hotel “would have contacted us immediately because we do have a relationship with them, as we do with most of the hotels in the area, because we reached out to most of the hotels in the area about potentially housing students this fall if necessary,” Nowak Borrego said.

“So, I assure everybody that we are taking it seriously, and will hold students accountable, as well as faculty and staff accordingly,” she added.

Framingham State University implemented new strategies in an effort to be an anti-racist institution.

On Zoom, Constanza Cabello, vice president for diversity, inclusion and community engagement, discussed the creation of the Institutional Inclusive Excellence Committee.

Cabello said the group will focus on bigger-picture issues that will have a positive impact on the student experience.

Lorretta Holloway, vice president of enrollment and student development, also on Zoom, highlighted the workshops and educational modules on dealing with racial trauma that the Counseling Center has been developing for years.

On Zoom, Trustee Nancy Budwig discussed anti-racism training from an academic perspective as well as other updates from the Academic Affairs Committee.

Budwig said within the different groups of academic administration, three central themes are prominent within their many strategic initiatives.

The first theme is professional development through workshops and trainings pertaining to both anti-racism and COVID-19, according to Budwig.

The second theme is the realignment and restructuring of programs to ensure they can “thrive and survive” during this time of financial strain, she said. “It’s not a matter of just chopping this or chopping that.”

NEWS

The final theme is the reorganization of leadership positions to ensure there are “point people,” Budwig said. As an example, she presented how the administration is restructuring the position of associate vice president for academic affairs.

There is now a person “who deals with strategy and implementation,” Budwig added. “We have a director who wakes up in the morning and thinks about these kinds of strategy issues and making sure that operations and finance and institutional effectiveness are working from academic affairs, and linking up with some of the other units because otherwise, there just would be not enough time.”

Holloway provided statistics and charts to the trustees illustrating Fall 2020 semester enrollment compared to Fall 2019 as well as residence hall occupancy.

Holloway said the total number of freshmen represented in the charts is the combination of first-year students and students who are still technically freshmen based on credits. This combination results in 927 freshmen students enrolled in Fall 2019 and 1,141 enrolled in Fall 2020.

The statistics for first-time freshmen show a decrease in enrollment from 778 students in the Fall 2019 semester to 614 students in the Fall 2020 semester.

There was also a decline in transfer students with 380 students in Fall 2019 and only 276 in Fall 2020, according to Holloway.

The enrollment of Post-Baccalaureate Teacher Licensure (PBTL) and graduate students did increase by 10 and 37 students, respectively, according to Holloway.

According to the Holloway, the total enrollment decreased from 3,516 students in Fall 2019 to 3,200 students in Fall 2020. Of the 3,200 students enrolled for the Fall 2020 semester, only 727 are living on campus, with the dorms at 36.87% occupancy.

Holloway said they had planned for the residence halls to be at 66% capacity, but “once students started seeing how many classes were not in person, and with the cancellation of fall sports, and when people started seeing that their friends weren’t going to be on campus,” they decided to live off campus.

Holloway also said parents’ concerns about the City of Framingham being a COVID-19 hotspot played a role in the decline in enrollment.

During his report, Trustee Michael Grilli, chair of the Board’s Finance Committee, motioned for the approval of the financial statements to the Finance Committee and the Audit Committee. The statements were approved unanimously.

Grilli said the University is facing budget deficit concerns due to a decrease in state appropriations and the lowering of dorm occupancy rates in order to conform with social distancing guidelines. However, the budget is being managed through the University’s cash and capital re-

SEPTEMBER 25, 2020 | 5

Courtesy of Lorretta Holloway serves. given you can’t bring people togethIn person, Framingham State er for an event of any type,” he addPresident F. Javier Cevallos present- ed. “So, we’re going to continue our ed potential designs for an interim fundraising progress,” and will assess FSU logo and seal. The designs are the fundraising methods as the year variations of the seal depicting May progresses.

Hall as opposed to the current seal Gustafson said they have been illustrating a Native American. able to conduct virtual “major gift According to Cevallos, the current conversations” this summer. They design is based on the Massachusetts received a few major gifts - one beseal and flag. Steps have been taken ing an endowed scholarship fund for on the state level to change the flag food and nutrition majors, and anand seal, but it will be a while before other new endowed scholarship fund that happens. for hospitality and tourism manageCevallos said there is no mandate ment majors. for the University to preserve this The Danforth Art Museum opened connection, although administrators in August, according to Gustafson. would like to because FSU is the first Visitors are required to purchase public normal school in the country. tickets online in advance to ensure Dale Hamel, executive vice pres- social distancing, masks are required, ident, also in person, explained the and they are following sanitation interim seal would have connections guidelines. to the City of Framingham’s seal, “It’s really exciting because last which depicts May Hall. week, the museum opened three new Grilli, motioning to the current exhibits, so we have ‘Passage,’ with seal, asked, “And is that disrespect- the works of Katherine Gulla, ‘Midful? Or is it that we just want to make night Blooms,’ which features the sure we don’t acknowledge the Na- work of Rebecca Hutchinson, and ‘A tive American in any way because any Cabinet of Curiosities,’ which fearepresentation will be offensive?” tures the work of Catherine Smith,” Cevallos explained it is an “ap- Gustafson added. propriation of the image without the At the end of his report, Cevallos permission of the people that have gave the floor to Psychology Profesbeen represented.” sor Anna Flanagan, who introduced Cevallos said the Governance the Board’s Student-in-the-SpotCommittee will take a look at the de- light, Zach Dumay, on Zoom. signs and make a recommendation Dumay, who graduated in 2020, for the new seal. double-majored in criminology and Over Zoom, Eric Gustafson, vice psychology. president of development and alumDumay highlighted the different ni relations, updated the Board on professors within his majors at FSU fundraising, virtual alumni events, who encouraged and mentored him. and the Danforth Art Museum.

He emphasized the value of being Gustafson said they have faced the taught to work both independently most challenging fundraising envi- as well as in a group setting. ronment they have ever seen, emHe said he developed important phasizing the difficulty of not being skills of critical and independent able to hold in-person events. thinking that have already helped “We did have a slow spring and him do well in his job he started in into the fiscal year, but because we May at the Learning Center for the had a very good pace leading up to Deaf as a Therapeutic Mentor/TherMarch, when everything shut down, apeutic Training Support. we did finish the year strong with Dumay added, “My experience just over $3.5 million in total funds at Framingham State - I don’t think raised,” he said. “So, we’re very hap- would have been what it was if it py with that number.” weren’t for the faculty here who have According to Gustafson, the Uni- always supported me and pushed me versity finished the third year of a to sort of be the very best student seven-year fundraising campaign that I could.” with an initial goal of $25 million.

They are currently ahead of their [Editor’s note: McKenzie Ward is campaign timeline at $17.9 million. the Opinion’s Editor for The Gate“This might be about the time post.] we’d normally go public, but it’s obCONNECT WITH LEIGHAH BEAUSOLEIL viously not a good time to do that lbeausoleil@student.framingham.edu

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NEWS

6 | SEPTEMBER 25, 2020

COVID-19 by the numbers September 23, 2020

By Donald Halsing Associate Editor

By Leighah Beausoleil News Editor

By Kathleen Moore Design Editor Recoveries from COVID-19 range between 25% and 50% at the local, state, national, and global levels based on data from various sources taken Sept. 23.

In addition, deaths from the virus range from around 3% at the local level to under 2% worldwide.

Approximately 3% of Framingham residents tested positive for COVID-19.

Of those who contracted the virus, approximately 50% remain infected.

About 45% have recovered and about 3% have died.

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

Less than 2% of Massachusetts residents tested positive for COVID-19.

Slightly more than 50% of those who contracted the virus remain infected. About 45% have recovered, and about 3% have died.

The overall death rate from COVID-19 in Massachusetts is under 0.15%.

Around 2% of United States residents tested positive for COVID-19.

Approximately 70% of those who

contracted the virus remain infected.

Over 25% of the population has recovered - about 20% less than the local and state values. However, the death rate at the national level is near 2%, or 1% less than the local and state levels.

The overall death rate from COVID-19 in the United States is 0.06%.

Globally, less than 0.5% of people have tested positive for COVID-19.

Out of those who contracted the virus, almost 60% remain infected. Recoveries stand at 40%, and less than 2% have died.

The overall death rate from COVID-19 globally is 0.01%.

Data sources: Framingham State University Town of Framingham MA population: United States Census Bureau – QuickFacts Massachusetts US and World population: United States Census Bureau – US and World Population Clock MA data: WCVB US data: CDC, New York Times Recovery data: Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Center World data: WHO, Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Center

Kathleen Moore / THE GATEPOST

Framingham

Kathleen Moore / THE GATEPOST

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Massachusetts

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SEPTEMBER 25, 2020 | 7

Kathleen Moore / THE GATEPOST

United States

Kathleen Moore / THE GATEPOST

World

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

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

8 | SEPTEMBER 25, 2020

NEWS

In memory of Nicole Bergeron

By Ashley Wall Editor-in-Chief

be missed dearly.”

Sociology professor Calista L. Ross remembers Bergeron as a thoughtful, FSU sophomore Nicole Bergeron, quiet, and hard-working student. Al19, died Sept. 9 from injuries sustained though she only had the privilege of having Nicole as a student for a short in a car accident.

Lorretta Holloway, vice president of time, Bergeron made a big impact on enrollment and student development, Ross.

Ross said, “She was kind, compassent an email Sept. 11 informing the FSU community of Bergeron’s passing. sionate, and had persevered through She wrote, “We offer our condolenc- many difficult situations in her life. It es to Nicole’s loved ones in their time is truly sad to lose her at such a young of grief. Please reach out to them and age.

“I send my deepest condolences to each other to provide support and warmth, especially now when we are to Nicole’s family and friends, and I not able to gather in the ways we tradi- hope that they can find some comfort tionally would to help us through such in their happy memories of her during this painful time.” trials.”

English professor Patricia Lynne Bergeron was born in Worcester and graduated from Shrewsbury High recalled how smart and determined School in 2019. She was a member of Bergeron was.

Referring to Nicole in one of her the Hillcrest Worship Center in Auburn classes, Lynne said, “She told me she and worked part time at Starbucks.

According to an obituary released by wanted to do her research project on Nordgren Memorial Chapel, Bergeron something that mattered in the world. “will be fondly remembered for her She chose to research plastics in the kindness and infectious smile. She will ocean, and even though she wasn’t a ‘science person,’ she thought that this topic was important for herself and others to understand.”

Everton Vargas da Costa, Spanish and Portuguese professor, remembers Bergeron as curious and kind. “I had the opportunity to share insightful conversations with her about the subject content, her plans for the future, and our common dream of travelling the world. She will be remembered as a friendly and captivating student.”

LaDonna Bridges, associate dean of academic success and director of CASA, had a close relationship with Bergeron as her academic advisor and friend. “I met her during her first week at FSU. She shared a lot about her life with me, and I know that she had dreams of working as a substance abuse counselor.”

She added, “There was something so very special about Nicole. In many ways, she was wise beyond her years, yet she was endearing by the way she would ask for guidance or help. She Courtesy of Nordgren Memorial Chapel knew I believed in her and hoped for her

Courtesy of Nordgren Memorial Chapel success in all things, and I take some and cousins. She was predeceased by her father, Gary R. Bergeron. comfort in that.”

Services were held Sept. 20 at NorNicole is survived by her mother, dgren Memorial Chapel in Worcester.

Susan (Roberts) Bergeron of Worcester; three brothers, Kyle Bergeron of Worcester, Jared Bergeron of Framingham, and Zachary Bergeron of North Adams; an aunt, Jeannie Fontaine; two uncles, Danny Fontaine and Joel Roberts, all of Worcester; her maternal grandmother, Irene Roberts of Worcester; her paternal grandfather, Norman CONNECT WITH ASHLEY WALL Bergeron; and several nieces, nephews, awall1@student.framingham.edu

“There was something so very special about Nicole. In many ways, she was wise beyond her years, yet she was endearing by the way she would ask for guidance or help. She knew I believed in her and hoped for her success in all things, and I take some comfort in that.”

- LaDonna Bridges, Associate Dean of Academic Success and Director of CASA @TheGatepost | FSUgatepost.com

OP/ED

O P / ED THE GATEPOST EDITORIAL

Democracy over hypocrisy The nation has found itself once again in a political battle over the replacement of a Supreme Court Justice following the death of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg last Friday.

During her legal career, Justice Ginsburg paved the way for women’s rights and equality for all and was monumental in many Supreme Court decisions, including Olmstead v. LC, a case regarding discrimination against people with mental disabilites. miliar position President Barack Obama was tempted to nominate Merrick Garland to the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) following the death of Justice Antonin Scalia eight months before the election. His nomination was blocked by Senate Republicans who believed that the nomination process for a new SCOTUS justice should wait until after the presidential election to allow the people to weigh in on whom they trust to nominate a justice.

But, just hours after the death of Justice Ginsburg, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, who was the driving force against President Obama’s SCOTUS nomination, announced that the Senate would be moving forward with approving a new SCOTUS justice with just 46 days before the presidential election.

The hypocrisy being displayed by the Republican party concerning this issue is unacceptable and shows a lack of integrity.

While they blocked President Obama from putting forth a new nominee eight months prior to the election, they are now pushing for President Trump to nominate a new justice with fewer than 50 days until the election.

Sen. McConnell has used the defense that since the sitting president is a Republican, and the Senate is controlled by Republicans, that is justice so close to the election.

We disagree.

With the race between Trump and Democratic nominee Joe Biden being so close, for Trump to nominate a new SCOTUS justice is a move that could overturn nearly a century’s worth of monumental SCOTUS decisions.

Not only is there the possibility of President Trump losing in November, but there is also the possibility of the senate itself changing party hands. With the future of our government so up in the air and so dependent on this election, to bring a new SCOTUS justice in now would be an abuse of power by the Republican party.

If the SCOTUS has a 6-3 Republican-appointed majority, the decisions they would be able to make could result in catastrophic consequences. SCOTUS precedents concerning Roe v. Wade, the Affordable Care Act, and DACA will all be in grave danger of being overturned.

In a perfect world, bipartisanship would play a big role in the SCOTUS. However, that is not the reality of the situation. The country has been divided even further year after year since the 2016 election and those we elected to lead our country are the driving forces behind that division.

In times as crucial as these, we need bipartisanship on the SCOTUS and we need historic decisions like Roe v. Wade to be protected.

Several of the people on President Trump’s short list have vowed to overturn Roe v. Wade and other landmark decisions protecting civil rights.

The three branches of government are in place to protect the citizens of the United States and to balance one other. While there may be a great deal of division in Washington D.C., there is no room for partisanship in the SCOTUS when such important decisions are put in the hands of the justices as they are the last resort for justice in our country.

The SCOTUS is responsible for upholding the principles outlined in the Constitution. It should not be used as a political weapon between the two major political parties.

Senate Republicans set a precedent in 2016 when they blocked Garland’s nomination they should have the integrity to stick to their rationale, even when it is inconvenient for them.

If the Senate can wait almost a year to replace Justice Scalia, it can wait until after the 2020 election to replace Justice Ginsburg. dent. To not listen to this wish is to disregard the legacy of a woman who did so much for for the protection of our rights.

We were supposed to be mourning the death of an American hero this week.

Instead, we began to mourn the possible loss of many of our rights as citizens as we fear what a conservative majority of SCOTUS justices might mean for the future of our country.

SEPTEMBER 25, 2020 | 9

My mended relationships

By Caroline Gordon Edtorial Staff

She has dark brown hair with almost inky eyes and a curvy physique.

I have highlighted brown hair, with eyes the color of light roast coffee and an athletic build. Most have said we look like cousins.

We are sisters.

As a child, Lilly played with Bratz as I grew my rock collection and read about sharks.

“They are polar opposites” was how the family described us.

Although we had different interests as children, our relationship was strong - until high school. Lilly started dating someone on the lacrosse team and spent weekends partying with the popular kids. I had two close friends and participated in mock trials during my free time.

As we spent less time together, we grew apart. Fighting over mom’s car and time in the bathroom to get ready for school felt like the only times we’d socialize with each other. As we went to different colleges and came home at different times, we rarely saw one another.

COVID-19 forced us together. harmful to your future relationship. Someday, your parents will be gone, and your siblings will still be there. Building a healthy foundation now is crucial in order to stay together for life.

Don’t get me wrong: we had some good times during high school - we just didn’t have as many as we should have, because of our contrasting personalities. Our opposite schedules and different interests resulted in us straying from each other.

I think siblings not having a common ground, shared interests, and enough time to interact is a recipe for a broken relationship.

The biggest regret I have in life is not being closer to my sister during our teenage years.

COVID-19 changed our relationship. The deadly virus has put life into perspective for many. The thought of losing a family member quickly has made people want to get closer to their family - including annoying siblings who can sometimes be annoying.

We were both stuck at home, away from friends and feeling cut off from the world in quarantine. Trapped at home, we were stuck in the unfortunate situation of having to learn remotely instead of returning to our colleges.

Soon, one joke turned into 10 and before I knew it, we were staying up late debating over Team Stefan or Team Damon.

We laughed at our petty high school drama and decided to work toward a stronger relationship.

I want to let you know there is hope.

If you are not close to your sibling(s) and want to be, let me offer you my biggest piece of advice: reach out.

Even if you are stubborn and don’t want to, be the bigger person.

I started asking Lilly about a show I deemed brainless, “The Vampire Diaries.” Well let’s just say we watched one episode together and now I know every line.

Start with small steps like talking about TV shows and work your way up to going on walks and grabbing food. Also, if you are learning completely remotely and stuck at home - use it to your advantage. Take this time to either mend the relationship you have with a sibling or make it stronger.

Now more than ever, we need to hold our siblings, and of - it worked for me. ther!

-

Have an opinion?

Feel free to email it to: gatepost@framingham.edu Opinions should be about 500 words.

Anyone can submit.

We look forward to hearing from you!

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

OP/ED

10 | SEPTEMBER 25, 2020

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Campus Conversations

Do you think the U.S. Senate should wait to approve a new Supreme Court justice? Why?

By Donald Halsing, Associate Editor

“Probably not, because I think that the new one they just appointed is a good candidate. So, I don’t think that they need to wait - I think we’re all set.”

-Owen Roy, junior

“I do think that they should wait to approve a new justice in honor of Ruth Bader Ginsburg.”

-Emma Urso, freshmen

“Mitch McConnell is the one that’s saying that they should do it, and he should be consistent with what he said four years ago.”

-Ledondy Francois, senior

“I think the Senate should wait. That way, the American people - the voters - get a chance to have more of a say in who gets onto the Supreme Court.”

-Olivia Copeland, freshmen

“I just think we should wait because that was her [Ginsburg’s] dying wish: for us to wait until the new presidency to make our decision.”

-Christina Chinett, freshmen

“Yes, I think they should. Right now, we’re going into an election and I feel like it.”

-John Finkle, freshmen

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

@TheGatepost | FSUgatepost.com

SPORTS | 11

THE GATEPOST

SP O RTS All is not lost for the field hockey team Senior captains reflect on team’s sisterhood

By Danielle Achin Staff Writer Senior field hockey co-captains Marissa Dias and Mad Pimental had their sights set on making it to this year’s playoffs with their teammates by their side.

Having looked forward to this moment since oining the team, Dias and Pimental’s dreams were crushed when their last chance to take the field in Framingham State uniforms was dashed due to the coronavirus outbreak.

Pimental, who is originally from Dartmouth, has been playing field hockey since the eighth grade and decided to continue her athletic career at Framingham State her sophomore year.

“I wasn’t going to play - then one of my teammates in high school said they needed more people and said to oin and I was like, OK,’” Pimental said.

Dias, who grew up in Attleboro, has

played field hockey since the second grade and decided to oin Framingham State as one of the starter fullbacks.

This is her second year as captain, finishing with a .133 shot percentage, registering a pair of assists, and no penalty strokes against her.

“I started other sports first then my friends pulled me in,” Dias said. “And here we are.”

The girls were devastated to hear their final season came to an abrupt finish.

“I truthfully thought we were going to play,” Dias said.

“I kinda lost it,” she added. “I think our whole team took it pretty hard. We were all looking forward to this year.

We were supposed to be really good. ...It’s the year we worked for and we kind of ust got it taken from us.”

Pimental took the field as a forward, scoring the winning goal against Fitchburg State - FSU’s first win against them. The team also took the victory against Umass Dartmouth for their

very first win against them as well.

“As a team, we really clicked that game,” Dias said. “We wanted to win

them grow into that, the field hockey player they were supposed to be, is really cool.

“Everyone feels like a sister to me. Even if you mess up, no one’s going to be mad at you - everyone’s going to have your back. It’s just so tight-knit, and that’s what I needed going into college.”

- Maddy Pimental, class of 2021 as a team, and I think that’s where we finally clicked as a team.”

Fortunately, Dias and Pimental have still found ways to come together with their team this season.

Pimental said, “We do captains’ practice, and then Monday through Wednesday, we have regular practice.”

Pimental and Dias’s friendship with their teammates is something they will take with them even after they turn in their uniforms.

Dias said, “My team has given me a lot of confidence. I’ve always played sports, I’ve always played field hockey, and I’ve always been on a team. I’ve never had a team back me the way that this team does.”

She said the field h ockey t eam has always been there to cheer her on or

“We have a great new player - her name is Abby - she’s a freshman, and she’s got a great shot, but she ust needed to work on her chip. I ust told her one little bit of advice that helped move the angle of her stick and then, she got it down perfectly and was ust so excited.”

Dias added, “Watching the other girls get excited about the stuff they accomplish is definitely the best part for me.”

Leaving the Framingham uniforms behind but not the fRAMily spirit, the captains share some advice for the team’s season next fall.

“Definitely don’t take any moment for granted,” Pimental said. “If you need help with something, don’t hesitate to ask, and ust try to improve

“My team has given me a lot of confidence.

I’ve always played sports, I’ve always played field hockey, and I’ve always been on a team.

I’ve never had a team back me the way that this team does.”

- Marissa Dias, class of 2021 get excited for a game-winning play.

While in high school, Pimental’s field hockey team was divided and she never had a sisterly bond with her teammates. However, this changed when she oined FSU’s team.

She said, “ veryone feels like a sister to me. ven if you mess up, no one’s going to be mad at you - everyone’s going to have your back. It’s ust so tightknit, and that’s what I needed going into college.”

Dias said one of her favorite experiences as captain is watching the younger players grow. “Seeing where Courtesy of Maddy Pimental and Marissa Dias they come in - a lot of them are realMarissa Dias (bottom) and Madeline Pimental (top). ly timid and shy - and then watching

yourself as much as you can and know that doesn’t go unnoticed.”

“Whatever you think you can’t do, you can,” Dias said. “I think we finally have that team aspect - that every single person on the field believes in you, so ust do it ust go for it ” [Editor’s note: Editor-in-Chief Ashley Wall contributed to this article.]

CONNECT WITH DANIELLE ACHIN dachin@student.framingham.edu

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

12 | SEPTEMBER 25, 2020

ARTS & FEATURES

ARTS & FEATURES

“From Central Park 5 to Exonerated 5” - A talk with Raymond Santana

By Brennan Atkins Arts & Features Editor In the spring of 1989, five teenagers were wrongfully tried and convicted for the alleged assault and rape of a jogger.

The five boys, between 14 and 16 years old, had no evidence linking them to the case, and the city of New York deemed the teenagers “The Central Park 5.” The conviction was overturned on Dec. 19, 2002, when detectives linked unidentified DNA to a convicted murderer and serial rapist, who confessed to the crime.

The defendants,Antron McCray, Kevin Richardson, Raymond Santana, Korey Wise, and Yusef Salaam.

“From Central Park 5 to xonerated 5” was included in the Olivia A. Davidson oices of Color Lecture Series. The event was hosted by David A. Baldwin via Zoom Sept. 17.

Raymond Santana, one of the xonerated 5, met with psychology professor Michael Greenstein for an interview discussing the flaws of the American ustice system, the vulnerability of uveniles during interrogations, and racial issues still present today.

Santana started off the interview explaining to the audience how he got so involved with the case, and rhetorically asked, “How can somebody confess to something they didn’t do?

“The first thing we try to examine is the landscape - look at the playing field. Here we were, 14-to-15-year-old kids, who never had any dealings with the law, never had police contact, no records, nothing like that. And then you take a seasoned veteran detective the scope starts to change and you start to see more detectives, and the key factor is the unknown. Not knowing what’s going to happen.”

Raymond describes the interogrations as becoming “more intense” as time went on, and admits to being held in interrogation rooms for 15 to 30 hours, without sleep, food, or water.

Santana said that his grandmother was the one taking care of him at the time, and spoke very little nglish. The police would heavily interrogate Santana when he was alone, only to go back to casual questioning when his grandmother was in the room.

He recounts the third time his grandmother was taken out of the room, when a detective banged his fist on the desk, and lunged towards San-

@TheGatepost | FSUgatepost.com

tana. “At that moment, for a 14-yearold kid, I am so terrified that I’m thinking I’m not gonna make it out of the precinct. My grandmother isn’t in the room with me. It’s about three detectives. I’m afraid - I’m thinking I’m going to die.”

Santana said the detectives used the classic “good cop, bad cop” technique, saying they would lash out at him, only to send in another detective with a calm demeanor.

The detectives would try to get Santana to make a statement about the other members by giving him an ultimatum - a confession or ail. At the time, Santana did not know the other four members very well.

“Not knowing what to say, because I don’t know the facts, I can’t really tell you - so all I can say is Kevin did it.’ He then says, Well, what did Kevin do?’ and I said, I don’t know.’”

Santana explained that even though he knew he was lying, he felt indebted

Innocence Project would read Raymond Santana, one of the Central Park 5.’”

He credits Oprah Winfrey with their new title, saying she “waved her wand and magic came out, and she’s like, From now on, you will be known as

“It’s a long term investment. This is chess. We might not be able to see the fruits of our labor, but my kids probably will. It’s about having a better tomorrow,” - Raymond Santana to the officer that promised his freedom - for him, any answer was better than no answer at the time. “At that moment, the pressure was so great that I didn’t know what to do and I felt stuck. To stop the pressure, I lied,” Santana said.

After discussing the intricacies of the case, Greenstein shifted the conversation to a modern setting, asking Santana about the recent release of the Netflix series, “When They See Us,” which focuses on the xonerated 5’s experience.

“For the five of us, it was about being at a point in our lives that we can control the narrative, we can sit down and tell the truth This was our moment to really go in-depth in our story, and let it all out,” Santana said.

Santana felt as if his identity was always going to be known as one of the “Central Park 5,” and was so “embedded” in American history that he would never be able to shake this label.

“We thought that’s how we were going to our grave - like, my tombstone

the xonerated 5.’”

Santana also shared his thoughts on the Black Lives Matter movement that blew up over the summer with the passing of George Floyd. He said it’s unfortunate that he gets a sense of validity when tragedies like this occur - it shows that this isn’t an isolated incident, and continues to happen all over the country.

“It’s unfortunate that we have these tragedies that happen, but they happen, and we have to show the light and expose the system for what it is,” Santana said.

In the 80s and 90s, President Donald Trump publicly stated he believes the boys were guilty, and paid 85,000 for ad space calling for the death penalty. “He made it OK for people to want to kill us we were receiving death threats on a regular basis. This was the person who started all that,” Santana said.

To this day, Trump still believes the xonerated 5 are guilty, and there are citizens who follow this narrative.

“At this point, we’re over 30 years in, and if you still think we’re guilty now, I don’t know what to tell you - I really don’t know what to tell you,” he said laughing.

While on the theme of people being stuck in the past, Santana believes the American ustice system hasn’t changed, but rather adapted to current situations. “The thing is, there have been changes, not changes that we can say will make a better system. As long as the system relies on punishment, and not rehabilitation, then it will keep going the same direction...

“It’s about occupying that bench space. It doesn’t matter who it is,” Santana said.

He explained that the system knows most non-violent offenders are going to be put back into prison, and that quality of life crimes such as “ umping a turnstile” or “urinating in the corner,” are not aimed to help the general public, but to fund the system.

Santana urges those that don’t believe in systematic racism to “look at the history,” explaining how broken homes give way for children to be part of the system. “Welfare, prison, probation, parole, unemployment ... These are traps set to destroy the family in one way or the other,” Santana said.

“Look at New York City. Stop and frisk was a bogus tactic that was used by the police department to raise the numbers ... it worked for them. They rigged the system, they gave out these false numbers, and they got the budget so they can operate,” Santana said.

The interview transitioned into Santana giving proactive ways students can get involved, and what they can do to change the ustice system.

ARTS & FEATURES

SEPTEMBER 25, 2020 | 13

Santana Continued...

Continued from page 12 “It’s not going to be an overnight change,” Santana said.

Santana explained that he has always been drawn towards the college crowds, as they’re the people already beating the system. “The system wants you to occupy a prison cell, not a college dorm.”

This message explains Santana’s signature hashtag, occupyallspaces.

The hashtag encourages youth to become police officers, udges, prosecutors, or even the president. It’s unrealistic to think everyone can become an activist on the frontlines, but Santana argues you have to do your activism in the best way you know how.

“That young student that wants to be a prosecutor - I’ll never tell you not to be a prosecutor. I would tell him to be a prosecutor, but the best prosecutor you can be - ust don’t cut any corners, don’t cheat the system,” Santana said.

Santana admitted there’s not a de-

finable “best” way to go about reform.

He wants to get over the ideology that one’s solution is better than the other’s. “We have to battle it from different angles. As long as me and you aren’t arguing about what the solu-

store, Park Madison NYC, and is another way he is trying to beat the system at its own game. He wants the younger generation to understand the power of a vote, and what happens when people don’t do it.

“The more you use your voice, the more you become accustomed to speaking out, and not being afraid. That starts with exercising your political power,” - Raymond Santana tion is, we can focus on the problem.

“It’s a long term investment. This is chess. We might not be able to see the fruits of our labor, but my kids probably will. It’s about having a better tomorrow,” Santana said.

Santana recently released his new line of voting-related apparel on his

“The more you use your voice, the more you become accustomed to speaking out, and not being afraid.

That starts with exercising your political power,” Santana said.

Santana has been working with The Innocence Pro ect, an organization that dedicates its time in freeing

people wrongfully imprisoned. Starting in New York, it has expanded to locations all over the country, including the Boston University School of Law. He stresses that you don’t have to be a lawyer in order to help the Innocence Pro ect - ust going in to learn and acquire resources is enough for somebody to make a change. “ verybody has an opportunity to fight in this movement, everybody has a part to play. Not everybody has to be on the frontlines you have people that are writers, who are musicians, who are artists, and we use our platform to engage and say, Look, whatever you do, if this is what you believe in, and you believe in freedom, ustice, and equality, you have a voice and you can use your medium to get your voice across.’”

CONNECT WITH BRENNAN ATKINS batkins@student.framingham.edu

‘The Last of Us Part II’ is the outbreak we didn’t deserve

By Patrick Brady

Staff Writer

“The Last of Us Part II” was released on PS4 this summer. It’s a sequel to “The Last of Us” - a phenomenal, story-centered video game, developed by Naughty Dog and published by Sony Interactive ntertainment.

“The Last of Us” revolved around oel, a hot-tempered, dismissive man, voiced by Troy Baker, who tries to transport an early teenaged llie, voiced by Ashley ohnson, across the post-pandemic, hostile world.

Through their travels, they develop a father-daughter bond with one another.

Whereas, the story of the second game centered upon a late-teenaged llie and her pursuit against the people who committed an atrocious act against someone in her life.

While the main theme of “The Last of Us” was letting go of the past, the sequel focuses on brutal revenge.

Before the game was even released, some of the main story campaign details were leaked online. These leaks upset many beloved fans, not only due to the timing - as the game was being delayed - but also the gruesome content.

As a result, the gaming community lashed out against Naughty Dog, and demanded that it be released sooner than intended. Reluctantly, the studio listened, and a month later, the game came out.

Despite hearing about the supposed leaks and controversy surrounding the game beforehand, I decided to play through it myself. After all, “The Last of Us” was - and still is - my favorite game of all time.

The second game was better than I anticipated, but it did not live up to the quality of the first one.

As far as gameplay went, the camera was smooth and locked at a solid 30FPS. There were significant changes made to the gameplay mechanics, which added to the immersion.

For instance, a dodging mechanism was added, which helped in combat with other enemies. Also, certain characters could retrieve arrows and knife enemies without losing the resources. These new elements made the game feel a lot more cinematic.

There were also a lot more resources scattered throughout the world, which made it easy and quicker to stock up on the inventory. Although, this did slightly take away from the immersion of the game, since the resources did make it easy to defeat enemies in a timely fashion.

Along with the new gameplay mechanics, the graphics were outstanding. Not only were they significantly better than the first game, but they looked sort of next generation. It was surprising how the developers were able to pack so much graphical fidelity and detail into the base PS4 system.

But the story itself ruined a lot of the game’s cinematic experience for

me. Rather than focusing on character development, the story focuses on getting revenge in the bloodiest ways possible.

In the first game, players could empathize with the characters, and therefore ustify their necessary acts of violence. But in the second game, the characters weren’t fleshed out and almost always seemed one-dimensional.

Therefore, as a player, it was hard to relate to them on a personal level. And their violent acts felt forced, rather than natural.

In particular, the player almost always felt sorry for llie in the first game. Whereas, in the second game, her motives behind the violence were over-the-top, and completely went against her character arc. ven though “The Last of Us” had some incredibly violent scenes, it was always relevant to the story. And while oel was almost always mutilating zombies or thugs, it was always to protect llie, who he considered a “daughter.” iolence doesn’t scare away players if it furthers the plot. But mindless and irrelevant violence from beloved characters can become frustrating if it doesn’t further the story.

At the end of the day, “The Last of Us Part II” felt more like fan-fiction, rather than a sequel. While the gameplay was fun and innovative, the story relied too heavily on violence and shock value.

Naughty Dog

Grade: C

The game felt like a bad attempt at reviving a long, forgotten franchise.

CONNECT WITH PATRICK BRADY pbrady@student.framingham.edu

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

14 | SEPTEMBER 25, 2020

ARTS & FEATURES

Tips from Dr. Greger on ‘How Not To Die’

By Caroline Gordon Editorial Staff I was skeptical when my mother told me a friend recommended the book “How Not To Die,” by Dr. Michael Greger, with the help of Gene Stone. My hesitation stemmed from the bizarre title.

However, I gave the book a chance.

As an nglish ma or, I am used to reading lots of literature and poetry, so this book was a nice change.

Initially, I came to FSU for the food and nutrition program as I wanted to become a registered dietician. I took interest in ournalism instead. ven though I switched my ma or, I still en oy learning about health and the effect food has on the human body.

Before reading this book, I thought I knew everything there was to know about nutrition.

I was wrong.

Dr. Greger furthered my understanding of nutrition and I am glad I

read this book.

The author discussed numerous health issues such as, diabetes, high blood pressure, and depression. Greger believes that the food we consume impacts our likelihood of either developing, slowing down, or eradicating diseases.

I couldn’t agree more. eganism is Greger’s most recommended diet to follow. However, he also says that the vegan diet is not for all and that incorporating more fruits and vegetables will still promote health.

A key theme of the book is that better food choices will help lengthen one’s life, hence the title.

Chapter 15 - “How Not to Die from Iatrogenic Causes (or, How Not to Die from Doctors),” was, in my opinion, the most informative chapter. Greger discusses how the medications doctors prescribe are not always the solution to treating health problems.

He believes that sometimes the side

effects outweigh the benefits of conventional medicine.

Once again, I agree.

He goes on to talk about radiation and while sometimes necessary, it can be detrimental to the body. He mentions a study of radiation from -rays and its association to cancer.

“In general, the diagnostic medical radiation dealt out in one year is estimated to cause 2,800 breast cancers among American women, as well as 25,000 other cancers.”

Considering Greger is a well-educated doctor and throughout the book he backs up his ideas with case studies and reliable medical ournals, I trust what he has to say.

As there are plenty of nutrition ma ors at FSU, I highly recommend this book as it will supplement the material you are learning. ven if you are not interested in nutrition, this read is still an excellent option as Greger offers tips that can greatly improve your health.

I rate this book five out of five bookmarks.

Flatiron Books

CONNECT WITH CAROLINE GORDON cgordon4@student.framingham.edu

FROMTHEHEART come together to reassure us that ‘things happen, it’s ok!’

By Robert Johnson Jr. Arts & Features Editor Almost a year ago, I reviewed AL NTIN ’s sophomore P, “Introspection,” after having a life-changing experience from listening to it in the backseat of a 2013 Ford Taurus.

At the end of that review, there was a reference to AL NTIN ’s budding - at the time - pro ect that goes by the name of FROMTH H ART, seeing how the pro ect’s first body of work was in the process of being finished.

Today, it would only make sense that I cover exactly that. I am a man who likes to follow up on his cliffhanger endings, after all. “things happen, it’s okay ” - and yes, it is stylized like that - is an 8-track long album with tons of character throughout the 18-minute runtime. Speaking of characters, the usual suspects are here: ALNTIN , Chuck Sutton, and underscores are present, as well as others such as fraxiom, edwill1999, emotegi, and Knapsack.

The album begins with the somber and melodic “dust,” featuring AL NTIN . As the soothing melody builds up in the background, one reminiscent of a starry night in an open field, the melody reaches its apex as AL NTIN croons along with it, asking the question, “Do you

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feel strength in me?” as she does so.

Following that smooth opening, is “BURNING TIR S,” which was previously released as a “single” in quotation marks, seeing how the associated video came out prior to the album, much like “dust.” While it is the shortest song on the project, clocking in at a minute, exactly, the track is am-packed with lyricism and hard beats from the duo of Knapsack and AL NTIN .

“It could be for the best, yeah / To throw this in the fire / I don’t want a confession / I’m ust bored of burning tires,” sing the duo in the two chorus sections, showcasing their respective vocal talents with electronic sounds.

“5T4YTRU,” featuring fraxiom, is probably my favorite song on the pro ect - and, if my presentations of the track on Discord calls are any indication, it is probably a favorite of my friends, too, serving as a testament to how good it is.

This two-minute, 35-second bop oozes in PC Music-esque energy, reminiscent of modern day Charli C . lectronically enhanced vocals, bouncy beats, and a catchy chorus always bring me back to this tune when I need a boost in mood or energy.

It is ust that good.

“So if I get on stage and forget all my words / Could you, like, sing em

back / But don’t rewrite my verse / vibes, and so much more. With I’m tryna stay true / Stay true / Stay charming lyricism, mesmerizing votrue / Stay true / Stay true / Stay cal and melodic effects, and great variety in song styles, “things haptrue.”

Reading that in text form does pen, it’s ok ” is a stellar first for the not do that chorus ustice - you re- FROMTH H ART pro ect. Here’s to ally need to listen to it for the full many more from AL NTIN and effect. her gang of talented super friends.

Another standout track comes in the form of “BiG KIDS,” featuring edwill1999 and RIL Y TH MUSICIAN - a poppy, rambunctious ode to growing up that sounds the way eating 10 Reese’s peanut butter cups on Halloween night feels.

The tone isn’t even the most surThis pro ect knows prising part of the ditty. Rather, a how to “5T4YTRU” clever use of interpolating Taylor to itself.

Swift’s “You Belong With Me” in RIL Y TH MUSICIAN’s verse: “She wears short skirts, I wear T-shirts / She’s from Manhattan, and I’ve got a feature.”

Finally, to close this inaugural pro ect out, AL NTIN and Chuck Sutton team up on “idontfeelitanymore,” a rather introspective, emotional banger that can really get one in their feelings.

“Remember when everything was simple? / When all we wanted was more? / All the times that we shared / Remember cryin’ on the floor?” sings AL NTIN on the last verse of the song.

For the group’s first pro ect, it CONNECT WITH ROBERT JOHNSON JR. is the perfect blend of frantic, pop rjohnson10@student.framingham.edu

Grade: A

ARTS & FEATURES

SEPTEMBER 25, 2020 | 15

Alumni through the decades Susan Conway ’70 - The 1970s

By Leighah Beausoleil Editorial Staff [Editor’s Note: This will be a continuing series of features, extending beyond this one.]

Susan Conway ’70 - The 1970s Susan Conway began her time at the State College at Framingham in 1966 studying lementary ducation.

The college was renamed Framingham State College (FSC) in 1968, according to the Framingham State website.

“Well, long story short, my sister had gone to a private college, and it was so expensive that I had to go to a state college,” Conway said. “But after I saw the campus, I fell in love with it.

There was no sadness in choosing. It was the best place ever.”

As a resident, she stayed in O’Connor Hall her freshman year, followed

by Peirce Hall her sophomore year, and Larned Hall her unior and senior years.

Conway explained how restrictive the dorms were at the time.

“My husband is also a graduate of the class of ’70, and he found his old

handbook,” she said. “And I’m looking at the rules, and I’m laughing hysterically as I’m reading to my husband because we had such tight curfews in the very beginning freshman/sophomore year. We had to have permission for everything.

“During the week, we had to be in the dorm as freshmen by eight o’clock at night, and the physical science professor assigned assignments to go out and study the stars,” Conway said. “We had to get special permission to leave the dorm to go do an assignment.

“Our freshman year, my parents had to sign a letter saying whose car I could ride in - what person I could go with,” she added. “I had to get special permission if I left and spent the night out at a friend’s house.

“It was like going to Catholic school,” she said.

She explained that by her senior year the rules were lifted and it was “free and easy.”

Conway was also involved on campus as the secretary of Newman Club.

She and her roommate also did Campus News Notes. She explained that every week, the professors would

1

ACROSS 1. Creative field 4. Certain parents, in Liverpool 8. Cinderella’s s weepings 13. “Hamilton” showdown 15. Bhutan locale 16. Facebook upload 17. “Tickle Me” doll 18. Word that can precede or follow “wishing” 19. Wee bits 20. Assignment for a Tex-Mex chef-in-training?

23. Arborist’s specialties 24. Used to be 28. Future fry 31. Calm and composed 32. Withdrawal device, briefly 35. Watts of “The Impossible” 38. Celestial bear 39. One who regularly buys and sells fixer-upper houses?

43. Hawaiian island where Nicole Kidman was born 44. Moved slowly (into)

put notes in an envelope, and every weekend they would collect them and create a newsletter of all the upcoming campus events. They would then deliver these newsletters throughout the campus.

Conway recalled the May Day activities that went on during her time at Framingham. She discussed how all the women had to wear the same dress. She said every year each class would put on a comedy show and they would perform in front of the whole campus. The campus would then vote on a winner.

“Our class had the distinction of never having won a set night performance,” Conway said okingly.

The State College at Framingham, after 125 years of being an all-women school, finally became co-ed in 1964, according to the Framingham State website.

Conway said there were maybe 30 men in her graduating class and approximately 72 men total on campus during her time there.

She said the most memorable events for her during her time at Framingham were Kent State, the

45. Sweden’s flagship carrier 46. Loosened, like laces 49. Porridge ingredients, perhaps 51. Ten lords’ activity 53. Ancient fabulist 57. Aquarium mensch?

61. “Pride ___ before ...”

64. 2012 film set in Tehran 65. Potted plant’s base 66. Baby food’s consistency 67. Yarn 68. Obstetrician’s prefix for “gram” 69. Ringo of The Beatles 70. Do a school activity?

71. Boggy place DOWN 1. Quite skilled 2. Stick with many marks 3. Where Arizona’s Sun Devil Stadium is 4. Bryn ___ College 5. Computer owner 6. About eight furlongs 7. Burst of artillery 8. Per item 9. Made an appearance 10. ___ under the collar 11. It’s within three other Greek letters 12. Sailor’s emergency signal 14. Bounds along 21. College sports channel 22. “Walk-___ welcome” 25. Gets bent out of shape?

26. Flummoxed 27. Largest U.S. retailer of the 1980s 29. Persian Gulf nation: Abbr.

30. Ready to serve 32. In violation (of) 33. A/C brand whose name sounds like a vehicle 34. Maestro Zubin 36. NYC transit org.

37. “Should that be true ...”

40. Person who makes clever remarks

ietnam War, and protesting. All of their exams were canceled her senior year because of Kent State.

In 1970, four students were killed and nine others were in ured when the National Guard opened fire on a protest against the ietnam War at Kent State University, according to an article on History.com.

“And then my class was also the Christa McAuliffe class,” she added.

“The Challenger explosion had been a big part of our class.”

Christa Corrigan McAuliffe graduated from Framingham State College in 1970. As a teacher, she was selected by NASA to take part in the Challenger shuttle mission in 1986 which tragically exploded, according to the Framingham website.

Conway described her four years at Framingham as the best years of her life. She continues to volunteer for the Independent Alumni Association with her husband. She ust recently celebrated 50 years of friendship with her college friends by going on a trip to Italy.

CONNECT WITH LEIGHAH BEAUSOLEIL lbeausoleil@student.framingham.edu

41. “Glee” star Michele 42. Luggage attachment 47. “No preference” 48. “CSI” molecule 50. Creator of the Whos 52. Tiny flying pests 54. Light parody 55. Share a stance 56. Traffic cone 58. Take from a deck 59. Wrinkly fruit 60. Limerick, for one 61. Map app alternative 62. Softball umpire’s cry 63. Washday brand

Puzzle solutions are now exclusively online.

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

PETS OF FSU! PHOTOS

SEPTEMBER 25, 2020 | 16

Spread by Donald Halsing and Caroline Gordon /THE GATEPOST

George & Gracie - Lorianne DiSabato Charlie - Anthony Sims

Honey & Mittens Savana Gutierrez

KK - Connie Bodemer Taos - Celia Marchese Montana - Natasha Ashe

Shay - Millie Gonzalez

Prince - Alex Hebert

Honey - Bri Hibbert

Belle - Joanne Kapriellan Luna - Constanza Cabello

Nieuport - David Case

Kit Marlow & Tom Kyd - Kristen Abbott Bennett

Soda - Samantha Elizabeth Velez

Magnolia - Marcie Dineen

Callie - Kim Thorpe

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