The Gatepost volume
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84 • number 4
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Linda Vaden-Goad chosen as finalist for Westfield State presidency By Alexandra Gomes News Editor
Westfield State University announced on Facebook this week that Linda Vaden-Goad, provost and vice president of academic affairs, is a finalist to serve as the
school’s 20th president. A president will be selected by the University’s Board of Trustees the week of Oct. 19. Vaden-Goad will be visiting the campus to speak at open forums and meetings Oct. 5-6, according
to Westfield State. Vaden-Goad, who has been vice president of academic affairs for five years, said in an email she is “very excited” about the opportunity. “I love public higher education,
and I am honored to have been selected as a finalist at Westfield State University.” Executive Vice President Dale Hamel said in an email that he wishes Vaden-Goad the best. -See VADEN-GOAD page 3
Melina Bourdeau/The Gatepost
Last Sunday night’s “Supermoon” rises above the FSU campus and through the North Hall trees. The last “Supermoon” occurred in 1982 and, according to NASA, will not appear again until 2033.
Winter Commencement cancelled due to space issues
Students, faculty and staff can request a preferred name By Julia Sarcinelli News Editor
Framingham State instituted a preferred name option at the beginning of this semester, which allows faculty member or student to identify themselves as a name besides their legal name. Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer Sean Huddleston said this new option will be used “where possible in university communications with students,” including class rosters and email addresses, and that it is a way for the campus to “be as inclusive as possible.”
He added this can be especially helpful to those in the LGBT+ community on campus and to students who prefer to go by a nickname, such as international students. Huddleston said the system the University uses, Banner, consolidates and distributes information, such as student records or class schedules, and is used in universities across the country. However, this does not allow anyone using the preferred name option to select which areas they wish or wish not to use their pre-See PREFERRED NAMES page 5
By Alexandra Gomes News Editor
“The final decision was made at an executive level.” As student participation in Winter Commencement grew, it became “increasingly difficult to manage with existing space,” said Stoops. Guest tickets were limited to two per graduate because of this, which was “upsetting to a number of graduates, since they could not invite as many people as they would have liked,” said Stoops. According to Executive Vice President Dale Hamel, last year’s winter ceremony cost $12,318.13, with over 100 graduates attending.
Winter Commencement has been cancelled due to administrators’ concerns about accommodating the growing number of graduates and their families in DPAC, according to Dean of Students Melinda Stoops. A committee made up of administrators from Student Affairs, Academic Affairs, the President’s Office, Facilities and Campus Events came together to evaluate the ceremony. They reached the conclusion that “a winter ceremony was no longer a viable option,” said -See WINTER COMMENCEMENT page 6 Stoops.
Inside
#WeNeedDiverseBooks 8
Field Hockey scores their first win 14
Soccer strikes for two wins 13
CHVRCHES Review 9