Feb. 10, 2016 by The Hawk

HOUSING

EDITION

2016

2 | Housing Edition

Feb. 10, 2016

The Hawk

Letter from the Editor At this point in the semester, some students have already decided where they’re living for the 2016-17 school year; apartments have been toured, roommates have been selected, and leases have been signed. For a large number of Saint Joseph’s University students, however, this is not the case. That’s where The Hawk’s Housing Edition comes into play. EDITOR IN CHIEF Molly Grab ’17 MANAGING EDITOR Angela Christaldi ’17 COPY CHIEF Ashley Cappetta ’17 BUSINESS DIRECTOR Julia Le ’19 FACULTY ADVISER Jenny Spinner NEWS EDITOR Ana Faguy ’19 OPINIONS EDITOR Lindsay Hueston ’16 ASSISTANT OPINIONS EDITOR Maria Spirk ’17 ASSISTANT COPY Victoria Tralies ’18 LIFESTYLE EDITOR Katie White ’17 ASSISTANT LIFESTYLE EDITOR Ciarra Bianculli ’17 SPORTS EDITOR Christy Selagy, M.A., ’17 ASSISTANT SPORTS EDITOR Maddy Kuntz ‘17 CREATIVE DIRECTOR Krista Jaworski ‘17 PHOTO EDITOR Matthew J. Haubenstein, M.A., ’17 ASSISTANT PHOTO EDITOR Joey Toczylowski ’19 DIGITAL MEDIA MANAGER Jess Cavallaro ’16

Maybe you’re a freshman who has never been through the housing selection process before. Maybe you’re a sophomore who’s planning on moving off-campus for the first time. Maybe you just got back to Hawk Hill after living abroad for a semester, or maybe you’re an upperclassman who just hasn’t had the time to search for a place to live. Regardless of your situation, The Hawk Staff is confident that this week’s issue is the answer to all of your housing prayers. Our goal for this special issue is not only to connect St. Joe’s students with landlords, property managers, and apartment complexes with open spaces for next year, but also to explore housing culture on our campus. In addition to ads for local houses and apartments, the following pages offer the history of one of St. Joe’s oldest residence halls, student opinions on topics such as gender inclusivity in campus housing, the unique living situations of many student athletes, and even interior design inspiration for your apartment or dorm. Whether you’re searching for a place to live or just want to discover more about housing at Saint Joseph’s, read on to gain a new perspective on the many houses, apartments, and residence halls that you walk by every day. - Molly Grab ’17 Editor in Chief

The Hawk welcomes letters to the editor (400-600 words). They can be emailed to hawk.editorial@gmail.com.

Image created by Krista Jaworski ’17

Correction: The Feb. 2 article “Supreme Court impacts St. Joe’s” references Montgomery v. Alabama as the court case that gives juvenile lifers the chance to re-argue their cases. This name of this court case is actually Montgomery v. Louisiana.

Wynnewood waves goodbye to St. Joe’s ANA FAGUY ’19 News Editor

Saint Joseph’s University offers upperclassmen multiple options when it comes to on-campus housing. Apartment and townhouse-style housing are off central campus, and are university-owned options that many students enjoy. For 30 years Wynnewood Apartments was one of those options. At the end of the 2011-2012 academic year it was taken offline. Cary Anderson, Ph.D., associate provost and vice president of student life, has now confirmed that Wynnewood is currently on the market to be sold.

2012

1982

Wynnewood was taken offline for renovation

2016

currently on the market

purchased by Saint Joseph’s University

students on average lived in Wynnewood per year Photo by Joey Toczylowski ’19

Feb. 10, 2016

The Hawk

Housing Edition | 3

4 | Housing Edition

The Hawk

Feb. 10, 2016

HETERODORMATIVE A call for gender-inclusive housing

Thoughts from an unapologetic feminist and queer rights advocate LIZ WARDACH ’16 Hawk Staff

Gender inclusive housing is the natural next step to include those with non-binary gender identities, but Saint Joseph’s University’s Office of Residence Life has not yet taken that step. At the moment, trans* and gender non-conforming students at Saint Joseph’s do not have the same access to housing options as cisgender students. According to the 2014 National Transgender Discrimination Survey, 81percent of colleges and universities provide gender inclusive housing options for students. We are one of the few universities far behind the curve. This is not an issue of Image courtesy of Creative Catholic identity, but one of systematic transphobia played out Commons in the place I have called home the past three and a half years. Residence Life at Saint Joseph’s University has been denying autonomy to its transgender and gender non-conforming students, a value integral to Catholic Social Teaching. Saint Joseph’s Residence Life must reassess what type of student feels safe in their living-learning communities and ensure that those with marginalized identities are finally included. If not, our school is no better than those who actively fight against transgender rights. Historically, transgender students at Saint Joseph’s have had two options when it comes to housing: choose to live in a single apartment with a private restroom or live with students of the wrong gender. The first option is not only more expensive to live in—$1,000 more per year—but also reinforces the historic separation of non-conforming people by forcing them into isolation. This isolation includes no hope of living in community with other students. The second option for transgender or gender non-conforming people is the option to live with people that do not share the same gender. This is not only an outing, but could also be incredibly dangerous for that student. I know that I would never want to be the only woman in a four-person apartment. Residence Life, in doing so, implies to transgender and gender non-conforming people that their identities are not valid, or that those identities are wrong and must be kept separate from what they

deem as “normal” students by only providing those two options. This treatment is unjust. Residence Life handles placing students who fall outside of the binary on a caseby-case basis. This is troubling. Residence Life has no policy regarding transgender and gender non-conforming students when it comes to housing. This lack of legitimacy undermines the personhood and autonomy of gender non-conforming people; it makes them an afterthought. Gender non-conforming people have a right to live in community with their friends. They deserve to fight over who didn’t do the dishes or the completion of a chore chart. Living with other people helps Saint Joseph’s students gain valuable life skills such as communication and compromise. Living alone, although it does have its perks on occasion, can be lonely. Living with people of the same sex but differing genders can cause a multitude of problems for trans* students. Perhaps the thing most troubling with this living arrangement is the blatant disregard Residence Life has for people outside of the gender binary. They erase a core aspect of that student’s identity. The next step for Residence Life is to embrace gender inclusive housing. We are a university that preaches inclusivity, but practices little inclusion. Transgender and gender non-conforming students have been cast aside by this university in more ways than one, and at the end of the day they cannot find solace in a roommate. Even that simple accommodation is denied. We must wake up to see that people cannot survive in a system not made with them in mind. Transgender and gender non-conforming people deserve the same access to housing options as any other student at Saint Joseph’s, and that includes access to living with others of the same gender. Living alone should be a choice, not the only safe option. For the purposes of this article, I am defining gender inclusive housing as housing that is not separated into men’s and women’s spaces, including double and multiple occupancy bedrooms and/or apartments (Campus Pride).

SJU Students - Want the chance to win $10,000?

Every student in attendance at the men’s basketball game on Saturday, February 13 will receive a raffle ticket for a chance to compete for $10,000 Come show your support for the Hawks against Big 5 rival La Salle!

The Hawk Will Never Die

Feb. 10, 2016

The Hawk

Housing Edition| 5

Ad Hawk is a column showcasing voices around the university with a new writer each week. Each writer has the same purpose: to reflect on a small moment that had a great impact on their time at St. Joe’s. GRETA SHANLEY ’18 Special to the Hawk If you ask a current freshmen or a former resident of McShain Hall about their dorm, they will undoubtedly describe it as the “coziest” dorm on campus. As a Villiger person, I have always been a little bit jealous of McShain with its homey nooks and crannies. Our home in Villiger Hall is described as “sterile,” but personally I prefer the term “shiny.” When I moved into Villiger for the second time back in August it was shinier than ever. During Resident Assistant Training, we were challenged to achieve an important goal for the upcoming year. Our Residential Area Manager, Jessica Brown, said, “I want you all to try to make Villiger feel like home this year—try to make it a little more cozy.” A rush of eagerness and excitement filled both my head and my heart as I imagined how I would execute this challenge. I am the self-proclaimed Queen of Cozy, with my oversized sweatpants, an abundance of throw blankets, and my very own Comfy Sack—a giant, fluffy bean bag chair. Another way I keep cozy is through knitting, a hobby I picked up from one of my elementary school teachers, Mrs. Johnson. As a novice RA, I felt a little bit nervous about telling my 40 new second-floor friends about this unique hobby. How would they react? Would they find it strange? The winter months were quickly approaching and my itch to knit was equivalent to that itch from the wool hat your Grandma made you for Christmas. Finally, one day I ripped off that wool hat.

The residents and I were having a casual conversation in the hallway when the topic came up, and I was overwhelmed by their enthusiasm. “Greta, I want to learn how to knit, please teach us!” Planning our “Learn-to-Knit” program for the next Sunday was on the top of my to-do list. This knitting program was going to be my most challenging RA program thus far, as teaching a skill is much riskier than hosting an ice cream social or a movie night. But with high risk comes high reward—these challenges always create excitement within the RA role. Sitting in a circle on my living room floor, we began with the basics. I channeled my inner Mrs. Johnson as we went through casting on the stitches, knitting them together, and finishing the work. Their awkward movements with the needles and yarn quickly turned into a graceful, rhythmic dances as they created their very first projects. Laugher, conversations, and a whole lot of coziness filled my room that morning along with an overwhelming feeling of pride. A few weeks later, I experienced another moment of pride. It also just happened to be my birthday. I returned to Villiger that night after having dinner with my friends. I curiously walked by the first floor lounge and poked my head in the door. At that moment, I received the most beautiful birthday gift. A group of my residents were gathered together, laughing, talking, and watching a movie, with their hands busy with knitting needles and

yarn. Tears welled into my eyes as they greeted me. What I realized in that moment, was that learning to knit is the gift that keeps on giving, and now I had passed down that gift to my residents. I had taught them something that maybe makes them happier than going to a party on that Saturday night or that distracted them from their homesickness for a few hours. Maybe I made Villiger feel a little cozier, a little more like home. This small moment sparked more inspiration for me, and soon I was planning knitting workshops that all St. Joe’s students could attend. The workshops turned into weekly “Knitting Club” meetings and every Sunday at 11:30 a.m. we cozy up in Villiger lounge by sharing our knitting talents. With the university’s passion for service in mind, we have been knitting for others and will be donating some of our goods to Project HOME in Philadelphia as well as to the weekly service group Back on My Feet. If you are interested in joining us, we would love to have you—supplies included! As I write this piece in my Comfy Sack, engulfed in contentment, I challenge you to think about how you could make your residence hall, your home, or simply your life at St. Joe’s just a little cozier. Villiger may never be known as the “homey” dorm, but by using a simple skill like knitting, or any kind of hidden talent you may have, we can all work together to make a cozy home. Greta Shanley, ’18, is a Residence Assistant in Villager Hall with majors in Marketing and Human Capital.

We’re not in Philly anymore

Adapting to a new apartment abroad SARAH COONEY ’17 Hawk Staff Since leaving my home in Central Pennsylvania to start college in August of 2013, I’ve lived in several different homes in many new areas. In 2015 alone, I had four. I spent the spring semester residing in Lannon Hall, the duration of my summer sharing a home in Maryland with three fellow interns, and the fall semester back at Saint Joseph’s University in one of the... cozy… townhouses situated behind Moore Hall, with a few intermittent weeks back at my childhood home. Despite the various joys of student living (shared laundry, blown fuses, loss of hot water, and so many bugs) my new home is worlds away—literally. Even with the “typical student apartment” feel of my new residence in Cork City, Ireland, where I am spending the semester abroad, there are some distinct differences from all of my U.S. homes. First of all, I will never take for granted the ability to simply turn on the shower any time and have hot water again. I was in my Cork apartment five days before I had a real hot shower! It took us a while to figure out the precarious system: Because of the schedule for heating our apartment’s water tank, someone can only get a 15 to 20 minute hot shower before they must turn it off and let the system heat again. Also, the whole tank cools throughout the day, so the earlier you shower, the better. The water heater is electric and electricity is cheap-

er during the off hours, namely 4-8 a.m. During the “on hours,” well, let’s just say my roommates and I made the mistake of leaving our electric heat on—all day long. There’s nothing worse than seeing your hard earned Euros tick away on the electricity meter, as you lament the loss of funds for a night in the pub or for another souvenir shot glass. Many homes in Ireland, ours included, are on a prepay electricity system. This means every week we “top up,” as the locals say, at the local convenience store and add 30 Euros to our meter. Then we can watch the countdown on the meter on the living room wall, praying to make it last as long as possible. We’ve turned to policing our usage with a strictness that would make my father proud. (I’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve been scolded over the years for leaving “every light in the house on.”) We turn off lights when leaving a room, keep the curtains open during the day to tempt in the weak Irish sunlight, turn off the oven after dinner is cooked to avoid wasting heat we’ve already paid for, and recheck that every outlet not in use is switched off. You see, every outlet in our apartment is equipped with a switch to turn on the flow of electricity. I almost had a heart attack one night when my computer died, thinking it had crashed, before I realized I forgot to switch on the outlet when I plugged in my charger.

Photo by Krista Jaworski ’17

Finally, there is the laundry situation. Now, there may have been a war zone surrounding the washer and dryer on my floor in McShain, but at least I knew that each load of laundry would take 30 minutes, the dryer an hour, and, at the conclusion, my clothes would be completely dry. Most importantly, it was free! Here in Cork, laundry costs one Euro an hour, which doesn’t seem so bad until you realize that a typical cotton cycle takes approximately three hours. Yes, you read that right—three hours! The expense adds up fast. Then you transfer your clothes to the dryer, insert the token that cost another three Euros, and settle in for another two plus hours, at the end of which your clothes are NOT EVEN DRY! I take back every complaint I ever made about laundry at St. Joe’s. Certain things about living in Ireland may be less than ideal, but honestly, the point of coming abroad isn’t having a wonderful apartment where you want to spend all your time. All you really need is a place to sleep off a night in the pubs, somewhere to repack your bags on the way to the next fabulous European city, and of course, somewhere to do some occasional studying. Nonetheless, in the past month it’s become home, and I’m sure I’ll miss it when I’m back in the U.S. taking hot showers at a moment’s notice, leaving all the lights on, and reveling in the dry warmth of clothes freshly pulled from the dryer.

6 | Housing Edition

Feb. 10, 2016

The Hawk

#HAWK TALK

THE HOUSING EDITION

LIVING

wITH YOUR

BEST

FRIEND

“I’ve been living with my best

friend (from high school) since freshman year. Every night is a sleepover and it’s so much fun! At the end of every semester we make a MEGA BED! I have always had my crazy BFF to come home to and make me laugh...shoutuot to Emma for the endless support and love!” - Grace Davis ’17

“I think it could be a hit or miss... it has the potential to ruin your friendship. Once you start seeing how the other lives, if something they do or maybe you do isn’t compatible and doesn’t sit well with the other person, it could lead to a bad situation. It makes it worse when your roommate is your best friend because you love that person.” - Ashley Varghese ’17

“Living with your best friend is the best thing ever. Grass (Grace Davis, ’17) and I are friends from high school and... are still ILY-obsessed with each other three years later. I highly suggest living with your BFF because sleepovers, pillow talks, and other random crud that happens all the time.” -Emma Callahan ’17

“As long as you work together to maintain your living space and always show respect, it really helps to build stronger bonds and deeper friendships.” - Steven Saladino ’17

“I really like living in Manayunk. There are so many good places to eat and drink. It feels like there’s something always going on down on Main Street. The commute to campus can be tedious at times but thankfully I pass two Wawas on the way which totally outweighs all of the cons. Seriously, those sizzlies are a gift from God.” - Sam Givens ’16 “It definitely is a plus because.... you’re able to separate your school “I like living off campus instead of life from your regular life. You don’t “It’s almost necessary to have a car, Manayunk because it’s closer to feel like you’re consistently on point or like me, you’ll need to rely on cocampus. I can go home after class ordinating your schedule with others for class.” but then come back at night for that live in Manayunk with a car. The - Johnna McGovern ’16 meetings and not worry about drivparking is a challenge because of the ing too far or the traffic. Also most of small streets and forget about when “What attracted me to Manayunk my friends live around campus and it snows! Traffic can also add an extra was the vibe of the downtown area. 15 minutes to your commute.” not in Manayunk so I don’t feel like It matched what I wanted out of a I’m missing out by not living there.” college town because of the trendy, - Gabby Rosazza ’16 - Jen Rice ’17 hippy, eclectic atmosphere. I never

IN THE

’YUNK

once regretted the move.” - Kate Duffy ’16

BATTLE

OF THE SOPHOMORE DORMS

“What I like most about living in Lancaster is the homeyness of the apartments, they are kind of old but they have charm. What I dislike about living in Lancaster is the distance, it’s almost like you’re not living on campus.” - Emily Arzeno ’18

“I loved living in Rashford! It was within easy walking distance from campus and I loved the setup of the apartments. It was also quite a treat to be right in between both Starbucks and Dunkin!” - Megan Burns ’17

“In terms of living in a campus house, I liked it as a “I like Moore Hall’s gym, big parking lot, transition. It was like living and big lounge. However, there’s no kitchoff-campus, but we still got en and it feels a little creepy, like a hospital.” cleaning services and other - Mary Mellor ’17 stuff like that. I didn’t really dislike anything, besides “I liked how nice the Pennbrook apartments were, and actually hav- the fact that the house was a ing a kitchen was a great upgrade from the freshman dorms. I disliked bit dated. It was really quiet not having air conditioning when it got hot out and sometimes it was so that was a definite plus.” too far away from campus when I needed to get there on short notice.” -Julian Chalifoux ’17 - Jon White ’17

“...I like that all the rooms are “I love commuting and having different so it feels more homey “Ashwood has provided me with an the option to go home whenevand everyone that lives here is amazing living experience... The maser I want, especially because I’m super nice and also the location sive rooms, hardwood floors, and large close to my family and friends is great because you’re closer to windows are just a few things I love from home. But also having reseverything. I dislike that it could be ident friends is beneficial so you about Ashwood. I truly feel at home haunted, though.” every time I walk into my apartment.... have the option of staying on Casey Carlson ’18 Some downsides... are the lack of air campus during the weekend if conditioning and a dishwasher. The you want, so you can get the ‘col“I would say Lannon is overall a building is also removed from campus, lege experience’ and integrate great option, the apartments are a but the walk to and from classes is more easily into campus life.” nice size, the appliances are new, easy and fast. Despite the downsides, - Erin Galway ’17 I still consider Ashwood to be the best and it has a great location. On the down side, the laundry can be an sophomore housing option!” “See, this is the benefit of comissue with only three washers and - Erin Jordan ’18 muting...you don’t have to go dryers per floor, and the bedto two hour events to get free rooms can be a bit small.” pizza.” - Ryan Carrig ’17 - Sara Leonetti ’17

Image courtesy of Creative Commons

Feb. 10, 2016

What’s in a name? You know the residence halls, but what about the people they’re named after?

LaFarge

Housing Edition | 7

The Hawk

‘get thee to a nunnery’

A search for the hidden history of Saint Mary’s Hall

Rev. John LaFarge, S.J., was a journalist and editor for America, a weekly Jesuit magazine. He wrote about the Catholic doctrine of race relations and published several books on interracial justice.

McShain John McShain was a Saint Joseph’s University alumnus and successful building contractor. He built Barbelin Hall in 1927 and was also known as “The Man Who Built Washington.”

Sourin Rev. Edward J. Sourin, S.J., was the founder of the Catholic Philopatrian Literary Institute, an organization designed to provide a social space for Philadelphia’s Catholic immigrant families.

Lannon Timothy R. Lannon, S.J., was Saint Joseph University’s president from 2003–2011. Lannon spearheaded the acquisition of the 38-acre former Episcopal Academy on Merion Campus.

Rashford Rev. Nicholas S. Rashford, S.J. served as university president from 1986–2003 and was influential in leading the construction of McShain Hall in 1988.

Saint Albert’s Rev. Albert G. Brown, S.J., served as president of Saint Joseph’s from 1921-1927. As president, he undertook the separation of Saint Joseph’s College from Saint Joseph’s Prep, moving the college to Overbook in 1927.

Xavier St. Francis Xavier, S.J., is one of the founders of the Jesuit order who received encouragement from St. Ignatius of Loyola. Xavier served as a missionary throughout Asia in the 1500s.

A view of Saint Mary’s Hall in the 1980s (Photo courtesy of The Archives and Special Collections at Saint Joseph’s University)

KATIE WHITE ’17 Lifestyle Editor We’ve all heard the myth, likely upon our first visit to campus, tossed in along with fun facts about the highest point on Hawk Hill and the stone faces in Barbelin courtyard. Tour guides and students all agree: Saint Mary’s Hall is a bona fide haunted house, roamed by ghosts of the nuns who once inhabited its halls. Looking at the building from the outside, it doesn’t take a stretch of the imagination to believe that the old Tudor revival, with its storybook half-timbering and enormous stained glass window, might be carrying a hidden past. But unlike other Saint Joseph’s University legends, Saint Mary’s history isn’t easily traceable. After speaking with Saint Joseph’s University archivist Chris Dixon, taking a brief trip to the Lower Merion Historical Library, and doing a thorough dig through online databases and local publications, here’s what can be said for sure about the dorm’s history: The building, now called Saint Mary’s Hall, was built in 1915 by Horace Trumbauer, a successful architect of the gilded age. It was constructed on the plot of what was once the Victorian mansion Bloomfield. The house, named Dunroven, served as the private estate for owner Edward M. Storey for 30 years, according to Ted Goldsborough from the Lower Merion Historical Library. The property was then purchased in 1948 by the Sisters of Bon Secours, a congregation dedicated to care and nursing. Under their ownership, Dunroven became Our Lady Help of Christians Convalescent Home, a nursing facility that housed sick and elderly patients. The convalescent home remained in its spot on City Ave. until the late 1970s, when the building became too expensive for the sisters to upkeep. They began renting it to Saint Joseph’s University in 1978 to use as housing, and eventually sold it to the university in 1985. As for the lives of the residents—the stories you can’t find by looking at old deeds, blueprints, and housing records, there is little on the books to be found.

What is well-preserved, however, are the ghost stories. One thing the archives confidently shows is that superstitious students have been chattering about possible on-campus hauntings for decades. In a 1995 issue of The Hawk, an entire page devoted to ghost stories detailed supposed spiritual sightings, documenting what they reported as “ancient stories told through the generations.” “Almost every house and dorm is associated with some kind of spooky tale,” read one of the pieces in The Hawk’s special section. More stories on the page revealed reports of mysterious moving objects and windows that closed on their own. One story even theorized that McShain Hall had been built on the grounds of a Bon Secours cemetery, citing resident assistants and security guards who had witnessed ghostly figures of nuns wandering about. Even today, students continue to vividly fill in the gaps of a residence hall whose history is otherwise mysteriously unknown. Some of these rumors even come from experience. Steph Eklund, ’16, has encountered her fair share of spooky happenings during her time as an RA in Saint Mary’s—including a night where she returned to find the lights turned off and the doors suddenly closed though no one else was home. But Eklund recognizes the way rumors of Saint Mary’s haunted past have been passed down and built upon by generations of Saint Mary’s residents. She’s seen the stories take on lives of their own, giving Saint Mary’s Hall a reputation that precedes it. “I do know that Father Gillespie said his mom worked there while he was going to college. And he told us ‘there are lots of rumors about Saint Mary’s but I know you’ll find it’s a peaceful place,’” Eklund said. Whether they’re come from long passed down rumors or spooky encounters like Eklund’s, these stories have become as much part of Saint Mary’s history as the other documents found in the small box dedicated to building in the university’s archives. It might not be a complete history, but it’s a history written by the Saint Joseph’s community itself.

8 | Housing Edition

Feb. 10, 2015

The Hawk

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KRISTEN ADAMS ’17 Hawk Staff Transitioning to cooking in college is tough. I personally love my mom’s cooking, and having to go from eating it every day in high school to making meals on my own was definitely hard. Here are some things I’ve learned along the way that have helped me to better my college cooking experience. 1. Leftover spaghetti and a Pringles can: If you don’t cook all of your spaghetti noodles in one shot, then save the leftovers by storing the uncooked pasta noodles in an empty Pringles can. This way, the noodles will stay fresher than in the original package and they’ll be easier to access when you need them. 2. Eggs in the microwave: If you want some good eggs in the morning and don’t have a frying pan or time to stop in Campion, use a mug and the microwave! Spray a mug with nonstick cooking spray, crack two eggs inside, and add a little shredded cheese and milk. Microwave for 45 seconds, stir, microwave for another 45 seconds, and then you’re done. 3. When you don’t like cold pizza: If you’re like me, and don’t enjoy the taste of cold pizza (or are discouraged when reheating and eating mushy pizza), then I have just the hack for you, especially if you don’t have access to an oven. When re-heating day-old pizza, try adding a glass of water! Fill a ceramic mug 2/3 of the way full with water, and place your pizza on a microwave-safe plate on top. The water will keep

the toppings from drying out and keep the crust crispy. Make sure you lower the microwave power and extend cooking time for better results. 4. Customize your ramen: We know how classic ramen noodles are for college kids. But instead of just eating them plain, get creative! My favorite thing to eat freshman year was ramen noodles with a little bit of tomato sauce and parmesan cheese that I kept in my mini fridge. It’s super simple and makes plain ramen taste so much better! Some other options could be adding chicken broth, vegetables, and chicken to make a soup, sprinkling some ramen on top of a nice, crispy salad, or even mac-n-cheese ramen, where all you need to add is a little milk and cheese. 5. Ironed grilled cheese: When you don’t have access to a stove to make a grilled cheese, you can use some tin foil and an iron. Simply take two slices of bread, stuff them with deli cheese or shredded cheese, wrap the sandwich in tin foil, and then iron away! You’ll be good to go. 6. Use the Keurig for everything: You can use the hot water from your Keurig to make anything from hot chocolate to instant oatmeal, and even boil the water needed for your ramen noodles. Get creative with your dorm room kitchen and let me know if you have more tricks.

Feb. 10, 2016

Housing Edition | 9

The Hawk

Spruce up your space Tips on how to brighten up your dorm into a fun and cozy room CIARRA BIANCULLI ’17 Assistant Lifestyle Editor Seeing the bleak walls, tiled floor, and small bed in your dorm room for the first time may have left you feeling discouraged. Questions began to race through your mind about how you could live inside this boring space for a whole year. There’s a simple solution: decorate it yourself! Instead of focusing on the dullness of your room, think about all the ways you can transform it to be a welcoming and cozy environment! Create a photo wall There are so many ways you can spice up the four walls you’re confined to. An easy way to do this is to buy double sided tape and use it to tape pictures of family and friends on to your walls. Get creative! Place the pictures into the shape of a heart, a star, or even your initials. Another idea is to buy strands of battery-powered lights and drape them across your walls. Once that is completed, take clothes pins and hang up some of your favorite pictures. Not only will this brighten up your room, but it’s also a great way to celebrate friendship and family. Don’t want to use pictures? Here are other options If you’re not into looking at pictures all of the time, hang a wall tapestry up! You can either buy one online or make one yourself using an old sheet and dye. You can also take old magazines and cut them up into words to stick onto your walls. For guys, take your favorite old jerseys and pin them up on your wall! You can also deck your walls with paraphernalia of your favorite sports teams, athletes, TV shows, or movies. Don’t leave your door hanging Instead of just decorating the outside of the door for holidays for everyone to see, decorate the inside of the door, too! Take washi tape or construction paper to brighten up your door with cool designs or quotes. Learn from others Krista Jaworski ’17 saw an old wheel from a bike and realized she could make it into a makeshift decoration for

her room by sticking pictures in the spokes. Jaworski also decided to transform her bureau into a place to display pictures, concert tickets, postcards, and plane tickets. All she had to do was tape a cork board on to her dresser to live her favorite memories over and over again. Orgnize your room creatively If you’re a makeup enthusiast and have no place to store your brushes, take a jar and decorate the outside of it with sparkles, colored paper, or different jewels. This will not only brighten up your desk but help keep it organized. Stay on track If you’re someone who likes to stay organized, create a fun and colorful calendar to put up on your wall or over your desk. A simple way to do this is to get a bulletin board, paint swatches, and pins. That way you can keep using the bulletin board to set your month on task and keep you on schedule. With all of these DIY decorations, your dorm room will be looking fabulous in no time!

Photos by Krista Jaworski ’17

Top 10 Apartment essentials Items to remember when moving into an apartment for the first time ANGELA CHRISTALDI ’17 Managing Editor So, you’ve (almost) survived a full year of living in a dorm, and visions of apartments are dancing in your head. With housing selection approaching quickly, the choices between Lannon Hall, Rashford Hall, Ashwood Hall, Lancaster Court, and Pennbrook Apartments is looming. Wherever you end up, there are essentials you’re going to need when making the switch from a dorm to apartment-style housing. 1. Kitchenware: We all complained our first year about how tired we were of food from Campion, and how much we missed home-cooked meals. One of the biggest luxuries of an apartment? Having your own kitchen. You don’t need to become the next Iron Chef, but having the option to make your own meal instead of eating the Campion mystery meat of-the-day can be pretty satisfying when you’re missing home.

an HDMI cord Crowding around one person’s laptop screen is never fun, so this must-have will make everyone’s lives that much easier—and more comfortable. 4. Shower curtain: Having a shower curtain, regardless of whether or not it matches your bathmat and towels, just makes your whole apartment feel more pulled together. Plus, it’s a good way to hide from guests just how many half-empty shampoo bottles are hiding out in your shower. 5. Baking supplies: While baking may seem like the last thing you’ll want to do after a stressful day, it’s actually really calming. Plus, at the end, you’ll have something awesome to eat! So make sure you have a cookie tray, a cupcake tin, and a brownie pan, as well as any ingredients you might need to make your favorite treats!

2. Throw pillows and blankets: The furniture provided by the university is pretty bleak. It’s probably the last thing that comes to mind when you think of “homey.” Make your new home comfortable by bringing some extra pillows and blankets to cover up the beat-up old bluish-gray cushions. It’ll brighten up both your living room and your mood.

6. String lights: As one of my roommates always used to say, string lights are “hashtag so college.” Campus housing is severely lacking in personality, and lights are the perfect way to brighten up your apartment! Whether you want to light your living room up pink or stick with the classic white, these decorations are the perfect way to light up your life.

3. HDMI cord: Whether it’s for binge-watching “Making a Murderer” with your roommates, or for playing Quiplash with your new friends across the hall, you’re going to need

7. Area rugs: Sure, the majority of the campus apartments are carpeted, but they don’t do much to protect you from cold floors, and aren’t exactly aesthetically pleasing. Area

rugs are a good and practical way to add some color and warmth to your new apartment. Plus, they’re easily moved in case you need to cover up any remaining evidence from that party you threw last month. 8. Printer: Sure, you get 200 free prints a semester, but if you have a 9:05 a.m. class, getting up early to go to the library to print is really inconvenient. It’s so much easier to just have your own printer so you can take care of everything the night before class and avoid running around in the morning. It might seem expensive, but a printer is a worthy investment when you wake up late or if the library printers run out of paper again. 9. Appliances: Make sure you have: a microwave (for reheating leftovers from the awesome meal you made last night!), a coffeepot of some type (Keurigs are a lifesaver on mornings when you’re running late!), a toaster (bagels are the breakfast of champions), and a blender (for milkshakes, margaritas, etc.). You’ll be grateful that they’re there, trust me. 10. Decorations: Last but certainly not least, decorations! We all want that magazine photoshoot-worthy apartment, so make sure you find the perfect posters and photos to show off your personality. This way, you’ll have a space that you’ll want to show off and love to spend time in!

10 | Housing Edition

Feb. 10, 2016

The Hawk

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Feb. 10, 2016

Housing Edition | 11

The Hawk

This is our house Why freshman basketball players call McShain home NICK MANDARANO ’18 Hawk Staff

Photo by Joey Toczylowski ’19

McShain Hall connects the Lower Merion side of Saint Joseph’s University’s campus to the Philadelphia side. It’s also what connects the basketball players to the rest of the student body. All freshman basketball players are required to live in McShain. Renie Shields, associate athletic director at St. Joes, explained in an email statement, “Freshman basketball players are placed in McShain Hall due to that being the one dorm that is open year-round. Prior to enrollment, the NCAA permits men and women’s in-

coming players to take summer courses and participate in workout sessions with coaches, and strength and conditioning coaches. In addition, the basketball season spans two semesters, fall into spring, necessitating the men and women players to be on campus during break. McShain Hall, therefore, is the dorm that can accommodate the need.” In the freshman men’s wing, Lamarr Kimble rooms with Pierfrancesco Oliva, and on the freshman women’s wing, Kristalyn Baisden bunks with Michala Clay. Both

Chris Clover and Alyssa Monaghan live with roommates who don’t play basketball, which Monaghan appreciates. “I live with a friend from high school,” Monaghan said. “I think it’s good to get away from [basketball], you know?” Graduate student Papa Ndao was also able to appreciate the opportunity of living with a non-athlete his freshman year. “It gave me an opportunity to stick my mind off of basketball and sports in general and just be a kid, basically,” Ndao said. “It helped [me blend in] a lot actually.”

Monaghan didn’t mind being required to live in McShain, but Kimble said he would’ve appreciated at least the opportunity to choose where to live. However, he’s happy with McShain now. Kimble likes the camaraderie the floor has built. “I like the way [McShain] is and we have a good first floor,” Kimble said. “Everybody’s real cool.” Monaghan agreed with Kimble’s sentiments. “Everyone is definitely blending in,” Monaghan said. “[Our floormates] definitely know that we’re basketball players, but it’s great. They made us signs for one of our first games. We kind of just blend in I think, which is good. It’s not like we’re separated.” Separation on a larger scale, though, may quite possibly be the greatest aspect of McShain. Monaghan especially enjoys the location of the dorm. “I feel like the location of it [is the best part], even though it’s on the other side of the main campus,” Monaghan said. “I still think it’s a good location. We’re on the Merion side, but nothing’s too far from you.” Kimble also likes the location of McShain, as well as the overall layout of the dorm rooms themselves. “I think it’s different,” Kimble said. “It’s isolated from everybody else, kind of. Two to a room, nice size. Everybody’s close together, but it’s not too close. You still have your own space and stuff like that. Everybody on our floor, I know they’re real cool, so that’s like a benefit.” St. Joe’s doesn’t have any dorms that are strictly labeled “athletic,” giving students and basketball players the opportunity to get to know each other off the court.

Home is where the Hawk is

Maximizing team safety and minimizing travel price CHRISTY SELAGY, M.A., ’17 Sports Editor As much as they may want to, the teams at Saint Joseph’s University cannot play all of their games at home. So, when any of the teams have to travel, consideration by the university must take place. The chief issues in team travel for St. Joe’s is the balance amongst the team’s safety and comfort, as well as the hotel’s pricing. Finding a safe, pleasant hotel to stay at year after year isn’t necessarily as clear cut as what might be expected. So, where do the teams stay when they travel, what transportation is supplied, and how does administration apply safety precautions to keep the teams well-protected? According to Jim Brown, senior associate athletic director, teams mostly travel by bus and plane. Many teams in the Atlantic 10 conference are within bussing distance, though a few schools are far enough away that teams need to fly out. One of the reasons teams fly to schools that are farther away is to minimize missing

classes, though it can never be completely avoided. If a team is traveling when classes aren’t in session, however, taking a bus isn’t as much of an issue, according to Brown. The number one concern for both travel and lodging accommodations is safety. Hotels where teams stay must not have rooms that open onto the street because of concerns about people getting into or out of the room, according to Brown. Another one of the main considerations when picking a hotel is location. According to Brown, staying closer to the campus or the event site is always preferable, but sometimes there are other events going on at the school or in the area that prevent that. This problem is especially prominent for fall sports when college football is also in season. Brown said that while they would prefer to have teams closer to the school or event site, keeping within the budget sometimes means the team doesn’t stay as close.

“Washington D.C. tends to be very expensive in terms of hotel rooms, so we’ll frequently stay… in northern Virginia or even southern Maryland,” Brown said. In addition to balancing safety and distance, St. Joe’s needs to consider their budget when coordinating team travel. The university has 18 Division I teams, all of which travel. “Price plays a role, too,” Brown said. “We want to make sure they [the hotels] are safe, comfortable, and clean, but at the same time, we want to make sure we stay in our budget. We do a lot of traveling. All our teams travel, and we’re very careful with that.” Another aspect taken into consideration is food, or lack thereof, at the hotel, according to Brown. Some hotels provide a free continental breakfast, which helps save money teams would otherwise have to use to buy breakfast the mornings before and after games.

“That is always convenient for a team so they don’t have to go out and get something to eat if they’re going to be staying overnight,” Brown said. If a certain hotel fits all the requirements in past years, St. Joe’s will try to have the team stay at the same hotel. However, this doesn’t always happen, as the hotel might not be available or the pricing or continental breakfast availability might have changed from the last time the team stayed there, according to Brown. If a safe, reliable hotel works out well for a team, another team might stay in the same hotel during their season. “If the soccer team is playing UMass [University of Massachusetts] in the fall and they’re in a very nice hotel and everything works fine, we may put the softball team in the same hotel [in the spring],” Brown said. “That’s not uncommon either. When we find a good hotel, we try to stay with it.”

12 | Housing Edition

Feb. 10, 2016

The Hawk

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